Brittany Furlan – The American Meme

By starrymag | December 26, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) I’m currently shooting a pilot called “Paradise City” about a rock band that sells their souls to the devil in exchange for fame. I also shot an indie film last year called Spy Intervention directed by Drew Mylrea which will be coming out 2019 (hopefully) that stars Poppy DeLevigne, Drew Van Acker, Blake Anderson and myself. I think they’re going to try for the festival circuit with that one. I’m always working on other things. I like to stay busy.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the documentary The American Meme.

 

A) The premise for “The American Meme” is to ultimately tell people that not everything is what it seems and not to judge a book by its cover. We tried to pull the veil back on social media and show what it’s really about, whilst diving into my personal life story, Paris Hilton’s life story, Kirill and The Fat Jew.

Q) How were you asked to be a part of it?

 

A)  A friend of mine named Brett Gursky was producing it and introduced me to Bert Marcus, the director of the film. We had a dinner meeting and kinda hit it off; he was intrigued by my story and then asked if I’d mind being followed with the camera for a little while to take my life in. I was a little hesitant at first, knowing my own struggles and fear of showing them, but Bert made it really comfortable and was nonjudgmental. Then we filmed more and more and here we are.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of the other social media stars asked to be involved with the feature?

 

A) Of course. I knew who all of them were except Kirill. I had known Paris vaguely from her kindness towards me with my Vine videos and then we got closer during the filming. She’s a really sweet soul. They all have genuinely good hearts. I think at the core of it that even the people that seem like the worst people just want to be loved and cared for. That’s what I think everyone wants at the end of the day.

 

Q) Talk about working with director Bert Marcus.

 

A) I really admire Bert’s persistence as a director. He would come shoot with me as much as I’d let him. He always wanted more. He was so thorough and kind and that’s why I think I was able to get so personal because after a while I stopped seeing the cameras and felt like I could just be who I am. He made it really easy for me to be myself, which is hard for me around people I don’t know very well. We became good friends through the course of shooting. He’s very talented and is going to go very far.

 

Q) How did you initially decide you wanted to pursue a life of internet infamy?

 

A) I never decided that. I never wanted to be “internet famous.” I was just a girl who was bored and exhausted by getting told “no,” so I found a platform (Vine) where I could perform and do my work without anyone telling me no. Then, it just grew and grew and grew. I didn’t see it coming, but I’m grateful for all of the opportunities it’s brought me.

 

Q) What are the downsides to being famous on the internet?

 

A) The downside to being internet famous is that people try to put you in a little box and label you as an “internet star” and that’s all you are; that’s as far as you’ll ever go. I’m happy to see so many internet stars crossing over, including myself, especially because I was an actress first who just happened to find fame on the internet. It was never who I am to be a “YouTube Star” or “Internet Famous.” I just love performing. I love a script. I love film. So I figured I’d get there any way I could.

 

Q) What is it about memes that you think makes using them so popular?

 

A) Personally, memes are just a quick and relatable laugh for most people – a quick escape from your life for a second. I love them because they crack me up. I repost others sometimes (and ALWAYS credit them), but I usually just try to make my own.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching The American Meme?

 

A) I hope people realize that nothing is what it seems, and no one is really who they seem online. It’s so important to understand before you leave a rude comment or judge someone. Think first, “Do I know this person personally? How does this really affect me? How will I affect them?” People are people. We should know by now that people cope in different ways and we are not to judge. Everyone should focus on their own life and being the best person that they can be.

 

Q) While there are downsides to being a part of social media, why is it such an important tool for you to use to connect with your fans?

 

A) The thing I do love about social media is that you are able to connect with people on important causes, make people laugh and bring a little joy to someone’s day. That does a lot for me, especially when I started opening up about my struggles with anxiety. I had a bunch of people write to me saying they go through the same thing and how grateful they were that I was bringing light to it. In the same breath, it was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone in this; that I shouldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed. It really helped me and a lot of others. I feel for them and they get it and that’s probably one of the best feelings in the world; no longer feeling like you’re alone.

 

Q) We’ll be seeing you in the upcoming film The Dirt. Talk about what it means to you to be a part of the movie about your fiance’s rise in the music industry.

 

A) [laughs] I’m in it for literally a second, I have one line, but it was really fun to be included because I love Tommy [Lee] so much and the story is so cool. He’s such an incredible guy; he’s worked so hard. They all have. Writing their own songs, playing their own instruments, no auto-tune nonsense…The real deal. It’s just so impressive to me.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you?

 

A) I’d like to just personally thank everyone who’s supported me, stuck by me and stood by me. I know the internet is a fickle place but there’s so many amazing people on there and they have so many incredible stories and big hearts. Thank you to those who have seen my struggle and didn’t choose to judge me. And most of all, to anyone out there fighting battles of their own- please know, you aren’t alone in this. ❤️ Let’s end the stigma.