Fred: The Movie
Encyclopedia
Fred: The Movie is a 2010 independent
comedy film
written by David A. Goodman
, directed by Clay Weiner, and produced by Brian Robbins
. The film is based on the adventures of Fred Figglehorn, a character created and played by Lucas Cruikshank
for Cruikshank's YouTube
channel. The film casts Siobhan Fallon Hogan and John Cena
as Fred's parents and pop
singer and actress Pixie Lott
as Fred's crush. First optioned as a theatrical release in the United States
, the film instead premiered on Nickelodeon
, a television channel, on September 18, 2010.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film was released theatrically on December 17, 2010. This film was the debut of pop
singer Pixie Lott
as an actress.
) has a crush on Judy (Pixie Lott
), the girl next door. The neighborhood bully, who lives across the street, and has a little sister named Talia, Kevin (Jake Weary
), thwarts Fred's attempts to see her. When Fred finally succeeds in making it to her house, he discovers Judy has moved to a new house. Embarking on a journey to find her, he meets Derf (also played by Cruikshank), whose laid-back personality contrasts with Fred's hyperactive behavior. Fred's adventure takes him all over town. Fred finally makes it to Judy's house, only to find she is throwing a party that he was not invited to. There, Kevin throws a piece of pizza at him, and Fred proceeds to vomit on Judy accidentally. The next day, Kevin posts a video of Fred being sick at Judy's party on YouTube
. Fred then hatches a scheme for revenge and to impress his classmates. He invites his neighbor, Bertha (Jennette McCurdy
), to his party and specifically "dis-invites" anyone else. Fred and Bertha then take all of Bertha's clothes, and his mother's wigs, and use them to stage a party. He films the party and ensuing antics, such as dancing and vomiting for fun. Using creative angling (movie magic), he makes it seem like several people were at the party. He forwards his party video to everybody in school, and Fred's popularity skyrockets as people deny de-invitation. Judy then shows up at his house to sing with him, which causes Fred to scream in excitement. Throughout the film, Fred imagines his dad (John Cena
) popping in and helping him. Towards the end of the movie, it is implied through a comment by his mother (Siobhan Fallon Hogan) that his father is really Danny Janetti (Clay Weiner
).
While he is very arrogant and hostile it is unfair that Kevin is characterised as being evil. He himself is mocked by fred and only once in the does he actually do something other than taunt fred and even then he only throw food at him. Kevin hates fred and wants to be with Judy. Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Fred's mom - Fred's forgetful mother, who spends most of the film napping in her bedroom.
made note of the film's production when noting the proliferation of web comedy and dramatic series as a perceived threat to network television. The project performed casting and entered principal photography
in November 2009, and completed filming on December 20. After filming wrapped, a yard sale was held in Silverlake, California to sell props, set dressing and costumes from the shoot.
Brian Robbins
originally optioned "Fred" as a feature film
, but decided to bypass the studio system and provided major funding for the project himself. After filming was completed, excerpts were shown to Nickelodeon
head Cyma Zarghami
who began negotiations to acquire the film. Zarghami stated that airing on Nickelodeon would give the film a large audience base and allow him to target a sequel for a theatrical release. The film was released on September 18.
This movie is produced by Varsity Pictures and The Collective.
, with an average rating of 2.5/10, and no positive votes after 13 reviews. In the UK, it opened in the #8 spot, taking in £257,133 in the first week, despite being shown in over 243 cinemas.
In his review of the film on BBC Radio 5 Live, Mark Kermode
paired it with A Serbian Film
as his least favorite viewing experiences of the year.
titled Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred
premiered on October 22, 2011. A teaser trailer was broadcasted during a commerical break of iCarly
. Daniella Monet
replaced Jennette McCurdy
in the role of Bertha and Ariel Winter
also joined the cast.
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
written by David A. Goodman
David A. Goodman
David A. Goodman is an American writer and producer and a graduate of the University of Chicago, earning an BA in 1984. He was one of the executive producers of Family Guy, beginning its fourth season, joining the show as a co-executive producer in season three...
, directed by Clay Weiner, and produced by Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins is an American actor and producer, director and screenwriter. He often collaborates with Mike Tollin.-Biography:...
. The film is based on the adventures of Fred Figglehorn, a character created and played by Lucas Cruikshank
Lucas Cruikshank
Lucas Cruikshank is an American comedic actor. Living in Columbus, Nebraska, he created the character Fred Figglehorn for his channel, named "Fred", on the video-sharing website YouTube...
for Cruikshank's YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel. The film casts Siobhan Fallon Hogan and John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
as Fred's parents and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer and actress Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
as Fred's crush. First optioned as a theatrical release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the film instead premiered on Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
, a television channel, on September 18, 2010.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film was released theatrically on December 17, 2010. This film was the debut of pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
as an actress.
