Sunday, December 25, 2011

Cinema's Core

What is Cinema? What really is Cinema? What is the Purpose of Cinema? Why do we go to the movies?
Do we only go to the movies to escape? Escape our dreadful, boring lives? Escape our stressful lives? Why?
Why cinema? People go to the museums, the aquariums, zoos, but not as much as the movies...It has been said that there is a difference between Movies and Films. Movies are for the audience, Films are for the audience and the filmmakers that made it. But any case Cinema provokes many people to leave their homes, pay, sit for two hours + in the dark with strangers and something happens...
That something is UNITY. Everyone (those that are really paying attention) begins to laugh, smirk, nod, and some even cry. The engagement, the attention people give to a movie is incredible and in the end there's a elevation that can occur, like no other art form can produce, not even a broadway play. That elevation heightens our emotions, our thoughts, our hearts can fill like it's going to explode, it all depends on the movie, but basically our emotions are tugged at all kinds of ways.
Cinema. Why? Do we really want to escape? Escape...there is no escape when we relate to the characters on the screen, there is no escape when the characters find themselves in situations that are so realistic and relative to nowadays events. Where is the escape in that?  Sure movies should be entertaining, but who's too say an entertaining movie can't have some kind of humanity attached to it. Cinema. It's been around for over hundred years, birthed in the 1800's, technology has advanced greatly, and not that film is slowly dieing, digital is on the rise even more...but hasn't changed? Reaching the audience's emotions. What people remember is how the movie affected them. That is what they will remember. And because they have been affected they will remember the lessons the movie has taught and this can help them make certain decisions in life.
For me watching 'On the Waterfront' was the movie that encouraged me to stand alone if need be when all odds are against you. Don't be afraid of your enemy. Brando expressed this heroism that I hadn't seen before on screen. 'Schindler's List' taught me the importance of an individual human being. How important a single soul is. Evey one's name Schindler had on his list was offered to live much longer than if their name wasn't on there. Unless of course God intervined another way for them. 'Passion of the Christ', shows me the power of forgiveness, and the deep love of a mother and a Savior, like no other film. Why Cinema? What would the world be like if the Lumiere Brothers didn't go through with their idea of cinema? Or if Cecil B. Demille didn't follow his passion for films, the same for Hitchcock, Chaplin, Keaton, Selznick, Fritz Lang, Zefferelli, Stroheim, John Ford, Speilberg, Scorsese, Lucas, Welles, Coppola, Foster, Streisand, etc...where would we be artistically if these wonderful storytellers decided to ditch cinema and let it die out like a vapor. Why even go to the movies if it's more than escapism? Shouldn't it be more than escapism? Let's be honest people deep down inside want one thing when they go to the movies....Truth. They want to find the emotional, spirtual, physical truth in life. Is this too extreme? Cinema can be extreme, it can be powerful, uplifting, encouraging, frustrating...think of another art form that can provoke such emotions...
Why is this? How can it do this? Cinema is where our dreams are produced, whether its' nightmarish, happy, heartbreaking, violent, pretty, ugly, dangerous...this is what we dream and storytellers are talented enough to bring these fantasies, dreams to life. And what we dream is what is in deep inside of us-and what is deep inside of us defines who we are and what we want and desire and long for. The cinema shows this, and that is why we are so moved by what we see on the screen. That is why we go back to the cinema, because we want to be reminded that we are not alone, we have to be reminded that there is hope, that life can still be beautiful and romantic. But Cinema shows the ugly side of things as well, but that is only to make us appreciate the good.

So what does Cinema mean to you? What does it really mean to you?

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Bring in the 'Saints'


So with 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy' on hold, I have moved onto a new short movie titled 'All the Saints', in which I am in the process of writing the lead role for Aija Terauda. We collaborated together this past June on 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early'. Now for this new drama Aija will play a wife who tries to find a way to cope after giving birth to a stillborn.
Principal photography begins June 2012 and have it ready to be screened at what is to be a major restropective of my shorts in August 2012. The event is titled- 'A String of Pearls'.  It is going to be a night to behold.
With 'All the Saints' being the next adventure; its to be a dramatic piece of artwork with Aija sure to give a splendid performance.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

'Sun Ray' on hold

Nov. 4th, the day before production, marked the day that I put 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy' on hold. Due to one of the actress' personal life situations I chose to stop production and pick it back up possibly a year from now.
This has been a journey of wisdom making, in order to make sure things happen as they should wasn't a easy task but I believe the decisions I've made along the way during pre-production has been correct (lack of a better word).

