PressPausePlay – A must see film for the contemporary artist!
PressPausePlay directed by David Dworsky & Victor Kohler might be the best documentary I have seen in years if not ever! It addresses the gamut of issues that affect anyone who is producing art today. Wow!
“…Does democratized culture mean better art or is true talent instead drowned out? This is the question addressed by PressPausePlay, a documentary film containing interviews with some of the world’s most influential creators of the digital era”
Art Basel Miami 2011 Recap
I have been to Art Basel three times but this year there was an energy that was very different. From the large venues like Scope, to the indie galleries like Fountain, to the streets of the Design District, it felt like everyone everywhere was simultaneously absorbing as well as radiating positive vibes.
The Wynwood Walls were the single most incredible collective art project I’ve ever witnessed, the art was amazing! And as expected the after hours events left me worn out until well into the next day.
This was the first time that I wasn’t on assignment at Art Basel so I could move at my own pace and without all my equipment. The only thing I carried was my 7D. I didn’t even take extra batteries nor did I carry my external audio recorder. But I got to say that it was worth it traveling as light as I did. Shooting was almost an after-thought and I think that comes across in this cut, jus’ like dem New Pop days of old.
Enjoy
TrVZ
pluggedin episode 3 – Facebook vs. Google+
In this Episode of pluggedin Luna Vega and I decided take on the G+ vs. Facebook debate. Our guests panel included Bianca Bosker of the Huffington Post, Brian McDaniel of bkmacdaddy.com Dean Levitt of madmimi.com and Jay Baer of convinceandconvert.com
All shot with laptop cameras using Google+ hangouts, I took what was a 40 minute debate and edited it down to 6 key minutes of points and counterpoints. if you are interested in seeing the entire debate you can via our new live stream feed.
Editing in this style is the closest thing to painting that I have ever done. It involves creating multiple layers of video and sound weaved together in a way that allows you the viewer to gain a better understanding of the issues and at the same time gain an appreciation for the lo-fi beauty that is video chat.
So sit back and enjoy our lovely experiment, and don’t forget to vote for the person you think gave the winning argument on our Facebook link.
Thanks
TrVZ
Facing Change Documenting America – Debbie Fleming Caffery
It has been some time since I updated my blog. This might be the longest time between posts since I revamped my site in 2008. There is a good excuse, I have been insanely busy shooting and editing, but the good news is I will be able to post some really cool videos in the upcoming weeks and into the New Year. Today I got two posts for you guys…
Earlier this year Leica announced their collaboration with Facing Change: Documenting America (FCDA), a non-profit collective of prominent photographers and writers dedicated to exploring the United States during one of the most enduring times in the nation’s history. I was recently asked by Leica to document the photo journalists who make up the Facing Change roster.
For the first video we traveled to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana to meet with Debbie Fleming Caffery who has been documenting the destruction and devastation caused by the modernization of farming forcing out the formerly poorly paid farmhands and, more recently, the river flooding on to farmlands.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Photo Essay – The Occupy Wall Street Zuccotti Park Eviction
About 4:00 am on the morning of November 15th I woke up to tweets about a Zuccotti park eviction. I got so riled up that I decided to take an early morning trip to Foley Square and join the movement to take back the park. This is my photo essay of that day’s events.
Later that night as is my habit I was watching The Rachel Maddow show and was surprised to see myself on TV marching with the people. You can see me at the 1:11 mark on the far left (no pun intended).
Here Comes The Neighborhood – Trailer
HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a short-form Docuseries exploring the power of Public Art and innovation to uplift and revitalize urban communities. I am headed down to Miami Art Basel in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to see this project in person.
TrVZ
Mr Kaves
This is the directors cut of a video I shot for the French wine company George Dubeouf featuring Lordz Of Brooklyn legend Mr Kaves.
“Brooklyn-based graffiti artist, creative entrepreneur and rapper Michael McLeer, aka Mr Kaves. Providing insight on what it was like to grow up in the late ’70s, we get an idea of his beginnings from scratch and building up an empire revolving around the creative industry.”
