MINNEAPOLIS [in] BLACK & WHITE [FILM]

Summertime in the city of Minneapolis



This Summer as I biked around the city I took my camera along with and took pictures of my hometown. What was just going to be a photo album soon began what you see here. Special Thanks to Taylor Trygstad for killin' some spots for the project. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did shooting and editing it. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Felix Qui Potuit Rerum Cognoscere Causas

"You can tell this by watching him play some drunks in the park?"

Searching for Bobby Fischer is another film that had a major impact on my youth, and my craft. I first saw the film back in 1994 on VHS with my parents who had rented it for themselves for the weekend. Perhaps it was the cover I saw at the store, but something made me sit with the Family and watch despite the fact it was for old people. Much like when I joined them to the theater to see Forest Gump with their friends on some kinda double date, but I didn't care about being the fifth wheel I needed to see the film on the silver screen. Much the same happened again, as I was shopping at F.Y.E. and saw the DVD of Searching for Bobby Fischer, and within a split second it was in my hand.



Age nine, I am watching the film for the first time, and like a sponge I'm taking it all in. I see much of myself in the story of young Josh, as his pursuit and passion overtaking him. Without knowing it at the time this film much like Radio Flyer would greatly effect the way I see the world through the prism of my mind's eye, and the camera's lens. Age twenty-five, I am watching the film for the second time, and this time the full effect is hitting me just how much the film has influenced my perception of cinema and shaped me as a filmmaker. Teaching me to "play by the gut, and bring her out."



The film is about real life Chess Masters Bobby Fischer and Josh Waitzkin, and was Directed and Written by Steven Zaillian. Based on the book by Fred Waitzkin played byvJoe Mantegna, Joan Allen played his wife Bonnie, and Max Pomeranc steals the show as their son Josh whom several are grooming to become the next Bobby Fischer. Also staring Laurence Fishburne, Ben Kingsley, Laura Linney, Dan Hedaya, and William H. Macy as a Tunafish loving Father. The acting is superb all around, but for me the crew behind this magical film always stood out for me.



In my eyes the most important credit of the entire motion picture would have to be Conrad Hall, ASC the Director of Photography. His work as I realized some sixteen years later as I watched the film for the second time in my life was the single biggest influence on my composition tendencies. The scene above really struck me, as the architecture of the curved half-wall, and camera's subtle dolly movement focus your attention on Vinnie played by Laurence Fishburne. Free and yet trapped. Conrad's tendency to underexpose is something I've also found very ascetically pleasing and something I've taken to my own work. Steven Zaillian's misdirection and sense of the human spirt, as well as the amazing editing of Wayne Wahrman, A.C.E. also left major mark on me. Namely it the chess battle sequences in which quick cuts not only work, but are used to perfection. Nothing to cover-up, only to enhance.

"Look deep, Josh. It's there. It's twelve moves away, but it's there. You've got him."



On the production side of things. Above is a quick look at me shooting the Red Bull Flugtag in Saint Paul, Minnesota back on July 24, 2010. On the way is a little Noir Blanco from the city, to myself, and soon you. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Luctor Et Emergo

RED BULL FLUGTAG [FILM]

Jonny Sadeh hosts the Saint Paul Red Bull Flugtag including the World Record shattering flight of 207 feet by Major Trouble and the Dirty Dixies in front of 90,000 people. You can also view the film on YouTube, and be sure to check out Old Abbot's brand new channel.



Another smooth production from Old Abbot and Media Storm, everything just clicked and the production had a nearly flawless almost effortless feel and flow. I love it so, and for that I've got a few folks to thank on the cast and crew. Your tireless efforts and skills often with a smile, joke, and a tummy full of Red Bulls are what made this all possible, well that and the fact some folks are crazy enough to test Earths laws for themselves. Naturally.



Brian Hoskins our awesome Producer and all-around Magic Mojo Man who got us those epic media passes. Thank you, Hosk's. Both, Cinematographers Daniel Steinberg and Joseph Young, as well as Cameraman Justin Aarestad for nailing all those buttery shots and reminders of gravity's power. Thank you, JoJo, Dryberg, and Justin. Also, Jonny Sadeh are Master of Ceremonies, for without him we would have had little if any real story to tell. Thank you, Jon. Last but not least, Richard Oxley or Executive Producer for his faith and support. Thank you, Ox. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

A Caelo Usque Ad Centrum

THEM DAMNED YOUNG LIVERS - ALL HELL [Music Video]

Well here it is everybody! Them Damed Young Livers' All Hell music video from their all new LP Psalms of Ill-Repute. We shot it a few months ago in Saint Paul before one of the bands' shows. Hit it!



The premier of All Hell at Dusty Pixels was a hell of a time even with the crazy storm that came trough as we were wrapping things up. Cats and dogs. The house party on the opposite side of Powederhorn park near my place later that night was a great time as well even with the gut rotting chinese food that made my tummy an unhappy camper. The beer hit the spot however. If you want you can also peep the video on Youtube if you're a square.



