Crane-Off Screening Notice
by j_john
Hello friends,
We're excited to inform you that our short documentary "The Great Crane-Off 2004" was accepted into the PDX FILM FEST 2006. The festival spotlights the best in experimental film and underground documentaries, and it looks like we'll be "headlining" the locals program.
So, the date is next Saturday, April 29th at 1:00PM at the Guild Theater.
However, our short probably won't be shown until after 2:00--but I'm sure it will sell out (local stuff always does), so get there early if you want to make sure you can get in.
Also, we'll be the official bloggers of the festival, so be sure to let us know of anything you saw that interested you, and we'll try and make mention of it.
Thanks for your interest and support!
J. John Afryl and K. Mike Merrill
Middle Names Productions
Posted on April 17, 2006 | Comments (1)
Can We Be In The PDX Film Fest Please?
by kmikeym
John and I submitted the Crane Off to the PDX Film Fest. We're excited about the possibility of the general public seeing it! Here is the one sheet we sent in:
Film Description/Statement:
Surprisingly, The Great Crane-Off 2004 is not a mockumentary. The reason we want to start off with this disclaimer is that since making and showing the Crane-Off we keep getting asked about its authenticity, and we believe it's more interesting when you realize that there was no scripting, planning, or direction. Sure, we planned the event, but we left everything else up to our two dynamic competitors.
The Great Crane-Off 2004 represents documentary as obligation. This isn't the first project we wanted to tackle, but when you are faced with not one, but two friends who are both unnaturally skilled at the same ridiculous thing, your options become readily apparent. We had no idea that turning the camera on someone would invoke such engaging discussions, and this is probably why we get the mockumentary thing all the time. We didn't encourage anyone to be "natural" or "more like themselves", we just set up the camera and started recording. It certainly helped that our subjects are two of the most hyperactive, crazy-gesturing, charismatic guys you'll ever meet.
Creating and documenting a competition is something that fits well with what we do all the time. We love competition, whether it's eating a box of donuts, growing great mustaches, or attempting to find the best Tetris player in Portland, we want to document it and enhance the experience for everyone. Please enjoy The Great Crane-Off 2004, and hopefully you'll want to try for yourself the wonderful world of craning that awaits you.
About The Directors:
J. John Afryl and K. Mike Merrill met in the last days of the old millennium, and upon discovering they shared high-standing with their middle-named status decided to stick together should the apocalypse strike. After everyone survived, they turned their attention to documenting the numerous events and challenges of their non-middle-named friends, forming Middle Names Productions. The duo began documenting events such as the Portland Open Tetris Tournament, the Sushi Challenge, and the Crane Competition, which became The Great Crane-Off 2004.
John and Mike both call Portland home, but originally hail from much colder climates—Minnesota and Alaska respectively. John previously employed himself for the Midwest’s biggest meteorologist before deciding to head to Portland and see if he could contribute to this “creative class” thing. Currently he can be found projecting films at the Hollywood Theatre.
Mike once held the least-enviable job of graveyard shift at a SE Plaid Pantry, before working his way to a position at the much-beloved local Macintosh software company Panic, Inc (where he works for one of the Crane-Off’s subjects, Cabel). In addition to his work with Middle Names Productions, Mike is also co-founder of the ever-growing online community Urban Honking, with over 50 authors worldwide.
Posted on January 26, 2006 | Comments (2)
Tell Them Who You Are
by j_john
Much like 2003's My Architect, Tell Them Who You Are by Mark Wexler is a documentary where the subject eventually takes a back seat to the documentarian. In both instances the filmmakers undertake these projects as a way to explore who they are in relation to their famous father figures. These sons hope to shed some light onto their troubled relationships and help them understand why it is so difficult to live in the shadows of such revered men.
The main difference between these two films is evident the first time you hear the subject of Tell Them... speak--Haskell Wexler, a renowned and politically outspoken cinematographer is still around to give us his views on not only cinema, but anything and everything that comes to mind. (In My Architect, there was never any chance to find out what the the subject, Louis Kahn, thought of his son Nathaniel, since he died many years before the film was made.) The elder Wexler rants and rages at the injustices in the world like an impassioned college student, while his Republican son tries with varying success to determine what to capture and include in this intriguing portrait of an artist.
My only exposure to Wexler was through his collaborations with John Sayles on Matewan, The Secret of Roan Inish, Limbo, and most recently Silver City. One look at his filmography and it's apparent he has worked on some diverse and mostly memorable films--One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest being the most notable, especially since he was fired for having too many differing opinions on the production. His constant need to speak his mind seems like it got in the way of allowing him to be more productive, especially when it came time for him to take the director's chair. I still haven't seen his 1969 film Medium Cool, but the footage they showed presented an amazing document of the era's political climate, mixing dramatic acting with real footage of a protest outside the 68 Democratic Convention.
Of course, all of this information was pulled out of the larger picture, as Mark tries to find some better understanding of the strained father-son dynamic after interviewing all of the various film industry people that have worked with Haskell over the years. I suppose I can sympathize with his goals, but I generally much prefer for a documentary to actually be about the subject, and not the person behind the camera.
Posted on October 11, 2005 | Comments (0)
March Of The Penguins
by j_john
I had two prominent and obvious thoughts while watching March Of The Penguins--Antartica is damn cold, and penguins are incredibly cute. Oh, and I guess I would add a mental note to add up how many times Morgan Freeman has narrated a motion picture (at least three this year).
I would have liked for a little more geographical insight (I always enjoy maps), but this production seemed more focused on presenting a heartwarming love story. In some ways it felt like a more substantial version of a science museum movie, minus the curved screen. The journey these creatures undertake just to insure the survival of their species is incredible, and the filmmakers are smart to let some of the shots linger. At other times there is a bit too much emphasis on making some narrative connections reminiscent of classic animated personification. Overall I would recommend this film solely on the cinematography (and those penguins are just too damn cute).
Warner Bros. was smart to open "March" during the summer. First, the colder than cold scenery feels refreshing on a 90-degree day. Second, the film is simplistic and precious--perfect for "all ages" (i.e. tons of restless kids who are on summer break can take it in). I'd suggest a nighttime screening!
Posted on July 21, 2005 | Comments (1)
The Aristocrats
by j_john
Last week I received another invitation to a press screening at Cinema 21--this time for the new comedy documentary The Aristocrats. I knew next to nothing about the film, except for some connection to Penn and Teller (which filled me with mixed emotions--I sorta like P & T, but find them too contrived, and in a documentary?).
As soon as the film begins you realize that it will solely consist of comedians talking about and performing one sick joke, whose punchline is "The Aristocrats." However, this is one joke where the punchline isn't what's funny--it's all about how you get there that matters. With an interview cast of over 100 comedians, there are certainly bits that are funnier than others, but I was surprised at who I found myself laughing at sometimes. I mean, George Carlin?! Who (under 40) still laughs at that guy? He was probably my favorite, although I enjoyed "Billy The Mime" quite a bit as well.
Initially I thought it would have been good to include a wider spectrum of comedians (thinking more recent people like Seinfeld, David Cross, etc. were missed), but it makes sense to mostly stick to old-school folks. They have been the ones performing regardless of the spotlight always shining on them, and they deserve their time in front of the camera just as much as anyone.
Oh, and the Penn and Teller connection ended up not really effecting anything. Penn Juliette made the film with Paul Provenza, and it really was about the variety of the comedic interviews.
--The staff of "The Onion" are also included, and wow, do they come across as incredibly unfunny. Does anyone still read them?
Posted on July 6, 2005 | Comments (5)