Its a hard thing to keep up with all the publishing isn’t it? Back in February 2009 I presented James Longley’s “Iraq in Fragments” at our weekly Tuesday night gathering at the Vancouver Film School theatre. Created by Dave Rocnin and Kryshan Randel the “VFS Movie Night” was conceived to introduce significant cinematic works both new, old and obscure to the passionate movie making community here in Vancouver. Knowing that many of these magnificent films will almost never be seen on the big screen for years to come – if ever – this was an opportunity to make it happen and to talk afterwards about what makes these great films succeed  with a passionate articulate group of artists and filmmakers.

So it was that I brought Iraq in Fragments to the attention of my colleagues, but not before I tried to contact James Longley about his film. I am not going to spoil the viewing for those of you who have not seen this work (because I recommend it highly) but I had one important question for James – how dangerous was it? I actually did not even expect to hear from him but amazingly James emailed me from Iran where he is working on his next feature film (see the accompanying photos in this post which he sent me).

The fact is being in Iraq after the US invasion had to be dangerous but if you watch this movie you dont sense that the access James got put him in danger and this is a remarkable testament to the camera work and filmmaking. Really watch the movie.

In James’ own words:

“Of course my life was in danger while filming in Iraq — but that is not unusual given that Iraq was the most dangerous place in the world at the time of filming. Everyone’s life was in danger.

The same thing was certainly true in the Gaza Strip, where I made my film feature-length documentary; I was shot at by Israeli soldiers twice while filming there. This sort of thing just comes with the territory, as you know.”

Anyways go rent this movie! Below you you can read an intro and some trivia.

*Winner of 12 major international awards including 3 Documentary awards at Sundance (2006) which has never happened before including Best Documentary Cinematography, Best Documentary Directing, Best Documentary Editing.

*”….a one man production of startling audacity and aethetic provocation. ….If Longley’s astonishing feat of poetic agitation has a precedent in the entire history of documentary, I am not aware of it.” Rob Nelson – The Village Voice

“An opus in three parts, Iraq in Fragments offers a series of intimate, passionately felt portraits: A fatherless 11 year-old is apprenticed to the domineering owner of a Baghdad garage; Sadr followers in two Shiite cities rally for regional elections while enforcing Islamic law at the point of a gun; a family of Kurdish farmers welcomes the US presence, which has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied.

To Join the VFS Movie Night.

More info on Iraq In Fragments.

All images are Copyright James Longley.

“A popular part of Motion Picture Industry Week in Vancouver, Career Expo ‘09 offers a rare point of access to the people, organizations and companies that make the Motion Picture and New Media Industry tick!” Yes and this early shot of the day showing all the exhibitors and the beautiful Roundhouse Community Center, a perfect location for this event. Some of the industry organizations in attendance at the Carreer Expo included: Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, MPPIA, BC Film, BC Film Commission, BCIT, Canadian Film Center, Center for Arts and Technology in Kelowna, CFTPA, Annex Pro, Amethyst Eye Creative, Capilano University Film Center, CIS Vancouver, Creative Women Workshops Association, Deluxe Vancouver, FTX Events, IATSE 669, IATSE 891, Directors Guild Vancouver, First Weekend Club, Celluloid Social Club, MPC, SHAPE, UBC Continuing Studies, UBC Department of Theatre and Film, Vancouver Film School, Whistler Film Festival, Women in Film and TV Vancouver.

all images © Dean Buscher 2009

http://www.productionheads.com/2009/11/883/#more-883

Panelists included: Casting Director Stuart Aikins, Literary Agent Anna Archer, President of Force Four Entertainment Rob Bromley, Producer/Development Executive Louise Clark, Producer/Director Gary Harvey, Manager Elizabeth Hodgson, Producer Reunion Pictures Matthew O’Connor, Producer No Equal Entertainment Larry Sugar, Producer Brightlight Pictures Shawn Williamson.

All Proceeds from this event went to the Performing Arts Lodge Vancouver.

all images © Dean Buscher 2009

This past weekend was the annual Bloodshots 48 hour filmmaking challenge. Teams of filmmakers were invited to script, shoot, score and edit a short film in a measly 48 hours. Team Baby Jaxk is comprised of Director Kryshan Randel, Writer Marilyn Thomas, Producers Trevor Carroll, Marilyn Thomas and Kryshan Randel, Associate Producer Magali Gauthier. Starring Trevor Carroll (Blade: The Series), Anita Reimer (Harvey Putter), Isabelle Landry (Canadian Zombies), Krystal Verba (Joyride 2), and introducing Sydney Stubbs as Baby Jack. Director of Photography Ian Kerr, Editor Stefan Heinke, Zach Lipovsky and Trevor Carroll, Production Designers Daren Sasges and Clayton Flagg, Sound Designer Luke Dunn, Music by Aaron Grain, Visual Effects by Zach Lipovsky, unit stills by Dean Buscher. The screening for Bloodshots will take place at the Anza Club on Wednesday October 28th at 8:00 pm doors at 7:00.

