Independent Lens Season 14 Episode 6 Beauty Is Embarrassing

Beauty Is Embarrassing is the sixth episode of the fourteenth season of the Independent Lens series. This episode delves into the life of Wayne White, a world-renowned artist, and his journey to success. The documentary portrays Wayne White's unique work and artistic process.

Wayne White was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in a modest family. Despite being from a low-income background, Wayne White went on to become a successful artist, puppeteer, and filmmaker. In the documentary, Beauty Is Embarrassing, we see Wayne White's creative journey that led him to success.

The documentary's narrative is told through Wayne White's charismatic personality and thoughtful insights into his work. He is determined to produce something that is unique and different from what others are creating. His eccentricity is at the heart of his art, and it’s something that reflects in every project he’s undertaken.

We get a glimpse of Wayne White's career in the 80s, where he created cartoons for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which won him three Emmy Awards. The quirky and mesmerizing creatures in Pee-wee’s Playhouse reflect Wayne White's creativity, and they became quite popular with young audiences.

The documentary takes us through Wayne White's other creations like his cardboard sculptures that became a signature of his career. We get to see his craft first hand as he creates a cardboard sculpture for an exhibition. His process of creating an almost-life-size puppet using only cardboard and tape is fascinating and demonstrates his artistic skill.

The journey continues as we follow his work on music videos with artists like Peter Gabriel, who commissioned him to create the iconic 'Big Time' video. The video portrayed a giant Wayne White head moving through a tiny city, and it became an instant hit with the audience. We witness Wayne White's love for puppetry as we see him making puppets with his team of artists and experimenting with different designs.

The documentary also showcases Wayne White's personal life, portraying him as a devoted father and husband. We get a glimpse of his family life and learn how he balances his art career with being a family man. He credits his family for being his support system and a source of inspiration for his work.

Throughout the documentary, Beauty Is Embarrassing, Wayne White emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's principles. We get to know his perspective on life, including his belief that life should be full of creativity, humor, and joy.

The documentary concludes with a section on Wayne White's current work. Currently, he is creating set designs for a theater, infusing his signature humor and creativity into the characters and sets. We see Wayne White's work in progress as he collaborates with his team of artists and brings his vision to reality.

Beauty Is Embarrassing is a heartwarming and inspiring documentary that celebrates the power of imagination and creativity. Wayne White's journey, from a small-town boy to world-renowned artist, demonstrates that pursuing one's passion and staying true to oneself are the key ingredients to success. The documentary is not only a tribute to an artist but also to the creative process of all artists. It encourages us to find beauty in the everyday things and reminds us that creativity and humor can make the world a better place.