On the road, I talked to people from all walks of life, a conservative radio newsman in Pennsylvania, a retired phone company worker from the Mississippi Delta, a first generation Spanish Architect in St Louis, a Hari Krishna Book Store Owner, 2 twenty something Heavy Metal Coffee Shop Owners, a Laid-off Worker, a “street sociologist”, and countless others. And they all have something to say.

These people talk about their vision of the American Dream. Not just for them, but their parents, their children, and future generations. These are “on the street” interviews. I asked each person the same 5 questions, and rarely gets the same 5 answers.

I am going to start uploading each of these interviews once a week. Some I have posted previously, others will be new. So come back each week and check out The American Dream.

We’ll start with My Introduction, and the first two segments…

Film Clips, Conversation & A Book Signing May 9th at 7 pm

The NW Film Center welcomes Portland filmmaker Kelley Baker for an evening of film clips, conversation, and a book signing celebrating his new book THE ANGRY FILMMAKER SURVIVAL GUIDE PART TWO: SOUND CONVERSATIONS WITH (un)SOUND PEOPLE.

The book debunks many production myths and gives filmmakers and audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a great audio track. In addition to directing many features (BIRDDOG, THE GAS CAFE, KICKING BIRD) and shorts, Baker has worked as a sound designer on films such as MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO, GOOD WILL HUNTING, FINDING FORRESTER, FAR FROM HEAVEN, and THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN.

Along with excerpts from his own films, the evening will feature clips from classic works by Hitchcock, Spielberg, and many others that illustrate the importance of the relationship between sound and image. (80 mins.)

Thanks to the NW Film Center promotional partner Powell’s Books.

For more info: http://www.nwfilm.org/screenings/41/429/#2488

The event will be at the Whitsell Auditorium (1219 SW Park Ave, Portland 97205) inside the Portland Art Museum.

For more information contact Kelley Baker @ kbaker@angryfilmmaker.com

VISITING ARTIST—Tonight we welcome Portland filmmaker Kelley Baker for an evening of film clips, conversation, and a book signing celebrating his new book THE ANGRY FILMMAKER SURVIVAL GUIDE PART TWO: SOUND CONVERSATIONS WITH (un)SOUND PEOPLE. The book debunks many production myths and gives filmmakers and audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a great audio track. In addition to directing many features (BIRDDOG, THE GAS CAFE, KICKING BIRD) and shorts, Baker has worked as a sound designer on films such as MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO, GOOD WILL HUNTING, FINDING FORRESTER, FAR FROM HEAVEN, and THE ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN. Along with excerpts from his own films, the evening will feature clips from classic works by Hitchcock, Welles, Spielberg, and many others that illustrate the importance of the relationship between sound and image. (80 mins.)

With Kelley Baker in attendance.

Thanks to promotional partner Powell’s Books.

Here’s a link to the Film Center for more info http://www.nwfilm.org/screenings/41/429/#2488

The event will be at the Whitsell Auditorium (1219 SW Park Ave, Portland 97205) at the Portland Art Museum.

Check it out here http://gigirosenberg.com/book/

You won’t be sorry.

I’ll be doing an interview with her for the website to run later.

It’s time again for William Akers (Your Screenplay Sucks!) and Kelley Baker (The Angry Filmmaker) to get together and discuss Deadly Sin # 15 – Do A Shot List & Check It OFF!

I know, you all do your shot lists before you go out and shoot (well most of you anyway) but what I can’t believe is that you don’t check off the shots after you’ve done them.  You think I’m joking?  I see it all the time.  And who’s got that shot list anyway?  I was just on a shoot where the Director made up a shot list but didn’t give it to anyone.  He showed up on the shoot and hadn’t made copies for the Producer, AD, DP, or anyone.  He assured everyone he had it and I even saw him looking at it occasionally.  Oh come on!  Make a shot list, make copies and then check them off as you do your shots.  How hard is this?

Click here for The Seven Deadly Sins of Filmmaking Number 15: Do A Shot List & Check It Off

To learn more about William Akers check out http://yourscreenplaysucks.wordpress.com/. You can find Kelley Baker @ http://www.angryfilmmaker.com

It’s time again for William Akers (Your Screenplay Sucks!) and Kelley Baker (The Angry Filmmaker) to get together and discuss Deadly Sin # 14 – Avoid “Pretend Production Design”!

