knock. knock., Neil Hamburger, postmodern thought, and Saturdays show

On Saturday Nov. the 15th, 2008, which is tomorrow, i screen a little short film called knock. knock. at The Cat Hotel in Burbank, before a comedy performance by Neil Hamburger (staple on Drag City Records, Poolside Chats on Tom Green's internet show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, toured with Tenacious D).  Now, when I'm writing @ The Cat Hotel, i mean it in a literaly sense.  Its not only the name of the space, but its oddly and logically enough, a luxury boarding house for cats.

This is a strange, strange scenario indeed.  To take matters further, the main lead in knock. knock. is a friend of mine, Chris Manz.  Chris Manz in real life does an internet comedy show named The Chris Manz Show.  In the film knock. knock. the character Chris, played by Chris Manz, is a comic who host's an internet comedy show called aptly enough, The Chris Manz Show. 

I commented on this once before.  Did the film come first, or the show.  I think the idea's were birthed at the same time.  So, in a sense we get a little romantic comedy that is in fact, a little postmodern.  When i first screened the intro to people who didn't know my work well (and remember this film is over a year old now) they thought it was a documentary.  Others who are familiar with how i make films generally understand that its part of my filmic language, well, some of the time.  But like everything in life, we change, adapt to new syntax, and evolve.  So am i working a style?  Thats not really a question i'd like to delve into now.  One question answered at a time, and there is time for everything, right?

Ok, now can a little comedy-romance be postmodern.  Of course silly.  Just take a look into the context for clues.  This is all a valid discussion for Sat, because our anti comedian Neil Hamburger has been labeled as a postmodern comic.  One can say that the title of a film called knock. knock. as a comedy is a postmodern act alone.

But i think that both Neil Hamburger and knock. knock. are steeped in ironic self-reference and in Neil's case, certainly absurdity.  So, without further digression...

See you Saturday @ The Cat Hotel in Burbank.  A crazy cast of characters will be there including industry guests, and its only an RSVP event, so here is the info if your in LA and interested.  Show starts at 9PM

Taken directly from Neil Hamburger's myspace page:______________________________________________

In little over a week, I will be performing at a "cat hotel" in Burbank to an audience of mostly cats.

There will be space for a few human beings to attend as well. As this is a cat kennel, alcohol will not be served, though cookies, coffee, and cat food will be available to patrons.

Rescued cats will be available for adoption. Admittance to this unusual show will be a mere $7 suggested donation. Prior to my performance, the cats and humans will be shown a short film written by Chris Manz, entitled "Knock. Knock."

Here are all the details for the event:

Sat. Nov.15 9:00PM 
The Cat Hotel 
1807 W Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

You will need to RSVP, as space is limited.
RSVP to chrismanzshow@gmail.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

And now here are two clips from the film to consume. 

For further enquiry on knock. knock. sales, please give me a shout or contact the distributor Ouat! Media

Clip 1: Chris tries to convince Sharon the actress that his show is a worthwhile way to spend an evening.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BywRjRwdMg[/youtube]

Clip 2: Chris and Karla hang out "on top of a parking structure"

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00quK9-RYjs[/youtube]

 

 

 

 

New "The Photo Journal" feature on the site..

So I'm adding a new feature on this site called, "The Photo Journal".  I understand that its hella clever in the Bay Area sense, but i'll be updating whenever i get a chance, and when in fact at least a week or several have past.

The page is located on the sidebar (pages section).  So after this first preview, i'll only link to it from this point on.  Maybe not.

So, without further verboseness, this is the first edition, November 2008.

Shanks and the Dreamers live at Evocal  11-04-08



 

On stage with Dubfire_Nocturnal 2008



 

Before playing, 11.04.08



In the "small" Studio_ I keep my mutherfukin sunglasses on in doors..

Shanks and the Dreamers tonight

We play a show tonight. If you are in the OC, and happen to stumble on this, come on out.  Should be a really fun night, as we celebrate the victory of the system.

 

knock. knock. playing with Neil Hamburger

The 2007 short film i directed, knock. knock. screens at a comedy event headlined by America's $1 funny man, Neil Hamburger at a secret location in the second week of November in Los Angeles.  The other comic set to perform is Chris Manz, who plays the lead in the film, about, well, about an internet comic who is just starting to get noticed.  The film is currently being distributed by Ouat! Media.

If your in LA, and are interested in checking out the event, send me an email.  Its at a bizarre, but perfectly apt location.

my break ups into a million pieces on current tv

 

I directed a short documentary called my break ups into a million pieces about Lilledeshan Bose's migration to the US, after the death of her father, artist Santiago Bose.  Santiago was one the most prolific and respected Philipino artist of his time, and his daughter continued in the paths of the arts, as she is a published author and musician.  

