The Weirdo Hero Explained

The Weirdo Hero
Starring:Theo Francon[1] [2]
Director:Ryan Curtis[3]
Producer:Derek Hird[4] [5]
Runtime:40 minutes
Country:Canada
Language:English

The Weirdo Hero is a 2015 Canadian independent theatrically released short film about a professional wrestler dealing with depression.[6] [7] [8] [9] The film uses animation together with live-action.[10] The film stars professional wrestler Theo Francon in the lead role as "Fabulous" Frankie Myers, a play on his real life ring name "Ravenous" Randy Myers.[11] [12] The film was partially based on Francon's own life and experiences with depression.

Plot

After winning the main championship of his promotion professional wrestler "Fabulous" Frankie Myers struggles with depression as his real life responsibilities come crashing down around him. Fighting with undiagnosed depression and treading water financially his efforts are made harder by a cartoon version of his subconscious terrorizing him with doubts of his capabilities until he finds himself on the edge of a breakdown.[3] [13] [14]

Cast

Production

The film was directed by Ryan Curtis who formerly worked on the television series Supernatural. Filming took place in Port Coquitlam. The shooting of the finale for the film done before a live audience after three warmup matches by wrestlers from the wrestling promotion ECCW.[17] [18] Theo Francon rehearsed scenes with director Ryan Curtis and the participating audience was credited in the film as extras.[19] [20]

Release and reception

The film had its red carpet premiere on August 31 at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver.[14] [21] The film was nominated for a Leo Award in the category Best Costume Design in a Short Drama.[22] Ryan Curtis won the Golden Lion Award in 2015 at the London Film Awards for Best First-Time Director.[23] [24] The film was followed by a YouTube webseries.[25] It was selected for the 2017 Whatashort Independent International Film Festival.[26]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dueck . Trevor . Knights of Dunsmuir: Ravenous Randy Is Your Weirdo Hero . vancitybuzz.com . March 11, 2015 . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625115348/http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/03/knights-dunsmuir-ravenous-randy-weirdo-hero/. VanCity Buzz.
  2. Web site: The Weirdo Hero . Cinema Quebec. June 25, 2017.
  3. Web site: The Weirdo Hero (2015) . Moviefone. June 25, 2017.
  4. Web site: Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times March 17 2015 by Maple Ridge Times - Issuu. 17 March 2015 .
  5. News: Landreville . Troy . Pitt Meadows grappler producing The Weirdo Hero . . March 12, 2015 . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625114518/http://www.mrtimes.com/entertainment/317648561.html.
  6. Web site: A Wrestler Faces His Toughest Opponent in 'The Weirdo Hero' . . June 25, 2017.
  7. Web site: Gillard . Stacey . The Weirdo Hero: A Film About Depression and Wrestling . @STAKE. March 6, 2015 . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625112243/https://atstakemagazine.com/2015/03/06/the-weirdo-hero-a-film-about-depression-and-wrestling/.
  8. Web site: Kurucz . John . Film shines a light on depression . . March 12, 2015 . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625111654/http://www.tricitynews.com/film-shines-a-light-on-depression-1.1791017.
  9. Web site: Byer . Matthew . 'The Weirdo Hero' to wrestle with depression . April 3, 2016 . SLAM! Wrestling. . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625111317/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Movies/2015/02/27/22259711.html.
  10. Web site: Heitger-Ewing . Christy . The Weirdo Hero: Filmmaker Creates a Movie to Show What Depression Feels Like and to Inspire Those Who Suffer to Seek Help . . March 11, 2015 . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170625111134/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christy-heitgerewing/the-weirdo-hero-filmmaker_b_6839736.html.
  11. http://www.kisw.com/blogs/steve-migs/who-weirdo-hero https://www.webcitation.org/6wHYbkDiV?url=http://www.kisw.com/blogs/steve-migs/who-weirdo-hero
  12. Web site: SPN Survivors . https://archive.today/20180128211059/https://spnsurvivors.org/blog/ . 28 January 2018 . dead.
  13. Web site: The Weirdo Hero . Cinema Montreal. June 25, 2017.
  14. Web site: The Weirdo Hero . . June 25, 2017 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625112717/http://riotheatre.ca/movie/the-weirdo-hero/.
  15. Web site: What are the characters in The Weirdo Hero movie . actorole.com . June 25, 2017.
  16. News: Jonca . Lukasz . Wrestlers use film 'The Weirdo Hero' to inform about depression. PoCo's ECCW, wrestlers Theo Francon and Derek Hird involved in short film project to highlight challenges of depression. . . March 13, 2015. August 19, 2017 .
  17. Web site: Wrestlers use film 'The Weirdo Hero' to inform about depression . ECCW . September 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905200457/http://www.eccw.com/media/wrestlers-use-film-the-weirdo-hero-to-inform-about-depression . September 5, 2015.
  18. Web site: Gillard . Stacey . Weirdo Hero – My Introduction To Movie-Making . @STAKE. August 13, 2015 . August 19, 2017 .
  19. Web site: Jonca . Lukasz . Filming of The Weirdo Hero with Theo Francon a.k.a. Ravenous Randy Myers successful . . March 16, 2015 . June 25, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170625110945/http://www.tricitynews.com/entertainment/filming-of-the-weirdo-hero-with-theo-francon-a-k-a-ravenous-randy-myers-successful-1.1894352 . June 25, 2017.
  20. Web site: 'The Weirdo Hero' Wrestles with Depression: Short film shines a light on the secret life of suffering . May 9, 2015 . dailyjobber.com . July 30, 2017.
  21. Web site: Short Film . . June 25, 2017 . October 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151005024630/http://lacinefest.weebly.com/short-film-10-092015.html.
  22. Web site: 2016 Leo Awards Nominees by Program . . June 29, 2017.
  23. Web site: 2015 London Film Award Winners . London Film Awards . June 29, 2017.
  24. http://www.brewstarstheseries.com/amenities/ https://www.webcitation.org/6wHYrCWVG?url=http://www.brewstarstheseries.com/amenities/
  25. Web site: The Weirdo Hero Webseries . YouTube . July 30, 2017.
  26. Web site: 2017 official selection . https://web.archive.org/web/20171225083619/http://www.whatashort.com/wiiff2017-official-selection/. 25 December 2017. dead . Whatashort.com . 2017-08-19.