"When you see a chance, take it...."

We have a semi-annual review we have to do at work. Part of it involves an extensive check on what we've been doing with our time - what we're watching, reading, doing, etc. It's always a nice time to look back on the films that I've been seeing.

Quality is always so subjective. Yet, I felt that someone there was a quality missing from all of the big, dumb, fun movies I've been seeing. I'm sure that sounds like I've answered my own question, but I think I've decided that quality is daring.

I missed a lot of films at the theatres because for the last several months I've been involved with two film festivals and teaching film. The shorts and indies that I see worth sharing all seem to take a chance and attempt to be something greater than the sum of their parts. And when I look back to share some great film with my students, I find that what my students are numb to is often something daring at the time.

It's too simple to say heart, because it's less tangible. Give me the same story I've heard a thousand times with a new personal slant and maybe I'll still enjoy it. But I'm sure the daring inside that comes from some vulnerability that we as viewers can only feel. Show me some new digital trick nobody has done before, and I may question it as less daring and more egotistical.

Taking a chance with something feels more real. It may not catch every time, but I'd rather see those movies. They last.

j.brown

Good things come in dark packages.

For every filmmaker out there that can't seem to figure out how to get recognized, found, or "hired" - I say this: check out Jake Mahaffy. Mahaffy's very little film "War" thrust him into Sundance, onto the Pages of MovieMaker magazine, and to the top of several grant lists. Mahaffy teaches at Hollins University; so, occassionally you forget the lessons that are being played out so close to you till someone else points them out.

"War" is unlike almost anything else. I was lucky enough to program "War" for the West Virginia International Film Festival last year. The stark black & white images with the MOS dialogue and distant soundtrack leave an impression on an audience. Love it or hate it, the movie sticks with you.

It's not another Tarantino rip-off, or the next rom-com with the prettiest teens in the world, or another film school, Hitchcockian rip-off. It's its own film. And that uniqueness has given Jake untold appreciation, acceptance and accolades. It's not about popularity. It's just about the film which exists outside of everyone else.

Do that - people will notice.

j.brown

When the stars are within reach, suddenly things feel a little hot.

It's been a good week. On a closer to home front, I sat down with a composer to work on my piece "One of Them." We've worked out a few ideas on how to hint toward a Van Morrisson sound. I'm really excited. Whether the faculty appreciate it or not, I'm at peace with how hard I've worked and how strong I feel about this piece. This feels like the movies I want to make and I needed to make this movie right now and get it out of my system.

The second thing is several e-mails and phone calls have moved the documentary I'm shooting this summer closer and closer to the full vision I had intended for it. I've spent the last year working toward accepting it being something smaller and more intimate. Now, I've got to keep those ideas in mind as it gets more and more attention from bigger and bigger people.

rock on,
j.brown

Time flies when you're editing.

Wow - I didn't realize I hadn't put anything up here since the first of the month. I bought my tickets and went to Full Frame between posts. Sorry guys.

So, I finished shooting "One of Them" and botched an edit of "Water Against Rock." I put a lot of work into both projects and wish that I had spent more time focusing on just one of them. Cest la vie.

I'm really happy with "One of Them," which is a confessional piece in the vein of Rodrigo Garcia's Ten Tiny Love Stories. Garcia's work was an inspiration to me. Put the camera in front of an interesting character and let them tell the story. It's powerful stuff when done well. I think I found moments of power and moments of just stuff. I'm hoping to put a nice nuance of sound to it and raise it above the level it's at now.

"Water Against Rock" was inspired by the Noah Adams' book "Far Appalachia." I went to Hinton, WV to shoot this meditative piece about how the New River has cut away at the land leaving little behind. Damn that water - I got sucked into it. The footage didn't come out like I planned leaving me wondering what to do. I got some great feedback to basically use it as an editing exercise. I enjoy the freedom to create kaleidoscopes with footage. It's going to be something - but it's got a long way to go.

I'll be posting more shortly as I nail down specifics on this summer's shoot. Thanks for your support. Go see good movies.

j.brown

I just got back this evening from the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. It was my first trip and well worth it.

Before I even mention all of the great films, I can't say enough about the wonderful people involved with the festival from top to bottom. It is so wonderful to be reminded of the festival part that goes along with the film. Okay, maybe that was enough.

Anyway, the movies great. While the hype for "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" and "Air Guitar Nation" were well deserved, I was blown away by the delicate beauty of "My Country, My Country." Two very good films I think people have heard of that I enjoyed where "Purvis of Overtown" and "A/K/A Tommy Chong."

While I saw some wonderful world premieres, including "Sweet Dreams" and "The Chances of the World Changing," the downside of festivals is the ability to sit through really good films that just feel they should be shorter. As the awards were announced over sweet tea and bar-b-que, I was shocked at so many of the films that played opposite of my schedule were the winners. It just speaks to the breadth of great films there.

If you've never been to Durham, even for a "Bull Durham" road trip, Full Frame is an incredible opportunity to meet great filmmakers in such a congenial atmosphere. I don't think I'll finish my upcoming doc in time for next year's submissions, but Full Frame is a festival that can definitely get behind filmmakers.

j.brown

Full Frame is coming to town.

I bought my pass to this year's 9th Annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, and I'm so excited. Beyond the fact that I love film festivals, my former professor Julie Gustafson will be in town screening her film "Desire."

Along with being a great filmmaker, she was very inspiring to me when we first met at Hollins University. She's very dedicated to work and sees its impact on not only on the people who see it, but also the people who make it. I think part of her rubbed off on my ambitions.

There are a few good movies showing, but like every good festival, I'm most looking forward to meeting other filmmakers. If you're in Durham this week, please say hi.

j.brown