All images © Dean Buscher 2009

I have recently been on set with Director Kyle Hunter Welton and Dr. David Suzuki who are in collaboration on a new documentary. I am loosely calling this, as yet untitled work, “The Passion of David Suzuki”. The images below tell the story. Dr. Suzuki has been in my consciousness for  over 30 years first visiting me on the Nature of Things and then later when I was very active in the environmental campaigns of the late 80’s including: Carmanah, Walbran, Stein, Tatshenshini, Robson Bight, Clayoquot Sound among others. What is remarkable to me is the energy Dr.Suzuki carries without waver after all these years. Remarkable! To find out what he has to say about “Doomsday” and possible extinction twitter me and I will keep you posted…….

http://twitter.com/deanbuscher

http://www.dbphotoandfilm.com/film-stills/

All images © Dean Buscher

Now that my new website is up I have had the chance to publish some of the cool shoots that have taken place in my studio in the past year. One of my favorites was with my actor, editor, filmmaker, colleague Trevor Carroll principal of Reverie Arts. Really this was an open shoot where the influences directions we explored were without limitations or conventions. We want past the traditional actors headshots look and publicity package and emphasized the expressive and the private and the personal. Meditative , introspective and character driven these are the kind of motifs that open the eyes and the mind of the viewer and such a pleasure for a photographer like myself. For more photos you can also visit this location:

http://www.dbphotoandfilm.com/headshots/trevor-carroll-headshots-publicity/

All images © Dean Buscher 2009

The September issue of The Celluloid Social Club (also known as the place for independent film in Vancouver) was hosted by actor/comedian David Standfield the”The Impostor” and included some special guests:

JULIAN CLARKE – Editor of ‘DISTRICT 9′ & VFX Sequence Supervisor JON COWLEY

Vancouver Actor JODELLE FERLAND (TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE) & star of ‘EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSIE’

For a listing of screenings and other cool people who showed up in pictures, read on……

YELLOW STICKY NOTES – written, directed, animated & producedby Jeff Chiba Stearns, Music: Genevieve Vincent, 6 min., animation, 2007 – After realizing that yellow sticky note “to do” lists were consuming his life, animation filmmaker Jeff Chiba Stearns decided to visually self-reflect on his filmmaking journey by animating on the same sticky notes that caused him to ignore major world events for the last nine years.  Animation meditation is blended with image, text, and an original musical score by Genevieve Vincent through the creation of a classically animated experimental film that was drawn straight ahead with only a black ink pen on over 2300 yellow sticky notes.2009 Prix du Public Labo (Audience Award Lab Competition): 31st Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.

MY PAL SATAN – Episode 2 – created & written by Dennis Heaton (FIDO), produced by Bryce Mitchell, directed by Vivieno Caldinelli, DOP Ian Anderson, music by Paul Aucoin, starring Jefferson Brown as Satan & Rachel Wilson as Donna, web series (6 x 4 minute episodes), 4 min, 2009 – My Pal Satan answers the ages old biblical question “what would Satan be like as a roommate?” Mortal twenty-something Donna gets the literal roommate from Hell when she lets Satan rent her spare bedroom. Episode 2: CHEATERS NEVER PERSPIRE — Donna refuses to play Satan’s favorite board game.

Also Screening…..

A clip from EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSIE, winner of the 2nd Annual Hot Shot Shorts Contest, screening at the 2009 Vancouver International Film Festival.

A cLIP from SHI-SHI-ETKO by Marilyn Thomas, screening at the 2009 Vancouver International Film Festival.

Trailer from COLE by Carl Bessai, screening at the 2009 Vancouver International Film Festival.

Trailer from EXCITED by Bruce Sweeney, screening at the 2009 Vancouver International Film Festival.

Trailer from BROKE: THE DOCUMENTARY by Rosie Dransfeld, screening at the 2009 Vancouver International Film Festival.

