Other than one film in 1980, and some wreckless footage captured in 1989, my endevours as a filmmaker didn't begin until April of 2003.

1988 motorcycle odyssey

I had never really thought to become a filmmaker. I figured movie cameras as way too expensive, and the editing "stuff" (it was all just "stuff" to me back then) too inaccessible. One day, I was at the media center at Regis University. I witnessed two young college students checking out a video camera, and asked if I could do the same. Being that I was an alumnus, it was my privilege to do so, AND use the editing software -- available to students/alumni. Right then and there, in a mere few seconds, I decided to make a feature film. I began shooting within a few days, with a basic idea to go by, but very little in terms of a thematically sound script, actors, or filmmaking skills. I did have a burning passion, though.

Having just purchased a motorcycle, I thought to create a feature based on a Vietnam veteran's quest for harmony, trekking across the country on his motorbike. The film was Karma Rider.

A naive attempt at a feature, completed entirely with analogue (old school video) cameras. That is, super VHS and hi-8. The quality was not very good, and my lack of camera savvy made matters worse. The film was mostly shot during the spring and summer of 2003. It took only three months to edit. Completed by December 2003, I made the principle actors copies and sent them out but, otherwise, never released the film.

I would rate Karma Rider (the 2003 version) as a "low" B film.

groovyfilms.biz Compilation 2003

Karma Rider (We Together With Ralph) original version

"Documentary on a homeless filmmaker's quest." Yes...to do the impossible. Make a feature with no experience, almost no money, equipage or actors. (unreleased as yet).

Not satisfied with Karma Rider, I decided to spend what savings I had. I bought a cheap PC computer, along with some editing software, and began working out of my home. I was hardly able to afford this, but that same passion was a major driving force. I began to re-edit much of the Karma Rider. This time, it took me about 14 months.

The quality of the second rendition of Karma Rider remains low-end (albeit improved). Still, this version, in my view, is entertaining enough as an explosive Groovy/Gothic-Psychedelic/Spiritual film that should, if nothing else, take the viewer way outside the mainstream film arena. I'd recommend it to any artist or alternative person. Of course, my bias is that I love the film, because I love the souls in it, and the film represents a good deal of how I perceive the universe.

I was stuck with most of the old school/analogue video, but re-shot what I could with a newly purchased digital camera, the quality of which was noticeably better. I completed editing the second rendition in March of 2005. During the summer of 2004, like a fool, I began working on a second feature, entitled The Promise. I have a blog about that film at www.groovyfilms.biz/promise.htm

In the beginning, I was still using the analogue style video cameras, The only promise about The Promise was that it was doomed from the get go. I was so naive and impassioned to film, that I hardly stopped to consider more about videography. The poor quality was a Godsend, though, as I realized (after shooting about 60% of the film) that I was just not ready for features. What prompted this was screening Karma Rider at a large theatre in June, 2005. For the first time, with the help/reaction of a larger audience, I realized I had a lot to learn about filmmaking. Heavily discouraged, I nearly gave it all up. Certainly, The Promise fell to the wayside.

groovyfilms.biz Compilation 2004

Karma Rider (We Together With Ralph) revised edition

Karma Rider Trailer. View trailer: http://www.groovyfilms.biz/karmarider.htm

The new miniDV I bought in 2004 produced noticeably improved visuals.

Before I realized my limitations as a filmmaker, I purchased a digital camera in October of 2004. Hence, some of Karma Rider, and a fair amount of The Promise, was shot with a higher end camera. Having so much footage from The Promise allowed me to create a "long" short film about a comatose man stuck in his own movies, per se, entitled Video Kingdom. Moreover, I had one long scene from The Promise, filmed in the swamps of North Carolina, that resulted in yet another short film, entitled: Bark of the Tree.

Bark of The Tree appeared as my first overall success as a filmmaker. I screened it to many Denver Public School students, mostly who seemed to relate to the action-packed/highly cheesy, freaky film. Two DPS film instructors even used it as a learning tool for their film students.

A Civil War film, Secession Path has been a difficult attempt at historic authenticity, and I mostly had to rely on re-enactors/friends as the characters...I'm having to take long strides at covering up the "dubious" acting (including my own) and other discrepancies.

Lastly, 2005 ushered in my involvement with my good friend, Zee, of unfoldingstorypictures.com. Zee provided quite a technical support base as well as sound council for legal considerations, script writing, acting...etc. Basic production savvy, that I sorely lacked.

groovyfilms.biz Compilation 2005 (DVD release coming soon)

In 2005, I secured a used high-end digital camera.

2006

Now using a Macintosh computer, with Final Cut Pro software; Now using a much better 3-CCD chip high-end prosumer digital camera; Now using super 8mm and even (true feature film quality) super 16mm cameras, I have progressed a great deal in 2006...technologically speaking, that is. I have most of my 2006 films posted on my website, and on my myspace page. Most of the films have blurbs written about them, just under the window that opens up when the link is opened.

Moreover, I have myspace blogs on two of my most recent films, the nature of which follow after German Expressionism, using "reel" film cameras such as super 8mm and super 16mm.

groovyfilms.biz Compilation 2006

Boot Skier
Projector
Daymare
Pedro's Beatific Adventure
Headbanger
Rainbow Family 2006
Chellow Fellow
Teen Preacher Electric
Love Scene Clear @ Boulder Theatre 2006

Super 8mm images above.

Super 16mm...at long last!

2007

I'm working on a feature film entitled Reel-Illusionary Zone. (Click HERE for the trailer/info.) I'm working on a second feature film, Bridge Crusader. (Click HERE for the trailer/info.)

I'm also the Director of Photography for a feature length documentary entitled A Call for Help. (Click HERE for the trailer/info.)

Lastly, I'm working with two other partners in a joint venture, filminginbulgaria.com.

All of the projects of 2007 have come to fruition in conjunction with fellow filmmaker and friend, Zee, of unfoldingstorypictures.com.

2008

I'm now at the stage of finalizing the two feature films: Reel-Illusionary Zone (click HERE for the trailer/info), and Bridge Crusader (click HERE for the trailer/info). I hope to release them by this summer.

Secession Path and Guerilla Films Secession Path Documentary are due to be released early in the year. filminginbulgaria.com is a work in progress as is the "groovy" G.I. Joe stop-motion super 8mm film, Groovy Guy and Gothic Girl.

Lastly, Zee and I are working on a German Expressionism documentary, tentatively entitled German Expressionism in Film, which should take us to Weimar and Berlin. Zee shall write, direct, and produce the doc and I'll host it, as well as having some of my Reel-Illusionary Zone clips as visuals.

More to come!

Peace, John 2-15-08