Plot
Fred Figglehorn, (Lucas CruikshankLucas Cruikshank
Lucas Cruikshank is an American comedic actor. Living in Columbus, Nebraska, he created the character Fred Figglehorn for his channel, named "Fred", on the video-sharing website YouTube...
) has a crush on Judy (Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
), the girl next door. The neighborhood bully, who lives across the street, and has a little sister named Talia, Kevin (Jake Weary
Jake Weary
Jake Weary is an American actor, singer and musician.-Movie career:After an initial guest role on his mother's show, Guiding Light in 2002, he was cast as Luke Snyder on the television soap opera As the World Turns....
), thwarts Fred's attempts to see her. When Fred finally succeeds in making it to her house, he discovers Judy has moved to a new house. Embarking on a journey to find her, he meets Derf (also played by Cruikshank), whose laid-back personality contrasts with Fred's hyperactive behavior. Fred's adventure takes him all over town. Fred finally makes it to Judy's house, only to find she is throwing a party that he was not invited to. There, Kevin throws a piece of pizza at him, and Fred proceeds to vomit on Judy accidentally. The next day, Kevin posts a video of Fred being sick at Judy's party on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. Fred then hatches a scheme for revenge and to impress his classmates. He invites his neighbor, Bertha (Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy
Jennette Michelle Faye McCurdy is an American film and television actress and country pop singer-songwriter. She is best known for her role as Sam Puckett on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly...
), to his party and specifically "dis-invites" anyone else. Fred and Bertha then take all of Bertha's clothes, and his mother's wigs, and use them to stage a party. He films the party and ensuing antics, such as dancing and vomiting for fun. Using creative angling (movie magic), he makes it seem like several people were at the party. He forwards his party video to everybody in school, and Fred's popularity skyrockets as people deny de-invitation. Judy then shows up at his house to sing with him, which causes Fred to scream in excitement. Throughout the film, Fred imagines his dad (John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
) popping in and helping him. Towards the end of the movie, it is implied through a comment by his mother (Siobhan Fallon Hogan) that his father is really Danny Janetti (Clay Weiner
Clay Weiner
Clay Weiner is an American director and writer of commercials, film and television. Clay is a known pioneer of viral videos. He was featured in the 2008 Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors’ Showcase in Cannes, was the winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2008 First Boards Awards and has had...
).
Cast
- Lucas CruikshankLucas CruikshankLucas Cruikshank is an American comedic actor. Living in Columbus, Nebraska, he created the character Fred Figglehorn for his channel, named "Fred", on the video-sharing website YouTube...
as Fred Figglehorn/Derf - The main protagonist of the film. Fred is a socially awkward and extremely hyper teenager living with his mother, who constantly longs for his neighbor Judy. Derf, a mysterious stranger resembling Fred, yet possessing traits completely opposite to Fred's. - Jennette McCurdyJennette McCurdyJennette Michelle Faye McCurdy is an American film and television actress and country pop singer-songwriter. She is best known for her role as Sam Puckett on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly...
as Bertha - Bertha is Fred's best friend who wears bizarre clothing, but cares little for what other's think. - Pixie LottPixie LottVictoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
as Judy - Fred's crush. In contrast to the web series, Judy is a beautiful and caring girl with a Southern accent, and seems to care for Fred. - Jake WearyJake WearyJake Weary is an American actor, singer and musician.-Movie career:After an initial guest role on his mother's show, Guiding Light in 2002, he was cast as Luke Snyder on the television soap opera As the World Turns....
as Kevin - Fred's arch-rival and the main antagonist of the film. Kevin lives just across the street from Fred. Unlike Fred he is a genuinely good singer and is as attracted to Judy as she is to him (both facts denied by fred despite the evidence)
While he is very arrogant and hostile it is unfair that Kevin is characterised as being evil. He himself is mocked by fred and only once in the does he actually do something other than taunt fred and even then he only throw food at him. Kevin hates fred and wants to be with Judy. Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Fred's mom - Fred's forgetful mother, who spends most of the film napping in her bedroom.
- John CenaJohn CenaJohn Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
as Fred's dad - Fred's imaginary muscular father who offers Fred advice throughout the film. - Stephanie CourtneyStephanie CourtneyStephanie Courtney is an American actress and comedienne, best known for playing the advertising character Flo in television commercials for Progressive Insurance and is noted for her recurring roles on several television shows, including the voices of Renee the Receptionist and Joy Peters on the...
as Kevin's mom - Kevin's disturbingly perky mother who wishes for Fred and Kevin to become friends. - Kevin OlsonKevin OlsonKevin Olson, a.k.a Kevin Johnson or Kevin Johnson Olsen born March 28, 1989. Is a child actor from Hartford, Connecticut.He is most notable for playing "Irwin" in Stuart Little 2.-Filmography:-External links:...