As for the 'Diary', I guess I'll write one for my upcoming production- 'All the Saints'.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

'Diary' in the making

(on the set of 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early')

The mindset of a Film Director; the thoughts, the energy, the strength, the perserverance, the courage, the doubts, the faith, the confidence, it takes all this and then some to bring one's vision to life. Beginning with Mr. Bracker's latest tragic drama 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy' he will begin writing a diary about the exciting journey to make his latest passion come to life on screen. He will share the ups and downs, the mountains to overcome and the joys of making this particular movie. And then it will be released on DVD so many can see and especially hear up close and personal a movie makers' journey into total creativity.

The name of the document is entitled, 'The Director's Diary Book 1'. The released date has not been decided.

'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy'  is scheduled to be released August 2012.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

'Happiness' on the way

'Happiness is You' is on it's way to being complete. By next week the final cut is to be complete. After nearly one year in post-production, the powerful short drama is going to see the light of day very soon thanks to my editor David V. who is doing a great job with it.

'Beautiful Women' waiting...

The footage to 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early' is waiting to be cut. A great editor is needed for the movie. I was looking to have the movie done by the end of this month. But it looks like by the end of the year it should be complete.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

A bright start for dark drama...


November 26, 2010 marks the first day of production for my new drama, 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy'. What a great success! Shooting took place in a delicious dessert spot in nyc 'Amorino' (http://www.amorino.com/) on 60 University and then off we went to Central Park and shot nice intimate scenes between Raimonda Skeryte and Ronnie Armani (The Reunion, Enigma) who plays her heartbreaker of a boyfriend, Antonio.



Make up artist Gabriella Lascano joins the crew once again, the last time she worked with me wasn't too far back; it was actually in January of this year on the short movie-'Happiness is You' (post production).
What a wonderful job she has done once again!

The Cast increases for 'One Last Sun Ray...'



Irina Brovina and Khalimah Gaston have been on board for Keith D. Bracker's new drama 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy.' They are still in the process of rehearsal.

Irina has appeared in Hollywood films such as 'Friends with Benefits', 'Men in Black 3' as well as Garry Marshal's 'New Year's Eve' soon to be released. 
In 'One Last Sun Ray...' she plays Dorothy, a fiesty, strong willed mother with some flaws.

Khalimah Gaston, making her debut in Keith's movie. She is respectfully an accomplished theatre actress and is very excited about playing the heroin addict Tiffany, who is a friend to the main character Ona (played by Raimonda Skeryte).

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Update on new tragic drama


So rehearsals have begun on the lastest drug/alcoholic infested tragic drama 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy'. The indie actress Raimonda Skeryte will be losing x amount of pounds for a role that was written for her by me. Raimonda is familiar with the stress free way of working with me but this role is on another level. The intensity will be different.

Raimonda played Gunta in the experimental short 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early' (recently in post production) as a model with some gender issues.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

'Beautiful' Ones Speak Part 5: Sarah Himadeh



Audition

I think that from the start, from the audition process to wrap of the shoot, he's [Keith] been, actually 'til today he's been so amazing and such a pleasure to work with. Like from the audition, he makes the environment safe so you can go wherever. You feel you can get into the character that your suppose to get into. Be yourself, when you guys are talking about the character or talking about the shoot, the film...or talking about life in general. So he really does create that environment; you feel completely comfortable. I went through the monologue at the audition and it's a monologue where you go into places that are private and intimate, it was just so effortless. I felt like nobody was in the room. He's got such a presence but it's so graceful and elegant and effortless when he's there.


On the set

During the shoot he's just so great generous and kind in transmitting the idea of what the character should be like...he encourages discussion. The character that he paints is just so vivid in front of you. If there were any hiccups we had he was there to clarify it. During the shoot he was just so...I've never worked with a director so gentle and present with the actor and making sure that the actor is okay. It makes it so pleasant...it really allows you to go there. It doesn't matter, any mistakes you make, you just jump in...

He cast so well, all the women that we work with were so talented, gracious, and you can tell it was very well selected.  I remember the [woman-(Connie Romano)] that played my aunt we instantly had chemistry, he was able to cast so well that, without a chemistry read, was able to put us together in a room and it was just instant sparks.
The crew treated us so well. So yes, he brings a great energy around him...and you can tell that he treats unto others the way he wants to be treated and it really does pay off.

Favorite memory

My favorite memory of him is the last day [of] the shoot I had to catch a flight for work and it was a climax; a breakdown scene. I had found my aunt who pasts away we did the scene in a take or two, two [takes] max. He wrapped it, I ran out of there, and ran as fast as I could to the subway so I could catch my flight. He just opened a path for me to run and get out of there as fast as possible. He's just so understanding is basically what he is. And so human...we love Keith.


The 'Beautiful' Ones Speak Part 4: Aija Terauda


Audition

So my first day on my audition I missed it because I was sick.  He [Keith] had another day to go on. So when I came and I had my monologue I like the atmosphere. I like [the] welcoming and I like [that] everyone was listening carefully to what I was saying. I felt that this [is] good people to work with so when I get the call from Keith, I think it was monday, I was really happy to work on it-he was so excited-he said you got the part to my film, and I was like 'wow that's great'.

