Genre Bending? Yes, please.

Netflix’s six-part series, Wormwood, is brilliant. This is the documentary I’ve been waiting years to see hit popular culture.  Wormwood fits perfectly into the grey area at the intersection of fiction and reality.  And I am proud to argue against the critics who claim this series is anything other than the most inventive documentary they have seen in ages.

Before you jump to the conclusion that I am an Errol Morris super fan – check out my previous post on Gates of Heaven. I fell asleep and complained about the film being a waste of my time.

Now, back to the gushing …

• Impeccable story telling
• inventive camera angles (I read there were 10 per an interview)
• beautiful composition
• seamless transitions from collage, to text, to dramatic interpretation, to interview
• props for the continuous comparison to Hamlet
• excellent usage and collection of archival materials

I could go on and on but, I’m sure you are just about ready to sign on to Netflix and binge watch the series. So, without wasting anyones time :

DRINK PAIRING: Prosecco! This calls for a celebration.  Pass the bubbly.

SCORE: 5 out of 5 cheers.

Sharjah Art Foundation : Retrospective

Hassan Sharif: I Am The Single Work Artist

Show Description: This landmark retrospective will include Hassan Sharif’s diverse body of work from the early 1970s to 2016. This retrospective is the culmination of Sharif’s long and storied history with the Emirate of Sharjah, where he first began staging interventions and exhibitions of contemporary art.

If you are in the area (Sharjah, UAE) from now until Feb. 3rd 2018, drop everything you are doing and go see this exhibition.  It’s a rare opportunity to see all of the work from the artist Hassan Sharif in one place. It is almost like the six galleries were made for his one man show. He was one step ahead of his time. Hassan Sharif worked in found object installations, sculpture, book art, painting, performance and multimedia. I can’t say enough positive exclamations about this retrospective.  I can’t help but feel like there won’t be another opportunity to see all of his work in one place.   I just reviewed the corresponding documentary at DIFF with equal excitement. The studio workspace pictured in the documentary was captured and moved in its entirety to the Sharjah Art Foundation.

For more information: http://www.sharjahart.org/sharjah-art-foundation/exhibitions/hassan-sharif-a-retrospective

5 out of 5 cheers.

Alserkal Avenue – Dubai – UAE

Don’t be confused by the name: Alserkal Avenue. It’s not an avenue in the typical sense of the word but rather a conglomerate of art warehouses in one walkable space.  It is amazing.  This was my first trip to the galleries in the warehouse district of Dubai but, it will not be my last.

The space includes established studios, artists residences, places to eat, and pop up shops.  It’s in a constant state of evolution. There are young people here interested in supporting and promoting the arts.  Everyone I visited in the galleries are friendly and talkative.  To make me even happier, there weren’t many people around on Friday midday (holy day here).

Check out their website for more information and to keep up with all the happenings … nearly everyday is something new and every month is a new topic. https://alserkalavenue.ae/en/index.php

Oh yeah, it is free and it is hip.

 

Art Week – Abu Dhabi – UAE

Last week was Abu Dhabi Art Week.  I was fortunate enough to snag a seat on a bus heading from Alserkal Avenue in Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back.  They offered this amazing experience, with a ticket into the event and tour, for free!  Keep your eyes peeled for these kinds of experiences at : http://alserkalavenue.ae/en/index.php.  (No, I do not work for them.  I just appreciate their community outreach that much.)

As you can see, the art was inspiring. I just want to start creating when I am surrounded by all this art.  Some pieces I though were more successful than others but, it was a good time all around.  Since I haven’t credited each artist individually, please see the website for more information about the galleries and artist participating: https://www.abudhabiart.ae/en/default.aspx

I can’t wait until Art Week – Dubai – UAE March 14-24 2018. Mark your calendars now and check out their website for more information: http://www.artweek.ae.

Lest We Forget

UAE people share their history …

I can’t give enough positive feedback for the show “Lest We Forget”. It’s the brainchild of Dr. Michele Bambling.

Lest We Forget is a major grassroots arts and heritage initiative that aims to archive, preserve and share vernacular photographs and oral histories of the UAE through its website, workshops and exhibitions. Newly launched under the auspices of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, Lest We Forget is a community-based initiative that welcomes public participation.

This is the best ethnographic exhibition that I have seen in a very long time.  The show has since closed but, I am hoping that it opens up in another location.  I will support the researchers and artists who are in this exhibition in any way possible.  The event was extended once and that is the only reason that I was able to attend in the first place.  I walked out inspired and with one of the handmade books about the project (pictured above).

There are still ways to support the project and participate.

1. Visit the website and share your stories (if you are Emirati) http://lestweforget.ae/en/aboutUs.php

2.  Watch the “how the exhibition was made” video online: https://vimeo.com/155669681

3. Visit Warehouse 421 in Abu Dhabi and see what is happening in the art scene! https://www.warehouse421.ae/en/visit/

Live it : DC Beer Week 2011 (starts Sunday)

Everyone who is anyone should check out DC Beer Week this week (starting Sunday Aug 14th).  There are TONS are specials around the city.  Click the link below  for a map and calendar of events. Note: MIDWESTERNERS check out the specials on Wed (below).

DC Beer Week 2011 | DC Beer – Washington DC, Beers in DC, Beer, Bars, Craft beer, homebrewing, happy hours, beer tastings.

Here are a few highlights…

MONDAY AUG 15th : Ladies’ Night – Ladies Drink Beer for Free – 4pm
Belga Cafe – 514 8th Street SE, http://www.belgacafe.com

TUESDAY: AUG 16th:  All About Brews Trivia Night – 7pm

Bread & Brew – 1247 20th Street NW, http://www.breadandbrew.com
Think you know about beer? Put it to the test during Bread & Brew’s special all-beer trivia. Great prizes and beer specials all night long.

