A Film A Day Keeps the …. Away

So I have been told from two different prominent sources that filmmakers are supposed to watch films, like all the time. In order to improve your craft, you have to see the work from others and learn from them. As an up and coming director, I realized that this was a truism that I had to heed. I know this seems rather obvious but putting it into practice can be troublesome at times. I must admit I have not been doing a great job of this lately. A lot of it has to do with the Yankees winning the world series (which will be its own post soon) and actually working on a film. But I realized that I just used those things as an excuse. So I’m taking up what Spike has told me a couple times and that is to watch a film a day. With a little bit more free time coming my way I decided to spend part of it just watching movies. I started my challenge yesterday and I plan on writing about each film that I see here on the blog. Keep in mind that there is no preconceived criteria for what I am going to watch. It can be a blockbuster, a horror film, a short, a documentary, a neo-realist, a revenge flick, whatever. I just have to see one a day. I am not sure if I can keep it up but I am going to do my best to accomplish this.

So like I said I started this up yesterday with “By The People.” on HBO. If you don’t know, this is the President Obama documentary. The one cool thing about this film is that I work with one of the editors, the amazing Geeta Ghandbhir. Actually, I had the pleasure of working with all the editors of By The People, Sam Pollard and Arielle Ansalem, on When The Levees Broke. So this was a nice way to start off the film a day thing. I knew going into the film that it wasn’t about Obama per se. The larger focus of the film was on the actual campaign and the people behind it. This piqued my interest because I heard so much about the people who comprised the campaign that it was nice to actually see some faces. Long story short, I was disappointed. The film feels rushed to me. In an attempt to satisfy the timeline of events, I think the film falls short of getting into any depth about major moments that occurred. One topic that I wanted way more coverage of was the Sarah Palin choice. Ever since she was announced as the vice presidential candidate I was severely intrigued by how everyone in the Obama camp felt about it. The film skims over the reaction leaving us with sound bites from the campaign trail and not from inside the walls. Now I understand part of this may have been at the behest of the Obama people, but this is just one example in which we fly by landmark moments in the campaign without really gaining insight that the filmmakers access could have provided the audience. What was nice to see was the intense dedication that the workers and volunteers gave the campaign. It was inspiring to see such young, smart and innovative people not only commit to a historic process, but also be more than capable of accomplishing success. Despite its shortcomings, the opportunity to shed some light on these trailblazers makes the film worth your time to see.
I’m sorry for such a quick write up of the film, but I’m pretty sleepy. It’s been a long day.

I saw COLLAPSE tonight which has had a big initial impact on me so I will talk about this film in depth tomorrow.

Randy v. Randy The Black Filmmaker

I must concede that as I write this I am both sleepy and tired. I want to go back to bed but I can’t and I am tired from all this legal, festival and assistant editor stuff that I have been dealing with over the last couple weeks. So that may be the reason why I feel the way I do at this particular moment about being a filmmaker and more specifically a black filmmaker. Now, this subject has been discussed ad nauseum for decades. I’m not gonna get into the whole “am I a filmmaker or a black filmmaker” debate. I’m a black guy who makes films. That pretty much ends that discussion. But I do think about the burden of representation that is often times brought upon by a third-party. Is it unfair for a black artist (or any other artist of color) to simultaneously create high quality, engaging art while also making a social statement EVERY time they make something? I used to think the answer was yes but now I’m changing my mind. Of course there are times when you have to be conscious of the images you are creating and how they will be received. I am and will never be an advocate of making or supporting caricatures. But are there moments where we can just be artists? Where we can be free of social implication and simply make something because we like the story we want to tell or paint a picture because it looks nice or choreograph a dance out of sheer personal expression? I just feel that at times the social responsibility is overwhelming and quite honestly not the primary reason I wanted to be a filmmaker. I want to tell stories that everyone can connect with and not just my people. I would like some criticism or discussion to center around the actual integrity of the work and not what it means in the grand scheme of life. Again, I’m tired and may just be blabbing nonsense but there are days when I would like to be judged as Randy and not as a black guy who makes films.

