Goodbye 2016

This has been a exciting year- I read a lot, watched over 90 new movies, wrote a couple of new short scripts, directed three short movies, released one short movie on Vimeo (which received really good responses), began writing two poem books (hoping to finish both next year)...next year I expect to be even better and hoping to direct a feature length movie of my own.

RISE AND GRIND PEOPLE, it's going to be an incredible New Year!!!

A film master's Birth

Just wanted to take out time to say happy birthday to a legendary film director, considered to be one of the greatest living directors around. Martin Scorsese. I had the honor in witnessing him direct on location, on Wall Street, in New York. He was directing Leonardo Dicaprio in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. 

I've read plenty of books about him and consider him a inspiration (both of us are from New York), and at the age of 74 he is still going strong! God bless him :-)

Biblical Story in the works! (Part 2)

Back in Oct. 2014 I announced that I was going to write a stage play of 'Joseph' from the Bible. Since then I'd done a outline of the story. The more I visualize it and think of the vastness of the story and the order of events that I would like to tell it, it would work best on screen! Therefore, I will be writing a screenplay of the incredible life of Joseph.

More to come...

Revised 'Beauty'

I'm happy to say since the last rehearsal me and some of the cast had back in April 2014, I have revised the script 'I am the Beauty of this World'. The latest draft I must say is my favorite! The depth of characters, the opening scenes, the change of structure and the very last scene all contributes to making this a draft I am very happy with and looking forward to filming soon. When? I don't know, but there still needs to be some recasting done, and raising funds, etc. But first things first is to get the script where it should be and what I have right now is very pleasing. 

More to come!!

-Keith D. Bracker
Director/Writer

Poetry Books!

So I've began writing poetry at the age of 10, ever since then I continued to write poetry, even though when I began to write screenplays, the poetry slowed down but I would find myself grabbing a napkin or a piece of paper and write a poem. I love poetry and the ones that are masters at it continue to inspire me.

My favorite poet is Pablo Neruda. And I just began to start reading Audre Lorde. I'm enjoying her writing.

Therefore over the years I've written many poems that cover love, faith, pain, loss, romance, relationships, violence and death. I've been wanting to complete a poem book, ready to publish, since 2000. So yes, it's been 16 years in the making and now I've decided it's about that time to go hard, with full force, to finished not just one but two poem books. Over these decades a lot has accumulated inside of me and as a storyteller/artist I am to respond and express my thoughts, inner emotions about what has been happening around us globally but esp. here in America.

As of right now both poem books are untitled. One will deal with Christianity and the various aspects of it and the other poem book will explore world events and the injustices in the world, esp. in America.

More to come!

Book of Towers Pt 7: James Baldwin

James Baldwin. Baldwin. Jimmy. What comes to mind when you hear his name? When you hear his name what do you think of? Maybe after reading David Leeming's biography book on the one of a kind Mr. Baldwin those thoughts and images may be expanded to more deeper things (lack of a better word). Deeper things-in a good way-because this book takes us from when Mr. Baldwin was a child to his grave (who was at the funeral, what songs were sung during the funeral service, etc.).

The last 10 pages for me were heartbreaking, emotional, hard to read at times, but by the end you feel like you've experience a man's struggles, pain, delights, complexity during his immense involvement in social change in America and how his work effected many around the globe (Paris, Africa and Istabul).

Mr. Baldwins' insight in America, world events, race, ghettos, literature, injustice, history, etc. is incredible, his commentary is always fascinating to listen to. He could be many things to many people and as the years went on Mr. Baldwin became a mentor to the future generation which I thought was very cool and important. This shows the depth of his work and what he meant to various age groups and his encounters with people and the entourage he'd have, this defined him as far as how he treated people and what he stood for is something that became clearer as I read the book.

It's a 300+ book that is worth every page. And since I'm a writer there were lines in the book that I could relate to, so how David Leeming (he'd known James Baldwin for over 20 years) describes the lifestyle and the mindset of a writer and the sacrifices that a writer has to experience is captured and explained well.

I've read a good amount of his books (novels/essays) so far (and looking forward to reading certain ones over again), but I'm really looking forward to reading his last novel 'Just Above My Head'. The way it's described in the bio it sounds like it all come together in his last novel-it was his longest too. The works he didn't get done are mentioned in the book, which is also interesting, because it reminds me of one Mr. Baldwins' poems where he says 'time is not money, time is time, like everything is everything...'