Nothing screams student film louder than, “I see those forks sitting on those empty plates, I’ll pretend that someone just ate a hardy meal.”  Why would you shoot something and then assume that the audience will pretend it’s real.  Come on.  If you can’t do the production design, then don’t do it.

So listen and learn.

Click here to listen to Filmmaking Deadly Sin Fourteen Avoid Pretend Production Design

To learn more about William Akers check out http://yourscreenplaysucks.wordpress.com/. You can find Kelley Baker @ http://www.angryfilmmaker.com

BUY BOTH BOOKS AND SAVE!

Order your copies of The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide Parts One & Two now and Save over 25%.

For a limited time get both books for $30.00 plus $4 S&H.

The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide Part Two:Sound Conversations With (un)Sound People

Sound is not the enemy! – - Lee Haxall, Editor, Crazy Stupid Love, Meet The Fockers (Emmy Award Winner)

Sound is an excellent carrier of emotion. And film is about emotion. – Gary Rydstrom, Sound Designer – Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park (winner 7 Academy Awards)

I still pretend to get room tone. It’s totally cool to make all those bastards on the set hold still for a minute or so. There‘s no reason for it, it’s just our policy. – Michael “Gonzo” Gandsey – Production Sound Recordist, The Hunted

Motion picture audio is one of the least understood parts of filmmaking. It is often neglected by film students and filmmakers alike. It is boring, scary, too technical and not considered important by most filmmakers. Until they get in to the editing room and realize that by not paying attention to audio earlier they are screwed.

There is so much false information about film sound that most students and filmmakers are afraid to deal with it. When they do, it is usually done incorrectly through ignorance and at a huge financial expense.

This book is intended to shatter the myths and mysteries around film audio and give both students and experienced filmmakers the knowledge and tools so that their films will sound like they have come from the Hollywood studios without huge Hollywood budgets.

For the book, I have assembled a lineup of Film Industry Heavyweights in all areas of audio production for film and television. This group consists of location recordists, sound designers, picture editors, sound editors, re-recording mixers, and post-production supervisors.

This all-star cast has won Oscars and Emmys in addition to awards from various film industries worldwide. Interviews include, Gary Rydstrom, Tom Johnson, Jim LeBrecht, Ron Eng, Harry B Miller III, Peter Kurland, Lee Haxall, Ken Karman, David A. Cohen and a host of others discuss their methods and secrets.

The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide Part One: Making the Extreme No Budget Film

Kelley Baker is the Angry Filmmaker. But his independent films are not angry, they’re honest. He’s angry at the state of independent film. For Baker, it’s about telling the story, not what actors are starring in it.

Kelley Baker worked in Hollywood for 20 years. He’s well known for being the sound designer on six of Gus Van Sant’s feature films, including My Own Private Idaho, Goodwill Hunting and Finding Forrester. He’s also made numerous award winning short films and 3 of his own independent feature films. The latest, Kicking Bird, was made with a budget of $6000 and has played to international audiences.

Here, with all his attitude, is the wisdom of an Angry Filmmaker, gained the hard way, through experience.

“Finally, a film resource that tells it like it is! – - Jon Gann, Director, DC Shorts Film Festival

“This is a great book, written by an impassioned filmmaker who also happens to be a teacher of the first magnitude. – - William M. Akers, author of Your Screenplay Sucks! 100 Ways To Make It Great

“He pulls no punches calling out both Hollywood and very specific directors for being creatively bankrupt. The author then presents his philosophy on the physical process of filmmaking with tips and advice that could only come from someone who has been there and had scars and debt to prove it. That being said, he does not hold anything back, he tells the whole story, warts and all.” – - Nathan Eckelbarge, Microfilmmaker Magazine

For Orders of more than 10 books please contact me directly and I’ll give you an additional discount. (kbaker@angryfilmmaker.com)

Order your copies of The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide Parts One & Two now and Save over 25%.

For a limited time get both books for $30.00 plus $4 S&H.

For Orders Outside the US I’ve had to add $14 Shipping and Handling.