The Kodakery

Printed letters, digital fonts: we look at them every day, but do you ever stop to think about who designed them? Why do you not notice them? Is that on purpose? This week we are joined by Riley Cran, a typeface designer who helped us answer these questions and bring into the light a craft that’s often hidden in plain sight. You’ll soon learn about the history of typeface, how Riley approaches each typeface, and a special project he recently worked on that tips it’s hat to a typeface pioneer, Mortimer Leach. https://www.losttype.com/ www.rileycran.com

This week we sat down with Javier Téllez, the artist responsible for the creation of "NOSFERATU(The Undead"), a commissioned work for the Memorial Art Gallery. Also joining us is Jonathan Binstock, the Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director of the MAG and John Hanhardt, Consulting Senior Curator of Media Arts for the MAG. NOSFERATU (The Undead) is part of a series called Reflections on Place: that place being Rochester, NY. Javier is an artist who incorporates people living with mental illness into his work and he did the same with this piece. Inspired by the 1922 film Nosferatu, Javier and a local cast created a film that incorporates celluloid, the theater and mental illness into an incredible body of work. Listen in to hear Javier’s journey to make this film and how it lives within the MAG. http://mag.rochester.edu/exhibitions/javier-tellez/

This week we were fortunate enough to get some time with Francesco Carrozzini; filmmaker, photographer and all around creative genius. Raised in a creative lifestyle, surrounded by some of the best image makers in the world, it’s no surprise that he is driven to want to tell stories through all the various work he does. We talk music videos, photography, his documentary “Franca: Chaos and Creation,” and his upcoming narrative film. Francesco is humble, honest and thoughtful- just like his work! http://www.francescocarrozzini.com/ https://www.instagram.com/francescocarrozzini/

This week we are talking with Janet Borgerson and Jonathan Schroeder. These avid vinyl collectors eventually realized that they were seeing themes within the albums they had, specifically with their cover designs. This lead them down the path to writing their book “Designed for Hi Fi Living: The vinyl LP in mid-century America.” We were lucky enough to be welcomed into their home to discuss their project amid their collection. It was so fascinating learning about American culture through these covers. You definitely do not want to miss this episode!

This week we talked to Mark Raso director of the new film, Kodachrome. A story about the last photo lab to process Kodachrome, this film was aptly shot on 35mm. We talked to Mark about directing his second feature, about shooting on film and about getting your dream cast. Kodachrome premieres on Netflix on April 20th and will be in select theaters for a theatrical release.

To discuss the film Love After Love, this week Russ Harbaugh (writer and director) and Chris Teague (cinematographer), joined us. Love After Love began as a short which premiered at Sundance in 2012 and has now found its way to the big screen. Russ and Chris eloquently share the path this film took to come to fruition, the importance film played and why a meaningful creative idea is worth seeing through to the end.

Kicking off another round of episodes is cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen. Charlotte has worked as DP on Fences, Girl on the Train, and most recently A Quiet Place. This was our first opportunity to talk with someone about how to build tension and fear with a camera, and it was super insightful. The camera has a distinct role in the story telling process and Charlotte breaks it down for us.

This week Karan Sheldon and Martha McNamara joined us to talk about their book Amateur Movie Making: Aesthetics of the Everyday in New England Film, 1915-1960. The book narrows in on amateur films collected by Northeast Historic Film, an organization that has cultivated a great collection of amateur films from the New England area. They both discuss what can we can all learn from this slice of time documented by everyday people on film. Here is a sample of the video's discussed in this episode! Esso Station, O.P. Geer, https://vimeo.com/186477077 New York World's Fair, Cyrus Pinkham, https://vimeo.com/188726015 Paris, Maine, Elizabeth Woodman Wright, https://vimeo.com/188709657 Manchester Depot, Vermont, Anna B. Harris, https://www.instagram.com/p/BcXT-JRhPFO/

This week we are featuring Samuel J Butt, an up and coming film photographer with great focus and attention in his work to each moment that he captures. Choosing to work with film, Samuel talks with us about why this format continues to be right for him. Samuel has found a place within himself that requires slowing down and carefully choosing the timing for each photograph, leading to his beautiful and thoughtful work. Be sure to listen in to learn about his work!

The George Eastman Museum recently acquired a film collection of 775 Indian films that were desperately seeking a proper home. Deborah Stoiber, collection manager in the Moving Image Department at the George Eastman Museum, led a team to Fresno, CA to excavate this collection. She shares with us her experience and discusses the intricacies of Indian Film. Listen in for this great story of finding and saving one of the largest collections of contemporary Indian cinema in the world.

Film photographer Andre Wagner joined us this week. Andre has an impressive portfolio of street photography and portrait work and he talks with us about what continues to capture his eye. Living in Brooklyn, NY, there’s no shortage of subject matter to draw from and Andre is somehow able to capture images that could easily be lost amongst the busy streets and lives of those that inhabit it. Some of his work is featured in the New York Times and he has published a book, Here for the Ride beautifully capturing raw life on the NYC Subway. Don’t miss this glimpse into Andre’s work.

Writer and director Josh Safdie joined us this week. Josh walked us through he and his brother’s latest film Good Time from concept to screen, giving us a glimpse into the passion and intelligence that is woven into his work which by no surprise leads to captivating, moving, raw and honest films. He left us wanting more and itching for another Safdie film. Do not miss this episode.

Harry Hagan, Jake Price and Tanner Pendleton joined us this week to talk about the new Vans snowboarding film, "Landline." Shot on Kodak 16 mm and Super 8 film these gentlemen captured the Vans snowboarding team during a trip they took around the world last year, cinematographically preserving their adventures and turning it into a film that beautifully showcases the places and experiences their snowboards take them. Listen in to hear what went on behind the scenes to make this film happen. vans.com/landline

We were so fortunate to be able to speak with cinematography legend, Ed Lachman, ASC this week. Ed has a long career of beautiful work and he joined us to talk specifically about his latest work as DP on Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck, a film shot in both 35mm black and white and color film, each stock performing alongside the actors adding to the cinematic plot, showing you a different point of view. Ed shares his process for shooting this exceptional film.

It was great fun this week to talk with filmmakers Will Mayo and Ian Scott McGregor about their latest short film, Ghostfish. The lead actress from the film, Annie Golden (Orange is The New Black) was with us as well to discuss her part in the project, why she got involved and what the experience was like for her. Shot with the new Kodak Super 8 Camera prototype Ian and Will take us on the journey that led to Ghostfish, sharing what role the camera and Super 8 film had in the project, what influenced the film and what role short films have in today’s world. www.vimeo.com/willmmayo www.willmayofilm.com www.ianscottmcgregor.com https://www.facebook.com/al.mozisek/