documentary (4)

One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Hervé Cohen

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 24, 2014 at 11:01am
Please meet Herve, who is teaming up with Pierre Forcioli-Conti and SPUR to tell stories this Saturday about city residents and their relationship with public transportation.
Who are you and what is your profession?
My name is Hervé Cohen. I am a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer. I have traveled the world doing what I like the most: making documentary films and capturing human stories, generally about memory, exile, or education. I speak 5 languages and have lived in Paris, New York, Jacmel (Haiti), Miami, and have been living in San Francisco for the past 4 years.
Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I was born in Paris. My mother was a school teacher and my father was a lawyer who worked from home. He often shared with us at the dinner table the many incredible stories he had to deal with every day. He also shared his anxiety which was induced by a very overwhelming type of work. He gave my 2 brothers and I the love for human stories and storytelling, as well as the idea of justice and political awareness. I became, at 17, a member of Amnesty International, while pursuing a passion for photography. And right after high school, I was torn between studying anthropology and law. 5 years later, I graduated from a Law School in Paris, but then my creative mind won, and I quickly dived into the film world. By the way, my 2 other brothers also work in film...
What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Actually, my early desire to become an anthropologist didn't leave me, and combined with my passion for travel, photography, and music, pushed me in the direction of being a filmmaker, in order to fulfill all these obsessions.
What do you love about SF?
Coming from Paris, France, I must admit that there were not that many places I could live in the US. I love San Francisco, for so many little and big things. Things I miss from Paris - open air markets, art-house movie theaters, love for good food -  and things I could not find in France: an open spirit and a relaxed atmosphere. I love SF because it's a city at a human scale.
What do you fear most for SF?
What I fear for SF is also what I fear for Paris or what happened in New York City: I fear that the city would lose its special spirit, and its diversity - ethnic and social diversity. I am afraid it's already happening.
What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
I hope for SF to be a place that still welcomes new ideas, sticks to its original spirit of openness and tolerance, to be a beacon for risk takers and a real human melting pot.
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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Matt Barkin & Adam Ducharme (Vibrant Films)

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 14, 2014 at 1:53pm

I had the pleasure of meeting Adam through my friend Justin Chin a few years back when Justin would host these really entertaining and intimate dinner parties at his house in Oakland. Justin always invited guests who either worked in the film or video world or just creatives he felt should sit across from one another at a table during some point in their lives.

Over the years, Adam and I stayed in touch. When he and Matt (his business partner) started inviting filmmakers, film students, and documentary junkies alike to check out what they'd call a weekly "Doc Night" at the Secret Alley, we rekindled our friendship and I started attending their screenings. It was then that I knew they would be great to collaborate with for this One Day in SF project.

So without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Matt Barkin and Adam Ducharme of Vibrant Films.

The Bliss Project: Truth is Beauty from Vibrant Films on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?

M: Matt Barkin. I am a creative director and filmmaker at Vibrant Films in San Francisco.

A: Adam Ducharme. I am a cinematographer first and foremost. Jack of all trades video guy second. 

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?

M: I grew up in Riverside, CA, about an hour and a half east of LA as an only child in a sprawling desert suburb. The cultural and artistic landscape in Riverside was non-existent so I ended up turning to the internet to find a creative outlet. My friends and I figured out how to pirate cartoons like Dragon Ball Z and the Simpsons, which we would would re-edit into funny music videos. I never thought it would lead to a career choice, but after I decided to drop the idea of law school, I switched my major from philosophy to media studies at UCSD and started to write and edit again. 

A: I grew up on Cape Cod and then central Massachusetts. I had the traditional New England life of skiing in the winter and running around outside with friends in the summer. I also spent a lot of time in the water. 

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

M: From a very early age, I found refuge in stories. My room looked like a library of fiction but it wasn't until I watched The Five Obstructions in a college elective class that I even entertained the idea of visual storytelling. In the film by Lars Von Trier, you get to see the process in which Jørgen Leth remakes a short film several different ways. It opened the doors to the process of film-making and made it seem more accessible to me. 

A: In my childhood home there was a framed enlargement of a snow-covered river in New England. My father, using his Canon AE-1 35mm SLR, was the one who snapped the photograph. I would gaze into the icy waters of that river for hours at a time, certain that at any moment the frame would burst and ice melt would start pouring out onto the hardwood floors. That camera was eventually given to me. I still tell my dad that it was the best gift he could have ever given me. From that very day, at ten years old, I started thinking of life as pictures. That instrument became my window to the world and the direction of my professional life.  


Who or what do you most admire?

M: Thomas Jefferson

A: My grandparents raised 15 children in a 2.5 bedroom house in Rhode Island. My grandfather was a telephone linesman for AT&T his entire career and went to work everyday with a smile on his face. He was also an artist and a green thumb gardener. Whenever I feel like I am working hard, I am inspired by them.  
 
What do you love about SF?

M: I love the beautiful parks, museums, old grimy bars, the self-expression of people, underground scenes, hidden gems around every corner, the weather, public transportation, walkability, parades, music, parties, its filmmakers and storytellers.

