Ruth Du ___
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Posts
- Throwsbacks to SEEKING and a step into Metal
I recently dug up a series of old, videos from film school. In one of those hard drives, there was a behind the scenes video of the making of “Heroes or Ghosts” with The Coronas. I was 20 years old, in Ireland, directing a professional music video for one of the hottest bands in the country. I was so fortunate then, and even more fortunate now to have that video be apart of our repertoire. Here’s the link for you guys to check it out:
SEEKING the Series has been going strong in post-production. It’s been so much fun collaborating with Ronit and Adam Bonsib (our amazing LA-based editor) and it’s been hilarious to watch these episodes unfold. My favorite episode so far has got to be “I Glued You (A Bluegrass Nightmare). Watch it here:
FINALLY, I had the amazing opportunity to co-direct and produce a video for legendary metal band, DOPE. I worked side-by-side with Edsel Dope, the leadsinger and mastermind behind the band. I flew to Chicago with cinematographer Johnny Ching, and we spent a few days in a warehouse/art/recording studio space and shot the video. We shot some extremely dark, edgy, artful footage that will sure be a positive controversy within the metal community. THANKS to one of my mentors, Dale Resteghini (RAGE) and producer Niv Gat for sending this project my way!. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come:
In writing + developing news, I finished a first draft of SOLID STATE, a dramatic love story with two musicians trying to find one another while trying to conquer the music scene. I’m also still taking the right steps in polishing MAGIC HOUR, the musical that’s been in my head for the last few years. And co-writing a new webseries with the ever-so-talented David Harry Yoon that will sure stir up racy news in the hot pot of current social culture. I recently started an internship with friends at Ambush Entertainment, while working as a retail sales associate/ office manager at Native Boutique on Franklin Ave. This week I was lucky enough to attend several fashion shows as part of LA Fashion Week. Some new photos are up fashion shoots for Native with the lovely, Jenelle Kunz.
It’s been a crazy 7 months in Los Angeles, and while grocery shopping today with flip flops and shorts on, I’m so damn happy to be here.
xx R
- @SeekingSeries
This past month, I was lucky to have the opportunity to direct 6 episodes of a new comedy dating series called “Seeking”. The show was created by the hilariously talented Ronit Aranoff. I flew back to NYC for the very quick 5 day shoot (yes, 6 episodes, in 5 days, it was insane) and met some seriously talented individuals. It was so much fun working with the cast and crew. We laughed our bellies off and I think we all feel confident that our show will make you laugh as well.
The show is looking for some extra funding for post-production, and we’ve launched an IndieGoGo Campaign:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/seeking-the-webseries?c=home
Take a click, check out the super funny video and contribute if you can!
Looking forward to sharing the episodes with the world!
Had such a stellar time working with Nolan James and Khaled Dajani on this video. Super proud of the entire team that’s pushing this music video out into the world. Thanks to Richard Fulco at RiffRaf for posting this interview!
- Lucky to be living, Lucky to be dreaming, Lucky to be screening in LA!!
Timing is everything, right? I’ve been in LA for a week now, and the LA Indie Film Festival announcement happened just a few days ago. So entirely excited and lucky to be where I am today. And it’s 80 degrees outside.
Here are the dirty deets on “Floria’s Sunday” West Coast premiere screening:
March 17th, 3:30 pm, Shorts Program 4
Let Live Theatre: 916 N. Formosa Ave. in West Hollywood.
Tickets can be purchased online at a discounted price: http://laindiefilmfest.com/tickets, or you can show up at the door and buy them for $13.
And here’s a cool flyer to copy/share with your friends!
- "Floria's Sunday" West Coast Premiere @LA Indie Film Festival
Sunday, March 17th, 3:30pm
Let Live Theatre, West Hollywood.
Guinness + Whiskey to follow.
- Cali-forn-I-A
There was never a dull moment exploring a new city and meeting new friends while reuniting with old ones. This trip confirmed the inevitable move that will be in the works in the next few months and this trip confirmed my LIFE GOALS that were always floating around. Many many thanks to my amazing friends who have invited me into their lives this past week. Thanks for the Sonoma Wanderlust, the Joe Cocker experience, the Bro-evaluations and the Roosevelt nights. Next time I’ll be here, it won’t be a “vacation” so no more overeating. See you soon xx
Because I’ve always really wanted to live in the 1950s. Still shot from Chevy spec “Technology Kids” and messed around with Pixl.
Submitted. Chevy spec commercial, graciously granted by MoFilm featuring PushMethod’s “Technology Kids”
- Floria's Next Step
Floria’s Sunday is now in the hands of the ever so brilliant sound designer Clay Baucom. After a quick meeting and his first reaction to the end of the film, it’s exciting to get a fresh pair of eyes (and ears) to help wrap up this short.
