Twitter Documentary = Twittamentary

We have a Facebook movie and it is only fair to have a Twitter movie for Twitter lovers. The Twittamentary is a documentary cum movie, directed by Singapore’s very own filmmaker, Tan Siok Siok (@sioksiok).

It is created based on people’s opinions and experience with Twitter across America. The same question was asked throughout Siok Siok’s journey: What is the most interesting thing that happened to you because of Twitter?

Love it or hate it, there is no correct answer to that question. She interviewed a wide range of Twitterers, from a travel journalist turned “twilebrity” to a homeless woman who uses twitter from the public library, from a stock trader and a prostitute who uses twitter as her personal GPS.

I had the privilege to catch the Alpha screening. It was great. I’m sure the full movie will be even better… Well, lucky you if you’re in Singapore now. You’re in for a treat. Twittamentary will be screened at Singapore Management University coming Monday from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Register your tickets now. There are only about 60 left. Here’s a teaser to whet your appetite.

We’re really curious what inspired Siok Siok to embark on this massive project. Through Twitter (thanks @ev and team for creating this product), we managed to grab hold of the busy director for a quick interview:

1) Big project really. What’s inspired you to create this documentary?

I was inspired by the immensity of the challenge. Everyone has a different experience of Twitter and it is always seems very difficult to convey that to someone who doesn’t ‘get’ Twitter. To make a film that captures the spirit of Twitter and the zeitgeist of our times would be a major accomplishment indeed.

2) What’s the greatest obstacle when filming this documentary?

The greatest challenge is the lack of control because we were crowd sourcing the stories and leads for the film via Twitter while we were going across the USA on a road trip. We never quite knew who we will meet next or what will happen. But it was also magical because Twitterers really gave us leads and came out to help us when we were stranded. As it turns out, the making of the film became in itself a story about the power of Twitter.

3) When will it be screened live in theaters?

There is no conventional distribution plan for the film. Just as we leverage the power of Twitter for the making of the film, we are going to crowd-source the distribution of the film. So far, all the screenings we have had came about because Twitterers volunteered to set up screenings. I already have offers for screenings in different cities in USA and Asia. If we end up with theatrical distribution, then well and good; but that is not the end game. For me, the goal is to make a film that will be seen by as many as possible and hopefully help people make sense of the effects of Twitter and social media.