Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘Fugue for a Spiritual Life’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
I have been in the video/film business for over 50 years. I started in Hollywood working at CBS television. In 1975 I graduated from UCLA with a degree in television production. Then, I moved to Silicon Valley in Northern California where I started my own production company making films for technology firms. In retirement I have been producing/directing films that interest me such as a film about the Eiffel Tower and its relationship to the San Jose Electric Light Tower. I completed a three part film about a family journey from the Holocaust to Jim Jones massacre in Guyana. And now I have finished my latest work, FUGUE for a spiritual life.
Tell us about ‘Fugue for a Spiritual Life’. How do you describe it?
The world is in a precarious situation with environmental systems falling apart. The old ways of doing things no longer works. This film is a journey led by Rev. Stephen Wright into new ways of being that involve deep spirituality and that can help us adapt to a changing world. This work is deeply inspiring through the words of Stephen in beautiful locations that inspire us to understand and appreciate that all things in life are connected.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
I have always been inspired by Orson Wells. He had great vision in seeing things in new ways. Through dramatic angles and the use of lighting, he managed to cause our eyes to be riveted to the screen. And the there is his storytelling technique that pulls the audience through. He was a master of his craft.
I would like to do a project called “Australia Day Reboot”. The premise of the film is if we had to do the initial meeting between western man and the indigenous Australians what would we do differently? How could both cultures come to a place where they could celebrate the encounter together. The film would need to dive deep into finding ways that each culture could contribute to the betterment of the other.
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
You must create a business plan that includes objectives, budget and milestone dates. Then you execute the plan.
What was the hardest part of making ‘Fugue for a Spiritual Life’.
This project was very low budget and so I had to be cameraman, sound person, and editor. That was a lot of work by one person and still be technically professional. Using my iPhone 14 Pro in Cinematic mode with a gimbal attachment helped.
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
The next project will be a companion piece to FUGUE for a spiritual life. It will be entitled FUGUE for a truthful life. Right now it is in the planning and fund raising stages.
Comments