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6. American Juggalo

by Sean Dunne

4 months ago

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by Sean Dunne

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American Juggalo is a look at the often mocked and misunderstood subculture of Juggalos, hardcore Insane Clown Posse fans who meet once a year for four days at The Gathering of the Juggalos.

We went to The Gathering of the Juggalos and let the Juggalos speak their minds.

I hope you enjoy it.

americanjuggalo.com
veryapeproductions.com

**Hey kids, now you can follow my adventures on facebook!! tinyurl.com/2f9zqmg

Credits

Sean Dunne
Director
Kathy Gatto
Editor
hillary spera
Director of Photography
Frank Turbe
Sound
David Nyman
Composer

3,266 Likes

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1 hour ago
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Tags

blackwatch 4 months ago

how bizarre
zsutti 4 months ago

I like this documentary. I've featured it on my tumblr.
zzz-folder.tumblr.com/post/10681494620/american-juggalos-another-subculture-ive-never
Adam Shumaker 4 months ago

great work as always
Ed David 4 months ago

Excellent social commentary. Highs and lows in the doc capture what I think it means to be an American in this day and age. Lots of interesting variety of attendees - doc really starts to get interesting with that female concert goer who claims to not be on drugs.
Ben Thompson 4 months ago

fuck yeah dude totally agree, this was a rollercoaster (or carnival ride?) of emotion all wrapped into a great looking 23 minutes.
XOXO Wedding Studio 4 months ago

Awesome Doc.
Fantastic topic.
Crazy crazies.

KEEP THEM COMING!
Will Hough 4 months ago

Great job with this Sean.
Jonny Fritz 4 months ago

Terrifying. Heaven help all runaways.
Short of the Week 4 months ago

Ha! My GF is obsessed with Juggalos! Great topic Sean, executed, as always, with care.
+
vimeo.com/channels/shortoftheweek
Eddie O'KEEFE 4 months ago

This is the best thing I have ever seen on Vimeo. Unreal. So well done. Congrats!
Wood Sugars 4 months ago

The beginning reminds me of the intros of the Zeitgeist films
Kat the Leopardess 4 months ago

Very interesting perspective and straightforward interview. Thanks for trying your best to get a well rounded view and dispell some of the rumors.

To be honest, I think every group/fandom gets stereotyped based on a small fraction of its populous. As a furry, I know this first hand so I really appreciate you trying to keep it real but get a well rounded perspective.
Jon Nix 4 months ago

totally fascinating.
Alex Henery 4 months ago

great video
frank otero 4 months ago

This documentary is amazing.

What equipment was used? Beautifully shot. Really great color, super clean, and solid compositions.
hillary spera 4 months ago

Hey Frank! Thanks. We shot it on two Sony EX3's.
frank otero 4 months ago

REALLY impressive. I thought for sure you guys were doubled up on RED's after the slow motion stuff I saw. Were they stock lenses or did you have other choices?

I'm guessing Magic Bullet Looks for some of the coloring, like on the zig zag ride with the flares?

Either way, again, seriously beautiful work.
Rabid Child Films 4 months ago

You can get some great slow motion out of EX3's. Great crisp image as well. Extremely good job!!!
Mike McLaughlin 3 months ago

I agree. That camera, for some reason, produces excellent slow mo. Awesome film!
Beeker 4 months ago

And for all the people who think this is "weird"... how is this different than burning man? :\ You people are confusing. Not defending these people, but I see no difference in the "weird", if you catch my drift.
Jason Mongue 4 months ago

Yes, strikingly similar to Burning Man.
Every year for a week in August. Check.
Nudity. Check.
Partying. Check.
They call it "Home". Check.
Music. Check.
They've got their own subculture of costumes (black t-shirts vs faux fur). Check.
They say the word F*ck as often as burners say Comm*nity.

Really quite amazing. And I love Burning Man. Perhaps I need to go to a Gathering. :)
Ben Chaykin 4 months ago

I loved this doc. I don't think anyone thinks a festival tied to a specific group of people is weird. I agree with the burning man comment and this kind of event happens all the time. For me, my biggest turn off with juggalos is the message thats tied to the promoting ignorance. This film focused on the fact that the juggalos have tons of love for each other; claiming all juggalos are family. I'm all about that. But when I hear ICP lyrics about deliberately ignoring science and facts about our universe, it's hard to sympathize. They're totally open minded to each other, but what about non-juggalos? Just thought I'd share my opinion.