On the Set

Working on the set with Keith was so easy, not stressful at all. He does things with big love and you can feel the love around on the set. I can feel that he loves what he does. On the first day we were shooting I felt that the film is going to be good because of this energy around. Cast, crew, amazing. Everybody knows what they are suppose to do.

Favorite memory

So my best memory was on the last day of filming the scene, on [my] second day of shooting. We were thinking maybe my character should go out the windo... she was suppose to have an awakening part and we were thinking maybe its going to rain. At the end of the day the rain started. I...was praying [at] the window and I just went outside on the balcony through the window. So my character became alive. At the end of the scene everyone was happy & he [Keith] was supporting the scene...he said that was exactly what we were thinking about [to] ending the scene.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Solitude

To be a great filmmaker/digital director/screenwriter one has to learn to put aside time to be alone. To be alone for hours frightens a lot of people. Not me. This is where ideas flow, ideas are produced, developed, grow, and are eliminated. We hear the thoughts that are in the forefront of our minds...but what about the those incredibly deep thoughts in our subconscious? Now these thoughts could be very disturbing, vulgar, sweet, warm and comforting. This is what a artist should tap into. Either you keep these thoughts, use them for a character, a story, or you just throw it away. To throw it away could be liberating, this frees you from all the garbage that could hinder your story. True writers don't have time for nonesense, the writer wants what we all want to discover in our art, as a participate and an observer, and that is Truth. This truth can only be found in a deep way when you are soaked with what is before you-the characters, the plot, the subplots, the supporting characters, the settings, everything-only then you'll find truth. It'll reach you, it'll speak to you. I'm not trying to make this sound mysterious or mystical in any way. This is about immersing yourself into your work so that you can find the gold treasure buried underneath the shallow surface. And the surface is nice and cozy and you want to hang out there for awhile but way, way below is something greater.

I believe as a digital director I will find that 'something greater' -kind of treasure everytime when I make a movie.

Solitude, it's not a bad word.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The 'Beautiful' ones Speak Part 3: Diana Margulies in 'B.W.W.U.E.'

I worked on the movie 'Beautiful Women Wake up Early' as a make up artist and I love it. Mr. Bracker is a pleasure to work with because he's very well organized. We didn't waste time, everything was prepared...I knew exactly what look I should achieve...the atmosphere was very good... it wasn't rushed. Even though we were working fast, you didn't feel like someone [was] pushing us.
Mr. Bracker is pretty easy going, I love to work with him. It was no problem. Even if something didn't go the way as it should he could reverse the situation and make it look good...it was a very good experience.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

The 'Beautiful' ones Speak Part 2: Raimonda Skeryte in 'B.W.W.U.E.'



Audition Day

It seem like a regular audition day. But when I came closer to the building I realized I've been in this building before. The funny thing was that in that building it was my very, very first audition when I first came to New York City, so it was five years ago. The same room I auditioned for the first time, that's where I first met Mr. Bracker. So I thought that was a good sign (laughs). So I walk into the room, I see Mr. Bracker next to his friend. They're both are very serious, wearing big sunglasses. I was thinking 'Oh, this is so mysterious' (laughs). But they turned out to be the two most sweetest, nicest guys I've ever met. I did my monologue, they seemed to really enjoy it. It was a very nice chemistry in the room (pause). Keith is so sweet, he's just the sweetest person (laughs). So the audition went well. I left the building very pleased. Very satisfied. At the time I felt like my monologue, because I do think because of the feeling in the room, it came out very easily and it just flew out of me.

Recieving the role of Gunta

Keith called me to let me know...he gave me the part not the one he had in mind when he saw me for the first time. So I auditioned for a different part. But then he offered a part to be a model. And I said okay, whatever, I just want to be in the project. I feel like I can take something from every role. Especially if it's something that's not like me. I'm into that role even more because I learn something. I get to experience something new to improve myself in my work. So I was very happy. Excited. And he seemed like a very nice person to work with.

On the Set

It was very, very quiet, organized, artistic, collobarative; I have to say this was one of the most dynamic sets I've ever had a chance to work in. The whole crew, the whole team, all the cast, were these amazing creative souls. We just gathered together; it seemed like magic was happening in the room by itself. I loved being on the set. I really did. It felt good. It felt very creative. And as a performer I felt very supportive. Encouraged. It was fun. It really was.



Working with Mr. Bracker

He's very patient. He doesn't rush you so he allows you to really take as much time you need to approach your character to understand it. I felt very open to just talk to him and to be honest and open about everything. You can't want anything more as a performer. To just be really supportive. I think he's a good director. He has his vision, he knows what he wants to see, but he doesn't push you, he doesn't throw you into a situation, you kind of find an organic way to get there together.

