THE IMPORTANCE OF SHADOWS ON FILM or is my story on the screen?

Film. Not digital, not video, but the magic of Celluloid. There is simply nothing to replicate its magic. I realized this as a child via the home 8 mm format .Shadows both literal and emotional are cast and projected, leaving an indelible mark on this artist. My dark sense of humor is based on my belief that life and death are the same. As I revere each, I make jest of each. As I fear each, I control each. A kissing hello and then kissing goodbye, is nonetheless just a kiss. Each emotional and spiritual event has a very specific rhythm or pattern. This music may be replicated through any art form. If done properly, a very specific emotion may be transferred, or shared from creature to creature, mind to mind. There is only one story....only one. How may we tell it…share it?

Every year, as a loving tribute to my soul mates on Hallow's eve I capture their insane zest for life on film on super 8 mm. A dubious and laborious task, I assure you, but, oh that magical and glorious night of nights...Halloween. The emotions and tale unfolds on the screen. I am transfixed upon my audience as the hues and reflections of bouncing light reflect their emotions, their dreams and perhaps, their fears.

We shoot a short film every year. I begin production with a universal fear or a laughter, which manifests itself into an event. That event triggers a story in my mind, then the script. I do the casting which will involve my usual bag of devils, then the costumes. The costumes are created by my hand.  For that is how I work…with my hands. The sets, the props. My props are not mere props, they are actual works of art, I have purchased around the world. A piece which may inspire another film, another tale to be told. These were not acquired to match the couch. But, to match my next film. The topics are always fantasy; either filled with comedic moments of death, or a twist of dark reality, very dark. They are all shot on actual film, no silly downloading here. Then the hours and hours of editing. Again a hands on film procedure. That is the great difference between film and the digital formats. The human touch. These short films of mine will be entering the short film circuit later this year. Truly my homage to life, death and all the tiny moments which leaves us all in a sense of wonder. Hoping it adds up to a marvelous life.