Q*Ball music video

Since I so completely loved the process of directing Maya Azucena's video a while back, (still being edited) I've decided to further pursue directing and have teamed up with my good buddy, Carlos Molina, to co-direct a music video for our mutual friend, Q*Ball. We chose his song, John Hughes, because we felt it's sound (and title) inspired interesting visuals. Our concept was to film Q*Ball in a lonely high school in the present day, while he reminiscences about his own glory days, nearly 20 years earlier, which would be shot like an 80's teen movie. The photos below should help illustrate the concept.

Thanks to our great cast - Sal Pavia as Young Q*Ball, Kara Criscitiello as his long-lost high school sweetheart. Their friends - Michael Vinereanu, Jennifer Freshenco, Zach Kalatsky, Caroline Hochberg and Andrew DiMarco.










We have one more day of shooting, then editing, before we post the video.

Click the link to view a slideshow of more stills and behind-the scenes images.

US Airways Magazine

I was commissioned by US Airways Magazine to photo four Brooklynites for a travel story they're doing titled Profile: Brooklyn.


Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, photographed in front of Junior's Restaurant.


Joshua L. Muss, of Muss Development, photographed on the Brighton Beach Boardwalk, in front of his development, Oceana.


Cecilia Clarke, Executive Director of Sadie Nash Leadership Project, photographed on the Brooklyn Promenade.


Lynn Nottage, playwright, photographed at the BRIC Lab.

Check out the issue, if you happen to be on a flight during the month of February.

Things To Ruin

I spent Black Friday photographing the cast of Things to Ruin, lyricist and composer Joe Iconis’s theatrical rock show currently playing at The Zipper Factory.
The concept was to photograph all of the cast members individually and then create a composite piece, inspired by some of the great ads HBO has done for Sopranos and Six Feet Under.
After many hours in front of my Mac, my eyes almost bleeding, I came up with the image below.

Christopher Irving

My co-author/writer on Graphic NYC, Christopher Irving came up from Virgina last week to join me for an important meeting. While he was in town, I took his portrait to use as the author photo of his upcoming book, From Four Color to Silver Screen: The First Movie Superheroes, being released by Hermes Press in April.

CAMBA - Day 9

Juggling projects had me back on CAMBA yesterday, with a marathon of four interesting shoots, this time of CAMBA employees.


Ernestine Washington went from living in a homeless shelter many years ago to working at The Atlantic House Men's Shelter in East New York


Luz Rivera came to CAMBA unable to speak English with two babies to raise in the US, and now her and both of her grown children successfully work there.


Susanna Golster was a refugee from Russia and didn't speak English and now works on CAMBA's payroll team. In her spare time, she works on Latch Hook pieces.


Angeles Delgado works as a program director for the HIV program, and loves to dance in her spare time.

Perfect Project

Catching up on recent projects - a few weeks back I did a promo shoot for Perfect Project - a collaboration between nyc-based producer Dot Bustelo and vocalist/songwriter Cica.
Their sound is described as "beautiful ambience that's perfect for chilling or even trancing out to. Cica, whose sirenesque vocals are both captivating and hypnotic and producer/programmer Dot Bustelo who adds the chill factor with her entrancing beats. Fans of Portishead, Everything But the Girl and Dido will definitely enjoy this." - nyc party promoter Ruben Raves, www.sidetracks.com.

The concept for the photos was to translate the feel of their music visually. We decided to do the shoot at a Cielo, a club in the meatpacking district with the right type of vibe.






Thanks to Eric Connolly for the great behind-the-scenes photos!

CAMBA - Days 7 & 8

I've been back to Flatbush on two different occasions recently, to photograph some more interesting subjects for my CAMBA project.
First we have restaurateur Jim Mamary, photographed in front of his Ditmas Park eatery, Pomme de Terre.
Next, we have Richard Ram, of Ram's Roti, photographed in his shop on Church Ave.
Finally, artist Eder Muniz in his living room.
It is my hope that when all of these pictures are collected the viewer will gte a real sense of the people of Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Graphic Novelists - Day 40

I ventured out on a freezing cold Sunday morning to photograph cartoonist George O'Connor. George is the author of the children's books Kapow, Sally and the Something, Under Bigfoot, and the graphic novel Journey into Mohawk Country.
The photo below plays off of George's beautiful looking upcoming project, The Olympians - a twelve book series from First Second retelling the Greek Myths.
Thanks to Arta for her help!

