Youtube Superstar of the Week

Luis Pedron interviews Mackenzie Perrin who is the face behind Incidental Heroes, a Youtube serial -  is a weekly online video series that parrallels the TV show NBC's "Heroes."

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=IncidentalHeroes

Exclusive Interview by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com

Luis: Your videos are different because they are reactions to certain episodes and charters from the show Heroes? May I ask you how you guys thought of this unique idea?

Mackenzie: The guy who plays Shawn came up with the show's concept when he was at the gym and we took it from there. There's nothing else like it out there so it's definitely been an exciting project to work on.

Luis: If at all these videos showcase your writing skills and acting prowess... wow girl you can act! Plus you look great on screen! Is Hollywwod a-calling?

Mackenzie: If Hollywood is a-calling, I will go a-running! Although, I must say if it would be possible to work as an actress, and be based out of NYC, I would prefer that.


Luis: How much time do you spend planning for your videos?
Do you write a script...or just improv?

Mackenzie: We discuss where the episode has to go, and what the major points are that we have to hit in the dialogue, then we improv it from there. Shooting each episode is a lot of fun. We generally do every show in one take.

Luis: Wow, you get thousands of hits ... I assume Heroes fans and Mackenzie fans?

Mackenzie: That is such a nice thought! Mackenzie has fans….. kind of tickles me as she is so dear to me! I think it has been interesting to see how Heroes fans respond to the show. When heroestheseries.com, and the http://www.9thwonders.com/boards/  wrote about us, it was such a thrill. Also, on YouTube there is someone called "infelt" that has a lot of Heroes trailers and gets a LOT of views, and I remember the day he subscribed to us, it was as if Tim Kring had called……ok, maybe not TIM KRING, but someone big!!

Luis: Do you get fan mails from your subscribers? Do you wirte to them personally?

Mackenzie: We do get comments and emails that we respond to. We try to answer all of it. There have been some bad comments but we never delete them. It's always amazing that someone would take the time to write something really negative. I won't go on and on about this, but the people on youtube that leave NASTY messages, and I don't mean if someone criticized us, I mean horrible language, or even something violent, are rather sad I think. I believe it says a lot more about who they are then what we do. Anyway, WE LOVE it when people leave comments, and it is fun to respond to them. It resonates with us and we find ourselves talking about the subscribers and even wondering if "so and so" will like this episode etc! One thing I find VERY frustrating is that MANY times we answer comments, and they never show up. I don't know why that happens.

Luis: Have you been in movies before?

Mackenzie: Shawn had a small part in an independent film a few years ago called Federal Hill. My..Mackenzie's real name is Tara Westwood, and I have done one feature that was released to DVD as 'Grownups', and when later played on Lifetime the name was changed to My Best Friend's Wife. Also a few short films, and itty bitty parts on a couple of tv shows.


Luis: If you were to produce your own movie, who would you cast as your leading man( pls name Hollywood and youtube stars) and why?

Mackenzie: Tough one, it changes all of the time. Gary Oldman, Viggo Mortenson, John Malcovich...... They are all great actors that I admire, and although people always say to me "but Malcovich isn't THAT hot!", I immediately think that they must not have seen Dangerous Liasons! Youtube stars….hmmm...does Sam Rockwell's 'Robin's Big Date' make him a youtube star? Mr Deity for sure….after all , HE IS the man. I feel like you and people from youtube maybe want me to say the Hamster Guy!?? lol


Luis: What to you is youtube?

Mackenzie: YouTube is a paradigm shift in media control and access. I don't really think the big players, the networks, the agents the established actors, really get the potential of it all yet. I think in a lot of ways they are afraid of it, because it is, and it will change everything, particularly in a power sense, as in who decides what gets produced and seen and what doesn't, not to mention lowering the pay scales for big name actors. YouTube opens up the media world to intense competition really for the very first time. If you have a vision, some time and a video camera you truly can have a world wide impact. That's never been possible before. It is such a great opportunity for independent artists.

Luis: Who are you favorite youtubers?

Mackenzie: I just watched a video by BuckMarvel that someone sent me, and find him extraordinarily provocative. He's only posted one video, but he stands out to me because he's a risk taker and he uses the video medium to its fullest potential. I think everyone should see his video about water. The editing is incredible. It's about how we in the developed world take so many simple things for granted. It's an important video. I also like Dylan's Couch (cinemafreaks) - he's adorable. MrDeity is unbelievably funny, and should have his own TV series if you ask me. ToniValentine is incredibly clever and cute. And ZEROES is soooo funny!

Luis: How do you market yourself on youtube?

Mackenzie: We don't actively market ourselves other than posting Incidental Heroes episodes as responses to Heroes trailers. The Heroes fans seem to find us.

Luis: What is next for Incidental Heroes?

Mackenzie: We have episodes planned out for the foreseeable future. Although sometimes something will happen in the TV show that will force us to change tact slightly. Because Incidental Heroes is the first show of it's kind - an independent yet related off shoot of a television show - we are taking it as it comes and most often are flying by the seat of our pants! We have had some people suggest we do something with NBC……you have any connections? Can you hook us up? lol

Luis: What is next for Mackenzie?

Mackenzie: Geez, at this point I think I need to figure out what to do (if anything) about Linderman trashing my place! Also have to learn to hone my skill, so I can be of more use.

Luis: Any advice for new youtube users how to be popular on youtube?

Mackenzie: Be original. Stick to your guns and get involved with the community. YouTube, if nothing else, is a community and that's what makes it so powerful.