Molokans: New Release

In 2007 we spent several months filming Molokans living in Armenia. This was a big achievement for us, as they live in closed communities and dosn’t want to be filmed or photographed. Ethnographers from different countries still try to find a way to explore their lifestyle, but still, it’s an almost impossible thing to do; although Molokans are very calm, nice and friendly people, they never let a stranger into their life. However, this obstacle doesn’t stop researchers, because Molokans remain one of the most interesting and mysterious communities around; their culture, their religion (a unique sect of Christianity), and especially their secret ceremonies attract scientists, journalists and filmmakers.

Anyway, we managed to make a film about them. It wasn’t easy, but after the months spent in their villages and after researching this subject thoroughly, I can proudly announce that our studio has the biggest amount of exclusive materials about Molokans, including their ceremonies! We had so many useful materials that they were enough for making 6-7 totally different films about them. But our goal was to make one full-length documentary to rule them all to show Molokans as nobody had shown before. That is why the materials were never screened, in order to keep their exclusivity.

And finally the post production is almost done, and we are going to release the complete full-length version of Molokans this year. For now you can see a short teaser from the film, there will be more information available when the release date approaches.

Green days

Although making films is interesting and exciting enough to keep you busy all day long, we always find more and more interesting stuff to do here at our studio. That’s how we came up with the Green days idea. It has nothing to do with the environmental issues and Greenpeace, and I don’t really remember why we called it Green, but it doesn’t matter.

Green day is when we gather (mostly in the evening) to learn something new. Usually either one of us shares his/her new experience in some sphere with others, or we invite someone to do that for us. For example, last time we had a very interesting guest, Rick Barry, who analyzed Alfred Hitchkock’s Notorious for us in such an interesting way, that the meeting lasted till late night.

So, we decided to go on with this fine tradition this year and to organize Green days at least once or twice a month. We’d love to meet all kind of specialists who have something to do with cinema world; scriptwriters, cameramen, directors, editors, actors, sound editors, production designers, etc. If you think you don’t mind spending an evening with our studio members and telling us something interesting, let me know. Coffee’s on us!

Green days are very important for us, as none of us has filmmaking education, and fortunately we have enough guts to admit that.

By the way, besides Green days, we plan lot of public events with guests and film screenings this year, so don’t miss your invitation!

More photos here.

First working trip of this year

Right after New Year we went for a trip to distant regions of Armenia to look for locations for our new project we are starting this month. I’m not going to reveal the project details yet, we still have a lot preparation work to do, but it is going to be exciting. As always!

We’ve been to several villages and small towns, which were looking quite glossy and dreamy under the thick snow cover, especially at night. And although winter is a dead season for farmers, New Year is the biggest event for the small kids living here, as their fathers and elder brothers come home from abroad for couple of weeks, where they spend most of the year working to send back some money to their families. Pretty depressive.

So, these are some stills from the test shootings we made there so the post doesn’t look empty just to give you an idea. These are not photos, just stills from the footage, so if you are looking for a nice winter postcard to send to your friend in Jamaica, you better google it.

Overall, the year started very well, we’re working really hard, 2010 is going to be full of interesting events and projects. 40 00 N, 45 00 E production goes on, shootings for Commercials project will start on February, we’re still developing the scripts and concepts, this project is a totally new experience for us. Don’t want to spoil it, but if everything goes as we planned,Commercials are going to be so fresh and cool that they’ll knock your socks off! Literally.

Wish you a productive year!

Check the rest of the stills on our blog.

Exciting project in Kazakhstan

UNICEF and the Government of Kazakhstan organized a very big national Youth Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan on December 3-7, 2009. I was hired by UNICEF KZ to coordinate the group of video journalists and to make series of short films to be screened during the Forum.

During the last six months we were looking for the most actual problems, finding people, exploring their environment, filming and editing. As a result, we made 20 short films from 11 regions of Kazakhstan and more than 10 animation pieces/transitions. The films were illustrating the most actual problems of the youth living in every region of Kazakhstan.

The Forum was really huge; more than 150 people were working on it for almost a year, 3000 guests were attending it on the final day in the Independent Palace, the biggest hall in the capital city, and the whole event, together with the concert organized with it, was being broadcasted live by different TV channels. It was especially important, as this was the first national youth forum organized here. The whole work was quite tough, but I felt really proud to be a part of such a big event.

Kazakh people are very nice, warm and welcoming, and while spending such a long time there and meeting hundreds of people, I never felt myself an alien. Although you don’t want to go there in winter, as it’s freezing like in The Day After Tomorrow. It was so cold I was using my balcony as a render farm to cool the computer processors. You just stand outdoors for ten minutes, and you’re a huge Swarovski sculpture. Nice, isn’t it?

See the rest of the photos on our blog.

Shootings in Noravank

Noravank is a monastery located high in the mountains (as everything else in Armenia, actually). People know it also as “two-storied church”, and tourists, as well as locals usually have a lot of fun climbing up the narrow stairs.
High contrast of blue sky, yellow stone and red mountains attracts lot of photographers and filmmakers to this place.
We spent couple of days filming there for “40 00 N, 45 00 E” and met some interesting people. You’ll see them in the film when it’s ready.
If you want to go there this season, don’t forget to wear an extra coat or two, because it is freezing there like on Arctic Pole! And the wind is just unbearable, especially when you try to push the camera buttons with fingers that you don’t feel.

See some more photos on our website.