Storytelling – Page 2 – universal positive

Jonah Hill, thanks for the life-changing “Stutz” documentary

May 16, 2024June 8, 2023 by Roger Darnell

Last October, Netflix released a feature documentary directed by Jonah Hill. It instantly leapt to my attention through the platform’s recommendation engine, but its buzz reached me from all directions. Still, it took my wife bringing it up in January for us to make the time and screen it together. For the record, it has changed my life.

Even in the trailer, Hill acknowledges the oddness of “a patient making a documentary about his therapist” (his words). Beyond that, I find Hill to be a fascinating and multi-talented person, and Dr. Stutz to be a bona fide gem. Even more specifically, with his process and his tools, the good doctor has helped the filmmaker immeasurably. To bring those tools to the attentions of others and facilitate understanding, Hill presents them methodically, then uses his own experiences to bring the lessons home in some surprising and authentic ways.

Introducing Between the Keyframes

May 16, 2024August 30, 2022 by Roger Darnell

Courtesy of Motionographer: With Between the Keyframes, industry legends Austin Shaw and Erin Sarofsky take on hot topics in an effortless back and forth as they candidly discuss the crazy world of Motion Design, from their biggest mistakes to their ample frustrations to the unique insights that will tee up the next generation.

Highdive, Cutters Win Big at Super Bowl

May 16, 2024August 30, 2022 by Roger Darnell

If you made it through that gauntlet and had your concept run on the game last night, congrats.

Visual Timeline and PR Case Study: Transparent House

May 16, 2024August 13, 2022 by Roger Darnell

In-depth PR case study materials follow. Last Updated 13 August 2022

Sharing Secrets: Rocking the Remote Revolution

May 16, 2024August 12, 2022 by Roger Darnell

I freely admit to being a pretty big fan of Malcolm Gladwell. Still, like many people, his recent comments on The Diary Of A CEO podcast left me wondering exactly why he was trashing the idea of working from home. In the episode’s headline, he blames this phenomenon for “destroying” us. Within the in-depth conversation with host Steven Bartlett, the New York Times best-selling author overtly doubts our abilities to contribute to society, to fashion meaningful lives, and to engage professionally, from outside corporate offices.

Visual Timeline and PR Case Study: Extended Reality Group

November 21, 2024July 1, 2022 by Roger Darnell

In-depth PR case study materials follow. Last Updated 6 June 2022

Sam Jones and friends: Thank you for the spectacular Tony Hawk documentary

May 16, 2024April 5, 2022 by Roger Darnell

My deep appreciation for the talents of acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Sam Jones are well-documented in this site. To be honest, for any subject Sam chooses to make a film about, I will be on the edge of my seat. As you may have heard, Sam’s new HBO documentary, “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off” premieres tonight on HBO Max.

Josh Swade and Friends, Thanks for the Inspiring Ricky Powell Documentary

February 5, 2024February 1, 2022 by Roger Darnell

YouTube commenter “Heckler 220” mentions thinking about this documentary every day since seeing it: I can relate completely. Everyone who grew up in my generation was saturated with exposure to the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, and all the stars deemed famous by the non-stop pop-culture shock-and-awe of our era. Imagine hanging out behind the scenes with one of the wildest party people given total free range among the glitterati, who had the tenacity, gumption, and skill to capture them all through his camera lens.

That is the scene writer-director Josh Swade and his collaborators plunge us straight into, turning deep admiration and their all-seeing camera toward the world famous Ricky Powell, who lived that feverish dream until leaving us a year ago today at the age of 59. On film,

Ting Poo and Leo Scott, Thanks for the Val Kilmer Documentary

May 16, 2024October 19, 2021 by Roger Darnell

For American high school students of the mid-80s, “cable” and MTV radically impacted our perceptions of the world – and of the realm of possibilities. Driven, determined, ambitious, and male, my own dreams of success (focused in aerospace – and/or show business) took high-contrast form under the spells of John Hughes, Randal Kleiser, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. “Risky Business” was another phenomenon of time-space that refracted my aspirations. When the bold “Real Genius” and the ridiculous and ballsy “Top Secret!” appeared on HBO, I was star-struck. Next came “Top Gun,” and the alchemy of Cruise, Kilmer and their like cinematically orchestrated by master storytellers subconsciously seized control of my outlook.

Thus inspired, I brought my A-game to the film and television industry. Along the way, through digitalization, cameras became more accessible. Despite not being in position to direct my own “National Lampoon,” I could shoot stuff for fun, experiment, and document my life.

It winds up, while he was living the life millions dreamt about, heartthrob and “Einstein of the 80s” (according to the “Real Genius” poster) Val Kilmer was also shooting stuff for fun, and documenting his life.

Read moreTing Poo and Leo Scott, Thanks for the Val Kilmer Documentary

Sharing Secrets: Social (Media) Rules of Engagement

May 16, 2024October 12, 2021 by Roger Darnell

Two months from today, our son will turn 18. Searching memory banks and analyzing recent conversations, I am recalling that unwelcome rise of daunting external pressures. As an adult, I understand that pressure makes it extra hard for most people to make good decisions … overall in life, and even in basic conduct.