Most recently Mr Kaves designed a bottle for George Dubeouf which will be unveiled at an event benefiting Meals on Wheels on November 16th at Stage 37. You can RSVP here.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Nasa Hadizadeh – Pluggedin Promo
We are proud to present the short promo awarded to the winner of our first episode of the pluggedin TV video roundtable Nasa Hadizadeh. The topic of discussion was Tumblr vs. WordPress. Congratulations Nasa, and the best of luck to you and your startup cultured productions.com
Pluggedin Episode 2 – Rdio vs Spotify
We present pluggedin Episode 2 Rdio vs Spotify. Producing this show has been one of biggest logistical challenges I have ever faced. It hasn’t been done before so we are literally making it up as we go along. This episode features Grammy.com blogger Arjan Writes. Designer and musician Bisc 1. Producer DJ rapper Dances with White Girls, and vocalist, dj, vj Zeena Koda, in a spirited debate about the two music sharing platforms. Check it out and don’t forget to vote for the winner here.
Enjoy
Everybody Street
This Kickstarter campaign for the film “Everybody Street” by photographer Cheryl Dunn looks like a winner and includes a few photographers I have met or interviewed during my time as a videographer.
“Everybody Street”, a feature documentary about NYC street photographers who have taken some of the most iconic images of the last century. Whether you take pictures with your phone or a Leica, you will relish the opportunity to hear the real stories of the men and women who are the very foundation of the street photography movement and of the medium itself.”
Navigate to the link below the movie window to contribute.
TrVZ
LATL – Homeboy Sandman & Fresh Daily “Table Cloth”
Our Friends at Live At The Loft are at it again with an electric performance of “Table Cloth” from Homeboy Sandman and Fresh Daily. This invite only event just continues to grow.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Occupy Wall Street
Another great piece on the OWS movement by Zack McTee. This is a movement ready made for the DSLR filmmaker.
TrVZ
RIP Mr Jobs, you changed my life.
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. Here’s to you, Steve Jobs. RIP.
Nobody Can Predict The Moment of Revolution
If you believe that there should be a radical left answer to the Tea Party like I do, this is it.
By Martyna Starosta & ivarad
Pluggedin TV: Pilot Episode – Tumblr vs WordPress!
Back in February Luna Vega asked me to shoot a series of short webisodes in which she would give tips on Social Media platforms and Digital Marketing. It was an idea that has been done to death and I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about doing it. Sensing my lack of enthusiasm and not wanting to waste my time Luna wanted to do it on her own and just shoot it on her laptop camera. Not wanting to totally abandon her our discussion evolved into a show where our colleagues would debate relevant issues in the Social Media landscape using their laptop cameras. We decided to include a gaming element and titled the show Pluggedin. Many logistical hurdles later I am proud to present the pilot episode, Tumblr vs. WordPress.
Enjoy
Trvz
American Juggalo – NSFW
Ever since I found out about the Juggalo’s from my friend Igor of Driven By Boredom fame I have always been fascinated by his photos of the annual gathering of the Juggalo’s. This video by Sean Dunne about that gathering really captures that lifestyle. This short documentary is a really well done piece from a filmmaker who’s work I am familiar with. (The Archives, The Bowler)
Enjoy
TrVZ
Wayback Thursday’s: Miami Art Basil – Day 2
Here is the second part of the Road Team series in which I spent the week at Art Basel Miami 2008. In this episode I interview Jose Parla at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery while A.R.E. Weapons performed inside. Afterwards I headed over to the Puzzlement Gallery and ran into my friend from New York Louisa B who would end up being my running partner for the rest of the week. Tune yards who I ran into on day one provides the soundtrack.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Wayback Thursday’s – “The Road Team” – Miami Art Basel Monday
This week we take the Wayback Machine to December of 2008 Art Basel Miami. I had a series on TheNewPop called The Road Team in which I would document my travels. On this occasion one of my clients called me while vacationing in Florida to see if I was available to shoot Miami Art Basel. They needed b-roll for internal use but in typical New Pop fashion (circa 2005 – 2008) I decided to edit 3 episodes and a teaser for this trip. The resulting series captures what was the most fun I had over the course of one week as a filmmaker.
