Sundance Sundance Sundance!!
Big things are in store for the start of next year. First up, I’m exceptionally proud to have mixed not one but TWO films premiering in competition at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival:
Being Evel, about legendary stuntman and motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, produced by Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame, and directed by Acadamy Award Winner Daniel Junge .
Western, the new documentary from Bill and Turner Ross, the cinema verité tale of two border towns caught in the wake of cartel violence.
I thoroughly loved sound editing and mixing both films, and I’m thrilled they will both be a part this upcoming Sundance Film Festival.
Independent Spirit Award Nomination and Distribution!
Sundance isn’t the only big news coming up in the new year, I’m also proud that The Last Season was just nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in the Truer than Fiction category! Lots of excitement before the big awards ceremony Feb 21st 2015 for director Sara Dosa and team.
And there is more great Last Season news to share as well, it was just picked up for distribution by First Run Features, and it will enjoy a theatrical run next year before coming to digital platforms and PBS!
Designing Sound Article
I was also asked to write an article about documentary film sound design for the online publication DesigningSound.org. It was a thrill to write about a topic I am so passionate about, and for an industry website I hold in such high esteem. Click on the following link to read my article Constructing Reality for NonFiction Film, and feel free to post your thoughts in the comments section!
PBS Ice Warriors
Also in November the new feature-length version of the documentary Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey premiered on PBS to rave reviews. It was the updated version of the film that included footage from the team’s quest for gold at this year’s Sochi Paralympic games. The film was directed by Brian Knappenberger and I loved getting to return to the project and do more work revolving around hockey! In addition, the film also won the award for Best Documentary at the Savannah Film Festival last month as well!
Upcoming projects, teaching, and video games
A Life In Waves, an upcoming documentary about the life of Suzanne Ciani that I will be a part of next year completed a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising above and beyond its original goals. The film is directed by Brett Whitcomb and Bradford Thomason, whom I collaborated with on the wonderful G.L.O.W: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling and recently their newest film County Fair: Texas. A Life in Waves is produced by Beastie Boys producer Money Mark, and not only is it all about music and sound, but will be filmed in my hometown of Mill Valley where Suzanne currently resides!
This month I’ll also be out in Iowa, guest lecturing about the art of film sound for David Lynch’s MA in Film Program. This will be my second time returning to the university to hold a film sound workshop and I am thrilled to return and help educate a new generation of filmmakers about the importance and storytelling capabilities of motion picture sound.
And last but not least I also mixed a short film for AFI starring Patrick Fugit from Almost Famous fame, commercial spots for Liberty Mutual and UC Irvine, as well as cutting all of the dialogue for an upcoming major movie-game tie-in for Paramount Pictures, which I will post more about upon it’s release next month, and links to the shorts when they become public.
Happy Holidays
As an independent studio I’m very proud of the work that was accomplished in 2014. As this year draws to a close I look back and feel incredibly fortunate to be able to work with so many great filmmakers, on so many projects that I love, and to see my studio grow over time. I eagerly await the start of 2015, and continuing the work I love with a myriad of new and exciting films. Happy Holidays out there to everyone, I am thankful for all the wonderful people I am able to collaborate with, and am so excited for everything the new year will bring!
