Psychotropic Films announces "Valentina Tereshkova" for release in 2010

"Valentina Tereshkova is not only about a brave woman that wanted to explore space, it's also about the technology it took to get her there."  Bart Santello - Filmmker

I've been curiously researching the Soviet space program while working on another project.  From this process, a film kind of 'spun-off' and birthed itself from ideas on early space travel.  Now it's all I'm thinking about (..how to put this film together).  I'm getting a sense that through the production of Valentina Tereshkova, I'm starting to see how some of my future films can be developed. At the same time, I 'm applying visual textures and themes from some of my earlier films (Intangible, Controlled Bleeding, and Man Trap).  I'm discovering how I can build-upon those previous works in order to bring renewed excitement in the lost art of crafting a 'motion picture'.

I have several more months of post-production to do on this film.  But after viewing the first 'pre-visualiation' rendering a few days ago, I knew I had all the artist elements in place.  It's like a feeling of...."Now I have the roadmap."

I hope to have this short film ready for the Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition scheduled for March 6th, 2010.

"A Produce": Soundscapes for Film

A Produce in his LA studio (August 2009)

Photo & Artwork by Bart Santello (background image: NASA)

I was in Los Angeles last week, so A Produce and I got together to watch a re-crafted version of my film Man Trap which I plan to show at the 2010 Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition. The film features the A Produce soundscape "You Send Me the Message" from his album Altara with Mike Griffin from Hypnos Recordings. The 36-minute sonic tome was ideal sound design to imagine the bleak industrial landscape conveyed in Man Trap.

We spent a good part of the day listening to music and sound design that may be applicable to current and future films that Psychotropic Films has under development. A Produce will be providing several songs in support of the forthcoming film "Mzungu" a dream-like journey into the heart of Africa. Also, the future feature-length space film "Echoes of Apollo" will have music exclusively from A Produce.

My philosophy is that a musician should develop a idea independently. What I do as the filmmaker is find a place for the soundscape with the appropriate imagery. The result: A Psycho-active film experience.

Frozen Moment

To A Produce,

I listened to your "Frozen Moment" sonic: I really like it. I would definitley call it a "trance" piece. From a filmic standpoint, some imagery came to mind while listening to it that I think will

EARLY AMIGA COMPUTER ANIMATION

really help to focus the viewers attention to visuals in the film (that's where the 'trance' aspects of the music comes in. I think Loren and you should massage it and add it as a track on the forthcoming Intangible CD. Sonically I think its there. But if you want to take it a step further, I would suggest bringing in some 'finishing' sounds that will add to the spatiality and texture of the piece.

I think I can fit this into a development film I'm working on about the early computer video graphics. Thanks for sending it over and giving me a listen. It's already sparked some new ideas and confidence that the current path is the right one. Bart

Screening

L to R: Scott Hellon (Filmmaker - Point of View Pictures), Brian McLaughlin (Producer, Actor - Good Boy),
Bart Santello (Filmmaker - Psychotropic Films), and Patrick Roddy (Director - Good Boy)

_

Tonight Patrick Roddy's "Good Boy" screened at the 2009 Arizona International Film Festival.
This eclectic new feature film by Patrick was well received. The house was packed by a partisan Tucson filmmaking crowd.

In the film's story, a young man sets off west to start a new life, but on the back roads of Louisiana, he doesn't get too far.

Arizona International Film Festival

Bart Santello and Psychotropic Films announce that Controlled Bleeding - A Nation's Nightmare, selected for this year's Arizona International Film Festival; will show at 8:00pm Wednesday April 22nd at the screening Room (127 East Congress, Tucson).

See Link: http://www.filmfestivalarizona.com/detail.cfm?id=VS_465_2009

Controlled Bleeding is a film about addiction and dreams turned to nightmares. In the case of this film, I chose 'oil' as the addiction. Dependency envokes all the epic human struggles: David vs Golith, man vs machine, nature vs technology. These are the themes I routinely work with in digital. Controlled Bleeding presents my perception of recent history; with the resulting chaos, a familiar consequence of addiction.

Intangible v3.0

Currently I'm working some re-edits on "Intangible". Finishing touches.......Getting to the final-final.

Images of New Mexico

Church in the Agua Fria Historic Settlement, Santa Fe

Partial view - St. Francis of Assisi, Ranchos De Taos, NM
Adobe building on grounds of St. Francis of Assisi, Ranchos De Taos, NM

Photographer: Bart Santello - 2009

"Outskirts of Infinity" to screen at Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

Newly released version 6.0 of "The Outskirts of Infinity" will show Saturday March 7th, 2009 at the Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition. See website for details: http://arivacafilmexpo2009.blogspot.com/

Version 6.0 came about after the master (software) editing file for version 4.0 was found to be corrupted. A backup of verision 3.0 was used to rebuild the film. However during this re-editing process, ideas to bring this film to its full artistic potential were realized.

New creative 'elements' were added, such as an actual Jaguar image photographed in the Ruby area. The Jaguar tied-in beautifully with artist Peggy Kane's Jaguar Shaman painting in Sundog's cabin at Ruby. The inclusion of these images has now provided a symbolic gateway, linking the past with the present.

Additional film clips utilized from the only surviving 8mm footage of Ruby from 1939 (known as the 'Crabtree' film), were selected to reflect a sense of a time long since forgotten.

Also, precision editing has helped improve the flow, pacing and transitions throughout the film.
Psycho-active effects were added and optimized. The film's texture and color were re-crafted as necessary for maximum effect.

Finally, in post-production, the film was rendered in two-channel Dolby Digital Stereo and enhanced for wide-screen (16x9) televisions.

A poster for the screening of 'Outskirts' can be viewed by clicking here: POSTER

Nurishing the Spirit of the Independent Filmmaker

click on image for portal to the event's website

http://www.psychotropicfilms.com/

Peggy Kane’s – Jaguar Shaman

In regards to the new version 6.0 of my film Outskirts of Infinity; I’ve been thinking about how an art piece can be used and an ‘element’ in a film. Just like elements found in nature that can be combined together to create new compounds, as in chemistry; I used in the film, Peggy Kane’s Jaguar Shaman painting (photo) Ironically, both Sundog (as himself in the film) and I, both competed in bidding for it at the fundraiser for Patti Lopez a few years ago. Later Sundog had the painting displayed it in his cabin in Ruby, Arizona where ‘Outskirts’ was filmed. I was attracted to the painting all along; and now in retrospect, I’m glad Sundog won the auction.

