(WATCH) Middletown’s Brian Sienkiewicz Stars in Pee Wee Herman-Inspired T- Pain Video w/ Snoop Dogg
Middletown native Brian Sienkiewicz stars in T-Pain and Snoop Dogg’s Pee Wee Herman tribute video. Check it out on the Jersey Rock page!
This is definitely a first. Normally the Jersey Rock Video of the Week goes to a New Jersey band. This week, however, we are featuring T-Pain & Snoop Dogg's video for "That's How We Ballin'." It kicks off with a shot-for-shot remake of the famous biker bar scene from "Pee Wee's Big Adventure." A clear tribute to the late Paul Reubens, it's a load of fun that even people who are not fans of Hip Hop will enjoy. While it really is a great music video, that is not the reason it is the Jersey Rock Video of the Week.
"That's How We Ballin'" may not feature a New Jersey music artist, but it does feature a New Jersey performance artist. Middletown-native turned California actor Brian Sienkiewicz is heavily featured in the video as the primary biker antagonist-turned friend of T-Pain's Pee Wee Herman character. Spouting famous lines like "I say we kill him!" and "I hope you find your friend," the actor shines throughout the production as a grizzly unhinged biker with a heart of gold.
Brian Sienkiewicz has only been acting for about a year and a half and regularly submits to casting calls. When he came across a post looking for someone who could play a biker he sent in his resume and headshot.
"They were looking for bikers. I have long hair and a beard so I said hey I’ll submit to this one, Sienkiewicz said, "A couple weeks later I get a text message from one of the casting agents and she asked if I could be available . "
Sienkiewicz had no idea he was going to be in a video with T-Pain and Snoop Dogg, let alone have a prominent speaking role. While driving the 2 and a half hour ride to the shooting location, he learned exactly what he would be doing. He said:
"So I’m driving up there. When I’m about 45 minutes out I get another text message saying I’ll be playing 'Biker 1' for T Pain’s music video That’s How We Ballin’. And I was like 'oh cool!'"
And then more texts came through.
"The casting agent sent me a clip from the movie 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure' saying 'this is what we’re going to be doing.' I didn’t know I had lines and then I get a text message from the casting agent saying 'here are your lines.' So I'm practicing my lines while I'm driving to the set location. It was pretty rad."
And the video is pretty rad as well. As of the writing of this article, it's wracked up over 1.9 million views on YouTube and thousands of positive comments. To be in such a successful video is truly a dream come true. Speaking of following one's dreams, Sienkiewicz had this to say:
"Just go for it. Say f*ck it and keep hustling!"
Actor Brian Sienkiewicz will call in to Jersey Rock on Wednesday 11/22 at 11:30 pm. Follow him on instagram @the_actor_brian !