After months of post production, a few editors and multiple cuts, Floria’s PIKLOK, as DJ likes to say, has finally reached a perfect place. It’s a heavenly slice of pie. I’m not bored when I watch this film and there is so little that I cringe on… yet! This one pulls at my heart, for whatever reason (and as many people ask, no, it’s not autobiographical). It was an emotional challenge and a directorial challenge and one that I want to keep pushing for. Bettina and Pascal were completely open taking this one in so many ways and it was a blessed collaboration that we were able to stick to a story that we all believed was the most compelling.
Here are some brilliant stills from the wonderful Sophie Finkelstein (photographer and production designer!)
- Project Updates
It feels really great to do what you love to be doing, creatively, successfully and with a slice of good ol’ humble delicious effin pie. Here’s what I’m up to and here’s what I’m multi-tasking when I’m not making call sheets.
FLORIA’S SUNDAY a short film
I’ve managed two rough cuts so far, and at a point where I need some critical advice. I need to cut this shorter, but everything that I’ve written is there and perhaps it’s time to kill more darlings. I’m meeting with my favorite professor Marco Williams and getting his input. He would let me know exactly what I need to do and what I need to get rid off.
I’ve got my colorist Alan Gordon ready to take this all in, hopefully by next week. And I’ve got my amazing sound design Clay Baucom on hold as well to do some ADR work at some point. The sound is so critical in this piece as it adds an extra element of suspense that we lacked in production. This is a great example of FIP (fix in post!!)
WARHOL SUPERSTAR
I’ve put Warhol on hold in my brain with Floria and all these other opportunities coming my way. However, Nick Dragisic, the other half of this monster, has been recording demos of 5 of our top tracks; those tracks that we think captures the story lyrically and musically. It’s been wonderful being inspired by this music to continually draft and work on the screenplay aspect.
I have to write a huge party scene with Warhol and all his animated friends, and that’s basically all that’s left and then we’ll have a brand spankin’ new working draft. By April, we’d like to have those 5 demo tracks completely produced and a strong draft that finally be able to pitch to producers and very ambitiously, studios…
www.warholsuperstarmusical.com
JUICE CLEANSE the Musical webisode
Yes, ANOTHER musical. Webisode style. Stevie and I had some great momentum last week meeting with the ever so talented Jeff Thomson. Our preliminary ideas are out there, and we’re currently searching for a film producer with musical theatre background and someone who really thinks this damn thing will become big. And we’re thinking big picture on this one. We’re hoping to re-work another draft of the outline, and start drafting the pilot episode. Our goal is to have two songs in production in the next month and perhaps go into production of the first episode late Spring.
HELIOS narrative feature film / short / in development
I wrote a one page synopsis for HELIOS about three years ago when I applied for the Sloane Foundation grant. It’s essentially about a solar powered girl and a battery powered boy and the societal conflicts that come with these two lifestyles. I never thought I would be a science fiction writer, but given the premise and requirements of the grant - let’s be honest, I wanted the money - I thought this was a great hybrid of sci-fi and drama, which I think I’m pretty good at.
I thought about turning the feature length idea into a short when I was flying back from Ohio for Final Witness Episode 5. During the 2.5 hours in the air, I drafted an outline that really focused on the Primitive idea and how their doomed relationship grows. And of course, there’s a couple of cool sci-fi moments where we see batteries being charged in their bodies and what not. NEAT, yeah?
The short is something that I’d like to shoot this summer, whether in NYC or in Portland since I originally had the Stump as my original backdrop to this story.
Unfortunately, I have to go back to the real-life world and 2nd AD/PC Celebrity Ghost Stories next week. However, I have enough support with these projects that the momentum will still be steadily flowing by the time I wrap the show. And once I get back to this steady stream, I promise you, things will evolve into rapids.
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Ruth Du
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Photos
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magic hour
- "Magic Hour" is a feature-length musical. The story follows Emily Francis, a girl escaping Peachtown, Georgia to conquer her ambitions to bcome one of Andy Warhol's superstars in New York City. This written for screen musical features Original tunes by Nick Dragisic and is inspired by the style and artists of the 1970s: The Doors, Velvet Underground, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez just to name a few."Magic Hour" is currently in development. We will be recording fully produced featured demo tracks in 2012.
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Posts
- Oct 16, 13
- Jul 12, 12"From the first day to the rest of your life." Inspired by the Chevy SonicChevy Spec commercial thanks to a special grant from Mofilm.Producer: Alex ScharfmanCinematographer: Igor Kropotov1st Assistantant Director: Michael S. Chandler1st Assistant Camera: Brenna Perez2nd Assistant Camera: Praveen ElankumaraGaffer: Joe Del BalzoKey Grip: Dave PalestineProduction Assistant: Tim VelsorFeaturing Andrew Phillips and Elissa RuminerFeaturing "Technology Kids" by PushMethodThe Outlet Music
- Mar 04, 12
A crumbled affair turns fatal.
