The Influencer (FanBLAM)

A satirical look at culture appropriation through the lens of a white, narcissistic social media influencer and foodie, whose claim to fame is stealing content from Black American culture, which ultimately results in a disturbing new dietary trend.

  • David A. Daniels
    Director
  • David A. Daniels
    Writer
  • Patrick Cunningham
    Producer
  • Homer Rabara
    Producer
  • Anna Daniels
    Producer
  • David A. Daniels
    Producer
  • Allison von Hausen
    Key Cast
    "Ona"
  • Anastasia Crunk
    Key Cast
    "Briley"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 47 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 2, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - David A. Daniels

Daniels' career began as an office production assistant and post-production assistant on the Fox Searchlight film, "Kingdom Come." That same year, he was selected as one of the first filmmakers to join Fox Searchlab (a start-up program for new and below the radar directors which includes a first-look deal with Fox Searchlight), where he wrote, co-produced and directed his first short film, "The Eleventh Hour."

Daniels then went on to complete his first feature-length comedy, "The Scoop: An Ode To Customer Service," and worked on several Bay Area music videos and shorts, before gaining representation and two option deals for his "Red Riding-Hood" horror screenplay.

Daniels won top honor at the 53rd Nashville Film Festival in the feature horror category for his screenplay, "Our Lady of Justice" aka "Black Market."

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

THE INFLUENCER (FanBLAM) is a short companion piece to my award-winning feature script, OUR LADY OF JUSTICE (JUST US).

The film utilizes satire to punctuate the horror and expose the veneer of non-Black influencers and digital content creators seeking fame and fortune through culture appropriation, while
embracing the privilege of not having to confront a world of inherent dangers and stigma associated with having dark skin.

One need not look any further than the various social media influencers and digital content creators who participate in the modern-day caricature of Black Americans every day, utilizing TikTok, IG, YouTube, and just about every social media platform in a frenzied, uncanny pursuit to be seen and heard by the world over.

Horror films are classified as a “risk-free way to vicariously experience threats and rehearse one’s responses to those threats.” So, the audience of horror films is seeking a “thrill,” a rush of adrenaline from a perceived danger where they are still consciously safe and merely a spectator from a distance. This perfectly sums up Black American culture appropriation, as in the ability to shed one’s “Black avatar” at their whim and convenience while never experiencing the negative physical or psychological aspects, from the horrors of slavery to present-day inequity and systemic racism.

THE INFLUENCER (FanBLAM) tackles a day in the life of one such appropriator hoping to capitalize off Black American culture via social media as if it were the gold rush of her generation... because it is. And she will entertain her audience and earn the adulation she so desires no matter the cost with an unconscious killer instinct that rivals the darkest chapters of American history and the sadism of her forebearers.