Well I’ve really gone & done it this time. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, I went to Duluth, MN in Feb. 2013 to make a short film affectionately called “Duluth Is Horrible.” I’ve started a blog to document the whole experience.

Already the talk of town, the film is a series of vignettes chronicling a few lonely people in Duluth, MN searching for a connection in a bleak winter. There is no specific plot in its 17 minutes but some of the short vignettes connect loosely. Scenes include the aftermath of a breakup from both sides, an older zookeeper on a online date, a Redditor complaining about his cat, a karaoke scene, a disillusioned Sex Chat girl, 5 people dressed as Carmen Miranda, a call from Enterprise Car Rental, and a little Disney magic thrown in for good measure. It will be the most personal and “dramatic” of my work. That said, I just have to throw in a few absurdist touches.

The film is complete and on the film festival circuit. You can also buy a DVD with commentary and bonus videos. DVDs come straight from me. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer.

Wake up! It’s 1986 and you’re watching KNFR, Channel 13 Yreka. Sit back and enjoy a classic episode of the children’s variety show, “Wizzy & Friends”, along with some vintage commercials & promos! The film is a 30 min. parody & includes the viral hit, “David’s Pizza”

KNFR will be making it’s way to film festivals soon! In the meantime, you can check out all the completed clips and more on the KNFR Facebook page. You can also buy a special limited edition DVD straight from the filmmaker with bonus shorts, interviews, unused footage, and commentary!

As seen on the Washington Post. You can download the original soundtrack here! 10,000+ views & a recent trip to the Gangrene Comedy Film Festival.

Director’s Statement

When I came home from school as a kid in the 80s, I watched “The Muppet Show.” These characters resonated with me and I wanted to own everything Muppet. In the third grade, my mom had bought me a bunch of Muppet folders. However when I pulled them out in class, the other kids made fun of me and suddenly I was embarrassed by them. It wasn’t cool to like the Muppets. I resorted to learning everything about Jim Henson & his work in private.

Luckily sometime in the last 10 years, the Muppets made a pop culture comeback. Finally I felt like I could let my Muppet freak flag fly. However, when I heard they were making a new movie to revitalize the brand, I was scared. The Muppet franchise itself had been sucking hard the last 10 years. It just wasn’t the same and Steve Whitmire’s weaselly-sounding Kermit did not sit well with me. I always thought I could do a better voice and knew the characters better than they did. Thus, the Muppetless Movie was born.

I’d never be able to get the puppets so using actor look-a-likes was a necessity. Over 25 Muppet characters are represented here from the big ones to smaller ones (just for the fans). I play Kermit and the voice of Rowfl, Janice, the announcer, & some lettuce. As filming went, I truly felt like the frustrated frog as he dealt with all these bizarro characters (all of whom wanted more screentime.) The faux-trailer format was decided so I would be able to have lots of little Muppet soundbites without having to get into a real plot. Of course, people now think a real Muppetless Movie is forthcoming. My response is always “if enough people want it, I will make it.”

I may never get the work with the actual Muppets so I did what an any eccentric filmmaker fan would do – rent a bar and have a bunch of local actors dress up like freaks. Enjoy the “Muppetless Movie”

- Vincent Gargiulo
Producer/Director/Kermit