First from Phil Rice on Vimeo.

Note: this commentary contains a spoiler or two for the film. Please watch the film before you read any further.

Some years ago, I wrote a profile of machinima filmmaker, Phil Rice. I watched all of his films and spoke at length with Phil about his life and ideas. I’m hoping to update that profile to include all of his work since that time. He works so hard and enjoys creating films so much that I’m afraid the profile will most likely double in size. I know one film I’ll be talking to him a lot is his most recent release, “FIRST“, which premiered at TMUTheater today.

“FIRST” is a social satire (a rarity in machinima) which attempts to portray a prominently male culture of narcissism. The “me first” approach to life which has been fanned by the internet to some extent, has shaped a type of man who only goal is to be “first” in everything. Lacking empathy or common sense, this kind of person bullies through life to such an extent that they make other peoples lives miserable. Fueled by inadequacy and a very low sense of self-esteem, these people are walking disasters who turn every event or relationship into being about them exclusively. Their future is grim as drug-addiction, bankruptcy, failed relationships and perhaps crime are all foretold. And don’t think I’m being too hard on the MeFirsts. Christopher Lasch wrote about them years ago in his great cultural history, The Culture of Narcissim and he predicted the same kind of thing. Even worse, his book came before the internet where the MeFirsts thrive in a free-for-all culture of forums, social networks and comments sections. Recognize any of these characters in any of your online interactions? I sure do.

All of this is by way of saying how fucking smart Phil Rice is as a filmmaker. Not only does he pick up on this element of the current zeitgeist, but he presents his ideas in the form of an animated comedy where most of the characters appear to be empathetic at the beginning, but become so manic and desperate in their desire for esteem they end up being shot in the end. In fact, the last MeFirster standing is clearly mad. Another way Phil is smart is in his crafting of the film. Built like a stylized sitcom, he constantly places people who aren’t self-obsessed in conflict with the ones who are which produces comic results while at the same time giving the viewer a perspective on the growing madness and anarchism of these self-obsessed characters.

While starting out realistically in a great opening sequence (including titles), the film becomes progressively stranger until it finally runs off the rails with the MeFirsters appearing like comic apparitions in the most inappropriate situations. It’s almost as if Phil is trying to test the limits of this behavior, this mind-set. And, of course, the tone gets blacker and blacker even though the music is still chipper and the comic style hasn’t changed. The contrast between the content at the end and the more intense comic style produces a very, very black comedy that can either stop the laughter (as it did with me) or throw you on the floor with a laughter heart-attack.

The acting goes a long way towards supporting this semi-hysterical style. Obviously a lot of improv went into creating the performances. The out-takes at the end are almost as funny as the actual scenes. And believe you me, it is not easy to record so many performers and make them all sound like they are coming from the same place, let alone in the same acting style. His work with the actors is masterful as this kind of comedy can get out of hand even with actors who are rehearsing together live.

And I can’t say enough about Phil’s music composing talents. I mean do-wop? Bad indie rock parody? All sung by Phil who sounds like Phil Collins on speed. His musical skills (and sensibilities) are simply incredible.  We hav some talented composers in the machinima community, but no one is doing the kind of work that Phil Rice is.

While still in the same mold, we are a long way from “Male Restroom Etiquette” and it’s funny/smart exaggerations. FIRST is darker satire: comedy written with a bloody smile and hysteria lurking just beneath the surface. I don’t think Phil has made a better film than this one.

I can’t wait to start on his new, updated profile.