Wikipedia

Draft:River Faught

River Faught
Born
Donnie Faught

(1975-02-11) February 11, 1975 (age 49)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materArkansas State University
Occupation(s)American Actor and Performance Artist
Years active1998-Present
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
SpouseCynthia Richardson (m. 1995–2006)
ChildrenStaysha Faught (born 1999)
Parents
  • Wayne Faught (father)
  • Phyllis Jean Eddings (mother)
RelativesDavid Faught (brother)
Awards2017 Winner Actors Award - "1 Buck" - Best Ensemble, 2012 Audience Award - "Flesh on Fire: Addicted to a Dream"
Websitewww.RiverFaught.com

River Faught (born February 11, 1975) is an American actor and performance artist. Known for playing dark and surreal characters in independent films. Breaking away from the norm, his unconventional film roles are the cornerstone of independent films that abandon the traditional 3 act structure.

Early Life & Education edit

Faught was born on February 11, 1975, in Kansas City, Missouri. His family legacy is one of hard work. Phyllis Jean Eddings[1], his mother, labored in a factory before transitioning to become a dedicated beautician, while his father, Wayne Faught, tirelessly worked in a paper mill. Despite their divorce during his early childhood, both parents remarried and instilled a strong work ethic in Faught and his older brother, David Faught. Raised by his resilient mother in the small town of Western Grove, Arkansas, he spent summers with his father in Atkins, Arkansas, shaping a family legacy rooted in diligence and perseverance.[2]

He regards Western Grove as his true hometown, having spent the majority of his youth there. As a young child, Faught secretly harbored thoughts of becoming an actor and gracing the big screen. Being raised in the small town of Western Grove, Arkansas, with a population of only 365 people at the time, Faught kept his dreams of being on the big screen to himself. He did not share them with anyone else, believing that his dream was unattainable coming from such a small, seemingly remote place in the middle of nowhere. His acting dream would be put on hold for college, as it seemed like the safe route for him.

Faught attended three different high schools: Western Grove High School, Atkins High School, and Lead Hill High School, where he graduated one of 18 in his graduating class of 1993. He then enrolled at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he earned a degree in Criminology with a Bachelor of Arts. Following his graduation with honors in 1997, Faught and his newlywed wife, Cyndi Richardson (whom he married during his second year of college), immediately relocated to Springdale, Arkansas. There, he secured a job at a dilapidated hotel situated in a questionable part of town. After enduring a year in this dangerous work environment, and with an unfortunate incident involving a hotel resident's suicide attempt, Faught was now convinced that life was too short for him not to pursue his life's dream of acting. He and his wife made the decision to move to Los Angeles, California, where he would finally have the long-awaited opportunity to pursue a career in acting.[3]

 
River Faught Childhood Picture

Career edit

River Faught's acting career is marked by an affinity for the unconventional and a dedication to challenging traditional storytelling. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1998, he quickly immersed himself in the independent film scene, finding a niche in dark and surreal roles that often stretched the boundaries of narrative structure.

Early Roles edit

River Faught's early career involved a wide array of roles in short films, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and educational videos. His initial projects included "Big Top Winkle" (2000), "Chances or Choices" (2000), and "Stain" (2001), providing him with a diverse range of acting experiences. These early opportunities allowed Faught to develop his skills, expand his industry connections, and refine his approach to character portrayal.

In addition to his work in short films, Faught appeared in documentaries such as the "William Hertz Documentary" (2001) and in educational videos, demonstrating his adaptability. He gained further exposure through music videos, appearing in tracks like "Fa Fa" (2000) by Guster and "Mono" (2004) by Courtney Love. His first appearance on national television came in 2001 with a commercial for Red Stripe Beer, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Faught also starred in a commercial for IBM's "Vin Extraordinaire" (2002), a Super Bowl commercial that aired nationally during the Super Bowl XXXVI game, significantly boosting his visibility. This exposure, along with other commercials like "Madonna 'V.I.P.'" (2001) for MTV, further broadened his reach and connected him with a wider audience.

Faught's distinctive style and readiness to embrace unconventional roles set him apart in the indie film scene, leading to more experimental and independent film roles, such as "Jack in the Pulpit" (2008) and "Academy of Satan" (2009). His unique approach to acting and willingness to take on challenging roles played a crucial role in shaping his career and setting the stage for his later success in indie films.

These varied early roles across different media types laid the groundwork for the surreal and eclectic path that would define his future career. Faught established a reputation as an actor who wasn't afraid to take risks and explore uncharted territory, setting the tone for the innovative storytelling that would become his hallmark.

Breakthrough in Independent Film edit

Faught's breakthrough came with the 2012 autobiographical feature documentary film "Flesh on Fire: Addicted to a Dream.[4]" This documentary, which he wrote and produced, documented his journey from a struggling actor to an established figure in the indie film scene. The documentary received critical acclaim. It won the Audience Award at the LA Film, TV, and Webisode Festival, cementing Faught's place in the independent film community. The documentary was picked up for worldwide distribution by Indie Rights, a film distribution company that specializes in independent films.