Starring Bettina Taylor and Pascal Yen-Pfister
Producer: Robin D'oench
Associate Producer: Harry Bainbridge
Cinematographer: David John Carroll
Production Designer: Sophie Finkelstein
Art Director: Jennifer Proescher
Assistant Director: Jill Sapenoff
Script Supervisor: Chris Hawthorne
Assistant Camera: Torian Tarrant
Hair & Make-Up: Dasha Kitteredge
Art Assistants: Corey Jane Cardoso, Tom Cuzio
Sound Mixer: Nick Chirumbolo
**Currently in Post-Production ** - Mar 04, 12
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Shot in-studio at Kloud Media, NYC
Shot on location in Williamsburg, BK + East Village, NY
Premiered on AOL Music, Spring 2011
featuring Allen Husley
Producer: Jason Blevins, Danush Parvaneh
Cinematographer: Mingjue Hu
Assistant Camera: Josh Fisher, Brian Streem
Gaffer: Andrew Hubbard
the outlet music // www.clairelondon.com - Mar 04, 12
A historical interpretation of the first night Allen Ginsberg recited his infamous poem, "Howl". Set in San Francisco, 1955. "Six '55" premiered at Howl! Fest September of 2010. It continued to screen at NYU's premiere festival First Run in April 2011 and the Manhattan Film Festival during the summer of 2011. After it's short season in the festival world, Six '55 had secured a distribution contract with GoDigital media.
Shot in-studio at Todman Soundstage
featuring: Roger Massih, Kohl Beck, Steve Carrieri, Jeffrey Farber, Adam Santiago, Caitlin Talbot, Rebecca Hirschman, Jessica Hendricks
Producer: Skylar Mathey
Production Manager: Megan Mancini
Cinematographer: Andrew Ellis
1st Assistant Director: Nicole Sanders
2nd Assistant Director: Justin Ayers
Casting: Alexandra Stergiou
Production Design: Nick Tong
Art Direction: Jenna Yost
Costume Design: Sarah Scheld
Hair & Make-Up: Fiona Tyson
1st Assistant Camera: Sebastian Slaytor
2nd Assistant Camera: Alexander Riezebeek
DIT: Dominika MIchaelowska
Steadicam Operator: Seth Hagenstein
Gaffer: Nathan Hurtsellers
Grips/Electrics: Jay Chen, Rick, Donhue
Production Assistants: Andrew Donohue, Michelle Docampo, Lori Dinsmore
Post Production Sound: LeeAnn Dunkelberg, Clay Balcom
Colorist: Alan Gordon
Music: "Stardust" The Ink Spots, "The Accidentals" Spoon Fed Adults - Mar 04, 12
Shot on location in Brooklyn, NY
Shot in-studio at Hayden 5 Media, NYC
Producer: LeeAnn Dunkelberger, Allison Irvin
Cinematographers: Skylar Mathey, Brian Streem
Production Design: Jenna Yost
Art Director: Nick Tong
Assistant Camera: Mingjue Hu
Gaffer: Josh Fisher
Electrics: Andrew Hubbard
Grips: Seth Coleman, Drew Verdame
j. chris griffin productions - Mar 04, 12
Shot on location in Drogheda, Ireland
Producer: Jim Lawless, Liam Ryan
Cinematographer: Gavin O'Reilly
Assistant Camera: Josh Sachs
Production Design: Jenna Yost
Script Supervisor: Katie Kelley
1st Assistant Director: Liam Ryan
2nd Assistant Director: Stephanie Feldman
3rd Assistant Director: Christine Brouthers
Gaffer: Michelle Meredith
http://thecoronas.net/ - Mar 04, 12
- Mar 04, 12
Shot on location in Nyack, NY
Premiered May 2010
Cinematographer: Skylar Mathey - Mar 04, 12
Premiered October 2009
Shot on location at Ella Lounge in NYC
featuring Mike Ivers
Producer: LeeAnn Dunkelberger
Cinematography: Atif Hashmi
Gaffer: Skylar Mathey
Production Design: Sarah Scheld
Art Direction: Jenna Yost
G & E: Dan Kavanagh, Zack Sigel, Austin Henderson
modern vintage recordings (co-founders: Eshy Gazit and Patrick Ermlich)
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production resources
- my talented friends:Kloud Media//Andres Cardona (Director of Photography)// http://kloud.tv/Hayden 5//Todd Wiseman & Milos Silber (Producers, Founders)// http://www.hayden5.comGravity Sleeps//Samuel Baumel (Producer) // http://www.gravitysleeps.comWalter Pictures//Lia Mayer-Sommer (Producer)// http://www.walterpictures.comPost Pro Gumbo// Alan Gordon (Editor)// http://postprogumbo.comJohn J Custer (Graphic Designer)// http://www.johnjcuster.com/Modern Vintage Recordings//Patrick Ermlich & Eshy Gazit (Producers, Founders)// http://www.mvrecordings.comNick Dragisic (Singer, Songwriter, Producer)// http://www.nickdragisic.comClay Baucom (Sound Designer, Web Designer)// http://www.claybee.com/
