Apologies for the delay in my latest blog entry. My goal is to post once a week, but it has been hectic lately — in a good way. On Monday, March 22nd, I had the chance to shoot the 2011 fashion line for international fashion designer Ximena Valero.
Ximena’s collections have been presented in Tokyo, New York, Paraguay, Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico and the Carribean. Ximena has been profiled in Harper’s Bazarr, InStyle, 944, Glamour, Xfacro, Seventeen, Teen People and Fashion TV and has dressed celebrities like Alicia Keyes and Jessica Alba. In LA her clothing can be purchased at Fred Segal’s in Santa Monica as well as several other boutiques.
Ximena’s signature is her clothing’s versatility and creativity. With a few simple alterations each design can be transformed into a unique look with its own flare and style. The videos that I shot of her 2011 fall fashion line show the different possibilities available to her customers.
On Sunday, March 28th, I shot and directed a music video for Long Beach hiphop artist Rosevelt featuring LA’s Tommy Gunn. The song is called “Almost Famous,” and it’s off the hook, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for its world premiere. The shoot lasted all day and had us on location in Long Beach by the LA River as well as in downtown LA near the Staples Center. We still have another half day of filming to do, but I’ve already started editing, and it’s looking dope so far.
Just got back from NYC where I spent St. Patrick’s Day filming John Tartaglia’s “ImaginOcean” puppet show at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Tartaglia has been puppeteering since his teenage years and has worked on Sesame Street, Avenue Q, and Shrek: the Musical. Tartaglia created and starred in his own TV show, “Johnny and the Sprites” on “Playhouse Disney.”
“ImaginOcean” is a live black-light puppet show / musical that you have to see to believe. Three fish – Tank, Bubbles and Dorsel – are best friends who set out on a journey of discovery after finding a treasure map. As they swim off in search of clues, they sing, dance, and make new friends with the ocean’s diverse creatures, including my personal favorite: Leonard, the octopus.
Close friend and colleague Paul Becker directed the St. Patrick’s Day shoot, and I filmed it with New York City filmmaker Sergei Krasikau, another good amigo. We filmed the 2 and 8 pm shows, and in between shot two 30 second spots to be aired on the Disney Channel. Working with John, Paul, and Sergei was a lot of fun, and I look forward to doing it again soon.
It’s the politics of pollution as corporations manipulate the system to delay environmental reform, endangering the lives of people all over the world for the benefit of increased profits. Features interviews with Senator Mike Gravel, Louisville public health director Dr. Adewale Troutman, NRDC toxicologist Dr. Jenn Sass, the EWG’s Jane Houlihan, Mark Schapiro from the Center for Investigative Reporting and more… Animation by Jason Brubaker and Eric Leiser, music by Hummingbird Productions and Never Got Caught.
“Toxic Soup” will be making its world premiere at the 2010 Atlanta Film Festival. The documentary will be screening on Sunday, April 18 at 8 pm and Thursday, April 22 at 2:25 pm at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. Director Rory Owen Delaney will be in attendance as well as environmental attorney Kevin Thompson, radiation safety officer Wade Smith and narrator Byron Warner among others. We hope to see you there.
Ever got a free Christmas turkey… from a chemical plant? Eboni Cochran and Renee Murphy talk about living in west Louisville in what locals call the “Vulnerable Zone.” The “Vulnerable Zone” aka “Rubbertown” is a mostly African-American community in Louisville, KY, which got its name because of all the chemicals plants that were constructed in the area during World War II. At one point Louisville was the leading producer of rubber in the USA…. official selection of the 2010 Atlanta Film Festival.
This week I’ve been reading Jon Reiss’ book Think Outside the Box Office, which producer and friend Sergei Krasikau recommended to me. Sergei and I are trying to come up with an innovative marketing and distribution plan for our documentary “Toxic Soup,” which was named an official selection of the 2010 Film Festival (April 15-23rd).
DuPont's Belle, WV chemical plant (photo by Sergei Krasikau)
From what I’ve read so far the key to spreading the word out about “Toxic Soup” is simple: Schedule as many screenings as possible. The reviews will follow. Last week we arranged for a sneak preview of “Toxic Soup” at the University of Maryland School of Law, and we have another sneak preview in the works for West Virginia State University. By building up a grassroots network of community support, we hope to bring about pollution and chemical reform.
Also this week I was contacted by Alyssa Martin, an archivist who works for Oscar nominated director Mark Kitchell is working on a new doc “A Fierce Green Fire.” Alyssa requested a copy of “Toxic Soup” on Kitchell’s behalf and will arrange a sneak preview of “Toxic Soup” in San Francisco. Again this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more.
Late last night we got word that “Toxic Soup” will be making its world premiere at the 2010 Atlanta Film Festival to be held April 15-23. The Atlanta Film Festival is an Academy Award qualifying film festival that has been around since 1977, and we are excited to add to its rich history. When the exact date and time of the world premiere becomes available, it will be posted here so check back later! “Toxic Soup” was written, produced, directed and edited by Rory Owen Delaney.
Toxic Soup will make its world premiere at the 2010 Atlanta Film Festival
Watch the brand new trailer for “Glitch in the Grid,” a documentary film from the multitalented Leiser Brothers. Eric Leiser handles the animation while brother Jeff composes kickass original music.
I met them in Los Angeles and was lucky enough to film much of the documentary. “Glitch In The Grid” is a story about young artists dealing with life, love, work and weariness during the new American recession. It is not to be missed!
These pics are from the LA green screen shoot for Warren Adams’ new website Home4dance. We shot in downtown LA at the Artists Consortium, which is operated by Coby Shammash. The Consortium is a great location and Coby and the guys are all super cool and highly professional. Definitely check them out! Paul Becker directed the commercial and MBD Films provided the cinematography. Among the highlights was the performance by actress / dancer Vicky Lambert from “Sucker Punch”, “Nine”, “Chicago” and more.