Following this success, Faught continued to take on diverse roles, often playing complex and edgy characters. His notable performances include his role in "1 Buck" (2017), which earned him the Actors Award for Best Ensemble, and "Darwin'd" (2018), where he portrayed a man with a layered backstory set in a small town.

Performance Art and Digital Exploration edit

In addition to his acting career, Faught is known for his work in performance art. In 2022, as an active performance artist, he launched a unique project titled 'A Daily Transmission From Planet Earth,' a YouTube series where he created and shared daily performance art pieces for 90 consecutive days. The series ran from January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022. During those 90 days, he shot two performance art videos (one horizontal and one vertical) each day, for a total of 180 videos. This ambitious undertaking allowed him to express his artistic vision in a new medium, connecting with a broader audience and showcasing his ability to engage with diverse forms of art.

River has carved out a captivating niche on social media. His surreal performance art videos cater to the misunderstood and those who revel in the strange and unusual. Faught’s performance art pieces are steeped in surrealism. He delves into the unconventional, creating a world where reality and imagination collide. He weaves bizarre narratives through his art, and his performances delve into the depths of human consciousness. His videos often explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and the enigmatic nature of existence, offering introspection and thought-provoking moments.

As an actor, Faught channels raw emotions and experiences into his art. His performances are not mere acts; they are visceral expressions of his inner world, marked by authenticity and vulnerability. He creates for the outcasts—those who feel like they never quite fit in. His work resonates with those who appreciate the strange and unusual, inviting viewers to see the world through a different lens and fostering empathy.

His performance art is a unique form of entertainment. River’s universe is made up of the surreal, peculiar, thought-provoking, and beautifully strange. His art defies easy categorization. It’s a blend of performance, introspection, and the wonderfully weird. His work not only complements his film career but also expands it, offering a broader canvas for his creative ideas and demonstrating his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.

Books edit

  • Flesh on Fire: Addicted to a Dream - Donnie Faught (aka River Faught) Journals[5](2011)


In 2011, Faught wrote a book titled Flesh On Fire: Addicted To A Dream - The Donnie Faught (AKA River Faught) Journals, which describes the grueling, step-by-step process he underwent in creating his autobiographical, award-winning feature documentary film, Flesh On Fire: Addicted To A Dream.[6][7]

The book provides readers with a distinctive perspective and an intimate glimpse into Faught's innermost thoughts, chronicled through his daily journal entries throughout the process of bringing his film to life.