I saw this painting as an ‘element’ making up the structure in my film. And now in version 6.0 of “The Outskirts of Infinity” this artwork helps link Sundog to an earlier time in Ruby’s history through an interdimensional gateway – provided by the Jaguar and the Shaman.
Note: “The Outskirts of Infinity” will be screened at the 2009 Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition on March 7th in Arivaca, Arizona

A few years back when digital media was becoming a reality, I saw the opportunity to use digital film technology in an artistic way. This has allowed me to express ideas and information as dreams - without a point of view; thus open for interpretation.

Photo: Still image from my film 'Intangible' View film online at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfR_nr6a_TU

email to 'a produce'

A Produce: I just want to let you know that I completed release 5.0 of "Outskirts of Infinity" last night. This new version of the film feels good. It's chock-full of new and improved visual elements. I really tightened-up the film and eliminated all the things that were bugging me over the last 3-years (e.g. opening pan shot of Ruby and uninspired montage of 'Ruby' in the first 1/3 of the film). Importantly....at the same time I retained aspects of the film people enjoyed (e.g. the shovel pile). I added a host of new psycho-symbolic images and visual textures to suggest additional inter-dimensional gateways and reinforce the absence of time.

I added additional scenes of Ruby from the only surviving 1939 8mm film of the mining town.

By the way; I worked on the remaster of your piece "Within Reach", by reducing the mid-range, adding compression and tightening the tonal range to provide warmth. Previously for the film, I felt the song was too sharp and the highs too loud. Now I feel the viewer can be enveloped in the sonic and carried along with the scene of the flying bats, without any subconscious distraction.

I'm plan to shown this new version of Outskirts at the 2009 Arivaca Film Exposition on March 7th (2009).

PS: One last thing. "Outskirts of Infinity" is now even more like being in a lucid dream. When viewing this film I'm feeling like I'm living inside that dream - the dream of Ruby, Arizona.

I'll get you a copy soon.

Regards, Bart

Mastering a Master

Hey "A Produce". I just wanted to leave you an e-note that finally this week I am at peace with my computers and for the last few days I'm back to working on version 5 of "Outskirts of Infinity". It's being creatively improved to release the full potential of my original ideas.

What made me think of you tonight is I'm currently mastering-for-film your song "Within Reach" from "White Sands". See photo in this post. I made it really warmer and spatial. With headphones it kind of envelopes you. Can't wait to both see and hear it when the DVD comes out soon. By the way, I used Audio Cleaning Lab 12 to do the trick.
Anyhow, I was really appreciating your work and feeling good that we're collaborating on some real special stuff. Good night (well, not quite yet for me...) Bart

Ideas-about-Ideas, Short Films & Images

If I think about doing a short film, I can come up with an idea. But as the ideas accumulate, I wonder how I would find the time to make all these short films.
But what I have been observing lately is that these ideas are engaged in something like an evolutionary battle for which ideas will just be text on paper; and which ones will trimuph and inspire an actual completed film. I realize too that other ideas are just building blocks to a larger project; or, they may simply inspire the completion of what's already in the works.

I've been thinking about my film Strange Attractor" lately and have been considering going back to the original idea for Strange Attractor which was for it to be a real "emotionally dark" - black & white short, using an equally haunting score by ambient electronic musician Richard Bone.

I'm okay with current version of "Strange attractor" (including the planned 2009 'restoration'). But I now see that its time to complete the original idea for the black & white version.

Interesting that this particular idea, dormant for several years, has re-appeared as a result of improved digital tools and new inspiration. It appears that Strange Attractor, is once again on my mind and I have some ideas for it.

Disc & Jewel Case Labels

I was thinking today as I was designing labels and creating promotional artwork for my film "Day Residue"; that although most think this aspect of filmmaking to be equivalent of mundane 'paperwork', I had a different attitude. I looked at the DVD jacket and disc art as a chance to illuminate artistic visual elements of the film.

A single frame from thousands of images within the film, provides an opportunity to convey additional information about the work or in the case of a DVD case, intice a potential viewer to watch the film. This manual effort in a way, should be cherished by the independent filmmaker. Because in a way you are as close to the film as you're ever going to get. As filmmakers get into bigger productions, this work is provided to a member of the production team. That may be fine if your team member is a cool artist. But once your vision is sent-off to a film studio's marketing department - something special will invariably be lost.

'Intangible' to be shown at Arizona International Film Festival

On April 24th, 'Intangible' will be shown at Arizona International Film Festival, along with other Arizona film shorts beginning at 6:00pm.

From the AIFF website:

INTANGIBLE Barton Santello , USA, 2007, 8 min.

"An experimental montage features vague fragments of time in restored 8mm. film stock. Grainy artifacts of family history bring to life eerie, joyful shadows from the past. By provoking emotions rather than telling a story, the haunting score and beautifully fragile, time-weathered images incite feelings of nostalgia for long forgotten memories. Barton Santello makes his home in Arivaca, Arizona, and creates multi-media projects that reach his audience through feelings rather than language. His films are open to interpretation depending on the viewer's mood and viewing perspective."

For information on the Arizona International Film Festival including a schedule of films and events, please follow this link: AIFF

Viewer's comment: What a beautiful film! It brought tears to my eyes. The slow motion; the music; and the title Intangible. Perfection.....Dan (Massachusetts)

2008 Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Expo

Attention Arizona 'indie' filmmakers! Psychotropic Films is looking for short works or features to exhibit at the 2008 Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exposition. To the extent possible, all films and documentaries will originate from Arizona filmmakers, and/or be a film shot in Arizona. Feature-length films and documentaries (greater than 30-minutes) will be shown in the afternoon; while the evening session will emphasize short works. There is no entry fee for filmmakers to submit a film. For more detailed infomation on the film expo click on link above.

Click on image below to go directly to site to see entries. Note: Films will be added as they are accepted into the event. So please check back for updates until the date of the exposition on March 29th, 2008.

New "Dark Ages" Preview

A new "Dark Ages" preview has been posted by Psychotropic Films.

This picture is currently under development and will examine complex psychological issues related to cultural conditioning, propaganda-induced fear, technology's impact on human behaviour (e.g. isolation, dehumanization) and control of human activities (e.g. freedom, justice, movement) through control structures based on economic policies and political/military power.

The follow preview is the second in a series that the viewer can use as a framework for speculation:

Please click on the following link to view trailer (approx 2-min length)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfrG5FvFaG0

deb010805 - filmed in PIXELVISION

View film on YouTube: deb010805 (ver 2.0)

Deb010805 is an experimental film that was the result of exploring textures possible with specially-fitted effects controls on a vintage Fisher-Price PXL2000 video camera. The resulting film is a perspective of reality, created from the digital circuitry of a primitive imaging machine (the PXL2000).

