Photographer and director Mark de Paola discusses his frequent shooting schedule and how essential photography is to his well-being. He shares anecdotes about his close relationship with fellow photographer Sylvie Blum, highlighting her prolific work and their shared history, including his role in helping her stepson get into art school.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mark de Paola

https://youtu.be/uH3PRc212Ko

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #creativeprocess #artschool

Join photographer and director Mark de Paola as he discusses his unique approach to art, emphasizing bravery and individuality. He shares insights into his creative process, his respect for women in his work, and anecdotes about photographing iconic figures like Henry Fonda and Sammy Davis Jr. Mark also highlights his popular photography classes at Leica, where he encourages students to develop their own artistic thumbprint.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Mark de Paola

https://youtu.be/uH3PRc212Ko

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#photography #feminism #art #leica

Paris Chong sits down with acclaimed photographer and director Mark de Paola to discuss his diverse career and upcoming projects. Mark, known for his fashion photography and commercial directing, reveals he is currently focusing on motion pictures, with two films, *A Stab at Heaven* (starring Ema McKie) and *Better Than Dead*, in development for release, plus a third big film. He also shares insights into his unique teaching philosophy at Leica, where he encourages students to be "brave" and find their individual artistic voice rather than simply replicating others' work.

The conversation delves into Mark’s personal history and influences, including his strong feminist perspective, which he attributes to his mother's involvement in the women's rights movement. He recounts a pivotal early career experience photographing Henry Fonda and Sammy Davis Jr., which teaches him a valuable lesson about intellectual property rights. Mark also discusses his upcoming photography exhibitions in Tokyo and San Francisco, highlighting his continued passion for photography alongside his ventures into filmmaking.

Later in the episode, Ema joins the discussion to talk about her starring role in Mark’s film, *A Stab at Heaven*. Ema shares the deeply personal and challenging story behind the film, which is based on her real-life experience with the suicide of a loved one. Both Mark and Ema emphasize the film's artistic and impactful nature, aiming to portray a universal truth about loss and grief without dictating audience emotions. The film also features Emma's daughter, Ona, whom Mark describes as a natural on set.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/mark-de-paola-from-fashion-photography-to-filmmaking-the-art-of-being-brave-with-ema-mckie

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:25) Mark de Paola

(00:05:11) The New Film

(00:08:48) Mark's First Assignment

(00:14:25) Encyclopedia

(00:17:08) Shows Coming Up

(00:18:53) How often do you photograph?

(00:22:27) When are the movies coming out?

(00:30:33) Photgraphy Advice

(00:34:07) Philosophies

(00:37:18) Paris the Rockstar

(00:40:19) Ema McKie

(00:41:40) The Movie

(00:45:41) Ona's Movie Role

(00:47:32) A way to Heal

(00:50:15) Private Screening

(00:54:47) What was his name?

(00:57:50) What's next?

(01:01:11) Ona

(01:03:13) Outro

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Desiree Astorga and Paris Chong discuss their preference for smaller, more intimate music venues over large crowds, with Desiree recounting her experience shooting a NoFX show at the San Pedro Pier and the challenges and gratitude of being credentialed for major events like the X Games. Desiree also mentions a new photo series she's planning, called "Dynamo Series," which will feature women, including musicians and athletes, and be shot entirely on film.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Desiree Astorga

https://youtu.be/WwnUyzLmq_o

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#xgames #nofx #photography #concerts

Desiree Astorga explains that she met NFL players through her chiropractor and built relationships with them, enabling her to photograph them at games, practices, and even their homes, eventually leading to credentialing with ESPN. She emphasizes that these relationships are built on friendship, not "groupie" behavior, and that she helps them with charity events while they support her endeavors.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Desiree Astorga

https://youtu.be/WwnUyzLmq_o

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#NFL #Photography #ESPN #Podcast

Paris Chong and Desiree Astorga discuss Desiree's past and current work, including her background in social media and TV, her photography of bands and Ray Barbie, and her desire to make money from her photography by holding shows and potentially collaborating with Skullcandy for her podcast.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Desiree Astorga

https://youtu.be/WwnUyzLmq_o

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#tv #radio #podcast #photography

