Please tell us about the projects you Randall Vemer worked on before making ‘Boots on the Ground for Art’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
Randall Vemer's first globally awarded film was MusArt. In a 12-minute biographical documentary, Vemer reveals what happened when tragically his ability to play his beloved viola was taken away; and how he turned to Art. The film is filled with striking 40 oil paintings of the people and instruments by which he's been surrounded for much of his life. And always the educator, the hauntingly lovely music is scored and timed, not only to enhance the viewer's enjoyment of Vemer's classical style oil paintings but also to point out which instrument is highlighted within the rich and ethereal paintings.
I turned to filmmaking as a result of the pandemic; knowing my 40 paintings of musicians on display would not be seen by many in the physical gallery. I created the film in order for folks to see the paintings since many couldn't attend physically! I surrounded myself with Kira Rugen, a Grammy winning composer, and the talented filmmaker Kevin Hanzlik. Photography was done by the master photographer Hector Salazar.
My 2nd Painting/Music documentary is entitled The Face on the Diapason; and recounts the noted illustrator Monte Wolverton's project painting 28 pipe organ composers. Along with images and video of Monte creating the artwork, are stunning images of pipe organs and the composers along with their organ music.
Tell us about ‘Boots on the Ground for Art’. How do you describe it?
'Boots' is my 3rd PAINTING documentary. The film reflects the joy and honor of teaching Veterans representing all branches of the Military; and one sees that their talent is enormous. Military Veterans at The Oregon School of Arts under instructor Randall Vemer created several paintings on the theme 'BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOR ART'. They were exhibited along with the film at 4 Veterans Administration venues in Portland Oregon May 2024; and currently on display at a Veteran's Museum in Washington.
Boots refer to the military but are not a direct reference. 'Boots on the Ground for Art' honors both Veterans' military service and their belief in the power of Art. The paintings were personal military reference or not. The theme is also a metaphor for beginning any new endeavor in life.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
Being from the classical music world, the Director who appreciates great orchestral film composers like John Barry, Hans Zimmer, Maurice Jarre, and Ennio Morricone; to name just a few. Therefore Directors like David Lean, Sydney Pollack, James Cameron, and Stephen Spielberg.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
I've done Painting films 'MusArt', 'Diapason', and 'Boots' projects on a shoestring budget. My next film I'd like to be a music video but with a back-story to the final performance. This would involve of course more stylized camera work, costuming, lighting, and high quality stereo sound. It will happen likely Fall 2024!
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
My films involve few actors, so scheduling is not really a problem. So many great musicians reside in Portland Oregon, so I needn't go beyond the city to find.
What was the hardest part of making ‘Boots on the Ground for Art’.
Gathering the B footage of the military Veterans doing art in my class. There were 18 of them, so I had to schedule, secure permissions, do the camera set-ups; and secure interviews. Since the theme 'Boots on the Ground' implied 'marching' or steps, finding the appropriate music with a walking beat was challenging. In the credits the EXHIBIT of the paintings took place in 4 different VA hospitals/centers in Oregon and Washington; so this had to be arranged to fit the movie credits.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?My previous films have been ART documentaries, my next will be a sort of doc/music short film where everything comes together at the end. It will be a blending of the 2 film genres of documentary and music video.
Comments