The abridged version is currently now on Current TV..It runs a few seconds under 10 min.  The full cut runs 16 minutes. 

Go check it out on Current TV.....

my break ups into a million pieces

Here is the official synopsis and such:

The film-essay “my break ups into a million pieces” is about Lilledeshan Bose’s migration to Southern California after her artist-father’s death. Directed by Amir Motlagh, this 10-minute film, shot in digital video and super 8, is an exploration of personal and spiritual identity, death, romantic relationships and myth of Americana from an Asian perspective. 

Its creation was brought about by coincidence: Bose was impressed by Motlagh’s previous works (including “Dino Adino” and “Still Lover”), asked him for filmmaking advice. She had written “Break-up Stories,” a series of vignettes about the disintegration of my personal relationships, and wanted to translate it into film. 

After showing award-winning director Motlagh her father, Santiago Bose’s paintings, he felt a spiritual connection to Santiago’s works and agreed to direct the film. 

With its gorgeous shots of Los Angeles freeways and endless blue skies, “my break ups into a million pieces” marks the transition to new country and a new life, the rush of a brave, sunshiney new world.

 

best believe it

A weekend full of panels

I was in attendance this weekend at the Film Independent's Filmmaker Forum. I got a  full press pass from a friend and checked out out the panels.  Many of the information has been publicly cited in the blog scene and publications for some time now, but the tone of the forum was a little different.  Also, hearing it from people heavily involved in the Indiewood scene is a little different then second and third hand journalistic blog reporting.

All in all, most of the panelist were talking about the state of affairs as cyclic, and that the upswing was just around the corner.

I also met some very interesting people, all with different stages of project development.  There was also a panel on Micro Budget Films that was very cool.

 

Plain Us festival schedule

Plain Us premieres at The Hells Half Mile Film and Music Festival, Saturday, Oct 4th 2008 at 6PM.

Check out the lineup and schedule....

hhmfest.com

Plain Us festival premiere and whale trailer updates

Plain Us gets its official festival world premiere in early October.  Since the festival official release doesn't go out till next week, i wont tell you where yet.  But we are all excited because its at a cool festival with lots of buzz and fresh, risk taking programmers.

Also, the whale trailer goes up by weeks end.  Come back often to get the first peek.  The shits been a process and one half, but what can i say, its coming all to an end.  Well, the creative part at least.  Now begins the journey that i don't really like(as much), the promotional and distribution part.  If your a savvy new school distibutor, or a young savvy risk taking programmer, get at me for first dibs.  

Well, i don't so much care about the young part, but if you're stuck in the 80's and program safe film festivals that have the same work rehashed year after year, in a program devoted to entertaining teenagers and the elderly all in one package, then i'm not your kid.  I can however, still be you're friend on of hours.

Best to all.

AM

 

 

 

Plain Us poster art

Here is the poster art for Plain Us.

"Absorbed", and further updates on whale

So, the film Micro from last year is going to be titled Absorbed, and if you read my last post, i am giving it away free.  I will keep relaying why i am doing this, to give it a greater context(both social and personal), and i think that in the end, the conceptual gap between the works whale, "Plain Us" and Absorbed will hopefully mend.

 At this time, i am of the mind that as artist, we have to be very reluctant to give away our work for free, especially now that the internet audience feels entitled to media without fee, but at the same time i am starting to see a diminishing quality of work being put fourth in the ultra indie community that has abandoned both singularly(which i don't mind so much and can be beneficial in the world of low budget DV/HD) and comprehensively (detrimental to the filmmaking community), concept, craft and art.  The thing about the proliferation of DV in the nineties was that in the words of Jean Cocteau, "Film will only became an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper", well its not pencil and paper, but damn near close, although Jean Cocteau might not have been thinking about how the internet and lack of scope was going to muddy his quote.  Because we are on the subject, this was another gem from Cocteau, "Art is not a pastime but a priesthood", which echoes the commitment to the work that one does.  

Unfortunately, quantity has taken over quality, art for commercial viability even in the lower echeln of no budget work.  DV gave us the opputunity to experiement with form and ideas, sometimes, or mostly at the expense of craft but that was OK, it was a trade of.  You don't talk about resolution when you watch the personal diary pixel vision works of the 80's, nor do you call into question the simple editing and VHS footage of Tarnation.  But these days, both craft and concept go out the window and we are left with work that neither resembles Cassavetes nor wannabe Spielberg's.  Its something more akin to the Hollywood Romantic Comedy, or shows like Flight of the Concords without any real social commentary.  And without the truth that Cassavetes forced you to watch.  In fact, Cassavetes name gets thrown out alot these days, but my god, if you compare 5 minutes of A Women Under the Influence or Husbands, you will understand what realism is, not pseudo naturalism.  I am guilty of that myself, but i would never believe that my craft is at that level yet, nor is it trying to be, nor might it ever be.  Lets just never compare these contemporary micro works to Cassavetes again, until it truly fucking deserves it OK.  And lets face it, its not going to happen because talent doesn't develop that quickly.  Now if Mike Leigh was given $3000 to make a feature film, he could pull something of.   

