Camera
At this point I have probably run camera on 15 films for artist, Dara Friedman. Dara is a structural filmmaker, a poet. Her films communicate visually without relying on verbal or traditional, narrative storytelling
For performers, the work is about vulnerability and daring — bringing the show — in a way that’s unique and personal in front of the camera. Catching these happenings fits in well with my background in theater and my love of the camera. It’s incredible to make a safe space and then to capture the action as it unfolds no matter where it is. We could be shooting an opera singer in the middle of Grand Central Station during rush hour or a pole dancer upside down on a real street sign on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.
Image below is a still frame capture of dancer Constance Strickland from Dara Friedman’s Play (Part 1)
Performance & Poetry
Left and right; Photographs of still images taken from Dancer hang on a New York City street to promote a gallery show.
We filmed Dancer in Miami with a super 16mm Bolex. The film is a series of vignettes in which performers, professional and amateur move through public spaces as the backdrop. I don’t know whether it’s true but I’ve heard that Dancer was the inspiration for Pharrel’s 24-hour Happy music video.
Images left and right courtesy, Dara Friedman and Gavin Brown’s Enterprise.
More frame grabs from Dancer, 2012 ©Dara Friedman
Dichter
Dichter, in English means poet. For this project for Dara Friedman, we shot on 16mm with an Arri SRIII. The camera was set up on a fluid head and we tracked in from about 50 feet from the subject. I had to float the camera to keep the frame but it develops it’s own sense of style.
For the finished installation, the poets appear and disappear in random loops..
Left: Esther, Right: Roman, Bottom: Installation view, Gallery Supportico Lopez, Berlin
Installation: Dara Friedman’s Dichter, 2017 courtesy the artist and Gallery Supportico Lopez, Berlin
Rite
Filmed at a dance workshop with Dara Friedman, this work was improvised and filmed in takes lasting for the entire length of the music, in this case, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. The camera is handheld throughout and moves as an active participant in the dance.
Still Camera
The focus of my work is documentary video and film but I also shoot stills. While the disciplines are different, I learn storytelling from both formats, working to capture the unique spirit of people and places.
