I’m very proud to announce that a film that I edited and co-produced is now available for sale! From the Burning Man email newsletter:

Burning Man is proud and honored to share the story of the origin of Burners Without Borders – what is now a social phenomenon for Burners around the globe has its roots in 2005, when a group of Burner volunteers headed for the Gulf Coast to lend a hand after Hurricane
Katrina.

While many wonderful documentaries have tried to tell the story of Burning Man the event, this film is a rare look at Burning Man the cultural philosophy, and how the experience of Black Rock City inspired participants to give passionately of themselves in the wake of a devastating natural disaster.

“Burn on the Bayou” is a story that’s meant to be shared: if you’ve been before and had trouble explaining to family or friends that Burning Man is more than just an event, this film provides a fine example…or if you’re coming for the first time, it’ll lend depth to your understanding of the culture you’re about to experience. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Available now on the Burning Man Marketplace at:

http://marketplace.burningman.com/

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Margaret Balliet was in Texas and was involved in a serious car accident
yesterday. She was hit by an 18-wheeler and was pinned between it and
the median wall. She has a cracked skull, which was actually a blessing
in disguise, as it has been relieving any pressure that would have built
up on her brain. As of today, she is responding when asked to move her
toes and various other tasks, which is GREAT!!! She seems to have two
broken vertebrae in her neck…..the cat-scan does not show any trauma
below the neck. She may be going into emergency surgery this afternoon,
but I have not heard on this as of yet.

Stephanie Holland has sent up a Caring Bridge site for Margaret,
although all information is not on it as of yet…..this is a GREAT way
for all of you to stay updated on her progress and posts your thoughts
and encouragement. The site address is:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/margaretballiet

I’ve been asked to post the interviews of Margaret that we did for the “Burn on the Bayou” documentary. Below are the 10 minute sections of over 2 hours of interviews that we filmed of her.  I personally wish Margaret a speedy recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

Interview 1, Part 1

Interview 1, Part 2
Interview 1, Part 3
Interview 1, Part 4
Interview 1, Part 5
Interview 1, Part 6
Interview 1, Part 7
Interview 1, Part 8
Interview 1, Part 9

Interview 2, Part 1

Interview 2, Part 2
Interview 2, Part 3
Interview 2, Part 4
Interview 2, Part 5

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What happens when you stay up all night on the night of a show deadline? Full Contact Compositing! Thats why I needed my motorcycle helmet while I was sitting at my desk – it is a pretty dangerous time in the cycle of a film. We just completed post-production at The Orphanage for John Woo’s Red Cliff: Part 2. Below is the poster for Part 1. There isn’t an english language trailer for part 2 yet, but the Japanese website for the movies have some stills. http://redcliff.jp/part2/index.html.

What are some of the sights you might see when staying late at night at a visual effects house? Read on to see what goes on.

Well people all seem to be a little delirious and a little out of focus.

Some people are hiding in their work.

Some people have to call their loved ones and tell them not to wait up.

And some people just need to rest their eyes for a bit.

But everyone is happy when it is finally done and we get to go home!

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Click on image for closer view.

One of the things I’m doing on this trip is location scouting for a feature film I’m writing. North of Tonopah is probably a great location for part of the film. I first saw this area back in April and needed to return and take another look with a different perspective.

The above image is a panorama of the storm that was north of Tonopah in the valley. It was quite big and quite alive with electricity and wind and rain. Later on I was finally able to capture my first lightning photo ever. It took quite a lot of patience and many many many many black frames of nothing to get this shot. I now know how difficult some of the more spectacular lighting photos that others have captured must have been to get.

While I was exploring one of the sites that I’ve earmarked as a location, Dusty disappeared! He blended right into the rocks that I was walking around in. If it wasn’t for the thunder and his subsequent shivering and trying to cower underneath my legs, I don’t think I would have spotted him! Ha! Can you spot him?

I definitely think the area would work for a reinactment sequence in the film I’m writing. I’m going to check in with the Nevada Film Commission and see what they have to say about the area.

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