SwannLove's "Condom Style Denver"

A Parody with a Message

In addition to being one of the most watched music videos in history, "Gangnam Style" by Korean pop star Psy is also one of the most parodied. In fact, there are nearly 70,000 parodies on YouTube alone. So what makes "Condom Style" by SwannLove stand out?

"Condom Style" advocates the use of condoms and proudly promotes safe sex. As Fresh Film News' Arthur Martinez put it, SwannLove's "Condom Style" goes beyond simple parody to "create something useful for our society". It's been shared many times on Facebook, including on the pages of condom manufacturers and various Planned Parenthood groups.

That's not to dismiss the parody aspects of the song, as SwannLove wrote edgy comedy into every verse and chorus. He also carefully molded his message in English to fit the melodies and rhythms of Psy's Korean lyrics. "Condom Style" is a catchy, laugh-out-loud tune that SwannLove has performed live before Karaoke crowds in Maryland, New York and Colorado. Fans of his live performance or "Condom Style" in general can e-mail him at [email protected].

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of SwannLove's "Condom Style" is the video itself. Shot in Denver, Colorado with an all-Colorado cast and crew, the video expertly dissects the original with an inviting wink and a nod that serve to bring the audience in on the joke. It retains the confidence and bright, often pastel-colored aesthetic of "Gangnam Style" and at the same time delivers new bits that make "Condom Style" a unique adventure all its own.

A Video Firmly Rooted in Denver, Colorado

If you're familiar with Denver you'll feel right at home watching this video. "Condom Style" incorporates many familiar sites from around the city while matching many of the shots from "Gangnam Style".

According to "Condom Style" Co-Producer Devin Mugavero, "We really wanted to expose the city of Denver as a whole, and really just let people understand how incredible the city is and how talented the people are here in the film industry."

Mugavero was involved from concept through production, including co-starring in the video opposite SwannLove. The two of them shine in their romantic escapades on the Light Rail, which is Denver's above-ground public transport system. Mugavero and Paris Farr came up with their own dance moves and incorporated them into the choreography of the original video. They also taught the moves to dancers and actors who sometimes had to learn them on set with virtually no rehearsal time.

The ensemble of Cameramen and Directors of Photography on "Condom Style" were Nathan Burgun, Vadim Elkind, Diego Rodriguez, Trevor Munson, Cristofer Adrian, Luke Antonio and Jason Ponder. This video showcases their talents and illuminates the potential of the Colorado film community. That potential fueled by the new Colorado Film Incentive program will make the state a major contender for productions of all sizes in the coming years, and this crew is ready for the extra work!

SwannLove's Alter Ego

Swann Christopher has been acting in Colorado-based productions and studying his craft in Denver for more than four years. His YouTube Channel The SeeSwann Show is constantly finding new fans, and his video "Steamy Vacation Romance" recently surpassed the 44,000-view mark. Besides starring in "Condom Style", Mr. Christopher has acted in television pilots, comedy sketches and television commercials, including a Doritos commercial that was submitted to the 2013 Crash the Super Bowl Facebook Contest. He again co-stars with Devin Mugavero in the ad, this time as a chip-crunching genie.

Mr. Christopher is looking forward to working more and more on projects big and small, including a Denver-based sketch comedy show set to begin production in 2013. "Condom Style" is the culmination of his lifelong interest in musical comedians like "Weird Al" Yankovich and a desire to share his own acting and vocal talents with a wider audience. It would be impossible to reach the number of YouTube hits that the original has garnered, but with the help of traditional and social marketing Swann Christopher expects "Condom Style" to be his video with the most views very soon.