Favorite Memory

(Thinks for awhile) The whole thing was my favorite memory (laughs). I can point out the scene we shot where all the women, we were lined up, it started out with me looking at myself in the mirror and then looking back at the next character and that character looks back at the next character-so we had this line of us and we just kind of-sending our emotion our feeling of closeness, just being there we kept sending it into another person...(it) felt...intimate. There was this beautiful feeling in the room. We all felt very connected-related as if we've been good friends for a long time-and meanwhile we just had met a day, couple of days ago. It's hard to achieve that kind of connection. And I'm glad we did. I think that would be my favorite moment.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

The 'Beautiful' ones Speak Part 1: Joy Caldwell in 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early'

Audition Day

It was an interesting audition day because I had just joined this casting service and this was my very first audition I got from this casting service. I was really excited. And Keith was in the room with his shades on looking really suave and cool. He made it really easy. The energy in the room was very welcoming. It's kind of...sometimes unfortunately it's kind of rare in this industry to come to an audition where they're trying to make you feel very at ease. He just asked a couple of questions. I put in my cover letter for the audition that I did music. And we talked about that; my experience in music. It was a beautiful day. It wasn't like I was going in and I had butterflies, something in me just felt at ease, calm throughout the entire process.

The Day of recieving the role of Monica

The day of recieving the part I flown back to houston to spend sometime with my family. I was driving in the car when I saw a new jersey number on my caller ID. I was like 'Oh God who is this' (giggles). When I checked my messages it was Keith telling me how he really enjoyed my audition, my energy, and congradulating me on recieving the part. I called him right back and we spoke.

On the Set

Everybody that he cast, his production team, all had beautiful spirits. There was no diva-kind of thing going on, everyone was open-extremely helpful. Mr. Bracker was very patient. Everyone was very accomadating to one another. It was a great experience. One of the truly great experiences that I've had where everyone on the set was being available emotionally, intelligently, spirtually, it was just beautiful. It was one of my favorite experiences.


Working with Mr. Bracker

He is very accomadating for the actor. A lot of directors only see their technical part of it and they say this is what they need from you now but Mr. Bracker was very patient with us...it felt like I was doing a theater kind of work shop. That's how most of the time theater directors direct-they give you time to find your character -to do different things with your character. I really enjoyed that.  It felt like home. His directing felt like home.

Favorite Memory

My favorite memory was on my first shooting day. It was literally probably my favorite memory of this year, most memorable memory, put it like that. I was coming in from houston, I was suppose to get into New York the night before the shoot. Some how I ended up staying in the airport in Philadelphia and so I didn't get into New York until 6 AM on the morning of the shoot. Then they lost my luggage. I had make up and a bunch of other things I had in my luggage that I needed for the shoot. I was like okay, 'I'll get through it'. I go home, showered really quickly, took a 45 minute nap; ended up being late, my nap extended longer, I got up to rush to the train. I took the right train but to the wrong stop. I was walking around Jersey, in this central area for about a hour and an half. I walked to the bank, lost my debit card...it was the most tumultous time trying to get to the set.
Mr. Bracker was patient, he said 'Are you okay?' I was a bit frazzled. It was still easy when I got to the set.



Wednesday, August 31, 2011

'Kisses' on hold

The father/daughter drama 'A Thousand Kisses Before Death' was to go into production this fall, instead 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy' has been pushed up the list for me to direct and produce. The former is still defiantely on the radar to be made.

The importance of depicting the relationships between children and parents seems to be a strong subject for me lately. I love it. It's a universal theme. It plays a significant part  in 'One Last Sun Ray...'


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Journey On...


It's official, actress Raimonda S. and director of photography Stephen L. will join me on what is to be another exciting journey into moviemaking bliss; production begins this November. Locations will be in various parts of New Jersey and New York City. The wonderfully talented Raimonda will be playing as a highly motivated art student in NYC who gets involved with drugs, alcoholism and sex after a disgusting break up.
The 45-page script is a challenging piece of work that has been developing in my subconcious unknowingly over the years. The subject matter of self-destruction is a topic that has entangled my past characters but not as deeply as this character Raimonda will be playing with what I believe will be a defining moment in the independent film era. Sure we've seen drugs, alcoholism, and wild parties depicted plenty of times in cinema, but this story is strangely enough not even all about that, it's her characters' battles, but it's not the soul of the story. Me and my team will not be looking to make it a cliche movie but a powerful story that will open societies eyes wider to what should be all of our concerns about the people we know who are basically killing themselves. How much is it our responsibility and how much is it theirs?
And the movie will depict the love the main character yearns for but searches in all the wrong places.

