From Left: Sophie Amoss, Jeena Yi, Ryan Nicolls, Marianna Caldwell, Kristie Larson, Ethan Nguyen, Kevin Tobias, Phillip Shinn, Toni Ann DeNoble, Greg Nussen, Matthew Dunivan, Josué Gutierrez-Guerra, Andy Talen, Zarif Kabier, & Adam Petchel. (Copyright MattyD Photography)
The Columbia University Acting Class of 2014 finished it's run of The Government Inspector on Saturday night. I'm always really glad for a quiet few days because I get a chance to reflect on things that would otherwise go unnoticed.
I'm tremendously proud of this production. I feel like it was incredibly successful and I'm so grateful that I had the chance to share the stage with Andy Talen; Matt Dunivan; Ethan Nguyen; Adam Petchel; Kevin Tobias; Zarif Kabier; Sophie Amoss; Marianna Caldwell; Ariel Puls; Jeena Yi; Toni Ann DeNoble; Kristie Larson; Greg Nussen; Josué Gutierrez-Gueera and Phillip Shinn... friends and collaborators and partners in crime for these past two and a half years.
I think there was a point during our run where I, by happenstance, got a chance to catch just about everyone individually backstage and share a moment that can only be described by sharing a long exhale and a lasting nod of affirmation that sounds something like, "Pfffffffffffffffff... ... ... yeah.", which I think translates into "We made it, partner!"
From left: Ryan Nicolls, Matthew Dunivan; Ethan Nguyen; Andy Talen; Adam Petchel; Toni Ann DeNoble; Kevin Tobias; Kristie Larson and Marianna Caldwell. (Photo courtesy of Marianna Caldwell)
Being a part of this class and getting to see these people that I respect so much grow as performers and people has really been a brilliant thing and I'm so thrilled to be able to tell people that I'm in the company of these tremendous, courageous people. Cheers!
Ariel and I have been working with Edwin Ho, a first-year directer in the Film program for a good part of the semester. He asked us back to do a directing exercise for him and we got together last week and shot an excerpt from the film Donnie Brasco. The exercise was to take a scene from an established film and put his own twist on it. This is what he came up with.
It's always really wonderful to work with Ariel; she's such a giving performer and a strong screen presence. And Getting to work with Edwin repeatedly during the semester has really been a treat.
I hope you enjoy it. Now I'm off to go close The Government Inspector with Ariel and the rest of the Class of 2014. Cheers!
This is the NYU Film that got this whole series of videos started. It's written and directed by the lovely Natalie Erazo. It's a silent film, and it was a really cool and different way to work and definitely left me with an immense amount of respect for the screen actors of the early twentieth century.
This past Summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work on an indie feature with some incredible artists. The film is called Sleepwalkers (you may have seen some BTS photos in the gallery!) and the Kickstarter page has just gone live today.
We wrapped principle photography in mid-August and the the post-production team has been working to get a theatrical edit ready to begin submitting to festivals around the country. This is where you can help out!!!
Right now we're looking for funds to hire a professional color-corrector and sound engineer to take an already beautifully shot film and bump the quality up to the next level. We're also looking for a little help to pay our composer, who has done some amazing work.
Please check out the page; watch the video and get a glimpse of some of the footage from the movie; donate (if it excites you); and please help us promote the Kickstarter Drive by adding a like or a share.
