CRF #001

Every time we piece together one of our shows there are inevitably sections that we love but don't fit into the scope of the main discussion.  So periodically we will be releasing some of those lost excerpts on our blog under the title "CRF" (short for Cutting Room Floor).  Here is an unused clip from one of our most recent interviews with Steve Mims and Joe Bailey Jr.  where they speak a bit about their camera workflow.

Crimes and Misdemeanors

“We’re all faced throughout our lives with agonizing decisions, moral choices. Some are on a grand scale, most of these choices are on lesser points. But we define ourselves by the choices we have made. We are, in fact, the sum total of our choices. Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly, Human happiness does not seem to be included in the design of creation. It is only we, with our capacity to love that give meaning to the indifferent universe. And yet, most human beings seem to have the ability to keep trying and even try to find joy from simple things, like their family, their work, and from the hope that future generations might understand more.”

From the final scene of Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors.

via swiss-miss

MEET THE SHOW: CALL TIME

Over the next few days our Meet The Show series will delve into the current programming on our site, giving you a better understanding of why we created these shows and where we plan to take them in the future.

CALL TIME is a show that celebrates independent film through interviews with the filmmakers, producers and actors involved.  It offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into the often under-appreciated world of independent cinema.  We introduced the show with a special SXSW Special Edition, featuring a series of films that were part of the 2011 film festival in Austin, TX. 

 

Our first episode looks at the short film, 8, in which a mother and daughter share a loving tribute to the young girl’s father.  Before the film’s premiere and subsequent award for Best Texas Short at SXSW, we talked to the film’s creator/lead actress, Julie Gould, and director/editor, Daniel Laabs, about the evolution of this moving experimental documentary.

 

 Episode #002 highlights Pioneer, a short film by David Lowery that premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January and was awarded Best Narrative Short at SXSW in March.  It is a captivating study in storytelling and a testament to the power of well-crafted simplicity in film. 

 The third episode continues our SXSW Special Edition with an interview from the festival itself.  Director Michael Tully and actor Robert Longstreet sat down with fellow filmmaker Daniel Laabs to discuss how they pushed their own boundaries with Septien, Tully’s debut feature.

 We continue with a series from our interview with documentary filmmakers Steve Mims and Joe Bailey, Jr. about their feature, Incendiary: The Willingham Case, which won the Louis Black/Lone Star Award at SXSW.  The film is a fascinating look at the science behind the arson investigation that led to a firestorm of legal and political issues. In our interview, the filmmakers share the multitude of challenges they faced in tackling a story of this magnitude. 

MEET THE SHOW: SHIP IT

Over the next few days our Meet The Show series will delve into the current programming on our site, giving you a better understanding of why we created these shows and where we plan to take them in the future.

SHIP IT is a show that focuses specifically on "linchpins": people who are categorically indispensable to their organizations and communities.  The term "linchpin" derives from author, blogger, and general internet demigod Seth Godin's fantastic book entitled Linchpin.  It is thought by many, including Godin himself, to be the culmination of all the ideas he has been writing about online and in print for the past decade. Godin describes these individuals as the ones who make things happen, break the rules, make the difficult decisions, and do the kind of emotional labor that makes a difference.  We wanted to create a show that tells the stories of these people and how they deliver their "art," regardless of what field they are in. As Godin defines it, an artist doesn't necessarily need to wield a paintbrush, because art is simply "a personal gift that changes the recipient." To us, that is a definition with serious resonance and a message we think everyone should hear.  

Steve Jobs (you may have heard of him) famously said, "Real artists ship." There is no more succinct way to state the point.  It doesn't matter what wonderful ideas and creations you have swimming around inside of you if the world never gets to touch them.  Godin describes the “act of shipping it out the door, of hitting publish, of sending in the proposal, of actually closing the funding for your company, of having the meeting with your boss, of doing the difficult conversation—the act of making a product or service that people choose to talk about.”  It's simple: to be a linchpin, you need to ship.  You can't have one without the other.  A part of this show will cover the "how": the methods these people used to push their art out the door and into the world.  Not an ultimately useless list of broken down, easily digestible tips and tricks, but real insight into what it took to deliver work that makes a difference.  

We want to talk to individuals who ship, to get inside the heads of people who are taking risks and actually getting things done.  Through this series we look forward to meeting these people. We hope you do too.  

Our first episode features the mother-son team of Janet Z. Capua and Carlo Capua.  The success of their business, Z’s Café and Catering in Fort Worth, Texas, is squarely rooted in their belief in doing good work.  From their partnership with Samaritan House to their affiliation with Cuisine for Healing, their philosophy on giving back to the community guides the success of this family-centered company.  The business model of Z’s Cafe is a testament to the true spirit of generosity and the power of  giving gifts without expecting anything in return.

A guide to being your "SXSBest"

This made us laugh.  IFC.com and BajillionHits.Biz show you how to be your "SXSBest"

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