Parks

Did I mention that I am directing my first documentary short video? It's for a small workshop, and I am surrounded by a great group of talented folks. My topic is on the local pier, surrounding park and coastal area in town, on the occasion of the pier's 100th anniversary. My interviewee target got back to me and luckily so did several other people. Even the mayor. How nice! Warm hugs for everyone. The pressure is on though, and with all of the preparation, you would think I am directing some David Lean epic.

I am wondering if this is how Ken Burns started out. Because I am thinking of his films in putting my little effort together. Given that it will involve mainly archive images and interviews, I will be going for the "Ken Burns Effect" to give some life to the images. I am dying to see his upcoming PBS doc on parks, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. Check out the great preview on the PBS site for the film.

Very worthy topic, our parks. I recently read a Vanity Fair excerpt from The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. The book explores Roosevelt's key role in creating our national park system and promoting conservation. Another book I need to add to the growing pile, but I am already sure it will be a great read.

Go hug a tree today - and give a little thanks to Ken and Teddy for their work on behalf of our parks.

Cooks

In addition to being a doc fan, I love to cook. Fortunately, I live in Southern California, where I have a daily helping of farmers markets and documentaries at my disposal. Cooking soothes me; every recipe is a little story and an escape into something foreign and new. Kind of like documentaries.

I have been on pins and needles for weeks in anticipation of seeing the new film, Julie & Julia. French cooking and blogging - sign me up. Tonight, I saw a screening of the film in my neighborhood and was enchanted. I hadn't followed Julie Powell's blog back in the day (I don't think I even knew about blogging back then), or read her book in advance, but I knew that I loved food and that this was going to be the film for me. I was not wrong - it is another Nora Ephron delight (carried mainly and not surprisingly by Meryl Streep), marrying Julie's story of finding her passion, learning to cook and working her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, with Julia's story of finding her passion, learning to cook and writing the book in the first place. I gained 10 pounds just watching the movie, and it looks like I have some French cooking to do in my not-so-distant-future...

Of course, it also got me thinking about docs and cooks. American Masters did a doc on Julia Child some years ago called Julia! America's Favorite Chef; I'm not sure if they are going to re-air it around the movie release, but you can buy it on DVD. My local PBS station sent an email today about a special Julia Child retrospective this weekend, so I am going to try to catch that. Julia was an institution; I just missed seeing her in person shortly before her death, and it is still a life regret.

Another French cooking revolutionary and heroine of mine is Alice Waters, who I recently did have the honor of meeting (coincidentally, at the same theatre as the screening tonight). Years ago, I had the great opportunity to dine at her legendary restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley. A treasured memory. American Masters did a doc on her as well - Alice Waters and her Delicious Revolution. A new doc, Food, Inc. showcases the issue of food safety, and of eating organically, seasonally and locally, which Alice Waters has espoused for decades.

Two other related cooking items to note for now: Stanley Tucci is terrific in the film as Julia's husband Paul; there are rumors that he will team up with Mario Batali for the Italian follow-up to the Spain...On the Road Again doc series on PBS. I was addicted to this show last year, and bought just about every piece of product associated with it. I hope it happens soon and wonder if there is a French culinary road trip to come.

Finally, I recently read David Kamp's book The United States of Arugula: The Sun Dried, Cold Pressed, Dark Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution , featuring Julia, Alice, Mario, James Beard, and a host of other visionaries who changed the way we cook and eat in this country. The book was a great primer for this movie. It took me about as long to read as it did Julie Powell to finish her Julia Child cooking project, but only because I savored every fantastic, juicy word of it.

Bon Appetit (but of course)!

Comics

One of the many great things about docs is that they bring to light untold stories and unsung heroes. Even the unsung heroes who create heroes. Last night, I had the pleasure to attend a screening and reception for The Legends Behind the Comic Books, produced and directed by Chip Cronkite, son of the late, great Walter who just passed. A true hero in his own right.

With framing by comic book historians, the film explores the visionary writers and illustrators who created the most famous super hero comics in history, including the revered Stan Lee and many more. A wonderful treat to delve into the history of this oft-dismissed true art form and important piece of American culture - "frozen movies" as comics were described; artists in the roles of producers and directors.

The event brought to mind one of my favorite books, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon. The story of a pair of comic book creators circa WWII is a fabulously vivid and epic tale of the Golden Age of comics. It is apparent in watching the film that Kavalier and Clay are a loving homage to the great comic book creative duos Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, and Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster. Even GOOP is writing about this book today, oddly enough. Check it all out - and give thanks to comic books and their creators for timeless stories, indelible art and super heroes - wrapped around truth, justice and the American way.

