#FAKE FAMOUS SOFTWARE#
#FAKE FAMOUS PROFESSIONAL#

As the trio’s number of followers increase, and after a string of fake photoshoots, brands begin reaching out, eager for their products and services to be seen, and the process repeatedly feeds itself. It doesn’t take long to see the experiment work. Each of their stories illuminates the ephemeral world of online influence and the realities of a lifestyle based largely on fantasy. The young trio he selects – aspiring actress Dominique, fashion designer Chris and real estate assistant Wylie – proceed to have wildly different experiences as their fake followers grow by the thousands each day. But are they really famous? Bilton and his team set out to explore what it all really means by launching an experiment that begins with an open casting call in Los Angeles, with the goal of transforming three people into famous influencers. The documentary will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max.īilton, a technology journalist, explores a fundamental question: What is fame and influence in the digital age? There are now hundreds of millions of people on social platforms who have such large followings that they are considered to be a new kind of celebrity. By purchasing fake followers and an army of bots to “engage” with their social media, the newly made “influencers” discover both the wonders and costs of this unlikely, immersive lifestyle. The film’s journey into this world is driven by the casting of three people in Los Angeles who all have relatively small social followings and the attempt to grow them into famous influencers.

ET/PT), from first-time director and veteran journalist Nick Bilton, explores the industry of social media influencers through an innovative social experiment. Instagram fame isn't 'fake,' except in the sense that class is fake - which is to say, the game is rigged in favor of those who have the cash to play it.HBO’s FAKE FAMOUS, debuting TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 (9:00-10:30 p.m.

#FAKE FAMOUS PROFESSIONAL#

But with a team of professional consultants and a bunch of someone else's money to invest, they suddenly have a huge leg up. Chris doesn't even appear to really know what bots are at the start of the experiment. But what it mostly shows is that when you have a lot of resources and expertise, your path to success is easier than if you don't have those things.ĭom, Chris and Wylie, like most people on Instagram, didn't have the wherewithal or know-how to launch Instagram brands. They have the illusion of influence and a mirage of fame.Īll the effort Bilton and his team put into boosting the three participants is supposed to show that Instagram fame isn't organic. Thanks to the bots, Bilton's guinea pigs soon look like they have thousands, then tens of thousands, of followers.

#FAKE FAMOUS SOFTWARE#

Bots are software programs that imitate people and can follow, like and comment on accounts. He buys a toilet seat and rips off the top so he can shoot pictures of his subjects against the porcelain circle and make it look like they're gazing out a plane window on their way to an exotic locale.Īnd, first, last and continuously, he buys them bots.

He rents mansions so they can pretend to be on luxurious vacations.

He gets them hair stylists and professional photographers. With the contestants selected, Bilton sets about making them famous.

Fake famous