the Saints are coming . . . .

Who Dat !

I haven't been this excited to watch a Saints came since September 25, 2006.

::: random act of kindness :::

OK, I admit it. I'm pandering a bit. But what the heck, I'm posting this anyway.

I've been researching a presentation I'm giving in a few weeks, and came across this video from NBC News.

Is it a shameful plug for Starbucks? A fabrication?

Perhaps. But who cares.

Because, what if it is true? What if we all slowed down a bit and did something that really is . . . . . doable?

we are wizards ::: documentary

I've got a few projects I'm working on right now. They require me to do quite a bit of reflecting and pondering. Each one addresses elements of our lives, and the interconnectedness of it all. I have no idea what the finished products will be -- which, really, is a big part of what attracts me to these things. Of course, when they are done, or when the time is appropriate, I'll certainly update everything here and let you all know what exactly is going on. Let's just say I'm very excited, but I don't want to jinx anything -- so that's all I'll say about that.

Anyway, part of my process when working on any project is taking time to write, to think, to change a few small parts of my daily routine so that I am forced to see the world just a bit differently. And I really, really enjoy exploring the work of any and all artists I can find. You just never know when something may trigger the perfect thought needed to take an important step.

With this in mind, I spent much of my down time last weekend writing and searching one of my favorite websites -- snagfilms.com. It's a website devoted to sharing and promoting documentary films. I've written about this site perviously on my blog.

With a mindset of trying to find a film that could trigger some thoughts -- and this is going to be fairly melodramatic, so fair warning -- of what it means to live in this big ole' world of ours, I stumbled upon an Harry Potter documentary.


"Ok," I thought to myself. "We'll get back to the deep thinking later. Right now I'll check out this Harry Potter brain candy and just not think for a while."

And I found myself initially chuckling at the "characters" in this documentary. But about a half hour in, I realized I was watching a very poignant example of a need we all have -- the need to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and the need to fit in.

I have never read a Harry Potter book, though I have seen all of the films (except the most recent -- maybe soon). And I admit to chuckling at the rampant fanaticism some people have towards this franchise. That's actually what drew me to watch this film in the first place -- a chance to have a little entertainment at the expense of some folks that just seem to be a bit too into this stuff. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to mock them, just stare in wonder at the devotion they have to this young wizard.

But this film is incredibly well directed. Once I got over myself a bit, and stopped judging and gawking, I began to see this film as a beautiful display about a group of people who want to lead extraordinary lives. Isn't that what we all want to do?

Wether you find the people in this film odd or not, I do thing there is one thing that should be admired -- their willingness to push their lives in a direction that is their own. They refuse to live they way "society" says the 'should", and instead have found a community of comfort -- all because of this Harry Potter character. And, of course, they do it whether or not the rest of us think it's a cool think to do.

And in the end, it's is just that kind of living that -- I think anyway -- IS pretty darn cool.

So give this film a watch. Keep your mind open. Then come back and tell me your thoughts.

~wj

pushing the boundaries a bit . . .

I love creative use of photography, and this stop motion video is one of those instances. It's an ad for the 50th anniversary of the Olympus Pen camera, and it's just brilliant. Stop motion within stop motion.

Take a look, I think you'll enjoy it as well.

~wj

todd snider - talkin' seattle grunge blues

If you were raised in the mid-eighties to mid-nineties, I bet you'll get a kick out of this song.

I love the simple, truthfulness to Todd's work. But perhaps more importantly, I really admire the way he makes quite poignant insights without taking himself too seriously. But don't let that mislead you. Head over to iTunes through the link below and give him a listen. If you pay close attention, I bet you'll come to find that while he may not take himself too seriously, the way he approaches his craft is no joke at all. Even if we all have a good laugh while enjoying it.

the best advertisement for photography . . . . ever

There's not much else I can say about this ad by Kodak. They really hit the nail on the head with this one.

~wj

I think I've found a new favorite website . . .

Back in grad school I planned on becoming a filmmaker. A documentary filmmaker to be exact.

I've always been drawn to the amazing stories that happen everyday in our own lives. Stories that often seen mundane and simplistic on the surface, but when examined more closely, we often can see that beauty exists where perhaps we didn't realize. This is what attracted me to non-fiction films, and it is what attracts me to still photography as well. I haven't given up on creating documentaries. I still think I'll do it one day. But for now, the time hasn't come, so I'll just keep moving in that general direction and when the time is right, it'll happen.

I was very excited yesterday when I stumbled across the website snagfilms.com. It is a site dedicated to promoting documentary films. Over 700 documentaries are logged in the library already, with more and more being added everyday. You can watch them all free of charge -- assuming you don't mind a 20-30 second commercial interruption every half hour or so.