A: The weather. As a filmmaker and an active person - it is wonderful. 

What do you fear most for SF?

M: I am not afraid. 

A: My inability to live here financially.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?

M: I can't wait to see what digital artists do and then when they aren't cool anymore, what the resurgence of handmade art looks like. Remember when everyone wanted a fancy espresso machine? Now we are back to cloth drips. Cycles and more cycles. 


A: That it can reinvent itself as an arts and cultural hub in the same funky way that it did half a decade ago.  

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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Brian & Austin Chu (The Werehaus)

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 10, 2014 at 9:50am

I've known most of the gentlemen that make up The Werehaus for a few years now, and it's great to see that they will be contributing their talents and raw, honest, street style to this project. 

If you'd like to get to know them even better, come by the One Day in SF meetup tonight at the Secret Alley where you can chat with them in person. Event details can be found here. Hope to see ya'll tonight!

The Bold Italic Presents: Tony Campos' Epic Backyard Skate Ramp from The Bold Italic on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?

Brian: My name is Brian Chu. I've been directing and editing film and video at WEREHAUS for the past 4 years. 

Austin: I'm Austin Chu, 31, and one of the founding partners of WEREHAUS - a creative production studio in San Francisco.  I spend the majority of my time on the open road, seeking destination-less adventures and searching for solitude in strange places. 

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?

B: I grew up in the suburbs of Orange County — typical life I guess for a kid growing up around that time. My parents were always really hard working and supportive of the things we were interested in. My dad owned an auto repair shop and my mom took care of us at home. 

A: I’m originally from Irvine, California — a city/suburb in Orange County located between Los Angeles and San Diego. My parents immigrated to southern California from Taiwan in the late 70's in search of the American dream. I spent summers chilling at local swimming pooIs and going on long road trips with my family, exploring America’s vast landscapes.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

B: Ever since I was a kid, I remember watching my dad take photographs. I always wanted to play with this home video cameras. Once I started skateboarding and riding bikes, it gave me a reason to take one out to film. When I got home, I would plug it into the VCR and review the funny things that happened that day. It wasn't until recently that I really felt like I was in a position to influence ideas or create content that had emotion. I'm inspired to share moments and this is something that just fell into place. 

A: I never thought I would become a filmmaker, and it’s not something I completely identify with. For me, I see filmmaking as a vehicle for my curiosity, more than a profession. I’m moved by the struggle that people endure on a daily basis; it inspires me to be honest with myself and connects me with humanity. 

Who or what do you most admire?

B: People who have a sense of direction and a distinct sense of style. Artists and musicians are usually good about finding this and it resonates with others. I also admire people who can be creative and and make money from their ideas.

A: I admire the freedom of birds and women CEO's. 

What do you love about SF?

B: SF is small, at times rough around the edges, and really is diverse in its culture. It's awesome that people are usually open to interaction, and you have a chance everyday to meet someone new. 

A: I love when the ocean is stormy and when the dense fog rolls in.

What do you fear most for SF?

B: I fear SF will lose its art, culture, and style. It has been a place for renegades and people who really didn't want to follow everyone else. It's known for being free, progressive, and at times anti-establishment. Those things are quickly being lost and it's becoming just a financial destination for other businesses and industries. 

A: I fear San Francisco is losing its place as a cornerstone for culture and diversity.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?

B: I hope we can learn to balance all the change that's happening — keep the essence of the city yet provide opportunities for people who want to move here. We all needs jobs and money to pay rent, so hopefully that continues to provide. 

A:

  • Be the first city to ban throwing cigarettes on the ground
  • An abundance of mom and pop shops
  • Cool schools
  • And, a fresh wave of women Mayors
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One Day in San Francisco

Vanessa Carr: Profile Spotlights

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 7, 2014 at 12:31pm

As one of the first Ambassadors we brought on for One Day in SF, Vanessa will be working on capturing stories about housing, displacement, and the gentrification and change of neighborhoods and communities on April 26th. Please welcome and get to know a little about Vanessa Carr. 

The City of No Illusions from Vanessa Carr on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?
I'm a documentary cinematographer and have lived in San Francisco for almost a decade.

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I grew up in a suburb of Boston where people are obsessed with revolutionary war re-enactments. My mom was a feminist and an activist and she's informed a lot of my worldview today. 

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
I've been in love with documentary films since I was about 12 but never imagined filmmaking could be a viable career path. (I'm still not sure it is.) Instead, I worked in law firms and non profits, took journalism classes at City College, and eventually enrolled at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, intending to pursue magazine writing. While I was there, I fell in love with being behind the camera and have been working as a full-time shooter since.

Who or what do you most admire?
I admire people who stay committed to creativity and social impact in the face of many challenges.

What do you love about SF?
I love the incredibly strong sense of community I have found here, including a pretty robust documentary community. I also love that I can bike some of the most beautiful coastline in America 12 months out of the year.

What do you fear most for SF?
I fear that San Francisco will be a place where only rich people can afford to live. I have trouble seeing my own future here.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
I hope that San Francisco will find a way for people of many backgrounds and income levels to be able to afford and build a good life, and that it will stay weird.

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