Toronto Hal Niedzviecki always considered himself a private person, and lived his life accordingly – that is, until he decided to put himself on display for the sake of a social experiment. The Toronto-based author recently completed a North American book tour for his popular book, The Peep Diaries, about how popular culture has become “peep culture” (how we are turning the intimate details of our personal lives into entertainment for millions of strangers via Twitter, reality TV, Facebook and more). The book was tapped as one of 25 “must-reads”
It’s all part of an innovative new documentary for CBC that uses the medium of Hal’s message – social networks like Facebook and user generated video websites like YouTube and Justin.TV – to put Hal on display, and involve the viewer in the making of the film.
Beginning on July 16th, Hal will be webcast live from his home 24 hours a day. There will be cameras in his living room, kitchen, bedroom, office, - and yes - even in his washroom. Niedzviecki will be constantly on view, sharing every aspect of his life, from the mundane to the deeply personal. The experience will be completely interactive, as viewers will be able to ask Hal questions, request further details about his activities, and comment as they please. Furthermore, viewers will be able to watch the filmmakers as they document Hal’s story, seeing how they “peep” their subject and craft their story.
“We want this to be as transparent a process as possible”, says director Sally Blake. “After all, a documentary is quintessential peep – we’re using somebody’s personal life as entertainment, no matter how ‘noble’ we view our profession.”
“The new generation of Peepsters are still in grade school, and it’s all well and good to smugly proclaim on what “peep” might be from the comfort of the proverbial sidelines, but it’s another thing to really get into it,” explains Loakman. “Hal needs a damn good push into the deep end, and we intend to do just that and throw away the lifejacket!”
This is a new kind of documentary project – one where the online gets to help the production team make the film. And they want to include you, too! If Blake and Loakman can find people who can really give Hal hell and keep pushing him, they’d like to put them in the film.
With the help of viewers and participants around the globe, the production duo will push Niedzviecki to his limits – and then some. And you can watch it all.
The PeepCast will be broadcast live at www.ThePeepDiaries.com starting on July 16th, 2009. For more information on Hal, the book, or the coming documentary, please visit www.ThePeepDiaries.com.
Media inquiries and interview requests can be directed to Erin Michelle Hipwell, PR Agent for Chocolate Box Entertainment:
