Thank you @marshalltidrickphoto for the incredible bts photo (incredible that I’m not blinking)
Follow Marshall’s work and his beautiful large format portraits @thebear.us
My second documentary, made while I was a senior at The University of Kansas. @kufms
KU gave me a grant to make this film about my childhood friend, Brandon Kistler, who went from a wall flower to lead singer of a debaucherous punk band, Altamont Speedway.
This short documentary played at @libertyhallinc in 2001, with the band performing afterward. I made the poster (which still hangs beside my desk), printed the tickets and programmed the show myself (with the help of then gf Traci Tullius).
It was one of the highlights of my time in Lawrence and I'll always love this movie for that reason.
The Kistler's mean a lot to me personally and I'm so grateful to Brandon and Deidra for allowing me into their lives (with my bad manners and terrible elderberry wine).
Watch now on my YouTube channel. @bensteinbauerisyourfriend
Here's the synopsis:
2000 Man follows Brandon Kistler, a 22-year-old wall flower turned punk rock frontman for 40 Minutes of Hell. Family and friends describe his upbringing in the affluent suburb of Edmond, Oklahoma, his struggle to find a niche in high school, and his shocking transformation into a volatile singer for the punk band Altamont Speedway—known for chaotic, self-destructive performances that commanded attention. The story shifts to his later work with 40 Minutes of Hell, where he evolves as a performer and lyricist, while bandmates and loved ones weigh dreams of moving to Los Angeles against responsibilities, school, and making a living. At the end, Brandon finds a new way to live his dream while still being a rock star.
From my very first documentary, Day With John.
This was made in 2002, while I was studying film at the University of Kansas.
Jonathan Sternberg was in my speech and debate class and would whip the other student’s into a frenzy by proclaiming that there’s too much free speech and that the US should rejoin the British monarchy.
Me and my friends were artists and all rebelling in very prescribed ways by playing in bands, getting tattoos, etc. But in a lot of ways we were all the same. I came to see John as a true iconoclast, swimming against the grain by being conservative and old world in a liberal, modern environment.
So I asked if I could follow him around with a camera for one day from start to finish. In that day he campaigned for student Senate (on a very Republican platform), argued his grade with a professor and ended up getting it lowered instead of raised, and received a pep talk from conservative Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas.
This was the documentary that started it all for me.
Here’s the synopsis:
A filmmaker follows University of Kansas freshman Jonathan Sternberg, a New York transplant who feels out of place among what he sees as an apathetic student body. He argues with a professor over an exam grade, worrying that anything below a 3.8 will derail his ambitions for Yale and an eventual career in law and national politics. John discusses his past love of filmmaking, his feature-length screenplay, and his shift to a practical focus on law, with goals including a Rhodes Scholarship and Yale. While campaigning for off-campus student senate on issues like campus free speech, he clashes with critics and mocks “resume builder” candidates. He showcases his meticulously curated preppy wardrobe, Anglophile tastes, admiration for British monarchy, conservative views on religion and morality, and praise for George H. W. Bush, then proudly recounts meeting Clarence Thomas. At the end, he is full of hope for the future although he does not get elected to student senate.
I'm still very much in the midst of confusion, but @bossrocker helped me through it with his thoughtful conversational skills. Give it a listen and support the good folks @filmcry in teaching the next generation of filmmakers.
Link in bio.
Thank you to @shannon.southerland for capturing the one time that I looked like I know what I’m doing.
And thank you to Jack Sanders for creating something truly special. I’m endlessly grateful that I get to be a part of The Texas Playboys Baseball Club. @texasplayboysbaseball
Great article Bryan Parker! Link in bio. @bryancparker@austin_monthly
For anyone who hasn’t come to a game, please join this crazy beautiful sandlot society that we are lucky to have here in Austin.
For more information go to thelongtime.com and follow along on IG @thelongtimetexas
