Moving Pictures

For as long as I can remember, I've been captivated by the world of moving images. As a kid, I loved exploring various forms of media, from audio cassettes to videotapes. The concept of multimedia has always intrigued me. Before I even realized that one could be a serious artist or filmmaker, I was already fascinated by these formats. Throughout school and beyond, image making has been at the core of my creative pursuits, both professionally and personally.

Photography and cinema have always been closely linked in my mind. In recent years, I've delved even deeper into this relationship, incorporating stock footage, public domain films, and other cinematic sources into my artistic practice. One way I've channeled this creative curiosity is by adding video embellishments to live musical performances. I've long dreamed of creating stage projections akin to those at concerts I've attended, like Anton Corbijn's visuals for Depeche Mode or U2, or the underground film footage at 1980s concerts at the Ritz in New York City.

In the past few years, I've had the opportunity to create multiple video projections for Chatter, an Albuquerque-based chamber music ensemble. They have given me the creative freedom to experiment with video on a larger scale. However, the technology for projection software and video manipulation is constantly evolving. The simple software I once used is no longer supported, so I'm always on the lookout for new solutions.

Recently, I discovered a fantastic software called VDMX5. I have a huge project coming up in a few weeks that requires reliable software for live video manipulations in a concert setting. VDMX5 has proven to be the perfect solution. It's powerful, easy to learn, and highly customizable, meeting all my needs. Not only am I thrilled about this upcoming performance, but VDMX5 has sparked new ideas for future video projects and public performances. I can't wait to see what else I can create with this amazing software. A big thank you to the makers of VDMX5!

2022: 20 Chatter

After a busy week, I had the privilege to show some video work in Santa Fe. I performed a collaboration with the remarkable musicians Jesse Tatum and David Felberg, two core members of Chatter, Albuquerque’s hot as hell, chamber music ensemble. I created two original video pieces that I projected during a performance at SITE Santa Fe. The music was beautiful, the performers top-notch, and the crowd, appreciative. All in all, a little taste of what I hope will be more video art to be made and shared in the future.

2021: 44 Planning and Randomness

I spent most this week on set for a TV production. Three overnight shoots in a row. Cold, tired and inspired. Shooting and editing TV commercials and web videos is the best part of my “day job.” Contrary to my photographic work, this kind of shooting entails the work of many people. Collaboration and team work are key. And although most of the game plan is set ahead of shoot day, there is always risk involved. Thankfully not the kind of risk and repercussions on a recent production up in Santa Fe; but often times, we don’t know how things are gonna go. Time is always against you on set. There is crew, talent, the weather, random “bogies” and all sorts of variables to contend with. Most of the projects I work on start with an idea in my mind. It is still a wondrous thing to see it come to life on set, and more fully in the post-production edit. That small nugget of thought becomes a real thing. A short story many people will view and critique. Everyone on set is there to manifest that original idea. It is an amazing thing to participate in.

Did we get the shot? Who knows?

Even though things are scripted, storyboarded, planned, blocked out, rehearsed… you never really know what you’re going to get. Is the talent scared or nervous? Is the director tired? Is that cloud overhead starting to drizzle rain on us? Throw into the mix the randomness of a technical challenge. In the photo above, we rigged a camera into a round, metal casing. The camera was turned on to record, and then the rig was launched from a moving vehicle. The idea was to replicate the view of a tumbling car, in the midst of a crash. We had no way to monitor the camera. We had no idea what the footage would look like. We had no idea if the camera itself would survive the tumble. On a set where thousands of dollars was invested, where 40 plus crew members, each with a specific skill and role, were on hand… we were at the mercy of the randomness of hurling an expensive camera down the road in a metal device. The best laid plans… as they say. Sometime you just gotta trust and try and surrender to the unknown. A good lesson learned at 5am on a Friday morning.

p.s……The footage actually looked great, as we all took a deep sigh of relief.

Making Lists

I find that a key element to self-motivation is making lists. If I put something in writing, and keep it visible, I am more prone to get things done. By the looks of it, I'm setting myself up for a couple of busy months. I guess its like they say "Get busy living, or get busy dying." I'm looking forward to showing the fruits of my labor here as the summer progresses. Stay tuned.