Expanding my Horizons (literally)

In an effort to expand my mental libraries of artistic and cultural imagery and at the same time broaden my indie film making tastes and emotional tools, and oh yeah, have a vacation, Amy and I are going to France and Italy... tomorrow. So for the next few weeks my blogs will be filled with photography of locations between Paris and the Amalfi Coast which among other things will satisfy my old dream of becoming a location scout. My paintbrush is coming with us too. Here's a couple shots of the Amalfi coast courtesy of Google...

LIGHTING MYSELF in the Comedy SQUATTERS in NYC

Last year I was Director of Photography for a very funny Indie Web Series by Brendan Bradley called "Squatters." We shot in both LA and NYC since the show was set in NYC. Squatters is the award-winning online series about two best friends who make a bet to see who can last in New York City the longest without paying rent. The show was picked up as DailyMotion’s first original comedy series and is now the site’s most watched original series.


Here is their site in case you want to check it out....Not necessarily "kid" friendly so parents beware.:}
http://squatterstheseries.com/


So when we shot in NYC, I got a great and quick tour of the amazing metropolis. Running from location to location (including the subways at 2am) we shot in lots of very cool Manhattan spots. One of my favorites was Lucky Jack's Bar which is featured well in Episode 2 (check that link I just put up there). In one of these bar scenes I was Lucky enough to play a whisky drinking, deep voiced biker with an expensive leather vest. The trick here was to light the scene for both me and the 2 stars of the show simultaneously with 2 lights. Somehow I managed to do it. In between takes I guess I felt the need to lighten the loafers of my character and give him a faux British Accent... So Brendan (Hank/Director) let me take that new persona to a full scene and improv a bit.... Here is that version. 

feel free to compare and contrast with the one in the actual series.

Battery Row behind the scenes videos

Just some fun stuff from behind the scenes of the filming of Battery Row my latest short indie film in the Noir Style.






Below, this link features actor Brendan Bradley on the dolly as Allen Burns pushes him during some downtime. You can see me in the distance setting up a big shot in the haunted stairwell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r3RHTvddnU&feature=related

Painting Done

Instead of Indie films I've been finishing up this painting for a girl who commissioned it from me. Next thing I'm going to do is finish up the final cut of Battery Row. I took this photo at 4am so it's a bit off kilter. But you get the idea.

Indie film Instructional video

I just launched a 2 hr 45 min instructional video that is now on 2 disc dvd with
writer, producer Amy Wengreen.

The point of the video is show how you can start and maintain an at home
business of Hand and Foot impressions in clay. This seems like an easy and
simple business but noooo... I found out while shooting and editing this
little feature how multi layered and intricate this business really is and how
it's actually an artform that needs to be cultivated over time and practice.

Here's a teaser....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v016vHrFfE&feature=channel_video_title

We shot in both California and Utah over about 2 weeks and then began the long
process of editing all the bits and pieces together to make a rather well thought
out instruction of this business. Then I designed and built the packaging thats
branded with the look of the menu on the DVD's and website etc.

Side Projects other than Film Making

in process. about half way done.

It's hard for me to just focus on one type of project at a time. I like to work a bit on a project, then move off to another one that is of a different medium. It's like sniffing coffee between perfumes. Breaking up the thought process a little gets the creative juices new and more vibrant. One thing I like to do that breaks up the film making process is painting. Here's a little commissioned painting I'm working on now...

Noir Film review "On Dangerous Ground"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbwL8OPZbls

Indie film makers should definitely watch these old noir films.
This movie has it's moments. Some of it is sooo Noir from the dialogue down to the lighting. Noir is not a genre, it's a style. A style that has been used in many genres including Westerns. Check out the bar scene in this film. I used it for reference when building and shooting my bar scene in Battery Row. The commentary on this film is really interesting too. Since most Noir was made in the 40's and 50's (by definition I think Noir was only between 1941 to 1958) they weren't allowed to outright tell you a hooker was a hooker. And watching it now you'd almost have to guess that the hooker character and her pimp were just that. So the commentary shows you how they cleverly said these things back then to get it around the Hays office.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_H._Hays


2 other reasons to see this film... Nicholas Ray (rebel without a cause) directed it. Bernard Hermann (Psycho) scored it.


Two reasons to watch older RKO noir films... They had lower budgets like today's indie film makers. I mean comparatively speaking to studios like MGM 20TH and WB. So you see how they cut corners with lighting and sets.


Also I recommend a Noir Documentary called, "Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light.