Rite: explosion! ROS: Episode 5

Episode 5: the dramatic conclusion to Part I of Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring.

We'd like to extend a special thanks to our awesome dancers. The episode features members of Inked Dance and piano students at CSULB (California State University, Long Beach), as well as a very special pair of dancers —Brian Moe and Randyn Spear-Jones — who served as our increasingly manic shadows. (You saw these phantom shadow dancers in earlier episodes as well.) All of these generous artists joined us last February for a 'whirling dervish' of an evening filled with non-stop movement and laughter; they'll be back in Part II. Thank you guys!

Re: the paint — no, we didn't save our masterpiece for posterity. BUT, we will share a hilarious blooper reel with you in the near future.

EPISODE 5 of 10: After being pushed to the brink in body and spirit, the wanderers discover an object that brings about an eerie benediction. One taste opens up a mind-bending realm, a new earth that bursts forth into a swirling dance of delirium, harmony, and ecstasy.

(And stay tuned for Part II — it's something of a psychological thriller, filled with wild, and at times creepy, imagery.)

ROS: Episode 4

From the first shot of spikey shoes (amazing!) to last shot of masked figures, this episode is perhaps the most hardcore we have done so far. We *may* have broken the piano bench more than once while rehearsing it... ;-)

EPISODE 4 of 10: In the aftermath of their combative confrontation, the journeyers diverge. Their rivalry escalates -- both narratively and pianistically -- until the quest takes a mysterious turn with the emergence of masked idols, demons of psychological oppression.

ROS: Episode 3

Greg and I spend a lot of time together. A lot. Between performing, traveling, working on new videos and arrangments, and of course, REHEARSING, it's safe to say that we know each other pretty well. Filming this segment, however, we got to try something we've never done with each other: fighting. Well, at least we've never had any physical altercations ... we have a harmonious relationship for the most part. ;)

Amid all the "fighting," some beautiful images from our recent trip to NYC have been folded into this episode. The last shot in particular was a gift from the city. Thank you, New York -- we love you!

EPISODE 3 of 10: In the blazing heat of the sun, reality starts to bend. As the wanderers continue to drift through the urban jungle, their inner alienation is reflected by the scorched wasteland of the desert. The strain of the journey mounts to a pivotal breaking point.

Rite: continues! ROS: Episode 2

Curious how we filmed the aireal footage in Episode 2? From a commercial jet near you. :-) We spend much (MUCH!) of our time on airplanes, and I love sitting by the window. (Liz, on the other hand, prefers the isle seats.) Over the past several months, I filmed all of the clouds and landscapes while daydreaming in my seat with my trusty Nikon D600 in hand. I actually started requesting seats at the very back of the plane so my view wouldn't be encumbered by the wings!

And now, a brief description of the episode: 

EPISODE 2 of 10: Tension begins to build amid the interplay of contrasting phenomena: the wild and cultivated, desolate and congested, rustic and ornate, earthy and ethereal. The journey gains momentum in the brilliance of daylight, yet omens lurk.

Rite: ON! ROS: Episode 1

And so it begins ...

A century ago on this day, The Rite of Spring received its infamously riotous premiere in Paris. As a tribute to this milestone in musical history, we present the opening installment of our Rite of Spring video project:

Igor Stravinsky's groundbreaking, timeless composition has compelled us to push ourselves to the hilt and to challenge the parameters of our filmmaking abilities. One of our favorite pieces to perform, the Rite has proven to provide fascinating fodder for a music video (albeit a very lengthy one!): the literal and symbolic connotations of spring and rites of passage -- the resurgence of the earth in all its elemental glory; the poignancy of discovery; the loss of innocence; the heated intensity, even eroticism, of primal urges; the shedding of layers, physical and metaphorical; etc., etc. -- are full of rich cinematic possibility, and we've let our imaginations run wild in an effort to capture the searing vision of this masterwork.

{Future episodes of this 10-part, 35-minute film will be released on YouTube, every other Wednesday throughout the summer. The next episode will air on June 12, 2013.}