films of 2021

In 2021, I upgraded from my iphone SE to a Panasonic G-85 mirrorless camera. I made 100 films that year, including a lot of short nature and experimental films, the "King American Legion Pro Rodeo" experimental documentary, a longer nature film of Stone Mountain State Park, and the quasi-narrative film "Iron Bridge to the Sun." Below are a few of my favorites and two playlists of all the films. 

"Iron Bridge to the Sun" was originally conceived with Jesse Farrell as a movie idea about an individual who receives e-mails with instructions to go places and perform certain rituals. When it was developed, the movie became more about a character who might be a serial killer or who thinks or imagines he is a serial killer--but who knows? Anyway, he walks around a lot and there's all kinds of great shots and overall it succeeds as a short mystery film, thriller, or pre-action film. 

25 minutes 

On my many trips to Stone Mountain State Park, I kept driving by signs that said "Pro Rodeo!" and thought it would be a great subject for a film. I called the number on the sign and asked if I could film the production. At first they were all in, but then I think they realized I wasn't ESPN and told me I had to film from the fence and stands and couldn't get behind the scenes. Anyway, that was little concern for me, as there was plenty to film regardless, and "King American Legion Pro Rodeo" has become the only and authoritative motion picture record of that evening. 

This movie was part of a challenge with Jesse Farrell to complete a set number of short videos with certain limitations of time and structure. 

This movie was conceptualized with Brendan Deangelo as a limitation challenge. These were the rules I was given: 

"1) The subject matter will be 'waves'

2) at 4:45 seconds a piece of music will begin, it will last 45 seconds and will only consist of single tones. 10 seconds after the piece ends, the film will end.

3) The film may have dialogue, but only female characters will be allowed to speak.

4) The film will be in high contrast."

The film is connected to part one of the castle of emptiness and not-becoming, created by Brendan Deangelo according to the limitations I provided him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkEFutguN1Y