HOMER AND PENELOPE Online Premiere

I'm proud to finally say that you, yes YOU, will be able to see Homer and Penelope very soon.  The online release of the film happens here December 11th-15th.  It'll be free and ad free.

I'm also proud to say that the great film magazine The Independent will publish an article about Homer and Penelope the first day of the release.

Please support independent cinema by watching the film and reading the magazine.  We'd greatly appreciate it.

Edward Albee Fellowship

Without sounding too self-congratulatory, I wanted to humbly share the news that I have been selected as an Edward Albee Fellow for 2013.  I am truly honored to receive this recognition, and I felt compelled to mention this news here for two reasons:

1) Edward Albee and his foundation seek to support what he calls "cusp artists," emerging artists who, like me and everyone featured on this site and in the Keeping the Lights On series, have day jobs and wouldn't otherwise be able to afford time away and a place to create full-time.

2) This recognition was due in large part to the screenplay for Homer and Penelope; so it means a great deal that the text for the film has been received in such a positive way, and we hope it says something about the film's potential impact.

I hope to have some more good news regarding Homer and Penelope as well as information on how you can see the film soon.

The Trailer Has Arrived

Cinema With Cinema has released the official trailer for Homer and Penelope.  You can see it at the film's website, homerandpenelope.com.

More information to come as things progress toward theatrical release.

"Closer" at Brooklyn Wayfarers

George Ferrandi invited me to curate a night of films for her awesome art gallery and it's all set to take place tomorrow evening.  Here are the details:

CLOSER

Saturday, July 28th

7:00 pm, $5

Brooklyn Wayfarers

1109 Dekalb Avenue

(between Broadway & Malcolm X)

Bushwick

Closer features three remarkable films that shed light on the people, places, and things that bring us closer—to the real and the surreal, to the known and the unknown, to the sacred and the forgotten, to the poetic, to one another, to what was and to what is yet to come.

Check out Brooklyn Wayfarers for the full slate of films.

I would love to see you there!

"Homer and Penelope" Is One Step Closer

I told you things would get a little quite around here, but now I'm ready to shout the news that we have completed principal photography on Homer and Penelope!  I cannot begin to describe how things feel right now, but after a year and a half of working to get the film to this point the view looks pretty good from here.

So where do we go from here?  Well, post-production begins very soon and I can't wait to sit down with the material and start shaping this thing into what it wants to be.  But in the meantime it's back to the day job this week, something I'm looking very forward to—returning to a more "normal" daily life after feature filmmaking seems like a vacation.  And I miss my colleagues.  And I love the work I do there.

There will be plenty of news to share along the way as things progress toward the release of the film, so hopefully the crickets you've been hearing when you go to this page will soon be gone.  But for now I want to thank you for your support of this site, my work, and all that is to come.

First Hemingway, Now...

There's big news about our old friend, Joy, and one of my favorite works of hers, Old Man and Sea. I'll let you get the scoop straight from her below, but I just want to say how honored I am to have had the opportunity to see this work in its early stages and for Joy to graciously allow me to feature it in Keeping the Lights On. It's not easy for many artists to discuss in-progress work let alone allow it to be captured on film for all the world to see before it's completed, so I will always be grateful to Joy for granting us this window into her process and a first look at this amazing work of art.

Now, all the details from Joy:

I'm happy to announce that Old Man and Sea will be featured in the second issue of Conveyor Magazine.

In conjunction with the magazine launch, Conveyor Arts is producing a limited edition copy of the book. It is being offered as a reward for their Kickstater campaign to raise money for operating costs. If all goes well and they can raise enough money, it is possible that a larger run of the book will be available. With 8 days remaining, there are currently 7 of 20 copies of Old Man and Sea available.

If you are in the New York City area, there will be a magazine lauch party and exhibition on Friday, Nov. 18th at 25CPW from 7-10pm.

One if by Wanderlust
November 16 - 23, 2011

Included Artists:

Adam Ryder
Alexandra Lethbridge
Aubrey Hays
Brea Souders
Caleb Charland
Charlie Rubin
Colin Stearns
Dierdre Donohue
Jenny Odell
John Mann
Joy Drury Cox
Justin James King
Mary Mattingly
Peter Happel Christian

To learn more about Conveyor Arts, Click Here.
To help out, Click Here.


I'm late in posting this and the Kickstarter campaign has now ended. The good news is that Conveyor reached its goal, so hopefully Joy's book will receive a larger run and you will be able to get your hands on a copy as well!

In the meantime, click here to see the beginnings of Old Man and Sea and hear what Joy had to say about it way back when.

Congrats, Joy!!!

The Journey Begins

I am so very happy to report that we reached and, with the help of many wonderful supporters, surpassed our fundraising goal for Homer and Penelope. I can't even begin to say "thank you" enough to everyone who pledged and otherwise showed love to this project. We've come so far because of all your generous help. THANK YOU SINCERELY.

Now what? Well, even before we had the money to make this film we were working hard to get this ship sailing far and now it's time to take it even farther (and at a faster pace). So things might get a little quiet around here, but just know that it's because we are off trying to create this little film the best we can.

Thanks again!