The Blog

Updated: Working with Actors from the 2011 Directors Labs

Posted By On Thursday, 09-29-2011 @ 08:25 am Under News & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Updated: Working with Actors from the 2011 Directors LabsPermalink

The Sundance Institute recently posted this great video featuring several of the fellows, advisers and actors from this summer’s 2011 Directors Labs and I thought I’d share it here with you.

I have to admit I watched it with a huge smile on my face because for me it was like seeing a photo album from a really cool family reunion you just came from and really really wishing you could go back… such a great place to take risks, learn and grow.

*Shout out to Sasha Freedman (producer, cameraman and editor on the video) for putting it all together… great stuff man.

Teaching at NYU Graduate Film – Directing Actors

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Posted By On Wednesday, 09-28-2011 @ 11:52 pm Under News & Mentioned , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Teaching at NYU Graduate Film – Directing ActorsPermalink

You may have noticed my posting has eased up a bit this month. My apologies.

When September came around I resumed my normal duties teaching a few editing courses in the undergraduate film department at NYU.

Additionally, this year I was asked to join the graduate film department teaching a “Directing Actors” class for the 2nd year directing students. Check out who else I’m joining this year on the faculty here.

Soooo…. with my writing on the feature, life and other work I’ve been a bit swamped.

I’m really enjoying all the teaching though. It always forces me to reexamine what I think I know when I have to explain it to someone else.

The directing actors course is especially gratifying because for me acting is where this life of storytelling began… It’s really wonderful to combine the two disciplines I love the most – Acting and Directing.

National Film Society – How To Get an Agent

Posted By On Tuesday, 09-27-2011 @ 11:20 pm Under My Tribe & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to National Film Society – How To Get an AgentPermalink

My NYU classmate, Writer/Director and Producer of Marketing & Distribution extraordinaire Stephen Dypiangco has teamed up with a colleague of his (Patrick Epino) in LA to form a new initiative called National Film Society.

Not sure exactly what it is but it seems bold, funny and definitely sounds dubious. All of which I love.

They’ve posted a few videos on topics like “Film School or No Film School?” (funny stuff), Film Festivals: Sex, Booze & Networking and also curated a few short films on their YouTube channel.

Continue Reading →

8 Films – A Little IndieWire Love

Posted By On Friday, 09-16-2011 @ 04:06 am Under News & Mentioned , , With No Comments Permanent Link to 8 Films – A Little IndieWire LovePermalink

Today “Men In Love” will begin a run at Urbanworld Film Festival here in New York City. I’m hoping to check out several films this weekend (including mine).

Indiewire put together a nice little preview of “Must See” films at this years festival. I was really honored to have MNL mentioned with such a exciting group of features and shorts.

Checkout the article here.

One of the shorts mentioned was from classmate, collaborator and emerging writer/director Nikyatu Jusu which I’m really excited to see. I’ve embedded her trailer above.

Come check us out this weekend!

I Can’t Make You Love Me / Nick of Time

Posted By On Friday, 09-16-2011 @ 02:25 am Under Life & Mentioned , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to I Can’t Make You Love Me / Nick of TimePermalink

You may ask be saying to yourself: “Keith, why is this bearded brother here? And why is he covering the uncoverable Bonnie Raitt?”

His name is Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. And well he’s here because he’s my current musical (and storytelling) hero. Amazing voice. Lyrics that plumb the soul. Musicality that wants for nothing.

If you don’t believe me then check out the video below:

“Skinny Love” – Bon Iver

Filmmaker Steve McQueen On Acting

Posted By On Tuesday, 09-13-2011 @ 08:42 pm Under Directing & Mentioned , , , , , With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Filmmaker Steve McQueen On ActingPermalink

He had me at “thank you very much”.

Listen to this man. Listen to him speak about story, character, relationships and setting… it’s all there. Any actor wanting to really create inspired performances will be telling their agent to call this man right now.

