SparksRadio: Rusted Film Report

There are lots of great reasons to attend your local film festivals, and seeing amazing films that you don’t always get a chance to see on the regular should be reason enough!

Just Eat It – A food waste story (Official Trailer) from Grant Baldwin on Vimeo.

But for me, I’d have to say the thing I love most is getting the chance to meet people like Grant Baldwin, a documentary filmmaker with a true passion for filmmaking, and pursuing topics he truly cares about (and he’s a fellow tech geek).

Grant, along with his wife, Jen, are the two main subjects in “Just Eat It: A Food WasteStory.” This documentary not only takes a look into the very real issue of food waste, but Grant and Jen take it a step further by challenging themselves with a little experiment: for 6 months, they ate nothing except discarded food!

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: “…they ate trash?” Nope! Well…okay, sort of…but we’re not talking about leftovers from someone’s plate at a restaurant. This is actually food we (and grocery retailers…like, before food is even sold) throw out every single day because maybe it’s been in our fridge too long, or because it “looks funny” to us, or because it’s passed the “sell by” date…I won’t harp too much on this, because Grant gives a way better explanation of it than I could, but let me just say this: That “sell by” date is very deceiving, and it’s not the same thing at all as an “expiration” date. Listen to the podcast, and Grant will challenge you to find a single thing in the grocery store with an actual expiration date (hint: there’s only about 3-5 products).

You could easily say this documentary is a real eye-opener…I know it was for me. I certainly won’t look at food the same way again.

You don’t have to believe me though! You can judge for yourself! One of the great things about meeting Grant at the Cleveland International FilmFestival is that I actually got a chance to speak with him before the film’s U.S. release, SO, if you’re ready to see just how much perfectly good food we waste, what happens to all of it when it’s discarded, and how it impacts the environment, make sure you tune into MSNBC at 10 PM ET on Wednesday, April 22nd (but make sure you listen to my interview with him first…consider it a preview :)).

I should also mention it’s not all grim and grit. Jen and Grant created an extremely entertaining documentary and still managed to communicate a very important issue…That’s storytelling at it’s finest.

Thanks so much, Grant!

Film Website

 

Of everyone I know working on the local film scene, Mike Wendt is my favorite. He’s undoubtedly one of the most helpful and friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and his positive attitude is paying off!

Many of us know that if you want to work in film, it’s a long climb up the ladder, and Mike knows it better than anyone. Regardless, he’s pulled himself up by the proverbial bootstraps and keeps climbing (although he modestly admits he’s still got a long way to go).

Humble as he may be, his feats should not go unnoticed. Mike’s hard work has earned him quite the reputation as a well respected location scout on a few little films like “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” “Draft Day,” and Bruce Willis’s latest project, “Wake.”

When he’s not testing ice patches, driving 15 passenger vehicles or hiking through the woods (all part of the job, folks) he’s taking active roles as an Assistant Director, Producer, and is currently wrapping up a short film he directed called “Goodbye, Ohio”.

And if that still doesn’t impress you, I should also mention that right out of college Mike produced a great documentary called “The End of the World as We Knew it,” about the infamous 90s Alternative Rock station, “The End.”

All in all, Mike’s career may just be starting, but he’s built quite an impressive resume. Have a listen to our conversation, and I guarantee you will learn a thing or two…From him, of course. I just ask the stupid questions.

And if you do run into him, say at the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival (SPOILERS) be sure to say “hi” and “thanks.” He’s always willing to lend an ear…just don’t bother him if he’s running the projectors.

Thanks for everything, Mike! Looking forward to hanging out at the festival!

Mike’s Facebook.

Twitter

Blog

**DISCLAMER** It’s worth noting that this episode was recorded on a Friday evening. Some pizzas were had, booze were plenty, and some light-hearted buddy talk ensued from time to time. Tack on a little cursing and a very tricky podcast set-up in my living room (apologies in advance for any extra noise or slowly degrading quality) and you’ve got yourself a kickass time! In fact, crack open a beer while you listen. It may just get more entertaining! Especially when he gets to the part about an over-dressed Bruce Willis for what most of us Ohioans considered to be a somewhat mild winter (teaser

I must admit I had a lot of trouble cutting the video of my interview with Special Effects legend Robert Kurtzman. He had so many interesting things to tell me, it was difficult to decide what to cut…so I’ve decided to post the interview in its entirety!

If you still haven’t seen the video though, I think it’s still worth a watch. There’s a lot of cook things to see over at Creature Corps!

