Continuously being influenced by popular culture is an increasingly normal way of life in contemporary society. Some people will use that implicit power to their full advantage, in order to obtain their own personal goals. In order to stop that control, Joey Skaggs, a fierce proponent of independent thinking and an early critic of media irresponsibility, has set out to pull off the most demanding hoax of his career, which is highlighted in the upcoming documentary, ‘Art of the Prank.’ In honor of the movie being released on VOD platforms in the U.S. on Monday, October 9, Shockya is premiering an exclusive clip from the movie.
The award-winning film was directed and produced by Andrea Marini. ‘Art of the Prank’ is an emotional and humorous journey that showcases the work of Skaggs, who’s known as the godfather of the media hoax and one of America’s most notorious socio-political satirists. He’s is famous for instigating highly publicized media fictions, including Celebrity Sperm Bank, the Cathouse for Dogs, the Fat Squad and Portofess (a mobile Catholic confessional booth). The documentary also invites viewers to follow Skaggs as he sets out to pull off the most demanding hoax of his career. The story intertwines the present with a journey through his classic work from the past.
‘Art of the Prank’ is a Relight Films production. In addition to Marini, the movie was also produced by Judy Drosd and Michele Malfetta, and executive produced by John Cioffi, Guido Marini, John J. Cioffi III and Donald A. Barton. The director also worked on the documentary’s cinematography with Ben Carey, as well as the editing with Emanuele Muscolino.
While discussing why he was interested in making a documentary about Skaggs, Marini said: “When I first encountered Joey’s work, I was completely blown away. I knew that this story needed to be told, and that it was going to be a wild ride. The film embraces many subjects, from media responsibility to pressing social issues to the role of art in activism. But at its core, it’s a film about a man who, against great odds, is driven to make broad social commentary with his art.”
In honor of director Andrea Marini's documentary, 'Art of the Prank,' being released on VOD platforms in the U.S. on October 9, 2017, Shockya is premiering an exclusive clip from the movie. The film follows Joey Skaggs, a fierce proponent of independent thinking and an early critic of media irresponsibility, as he sets out to pull off the most demanding hoax of his career.