VHS Hero: Hybrid Documentary
I always had a fascination with VHS tapes and old media in general. When I would hear the distorted audio playing from the degenerating tape, it would give me chills that would run down my spine. I knew I had to make a VHS related film, but I wasn’t sure what it might be. To keep that feeling I had alive, I printed out a few photos that gave me this same feeling and taped them on my wall: interior of a Blockbuster video rental store, children riding bikes in suburbia, wall of VHS tapes, wooden paneling, 1970s station wagon.
A few months went by and I discovered an artist who creates his own VHS tapes. Essentially, what he does is transform newly released films into VHS tapes. I reached out to this artist (who wished to remain nameless) via email and I thought this could potentially be the film about VHS tapes I was searching for, possibly a documentary. We agreed to do an interview via email and an actor would repeat his interview, word for word. After the interview was finished he suddenly realized I would need copies of the artwork to film for the re-enactment. After this realization he no longer felt comfortable showing his artwork.
I didn’t want this interview to go to waste, so I thought to make the faux-tapes myself and create a hybrid documentary with the interview, after he gave me the thumbs up to use his words.
For the casting I sent out a casting call on backstage.com and after looking through hundreds of actors, I discovered Erik Bjarnar from Ithaca, New York. Erik was amazing! I knew he had to play the artist. Again, I ran into a problem. Erik isn’t from New York City and he doesn’t have a car. After we discussed the problem on the phone, we agreed to film it in his apartment. Erik’s home was perfect: he is a single forty-something man in a very disorganized motel-like small apartment. Exactly what I imagined the original artist’s apartment to look like.
I drove up to Ithaca, New York from New York City and stayed for two days in a hotel room. I filmed during the day in Erik’s apartment and followed a shot list based on the interview. Erik was amazing and read the lines so well. He appeared so authentic I almost forgot he wasn’t the actual artist.
It was a very fun project and I’m really happy in the way it turned out.
Screengrabs
Equal Pay Campaign - Public Service Announcement
Recently, I was given the opportunity to work as Director of Photography for a PSA for the United Nations with Grey Advertising. An acquaintance told me they were looking for crew and I got the gig.
It was a simple ‘live event’ production with four cameras shooting simultaneously (shot on Canon C300 mark ii). We wanted to give the illusion the cameras were hidden and I told the camera operators not to be afraid to do some ‘snap zooms’ to give the footage more of a raw feeling. It was filmed in one day in downtown Manhattan, in the front of the Flatiron building.
I was grateful to work with such an important advertising agency like GREY.
New York, New York - Big city of dreams!
I just moved to New York City! Never would I imagine moving to such a place. Years ago when I first graduated from SUNY Fredonia college, it was a dream to move to New York City and to chase my dream of becoming a documentary filmmaker. At that time, it seemed impossible, I had a very little savings, no contacts and very little experience on set. The contacts I did have all told me the same thing - I should take a leap and move to NYC without a job. This was very intimidating and for years I didn’t have the courage to do that.
Fast forward three years, here I am driving in my no-longer-running white Hyundai Elantra that I called Casper down Manhattan’s First Avenue. It was packed with everything I owned; various pieces of furniture and other household items were literally pushing their way outside the car.
Now, since I have been living here for six months, I must say I made the right choice. As a freelance cinematographer my clients have doubled, and I actually have less stress trying to find the next job. There are so many companies here that are constantly looking for new talent, like myself.
I can’t wait to see what the future holds. This truly is the city of dreams.
Photo of my first night in New York City, shot on my trusty Pentax K1000
