Week #11

A few months ago John Merhmann sent me a piece of music to play with and I tried a few things with it before putting it aside for a while. Then, when I began this project, I came across some footage in one of my archives that immediately brought it to mind. So this week’s film is the marriage of the two. 

This week’s film takes us back to New York for three of my favorite things - a rainy day, a table by the window and a cup of coffee. Had a bit of fun with the sound mix here, balancing the sounds of the dinner, the rain on the window, the sounds of the street and another piece of original music from my friend John Mehrmann.

There is something in the sound of moving water that draws and soothes us. This week’s film celebrates nature’s symphony and offers a brief retreat from our turbulent, noisy world. I think it might be just what we need about now.

This week’s film takes us inside the artist’s studio for a look at the unique bond between an artist and his assistant. Using footage I shot when David Stucky and I were hanging out in the studio of our dear friend Harold Garde and combined with an original score from John Mehrmann I created this little mini drama. I’ll leave its interpretation up to each of you.

With the election only two days away, I’ve been thinking about the choice we all face and what George Harrison told us in 1973 - “Give me love Give me love Give me peace on earth . . .” So this week’s film goes in search of just that and finds us back in China at the Lama Temple, Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. 

The election is over and it's time to move forward, so I offer you all this moment of quiet. 

I grew up in “Middle America” steeped in “Christian” values. They’re not complicated - honesty, kindness, respect for others. They lie at the heart of who I try to be. So I am heartbroken to discover that apparently I was duped. Many in the part of the country that I called “home” voted again for a man who is the very antithesis of those values. So I ask, were those principles merely a facade? This film is from several years ago and it tries to illustrate Christian values as I understand them.

A jazz concert underground, a farmers market and an afternoon in the park. What do these things have in common? This week’s film of course. Film 18 takes us back to Manhattan and a journey that begins at Columbus Circle and ends in the West Village.

I don't really remember what I was planning when I shot this footage 12 years ago but when I came across it this week it seemed obvious what to do with it.

A couple months ago I was in Ohio visiting family and stopped in to see my Uncle Van and Aunt Nancy. While there I got to check out Nancy’s fabulously creative personal project. Since this is the first weekend in December it seemed appropriate that film #20 should share the joy and take us inside a world where it’s Christmas all year long!