Hobo Superstar: Orhalla Zander On "Molotov Alva" And SL

Tomorrow night on HBO's Cinemax channel, millions of television viewers will get a glimpse of Second Life for the first time, not as a plot point in a larger external story, but as the story itself: Douglas Gayeton's "Molotov Alva" is a documentary about his avatar Alva, as told from the avatar's point of view.  (I'll be writing about the film tomorrow.) 

Molotov Alva is its star, but the film is dominated by a singular presence: "Hobo King" Orhalla Zander, a pop-eyed cross between Yoda and a homeless poet, who speaks in odd metaverse koans and leads Alva on a hallucinogenic journey to find Second Life's creator. And while much is known about Douglas Gayeton, an established filmmaker living in Northern California, little is known about the real life individual behind an avatar who is now the co-star in the prime time programming of a major cable network.  If "Molotov Alva" is the most prominent example so far of machinima crossing into the mainstream, Orhalla Zander is probably the first instance of a virtual celebrity, an idoru (in the William Gibson/Gwyneth Llewelyn sense of the term) crossing into popular awareness.  (No, Max Headroom doesn't count as the first, in my view, because the hipster artificial intelligence was always linked with the real world character from the series, and the actor who played him.)

So who is Orhalla Zander beyond his Second Life identity?  For now at least, perhaps only HBO's legal department knows for sure: The company's lawyers asked Orhalla's owner to sign a release waiver for appearing in the film.  "I understand waivers and they seem quite reasonable and needed," Zander tells me now.  He just can't recall if his avatar name was on the form. "You know I can't remember, but lately I've been signing my SL name more often on things."

The Calleta Info Hub 

In any case, Orhalla's Second Life identity exists as an end in itself, a personality who's influenced hundreds if not thousands of Residents.  Founder of the Calleta Infohub, a Linden-sponsored information kiosk that Orhalla and colleagues made to resemble a Depression-era encampment, Zander estimates there are now some 900 Residents in his hobo community.  In a virtual society where so many seem obsessed with land ownership and commerce (though this is a partial misconception), the hobos represent a distinct counter-philosophy that values exploration over profit.

So who is Orhalla Zander in Second Life?  He joined from the real world after hearing about it from an acquaintance, but entered without any Linden Dollars to improve his noob appearance.  "I was kinda bummed out," he remembers, "until I discovered a sandbox where I could build anything, so I made my very first barrel."  He put it on instead of clothes, and has been wearing the barrel ever since.   

After the break: the hobo philosophy, corporations in SL, and his sense of the metaverse's future (warning: contains minor spoiler to "Molotov Alva")...

Orhalla on hobos in "Molotov Alva"-- and in SL

I was very close to Molotov, he let me view some of his video diaries. I think I'm Molotov's best friend in Second Life. I'm close to Molotov, I'm not too close to Douglas, but I think he edited some of Molotov's diaries... I'm never one for editing, but I think they only filmed the good side of my face. [laughs]

I think [the videos are] a great representation of Molotov's life here in this vast virtual reality. I believe it's a wonderful portrayal of our Hobo culture. We've chosen the way we live, and I believe they captured… [t]he unexpected rise of the hobo culture. 

My philosophy about hobos, is that we are travelers, seekers. We search for our dreams in this virtual reality.

Is that your actual voice in the videos?

Of course it is. They may have changed it up during the editing, but I think it sounds like me....

Orhalla on becoming the "King of Hobos"

Well, it's probably because of the Info Hub that I've been running with the privilege of welcoming new people to this world. Some go, some stayed behind. The ones that stayed behind with me, we banded together and formed a community. We help each other with encouragement to do what ever they can imagine here. Some have traveled to play live music here. Some are becoming actors in plays and improv performances. Some are going on to do wonderful art for many large clients. Some are just enjoying the social aspects of Second Life.

Orhalla on his real life owner

I'm a traveler and a freelancer so my life in Second Life is very much the same as my life in real life. It has to do with art and 3D modeling. And a lot of other things in between. I've been to the West coast to the East coast… been to the North and South and across the seas. Wasn't very fun being stuck in Europe with just a bicycle. Almost got deported.

Orhalla on the videos' negative depiction of corporations and advertising in Second Life

I wouldn't say it so harshly like that, but it's definitely raised the bar for everyone else to work a little harder in Second Life. It's affected hobos greatly. The existence of corporations has had a very positive impact on us. If it wasn't for their existence we probably wouldn't be expanding as much as we are. Well, we're developing more. We've found an island to live on all to ourselves… We put a flag up with the symbol of a circle with a "x" going through the middle of it. Roasting marshmallows and cooking beans.

Orhalla on what he'll do, after becoming a Cinemax star

I plan on staying exactly the same and continue to make the community a friendly enjoyable place to visit and hopefully return…

What if you get an offer to create a spin-off series for your character?

I'd be willing to build a camcorder and start filming myself. After all hobos are travelers, not bums. We aren't about handouts. We'll wash some dishes so we can keep traveling on to the next adventure.

As Orhalla, some companies throw me a coin here and there to do some freelance work for my travels. Hopefully, I keep the coin in my hat and can hold onto it for a while.

Self-portrait courtesy of Orhalla.

Comments

[Orionalation Carver]

Nice piece, I hope I can get a downloadable version of the movie to watch here in Pakistan (piracy is my best friend because of limited resources).

Hoping you will actually take an interest in my story by the way. you have to admit, there aren't many Pakistani stand-up comedians performing in SL vying for your attention!

[Bettina Tizzy]

Hail Oz, King of the Hobos!

I am PROUD to call myself a Hobo, and darn proud to call Orhalla Zander a friend. Thanks to him, I had a family, a community, and a place to call my own as soon as I arrived.

And, no... Oz doesn't sound like that IRL. The editors played tricks on him!

[Pappy Enoch]

Them-thar hobos bin rite kind tu a po' hillbilly stuk the fake wirld o' Secund Life.

I luvs Calleta almos' a much as Enoch Holler n' tu ol' Orhalla I sez--yu kin bee mah king enny ol' time.

PS tu Orionalation: That ain't stealin' frum Home Bux Orifice: it are appropriatin' the means o' produckshun frum the boob-oisie, as ol' Groucho Marx dun sed.

[Heather Shortbread]

Great job guys, I am happy to be a part of it!

[Torley]

I'm glad to see Orhalla has grown this far. I remember when he was in the WA in a cardboard box. That's a Second Life success story, for sure — and the founding of Calleta's Infohub is a another set of stories unto itself.

Congratulations, Hobo King.

[Orhalla Zander]

Thanks Everyone For Your Support!!

[Daedric]

Maxheadroom NOT the first?

People think Second Lifers are narrow minded wannabe intellectual geeks who rationalize their "virtuality". Your logic that dismisses the great one only reinforces that stereotype, great job there.

Just give credit to where credit is due.

[Hamlet Au]

?

I'm just saying Max Headroom was always known to be the actor Matt Frewer, while Orhalla Zander is entirely virtual. Well, until he shows up at SLCC or something.

[Titi.A]

It is a shame I missed this. I will be looking on Cinemax to see if it is still showing and what the show times are. If ya'll miss any shows you can always look on there too :)