Living in a Plain and Furious Way

MOVING TO WORDPRESS

2010-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

This blog(for lack of a better word) is moving to Wordpress .com
its been on hiatus but will be back
Please stay tuned for more interviews and interesting things
thank you

11/30/2010

Interviewed : Colby Elrick

2010-02-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

The Bay Area (from San Francisco to Oakland) boasts a plethora of talented artists and devoted cyclists. When these two ingredients combine, the innovative outcome is a new creative cycling film such as MASH and Macaframa.

If you are a cycling enthusiast, especially fixed gear cycling, then the names Colby Elrick and Macaframa will ring a bell. Macaframa , Colby Elrick and Colin Arlen’s brainchild, is a stylized film creation that pushed filmmaking methods in new original direction with the well recognized famous backdrop of San Francisco. The hard working, talented filmmaker, Colby was gracious enough to answer a few questions

Can you tell me a little bit about your film background, or how you got into filming?

Well, I kinda just jacked my grandpa’s camera when I was about 14 or 15 so my friend Matt and I could film each other skateboarding. He had some kind of media class a year or so later in high school that we would make skate videos for, and they would air on public access, haha. Not gonna lie...they were pretty fresh for public access. Then a couple years later, some friends from St. Louis flew out to skate for a couple weeks. I filmed them, and put together a 20 minute-long video. No computer, just a Hi 8 and a VCR we rigged. I'm pretty sure I didn't even have a computer then- some hood shit. After that, I didn't really film for a few years, just skated all the time, until I jacked my knee up. Because I couldn't really skate, I decided that I might as well do something to keep me around skating. I had a little money saved up, and got a VX2000 with a death lens, and started filming all my homies. Started sending stuff to 411vm, and to my surprise, my footage made it in on the first try. From there on out, I just filmed full-time, sending stuff in for different videos and companies, making shit money for all the damn work I put in... but I can’t complain because it was fun, and it led me to where I am now. No school, self taught. Thanks Grandpa! Rest in peace.

How did meet Colin Arlen?

I met Colin through skating. We had mutual friends that we skated with, and we started skating and filming all the time after that. He didn't look like a Frenchie douche back then. He used to think he was Nate Jones (haha.) These are the link to Colin’s part we made about 6 years ago now. Funny stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APLdBsEYf5g

http://www.vimeo.com/388166

When MASH came out it was one of the first films about fixed gear cycling in an urban city. Afterwards it seemed like the flood gates were opened and several other films came out. How did the idea come about for doing Macaframa?

Well to be honest, we actually started filming that first promo before we saw the MASH trailer. That’s why we just let it sit on the computer for so long. We didn’t think anybody gave a shit, or would want to see it. Once we saw the MASH trailer, we were hella pumped on it, thought ours was wack, and pretty much thought we were done working on it. Then one night, Colin was indulging on some medicinal marijuana (for his flaming case of hemorrhoids, which he has yet to cure), and decided to try to figure out how to use compressor (a video compressing program). He figured it out and put a piece on youtube. I woke up the next morning to my friend Chris Wilmore texting me, "Shits blowing up!" I obviously had no clue what he was talking about, but once I saw the hits we got, I made a Myspace page for Macaframa. We didn’t start filming for another year and a half after that. Our camera was broken, and we were poor folk. But to answer your question, it came about as pure fun, nothing more.

When I (and my friends) saw the short clips you and Colin Arlen made and posted on Youtube we were so stoked to see it. What was the feedback you got based on these short films?

Everything was really positive. We kept waiting to put something out, and have everyone just hate it. But for some reason that never happened....well not until that little fiasco with the dvd presales. Which wasn't completely our fault! We're slow, but the printers were much slower! and we had no clue what the fuck we were doing. But yeah, other than that everything was great. Thank you to everyone that has supported us along the way.

The stylized directing and framing in Macaframa are beautiful. Was that a main point or an emphasis in creating Macaframa?

It was definitely what we were going for, but at the same time, that’s just naturally how we shoot. So, yes and no. We also thought watching someone ride a bike around the city would get kinda boring, so we figured making the scenery, as well as the biking, a little more visually stimulating would balance it out. I think it worked?

When you where filming Macaframa, was it important filming the cityscape of San Francisco as well? It seems that the film is not only about cycling but about the Bay Area itself, as if it’s another character alongside with the riders.

