I’m happy enough with my first doc and first fiction films.
I made SPIN in 1996, as a final project for a ‘Certificate in Documentary Video Production’ course taught by Ben Saboonchian at the University of Washington.
Shot with some kind of Hi8 recorder in a backpack connected to a lens taped to my helmet, six years before the first GoPro. Edited tape to tape, pre-non-linear editing.
This is a TERRIBLE rip, from a VHS tape, with distorted audio (unlike it was originally). But, close enough.
Click on the thumbnail >>>
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THE CURTSY (2008)
“…was really excellent -- the photography, the sound, the subtle but persistent manner in which it worms its way into a viewer's empathy and intellect and prompts pondering issues of personal import which are all too easy pushed aside. — Dr. Ekdal Buys.
A just for fun, overly serious, theoretical foray into fiction film, THE CURTSY was my MFA thesis film—a post-structuralist (ha), revisionist (duh) Western adapted from the achingly-beautiful essay by Deirdre Stoelzle-Graves in the book, “Leaning into the Wind.”
(And yup, that’s the Green Darner, doing such a great job in the leading role.)
Unfortunately, the revolution in imaging that came with DSLRs, growing kids, work overseas, larger documentary projects, and what seemed liked extortionate film festival entry fees, all curtailed the reach of this project. Which of course is somehow perfect, in its context.
Credits:
A film by Ann & Charles Dye
Colleen Tretter: Dee
Mathias Saxman: Logan
Bar Guys: Steve MacInaney, Peter MacDougal, Parker Brown
Extras: Kyle Bajakian, David Duesterbeck, Kara Adams, Leslie Gaines
Rick Smith: DP
Parker Brown: Sound
Jim Tharp: 2nd Camera
Additional VO: Jaime Case
Michael Cross: Editor
Special Thanks to:
Jenny & Mark Sabo
Lezlie Kinne
Rocky Mountain Roasting
www.Twang
Aleworks
Produced, considering the alterable nature of the social order, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Science and Natural History Filmmaking - Montana State University.
R.I.P. Comet