Winner Best Documentary Web Series

What an honor to have been selected as Best Documentary Web Series at this years Chain Film Festival.  Only in their second year and this is the first time they have added a web series category. All I can say is for years I haven't thought of myself as a film maker, just someone who has captured my experience in short vignettes on my flip camera. Those who have been involved, the musicians, the commuters, the passersby who have answered a simple yet complex question "What's your inspiration?" captured on film, have caught the imagination of those watching.  Congratulations to you all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQC6Jwf7ops&index=1&list=PL01109F04C202C9FC

here are the films I submitted, the Inspiration Project:


Chain Film Fest selected Inspiration Project films

The Inspiration Project series episode Music Under New York auditions 2013 and my short film The Inspiration Project are both official selections in the Chain NYC Film Festival 21-28 45 Rd Long Island City, NY 11101

The second and last screening will be this Thursday August 14th at 9pm.  It would be wonderful if you could join me at the screening.  If you can not attend, I have attached the films below, including links to rate the film, which I would much appreciate. There is even a space to write a review if you are so inclined. These films are what I call "lo-fi with hi-human content." The only cost in making them is my time and passion (which is actually more than you can imagine). To be able to share with you the stories of the people I meet and what inspires them in short clips is inspirational to me, and to be selected to screen at a film festival is very gratifying.

The Inspiration Project short film you can rate here on the Chain Film Fest website

Music Under New York Auditions 2013: The Inspiration Project web series, you can rate here on the Chain Film Fest website

Picked from hundreds of submissions from all over the world, The Chain NYC Film Festival is presenting 108 films. From short documentaries to full length narratives and web series; encompassing work from filmmakers in Australia, Belgium, F…

Picked from hundreds of submissions from all over the world, The Chain NYC Film Festival is presenting 108 films. From short documentaries to full length narratives and web series; encompassing work from filmmakers in Australia, Belgium, France, UK as well as our own Long Island City; an innovative and diverse set of topics is curated in thematic groups, featuring both indie actors on the brink of stardom as well as actors such as Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Louis Lombardi (The Sopranos), Nicholas Brendon (Xander from Buffy), and the debut lead performance of 2014 Miss Golden Globes, Sosie Bacon (Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick’s daughter).
 
Films will be presented on a rotating schedule from August 4 through August 17.Tickets are $10 for all performances. For more information please visit www.chainfilmfestival.com.

Luellen Abdoo MUNY violinist performs "Luango"

Walking through Grand Central's Graybar corridor I met Music Under NY violinist Luellen Abdoo. I asked her what inspires her. Music and people. Here's her world premiere of a new composition "Luango" by composer Joe Gianono.  There's lovely work being performed in public spaces, you just have to go out and find it.

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Heard-NY Nick Cave Inspiration

A sensory performance art piece.  A visual mixture of color, music and movement. Live percussionist and harp, and dancers from the Ailey school. Creative Time and MTA Arts For Transit have joined together to present visual artist Nick Cave and his HEARD-NY.  Performances have been going since Monday and will end Sunday March 31st 11am + 2pm (get there 1/2 hour early to be able to get a seat-kids are allowed a special section).

As someone who performs in public spaces, to get a chance to witness a live (and free) performance art piece is such a thrill. The Vanderbilt Hall is an amazing place on any given day, the high ceilings the natural reverberation, but with Nick Cave's piece it comes alive with delight.

What I loved about my experience watching HEARD-NY were the multi-layered sounds as the dancers fitted under horse costumes (yet so much more than that) the materials dragged and snapped the floor all mixed in with children's voices of glee.

In the summer of 2010 I also enjoyed another Creative Time installation by Paul Rameriez Jonas' Key To The City. You can see what inspires Paul here.

Learn more about Arts For Transit

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Ikeem PoetrynMotionNYC re-inspired

I first met Ikeem of PoetrynMotionNYC, with his dancing buddy Shawn in Union Square on their way to their own busking gig.  2 months later our paths crossed again and he shared how he was inspired by my What's Your Inspiration?" project.  I asked him how so and his reply "makes me wanna do what I'm doing differently than just dancing, just makes me think more, think bigger"

You can see Ikeem and Shawn's original What's Your Inspiration? clip as part of a post Hurricane Sandy blog with inspiration clips of other people I met in Union Square on the same inspirational day.

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Jimmy + Lucille share inspirations in Grand Central

Jimmy works in Grand Central and Lucille, well she's a regular wanderer and happy spirit. We've chatted many times about her living in and out of homeless shelters.