And we're talking top notch stuff here. I spent a little time perusing the library yesterday, and recognized many of the films. South by Southwest. Sundance. Independent Film Channel. Academy Award winners. I bet you'll notice many as well.

Visitors to the site are encouraged to share the films, so I think that's what I'm going to start doing. I'll do my best to go through the library, and when I come across an interesting production, I'm going to share it here. I'm starting with the movie above.

Confessions of a Superhero is one of the most moving films I've ever seen. It's the story of four struggling actors who dress as movie characters and do their best to make a living along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. At times it is heartbreaking. At times, very, very funny. I found it to be an interesting story all the way through.

The larger-than-most-documentaries- budget for this film is pretty evident. The music is perfect, and some of the still photography interjected throughout was really strong. If you are a photographer, it might be worth watching just for the still images. I encourage you all the click the link above and go watch this film when you have a chance. It's about two hours long, so take that into consideration. And then come back here and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you think.

~wj

just taking a few minutes to ponder and reflect . . .

Brett Dennen - "Heaven" from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

I'm back in Cleveland after several weeks of travel for portrait and wedding commissions. I've been home now only two days in the past two weeks. While I am so very grateful for the work I am doing and the clients who have entrusted me, it is nice to be here to hug my wife and slowly begin my march to getting caught up. I have one more trip to Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and surrounding areas next week, and that's really about it until the end of July.

In between editing today, I have also been working on a personal project that will begin in July. I have a trip planned to Honduras towards the end of the month, and another to Mexico planned for the beginning of October. I'll be adding more details as I'm able to do so, but for now, click the play button above. Close your eyes and listen to Brett Dennen's words. Take note of the images that enter your thoughts. Those are the images I hope to bring back from Honduras and Mexico.

Now, I'm off to get back to work on my recent commissions. I'm eager to share the images that were created from my time spent with you all. I am very lucky to be allowed to do what I do, and thankful to all of you that make it possible.

I hope you all find at least a small piece of heaven today, whatever that may be for you.

~wj

what is art ?

I found this video on youtube this morning and thought it was pretty interesting. It's by Michael Sullivan and I believe it was part of a class project. At least that's what I gathered from the info provided in the video and on it's youtube page.

At any rate, I think his answer is pretty interesting. I took a philosophy of art class when I was in college. I'm not sure my head has ever been so turned around as it was in that class, and ever since then I've had this nagging desire to figure out that answer for myself. I think I'm getting there. But who really knows, right?

So take a look at Michael's video. Let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your ideas about what makes art.


Keep pushing, exploring, and sharing.

~wj

wilco - california stars

I hate that I missed these guys in Oxford last week! Our new gallery manager Laura Beth made it over though, and said the show was incredible. I'm a little jealous actually.

I love this southern-country-rock-folkish sound. I don't really care what genre a band is in, just so long as the music is GOOD.

And isn't that really what art is about in general? That it's good? And makes you think? And feel?

These guys certainly do that. And it sure doesn't hurt that they have Mississippi ties!

~wj

griffin house - the guy that says goodbye to you is outta his mind

My photographer friends Vicki and Tom Rulli introduced me to the music of Griffin House a few years ago. My ipod is filled with his work now and I listen to him non-stop. I've yet to catch a live show, but I'm really hoping to do that this summer. I was a little bummed though, because he was just at the House of Blues in New Orleans as part of the Ten out of Tenn tour and I couldn't get down there. But I REALLY want to catch this show.

Soon though! Soon!

This is a recent release of his. You might have caught it on CMT or VH1. But keep an eye out for him. My gut says we'll be hearing more and more in the next few years!

Where the Wild Things Are

It's rare that I get really, really excited about a movie months before its release. But my gallery manager Laura Beth sent me an email yesterday with a link to this preview. I had no idea that a movie was being made based on this book, and already I'm looking forward to October when this will be released.

To me, "Where the Wild Things Are" is just one of those books that IS childhood. I bet there are many more of you reading this that feel that way as well. So I'm excited because I know Spike Jonze will make the story come to life with an incredible visual journey. I'm excited to see the characters from the book speak, and sing, and dance, and play. And I'm excited to let go for a few hours in October and remember what is what like when I was a boy. And any chance we get to really remember or youth is a chance I think we all should grab hold of -- and certainly never forget.



Hope to see you all at the cineplex in October!

~wj

swell season - ovation TV

If you haven't seen the movie "Once", do it. Its a modern day twist on a musical, and is so inspirational in its purity and emotion.

Here's a video of "The Swell Season", which is actually Irish musician Glen Hansford and Czech pianist Markéta Irglová. They also happen to be the lead characters in "Once".

wow

If you've read the "about me" section on my website you know that I love baseball. I spent the first 20 or so years of my life playing the sport, and I'd give almost anything (sans family and friends) to play just one game in the outfield for a big league team.

