Two very different films. Two very different filmmakers in their approach and style. Two fascinating discussions on BEHIND THE LENS; one with director BAILEY KOBE talking about RAG DOLL, the other with writer/director/DP/editor CARLISLE KELLAM talking his new documentary COMFORT FARMS.
First up is director BAILEY KOBE talking about his new film, RAG DOLL. A thoughtful introspective character study of a young woman entering her first MMA tournament, RAG DOLL boasts some excellent performances, notably from supporting actors Dot-Marie Jones and Stephanie Erb, not to mention, lead actress Shannon Murray, as well as some effective and evocative production use of slo-motion techniques, lighting and framing . Listen as Bailey goes in-depth talking about working with his cinematographer Aymae Sulick and designing the visual tonal bandwidth and use of camera framing, lighting and ECU’s as emotional tools, casting, the importance of authenticity with the MMA fighting and corresponding concerns for added levels of safety and training, pacing of story, and, among others, challenges faced in bringing RAG DOLL to life, not the least of which was an injured lead actor (not related to filming!) which caused a nine-month delay in production. But one of the most striking aspects of our conversation is Bailey’s focus on the emotionality of the story, the layers which are peeled back, and integrating the beauty and pain of sport with the beauty and pain of life.
Then writer/director/editor/cinematographer CARLISLE KELLAM joins us talking his new documentary COMFORT FARMS. Showcasing a very unique “agro-cognitive behavioral therapy” for soldiers returning from battle, Carlisle turns his camera on Army Ranger Jon Jackson who, on the brink of suicide, formed a non-profit and founded Comfort Farms in Georgia where veterans work the land, healing themselves while providing sustainable, humanely grown and harvested food for themselves and the community. It’s a living and breathing circle of life as we hear from the veterans themselves and watch this therapeutic lifestyle. Listen as Carlisle talks about the genesis of the film, his wearing of a multiplicity of production hats, his singular approach to maintaining the voice of the veterans versus “talking heads”, his eclectic use of music and archival news and combat footage along with that from the DOD to capture the “headspace” of the veterans, and the emotional metaphor and similarities between battle and farming.
Comfort Farms Documentary Trailer (main) from Carlisle Kellam on Vimeo.
