The Inevitable Unveiling

We finally unveiled Masque films to the public! We had a beautiful celebration at the ASTO Museum of Art in Lincoln Heights on Saturday, April 4th. The gallery was pretty packed and most importantly the whole night was a lot of fun.  Bobby Webster did a great job being the host, the Masque's Meow burlesque troupe performed gorgeously, Jason played some fun electronic beats and orginal electro-dance, the films were received well and the Mayfield beer was fancy and scrumptious. Most of the audience was in their 20s and 30s- quite hip.

We even got a really nice review in L.A.BUzzBlog, you can read it online here: http://labuzzblog.com/masque-films-the-inevitable-unveiling-unveils. Highlights from the article are, "Masque Films’ Inevitable Unveiling on Saturday night did a great job of setting the aesthetic tone of Masque Films. Taking place in the ASTO Museum in a begotten part of Lincoln Heights, the unveiling immediately enveloped the audience into the Masque world – a dark, delicate, and hauntingly beautiful place filled with furtive, sidelong glances, unintelligible whispers, and unspoken emotion.
The event began with the ladies of the Masked Meow burlesque troupe shadow dancing behind a red silk drape. It was easy to become entranced by this, and as I fell under the spell, I forgot how beautiful shadow dancing really is (too much Space Island/Area 33 can have this effect). Soon after the drape falls and the corseted and tu-tued dancers are revealed, the show begins. The series of short films and music videos opens with “Exoskeleton” by Sandra Powers, which, in all its dark monochromatic glory, was no less enrapturing than it was the first time I saw it at An Evening of Sinister Amusement at the Unknown Theater.
The Tuvalu-esque “Autumn” was next, followed by a blooper reel of teenage skaters....

The next film was a masterfully shot beautiful piece which juxtaposed super-saturated beach imagery of a man in a long black overcoat against darker shots of a lovelorn or forlorn ballerina lamenting amid her blue-lit world of empty picture frames. The costuming in this film was brilliant and even though I didn’t really get what was going on, it was one of the best films of the night because it was so gosh-darn beautiful (anyone seen The Cell? The experience was similar to that, but with a lot more emotion and a lot less J-Lo.)
After the films, The Masked Meow returned for another audience interactive performance. The Masked Meow is an old-school modern burlesque troupe, who at once combined the dark Victorian ages with elements of modern dance, all set to a Nick Cave Tender Prey-era soundalike. Put it all together, and you have one pretty damn sexy burlesque troupe.

The Inevitable Unveiling of Masque Films, who are available for commercials and music videos, was a veritable explosion of the artistry of the macabre, and set a definite tone of the work to come from this young and incredibly talented film company. Keep these guys on the radar!"

Excellent Source of Sparkles

Unicorns, as we all know, frolic all over the world, pooping rainbows and marshmallows wherever they go. What you don't know is that when unicorns reach the end of their lifespan, they are drawn to County Meath, Ireland. The Sisters at Radiant Farms have dedicated their lives to nursing these elegant creatures through their final days. Taking a cue from the Kobe beef industry, they massage each unicorn's coat with Guinness daily and fatten them on a diet comprised entirely of candy corn.

As the unicorn ages, its meat becomes fatty and marbled and the living bone in the horn loses density in a process much like osteoporosis. The horn's outer layer of keratin begins to develop a flavor very similar to candied almonds. Blending the crushed unicorn horn into the meat adds delightful, crispy flavor notes in each bite. We are confident you will find a world of bewilderment in every mouthful of scrumptious unicorn meat.

Radiant Farms Canned Unicorn Meat Specifications

• Limited availability
• 14 ounces of delicious unicorn meat, canned for your convenience
• Imported from a small independent cannery in County Meath, Ireland
• Crunchy horn bits in every bite - an excellent source of Calcium
• Tastes like rotisserie chicken but with a hint of marshmallow sweetness
• Easily spreadable for sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, and more
• Sparkly meat lends the unmistakable air of class and sophistication to your parties
• Unlike other meats, unicorn fat is polyunsaturated and lowers your LDL cholesterol
• Not yet approved by the USDA or FDA, but the nuns have eaten it for centuries and they're healthy as horses

LA Buzz Blog Features Our Event

Not only is that exciting, but they also introduced me very kindly. Now I feel pressure to make sure that they continue liking me- I hope the event goes well.
Here is a screenshot of the article:
 

And this is the link: http://www.labuzzblog.com
Under the 'Art' section, (I like that.)

