unbelievable

i ASPIRE to be as cool as these kids are. for real.



thanks to rk for sending this along.

yes please

recently on repeat

the most recent often played tracks on my itunes is incredibly strange - and somewhat embarrassing.


1. carrie underwood - before he cheats (don't knock it til youve tried it this song gets me pumped up and mad!)
2. cassie - me & u (siik remix with ratatat)
3. cold war kids - hang me up to dry
4. lost count - the jacques chiracs (a friend's band)
5. mark ronson feat. amy winehouse - valerie
6. regina spektor - better
7. aesop rock - none shall pass
8. elliott smith - thirteen (live, big star cover)

cutest thing ive ever seen

help this cutie out! http://www.nygirlofmydreams.com/

i love this..

love their outfits, love their voices, love this song. love it. please file under "simultaneously hilarious & amazing"

more pumpkins

amazing.

can't complain

a day in the life...

9:30 a.m. draw handsome nude male figure for three hours.
1:46 p.m. watch about 20 new music videos, take notes. blog.
2:10 p.m. play the role of a poisonous femme fatale in cinematography class.
5 p.m. beers with professor & classmates.
7:30 p.m. homemade dinner & wine with mom, auntie & grandma.
9:13 p.m. watch fight club.
11:49 p.m.: research character by reading archived savage love columns, this one in particular. stifle laughter to keep from waking grandma up.

seriously. it's only going to get better.

hot track

great song. crazy video. the bastard love child of max ernst & michel gondry.

the new pornographers

amazing video. watch out kids, love is dangerous. it will change you... and melt shit.

sapling

at this time last year life was so, so different.

happy birthday julian

to my break-dancin', breakin' & enterin' pho' cravin' clove stealin' liquor swillin' ninja writin' beautiful mess of a cousin. ju are crazzzzy, man, s'amazzzzing. so, jes, ju knowww, happy birthday.

slow show, valerie

my two absolute favorite songs right now: on repeat like crazy.

the national: slow show

Standing at the punch table swallowing punch
can’t pay attention to the sound of anyone
a little more stupid, a little more scared
every minute more unprepared

I made a mistake in my life today
everything I love gets lost in drawers
I want to start over, I want to be winning
way out of sync from the beginning

I wanna hurry home to you
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I’m very, very frightening
I’ll overdo it

mark ronson feat amy winehouse - valerie - this video is amazingly fun.


Well sometimes I go out by myself and I look across the water
And I think of all the things, what you're doing and in my head I paint a picture

'Cos since I've come on home, well my body's been a mess
And I've missed your ginger hair and the way you like to dress
Won't you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why won't you come on over Valerie, Valerie?

Did you have to go to jail, put your house on up for sale, did you get a good lawyer?
I hope you didn't catch a tan, I hope you find the right man who'll fix it for you
Are you shopping anywhere, changed the colour of your hair, are you busy?
And did you have to pay the fine you was dodgin all the time are you still dizzy?

downfall

delicious - final cut.

stan brakhage

stan brakhage: filmstrips from "mothlight" (1963)

for emma

3 wise monkeys

rough cut #1

the first ROUGH cut of my movie. its a really poor quality version, made just to get a sense of the edits and story. i didnt want to wait forever for a high res version to compress. this is a first "draft" so to speak, and will be worked on again and again for at least another month or so. any and all criticism/questions welcome & actually really helpful at this point.

soundtrack

putting the finishing touches on my first rough cut for "at night i wake to dream." the soundtrack is beautifulllll check it.

squarepusher: massif
four tet: hands
elena katz chernin: elizas aria
satie: gnossiene no. 1
eluvium: radio ballet
max richter: autumn music 2

will post rough cut as soon as i'm done - any & all comments welcome!!

to my haraboji

happy birthday... i love you. i love you i love you i love you. i can not wait to see you again.

siempre me quedara

of late, obsessed with this song. so dead sexy.

throwback

the smashing pumpkins had great videos. here's a throwback inspiration lately.

here is the film they are referencing - george melies, une voyage dans la lune.

fall classes

directing III
screenwriting III
cinematography
directing the actor
basic drawing
video game design

how awesome is this?!

in the ears

the american analog set: punk as f**k
judah johnson: the ruse
radiohead: lurgee
air: playground love
the jacques chiracs: lost count
the kin: romeo
pearl jam: wishlist
aphex twin: the waxen pith
nirvana: all apologies
damien jurado: inevitable
better than ezra: live again
southfm: dear claudia
the stills: of montreal
pedro the lion: the only reason i feel secure
t.w. walsh: the wages of dying is love

bus stop in atlantis

family portrait with our new friend, mr. squid.

some things...

are just perfect.

back in town

all my colors have changed, everything smells funny and food doesn't taste right anymore.

house of cups indeed.

living in the house of cups

my friend anya read my tarot cards in front of dodge on monday. shockingly accurate.

i can't sleep.

countdown

1 wedding, 2 short films, 1 music video, 1 choreographed hip hop dance, 2 presentations, 7 robots, a haircut, 1 small legal incident, 15 bug bites, 0 eyelids, 1 production collective, 4 mission statements and 1 blog launch in 8 days.

lets just get through august, shall we?

at rest.

tonight i am thinking of theresa duncan & james blake.