Filmography edit

Films
Year Title Role Director Notes
2000 Big Top Winkle[8] Carny Lara Jo Regan Short Film
2000 Chances or Choices Instructor Unknown Educational School Video
2001 Stain Delusional Man Takae Hoshina Short Film
2001 William Hertz Documentary Common Man Unknown Feature Documentary
2002 After the Dance Jesse Chris Seals Short Film
2002 Cedar Flats Gambler Andrew Robert Muller Short Film
2002 Shadow Box Southern Man Kelley O'Connor Short Film
2004 Blacklist Commie Communist Tenzin Wangchuk Short Film
2005 Short Side of Nothing[9] Creep Phillip Garcia Short Film
2006 A Dentist's Best Friend Harry Jacoby Eric Thompson[10] Short Film
2007 Caroline: The Bearded Woman Tom Jackson Lanzing[11] Short Film
2007 Montana Montana Esther Elise Johnson[12] Short Film
2007 Salesman of the Year Lucas Peabody Matthew Stubstad[13] Short Film
2007 Ten Years' Time Convict 1 Drew Walkup[14] Short Film
2007 The Swimming Pool Rodgers Chineze Anyaene Short Film
2008 Cronulla Skinhead Jason Mavraidis[15] Short Film
2008 Jack in the Pulpit Janitor Ben Conrad[16] Short Film
2008 Some Meaning John Jillian Leynes Short Fillm
2008 Strange Tail Mad Scientist E.M. Garol Short Film
2008 True Perfection[17] Professor Wright Sarah Mohen Short Film
2009 A Film About Races[18][19] The Terminators (Himself) Jonathan Baker Feature Documentary
2009 Academy of Satan Dalton Jenkins Rasika Ruwanpathirana Co-Writer
2009 The Things We Carry[20] Drug Dealer Ian McCrudden
2010 Blockhead[21][22] John John Francis Conway[23] Short Film
2010 Less to Pack Homeless Man Jennifer Hanks Short Film
2010 Saul of Suburbia Inmate 1, Guard Benjamin Ironside Koppin[24] Short Film
2010 Staying Clean[25] James Brian Brookshire Short Film
2010 Thirst Mr. Cup Rasika Ruwanpathirana Short Film
2012 Flesh on Fire: Addicted to a Dream Himself Benjamin Ironside Koppin Autobiographical Feature Documentary
2012 Jim Jim Jason Monares Short Film
2016 Guiding Light Abusive Boyfriend Benjamin Ironside Koppin[26] Short Film
2016 The Lodge Didi Rasika Ruwanpathirana[27] Short Film
2017 1 Buck[28][29] Bill Fabien Dufils[30] Actors Award for Best Ensemble
2018 Darwin'd[31][32] Roger Brigg Bloomquist[33][34] Short Film
2019 King Baby[35] Santa Case Esparros
2023 The Absence of Milk in the Mouths of the Lost[36][37] Demon #1 Case Esparros[38][39]
Television
Year Title Role Director Notes
1999 Bonnie and Clyde Gang Member Yuki Wakano Documentary (Yuki Wakano Productions)
2001 Red Stripe Beer Commercial Marching Man Unknown First National TV Commercial
2001 Madonna "V.I.P." MTV Promo Jim the Sound Guy Melissa Silverman[40] TV Commercial
2002 IBM "Vin Extraordinaire" Grocery Store Employee Joe Pytka TV Commercial
2003 Dance Fever Dancer Alan Nash ABC Family Channel
2006 Best Damn Sports Show Period Uncredited Scott Bantle[41] Sports TV Show
2007 Manhunter Detective Leonardo Corbucci TV Pilot
2008 Baggage Homeless Man Eben McGarr TV Pilot
2008 Date My House Home Buyer Damon Zwicker Learning Channel (Team Tiara Productions)
2008 Oregon Lottery Lottery Winner Unknown TV Commercial
2021 Haunted Himself Jan Pavlacky Season 3, Ep. 3: "Gift of Evil"[42]
Documentaries
Year Title Writer Director Producer Role Notes
2012 Flesh on Fire: Addicted to a Dream[43][44] Yes Benjamin Ironside Koppin[45] Yes Himself Autobiographical Feature Documentary
Music Videos
Year Title Artist Role Director Notes
1995 "Funk It Up"[46] Toshi Kubota Psycho Dancer Steven Mirashiga
2000 "Fa Fa"[47] Guster High School Student Steve Hanft
2000 "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues"[48] Eels Weirdo Marcos Siega
2000 "Yes!"[citation needed] Chad Brock Boyfriend Gerry Wenner
2001 "Evolution Revolution Love"[49] Tricky Pedestrian Jake Scott
2004 "Mono"[50] Courtney Love Head Security Guard Chris Milk
2007 "A Gondola Ride in Paris"[51] The Messenger Mental Hospital Patient Nicole Bossier
2007 "The Sound of Truth"[52] As I Lay Dying Dystopian Human Brian Thompson[53]
Web Series
Year Title Role Director Notes
2008 Vidigreet.com[54] Online Video Greeting Card Hillbilly Unknown Mother's Day Video Greeting
2022 River Faught Performance Artist | Day 1 Transmission #1[55] Performer Himself In this Performance Art Series on YouTube, Faught is sharing with you a Daily Transmission From Planet Earth. Faught shares artistic consciousness through his Performance Art. These are daily Performance Art Pieces. This Series ran from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022. During those 90 days he shot 2 videos (1 Horizontal & 1 Vertical) a day, for a total of 180 videos!
2023 "The Ghost of Saturn" 8.2[56] Himself Joey Borovicka[57] YouTube Collaboration: "An Experimental Variety Show"
Performance Art
Year Title Role Director Creator Ref(s)
2022 River Faught Performance Artist | Day 1 Transmission #1 Performer Yes Yes [58]
2022 River Faught Performance Artist | "Love... Why Drive When You Can Fly" Performer Yes Yes [59]
2022 River Faught Performance Artist | "Heal... A Cut, The Heart, Without Choice" Performer Yes Yes [60]
2022 River Faught Performance Artist | "Masking The Flavor Of Thorned Ego" Performer Yes Yes [61]
2023 River Faught Surreal Performance Artist | "A Mealworm Dream" Performer Yes Yes [62]
2023 "Object Of Mutual Attraction" Performer Yes Yes [63]
2023 River Faught Surreal Performance Artist | "Blood, Earth & In Between" Performer Yes Yes [64]
2023 River Faught Surreal Performance Artist | "Life Force Absorption" Performer Yes Yes [65]
2023 River Faught Hoarder House Performance Art | "This Is The Normal" Performer Yes Yes [66]
2024 #238 Performer Yes Yes [67]
2024 #245 | "Hoarder Song" Performer Yes Yes [68]

References edit

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  60. ^ Performance Art #192 | River Faught Performance Artist | "Heal... A Cut, The Heart, Without Choice", 14 July 2022, retrieved 2024-03-13
  61. ^ Performance Art #200 | River Faught Performance Artist | "Masking The Flavor Of Thorned Ego", 8 December 2022, retrieved 2024-03-13
  62. ^ Mealworm Performance Art #210 | River Faught Surreal Performance Artist | "A Mealworm Dream", 2 March 2023, retrieved 2024-03-13
  63. ^ Surreal Performance Art #223 River Faught Surreal Performance Artist | "Object Of Mutual Attraction", 17 August 2023, retrieved 2024-03-13
  64. ^ Surreal Performance Art #221 | River Faught Surreal Performance Artist | "Blood, Earth & In Between", 14 September 2023, retrieved 2024-03-13
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  68. ^ Hoarder House Toilet: River Faught's Hoarder House Bathroom Performance Art | #245 | "Hoarder Song", 14 March 2024, retrieved 2024-03-15
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