maisie maud broadhead

I've seen this piece in person (twice!) at the CaixaForum here in Madrid, and was so happy to find a version online to be able to share with you.  Even though "An Ode to Hill and Adamson" by London-based artist Maisie Maud Broadhead is an homage to the creators of the first photographic studio in Scotland, for me it represents everything that is magical about film production: the tricks, techniques, cheats, labor, time and teamwork that go into creating beautiful images from nothing.  Or, in this case, into creating another era in the midst of the one we live in.

Here's the photo that inspired this video:

Nailed it, don't you think?

A few more of the photos from the original Hill and Adamson photography studio...

fashion film

Just for fun today.  Here's to having a light and silly weekend!

marthamarcymaymarlene

I finally got around to watching Martha Marcy May Marlene the other day.  Nevermind that I never get the title right and just mumble things that start with 'm', I've been meaning to watch it for ages now.  If you haven't yet seen it, you absolutely should, even if just for the stunning cinematography.  The colors, the images, that slow and quiet pacing, I couldn't tear my eyes away from it.

It's one of those films where you walk away thinking maybe the substance wasn't all that substantial, but the art of it, the sheer beauty of it, more than makes up for that.  Plus, strange as it may sound, Elizabeth Olsen's face is lovely to look at. 

More beautiful stills from the film...

momentum

This video by Boris Seewald expresses the joy of dance in such a simple and eloquent way, I had to share.  And I think it's only fitting, since here I am, pretty much officially retired (are these my golden years then?) but still dancing on my own time, on my own terms, for the joy of it.  The circle has been closed and that is somehow very sweet and satisfying to me.  It's taken me a while to come to terms with, but then again, most things do.

Do you dance?  For the joy of it?

james blake

I literally stopped in my tracks when I heard this song for the first time the other day.  I rushed home to figure out who and what it was, and have spent the past few days listening to everything James Blake has done.  While some of his older work is a bit too straight-up electronic for my taste, I find the stuff from the past few years totally fresh and unexpected: some odd blend of singer/songwriter, R&B, electronic and his own magical mind.  I honestly have never heard anything like it, and I find his boldness and honesty utterly moving and captivating.  The videos he's done with director Martin de Thurah are no less hypnotic.  I'm officially obsessed.

More James...

maiyet in motion

Maiyet has teamed up with director Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre 2009, and Jane Eyre 2011) to create this gorgeous short film.  Aren't those images are just breathtakingly beautiful?

More beauty and the story behind the brand...

kinetic intelligence

Choreographer Wayne McGregor's organic and totally natural yet also constantly surprising quality of movement blows my mind.  Seriously, what beauty is this?

20 years

Mentioned a few weeks ago that I'd been crazy busy with an exciting project, thought I'd share it with you now that life has calmed down a bit.  Since then we've actually shot another music video in addition to this one, but this is still the one I'm most excited about, as it was the first time I was able to co-direct with Husband. It was exhausting and overwhelming but also totally exhilarating and ridiculously satisfying.  I might be addicted.

A few more still photos for your viewing pleasure plus the video itself...

check it out

One of the great things about being back in the states for the summer has been rediscovering the library (thanks to Husband's initiative).  I'm a kindle addict, so I have to admit that the actual books didn't entice me all that much, but I had completely forgotten about the huge AV sections.  We've been checking out tons of dvds and even audiobooks, and it's been such a joy!  Here's a sampling of some of the wonderful movies we've seen this week: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold was a perfect moody spy flick with satisfying twists and turns, Ballerina tracks five dancers at different stages in their careers within the Kirov, and High Society was just plain fun (oh, and the dresses!). 

Do you regularly use the library?  Have you seen any good films lately? 

images from movie poster shop

jack teaser

Here's a teaser for the short film "Jack", directed by my amazing husband (yes, it's possible that I'm biased).  I was lucky enough to work on it in a number of ways, including as stylist and puppet maker and handler.  And now it's finished!  The full version isn't available for viewing yet, but even just seeing the trailer gets me all excited.

if i were king

... of the foreeeeeeest!!!!*

I would wear these Ganni tassel boots from Plumo.  They're sort of a cracked-out version of these, which I've actually considered many a time:

Sam Edelman Louis fringe boots

I can't really explain the attraction, but there's something about fringe in unexpected places that calls out to me.  On the other hand, I have a heavily fringed vintage suede jacket that I've worn all of three times in 10 years.   So maybe not.


