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Wainy Days
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Whether David Wain or his followers are aware, it must be stated that Wain is probably one of the biggest influences on internet comedy. The Stella Shorts, of which he held a guiding technical hand, and his 2001 feature, Wet Hot American Summer set somewhat of a standard for the irrational, random and abstract humor that so many have attempted to duplicate. His return to online video, Wainy Days, part of the recently launched My Damn Channel, reflects all the inexplicable whatnot we expect from him, and even shows the kiddos a thing or two about web series development.
"I like that there are really no rules," Wain says of working in the web idiom, "and that you don't have to reach any specific running time. I also like the webisode idea - really enjoying telling an ongoing story." And with so few web series actually living up to their genre with a connective thread, he seems to be taking an original albeit traditional approach, although seemingly out of necessity. "I'm also in prep in L.A. for a movie I'm shooting, so haven't been able to do everything myself - so I've gotten some of the best writers and directors I know to shoot some Wainy Days pieces."
Running his episodes like a traditional TV series with various talent taking the reins is a new approach, and with ten episodes planned, it'll be exciting to find something dynamic each week. But as always with Wain's work, don't think too far ahead. "I like that there are not a lot of set conventions for webisodes - we're inventing the format as we go."
As much as Wain has been part of many collectives and collaborations, with Wainy Days we're finally getting a chance to see what Wain as an individual has brought to each of these. What remains are the random outbursts of filth, the more-than-anything-can-happen riffs on the conventions of Hollywood cheese, and surprisingly, the genuinely huggable characters with arcs, as bizarre as they can be. For his fans and followers, worry not, he promises much more lunacy, in the form of "cross dressing, sperm donating, street singing."
Happy to have him back online.
-Spencer Somers
David Wain
Comedy, Web Series, Experimental
New York, NY
David : David Wain
Shelly : Elizabeth Banks
Greg : Matt Ballard
Betty : Zandy Hartig
Jim : A.D. Miles
Business Man : Peter Russo
Jonathan Stern
David Wain
Frank Barerra
Eric Kissack & Jamie Gross
Associate Producer : Dan Keezer
Associate Producer : Laura Maxfield
Associate Producer : Zandy Hartig
Sound : Griffin Richardson
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