Some of you may recall that this time last year I became completely obsessed with a movie called Catfish and subsequently the lead of this incredible non-fiction documentary named Yaniv “Nev” Schulman. I reached out to him on Twitter and lo and behold he replied! I asked if he would do a virtual interview with me and here are his answers. Now go watch this movie if you haven’t already, it will blow your social media mind!
Now he hosts Catfish The TV Show for MTV which helps other people figure out the truth about their social media lovers. Some good, some bad and some oh so very heartbreaking…
Q1. Hi Yaniv! I watched Catfish and was completely fascinated by it, what a film, and how did that not turn you off Facebook forever?
A1: To be perfectly honest, it did turn me off facebook. I no longer have a personal page and only use Facebook to communicate with my fans.
Q2. What do you tell people who think Catfish is fake? How can you prove it’s real?
A2: People don’t generally think that the story is fake, they just can’t believe that we happened to be filming it… and I can totally understand how unbelievable that is. However, I was there and I lived it and can answer any questions anybody might have. Plus, if we had made it up, that would make us some of the most talented writers/directors/actors ever, and I assure you I’m an awful actor.
Q3. What do you miss most about Megan? If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
A3: I think what I liked most and subsequently missed most was the attention. Getting texts and emails every day from an adorable young woman and her adoring family was a huge ego boost. It took a couple of months to adjust to the loneliness I felt when it was all over. What would I change? Nothing. The experience was and remains one of the most important experience of my life and I’m very grateful to have had it.
Q4. Would you ever make friends/date over Facebook again?
A4: I don’t plan on it.
Q5. Tell us about this TV show you’re doing with MTV, any crazy/interesting anecdotes from it?
A5: The show is a roller coaster of emotions. We just finished shooting season 2 and I still can’t believe half of the stuff that I saw. Human beings are a fascinating species, and the internet seems to have unlocked a whole new potential for craziness.
Q6. You love taking pictures, you do it for a living what is your favorite photograph of all time and why? How come you chose to photograph dance?
A6: I love to photograph dance because it inspires me. The artistry, athleticism, movement, music and sensuality all make for what I consider perfection.
Q7. Have you ever been to India or seen a Bollywood movie? What did you think?!
A7: Sadly, I have yet to go to India. Many of my friends have been and tell me wonderful things about it, and I very seriously plan on traveling there in the next year. I have only really seen one “Bollywood” movie. It was called “Mulit” and was a short film sponsored by ABSOLUT Vodka.
Q8. Do you think you’ll make more movies? If yes, what about?
A8: Honestly, I can’t say for sure. Right now I am very focussed on making my TV show the best it can be while also speaking at colleges and universities around the country. I have been developing an idea for a feature film about the wild world of advertising… but that’s all I can tell you.
Q9. Yaniv is such an interesting name, what does it mean?
A9: I have heard a number of different interpretations of my name. It is Hebrew, and can be interpreted to mean; “he who produces, or he will prosper” Either way, it seems to be fitting as I am currently producing a hit TV show!
Q10. If there’s one thing Catfish taught you it is….
A10: The power of listening. You’d be amazed how much you can learn about somebody by simply giving them an opportunity to tell you about themselves.
Psst! Nev, I thought you might be interested to know how many tweets it takes to make someone fall in love with you 🙂