Keys to Existence: Awards Edition

My most decorated film, my first major film school project, and what I like to say is the movie that established my professional film portfolio. Keys to Existence is an experimental short I shot in 2004 as part of one of my film production classes. The full story behind the project can be read here. Notice the brand new poster and view the promo for the project, as well as the full film, below.

With some of my early film school projects now several years old, I'm able to look back at them with nostalgia and appreciate how much my promotion has evolved. With some of my newer projects like A Chill and the Air and Give it Time also receiving new credits this year, I'm excited to think about how the possibilities for new venues and credibility increase when my work is critically received by multiple sources in completely different parts of the world. Keys to Existence makes me proud because I know how much I grew when I went through the process of making it, refining it, submitting it, and promoting it as a student. Like all artists must feel, even though some of the projects that have followed have been more time consuming and complex, there's a lot to be said about roots and the personal projects that let you see things in new ways for the first time.

Keys to Existence Promo


Keys to Existence

Amazing Editing in 'Junket Animation'

This video is an excellent example of the ingenuity possible with limited resources. I've always been a big believer that it's about the concept, not the equipment, that really dictates the success of a project. Here's more evidence to support it. A couple of university students made this stop motion film and cut it to a song by Sabrepulse. Simple and clear concept + top notch editing and animation = really fun to watch.

Split Thoughts

Borrowing on the technical inspiration of my short Split Wash, Split Thoughts has an obvious personal edge. Again, it's light on actual substance but I felt motivated to put together this little short after thinking about all the vlogs I've watched on YouTube and considered what the act of filming yourself meant.

It got me thinking, what if you don't know what to say or how to say it? Is it simply a self portrait? Is it just a way to command attention? It's a bit of all of this I think. As simple as it is I find there's something reflective and haunting about this short. What is a filmmaker/editor anyway if not indulgent and gratuitously searching for artistic gratification? We're all entitled to our moments I suppose.