One of the recent projects I REALLY had a lot of fun with was my involvement in the upcoming feature film SUSHI GIRL.  Great cast, excellent crew–and the chance to create an entire gallery of wonderful images to immortalize both the production, and the publicity sides of the film.  After a long day shooting, director Kern Saxton came over and we started to have a nice chat.  He was really into the preview images I would share from my files each day and asked if I was into creating “The Last Supper” for a billboard to be produced upon the film’s release later in the year.  Sounded like fun–and it was.

The great part about crafting these moments is making sure each actor is represented with their character in mind.  You have to think fast on the fly and imagine how each persona should be depicted–using only light (and the absence of) to “paint” the perfect image of WHO these people are.  Combine that with the fact that on a movie set–you better think fast–things move–the director always has to keep going or might lose a moment of precious production time.  (Tip to all photographers who want to do feature film work–if you have a stomach made of anything less than industrial grade iron & steel–this job is NOT for you.)

We set up the scene–made some adjustments–and BAM.  I nailed it within a few seconds.  History made.  Very rewarding.

It is always great to “work” on a project YOU are a “fan” of.  I personally can’t wait to see the finished film–so Mr. Kern Saxton–get back to work and finish post production on this bad boy–I want to see it!!!!!!!!!!!

There is nothing like working with an amazing actor.  I have ALWAYS loved my portrait sessions with them.  We dream.  We create.  Actors can go THERE.  To another place.  Few do it better than the amazing NOAH HATHAWAY.  Recently we spent the day together–working mind in mind to drift away and bring back a piece of the other side.  His visionary skills are legendary–knowing and working with him–another dream in itself.  Here is one of my favorite NOAH portraits.  For me…a very personal image.

Noah is a WILD CHILD.  Unruly, restless spirit with so many ideas.  His steely eyes and pride resonate so well for my camera.  We share ideas.  Funny stories…and some not so funny.  But all in all……….we have the time of our lives just taking a moment from earth and creating.

You will have the chance to see NOAH HATHAWAY soon in the feature film SUSHI GIRL.  But be warned–his performance is intense to say the least.  If you want to see somebody pour their heart and soul into and onto the silver screen………….get ready.

Over the years you start to take a look back and find some images taken in a similar period of time and find a common thread–maybe it was the atmosphere–maybe the subject–maybe??????????????  Who in the hell knows or much cares.  Well….I must because I’m writing about it.  Anyhow, looking back at a few of my favorite portraits of the month I was in the mood to travel on the diagonal……on the tension.  I’ve been trying for the last few minutes to come to grips with some really deep, profound meaning or theory to share regarding my insight to these portraits.  Not going to happen.  But in any case–I can give a bit of info about the who and what.

This first one is of Film Producer Suren M. Seron.  Known him for years.  Worked with him for eons.  Always interesting to photograph and even more so to speak to.  Quite possibly one of the most brilliant minds I have ever had the opportunity to encounter.  He’s a puzzle.  Put the pieces together for yourself and make the man.

Next we have actor David Dastmalchian who is a blast to work with.  Last month I completed Publicity and Set Photography for the upcoming Super Cult Smash Film (trust me) SUSHI GIRL and David has a great role in it.  Even more entertaining and riveting offscreen than on (if ya can believe it).  A true character who  holds nothing back.  Combine this with a look impossible to duplicate.  Another puzzling and complex type of man……….just the type who keeps you wondering………..

We all love a good mystery………..

FAQ:  What can I DO to make better portraits?  Any hints/tips/tricks?

A:  Yes.  Stop asking and start doing.

No, I’m not being rude–quite the opposite–and let me explain.  There is NOTHING I can share to make you a “better” photographer.  The physical act of photography is this and ONLY this–press a button.  Click.  Presto–you have now successfully completed your task at hand and may consider yourself a “photographer” (I guess).  BUT–let me warn you–your image may be worthless.  Yes–totally worthless.  Why?  Why you ask…………SIMPLE.  You concentrated solely on the PHYSICAL and TECHNICAL implications of photography.