Enjoy
9-11-11
Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since 9-11-01. Ten years ago on a day in which the skies were every much as blue as they are today, I was listening to Howard Stern when he reported that a plane hit the WTC. Thinking that it was an accident until suddenly at 9:03 AM on the TV screen you could see an explosion. I remember the news anchors thinking that it was a replay of the first plane hitting the tower. When I realized that it was not a replay it was my first realization that our world had just changed.
I ran to the corner where I had a clear vantage point of the towers to see the first tower fall. Every single day for almost two years I would dwell on that day not knowing if I would ever be the same, if NY or this nation would ever be the same. Ten years later as I see the Freedom tower take it’s physical, spiritual and psychological place of it’s graceful predecessor I feel like a piece of my spirit that was lost on that day rises with every floor of the New One World Trade center. I would like to take this 10th anniversary to remember that day, but more importantly to look forward. It’s a metaphoric exhale that I didn’t think would take 10 years to achieve but it did, and it feels good.
Trevor
Depth Of Speed – A Pinch of Salt
Hypbeast concludes it’s series Depth of Speed with a visit to the Bonnevile Salt Flats, where even the pursuit of land speed records comes a distant second to the camaraderie shared among these car enthusiasts. I am sorry to see this series directed by Josh Clason has to come to an end. Born from a desire of story, travel and a love of anything automotive related I thoroughly enjoyed each episode and look forward to more from Josh in the future.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Zach Cordner Photography – The Hundreds Gallery Opening
Here is a video recap from the Zach Cordner opening night reception at the Hundreds Gallery for his book Zach Cordner photography. The show runs through Labor Day so if your in LA check it out. Shot & Edited by Danny Lee
Enjoy
TrVZ
Tiny Feature Saturday’s – A Day in The Life of a Kyoto Geisha
This week on TFS we feature a short by Glen Milner who also brought us A Trinidad Teen that profiles a subject I have yet to see in DSLR cinema. Milner documents Miehina who gives us some insight into the passion and dedication that it takes to continue her family tradition of the Geisha lifestyle.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Wayback Thursday’s 2007 – Down And Derby Rollerskating Party
Out of the hundreds of videos that I made during those early party days at The New Pop there are 3 or 4 that will always hold a special place in my heart. This is one of them. The event was called Down & Derby and it was one of those events in which the incredible buzz would only be exceeded by the energy of the night. Organized by Vince Masi this event was a masterstroke of sorts, Vince combined a roller derby vibe with the popular American Apparel hipster style that was at it’s high point 4 or 5 years ago. It was as if Vince gave the hipster set a venue in which they could parody themselves (you will never get them to admit this of course) and exhale if just for one night. The week leading up to the event, even the coolest of the cool were calling me trying to get on the guests lists. And from the moment we arrived at the venue Studio B (the hot venue in Brooklyn at the time) there was a palpable energy in the air and a line that went down the block for most of the night. So many of our new friends from the scene were in attendance. There were DJ’s, musicians, bloggers, fashionistas, promoters, and if you weren’t there, you probably heard about it and regretted missing it. It was the place to be that night, the photos and video Tone and I captured still holds up as some of the best I remember.
Enjoy
TrVZ
Wayback Trivia: The last scene in this video in which Tone tosses New Pop stickers in the air was our little experiment in Hipster complacency. The resulting smugness exhibited by the folks who we knew would detest our attempts to make them exert any unnecessary energy or public displays of excitement could not be scripted any better. The audio and visual reactions from those on and off camera are like a scene from the IFC hipster parody show Portlandia. Even more credit to Vince for getting these very same folks to put on the skates, drop the ‘tude and party!
Wallpaper Mag: Famous For 15 Years
As part of it’s 15th year celebration Wallpaper* asked some of their friends to recall how Wallpaper* first entered their world, and what it means to them today. Included in this piece architect and designer Matteo Thun and gallerist Rossana Orlandi, retailer and gallerist Murray Moss, designer Tom Dixon, chef Fergus Henderson, Terence Conran. designer Yves Behar and the Sartorialist himself, Scott Shumann who shares a lovely anecdote about the early buzz of the magazine. In this day and age when so many print publications have seen their doors close, it is good to see a design staple like Wallpaper* transitioning well to New Media while still putting out relevant print publications.
Enjoy
TrVZ