How To Be
Encyclopedia
How to Be is an award-winning independent
comedy
/drama
feature film written and directed by Oliver Irving
. It is about a young man named Art, played by Robert Pattinson
, who is going through a quarter-life crisis
.
Pattinson received the 'Best Actor in a Feature' award for his portrayal of Art, at the Strasbourg International Film Festival, in Strasbourg, France in September 2008.
) is not talented, but aspires to be a musician. He has a dead-end job at a supermarket, despite having a degree (which he doesn't seem to value much). His girlfriend ends their relationship. Art is then forced to move back home with his cold and neglectful parents (played by Rebecca Pidgeon
and Michael Irving
). Art buys a book titled, It's Not Your Fault. Upon reading it, he tries to follow the self-help book's advice. He decides to use inheritance money to first buy a car, and then pay for a Canadian
therapist, Dr. Levi Ellington (Powell Jones), the book's author, to come to his home in England and help Art get his life on track, about which his parents are less than thrilled.
Despite his unsupportive parents, Art attempts with his new life coach and two slightly unbalanced friends Nikki (Mike Pearce) and Ronnie (Johnny White) to find a balance in his life, true happiness, and a good relationship with his parents.
The film also stars Jeremy Hardy
as Art's superior at the care centre at which he volunteers.
on April 29, 2009. Leading up to the release, the director, Oliver Irving, took the film on a U.S. Screening Tour. The DVD was released first in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2009 and was released in the U.S. on November 17, 2009.
on April 28. The 23-track collection features three original songs performed by Robert Pattinson
, the original score by composer Joe Hastings and electronic music by musician-actor Johnny White, who plays Ronny in the film. It also features "Old Man" by Love
, "Clear Spot" by Captain Beefheart
and "Hammond Song" by The Roches
.
, where it won the Grand Jury Honorable Mention. It has since been chosen to appear at:
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
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
/drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
feature film written and directed by Oliver Irving
Oliver Irving
Oliver Irving is a British film director. He directed and wrote How To Be starring Robert Pattinson. He is currently based in New York.-External links:*...
. It is about a young man named Art, played by Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
, who is going through a quarter-life crisis
Quarter-life crisis
The quarterlife crisis is a period of life following the major changes of adolescence, usually ranging from the late teens to the early thirties, in which a person begins to feel doubtful about their own lives, brought on by the stress of becoming an adult...
.
Pattinson received the 'Best Actor in a Feature' award for his portrayal of Art, at the Strasbourg International Film Festival, in Strasbourg, France in September 2008.
Plot
Art (Robert PattinsonRobert Pattinson
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
) is not talented, but aspires to be a musician. He has a dead-end job at a supermarket, despite having a degree (which he doesn't seem to value much). His girlfriend ends their relationship. Art is then forced to move back home with his cold and neglectful parents (played by Rebecca Pidgeon
Rebecca Pidgeon
Rebecca Pidgeon is a British actress and singer-songwriter. She has maintained a recording career while also acting on stage and in feature films. She is married to the American writer and director David Mamet.-Early life:...
and Michael Irving
Michael Irving
Michael Irving is an actor of both stage and screen.In 1972 he was one of the founders of the Half Moon Theatre which survived until 1990.In the theatre, his recent work includes performance in the play "Apart from George" and "Rough Music" in London....
). Art buys a book titled, It's Not Your Fault. Upon reading it, he tries to follow the self-help book's advice. He decides to use inheritance money to first buy a car, and then pay for a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
therapist, Dr. Levi Ellington (Powell Jones), the book's author, to come to his home in England and help Art get his life on track, about which his parents are less than thrilled.
Despite his unsupportive parents, Art attempts with his new life coach and two slightly unbalanced friends Nikki (Mike Pearce) and Ronnie (Johnny White) to find a balance in his life, true happiness, and a good relationship with his parents.
The film also stars Jeremy Hardy
Jeremy Hardy
Jeremy James Hardy is a British alternative comedian who is also known for his socialist politics.-Career:Hardy was born in Farnborough, Hampshire. He attended Farnham College and studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Southampton...
as Art's superior at the care centre at which he volunteers.
Distribution
How to Be was released in the United States by IFC Festival DirectIndependent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel is an American cable TV network that airs independent film and related programming. IFC programming includes commercially interrupted feature-length films, original documentaries, shorts, animated series, original series, acquired series, and content exclusively for...
on April 29, 2009. Leading up to the release, the director, Oliver Irving, took the film on a U.S. Screening Tour. The DVD was released first in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2009 and was released in the U.S. on November 17, 2009.
