Cordillera International Film Festival: COVID Dystopia screening

Posted on by Thor

COVID Dystopia screened at the Cordillera International Film Festival in Reno Nevada, on September 27, 2024 in the 10:30 PM, Music Video Party Film Block at the Greater Nevada Baseball Field (250 Evans Avenue). For me this was a solid day of watching independent films. By the time the music video party started my butt hurt. There were a few booth seating tables around the edge of the room and I snagged one of those to rest by butt to watch COVID Dystopia.

There were a lot of short films in this film block. When it came time for the question and answer session there were about 10 film makers standing in  front of the screen. There was still an image projected on the screen when we got up there so we were blinded by the light. I remember the woman standing next to me had a blue bar projected across her face which looked a bit menacing. I had my baseball hat on to block the light.

When asked about how my film came to be, I gave my usual answer of how I started doing a painting a day starting the day the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. I pointed out that we are coming down off the 9th wave of the pandemic which peaked in August 2024 and was twice a severe as the early waves in 2020.The very idea that the pandemic is not over drew blank stares. It isn’t my job to preach but to entertain.

Paul Sloop the shorts programmer asked us all what our favorite music video of all time was. Most of the other filmmakers were kids and I had no idea what they were talking about when they answered. When my turn rolled around, I blurted out that I was from the MTV generation and loved Thriller with Michael Jackson. The room erupted with laughter. Then the woman next to me followed up with the fact that she saw Thriller as a child and it inspired her to start creating. I wish I had caught her name, the introductions slipped by so fast.

Cordillera really is a spectacular film festival. I learned so much from each question and answer session after each film block. So much time, energy, and money, is invested to bring these films to life. I wasn’t great at networking since I had no desire to stand in a tight enclosed room shouting into peoples faces. That is pre-pandemic behavior that makes no sense to me today. After the screening I went outside and sat in the cool open air and took my mask off for a bit. One woman approached and we had a lovely conversation. I also spoke with another animator outside and learned about a new animation software called MOJO that I have to look into. Since I am so starved for conversation, every encounter was a delight. I spent an entire year in isolation working on the film. It felt good to be among other who may have been similarly laser beam focused for so long.

There was a stage set up outside and flashing lights, but it was last call at the bar when the films stopped screening. I did have a white wine outside to wind down after the screenings. Any notion of a dance party was a myth. There was some canned music, and I swayed my hips and stretched my legs since I had been sitting all day long in dark movie theaters. My stretching calisthenics may have been the only dancing that happened that night at the dance party.

Cordillera: Bottle Rocket

Posted on by Thor

On the flight out to The Cordillera International Film Festival in Revo, Nevada, Delta stopped over in Saint Paul, Minnesota for about 3 hours.

I walked to a deserted section of the airport and decided I should get lunch/dinner. The airport restaurant I decided to sit in was called the Bottle Rocket which boasted good local food.

There was literally no one in the place when I arrived except the two servers. I ordered a burger and salad and calculated the risks of eating mask less. The airport air circulation system was being worked on and there were open ducts right outside the Bottle Rocket. The waitress apologized for the draft since the air was blowing right at my table. I considered this an advantage hoping that the breeze might be fresh air blowing into the restaurant. I went mask less long enough to wolf my meal down and then masked up to sketch. I wish there were outdoor dining options at airports but I suppose that would be a security risk.

The waitress kept refilling my Coke. I got a straw from the bar and would lift my mask briefly, hold my breath and sip, then pull it up and exhale hard before breathing again. I’m sure this is a flawed system but a meal was needed before the next long leg of the trip. I would rather risk the airport air in a relatively empty restaurant than the air in the sardine can fuselage of a plane. The waitress and bartender were super friendly and I shared my sketch with them when I was done, to break up their day.

Cordillera International Film Festival: Flight Out of OIA

Posted on by Thor

The flight to the Cordillera International Film Festival from Orlando International Airport just happened to line up with the day Hurricane Helene was churning north in the Gulf of Mexico. My sister reported that the eye of the hurricane would be west of Port Charlotte about Noon on that day.

