The documentary has been my favorite film form since 2004, when I started hosting a Saturday night film-screening series at a local Fish Creek coffeehouse.

We watched films on all sorts of subjects. As a photojournalist, I like the honesty and authenticity of storytelling with moving pictures in the documentary film format. In 2006, I spent 6 months in China learning to become a filmmaker.

Now, I produce feature newsreels, music and promotional videos and keep on expanding my editing and shooting skills. In my other life, I am a social media and marketing consultant. So, when I was asked to shoot my first wedding video, it seems like all of the boundaries blurred and I ended up creating a fusion concept – the wedding video as a multi-episode excuse to relive the highlights of your wedding with friends and family using social media as the vehicle.

The Angie Brusky and Josiah Lent Wedding Story is now an official Facebook Movie page, but my actual intention is to create a short-form episodic film series, more like a TV show. The chapters of their wedding story are published and broadcast each week on Wednesdays at 7 pm, online as their own, personal, wedding TV show in 7 chapters. Each week a new chapter in Angie and Josiah’s Door County Wedding story is posted on their Facebook Movie Page. I like to work as a fly-on-the-wall, filming discretely to capture an authentic story. This is how I was taught as a reporter, to shoot news photography. Never submit a “grip-and-grin” photo as newsworthy, my editor at the New York Times-owned Leesburg Commercial would  warn.

As the lead producer, editor and filmmaker at DesignWise Films, I have taken my background as a professional photo-journalist and applied it to making documentary wedding films. Please, take a look at the first two episodes and help me grow the movie’s fan base to over 25 Likes, so I can register a proper Facebook username. I am working on final edits for Chapter #3, “The Wedding” – to be released on Wednesday, February 22 – so stay tuned!

Their wedding videos are also posted with my other work, on the DesignWise Films YouTube Channel, where they are much easier to locate and can be easily shared or embedded elsewhere from there. If you are planning a wedding in northeastern Wisconsin and this format seems appealing, please contact me as I look forward to my next wedding documentary project.

The 2nd Annual Green Bay Film Festival (GBFF) will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin from March 23 – 25, 2012.

The GBFF is seeking adventurous filmmakers who are looking to share new ideas, discover opportunities and develop new audiences for their work. The festival presents films on four screens over three busy festival days and offers opportunities for visiting filmmakers to engage with audiences and each other.

In 2012, the GBFF will award Audience Choice trophies in seven categories, including best narrative, documentary and short film. The GBFF also offers seminars on screenwriting, filmmaking and music, as well as numerous opportunities to meet vendors and professionals from various filmmaking fields.

The Festival offers visiting filmmakers all-access passes, as well as numerous press opportunities, a special invitation to the Gala opening, party and a delicious Sunday brunch with GBFF sponsors. The GBFF also offers complimentary transportation to the Festival from the airport and special rates at the nearby Radisson hotel.

Click for film submissions…

UPCOMING DEADLINE
December 30, 2011 – Late Deadline
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MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
At last year’s inaugural event, dozens of filmmakers made the trip to Green Bay from around the world, including Vladimer Rajcic, whose film Serbian Scars opened the event. Green Bay is a city where the art and commerce of film is flourishing and the GBFF is well on the road to becoming a great place for filmmakers to screen their films and network with peers. For the chance to be a part of a festival on the rise, submit to the Green Bay Film Festival today!

Liam Ford Band playing at Sonny’s Pizzeria Bar & Grill in Fish Creek, Fall Fest 2011.

Wrapping up the season, I filmed the The Liam Ford Band playing at Sonny’s Pizzeria Bar & Grill in Fish Creek, Wisconsin on Saturday evening, October 15, 2011. Early Thomas describes them as “phychobilly, rockabilly” and they do not disappoint! I was captivated by this band of musicians not only in listening to their songs but also in conversation afterwards. Their deep knowledge and love for traditional rock and roll and the artists who helped to create the songs and rockabilly country tradition was impressive. They were a real treat to watch and listen to as hopefully evidenced in the video!

My Sony pro 3-chip camera was in the repair shop, so I ventured on an experiment using two Kodak Zi8 pocket cameras, just to see what kind of quality could be achieved. I was careful to adjust the sound levels and the light settings in advance and then edited both of the clips into a composite. It was fun to see what can be done on a shoestring budget.

SOMOS/WE ARE is an initiative of the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC) that inspires immigrants to take action in reclaiming their humanity and in supporting legislation that truly reflects what immigrants are worth and deserve.

