MFS Jan 2010 Jay McGee

Jay McGee

by Robert S. Pearson

I can think of no other student that I have worked so extensively with in my career as a filmmaker/ student. Jay McGee and I began working together on class projects, but soon took our creative similarities into the world of independent filmmaking. In September 2009, we premiered our first independent short film, Behind the Bulb, at the Art Institute of Tampa's Student Film Showcase, where it was awarded Official Selection by the Sun Screen Film Festival. I cannot articulate how glad I am to have met Jay, and I am excited for the years to come, as well as the projects we will produce together. When I knew I would be sitting down with Jay, I had the chance to ask him the question I had always wanted to know the answer to. Jay is former musician, and I was curious why he chose a career in filmmaking?

(Jay) I have always been fascinated by story and storytelling. Even as a young kid, playing with Lego’s, all the little ships I built – ‘cause I’d never build what the package suggested – I’d invent my own configurations complete with opposing sides (good vs. evil) and back stories. So I guess you can say, the idea of telling stories has always come from some place deep within.

With a clear appreciation for story telling, I asked him who some of his largest creative influences are.

(Jay) My two biggest influences (excluding filmmakers and musicians) would have to be Joseph Campbell and Bill Hicks. Campbell, because of his work identifying the Jungian archetypes found in common with all cultures and for espousing the basic myths underlying all peoples and their varied beliefs – that is, some idea of the unifying traits that make us human. Not “American” or “Western” or “Eastern” but human – sharing life on this planet as one people. Bill Hicks, because of his unwavering belief (even in the face of his own death to pancreatic cancer) in truth and the pursuit of truth despite convention or mainstream appeal. Bill Hicks, who made it okay and in fact necessary to continue in Timothy Leary’s footsteps. To ‘Think for ones self’ and to ‘Question authority.’ (After all – that is our job as informed members of society) And yet, as he did so – through nearly twenty years of comedy, he always made us laugh, even when it was at ourselves.

Jay's influences are very unique, so I was excited to find out who his favorite filmmakers are.

Favorite Filmmakers

Terry Gilliam, Samuel Fuller, The Cohen Brothers, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick

Jay's favorites are a who's who of some of the most influential filmmakers of all time, so I wanted to find out what his goal as a filmmaker is.

(Jay) To find/create a style of film I’ve penned, “Color Noir.” This style is an attempt at combining rich tone/color with motivated dialog, beautiful cinematography, and traditional “Hollywood” style editing, evoking film noir through lighting and sound design. Creating film with the warmth and familiarity of a beloved pop song or a late-night conversation with a close friend.

With such an infuses on style, I asked Jay to name his favorite films.

Favorite Films

Dr. Strangelove, Goodfellas, The Steel Helmet, Brazil, The Big Lebowski

As I mentioned above I have known Jay for some time, and have developed a strong professional, positive, opinion about him. I asked Greg LeSar, a film professor at AI and the University of Tampa, his thoughts on Jay.

(Professor LeSar) Jay McGee is a determined and blood thirsty filmmaker. His passion for the art and practice of the discipline is obvious in his work. He has a style reminiscent of the 'personal' filmmakers like Scorsese and Coppola of the 1970's, combine with the more commercial successes of filmmakers like Fuller and Sirk of the 1950's. This is a filmmaker that has something to say.

Jay, like the past filmmakers I have interviewed, has earned the respect of his peers and superiors, so I was curious what his plans for the future are.

(Jay) Get a job. Pay off the loans. Work my way “up the ladder” learning as much about as many positions that I can to apply this new knowledge set to my (hopefully) eventual directing career where I will write and direct my own stories.

Special thanks

(Jay) To my Father, and to my Mother for teaching me as I grew. To my friend Shaun Zokaie – for believing in me when no one else did. And to those few special teachers whose support helped me to learn to believe in myself – Mrs. Thompson (Boles Jr. High), Mrs. White (Arlington High School), Ms. George (then student teacher – Arlington High School). Finally – to the good Lord Buddha, for letting a guy have a second chance – even though it was my third or forth!

I would like to thank Jay McGee for stepping into the Spotlight, and you for reading. Check back in February to see who is the filmmaker to be profiled.

Checkout some of Jay McGee's directorial work with his title's

Bathed In Red, and Behind the Bulb

Monthly Filmmaker Spotlight November 2009 Andrew Keeton

Andrew Keeton

By Robert S. Pearson

Andrew Keeton will be the first of two film students to graduate from the Art Institute of Tampa's Digital film program on December 17 2009. When I decided to start profiling our film students monthly, I thought who better than Andrew? He consistently inspires his peers with his intellect, superior work, and willingness to share his knowledge. While speaking with Andrew I learned that he once studied Fine Art, and didn't begin his career at the Art Institute studying film, but instead graphic design. The film program had not yet been instituted when graphic design was his discipline, but when it was announced that the AI Tampa would be offering a digital film degree, Andrew made the jump. I asked him, why film?

Andrew:

Film is an art form that has a unique ability to decide what the audience sees and hears. It is a more psychologically powerful medium because a filmmaker can control more facets of the audience’s perception. So if art is _expression and communication, than film is the medium best suited to communicate my perception and imagination as completely as possible.

Andrew's profound appreciation for the mediums ability to connect with it's audience inspired the question, what filmmakers have connected most with you?

Favorite Filmmakers

Terry Gilliam, The Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubric, Christopher Nolan, and Akira Kurosawa

I was curious what kind of a role Andrew's family and friends played in influencing his work, and if there were any non-filmmakers that influenced him as well.

Andrew:

My family influenced me toward open-minded critical thinking, appreciation of art and creativity. I think those values laid the foundation for my own personal explorations. I count Joseph Campbell, Kurt Vonnegut, and Alan Moore as personal heroes, both for their storytelling abilities and for the humanistic philosophies they represent.

As someone who clearly has a refined taste for the art of storytelling, I inquired as to which films Andrew considered his personal favorites.

Favorite Films

2001: A Space Odyssey, Natural Born Killers, and Apocalypse Now

Many times when I watch another students work I see reflections of my own process, and in Andrew case there is one attribute that always stands out. He does not see objects as they are, but what they could be instead. At the bottom of the article there is a collection of stills from Andrew's work, and when I look at his candy dispenser I do not see something, that on paper, might be associated with innocence. The gum ball machine seems to be floating just out of reach, taunting the viewer. As a story teller Andrew has seemingly mastered the art of creating something interesting form objects that typically dwell with the mundane. As a student I have much respect for Andrew, so I asked Dr. John Muehl, a professor of ours, his thoughts to acquire an opinion from a different perspective.

Dr. John Muehl:

Andrew has a unique ability to always be at least a couple of weeks ahead of deadline. He uses this time for tweaking and perfection. I am also impressed with Andrew's breadth of knowledge about any subject and current events. These qualities will serve Andrew well as a filmmaker and a teacher in the very near future.

Now that Andrew is set to graduating I asked him what his plans for the future are.

Andrew:

I plan to make independent films and teach at a college level. I plan to stay in school until the end of time if can manage it. I want to die with a stack of degrees.

Special Thanks

Andrew:

To Dani for giving me a reason, to Ace for giving me a challenge, and to my family for giving me unconditional love and support.

I would like to thank Andrew for stepping into the spotlight, and be sure to check out his personal web site at the address below to see his films, resume, and portfolio.

www.keetonfilms.com

Check back in December for another Filmmaker Spotlight!