KGB Productions

It was shocking to hear about Bergman's death, but then to hear about Antonioni's death soon after kind of was a slap in the face. Both men were GREAT filmmakers, and though I have not seen all their films I had a profound respect for these gentlemen. They were thinking filmmakers. Their films were and still are thoughtful works of art. I like so many were exposed to these filmmakers in film school. I don't think I could have appreciated them sooner. Both Bergman & Antonioni were masters at the cinema, and both men made me realize movies could be works of art. With Laszlo Kovacs death earlier last week that makes three cinema giants that we've lost. I can only be consoled by watching the work they left behind.

I never seem to have a problem about stories. I read a newspaper and the stories all jump out at me, and since I've been trying to write a script that I like you may ask then "what's the problem bud?" The problem is how do I do films with meaning, and do justice by them knowing full well my resources are spare and limited. That's the frustrating part, and yet it isn't an excuse. I mean if I was this brilliant filmmaker which I imagine myself to be wouldn't I be able to overcome these hurtles. True artists overcome their hurtles, and roadblocks. What's my excuse? How can I do a story that not only I want to see and hear, but that will strike a familiar cord in others, and hopefully get them to see it? Isn't that the trick? So hear it is early Sunday mourning, and I'm paralyzed. Which road to go down, and which story is closest to my heart to expend a lot of my limited resources on? A writer writes. Pen to paper. It's that simple. A painter p...

   Internationally acclaimed cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs , who lensed the landmark cinematic achievement "Easy Rider" and compiled more than 70 credits . Kovacs , who died Sunday, was 74. Mr. Kovacs was one of Hollywood's most influential and respected directors of photography, Kovacs lensed "Five Easy Pieces," "Shampoo," "Paper Moon," "New York, New York," "What's Up, Doc?" "Ghost Busters," "My Best Friend's Wedding" and "Miss Congeniality." " Kovacs was one of the great cinematographers in the 1970s who basically changed the way movies had looked up until that time," said Richard Crudo , past president of the American Society of Cinematographers. "His roots were in the low-budget independent world, and he took a lot of that ethic to another level. Years later, he became a master of the high-gloss studio look. But no matter what he did, there was always a trem...

I always laugh when I read those lines. I think anyone who writes knows the in-joke on the above phrase. Writing is hard enough and it can be especially difficult when you set limits on what your writing about. Those limits can be location, characters, or both, and it's not fun living with these limits. It almost feels pointless to do this, and handicap yourself at the beginning, but how about looking at it in another light? I've always thought great art comes from artists pushed to the limits. Mozart was after all almost deaf, and it never crippled is ability to make some fantastic music. I don't want to put myself in the pantheon of such artists as Mozart, but ALL artists go through it. How does one create with the limitations one is given. Whether it's financial, time related or geographic the successful artist usually over comes these limitations, and sometimes he or she flourishes. I have to be creative. It's what I do. Whether I do it at home, or where I work...

So I just came across this site and thought I mention it here because it's very well done. It's things like this that get me excited and kind of make me want to do something new. The idea of putting something out there in serialized form is a good way of getting noticed. I came across this through Josh Oakhurst's website. Josh is a very talented & innovative young artist, and I like what he says. The web site is called the Westside , and it's interesting. Simple, and yet very effective. You see they didn't get just anybody even though they were a no-budget film. The actors are really good, and the camera work is top notch. All shot digitally, with a small crew. Now I know they say on their website that the creators will take there time on the episodes, and that's a good thing, but maybe to get the film in the can they should have the whole thing planned out, and shoot ALL of it. The hardest thing I've come to believe is shooting and then stopping. Momen...

I've been doing a lot of reflection, and a lot of thinking about movie endeavors in general. The phrase "watch what you wish for, you might just get it" comes to mind. I could go on and on about movie making, but in our pop culture mentality WE think WE have the answer, and that OUR idea is the one that gets heard. I'm here to tell you it doesn't, and so hence this post. It's been awhile since posting in this blog. My bad, but I said to myself long ago that if I didn't have anything to say why say anything at all. Sometimes silence is a lot louder then yelling. A book I've read several times called " The Unkindest Cut " is a book worth reading for anyone interested in filmmaking. It's written by Joe Queenan who is a contemporary humorist, critic and author . Here's a rough summary of what the book is about: When Queenan saw Robert Rodriguez's award-winning film El Mariachi, which was reputedly made for only $7000, he thought he...