Hola Vaniards,

As we talked about in our last podcast, the Vanish world is changing. Essentially, our lives are filling up with other ways to show some cube. Refer to the podcast to hear more. So here’s the rundown.

• The website will remain live. However, making movies and updating the website will be suspended indefinitely.
• Our movies, podcasts, and blog posts will still be available.
• You can still contact us!  Feel free to give us a call if something is on your mind. (see right column)

Mike, Trista and I want to express our gratitude to y’all for your support as we followed our passion to make movies. We are proud as hell and we hope you got something out of our venture.

Rock it out people. Show some cube.

BV

New Developments and Lightnin’ takes us out.

“In the Name of the Father” has numerous memorable scenes but this one stands out. It takes place right after Gisseppe Conlan, the father of Daniel Day-Lewis’s character, dies in prison. Both are innocent and spent several years in prison together.  The constraints of prison prevent the rest of the inmates from paying their respects in the normal way, i.e. attending a funeral service or visiting a grave. So they figure out another way.

In DIY filmmaking (or any art where the funds are lacking), you will have constraints. But you have to realize that they force you to create in a new way. As stressful as this may be, I believe it’s one of the fastest way to produce something remarkable. I mean, what are you more likely to remember – a funeral service or what you saw in the film clip?  If those boys aren’t in jail, you would never see that amazing scene.

Your limitations will only expand your horizon if you keep moving forward. Do it.

Show some cube.

Fly on the wall, Flintstone Ciggys, Cyrus, Mamie and musical confessions

At the foot of a Northern California harbor stands a monument dedicated to the men lost at sea. The list is lengthy with room for more. I visited this site several times during my stay. It feeds into the very thing I find fascinating, terrifying, motivating, and ultimately haunting – the unknown. How did these men end up in the sea?  What went through their minds during their brief struggle?  Where did their bodies end up?  We will never know!  Since we’re wired to constantly look for answers, this dilemma produces a lot of negative emotions. But what about reveling in it?

I’ve had some recent conversations with the Dane about our newest flick “Surely You Jest.” The unknown, nasty deed performed by the antagonist is throwing his view of the film into a tailspin. He was somewhat pissed about it, which I understand. But the great thing, albeit selfish on my part, is that it produced a great conversation about the story and even turned into a philosophical discussion. The Dane took the story to places that I never even thought of. This is why Mike and I are addicted to the unknown. We get to hear fascinating interpretations of the events and see how people’s thought process works.

We know we run the risk of irking people with these unknown elements but we’re a couple of crazy kids. This is our vision, warts and all…or only some.

Now check this:

Scene set up: Night time. I’m sitting in an open area near a cliff overlooking a Northern California harbor. The problem is I can’t see a thing. Thick fog surrounds me. It would be a peaceful scene except for one thing – a bell out in the harbor ringing every couple seconds.

This one sound changed the whole setting. With every ring, a sense of dread continued to build. Instead of being happily lost in the fog, I was now a victim of it. I sensed all the elements I couldn’t see with no feeling of control. All because of a ringing bell out in the harbor.

Filmmakers need to make audio a top priority. It’s simple to do and can turn the emotional balance on it’s head. Think of the one piano key in “Eyes Wide Shut” or the serial killer’s whistle in “M.”

The bell is tolling for you. What will you do?

BV

The road trip. It never goes as planned. When change occurs unexpectedly, the surreal experiences rise to the surface. Those moments that singe your brain. Check the pic. The site of our first breakdown. The sign happened to be laying near the spot.

These situations are primed for film. The sensory overload of the surreal will win every time. Even if you can’t make sense of it take the powerful elements and apply them to your story.

You will be pleased. So will we.

Show some cube.

BV

Hola Vaniards,

I’m taking off on a cross-country venture on my motor bike so the Vanish Old Time Radio show will be taking 2 weeks off. However, thanks to the iPhone I’ll continue my rants with a series of posts during my trip.

Thanks for your support. I’ll leave you with this:

Don’t call me Surely, Blue Blades, the Awful Bones, Tiger Rags, and Roy Orbison

I saw “Smoke” several years ago and this scene still haunts me. Or inspires me – it matters the day. Everyone can learn from Auggie and his photography project. His life’s work may seem simplistic but look a little deeper. The importance and complexity of his project shines throughout the scene.

This is Auggie’s corner. He doesn’t care what anybody says. He lives and works here, so he is going to document it for the world. Many (including William Hurt) question the importance of a city street corner. This doesn’t phase Auggie in the slightest. The corner has a special place in his heart and he wants to share it. His passion, his corner.

But the thing that gets me is the unexpected emotional reaction of William Hurt’s character. He sees this mundane project and then gets cold-clocked by the thing. You need to soak this in. One of the most amazing and rewarding thing about creating is that you have no idea how it will affect people. A friend of mine enjoyed “Sweet Damnation” because the characters resembled her crew from college. It made her happy to think about that time of her life again.

Cool stuff people. Check out “Smoke.” Then do your thing.

]]> http://vanishmovies.com/2010/07/smoke_fire/feed/ 0 http://vanishmovies.com/2010/06/vanish-old-time-radio-21/ http://vanishmovies.com/2010/06/vanish-old-time-radio-21/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:38:45 +0000 Ben Van http://vanishmovies.com/?p=737

Film loss, hair cream, Freddy’s Revenge, Trouble Trouble and Tom Waits

(Sorry about the audio interference. DIY!)

Thanks for checking it out! – VP

Hola Vaniards,

I know we’ve surrounded our new movie in a cloud of mystery but the mystery is solved!  Tonight we will be releasing our third short film, “Surely You Jest”, right here on our website. The film is 7 minutes long. People are asking about the genre but we can’t nail it down. Actually, if you do watch it, we’d love for you to comment with any ideas or just your opinion of the movie.

So be on the lookout! We’re psyched to bring you another flick. Hopefully it gets a rise out of you. Yes.

Show some cube.

BV

48 hour filmmaking, shutter rock, the Brownies and Blind Melon

This video is killer with no filler. And that get-up is so much cooler than a brand new Fender. It’s not a slick, mass produced guitar. Rather, it’s a homegrown, junkyard ball-buster. Completely original and inspiring.

Thinking about your art, are you willing to scour the scraps or dig in the dirt to find your masterpiece?  Or are you stuck in the rut of looking for the nicest Fender guitars?  The people that scowl or laugh at Jack’s guitar are completely out of the creative loop while they think they’re at the center of it. Don’t go there. Play in the mud. Seek out the junkyards and bring the elements back to life.

That’s power.

That’s remarkable.

That’s a spicy meatball.

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