as older Evan - Mak Kriksciun as younger Evan Weiss
- Alex Karnes as Lerenzo
- Gary Anthony WilliamsGary Anthony WilliamsGary Anthony Williams is an American screen actor who most recently appeared in Weeds and Boston Legal. Additionally, he is known for his recurring role on Fox's Malcolm in the Middle as "Abe" Kenarban. He has also been known for the comedy series Blue Collar TV as a regular cast member...
as Laundromat manager - Chris WyldeChris WyldeChris Wylde is the stage name of an American actor and comedian who was born on August 22, 1976 in Hackettstown, New Jersey as Christopher Scott Noll.-Early life:...
as Dam Security Guard - Jordan BlackJordan Black (actor)Jordan Black is an American comedy writer and actor.He was born in Kankakee, Illinois. Black has written for Saturday Night Live and starred in the Comedy Central show Halfway Home as Sebastian "C-Bass" Yates, an ex-convict for internet fraud...
as Gary
Production
Huffington Post author Greg MitchellGreg Mitchell
Greg Mitchell is the author of twelve books and currently blogs on the media and politics, and of late especially on WikiLeaks, for The Nation...
made note of the film's production when noting the proliferation of web comedy and dramatic series as a perceived threat to network television. The project performed casting and entered principal photography
Principal photography
thumb|300px|Film production on location in [[Newark, New Jersey]].Principal photography is the phase of film production in which the movie is filmed, with actors on set and cameras rolling, as distinct from pre-production and post-production....
in November 2009, and completed filming on December 20. After filming wrapped, a yard sale was held in Silverlake, California to sell props, set dressing and costumes from the shoot.
Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins is an American actor and producer, director and screenwriter. He often collaborates with Mike Tollin.-Biography:...
originally optioned "Fred" as a feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, but decided to bypass the studio system and provided major funding for the project himself. After filming was completed, excerpts were shown to Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
head Cyma Zarghami
Cyma Zarghami
Cyma Zarghami is an Iranian-American cable television executive currently serving as the president of Nickelodeon and MTV Networks' Kids & Family Group.-Early life and career:...
who began negotiations to acquire the film. Zarghami stated that airing on Nickelodeon would give the film a large audience base and allow him to target a sequel for a theatrical release. The film was released on September 18.
This movie is produced by Varsity Pictures and The Collective.
Viewers
The premiere of Fred: The Movie drew an audience of 7.6 million total viewers.It was the second highest viewed TV cable movie of 2010 across all networks.Critical reception
The film was critically panned, with a 0% rating at Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, with an average rating of 2.5/10, and no positive votes after 13 reviews. In the UK, it opened in the #8 spot, taking in £257,133 in the first week, despite being shown in over 243 cinemas.
In his review of the film on BBC Radio 5 Live, Mark Kermode
Mark Kermode
Mark Kermode is an English film critic, musician and a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He contributes to Sight and Sound magazine, The Observer newspaper and BBC Radio 5 Live, where he presents Kermode and Mayo's Film Reviews with Simon Mayo on Friday afternoons...
paired it with A Serbian Film
A Serbian Film
A Serbian Film is a 2010 Serbian horror film and the first feature film directed by Srđan Spasojević. It tells the story of a down-on-his-luck porn star who agrees to participate in an "art film", only to discover that he has been drafted into a snuff film with child rape and necrophilic themes...
as his least favorite viewing experiences of the year.
Sequel
A sequelSequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
titled Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred
Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred
Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred is a 2011 independent comedy film. The film is the sequel to the 2010 film Fred: The Movie, based on the adventures of Fred Figglehorn, a character created and played by Lucas Cruikshank for Cruikshank's YouTube channel. It is a Halloween themed sequel...
premiered on October 22, 2011. A teaser trailer was broadcasted during a commerical break of iCarly
ICarly
iCarly is an American sitcom that focuses on a girl named Carly Shay who creates her own web show called iCarly with her best friends Sam and Freddie. The series was created by Dan Schneider, who also serves as executive producer. It stars Miranda Cosgrove as Carly, Jennette McCurdy as Sam, Nathan...
. Daniella Monet
Daniella Monet
Daniella Monet is an American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for playing various TV guest roles and starring as Trina Vega, the sister of Tori Vega, in the Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious...
replaced Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy
Jennette Michelle Faye McCurdy is an American film and television actress and country pop singer-songwriter. She is best known for her role as Sam Puckett on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly...
in the role of Bertha and Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter
Ariel Winter Workman , known in television shows and films as Ariel Winter, is an American teen actress and singer. Winter is best known for her current role as Alex Dunphy in the TV series Modern Family, for which she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series, along...
also joined the cast.
External links
- Fred: The Movie at The Movie InsiderThe Movie InsiderMovie Insider is a website offering content surrounding current and upcoming movie releases. Visitors to TMI can access daily movie news updates and informational profiles of films in early stages of development and pre-production. Originally started as a relatively small online publication, TMI...