That being said, my dad sent me and my brother this video earlier today. (My brother is a baseball guy, too) Some of you may have seen it already. It was my first time and I immediately came over here to my blog to share it with all of you.

What a catch! Enjoy !

~wj

Name This Photo ~the backstory

The video above will give you an idea of how Jamie and I spent our ninth anniversary. That's not us in the video (thank goodness), but it is the same stage where we participated, and that event was one of the challenges we "enjoyed".

It started with a business trip to Los Angeles. We both had some work out there, and originally had planned to come home just as soon as we were done. At the last minute we decided to stick around for one more day and spend it together. It was our only day without work obligations. We rented a car. We bought sunscreen. We had so many options but only one day to complete them. After kicking around lots of fine culture ideas -- museums, theater, art galleries -- we finally settled on a choice. High culture lost. Pop culture won. We went to Universal Studios.

We did the typical things. Toured the backlot. Rode the new Simpsons ride. Watched the Shrek 3-D movie. In general we were having a pleasant enough time and feeling like teenagers again. While eating lunch we heard an announcement over the PA that casting calls for the Fear Factor -Live! show would begin in fifteen minutes.

"Let's do it," Jamie said to me through a wide-eyed smile.

"Seriously?"

"Yes. C'mon. It'll be fun"

"I dunno about the food part, Jamie. I don't think I can do that."

"Sure you can. C'mon. It'll be an adventure."

"OK. But we make a pinkie promise. Either they pick us both or they pick neither of us. Deal?"

"Deal."

We were picked. Me, Jamie, and four guys from California. It wasn't as tough as we thought it would be. There were six slots available. Six of us showed up. That's it. So we all were in. Who says Hollywood is tough to crack?

I won't go into the minutiae of the show. Those details are much better when Jamie and I act them out. But I can tell you this. It involved hanging from thirty feet in the air, reaching into a tank full of live eels, maneuvering across a spinning floor, struggling with American Gladiator-style opponents, flying around the stage tethered only to a very thin cable, an inverted bicycle-thingie, electricity (LOTS of electricity), and, of course, a smoothie. Ahhh, the smoothie.

No need to offend you with what was in the smoothie. I'm sure you've probably got some idea. Multiply that thought by a hundred. I still can taste it. Uggh.

But the worst part? Well, there's two things actually.

The first are those awful spandex outfits. I think I would have preferred to be naked. You know the dream where you walk into a room, then become horrified because you realize everyone is dressed and you're as nude as the day you were born? I have that dream several times a year. I lived it last week. I need therapy now.

And the second? This requires a short story from the show.

At the start of the show they had us lined up backstage. Our only instruction was to run out on stage "and show some energy. We've got a packed house of a little over two thousand." OK. Now I'm nervous. And naked.

We run out on stage. Five guys and Jamie. Four of them from California with family and friends rooting them on. Jamie is the only girl. And then me. And all I can think is, "just don't embarrass yourself." Too late. The spandex sold me out on that one.

The hosts start on Jamie's end with the introductory interviews. One of the California guys is first.

"Give it up for Mike everybody!" The host is working the crowd.

Mike gets a few cheers. Not overwhelming but certainly respectable. He says something, but I don't really remember what it was because all I could do was think about how ridiculous I must be looking. Next is Jamie.

I figured since she was the only female the crowd would pull for her. Boy did they ever.

"And how about a hand for Jamie," shouts the host.

Eruption. Yells. Whistles. Thunderous ovation. Two thousand people stand and cheer as if Jamie just hit the game winning homerun in Game 7 of the World Series. She was quite charming, and I was glad to see her finally get a chance to use her theater degree in Hollywood. I was very proud of her.

The other contestants are introduced, and while none received the ovation that Jamie got, they all had nice little fan clubs in the audience. I was happy for them as well.

Finally the judge came to me. "Be humble and witty and charming. Be humble and witty and charming. Be humble and witty and charming," I whispered to myself. I was definitely nervous and my mind was racing. Or perhaps the tight pants had just cut off circulation to my brain.

"And how about a big cheer for Jamie's husband Will !!!!!"

Here comes my moment. My time to shine. I'm going to be discovered now and my life will change forever!

I lift my head and step forward.

Crickets. Nada. Nothing. SILENCE. In a room full of people -- have I mentioned it was over two thousand? -- not a single person cheered for me. They did not clap. They did not whistle. They did not yell. They did nothing. I brought the show to a screeching halt before it ever really began. It was now quite obvious that I wasn't as witty and charming as I thought. But I couldn't quit, so I mumbled something stupid and got off the stage as quickly as I could.

