For many of us, our interests and passions run deep, don’t they? After all, we should know because GoSeeTalk is more than a hobby. Since 2009, it has become a way of life because it gets me closer to my first love which is film. Now from that standpoint, take a look at the landscape of web-based film fans and most anyone running a blog about cinema. From the biggest outlets to the smallest niche site, ham-and-eggers and pros stand on even ground to pursue/proclaim their love of movies in almost equal measure. For the past 13 years, we’ve been giving you devoted readers “the highs and lows of the…
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Interview…Riley Stearns on World-Building and Personal Touches in ’Dual’
To some, the idea of living forever, or at least cheating death, can seem like a curse. But think about a world where you can continue living free of life-threatening illnesses or similar catastrophes. Well, to clarify, it’s not you who takes a licking and keeps on ticking. We’re talking about a clone. And this duplicate is a living, breathing individual who begins to make their own life (interests, thoughts, preferences) the moment carbon starts to cool. Now your fate is sealed, but this new version of you will be around simply for the sake of your loved ones. Quite a freeing concept, huh? But when told through the lens of Riley Stearns, things…
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Interview…Composer Jon Ekstrand on the Sound of ‘Morbius’
Jon Ekstrand is a Stockholm based Swedish film composer and artist. He began his career under the mentorship of acclaimed sound designer Owe Svensson, where he sharpened his skills at understanding the power of sound and its dramaturgic importance in helping a story realize its potential. In 1998, whilst attending Stockholm Film School, Ekstrand met Director Daniel Espinosa, in which the two formed a tight creative relationship which continues to this day. Ekstrand and Espinosa have collaborated on seven films, including the hit trilogy Easy Money as well as Hollywood Studio Films Child 44, Life, and the Marvel film Morbius starring Jared Leto. The hybrid soundtrack is part synth, part…
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Interview…Music Supervisor Cody Partridge on TV, Film and ‘Letterkenny’
Here’s a fun diversion. Take a movie, any movie, and skip to the end credits. These days, a ton of people work on any given project, and yet very few of them get the “credit” they deserve. Why? Well, I’d posit that many people have no idea what some of those titles mean. What’s a key grip? Answer: they set up the lights. Well, what’s a best boy? Answer: they help the key grip. There’s all sorts of trades who contribute but one of the more nebulous out there deal with audio. So, Marc, what’s with all this preface? Just tell us who we’re going to hear from. Ok, then,…
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Interview…Legendary Music Promoter Dave McLean on ‘Schemers’
How could you chronicle the life of a person? Like, their whole life? Well, that’s a trick question because it is literally impossible. Still though, you can try to sum up their life – either through a series of career highlights or character building sequences. But what if you have several of those? And I mean SEVERAL. Then you have your work cut out for you, and you’re talking about the one and only David McLean. Mr. McLean has literally lived music from a young age, and this Scottish entrepreneur is about as self-made as they come. For close to 50 years, he’s worked with/managed/promoted some of the biggest musical…
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Interview…Aneil Karia on Riz Ahmed and ‘The Long Goodbye’
What’s more powerful: words or actions? Usually it’s the latter, yet in the case of Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed’s brilliant and sobering short film, the former shines ever brighter and clearer. The Long Goodbye is a personal statement from the two above-mentioned entertainers, and an incredibly pointed narrative. Just a mere 11 minutes, and you are thrust into a world of experiences that many social groups have had to endure for generations. To say this is powerful doesn’t give it enough weight. But simply, it does the job because it is true. Karia uses sharp visuals – mostly editing and natural light – to convey an accurate portrayal that,…
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Interview…Martin Strange-Hansen and Kim Magnusson Discuss the Loss and Weight of ‘On My Mind’
How often do we listen to the lyrics of a song? And I mean really listen. Sometimes the poetry the artist spent so long crafting gets lost in the car, or speakers, but maybe it’s because we aren’t ready for the weight of the message. Other times, our lives don’t correlate to the words. But what about when it does? It usually results in a couple people (for whatever the reason or message) saying, ”that’s our song!” So why this particular intro? No, we’re past Valentine’s Day, but there is still love in the air, and it’s two-fold. First is a heartfelt short film about a man who wants nothing…
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Interview…Composer Steve Mazzaro on the Quirky and Charming Score to ’Army of Thieves’
Every few years, some piece of pop culture jumps up, grabs hold of us and just won’t let go. In this case, it was the unassuming prequel to Zach Snyder’s Army of the Dead. Considering they both deal with zombies, perhaps the surprise (and parallel) was quite funny, even serendipitous. What really comes alive in this heist film, which are usually fun by nature, is the music. At times, it is white-hot to match the energy (and calamity) fueling this team of discarded dorks. Other times, it is somber and anguished as these characters wear their emotions on their sleeves. Further, the sound pulsing through the speakers is so unexpected…
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Interview…Director Tim Kirkby on Subtle Humor and Colorful Casting in ‘Last Looks’
When it comes to entertainment, there’s a certain school of thought that things belong on boxes – the easier it is to identify something, the easier is it to understand and sell it. So we have genres. But when stories mix certain elements, and make bold choices, the narrative becomes stronger and keeps the audience on its toes. Case in point. When someone says “detective story”, one might think Sam Spade or Jake Gittes. Well what if you throw in eccentric characters, against type casting and pepper the whole affair with a certain British flair and some ’70s era pizazz? Now you’re getting something unique, entertaining and unexpected. So that…
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Interview…Murad Abu Eisheh on Truthfulness and Importance of ‘Tala’vision’
Ahead of the nominations for this year’s Academy Awards, we got to speak with a highly talented young director about his powerful short film. This project is written and directed by Murad Abu Eisheh (who is in his third year of film school) who was inspired to write Tala’vision after he came across an article about ISIS banning televisions in Syria 2014. The film highlights Tala’s struggle trying to live her childhood in a war zone. This heart-wrenching film won the Gold Student Academy Award, thus qualifying it to be considered for a 2022 Oscar. The Jordanian director earned his bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications and Design with a focus…
