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About Fake Dog Films

Fake Dog Films is three people — Dara, Paul and Gearóid. We're based in Galway, Ireland, and we like to make films! To find out all about us, see the about us page!

You can see all our films on our films page.

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"Pulling a Webby"

Written 6 October 2009, 19:04 by Dara

We’d love to claim it as a post-modern nuance, a Zack Morris for the ’00s, a sly wink in acknowledgment of the audience in the style of Groucho Marx. But the much simpler truth is: Webby likes to look at the camera when he’s not supposed to. Precisely, when it’s filming him. For a film graduate with a masters in Film Production and Direction, this really is a baffling occurrence. But, the camera is a strange presence. It changes everything when it’s turned on. Some people over-act, some people stiffen up, and others look at it.

Over the past few years and hundred or so tapes (that’s right!), we’ve encountered this phenomenon quite a bit. It wasn’t long before we coined the phrase “pulling a Webby” for this unique device of looking at the camera when you’re not supposed to. Most of these moments have been left on the editing floor, but a couple have found their way into Fake Dog Films. The most obvious ones are in Fake Dog’s Lost parody. These almost work with the lo-fi and deliberately amateur-looking style; It’s clearly not meant to be taken seriously, this man is looking at the camera.

caught!Perhaps, have you asked Webby?

After a lot of slagging, Webby became less receptive to our jokes about “pulling a Webby” all the time. Possibly, he felt unappreciated as an actor. Then, we decided to make our music video for Distance. In it, Webby plays a tree; a funny concept, but the bulk of the film rests on Webby’s face. It was dangerous. It could have been awash with Webbys. But, it was to be his proudest moment, and he delivered a fine performace. Webby was Jim Carrey, and this was his Truman Show. He re-appropriated the term; “Pulling a Webby” was now to give a powerful, serious performance, for someone mainly known as a comedy actor. And there would be be no Yes Man to follow.

Even with the respect of his piers and an intense performance under his belt, Webby continues to look at the camera when he’s not supposed to. And he’s gotten better at it too. A quick glance, two frames worth of eyebal, and then he’s back to the scene. Blink and you’ll miss it. Gearoid assures me there’s a “Webby” is Crackdown 2, but I can’t see it. And Webby shows no signs of stopping. Watching the raw footage from A Dog’s Life Episode 2, I can honestly say I’ve never seen so many “Webbys” on one project. And though it’s endlessly frustrating to see a perfectly good take ruined by a “Webby”, it’s still pretty funny.

— Dara

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Leave a comment ...

  1. It only makes Webby’s absence even more painful!

    — Paul[insertfunnynumberreferencehere] · Oct 7, 03:25 PM · #

  2. Webby is even Pulling a Webby in this blog entry. You know, THE FUTURIST! has rarely seen Webby PULL A WEBBY in the films. An archival look will have to organized for this trademark. It could be like your Hitchcock moment. Every film contains ONE Pulling a Webby.

    — THE FUTURIST! · Oct 7, 11:35 PM · #

  3. Or like the doves in John Woo’s films!

    He definitely pulls a Webby in Crackdown 2, I’m pretty sure I proved that before!

    — Gearóid · Oct 8, 06:36 PM · #

  4. Yes I pull Webbys. I don’t realize I’m doing it. It makes Dara’s job much harder. Sorry Dara. Maybe the camera is my first concern. Camera man first actor second

    — Paul · Oct 10, 09:52 AM · #

  5. That’s my excuse anyway.

    — Paul · Oct 10, 12:10 PM · #

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