{::::: HEY?! THAT'S MY CAB! :::::}

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival – May 10th – 20th

heythatsmycab — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:47:53 +0000

Balloons Go Pop will be screening here next on May 13th at 7:30! Get tickets at http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/balloons_go_pop_2012

on the big screen

heythatsmycab — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:36:31 +0000

It’s crazy to believe that BALLOONS GO POP will be premiering in Santa Monica next week. May 6, 2011 was our first rehearsal date to showing on the big screen on March 21, 2012. Here’s the press release:

IFS FILM FESTIVAL 2012 March 21^st

OPENING DAY EVENT & FILM SCREENING

GENERAL INFORMATION

LOS ANGELES & SANTA MONICA, CA ‐ The 14^th Annual Independent Filmmakers Showcase (IFS) Film Festival will be screening films March 21^st at the Laemmle’s Monica in Santa Monica, CA and March 22 – 28^th at Bellevarado Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

Showcasing the most extensive collection of undiscovered and independent films from around the world, alongside work from some of Hollywood’s best‐known independent directors, the Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival provides a unique opportunity for exposure and recognition by studios, production houses, distribution outlets, and film fans.

The IFS Film Festival Awards & Opening Day Program will be held March 21st 8:00pm at:

Laemmle’s Monica 4

1332 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Celebrities to attend the Opening Day Program are:

Henry Jaglom (Venice/Venice, Eating, Babyfever, Hollywood Dreams)

Tyler Blackburn (Pretty Little Liars)

Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Alien 3, Terminator, X-Files, Alien Vs Predator)

Brian Baumgartner (The Office)

Ron Jones (Famed researcher /educator, subject of German film The Wave)

TICKETS

March 21^st Tickets are available at Laemmle’s Monica 4 www.laemmle.com March 21-28 Tickets for Bellevardo Studio screenings available at Eventbrite wwwifsfilmcom.eventbrite.com Same‐day tickets are available at each venue, subject to availability.
MARCH 21^st FILM SCREENING & MAIN EVENT PROGRAM GUIDE =

11:00am – Shorts Program

12:30pm – Only Sighing

2:20pm – Peach Plum Pear
5:10pm – Festival In Cannes (with director Henry Jaglom)

Red Carpet Photos from 7:15-8:15pm (step & repeat photos available from 4:30pm to 9:30pm)

8:15pm – AWARDS CEREMONY 9:00pm – The Last Push IFS BEST PICTURE WINNER 10:00pm – Lesson Plan IFS BEST DIRECTOR & IFS BEST DOCUMENTARY WINNER

Program guide with screening times for other festival days can be found at www.IFSfilm.com

still and motion worlds not too far apart

heythatsmycab — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:47:58 +0000

As a writer/director without having any formal training or schooling in filmmaking, you end up heavily relying on your gut instincts to execute your vision. Forget what’s right — it’s what feels right. Which at the end of the day is no different from the workings of being a photographer. In both cases, you are constantly faced with decisions to make. Each decision no matter how big or small affects the outcome and shapes your end result. These decisions I make eventually become my footprint. If you have a clear purpose and really understand the story you are trying to say, your gut instincts will kick in and steer you in the appropriate direction. All my years as a waiter, a 9 to 5′er, a photographer, a floral assistant, a business owner, a student in debt, an adult in debt has helped me become more aware and curious about life, about relationships, about people. All you can hope for is that you gain a deeper understanding of things and maybe a personal voice will emerge. But in the end, the story still remains king – whether you tell it with a still frame or with moving pictures or with pen and paper.

Now the funny thing that I have learned after my first two short films is that just like a photography business – it’s not as glamourous as one might think. Once you say that’s a wrap – it’s not really over. It’s only the beginning. I used to say being a photographer is 15% creative and 85% business and %100 blood, sweat and tears. Those numbers are pretty right on about being a filmmaker. However, the big difference is when you make a crappy photo you can redeem yourself easily the next day. But when you make a crappy film, you’re staring at months or even years ahead of you to go at it again. That’s why it’s important to just love the process itself. The obstacles and failures that come our way eventually leads us to the very thing we all are striving for – - and that my friends are growth and the chance for richer experiences… or the egomaniacal opportunity to say “Action!”

Van working with actors Biker Fox and Hilly Holsonback on the set of BALLOONS GO POP

photo by nick prendergast

photography to filmmaking

heythatsmycab — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:22:06 +0000

All you have to do to become an artist, photographer, filmmaker, actor, or musician is to just declare it. I really think it’s that simple. Once you convince yourself that you are a photographer or painter – you are now set free from self made insecurities to solely concentrate on the only thing that should matter.. producing work and getting better.

I remember two years ago waking up real early one day and saying to myself ”I want to write a movie.” Six months later and after reading as much as I can about screenwriting and movie making – I had my first feature length script – a 103 page quirky drama called HELLO JACK. It was one of the most challenging and enjoyable things that I have ever done. It was a glorious moment for me. Creating your own little world and characters was so liberating. I couldn’t wait to do it again. So I bought another stack of note cards and went right back at it. What resulted was 4 scripts – 3 short films and another feature.

The short films became my COWTOWN STORIES TRILOGY – and the first movie was BALLOONS GO POP a psychological portrait of a middle-aged loner tempted by his disturbing fantasies and need for control. We filmed this 7 months ago and it’s funny to look back that out of the original folks casted for the parts – only one remained… and that was my nephew! (who is on the poster by the way – see below) But things seemed to work out. I was happy with the cast we ended up with and thankful for all their hard work and sacrifice. I met my leading man Biker Fox at a photo shoot for SPIRIT Magazine. His performance was terrific and I couldn’t be happier. What’s even more crazy is that the movie so far has been selected into two festivals! The premiere will be at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival on March 21st in Santa Monica, CA and at another screening at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May.

Growing up I never thought I’d be a filmmaker or photographer as a matter of fact. But once I told myself I was, I knew what I had to do… get to work. I hope to write more about the filmmaking and festival experience – so can’t wait share the ups and downs of it all. Here is a poster design for BALLOONS GO POP:

dinosaur state valley park

heythatsmycab — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:20:28 +0000

Images from the vault 1/27/11:

kitchen scene

heythatsmycab — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:46:16 +0000

light study #2

heythatsmycab — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:21:03 +0000

light study #1

heythatsmycab — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:41:28 +0000

Portraits of Jane Goodall

heythatsmycab — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:39:16 +0000

One of my favorite assignments of all time happened last year. Very rarely do you ever get a chance to spend some time with someone who has really made a difference in the world and in their field. So when Stern Magazine called to photograph primatologist, Jane Goodall I was just completely honored and excited about the chance. Here are some outtakes:

Ms. Goodall was more gentle, more kind, and more generous than I could have ever imagined.

roses and a pig

heythatsmycab — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:35:34 +0000