"A need to tell and hear stories is essential to the species Homo sapiens--second in necessity apparently after nourishment and before love and shelter. Millions survive without love or home, almost none in silence; the opposite of silence leads quickly to narrative, and the sound of story is the dominant sound of our lives, from the small accounts of our day's events to the vast incommunicable constructs of psychopaths." reynolds price.

mister cutlet mister hamhock mister lambshank mister vealchop

emma is in town and we have been tearing it up. carroll garden sleepover extravaganza with jpelks on sunday. gallerybar & squidnapping with the mysterious dr. fishcock aka drapes on monday (pictures to come, that's a promise - they have a photo booth!) and the slaughter of the innocents to celebrate of the birth of mr. cutlet - an insane barbecue on the water taxi beach in lic.

the view from the beach, taken on my cellphone. i love the water taxi beach. i have fond memories of dancing with zandy, barefoot on the beach, in thunder and lightning, to daft punk, draped in calla lilies and seashells. magnifique.

current playlist

this entire playlist makes me want to slowdance on a highway under a streetlamp on a brisk fall night... in hot pink heels... on wet pavement...

lucie bernardoni: apprends-nous a rever...
bruce springsteen: drive all night...
pink floyd: goodbye blue sky...
peter gabriel: my head sounds like that...
moby: i'm not worried at all...
lamb: gabriel...
johnny otis: don't deceive me (please don't go)...
moby: one of these mornings...
modest mouse: the world at large...
gotan project: epoca...
radiohead: how to disappear completely...

feeling old school

how incredible is this dinah washington/max roach (r.i.p.) video? 1958 newport jazz festival. then listen to chicken shack: i'd rather go blind. it's a one-two punch of loveliness.

obsessed

this is my absolute favorite new website: www.musicovery.com

production stills

teaser

one production still from my movie, by the beautiful & imitable kmc. this is laurin gagne, who played the lead.

think like hitch. sing like guest.

this link is hilarious, outlining all of the different techniques one can use to make create a sense of hitchcockian suspense.



and this is an ad directed by christopher guest.

- logue

i have finally emerged from the foggy haze of three monumental events.

1. i finished "at night i wake to dream," a short film i've been preparing for since last october.
   
2. i have seen the end of the harry potter saga.
3. and one of which i will not speak, save to say that it is, well, monumental.
   

i feel like a new woman.

gemma

working on my movie. will likely be gone from blogging for a while. but here is one of my generative images for my short. you know, so we can be on the same page.

tel aviv

from the streets of tel aviv.

where is the love

as put forth by my friends & family since i woke up this morning:

"dont be a dolt, just press the button on the left that says SCAN."
"you play poker like an blind old lady."
"send me a goddamn mockup you fickle wench."
"are you screening my phone calls? jerk!"
"what happened to your hair"
"you should drink more water, your face is starting to look like a pumpkin."
"i'm going to kill you. and then bill you."

why did i even get out of bed.

edit: a friend just told me "rammy, you're like a human qualuud." does this fit under the insult category?

non-embarassing commercials

why are adverts so much better in europe?? these are 3-part ads for the british bank lloyds tsb with really wonderful music by elena kats-chernin . did you see the little old guy pat his lady's butt in the first one? sweet.

the evening terrors

so yesterday, i had my 3rd nightmare about the film i'm directing in august. i was on location for the tea party scene... half my crew didn't show up, i didn't have a shotlist and the enchanted moss & branch covered hidden stairs were replaced by a set of looming modern concrete ones.

i just remember standing at the bottom of the stairs, trying to not cry and thinking to myself - how am i going to make this work?

the other nightmares had to do with apryl, my writer/producer, not showing up and everyone in my film school class pointing and laughing at me.

these are fun.

lettres d'amour

thanks to emma's bloggie for this. what a strangely intrusive, awkwardly beautiful project. these two are my favorite - they're for crushes. i love crushes! i love their honesty. we should all write honest love letters.

exit wounds

Excerpts from new graphic novel by rutu modan, centered around modern day israel. its harrowing, seeing images like this based on such actual, relevant occurences & concerns. reminds me a bit of persepolis.

