The 48 hour Film Festival

Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to direct my first movie ever via The 48 Hour Film Project. For those of you who still don't know about it, the point is to produce a 4-7 minute film based on a line of dialogue, an object, and a specific character that each film team is given at the start of the project. This year everyone had to incorporate the line "I wish I had an answer for you" The prop: Glue, and the character of ballplayer Lefty or Liann Lober.
Every team chose a different genre and ours was HORROR.
The experience was quite interesting. We filmed out at an old school in Alexander (thank you Nathan Green.) It was hot as heck and there were no toilets. I learned a lot. Like for example, it's really hard to make a movie in 48 hours. And I don't really know anything about acting so it was awkward to try to "act" out the script when directing the actors. For me choosing wardrobe was the funnest part - and making the signs, and also the shared experience of getting stressed out with my friends but secretly knowing it's not the end of the world if something goes awry.
All in all I'm pleased with the final outcome. To be honest I wasn't sure how it was going to come together in the end, but once I heard Kima Moore's sound design I knew we had collectively put together a pretty cool movie with some awesome cinematic moments. There's some things I'd do differently now, but that's part of what it's all about.
I have a prediction that one day people will collect 48 hour films like baseball cards. The least popular ones now will be the most sought after in the future.

Ahhh, Art and Love and the 48 hour film festival

Here's another film that came out of the Asheville 48 Hour Film Festival. Admittedly, it makes me cringe for the cheese factor. But, what the heck, it's sweet. And kind of great. And totally appropriate for this blog.
(Be on the look out for the lovely quote that comes up at the very end.)

Sculptures by Jeff Bell

Rocker (2008) steel, wood, paint. 16 X 18.5 X 11.25 inches

For the Noise (2008) steel, wood, paint. 19 X 39 X 36 inches

Artist Jeff Bell recently exhibited work at FLOOD Gallery and unfortunately his show went under the radar in Asheville. "The Sled and the Blocks" - the title of the exhibition - was a collection of sculptures the artist produced with commonplace items reconfigured to produce familiar yet unidentifiable forms.

Bell lives in Durham, NC and has exhibited work through North Carolina including The Greensboro Art Museum.

My goal for each sculpture is to bring together elements from different backgrounds to create a new object that lives in the precarious area between the known and unknown. They allude to a variety of sources and concepts but never too literally. The finished work strives to be both more poetic and allusive. ~Jeff Bell

To see more of Bell's work visit: www.jeff-bell.com

Contemporary Artstyle Nomads: Transit Antenna

Parked by the tracks behind the Phil Mechanic Building in Asheville

This device recharges batteries

Artstyle: A lifestyle created artfully

Artstyle is a term I hereby coin to describe the way we creatively navigate our lives.

Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting a group of artists originally from South Carolina who go by the name Transit Antenna. Their amazing converted bus/living quarters was parked behind the Phil Mechanic Building for a few days last week, and I was allowed a peek inside. The first thing that struck me were the herbs that were growing out of the dashboard! Then group member Bob Snead proceeded to show me the kitchen, bathroom, air conditioner - it was all very eco-friendly and provided a comfy living space for the group which is comprised of two couples, one child and a dog named Kentridge. (after William Kentridge)

Transit Antenna has committed to living for two years on the road and pursuing a nomadic life, traveling from town to town, settling in to work random jobs as necessary. There seems to be a greater and surge towards this sort of lifestyle given the limitations of the economy these days. Approaching the project with a sense of creativity, innovation, and flexibility is ultimately what will sustain it.

We consist of writers, filmmakers, painters, chefs, and musicians, though these roles do not define our collective goal. Collaborating leads us to work beyond our individual interests and to inhabit roles not readily available to us as graduate students or careerists in our fields. In refusing to plan too far ahead, we allow the Transit Antenna project to define itself as the unfolding road carries us to new places, people, and experiences. These experiences are the pearls handed to us along the way.We no longer have permanent addresses, nor do we have jobs for which we punch the clock. We’re doing it for the challenge of living on the road, of living frugally, and of finding ways to support ourselves.

For lots more info, writings, videos, and pictures about Transit Antenna and their two year nomadic art project visit www.transitantenna.com

A new blog is in town

Introducing Pollinating Asheville, a blog created by local arts activist Susanne Hackett to raise awareness and showcase individuals, businesses, non-profits, groups and government projects that creatively pollinate the community.
With a mission to develop stronger communities by building collaborations between local businesses, government organizations and non-profits, Hackett has created Pollinate Consulting to provide creative contract and consulting work.
For more information contact Susanne at pollinateconsulting@gmail.com
www.pollinatingasheville.com

Nothing is sacred in advertising

I was watching this video and thinking about how awesome spontaneous guerrilla art happenings are. But my heart sank when I visited the link that appears at the end and I realized this was all set up by A&E to promote their Hammertime television series - yet another example of how corporations co-opt cool underground art trends and movements.
I wonder how much the dancers got paid.

I wrote this play to make you love me.

With a title like "I wrote this play to make you love me" how could you not go see this show which is currently running at NC Stage Company in downtown Asheville. I realized the other day that 95% of the plays I've really enjoyed or had the most interest in attending played at NC Stage Company. As far as seeing good theater in Asheville - this venue seems the most reliable.
Written by and starring Anne Thibault, IWTPTMYLM is a terrific piece of theater which literally made me laugh and cry. Thibault carries the play with her powerful presence and her timing between vignettes is dead on. Using minimal props and no scene changes, the strength of the piece lies in Thibault's uncompromising script about a struggling actress - Lysette - who is dealing with the emotional woes of her married boyfriend. Along the way, we learn about past love affairs, her emotionally torn childhood, and her Catholic upbringing via really hilarious conversations with her brother.
When I read on the website that "only adults will be admitted" of course I rolled my eyes a little. I was thinking, okay, what does "adult content" exactly refer to - how risque is this really gonna get? In retrospect I can see why you wouldn't want to bring your kids to see this but I think teenagers could appreciate most of the content - especially girls. I know I could have handled it as a teen (Just not while sitting next to my mother. OMFG.)
They say we laugh to keep from crying, and the humor of this play is born out of some intense life experiences. I'm still giggling over that scene where she's comparing the guys tongue to a minnow. I have to admit, I shed a tear (well, many tears) the second act and was holding them back in the first one.
While you're at it, check out the two other plays that are running at NC Stage this season. Bitch from Bitch and Animal was sitting next to me in the audience and she filled me in on the fact that she and Thibault will be performing in a piece together beginning June 17. Sounds like a intriguing combination to me.
www.ncstage.org for more information and schedule