I caught a Lyft to the airport about 10 AM to catch a Noon flight. It was cloudy but clear when I left, but we drove right towards a wall of dark grey clouds on the trip south to the airport. Half way there it began to rain. I joked with the driver that it would likely rain for the rest of the day. I realized that I likely left a ceiling fan on at home. There was no going back. Perhaps a power outage might save some electricity?

In the airport waiting area it seemed like everyone was checking their phones to see the track of the eye of the storm. I was sure the airplane would fly north away from the front bands of the storm. I was sure of that since airplanes roar over my home daily every half hour or so, their engines rattling the windows. I had hoped that I might sketch someone else wearing a mask, but I was the only one, except several airport staff. Am I crazy? Well that is rhetorical, I know the answer, but I also know too much about the invisible damage the virus is doing to peoples vascular systems, brains and immune systems.

There was a 15 minute delay boarding, but we were assured that we would make up the time with a strong tail wind. Strangely as the plane tires left the tarmac, it was sunny out. There were a few gut wrenching bumps on the ascent to cruising altitude but after that it was a smooth flight. I watched the movie Dune on the flight north west. We flew to Minneapolis where there was a 3 hour layover before catching another flight to Reno. It felt good to be flying thousands of miles away from the advancing hurricane. It was a rather extreme form of voluntary evacuation.

 

What the Constitution Means to Me

Posted on by Thor

I sketched a dress rehearsal for What the Constitution Means to Me, by Heidi Schreck is being presented by the Orlando Shakes at the Orlando Family Theater. Becky Baird dominated in the lead roll. The play rolls back the years to when Heidi was 16 years old an presented speeches about the Constitution at American Legion halls for cash prizes. She earned her college tuition this way.

There is a joyous excitement in her presentation about this document which she loves. yet during the presentation emotions start to run deep as she recalls her family history of a grandmother being sold to a outdoors man in Washington State. There is clear evidence of generational trauma throughout her family history. The constitution was written by the founders for the founders, in other words wealth white property owning men. Women never factored into the equation.

I loved what the actors broke the 4th wall towards the end of the play, breaking character and speaking to the audience as themselves. The Legionnaire who I assumed was rather conservative was actually a very liberal and open minded actor named John Voigt. A debate was held with an energetic high school debater. he debaters were played by Daisy Spann, and Tatriana Hinds. Each brought a unique energy to the roll. They  each argued their points on weather the constitution should be abolished or amended. Though the Constitution is very old and rather outdated, the youthful debate inspires hope for the future. With presidential elections only month away this play takes the audience on an inspired journey through what makes us all American and how we need to work hard to make democracy work for us all.

The play runs through October 13, 2024. If you only see one play this year, this should be it. Get your tickets now.

 

What the Constitution Means to Me: Final

Posted on by Thor

The final version of the poster for What the Constitution Means to Me has the actress much larger. There was an earlier version of this that had that looked too much like Heidi Schreck,

Altering the face and making her look much younger was actually quite fun. The paint itself was moved and morphed to fit the new drawing that I created for her face. I was surprised at how fast 20 years could be dropped.

The book cover was designed to match what an actual printed constitution looks like. Audience Members will each get a copy of the constitution to take home at each performance.

This really is a show that you should not miss. It will have you laughing out loud and also rethinking just what the founding fathers had in mind when they crafted this document. Presented by the Orlando Shakes, the show runs from October 2-13, 2024 at the Edyth Bush Theater at Orlando Family Stage, 1001 East Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803. Get your tickets now.

What the Constitution Means to Me: Second Pass

Posted on by Thor

On the second pass of the poster for What the Constitution Means to Me, I had the actress much smaller. What I liked about this design was that the Constitution shows up quite well against the light shining on the wall. I also like that the American Legion photos seem to go on forever, and the authors name is crisp and clear against the light.

Having the podium and American Legion symbol helped set the place but I needed to change the focus and zoom in on the actress. I also had her smiling so broadly that you can not see the whites of her eyes. I would have to change that.

Working digitally I could borrow elements from previous versions of the poster which saved me from having to repaint them.