Every year more than 11,000 migrants are kidnapped, robbed, raped and sometimes murdered in Mexico. Those responsible are usually criminal gangs, or sometimes public officials, but virtually no one is held to account. Driven by grinding poverty and insecurity back home, the mainly Central American migrants travel through Mexico in hope of reaching the USA with its promise of work and a new life. But all too often their dreams are turned into nightmares. Told over four parts, “The Invisibles” uncovers the reality behind one of the most dangerous journeys in the world and reveals the untold stories of the people who make the journey north through Mexico.

“The Invisibles” is a film produced by Amnesty International that presents the reality of the systemic human rights violations that Central American immigrants face on their journey to the U.S. border. The film permits viewers to see the issue of immigration from the perspective of the undocumented immigrants who decide to undertake a very dangerous journey to the United States of America.”Los Invisibles” (which means “the invisibles” or “invisible people”) is directed by Marc Silver and Gael Garcia Bernal.

“No human being is illegal. I will repeat that: no HUMAN BEING is ILLEGAL. Yes, things and actions can be illegal, but a person cannot be illegal. Yet, in the United States the general public hears this word used all the time in the media and by politicians when immigration is discussed,” says Elizabeth Atkins. “The term I prefer to use is, ‘undocumented.’ Saying, ‘undocumented immigrant,’ instead of ‘illegal immigrant,’ or ‘criminal alien,’ has a tremendous impact on the public discourse around this issue.”

I was investigating ways to improve the sound quality in a live music video that I shot and ended up making an effortless leap from Adobe Soundbooth to Audition.

My friend Sigmund Snopek III was playing at a favorite local club in Fish Creek. There was nobody there… it was a great opportunity to set up and film without distraction. But, I set the levels a bit too low and needed to boost them. I learned how to quickly edit the tracks with the new and very powerful Adobe Audition 5.5 and then jump right back into Premiere.

There’s also a point in the sound track where Sig briefly talks to his sideman, Mike Woods. I am going to try to remove that with what I learned in the following video…

Adobe expert Colin Smith answers the questions he is constantly asked on the road, educating people in the world of Adobe video and design software in a show called, “No Stupid Questions.” In this episode, Colin gives you an introduction to noise reduction using Adobe Audition CS5.5:

Juan Carlos is writing… a book, his notes, a map all in a whirl of energy, like a tornado circling around a central core.

Puerto Rico Mystico, the working title of Juan’s book, consists of his historical research on the spiritually significant geographical spots of this island. He is mapping them and then observing the energy lines that connect them locally and globally.

Juan is not the first person to share with me a firm belief that Puerto Rico is the last remaining vestige of the lost continent of Atlantis. Skeptics may decide at this point, to stop reading and let their seeming scientific logic exercise its control. Atlantis is just a myth.

When I was just a boy my science teachers taught me that an atom was the smallest particle of matter in the universe. They worshipped that dogma, believing in it like Christians believe in the Bible. Then, things started to break down and continue to fracture, as we learn more and more about how little we really know. So, I accept the fact that we also know so very little of our own history as a species and of the planet as a living entity.

Of course there were greater civilizations that preceded our own. Simply pay closer attention to such things as the ancient pyramids of Egypt or the intricate modern-day crop circle phenomenon if you need persuasion. And if your fear of the unknown is so strong, then stop reading and by all means, do not visit Puerto Rico because this island is full of such enchantment.

I am here to trace those threads, to meet and interview people like Juan Carlos, to build a film that will serve as an introduction, a doorway to the spiritual dimensions of this magic island. Juan tells me about another myth, that of the Prophecy of the Condor and the Eagle, birds of the south and the north. Puerto Rico is the bridge he explains, one that will permit the condor and the eagle to fly together once again. How else but via a completely Hispanic, Caribbean culture that is also a part of the United States, one where most of the people are bilingual?

At the moment, I am sitting in a beach cafe in Puerto Rico, drinking a cup of fresh, island-grown, local coffee.

I have accepted a 2-week assignment to make films on tantra and the spiritual power-spots of the island. It is pretty cool… all expanses paid including meals, plane ticket and a San Juan beach hotel suite. Sometimes, the craving for a massive culture shift can become overwhelming. I silently wait without complaining and then suddenly it comes, like food for a starving (beach) bum.

I am here to film the work of tantra practitioner and healer, Peter Ross Voigt. We are living and working at Hosteria del Mar, located within the gated San Juan community of Oceanside Beach. It is an amazing building, created with intention. Quartz crystals were embedded and buried in the foundation and six pyramids are constructed into the roof.

We arrived on the day of the full moon and were invited to attend the monthly lunar drumming circle celebration on the beach. More than 150 people turned out for fire, ritual, drumming and dance. As the moon eventually broke through the cloud cover following hours of music and motion, many of the participants slipped away to swim to swim in the ocean as they entered the world.

