Joshua Tree, CA
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Very Good Day...
Boston MA
5 drag queens, out in Boston in broad daylight, doing the duck tour, visiting historic sights.
Staying tucked for hours on end in the cold November rain.
God bless 'em. Ive fallen for them all.
Time to pull out the canon again and put the iphone away... these girls deserve a little production value.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Self Portrait
Charlotte, NC - Komfort Inn
These are the final days of Production. The supervising producer has come armed with sleeping pills and pain killers. The Director of Photography, with cheap wine and Twizzlers. The Field Producer with only his anger at the world.
I love my job and I love the people I work with.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
American Explorer
Hoover Dam, NV
Midway through the "Explorer's Tour" in the bowels of Hoover Dam.
This is what explorers look like mid-exploration.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Birthday at Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach, CA
Had I had any control, I would have ruined this picture. Cleaned it up. Slowed down the shutter. Tripod. Perhaps going with the "Ghosts of a couple along a lonely pier" romance, requiring multiple exposures. blah...
Read more!
Thank you iPhone, for saving me from myself.
This picture is kind of beautiful.
It's Alright.
Jacksonville, FL
5am, Jacksonville International Airport.
I was bleary eyed after a red eye from San Francisco. A little hungry. A little angry. A little hung over.
And finding a little something beautiful was just what I needed.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Emmy Buzz
Los Angeles, CA
Yes... its true. The Last Beekeeper was nominated for an Emmy today. The ceremony is Sept. 27th. Keep you posted...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ghetto Ballet at the National Black Arts Festival
Atlanta, GA
And if thats not enough, there will be pink Ballet cupcakes and servers in tutus -thanks to HBO and the Atlanta Ballet.
Check out the site here
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Hair Salons of Nyanga
Nyanga, South Africa
And while many of these businesses look like they cater to the dead or the disabled, there is something to be said for a city where the signage isn't provided by coca-cola or dark n lovely.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Cape Divide
Cape Town, South Africa
The concrete wall between town and the townships has now been painted to read
"Those who have suffered understand suffering and therefor extend their hand"
There is also a moat.
The First Single
New York, NY
18 hours into what turned into a 20 hour shooting day for the video for "Bittersweet".
Yawn.
Friday, July 2, 2010
From Khayelitscha to Atlanta, GA
Altanta, GA
She had never been out of her township, on a plane, in a hotel. She arrived in America with very little to say. She took it all in silence. Finally, on our way from the airport to her dorm room, I asked Sibahle what she thought of America...
"Its so quiet. And everyone is on their way to work. And they don't look drunk"
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Bodyguard
Guguletu, South African
He wore his sunglasses at all hours of the day and night. And never took off his hat. And had a fantastic leather trench coat that I wish I could pull off, but know better
He kept me safe, informed, thinking, and laughing.
All I really look for in a man.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Lost In Transition
Cape Town International / Schiphol Airport, Holland
I've been in transit for 3 days now.
Slowly making my way from Africa to America, with visa problems, flight problems, money problems, schedule problems.
I've been reading The Duino Elegies, with my overpriced airport concessions, and pint sized beers.
Last night, I rented a drawer-bed by the hour, and converted my rand into euros for the purchase of a toothbrush.
This morning, I am watching a dutch show about oil painting and re-reading The Duino Elegies.
I am also drinking alot of coffee and updating my blog.
Darky-Memories
Khayelitsha, South Africa
Sibahle had her going away party last night in the township. After a few drinks, I was ready to pour a beer over my head and jump on the bar - I was really in it. Dancing with these incredible dancers without a hint of self consciousness. Learning drunken Xhosa. It was mIdnight in a township that common sense would say, any white man with a camera should clear by 7pm. But it really wasnt on my mind at all, for better or worse.
But later - that changed. A man approached me in my joyful state and asked me what I was doing with this camera, this equipment, these bags. I told him I was doing a documentary. And, then, I saw what I thought to be a flash of anger in his eyes. Or maybe he was just drunk. But he raised his voice and asked me again.
"A documentary" I said (yelled) - half drunk. (Yes - that is the kind of filmmaker I am). This time, I knew he was angry - and I wasn't welcome. His friends circled me.
But at this point my friend (rather, my translator / bodyguard, who I pay to pretend like he is my friend) stepped in to do his job (translate / protect). The man retreated- the threat subsided, and in the end, he put his hand out for the traditional Xhosa handshake (which of course, I have mastered, along with all the pertinent Xhosa greeting phrases).