Here is a passage that has stuck with me since I finished reading the book:

'He [James Baldwin] reminded his brother [David Baldwin] that racism is based on fear, that when the white racist confronts the black man, what he sees is not the individual man but a "nightmare" of his own creation. Above all, he said, "you must take care not to step inside" his nightmare, his guilt, and his fear, his hatred. To step into the nightmare is to justify it and to relinquish the soul's freedom and the control over one's life. To enter the nightmare is to become a "nigger".

I didn't know he tried to kill himself more than once, didn't know he preached for three years when he was a teenager, faced violence and that he left new york to go to Paris with very little money, and a bessie smith record. He had to write. He told his mother at the age of 8 that he was going to be a great writer someday and that it was all he wanted to do.

Thank you David Leeming for writing such a magnificent biographical book!

'Waking' up a little later...

Back in Feb. of this year it was said that 'The Waking Hours' was going to be released in April of this year. But the movie is still in post production. So the released date has been postponed. I am still hoping to release the movie before the year is over.

Stay tune...

'Shells' wraps Production!!

(actress Barbara Kane on location 'Shells')

Short drama 'Shells' has completed it's production. Two extras days was added to production for filming opening scene and various other shots for the movie. Barbara Kane is the lead actress as Monica. She is waiting on the beach for her best friend, Allan, to arrive. Monica is a recovering alcoholic who has relapsed just recently when the movie begins and Allan is pretty fed up about it.

'Shells' was filmed on location at Brighton Beach, Brooklyn New York. The make up artist is Kate Cohen. And I operated the camera.

More to come....

'Shells' revisited!

Short movie of mine titled 'Shells' in which I directed over a decade ago during my college years, I'm revisiting it this summer. It's been something I've been wanting to do this for awhile. The movie is on similar ground as The Solitude Trilogy (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/allthingsconsideredmovie/157223758)  that I've been working on. 'Shells' consist of one lead actress, one location, one camera, no dialogue. I will be the narrator of the movie, which I've missed doing.

When I filmed 'Shells' back in the day it was on reversal b/w film. This time around it'll be on digital, in color.

The lead actress, Barbara Kane (below), is the talented young actress as the lead character, Monica. Monica is a young lady who waits for her close male friend to show up to join her at the beach. When he decides not to show up she is inspired to take action in order to keep there friendship alive.



So excited to work with her!

Production begins in July 2016.

More to come...

Director's Quote Pt. 6

[on how indie films can reach audience, 5-10 years, from now]: 'I think it's exciting there are more outlets...so I'd say for up and coming filmmakers...try to do absolutely everything. It frustrates me to no end...to be hung up on any of the practical process of getting someone to give you the money, getting this actor so that you can make it, getting this equipment so that you can do it, it's like just use what you have at your disposal and if you're new...even if you make it on your phone the experience isn't going to hurt you. And what you can focus on is story, performance and see if your stuff is actually playing and whatever, you don't get into Sundance, you don't get into SlamDance, fine, put it out somewhere else and make another one. And that's what I do. It's fine, these things will find a outlet, it's not the end of the world if they [projects] don't have that 'Whiplash' story, it doesn't have to be that way, just keep doing it.'
      -James Franco (director, writer, actor, producer, painter)

Imdb- 'Carry On'

The upcoming short drama 'Carry On' which wrapped production last month on April 1, is on imdb. Check out the link to see the cast and crew that helped bring the story to life.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5609748/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_2

More to come...

'Carry On'- Behind the Scenes

Here are some very cool behind the scenes photos taken by the extremely talented Sabrina Barca.

