“Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them now. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps, you will then gradually without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” — Rainer Maria Rilke

Over the 4th of July weekend I took a drive through small towns. I wanted to spend the 4th outside the city, immersed in open space and away from the clusters.  On the way down, I listened to NPRs reading of the Declaration of Independence which they do every year around this time.  After rereading (relistening?) to the document, I noticed that so much of what was written was illustrating the politics of the time -namely, a long list of tyrannical offenses and injuries executed by the King of England. It’s worth a relisten (reread?) if you haven’t in some time. You may be surprised at how pertinent these offenses are these days.

Suffice to say, I felt a gratitude and overwhelming sense of pride about this country.  I think all too often I immerse myself in stories that focus on the corruption of the government, the media and the wolves clothed as sheep.  There is enough to drown oneself, if one chooses to do so.  But there is a second story that runs continuously alongside, and it is anchored not in words, but in the fluid movement of a people, of a nation.  It’s a dialogue that has been shared for more than 200 years. Like a long conversation over dinner, with friends and strangers and family.

_almost independence day_ from jd brick maynardCowboy on Vimeo.

I put this piece together from stuff I shot with an old camera and some old B&W footage I found on archives.org

The piece just isn’t the same without the interviews and “voices” from the towns, despite how good JFK’s reading may be.  But I do like this first draft and I think it gave me a lot of ideas and tools to learn with/from.  I look forward to posting a Second draft with more localization, more Voice.

Song: Extended Slide by Damiak

My friend Emily has fallen in love with Airsteam trailers.  I can’t say that I blame her. They are beautiful.  This is one that is parked a few blocks from my apartment in the avenues.  Every time I walk by, I’m reminded not just of Emily, but of her dream to own one, travel around and do what she loves -photograph.
We have to have our dreams… and then make them happen.

I’ve been entering short 5sec contests to keep my “creative” hands moving along.  They can only be 5 Seconds long and there is a theme.  This one was Kick the Bucket.

It’s been good to work on these given parameters and see where they go. I made this one last Friday.

Download

Here we go: two things have inspired me in the past 2 days.  The first is a piece I found while filtering through Vimeo as I was researching footage, cameras, etc.  I stumbled across a trailer titled Random Voices. Pau Perramón and his DP Mike Martinez traveled through Europe collecting voices.  The idea was that they ask similar questions of their subjects throughout the film, but moreover, they asked their subjects to in turn ask questions directed towards citizens of other countries.  I like this idea of have a “Visual Forum” for discussion.  With so much between us these days, it’s beautiful to see that we are still using our tools to build bridges across rivers.

Despite how far and wide this style of documentary seems to be growing, I refuse to resign to the cynics.

I love this type of work as it is something I have been doing and wish do to for a long, long time.

The second moment of inspiration I found not too long ago.  It seems that David Lynch has launched his new pet project a little over a week ago (at least thats when the videos were finally posted).  Traveling through the Southern parts of California, on up through Arizona, Utah (representin’) and now into Colorado, his team interviews folks they find along the way.

These interviews are still and delicate.  Graceful. Engaging.

This post (and more to follow) are accredited to a swift and kindly reminder from a little bird that flew from a kitchen.  I’ve decided that I can’t stand by and let life just pass me by any longer.  If you want something, don’t wait around for it to come to you…

Go get it.

(I need this advice on multiple instances; one at a time.)

I owe it to the Colonel.

Here’s a good joke:  Knock knock, who’s there, Knock knock, who’s there, Knock knock, who’s there, Knock knock, who’s there, Knock knock, who’s there, Knock knock, who’s there, Philip Glass

Last night I watched a documentary on Philip Glass. I seriously find so much pleasure in his music. It probably started with Fog of War, one of my by far favorite picture shows.  Since The Thin Blue Line, Errol Morris has been using Philip Glass’ work.

In any case, here is some of his work. I thought I’d post it quickly.

Glass: In the Upper Room – Dance 8

(photo by Chuck Close)

Leo Burnett Lisbon + Lobo = Crazy Beautiful

Not too long ago I ran across a contest.  I was looking for something to collaborate with friend in NY and this seemed to be the thing.  I sent Mimi an email and said “let’s do this!”.  It didn’t really matter if we won or lost, but that we finally would get a chance to collaborate 3,000 miles apart.  98% of the stuff she shot in NY, then she sent it all in DV files and my job was to cut it together.  In any case, it was fun and became the first creative project of many to come.

Today we found out we are in the finals.

fingers crossed x