August 5, 2016, at 1:17 p.m.
Angry Video Game Nerd. The very name alone sets the standard for YouTube pioneering. James Rolfe (with the help of longtime collaborator Mike Matei) began one of the first user created content series on YouTube. Rolfe, a lifelong movie maker, jumped in front of the camera and assumed the role of “The Nerd.” He wrote the scripts, shot the footage, created effects, audio, edited and uploaded them all the channel. It was no easy task in 2005.
The concept of AVGN is fairly straight forward. Rolfe used video games that are now considered classic, or retro, and did game reviews on them. Each of the games he chose was specifically selected for its terrible qualities. It could be awful game play, under responsive controls, monotonous music, or any other barb.
Each episode was an original idea drawn from Rolfe’s vast knowledge of movie history. He would include parodies far ranging from low budget B-movies to Warner Brothers cartoons and Star Trek. The theme of the episode would often fit the game he was reviewing, and would capitulate with the Nerd absolutely losing his mind.
The idea caught on and the demand for his content rapidly expanded. Many of his videos now are considered classics themselves and even at the dawn of YouTube his videos now accumulate millions and millions of views.
That is to say nothing of the countless legions of people he has inspired with AVGN. Many other retro critics and entire cultures have arisen around classic gaming consoles. This isn’t to suggest Rolfe was the only one doing this by any means, yet he was prominent and influential voice for sure.
AVGN was not the only project Rolfe undertook during this time. There was other great content created in the same era, including but not limited to his own feature-length film, AVGN the Movie, a web series that looked at board games, and his extremely popular Halloween movie specials, “Monster Madness.” Despite all of that, James is a pretty normal guy and does all the ‘normal guy’ stuff too.
We caught up with James at Too Many Games retro gaming expo in Philly and managed to get a few questions from The Nerd. Here’s what he had to say.
Interview conducted by: C. Lougeay, W. Chandler, and N. Fincher.
Interview with The Angry Video Game Nerd James Rolfe
Slickster: James, CONGLATULATIONS on a successful career thus far. You’re a winner. First off, we just want to say that we support you on your opinions of the Ghostbusters reboot. Now that we’ve got that outta the way, tell me: Was filming with Lloyd Kaufman (Troma) as crazy as it looked? Was he like that on and off camera, or did he go “full retard” just for the AVGN episode?
James Rolfe: Love the Tropic Thunder reference. Well about Lloyd. He’s always “Lloyd.” What else can you say? He’s exactly what you’d imagine. A great, fun guy.
Cinemassacre was on YouTube very early on; The Gold Rush or Wild West days, if you will. What was it like when you first got going and can you name a few ways in which it has morphed over the last decade?
Yeah, YouTube was a big pioneer in internet entertainment. The accessibility of getting your videos seen, was something new and exciting. Just the idea of being able to upload the videos for free was nice and new.
Before that, there were some sites where you can pay one dollar per minute, for them to digitize your VHS tape, to host it on the internet. Then you re-pay to renew it yearly.
The other option was to upload it to your own website, which looked like crap, and the videos had to be very short. I tried everything before YouTube emerged. It was very helpful.
Since then, 10 years later, I guess the main difference is that it’s not so new anymore. There’s lots more people using it. Lots more web series have been created, which is great. But there’s so much out there now, it’s easy to get lost. I hardly keep up. I just stick to what I do.
AVGN and “The Nerd” have never shied away from using profanity. Besides a good f-bomb goes a long FUCKING way sometimes. How do you draw the line between using shit, god damn, cunt, or motherfucker for effect and when does it become a crutch?
I try not to over-do it, to use the precision f-strike when I can. I just say it when it comes natural. When playing bad video games, it comes natural a lot. A FUCKING lot!
Is Bootsy really that good at games or is he actually magical wizard from the Phantom Zone? Tell the truth….
Probably a magical wizard. I don’t know. When he starts a game, I’ve never seen him give up. Ever.
That reminds me… Do you remember that scene from Twister, when Phillip Seymour Hoffman talks about the “Suck Zone?” That was awesome… [James’ humorous answer] … OK, that really wasn’t a question. Sorry. But Twister was way better than some of the disaster movies recently.
Yeah, saw that in the theater. BIG movie, but easy to forget. Now that you mention it, I do remember that “Suck Zone” joke.