My original intention when filming was only to familiarize myself with the camera and discover the boundaries of "PIXELVISION". Upon review of the shot footage, I realized that there was significant noise in the image; more than likely caused by the recording cassette tape I used may not have been the highest-quality Chromium tape recommended by the product's manufacturer.

Also the camera's primitive (1980's vintage) video processing circuitry may have been over-saturated by one or more of the adjustments I made on the ‘modded’ control knobs.
However, upon a detailed review of the video, artistic visual elements revealed themselves and a film was created from these elements by bringing to the foreground, hidden visual artifacts, moods and textures, derived from the camera’s attempt to capture reality. A psycho-active sound track was selected to compliment the visual elements, with the video then edited to the cadence of the soundtrack in a music-video fashion, thus weaving the resultant texture of the piece.

This film was originally completed in 2005, but I wasn't completely satisfied with the release. Recently I was motivated to reconsider the piece and spent several days reviewing original material and re-mapping the film to irealize its full potential. I am now satisfied having eliminated the artistic concerns with the original version.

This film is the digital equivalent of analog decay as shown in my film "Intangible" click the following link for viewing at undergroundfilm.org: http://www.undergroundfilm.com/films/viewer.tcl?wid=1032151&oftype=lar

Intangible

Intangible: "..that which cannot be easily defined, formulated or grasped; vague.."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Digital filmmaker Barton Santello presents a unique an original picture assembled from decades old 8mm film.
Textured visuals chosen for their artistic quality, are presented in a dream-like sequence and choreographed with a thematic score by electronic musicians A Produce & Loren Nerell. The resulting dream-like journey recalls fragments of memory long forgotten by time.


Independent filmmaker Barton Santello discusses the project: "I was facing some technical issues working on 'Mzungu' a film I shot in East Africa last year. Instead of losing momentum, I decided to jump onto restoring some old family 8mm film footage. About the same time I got a call from musician 'A Produce'. He was excited about new music he developed with Loren Nerell that was shaping-up nicely. AP emailed me a MP3 copy of the music for my impression. I immediately identified that the song would work perfectly for my future NASA moon landing film. However, as I was listening to the song while working on the 8mm footage, I noticed that aspects of the old film had transcendental qualities; and the music worked with the found images to bring them out of the background. In 5-days post-production of the film was completed. Everything came together beautifully."

This film can be viewed on http://youtube.com/watch?v=bfR_nr6a_TU

On New "Outskirts of Infinity" Release

Much creepier version of "Outskirts" this time. It seemed to me that the mood and flow of the piece completely enveloped me with this version. It genuinely felt disturbing. I like the change with the little ballet dancer girl. Very nice having her appear in the window. I did find myself hoping to see her one more time. I kept thinking that, as the bats are flying away at the end of the picture, she might ghostly appears in the sky, twirling as the bats flew through her. In any case, the changes you made are most effective in my opinion!

Peace Always,Richard Bone http://www.richardbone.com/

Controlled Bleeding - Live!

Controlled Bleeding – A Nation’s Nightmare
A film by Barton Santello

Psychotropic Films presents Controlled Bleeding, a film about addiction and dreams turned to nightmares. Underground filmmaker Barton Santello applies his signature psycho-active filmmaking style to perceptions of recent history. In this film, symbolic media images, imbued with a sense of tragic irony, portray repeating cycles of dysfunctional human behavior in the pursuit of a finite resource - Oil.

View Film on YouTube.com CONTROLLED BLEEDING

Historical Background That Inspired This Film: Oil - the biggest industry on earth - drives the world’s economic model, provides vast oil wealth and power for business and political entities. However, this fading resource, now mostly concentrated in poor, remote and politically unstable countries halfway around the world, leaves highly mechanized nations vulnerable to events in these remote countries. As third-world nations industrialize and populations explode, competition over the remaining oil intensifies.

Around the world, corrupt power brokers influence and infiltrate governments and manipulate jingoistic ideologies of powerful nations into projecting military power. To ensure the control of oil requires a physical presence which disrupts cultures of the people living in the regions where oil is found. After decades of economic exploitation and cultural degradation, David now fights-back against Goliath, in a modern day ‘war-of-the-worlds.’

In the United States at the dawn of the 21st century, political proxies of oil conglomerates have hijacked incredible technological, economic and military resources of a nation to wage war against Islamic peoples that stand between the access to ‘black gold’ and the West’s thirst for modern comfort and convenience. The cost of needless human suffering, financial abandon and environmental resource depletion, is seen as incidental to protect the flow of the world’s economic lubricant.

Rather than seek clean, sustainable alternatives to oil that would diffuse Jihad related terror; the defense of oil in America has moved the country toward a Fascist state. Capitalizing on fear following the events of September 11th, 2001, a dictatorial Executive Branch, conducts wars that fill the pockets of the military Industrial complex. At the same time proclaim to protect the public from the consequences of its own compulsive and consumptive behaviors: Wasteful practices which the government itself enables and perpetuates. One can now witness in real-time, a nation bring terrible misfortune down upon itself through addiction, fear, propaganda, and extreme nationalism; while expending great resources and policies that ironically help create enemies faster than they can be killed.

This perilous gamble with economic catastrophe and the sacrifice of moral behavior is conducted in full view of the world. And one can now witness a once highly respected nation, regress into mis-adventures such as secret prisons, torture and hunting-down its enemies as they dash from cave-to-cave in remote regions of the world.

Ironically, all this comes at a time when alternate renewable energy technologies could replace oil, transform economies, preserve the environment and empower people to take responsibility for their energy use. Will we open our eyes and awake from the nightmare of oil before it’s too late?

2007 Film Projects

The release of Controlled Bleeding - A Nation's Nightmare at the Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exposition on March 24, marks the first major digital film release by Psychotropic Films since The Outskirts of Infinity in 2006. However, after the Arivaca event, Controlled Bleeding went through several re-edits including the inclusion of additional sound-design by New Mexico musician Ruben Garcia in addition to tracks furnished by L.A. Musician A Produce Final artwork and liner notes are in the works for the private DVD release scheduled for May 2007.

The digital transfer of mini-DV footage from tape for post-production of the forthcoming film "Mzungu" (filmed in South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda) is underway. Additional footage from another individual involved in the excursion into East Africa has arrived at Desert Homestead Multi-Media Studio and should add significant production value to the project. Mzungu means "stranger" in Swahili and will reflect the filmmaker's impressions of travel in Africa as a foreigner. Stay tuned to this blog for further details.

