'MOOZ-lum'

i just finished Production Design on this film.
it's going to be swell.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mooz-lum

Richard Barnes meets a Prehistoric Whale

(i made this during September.)

On August 31, 2009, at the University of Michigan, in preparation for his gallery installation 'Past Perfect/Future Tense', artist Richard Barnes and a prehistoric whale skeleton led a parade of onlookers across campus from the Exhibit Museum to the Institute for the Humanities.

See the installation, Sept 17 through Oct 30, in the gallery at the U-M Institute for the Humanities, 202 S Thayer at Washington, Ann Arbor, MI

exhibition curated by Amanda Krugliak

music
ccmixter.org/files/Pitx/13813
ccmixter.org/files/stickymcbiscuit/670
ccmixter.org/files/accousticRyan/5248

A Pivotal Speech in the Idea War

Brett Gaylor's documentary 'RiP! A Remix Manifesto' is a profound declaration in our Conceptual Era's "Idea War."

http://www.hulu.com/watch/88782/rip-a-remix-manifesto

Whoa. I'm getting serious or something.Re: Arts Funding

From: joeyostrander@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Economic Recovery Package Must Include Arts
Date: March 27, 2009 4:59:08 PM GMT-04:00
To: senator@stabenow.senate.gov

Really!?!

Thanks, for the cookie cutter response. It makes me feel like you really care. No response at all could have made me feel less neglected.

I fail to see how any of your attached email relates to continued annual loss of support for Art.

American Culture and Art are dying, Senator Stabenow, particularly in Michigan. The only self-sustaining visual art form in our country any longer is filmmaking. We cannot rely solely on a consumer public, nor especially on a capitalist economy to revive us. Sustenance for Art has always needed support from government.

Today is little different from days when men painted Roman chapels, or carved the physiques of great leaders from stone, from days when photographers documented for and future playwrights were employed by Roosevelt's WPA. Grecian sculptors, Michaelangelo, Dorothea Lange, Arthur Miller, each were supported and funded by their governments. Without such state-sponsored efforts, these historic artists could not have achieved such historic works.

American government has begun to decreasingly offer financial aid toward our Art education, production, and appreciation. The NEA has grown progressively weaker, more overlooked, and grossly underfunded relative to the evolution of the rest of our economy. A continued neglect of Art in America's future will foster the bankruptcy of our culture, and likewise the morale of our society.

This is not an argument. This is a warning, of inevitability.

Joey Ostrander
Photographer & Filmmaker
SE Michigan



On Mar 27, 2009, at 1:27 PM, Senator Debbie Stabenow wrote:

Joseph Ostrander
413 Ballard St, Apartment 1
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Thank you ...

... for contacting me to express your concerns about the economic recovery plan recently passed by Congress. I supported this legislation because ... (click for full letter) ...

... ... [ blah , blah , senate intern , or computer drone , sent this ] ... ...

... Thank you again for contacting me. As always, please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

Did I mention I made (shot/edited) this?

A video of interviews and images reflecting on the difference that the students of Michigan both experience at the University and make in the world.



These people are each very happy with their trajectories, and appreciative of their education.
I like all of them.
And they are nice.

Michigan Film Tax Incentive Endangered

Over the past couple days I've drafted a statement opposing a Michigan Senate Bill 1535 that would put a constricting cap on Michigan's current film tax incentive.

The cap would limit the state's support of the film/arts industry, turn away production companies from outside Michigan, and eliminate jobs.

I've attached the statement here
-- http://JoeyOstrander.googlepages.com/StAgFilmIncentCap.pdf --

Please feel free (i.e. compelled) to read, and call your Senator to tell them to vote against SB 1535.

The EFEX Project on the radio

Here is a Michigan Public Radio news story about one filmmaking project I have been involved in in the past. You can listen to an .mp3 of the radio broadcast which aired June 3rd, 2008.

Clearly it, and we filmmakers, are gaining some recognition for the hard work we are doing in this state.


((( I hope the very few people who actually see this post will be interested in listening. It's a well composed news story. Thanks to Jennifer Guerra, et al.)))

"Bilal's Stand" Trailer One

This film premieres at the Michigan Theatre in April.
I helped make it.
Providing the light including the sun. (among other things)



It will be stellar.

Jason Kendall Ray

It took me an hour and a half to read this article...

____Ray of Hope____
about Jason Kendall Ray
aka Rameses, the UNC mascot,
aka youth leader,
aka front man for Nine PM Traffic,
aka etc, etc, etc...

Recently,
as we were discussing how I believe some people I am close to look to me expecting to see pride or strength or success,
a friend asked me who it is that I look up to.

While one may expect some obvious well-known professionals,
directors or artists or writers,
I had never deeply considered the individuals that inspire me to be who I am.

I have never truly kept track of the people and their stories whom,
when I hear of or read of or meet or get to know them,
I am affected, moved, shaped, changed.

I think this record begins today
with Jason Kendall Ray.

Save Joey

Like most people, I am motivated when what I do is seen and encouraged.
Unlike most people , I need this motivation.
For some recent time, I (namely, my imagination, which is more important to my survival and personality than my brain and heart) has felt like a dead puppy.

Your mission - whether you choose to accept it or not - is to help bring me puppy back from the dead.
This is not a one person job; it is a community effort...
for all those who care about me, I challenge you to tell me what I could/should/(hell, what you would) do.

Joey needs your help.

I am not XL

Folding (read: sorting and laying "neatly" in rows on the former entertainment center that is now my "dresser") some of my clothes today, I noticed a fraction of shirts that are labeled XL. I do not wear these shirts because against my slender physique, they resemble man-sails. Most of these - actually now that I'm thinking of it - all of these XLs are gifts from family members. I have once in my life purchased a XXXL fleece hoodie, huge and unbelievably warm, like a blanket for wearing.

I don't know when or why my family decided to promote me from Medium to XL, but they did so without my acknowledgment. Sometime when I became the tallest person in the family, their perception of me changed.
Perhaps there logic was that my new height determines a new girth.
Perhaps they thought that because my father wears XL that I being taller now should.
Perhaps they thought better to be safe than sorry: too big rather than too small.

None of this makes sense to me.
Granted clothes are scarcely made in my size. Stores rarely sell tall pants trim enough, or long sleeves long enough. And XL sweats always shrink baring too much forearm or belt.
Granted I am taller, but have never been as thick as my father (and by thick, I mean strong, Dad.) I've never even been able to borrow a belt.
And granted too small is ridiculous, but too big is just goofy. I like to be comfortable in my clothes, not constricted, and not robed.

I am not a giant. I am not Big&Tall. I am not extra large.
Family, please stop gifting me clothes. Just... don't.
PS. I may be more stylish than yous anyhow.

Today I am proudest of a piece of paper.

I am even afraid to open the envelope. I should wash my hands and put on gloves. But even then, where will I put it without a frame or something. What if I crease it? Will it lose some value? I mean, for God's sake it's not a baseball card, but actually it is more valuable.

I know if I never even received the piece of paper that represents my degree, I still have a Bachelor's of Fine Arts. The paper doesn't confirm this. Like I said it is just some tangible symbol for what I've accomplished.

But still I treat it like a newborn child plated in 24K gold. My piece of paper will be well taken care of.
And if anyone thinks of touching it, expect to lose a finger.
And if anyone thinks of looking at it, I'll be selling tickets.
And if I see a dingo come 'round eying my baby, he better be bulletproof.

Today I feel like I have a college degree.
While it is only a piece of paper, it has multiplied my confidence (think of a good number...) at least five-fold.