A Steampunk Daydream

I wish I lived in a Steampunk world, full of steampunk everything! There would be a mix of castles, burned down Victorian buildings and industrial guts, bricks and decay everywhere. The attire would be Victorian with industrial preparations, in case of the building collapsed or a bomb or meteor came from nowhere, (so goggles, gun belts and tourniquets would be as essential as underwear). The weather would be a perfect mix of gloomy, overcast 75 degrees all year round, (with brilliant magenta sunsets of course.)

The main occupation would be time travel. So when you got sick the doctor would send you back in time to correct the problem before it even began. Television would be unamusing compared to theatre, opera and social events. Grand masquerades would be the traditional way to celebrate holidays.
What a decadent vision... maybe one day.

The Inevitable Unveiling

April 3, 2010 - 8:00 pm 

THE INEVITABLE UNVEILING 

A Masque Films Production

 

Los Angeles, CA – From the creators of decadent and dark short films, music videos and commercials – Masque Films is putting on a production you don’t want to miss. Hosted at the ASTO Museum of Art and in association with Mayfield Brewing Co. – Masque Films is at last ready to introduce themselves formally to the public.
“THE INEVITABLE UNVEILING: A MASQUE FILMS PRODUCTION” will be on April 3, 2010 at 8pm at the ASTO Museum of Art located at 4505 Huntington Drive South, Los Angeles CA 90032.

“THE INEVITABLE UNVEILING: A MASQUE FILMS PRODUCTION”  will be a night coveted with music by “Machinery of Nature” described as D.E.A.D (Desireable Electronic Ambient Dance). The atmosphere will be set with smoke, mirrors and dark corners and hosted by Masque’s resident vampire Bobby Webstar, with a monologue or two. After guests have enjoyed a glass or two of the fine and exquisitely hand-crafted “Iconoclast Beer” sponsored by Mayfield Brewing Co. they will be delighted to watch “The Masque’s Meow.” Choreographed by Natalie Metzger, the Masque’s Meow is a burlesque trio that will tastefully unveil themselves to the audience.

Masque Films is a team of four professionals with diverse artistic and analytical backgrounds - ranging from fine arts, fashion, experimental cinema and biology, all of which result in rich and inspiring visuals outside the industry norm. Masque Films has created several works that have been screened and exhibited to audiences worldwide, including LACMA and EXIS in Seoul, Korea. Most recently they have been receiving photography commissions and new media proposals, and have submitted work to Cannes Independent, Dance Camera West, Chicago Underground, Los Angeles and the Milano International Film Festival.

Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/102320 or at the door  
$10 General $5 Students
 

Websites of Artists Involved:

•    Dubstep music by Machinery of Nature: http://www.reverbnation.com/doornick
•    Mayfield Brewing Company: http://www.mayfieldbrewing.com
•    Burlesque Troupe: The Masque's Meow: http://www.metzart.org
•    Film Screening by Masque Films: http://www.masquefilms.com

Bedlam Magazine Features: http://www.bedlammagazine.com/content/sex-beer-experimental-film-and-vampires

Music Video of the Day

There are several things working in this video, besides the luscious black and white cinematography. The CG mixed with live action is very smooth and subtle. I also enjoy that there is no lip-singing. The result is thoughtful and elegant. The overall choreography is also quite subtle and the editing creates a lovely, unobtrusive structure.

Yoriyos - Endoscopises from Ron Winter on Vimeo.

Timur & The Dime Museum & Misc.

I finally picked up these photos from the lab-- they're from the America's Got Talent filming day. They were really strict about photography so I couldn't take many photos and the 2 I took of the whole band came out too blurry. At least there's a nice clear one of Timur. Then there are a few of the prettiest puppy in the world: Bella Lola Mia :)