Slight editing modifications are being made to the aforementioned "The Outskirts of Infinity" film as additional historical footage has been located. Also, newly available digital technology is facilitating the repair of a few technical anomalies with the film texture of the current release.

Production on the previously announced film "Dark Ages" has been suspended until further notice.

Pre-production on a high definition film titled "In Another Place" is underway. Filming could begin as early as this summer (2007). However, details regarding this project, closely held by Psychotropic Films, have not yet been released.

Good Times Were Had By All!

RE: The 2007 Arivaca Film Exposition

An excellent film line-up and viewer turn-out made for a successful second annual Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exposition was held yesterday in Arivaca, Arizona. The event was mentioned in the Arizona Daily Star as part of a line-up of film festivals in Arizona (http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/177766)

The film expo, sponsored in part by Psychotropic Films, presented feature length films in the afternoon and short works in the evening. In over 10-hours (12-noon - 10:00pm), 15 independent films, make by Arizona filmmakers were shown.

The small community atmosphere appealed to directors and actors in attendance, who were able to answer audience questions and discuss their films (see actor Brian Mulligan's blog entry for March 24th)

A pot luck dinner supplied by Arivaca residents who attended the event, kept everyone well-fed. Many people stayed for hours to watch the line-up of films and the healthy food made it possible for some people to hang in there all those hours!

> The complete lineup of films shown can be found at: http://arivacafilmexpo.blogspot.com/
> Additional info on the 2007 event: http://www.arivaca.net/filmfest.htm
> For a film listing of the 2006 film expo see: http://www.arivaca.net/arivacafilmexp.htm

Time Warp Again?

Barton Santello and Psychotropic Films announce the release of "Time Warp Again?", a video postcard of a Rocky Horror-style performance at 'Winterfest' in Arivaca, Arizona on December 9th, 2006.

This short film captures a moment in time of the ongoings in a small rural town in the desert southwest. Post-production emphasized creating a unique dream-like texture utilizing the low resolution video captured on a Nikon Coolpix 7600 digital camera.

Produced by Mary Scott and performed by the band 'Camelphat'
See credits at end of film for additional performers and info.

This newly-released video postcard can now be viewed on YouTube. Please click on link below:

View: Time Warp Again?

"Louie The Giant" Now Live

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Digital filmmaker Barton Santello in collaboration with Lou Binik and Robbie Maslen, present a unique and original film short restoration-remake.

Louie The Giant - is an 8mm Binik/Maslen home movie production from 1966. In this remake, the original film experiment is recreated employing digital post-production tools.

To accomplish this recreation, additional 8mm film footage was culled from the archival 8mm film supplied Binik/Maslen. This discovered footage (not part of the original 'Louie The Giant' film) added depth to the original film and the inclusion of a psycho-active soundtrack, completes the viewing experience envisioned from the ideas of filmmaker Barton Santello.

Watch "Louie The Giant" (Remake - 2006 Psychotropic Films)

Watch "Louie The Giant" (Original -1966 Binik/Maslen Production)

"Controlled Bleeding" - March Release Scheduled

For-Immediate Release: Psychotropic Films announces the forthcoming public release of "Controlled Bleeding", a short-topic film by experimental filmmaker Barton Santello.

This film, originally developed and produced in 2002 to address the root-cause of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, has been expanded and improved for public release in March of 2007.

The film attempts to demonstrate how at least 35-years of ideologically-driven foreign policy, globalized corporate economics and an unsustainable fossil-fuel based national infrastructure, has led to the United States to form alliances with corrupt governments, and military misadventures in foreign lands. These neo-imperialist actions resulted in the rise of middle-eastern based terror organizations, such as Al-Qaeda, the focus of which is on expelling foreign influence (political, military, culture, & resource extraction) from Islamic nations.

Sound design for this film will be provided by "A Produce"

Scheduled Showings: Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exposition (March 24, 2007)
Scheduled Submission: TucsonFilm.com Shortfest (April 2007)

Arivaca Film Expo & Call For Submissions

The 2nd annual Arivaca Independent Filmmaker's Exposition will be held on Saturday March 24th at the Community Center in Arivaca, Arizona. The event will be sponsored in part by Barton Santello & Psychotropic Films, with the purpose to bring independent films to a rural audience and at the same time provide Arizona filmmaker's an outlet to show their creative and documentary work.

Format for this film exposition will be to show documentaries and feature films, animations and documentaries during the day and short experimental films during the evening program. Documentaries selected will discuss or portray local (Southwest US, Mexico & Central American events and issues.

If you are an Arizona filmmaker, multi-media artist, actor in film, or knows someone who has a film that can be submitted, contact Barton Santello at 480-620-5386, or mail your entry
to P.O. Box 778, Arivaca, AZ 85601.

Note(s): 1) This is not a 'judged' film event.
2) There are no entry fees.
3) Formats for screening (DVD, Video CD, VHS, Mini-DV Tape)

See link for further information: http://www.arivaca.net/filmfest.htm

Updates will be posted to: www.arivaca.net
as planning for event continues

Video Postcard - Arivaca Folklorico

Psychotropic Flims announces the release of "Arivaca Folklorico" a Barton Santello picture. Using only a Nikon Coolpix digital camera, this 4-minute 'video postcard' captures the essence of rural Arivaca, a rural Arizona community, in the mountains at the international border with Mexico.

You can watch 'Arivaca Folklorico' by clicking on the link below - Don't forget to turn up the volume on your computer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmuHTEWrfJI

Note: If the video is slighly choppy during playback, click button below and right of the screen to reduce its size.

Filming in Africa

For the past two months I have been traveling in Africa (South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda). Although the trip was primarily undertaken for wildlife viewing, I brought my film and sound recording equipment and captured what I could along the way.

I want to create a film based on my travels that conveys my experience in Africa by extracting artistic elements of footage taken on the journey. I possibly want to present contrasts between what I actually saw in Africa, compared to my perceptions, myths and history of that continent. I'm also considering the juxapositions of: people/nature; peace/violence; and colonialism/ indigeneous cultures.

As typical with a majority of my work, I film what I feel is artistically, emotionally and aestetically important and then later in post-production, create a film bringing together elements of imagery and sound to create a story.

I also recorded sounds while in Africa. I probably have enough material for two CD's. One on nature sounds and the other compilation will just be the sounds of Africa.

Barton Santello
Arivaca, Arizona
Nov 1, 2006

"Dark Ages" in pre-production

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Psychotropic Films announces the pre-production of "Dark Ages" (working title) a new film by filmmaker Barton Santello. This movie will be shot in Arivaca, Arizona and will star actors Kent Sorensen and Diane DePaul. The length of this film has not been established, but it is estimated at 30 minutes. The plot for this film is shrouded in mystery; and scenes photographed will be the most complex yet attempted by Psychotropic Films.

