We have to keep the wolf from the door… We tell stories to continue ourselves. We all think an exception is going to be made in our case, and we’re going to live forever. And being a human is actually arriving at the understanding that that’s not going to be. Story is there to just remind us that it’s just okay.
—Ken Burns
The Blog
Ken Burns: On Story
I Spy
Sadly I have to admit I don’t have time to watch as many music videos/web videos as I probably should for inspiration and artistic theft… but I did stumble across this one…
It’s delightful (like the track too).
[source]
Song written and performed by Mikhael Paskalev
Produced and mixed by Joe Wills
Director: André Chocron
Director of photography: Martin Solvang
Production design: Thomas Fosseli
Props: Ida Gulbrandsen, Anette Marthinsen
1st assistant camera: August Sanengen
Lighting technicians: Eivind Landsvik, Nicklas Reitan
Colorist: Fredrik Harreschou
Sound design: Nils Jakob Langvik
Thank you: Emilie Christensen, Krypton Film AS, Christian Quartz Lighting and Motion Blur
Shot on Red Epic
Terry Gross Can Act
If you’re like me you try to listen to Terry Gross on Fresh Air as much as you can… she’s great. In this video, I was finally able to put a “moving and talking” Terry together with that voice that asks such probing and illuminating questions.
And in a kind of two for one, she’s co-starring with Mike Birbiglia, director of Sleep Walk With Me (coming soon). I met Mike a year ago during a “directing the actor” seminar the Sundance Institute created for us prior to heading out to the Labs.
He was gracious, funny and smart and I’m looking forward to seeing his debut effort later this summer.
Jono Oliver Needs Your Help
Yeah. Another kickstarter/crowd funding project. I know… I know…
But trust me, I wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t a stellar team behind it. Jono Oliver (the writer/director), worked on the very first film I acted in out of drama school and was one of those guys who makes you happy to come to work everyday cause he’s good at what he does… and he’s also one of the good guys, you know?
Basically, here’s a film I’d like to see get made and a filmmaker who I think deserves support… I hope you do too:
ABOUT THE STORY: Home is the story of a man named Jack, recovering from mental illness, whose goal is to move out of the group home where he resides and into a home of his own. By doing so he hopes to rebuild his life, reconnect with is estranged son, and put himself back on a path to “normalcy.” Despite what some see as difficult subject matter (a man dealing with mental illness) Home is filled with wonderful characters, a lot of humor, strong drama, hope… and ultimately, an uplifiting ending. More information about the story can be found on our website: www.homethefilm.com. It’s a terrific script that will make a great film. Please help however you can.
Finding the New Black
Over at Shadow & Act they’ve been posting a series of interviews called “Finding the New Black”. A recent article covers friend and fellow brooklynite Terence Nance (his feature film, “Oversimplification of Her Beauty” was a Sundance 2012 selection). Terence is an uber talented filmmaker and I found his comments in the interview inspiring and illuminating.
Near the end of the article he mentions a clutch of us who live out in Brooklyn and often find ourselves on each other’s sets, script readings and house parties. I’ve always been a big believer in community but also know it’s difficult to sustain. Terence and the others have done a valiant job of this and I’m excited about the coming work from this group.
Read the full interview here.
Brother Spizike
UPDATE: Here’s an interesting essay posted recently about the video above and Spike’s use of this dolly move in his work.
NYU – Cinema Research Institute
New York University’s Kanbar Institute of Film and Television – Graduate Division (my alma mater and current employer) have recently launched a new initiative called the Cinema Research Institute, to bring together film school education (academia) and the industry.
Roughly two years ago, esteemed producer Ted Hope visited NYU to give a lecture about the future of film and the state of the industry. A very important idea was spawned from that lecture: the creation of an NYU think tank / incubator dedicated to the future of cinema. A safe place within the walls of the university where students from all disciplines could research and experiment with models and ideas that could change the industry.
At the heart of the initiative are fellows the CRI selects and mentors for a year: The fellowship is a year-long program designed to nurture emerging producers with research project-specific support through Labs, grants, and long-term advisory relationships.
They’re currently recruiting the next round of fellows so take a look after the jump for more information.
