Art and fame often go hand in hand, and 1980s New York produced some of the art world’s biggest celebrities. Does the name Keith Haring ring any bells? But what does this iconic era look like from the perspective of an artist who never “made it?” Directed and edited by Brian Vincent and produced by Heather Spore, the documentary film Make Me Famous depicts the rise and fall of the East Village art scene through the unlikely lens of Edward Brezinski, a decidedly un-famous neo-expressionist painter who worked alongside Haring and others like Jean-Michel Basquiat but never quite reached the same levels of success. In today’s episode, Brian and Heather open up about their film project and uncover why such a well-connected painter never became famous despite being almost maniacally focused on fame. We also discuss the commoditization of fame, the instrumental role that rare archival footage played in this project, the DIY spirit of the 1980s art scene that the film captures, how Make Me Famous makes art history fun, and so much more. For a window into an iconic era in NYC’s downtown art scene in the 80s and to get a sense of what it meant to be an artist at such a pivotal time in our cultural history, tune in today!Key Points From This Episode:The kind of famous Edward Brezinski would be in today’s social media age.Fame as a commodity that artists could use to get more work.The Make Me Famous timeline and what it was like to work with artists rather than actors.How the concept for the film evolved (and how it was originally conceived of as a play).A look at the veritable treasure trove of archival footage that makes the film what it is.Some pivotal moments and surprising milestones in the making of Make Me Famous.From actors to filmmakers: a glimpse into Brian and Heather’s personal journeys.The punk do-it-yourself spirit of 1980s New York that the film encapsulates.How the story developed in multiple directions before zeroing in on Brezinski.Challenges that accompanied working with Brezinski’s close acquaintances.Some light-hearted speculation about what Brezinski would think of this film.Why the best advice Heather could have given her younger self is no advice.Making art history fun: the best compliment our guests received about the film.The inspiration that even non-art-lovers will take from Make Me Famous.For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/brian-vincent-and-heather-spore