First Pass: What the Constitution Means to Me

Posted on by Thor

My first pass at the poster had the statue of liberty in place of the actress. I didn’t know who the actress would be yet since she had not been cast.

I liked this version and it set the color palette for the posters to follow. The problem was that Lady Liberty is too serious. I suppose I could have put a big smile on her face but that just felt wrong.

The American Legion photos in the background also were too large. There was some debate about if they were needed, but they stayed. I would reduce them in size and multiply how many there were.

This is really just a sketch so the painting is very rough.I would polish it up if the idea was approved. Since Lady Liberty was trashed, I didn’t push the painting any further.

What the Constitution Means to Me will be performed at the Edyth Bush Stage in the Orlando Family Theater, right across the lawn of fabulousness since the Orlando Shakes is undergoing some major  renovations. The show really shouldn’t be missed especially considering how divided the country is and the upcoming presidential election. It runs October 2 -13, 2024. Tickets are on sale now!

What the Constitution Means to Me.

Posted on by Thor

The posters I created for the Orlando Shakes are starting to appear with online variations. What the Constitution Means to Me is a truly inspired one woman show written by Heidi Schreck.

Heidi brings the audience back to when she was 15 years old and gave talks about the constitution at competitions held at American Legion Halls for prize money. She presented the constitution as a hot sweaty document that recognized that the person you are today might not the be person you are in the future. For all its short comings, the Constitution presents hope that it can and will evolve. I teared up every time I watched the play, there is a visceral joy in the hope that we can evolve.

Becky Baird will be playing the lead part. I had no idea what Becky looked like since she was not yet cast for the part when I created the poster, but I must say the smile on my poster is a close match to her smile. Any time I see a new actor taking on such an ambitious role, I feel inspired. It takes bravery just to audition, but to tackle such a large sweeping role is beyond brave. It reminds me that I need to keep putting myself out there. The creative process is a long road and seldom traveled on a straight line.

This poster evolved quite a bit as it was created and faced approvals. I will share those variations over the next few days. I was just so happy to see The Constitution make an appearance online that I had to share. Tickets are on sale now.

Out on a Limb

Posted on by Thor

I was arranging a sketching opportunity with Mark DeMaio who is doing amazing work harvesting food for the hungry.

Anyway the day before he had been working at the Mennello Museum of American Art and cut down this tree limb which was threatening to scratch employee cars that parked in the lot.

The added benefit is that a long obscured section of the mural was brought back into the light. Vines have been snaking their way across the top of the mural, one having crawled right across journalist Seth Kubersky‘s face. The vines were pulled off but the tiny vine suction cup marks remained behind. The crowd at the back of the mural line are more saturated with more contrast to the colors. The shade of the tree limb had protected the paint from the harsh Florida Sun. Though others in the sun were bleached, they still hold together as a whole.

It is interesting to watch the mural age. Michael Mennello who is seated, is no longer with us, he died of COVID-19, nor is Harriet Lake who is seated in her wheelchair reading Catcher in the Rye. I am seated at the end of the line sketching. I hope that has no bearing on my limited mortality. It makes sense that I would be hiding in the shade of a big tree limb.

Halloween Drink and Draw

Posted on by Thor

I have a soft spot for all things Cos Play.This Drink and Draw hosted by the AIGA was held at the Barley and Vine Biergarten 2406 E Washington St, Orlando FL.

All the artists circled up on an outdoor patio using available wooden stools. Spiderman being a superhero wasn’t content to pose standing on the tile floor, but he instead posed on tables and stood on stools.This was a great sketching opportunity although much of my time was spent sketching my fellow artists.

I only sign sketches when I post them online and somehow this one slipped through the cracks.

My short film, COVID Dystopia was accepted to another film festival but I can’t announce which one until October 23. Since I will be flying between 3 film festivals in the coming month, I will likely start posting more COVID Dystopia “making of” articles to help promote the film in the various cities where it will be shown. One festival screening is strictly virtual which makes sense for my film. It will be good to know that no one will get infected with COVID while watching COVID Dystopia. Since my screening is virtual, I am debating if I should travel to the city where the in person festival is being held. I suspect I will, since I want to be open to any chance encounter.