The next day, I awoke early to get some location shots in the morning light. I found individuals dotting the beach, doing yoga asanas in the sand at the water’s edge. I must close for now as I have a day of filming to begin in 15 minutes. Puerto Rico is an undiscovered spiritual treasure and I intend to share it with you.

Namaste!

Anticipation builds as “The Tunnel” secures global distribution to BitTorrent’s 100+ million software users.

BitTorrent, Inc. a leading innovator creating advanced technologies to efficiently move large files across the Internet, announced today that “The Tunnel” will be the first Australian film release selected for BitTorrent’s Artist Spotlight program, promising worldwide distribution through the company’s two software products – BitTorrent Mainline and the iconic µTorrent.

“The buzz around this film is astonishing,” says Shahi Ghanem, chief strategist at BitTorrent. “These progressive Australian filmmakers have captured the public’s imagination by funding the project through an entirely new model: the sale of single frames. This affords them the freedom to allow the world to openly enjoy and share the film. We are very excited to be a part of this new chapter in history. We hear only a few frames are left for sale, so we encourage our users to act fast.”

“We are really excited about our partnership with BitTorrent and their ongoing support of independent artists. The BitTorrent technology provides a direct connection to a massive audience all around the globe. It is definitely a new and exciting distribution path for independent filmmakers who have a story that they want people to see,” says co-producers/writers Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey.

“The Tunnel” will debut on BitTorrent on May 18^th. People may download the film free via BitTorrent’s App Studio, purchase frames, view trailers, read more about the film’s background and connect with the filmmakers on social media. BitTorrent will also promote the film on BitTorrent.com and µTorrent.com, as well as feature the film to new users who download either software product. “The Tunnel” will also be featured on Vodo.net, a UK-based company dedicated to helping independent filmmakers leverage the benefits of the global file sharing community.

“To see movies such as ours welcomed into the BitTorrent ecosystem marks a significant step in the adoption of the technology as a legitimate film distribution platform. And whilst we might be the first Australian film, I have a feeling we certainly won’t be the last,” said executive producer and marketing director, Ahmed Salama of DLSHS.

“The Tunnel” has received significant attention from mainstream media around the world and was a hit at the A Night Of Horror Film Festival in March. It’s a classic horror film set amidst abandoned underground train tunnels beneath Sydney’s CBD. In 2008, chasing rumours of a government cover-up and urban legends surrounding the sudden backflip, investigative journalist Natasha Warner led a crew of four into the underground labyrinth.

They went down into the tunnels looking for a story – until the story found them.

“The Tunnel” chronicles their harrowing ordeal. With unprecedented access to the recently declassified tapes the crew shot in the claustrophobic subway tunnels, as well as a series of candid interviews with the survivors, viewers come face to face with the terrifying truth.

This never before seen footage takes viewers deep inside the tunnels bringing the darkness to life and capturing the raw fear that threatens to tear the crew apart, leaving each one of them fighting for their lives.

“The Tunnel” has already partnered with traditional Australian distributors – with a DVD release through Transmission Films and its world TV premiere on Showtime Premiere, May 18 at 10:35 pm.

About BitTorrent

BitTorrent creates advanced, innovative technologies to efficiently move large files across the Internet. The company’s two main products today include the original BitTorrent software and the tiny-but-mighty µTorrent, which combined boast over 100+ million users. BitTorrent is based in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, visit bittorrent.com, and follow on Twitter @bittorrent, or Facebook.

The Soundworks Collection is a Vimeo channel whish currently includes 65 videos and has 1,164 subscribers

The SoundWorks Collection is dedicated to profiling the greatest and upcoming “sound minds” from around the world providing a look at the art of foley sound enhancement in the film industry. The Collection is produced by Director Michael Coleman of Colemanfilm Media Group in a partnership with MIX Magazine, several audio focused college schools and programs and the support of the online sound community worldwide.

The SoundWorks Collection takes you behind the scenes and straight to the dub stage for a look into audio post-production feature films, video game sound design, and original soundtrack scoring. This exclusive and intimate video series focuses on individuals and teams behind-the-scenes bringing to life some of the worlds most exciting projects. Here’s an example:

The Sound of “Salt” from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

SoundWorksCollection.com
facebook.com/​SoundWorksCollection
twitter.com/​soundworksvideo

Green Bay Film Festival, a three-day event takes place at the KI Convention Center Friday through Sunday, February 25 – 27.

“Friday night we open at 6 pm with Serbian Scars,” says Green Bay Film Festival director Cyndee Sweetland. “The actor and executive producer of the film, Vladimir Rajcic will be attending from California for the weekend as well as many other filmmakers coming from Chicago and New York City, California, Oregon, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas other countries including Switzerland and the United Kingdom… and of course from all over Wisconsin!”

Click Here to Download Complete Program