Talent Lab Homework Assignment

The Talent Lab's assignment (due way before it actually begins) is to make a film self-portrait. I've been thinking a lot about this for weeks, but I need to start working on it. It's a tantalizing question similar to the always annoying "so, tell me about yourself!". But this is different - you get to control images along with it. What do you want to say about yourself? How do you want the world to see you? Should it be funny? Entertaining? I have no clue.

I have a few ideas that will require some props - I just hope the physics department can help me out...

Talent Lab

I've been selected to take part in this year's Talent Lab at the Toronto International Film Festival. It's a program for emerging filmmakers.

Talent Lab is an intensive four-day artistic development programme that provides emerging talent with an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the world's best film artists.

Using the Festival's outstanding relationships with acclaimed filmmakers, Talent Lab leads participants in group discussions on a range of topics focused on the artistic side of filmmaking, sharpening the skills and confidence of a new generation of filmmakers.

Really excited to be taking part in this amazing opportunity.

Here's the official release:
http://www.tiff.net/industry/programmes/talentlab

TIFF Filmmaker's Bootcamp

Yesterday was TIFF's Filmmaker's Bootcamp. It's meant for filmmaker's that are new to the festival. It's about navigating the festival and how to make the most of it all. They brought in publicists, film critics, distributers, programmers and others all in the hope of having us making the most of TIFF.

This 1 day event was amazing. I feel completely ready to tackle this festival. Well I'm not ready - but I know what I have to do to get ready. Can't wait to get started working on putting butts in seats, along with my fellow short-filmmakers.

As far as I know, TIFF is the only festival that has such a program. Clearly, this is an indication of the respect and value they have for us. They care about us, our careers and our films.

On top of all that, I got to hang out and meet lots of other amazing Canadian filmmakers - some shorts and some features. I really can't wait to see them!

The End of an Era

I moved to New York 6 years ago, with "2 Suitcases and a Dream!" (that line usually makes my fiancee groan). I've accumulated more than 2 suitcases worth of stuff over these years, but one thing that has stood by me was my can of shaving cream. Well, it's finally done.

Granted, I've never shaved my entire face in over 6 years, I still think it's an enormous amount of time to have a single shaving cream can.

When I consider all of the "special occasions" and things that have happened during the past 6 years I can't help but get a little misty-eyed.

Thanks Rusted Can of Barbasol. You did good. Real good.

Check out the Trailer

So after months and months - here's the trailer for my new film, which began with a kickstarter campaign. Check it out - would love to hear what you have to say.

Spreading the Word in Queens

Yesterday before the Oscars, we went to Queens where a large West Indian community exists. We put up some flyers and spoke with a few people about supporting the film.

If even one person gets interested, it will be worth it.

Pounding the pavement, this is grass roots filmmaking.

Living The Dream Tonight at the Oscars

A while back, my friend Luke Matheny asked me to record the sound on his film called God of Love. Luke is a fantastic guy and the script was hilarious.

A lot of my friends are filmmakers and we work on each others films for reciprocity. Not money. We don't have any. However, you quickly realize that people's time is far more important than cold hard cash.

It was fun making the film, with no long days and no drama off camera. The great Bobby Webster was the DP and we shot on the RED Camera, which was a learning experience for me.

Luke and another friend, Levi Abrino spent a long time editing it. The film went on to win the Wassserman award at NYU's film festival. It made the rounds at festivals (winning a lot of prizes along the way) and eventually it won a Student Academy Award. Great news. That award qualified it for the "REAL" Oscars. Then it got shortlisted.

Then it got nominated! What the....?

No one makes a short film to win an Oscar. No one.

The meteoric rise of this film has given me so much encouragement and hope for my own work. It means that if you make a good film people will respond and recognize it.

So tune in tonight and see if God of Love wins for Best Live Action short.

This one's for all of the little guys

Help Me!

I've launched the Kickstarter page for my most recent film, "Doubles with Slight Pepper". If you have some extra cash that you're not sure what to do, please feel free to drop some coin in my cup.

I am going to be posting a lot more about the process of making this film, so check back often.

One Of the Best Videos I've Ever Seen

I've heard a lot about these Urban Explorers, the folks that go around various cities and check out the infrastructure - places that are usually off limits to the public. One day I'll really go on one of these.

Here's a video of a great visit to a lot of NYC sites:

UNDERCITY from Andrew Wonder on Vimeo.