BURNBABTBURN Press Release

Just under a year ago I joined a little group of filmmakers called Group 101 Films, all we do is make one short film a month each, no excuses. It has been a highly motivating experience. I also attended The Burning Man Project and shot a couple hours of cool footage. But apart from friends, no one else saw any of it. Another silent tree falls in the forest. So I have decided that I won't be needing any sleep in early September and I will edit a 90 min documentary about this year's Burning Man and screen it within a few days. Everyone in this town has a project they are working on, but not many get finished. Although I had completed 4 shorts before joining Group 101, each one had taken 6 months or more. That period of my life is over now. It's not that every project I start will get finished, some things just don't work. It's that I won't let ideas/projects sit around forever.

There is no real point in doing this, it's just an exercise in filmmaking and some blatant self-promotion. 100 people may show up just to watch an hour of crappy drug and alcohol fueled images spill onto the screen and wonder why they bothered. Or .... 400 people may show up and wonder how was that possible, when they've spent 5 years thinking about shooting a 5 minute film about their grandmother, who just croaked.

My first call was to Paul at The Los Angeles Film School to book the screen. I have attended many meetings of LAFCPUG at that location and liked the theater very much. He was very helpful and we quickly settled on 7th September. Then I called Jen Beast, Ms. Beast is a songwriter I have worked with several times. Jen always amazes me with her skill and flexibility. She & I will come up with some original music for the soundtrack. I don't know a damned thing about music but I have some wacky ideas and mix a good margarita. I will also steal/borrow a few tracks from the likes of Underworld, Moby, The Chemical Brothers, just so the film looks cool and I look better connected. I won't be using techno music throughout the film. Lets face it, it gets a little tedious if you aren't "off yer nut," so look out for some interesting musical selections.

My next trick is to get people to the screening. There are three methods of attack here. Call and email everyone I know, get the word out through the press and distribute fliers wherever I go. I will be posting the occasional update and some info on www.paynie.com so go check me out. Burning Man Project is a completely unique event. There are only 2 rules. #1 - No trading, only barter, (i.e., leave you wallet at home). #2 - Take away everything you bring. Leave no mess. You can also see some pix from last year at Pix From The Burning Man Project 2000.

There isn't really going to be a crew. The idea of trying to organize anything while at the festival scares the poop out of me, so they will be recruited holistically before, during and after the event. I will take 2 Sony TRV 20 cameras. The second will only be used as a backup in case of emergency as the playa dust has a way with electronic gear. If I can get my hands on a G4 laptop, I will take it with me and start logging footage whilst at the event. The film will be edited on Apple's wonderful Final Cut Pro. I've worked on 50 projects using this application and could not be happier with it.

I doubt whether I would have attempted this project if I hadn't joined Group 101 Films, but in doing so and heeding the 101 catch phrase "Get off your ass," I find myself getting very excited about embarking on such a silly idea. It will be a challenging, but very finite project. See you on the 7th Sept. Come up and say "Hi." I'll be the one with red hair, looking a little tired.

Paynie.



		BURNBABYBURN - A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY BY PAYNIE - PRESS RELEASE
		Just under a year ago I joined a little group of filmmakers called Group 101 Films, all we do is make one short film a month each, no excuses. It has been a highly motivating experience. I also attended The Burning Man Project and shot a couple hours of cool footage. But apart from friends, no one else saw any of it. Another silent tree falls in the forest. So I have decided that I won't be needing any sleep in early September and I will edit a 90 min documentary about this year's Burning Man and screen it within a few days. Everyone in this town has a project they are working on, but not many get finished. Although I had completed 4 shorts before joining Group 101, each one had taken 6 months or more. That period of my life is over now. It's not that every project I start will get finished, some things just don't work. It's that I won't let ideas/projects sit around forever. There is no real point in doing this, it's just an exercise in filmmaking and some blatant self-promotion. 100 people may show up just to watch an hour of crappy drug and alcohol fueled images spill onto the screen and wonder why they bothered. Or .... 400 people may show up and wonder how was that possible, when they've spent 5 years thinking about shooting a 5 minute film about their grandmother, who just croaked. My first call was to Paul at The Los Angeles Film School to book the screen. I have attended many meetings of LAFCPUG at that location and liked the theater very much. He was very helpful and we quickly settled on 7th September. Then I called Jen Beast, Ms. Beast is a songwriter I have worked with several times. Jen always amazes me with her skill and flexibility. She & I will come up with some original music for the soundtrack. I don't know a damned thing about music but I have some wacky ideas and mix a good margarita. I will also steal/borrow a few tracks from the likes of Underworld, Moby, The Chemical Brothers, just so the film looks cool and I look better connected. I won't be using techno music throughout the film. Lets face it, it gets a little tedious if you aren't "off yer nut," so look out for some interesting musical selections. My next trick is to get people to the screening. There are three methods of attack here. Call and email everyone I know, get the word out through the press and distribute fliers wherever I go. I will be posting the occasional update and some info on www.paynie.com so go check me out. Burning Man Project is a completely unique event. There are only 2 rules. #1 - No trading, only barter, (i.e., leave you wallet at home). #2 - Take away everything you bring. Leave no mess. You can also see some pix from last year at Pix From The Burning Man Project 2000. There isn't really going to be a crew. The idea of trying to organize anything while at the festival scares the poop out of me, so they will be recruited holistically before, during and after the event. I will take 2 Sony TRV 20 cameras. The second will only be used as a backup in case of emergency as the playa dust has a way with electronic gear. If I can get my hands on a G4 laptop, I will take it with me and start logging footage whilst at the event. The film will be edited on Apple's wonderful Final Cut Pro. I've worked on 50 projects using this application and could not be happier with it. I doubt whether I would have attempted this project if I hadn't joined Group 101 Films, but in doing so and heeding the 101 catch phrase "Get off your ass," I find myself getting very excited about embarking on such a silly idea. It will be a challenging, but very finite project. See you on the 7th Sept. Come up and say "Hi." I'll be the one with red hair, looking a little tired. Paynie.