by John Stevens
August 17, 2011 5:46 PM
Ask any actor, writer, artist, or musician and they will tell you that there is one thing that is vital to their success—inspiration. Whatever provides that inspiration is something that is entirely unique to the individual. It could be the economy, a favorite song or relative, politics, a teacher, or even a self storage unit.
The internet has spawned a new form of entertainment called webisodes, programs that are filmed with the intention of being viewed via the World Wide Web. One of the most popular programs on the web, ‘Self Storage,’ is set to begin its second season.
While the inspiration is clearly the self storage industry, the show (which takes place in a self storage facility) takes an odd-ball look at one of the circumstances that have caused many people to become self storage customers in recent years.
The primary characters in the show, Dana and Shoshanna, due to what is referred to as the Great Recession in the show and their own ineptitude are without a home and turn to their local self storage facility for living arrangements (something which is not encouraged, safe, or legal by any self storage facility).
When season two begins on August 17, the duo is getting evicted from their current self storage unit and begins looking for a new facility to call home.
Episodes of the critically acclaimed web series can be found on the website of Storage Outlet, a self storage company with locations in 18 cities in southern California.
Self storage units often play a small, often unnoticed roll in television and movies, but from time to time self storage units have taken center stage, like with the recent reality shows ‘Storage Wars’ and ‘Auction Hunters.’
In 2009 the film ‘Steel Homes’ was screened at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie was a lot like the current reality shows in that it focused on the hidden treasures that are often discovered inside abandoned units.
“I can still remember the first time I visited a self storage warehouse,” said director Eva Weber. “I was there to help a friend move her belongings but became absolutely fascinated by the eerie atmosphere of the space itself. You can almost hear the echoes of other people’s lives reverberating down the long corridors.”
Rainn Wilson became famous through his role on the hit television show ‘The Office,’ but once starred in a movie that focused on characters taking things to a self storage unit. The relatively unknown movie from 2002 was called—what else—‘Self Storage.’
There must be something special in self storage for it to be the inspiration for so many things!
Sources Used:
“Los Angeles, CA: Second Season of Self Storage Show Launches.” openPR; 17 August 2011.
“Self Storage Units—a Common Character in Many Hollywood Movies.” Self Storage Industry News; 29 March 2011.
“Belongings in NYC Storage Units Inspire a New Witty and Poignant Play.” Self Storage Industry News; 02 May 2011.