If you’d like to see more of Robert Kurtzman and the amazing creations made by his team, visit the Creature Corps Website.

 I don’t want to take anything away from the main focus of this story, which is centered around the lives of three very inspiring women, but filmmaker Derek Hammeke’s documentary Finding Home is also an incredible look at a country with a terribly sad issue. What’s even scarier? Cambodia may be a long way from home, but sex trafficking still happens right in our own backyards!

This film isn’t for the feint of heart, but is, in my opinion, an absolute necessity to watch! At times it’s gritty, but Finding Home is not so much focused on just the seedy world of criminals, traffickers and neglectful on-lookers. In fact, there’s a large focus on the good guys (and women!) like Stephanie Freed and her organization Rapha House, who travel to places like Cambodia and offer sanctuary for women who have become victims of such horrible atrocities.

And I can’t leave Derek out, either! I’ll be the first to admit that there’s plenty of things going on in this world that I am fully aware of, but would much rather avoid…But it’s people like Derek who make films to remind us that these are things we can’t neglect. And I truly think films like Finding Home have a far greater impact on us when we see just exactly what it looks like, how far it spans, and most importantly, who it effects.

“Who,” of course, is really what this film is all about, and despite the unfortunate similarities in being trafficked, Sophorn, Sophany and Noch are three incredible women with entirely unique stories. Finding their refuge at Rapha House, we are given a look into their backgrounds, hopes and aspirations, and a chance to follow them as they carve out their own very different paths.

And when it’s all said and done, I promise that you will have officially felt every emotion possible in the entire spectrum: Happiness, sadness, anger…the whole works!

In summary, you need to watch this film. Give your support to organizations like Rapha House. And don’t forget to listen to my conversation with Derek Hammeke

Ever get the urge to travel? Maybe tan on the beach in Florida? A hike through the Alps…or a trek through the streets of an underdeveloped country?

For Writer/Director Bart Van den Bempt, that’s his favorite kind of vacation, and it doesn’t matter how he get’s there, whether it be a rickety plane flown by Air Kyrgyzstan, or a cargo ship.

Bart has definitely traveled quite a bit, and after speaking with him you can see where he draws his influences from in his film, 82 Days in April.

But make no mistake, this is not a film about travel, so much as it is a journey…I promise, they are two very different things.

Bart took quite a journey himself when it came to making this film. One that took about 20 years!

But that certainly didn’t discourage him, and it’s anything but a bad thing. In fact, it just serves as proof, that you never want to rush a good idea, and as I told him in this recent podcast, I’ll wait another 20 years if I have to, just to see his next project.

Great job, Bart! It’s been a long journey. I’d say you should take a vacation, but ironically enough, you were on one when I bothered you about doing this interview…

Bart’s website.

82 Days in April facebook.

I’m assuming (or at least hoping) there are a few filmmakers who listen to this podcast…and if you don’t, well…how would I know, anyways?

That being said, how many of you have ever entered your film into a festival? Maybe you’re not quite there yet (no worries, neither am I) but I’m sure you’ve dreamed about it, right?

Well, no matter where you are in your filmmaking career, let me assure you there’s one film competition you’d probably never think of submitting to…besides, it’s more of a location thing.

In the next half of my amazing interview with Anthony Powell and Casey O’ Brien, we talk about that festival, and delve a little deeper into the type of equipment Anthony used to battle against sub-zero temperatures and violent weather, all so he could share his beautiful time lapses with us!

For a more in-depth discussion on the equipment side, Kent Gunnufson has posted a great interview on his website phototalk.tv

Also, don’t forget to check back on Anthony’s website for updates on the film. HINT: If you dig far enough back in the blog, you might be able to find some of the films from “said” festival above…

Think of the craziest place you’ve ever traveled, and then prepare to be topped! And no, I’m not talking about Daytona Beach during spring break.

Seasoned travelers may tell you they’ve been “all over the world,” but I bet that few of them have told you they’ve been to the seventh continent… You know, the one tucked way at the bottom of Earth? Well, in case you’ve forgotten your geography, it’s Called Antarctica! And that’s exactly where filmmaker Anthony Powell has spent at least 100 months of his life!

In order to truly appreciate why his film, “Antarctica: A Year on Ice,” is so significant to nature enthusiasts and filmmakers alike, you have to understand that it documents a full year of Antarctica (as the name implies) and as the seasons change, so does does the continent…drastically! And the winter months can be very violent, which is why few people have ever captured it on video. Until now!