Not only was I naked. I was insignificant. At least to this crowd. As I climbed the stairs to get to my platform where the first event would take place, I began repeating my mantra, "It's never as good as it seems. It's never as bad as it seems." Moments later the platform fell out from beneath me and I was left dangling from a bar, thirty feet in the air, with no choice but to hold on. I didn't know how long I could do it, or how the people beside me would fare. Only time would sort that out.

I guess it was an odd little metaphor for what had just happened, and for what was about to happen. Crazy stuff shows up in life, and it's usually not the way we expect it. Especially when we try things we're not accustomed to doing. We're cheered, revered, ridiculed, ignored -- often all in one day. But we keep moving forward. So that's what I did.

Oh, and the significance of the photo? That's me and Christian. We made it to the finals.

He won, and I was happy for him. Yeah, it would've been nice to win. It would've been nice to thumb my nose at that crowd, show them that I could succeed even without their affection. But who really cares. Nobody there would've remembered anything about that show the next day. Nor would they care. And the prize wasn't really that great anyway. But deep down, I knew I didn't quit, and that I did the best I could.

I got much more out of this adventure with my wife than potential victory on a live version of a show that is no longer on the air. I had a fun time with my best friend on our anniversary, and now I've -- we've -- got a pretty cool story to share at parties.

If you've read this far, thank you. I wish you the best. I hope you got a little chuckle out of this.

Now, go try something scary, then come back and tell me all about it!


~wj

We have a Winner !

well, two actually.

Susan Solo and Ruth Rackley (how's that for alliteration) both submitted the correct answer about the same time, so I decided to declare them both the winner. I'll post more later when I have time, but for now, the photo below should give you an idea of what the answer is (if you haven't already read their comments)

Jenny ~a story from life

I love creative people. I love their energy. I love their uniqueness. I love the way really, really smart and curious people can the find the beauty and humor in even the most mundane of situations.

Check out the clip above. It's Brett and Jemaine, also known as Flight of the Conchords. They have a quirky show on HBO, which admittedly I do not watch often, but I do find myself stopping for a moment whenever I pass it while channel surfing. The show is primarily fun, silly little songs about everyday life, all joined together by a humorous, deadpan storyline. The brilliance is how they help us realize just how ridiculous or worries can be.

So take about seven minutes. Have a chuckle. I'm betting you may not have had this exact conversation, but you probably have had one very similar. And then worried about it for days.




wishing lots of laughs and smile for you today

~wj

Remember when you were like this?

It doesn't matter the language. It doesn't matter the economic situation. It doesn't matter where you live or how you live. At some point laughter was in you.

Many still live a life of laughter and joy. But many more may have drifted away from it for one reason or another. It's still there. We just have to remember it, then focus on getting it back. Even if just for a short moment each day.

Recent studies at the University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina show that laughing can help us live longer. They even suggest that laughing be part of your daily exercise routine.

So slow down. Just for a moment. Call a friend and chuckle a bit. You'll be glad you did.

Inspiration ~a short film

I was surfing YouTube this morning and found this incredible piece of work by a Spanish photographer and film maker. His name is Carlos Loscano. What is so amazing to me, is that this entire film was created using nothing but still photographs. I can only imagine the time and patience it took to create this, and it is a great example of the combination of creative vision and technical expertise needed to create moving images.

Hope you like it.

~wj

It's never as good as you think, and it's never as bad as you think.

My wife jokes that I say this all the time. It's true, I think (or it wouldn't be my mantra, I guess). But it so often is easier said than done.

This has been an especially trying week for me and my wife. One of those weeks where you just want to scream into a pillow. But it's easing off now, especially since I just got an email from a friend of mine with a link to this video. I laughed out loud when I first saw it. Not because it is necessarily the funniest thing I've ever seen, but because I just needed to laugh.

The moral here? I don't know. None really. Except go hug a friend, family member, neighbor. Heck, hug the guy in front of you in the line at the coffee shop. 'Cause isn't that what's really most important?


So, anyway. Take a look at this video. I hope you get a little chuckle out of it like I did. And remember, it's never as bad as it seems.

glumbert - Bad Day at the Office

Chad Vader ~day shift manager

Check out this video short by Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda. It's about Chad Vader, Darth Vader's slightly less capable younger brother. The premise is that Chad just can't cut the mustard with the Evil Empire, and thus toils away as the day shift manager at a local grocery store. Independent film making produces some really creative and interesting projects., and as a child of the 80's (and a HUGE Star Wars fan) this really cracks me up. View the entire series by clicking here.

Chad Vader ~episode 2

Episode 2 in the Chad Vader series. (just to get you started)