I just finished a draft of a 20-minute doc (I'm close!) about the first true collaboration between the Louisville Ballet and the Louisville Orchestra. The program includes Petrushka, Cold Virtues, and an original piece by Teddy Abrams with all new choreography by Adam Hougland called "Unified Field," during which the orchestra and dancers actually share the stage! The doc is about the process - with all of its thrills and struggles - of putting together such an ambitious performance. The footage is gorgeous thanks to Kertis Creative. Produced by Owsley Brown Presents.
Interview with Abigail Child
Today I filmed Antonella Bonfanti of Canyon Cinema interview filmmaker and writer Abigail Child. What a cool lady! Funny and inspiring. Can't wait to check out more of her work.
"Abigail Child has been at the forefront of experimental writing and media since the 1980s, having completed more than thirty film/video works & installations, and written 6 books. An acknowledged pioneer in montage, Child addresses the interplay between sound and image, to make, in the words of LA Weekly: brilliant exciting work…a vibrant political filmmaking that’s attentive to form." (excerpt from her website)
"The Long Ride" goes to the SF Green Film Festival!
"During these dark times of attack on immigrant and other communities by the Trump Administration, I am encouraged by the many acts of resistance taking place throughout the country and around the world. Throughout our nation’s history, protest has been used to right wrongs. As we fight back against the President’s injustices, it is useful to reflect upon earlier efforts of resistance. The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride serves as a primer for how to move forward during the Trump Era and forge meaningful solutions to how to fix the broken immigration system. I continue to be inspired everyday by the Immigrant Worker Freedom Riders and the original Freedom Riders of 1961. I thank all of you who made documenting this important historical moment possible by supporting the making of The Long Ride."
Valerie Lapin (Director)
A final editing day with Valerie Lapin, SF Chronicle article
TeddyTalks
At Owsley Brown Presents, Vincent Tremblay and I have been editing episodes for an education series about music (modeled after "Crash Course") hosted by Teddy Abrams of the Louisville Orchestra. We have about eight so far and production will be ongoing, with the first episodes available to the public this fall. I especially love the episode called "Musical Chameleons," which compares Igor Stravinsky and David Bowie. Other episodes feature Aoife O'Donovan, Mason Bates, and Ed Lee, and Béla Fleck.
Cast Party at the White Horse
What a wild ride this has been. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming screening and panel at the Ed Roberts Center. "Safe and Visible" is hitting the road!
Interview with Barbara Hammer
Just filmed Barbara Hammer, the revolutionary queer feminist experimental filmmaker, being interviewed by Tanya Zimbardo, the curator of Canyon Cinema. I'm looking forward to filming her show tonight! It will involve a film projected on a huge suspended white balloon, poetry, projections on various walls of the theater, and Barbara smashing through a framed white sheet of paper.
Top: from left to right: Anne Flatte, Barbara Hammer, Lauren Veen
Bottom: Barbara Hammer in 1978
Free tutorial about how to take better care of our LGBTQ seniors is ready to go online
We just wrapped up "Safe and Visible: Creating a Care Facility Welcoming to LGBT seniors." Thank you to all of the wonderful interviewees, actors, and crew! And to co-producers Ephi Stempler and Patricia Osage. We are ready for the after party! See you at the White Horse :)
"Who took my raise?" Public hearing on health care costs
Producer Valerie Lapin and I filmed interviews with local union members about the economic burden of insanely high health care costs. Next step is to create a short that will help put pressure on politicians to change the health care system so that it benefits workers rather than the health care providers.
The pre-hearing rally in front of the State Building. San Francisco, CA.
Fish in the Fields: Sourcing New Protein, Restoring our Seas, and Reducing Climate Impacts
I just finished a new video for Resource Renewal Institute about their project "Fish in the Fields". The idea is that by raising small fish in flooded rice fields we can produce more protein for the world, reduce pressure on ocean fish populations, improve water quality, provide jobs, and reduce climate impacts. New research by Dr. Shawn Devlin shows that fish greatly reduce methane output from ponds. Now RRI is raising money to perform the same experiment in California's rice fields. If the findings hold true, "Fish in the Fields" could have a much larger impact on climate change than was ever anticipated. This is really encouraging news! We could be doing this all over the world someday soon. Great work Huey Johnson and Deborah Moskowitz at RRI.
It's a wrap! Great work cast and crew of the "Safe and Visible" reenactments!
