Monday, November 25, 2013

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.


Sunday, May 5, 2013

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.

Friday, February 8, 2013

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.

Friday, July 27, 2012

"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!

Monday, June 4, 2012

"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.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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!!!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Homer and Penelope

I just launched a Kickstarter campaign for my next film, Homer and Penelope. Head on over to the project's Kickstarter page to learn all about it.

I've written a handful of feature-length films, but Homer and Penelope will be the first one I direct. So, needless to say, this film means everything to me. I would greatly appreciate any support you have to offer, whether it's a financial pledge or simply passing it on to a friend and spreading the word in some way.

I have self-financed Keeping the Lights On since the beginning, but Homer and Penelope needs your help to be fully realized. Thanks for your continued support.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Watson and the Future of the Human Race

So Watson won Jeopardy! So what? Computers will never be able to make great art. They will never be able to write great literature, direct a great film, or paint a great painting. Computers will never be able to create.

Humanity wins.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Old Man and the Sea and Mixed Greens

Just a reminder that TUESDAY opens at Mixed Greens tomorrow night, a group show featuring the work of Joy Drury Cox. This is an exciting and not-to-be-missed event, as Joy's Old Man and Sea will be shown publicly for the first time. As you might recall, Joy was kind enough to give us an in-progress look at this fascinating, beautiful, and epic work when we filmed her for Keeping the Lights On. If you didn't catch it (or want to see it again), her complete installment is available here.

For more info about the show, simply scroll down a bit or check out the Mixed Greens site here.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

Happy New Year art lovers! Here's to a productive, creative, and art-filled 2011.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Joy and Yashua

This just in from Joy Drury Cox, current and upcoming shows...

Nowhere: Selections from the Files of the Hand Drawn Map Association
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
Sept. 23 - Dec. 19

NADA Art Fair, Miami, FL
Humble Arts Foundation Booth #317
Dec. 2 - 5

re:Context
numberthirtyfive, New York, NY
Dec. 9 - Jan. 30
Opening: Thursday, Dec. 9

Tuesday
Mixed Greens, New York, NY
Jan. 13 - Feb. 12
Opening: Thursday, Jan. 13, 6-8pm


I'd also like to tell you more about my friend, Yashua Klos, a talented visual artist who has been showing all over New York lately. I hope to have him on KTLO someday, but for now check out his website and this show that opens tonight:

Hatching: Crossing the Line
One Gallery, Newark, NJ
Dec. 4 - Jan. 16
Opening: Saturday, Dec. 4, 7-10pm

Here's more about the show, straight from the man himself:

"Hey Art People!

I have my 'Banners' series in the huge window front of One Gallery in Newark.
The other print works in this show are amazing as well!
New Yorkers listen for clarity: It is very accessible for you. 40 min from Brooklyn to Newark's PATH train stop. Even quicker from Manhattan. Don't fear crossing the border.
No body scanning required."

If that's not enough to motivate you to go, here are a couple images of this amazing work:





Enjoy.

Friday, September 24, 2010

An Imposter Among Us

I've bitten my tongue on this particular matter for a few months now, but at the end of the day no one else is going to stand up for my work except me.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well, I say imitation stinks. And I am certainly not flattered.

Others have come out with an online documentary series about artists and the challenges they face trying to balance art and life. Sound familiar? They're releasing 3 episodes a month, and 3 of them have focused solely on day jobs. Sound familiar?

Some claim that originality no longer exists. I disagree. Let's be original, people.

And, you know, it's funny how the world works sometimes. They've received a great deal of support from the local art world as well as some heavy-hitting press in a very short amount of time, all for an issue that's already being explored in a very similar way, for an idea that isn't theirs.

Victor Hugo said, "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." I guess it took 3 years for them to catch on and catch up.

Maybe I should have waited until the economic crisis hit to release Keeping the Lights On.

So timing is everything, it seems. But I guess it also helps to have some names and clout to boot. Who cares if it's not your idea or how the thing looks? You've got the right people in your corner and it's "Come right on in!" I guess power and politics trump originality and quality. How naive I was to think otherwise.