Michael Shannon in Take Shelter
**Spoiler Alert**
Best performance of 2011, easily. If you haven’t seen Take Shelter find it and watch it now!
Hitchcock Happy
Have you missed me? Yes, the month of March completely got away from me. Thought I’d swoop in though with this little gem from master filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.
I love what he says here and I totally agree with him.
Enjoy.
PBS Online Film Festival – National Film Society
Take a peek at this funny promo from my old classmate Stephen Dypiangco and his partner over at the National Film Society, Patrick Epino. They’re hosting the inaugural PBS Online Film Festival. Check out all the films here.
The promo features my third favorite filmmaker of all time, Mr. Luke Matheny (also an old classmate) and another surprise guest from my youth (growing pains?)
Stag & Doe
I can’t underline enough how excited I am to finally be able to post this film here. I edited this film with two really close friends/collobrators of mine, Daniel Patterson and Justin K. Staley aka Prep School Boys Cinema.
The film went on to win the 2010 HBO Short Film Award at the American Black Film Festival and is perhaps one of my favorite edits ever. Also, at the risk of embarrassing Daniel and Justin (who’re just as humble as they are talented… actually no, they’re talent is immense… they’re not THAT humble… I kid, I kid)
No really, I’d like to publicly thank these two… they took a portion of their winnings and produced my short film “Men In Love”.
That’s love. That’s collaboration.
Thanks guys.
“Men In Love” Lives! On!
@shadowandact filmmaker challenge is back… Men In Love is still screening with a ton of other stellar shorts.shadowandactfilms.com/FilmmakerShowc…
— Keith Davis (@keith_davis) February 8, 2012
I really suck at contests. I’ve said this before so I’ll spare you the same rant, again. My short film “Men In Love” is back in the Shadow & Act sponsored Digital Filmmaker Showcase. So sure… go vote!
But more than that I’m excited to share that a few of my friends/classmates/collaborators also have their films being seen in the same showcase and that makes me excited. It’s a good crop of up-and-comers… please go check out their films in the showcase here or at the contest’s Facebook page here.
Finally here’s a list of links so you can follow these filmmakers directly:
You’re Welcome
Hit play and giggle.
Oh, and you’re welcome.
The American People Film
“In the heart of Alabama wiregrass country, a mother haunted by prescient visions of the future struggles to find hope and the strength to live again after the sudden death of one of her children just days before 9/11.”
American People Lookbook
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Posted – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - 12/09/2011
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What I Remember – Sundance Labs 2011
Here’s my final post for the Sundance Institute Blog…
Continue Reading →
Impossible Me
Here’s a blog post for the Sundance Institute Blog about my time at the Directors Labs…
Continue Reading →
Sundance Directors Labs 2011 – Production Pics
These are some pictures from our three weeks of shooting scenes from the film at the Labs.
Continue Reading →
My Instagrams – Life on the go
Articles I’m Reading
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– The Age of Innocence – NYTimes.com - 05/18/2012 - – Trayvon Martin Case Shadowed by Police Missteps – NYTimes.com - 05/17/2012
- – Bradford Young, Cinematographer for ‘Middle of Nowhere’ – NYTimes.com - 05/16/2012
- – The Coming Meltdown in College Education & Why The Economy Won’t Get Better Any Time Soon « blog maverick - 05/16/2012
- – The ESPN Man – NYTimes.com - 05/15/2012
What I’m Watching
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– 001- Enter the Void - 05/19/2012 - – 002- Jackie Brown - 05/19/2012
- – 003- The Graduate - 05/19/2012
- – 004- Somersault - 05/19/2012
- – 005- Swimming with Sharks - 05/19/2012
Music I’m Listening To
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– Let It Be Me by Ray LaMontagne - 05/04/2012 - – Have You Seen Her by The Chi-Lites - 04/30/2012
- – If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - 04/30/2012
- – The Stable Song by Gregory Alan Isakov - 04/30/2012
- – Eyes On Fire by Blue Foundation - 04/30/2012
From My Tumblr – Sad Vader
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– Photo - 05/19/2012 - – "It takes a very long time to become young." - 05/18/2012
- – Photo - 05/18/2012
- – "Dust and Water" by Antony & The Johnsons - 05/18/2012
- – Photo - 05/18/2012