*for those of you who don't remember, are too young, grew up in a cave or are otherwise wizard-handicapped:

max

Remember I was making a puppet? Without having any idea how?  Well, I think Max came out a-ok in the end.

Turns out he's also a great actor, though everyone on set agreed that he didn't really have a chance to explore his talent to its maximum potential; he basically just had a cameo in the film.  I think Max has a bright future though, and I'm not just saying that as a proud mother.

Right now Max is hanging out in our living room.  It's almost like having a puppy to come home to, he's always so excited to see us, always filled with energy and joy.  You may think I'm losing my mind, but I tell you, having this little guy around is pretty awesome.

Take a peak into the creation process after the jump...

maggie's closet

We shot Jack this weekend! It was incredibly exciting, exhausting, thrilling and nerve-wracking, all at the same time.  Among the myriad of my responsibilities was the styling.  Jack hung out in his bathrobe and pjs for the most part, but his dear wife Maggie dressed for work.  She wore this lovely skirt from Massimo Dutti paired with a simple nude blouse from Zara:

But of course I picked up tons more work clothes for her just in case.  See what else was in her closet after the jump...

jack

I'm back from London, super excited about everything I learned in Blogshop (my brains's still smoking a little bit from all the new information!).  I will tell you all about it and more, I promise, but not until next week.  Right now my cup runneth over with the styling and monster-making for Jack.

We shoot this weekend, and I honestly don't think I'll be able to post again until after we're done, but come monday I will let you know how it went!

puppet master

Well now I really do have my hands in everything.  My latest endeavor?  Puppet making.  Wait, you may be asking yourself, does she know anything about puppet making?  No.  That's right, say it loud, say it proud, I have no idea what I'm doing.  But that's part of the adventure.  I'm sure he's going to change quite a bit over the next three weeks, but after only a few days he's really starting to turn into someone I want to hug.  Which is a good sign.   Meet the beginnings of Max:

I've been on the project two days and the house is already filled with white fluff and colorful splashes of dye (a purposefully turquoise kitchen sink might actually be my next home improvement project; accidental turquoise sink? not so fabulous).   But I am having a blast.

Max still has almost a month before his film debut, so I'm not too worried, but if any of you readers out there are secretly puppet masters and have any tips on creating loveable beasties, please let me know.  Meanwhile I'll just keep forging ahead, which for now means dying everything I come into contact with. 

flashback

Celebrating sunday with relaxation, so today I'm just going to give you a photo, a song and very few words.

Susan, Michelle and Cher as the Witches (of Eastwick), 1997, image via beauty investigator

What can I say, I saw this and rejoiced.  Awesome ladies, awesome hair, awesome still from an awesome movie.  And, just because I'm having a 90's moment:

The Pretenders - I'll Stand By You

the future

The Future, written and directed by Miranda July, was one of the most moving and inspiring things I've seen on this trip.  And the beauty of it is, you can all see it, even if you're not in nyc.  And you should.  I don't want to say too much, just that I found it so quirky, so personal and so honest, that I actually get emotional just thinking about it.  I am now obsessed with Miranda July and will do another post on her other work soon, but for now, watch the trailer for The Future.  Better yet, just go out and see the movie.

bald mountain

Last night we had a heads-of-department meeting for our current project, and on the suggestion of our director of photography we all squished together on the couch and watched the bald mountain scene from Fantasia.  Sometimes I am hit with a wave of joy at what my job consists of.   Not that that's all I do, mind you, and right now it feels like in addition to the usual endless hours of rehearsals and classes, I'm also doing a gazillion other jobs.  But even in the midst of all this frenzy and anxiety and exhaustion, I'm still pretty damn happy.  And in a week or so, when things calm down, I'm going to make a point to re-watch all of Fantasia, because it truly is amazing.  As a kid I remember laughing at Micky and being terrified of this mountain devil, but if you haven't watched it as an adult I strongly suggest you do, because you can appreciate it for what it is - pure visual creative imagination and interpretation of music.  Absolute freedom.