U.S.VETS client and U.S Army veteran Isamel “Ray” Tarazon shares his story about joining the military and how he ended with a place to call home at U.S.VETS Inglewood. Ray was wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit and was released as an innocent man when his sentence was commuted after 37 years. He then met U.S.VETS when he found himself without a home upon release.
Honored to have gotten to work on this project with @beyondtheporch@usvetsnational@usvetsinglewood and shed light on a couple of very important issues within our country. Full link to film in my bio!
Director & Producer - @eddbenda
Producer - @livelaughlurch
Dir. of Photo - @xanderherm
Editor - @dylan.chant
Composer - Mike Fiore
1st AC - @bdel_icious
Gaffer - Scott Smith
Prod. Sound - Tim Vanette
Post Sound - @jaypellizzi
Colorist - James Honaker
There’s No Taste Like Home | Fuyuko’s Kitchen
After an illustrious career working under Michelin Star patissieres, acclaimed pastry chef Fuyuko Kondo returns home to Pasadena and reflects on what a life of baking has taught her.
This was an amazing project to work on. @kondofuyuko is not only incredible at what she does but also such a kind, generous person who welcomed us to learn more about her story.
Director: @samvladart
Editor: @dylan.chant
Writers: @justjorosenthal@samvladart
Producer: @samvladart , @scott_l_larson
Story producer: @lexapo
Cinematographer: @scott_l_larson
Gaffer: @garlandpart2
Key Grip: @ravitejaanu
1st AC: @shilebyang
Sound Designer: @graham_gold
I wanted to share a very personal project I worked on a couple of years ago that has not only impacted me as a filmmaker but also, the lives of the people involved in the film. The short documentary is called Reunir and is about the struggle of addiction and homelessness in Orange County, CA.
In August of 2018, I met 59 year old, Tony Rios, a man living on the streets of Orange, CA who sold antiques and old furniture to pay for his food and other necessities to survive. I soon found out that he also used that money to support a drug habit that he had been struggling with for most of his adult life. Two years later I decided to follow him through his daily life, with my camera, where I soon realized he had no other option but to finally receive treatment for his addiction.
Through months of filming, I learned about addiction, the effects it has on a person and their family/friends and the process of trying to receive treatment. I learned that people like Tony are no different than any of us who may be more fortunate and that the stigma we associate with homelessness and addiction, prevent us as a society in helping people like Tony. I also learned that Tony wanted to reunite with his mother, Irma, who always prayed for her son on the streets.
I hope this film can help shed light onto a situation that we often sweep under the rug as a nation. I hope that we can start to come together as a society and really figure out how to help each other out through hard times regardless of your current situation.
Check out the full film on my website!
Music: @andrewbarkan
Sound mix: @prhollman
In 2020, America entered a new era of social justice, and without people on the ground continuing to document the truth, ongoing injustices would never be brought to light. THESE MOMENTS follows three photographers as they capture their unique racial justice movements in the American Southwest, writing the history that will one day be our legacy.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of this project, especially the amazing artists we were able to capture.
Directed by ✋; @nkuklinski ; @scott_l_larson
Produced by ✋
Cinematography @scott_l_larson
Editing @nkuklinski
Music: @andrewbarkan
Sound mix: @prhollman
Featuring @cararomerophotography ; @broloelcordero ; @bellikemike
So grateful to say that @thesemomentsfilm won best short documentary at @indiefilmawards
Thank you to everyone involved in this special film, especially our subjects @broloelcordero@bellikemike@cararomerophotography
In 2020, America entered a new era of social justice, and without people on the ground continuing to document the truth, ongoing injustices would never be brought to light. THESE MOMENTS follows three photographers as they capture their unique racial justice movements in the American Southwest, writing the history that will one day be our legacy.
Excited to get the film seen by more audiences. Stay tuned!
Reunir, my short documentary film, will be screening with @flickfair this year!
Tony Rios, is a 59-year-old resident of Orange, CA who has been on and off of the streets for most of his adult life. As his mother Irma, battles through health issues, can Tony battle his drug addiction to reunite with her before it’s too late?
Very excited to keep getting this film seen by more people because it has such an important message.