A 30-second film "teaser"can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRJr1nVcZMU

Stay tuned to Psychotropic Films for innovative "psycho-active" filmmaking

Arivaca Independent Filmmaker's Exposition

The Arivaca Independent Filmmaker's Exposition was held on Saturday April 29th at the Community Center in Arivaca, Arizona. The event was well-attended with 19-films shown over a 10-hour period. Barton Santello & Psychotropic Films sponsored the event with the purpose to bring independent films to a rural audience and provide Arizona filmmaker's an outlet to show their work.

The format of the Exposition was to show documentaries primarily of local issues during the day and short experimental films during the evening program.

For additional details with listings and descriptions of the films shown, please click on the link above.

"Outskirts" Premier's at the Arizona International Film Festival

Psychotropic Film's "The Outskirts of Infinity" Premiered at the Arizona International Film Festival on April 26th at The Screening Room in Tucson, Arizona. Other short films created by Arizona filmmakers were also screened that night.

Director Barton Santello said of the showing: "Outskirts looked great projected on the big screen and the film stood out as a unique work that was well-received by the audience"

Strange Attractor selected for Back Alley Film Fest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Psychotropic Films is pleased to announce that its production
"Strange Attractor" has been selected in the 8th annual Back Alley
Film Festival (www.backalleyfilmfestival.com)

And will be shown at the festival in Tucson, Arizona on May 27th, 2006.
The Back Alley Cinema is located behind Bison Witches Bar & Deli 326 N. 4th Ave. in Tucson, Arizona 85705-8441

For additional postings on Strange Attractor click here: Archived Blog

Outskirts of Infinity - Live on Internet

For your viewing convenience, The Outskirts of Infinity can now be viewed at www.undergroundfilm.org

The direct link is:
http://www.undergroundfilm.org/films/detail.tcl?wid=1023623

Thank you,

Barton Santello - Filmmaker

Press Release: "Day Residue" Completed

For Immediate Release:

Filmmaker Barton Santello announces the completion of an new film short "Day Residue" featuring an exciting soundscape by ambient/electronic musician Richard Bone. The film is summarized as the filmmaker's perceptions of life in Aricaca, Arizona, as told through the day residue (analog) images and computer (digital) graphics.

The film will be debuted at the Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition in Arivaca, Arizona on April 29th. For more information, contact the filmmaker at info@psychotropicfilms.com.

Arizona International Film Festival

For Immediate Release:

Filmmaker Barton Santello is proud to announce that his 2006 film: "The Outskirts of Infinity" has been selected for screening at this year's Arizona International Film Festival in Tucson.

The film is summarized as follows:

This work expresses the filmmaker’s artistic vision of visual opportunities present in an Arizona ghost town. Images of the ghost town; archival footage; the secret life of the sole caretaker and the flight of migratory bats, are inexplicably woven into a mysterious tapestry of storied images unbounded by a sense of time.

"I orignally went to the ghost town of Ruby, Arizona to film migratory bats that reside in an abandoned mine shaft and possibly make a wildlife documentary. However, after spending several weeks in the town, time getting to know the caretaker and filming old ruins, I knew the film was going to become something bigger. As typical with my productions, I filmed first and put the movie together later. I trusted the present moment experiences I had on film and used several 'psycho-active' soundscapes from 'A Produce'. The finished production more than exceeded my expectations for the 'form' of film I want to create" - Barton Santello

Additonal details on "Outskirts" and its showing at the Arizona International Film Festival will be forthcoming.

A Film New Called "Day Residue"

My head was all stressed out over nothing; but it was just pent-up mental energy required to tie up some loose ends incubating a new film. A visual outline of some creative seeds I planted, became known – and I saw the link to some other mindful moments I filmed over the past 6-months.

The result will be a film unveiled as series of present-moment experiences, inter-woven into a dreamlike visual tapestry. I’m going to call it “Day Residue”, because that’s exactly what it is and consistent with my 'form' for film.

Richard Bone will be providing the soundscape; and as demonstrated in "Strange Attractor" and "Flow", promises to be another exceptional union of sound and visual imagery.

Now I know I’m on the right track. What a relief: This is one film I don’t want to let stand idle and begin to decay. This concept is essentially the day residue of what it is like to live inside the ‘dream’ of being in Arivaca. From this point forward, until it’s completed, I’m just going with that.

Barton Santello
Arivaca, AZ

Outskirts: Richard Bone Weighs In

I just finished viewing "The Outskirts of Infinity" and it's truly a haunting work. The feelings that constantly swept over me while watching it were of being trapped in a twilight state between existence and non existence. It wasn't until I saw on the closing credits where Sundog is listed as "the man between two worlds" that I realized how clearly you conveyed this feeling. It's surreal of course but it's more than that. As if I were glimpsing the dream that shadows have when they sleep!

Two images especially haunted me. First the ballerina dancing as the scene crossfades onto an old piano and secondly, the closing shot where Sundog descends to...where? Back to a waking state, perhaps?

I loved it and Barry's music (A Produce) is perfection, chilling. Your work continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, if that's the right word. Perhaps your cinematic vision is becoming more clearly defined would be more accurate. In any cause, I was captivated and genuinely unsettled by the piece.
Especially considering that last night I had experienced a most disturbing nightmare. "Outskirts" brought those emotions back to the surface!

Can't wait to see what you do next....Just hope I'm part of it.

Regards, Richard Bone
www.richardbone.com

Outskirts of Infinity Completed

My latest film: "The Outskirts of Infinity" was completed the first week of January 2006.

Running over 20 minutes in length, there was plenty of time to incorporate repeating themes and develop a structure with regards to symbolism on the human condition. The ghost town, the bats, and the caretaker are all 'elements' woven into a story (yes, there is a story here). This is not a film where I wanted to promote a specific message. Instead, this film allows me to learn more about the psycho-dynamics of the viewer, based on their perceptions and feelings derived from the viewing. This is a good picture where several viewings over time will reveal more and more complexity. The depth of which, is how far the viewer wants to go.

There are several parallels (motifs) with images from "Man Trap" (discovered after 'Outskirts' was completed).