Yeah, without a doubt! We wanted people that haven’t been to SF to get a feel for what it would be like to ride here or whatever, and to show how beautiful the city is, even in the shitty parts. There are tons of historic buildings with amazing architecture, and all kinds of weird shit. We just wanted to do the city justice, you know? Just be thankful you got to see the city, without having to smell it (ha ha!)

Now that several films about fixed gear cycling have come out, what new directions are cycling films going to need to go in order to distinguish themselves from what’s already been done?

Hmmmm good question.... I really have no clue. Style is all I can think of. The personal reflection of someone’s style, whether it be the film maker or the rider, translates big timeon film. For example, if you’re a douchebag filmer and your rider's tight, you’re going to have lame filming, editing, and music with some good biking. But it’s just going to make the rider seem less than what he really is, ya know? Basically just screws the rider over. Same goes for the other way around. Great filming and shit riding doesn’t work either. So I think if people put some thought and time into a project, it would be legit and it would be different from the other films, because you're using your own thoughts and ideas......hopefully. I’ve only seen a few fixed gear videos, so I’m mainly going off my experiences from skateboard videos, MASH, Bootleg, Death Pedal- all very unique and you can see the different styles come through them, in filming and riding style.

Besides film making, what other hobbies do you enjoy?

Skateboarding for sure, I’ve been doing that since I could walk. I like biking obviously. Lately, I have been trying some different riding styles from my normal steez. Got me a super fixie (haha.) Nate hooked me up with his MKE proto frame, and I was extremely hesitant about it at first. It just kinda sat there for a while, but once I built it up, I understood why all these kids are jumping on the band wagon. Shit is hella fun, I can’t do tricks, or even ride backwards, but it’s really fun smashing through the dirt and jumping stuff, and cruising the streets, hitting curb cuts and such. It gives me the feel I had as a kid when I BMX’ed. (dirt track riding). Still ride my track bike all the time, too, don’t trip. I’ve been shooting photos a lot. I use a tight old film camera my grandpa gave me, and it's pretty fun. I’m going to be doing that a lot more. Make a little book or something. I’m also a big fan of basketball playing and watching. Another really fun hobby I have is hanging out with my girlfriend Desire haha haaaaay HOW YOOOOU DOIN!

What other film endeavors are you working on?

Well we have quite a few. We just did a commercial for Leader bikes, featuring Massan. It’s looking good and should be out around the time you read this. We are going to be putting up a bunch of new lil shorts on the blog from time to time with these new cameras we got, just so you guys have a reason to check the blog haha. Then we have 2 projects I can’t talk about, but one will be out somewhat soon, and then the other is set for late summer or late fall. That one is something that I think OGs and the kiddies will love. That’s all I’m going to say about that. Besides film stuff, we have some clothes we are going to trickle out there soon, as well as some actual bike goods.

I assume this has been already asked to death, but what are the plans or status of Macaframa 2?

You are correct. Well the project I mentioned above won't really be Maca 2. It’s a Maca project, but nothing like the first one. So we are going to handle these 2 projects, and when we feel the time is right we will start on part 2. It took us over 3 years on the first one, so I don’t think we are totally ready to dive back into that again, right this moment. Ask me in the fall and I will have a better answer for you haha. For now, we are going to have some fun working on some other stuff.

Well thank you very much for taking time in answering some questions, kind sir. It’s been a pleasure. I (and everyone else into fixed gear cycling) look forward to the new projects you will be coming out with and shall be supporting it 100%.

For more information on Macaframa and related projects, please check out the website below.

http://www.macaframa.com/

Photos courtesy of Jason Maggied, Jason Rosete, Tsuchiya Yasu and Colby Elrick

Interviewed: William Schaff

2009-12-28T20:37:00.000-08:00

Many are familiar with the bands God Speed! You Black Emperor, Okkervil River, and Songs: Ohia (just to name a few). What these bands have in common is the artwork of Providence, Rhode Island-based artist William Schaff. Besides having his art work appear on the album cover of these previously said mentioned bands, he creates so many other unforgettable pieces of art work. I had the opportunity to ask William some questions about art and music.

I just want to begin by saying that your art is beautifully haunting and nostalgic. Nostalgic in the sense that its art that you don't normally see but looks familiar and once you see (your art) it makes you smile and think of fond memories. Haunting in a friendly way and not menacing in any form what so ever. Some of the pieces provoke an intense feeling that I can only describe as "haunting". The feeling stays with you and delivers introspective thoughts.

William: Thank you, Alex. It is kind of you to say. I am glad to read that my works strikes such a chord with you.