Graphic Novelists - Update

A lot of people have been asking me what's going on with the Graphic Novelist project, so here's the official update-
On the photography front, I've photographed 41 subjects, and have 9 more to go, to bring it to an even 50. At the same time, my co-author, Christopher Irving is conducting interviews. With the help of designer, Rich Fowlks, we have put together sample layouts of several of the profiles,(see below) which is being used by our agent to pitch the project to publishers. I think the layout helps to give a fairly clear picture of how we hope the final book will eventually look. Also, for the pitch, we've titled the project, GRAPHIC NYC: CREATING COMICS IN GOTHAM. That's just the current working title, and not necessarily the actual one. More updates soon.

Michael Crowley - 08

I recently posted my author photos and press shots of artist Dan Goldman for his upcoming book, 08: A GRAPHIC DIARY OF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. I also recently photographed his co-author, The New Republic's Michael Crowley. The concept for the press shots was to show Michael reporting while out in the world, as any modern day journalist would. We decided to do the shoot at Building On Bond, in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, one of Michael's favorite cafés.
The book, a nonfiction comics memoir of the 2008 election, will be published by Crown Books in January 2009.

Graphic Novelists - Day 39

After a brief hiatus while working on other projects, I got back on the Graphic Novelists track earlier today when I had the pleasure of meeting legendary creator, Joe Kubert. I met Joe out in Dover, NJ at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, the school he founded with his wife, Muriel 32 years ago.
Joe Kubert has been working in comics since 1939, when he was only 13 years old! Some of his must-read book currently in print include; Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume 1, Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy, Jew Gangster: A Father's Admonition, Tor - Volume 1, and Fax From Sarajevo.

I decided to photograph Joe in front of his school, amid the fall foliage.

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL

A few weeks back I was asked by my frequent subjects, singer/songwriter Maya Azucena and Spokenword Artist Vanessa Hidary (aka The Hebrew Mamita)to photograph them to promote their upcoming show, Culture Bandit Soul.

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL features excerpts from Hidary's critically acclaimed solo show "Culture Bandit," along with new and familiar poems (as seen on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam”) that are interlaced with songs from Azucena's critically acclaimed CD, "Junkyard Jewel," backed by a beautiful quartet of strings, guitar and percussion. The night will be a journey into cultural observations, relationships and life fused with humor and Hip-Hop, leaving you with the desire to celebrate your own life’s journey.

Happy Holloween!

A while back I went to a horror convention in NJ and took the portraits below of TV horror movie hosts Elvira and Zacherley. Halloween gives me the perfect excuse to post these.

Dan Goldman - 08

I'm back after a week of lying on the couch coughing and feverish. Before being struck down by virus, I photographed artist Dan Goldman for an author photo and press shots for his upcoming book, 08: A GRAPHIC DIARY OF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL with The New Republic's Michael Crowley. It's a nonfiction comics memoir of the 2008 election to be published by Crown Books in January 2009.
The concept for the photos was to portray Dan in the style of a 1960's reporter, but reporting with an iphone. I took a cue from the recent Mad Men ads and decided to use Grand Central Station as the location.

Portraits

While working on Maya Azucena's music video again last week, I got to photograph two interesting subjects who will be appearing in the video.

Soul singer Big Brooklyn Red.


Poet and designer Caitlin Meissner.

Graphic Novelists - Day 38

On a summer-like October day, I met artist Kat Roberts in Red Hook. Kat, relatively new to comics, recently had a story published in the anthology series, Negative Burn. Also, check out her Next Door Neighbor story over at Smith Mag.

CAMBA - Day 6

Back in Flatbush this morning, I photographed realtor Mary Kay Gallager, Geneva Musgrave, head of Anti-Stigma HIV/AIDS performance awareness group, and Reverend Dan Ram, of the Dutch Reform Church.

Maya Azucena Music Video

One of the things I've long wanted to do has been to direct a music video. When recording artist (and frequent subject) Maya Azucena asked if I'd like to direct a video for her latest single, Get it Together, I jumped at the chance.
We did four locations on one long but satisfying day, and have two more scenarios to go. I'll post the final video once it edited. Meanwhile see stills and behind-the-scenes photos below.




Thanks to Eric Connolly and Kelly for all of their help!