The title of the new movie: 'One Last Sun Ray in the Eyes of Joy'

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Making-of-Documentary...coming soon





Production wrapped for 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early' in June, soon there will be a making of Documentary entitled 5 days of Bliss. The documentary will showcase the intensity of Keith D. Bracker's direction and candid interviews with some of the cast and crew. Look out for what is to be a unique documentary.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Tower of Books Part 3: Martin Scorsese

'I get angry about the way things are and the way people are. I get very involved in stories and the way a character behaves and the way the world behaves. More than anger, I think, maybe it's caring about how characters behave, how the world behaves...I have to get sometimes rather upset wit my myself or a situation before I can really start working, thinking clearly. Some other people can do it very quickly...but they don't put their heart and soul into it. I'm one of those people who does. It's every minute of the day and night.' 

-Martin Scorsese

This is one the many fascinating quotes by who some have called the greatest living American director (or possible the greatest living director period). I see Mr. Scorsese has one the most passionate director's alive. After reading this amazing book 'Conversations with Scorsese' by Richard Schickel, I have a better understanding of why Mr. Scorsese is where he is and why he has received such high accolades over the years. This man loves, loves, loves film...he loves old hollywood pictures, he loves history, and the way people lived in the ancient times, their rituals, their beliefs, the moral codes they lived by, no matter what time period it is, he is fascinated by it. Mr. Scorsese can remember back when he was around 5 years old what movies had a impact on him. I love it when he speaks of the emotional core of a scene. This is key for him because this is what the movie viewer remembers from a scene, how it emotionally impacted them.  He speaks of his parents, the neighborhood he grew up in, how there was always opera playing in his house and other kinds of music being heard around him. What makes Mr. Scorsese the great director he is, is that he knows how to incorporate what he has experienced in his life throughout the years (all the way when he was a little boy) and put it into a scene so that in the end the movie comes full circle, whether it's in a disturbing way, a fierce, romantic way, it's always his way. The struggles, pain, financial problems-he's so real, honest, and hardcore about how he speaks in this book about life, making movies, and what it really means to endure. Him and Orson Welles are prime examples of perservence in this very, very competitive art form called: Cinema.

'I'd like to make something that has some body-something that one would not only be able to enjoy as entertainment, but also to think about. That means being moved by it or repulsed by it at times. To leave the theater saying, You know what, that's a very interesting point of view.'    -Scorsese

Monday, June 20, 2011

Themes of the Year

Lately I've been fascinated with image, persona, the way a woman sees herself. And how these thoughts of how should they look can be abused, taken to the extreme-whether it's them doing plasic surgery, getting lifts, or simply putting on- what I call their 'mask'-Makeup.

In the last short movie I directed 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early' is a story that touches on vanity and sexuality. This is just a small dose, there is story that I still have in mind to do about plastic surgery...a major topic (esp. in Hollywood) in various places. In Brazil there are many getting plastic surgery, as well as Japan. High percentages. This fascinates me because it's so psychological. It's all in the mind how we want to be seen and how we see ourselves...and where our influences come from to why we want to look-dress-a certain way.

The other major theme/topic that keeps popping up is the relationship between father and daughter. This is something I've tackled in my lastest scripts-'My Angry Summer' (due to go into production Summer 2012), 'Begin' (feature length), 'Identity' (short-in post production) and the upcoming short 'A Thousand Kisses Before Death' (due to begin production this fall). It's a topic that doesn't grow old and that should be depicted more on screen because the importance of it I don't think people really get it as of yet. The major role of the father figure in a young girls' life and how if this relationship isn't developed in a nurishing way, it has a profound effect on the daughter, and can possibly have a ripple effect for the next generation.  

These stories are leading into the feature length epic 'The Lost Breed'. This movie is to be the kick off to a massive trilogy that dares to go into the murky corridors of the underworld life of prostitution and human trafficking. This is serious business.

After coming off of directing 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early' , my directing and approach to movies has changed-for the better-I dare not to turn back-nothing is mediocre-nothing is impossible. 

Monday, June 13, 2011

'Beautiful' Stills Pt.3




Pic 1. Keith B. (director) Pic. Raimonda S., (actress) Stephen's hand (d.p.) & Keith B. (dir.)
Pic. 2. Keith B. (dir.) Pic. 3 Keith B. (dir.) & Nicole P. (actress) Pic. 4 Keith B. (dir.)

Photos by Raul G.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

'Beautiful' Stills Pt. 2



Pic 1: Joy C. (actress) Pic 2. Stephen L. (Director of Photography) Keith B. (director) Pic 3. Stephen L. (dp)

Photos by Raul G.

'Beautiful' Stills






On the set of 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early'.

Pic 1. Nicole P. (actress) Stephen L. (director of photography) Keith B. (director, writer, producer) Pic 2. Raimonda S. (actress) Pic 3. Aija T. (actress)

Photos By Raul G.