Mars VonVector has a comment 6 comments down from this one that I agree with.
Joaquin Garcia 4 months ago

The difference between Burning Man and the Juggalo Gathering is that the Juggalos have the balls to be who they are everyday, in public, while Burning Man attendees only "let themselves go" to be an alter-ego for a couple days or a week. I guess I would say, Burners (?) are lying to themselves more than the Juggalos are about who they are (not that the Juggalos way of thinking is any more or less correct).
Beeker 4 months ago

Joaquin, I don't know any burners personally. But I do have some friends who have gone, and while they did go to the event to "let go" as you say, I don't see that as any different then what the juggalos are doing here, or what people do at say a typical rock concert. However some notably long time burners might argue your point that they aren't burners through and through. I am friends(follower/followee) with a few of these people on twitter, and I can honestly say the posts they make about art/society in general seem to mimic many of the ideas around burning man. These people may be anecdotal examples, but an example is still a use case where the idea holds true.

I'd venture to guess a lot of the people in this video are "fronting" and perhaps even more so with the cameras there. Dare I say they may be "hamming" it up for the camera.

Here I am now defending the other side... but the point holds true, we are all the same, we want a sense of belonging, to feel wanted/needed and feel like part of something greater than ourselves.
Joaquin Garcia 4 months ago

I think what I meant to say should have been more plain put...and that is, Burners don't continue to wear their fairy wings or Burning Man outfits in everyday, public life. The Juggalos however, do. I would defend your point that the Juggalos are 'hamming' it up for the camera and I would also suggest that the Burners do the same; it's the see and be seen mentality. I don't know, I'm not an expert on either gathering, I don't care for either one.
Beeker 4 months ago

I don't either, but there are some cool aspects of burning man that I'd like to see with my own eyes. I am only defending the weirdness... as I don't find this or burning man or any other event like these to be the slightest of "weird".
Jesse Miksic 4 months ago

Burners may not wear their faux-fur or fairy wings in public, but Juggalos don't wear spray-paint on their faces or go totally naked in public. Burners present themselves to the public as hippies; Juggalos present themselves to the public as thugs. Both are valid ways of presenting oneself, and the two lifestyles are equally "honest."
Powder Monkeys, Inc. 4 months ago

There is a spectrum of involvement related to both events. Meaning, many Juggalos or burners live by their respective ethic daily, while others may embrace the culture for just one week long event. And anyone that spends significant effort to present themselves in costume wants others to see them in that light just as much as any style in Vanity Fair or GQ.

A significant difference is the ICP event is produced by the ICP, bringing additional performers to a concert like event, whereas the Burn event "promoters" provide logistics: city layout, portapotties, ice, coffee, safety and a fireworks show. Burners provide their own entertainment, spending a significant part of their year planning theme camps, music, artwork, art cars and fund raising events. There are so many events, especially in California that provide avenues of self expression as well, so it is easy to experience the burn away from burning man. Now I feel compelled to experience the Gathering.
Andrew Mohrer 4 months ago

loved every minute!
#offthegrid 4 months ago

Great job man, love it!! I heard this was being made.. couldn't wait to see it. We were there covering the Gathering for our magazine, #offthegrid. Anyone interested can read our article here: offthegrid.fm/2011/08/gathering-of-the-juggalos-day-1-thursday/
Eric Lane 4 months ago

I feel enlightened. Great project.
Blair Dog 4 months ago

I love the intro music with the slow mo, reminds me of "A Clockwork Orange".
Blake Whitman 4 months ago

Great work, Sean. This is fascinating. Sorry to miss the screening last night!
Mars VonVector 4 months ago

It seems to me that Juggalos misunderstand why people don't like them. They all seem to think it's because they're "different", but in reality it's most likely because they're dumb and are proud of it. I think to many, they are one of the many tangible examples of the movement towards anti-intellectualism in America.
Joaquin Garcia 4 months ago

