On Cinema head to Midland for live show

Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington will perform a live episode of On Cinema at the Midland on Nov. 12.

The date serves as an expansion of a tour the duo began earlier this year. Turkington says the show functions as a continuation of that spring run, with updates to reflect current theater releases.

The performance is not a simple rerun of the web series. It is a variety show that blends scripted segments with heavy improvisation. Turkington describes the live set as a "souvenir" of the show. He notes that plot points resolved during the spring tour must now be woven into the new material.

The format allows for changes from night to night. Turkington compares the process to a band extending a song over a tour. He says the duo uses an improv approach where successful bits stick, while other elements remain scripted. He adds that the show is largely performed by just the two of them.

Turkington cites a specific example of a live bit becoming canon. During the spring tour, the pair reviewed a film called They Will Kill You. Heidecker took an on-screen email with that subject line as a personal threat. The resulting paranoia segment expanded over several shows and eventually influenced the finale of the current season.

The duo distributes On Cinema through a subscriber-based network called HEI. Turkington argues this model removes middlemen from the production process. He states that when a fan pays seven dollars, that money goes directly to the product. He contrasts this with the film industry, suggesting studios should fund 300 smaller filmmakers with one million dollars each rather than betting 300 million on a single blockbuster.

Turkington believes audiences are tired of large-scale visual effects. He recalls seeing four previews before a recent film, three of which featured heavy CGI and explosions. He says he does not find that style engaging.

The show frequently uses props from the Victorville Film Archives, a fictional collection of VHS tapes. Turkington sources these items on eBay and through thrift stores. He looks for merchandise from obscure romantic comedies and failed action movies, often seeking incorrect sizes. He notes that the costume designer also collects movie shirts year-round.

Turkington says his personal top four films include West Side Story, Midnight Cowboy, Two-Lane Blacktop, and The Night of the Hunter. He identifies The Night of the Hunter as his all-time favorite. He owns a poster for that film, which he bought on Craigslist in Los Angeles.

The poster is signed by actors Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters in green ballpoint pen. The seller described the signatures as scribbling. Turkington says he has made life decisions based on the movie and finds it emotional to watch.