Early last year we followed up our documentary Beautiful Losers with a short film just as inspiring and heartfelt about Sister Corita Kent-a revolutionary nun who shared her unique vision of creating art with her friends and students in 1960’s Los Angeles. During a time when the Catholic church was none to pleased with these new and off-beat ideas, Sister Corita excelled. The film, titled Become a Microscope-90 Statements on Sister Corita, was created in association with the Corita Art Center in honor of what would have been Sister Corita’s 90th birthday.
Crafted by most of our Beautiful Losers crew, the film was deftly directed by Aaron Rose; produced by do-it-all-man Jon Barlow; features a hauntingly beautiful original score by Money Mark and Becky Stark; great graphic design by our great pal Keith Scharwath; stellar sonics by sound designer extraordinaire Eddie Kim; Corita’s work come to life through a small After Effects army including Alex Dervin, Max Erdenberger, Miguel Bautista and a ton of other skilled individuals; and edited by yours truly-me (Lenny Mesina).
Graphic design created by Keith Scharwath. See more of Keith’s “90 statements” here.
Corita’s art also received the After Effects treatment courtesy of Alex Dervin, Miguel Bautista and many, many more.
We were also very fortunate to have access to an archive of material made about Sister Corita including films by Haskell Wexler, Baylis Glascock, Cal Bernstein and Alex Singer.
Sister Corita was a highly influential and inspirational art teacher and nun who created controversial pop art in Los Angeles during the 60’s. Earlier this year I edited a short film directed by Aaron Rose with a score by Money Mark to commemorate what would have been Corita’s 90th birthday. Today the art of Sister Corita will be on display and for sale at Landis Gifts & Stationery in Hollywood’s Larchmont Village. A percentage of sales all day will benefit the Corita Art Center.
Sorry for the late post today, I was a bit busy rejoining the human race again. The last few days have just about been the hardest I’ve ever pushed myself finishing a film, and I’d def do it all over again. Working with the dedicated members of our Corita film crew in finishing the edit, finalizing the animations, listening to the sound mix, coloring the film, and conforming the entire thing to be ready for last night’s Flux screening tallied me a new personal work record: work-90 hours, sleep-6, from Sunday up until the show on Wednesday. But with a drive to finish fueled by the work of Sister Corita and with the payoff of how well our film was received, I have to say it was all so worth it. Big thanks to Jonathan and Meg Wells for organizing another fun Flux screening and to all who came out and checked out our film, Become a Microscope-90 Statements on Sister Corita! Many more screenings to come soon!
On top of our film showing alongside a multitude of amazing music videos and short films, the LA Ladies Choir headed by Becky Stark performed as well. The lovelies were captivating with their two songs in this their second performance.
And here’s another film that screened last night, a supremely crafted short directed by Ace Norton and his new ’stache that left me sonically blown away:
Whoa…another sleepless day/night/day as we put the finishing touches on our film, Become A Microscope-90 Statments on Sister Corita. Making it’s Los Angeles premiere at the Hammer Museum as part of Flux’s first show of the year, the day has finally come to let friend, family, and strangers take a look at just what has been keeping us all so busy and inspired (also special encore musical performance by Becky Stark and the Ladies Choir!)
So tonight, I hope you all…
and…
as our film will leave your eyes, ears, and brains…
with…
lenny
Become A Microscope - 90 Statements on Sister Corita
A film by Aaron Rose
Produced by Jon Barlow, Edited by Lenny Mesina, Original Score by Money Mark and Becky Stark.
Flux Screening Series
February 25, 2008
8:00 pm screening, 10:00 pm after-party
Hammer Museum
Billy Wilder Theater
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.443.7000
“To achieve great things, two things are needed. A plan and not quite enough time.”
-Leonard Bernstein
We’re really putting that quote to test as our short film on Corita Kent fittingly premieres this Friday the 13th as part of “Passion for the Possible: The Work of Sister Corita”, the unbelievable exhibit of her art. Pulling the vampire editing shifts since the beginning of the year at Cutters with Aaron Rose and Money Mark have made for many a late night and way too many early mornings, like today. But in doing so, we just might of made a film that Corita herself would be proud of. Please read on for the details:
Come spend this Valentine’s Day weekend with your favorite radical pop art nun from the 60’s, Corita Kent. The retrospective art show, “Passion For the Possible”, opens this Saturday afternoon from 1-4pm at the CSUN Art Gallery and is curated by Aaron Rose with cooperation from the Corita Art Center. And not only will you see an amazing collection of Corita’s art, but you’ll also be able to hand-silkscreen your own Valentine’s presents while being serenaded by an all ladies choir featuring some very special guests conducted by Lavendar Diamond’sBecky Stark with musical arrangements by Flea. All with enough time to spare for your Valentine’s evening plans. And in addition to this special show and our film’s premiere, 2 other short films on Sister Corita which were expertly made by Baylis Glascock during the 60’s will also be screening.
“Passion for the Possible” The Work of Sister Corita”
Opening reception
Saturday, February 14th, 2009 from 1-4pm
Film screenings
Friday, February 13th, 2009 starting at 8pm
Cal State Northridge Art Gallery
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330
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