Left to right: Ephi Stempler, Lauren Veen, Nick Sweeney, Duncan Heath, Angel Arellano, Meredith Sadin, Joseph Dwyer
Left to right: Lauren Veen, Maxine Daniel, Ephi Stempler, Vincent Tremblay, Jesse Hewit
Greentech Media Summit with Skeletal Productions
Thanks for keeping it fun, guys.
"Safe and Visible: Creating a Healthcare Practice Welcoming to LBGT Seniors"
My co-producer (and work spouse) Ephi Stempler and I are creating a documentary-style cultural competency course for staff at residential care facilities The goal is to increase awareness and sensitivity to the LGBT elder community and make RCFE's more welcoming to all.
LGBT elders today grew up in a time where being open could cost them their families, their careers and their safety. As a result, many now suffer chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and significantly higher rates of isolation, poverty, and poor mental and physical health than do their non-LGBT counterparts. The fortunate ones get the respect, care, and love they need from friends and family. But those who are less fortunate often end up alone or in residence care facilities that aren't aware or even accepting of their LGBT populations. As a result many LGBT elders find themselves isolated, depressed, discriminated against, some even going back in "the closet" to feel safe. "Safe and Visible: Creating a Healthcare Practice Welcoming to LBGT Seniors” will be free and accessible (online) in 2017 and will ensure that all LGBT elders in care facilities finally get the respect and dignity they deserve.
We are finishing up our interviews now, will film reenactments in a few weeks, and then move on to the editing!
These are some of the wonderful people we've interviewed. Clockwise from top left: Ellen, Jim, John, Zoe, George, Audrey and Betty, Kim, Beckie, Gordon, and Michael
Filming Ephi doing the narration at Carter Dow Photography in SF
Elizabeth Baker in Recital
Vincent Tremblay and I filmed the recital of Elizabeth (Liz) Baker, an amazing opera singer and my old high school pal. Well-done Liz! So proud of you!
Thanks from The Redford Center
I reviewed all the application pitches for the Redford Center' environmental film grants program and edited together this thank you video for the applicants. Incredible variety of filmmakers, topics, and characters. So much to choose from! Thanks to Jill Tidman and Jonathan White.
"The Corner Room"
I really love this one. Fun working with you on this Eva Brzeski and Anne Flatté!
"There's something nourishing and comforting about getting regular exposure to the environment in which you feel most free."
I'm in the middle of editing a Music Makes a City Now episode about Rachel Grimes, a composer and pianist, who creates three orchestral pieces from her album "Book of Leaves". Such moving music inspired by the rural Kentucky landscape she calls home. Coming soon on PBS: http://www.pbs.org/program/music-makes-city-now/
Formed from a collapsed volcano. Deepest lake in the United States. Revered by the Klamath. Subject and set of a new piece of music.
I spent the last four days at Crater Lake National Park shooting the Britt Orchestra rehearse and perform "Natural History" by Michael Gordon. The world premiere performance on the rim of the lake was absolutely spectacular. Documentary in the works...
Props to the crew: Kertis Creative (Stephen Kertis, Brett Marshall, Josh Mauser), fellow Owsley Brown Presenters (Producer Anne Flatte and Tina Tom) and Soundmaster Richard Fleming.
Clockwise from top left: the world premiere; a marmot; Kertis Creative dream team; LV at the lake; the percussion section brings it home
“Woodpeckers” update
Yesterday we finished a rough edit of part one, in which Peter and Charlie get ready and then drive to the trailhead in Marin, where the real drama begins.
“Woodpeckers” - Written by Ephi Stempler. Starring Ephi Stempler and Jesse Hewitt. Shot by Karl Mollohan and Lauren Veen. Editing by Ephi Stempler, Karl Mollohan, and Lauren Veen.
An ok start to a date from hell.
“4 Wheel Bob” official trailer is finished!
The trailer for Tal Skloot's film “4 Wheel Bob” has been released. Congrats Tal and the other lead editor, Steven Baigel! I'm so proud to have worked on this project. Meet Bob as he attempts to cross the Sierras!
“4 Wheel Bob” official trailer 2016
Britt Arts and Music Festival at Crater Lake National Park!
I'm heading up to Oregon next week with Owsley Brown Presents and Kertis Creative to shoot the Britt Arts and Music Festival for what will hopefully end up being a short about this ambitious event and it's cast of characters including Britt Orchestra members and Music Director and Conductor Teddy Abrams.
Crater Lake! Whoa.
Anne Flatte and I just finished this video about last year's Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon.