SURVIVING IN THE CRACKS: All grown up! (to 56 minutes)
Screenshot from Surviving In The Cracks
Today I watched Surviving In The Cracks in its full 55 minutes and 50 seconds of glory on my roommate’s tiny little TV before dropping it in an ExpressPost envelope and sending it off to compete in the big leagues (NOT as a student film) in Toronto – Hot Docs – the largest documentary film festival in North America. Maybe (probably), like a proud parent, I may have shed a little tear as I watched it this last time, reminiscing at how my baby grew, finally ready to leave the nest after nine months of nurturing, long days shooting, sleepless nights editing, and several rejections pitching, this, my first (hopefully not my last) movie.
I wore a whole lot of hats in this project: writing, producing, directing, shooting, editing, and promoting it from the first day. But I certainly could not have done it without the help of many people, beginning with my brother, Dr. Jeff Masuda, who introduced me to the Surviving In The Cracks theatre project as a possible subject for a documentary. Then of course comes the Vancouver Youth Visions Coalition – Davina, Fraggle and Trevor, the openness of the cast, Amethyst and Cody especially but also Dave, Myke and Natasha, and the researchers Sean, Laura and Jenn. Lastly, and deserving of special recognition is Amanda, the director and driving force behind the theatre production. I would also like to mention Dr. Jim Frankish and Joyce Rock, who have supported and encouraged me along the way.
But what’s a movie without a soundtrack to bring it to life? Being somewhat clueless about music, I placed an enormous amount of trust in my composers and was not disappointed – I am extra thankful for the amazing contributions of Rachel Kidd, Connor Robinson and Tobacco Brown, and Tegan & Sara.
Finally, a special thank you to someone very important to me for her patience, support and encouragement, not to mention her frank and valuable input with regards to the graphics, typography, music – and life in general. Thank you Angela Karinn.
Tomorrow I will deliver this final cut to DOXA, another big league festival here in the west and then wait patiently so see if the film will be selected for either festival. I am also sending it in to Yorkton by the end of this month. Okay, reality check: what are the chances that my first film will be selected for any of these major festivals? I don’t know but I will let you know how it goes. I can dream can’t I?
Oh and finally finally – thanks Mom and Dad!
Whew! On to the next chapter for me.
SURVIVING IN THE CRACKS: 15 minute film screening at World Community Film Festival at Langara College Jan 29-31.
World Community Film Festival January 29-31, 2010
The 15 minute version of Surviving In The Cracks will be screening at the World Community Film Festival on Saturday January 30 at 1:15pm in Theatre 3 at Langara College Main Campus in Vancouver. The film is screening in the student category.
There are several VERY cool documentaries playing in this festival including RiP: A Remix Manifesto by Brett Gaylor, H2Oil by Shannon Walsh, and Fierce Light: When Spirit Meets Action by Velcrow Ripper. Visit the festival website for more information about the festival.
POWELL STREET FESTIVAL 2009
The 33rd annual Powell Street Festival was held August 1st and 2nd at Woodland Park this summer and I was there as one of three official event photographers. My parents were in town to visit and so we made a weekend of the festival – they volunteered at the lottery booth while I moved around the park collecting photos in the hot sun. The festival is normally held in Oppenheimer Park, at the intersection of Powell and Jackson Streets in the heart of old Japantown, but due to park renovations for the 2010 Olympics, it was held at Woodland Park near Commercial Drive this year.
The Powell Street Festival is the main event held by the Powell Street Festival Society, a group that celebrates the arts and culture of Japanese and Asian Canadians. At the festival you will find arts and crafts, martial arts demonstrations, Taiko drumming, lots of great food, and many other superb performances.