Some key players involved have known about Keeping the Lights On from day one but chose to back them anyway, all while remaining quite silent about another series doing the same thing. And some of the media outlets that have shined light on this other series knew about Keeping the Lights On, too. I don't say this out of jealousy or envy or even bitterness; I'm just saying. Yup, it's very funny how the world works sometimes.

So what does this all mean? Well, I've let some of the people involved know that I'm aware of what's going on and I've expressed my feelings on the matter. Will they stop doing what they're doing? It's highly unlikely. The ball is rolling and, besides, the Rockefeller Foundation (their biggest supporter) wouldn't be too happy about that. They would surely want their money back.

If there's no way to stop the train, I guess our only recourse for now is to keep on doing what we do—bringing you the original documentary series about artists and their day jobs. In the least, it gives me the opportunity to live up to my production company's name.

Thank you for listening (well, reading). And thank you for all your support—past, present, and future.

Monday, September 6, 2010

New York Clown Theatre Festival

Our friend Ishah Janssen-Faith is performing in this year's New York Clown Theatre Festival. Here's all the info straight from the source's mouth:
"We, JAMES & JF, are proud to announce that our new show, CHANNEL ONE, is included in an all-star lineup at The New York Clown Theatre Festival 2010 at The Brick Theater.

THREE NIGHTS ONLY!
Sunday, September 19th at 8pm
Wednesday, September 22nd at 9pm
Thursday, September 23rd at 7pm

Buy tickets now: $15
Here's how: www.bricktheater.com/clown or 1-866-811-4111

THIS MATTERS.

JAMES & JF is Emily James and Ishah Janssen-Faith together. CHANNEL ONE is their first full-length show about two lonely sisters in the future who discover a live audience and something called 'TV.'"

Congratulations Ishah!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Manual Transmission

Our friend Joy is co-curating Manual Transmission, a group show in Brooklyn that looks to be really interesting. From the Humble Arts Foundation website:

"Each artist (or collaborative group) will create a unique piece comprised of 36 exposures from one roll of 35mm color slide film. All exposures will be shown. Humble will exhibit the projects simultaneously on 10 screens during a one-night rooftop slide show scheduled for July 31, 2010."

So you have one chance to experience this experience!

More info here.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Shooting Water

New news! I will once again be teaming up with our good friend George to capture something wonderful, as I am shooting the procession of her Wherever There Is Water parade. I couldn't be more excited.

If you need to catch up on what this soon-to-be fantastic parade is all about, go here, here, or here for all the details. And if you're in the Philadelphia area on April 24th, stop by and experience something truly one of a kind.

The parade kicks off at dusk (around 7:45pm).

Oh, one more thing, you can also follow the final week leading up to the big parade and get some sneak peeks at the art. George is actively posting on something called Twitter.

Monday, November 30, 2009

More Water

I previously posted a link to George's blog about her latest work in progress. Check it out if you haven't already.

But here's more about Wherever There Is Water from Fleisher Art Memorial, the organization where George is currently in residency with this new and sure-to-be amazing public project.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Going To Miami

Well, the work of Joy Drury Cox will be, that is. So if you're in the Miami area you should definitely check out Humble Arts Foundation's exhibition of Joy's work at the NADA Art Fair next month. Here are the details:

December 3rd-6th
The Deauville Beach Resort
6701 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL

Admission is free and open to the public.

More info can be found at Humble's site and the NADA site.

This show is sure to be as illuminating as the Florida sunshine.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Wherever There Is Water

George has another wonderful project in the works. Please take a look and see for yourself...

Wherever There Is Water

Inspiring, to say the least.

Friday, October 9, 2009

New Shows By KTLO Alum

Joy has new shows happening right now (and a couple coming up very soon)! If you're in the MO, NYC, or NJ areas, check them out.

"text. (or in the vacancy of)"
at Greenlease Gallery
Rockhurst University
1100 Rockhurst Road
Kansas City, MO
Aug. 28 - Oct. 10 (that's tomorrow!)
more info

"Linear Progression"
at Horse Trader Gallery
519 Grand Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY
Oct. 9 - 31
more info

"We Do Our Part"
at Envoy Enterprises
131 Christie Street, Ground Floor
New York, NY
Oct. 22 (one night show)
more info

"Moolah"
at Arts Guild of Rahway
1670 Irving Street
Rahway, NJ
Nov. 13 - Dec. 11
more info