SXSW Film Festival Pt.3: Beauty is Embarrassing, Wildness, The Source & Trashdance

Episode 18 : BYOD: Bring Your Own Doc

Episode Synopsis

On the third, and final installment from SXSW, Ondi and Vlad feature films that tell stories of artists and creative catharsis.
“Beauty is Embarrassing,” the bio-doc about the visionary artist Wayne White, was premiered at the festival and we got to talk to director Neil Berkeley and Wayne himself at a gallery showing his work.
Also profiled is “Wildness,” which shines a spotlight on the transgendered performance world of latino LA nightspot, the Silver Platter. We sit down with director Wu Tsang and producer, Cathy Rifkin.
We talk to the makers of “The Source,” which details the history of the Source who took the idea of sex, drugs and rock and roll and made it into a religion.
We were stunned by “Trashdance,” which showed the creative potential of things as seemingly mundane as garbage collectors and trucks, and happy to talk to its creators.

Guest Bio

Wayne White is an American artist, art director, illustrator, puppeteer and creative entity that was born in Chattanooga. He has used his Southern upbringing as inspiration for much of his work, and has created landmark music videos in addition to his lauded paintings.
Neil Berkeley is a commercial director and motion graphics specialist that is a friend of Wayne White. Their friendship inspired Neil to make “Beauty is Embarrassing,” which is his first feature film.
Wu Tsang is a performer, filmmaker and artist that has shown at the Whitney Biennial. Wu lives in Los Angeles and has been inspired by the Silver Platter to make the documentary, “Wildness.”
Jodi Wille is a book editor, filmmaker, and cultural event producer known for collaborating with individuals who have amassed personal archives that document American subcultures. She is the co-publisher and editor of Process Media and Dilettante Press.
Maria Demopoulous is a commercial director who has previously created “Glamazon.”

Episode Breakdown

00:01 BYOD SXSW PT. 3: Art and Culture intro.
02:27 “Beauty is Embarrassing,” clip.
04:21 Welcoming Wayne White and Neil Berkeley.
05:39 “Why did you pursue this”
06:45 Wayne’s illustrious wife, Mimi.
09:09 The storytelling of “Beauty is Embarrassing.”
10:20 “Beauty is Embarrassing,” clip.
11:24 Coming across Wayne’s first grade teacher.
13:48 The virtues of being a defiant artist.
14:34 “What motivated you to make the movie”
17:43 “Beauty is Embarrassing,” clip.
18:43 The family of artists.
20:56 Obstacles to making the film.
22:34 The process of screening for 40 strangers.
23:31 The artist collaborating with the art.
24:21 Neil’s day job in animation.
26:38 Neil and Wayne obsess over LBJ.
27:49 Where to follow the film.
29:33 “Beauty is Embarrassing,” clip.
30:32 “Wildness,” clip.
32:11 Welcoming Wu Tsang and Cathy Rifkin.
33:24 “When did you decide to make the movie”
35:26 “Why does the Silver Platter speak”
36:47 “Wildness,” clip.
38:40 The true story of the film.
40:09 The voice of the Silver Platter.
40:58 Getting involved with Cathy.
43:02 The quest for identity, while being “multi-multi.”
44:55 The social actions beyond filmmaking.
46:37 “Wildness,” clip.
48:06 “What is community”
51:29 Financing and shooting.
53:32 Finding the life of your subjects and working for free.
55:03 How to learn more about the film.
55:58 “Wildness,” clip.
58:32 “The Source,” clip.
1:00:30 Welcoming Jodi Wille and Maria Demopoulos.
1:02:28 What the film is about–the good cult.
1:05:45 Archival footage and procuring it.
1:08:46 The inspiration to make the film.
1:14:52 Jodi’s conclusions on subcultures.
1:16:25 Maria gets involved in the project.
1:18:16 Financing the film.
1:19:07 The biggest obstacles in the making of the film.
1:20:53 Where to find more about the film.
1:22:29 Family members reactions to the film.
1:23:05 “The Source,” clip.
1:24:58 “Trash Dance,” clip.

Additional Links

http://beautyisembarrassing.com/
http://wildnessmovie.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thesourcedoc
http://www.thesourcedoc.com/
http://trashdancemovie.com/

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Hosted By

Ondi Timoner

Ondi Timoner is the only filmmaker to win Grand Jury Prize at Sundance twice. Born in Miami, Florida, Timoner graduated cum laude from Yale University, with a double major in American Studies (concentration in Film and Literature) and Theater Studies.

Vladimir Radovanov

Vladimir Radovanov is a musician, entrepreneur and entertainment attorney, and has represented numerous entities in the entertainment industry, including musical artists, record labels, independent filmmakers, and television and film production companies, including TV Guide and 20th Century Fox.