I was a Gaffer and Grip on the shoot. I would like to thank everyone with the Twin Cities Rockabilly Crew, Black Hulk Hogan, Director - Alex Bowes, Director of Photography - Brandon Boulay, Assistant Camera - Andre Durand, Grip/Gaffer - Ben Katz, and DJ Grip/Editor - Ben Thompson. We tore down the joint, and by the end of it all the house smelled of sweat, cigarettes, urine, and beer. I got say it was a hell of a party that we somehow managed to shoot a music video among all the madness and mayhem, all be it controlled much like a professional wrestling match. Truly it was the best way to capture the essence of the band's life on the road. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam

All Hell @ Dusty Pixeles

WHO: Them Damned Young Livers, Director Alex Bowes, Director of Photography Brandon Boulay, Ben Thompson, myself, and tons of Twin Cities Rockabilly fanatics. That's who.

WHAT: We'll be viewing the band's newest music video All Hell from their all new LP Psalms of Ill-Repute. I helped make it, and destroy a house in the process to clear space for the Schroeder Restaurant's parking lot. What a dream, come watch the mayhem.

WHERE: Dusty Pixels record store [2443 Hennepin Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55405]

WHY: Professional Wrestler Black Hulk Hogan who also stars in the video will be at the premier as well. Now, you're sold I'm sure.

WHEN: Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 7:30pm




Had my nose in Motion Picture and Video Lighting and Street Fighter: The Complete History as of late. Saw the winner of Best Director and Best Picture at the 1941 Academy Awards beating out Orson Wells' Citizen Kane the John Ford opus How Green Was My Valley. A masterpiece of perfection. Timeless due to it's ability to express the human condition, and what it means to live and die. Before the All Hell premier I'm stoked to see Christopher Nolan's Inception, looks like an epic shift in things. Even here, stay tuned.

Cave Nil Vino

"When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey; and when I drink water, I drink water."

Don't Go Catchin' Feelin's ('Cause It's Only A Game) is now on YouTube at 1080p worldwide thanks to our tech guru Daniel Steinberg. He's got a brand spanking new blog where he rants and gives his thoughts on technical aspects of Film and Video production. Tell the kids, the secret(s) are out. Enjoy and tell a friend, and don't give me that I would but business. We all know it's a reel confidence builder.



I've been taking a lot of pictures of the city of Minneapolis in monochrome, planning a couple summer productions, and working on a script I've had on my brain for a while now, the secret is out. I'll also let this one out as well. I cried when I watched the Angry Video Game Nerd's short film The Dragon in My Dreams. In it James Rolfe AKA Angry Video Game Nerd tries to explain why it is he makes motion pictures. He comes damn close to explaining why it is us filmmakers do what we do. Honestly, it really stirred something in me. Peep it, I hope it does the same for you.



Been reading Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth, and Grant Morrison's Batman The Black Glove. Listening to Drake's Thank Me Later LP as well as Die Antwoord's $o$ LP. The Music Video for Enter the Ninja by Rob Malpage, SASC is the best I've seen in some time. In the world of major motion pictures I've made time for John Q, Antoine Fuqua's Brooklyn's Finest, Planet Terror, in ShawScope I witnessed the elemental powers do battle in the timeless Chinese Super Ninjas, and yet another John Ford masterpiece The Quite Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Adaequatio Intellectus Et Rei

"Well, there are some things a man just can't run away from."

With the end of June came another Music Video shoot. This time it was for the all female rock band Vanity Theft The song and video should hit along side their new EP this Fall. I was hired on by Director of Photography TJ Schwingle for this Omni-Fusion Media Production.



The shoot began Monday morning at the Northrup King Building, and went on 'till about 4am in the morning Tuesday, and that was only round one. Round two, started around 11am Tuesday and went on 'till a little after 4pm Tuesday, and sadly she was a wrap yet again. Shane Nelson, the Director of the production likes himself a small and tight crüe much like yours truly on shoots such as this. Someday, when the funds provide for a larger willing and talented crew, and yes cast as well, perhaps. Monday was setup as well as the day to get the bands performance shot. We began with the master shot of the band rockin' out all together, and then we walked the lens in and got close-ups of each member doing their thing using the amazing Red One camera with some buttery prime lenses.



We then did individual setups for each member to perform the song in their own way. The final setup of these was struck at about 3am on Tuesday. The awesome news was the shoot was returning here to tomorrow for the rest of the shoot, so we only had to get everything onto the taco carts and lock them in safe rooms, for the night along with the security detail at the NKB. After getting a bit of much needed shut eye, everyone returned Tuesday morning and by 11am production was in a full roll forward. We began getting all the pickups for the video. I don't want to spoil things so take what you want from the picture above. Enjoy, some little ones sure did, yummy in the tummy. All in all this was yet another awesome music video shoot, I must say it really helps when you're learning and working with some of the best. Thanks to everyone I met and got to know on the shoot.



Recently I've been reading, All Star Batman and Robin, Wolverine Old Man Logan, All Star Batman and Robin, In The Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing, and yes I'm still rereading the American Cinematographer Manual. On the old Kinetoscope I've recently been rehooked on the theatrical shorts of Tom and Jerry by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1940 to 1958 a total of hundred plus shorts in all over three volumes, comic gold. Also, Flags of our Fathers, Foxy Brown, and Meet Me in St. Louis. Lastly, I just picked up the Criterion Edition Blu-ray of John Ford's Stagecoach in it's original aspect ratio of 1:37:1, also in the special features was an early Ford silent picture from 1917 Bucking Broadway staring his early muse Harry Carey. I'm one happy, boy to say the least. Big things on the way. Stay tuned, with a camera. Happy 234th Birthday America!


Nemo Saltat Sobrius