I think you just hit the nail on the head.
Travis Button 4 months ago

True but I would also say that being dumb and proud of it is better than being dumb and not even realizing it which may be as big or worse of a problem in an America wrapped up in commodities and false identity. Anyone who takes the time to give an honest self-evaluation and admit to the findings is better than someone who repeatedly tries to convince themselves and everyone else around them that they have some greater purpose when the latter clearly sees it's hopeless. wooo woooooot. haha To all their own!
Mars VonVector 4 months ago

I disagree. There is a difference between being dumb yet having a healthy ego and strong self-esteem, and actually having pride for your self-realized stupidity.
Jesse Miksic 4 months ago

Recognizing that you're dumb is called humility. Celebrating that you're dumb is the worst form of anti-intellectualism. Important distinction. Picking the best of two evils, I'd prefer people fake intelligence, rather than celebrate ignorance.
Travis Button 4 months ago

Jesse: You're first two sentences are very valid and i totally agree. On the contrary, we all have a right to believe and support what we want. But honestly if you prefer "fake intelligence" then you've obviously never had to work with someone who carries themselves in that manner. And considering your profile places you in the film/entertainment industry, I find that hard to believe. I'm also a firm believer that just having a positive ego/self-esteem and being nice isn't enough to give a person the right to make their self perception and projection higher than the reality of what it is.
Mars VonVector 4 months ago

How about this: Stupid is never good, but stupid people often are.
Travis Button 4 months ago

Have to admit, you got me on board with this one!
Cody P 2 months ago

I would argue that the basis of this thought is founded on a false assumption that knowledge exists. There is a categorized perceived reality that gives structure conducive to logic; However it is only belief and the coinciding stability that forms the concept of knowledge, rendering the idea of "dumb" or "smart" about as provable as god.
BackflipBedlem 4 months ago

Great little doco dude! Never heard of a Juggalo before, being from the UK, but I'm pretty sure I live by the same code as those guys!
Amenon 4 months ago

Great doco.
Are Juggalos related in any way to Gruffalos?
Jason Mongue 4 months ago

Somehow I feel like I just watched a documentary about the beginnings of Burning Man. Amazing work. You have an incredibly powerful style.
Sonny Malhotra 4 months ago

Fantastic. I've been trying to scrape money together to go document this for the last few years, it's absolutely fascinating!
mattmcb 4 months ago

loved it!
JJ Fabre 4 months ago

I love these pips! wuuhwuuuuh!
Refocused Media 4 months ago

Absolutely outstanding documentary, fascinating really. It's like a bunch over-sized middle schoolers.
Daniel Cronin 4 months ago

this is great! i've been documenting the gathering for the last two years with my 4x5 camera. check it out
dcroninphoto.com/index.php?/project/the-gathering-of-the-juggalos/
RYAN OHM ▲ 4 months ago

really great photos, Daniel!
hillary spera 4 months ago

Agreed. AWESOME shots.
Daniel Cronin 4 months ago

sorry i didnt get to meet you guys...last year it was just me and one other photographer....this year there were so many! great job, you really captured what it's like to be there
Fillup Munkee 4 months ago

Those were very good photographs!
RYAN OHM ▲ 4 months ago

awesome awesome job. would you share the equipment used? beautifully shot.
hillary spera 4 months ago

Thanks! We shot with two Sony EX3 cameras. And a lot of family love.
RYAN OHM ▲ 4 months ago

ah awesome, thanks for the reply! cheers
Evan Hadfield 4 months ago

Nice doc, unfortunately you didn't show the dark side of Juggalo culture. With every documentary, it's vital you show both sides.
ift 4 months ago

Oh no dark side shown? Haha...