]]> http://www.dbphotoandfilm.com/2009/10/09/district-9-at-the-celluloid-social-club/feed/ 1 http://www.dbphotoandfilm.com/2009/09/02/quinte-ballet-of-canada/ http://www.dbphotoandfilm.com/2009/09/02/quinte-ballet-of-canada/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:39:53 +0000 admin http://www.dbphotoandfilm.com/?p=2003

Way back in the spring I was taking publicity photos of Quinte Ballet of Canada. Now as the school year approaches and the website is near completion, I thought it was a good time to post some images. I…

Way back in the spring I was taking publicity photos of Quinte Ballet of Canada. Now as the school year approaches and the website is near completion, I thought it was a good time to post some images. I have to say this one of the most enjoyable assignments I have ever had. There will always be something special about hanging in the green room putting the make up on, stretching the muscles and getting ready for the show. And now it is a treat to watch it unfold from the other side….. A little back story on Quinte:

The Quinte Ballet School was started as a series of classes offered by National Ballet of Canada soloist, Brian Scott in 1972. The Quinte Ballet Guild was set up to facilitate the National Ballet’s presence in Belleville through classes and training. This project was so well received that Brian Scott was asked to become the Artistic Director of a new school that would be called the Quinte Dance Centre.  Mr. Scott maintained his contacts with the National Ballet of Canada through friends he had with the National Ballet as well as through his own brother, David Scott who had become the Senior Ballet Master of the company. Over the years, David Scott travelled with his Ballet Mistress wife, Joanne Nisbet, to Belleville to assist with mounting ballets on the students of the school.  Guest teachers from the company also made trips to Belleville to offer classes and a thrilling experience for students. In the past many years, several students of the Quinte Ballet School have gone on to dance with the National Ballet of Canada, among many other Canadian and International companies.  Most recently, graduate Julie Hay danced the lead role in Toronto’s production of Dirty Dancing and graduate Riyo Mori who became Miss Universe 2007! The schools most recent acquisition is Artistic Director, John Ottmann who brings a new age of dance to the school.  Ballet remains the basis, but new opportunities with new and emerging choreographers will also become a staple of life at Quinte Ballet School. The face of QBSC has been changing and evolving over the years, never more so than now when the school is entering a new era by offering classical as well as contemporary dance training to their students.

All images © Dean Buscher 2009

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Its all about the writers….. This cold read was a co production between the Hot Shot Shorts Contest Finalists (see the last post on the Celluloid Social Club) and the Evolving Arts Collective (Lori Triolo and Colin Spear). The Cold Read is an opportunity for writers to hear their scripts read by actors who have received their scripts only an hour before the lights go up.! how exciting~ The idea is to stick to the script and not embellish it and lets see how good the writing is….. With Special guest judge Carl Bessai in attendance.

all images © Dean Buscher 2009

Wednesday night at the Celluloid Social Club featured two main events: the Vancouver Film Race 2009 winners and the short list for the Hot Shot Shorts Contest.

First, The Vancouver Film Race is part of the Film Racing Tour that is visiting 20 cities across North America in 2009. The best films from each city will advance into a North American competition for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. To learn more, visit http://www.filmracing.com/Cities/Vancouver.htm

The following Awards were presented August 19 at the Celluloid Social Club for the Vancouver Film Race 2009:

Best Film ”Goldfish Syndrome” by THE ALL SEEING EYE

1st Runner Up ”The Test” by Team Creamteam
2nd Runner Up ”Side FX” by The C-47’s
3rd Runner Up ”Hornet” by FortyFPS & Twisted Twins Productions
4th Runner Up ”The Untruce” by The Hip Replacements

Directing ”The Test” by Team Creamteam
Leading Actor (tie) ”The Test” by Team Creamteam & ”Goldfish Syndrome” by THE ALL SEEING EYE
Leading Actress ”Nothing’s Forever” by Team Untitled
Acting Ensemble (tie) ”The Untruce” by The Hip Replacements & ”Hornet” by FortyFPS & Twisted Twins Productions
Writing (tie) ”Goldfish Syndrome” by THE ALL SEEING EYE & ”Nothing’s Forever” by Team Untitled
Cinematography ”Coffeer” by Mannequin
Editing ”Coffeer” by Mannequin
Original Music Score ”The Present” by Random Acts
Sound Design ”Coffeer” by Mannequin
Visual FX (tie) ”Side FX” by The C-47′ &
”Hornet” by FortyFPS & Twisted Twins Productions
Set Design ”The Present” by Random Acts
Costume Design ”The Present” by Random Acts
Make-Up ”Nothing’s Forever” by Team Untitled

Second, the Hot Shots Short Film Contest was set up to provide the sponsorship support to an exceptional short film script that might not otherwise have the opportunity to be made into a film. The 6 finalists this year are:

‘Donald Love’ by Andrew Shirley
‘A Poem Instead of Suicide’ by Kyle Labine & Sophie Rooney
‘Monster’ by Deborah Burns-Johnson
‘Move Out Clean’ by Geoff Inverarity
‘Stimulus Package’ by Mauri Bernstein & Kevin Barron
‘The Tunnel’ by Arianna McGregor

This year the 6 finalists will presented as part of The Cold Reading Series Tuesday August 25th.

And now onto the evening in photos….

all images ©Dean Buscher 2009