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Davis Fleetwood is an imposter! (GASP!)
What you may already know about me, perhaps not....
First off I should say that while most people here know, some may not: I’m NOT really a video blogger in the traditional sense: I just play one on YouTube.
My name is Dennis Trainor, Jr. I'm a writer, and an actor- and a former high school theatre teacher. I am also a husband and a father of two. Depending on who you listen to, I am plenty of other things, but I won't incriminate myself any further.
Davis Fleetwood, the character, was “born” in 1996. He was the main character of a play that I wrote while a graduate student at American Conservatory Theatre. The play was called PLUG. The play was produced in San Francisco and later in New York. Fast-forward a decade or so to last spring, when I was transitioning out of a seven-year stint as a high school teacher to focus full time on a freelance writing career (known in some circles as the early onset of my mid life crisis). I thought it would be fun to bring the character of Davis back for another run. The idea was to work on Davis Fleetwood in the morning, eat lunch, and work on long- term projects in the afternoon. That worked fairly well for a while; I have written a TV pilot and I am at work on a novel, some plays, a screenplay. Sooner or later, I'll need to make some money (the whole Davis Fleetwood "industry"- lol- brings in about $300-$400 bucks a month and some stage acting gigs in Boston bring in more...), or it is back to teaching full time for me.
ABOUT DAVIS FLEETWOOD- He sees the world in terms of black and white. You are either his friend or his enemy. Also, he is a bit of a martyr, what with the “I stay in so you can go out” ethos. His audience is highly educated, a little desperate with the current political climate, and has a sense of humor. He talks to anyone who will listen. .... Creating a “character” (Davis) that does not exist in a narrative structure with other characters (like a character in a play or a film would do) but rather comments on, and later interacted with, real people - including candidates for president. "Davis" was even employed by Dennis Kucinich for a little while. In a way that was my intention, to blur the lines of what was real and what was “story.” I was trying to inspire like Bobby Kennedy, using the approach of Andy Kaufman with the updated video technique of Ze Frank. Have you ever seen Ze Frank? He used editing like another element of grammar. I don’t think I have reached that level yet, but that is what I am going for.
People are sometimes disappointed to learn that Davis is a "character". First- I would say- HELLO- did you think I really lived in a basement? Davis Fleetwood and Dennis Trainor are alike in many ways. They share a wardrobe, and even though doctors do not recommend it, they share a toothbrush. In some ways, I liked playing Davis because he could see the world in such black and white terms. So simple. Davis would think that Dennis is a sell out. I mean, I am a married man, I help out with my son’s T-Ball team, take my daughter to the movies, etc. Until very recently, I was a teacher at a boarding school. Davis might think that Dennis is part of the mass of American indifference that allowed Bush to lead us into war, and now- with our inaction- will do nothing to stop us from expanding the into Iran.
On the other hand, I was arrested protesting at the 2004 Republican National Convention, and I did drop everything to go on the road and work for Dennis Kucinich, so I have plenty of Davis in me.
ON WORKING FOR KUCINICH:. Working for the campaign was an experience that I would never trade for anything. Dennis Kucinich was approachable, passionate, exciting to be around, and very scrappy. I miss him. Working for a campaign that was not as well financed as say, Obama’s, reminded me of my days running a small start up Theatre company in New York in the sense that everyone wore many hats. When I was recognized by fans on the streets of Manchester, New Hampshire just days before the January primary, I allowed myself to suffer under the illusion that I belonged there, doing what I was doing: advising a presidential candidate. And in those final days in New Hampshire, that was certainly one of my unofficial functions. I take full credit for the 1.6% of the vote we earned in NH. I'm joking. Maybe.
This is a much smaller network than the group I reach on YouTube, and you should know exactly where I am coming from: I consider myself an entertainer much more so than an activist or a leader of any kind. I think of myself as more George Carlin than Che Rivera. I think most of you that have arrived at this social network have gleaned as much about me, but wanted to make sure- and be completely honest. But the truth is, I want both- I want to have my cake and eat it to- so I am trying to create a new genre: political action entertainment.
Thanks for reading, thanks for helping spread the word, thanks for being part of this.
