EPISODE 213: DOCUMENTARIES: ADDRESSING THE OTHER

"Balarama & Sita Priya"

Featuring “Balarama & Sita Priya,” with director Nathan Armstrong, and “B.Y. Shoe,” with director Tim Irwin. Also featuring faculty hosts Ben Unguren and Brad Barber.

In “Balarama & Sita Priya,” Nathan Armstrong spends time with members of the Hare Krishna faith in a somewhat unexpected location: Spanish Fork, Utah. Balarama & Sita Priya are two converts to the Hare Krishna faith. Director Armstrong reports he was interested in the way their faithful involvement with this religion connects with the modern world. The film provides an eloquent demonstration how upholding the values of one’s faith and worshiping in sincerity are evidence of true devotion.

Tim Irwin knew for awhile that he wanted to make a documentary about shoes. “B.Y. Shoe” examines the shoes that people wear around campus and what that may reveal about the individual. Shoes come with a style, a story, and oftentimes a hefty price. Ultimately, "B.Y. Shoe" explores an expected contrast that causes us to reexamine some how we appraise and prioritize things like shoes.

"B.Y. Shoe"

EPISODE 211: ARTISTS AND ARTISANS

"Milton Glaser the Famous Graphic Designer Makes a Drawing"

Featuring "Milton Glaser The Famous Graphic Designer Makes a Drawing" with director Chris Coy,"Il Contrabasso," with director Geoff Groberg, and "Capoeira: Finding the Center in the Ring" with director Justin Cook. Also featuring faculty hosts Brad Barber and Ben Unguren.

Chris Coy combined his visual arts studies with his interest in film by making this unique short documentary about BYU's visiting artist Milton Glaser. In it, the audience is offered a unique look at how Glaser operates by offering one single take, focused on a drawing he composes while ruminating on his experiences with the form.

In "Il Controbasso," both subjects, the instrument and the musician, are of interest for director Geoff Groberg. A musician himself, Groberg shares insights gained on his labor of love while making this short documentary that explore the beauty and joy of playing the upright bass.

Being a documentarian himself, we asked former student Justin Cook to shoot and edit his own segment on location in New York, where he currently studies film in the MFA program at Columbia University. In it, Justin shares his thoughts on the subjects of his film--a Colorado couple who teach capoeira, a Brazilian blend of martial art and dance, and how their passion changed the way he viewed his own life.

BYU TMA Grad Justin Cook sends a report from NYC

MORE ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:

Geoff Groberg now works within a variety of media arts formats. Check this out for more examples of his work.

Chris Coy ('06, BFA Graphic Design) is a graphic designer, fine artist, and filmmaker currently living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Examples of his work can be found here.

Regarding his film, Chris has some more thoughts he'd like to add: While it may not be obvious in the film, as Milton Glaser is drawing the picture, he is also simultaneously giving an impromptu lecture. The final film was take two of two takes- the first being rejected because portions of his picture were drawn outside of the the frame. It was a little difficult to ask him to do it all over again- as the first take was also fantastic but he obliged graciously.The project was generously funded by the BYU Museum of Art and BYU's TMA department with all aspects of production completed by full time students.

See more of Milton's work here.

"Il Contrabasso"

"Capoeria: Finding the Center of the Ring"

EPISODE 209: FUN FILMS

"3 AM"

Airs Feb 25 at 9:00pm
Featuring "3 AM," "Tolerance," "Light the Tree," and "Pickles" with Andy Bailey, Mark Hedengren, Bryce Randle, Jackson Barlow, Jacob Moffat, Jared Cardon, and Derek Pueblo with faculty hosts Brad Barber and Jeff Parkin.

These films are short and fun--often the result of spontaneity and a love of making movies. Their narratives range from a high stakes night of making a sandwich to a bizarre late night conversation between two tired friends. Two of the pieces, "Tolerance" and "Light the Tree" developed from the demanding "24 Hour Filmmaking Marathon" at the LDS Film Festival, where participants write, shoot, and edit a short film in 24 hours.

MORE ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:

Q. Bryce Randle II graduated from the Media Arts Program in 2006. While at BYU, he worked at Walt Disney Pictures as the editorial intern on Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Bryce currently lives in Utah and has worked on features, documentaries, and commercials. He is married to Nancy Randle and has a boy named Derek.

"Light the Tree"

"Pickles"

"Tolerance"