“Everything Is Terrible!, the fantastic website consisting of genuinely ridiculous videos and out of context movie scenes ripped from old VHS releases, has been hailed by everyone from BoingBoing to Time Magazine, from “Best Week Ever” to Videogum — and now, the demented folks behind the site have brought us another trunk full of newly unearthed primo footage! The EIT! gang has been working like pampered, over-fed slaves for the past year, bringing together literally thousands of hours of brain-boiling footage into one jam-packed jewel of an experience; as a sneak preview for their second DVD release, 2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift, they’ll screen excerpts from the film, plus tons of other unseen madness that’ll be sure to put a kick in your dick. And if that wasn’t already the coolest popsicle in the fridge, the EIT! crew will appear in the flesh to coax you into their disturbingly hilarious world, with a live, fully-costumed, fog-machined show that’s been described as “a mix of The Holy Mountain, The NeverEnding Story and the cult orgy from Eyes Wide Shut all shoved into one.” Don’t forget to bring your extra face — ’cause the one you got is gonna melt right off!”
Jonah Hex. Yes, it’s a mindless-summer-comic-book-popcorn-action-blockbuster. Yes, it stars John Malkovich once again playing it up as the evil nemesis in one of those roles you’ve seen him in hundreds of times before. And yes, Megan Fox looks super sexy “acting” in it.
BUT…Warner Brothers’Jonah Hex (based on DC Comic’s tortured outlaw gunslinger) also stars Josh Brolin in facially-scarred-anti-hero-completely-bad-ass mode as well as Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Basterds) deliciously enjoying the roll of “scene stealing villain”. But most importantly to me, the movie was masterfully edited by one of my best and most talented friends, the person I’ve looked up to the most in the wide world of post production, the man who’s had an enormous impact helping guide my own editing career, Fernando Villena.
Brolin and the villainous Micael Fassebender light up the screen in an early pivotal scene
A few months back I was invited to attend an early test screening on the Warner’s lot and left feeling as though Jonah Hex had horrible aim and completely missed the mark. It seemed as though the movie was plagued with the usual Hollywood re-writes, re-shoots and ultimately the classic case of too many cooks in the kitchen. After putting my thoughts on paper for the studio post screening, as well as giving detailed notes of things to try editorially to Fern, the studio did the best thing they possibly could have: take another, more streamlined shot with director Jimmy Heyward and giving him more time to work his magic with Fernando in the edit room.
Brolin and director Jimmy Heyward on set
A month later I was invited back to see what Fern and Jimmy had come up with the studio’s blessings. What they had done in the edit was nothing short of a miracle. Gone was the over-bloated, convoluted story no one could really follow-or cared for for that matter. What stood defiantly in the remains was a stylishly sleek, lean and mean, western/mystical/action movie that left me completely satisfied as an audience member, a filmmaker and most importantly as a friend who was so happy for someone who busted his ass like never before as he played a huge roll in making a film that all involved should be, and are, extremely proud of. (Also big shout out to Sin-Halina Sy who was in the edit trenches with Fern fighting the good fight!)
Jonah Hexopens this Friday, June 18th in theaters everywhere.
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.
“STILL BILL is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Withers has written the songs that have – and always will – resonate deeply within the fabric of our times.”
Hope everyone continues to enjoy their new gifts and holiday time off this upcoming new year’s. For me it’s back to the non-stop Tribe editing grind as we find a way to finish the film for next week’s rough screening. And speaking of “Find a Way”…
(And no, I didn’t sign up for any back-end points, DVD residuals or anything like that when I edited the film. I just sincerely believe that we made something that is truly worthy of your time. Watch it!)
Beautiful Losers
Starring Starring Thomas Campbell, Shepard Fairey, Jo Jackson, Chris Johanson, Margaret Kilgallen, Harmony Korine, Geoff McFetridge, Barry McGee, Mike Mills, Stephen Powers, Ed Templeton, with Cheryl Dunn, Clare Rojas, Aaron Rose and Deanna Templeton
Directed by Aaron Rose
Co-directed by Joshua Leonard
Produced by Rich Lim, Jon Barlow, Chris Green, Noah Khoshbin
Executive Producers Ravi Ann and Jared Moshe
Cinematography by Tobin Yelland
Edited by Lenny Mesina
Original score by Money Mark
Graphic design by Keith Scharwath
My Academy of Art brethren once again making music videos as a team, this time hitting the Vegas strip with Academy Award winning rappers Three 6 Mafia featuring electro maestro Tiësto, crooner Sean Kingston and the chart topping Flo Rida in the party starting clip “Feel It”. Beautifully shot in Sin City by Jessica Young with additional camera work by Kenny Stoff and Sami Ansari, and of course masterfully directed and extremely well edited by a double dipping Rich Newey for Terrero Films. Gotta give it up to a job well done by the old crew!
Beautiful Losers celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural movements of a generation. In the early 1990’s a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture. Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories…speaking to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today’s youth.
Over the course of the past five years, Spike Jonze has brought together his (un)usual crew of frequent collaborators, friends old and new, and a kid named Sonny in bringing the Wild Things to life. Meet some of them here from VBS.tv’s Art Talk series:
Production designer and Spike’s right hand man, K.K. Barrett (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Lost in Translation).
In his designs for “Wild Thing” creatures such as Carol, above, Sonny Gerasimonwicz was told to show personalities rather than copy Maurice Sendak’s style. (via the LA Times)
Music video veteran and one of my editing heroes, film editor Eric Zumbrunnen (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation). Click photo below to view Eric’s segment on VBS.tv.
And finally costume designer Casey Storm (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Zodiac). Click photo below to view Casey’s segment on VBS.tv.
Where the Wild Things Are related to more content:
Today I’ll be chumping out a few friends who’s hard work is currently hitting your home entertainment picture tubes as well as the internets.
First up is fellow film editor Avi Youabian and the new ABC hit series he’s one of the editors on, Flash Forward. I’ve seen Avi come up through the ranks of (the now defunct) Brass Knuckles Editorial as an intern in the early 2000’s, where I quickly bestowed the nickname “Aviwood” upon him knowing full well that he’d someday be working in the Hollywood studio system based on his tenacity, hustle, and of course his excitable fast talking style. He then went on to edit the Oscar winning short film West Bank Story in 2005 and a couple of Cold Case and 90210 episodes later he’s on to another hit. Catch up on what you may have missed before his episode of Flash Forward (titled “Black Swan”) premieres two Thursdays from now on October 15th!
Watch Flash Forward Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC or full episodes online at ABC.com.
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