The Flaming Lips: The Fearless Freaks

Plot Summary

If The Flaming Lips have had an accidental career, then this documentary is indeed an accident as well. Back in 1991 I was simply Wayne's art school neighbor in Norman, Oklahoma, with a film camera and some tenacity. The Lips were in need of a willing and somewhat competent cinematographer to shoot their music videos, and I was on a constant hunt for action-packed stories and oddball characters. And thus a relationship -- built of geographic convenience and a mutual desire to create ourselves -- was born. And now, fifteen years later, I have thankfully made my filmmaking career through working with The Flaming Lips. After combing through 400 hours of footage that includes a decade of home movies, personal interviews, live shows, music videos and their first full-length feature film (Christmas On Mars), The Fearless Freaks is at last fully realized. Although I am certainly excited and ready to share this film with the world, I have to admit it's bittersweet. I can't imagine not filming a Lips concert, a Drozd brother jam session or the Coyne family Christmas. I am forever grateful to Wayne, Steven and Michael for their patience and trust. Without the unbelievable access that the band gave me, this film would just be another okay rockumentary. Instead, together we have created an insightful and personal piece of cinema.