The visual-sonic architecture of 'Outskirts' was totally unconscious. As with all my films, I shot scenes that moved me artistically; weaved them into the music-score for the maximum psycho-dynamic effects; then combined components to create psycho-active flow of information and ideas. Isn't wasn't until I burned the DVD and watched the whole film from beginning-to-end, did I discover that the film was exactly what I wanted to accomplish. This chain of events was really similiar in the production of "Strange Attractor" (nothing what I expected, but exactly what I wanted). Maybe that could be said about all my films. What's freaking-me-out is that it is a process beyond my control. It is a challenge not to interfere with this unconscious creative construction - because it means I must trust a process that can't be readily observed. I guess what keeps me from interfering consciously, is that I'm never sure where I'm going with a project. It is easier for me to get out of the way and let it take on a life of its own.

The current release is v2.0. However, I still have some 'tweaks' to the aesthetic of the film and corrections to the credits. However, the structure of the film is complete and I am very satisfied with it.

Barton Santello
Arivaca, AZ

"Outskirts" in Post-Production

Psychotropic Films has announced that "The Outskirts of Infinity" is currently in post-production. Filmmaker Barton Santello says that no time limit has been given for the film's release; but estimates it should be completed sometime in the first quarter of 2006.

"The raw footage has a lot of hidden artistic images that need to be extracted and given attention for further refinement. Further, there is a futher challenge integrating the sound track being provided by 'A Produce'. I'm confident all the elements to complete the film are there and the final work should be very unique and special - I'm excited about it" (Santello)

Brenda's Blog on "Psychotropic Films"

RE: http://brendareviews.blogspot.com/

Dear Bart,

This reviewer page is an elegant post-modern multi-layer psycho-social cross-cultural addition to your work. I can see this evolving into a form in which the observer(s) is(are) part of the artistic creation and esthetic experience to be shared. It is sort of between passive experience of art and performance art in which observers are an active participant in creating the experience.

This is a refreshing alternative to what we see all too often with gifted people: preaching, getting on a soap box, talking at people, forcing an opinion or perspective onto others. Instead, metaphorically, you are inviting people into your home, a place where cognition itself is appreciated and encouraged without any investment in a particular outcome to the personal cognitive act.

Some skeptics might say that this (i.e., valuing experience over outcome) is self indulgent if not frankly hedonistic. I submit that such a judgment misses the point, or at least the potential, of your work as an exemplar of an art form. The intent is not even to achieve a particular experience or attendant emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, or whatever). In fact, your work often leads to unexpected experiences and to unwanted emotions.

I cannot help imposing my own pedagogical perspective on your work. I would say, if there is an agenda, it is to provide observers and participants with opportunities for psychological growth and development. Phenomenology or simple reflection is a skill like anything other. A developing individual needs practice and experience with difficult material or situations which prepares one for the uncertain or unfamiliar. Meta-cognitively, one must learn to learn. For me, this is the esthetic opportunity your work provides.

I look forward to watching how your work and this integral weblog unfolds.

Warm regards,

Gary Riccio, Ph.D., B.S.E.
Principal
Nascent Science & Technology, Inc.
12 Massasoit Way
Mattapoisett, MA 02739-1028

Phoenix Film Festival

Psychotropic Films - Press Release
Arivaca, AZ

Psychotropic Films announces the submission of it new release, "Strange Attractor", to the Phoenix Film Festival. Submission to the film festival does not guaranty acceptance. Filmmaker Barton Santello adds: "Digital filmmaking is ubiquitious these days and I'm sure the judges struggle as they wade through hundred's of short films." "I hope that the retro-graphics as rendered by my vintage Amiga Computer, along with a unique story presentation, and delivered along with a solid musical score by ambient/electronica musician Richard Bone, tip the scales in our favor."

Notification of acceptance or rejection of this entry to the Phoenix Film Festival will occur at the beginning of 2006.

Strange Attractor - A Barton Santello Film

My new film "Strange Attractor" can be viewed on the website of Richard Bone, who is musician that provided the soundtrack for the film.

Go to:

www.richardbone.com

Then click on "Visuals" then "Videos"

"The Outskirts of Infinity" Completes Filming

PRESS RELEASE - Psychotropic Films
Arivaca, AZ

Shot in the ghost-town of Ruby, Arizona, Barton Santello's new film "The Outskirts of Infinity" was recently wrapped. The images recorded will be combined with a music score by veteran trance musician "A Produce" to achieve a heavy "Psychotropic" effect. Filmmaker Barton Santello lays in: "I'm going to have fun in post-production with this one - anything goes." Further adding: "I'm doing this film for me. If you want to come along for the ride you're welcome. Expect the psychotropics spread on thick like peanut butter. And don't be surprised if the entire film has no context other then to mess with your head."

Details of the film are shrouded in secret: However, filming took place in the mine shafts of Ruby, with the caretaker, and exclusive footage of millions of bats pouring out of a cave.

Relase of the film is expected by the end of this year (2005).

Strange Attractor Released

RE: Strange Attractor - A Barton Santello Film

Bart,

I AM ABSOLUTELY THRILLED! I just watched "Strange Attractor" for the second time and am completely captivated by the visual imagery. As you may know, I've been watching early film works by Brakhage and Fischinger and your piece is on par with those pioneering works. The marriage of audio and video is inspired, the edits (to the music) ingenious. I assume you plan on entering this work in video festivals as it must be seen! I know you must be proud of the work. The energy and talent put into it are clearly evident.

Marleen already wrote me that she loved it also. Why don't I leave it up to you two to decide how you want it presented on the site? Anything you both decide is fine with me.

Warm Regards,
rb

Harddrive Crash Sets Website Release Back

Psychotropic Films Press Release
Arivaca, AZ

A harddrive crash on the administrative computer of Psychotropic Films, wiped-out 4-months of programing effort, just short of the launch of the company's website. Although the computer's files were backed-up just a few weeks prior to the crash, a key program file containing the HTML code of the website was not backed-up because it resided in the program's proprietary directory, rather than the "My Webs" folder where all the graphic elements for the site were stored.

Principal and filmmaker Barton Santello expressed extreme disappointment at this latest setback to establishing an online presence and completing a artistic multi-media project. Santello confides: "I was using a new authoring tool (NetObjects Fusion 8), so not only did I have to ramp-up the learning curve for the software, but I was trying to mold my vision for the site into the capability of the software."


Santello says: "Since I'm not a website developer, I don't have any preconceived notions of how a website should be constructed: Therefore, my concept was that the layout of the website will take the visitor on a journey through the filmmaker's mind, allowing navigation through the subconscious, altered states, dreams and the mind's link with the Internet's own developing consciousness. All of which relate back and represent completed films, films under production and ideas."

Redevelopment of the website will commence in the late fall of 2005. Stay tuned.

Email to Richard Bone

Richard:

I really appreciate your support on these projects. I wonder what it must feel like to be in your shoes - having someone else take what you created and put it into a form unimagined?

