My girlfriend Natalie was taking History of Theatre II, and for one of their assignments, they had the choice of either doing a book-report, or a short video adaptation explaining their understanding of the play they were assigned. She was reading King Lear. So we took the basic premise of that story, and created this modern silent-film interpretation.
My classmate Patricia Mae wanted me to star in her video assignment – she was to produce a Visual Joke for our film class – how could I say no?
2009 – This was the first time I ever entered a film race. Prior to my knowledge of video editing, cinematography, or any school yet (it was my first year of film-school). We came up with this Alice in Wonderland type concept, and rolled with it.
The three criteria for making this video
Everyone did so great – I wish I would have known then what I know now! Either way, it was a great learning experience!
Another assignment from my college years – we were to create a visual joke. Essentially, this is a scene with something physically funny that happens, and no talking.
Another college project that was assigned – we were to film a chase scene. Enjoy!
Here’s a short film I was in. It was produced by a couple of my friends during our college years. Enjoy!
Yet another short film from my college years. Fun facts about this film – it was all done in two days (one day of actual filming). The film needed to be no longer than 10min – but since I wanted the old-film feel, I filmed a 15min project, and sped it up so that it’s under 10min. Enjoy!
A college video project where they assigned us to produce a “conversation scene” – this was mine.
This piece was written as background music for a wedding video I edited for Father Goose Productions. For this project, I was tasked to incorporate two pop songs at the clients request. I did some music-arrangements of those tracks, and composed Commit to link the two songs together.
Here’s the video showing the magic – enjoy
For one of my Directing Projects while attending the University of Texas Pan-American (now UTRGV), I decided to re-arrange several segments from the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I found a way to combine a couple of scenes from the play to tell one complete story encompassing the essence of the story.
First we start with the introduction of the character – so of course, I had to include The Ballad of Sweeney Todd – which pretty much describes his origins.
Following this number – all the cast disperses into darkness, leaving Sweeney Todd alone with his chair. As he sits, he thinks back on what happened to him, and what happened to his wife – how she was taken away by the merciless Judge Turpin, and he was cast out of London. For this, I combined two pieces into one The Barber and His Wife and Poor Thing (originally sang by Mrs. Lovett). While Sweeney sings in reminisce, the curtains open up behind him showing you the images of his mind – and he sees as his wife is taken from him, and then later tricked, and raped.
FUN NOTE: During the waltz section, I used an original composition called ‘Becca’s Waltz – I wrote it as a birthday present for a friend of mine (‘Becca’lise) while I was in high school.
As Sweeney weeps – an unexpected guest enters his barber shop. Why, it’s Judge Turpin. Sweeney’s reputation as the best barber in town has quickly spread, and the judge is here for a shave. The Judge has no idea who Sweeney was, and continues on as if getting a shave from a stranger. Having his prey exactly where he wants him – Sweeney savors the moment with a sweet duet with the Judge – they sing Pretty Women. During this song, the Judge reveals he plans on marrying his ward (who happens to be Sweeney’s daughter, now a teenager). As the song reaches the climax, a stupid boy enters the barber shop, and disrupts Sweeney before he attacks. The judge gets up and leaves.
Yanko Artidiello 