FeverFilms:Blog

I Am Comic - Review

2010-09-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

Toronto Star - Review

I Am Comic

3 out of 4 Stars

Directed by Jordan Brady. 87 minutes. At the Carlton Cinema. 14A

The first thing that a documentary about stand-up comedy ought to be is funny. Thankfully, I Am Comic succeeds handily on that count.

In this quip-packed quest to discover how and why comedians do what they do, director Jordan Brady assembles an impressive slate of interview subjects. Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr, Janeane Garofalo, Jim Gaffigan, Phyllis Diller and Larry Miller are just a few of the people who deliver prime schtick when not musing on the dark art of making strangers laugh.

Brady is himself a former stand-up, a veteran of the ’80s comedy boom that saw a huge proliferation of clubs across the continent. To help him make I Am Comic, he enlisted Ritch Shydner, another comic who had ceded the stage to younger, hungrier types.

But in the course of making the film, Shynder gets the bug to perform again, with Brady there to capture his friend’s tentative efforts to get back in fighting form.

That surprising development makes I Am Comic much more than a movie with a bunch of foul-mouthed talking heads (and Carrot Top). Like the Jerry Seinfeld doc Comedian, I Am Comicbecomes a fascinating study of the creative process, offering a close look at the somewhat masochistic — okay, very masochistic — drives shared by all professional funny-folk.

Along the way, we get plenty of killer jokes and great anecdotes about the comedian’s lot. Brady’s subjects have no shortage of hell-gig stories to share but nothing beats Larry Miller’s tale of having to follow a memorial service for a police officer killed in the line of duty. Hearing Carlos Menecia cheerfully admit to stealing other comedians’ material is another moment that will thrill comedy geeks.

Elsewhere, the comics debate whether New York’s clubs are better than their Los Angeles counterparts, wax nostalgic about getting that first spot on the Johnny Carson-era Tonight Show and dish about how they develop material.

While their experiences may vary, what these people have most in common is the compulsion to perform. In the words of Dana Gould, “I don’t do it because I want to do it — I do it because I have to.”

To see Shydner realize the same still holds true for him gives Brady’s movie an additional charge.

The Friday 7:15 p.m. screening of I Am Comic at the Carlton Cinemas will be preceded by a live stand-up performance hosted by Yuk Yuk’s

Jason AndersonSpecial to the Star

Jeremy Kohm - artwork available at 20x200

2010-09-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

20x200 is selling two prints of Jeremy's. See more click the link below.

Jeremy Kohm @ 20x200.com

KPMG and WCP - What makes a top employer

2010-09-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

Michael Williams | Jennifer Hudson

2010-09-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Michael Williams photographs

Jennifer Hudson for October's

issue of Fashion.

Link to Fashion Magazine

MAKE+MODEL Launches in the US

2010-09-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hyatt, Cawood Launch MAKE + MODEL

By: TRUST COLLECTIVE August 30th, 2010

Posted on: http://blog.digitalcontentproducer.com

Live-action Executive Producer Mark Hyatt and VFX pro George Cawood are uniting to officially launch MAKE + MODEL, a full-service creative studio with integrated capabilities covering all stages of the production process. Primarily a talent-driven studio representing top directors like the Goetz Brothers, Russell Bates, Jon Barber, Marcos Zavitsanos, Juice and Sophie Barthes, MAKE + MODEL will tap Cawood and Hyatt’s 30 years of collective production experience to integrate top-flight post work into all relevant projects.

“As everyone tries to figure out how entertainment ties into marketing and advertising, we’ve established a dynamic model, with creatives who can apply their talents to the ad space,” noted Hyatt. “Combining this creative acumen, George’s post expertise and our collective experience with live action, MAKE + MODEL will be able to execute a project of any scope from concept to completion.”

MAKE + MODEL’s roster of directors has already attracted big-name attention, with spots for Kmart, Office Depot and Verizon in the can. Major forthcoming work includes a project with NASCAR Media Group, which chose the studio as a strategic partner for broadcast advertisements. “NASCAR took one look at Goetz Brothers’ reel and they were sold,” stated Hyatt. “But their talent is really representative of our outstanding roster, and we hope this partnership is just the first of many similar deals.”

MAKE + MODEL will share a facility with design, production and visual effects studio Framework - which Cawood founded in 2004 - as well as creative studios Big Picture and Arsonal who specialize in editorial and print / interactive respectively. The associations allow each company the ability to provide integrated services as each studio can tap into the creative talents of the other. The studio is launching with solid representation on the East Coast (Lori Benson), Midwest (Robin Pickett), and the West Coast (Marla Mossberg).

“As we look into the future of production, we see the line blurring between live-action and VFX,” noted Cawood. “At some point, it will be nearly impossible to produce one without the other. Rather than wait for the industry to evolve, we’re establishing a new, highly adaptable shop right now in anticipation of this more dynamic industry to come. I really look forward to integrating my VFX and design capabilities with the live-action pros that we’ve assembled here at MAKE + MODEL.”

About Mark Hyatt:

In a 16-plus-year career spanning four continents, Hyatt has produced more than 100 commercials for multinational companies. His broad experience with agencies, clients and directors includes work with award-winning creatives on every level of the industry. Collaborations with prestigious directors David Mamet, Christopher Guest, Simon McQuoid, and others highlight his resume. Hyatt holds several degrees, including MBAs from both Columbia University and the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s in economics from Denison University.