Tickets for Osvaldo’s for Urbanworld

If you are planning on coming to the Urbanworld film festival screening of Osvaldo’s this week please click on the link in the blogroll to order your tickets. The screenings will be THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH AT NOON & THIS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH AT 3PM. The schedule is also available on the link. I hope to see all of you in the New York area this week!

Illustration by Ron Wimberley

45th Annual Chicago International Film Festival

Osvaldo’s  is an official selection of the 45th Annual Chicago International Film Festival! It is very exciting to be a part of such a historic festival. This can do a lot to get the film some really great exposure. The screening time will be SUNDAY OCTOBER 18TH AT 6:30PM. The screening will take place at the AMC River East 21 which is located at 322 E. Illinos Street. I will be out there for the screening so if you will be in the area please come through and introduce yourself.

Osvaldo’s News

So I have a couple updates for all of you regarding Osvaldo’s. The momentum is increasing and the exposure is expanding. So the updated news is:

• The film is an official selection of the Mid-Atlantic Black Film Festival in Norfolk, Virginia from September 16-19. I don’t have word yet on the screening time yet but I will let you all know shortly.
• The film will be AVAILABLE IN ITS ENTIRETY ON BET.COM STARTING NEXT WEEK. Osvaldo’s is one of ten films being featured by the Urbanworld Film Festival on the popular website. So if you aren’t able to visit the festivals to see it on the big screen you can see it on your computer from next week on through december. This is a great opportunity for the film and everyone involved and I am humbled that Urbanworld and BET thought enough of it to be showcased in this manner. Its pretty exciting.
• I’m being featured on Spike Lee’s production company’s website www.40acres.com in the “featured filmmaker” section. Stop by there and check it out. Its exciting to be a part of it and I would like to thank Spike, Jason, Eden, Earl and everyone else over at 40 for giving me some shine. Sign up as a member so you can get updates on what Spike is doing.

• Finally, Osvaldo’s will be a part of SHORTS PROGRAM 3 AT THE ORLANDO HISPANIC FILM FESTIVAL. For more information on that screening block visit www.ohfilmfestival.com. I will have the links to this festival, the mid-atlantic film festival and 40 acres’ website in the links section so it is easier for you guys to check everything out.

Peace out.

Diary #7

• The Yankees win the game in rather uneventful fashion 9-2. Nice win for the empire.
• The rockies are currently losing 6-1 in the seventh inning in a very boring game. There hasn’t been much to talk about at this point outside of the fact that Josh Fogg was awful. If something changes I’ll update this.

Diary Entry #6

• So of course Lil FUCKING PEE PEE hits a got damn walk off home run! I still say he sucks and he can kiss my ass. That is all I will write for this entry. I think that pretty much sums it up.

Diary Entry #5

• Andy Pettite is making David Murphy look like Mr Steroid Rafael Palmeiro or Mickey Tettleton or Rusty Greer (remember him?) as Murphy hits a shot for a home run. 4-2 yanks. Hughes is warming up and we need to get out of this inning because Kinsler is on deck and it appears Pettite is beginning to lose some of the good stuff he’s had all night.
• The white sox stink. They have left a whole bunch of guys on base in Tim Wakefield’s return from the dl. They should have more than one run but it seems like every time they get guys on base their bungholes tighten up quite a bit.
• Big strikeout by Pettite to end the 7th inning. Its also big because now I get to salute America for the 9,00th time during the 7th inning stretch as Kate Smith (who the fuck is Kate Smith by the way? This song was recorded during the American Revolution apparently. I need someone to find out who Kate Smith is and how the yanks got the only copy of this recording) sings God Bless America. Seriously, do you think they can stop doing this now? Seriously.
• Just a note: I’ll probably get to the rockies and dodgers after the first two games are done. I don’t think I can keep up with three games at the same time but its 2-0 dodgers early.
• Two good things have just happened in a matter of seconds: 1)another great at bat by jerry hairston follows up a leadoff double by cano and it chases holland out of the game. insurance runs this late in the game would be real nice. 2) scott podsednik has just hit a pinch hit home run in the 8th to tie the game up at 2 against the red sox. things are looking good for yankees fans.
• Now the rangers commit an error on melky cabrera’s sac bunt and its bases loaded with no out with cap’n jeets up at bat. we have to blow this game up not just one or two runs. go for the throat now.