In addition to the breathtaking time lapses of vibrant auroras, firey nacreous clouds and and starlit skies, we get to meet the people. Not the scientists and geologists, but the average Joes! Women and men, just like you and I, who were just adventurous enough to apply for a job in the warehouse, maintenance department, and even as a dishwasher (scientists and warehouse guys have to eat too, right?).

Casey O’Brien happens to be just one of those guys, and I got a chance to speak with him too! In addition to being in the film, Casey also took on the role of representing Anthony at the 38th Cleveland International Film Festival…That included being present for the Q & A, and to truly appreciate what he did, watch the video below of the incredible line that formed for just one of four screenings…And by four, I mean at least ten. Each screening needed two or three separate theaters to accommodate, so seriously Casey, thank you.

After you watch the video (and the trailer posted just beneath it), don’t forget to listen to the first part of their incredible story.

Anthony’s website.

The line for “Antarctica: A Year on Ice” at the 38th Cleveland International Film Festival

Trailer for Antarctica: A Year on Ice

What does it take to start a movement? The same thing as everything else: an idea! I know, complicated stuff, right? And the very concept of a movement is something that moves us, and that’s exactly what happened to Mark Johnson…only his movement actually started because he stopped!

When it comes to public transportation, we could all probably exchange an interesting story or two…or ten…but I can bet that you probably didn’t walk away thinking “wow, that guy with the weird eyes holding a chicken in his lap gave me an idea!” (actually, it might…there’s a freebie for anyone who wants to expand on that). So what did Mark see on his way to the studio? A couple of performing street musicians. Monks, to be exact.

But as you can guess, it wasn’t so much what they were doing, as it was seeing the reaction of the people around him…and that’s what lead to “Playing for Change.”

So again, I’ll ask, “how does an idea grow from a documentary to a movement?” Maybe it would be easier to answer once the movement actually stops growing…or maybe Mark talks to me about it in my latest episode? Just an idea…This is a short one, too! So sit back, enjoy, and as Mark would say, “one love!”

Playing for Change

Playing for Change Foundation

If ever you were approached by the Devil, say, knocking on your door, or maybe at your workplace…or the bathroom floor of a dive bar…Try to remember every story you’ve ever heard involving the Prince, and what usually happens…Other than the one where Charlie Daniels wins a fiddle, not much good ever comes from making that infamous “deal,” right? Anyone else sensing a pattern here?

Danny Pickler may not be the Devil…or maybe he is? It really doesn’t matter, because the greater role he plays in “Do You Believe In the Devil?” reminds us of one very important thing: Devil or not, specter or spectator…Angel or Demon…Humanity alone creates enough of their own problems, and they certainly don’t need anyone’s help…Although Danny doesn’t mind lending a hand with our Protagonist. After all, he was human once.

So where did this brilliantly creepy, and somewhat humorous morality tale come from? Surprisingly enough, it came from the mind of a very laid back, friendly, and most certainly normal guy named Alex Grybauskas. And no, he didn’t need to sell his soul to make such an awesome film (although when it comes to financing a film, we all probably wish we could). He did it just like everyone else! Hard work, lots and lots of planning and fine tuning, and a few favors from some very supportive colleagues! Ata’ boy, Alex!

And he’s still not done! After several screenings at various festivals (including my home town at the Cleveland International Film Festival), and a few well deserved awards, “Do You Believe In The Devil,” has found a home online, as Alex has already moved on and is almost finished with his second film, “Monsters Big And Small.” Check out the trailer (after listening to our awesome conversation). I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Alex’s website.

Monsters Big and Small

Do You Believe In The Devil? – a short film from Alex Grybauskas on Vimeo.

If someone asked me how to describe Pierre Michel, I would simply respond with one simple

word…”No.” And that’s because a man like Pierre needs no introduction. His work speaks volumes.

At times when inspiration can be tough to find, look no further than “Fire Flower,” or “Omega,” and once your mind-gasm is blown, I’ll up the stakes by telling you where all of his inspiration comes from (no, it doesn’t come from his French accent…although I’m certain it doesn’t hurt). Give up? He gets his ideas (and I hear he literally has thousands) just like anyone else!

No sorcery. No prophetic visions. Pierre Michel gets his inspired by his dreams and experiences…Maybe that doesn’t blow your mind, but it certainly did for me…I mean, have you seen this guy’s work?

The takeaway here, is that it doesn’t matter where you get your inspiration from. Just use it (but listen to the show first).

Pierre’s website.

Pierre’s vimeo.

Fire Flower by Pierre Michel from Pierre MICHEL on Vimeo.

Omega by Pierre MICHEL from Pierre MICHEL on Vimeo.