Shepard Fairey: Obey This Film

I was commissioned by the Halsey Institute out of Charleston, South Carolina to shoot a short film on the infamous street artist behind OBEY: Shepard Fairey. I definitely knew Shepard's work, whether it be that repetitive face of Andre the Giant popping up at every street corner I've ever been on, or as the Obama Poster that definitely did more for an election than just add aesthetic to it - but I was not aware at how incredibly inspiring Shepard would turn out to be. For a new understanding of how this skateboarder turned mega famed street star turned out to be, check this film out.

[jakeroberts]

This is an incredibly well made, well executed minidoc. And I gotta say, this guy is one of the most well spoken people i’ve ever heard speak about their trade. A true master of their craft. The care you put into this piece really shows, and thank you for sharing this story so so much.

[JayTheAuthor]

Shepard is such an insanely inspirational human being sent down from the clouds to brighten our hopes and to feed fire into our hearts. He's a perfect example of somebody who remembers where he came from and makes everybody feel welcome to his views. What a wonderful human, and your documentary Brett was incredible. You captured the essence of dream chasing in a strip of film. Fire speed brother, wishing you all the success and keep rocking and rolling!

[mouija]

I remember skating a lot in Providence in the summer of 1995 after I first got a car. My homie Shaun and I would head out there from Hartford, CT just about every weekend and link up with these two vietnamese skateboard brothers we made friends with and cruise the spots. The younger brother was especially gifted at skating. These two guys were also into graffiti, and I was budding into the scene with a Pilot marker and Subway Art at home, and the older dude gave me a bunch of stickers from the local shop on Thayer Street that had a huge Wizart character on the wall, which was just incredible to me. He gave me a packed ziplok sandwich bag of random skate stickers from Savage Bros then Lunasea on Thayer. The sticker pack had a dozen small square Andre The Giant mugshot stickers and I just popped them wherever. I know there's one still living on the back of a pizzeria door in my hometown, because I went down to visit my folks last weekend and went behind the place to see if the sticker and marker tag were still there. Yes on both. Pilot ink is durable. After getting a dozen in a sticker pack, I started noticing them all over Providence. They were everywhere. I had one on the rear window of my little 1980 toyota corolla hatchback. The car is rotting in my dad's little rural junkyard and the sticker is still there in good condition. I remember that the posse stickers were all stuck together in a block and some of the ink stuck to the backings of the ones on top, so a couple were in bad shape. I'd gotten stacks of band stickers that were the same, so I thought nothing of just tossing a half dozen in a trash can. I probably threw away $2, 000 worth of original hand printed stickers in today's market.

[gfx-vision]

I don't often comment on Youtube, but Shepard Fairey is among the artists that have inspired me most of all. In his expressive art he displays what is wrong with our world in a way that makes people think over their short-sighted one dimensional views.

[JamesRuddle]

Amazing job on this film. I love how you captured the essence of who "The Artist" is and should be.

[nonamehereyougo]

As an ex graffiti artist I can appreciate his message and I can tell this this person Is very good but took it to another level...with spray paint. Graffiti art is not a crime.

[isaid]

I love Obey's art so pretty and mind disrupting at times.

[emilygarner]

Thank you for having school appropriate language in this film!!!!

[studiom]

absolutely insane. Shepard is a huge inspiration, and Brett is a huge inspiration to me and many. Great film. Loved every second of it.

[christurner]

Its pretty crazy....I'm 33 now and got into skateboarding in the mid 90's. Right at the JNCO, baggy pants phase lol. I remember being on a family vacation in Savanah, GA in 96' and I was skating around the city and I saw one of those Andre stickers in this back alley. I was so intrigued by it but I couldn't figure out why....my trip continued and I kept seeing them in every little nook and cranny. My fascination grew deeper into it(what was the meaning? or purpose?). Time went on and years later in the 2000's we took another trip to Savanah and I went around skating the city and saw the now evolved Obey stickers everywhere. I was kind of mind blown, and it was deja vu taking me back to my first trip there, and my curiosity continued. Obviously, this had to be something big with the new stickers I saw. Now we're getting into the 2010s and I'm living in Wilmington, NC and I'm at that cheesy store Buckle where the employees try to dress you when you walk in the door. An employee comes up to me and says "I got some hot new trendy stuff for you to try" and I take her stack of clothes and go into the dressing room and on the first shirt I see the Andre face with Obey over it. Seems like I'm living in Shepard's vision....but I bought the clothes! actually pretty dope!

[JakeRench]

Awesome job man! Every shot fits in perfectly with what he is saying. Good locations as well!

[daisybelle]

I find it humorous when Shepard and many others in this similar landscape find the most complicated way to say, "Yes, I make a very decent living doing this and I do enjoy it". It's almost explaining why they are NOT a sellout, NOT pretentious and NOT a "capitalist", yet mixed in with an undertone of guilt. I am not personally calling Shepard any of criticisms mentioned. It is the way in which he feels he needs to state that he's successful, yes, but also feels the need to explain why he is, "not like most people who find success"—All while seemingly feeling guilt because of it. Not an "imposter syndrome" type of guilt, more like actually feeling guilty that, "Yeah, I do this and you may as well, it's just that there's a concoction; Niche interest, some luck with a base of celebrity".. Basically, I'm rich enough to almost feel guilt for being.

It's not right, you SHOULD enjoy your success and fortune. Especially if it is what keeps the wheel turning with what, as a service or physical item, you provide. You shouldn't have to explain yourself, or your success, in such a way that you almost are defending yourself. I don't know!

I absolutely enjoy the works of "Obey" and "Banksy", however ridiculous Mr. Brainwash is and that documentary was. It was such a great move! Kudos to Robin G for making that happen. It opens up new eyes to how ridiculous that whole scene can be. While documenting precious moments and having incredible footage of your youth. I really enjoyed it!

[willybranlund]

Beautifully crafted, genuine…glad I stopped in.

Mahaloz for the inspiration 🤙🏽

[guinottewise]

"Beneficial dialogue" says a lot. And symbols having a duality. Juxtaposition of beauty and things harmful to that beauty--the optimistic thinker's graffiti artist. Dreams. Great piece, just great.

[Marveh]

This deserves so many more views! Keep it up Brett!

[PauleBecker]

Wow.  Absolutely love that film.  Shep is one of my fav living artists and this movie reassures my belief.  Thank you Brett for making such an impactful documentary that is both short and sweet!  It amazes me how creative Shepard is as an artist but also so incredibly articulate as a speaker.  Love it.

[kevindokter]

Great shots, great edit and a great subject. Loved the fact that when Shepard had to explain more about the why's with the obama posters. You showed more of the interview part. You made a example shortdoc. Thanks.

[kevinmontoya]

Obey is so simple yet so strong i see it every where and i love the simplicity of it

[tomvershay]

Shepard said great art transcends the petty side of humanity. Wow one of the greatest things I've ever heard.

[bisoulou]

Great film, Brett!  Thanks for portraying Shephard Fairey so perfectly and true to life. Great video, thanks!  I've been friends with Shephard since the  3rd grade and love that you have successfully captured the 'real' Shepard.  He is an amazing person, .... ridiculously talented and immensely loyal... this is a great! thing