DrTNeil vs Himself
a documentary review
DrTNeil vs Himself - a completely unsolicited sort of review DrTNeil vs Himself is an inspirational documentary about an artist quitting their job to follow their dream of living as a full-time creative. There are obstacles and struggles to overcome, failed ventures, and the loss of a close family member. The artist, Travis Herman, has a young child and a small family, and through the ups and downs of the film, he maintains a humble grace that keeps you rooting and cheering for him the whole way.
The documentary almost follows the typical inspirational story formula that is told and re-told by 80% of the films in the genre, and if that was solely the case, I’d still give it high reviews. That style of documentary is successful for a reason, and like most humans, I am a sucker for the “feel good - overcome obstacles - find peace and happiness at the end” story, especially if it’s a true one. There are however, many things that set this film above the others. I’ll start with the puppet, since it appears in the first scenes. The puppet is way rad, and what they are able to do with a simple brown paper sack, a glorified elementary school art project really, was beyond my imagination until I watched. Then there is the animation. For a DIY/indie project, the animation is otherworldly. It’s funnier and better than many productions that cost millions and millions to make. In many places of the film, with the puppet, animation and other resources, Travis and the movie production team are able to get more out of what they have to work with than most any other film I’ve seen. The interviews are spectacular, and have an emotional intimacy that goes deep with an authenticity that’s impossible to fake. There are tears, and there are laughs, but mostly there is just real. Herman, a native Ohio-an that has spent most of his life in Portsmouth, at the mouth of Appalachia, begins his film by telling you that it is a follow up for a documentary that he made three years ago, when he first quit his job. So, I’ve already lied to you. This documentary is not about an artist that quit their job, it’s an update about an artist that quit their job, but I haven’t seen the first doc yet, so don’t hold this against me.
The documentary exposes the origin stories of the Herman brothers. Travis’ brother is Vincent Herman, founder of Subject to Change, Ent, a videography and film production company in Portsmouth, and the two collaborated on this film, and have on others as well. In DrTNeil Vs. Himself we learn about their history of rat tails, which is as close as you can get to “must see TV” if you've ever spent a lot of time around the Portsmouth art scene. The film also follows Travis’ journey as a content creator on YouTube, from talking about the first video he ever made of himself painting, a video that he made after he got sober at 27, to working as a paid video editor for a big YouTube influencer, and it shows him learning new techniques and constantly working to collaborate and promote others as he attempts to carve out a living making art. There are successes. Travis and Vincent produce and write a short film and then a full length film, and then Travis leaves Subject to Change to focus on his own stuff for a while. There are festivals and big collaborations, and there are moments where Travis is alone in a dark room talking to himself, or more likely, arguing with a brown paper sack puppet. There’s self discovery, and beautiful self awareness and reflection, and life lessons learned for all of our sake. My favorite part is how in the end, Travis doesn’t find a ton of money, but him and his brother Vincent are able to work together on some more big projects, and you get the feeling that DrTNeil is finding his footing and his voice in the art world, and he’s battling himself a little less these days. There is happiness and peace, and there is an acceptance that more obstacles are ahead, but there is also this sense of accomplishment in the end. There is this artist that has struggled, and hasn’t had it easy, but he’s still there, still scratching his way through life with his art, and the support of his small family and growing community of collaborators and fellow creators. This documentary is my most pleasant film surprise of the year, so far. I had it on my list to watch for months, after I met Travis last fall in Portsmouth, and I expected a good, but not great film, made by an acquaintance, one that you finish just to be supportive, and I was immediately grabbed by my T shirt collar and dragged into the madness and merriment, by a damn brown paper bag puppet of all things, and I was riveted and invested in the journey all the way to the end. I rewatched the film twice more, to write this review, and I know that I’ll watch it a half dozen more times in the coming months, it’s that inspirational to me, and I think it might be for you, too.
Watch the documentary here on YouTube for free!
I highly recommend you watch the documentary, and subscribe to his YouTube channel, find him on Facebook as Travis Herman, and follow along on his art journey.
Love,
Dan
I watched the first half of the documentary and truly enjoyed it and plan to watch the rest of it. A bunch of very creative and inspiring people with a lot of genuine feeling. Thanks for directing me there.