About George Cawood:

George Cawood has spent 14 years as an editor, VFX artist, producer, writer, director and creative director, working on more than 300 films, TV shows and commercials. His notable work includes production and creation of VFX, main title sequences, teasers/trailers, broadcast show packages, and marketing and branding campaigns for Spider-Man 3, Casino Royale, X-Men: The Last Stand, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups, Salt, The A-Team, and America’s Best Dance Crew, among many others. Cawood continues to executive produce documentary and DVD behind-the-scenes content for Sony Pictures, Universal, Paramount and others. Side projects include directing the award-winning documentary Homecoming for PBS, and the creation of the “creature concept” that evolved into the hit indie horror film Splinter. Cawood has won multiple industry awards, including several top prizes at film festivals for Homecoming.

About MAKE + MODEL
MAKE + MODEL is a full-service content creation studio with integrated capabilities covering all stages of the production process from concept to completion. The company has a slate of award-winning directors and digital artists that execute broadcast advertisements with multinational advertising agencies and clients across the globe, servicing a spectrum of industries that includes automotive, entertainment, healthcare, packaged goods, retail, and telecom, among others. The company’s talented roster is led by Executive Producers George Cawood and Mark Hyatt.

http://www.makeandmodel.tv

"I Am Comic" film by Jordan Brady

2010-09-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

I Am Comic“ Directed by Jordan Brady is opening in Toronto at the Carlton Theatre for a week starting September 21st.

Synopsis
Through unprecedented backstage access and candid interviews, the film weaves through the absurd world of the working comedian and reveals a crazy and hilarious psychological profile of its practitioners. We also follow retired comic Ritch Shydner’s attempt to climb back on stage after a thirteen-year hiatus. At the top of his game in the 1980's, Shydner had HBO specials, shot five pilot TV shows, and numerous late night appearances (Carson, Letterman, Leno, etc.) but the big time eluded him. Equipped with the collective wisdom and nutty musings of over 80 of his peers, he gives it another shot. Does Ritch have what it takes to connect with today's young crowds and still get the laughs? Guaranteed to make you watch.

Check out the trailer at:

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/iamcomic

Mountain Dew "Green Label Art TV" By: Evan Dennis

2010-08-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

New Photos by: Jeremy Kohm

2010-07-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

White Collar Water Crisis - Directed by: WCP

2010-06-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

This video was made for WaterAid as part of the YouTube Cannes Young Lions Ad Contest.
Written, shot and edited in under 48 hours.

Davidson Directs Mighty Ships - USS Kentucky

2010-06-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

Michael Davidson directed and shot on the ballistic missile sub USS Kentucky for the doc series Mighty Ships Is debuting on the Discovery Channel.

The film crew of four marked the first time civilians had EVER been allowed to film onboard a ballistic sub while on actual patrol. It will be broadcast again on Discovery HD in a week or two, check the Mighty Ships website for more info.

From Michael's blog...

The filming of the Kentucky doc happened over a few shoots in late '09/10. In November '09 filming commenced at the sub base at Pearl Harbor and the subsequent patrol in the Pacific. We met up with Kentucky again in December '09, filming at the Bangor Naval Submarine Base. It is located along the Hood Canal near Silverdale, Washington and is home to the Trident submarine fleet in the Pacific. It was the end of Kentucky's patrol, with crew returning home to their families right before Christmas. The final shoot took place in February '10 for sub maneuvers off Bangor.

Link to Michael's Blog

Jeremy Kohm - Applied Arts Interview

2010-05-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

By Stuart Thursby @ Applied Arts

Jeremy Kohm is an advertising and editorial photographer based in Toronto. The two words that come to mind when viewing his portfolio are “considered” and “restrained,” with his manipulation of white space and visual balance bursting with visual tension beneath a serene surface.

Kohn has traveled a global path to get to where he is today. His technique and style developed while living and studying in Japan and Australia, before he returned to Canada to assist for Chris Gordaneer of Westside Studios. He’s since struck out on his own, and works freelance and as an affiliate photographer at Fever Films.

“I started out photographing surfing while spending 3 years living in Japan. I then decided to pursue the more technical elements of the craft and enrolled in the Australian Centre for Photography. Upon returning to Canada, I spent 3 years freelance assisting and then landed a job working full time for Chris Gordaneer over at Westside Studio.”

“I left that position in December of 2008 and started working independently in January 2009. I am now signed on as an affiliate photographer at Fever Films and continue to pursue ad and editorial work. I shoot people and places (generally) on location.”

Applied Arts Interview

www.jeremykohm.com

Scion Cube by Shilo

2010-05-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Die Mannequin - Bad Medicine

2010-05-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

Sean Litteljohn's video for Die Mannequin "Bad Medicine" has been nominated for a 2010 MMVA.

Vote for Die Mannequin

2010-05-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Please vote for Die Mannequin as the MuchMusic Video Awards "WildCard"

Directed By: Sean Litteljohn

you can vote here:

http://mmva.muchmusic.com/urfave-new-artist

Doritos Tablet

2010-05-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

Beverly Hills Fashion Week

2010-04-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Michael Williams Photographs Amber Heard

2010-03-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

Behind the scenes. FASION Magazine's cover shoot with actress Amber Heard,

Johnny Depp’s co-star in the upcoming film, The Rum Diary.

Photography and Motion - Michael Williams.

Alan Cross interviews Sean Litteljohn

2010-03-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

Sarah McLeod "Tell Your Story Walking"

2010-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

Directed By: Michael Williams

Transistor - new spot for singup.org

2009-12-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

Directed by: Transistor

Die Mannequin - Bad Medicine

2009-12-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

Directed by: Sean Litteljohn

Rob Southcott - November's issue of Wallpaper

2009-12-16T17:43:00.000-08:00

'United We Stand'

bench is designed to evoke the fact that

we can use a little support from our neighbours,

just as each dining chair supports each other.

Michael Williams - Photographs Olympic Athletes

2009-12-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

A few of the photographs Michael shot for

The Hudson Bay Company and

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Alternative Arts & Fashion Week - Promo

2009-12-14T06:16:00.000-08:00

Directed by: Kevin Corvetti