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Stag & Doe

Posted By On Thursday, 02-9-2012 @ 07:45 pm Under Work & Mentioned , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Stag & DoePermalink

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.

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“Men In Love” Lives! On!

s_a digital filmmaker showcase banner copy 2
Posted By On Thursday, 02-9-2012 @ 07:21 pm Under Work & Mentioned , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to “Men In Love” Lives! On!Permalink

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:

  • Tahir Jetter
  • Maxwell Addae
  • Mykwain Gainey
  • Rashaad Ernesto Green
  • Cole Wiley

    • You’re Welcome

    Posted By On Thursday, 02-9-2012 @ 06:23 pm Under Aesthetics & Mentioned , , With No Comments Permanent Link to You’re WelcomePermalink

    Hit play and giggle.

    Oh, and you’re welcome.

    Back at it again

    Posted By On Saturday, 01-28-2012 @ 01:15 pm Under Acting & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Back at it againPermalink

    I’m back from Sundance 2012… I love that place and I’m gonna post about being there for the first time soon. Meanwhile, I’m back teaching again while I put a few last touches on my script… before I send it out!

    As I was preparing for the semester (two undergrad editing courses and one grad ‘directing the actor’ course) I stumbled across this archive of actor audition reels.

    I thought it was kind of cool and also a good resource for directors observing performance…

    (side note: After teaching ‘acting for directors’ for a few years, I’ve found this is the hardest thing for inexperienced directors to do: to see what actors are actually doing in their performance versus what the director wants or hopes to see… this is a learned skill, observing performance.)

    Now, I don’t necessarily believe auditions are final “performances” by any means but it’s nice to watch these actor’s “choices” as they came in to be seen for and land some iconic roles.

    Tyler Perry….”How to be Successful”

    Posted By On Saturday, 01-28-2012 @ 12:52 pm Under Ethos & Mentioned With No Comments Permanent Link to Tyler Perry….”How to be Successful”Permalink

    Agreed.

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    The Proportion of Gruel

    Posted By On Saturday, 01-28-2012 @ 12:47 pm Under My Tribe & Mentioned , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to The Proportion of GruelPermalink

    Ira Glass, from the brilliant radio program This American Life, describes the strange life of a film producer.

    File this under “funny and true”.

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    #RollTideRoll – Alabama Wins!!!

    Posted By On Wednesday, 01-11-2012 @ 03:47 am Under Film & Mentioned , With No Comments Permanent Link to #RollTideRoll – Alabama Wins!!!Permalink

    Well, I’ve posted this before, and true to my word I didn’t go on too much about the team this year…

    BUT… we won it all!!!

    *Please forgive my use of the word “we”… this team is the only team or sport I gush over shamelessly, you should know that.

    Congrats to the Team, the University and of course the fans!

    Roll Tide!!!

    “Roll Tide” is a universal expression among ‘Bama Nation, versatile and applicable in nearly every situation as a greeting, farewell or standard cheer or praise.

    Terrence Malick

    Posted By On Wednesday, 01-4-2012 @ 12:31 am Under My Tribe & Mentioned , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Terrence MalickPermalink

    I was writing my last post and stumbled across this Malick tribute from an editor named Joel Walden. I must have watched this thing like 10 times.

    It’s beautiful. Just really beautiful filmmaking…

    I dare you. Hit play and try to look away, you can’t.

    This is your next destination here.

    Surviving Desire

    Posted By On Wednesday, 01-4-2012 @ 12:04 am Under My Tribe & Mentioned , , , , , , , , With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Surviving DesirePermalink

    Why don’t they make movies like this any more? Seriously, does any one out there know of indie romance films like this?

    I’m a fan of Hal Hartley.

    I can’t remember when I first saw “Surviving Desire” but it made an impact on me. It was like the culmination of a great revelation, which I think began the first time I saw the Coen Brothers film, “Miller’s Crossing”.

    I watched both of these films and remember thinking somebody made them, meaning someone had imagined these stories and wanted to tell them in a specific way, someone speaking with a voice suited to the telling.

    Continue Reading →

    Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules

    Posted By On Tuesday, 01-3-2012 @ 10:09 pm Under My Tribe & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Immaculate Heart College Art Department RulesPermalink

    These rules from Corita Kent speak for themselves and are inspiring… read ‘em and then go ahead, go out and work.

    They also remind me of these “rules” which I value too.

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    Pariah

    Posted By On Monday, 01-2-2012 @ 01:15 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to PariahPermalink

    This is Pariah, a beautifully shot film with wonderful performances and really assured writing and direction.

    In short, go see it.

    There are too many wonderful people I know involved with this project to mention them all but I’d like to point out two:

    Adepero Oduye plays the lead and does a dazzling job. I’ve worked with her before and she was amazing to have on our set (she even visited my grad directing actors class to work with the up-and-coming NYU students).

    She’s probably the kindest person you’ll ever meet in this business and she’s gonna be a star… watch.

    The other Dee Rees, was a year ahead of me at NYU and served as an inspiration and guide while I was applying to the Screenwriter’s and Director’s lab (she attended a few years before me).

    You may have heard this said about others before but let me say it again as someone with firsthand knowledge, Dee is just a nice person. A good person. And she’s incredibly talented. The first part (being nice) may not carry much weight when all is said and done in this business but it means everything to me.

    I admire her.

    Support this film by seeing it and witness something wonderful emerging in indie film…

    Everything’s Amazing – Happy New Year!

    Posted By On Saturday, 12-31-2011 @ 03:05 am Under Life & Mentioned , With No Comments Permanent Link to Everything’s Amazing – Happy New Year!Permalink

    Here’s a quick and wonderful piece of advice from comedian Louis CK. Enjoy the New Year’s and remember his words as you plan your life for the coming year… I know I will.

    Be safe and prosper!

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