ring cycle

geek out alert. two down, two to go. these are exhausting! saw das rheingold yesterday and die walkure tonight. amazing seats thanks for my friend bob - 12th row orchestra, center right - some of the best acoustics at the met. the kirov production has a very consistently strong set of singers - especially alexei tanovitsky as wotan & olga savova as brunnhilde.


valery gergiev, the conductor, is easily one of the biggest badasses ever. i cant even being to imagine throwing yourself into this cycle twice in 9 days - thats ONE day off from this thing. his conducting is absolutely epic.


my one complaint would have to be the design. the set has some interesting symbolism going on, with these giant stone monoliths that change from scene to scene... the costumes, for the most part, have been a bit disappointing. i mean, the valkyries shouldnt look like tired vegas showgirls with tinfoil headdresses. theyre fucking goddesses! give them feathers!! the otto schenk met production is supposed to be better about this, but i haven't seen it.


but the singing is consistent. and thats what matters most. and sidenote - ny opera audiences are so lame! who walks out before the curtain call? they did this at the ballet/abt the other night too and i was so lamed out.

ringnut

this friday, i will begin my maiden voyage into seas only traveled by the nuttiest, most obsessive of opera fans: my very first ring cycle.

i. can. not. wait.

my blueberry nights

wong kar wai - easily one of my favorite directors. i'm nervous for this film - i hope it's as good as i want it to be. one of the greatest things about him is his incredible rapport with actors he works with over & over again (maggie cheung, tony leung...) so i'm interested in seeing what he does with new actors, a new language...

one of my favorite scenes from chungking express, just for your enjoyment.

from a while ago...

this is the kind of stuff that gets me so fired up.

video art + opera + movies + paintings + the internet + theater = a new context. a new vision. a new interpretation. highly innovative, brazenly original works of performance art. storytelling that assaults the senses and breaks the heart.

it doesn't always come together... anthony minghella doing madama butterfly at the met was an experiment that worked, in some ways, and failed in others... but this is the new direction. this is the work i aspire to. how can the idea of "pure" art exist in a world where the lines between public and private, online and offline, individual and popular are so blurred? nothing is exclusive - everything is fair game. and its so fucking beautiful i lose sleep over it.

so much to learn

dont mess with this lady

unfairly treated carls

a fantastic suggestion from jge. my favorite is the violation of carls human rights. i think every carl ive ever known has had his rights violated. why is that so? and, frankly, how is that fair? does ANYBODY know a fairly treated carl?

christian louboutin snaps bras.

another video i did for nymag. please note the "anemone" show (to die for, must needs have want) and when he snaps her bra. incroyable!

summer of swoon

my best friend emily is a graphic designer & m.arch candidate at yale and she just posted the most beautiful renderings/fabrications, inspired by graffiti artist swoon. mermaids!! my favorite.

there are some other great ones here.

confusing pumpkin

two completely different videos for the single off the upcoming smashing pumpkins album.


although i prefer this one.
Check out this video: Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula



Add to My Profile | More Videos

wolf like me

i LOVE this video. guess who is interviewing them in july?!

[postscript] it looks a bit like MY video. very very fishy. BITERS! ;)

spokinn movement: delicious

my first music video.

new york magazine

so i've been working as a freelance videographer for nymag.com - such an awesome job. here are the last two pieces i did...


25th annual coney island mermaid parade...insane!


interview with roberto bolle, a guest principal dancer for the abt. such a sweet gorgeous man!

more vids!

it's been a while since i last updated - was working on a music video of my own which will debut shortly on this site. in the meantime two AWESOME videos i found recently.



The SoftLightes' "Heart Made of Sound"



Fujiya & Miyagi "Ankle Injuries"

animated creep

thanks to crab for sending this along. its altering.

sophe lux

my latest obsession! rock opera, anyone? the lead singer is gwynneth haynes (sister of filmmaker todd haynes)

check out their myspace page - the song "stella" is also amazing.

yes sir...

i absolutely want to BE this man. not a doubt in my mind. i want to BE him. or maybe just be near him, i guess.

.co.ca.co.la.

the good side of commercials. why are advertisements overseas so much better?! jack white. nagi noda. eadward muybridge would be proud!

holy crap!

holy crap i need to see this movie. beatles? check. julie taymor? check. albino merwomen? art? music? love? war? choreographed vaccinations and strippers singing "hey jude?" YES PLEASE.