Later, I found out he thought that I was here to create "Darky-Memories" not a "Docu-mentary".
Yes, Darky Memories... Which were fightin words. Or maybe he was just looking for a fight.
But yes - darky memories. I laughed. But realized, that was his truth. And clearing things up probably didnt change anything. That much was clear as the night went on.
Suddenly, I found myself stuck in my head, and dissecting whats in everybody else's - standing in the corner by the uncooked meats. My feet hurt, and I was constipated from a week without vegetables, fiber, and grains.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Brokedown Palace
Somewhere in Mexico
About 3 hours outside of San Miguel de Allende, there is a hacienda - right in the middle of a tiny impoverished town of tire stores and coke signs. Its a grand ominous place with a big sign blocking the entrance that reads "government property - no trespassing".
Which of course, is sort of like an invitation.
I was intrigued.
This is all I could ascertain about the place- it was built in 1890 in the desert of central Mexico. It is owned by the government, but abandoned for 80 years. No one can buy it. No one can touch it. And no one is doing anything with it.
But knowing almost nothing about it made being there sort of fantastic. It was more personal. There were no ties to any story except the one I created. Total theatre fantasy.
The wallpaper made me feel like I shouldn't be there. Like it was still someone else's space. Which made me want to explore every inch.
There were bats. And guano. And the stench that goes with it.
Murals of goddesses. And coyotes.
Much of it, I didn't understand. and didn't have time to photograph
After all, I was filming a shopping show and there were no textiles or blown glass or inlaid furniture to be found in this old hacienda. So, I had to leave before I had even begun to explore it.
Thats ok. Ill be back....
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Fighting the Good Fight
Mexico City, Mexico
Trying to keep the Church alive.
But its sinking
and its a loosing battle...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
We Live In Public
Mexico City, Mexico
Dead tired. 11pm. The end of the day and the end of a long week of shooting. Im sitting in my room ascertaining the easiest way to numb myself. Theres always the ambien. Gorging on room service.
I decide to go with the over priced tequila from the mini bar and mexican television. Keep it local.
Flipping through telenovelas as I sip my reposada, I eventually came across the Hotel Habita Channel, featuring 24 hours a day dedicated to mash ups of real time footage from the hotel security cameras. Every 5 seconds or so, the flashframe montage holds on the elevator cam. A new hotel guest every 5 seconds - waiting out the time. A few seconds of privacy (assumed privacy)before they put on their game face again.
I can't stop watching. Totally captivating. I cant get enough.
So much better than any telenovela or Brokeback Mountain in Spanish. (Though the latter made me cry.)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Hot Ticket at Hotel Al Hamra
Damascus, Syria
He spins his rainbow flag around and around and around, and then, at about 5 seconds in, it starts to get interesting....
hot.
Read more!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Keith Johnson Shops and Shops and Shops...
Damascus, Syria
While we shoot and shoot and shoot. This week, its Damascus with fashion icon Anna Sui.
What a hot episode this will be. Yes - Anna Sui in a burka. Picture it.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Hello Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Im just looking out my hotel window - staring at the office building across the street. Its 6:00 and in a matter of minutes, the office went from bustling to empty... Like a fire alarm had been pushed. But it was probably just the end of the work day.
This is the cheerful rainbow colored tragedy that repeats itself 5 days a week.
Read more!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Ghetto Ballet, After HBO
Khayalitscha, South Africa
I've gotten dozens of emails from people wondering what is happening with the kids now.
So Im back in South Africa to find out.
There have been alot of changes in only 6 months.
More updates to come shortly
Monday, March 1, 2010
Allee Willis is a Star
Valley Village, CA
Not only has she penned so many of the songs that define our times - hits for Earth Wind and Fire, The Pet Shop Boys, The Pointer Sisters, even the theme song for Friends...
But she also created the "Museum of Kitsch-ness" in her basement...
...and throws the best damn celebrity studded parties in Hollywood (well, Valley Village.) This one was to raise money to add an extensive collection of soul music to schools across the country. God bless her.
And she does all this in her 1937 PINK modernist home, originally built as the party house for Warner Brothers.
See, its all about commitment with Allee. Going all the way. Doing it shamelessly and fearlessly. Believe it - or at least go through the motions until you figure out what you believe.
In my book, that makes you a star.
So, Allee Willis is my new hero.
And while all the celebrities were gagging on the lovely extravaganza, I had a pixie stick and a colt 45, and soon after, found myself in the empty bedroom with the coats, trying to find a reason to stay. There wasn't one.
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