Works on 16mm

Back at NYU: Tisch, I took a semester of 16mm Filmmaking with professor Rick Litvin. They were shot with a crew of four (a rotating crew of Director, Cinematographer, Sound, & Gaffer), in whatever locations were available, and with whatever props we had ready, on a chunky, German Arri camera.

Here are some of my works, in order from earliest to latest:

"Lost in the Library" 2005

A little girl gets finds herself separated from her sister on a trip to the library, shot in the eerie NYU Bobst Library. My favorite of the 16mm shorts.

CAST
Michelle Coughlin
Lili Stromberg

"Rain Shower" 2005
One of the more experimental films I've done (I'm not very good at them). I had this idea during a peculiarly rainy week, of a girl fainting/dreaming in the shower.

CAST
Tara Rose Stromberg

"Waiting for Dad" 2005
Time passes slowly when you're waiting for dad to get home safe and sound.

CAST
Ceri Stromberg
Lili Stromberg
Jim Stromberg
Tara Stromberg

"Changing Season" 2005
I like this Stranglers song, so I just sort of came up with some images - half film, half drawn - to go with it. It was shot in New Jersey's Longstreet Farm, where I used to volunteer.

CAST
Michelle Coughlin

Animation: My Early Years

I have always wanted to work on animated films. When I first went to NYU, with two years of 3D animation experience in Lightwave already under my belt, I was ready to make it a career. But juggling animation and film proved difficult, and I was forced to make a choice.

Perhaps if I had had time to refine my drawing skills, I could have been swayed. Anywho, here's a look at my works, dating all the way back to high school....

"SuperClip" 3D (Lightwave)
Went into my NYU admissions portfolio (I did the staple remover scenes; it would have taken three days to light the rest. Ahhhh, animation in the old days...)

"Legend of the Selke" 2D (Flash)
My first 2D animation in high school, also in my portfolio. Yeahhh, I sorta rushed it at the end.

"Zortian Tests" 2D (Handrawn)
And thus began my NYU: Ticsh education: My first hand drawn animations, using my favorite character, the zortian.

"Cut Out Animation" 2D (Stop Motion)
We had to make puppets from 2d elements and make a short stop motion. I decided to make it not-boring.

"Bugs Bunny" Behind the Pencil" 2D (After Effects)
My final animation thesis, based on a script I wrote with my friend Paul in H.S. Spanish class, which parodied VH1's "Behind the Music." It's a little too long, so bear with me.

Jarmusch's "Limits of Control" Premiere

I had the great privilege to attend my first ever independent film premiere for Jim Jarmusch's new feature, "The Limits of Control" last night at the Landmark Sunshine Cinemas on East Houston.

Ryan works at PointBlank Films as an intern, and Jim, along with colleagues Carter and Stacey, invited both of us to view the film amongst cast, crew and fans. The evening was topped by a quaint dinner party at Shang's on Orchard Street, where Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Paz de la Huerta, John Hurt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Isaac De Bankolé, (and Amos Poe!) made merry with champagne, Ketel One, and jerk chicken. I must say I was partial to the fried rice. Best I've ever had.

But enough about the party! The film was truly a sight to behold, shot by Christopher Doyle and written by Jarmusch himself. I have never paid more attention to each and every single frame as I had in this piece. De Bankolé's placid exterior was unmoving, yet strangely interesting. The hallucinogenic music (from Boris, and even Jarmusch and Carter's own band) created a very cinematic reality that while never bordering on satirical, did sort of make you wonder.....what's going on here?

Very European, I would say, if I had enough knowledge of European movies to say so. I CAN say that I enjoyed the acting, especially De Bankolé, who had no other way of expressing himself but through his unflinching face and consciously controlled movements. Every other character had little time on screen, but made it count (even down to the lowly Spanish waiter), as each were memorable and unique in personality.

Ask me what they were talking about and why?......the hell if I know, at least for now. But I definitely listened. I have to admit, the story is still playing back in my mind as I attempt to understand the hidden meanings. But is a Jarmusch film really meant for analysis? He has said himself that a film should be about the experience.........and I suppose that in this case, it certainly was.

NYU 1st Run Film Fest

Alas, I was not able to see all of the films (maybe if some people had TOLD me ^.^;;), but I did make the 7pm Sunday, April 29th showing of four films, including this Bollywood musical/comedy (which was entertaining, funny and genuine):



Arranged"/Suraj Das
(Starring friend, and former Prague film colleague, Nardeep Khurmi, and edited by friend and Florence-colleague, Asal Hejazi!)

Also saw good ol' Amos there, back from Italy, and in his trademark fedora. Sadly, Nardeep, the star of "Arranged" wasn't there, and I didn't get to look around for anyone I knew, but I'm proud of you all and hope to god I can get my film done soon!