Nevertheless, there has never been a Micro Budget movie that i have ever witnessed to carry that type of truth, maybe interesting but without the developed craft, nor as i stated concept.  Those are two separatist ideas.  I will not ask for craft if concept is compelling enough, if the argument really exists.  In the 90's we had Dogme, but the new crop of internet filmmakers isn't shooting for that, isnt shooting for Breaking the Waves or The Celebration, but shooting work that resembles sitcoms, with people who are hipper then what you would be seeing on network TV.  In a way, Absorbed has many elements of the trend i am argueing against, but at the same time, it knows what it is.  Its critically looking at itself.  I shot a movie to resemble a youtube journal, and what better way to express that, then give it away in the format that it was mimiking.  It might be the first feature film to be made for the web, both in content and style. The work is also a self-reflexive reaction to what is availble without all the metaphors.  Where as whale is a culturalist piece cloaked as character piece, Absorbed is a character piece cloaked as a culturalist piece.  

On a more urgent note, whale has taken me around three years to complete, from its inception.   To be honest, i have no idea how anyone will view it, whether they call it adolescent or brillant, nor if i where to be truly honest, do I really care.  I do hope that people see it for more Kiarostami then XYZ filmmaking, but thats just my hope.  Of course i would love an audience, but i cannot dictate that.  I also don't have the desire to sit on myspace for 8 hours a day, adding people to view my film.  But one thing is that regardless of some of the home made aesthitcs, or what some might loosely call lack of craft(i have other films you know, and an MFA), it was made out of my understanding of what DV micro budget filmmaking might have become.  To me, its all craft, its all concept, and its all personal.  But not my life.  Ofterall, i'm not that self-absorbed that i might make it out to be, it might all look real, but is all fiction.

I am going to set up the blog or website this coming week for Absorbed.  I calculate that it will be in 16 parts with the first part going up in late August or early Sept.  I'm talking a break writing this while in the middle of finishing the sound for whale, which will be a completed, locked picture by August 18th.  

Until next time, behave yourselves.,

Peace

AM

 

Whats old is new, whats paid is free

Well, lots of talk about the state of Indie Films, MicroFilms, Indiewood etc, and most is just dismal news. I have a new film coming out “whale” that i’ve been working on for a very long time, last i checked, over two years. Since this was a trilogy of conception with two other pieces, one being Plain Us which is finished, and the other, “micro indulgence” a film i started a finished last year but dropped from releasing, i have now changed my mind because, well, nobody is being critical anymore and i feel that this is an addendum piece to what is happening these days.

The film was a fictional documentary about a character that was shooting a no-budget microfilm. It was told in a first person style.

Since we are inundated with this type of media, and most of the new crop of films offer very little critical insight, either social, political, or true representations of slice of lifes, i will offer a piece that is a stripped down version of the current crop of filmmaking without any hinderance of metaphors. What i’m trying to say is that most these films is just a camera turned on the self, absorbed with the self, but shot in traditional styles that look more like “Flight of the Concords” then “The Celebration”. “Micro Indulgence” takes the characters out, and what you are left is with one. A character i created, so absorbed with his goals, you might call him High Functioning Autistic.  Totally self-absorbed much like web videos.

I’m going to cut the film, pieces at a time, live from week to week and offer it for free on youtube, myspace, facebook and any and all these corporate social networks. Also, probably on this site as well, along with its own website.

Since it was shot a year ago, its full of surprises for myself as well. I won’t know the official release of the first piece, but it will most likely happen after “whale” is complete. I am guessing in late August, or early Sept.

Will update soon.

Where can i find yo shit, like Still Lover and such?

Ok, so people always ask where they can see or buy things i have created.  Well, for one, Still Lover is currently being distributed by CrushedPlanet.com which is an online pay to play website with high quality, curated content.  The company was founded by Joe and Harry Gantz of Taxi Cab Confessions, which was an amazing show at the time, and could be the first reality show to play on Cable?  Maybe.

Anyways, go and take a look, and if you sign up you get two free views, then its pay to play, or subscription based.  So this all means that you need to go and see the film Still Lover for the first time, or the third, but go and make me some money meng.    Artist deserve to make that bling too....

Also, if you're into music, and can't wait for the new Shanks and the Dreamers album to drop on Sept 16th, 2008, you can cope our smooth, last years instrumental record, "A Day Late: Instrumentals for Illegal Aliens" over at itunes, or amazon, or cdbaby, and take it easy man.