UPDATE: The captain comes through again! Two run single and the yanks lead the game 6-2. Still no one out. Jeter is now 17 hits behind Lou Gehrig for the all time most hits in Yankees history. That is amazing. Oh and by the way, Jeter is the MVP at this moment. I know Tex has been a beast but Jeter has done everything in leading this team to where they are right now. He gets the pam’s son vote.

UPDATE PART DEUX OR DOS IF YOU SPEAK ESPANJO: Swisher hits an rbi double and its 7-2 with Tex up, second and third with no one out.

UPDATE MENAGE A TROIS FOR MY FRENCH AND FREAKY PEOPLE: Tex hits a two run single for his 94th and 95th rbi’s on the year. No out for Alex but i have a feeling he’s gonna hit into a dp.

UPDATE NUMERO FOUR-0: Did I not call it? Arod hits into a dp. 9-2 yanks.

UPDATE NUMBER 5: Posada is out the game with an apparent wrist injury. Let’s hope its not something too serious.

Diary Entry #4

• Ok so Elvis Andrus is a beast at shortstop. Arod steals second base with two out. Hideki Matsui hits an 18 hopper up the middle that gets past the infield. Andrus ranges to the outfield grass on the second base side, slides and fires a strike home to nail Arod at the plate by about 6 or 7 feet. That’s an impressive play to save a run.
• Now I’m not a scout and I don’t know everything about baseball but I do know that David Ortiz SUCKS. He just struck out on an inside fastball or slider at 89 mph and it is so obvious that he cheats on almost every swing. The funny thing is that the red sox announcers are trying so hard to make you believe that he is coming back to his old chemically enhanced self. He hit a couple home runs and they are drinking the kool aid. He looks bad. Plain and simple.
• Baserunning wizard Robinson Cano just got picked off. He stinks on the basepaths.
• The pickoff looms large as home run king Jerry Hairston Jr hits a home run to left field. He has been great for this team. I wasn’t too excited when they got him at first but I have completely missed the boat on what he brings to the table. He plays all kinds of positions and has hit with power for the yanks. Nice pickup.
• And Andrus makes another great play at short. Jeter is king though.
• Pettite buckles down and pitches out of a jam by only giving up one run 4-1 yanks. It also seems like Derek Holland of the Rangers is settling down and getting people out. The yanks need to make sure they don’t let the rangers creep back because runs may be hard to come by now.
• I have just lost respect for Gavin Floyd of the white sox. He just gave up a home run to boston shortstop Alex Gonzalez who may be one of the worse “everyday”  players in baseball. How he has a job is beyond me but he just hit a home run. I guess a dog has shit to shit at least once a day. I have no idea what that means but I like it.
• So I just found out how the red sox scored their first run. Of course it was a home run by David Lil Pee Pee Ortiz. I still stand by what I said. I spit in the face of the truth.

UPDATE: Ortiz strikes out again with runners on second and third. Like I said, I embrace the truth.

Diary Entry #3

• Jorge Posada hits a BOMB to left center field and the yanks are up 3-0 in the second inning. There is no way you can stress enough how important Posada is to this team. I think that may be top 3 reasons why they didn’t make the playoffs last year. He’s a leader of the team and provides power from a defensive position. He really helps to make that lineup deep once you get past tex and arod. The one thing that I do not like about Posada is the “hip hip Jorge” chant. I think that can go down as one of the worse chants ever in the history of ever. And its sad because it doesn’t fit such a great player.
• Another thing about Posada, his wife is hot. I’ve always been a fan of hers but she was staying in the same hotel as me in Miami when I was at ABFF and  I saw her up close. She is legitimately hot. You know how you see someone all made up and then you see them in real life and you’re like “WTF?!?! She (or he) is WHACK!!!” This was not the case with Laura Wilki…I mean Posada.  She was with her kids and some old lady who I assume was her mom. If she was alone you know your boy was gonna put it on her. Well probably not but you know. I’ve also heard from one of the bell hops at the hotel that she is a fan of playing with other boys when Jorge is not around. I obviously can’t verify this but I would have loved to investigate that claim. Oh well. Back to the games.
• Red Sox tied the game at one but I don’t know how. I was too busy watching Derek Jeter strike out.