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 Bart 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.


Digital filmmaker Bart 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. A Produce emailed me a MP3 of an ambient music piece under development for my impression.  As I listened to the song while working on the 8mm footage, I noticed that artistic elements of the old film had transcendental 'intangible' qualities which perfectly complimented this vague - ethereal music from A Produce.  At that moment I realized a new film idea was discovered; and that's how the film 'Intangible' came about.  In 5-days post-production of the film was completed. It just happened.

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)