Media Lab Studios Blog

The Road to Individuality Finalist #3

Friday, September 26, 2008 | 1:06 PM

 
The Road to Individuality Challenge
Finalist #1 Finalist #2 Finalist #4 Finalist #5 Finalist #6
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FreeStyle by Robbie Wilkins

FreeStyle: A Couch Surfer's Guide to Travel

by Robbie Wilkins

Couch Surfer, Robbie Wilkins, explores the world of free travel on a border-to-border journey of the West Coast (Canada to Mexico) without spending a dime on transportation or accommodation, depending solely on social exchange and the kindness of strangers.

Robbie Wilkins
Robbie Wilkins

Robbie Wilkins was born in Lincoln, Nebraska where he was raised by his family of positive thinkers and hug-givers. He is a graduate of Creighton University's school of Journalism, a San Francisco Art Institute dropout, and travel enthusiast. His favorite city in the world is Prague, Czech Republic.

 

18 Comments

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More like a commercial than art. This film embraces a romantic lifestyle and achieves what it needs to with fun cinematography and a Dane Cook look-alike but ultimately possesses little substance on its own.

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Clever. I would watch this.

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I'm willing to go on this trip. This is a really fun little piece. The film maker seems like a really charismatic guy. But then again, you have to be when you're a freeloader. This could be a risky project since it'll only be interesting if his travels are interesting, there's no telling what's going to happen along the way. But it looks like all of the footage has already been shot.

By far, this is the best cadidate for a series of webisodes of the bunch.

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Ok, I'd watch it. Robby's bonhomie feels genuine and just self-deprecating enough that we don't want him to get kicked by the world he has too much naivete to understand.

This film reads like a promotion, but the series has options. Still, it might be more of a reality TV series than an indie film, a proselytizing how-to guide more than a collection of stories.

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Loved it. Great opening, brought back plenty of memories of waking up on strangers' couches for me.

While this type of lifestyle is certainly open to criticism, I don't think the merits of Robbie's skill as a video producer are.

My friend complained about the premise, she finds the whole couch surfing phenomenom obnoxious. From the looks of other comments, I'm sure there's plenty of others who are the same.

Yet, that doesn't take away from the fact that there is plenty of potential for an entertaining series here.

Getting away from the filmmaker's lifestyle choice, it could be said that there is something very industrial and streamlined about the trailer. But again, I don't see that as a fault in any way. It's slick and professional.

It's pretty difficult if not impossible to acheive the same level of complexity that you would find in a feature film or long running television series in a 5 minute video. I can't see anyone developing any type of major character arc in only a few viral webisodes

A concept like this is best suited for a competition such as this and vice versa.

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Love it!! (What better time than now for this series, with the current economic meltdown.) I think that for a lot of people, embracing this type of lifestyle is not about being a freeloader so much getting back to a life that's full of basic human interactions rather than monetary ones. I want to see how Robbie's trip goes as sort of how-to guide for trying it myself!

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I liked this -- it has potential -- but I'm not sure because we never find out if this guy is really interesting -- if he's not its a dud. Some nice shots, good sound track, maybe a laugh but no way to tell from this short.

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As a former professional couch-surfer, I think it is brilliant that Robbie has decided to share this art with the rest of the world, as well as inspiring that there still are people that believe in the goodwill of humankind. I would pay to watch this film!

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Given the current social dynamic where we (electronically) know people across the country and the globe, but don't know (literally) the upstairs neighbor, I think the story of personal interaction with nearly anyone is engaging, let alone the tale of what kind of stones it takes to trust in the universe providing for you, as it were. The news is filled with fear-based creep-fests about the person you least expect to be a serial killer. How about a reality check-in with the rest of the population who still believes that taking care of fellow man is a 'right' way to live? I'm interested in seeing both the successes and failures of th

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This is the only preview that I felt like watching all the way through. It also seems to capture the "road to individuality" theme the best of the finalists. My curiosity is definitely piqued. I wish I could flip over to iFC and watch it right now instead of Paris Hilton's Next BFF. Blech!

Good luck!

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A series based on the kindness of strangers? Yes, please. Especially now.

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I want this one!

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This is the only one that has any episode potential. Out of the 6 this guy really has the most clear intention for a series called "the road to individuality". Some of the others are ok to stand on their own but none of them, except this one, have any potential to be a series. None. I want to see where this guy can go with this. Big mistake if this one can't win.

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Best by FAR- I love it! Robbie is a charming and charismatic host, his concept is interesting and original, and will translate into a great webseries. I can't wait to see the full episodes!!

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I think this would work best if we never saw anyone but Robbie and the couches. There's some great initial tension built up when he explains how he doesn't know whose couch or city he's in- a wonderfully creepy moment we've all experienced one way or another. You really hope no one comes around the corner for a second or two and then he redirects your interest.

This is the best.

I don't get the "commercial" comments. Isn't he pitching an idea for support? It is an explanation. I don't sense an attempt at "branding" or anything that. JMHO.

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This is by far the best one. I can really see the potential here and want to watch more. Given the state of the economy now and Robbie's seemingly funny and sincere personality.

THis one has to win.

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Definitely the best of the finalists. I'm really interested in finding out where Robbie's travels will take him, and who he meets on the road. Will he find the kindness in strangers that he's searching for, or will there be some bumps along the way? I definitely agree that this fits the theme "the road to individuality" the best of them all, and it's entertaining to boot!
Robbie catches our attention right from the get-go, and I get the feeling he won't disappoint. He seems to have the charisma required to make this stellar idea succeed. Let's see more!

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When is IFC going to announce that this guy won? Come on, it is by far the best!

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