Andrew Callaghan
Andrew Callaghan | |
---|---|
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | April 23, 1997
Alma mater | Loyola University New Orleans |
Occupation(s) | Journalist, YouTube personality |
Years active | 2019–present |
Employer | Doing Things Media (2019–2021) |
Television |
|
Andrew Thomas Callaghan (born April 23, 1997) is an American journalist, known for his former work on the YouTube series All Gas No Brakes and his current show Channel 5. On March 9, 2021, he announced his departure from All Gas No Brakes after disagreements with Doing Things Media.[1] In April 2021, Callaghan launched Channel 5 via Patreon and YouTube.[2][3] Callaghan is considered a pioneer in YouTube-style gonzo reporting by other journalists such as The Department of Information.[4]
Early life and education
Callaghan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later moved to the Capitol Hill neighbourhood[5] of Seattle, Washington, as a child.[6][7] Growing up, Callaghan "hated every class ... from the first day of kindergarten to [his] last day of college," except for a journalism class in his junior year of high school.[8] The teacher of that class convinced Callaghan to pursue his passion for journalism. During high school and a gap year before college, Callaghan interviewed people associated with the darknet market Silk Road, Occupy Seattle protesters, and juggalos.[8] Callaghan later relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, for school, studying journalism on a full scholarship at Loyola University and working as a doorman. Andrew's full scholarship was given to him after being awarded a bronze Congressional Award during the Barack Obama administration. Andrew's mother submitted Andrew's work documenting graffiti without his knowledge and Andrew was awarded the awardfor his work. It was signed by John Mccain and Nancy Pelosi.[9]
Career
Quarter Confessions
Callaghan was working as a doorman in New Orleans on Bourbon Street where he saw "hellish scenes" and wanted to find a funny or smart way to document them. He quit his job and began interviewing people on the streets of the city about their darkest secrets, which became known as Quarter Confessions.[10][11]
All Gas No Brakes
In 2019, Callaghan published All Gas, No Brakes: A Hitchhiker's Diary, a memoir-zine recounting stories from a 70-day hitchhiking trip across America that he undertook two years prior at the age of 19.[12]
The idea for the YouTube series All Gas No Brakes was conceived from this memoir, before beginning his journalism studies at Loyola University New Orleans.[8] Callaghan was a contributing writer for the Loyola school newspaper, The Maroon.[13][14] Quarter Confessions, which were uploaded to YouTube and Instagram led to a partnership between Callaghan and Doing Things Media.[15]
In early 2020, Callaghan started an All Gas No Brakes podcast, in response to travel restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. On the podcast, Callaghan interviews past subjects from All Gas No Brakes over video chat.[16]
In March 2021, Callaghan announced via social media that he, along with his team, are no longer involved with production of All Gas No Brakes, as well as its television series currently being produced.[17] Callaghan wrote on his Instagram:
I am no longer associated with All Gas No Brakes. I no longer receive any of the Patreon crowdfunding, YouTube monetization or any other show income. Nic and Evan, who lived in the RV and created the original show material, are also no longer involved. We have no control over the accounts or future of the show. When was 20, I wrote a book called 'All Gas No Brakes' about hitchhiking around America as a teenager. At 21, I pitched the idea of a video-based road show to a production company, who loaned me an RV to make videos and explore America with my best friends. I was ecstatic, so I signed an employment contract without reading it. Lesson learned. Thank you for supporting me these past years. It's been the time of my life. I can't wait to show you guys what I'm doing next. This is not the end .. It's only the beginning to a bright, independent future for the team. I love y'all.
