Tag: documentary

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Long Live the Documentary Form

It’s an exciting time for documentarians and I am proud to part of this movement. I encourage all to take a look at two recent Variety articles that highlight the move from audiences to absorb the documentary form in new ways (predominantly streaming) and the artists who have evolved over time.

> Audience Demand for Documentary Features Grows Across Platforms

https://variety.com/2021/film/features/variety-entertainment-marketing-summit-marketers-1234954873/

> Variety Entertainment Marketing Summit Focuses on Future of Selling Dreams

https://variety.com/2021/film/festivals/documentary-features-1234955518/

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Drink of the Week: Aperol Spritz

It’s the summer. I am isolated in the UAE and I am dreaming of a carefree summer. There isn’t a better drink to help you relax and feel happy than the Aperol Spritz. You don’t have to have any special equipment to get this drink “right”. This is the perfect drink to unwind once you spent some time working on your documentary.

Mix it as you like it. I prefer to include a squeeze of fish orange juice for a touch of sweetness since I use brut prosecco. This is the mix:

1) Aperol

2) Prosecco

3) Club soda

4) Slice of fresh orange

What is your summer fun drink? I’ll add it to my list.

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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/

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Going International – U.A.E

I am returning to the Doc & a Drink blog as I travel to a new space.  I am working in the United Arab Emirates as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the American University of Sharjah.  I think this is a good opportunity to speak the word about art & media here.  There is a lot of growth in the arts in UAE. And you get to experience this growth with me.

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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

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Live It : Follow Doco Peeps on Twitter

These are fun people to follow on twitter …

THE DAILY NOTEBOOK @thedailyMUBI

> Film news and tips throughout the day, every day.

ERROL MORRIS @errolmorris

> documentary filmmaker

ROTTEN TOMATOES @rottentomatoes

> Unite the critics, inform the world.

KevinSmith

@ThatKevinSmith Body? L.A. Mind? N.J.
It begins with me covered in sperm, trapped in my old man’s balls. Then, suddenly… ESCAPE!

4. Judd Apatow

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/06/4-filmmakers-use-social-media-to-crowdsource-their-stories166.html

juddapatow.pngTwitter has become an immediate, collaborative tool for many filmmakers on and off the set. To help write jokes for his speech at the Producers Guild Awards, Judd Apatow hit up his community of followers. Apatow (“Bridesmaids,” 2011, “Knocked Up,” 2007) included this joke from @omitofo: “Inception is really about Hollywood. Everyone’s constantly trying to ruin your dreams so they can make a buck.” Follow Apatow on Twitter (@JuddApatow) and tell him a joke. If you’re lucky, he may just use your creation to amuse and entertain others.