Ok, Nerd, let’s play hard ball. We think you went a little easy on E.T. the Game in your AVGN Movie. Care to explain? Was there outside pressure to do the opposite of what everyone expected you to do; harpoon the game to death with a giant diarrhea dump in its ear?
It’s actually not that bad a game. The pits are annoying, but there’s still a goal, a way to “beat the game” whereas most Atari games were all about getting points. A high score. This was a whole adventure. Yeah it had some serious issues, but it was a very advanced concept, for its time. What you hear in the movie, are all my honest opinions.
You started making a movies a young age and learned from you mistakes and a DIY attitude. Can you give any up and coming creative minds (filmmakers, YouTubers, game developers) some advice on how to get their career’s rolling?
Advice is always a tough one, because it’s not a short answer. It’s more like a book. The best I can give is my own examples. Some of the “Making Of” videos I’ve done all show what it’s like. I plan to do more stuff like that. And yes, a book someday. If I can ever open up some free time to write it. The main thing is to enjoy what you do, stick to the ideas that you like, not what people expect. Whatever inspires you, pursue that. You have to like it first, before other people will. It doesn’t have to be big budget. Be resourceful. Use what you have.
Now some advice for the older guys and gals out there; how do you balance your time between your family and Cinemassacre? Is there a point when your wife says, “James! You better get out of that basement RIGHT now!”?
It’s extremely hard. Raising a kid takes top priority. (She’s amazing!) Finding the time to make videos is more difficult than ever. It’s a struggle that goes on. Wish I had advice, but I’m still figuring it out. And yes, it’s a miracle that I still finish all these videos. When I work, I work strategically and fast.
Interview with AVGN Part Two
In a deserted forest, and you can only have five horrors movies with you, what would you carry?
Tough one. But I guess you gotta have Jaws, Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, King Kong, and all the Universal monster movies. (I can’t pick just one.)
If you had a full creative control, and a seemingly unlimited budget, what would your next film be?
Well there’s tons of ideas that I’m doing anyway, without an unlimited budget. I just don’t know which one will be next, yet, until some spare time opens up, for when I can start writing them.
If it was a hypothetical big blockbuster budget, not much would change. It would probably still be a gothic horror film or a monster movie of some kind, but the difference is it would probably have better effects and bigger actors, I suppose.
You have done a couple collaborations with Pet the NES Punk. What is he like to work with?
Always great. Good humored. Easy going. His NES knowledge runs very deep. He even has an upcoming book that weighs six pounds.
What are some of the challenges of doing collaborations with other YouTube personalities, like Pat the NES Punk, the Nostalgia Critic, orDoug Walker?
First, the idea. Second, the schedule. We both would need to take time out, to make it happen. But once we do, it’s very easy, because we’re all filmmakers, so we all know the process. Sure our styles might differ, but every time we do a collaboration, it’s always a fun smooth experience.
How did you know film would be your calling?
I grew up on art. I experimented with drawing, painting, animation, and finally landed on movies. Movies inspired me the most. Films are a combination of every art (even music which is a big part of movies). Its image, its sound, its everything. I like the collaborative process.
How long does it take to produce a standard episode of “Monster Madness?”
One episode – if you count watching the movie, researching the movie, writing the script, filming/recording it, gathering the images or clips, editing the video, finalizing it and getting it uploaded – could potentially be done in a full day (with no distractions), assuming it’s a really short video.
Does your film career serve its purpose, in your eyes?
Sure, it’s what I do. Just as simple as that. I make movies. An innocent goal, but a very complicated mission.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word cut?
I suppose since we’re talking movies “cut” could mean either “we got it” or “we fucked up, do it again.” Usually it’s the latter.
Before we wrap this interview up is there anything you’d like to mention? Any misinformation on the internet that you’d like to set the record straight on?
That would be impossible to keep up with, because people make shit up on the internet all the time. That’s the nature of it. And I have no free time to use the internet for leisure.
James, thanks for taking the time to talk with Slickster Magazine and providing endless hours of entertainment for all us to enjoy. We hope The Nerd continues to lead and inspire for the next decade. Last question: Will you ever grow back that sweet ass teenage mustache you we’re rocking for a few years?!
Noooo. Although I grew it back once for the Fester’s Quest episode, as Gomez.