Great doc.
Charles MacDowell 4 months ago

Fascinating stuff. I find enough here to present both sides of the case. Well done!
c stauder 4 months ago

Amazing, great job Sean!
Boywolf 4 months ago

Great work man, i really enjoyed it
Ross Finkel 4 months ago

This is so nicely done and incredibly beautiful. You guys got some great interviews. It was like a magical updated Heavy Metal Parking Lot
Anastasia 4 months ago

I was totally thinking of Heavy Metal Parking lot as I watched this!
Mike Darling 4 months ago

It reminded me of Heavy Metal Parking Lot too. DOKKEN!!
Kevin Mosley 4 months ago

Not gonna lie, this was interesting. I didn't think I would ever say that about the gathering of the juggalos.
Fernando Sarmento 4 months ago

Just WOW!!! =D Great Work! Congrats
clark vogeler 4 months ago

Bravo! wonderful doc!
cameron o 4 months ago

masterful my man
The Aggregate 4 months ago

Amazing work! We've got it live on our channel and site!
Ryan D 4 months ago

Wow. This was incredibly well done. You captured a lot of unique personalities and some rather interesting commentary. Great cinematography too.
Nathan Kane 4 months ago

Great work. Very interesting. Unfortunate that some people don't understand the effects of smoking during a pregnancy though.
Ben Thompson 4 months ago

girl at 22:07 on the right with painted tits was fuckin fine!

nicely shot and edited, looked spectacular and the emotion captured is truly unique!
Sean Christiansen 4 months ago

chuch!
London Image Films 4 months ago

Great short. Terrifying hehe
A Rigged Production 1 month ago

This ^, terrifying, TERRIFYING...
Alexander Jorgensen 4 months ago

If this doc has taught me anything it's that pregnant smokers are more likely to produce juggalos.
Jason Scott 1 month ago

Seconded.
Andrea Otto 4 months ago

An interesting insight on the whole phenomenon of this culture. I get it now.
Dmitry Shapiro 4 months ago

Awesome! Beautiful work!
TomKreft 4 months ago

The opening shot remind me of Hillary Harris' work on Koyannisqatsi, all the close up portraits of people in NYC and Vegas.
hillary spera 4 months ago

Like minded Hillary's.
Chad Schexnayder 4 months ago

I can't discern whether the call is "Whoot Whoot" or "Whoop Whoop". Could someone clear this up?
Joao Tomaz 4 months ago

Think its "what?? what??" but with a accent a since all the major brain damage...
probable brain surgeon on acid
6 month pregnant women on what ever
not right
holly marchosias 4 months ago

It's "Whoop Whoop."
Brad Sherman 3 months ago

"6 month pregnant women on what ever
not right" ---- Yeah, that kid aint' gonna be right.

Bring me the blonde at 22:07. NOW.
william jonathan sims iv 4 months ago

Nice work, great subjects, tasteful choice of music. Thank god it wasn't a feature. I am curious about your description though? How are juggalos misunderstood? Your doc seems to validate exactly the perception everyone else has of them.
mpared 4 months ago

interesting to watch to say the least ..its up at thecuriousbrain.com/
Joao Tomaz 4 months ago

Great image, nice subject,
"woops woops" remarkable people... able to change humankind, hopefully not!
Roland van Paridon 4 months ago

Amazing portrait.
Steffen von Fleisch 4 months ago

I`m speechless, this documentary was awesome!
Andy J. Scott 4 months ago

The definitive Juggalo documentary. Nice work.
Blue Collar Interactive 4 months ago

You took the lid off and looked into the jar. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Andy Byrne 4 months ago

Holy hell, honestly I've heard enough ICP to judge that it's not for me. Watching this well shot documentary though has made think they need to drop a huge dome over this concert and not let anyone out. Fucking christ. Terrifying.
Boy 4 months ago

It is a brilliant film and very well done. However, these people are not misunderstood. They are looked at as they represent themselves. And a good portion of them act like complete idiots, morons, scumbags.
daniel moss 4 months ago

agreed
Ivan Kander 4 months ago

You shoot this on DSLR?
hillary spera 4 months ago

No, we used two Sony EX3 cameras.
Ivan Kander 4 months ago

Dope. Did you use a 35mm adapter? You've got such glorious shallow depth of field. Grading looks great too!
Rob Munday 4 months ago

Another great doc Sean, have added this to our channel along with a selection of your previous films - vimeo.com/channels/wearedn

We've also featured your films on our site - directorsnotes.com/?s=sean+dunne