There are so many elements involved in directing… it’s not often you hear a director today talk with such nuance and authority about performance. Thanks McQueen, you made me a fan… without seeing a single frame…

[source]

Empire State of Mind

Posted By On Monday, 09-12-2011 @ 03:24 am Under Directing & Mentioned , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Empire State of MindPermalink

This spot was directed by Spike Lee, and shot by Ellen Kuras with some camera operations by friend, classmate and frequent collaborator Daniel Patterson.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, State Farm partnered with award-winning director Spike Lee to film a touching tribute to thank the heroes of New York. Nearly 150 school children (ages 8-11) from the New York City area visited four firehouses and thanked the firefighters through song.

Download the full-track of Empire State of Mind (Part II) from iTunes here: http://st8.fm/ON2. Proceeds from the download benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (http://www.firehero.org/).

[source]

In the Storm

Posted By On Monday, 09-12-2011 @ 03:19 am Under Life & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to In the StormPermalink

Two young filmmakers went out during Hurricane Irene to document their Manhattan neighborhood.

[source]

25 Greatest Unscripted Scenes in Films

Posted By On Thursday, 09-1-2011 @ 09:49 am Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to 25 Greatest Unscripted Scenes in FilmsPermalink

This is fun.

A series of famous and sometimes iconic lines which were actually improvised versus being scripted.

Take a look…

[source]

UPDATED: Men In Love – Urbanworld Film Festival – 2011 – NYC

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Posted By On Thursday, 08-25-2011 @ 05:37 pm Under News & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to UPDATED: Men In Love – Urbanworld Film Festival – 2011 – NYCPermalink

“Men In Love” will be screening next month at the 2011 Urbanworld Film Festival. The festival runs between September 14-18 in midtown Manhattan at the AMC 34th Street cinemas.

I’m looking forward to the festival for a few reasons… First, I’ll actually be able to attend this one… See I’ve been particularly busy since the Labs so I haven’t had a chance to see “Men…” screen yet formally. (So come out and join me!)

UPDATE: Screening Times/Locations

Friday, September 16 @ 11am, Theater 9
Saturday, September 17 @ 1:30pm Theater 11

Secondly, in the shorts program I’ll be screening alongside former NYU classmates and cinematic collaborators Nikyatu Jusu (“Black Swan Theory”) and Randy Wilkins (“Homage to Bela, A Prelude”).

Check out their trailers below…

Continue Reading →

Coverage for Cowards

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Posted By On Thursday, 08-25-2011 @ 04:24 pm Under Directing & Mentioned With No Comments Permanent Link to Coverage for CowardsPermalink

Coverage is for cowards; You have to express courage. You have to choose in advance rather than wait to choose in the editing room. You have to be able to stage action, and that can be an unnerving process.

—Luca Guadagnino

Mr. Guadagnino… you had me at coverage.

The Abyss

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Posted By On Thursday, 08-25-2011 @ 04:14 pm Under Ethos & Mentioned With No Comments Permanent Link to The AbyssPermalink

It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.

—Joseph Campbell

King’s “Table of Brotherhood”

Posted By On Sunday, 08-21-2011 @ 09:39 pm Under Life & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to King’s “Table of Brotherhood”Permalink

This Ad gave me goosebumps.

Maybe I’m just a believer… or maybe I’m happy the nation’s capitol is finally recognizing the work of a great man and a brother of mine.

Either way, Dr. King’s memorial is long overdue and his soaring words still fill me with hope and I remain humbled by what he (and of course the people along with him) accomplished in this life.

Update: A Dream Fulfilled, Martin Luther King Memorial Opens – NYTimes.com

After more than two decades of planning, fund-raising and construction, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial has opened on a four-acre slice of the National Mall.

Philip Scott Andrews/The New York Times

Melancholia – Lars Von Trier

Posted By On Sunday, 08-21-2011 @ 07:01 pm Under Life & Mentioned , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Melancholia – Lars Von TrierPermalink

Really looking forward to seeing this new film from Lars Von Trier…

Lars Von Trier is back with his new film, officially premiered in Cannes 2011.
Described as “A beautiful movie about the end of the world”, MELANCHOLIA tells the story pf two sisters (Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg), who find their relationship challenged as a nearby planet threatens to collide into the Earth.

Coming to theatres on May 2011

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt

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