Friday, June 10, 2011

bittersweet days with the 'Beautiful' Ones

After nearly 40 scenes, more than 100 shots, with some of the most 7 incredible characters later, a bittersweet feeling erupts inside me. Making my new short movie, 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early'  in 5 days, it has happened at a pace where I haven't let it all sink in. It feels almost like a dream. I was surrounded by a dream cast with a dream crew. We were all connected, focused to bring out the best in the scenes and doing a great job with choreographing each scene.

In the past 13 years that I've been making movies, this has been one of the best times of my life directing a movie. There were so many laughs and precious moments to hold onto. The movie is one of the most uniquely photographed ones of mine, thanks to my wonderful cinematographer Stephen Leon. What a creative mind this man has...and my P.A., Raul Garcia, was incredible!!

Note: To Raimonda S., you are such a thrill to work with!!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The 'BEAUTIFUL' ones

For the past few months or more I have been working along with my dp Stephen Leon on what is to be a great movie experience! The movie I've been losing lots of sleep over (in a good way)  is entitled 'Beautiful Women Wake Up Early'. It's an experimental piece, with no dialogue, cut to the music of Chopin and possibly another famous composer. It's a movie hard to explain for the most part but it's main themes are Vanity, Death, Image, Persona. All this and more depicted by some of the most wonderful actress' alive...

This is the first time I'm directing a all women cast. Very exciting, very intense, very important. In the times we live in where media for many years has been telling us this is how you, women, should look, this is how you should dress, this is how you should feel, and this is what is going to happen when you reach this age, etc...the movie brings these things up and challenges the audience one way or another.

This is a very important movie to me because it's going to speak universally to women of different backgrounds and I want to stir up discussions about how women in society is looked at and treated in our present time...

Postponed 'SUMMER'

Production for my short movie 'My Angry Summer'  has been postponed until summer 2012. The script is done. Locations still have to be scouted. And money has to be raised. It'll happen in due time. It's a script I'm proud of.
The young lady who will star in the movie will be making her debut. It's exciting. 2012 will be here quickly.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

deMYTHifying Film Directors


Yell at your cast and crew.
Have tantrums.
Sleep with your lead actress.
Wear knee high boots.
Carry a whip.
Yell through a bullhorn.
Have your own chair on the set.
Always stand by the camera.
Don't listen to anyone.
Wear a cap.
Wear dark shades.
Be very stubborn.
Be aggressive.
Be turned on by everything.
Use your actors' personal conflicts within the scene.
Push everyone until they are exhausted.
Yell at your cast and crew.
whoops said that already...


So is all this true about film directors?
No, and yes.
This is what people expect from movie directors. There are/were directors who yell (otto preminger), many very meticulous (david fincher, ridley scott, stanley kubrick), exhausting the amount of takes (kubrick, fincher, alejandro i.).
Rumors of cracking whips, wearing high boots (cecil b. demille, von stroheim), push your actors to the limit (lars von trier, kubrick). There are directors who do things that are judged to be useless and ridiculous.
But until one directs a movie, from start to finish, can't really say much. The amount of responsibility and the large amount of details that are looked upon by movie directors is enough to make anyone pull their hair out and quit.
But in the end are movie directors really obssessive, tricky, stubborn, aggressive, tantrum filled monsters?
Do they really just sit in their directors' chair and yell 'action', 'cut' all day and night and then go home and start it all over again the next day. Are directors late a lot of times so they feel special being waited upon?
Do they have big egos, with no respect for actors/actress' and treat extras like crap?
Do they really do business this way?
Many times there are methods to their madness and at the moment almost every one is against the director but in the long run they see he/she was right all along. I'm defiantely not making excuses for the various 'outrageous' things film directors do. They each do what works for them and the movie.


The late great film director Sidney Lumet was asked on the Charlie Rose show 'what is it that people don't understand about film directing?'  and Sidney looks at Charlie and says 'Everything'. :-)


To be there on the set in the mist of the controlled choas, and see the large amount of work put into making a great movie will open ones' eyes to why a director is who he/she is...


Its been said it's the greatest job in the world, but with it comes a price and a large responsibility that can stress any man or woman out. This I know first hand.


Film directors are who they are not based on the mountains they face but how they react to those mountains.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Behind the scenes-'Happiness is You'.

Written 2

About 25 minutes ago I finished writing out the first draft of 'My Angry Summer'. It's still scheduled for a july shoot. The script is intense, violent, and the last scene is to be a quietly emotionally touching scene. Looking to shoot it in nyc but new jersey might work out better. We'll see.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Written

View Image

Today I've begun a new script...'My Angry Summer', a drama about a topic I've visited before-enstrangement between a father & daughter. The female lead has been cast already- it'll star first timer Vanessa O. She'll be playing the rage filled, aggressive 20 year old daughter.