Ok, so, the new news is that knock. knock. has been picked up for distro.  So if you want to see that film, go harass the distributors Ouat! Media.  For all international sales, please click here.

 

 

 

Plain Us "preview screening" along with knock. knock.

Plain Us has a "preview screening" on Friday, June 27th at Capital City Microcinema in Maryland. Its not its official preimere yet, but i don't have a date on when that will happen yet.

knock. knock. will also screen that night, along with a few other short films as part of "Hot Summer Night Shorts".

Here is the run down, from the CCM blog, "Seven new short films by directors from various parts of the U.S. of A being shown on a large/10 foot long screen, away from the summer heat in one of the coolest bookstores in Maryland, with some of the filmmakers in attendance. Lemonade will be served. Event programmed & presented by filmmaker & blogger Sujewa Ekanayake. Interesting times will be had; come join us.

In case you are reading for the first time, Plain Us is my newest film. What's it about, well, "Cy, a touring musician in an up and coming rock and roll band drops into the city he grew up. Thing is, life's not so easy, even when you're in a rock and roll band."

The film stars Kindy Barr, Nadia Anwar, Art Toussi, Tom O'Connell, Kristen Penza and Josh Virnick, and i make a small cameo in it. It was shot on 35mm by Zamir Kokonozi.

Some small trickling of reviews are coming in, although i don't think much about it, its necessary.

Hollywood is Talking wrote a small review about the film, i'll paraphrase (more like copy and paste) the parts i like, "Mr. Motlagh is one to take events and experiences of his life and plane them into fiction that shoot for a reality that the rest of us can relate to. By and large, he hits more than he misses (Mumble Idiots-ah ehm) in that he stretches out little moments that might otherwise be tossed in the trash."

About Plain Us. "Plain Us..Rock..and..Roll. Mr. Motlagh ratchets it up a notch, mixing it up, batting it this way and that, getting to the heart of the matter. He plays a singer/leader of a rock band who has to come home again. Of course it hurts when there is a wife and daughter you rarely see..... filmmaking-wise, the short looks good. Color-Correction, framing, the elements are there. Kindy Barr dials in a good performance as the put-upon young Mom opposite Motlagh who is wildly photogenic in musician mode. He steals the frame in this capacity and is quiet believable on screen."

Also a review from DIY Filmmaker Sujewa blog, "shot on 35 MM (w/ the first scene or two on digital video), slice of life drama depicting a touring musician's visit to his home town. The musician - an indie rocker of course :) - (played by Motlagh) has a young daughter. Motlagh's character is not on good terms with his daughter's mother. The short is well acted (always impressive whenever I see low-budget indie directors work well with child actors), and well shot & overall well made; well directed, acted, photographed, edited and scored. Plain Us is definitely not a plot-driven piece, more a low-key observation of a few special moments, & also some dramatic moments, in the lives of three people."

Here is a link to the subsequent interview.....

And the subsequent trailer:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=iFC4mQeEeDM[/youtube]

Also, since i mentioned knock. knock., all sales inquiry's and business related matters, here is its new home, at Ouat! Media.

finally....my darling Dia

Well, after one year of work in and out of the studio, the Shanks and the Dreamers first full length album, my darling Dia is officially finished, not released, but finished. We got the disk back from MasterDisk on Friday. Please bear with me because I have a few notes I'd like to make at this time.

First, Its very difficult in this day and age to do things that people can't seem to label quickly. For me, being a film director/writer, first and foremost, i have trouble when people discover that i make music. People seem to believe, right or wrong, that we are capable of being productive doing one thing only, because common wisdom is that you can't be good at everything. Well, you can you assholes. And that "good" part, its mostly relative when it comes to art. Forget that average middle of the road common wisdom that everyone tries to feed down your throat. Do what you have to do to survive, as far as I'm concerned, i make movies, i make music, and other shit just on my spare time.

Second, thanks to everyone who made this possible. The list is huge. But I'll just say a few. Art Toussi of course, my bandmate who went through this damn mountain climb with our crazy conflicting schedules. Detail(D.O.) for the vocal on Whitehouse, Steve Sherlock, Chris Henderson our former drummer, Mike Flowers, and Charlie M.

Third, this is not like the other album at all, not even a little. We are making music that we have always wanted to make. The first album was a solo instrumental album. This is not. I want this shit bumped in your ride.

my darling Dia

1. Extra Ordinary Machines


2. Hush


3. Camel Crusader


4. 405


5. IBM


6. Disintegration


7. 777


8. Charlie, get a job


9. Popsicles


10. Whitehouse


11. Last

Total Run Time: 30:03