April, 2024 Doc of the Month: Art of the Prank (2015)
April Fools!
Happy April! It’s a perfect time to celebrate a month famous for its good-natured pranks and hoaxes by watching & discussing a documentary about the original king of news media manipulation. Art of the Prank showcases the history of political activist/artist Joey Skaggs, who has been actively shining a light on global injustices, hypocrisy, and shortcomings of news media since the 1960s.
Art of the Prank (2015)
Directed by Andrea Marini • 1h 22m
The great media prankster, Joey Skaggs, wants to fool the world media AGAIN, and, with the most complex hoax of his career in the pipeline, he now must use every trick in his prankster's arsenal to make it work. Art of the Prank is an emotional journey following the evolution of artist Joey Skaggs-a fierce proponent of independent thinking and the man who has turned the media hoax into an art form. With unprecedented access to the man and his archives, the 95-minute documentary interweaves a current unfolding hoax with a look behind-the-scenes at some classic performance pieces (all reported as fact by a wide range of prestigious journalists) plus commentary from co-conspirators and others.
WATCH THE TRAILER
How to watch Art of the Prank
Art of the Prank is availble for rent/purchase on most platforms. It is currently available on Peacock (HD, ads), Peacock Premium (HD, ads), and the following free streaming platforms:
Kanopy - HD, free with library card
Plex - HD, free with ads
Freevee - HD, free with ads
Pluto TV - free with ads
Tubi - free with ads
Things to think about while watching the film
Have you ever fallen for a prank by a performance artist?
Do you remember ever seeing any of Joey’s pranks in the media?
Which of Joey’s pranks in the film resonates with you the most?
How to engage
Either leave a comment here with your thoughts on the film or engage with the supplemental prompts, which you will receive shortly if you haven’t already. Using the Substack app? Check out the Notes & Chat section. Be sure to read what other people are saying and continue the conversation!
Paid Subscriber Perks
Paid subscribers will receive access to a video interview between myself Joey Skaggs!
Additional posts with exclusive supplemental material.
As always, paid subscribers have input on future doc selections and the full back catalogue.
April Fools Day BONUS!
If you’re reading this post TODAY, April 1, and you live in New York, be sure to check out the April Fools Day Parade! The theme of the 2024 parade is “Democracy at the Guillotine”, so dress appropriately. Marchers will assemble at Fifth Ave and 59th St at 12 Noon, Monday, April 1, and proceed downtown to Washington Square Park, site of the climactic crowning of the King of Fools.
It is also important that everyone fills out this survey. It is anonymous and goes a long way to help me pick docs for The WALT.