WED AUG 17th : Midwest Brewery Night at Smith Commons – 5pm
Smith Commons – 1245 H Street NE, http://www.smithcommonsdc.com
Smith Commons will be featuring breweries from a different region of the country for four different nights during DC Beer Week. Wednesday will feature breweries from the midwest. $5 pints, $15 bombers, and $5 regional themed small food pairings. The tentative brewery list for Wednesday includes:

Colorado

Avery Brewing Co.

Boulder Beer

Oskar Blues Brewery

Ohio

Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Michigan

Bells Brewery Inc.

Founders Brewing Co.

New Holland Brewing Co.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Missouri

Schlafly Beer

Utah

Epic Brewing Co.

Live it: some Friday Inspiration

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage… 
= a trip of a lifetime & 3 shorts called “move”, “eat”, “learn”  MOVE on Vimeo on Vimeo

This is a great example of “just doing it”.  If you haven’t shot and edited a short lately … this is your inspiration.

Bb

Watch It : Trailer “General Orders No. 9”

 

 

 

 

Click to view: General Orders No. 9 – Movie Trailers – iTunes.

TRULY Inspiring and beautiful.  I can’t wait to see the entire film.  I put in a request to interview the first time filmmaker himself.

What do you think?

LOG LINE: An experimental documentary that contemplates the signs of loss and change in the American South as potent metaphors of personal and collective destiny.

For more information: http://www.generalordersno9.com/

AWARDS:

AWARDS

Slamdance – Kodak Vision Award, Best Cinematography
RiverRun – Best Cinematography
Indie Memphis – Soul of Southern Film

5 out of 5 Cheers.

TIVA Event: Workflow for the AF-100 and 7D Cameras

This was my first TIVA event.   I didn’t even know they existed.  I’m a WIFV member but, this event was also promoted to “us” in addition to the TIVA members.  It cost $20.00 for non-members.  And I will note that it’s $100.00 to join the group, for a year,  at the basic level.  Overall – I was extremely impressed.  The food and mingle session was fantastic.  They had a good beer selection and variety of munchies.  Everyone was very friendly and approached me as a new face.  And above all these factors – the presentation was spot on.

For more about TIVA : http://www.tivadc.org/

On to the main event….

Summary:

DSLR and AF100 WORKFLOW
Presented by Matt Gottshalk & Matt Nagy
With the DSLR look appealing to more and more filmmakers, and with the
introduction of Panasonic’s AF100, dealing with these cameras’
sometimes unwieldy video formats and sound issues is often more
difficult than it seems at first glance. This seminar will hit on
pre-production considerations, field techniques, and finally how to
deal with this in the edit room, whether you’re editing on Final Cut,
Avid, or Premier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took many good notes comparing the AF-100 to the 7D cameras.  The presenters pointed out differences that I never even considered.  They actually had so much information for us on the work flow – we didn’t get to the post production presentation.  Maybe they will have a part 2?!

If you are into this topic I would approach the presenters.  They are reachable in many ways twitter, facebook, websites….

Bios:

Matt Gottshalk is the owner of McGee Digital Media, a visual
communications firm based in Alexandria, VA. As an award winning
DP/Editor, Matt was one of the first in the DC area to embrace
shooting video with DSLRs in both corporate and broadcast
environments. Matt co-authored the best selling book; “From Still to
Motion, a Photographers Guide to Shooting Video on Your DSLR”, and has
taught classes on Digital Cinematography at NAB for Future Media
Concepts.  You can learn more about Matt at www.mcgeedigitalmedia.com

Matt Nagy wears many hats as a Senior Specialist, Video Production at
the American College of Cardiology. He produces, shoots, edits, and
designs motion graphics for member-focused content. Most people know
Matt as a motion designer and one of the co-coordinators of WIFV’s
Animator’s Roundtable, but he has shot numerous projects on the RED,
Varicam, and DSLRs on both greenscreen and in the field. You can find
samples of Matt’s work on his website, www.matthewsnagy.com

5 out of 5 Cheers

— REVIEWER: Becky Beamer

Interview with the Filmmakers : Community Harvest

Katy and I had the chance to interview the two brothers who were the masterminds behind the Community Harvest film (9 min 30 sec).  It’s a local film about a community that started a garden in Columbia Heights.

Trailer Found Here: http://wn.com/Lance_Kramer

Lance & Brandon Kramer

I had to start with Doc & a Drink’s most notable question…

Q: If you had to match your film with a “drink” what would it be?

A: Stone Soup. They weren’t sure if that would be an acceptable answer but, it was… It was the meal served at the opening of the local garden highlighted in the film.  For those who don’t know – stone soup is made in a giant “cauldron”.  You throw in all kinds of vegetables like carrots and onions with broth and simmer.  In this case the vegetables were all locally grown.

Since they DID serve the soup in mugs – I think it counts as a “drink”.

Q: So – how did you break up the “work”?

A: Both brothers looked at each other and made it clear that they split up the work – sometimes Lance filmed and sometimes it was Brandon.  They both directed the film but, neither edited.  That credit goes to Cameron King.  He actually had 2 films in the “Our City Film Festival”.

Can’t get enough of the brothers?

Find out more on their website: http://meridianhillpictures.com/index.php/about

Or check out the local art center where they both volunteer: http://www.sitarartscenter.org/faculty-list-digital-arts

5 out of 5 Cheers

—- Becky Beamer