AVANT/CHICAGO

 
     

 

Video Shoot Today

Some of us from Chicago Comedy Film Festival got a team and crew together to enter a short film into a comedy video competition. We will do our first day (out of 2) of shooting today at the Sub't in Chicago. It will be interesting to throw together something like this for fun on a whim and no-budget. Updates on our Twitter and more later.

Preview of Our Sched for '12

• Jan. 24 - Laugh Out Local: Shorts of 2011 at the Hungry Brain
• Jan. 28 - Laugh Out Local Film Event in Elkhart, IN.
• Feb. 8 - America's Funniest Viral Videos at Black Rock Pub
• Feb. 16-17 - Lotus, Goshen Theater and Congress Theater
• Mar. 1 - Laugh Out Local Film event at iO West, Los Angeles
• Mar. 4 - America's Funniest Viral Vids at The Improv, LA.
• Mar. 23 - 1440 Film Frenzy Begins at iO Chicago
• April 20 - America's Funniest Viral Vids in Chicago (TBA)

Love to see you at these!

Trying To Get Back In The Swing Of Posting

It has been a couple weeks since we posted here. We had a nice vaca in Florida (above cell pic on the beach on  X-mas Day), a great New Years with a wonderful show, working on our projects as always and a trip back to Indiana to pass the time. More posts soon.

Year In Review - Chicago Comedy Film Festival

The 1st Annual CCFF was nothing short of phenomenal. Screening nearly 40 films, having filmmakers come in from NYC, LA, Omaha, amazing press coverage, full houses for many shows and a fun, welcoming vibe from everyone involved made the weekend a smash.  Head over to the Facebook page to view some of the archived interviews taped during the weekend, see photos and keep up on our progress as we build toward year two in Novemeber at the DePaul New Media and Computing Theater.

Another Stellar, Sunny Summer

No matter where we go, the solitude and serenity of the lake house is always a constant for us.  This summer was no different as we spend wonderful chunks of time along the waters. There was a special occasion taboot, my brother's wedding and the next day brunch on the lake. Already counting the days until the next warm weather trip back to Indiana.

Year In Review - Video For Lotus

 

Above is the video we directed and co-produced for Lotus. It was the lead track on their new self-titled album. During the shooting of the video, Chicago Jam Scene did a nice article and took some pix of the process.  The video was featured in the Seen & Heard Music Video Showcase at Chicago Filmmakers.

Year In Review - Colorado on the Rocks

In July we got the amazing chance to be part of Lotus on the Rocks, Red Rocks that is. It was a special few days over the 4th of July. Besides the amazing experience of the show from a VIP angle, we saw their warm-up show at the Fox Theater, had 2 stellar bike rides around Denver, a powering hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and more good times with friends then we could count.  Some of the goodness of the Rock's show is captured in this video we produced.

Burrito Quest - Map Updated, Food Rated

Its been awhile but we won't sleep too long on getting burritos up and rated once we scarf them down. We picked up a little grub before a meeting in Logan Square and hit up La Cocina.  Check out the full rating on the map here.

Year In Review - Music & Photos, Exhibit A

Since starting the PhD program we haven't been able to hit the number of shows we used to (over 110 p/ year in '06, '07 and '08).  But we still make it out to plenty. And if we're not doing video work we snap some slick pics.The above is from this years Summercamp with Lotus.

Our Year In Review

Its been a busy year and we havent always been totally engaged here on the site, but there's been a load of goodness going on.  Starting today we are going to start dropping some of our highlights.

The end of '10 ended with a run of hard work filming the Umphreys McGee NYE run at the Rivera Thearter. Here's a great recap we wrote for Glide Magazine. After all the sweat of the gig it was time to unwind and there was no better place to do it then with our friends Future Rock and DJ Thibault ragin' into the early morning. Photo above from the Green Room w/ Thibault via Chicago Jam Scene. Video of some of the madness featuring us here.

Entries Now Being Accepted for the 2nd Annual Chicago Comedy Film Festival

Lots of news in the realm of CCFF. Our submission period is open. Please visit this page for more info. We are happy to announce the festival will held on Nov. 2-4 at the DePaul University Media Theater in Chicago's beautiful Loop. Its an amazing space in the most ideal location. 

The festival also hits the road for a host of events in Indiana, Los Angeles and one really close to home in Roscoe Village, Chicago. All the details here.  

Another Weekend in Michigan

After a show with our good friends The Werks at the HOB tonight, were off to Michigan again just a couple weeks after our T-day jaunt.  Hope to grab some of that fine, fine MI wine (sip local) and other local goodies. (photo from the side yard of our host fams place)

New Umphreys McGee Video

We've been super-swamped in PhD land, but we'll get back to posting over X-mas break. Here is a new video we co-produced and directed that finally got released. It was shot back on Labor Day weekend 2010 at Northcoast Festival and finally sees the light of day. Great song Divisions from Umphreys McGee.

Flaunt Magazine's Arty, Modish Video Archive

From the swank edges of art, fashion and music comes a cache of lovely video from Flaunt.

Interviews To Open The Mind

Culture Catch has great video interviews with some of today's seminal creators.

New Umphrey's McGee Video

New video from Umphreys for Booth Love. Simple concept, cool visuals with Chicago focus and a great song. Look for a new live video coming from us for the band very soon!

"Tiger Blood" - The Vaccines Newest Video

Interview and Photos from the Lotus Video Shoot

Some coverage from local music site on our Lotus video shoot at the Riviera. Nice photos and an interview with us.

 

Support The Artist

 If you'd like to order prints or work together on an event - get in touch.   

2nd Annual Pizza Film Festival

This upcoming Tuesday at the Hungry Brain the Pizza Film Fest is back. Shorts films with pizza in them. Dig in on some deep dish cinema.

We Made This Call Years Ago - Forget 'six degrees'

The world is a bit smaller than we thought. In a continuation of the concept of "six degrees of separation," Facebook and the University of Milan announced tonight they had determined that the average number of people who separate any two individuals in the world is actually 4.74. But we told you that back in January of '09.

New Fleet Foxes Video

A Video Page

ArtForum's video page with informative interviews and experimental works.

Winter - Ready To Do Its Thing

Winter sits on the lake like a content old man. Even as the sun sets, he holds steady. Nothing too fast, nothing too drastic.  Uniform and sure.  The lights may be going down, but nothing breaks, nothing cracks. Here comes another night, here comes another day.  Photo/Poem from the A/C archives 

Negatives of Digital Life Blown Out of Proportion

This article on the negatives of digital connectivity is just another example of the (over)reaction to the ability to be connected in contemporary society. Not very accurate and basically unfounded. Oh Luddite tendencies. 

Coffee - Fueling Life

In an attempt to cut out soda as an energy source we've been drinking more coffee these days. Here is a nice article that recaps the many health benefits of a good ol' cup of joe.

Video For Duran Duran

Girl Panic! video is 9 mins of sexy, sophistication.

Old School Photo Art - Cabrini Green 2006

We've been heading up Halsted more often these days subbing at the Theater during a busy patch. We see what used to be Cabrini Green as we make our way to Lincoln Park. Old Photo we took as the demolition began.

More Photos From Chicago Comedy Film Festival

New crisp set here. Older set over here.

Our Cellphone Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dreaming of the lake, summer and this cellphone photo takes us there.