What are the Media Maven Chronicles?

Often in media circles the dialogue is more about the technology than why we are working in it. These stories are about the people and inspirations I've come across in 15 years working as an editor, a media artist and designer. These are the dreams, the projects, the personalities, ethos (and lack thereof), the philosophies, perceptions and yes, sometimes the technology that has been part of this rather surreal and humanistic landscape.

Just a Bit of Music Video Magic for Monday

Using multiple webcams this video is beautiful, whimsical and magical!
Enjoy~

Tetro

Last Friday night I was invited by my dear friend Carol Tingle to see Coppola's new film "Tetro" and see him speak after the screening. The film is a marvelous study of love, fame and its impact on family. Shot in gorgeous black and white and set in Buenos Aires it harkens to the masters of neo-realism and classic cinema while weaving in brief surrealist moments punctuated by sudden intense color. It seemed to me that the choice of color wasn't just that Coppola loves the purism of black and white. By filming the contemporary story in black and white, while flash backs and theatrical elements were shot in color, there was a subconscious statement that the characters' lives were deeply impacted by their pasts, and that the past had more presence and therefore was in color, while their current lives were caught as if dream-like in the web of their memories.

Coppola stated that he was exploring the impact of creative success in families. His thesis centered on the need for love to surmount the need for fame. The back story centers on two brothers: one a famous maestro, the other the one who taught him but was left behind forgotten and treated like an embarrassment. Coppola portrays the impact of the relationship on the succeeding generations as ties become distorted. The film plays out as a reunion forces unbidden memories and hidden truths to come to light.

It is an art film, thank God in this world of manufactured screenplays and their offspring. It is beautiful to see a film where structure, imaging and storytelling transform into a greater gestalt. The performers are brilliant and the casting of Vincent Gallo with his angular face and luminescent eyes is a stroke of genius. Maribel Verdu is a marvel and is the heart of the story with a performance that is at once warm, strong and with an inner life that is breathtaking.

Bravo Coppola!

for more info about the film visit: www.tetro.com

Food, Inc.

If you want to know how to help save the planet, see this movie! I saw Food, Inc. last night at the Nuart Theater and it was astonishing and provocative. I left feeling both horrified and empowered. Believe me, a trip to the grocery store today was an alternate experience as I consciously waved past the copious counters and shelves of meat and processed food to find the few organic, non-hormone filled, healthy home-grown choices.

Now, I am not necessarily primed for this kind of consciousness. I grew up eating meat and love it. My expanding hips speak to my love of all that is sweet. However, the recent rash of media from books to movies has imbued me with a sense of outrage and responsibility for the damage we are doing to ourselves, to animals, to each other and to the planet. If you are interested in a glimpse of the truth, if you like to pull back the curtain and peak at the mechanisms that run our world then this movie is for you. But I warn you--it is not for the faint of heart and it will make you courageous.

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

I can't wait for this new Terry Gilliam film to come out. An article about it appeared in the L.A Times yesterday as it premiered in Cannes Film Festival. There's of course a lot of buzz around it as Heath Ledger died as they were making it and friends Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell stepped in to fill the role. I'm just so thrilled that this amazing filmmaker was able to see his vision through and that we'll be treated to a new Gilliam feast soon. Currently it has European distribution. Let's hope it gets U.S. distribution soon!

Meanwhile, enjoy this trailer--

The Earrings From a Dead Woman

I was shocked today when I followed a link to an article about the tragic suicide of young British actress Lucy Gordon. As I read the blurb, I noticed in the picture that there were price tags on her earrings and blouse. When you rolled over, conveniently the brand and the price were displayed.

I felt absolutely sickened. Tragedy and commerce, I know, are unfortunately often strange and necessary bedfellows. However, this was sick and disgusting. I am torn as to whether to offer the link as an example or to not contribute anymore to the shameless commerce. I think I will opt for the second choice and not join the "obsessed".

I Love the Whole World-Boom de ya

One of my favorite promos is Discovery Channel's current offering "I Love the Whole World".
With imagery ranging from astronauts to archaeologists, Stephen Hawkings to base jumpers it is a beautiful exuberant love song that elicits giant smiles. Joyous without being corny, it's a wondrous reminder of our incredible shared lives.

Enjoy--