We Cause Scenes

We Cause Scenes is a documentary feature film from director Matt Adams released in 2013. This engaging, funny and thought-provoking documentary delves into the world of improv, pranks, and organized chaos created by Charlie Todd's Improv Everywhere. With key personalities like Charlie Todd, Ben Folds, and Daniel Berman leading the narrative, the movie unwraps the history and ethos of a fascinating movement with its roots in comedy and performance art.

The movie spotlights Charlie Todd, comedian and founder of Improv Everywhere, an eccentric group that organizes hilarious and mind-boggling 'missions' in public spaces. Todd's unconventional approach to comedy and theater produces unexpected spectacles that catch the public completely off-guard, challenging people's expectations of public behaviour and turning public spaces into stages for extraordinary scenes.

As the film unfolds, viewers are introduced to the captivating world of Improv Everywhere’s 'missions.' These range in scale and style but typically involve wrangling hundreds, if not thousands, of participants to take part in well-choreographed, spontaneous public performances or pranks. The viewers get to look behind the curtains and see the meticulous planning, mobilisation of 'agents', and execution of these surprising missions conceived by Charlie Todd and his team.

Through the film, we also meet key players, including the multitalented Ben Folds and dynamic Daniel Berman. These people actively shape and inform this obscure form of comedy, lending depth, and layers to this amusing world of organized pranks.

Iconic, talented, and versatile musician Ben Folds lends his perspective and creativity to the mix, adding a deeper layer of authenticity and warmth to the narrative. As a long-time fan, participant and collaborator of Improv Everywhere, Folds provides insights into what it means to participate in and appreciate these large-scale theatrical pranks.

Daniel Berman, on the other hand, offers a unique perspective on the art form. His engagement with Improv Everywhere's projects and his insights into the mechanics of pulling off these public spectacles paint a fuller picture of the group's ethos and ethos' operations.

At times insightful, at others laugh-out-loud funny, We Cause Scenes skilfully presents the innovation and sheer audacity of Improv Everywhere, artfully captured by director Matt Adams. The documentary offers a rare peek into this complex, often unseen, and largely unappreciated side of street theatre, performance art, and public pranks. Adams works thoroughly to capture the group's unique spirit, wading through their levels of absurdity, social commentary, and playfulness that Charlie Todd's eccentric squad employs in their operations.

Furthermore, We Cause Scenes engages longtime fans of Improv Everywhere and newcomers alike to evaluate the concept of theater itself. By orchestrating the unexpected in everyday environments, Improv Everywhere challenges the norm, disrupts predictable daily rituals and ultimately redefines the mundane terrains.

Throughout the film, the audience witnesses the magic of Improv Everywhere's public spectacles, from frozen Grand Central Station to the famous 'No pants Subway ride.' While maintaining a humorous tone throughout, the documentary also probes more profound questions about the role of art and theater in society and the impact of these 'missions' on the unsuspecting public.

In its essence, We Cause Scenes is not merely a behind-the-scenes account of a well-oiled comedy machine, but also a tribute to the power of surprise in our daily lives and an ode to the sheer joy of shared unexpected moments. The unscripted reactions of passersby as they become part of these whimsical performances are examples of life imitating art in its most genuine form.

In conclusion, We Cause Scenes is a delightful, entertaining depiction of a unique art form that blurs the line between spectator and spectated, between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Grounded in the world of improv and pranks, this is a story of joyous rebellion against the monotony of everyday life, bystander apathy, and conformity. It doesn’t merely document the edgy antics of an eccentric group but also explores the different facets of unexpected human reactions when art escapes traditional venues and invades our everyday scenarios. The unexpected, orchestrated chaos is bound to leave audiences intrigued, with a chuckle or two along the way.