Principal Photography begins in July 2011.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Meeting the King of Hollywood


Image result for free pictures of Steven Spielberg
It was the last day of shooting for Mr. Speilberg and Tom Cruise and the gang on the 'War of the Worlds' set. It was Nov.11th 2004, and the people that stuck around the area, which was the Ironbound in Newark, NJ, was able to walk onto the grounds that the intense, giant action scene took place in the movie. I had left school to go there, I don't remember if I skipped class or not, all I know I would go there early in the morning trying to get a glimpse of Mr. Speilberg in action, directing...and I did. He stood not that far from me, probably about 15 feet or so, directing Tom Cruise...I stood there watching this very calm and focused man with such skill direct what seemed like a simple set up. But it was just sooo fascinating to watch.
So on their last day of shooting there in the Ironbound, I walked across the street onto the messy streets (it's the scene when the aliens first appear in the movie, creating such destruction) and it was quiet around me, and right across the street was Mr. Speilberg and a small group of his people going from store to store thanking the owners for allowing them to shoot on the block. I went up to him, noone else (fans) was around going up to him. I went up to him, he was wearing a puffy coat (Fall season), glasses, beard, average height, and I hand him my black book, in which I keep other autographs in that I've collected over the years, and I told him how much I admire his movies, especially 'Schindler's List' & 'Saving Private Ryan' (in which he won best director Oscars for), after he signed he looked at me and said 'thank you' and patted me on the arm and said, 'God bless you' and he walked into another store. I went to go find my friend Yuri, whom is a big fan of his, and told him where Mr. Speilberg was . Yuri come over and spoke to Mr. Speilberg as well...
After that the crowd became larger and Mr. Speilberg signed autographs with such ease as the crowd grew and followed him wherever he went. It was so cool to witness and he was very nice to everyone.
But to have that unique opportunity to go up to him, one on one, look him in the eyes, I was able to talk to him for that short moment- it was a moment I've never forgotten. Now when I walk through the Ironbound I'm reminded of that day and the days I went there to watch a master filmmaker at work.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Documentary Mix!







Since late September 2010 I've been shooting a documentary about my love for various cultural foods. It has been a blast! I've been going to different restaurants in New York City, taking pictures and recording as well. But what may surprise people is that you will see me cooking. Several people have asked me if I cook. Some I think don't believe I can cook...well...lol.
I'm having such a great time making this movie at my own pace, there is no real deadline. The plan is to have it ready for the dvd collection of my shorts for the summer 2012. It has become and will become more candid and vunerable as production continues.  The movie will be a mixture of documentary, avant-garde & still photos...and the title is 'Kiss the Cook'.

Look out for what will be done on the scale of epic mouth watery proportions. :-)

Special thanks to a beautiful individual, she is my food consultant on this movie, her name is Jenny Lee. She has been a great help on this movie, and she knows I appreciate everything she is doing.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

'Happiness is You'...reflects the real Madams...

One of the lastest characters in my movie 'Flame', performed by Dominique M. is a contemporary madam. But as many of us know prostitution is 'the oldest profession' around, and behind it there must have been some tough people to keep it running...

Madam Dora DuFran - The Black Hills' Leading Madam
Though the vast majority of the many "sporting girls” who worked in Deadwood remain nameless, others were more notable, such as Madame Dora DuFran. An immediate success once she arrived in Deadwood, she continued to build her business until she soon had "branch” houses in Sturgis, Rapid City, and Belle Fourche.
Born in England, Dora eventually immigrated to Nebraska with her parents. A good-looking girl in her youth, she arrived in Rapid City going by the name of Amy Helen Dorothy Bolshow and began to work as a dancehall girl. However, by the time the gold rush was on in Deadwood, she had obviously "promoted" herself to a full-scale madam.
 
Sometime after moving to Deadwood, she married a man named Joseph DuFran, a personable gentleman gambler, who not only wasn't bothered by her profession, but helped her to grow her business.


In her early days in Deadwood, she became a friend and occasional employer
to Calamity Jane, who sometimes worked as a prostitute. She was
also said to have had a "heart of gold," often providing nursing
services to those that needed it and helping the poverty stricken.
One of Dora’s most popular houses called "Diddlin’ Dora’s,” was in
Belle Fourche on Fifth Avenue.  However, the street was so lined with saloons,
with brothels on the second stories, it was more commonly referred to as
"Saloon Street” by the many cowboys who frequented its businesses.  
Diddlin’ Dora’s advertised itself as "Three D’s – Dining, Drinking and Dancing –
a place where you can bring your mother.”  And though the cowboys
frequented the popular place, most just wanted to "get down to business,”
with at least one man remarking, "I wouldn’t want my mother to know I had ever been there.”
By the turn of the century, Dora was still going strong when a worn
out Calamity Jane returned to the Black Hills for the last time in 1903. 
In the final stages of raging alcoholism and carrying her pathetically
few belongings in a dilapidated old suitcase, she found refuge at
Madam DuFran’s brothel in Belle Fourche.  For the next few months,
Jane earned her keep by cooking and doing the laundry for Dora’s
brothel girls before she died on August 2, 1903.
In 1909, Dora's husband Joseph died at the age of 47 and was buried
at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Afterwards, Dora returned to Rapid City,
where she set up another brothel that was wildly popular,
especially during the Prohibition years, as it also served as a speakeasy. 
 One often repeated story of those prosperous times was when
a flood stranded a number of Rapid City businessmen at Dora's brothel. 
When their wives heard the shocking news, they reportedly
confronted their husbands with a host of weaponry including
rolling pins and umbrellas once the water had receded and the
men were able to escape.
Dora DuFran died of heart failure at the age of 60 on August 5, 1934,
she was buried at Mount Moriah next to her husband and a beloved
pet parrot who had preceded her in death.
Her obituary in the Black Hills Pioneer mourned
the passing of "a noted social worker.”  Her grave is marked
by four urns that feature grinning imps, symbolizing the four
brothels that she had owned. 

