"Decade of Fire: How the South Bronx was burned" - support indie films!

Here at BCP, we're from the Bronx. It's our home, our stomping grounds and quite frankly, it's ingrained in our attitudes, our history and just about every aspect of who we are and what we do (guerrilla filmmaking for instance).

So, recently friend and amazing artist  had shared a link for a film still in the process of being made, as far as we can tell called "Decade of Fire: How the South Bronx was Burned" and of course, it caught our attention. the film is co-produced by Vivian Vazquez, Gretchen Hildebran and Julia Allen. Being indie filmmakers and supporters of all things interesting and refreshing, we took a look at the trailer. It looks awesome.

They've also set up a kickstarter pledge - DONATE HERE .

We love a good story. And we think there's one right here in the making. Check out the trailer below, hit up the kickstarter page and lend a hand in helping to fund have this film get made. As Bronx natives, we're already fans, but you'll notice the quality of the documentary is there and even more so worth your dollars. Without help, stories like there never make it into the public scope. So, if you love film, if you love the Bronx, hell, if you just like supporting a good cause, by all means, check this out. Cheers.

Spitting Ink. A film on NYC poets after 7 yrs on the shelf + degrees of seperation

It's interesting how connections are made in this industry. A friend of a friend of a guy who used to couch surf in the midwest while working on a set as a PA and made friends with a photographer for a band that knew a guy who did graphic design who's sister was a chef and was featured on the local news with her aunt who started her own business before her husband's career as Broadway musical star tanked after the release of their last show that was written by an up and coming screenwriter who wrote something for a film competition your company was in and lost to it but you met the director at the Q & A.

whew.

This isn't that extensive, but you get the point.

The film is produced by Hazazah Pictures and written/directed by Ralph De Haan and Lars Siemens (aka "the Dutch Brad Pitt") whom we've established a new working relationship (albeit digitally) We were introduced to Lars through a good friend (and one of the subjects in the film) HBO Def poet, Bonafide Rojas (check out his performance here). He also performed at our Factory B: Portraits and Poetry last August. 

The film follows 7 NYC poets around town in a series of single vignettes and then compiled into a whole film. The film premiered at the International IDFA festival and has since screened at others and, if we do say so, it's shot very well (on 16mm no less). In any case, here's the video in it's entirety. It's a bit of a time capsule work, considering it was also filmed about 7 years ago and then shelved since the filmmakers weren't sure initially on what to do with the footage. I'll say this, I'm glad they finished the project, for sure. Cheers.

Francis Ford Coppola drops knowledge and breaks rules

We're always scouring the internet for something interesting, so, since we came across this little interview held with the peeps over at the99percent.com with famed and legendary director Francis Ford Coppola.

Without getting too carried away, we just wanted to share this with you guys. It's not often you get directorial advice and life lessons compressed into a short blog, but, heed my words, it's totally there. Check it out

http://the99percent.com/articles/6973/Francis-Ford-Coppola-On-Risk-Money-Craft-Collaboration

Caan, Brando, Coppola, Pacino & Cazale on the set of the Godfather

Coney Island, a land unbeknownst to most

Being a production company usually means we have our own projects, but sometimes our individual talents are called upon on other projects. And, since this business is all about who you know, it's nice when those you know also do good work. We've been lucky we've worked with some pretty talented people behind the camera.

That being said, our partner David C. Diaz has worked as an editor on a project we thought was pretty awesome the moment we heard of it: City Stories. Producers Elgin Fulton and Geoffrey Greer put together a show (or at least what started as a show) about stories that live within, and perhaps don't ever escape, cities around America. They started with Coney Island. Home to Famous Nathan's hot dog eating contest, the Siren Music Festival, The Mermaid Parade and of course the infamous Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone. Coney Island, with it's boardwalk and attractions, loans itself to be swarmed by locals and tourists for most of the spring and summer into the early fall. The rest of the time though, it's a very different story.

If you'd like to read some more on the project, check out the recent article written on the project in the Daily News and definitely check out the trailer beneath. Also, if you like the project and would like to help get it off the ground, you can donate here - www.indiegogo.com/City-Story  

Cheers.

Northen Ink Xposure Tattoo Convention, coffins and one bald Canuck

Greetings,

It's been a while. So, I'll keep this brief.

So, we sent a panda with a camera to Canada...It's true. 

Ok, not really, but we did have our trusty partner (DP, Editor, sushi enthusiast)  David C. Diaz (aka "the Panda") head to Toronto with good friend and amazing tattoo artist Logan Aguilar - www.loganaguilar.com - to accompany him, with camera in tow, to the Northern Ink Xposure (NIX) tattoo convention.

It's the largest Tattoo convention in North America and it's meant for uber talented artists, collectors and genuine lovers of the art form. Thankfully, Dave was there with his trusty Canon 7D, a lavalier mic that didn't work and a love for tattoos. He managed to capture some great footage for us back home and a lot of ink. We like it. A lot. And so far, the tattoo community is showing us love as well.  :: swoon ::

We also were very lucky to interview Damien McGrath, co-creator/curator for the convention as well as co-creator of www.tattoos.com.

Here's a look at part one of the NIX convention, as we're working on the next installments coming your way soon.