To begin, can you provide a little background on your art history?

William: Like most kids, it seems, I drew. I drew, and I drew, and I drew. Unlike most kids, it seems, I never stopped. My parents were always very supportive of my drawing, so that helped bolster me confidence. Then, because I could draw pretty well it helped me socially with my school mates and all that. I was fortunate enough to have certain opportunities of studying art, and then went on to study full time at college. Upon my release into the world, I have since tried my best to make a living. This has involved working many other jobs to support myself while I create the art. This brings me to present day. I am currently writing you from an unheated live in studio, where I can see my breathe as I type. I'm coming up in the world!

You seem to eat and sleep art 24/7.Like some shark's if you stop you will cease to live. From paintings, drawings, collage, scratch board, paper cuts, embroidery and diorama what kind of art is your favorite to create?

Have you or do you dabble in sculpting ?( I would love to see what you come up with.)

William:The shark analogy is neat. I do not have a preferred medium. I work in what I am commissioned to do, or what I feel the piece I am making calls for. As for sculpting. I studied it a bit in college -- figurative sculpture. As for sculpting since school, I have only once tried.http://www.flickr.com/photos/samsa1973/58180262/in/set-72157622235067997/

Mixed media diorama "Had I known" -17"x23"x8"

People who are fans of God Speed! You Black Emperor ,Songs: Ohia (to name a few) have your art work on their album covers and probably didn't know it. Where you approached by these artists or did you approach them?When working on these album covers do they give you input as to what they want or do they give you free reign to do whatever you like?

William: I am approached by the musicians I have done work for. In the case of Godspeed, they asked to use images from a book I did, called "Notes to a friend; Silently listening". They asked to use the images. Otherwise, yes, the imagery is left up to me. Input is welcome, but the final image is mine.

Currently which album covers for bands are you working on?

William:I am currently working on the artwork for the next Dreamend album. It's driving me crazy, because we are trying to figure out how to make it so that the lp itself, being a picture disc, will create an animation the listener can watch.

Which bands (that you haven't been able to do yet) would you like to do album art cover for?

William: Too many to list. But some of the top ones would be His Name Is Alive, the Mountain Goats, Extra Action Marching Band, Tom Waits.

Speaking of music I read that you were in a band? What band(s) are you/or were you in?

William: I am currently in the What Cheer? Brigade. It's an 18 piece renegade brass band. You can find out more about it here:
www.whatcheerbrigade.com. As for past bands, I have been lucky enough to play in Alec K. Redfearn and the Eyesores, The Iditarod, Did a short stint with Black Forest/ Black Sea, and I love you & I miss You.

How important is music in the creative process of your art? Does it influence your art style or inspire you? What else inspires you to create?

William: Music is of the utmost importance, because it is to me. I cannot imagine a life without music, or being unable to hear music. I have often wondered which would break my heart more -- to be blind, or to be deaf. I don't know if it influences my style as much as it can influence the content of the image. As for other things that influence me....just life. The way I see people interacting with others. The history that exists within the present day as a living, breathing part of that day.

I see that you also illustrate envelopes when sending out mail correspondence, "mail art".I love how creative you are with the composition of the stamp art as you work it into the art piece you create. Do you do this for fun or to all your mail?

William: Not as much as I would like, and not as much as I used to. But yes, I do it for fun. It just seems like a nicer way to get mail.

What projects/commissioned pieces are you working on at this moment?

William: The only commission I am working on right now is the album for Dreamend, I mentioned earlier. I am also currently working on an embroidery of a prison rape, and a painting of a group of people dining but these projects are not commissions.

Do you have any interests in being a full time graphic novelist? I see your art and always think how fantastic it would be to see an illustrated story of yours.

William: No, I don't. If I were to do more stories, I would like to do them as I have in the past. Not so much as a linear narrative in the traditional sense. But one where each page could stand on its own, outside of the story, but at the same time works as part of the whole. I have done illustrated stories..several of which you can see on the flickr site.

Is there any advice that you would like to share with others trying to make a living as an artist?

William: Not without sounding cynical or possibly bitter. Stay strong, I guess. It is a tricky and hard life. If it is what you are meant to do, you will do it no matter what anyone else says or advises.

Thank you for your time I truly appreciate it and look forward to seeing more of your art work.

William: Thank you, sir.

To see more of William Schaff's art or to purchase some of his art go to the following websites below. (You won’t be disappointed)

www.williamschaff.com

www.cafepress.com/williamschaff