This writing comes from a very informative website, http://www.legendsofamerica.com/

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Working on the Future

The great artist think about the future. They take responsibility in what they are saying and doing in public. What they have studied in private and their convictions are revealed to their audience. Dreaming about the future is a fine thing. Making action towards it is wonderful as well. The future is in our children. What are we saying to them. What are we sharing with them that someone else may be to afraid to say to them. Children, they are ready to soak in sound advice. Who are influencing them. Who are they listening to? The teenagers who have run away from home, why? Why are there not adults that are willing to listen to them. Judgement rest upon us who have pushed them away. Arms of love is what they seek. The young ones who have been raped, beaten, scorned, abadoned need to be loved with a unconditional love that goes beyond our understanding. It's just doing. Do it. Love. Genuine Love breaks hard shells, hard hearts, the battered will be healed...they have to be, in order for the future to survive (lack of a better word).

So as a  movie maker, I'll release movies like 'Happiness is You', 'Idenity', & the  feature length movie 'The Lost Breed' - the epic tale of teen prostitution- etc. because these movies speak to those that are hurting. They are love letters to our youth, our future.

It's time to Genuinely Love. Let's do it.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Xperimental Travels...

The last two experimental movies I've shot was in 2009 & 2010- entitled: 'Flashflight' and 'Winter Glow'.
The first has been released into festivals, the latter will be sent out pretty soon. Both shot on digital video. Both shorts were shot in Brooklyn, ny, in the winter. They are told from female p.o.v.'s accompanied with original music that helps depict the emotions going on within each character.

'Flashflight'- an abstract journey within a woman's soul.
'Winter Glow'- a young woman who reminisces and thinks about her possible future on the beach, while taking a dive in the icy waters.

These two movies will be screened next summer at the premiere screening of my short movies.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

'Happiness' continues...

This friday we wrap principal photography with Dominique. And then it's just b-roll that has to be shot. The toughest weather condition had to be last friday. It was freezing, I was holding the camera with no gloves on (i operate it better that way) and my hands were so cold they hurt. I had to warm them on a cup of hot pineapple flavored tea, which I ended up burning my tongue on (ouch!). I'm going to check what they are saying about the weather this friday.

Other than the harsh weather conditions, it's been a blast, the extras we used did a splendid job. As well as Tony S. short scene in the muggy arcade. :-)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Principal Photography Continues...

Wow! What a week it has been. 'Happiness is You' is going well. We shot for four days this week. Now we have just a couple of scenes left which will wrap up next week. Yoriko who has played the role of Dollie in the movie gives such a splendid performance I believe people will be impressed. Dominique, it's a joy seeing her smile in the freezing weather, it defiantely helps to keep me going. She gives a commanding performance. The both of them have been such wonderful soldiers, every night we shot they gave their all.

Lots of respect to the crew...tough people I have on my team, and to my make up artist, Gabriella, she's been doing such a wonderful job, she's quick and accurate with her work.

I believe this is the best cast and crew that I've worked with...Thank U all!!!
We wrap next week...they are hanging in there. :-)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Upcoming Proofs

Look out for production stills of my new movie. The making of the movie will be captured on tape!

On our way

Chinatown. Less than 16 hours principal photography begins. The intensity of 'Happiness is You' will light up the streets in Chinatown. All those beautiful people. All those lights. All those cars. All those...ducks. Yummy!!
Hard to describe how I feel. Dominique and Yoriko are both very excited! They play the main characters.  We had two rehearsals days. And off we go! Lol. The excitement flows to our Makeup artist as well. I should be sleeping but excitement and the last few things I had to do had to be done.

So check out the make up artist who is going to show us what she's made of today. :-)
http://www.gabriellaglamour.com/

Thursday, January 6, 2011

'Happiness' is coming

Production for my short 'Happiness is You' begins in less than two weeks. Watch out Chinatown me and my entourage is about to own the night.
:-)