Modjeska's Jib

Over the last few years, we've collaborated on several projects with videographer, Jeff Modjeska, including short films, music videos, and commercial gigs. And he almost always brings his jib with him to the location. You never know when you might need a good jib shot.

Music Video Weekend

Had a fantastic time on set this weekend! Fellow filmmaker and director Aly Seeger invited Robert to be a part of the crew for a music video featuring the rap artist Reconsiderate.

Our DP was Jeff Modjeska. Robert was gaffer and ran second camera when needed.

Brian Patterson was a very busy grip as well as the script supervisor. Evan Weisrock also contributed to the grip duties and lighting setup.

Windmiller Media Production Gets Press

The latest project from Nicholas Wootton (of Windmiller Media) is a documentary with the working title of Why We Ride Naked. The subject matter is the World Naked Bike Ride and the people who participate in it.

Robert has been assisting with the production, and recently, he and Nicholas were interviewed about it by Samara Kalk Derby of the Wisconsin State Journal.

Read the article here.

Windmiller Media Documentary Shoots

Tarazod has been assisting Nicholas Wootton of Windmiller Media on a few shoots for his next documentary. Last night, Robert and Nicholas traveled to Janesville WI to interview Krystal Price, who spoke in an impactful way on the issue of body image and acceptance.

"Real Live" Movie in Wisconsin Film Fest

Filmmaker Nicholas Wootton's documentary, Real...Live... will be screening at the 2016 Wisconsin Film Festival this coming weekend. It recounts last year's Madison installment of the World Naked Bike Ride. Nicholas participated in the ride and carried a GoPro with him. Robert shot on a second camera, driving ahead of the group and stopping at various locations along the route.

Screens 11:00am at the Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI.

Jonathan Overby at Madison Civics Club

Dr. Jonathan Overby is a distinguished broadcaster and Executive Producer and host of the Wisconsin Public Radio program Higher Ground. Earlier today, he spoke and sang at the December meeting of the Madison Civics Club. He also played a few world percussion instruments.

Along with videographer Luciano Matheron and producer Karen Huismann, Robert was part of the production team that shot the event at the Monona Terrace. It will air at a future date on WYOU Television in Madison.

JG Accepted Into Boston Independent Film Fest

Just God--the collaborative film project that we worked on with Windmiller Media and Exchange Productions--was recently accepted as a finalist into the Boston Independent Film Festival. Screenings begin July 15, 2015.

World Naked Bike Ride in Madison

Filmed the World Naked Bike Ride in Madison today. Fellow filmmaker, Nicholas Wootton (of Windmiller Media), is one of the event's organizers. He carried a GoPro along on his ride. Robert shot with a 2nd camera from various points along the route.

"Just God" Film on DVD

Just God--the collaboration with Windmiller Media and Exchange Productions--has finally reached fruition with the movie being issued on DVD. There were a few versions of the film to choose from, one shorter and tighter, another longer, and even a Director's Cut. Robert never really felt the film was quite done, too many places on the time line that could have been condensed or eliminated, plus the soundtrack and other areas also needed more finishing work. But a film is never done, right? In the end, the decision of which version to release belonged to the director and executive producer, Nicholas Wootton. Thus, it's the Director's Cut that you'll see on the disc. He also included over an hour of extras and interesting behind-the-scenes bonus features.

Final Madison Civics Club Shoot

Earlier today, we completed the last in a series of four Madison Civics Club video shoots at the Monona Terrace. The main speaker was Jim Leach, 30-year US Congressman and former National Endowment for the Humanities Chair.

The previous programs in the series included international mediator Joan Goldsmith, gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee and author Peter Palmer. All of the videos are scheduled to air on WYOU - Madison's Community Television.

Madison Civics Club Video Shoot with Joan Goldsmith

On Saturday, Robert joined Luciano Matheron of Brazen Video Productions at the Monona Terrace to shoot another in a series of Madison Civics Club events. The main speaker was international mediator, coach and educator, Joan Goldsmith.

The video will appear on Madison's Community Television in April. Earlier event speakers have included Jackie Joyner-Kersee and author Peter Palmer.

"Just God" Screens in Green Bay

Just God screened at the Green Bay Film Festival on Saturday. Good people. Fun times.

A few of the Just God crew (L-R): Writer/Director Nicholas Wootton; Executive Producer Jill Wootton; Associate Producer Kelly Lajter; Pick-up shots photographer Jeff Blankenship; Production Manager Robert Lughai.

Photo by Colin Cameron.

"Just God" Accepted into Green Bay Film Fest!

We just learned that Just God has just been accepted into the 2015 Green Bay Film Festival! March 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee at Madison Civics Club

Last month, Robert shot a Madison Civics Club event at the Monona Terrace along with Luciano Matheron of Brazen Video Productions and WYOU board member Karen Huismann. Today, the three returned to the convention center to record another excellent MCC talk. The speaker was Jackie Joyner-Kersee, named by Sports Illustrated as “the greatest female athlete of the 20th century.”

The programs, which are being assembled by editor Ivy Suryana, will air on WYOU--Madison's Community Television.

Wrapping Up Color Grading on "Just God"

Tashai wrapped up the color correction and digital grading on Just God today. Hopping between Premiere and SpeedGrade, the final color and grade has taken many long hours, and in our opinion, it's not yet complete. But we were given a deadline that we had to meet.

Madison Civics Club Shoot for WYOU

Earlier today, Robert joined Luciano Matheron of Brazen Video Productions as they collaborated to film a live talk at Monona Terrace. The event was sponsored by the Madison Civics Club and the proceeds from the project will go to help support WYOU--Madison's Community Television Station. The shoot was the brainchild of WYOU board member Karen Huismann.  The main speaker was author and activist Peter Palmer.

Final Pickup Shot for "Just God"

Doug Reed, the star of Just God, was in Madison this weekend. So Nicholas and Robert took advantage of the opportunity to get in one last pickup shot with him. The edit of the film is inching closer to completion, but it's still missing some crucial information in the beginning sequence. We hope we got it today.

Another Public Screening of "Beast Bike Beauty"

Tonight's meeting in Madison of the Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum featured a special screening of films produced by its members. Our Beast Bike Beauty short was among the selections to be shown.

In addition, Nicholas Wootton brought along the latest version of Just God for another test screening. It still needs work, which we already knew, but we're getting closer.

Fine-Tune Edit on "Just God" Movie Continues

Nicholas and Robert spent the day going over the edit of Just God. Nicholas trimmed about 3 minutes off the total running time, and it's now around 17 minutes in length. Much tighter than we had and with a better flow, yet more work is needed as we push forward towards a picture lock.

Actors Doug Reed and Craig Johnson.

Test Screening of "Just God"

Against Robert's better judgement, we had the first test screening of Just God yesterday afternoon at the High Noon Saloon in Madison. In recent weeks, we've made some major editorial decisions and have trimmed a number of minutes off the total running time. Tighter is better and the film benefits from it. Yet, the movie is still a work-in-progress and not ready to be shown to the public. The rewards of having a test audience are somewhat wasted on the fact that the film is not in a finished form. Writer, Director, and Executive Producer Nicholas Wootton feels differently, though, and it's his decision to make.

Nicholas and Robert on stage during the Q&A along with host Francisco Torres. The humorous choke hold is done in fun but does represent some of the on-going creative differences we've had on this project.

Photos by Kelly Lajter & Zaher Karp.