Paris Chong and Desiree Astorga discuss Desiree's podcast, "The Desiree Show," which started as a radio show and is now transitioning to a podcast format, including video. Desiree mentions her past radio stations, World Tune Radio and Dash Radio, and talks about her extensive show preparation, unlike Paris Chong who prefers to improvise. They also touch on the challenges and discomforts of being on camera and performing in front of large crowds.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Desiree Astorga

https://youtu.be/WwnUyzLmq_o

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#podcast #radio #thedesireeshow #video

Paris interviews Desiree Astorga, a talented photographer known for her work in sports, particularly skateboarding. Desiree shares the intriguing story of her last name, which isn't her birth name, and the humorous discovery that her family's Italian heritage was a fabrication. She discusses her Belgian mother's background as an Olympic diver and her own athletic upbringing, which led to her passion for sports photography. Desiree highlights her love for the skateboarding community, emphasizing the supportive and resilient nature of its culture, and recounts how she and Paris met through a skateboarding event.

Desiree also details her extensive experience in radio, having hosted "The Desiree Show" for 13 years on various stations like World Tune Radio and Dash Radio. She's now transitioning her show to a podcast, which will also include video, broadcast from Skullcandy's facilities. She explains her rigorous three-hour prep process for each show, contrasting it with Paris's unscripted approach. The conversation touches on Desiree's work with NFL players, which began through unexpected encounters and led to photography opportunities at games, practices, and even their homes, building genuine friendships rather than "groupie" relationships.

Finally, Desiree shares her future aspirations, including a potential photography show at Mollusk and Funk in Santa Barbara and a new film photography series called "The Dynamo Series," focusing on inspiring women. She discusses her appreciation for live music and acknowledges the shift in the media landscape from magazines to digital platforms. The interview concludes with information on how listeners can find "The Desiree Show" podcast and view her photography online, with Paris expressing gratitude for Desiree's presence and support.

Show Notes:

www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/desiree-astorga-behind-the-lens-for-skate-nfl-and-punk-rock-photographer

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:22) Desiree Astorga

(00:04:55) The Desiree Show

(00:09:41) Published as Desiree

(00:14:34) What do you do now?

(00:17:30) Prepping for a Podcast

(00:21:18) Getting in, in the NFL

(00:25:08) Who's your team?

(00:27:18) Live Shows

(00:31:24) Photo Wish List

(00:33:16) Find More Desiree

(00:35:09) Outro

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

Paris and Bil discuss the unique draw of Leica cameras, with Paris noting their cult-like appeal and Bil sharing his personal obsession, including owning multiple models and trading them. Bil emphasizes his desire for a personal Leica to pass down to his children, particularly his son Dorian, who is already interested in photography and shooting film. They touch upon the resurgence of film photography and a cinematographer's process of digitally shooting and then transferring to film for a specific aesthetic, leading into Bil's current "Hollywood Cult" project, which explores underground queer culture and requires shooting in low-light conditions at odd hours, making digital capture essential for his artistic vision.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Bil Brown

https://youtu.be/j1N0Yvgcf0U

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#leica #photography #film

Bil Brown and Paris Chong discuss the limitations and potential dangers of AI, with Bil asserting that AI cannot be a true artist as it lacks the ability to create or think independently, only compute based on existing data. He plans for the revived "Black and Gray" magazine to explore the "negative spaces" where AI cannot reach, focusing on what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by simulation. He references the controversial comedy routine "The Aristocrats" as a metaphor for a "rite of passage into humanity," aiming to highlight genuine human creativity and experience within the magazine's content.

Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Bil Brown

https://youtu.be/j1N0Yvgcf0U

https://www.theparischongshow.com

🎵 Music by ⁠Andrew Raiher⁠ https://andrewraiher.com/

📸 Shot & Edited at ⁠Visible Audio Studios https://www.visibleaudiostudios.com

#poetry #photography #ai