Being a streamer is a career that is now more viable than ever. Whether you're Let's Players like Game Grumps or Giant Bomb, video essayists like Lindsay Ellis or Jack Saint, or those who do ASMR, it's something people can actually make a pretty decent living at. And, if you're popular enough, it can even be quite lucrative as well (as some streamers and vloggers make hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars doing what they do). However, with increased fame, comes increased parasocial relationships between fans that can often be parasitic and destructive.
This seems to be especially true for women, who are – statistically – disproportionately harassed and criticized on the internet. At least, that's what the award-winning short ASMR horror film TINGLE MONSTERS, directed and starring Alexandra Serio, wants to tackle. Serio states, "I firmly believe that through gender parity and telling women-driven narratives we can begin to change the world. But we must start by taking a sobering look at where we currently are. TINGLE MONSTERS aims to do that."
Here's the synopsis:
After sweeping the film festival circuit and being screened at Cinequest, Final Girls Berlin and the Cleveland International Film Festival and accepted into Oxford FIlm Festival, FilmQuest, Montclair Film Festival and more, this short film is poised for National release.
An ASMR vlogger with a devoted fan base who returns from an extended absence with a livestream that spirals out of control. Through this context Serio explores her belief that violence against women truly starts with words.
Using the vehicle of an ASMR livestream, TINGLE MONSTERS shows how what people say and think about women affects their real-world treatment. Audiences will witness the consequences of harassment turn dangerous both on-screen and off as her fans, who are watching it unfold from their own screens, comment live.
Meanwhile, TINGLE MONSTERS – directed by Alexandra Serio and starring Serio and Kareem Rahma – will be premiering online May 20th.