Soundtrack
The How to Be soundtrack was released by Dreamboat RecordsDreamboat Records
Dreamboat Records is a British independent record label based in Bristol, England.-History:The label was founded in 2005, and released records on a small scale for a group of local artists. In 2009 it expanded to include releases of independent film soundtracks...
on April 28. The 23-track collection features three original songs performed by Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
, the original score by composer Joe Hastings and electronic music by musician-actor Johnny White, who plays Ronny in the film. It also features "Old Man" by Love
Love (band)
Love was an American rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee and lead guitarist Johnny Echols...
, "Clear Spot" by Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
and "Hammond Song" by The Roches
The Roches
The Roches are a female vocal group of three songwriting Irish-American sisters from Park Ridge, New Jersey, known for their "unusual" and "rich" harmonies, quirky lyrics, and casually comedic stage performances.The Roches have been active as performers and recording artists since the mid-1970s,...
.
Track listing
- Opening Credits - Joe Hastings
- "Chokin' on the Dust" (Part 1) - Robert PattinsonRobert PattinsonRobert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
- "It's not your fault" - Joe Hastings
- "Hell Awaits" - The Rollercoaster Project
- "You don’t actually have things all that bad"
- "Old Man" - LoveLove (band)Love was an American rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee and lead guitarist Johnny Echols...
- "Chokin' on the Dust" (Part 2) - Robert PattinsonRobert PattinsonRobert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
- "Sometimes we all need a little help" - Joe Hastings
- "Dr Ellington Arrives" - Joe Hastings
- "Visualize a time" - Joe Hastings
- "Jam Session"
- "1996" - The Rollercoaster Project
- "Nikki's Song" - Mike Pearce
- "Puzzle" - Joe Hastings
- "Cemetery" - Joe Hastings
- "Off License" - Joe Hastings
- "Process 1" - The Rollercoaster Project
- "Clear Spot" - Captain Beefheart
- "Hammond Song" - The Roches
- "Final Call" - Joe Hastings
- "You're not a nobody"
- "Doin' Fine" - Robert PattinsonRobert PattinsonRobert Douglas Thomas Pattinson is an English actor, model, musician, and producer. Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...
- End Credits - Joe Hastings
Film festivals
How to Be had its world premiere at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival2008 Slamdance Film Festival
The 2008 Slamdance Film Festival took place in Park City, Utah from January 17 to January 25, 2008. It was the 14th iteration of the Slamdance Film Festival, an alternative to the more mainstream Sundance Film Festival....
, where it won the Grand Jury Honorable Mention. It has since been chosen to appear at:
- Rhode Island International Film FestivalRhode Island International Film FestivalFlickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival takes place every year in Providence and Newport, Rhode Island as well as satellite locations throughout the state. Started in 1997, the Festival is produced by Flickers, the Newport Film/Video Society & Arts Collaborative, a 501 non-profit...
(August 5-10, 2008) - Strasbourg International Film Festival, where it was the opening night film (September 12-21, 2008)
- Calgary International Film FestivalCalgary International Film FestivalThe Calgary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for ten days in late September and early October...
(September 19-28, 2008) - Derby City Film Festival (October 8-12th, 2008)
- New Orleans Film Festival (October 10-16, 2008)
- Indie 2008 Film Festival, Brazil (October 10-16, 2008)
- Austin Film Festival (October 16-23)
- Gotham Screen New York International Festival (October 31 & November 1, 2008)
- Lone Star International Film Festival (November 12-16, 2008)
- Cinequest Film FestivalCinequest Film FestivalThe Cinequest Film Festival is an annual independent film festival held in San Jose, California. The festival highlights the work of new film makers....
(February 28th and March 2nd, 2009) - Durango Film Festival (March 4th-8th, 2009)
- George Lindsey UNA Film Festival (March 5th-8th, 2009)
- Chicago International Movie and Music Festival (March 8th, 2009)
- DC Independent Film Festival (March 8th, 2009)
- Burbank International Film Festival (March 27th, 2009)
- Las Vegas International Film Festival (April 9th-12th 2009)
- California Independent Film Festival (April 16th 2009
- 22nd Singapore Internation Film Festival (April 25th 2009)
- First Glance Hollywood Film Festival (May 1st-3rd, 2009)
External links
- How to Be Official Website
- Making of Europe Making of Documentary Exceprts