Folk Fest

I'm getting really excited for my vacation to Rhode Island; I keep having dreams about clambakes and sailing. First stop is also my first trip to the Newport Folk Festival (50th Annual!) this weekend. Pete Seeger and Joan Baez are among the headliners, no less! Different generations of the folk music revival they may be, but I can barely contain myself in anticipation of seeing these legends perform live. Several music docs come to mind including Pete Seeger: The Power of Song which chronicles the life of this iconic folk musician and activist. A great portrait of a poet and patriot still changing the world at 90. One of our true national treasures. I haven't seen a definitive doc on Joan Baez, although I think PBS may have done one on her eons ago. Probably time for an update.

The NFF itself has been featured in a few docs including Bob Dylan: No Direction Home, Martin Scorcese's revealing look back at Bob Dylan's revolutionary life in music. The '65 NFF was the legendary occasion when Dylan plugged in and heralded a new era in music, captured best in The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at NFF '63-'65. Festival! - The Newport Folk Festival, also highlights the event with Seeger, Baez, and Dylan among others. Throw in the seminal DJ Pennebaker's Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back (albeit not about NFF '65 but the period leading up to it), and you've got yourself a folk music concert doc marathon right in the (hopefully air-conditioned) summer comfort of your own home. Without the beer lines and port-o-potties. Enjoy!

Petey

It's fairly rare to find a person who is the subject of both a bio-pic and a documentary, but Petey Greene was a rare breed. An incredible character who overcame prison time and struggled throughout his life with personal demons, Petey found his calling in the late 60s as a pioneer shock jock on radio and later TV in Washington, D.C. He was a lightening rod activist and provocative voice of the people during a time of great civil unrest. I loved Don Cheadle's interpretation of him in Talk to Me, the 2007 film about Petey's life in the spotlight, and "telling it like it is".

The 2009 documentary, Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene, is a captivating companion piece to that film and just won the 2009 Independent Lens Audience Award. Narrated by Don Cheadle as well, it features a broader look at Petey's life, and spell-binding clips of the real Petey in action.

Celebrate a true iconoclast and check out Petey.

Lines

I've been following the rise of branded content on the web - for better or for worse, it is here to stay as companies are exploring innovative vehicles for longer consumer engagement. I enjoy the branded entertainment experience when it is showcased in a sleek, intelligent and organic way. Lately, I have also been fascinated with design in all of its forms - and of course, the documentaries that give us a peek behind the design curtain. Objectifed is the new doc from the director of the awesome Helvetica doc that aired on PBS Independent Lens. The story of a font, you say? Yes, I kid you not, Helvetica was a super cool look at typography and graphic design. The follow-up doc canvasses the world of industrial design - highlighting the design philosophy and process for some everyday objects like OXO kitchen gadgets and Apple products. I wish it had delved a bit deeper into each, but the reflection from product designers and critics on the form & function, societal influence and future of design is worth checking out. A segment on the improved design of a toothpick brought an A HA moment to the theatre.

I've also been checking out the subtly branded Lexus LStudio website, which showcases original short docs, webisodes and films that offer a unique look at the world and inspire innovation (with the assumption that of course this is inspiring Lexus innovation as well). Their Lines short doc series travels the same road as Objectified, examining such commonplace things as how the personal space of a desk can shape our world. I enjoyed that piece, as I have newly transformed my desk at home with objects that comfort me every day and have inspired me to start this blog. Like my plant from the Doc Maven desk (see blog photo). There is also a fun webisode series, Web Therapy (starring Lisa Kudrow), which recently won a Webby Award.

Now get out there to innovate and be inspired in your world!

Four

I love exploring The Documentary Channel offerings online as I can't yet see them on my satellite provider. Hopefully that will change soon. Check out this documentary Four that I recently sent to some of my fabulous and immensely talented string musician friends. Four violinists across the world & seasons in Tokyo, Australia, NYC, and Finland perform the movements in Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons". Some incredible visuals paired with timeless music brings the work to life anew. Aah...

Here's the Story.

I am a blogger. About 9 years, 7 months and 23 days late to the blogosphere party, but a blogger nonetheless. Apparently, I am also a techie late bloomer - in much the same way as I discovered the joys of Tivo and AAPL. But those are working out ok, too, so I am hopeful about this blogging thing.

I am a documentary producer. After an exciting career as a salesperson, marketer, non-profit evangelizer, tv and record industry exec, I synthesized all of my exeriences and found my passion. I'll share stories and tips from the trenches.

I am a documentary director. That is, assuming I can get my new video camera to work and my interviewee will return my call. I'll let you know how that goes.

I am a documentary fan. Docs tell stories that are often stranger than fiction, and capture images that can change the world. I'll report on some of my favorite docs and new ones I think you should check out.

I am a blogger. Stay tuned for more stories, docs and otherwise.