Now go buy a fucking t-shirt, or drop a few bucks in the tip jar will ya? I'm fucking broke.
Love,
Dennis
T shirts: http://www.operationitch.com/skreened
"donate button here"
First off I should say that while most people here know, some may not: I’m NOT really a video blogger in the traditional sense: I just play one on YouTube.
My name is Dennis Trainor, Jr. I'm a writer, and an actor- and a former high school theatre teacher. I am also a husband and a father of two. Depending on who you listen to, I am plenty of other things, but I won't incriminate myself any further.
Davis Fleetwood, the character, was “born” in 1996. He was the main character of a play that I wrote while a graduate student at American Conservatory Theatre. The play was called PLUG. The play was produced in San Francisco and later in New York. Fast-forward a decade or so to last spring, when I was transitioning out of a seven-year stint as a high school teacher to focus full time on a freelance writing career (known in some circles as the early onset of my mid life crisis). I thought it would be fun to bring the character of Davis back for another run. The idea was to work on Davis Fleetwood in the morning, eat lunch, and work on long- term projects in the afternoon. That worked fairly well for a while; I have written a TV pilot and I am at work on a novel, some plays, a screenplay. Sooner or later, I'll need to make some money (the whole Davis Fleetwood "industry"- lol- brings in about $300-$400 bucks a month and some stage acting gigs in Boston bring in more...), or it is back to teaching full time for me.
ABOUT DAVIS FLEETWOOD- He sees the world in terms of black and white. You are either his friend or his enemy. Also, he is a bit of a martyr, what with the “I stay in so you can go out” ethos. His audience is highly educated, a little desperate with the current political climate, and has a sense of humor. He talks to anyone who will listen. .... Creating a “character” (Davis) that does not exist in a narrative structure with other characters (like a character in a play or a film would do) but rather comments on, and later interacted with, real people - including candidates for president. "Davis" was even employed by Dennis Kucinich for a little while. In a way that was my intention, to blur the lines of what was real and what was “story.” I was trying to inspire like Bobby Kennedy, using the approach of Andy Kaufman with the updated video technique of Ze Frank. Have you ever seen Ze Frank? He used editing like another element of grammar. I don’t think I have reached that level yet, but that is what I am going for.
People are sometimes disappointed to learn that Davis is a "character". First- I would say- HELLO- did you think I really lived in a basement? Davis Fleetwood and Dennis Trainor are alike in many ways. They share a wardrobe, and even though doctors do not recommend it, they share a toothbrush. In some ways, I liked playing Davis because he could see the world in such black and white terms. So simple. Davis would think that Dennis is a sell out. I mean, I am a married man, I help out with my son’s T-Ball team, take my daughter to the movies, etc. Until very recently, I was a teacher at a boarding school. Davis might think that Dennis is part of the mass of American indifference that allowed Bush to lead us into war, and now- with our inaction- will do nothing to stop us from expanding the into Iran.
On the other hand, I was arrested protesting at the 2004 Republican National Convention, and I did drop everything to go on the road and work for Dennis Kucinich, so I have plenty of Davis in me.
ON WORKING FOR KUCINICH:. Working for the campaign was an experience that I would never trade for anything. Dennis Kucinich was approachable, passionate, exciting to be around, and very scrappy. I miss him. Working for a campaign that was not as well financed as say, Obama’s, reminded me of my days running a small start up Theatre company in New York in the sense that everyone wore many hats. When I was recognized by fans on the streets of Manchester, New Hampshire just days before the January primary, I allowed myself to suffer under the illusion that I belonged there, doing what I was doing: advising a presidential candidate. And in those final days in New Hampshire, that was certainly one of my unofficial functions. I take full credit for the 1.6% of the vote we earned in NH. I'm joking. Maybe.
This is a much smaller network than the group I reach on YouTube, and you should know exactly where I am coming from: I consider myself an entertainer much more so than an activist or a leader of any kind. I think of myself as more George Carlin than Che Rivera. I think most of you that have arrived at this social network have gleaned as much about me, but wanted to make sure- and be completely honest. But the truth is, I want both- I want to have my cake and eat it to- so I am trying to create a new genre: political action entertainment.
Thanks for reading, thanks for helping spread the word, thanks for being part of this.
