Film: "A Prayer for Beauty" Gives First Preview

Donna Turner presents our newest film to the St. Paul's Cathedral Women Together.

     The third film in our Film Gallery collection was previewed for the first time February 2nd at the Women Together program of St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego.
     Entitled "A Prayer for Beauty", Mark began production in 2005 based on his poem"Beautify Oh". He had produced a limited edition book of digital illustrations which he began animating with motion graphics. 
     This was the first attempt in the genre which combines visual arts, motion graphics, spoken word, music and sound effects. It is the only film, so far, in which he weaves the text of the poem into the visuals. 

Mark Turner modeled his film score after masters such as Maurice Ravel and Bela Bartok.

A Rich and Complex Sound Track

     The sound track also became the most complex of all three films. Mark scored the music based on models of masters Maurice Ravel, Bela Bartok, Samuel Barber and Gustav Holst. Donna joined her voice with his in both choral singing and verse choir. Even a nightingale, a flycatcher and a blue jay sang along with the wind and waterfall. 

Project Resurrected

     In 2005 other projects forced this to the back burner until last September Donna was invited to present our ministry to the Women Together and we needed a third film sooner than one started from scratch.  Production recommenced full time for five months leading up to the first DVD burn the day before the event.

Well Received 

     Audience reception was very enthusiastic as Donna led a full demonstration of the Film Gallery Cafe including the films, tangible art used to make them and table conversations after each film. Participants commented that they could have spent the whole evening discussing just the one new film. One person said full discussion would require a book to be written. The room was buzzing with intense conversations after each film. 

Composition 12 from the film "A Prayer for Beauty"

Next Stage in Development 

     Work is commencing immediately on the DVD of the film complete with menus of the poem text, stills of the artwork, and conversation cards. The next preview of the new film will be at our Artist Support Group meeting, February 19th. Artists and arts supporters are invited to join us.

Simulation of Film Gallery Cafe for Your Group

Artwork used in the "Diggers" film was matted for display and used on flash cards to aid conversation.

     The first demonstration of the Film Gallery Café took place at St. Paul's Cathedral, Sunday, July 31st .
     The invitation to demonstrate the concept was a confirmation to us that this idea is indeed unique and timely.
     Approximately 35 people who attended the demonstration were very positive that the concept should be developed. About half of the participants wrote their comments on response forms and requested to be on our communications list.

One of the conversation cards

     Completing the film "To the Diggers" the week before was the first requirement for the demonstration. Next we needed to prepare display samples of the physical art which appeared in the film. Conversation cards were created bearing an image from the film and a thought provoking statement, or question.
     Participants sat around cafe style tables and talked about the films and art with the help of the cards and sketching materials.
     Fellow artists assisted in executing the event and expressed the desire to be involved as the concept develops into a full fledged ministry. Video excerpts of the event will soon appear on the St. Paul's Cathedral web page, click this link: http://stpaulcathedral.org/9am-forum .
     We are looking for more opportunities to demonstrate the beginnings of this community building outreach. The films and conversation will provide your group an intriguing event and they will be helping to develop this excellent concept. So, contact us if you have a group which may be interested.

"To the Diggers" Premieres with Calls for More

     "To the Diggers" had its first public showing July 23rd at the annual Art-Jazz-Poetry event of St. Paul's Cathedral sponsored by their Center for the Performing and Visual Arts.
     The audience of approximately 90 applauded enthusiastically and called for a second showing. Comments afterward urged us to enter the film into festivals.
     At two minutes and 40 seconds, the film belies the two years it took to produce. It is a multidisciplinary work of art incorporating poetry, the spoken word, music, sound production, visual arts and filmmaking all created by Mark Turner.
     It is one of a prototype collection being built for use in our Film Gallery Café and to act as a catalyst for more productions in the genre. The film was part of a program of five poets, nine visual artists and a koto/violin duet.

Film Premieres with Music & Desserts July 23

     The first public showing of Mark Turner's film "To the Diggers" is scheduled as part of the annual Music-Poetry-Art event, Saturday, July 23, 7 pm in The Great Hall of St. Paul's Cathedral, 5^th and Nutmeg, San Diego.
     The art and sound track of the film are nearing completion but Mark will be working long hours to finish just by the deadline. Part of the presentation is intended to include some of the physical art used to make the film. This will happen if the time and expense of matting and framing the art can be squeezed into the schedule.
     The film has been in production for about two years woven through all the delays and turmoil of disengaging from our mountain home base in Julian.
     Music for the evening will feature Reiko Obata on the Japanese Koto. She will be accompanied by violinist Annelle Gregory, recently featured at Carnegie Hall. Well known local poets and artists will also present their works and luscious deserts will be served.
     Tickets for the event (suggested donation of $10) can be reserved by e-mailing Rev. Richard Lief liefr@stpaulcathedral.org .

New Details Emerge for Film Gallery Cafe

     The vision of the Film Gallery Café is taking on more concrete form. Our brochure-in-the-making describes the "peaceful, open and friendly place where you meet for good conversation" around short, thought provoking films and the tangible art used to make them. It describes the multi-layered experience of film, art and conversation which encourages spiritual growth.
Helps for Conversation 
     Some new details of the vision are to provide the audience with art materials to help facilitate responses to the films and art through notes, sketches and doodles. These will be offered the opportunity to be posted at the venue and online. They may even be the basis for contests and new films.
Three Phases
     It is becoming clearer that the growth of the vision into a mission is happening in three phases:
1.) Creating the Prototype Collection of films and art (now)
2.) Touring the Mobile Exhibit as a service to existing galleries, coffee houses, community centers and houses of faith (perhaps by next summer)
3.) A Permanent Home in a resident gallery as homebase for the touring exhibit (when we have sufficient following and support base).
The Team 
     Other details are coming into focus such as positions on the working team of Content Creators, Exhibitors, Business People, and Finance.