Actually I may turn the tables on you here. The Strange Attractor I'm editing now is different than what I imagined the film to be. It's now colorized black and white video as opposed to stark B&W. Also, I decided to incorporate some of the unrehearsed performances of the actors into the film, which created a new perspective that ended-up working with the music from COXA. However, in additon; I may create the B&W version and give it to you, A PRODUCE and others, to play with from a soundscape standpoint (remember my idea about having several muscians, each originating a soundtrack based on their inner interpretation of the film!) There would be no time limit or obligation: Just a seed waiting to germinate and sprout.

I liken what other artists do similiar to a pure element in nature (the Periodic Table of the Elements). And also my films as a pure element. Then what I do is combine the two elements together like a chemist to create a new compound (e.g. two parts hydrogen & one part oxygen = water).

Regarding the bats disc. I don't know if anything could be done with it from a sonic standpoint, but I have used it as a relaxation exercise (meditative I guess like you mentioned).

Wait to you see what's coming together for my time filming in the ghost town of Ruby. It's a real 'psychotropic' piece called "Outskirts of Infinity". A PRODUCE is providing the sonic for that. It may have a clip or two of the bats, but I don't know what I'm going to do with all the bat footage - I would say at least a million pour out of that cave!!

Take care, Bart

New Perspective For Strange Attractor

I completed filming "Strange Attractor" over the weekend and after pulling and all-nighter last night - I already have a rough edit in hand. As present-moment awareness should have it, the film in post-production is becoming something different that what I first imagined. But this is good because I'm using input from the two actors that deals with their creative perspectives and contribution to the project. Jim Ericksen's suggestion of filming a gas-stove burner igniting turned-out to be a fun creative exercise. Jim also suggested filming himself looking into a mirror and he exits the door from his study in the film. I put a sequence together from that filming exercise which added significantly to the films artistic value.

Also unexpectedly in the editing, I used footage of both Cindie Wolf and Jim Ericksen that really brought out both their characters and this helped add a nice cohesion to the film story. In other words, instead of rigidly following what was in my mind's eye for the film, I let the contribution of the actors shape both the 'content' and the 'feel' of the film. This is what present-moment filmmaking is all about. You have to recognize new information and let it assimulate itself into the film. Introducing these new elements broadened the artistic value of the piece.

I Also, the images in post-production are colorized black and white video run through a primitive video board installed in a vintage 1985 Commodore Amiga computer, using software developed at the time to create real-time digital colorization as the video is displayed on the monitor - really cool - essentially post-production became an excercise in 'performance' art.

So what happens now to the original movie concept of Strange Attractor? Well there very well may be another version of the film true to my original vision - we'll see.

Barton Santello
Arivaca, AZ
July 2005

Strange Attractor Update

On July 16th, the filming of Strange Attractor was completed. A big milestone for 2005. Now comes the hard (fun) part of digital filmmaking: Take the film and put it in my 'form'. My form being the most present-moment I can take this material. While simultaneously using technology tools that are both state-of-the-art and vintage (I like the vintage equipment, especially my Amiga 1000.)

Strange Attractor it seems, upon inspection of the video run through the Amiga 1000's LIVE! videoprocessing board, will be better served, viewed as two seperate films. The first version will be a hip retro image (as processsed by the LIVE! video card on the Amiga) digitally crafted via LIVE!'s vintage software in real time as the video is recorded raw off digital tape.

The second film will be the black and white version of my original vision for the films's presentation.

Both versions will have music provided couresty of Richard Bone {www.richardBone.com)

The result is my original design for the film; with the bonus of a seperate present-moment artistic version film, from the same source material. The best of both worlds.

Bart Santello
Filmmaker
www.psychotropicFILMS.com

Changing The Form of Film

email to Steve

Kubrick, in the last years of his life, talked about creating a new "form" for film. I don't know what that meant, but he implied that he wanted to change the structure or DNA of filmmaking.

My movies (e.g. Man Trap) are filmed simply because I felt something important and was moved by each image. I didn't plan to put the guy at the end to look and the camera and then look away suggesting that he was resigned to be a tool in the man trap of the factory. I just took the footage and had no idea what I was going to do with it, and doubing if it was good for anything.

But ManTrap ended up coming together just like a dream - a bunch of fragments from my
day coming together to form a story - who would have known. The same is happening with the "Bats of Ruby" a film I'm working on at present. I have the same thing, a bunch of images: But this time I have the confidence to create something really artistic, unique and true to how I "see" things.

Tough Week of Filmmaking

Journal entry by Bart

Here's an update: When you have two films to shoot at ounce and a million other things to do, the clock ticking down and combine that with the unpredicability of filming wildlife, I was seeing things starting to get chaotic. Filming is where the uncertainty mounts. Did I get on tape what is in my head?

Tonight I filmed a simple scene (for Strange Attractor), of a burner from a gas stove igniting-off. The lighting wasn't what I had expected, but the digital tape showed some of my lighting tricks worked really well. This tiny transition shot, really picked-up my spirits. It's the reminder that a film is built one scene at a time. And a good film must be a string of deliberate and purposeful images.

Interesting, that the gas-burner idea which came from Jim Ericksen (collaberator in the film), would end up being the image that sparked the whole filming effort.

That's the whole point, I never know what's going to work, so I have to document everything I can. But my own limitations try to box me in, so that's why I have to get creative.

Earlier in the week I lost a whole night of shooting (for the film: Bats of Ruby) because I had one button switched "on" that shouldn't have been and over-saturated the image. Another night, I had to switch a battery in mid-shoot of the bat's flight, then ran out of tape. All due to carelessness, juggling two projects and the clock - the details will derail you.

However, after reviewing all the footage, I feel I have been capturing the essence of what I'm trying to accomplish. Trying to remain true to the idea.

Stay in the moment - Stay in the moment. That's is what I keep saying to myself. And to "breathe".

Bart-O-Vision

Email conversation with A Produce

Bart Santello: Yea, just like the Planet of the Apes series, the Man Trap film keeps having reincarnations of its own. I know what you're thinking at this moment: "Leave well enough alone", but this is the point of 'present moment film making'. Yea, I thought the film was 'final' back in the fall. But I just filmed another cool scene the other day, and tonight started manipulating the image on the cinematic computer - bingo - not only did I get the scene to fit within the existing length of the film, I realized I had an opportunity to tweak and edit other clips - The result is a definitely improved film...Now, after I make those new copies for you, you will soon have version 4.1 (kind of like software, without the upgrade cost and compatibility issues- ha!), and you can view it to your heart's content to find these new mods. Your soundtrack was left without modification.