Now go buy a fucking t-shirt, or drop a few bucks in the tip jar will ya? I'm fucking broke.
Love,
Dennis
T shirts: http://www.operationitch.com/skreened
"donate button here"
Add a Comment
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Comment by Cheryl Sunshine Benson on November 28, 2008 at 8:04pm -
I need humor, I lost most of it and the ability to laugh when I was repeatedly brain damaged and left here, even the ability to smile is hard often, literally. No surprises here, most people I know have online names, etc., including myself, aka Sunshine Ray for years and just coming out, as have to go public for my own activisim and human rights.
As for broke, sorry laddie, you're doing better than I. My disability papers are up and no doctor to sign them and my brain and body damage isn't on my medical records.
I may go on a t-shirt binge, I was thinking of getting one of Flux's , if I do I may get one of yours
Blessings
Cheryl
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Comment by FluxRostrum on November 15, 2008 at 4:32pm -
I need to reinfuse my entertainer in my work. I've known it for a long time but just can't figure out the transition back.
both of you rock '~)
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Comment by Willie on November 12, 2008 at 12:43pm - Wow, it only took me two months to actually click this link. You know how Jason Alexander will always be George to some people? I think you might end up there if you aren't careful. You'll be in your 60's and people will still be calling you Davis. Did "Fleetwood" come from the band or the mobile home? Anyway, glad that's cleared up.
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Comment by Derek Reuter on October 10, 2008 at 2:26am - I wouldn't delete this one Dennis, you know its good to alteast leave a key behind somewhere. You don't want to be locking yourself out now do ya? Or the worse visa verse.
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Comment by AnotherChildOfGod on September 26, 2008 at 10:52pm -
Peace and Blessings from the spiritual/mystical fanbase.
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Comment by Gale A. Kleven on September 25, 2008 at 5:16pm -
To be honest, I'm relieved.
In some of the videos I wondered if you weren't tormented a bit with biploar. They're all great, though. You have a real talent, and I hope you continue with the political entertainment.
Kudos to you
Gale
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Comment by Haresgroove on September 22, 2008 at 3:41am -
this is dejavoodoo...coulda sworn i already had this happen once before.
you "exposed" yourself months back.
damnit man. I'm broke too. I fuckin' gave to the Kucinich campaign and then to Nader.
I'll try to round up some pennies but shit.
Good job BTW.
Peace,
Jess
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Comment by James Welborn on September 21, 2008 at 10:47pm -
I always kind of assumed this. Internet pseudonyms aren't new, and I don't know anyone who's as big an extrovert as Davis who could live in a basement.
I'm glad to have my suspicions confirmed. The Davis Fleetwood character reminds me of a friend of mine who is bipolar and very political. He's also a father and is fighting his own midlife crisis. And then there's me -- a father, bipolar, midlife crisis, et cetera. Is this an epidemic?
Anyway, we're all pissed and there's not a lot of outlet for it. It's not like we're going to leave our families and go all Fight Club on the world, as much as we sometimes feel like it. Instead, I opened a comic shop, sleep away entire weekends and am going broke quickly.
Keep on keeping on, Davis, or Dennis, or both of you. Davis is an aspect of all of us, I think, and that's why we love him.
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Comment by Obiswan Kenobi on September 20, 2008 at 8:57pm - Weeeeelllll.....although Davis IS probably the most entertaining person i've seen on youtube in a long time, if not ever. I think i'll be able to sleep at night knowing he's just a figment of my imagination....or maybe Dennis, your a figment of my imagination???? Maybe this whole thing doesn't exist and I'm so desperate for a new reality that I'm making all this up........or maybe I'm just reading too many books. Either way I like it.
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Comment by Vad1m1r on September 20, 2008 at 1:09pm -
"I'm a writer, and an actor- and a former high school theatre teacher."
I think that in its self is an honorable profession as I'm an actor myself. But what you do with Davis is incredible, you give a new insightful hard hitting dose of Politics that no one can really ignore. That is probably one of the hardest role's anyone could pull off, as the writing is amazing as well. Daenis. There that it your new name I put both of them together. Can we see other work you've done? Please don't ever stop this, unless you want to kill off Davis to prove a point of course.
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