Work In Progress About Work In Progress

     Mark's drawing of a construction worker guiding the placement of a steel beam is superimposed over another drawing in progress of a skyscraper under construction. When the drawing is complete there will be two skyscrapers. The drawings are part of a sequence to be culminated by the launch of the Space Shuttle. This is the second-to-last visual sequence in the film aiming for a release date in July.

     Now you can follow our filmmaking on one blog devoted completely to our progress building the art film collection.  The blog is called "Film Gallery Colxn" and you are invited to subscribe.  Click on this link to go see our design unfold: 

http://filmgallerycolxn.blogspot.com.

"Diggers" Production Explores Drawing Techniques

Mark's colored pencil drawing of toddlers watching their world being washed away by a flood illustrates references in the poem to natural disasters.

Our current short art film production, "To the Diggers", is a hybrid of poetic spoken word, music, sound effects, visual arts and motion graphics.

We have commenced production of the visuals for the fourth of five stanzas in the poem. In this stanza Mark is creating visuals depicting humanity's age-old efforts to re-shape the universe for its own purposes: giant earth movers, skyscraper construction, space vehicle launches.

Mark drew this road grader digitally using a computer mouse and Photoshop techniques. It will be integrated into the section of the film referring to earth moving.

As in most of Mark's projects, he is stretching himself to learn new techniques. This project is expanding his knowledge of combining traditional drawing on paper with digital drawing on the computer screen. He is pushing himself to complete as much of the film as possible before we move to new quarters which could be as soon as in two months.
This colored pencil drawing by Mark is in the section of the film referring to leaders avoiding responsibility for people's needs.

Now you can follow our filmmaking on one blog devoted completely to our progress building the art film collection. The blog is called "Film Gallery Colxn" and you are invited to subscribe. Click on this link to go see our design unfold:

http://filmgallerycolxn.blogspot.com.

"To the Diggers" Film Revives Production

Above, one of Mark Turner's drawings for the combat section of the film "To the Diggers". (copyright 2011)

"To the Diggers" went into hiatus during the stage production of "The Little Prince" but now resumes its slow evolution.
The art work of the film has progressed through the poetic sound track depicting massive crowds, political campaigns, war, historic dictators and the news media. It now enters a sequence of human casualties in the wake of disasters.
Mark researches and draws all the pictures sometimes taking a whole day to complete one. He then scans the drawing and inserts it into the film using motion graphics to pan, zoom and apply special effects to it. Every visual is timed second-by-second to the spoken word, sound effects and music of the sound track.

A drawing by Mark Turner depicting rescuers aiding a victim of a natural disaster for the film "To the Diggers". (copyright 2011)

Completion of the film is projected within about two more months and then Mark begins the next short art film. Our goal is to produce a prototype collection of art films to demonstrate the Film Gallery Café where guests will view and discuss the films and framed art used in them. At the heart of our mission is the faith that our viewers will meet God both in our art and in the conversations it stimulates.

Get Gifts for Helping Our Film Grants

At the encouragement of some new advisers with experience in obtaining grants, we are developing proposals to submit to foundations.
These proposals will focus on gaining support for testing our idea of the Film-Gallery-Café, the venue with a conversational atmosphere where we envision exhibiting short art films and the physical art used to make them.
To Make A Prototype
The idea needs a prototype to be demonstrated in order to gain understanding and following. This requires special funding. For instance, production of "To the Diggers", one of the films in the initial collection, is making slow progress because computer programs need upgrading and Mark's time is taken up with immediate income crises. With proper funding this and other films awaiting production could take on a continuous daily schedule and have the right tools.
With major funding we could attract collaborators in the gallery and café expertise.

Where You Come In
Foundations are more open to funding projects which have a good donor base of individual, monthly pledges. You could be part of helping us attract major funding by pledging even a small monthly amount.
In appreciation for your pledge we have prepared gifts from Mark's Artingle shop for 2011 Pledgers!

For Pledges of $10, or more per month - a Christmas ornament to craft (click here to choose one)

For Pledges of $20, or more per month - Two Christmas ornaments to craft (click here to choose two)

For Pledges of $40, or more per month - The Nativity scene for you to craft (click here see it)

For Pledges of $100, or more per month - The Christmas Celebration Kit (click here see it)

Pledge by e-mailing to info (at) horizongate.org with a short note stating your pledge of any amount and your choice of ornaments (if applicable). We will send back a confirmation with your gift and our heartfelt thanks.

2 Sound Tracks - Vote for 1

Following are two versions of the sound track for our art film "To the Diggers". Help choose one by listening to both versions. Then, in your comments, vote for the version you prefer and convince us to use that one. Until December 1 e-mail your vote and comments to mark (at) horizongate.org with permission to add you to our mailing list and we will give you free, signed artwork from the film.

Film Sound Track Version #1 (copyright 2010, Mark R. Turner)

Film Sound Track Version #2 (copyright 2010, Mark R. Turner)