PS: I have a new version of my digital editing software on order, which will have the capability to produce 'surround sound' and 16 x 9 wide-screen format. I will then convert the film to wide-screen since the video I filmed is wider than your TV set. So in v4.1.1 of ManTrap you'll see it presented in: "Bart-O-Vision".

It's going to be an exciting year, I've generated so many ideas for films without effort; they are falling into the palm of my hand. I'm even dreaming the scenes AND in a passive-lucid sense editing them too. This is all happening in real time; it's all happening now!!

My latest idea came while listening to the first track of Robert Rich's "Below Zero", it reminded me of the different stages of sleep (hypnagogic, REM, NonREM, Hypnapompic) and the imagery associated with it. Then I realized that I need to make a film that visually portrays each of these stages of sleep. I mean, I've been keeping a dream log for 25 years, you would think I have some insight and raw material for this!! You want to work a soundtrack for this one? Take your time. This project is several years out (that's because the effort to portray what the mind is creating visually each second is staggering).

A Produce: In effect, that what "Smile On The Void" was supposedly all about. I'm not sure I nailed it quite in the same way Robert Rich did. You should really order his "Somnium" 7 hr audio DVD--it's quite amazing to have on in the house at various volumes for that period of time. As you probably know, he used to perform these things live, and I actually witnessed one in '96 in Santa Monica. It was one of the more memorable experiences of my life....

Bart: And that's where my vintage Amiga multi-media computers come in. I've been buying Amiga Software and primitive video processing boards on eBay for pennies, what you couldn't touch for hundreds in there heyday. Just tools for the tool box.

A Produce: Great! It always good to have some out-dated gear that nobody thinks has value anymore, but where imagination is the key. You've got a lock on stuff that no one even thinks about anymore. I'm in somewhat the same "dilemma"--most of the gear in my studio now is considered "vintage" but it gets me where I want to go which is really all I'm interested in these days.

Bart: Also, there are some things I need to film once I'm down Arivaca. It struck me tonight that maybe this is where Jack Gariss comes in...It's just a hunch...You know what I'm talking about..

A Produce: I just made a dub of a board tape (not off the radio) of a show Jack did way back in '77 that kicked off a series on creativity. You may find it useful, if not for a show, just for the experiencing of the moment. There are seven "moments" in this series. This is the first one, and it's on its way to you...

www.pyschotropicfilms.com

You Send Me the Message

Email to "A Produce"

Amazing!! In the first 2 minutes of your soundscape: “You Send Me the Message”, you have an electronic riff they fades out and it is replaced by over 30 minutes of an entirely different soundscape. I realized that tonight while listening to it. What balls it took for you to have a totally different sonic structure at the beginning of that song, then totally replace it with a new sonic structure, with the original riff never to return. I think that’s an amazing piece of sound design. You may not think anything of it. But listen to it again and tell me if I’m wrong. I doubt it !

My Film Company

My film company is: “Psychotropic Films” – Films To Change Your Mind”. These films are about who YOU really are. When I have an idea for a film; it just arrives. I call it present-moment filmmaking. Sometimes I film ordinary things, but in my mind I have extra-ordinary ideas behind what will be the final basic visual presentation. And the music score (Sound design)is the other 50% of the film. The goal is to deliver a psycho-active experience for the viewer to experience.

Man Trap Bliss

Email to "A Produce"

Fantastic news - I completed a new film "Man Trap" tonight. I used your "You Send Me the Message" from Altar" as the psycho-active soundscape. AP, this film cannot be described - you just have to see (and hear) it to understand what I'm talking about. I love when it all comes together from just being mindful of simple events in life. Every moment a poem to me. Random events become the floating residue that are captured in its pure form, and thus inspire a visual dream of sorts. I'll get a copy in the mail to you ASAP.

ManTrap Micro-Summary

I just finished a film called “Man Trap”. Filmed with a Sony digital camera in the movie mode at an undisclosed industrial location. At first I had no idea what I was going to do with these images, I was going about my day and this is what I saw and was moved artistically by. I had doubts though. Then over the course of two nights, I applied effects to the images, edited and laid-down a heavy industrial-ambient score by "A-Produce". The result was something that was so true to my core essence. I loved the feeling watching the completed film for the first time. It was like I was having a lucid dream.

Night Curve

Email to "A Produce"

Last night I put together a "pre-visualization" Video CD of one scene in my Apollo film using NIGHT CURVE. This will give you a better idea of what I'm doing here (albeit preliminary). What I'm finding in these NASA videos is an inadvertent artistic quality of the film imagery taken with these primitive cameras, shifting lighting and awkward camera placement. When you get the Video CD, you will notice at the end of the scene, an artistic quality (e.g. sand kicked-up by the Lunar Lander rocket motors, vibrations, shadows). Ironically, at the end of NIGHT CURVE is a string of haunting riffs in your score and I edited the film so that the lander is stopped on the moon and this haunting sound is like a warning to the astronaut's that they have a arrived at someplace quite different and unfamiliar. It's perfect!!

"Bent" Casio SK-1 Keyboard

Email to the "Junk-Junkie"

I was talking to my musician friend about the "modded" and 'circuit-bent' 1986-vintage Casio SK-1 synthesizer purchase and he thought I should be using digital music creation software instead (cheaper/better). I was thinking that it is probably true that I can create a greater range of sounds using software, but I have two reasons why the SK-1 is a cool choice: 1) I think it is better to create music using "analog" input such as having a keyboard to touch knobs and sample. It's like drafting board for design: Sure you can use CAD software, but there is nothing like pencil-to-paper with an eraser nearby and you feel the creation is coming from you and not via a computer interface. 2) I look at the 'circuit-bending' work you are doing and consider it an art form. It's like going into a gallery, seeing a cool painting and saying: "I want that on my wall".

Chicken Scratch a Post Post-Postmodern Film

I completed a short digital film this weekend called "Chicken Scratch". It came out of an idea from a gathering in March 2002, of people interested in Postmodern thinking and art. Attendees brought their own postmodern art, but we collaborated on a few multi-media pieces during the event. The idea was to dip a chicken's feet in paint and have it walk around on a canvas and that would be a (Postmodern) art piece. Not only the art on the canvas would be Postmodern, but so would the film documenting the chicken doing its thing. Well it never happened that day, but just last week I was talking with my friend Gina and she said that there was a chicken in her backyard, so lets make the movie. We did. Viewing the finished piece last night, I realized that because the film had no expectations or boundaries - just imagination, it reached a whole new level. Now I'm starting to think this may be one of my best works to date.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF-OG2xDryQ