Vlad and Ondi head to the Tribeca Film Festival to talk with some of the most celebrated documentarians of the fest. Scott Hamilton Kennedy shares the experience that moved him to create Fame High, and dispel the myth of the “overnight success.”
Continuing with the theme of inspirational youth, Jonathan Kalafer joins us to talk about Once in a Lullaby: The Story of the PS22 Chorus.
Finally, we speak with Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, whose most recent project is an unlikely fascination with baseball, Knuckleball. They share the magnetic attraction to the sport through their MLB-involved film, and bring Vlad and Ondi along with them.
Watch new episodes of BYOD live each week on Tuesdays at noon on TheLip.TV, or tune in for the archived replay starting here on the following Thursday.
ABOUT BYOD:
BYOD is co-hosted by Ondi Timoner, director of “DIG!,” “JOIN US” and “WE LIVE IN PUBLIC,” and has the rare distinction of winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance twice, and Vladimir Radovanov, entertainment attorney, and executive producer of “WE LIVE IN PUBLIC.” Each week the show explores a different documentary filmmaker or aspect of filmmaking, with special guests and a live Q&A– diving deep into creative process and the business realities of producing and distributing films. Ondi and Vladimir share their insider views, opinions, and personal stories, welcoming audience participation. BYOD aims to entertain, inform, and elevate documentaries in general by bringing attention to films and film makers that deserve exposure.
GUEST BIO:
Academy Award nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy is a writer, director, producer, cameraman, and editor and has worked on everything from music videos and commercials to motion capture animation, scripted and reality television, and fiction and nonfiction film. Scott’s documentary, The Garden , was nominated for a 2009 Academy Award for Best Documentary feature. His current film, Fame High is a brilliant examination of a school for performing arts in Los Angeles.
Jonathan Kalafer is an award-winning director/producer and an innovative educator serving at Dickinson High School in Jersey City for more than 10 years. His films include The Soprano State (co-producer), the award-winning short We Love You (director/producer), and the short Diary of Immaculee (producer).
Acclaimed documentarians Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg deconstruct the unpredictable and erratic pitching style known as the knuckleball in the highly entertaining and enlightening sports doc, Knuckleball. Anchoring the history of the controversial pitch itself are the trials and triumphs of two of its best known practitioners in the major league: veteran Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox as he struggles to clinch his 200th career win, and up-and-comer R.A. Dickey looking to make a name for himself with the New York Mets.
ADD’L LINKS:
http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/
http://www.blackvalleyfilms.com/films/fame-high/
http://twitter.com/!/famehighmovie
http://newjerseypictures.net/
http://www.knuckleballmovie.com/
EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
00:01 Welcome to BYOD (from the Highline.)
01:45 Introducing Scott Hamilton Kennedy of Fame High.
02:57 “Breaking down the stereotypes of reality tv.”
03:38 Filming kids growing to adults.
03:56 Fame High, clip.
06:35 The opening of the film–the mini-prologue.
07:37 Showing at Tribeca, competition and beyond.
08:57 Accessing the story and the school.
10:24 The unity of documentarians pursuing humanity.
11:54 Fame High, clip. Grace.
16:03 Once In a Lullaby, clip.
18:17 Welcoming Jonathan Kalafer.
18:56 The PS22 phenomenon and setting the project in motion.
19:59 Figuring out what makes PS22 so special.
20:38 The four principal characters of the film and getting inspired to teach better.
22:35 Greg’s unique style of teaching.
23:06 Finding the time to moonlight as a doc maker while teaching.
23:52 Shooting and editing.
24:18 Jonathan’s film background and falling in love with the process.
25:19 Response from Tribeca.
26:22 The connection between We Live In Public and Once in a Lullaby.
28:28 What’s next for Jonathan, the film, and Tribeca Teaches.
30:13 Knuckleball, clip.
32:04 Welcoming doc luminaries Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg.
33:53 Kids and the inspiration behind making a baseball movie.
35:09 The endless mystique of baseball and getting in the head of athletes.
36:16 From baseball “sufferers” to supporters.
37:15 The knuckleball captures the imagination.
38:57 Knuckleball pitchers–the last stand for pitchers.
39:40 Awakenings for the filmmakers from the movie.
42:04 Having your back against the wall and the death of doc filmmakers.
43:46 Observing the fraternity of baseball (and film).
45:01 Response from Tribeca, dodging the storm.
46:14 Keeping up with the film (and big ups to Boston!)
47:35 The first partnership with MLB and a documentary.
49:15 Knuckleball, clip.
50:38 Credits.
