This Is Buzz is experimental and music-driven documentary, illustrating the tale of the seismically influential, yet somehow forgotten, MTV slice of life docuseries BUZZ, which only ran for 13 episodes in 1990. The show took an experimental approach to uncovering often undiscussed corners of global life. With fast-paced edits giving the show an avant-garde feel, the series would tackle specific subjects with each entry. This dream-like almost subliminal feel pre-dated the media oversaturation we feel today as we are drawn to a constant conveyor belt of content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram which act to familiarize us with cultures around the world. And on top of it all, RuPaul was the show’s host. From Mark Pellington (The Mothman Prophecies, I Melt With You).
This Is Buzz Documentary by Mark Pellington
Mark Pellington's This Is Buzz revisits MTV's groundbreaking 1990 documentary series BUZZ, exploring its lasting influence on documentary storytelling, music culture, and modern media.
- Published:
- Updated: July 9, 2026
- By: Creators Faire Editorial
written & directed by: Mark Pellington
featuring: William S. Burroughs, The Edge, Jenny Holzer, Jaron Lanier, Malcolm McLaren, Timothy Leary, William Gibson, RuPaul
produced by: Eb George, Liza Hughes
co-produced by: Ian Tellechea
executive produced by: Chris Gore, Paul Rachman, Kevin McLeod, Ted Hope, Jax Deluca, Eric Kohn, Adam Abdalla, Judy McGrath, Josh Braun
edited by: Mairi Utnoand
vfx by: Fred Salkind
sound by: Andy Milburn, Andy Snavely
film projections by: Julia Hayward
a Prolific Films and Kiln Pictures production, in association with Imaginary Content, Backstroke, Orange Crush, and Triple E
about mark pellington
Mark Pellington is an award-winning American filmmaker. He worked at pioneering video channel MTV from 1983–1990, winning awards as a promo producer and co-creating the seminal landmark TV image documentary series BUZZ. His video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” won four MTV awards in 1993, including Best Director and Video of the Year. Pellington began directing feature films, including Going All the Way (1997), starring Ben Affleck and Rachel Weisz, Arlington Road (1999), starring Tim Robbins and Jeff Bridges, as well as The Mothman Prophecies (2002), starring Richard Gere.
Pellington has also created over 100 iconic music videos and worked with such musical artists as U2, U2 ZOO TV, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen, INXS, Alice In Chains, Demi Lovato, Imagine Dragons, Foo Fighters, Nine Inch Nails, Cage the Elephant, Linkin Park, Echosmith, The Fray, Dave Matthews, Michael Jackson, Public Enemy, Moby, Flaming Lips, Nada Surf, Damian Marley, Chelsea Wolfe and many more. He won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the MVPA for videos in 2002.