In a piece by The New York Times on March 23, 2021, details of Callaghan's contract emerged. Doing Things Media signed him to a contract granting him $45,000 salary plus expenses in exchange for intellectual property rights to the All Gas No Brakes brand. Callaghan was to produce a set amount of content, however was granted creative freedom. Further, the Patreon set up for the show paid out a further 20% to Callaghan, 20% to the crew and 60% to Doing Things Media.[18] Doing Things Media had become uncomfortable with the political context of some episodes, specifically covering the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis.[18] By the end of 2020, Callaghan attempted to renegotiate his contract, which was set to expire in February 2022. Callaghan and his crew were first locked out of social media accounts, and later fired in March 2021.[18]
Abso Lutely Productions
In May 2020, Doing Things Media and Abso Lutely Productions entered a deal to develop a television series based on the channel.[19] According to Callaghan, the partnership began when Abso Lutely co-founder, Eric Wareheim, privately messaged him on Twitter to ask about the prospects of creating a television series.[14] Wareheim, Tim Heidecker, and Dave Kneebone will serve as executive producers for Abso Lutely, while Callaghan, Reid Hailey, and Max Benator will serve as executive producers for Doing Things Media.[19]
Following Callaghan's departure from Doing Things Media, Tim Heidecker confirmed via Twitter that Abso Lutely was still working with Callaghan on "something major."[20]
On the Fear & Malding podcast in July 2021, Callaghan revealed he had created a documentary film with Abso Lutely about the 2020 United States presidential election.[21] The film is in the process of being edited and near completion.[21] Jonah Hill, Heidecker, and Wareheim act as executive producers, and the film will be released by HBO and A24.[22]
Channel 5
On April 5, 2021, Callaghan released the first content for Channel 5 through Patreon. The show is created by the same core members of the crew in a similar style to All Gas No Brakes.[2] The first episode was uploaded to YouTube on April 11, 2021, and documented spring breakers in Miami, it was removed by YouTube shortly thereafter due to being accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation. It was reinstated five days later.[23] His next episode was released on April 29 and was about the trial of Derek Chauvin.[24]
Personal life
Callaghan suffers from hallucinogen persisting perception disorder due to excessive psilocybin use early in his life, around age 13.[25]
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominated work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan | 11th Streamy Awards | News | Won | [26] |
References
- ^ "All Gas No Brakes Is Done? Andrew Callaghan Announces He and His Team Are No Longer Involved In The All Gas No Brakes Business After Being Screwed By Contract". Pro Sports Extra. March 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "Channel 5 is creating interviews and beyond". Patreon.
- ^ "Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ Farrier, David (August 11, 2022). "Letting The Chaos Speak For Itself". Webworm. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ Sean Evans (June 30, 2022). Andrew Callaghan Goes For the Marrow While Eating Spicy Wings. Event occurs at 9:35.
- ^ "I Got Bourbon Faced On Sh*t Street". Office Magazine. April 19, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Callaghan Interviews the Most Controversial People in America on 'All Gas No Brakes'". Popdust. April 15, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c Nixon, Matthew (September 25, 2020). "QAnon conspiracists to drugged-up juggalos: the YouTube hit delving into Weird America". The Guardian. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ ""The Andrew Callaghan Interview: Channel 5, Crip Mac, Gangs, Documenting America & More"". YouTube.
- ^ "I Got Bourbon Faced On Sh*t Street". Office Magazine. April 19, 2019.
- ^ Underwood, Adrienne. "On Quarter Confessions, Bourbon Street's finest air their deepest, darkest secrets – to 472k followers". NOLA.com.
- ^ Amendola, Joe (September 20, 2019). ""All Gas No Brakes" Brigade Book Review". Brigade.
- ^ Wann, Tyler (April 17, 2019). "Q&A: 'Quarter Confessions' creators explain the process of making the show". The Maroon. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ a b Paul, Andrew (August 20, 2020). "All Gas No Brakes' Andrew Callaghan discusses his viral interview show". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "'All Gas No Brakes' Is Capturing America's Weird Underbelly on an RV Road Trip". www.vice.com.
- ^ "All Gas No Brakes is documenting America's most unhinged cultural fringes". Dazed. May 22, 2020.
- ^ Andrew Callaghan [@andreww.me] (March 9, 2021). "I am no longer associated with All Gas No Brakes. [...]". Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2020 – via Instagram.
- ^ a b c Lorenz, Taylor (March 23, 2021). "He Had an R.V., a Camera and a Plan to Document America. Was That Enough?". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (May 20, 2020). "Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim's Abso Lutely Productions And Doing Things Media Enter Development Deal For Internet Series 'All Gas No Brakes'". Deadline. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Twitter – Tim Heidecker". Twitter. March 10, 2021. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Andrew Callaghan Talks About The End of All Gas No Brakes, retrieved December 6, 2021
- ^ Moreau, Jordan (September 13, 2022). "HBO Acquires Andrew Callaghan's Channel 5 Documentary About Jan. 6 Riot, Produced by A24 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ "Andrew Callaghan's Channel 5 – Formerly 'All Gas No Brakes' – Goes To Miami Beach For Spring Break". April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Derek Chauvin Trial Verdict". YouTube. April 29, 2021. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ "Documenting America's Underbelly – All Gas No Brakes". Vice Media. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ "11th Annual Streamy Nominees & Winners". The Streamy Awards. December 12, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.