Now–I’m not going to levitate and start to chant.  No incense burning or flying carpets (dragons).  But let’s get real.  To be a great portrait ARTIST you must posess something very special and quite rare if I do say so myself.  You have to have an uncanny ability to relate to people COMBINED with the spiritual understanding/genius to transcend the physical world and transport a piece of the subject from within.

A great portrait is something intangible–even in its tangible form.  Sound like a rhyme to make confucius confused? It might just be.  In short–stop worrying about what kind of camera you have.  The aperture.  Shutter speed.  Throw all of that stuff out the window for now.  Concentrate on humanity and emotion.  And if you have to be reminded to do so–may I suggest another hobby/line of work from you? ; as this should be without question.

Here are two very, very different portraits–as they should be.  The subjects are VERY different individuals who live quite different lives and have very different interests.  I won’t say a word further.  THEY can tell you all about WHO they are………….

JAMES DUVAL.  MARCH, 2011.

DOUG SCHAPER.  MARCH 2011.

Long overdue.  My close friends know my appreciation for Tony Todd.  I’ve been a fan of his work since I was in fifth grade and just mesmerized by his performance and overall presence in Tom Savini’s remake of George Romero’s classic zombie flick NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.  My mother signed me out of school in fifth grade to take me to the first showing (true story).  I was just in awe of the film;  and for some reason–the young, tall actor who whipped ass using his 6’5″ frame and mighty brain to save the day versus those pesky flesh eating zombies.  He had a heroic and noble presence–a true grace that really registered with me.

Some things just stick with you–and we have no real way of explaining the “why” of it all…but such is life.  A few years later Todd would complete a role so defining that even today–it is his most well known work (despite bringing it in COUNTLESS other film and stage plays over the years) called THE CANDYMAN.  Sometimes an actor just nails something that registers with a global audience in such a way that they are forever blessed/cursed with the identification factor (typecast). Candyman made him an international icon of the horror genre.

In any case–let me cut to the chase.  Tony and I became friends by pure luck (fate?)–and just recently I had the opportunity to photograph his recent work (the best of his amazing career?) on the film SUSHI GIRL (which he also executive produced).  Now–at first it was a bit distracting to watch him perform live–his presence and performance are SO intense–that I often found my brain absolutely plucked from my being and thrust into a fantasy world Tony clearly controlled.  He is an amazing talent…..to say the very least.

Life is strange.  Sometimes the old saying (Never meet your heroes) is absolute truth.  9/10 times you WILL be disappointed.  But in some cases…you are rewarded with an experience that may change your life.  I know I was.

“You never know” (as my dear grandmother Caroline Fulton R.I.P. quoted)…….life takes you on various journeys for reasons unknown.  Sit back, enjoy the ride–and live without questioning.

Because in the end……you really “NEVER KNOW…………..”

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR *MY* TONY TODD AND SUSHI GIRL PORTRAITS COMING SOON……….YOU REALLY DON’T WANT TO MISS THESE…………………

Sorry for the delay in updating my “Daily Report” that has been ……well….far from “Daily” for quite some time.  Between my usual hectic schedule  I found the time to complete publicity and set photography for a new movie I am SUPER EXCITED about.

SUSHI GIRL was an adventure to say the least.  Coming to work each day and having the opportunity to dream alongside fantastic actors such as Tony Todd, Mark Hamill, Jeff Fahey, Noah Hathaway, James Duval, Danny Trejo, Sonny Chiba………..and the list goes on and on.  Some of my images will be shared here in the VERY near future–so hold tight…………..you’re in for a ride.

I am always moving on to the next project and continuously aiming for the stars–but the images I created for this film are special.  Each one a tiny masterpiece of its own–and as seen as a whole……………..

From another dimension to say the least.