finally sun

the secret handshake: too young
i LOVE this song but this video BLOWS. my treatment was so much better! bollocks.
general johnson & the chairmen of the board: carolina girls
i recently learned how to shag. i think i'm getting better and better. this performance is pretty inspiring though.
the dirty projectors: jolly jolly jolly ego
el-p: flyentology
trent reznor! this video is so wicked good!
hotel alexis: silver waves crash through
prodigy: stuck on you
i aspire to make hip hop videos as good as this. look at all those billlllls! alright i'm joking but this song is friggin hot.
elvis perkins: while you were sleeping
i was sad i missed this - live at the bowery.
daft punk: something about us
fucking excellent video - anime is so beautiful and heartbreaking when its done well.
the frames: falling slowly
not the most interesting video but i love the lyrics nonetheless.
small sails: sonnambulist
feist: so sorry
feist: 1, 2, 3, 4
this video was shot in one take. and, um, her costume is kitsch-tacularly amazing. i want to dance as awkwardly and endearingly as she does.
air: once upon a time.
what i wouldn't do to direct an air video - although i much prefer this one. chewing gum sings!
nick cave: into my arms
one of the best love songs i know. anyone else find this video hard to watch?
smashing pumpkins: ava adore.
incredible. also shot in one take. thanks to mne.

for karrie.

i love you. i promise you a mixtape soon - number one song after number one song.

bitches aint shit

this is also pretty friggin amazing.

a soundtrack for sara

these songs are the way my roommate sounds.

serge gainsbourg: cha cha cha du loup - incredible! i dont know if its the video for the actual song but its an awesome little animation.
"L'était une fille, douce et tendre comme toi, toute aussi gentille, se promenait dans les bois - et voilà soudain qu'en chemin- elle aperçoit l'grand méchant loup aux abois. Hou ! Hou ! Hou ! Hou ! Cha cha cha du loup!
peter bjorn & john: young folks - sweet little video
"if i told you things i did before, told you how i used to be... would you go along with someone like me? if you knew my story word for word, had all of my history... would you go along with someone like me?"
bebe: siempre me quedara - so friggin sexy are you kidding me!
"siempre me quedara, la voz suave del mar, wolver a respirar la lluvia que caera sobre este cuerpo y mojara. la flor crece en me y volver a reir y cada dia un instante volver a pensar en ti."
richard bona: kalabancoro - this isnt a video but you can hear the song here. beautiful.
the apples in stereo: mellotron 1
of montreal: suffer for fashion - live
"lets go together, lets do it together, lets go together, FOCUS, uh-huh, i'm calling, what's the sense? eleven eleven forever forever, uh, pretty sirens don't go flat, its not supposed to happen like that..."

post break

johnny & june carter cash: darlin' companion - live in denmark!
"darlin' companion, come on & give me understandin' and let me be your champion: a hand to hold your pretty hand in."
calla: defenses down
"i set you on a pedestal, there for me to praise & adore you. destined to fall from grace with god, happens when you leave your defenses down."
nick cave: there she goes, my beautiful world - pretty great live version at brixton academy.
"nabokov wrote on index cards at a lectem, in his socks, st john of the cross did his best stuff imprisoned in a box...well, me, i'm lying here with nothing in my ears."
eluvium: radio ballet - you can hear a bit of the song here - but here is ballet mechanique - a film by fernand leger which has nothing to do with the song other than they remind me of each other. one of my favorites.
dandy warhols: get off
"yeah maybe i fought once i thought i was sane, but all i wanna do is get off and feel it for a minute like the real thing baby, i guess i already forgot."
elvis presley: heartbreak hotel - oh god. so good. it hurts.
"and although its always crowded, you still can find some room, where broken hearted lovers do cry away their gloom"
ok fine - here's another elvis video. i cant get enough of elvis videos.
air: once upon a time.
neko case: runnin out of fools
"everyone in town's got your number, everybody's got you pegged right, is that why you got in touch with me? oh, guess you must be runnin' out of fools."

on repeat

youth group: sorry
"did you find what you were looking for, looking out onto rue balfour? don't you know these streets are so romantic in the rain?"
rachael yamagata: quiet
"why go, i asked...you know and i know why. and it'll be just as quiet when i leave as it was when i first got here."
radiohead: creep (covered by scala & kolacny)
"i don't care if it hurts, i want to have control, i want a perfect body, i want a perfect soul. i want you to notice, when i'm not around, you're so fucking special."
damien rice: 9 crimes
"leave me out with the waste, this is not what i do. its the wrong kind of place to be thinking of you. its the wrong time for somebody new. it's a small crime and i've got no excuse."
regina spektor: samson
"you are my sweetest downfall - i loved you first. beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth - i have to go. i have to go. your hair was long when we first met."
brightblack morning light: everybody daylight.
thom yorke: harrowdown hill
"don't walk the plank like i did - you'll be dispensed with when you've become inconvenient. did i fall or was i pushed? ...i'm coming home to make it all right. so dry your eyes. we think the same things at the same time, we just can't do anything about it."
fourt tet: my angel rocks back & forth
andrew bird: heretics
"tell us what we did wrong and you can blame us for it... how about some credit now, credit is due for the damage that weve done...encores can be fatal. let me hear you say thank god its fatal."
eluvium: seeing you off the edges