Enjoy :-)

  Make up artist Kate Cohen (far right), Production Assistant Adam Weglarz, Director Keith D. Bracker, DP   Kai Miendendorp, Set Decorator Isabel Albino, Sound guy Nick Bohun, Lead actor Nick Moss, Lead Actress Nori Ortiz

DP Kai Miedendorp (right), Director Keith D. Bracker (left)

Lead Actress Nori Ortiz (right), DP Kai Meidendorp

Make up artist Kate Cohen, Lead actor Nick Moss

Clap board Day 1

Lead actress/writer/producer Nori Ortiz

Supporting actress Yukiko Miyawaki, Lead actress Nori Ortiz

Kate Cohen putting make up on Lead Actrss Nori Ortiz

Lead actor Nick Moss (left),  Sound guy Nick Bohun (center), 

Director Keith D. Bracker (right) 

Short movie completed!...'Carry On'

April 1st was the last day of filming the upcoming short movie 'Carry On'. The last post mentioned about me directing it in March. It went as planned, we filmed the whole movie on the iphone, from March 31-April 1st. We filmed in Manhattan. Weather people called for a thunderstorm on April 1st, but instead we were blessed with sunshine and some clouds but no thunderstorm! What a great time on both shooting days!

This was my first time working with lead actress/writer/producer Nori Ortiz and cinematographer Kai Miedendorp. Both are great to work with. Japanese actress Yukiko Miyawaki stars as a doctor in the movie, our second time working on a movie together. She gives a wonderful performance.

The movie is now in post-production.

More to come...

Director's Quotes Pt. 5

'...storytelling with cinema never will die-ever, ever, ever. The way the stories are told may change, but it will always be.'    -David Lynch

'And the only thing that I demand is what I have them [actors] demanding of me, which is absolute honesty. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad, but if you're not truthful, you can't be there. That's the only responsibility of an artist.'            -Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

'You bet your brains out trying to find some way that you can encompass what people are feeling rather than what they are led to think.'
                    -John Cassavetes

'When there are too many other considerations it is no longer an art; it becomes, by necessity, just a series of compromises.'  
                    -John Cassavetes

'With great art comes responsibility, but more importantly, with great public response to art I think we then have a responsibility.'
                     -Harry Belafonte

Part 1 to Trilogy online!

'All Things Considered' is online to rent! The dramatic experimental short stars Marlies Bauer Bell as a lonely young woman in her apartment trying to mask her loneliness with various things. The movie was shot in one day, one camera and no script. Principal photography took place in Newark, NJ.

This is part 1 to 'The Solitude Trilogy'.

Here is the link to view the movie in it's entirety, enjoy :-):

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/allthingsconsideredmovie

'Waking' up to another finished Production

On February 14th, 2016 me and actress Nana Ponceleon wrapped the upcoming short drama 'The Waking Hours'. This is our second time working together; the first production being 'Beautiful Women Live By Night', which is in post-production.

'The Waking Hours' is a dramatic short about a woman named Clara, she has secluded herself from family and friends while battling with insomnia, depression, and attempted suicide.

Production was one day, shot in Queens, New York. The experience was intense and emotionally draining. Nana Ponceleon poured so much of herself out into this role, the audience is going to be captivated by her performance!

'The Waking Hours' is part 2 to the Solitude Trilogy that I've been producing since November 2015. Here is the imdb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5371604/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The month of release is April 2016.

Stay tune for more...

'Consider' the teaser trailer to upcoming short!

It's here! The teaser trailer to 'All Things Considered' has been released! Enjoy :-)

https://vimeo.com/153706441

Thank you Karlynn Pina for editing the trailer. Many thanks to everyone who helped.

More to come....

Promo Pic: '4 Days of Bliss'

Here is the promo pic for the upcoming making of documentary of 'Beautiful Women Live By Night', in which I wrote, directed and produced last year. This documentary, titled '4 Days of Bliss' is to show the collaboration among me and the cast and crew and how we brought this exhilarating short drama to life! Look out for it on Vimeo early next month for rental.

Thanks to Jason Williams for doing the graphic design.

'Carry (ing) On' into Production

I'll be directing a short movie written by a talented actress Nori Ortiz (picture below) called 'Carry On'. Nori is the lead actress as well. It's a modern day drama that explores romance, loss, homelessness, among other things. 'Carry On' goes into production March 2016.

To learn more about it and another way to remain informed about the movie 'like' our facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/carryonshortfilmnyc/

More to come!



Nori Ortiz

First Promo Pic for 'Solitude' trilogy

Here is the first promo pic for 'All Things Considered' starring Marlies Bell. This is the first installment of 'The Solitude Trilogy'.

Graphic design is by Jason Williams.

Late February is the time of release for this movie. More to come...