OYMA (Outstanding Young Men of America)

1996, 9:23 min, color, sound

Mike gets nominated as an Outstanding Young Man of America and decides to have a party to celebrate. He digs out his Disco suits and, 'strutting his funky stuff' to the sound of Disco Inferno, sets up glitter balls and decorates the house. Night falls as Mike looks to the sky and contemplates his future as an OYMA. Smith's deadpan style, and the fact that he is celebrating on his own, undermines the expectations of celebrating society's recognition of the individual, as represented by the presumably fictional OYMA.

By Michael Smith. Camera: Michael Gitlin. Editor: Bob Beck, Electronic Arts Intermix. Music: Brian Wilson, The Trammps, The Beach Boys.