We all found ourselves chatting at the same time. This is the beauty of performing in public spaces, you never know what the person standing right next to you has to say unless you ask a question

What inspires Jimmy? His new grandchild, and Lucille? my music reminds her of her childhood in the south...

music-Good Thing by C. Grier

 

Sister Monk - Live For This Moment

I came upon Kathy Deane and Jody Rubel from the group Sister Monk performing in Grand Central. They enjoy performing with the Music Under New York program when they aren't touring around.

What inspires Kathy?  "people like you, other talented musicians, amazing women drummers"

Leonie guest artist Grand Central Station

I met Leonie while playing at Grand Central Graybar corridor.  I noticed Leonie looking at my guitar and asked if she played. I encouraged her to have a go and the gutsy woman that she is, played 'Closer I Am To Fine,' by the Indigo Girls. Leonie works for the UN in Darfur, Sudan doing landmine clearance).

What Inspires Leonie?  "A word free of land mines and kids at play having fun."

What Inspires Carol who used to also work in Darfur?  Her friend Carol added her inspiration too: the work that Leonie does. I second that!

What's Your Inspiration?

Mecca Bodega Hudson Winter Walk 2011

I was performing in Hudson NY at an annual event called Winter Walk. I was happily surprised to find Paul and Marc Mueller of Mecca Bodega, my Music Under New York buddies, a wonderful duo of hammer dulcimer and percussion performing on a sidewalk to dancing children and enthralled listeners. 

Small world, Hudson is a special town and for a moment between the festively decorated main street USA, known as Warren Street and happy togetherness, there was a glimmer of what we are all capable of. 

You can't help but appreciate as you can see in this clip, that Paul and Marc had to deal with the elements, it was cold + dark, but they were rewarded with enthusiastic people on a fun night.

What inspires Paul "People who love what they do…..it's a one shot deal, do it now."

Spontaneous moments that fill me up

Aubrey Lynch stopped by LIRR station while I was performing. In this clip he describes what he's up to now. Another spontaneous interruption provided us with a touching moment. This month Aubrey is my guest blogger 

Check out Aubrey's What's Your Inspiration? clip. See how he has taken a career of dancing, choreography, and producing to now mentoring and using dance art to heal people.

Shanta Thake inspired 2011 MUNY judge

May 17, 2011. The annual Music Under New York (MUNY) auditions is such a wonderful event from every perspective. For the organizers and judges, it is a long day, but well worth the effort.  For the performers, it's a chance to perform for some pretty wonderful judges chosen from the amazing cultural fabric that makes up NY. Of course there are always MUNY artists on hand as volunteers and as judges too.  I have been a judge in the past and have found it an interesting role to play. 

What inspires judge and Joe's Pub director Shanta Thake's "Seeing people do what they love."

Lindsay Dragan 2011 MUNY audition

May 17, 2011. The annual Music Under New York (MUNY) auditions is such a wonderful event from every perspective. For the organizers and judges, it is a long day, but well worth the effort.  For the performers, it's a chance to perform for some pretty wonderful judges chosen from the amazing cultural fabric that makes up NY. 

Here's a clip of Lindsay who's audition performing her song "Next Step," earned her a spot in the coveted MUNY program.  Welcome aboard Lindsay. 

What Inspires Lindsay? "Everything…..looking inside and outside myself."

What Inspires Aubrey Lynch?

Happy to find Aubrey Lynch at Penn Station one afternoon. He is a celebrated dancer turned choreographer, producer and now arts educator, certified life coach, master teacher, spreader of wings.

What inspires Aubrey? To do what you do and not worry of the outcome.

The Aubrey Lynch Experience: 

Lessons in Art and Life A Unique Perspective from an Uncommon Journey

Life Coaching, Workshops, and Master Classes

AubreyLynch.com  "Dance is a Metaphor. Spread your Wings." 

Aubrey is my guest blogger this month.  Check it out

Clown Happy, Times SQ

Life of a subway performer continued. Clowns in NYC subway March 18, 2011
Arriving at my scheduled spot to perform in Times SQuare, William Ruiz the amazing native american tongue drummer and percussionist was still performing. As he was playing along passed clowns Dolly Dimples, (Sacramento CA) and Sparky The Clown, (Lake of The Ozarks, MO aka Jackie Newton) on their way to the 2011 World Clown Convention  What inspires Dolly and Sparky? "Smiling...we have to learn to laugh at ourselves." "My grandson, and dogs..." 

Who says the subway isn't full of fun and fascinating people. For musicians, it's our office so we hang and chat. Water cooler chat subway style.

Check out William's What's Your Inspiration clip