Our Journal

31 Dec

Posted at 13:02h in Behind the Scenes, MTF Office by
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Thank you 2014…. The last few weeks before the new year is always a much needed time of reflection for me. In the world of entertainment and entrepreneurship, you experience two types of projects, the ones that come and go in a whirlwind or the ones you are stuck on for so long that you cannot see an end in sight. It is difficult in both cases to find time for reflection because while you are in the moment, all you can do is hold on and hope you come out alive emotionally and physically.   Running Moth to Flame…

30 Dec

Posted at 15:57h in Funemployment, MTF Office by
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It is with a heavy heart for me to write this blog about the passing of a former Moth to Flame intern, Daniel Thompson. I remember when Daniel first jumped on board with Moth to Flame. My first impression of him was wow, this guy is so excited to learn about filmmaking.   My first time meeting him was at a friend’s gathering during SXSW , when he mentioned that he wanted to get experience on set. He had just moved to Austin and was figuring out what he wanted to do. I could immediately see his hunger to learn…

30 Dec

Posted at 10:00h in A Bird's Nest by
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Director of Photography, Alex Walker talks about filming A Bird’s Nest They say film crews are the ultimate problem solvers. Shortly after Katrina hit NOLA back in 04 I was working on a production when the Key Grip remarked that filmmakers should have been sent instead of FEMA. After the experiences we had shooting A Bird’s Nest, I tend to agree. The script paints a picture of a troubled child who turns to the macabre for his outlet in life. The challenge was to create a sense of understanding between the audience and the anti-hero of the story without betraying…

25 Dec

Posted at 10:00h in Creative, Film and TV, Sketches, Stop Motion Animation by
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Ah the dual nature of stop motion animation… The first side: all the planning, and prepping: It can be anything from sand, to Legos, G.I. Joes, to drawings, to the classic “Claymation”. You spend hours plotting out the story, making the background, each individual frame (if required), and then you finally shoot it. Which, if anyone is wondering, takes several more hours. The second side: you’ve accomplished all this work!!! Then you play the footage……..it lasts 8 seconds. Literally. 8 seconds le sigh That’s it. You might be able to stretch it to 10-12 seconds, 15 if you’re really good….

22 Dec

Posted at 10:00h in Weddings by
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Filming a Texas Wedding with Cherry and John Menard… It’s been a pleasure getting to know Cherry. She’s one of the first people I met when I moved to Austin to attend business school and start Moth to Flame. We met on the set of a short production called “American Roulette” directed by Alex Murphy, which happens to be the first project I produced in Austin. Ever since, we have been working together on various projects, from commercials to short films, and finally my debut feature, Funemployment. I was also one of the lucky ones to be able to hang…

17 Dec

Posted at 10:00h in Weddings by
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To be a filmmaker and an entrepreneur means you require a lot of support. Nobody can stay sane and do it alone. One of my dearest friends and former wifey/roommate, Suma Nagmote, is one of these special people to me. Without her, I would be depressed and nowhere close to where I am right now as a filmmaker or as a person. Suma is one of those people whose smile lights up the room. Among all my friends, she is the mom out of the bunch. I am always amazed by all the details she remembers about everyone’s lives because…

15 Dec

Posted at 10:00h in A Bird's Nest, Behind the Scenes, Film and TV by
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Director of A Bird’s Nest talks about life On Set… I often tell people that filmmakers are crazy. Only filmmakers will spend hours in the rain and mud, brave poison ivy and spiders, and completely rearrange an entire house in order to get one perfect shot. I am one of those people. For me, the final product is just the icing on the cake. The best part about filmmaking is the process. The time leading up to the final finished product of “A Bird’s Nest” yielded some of my most vivid memories. I can still remember the moment my co-producer,…