Pictures I'm tagged in

Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 10:11PM / 2 pictures

OFFICIAL "JASMINE" ADVANCE MOVIE POSTERS (VOL. 2)

Friday, Aug 28, 2009 12:52PM / Standard Album
3 pictures / 91 views / 4 comments

Hey, guys.

We recently did another round of advance one sheets for the first round of investor presentations that went out this week.

Personally, the first and the third are my favorites of this series and it was actually the third one that we ultimately used for the presentation. 

I want to thank Jen and Bertonian for all the work they did to prepare these under pretty brutal time constraints. 

You guys are the best.

-Dax

KLITSCHKO VS. ARREOLA

Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 3:53AM / Standard Album
36 pictures / 144 views / 2 comments

World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Vitali "Dr. Ironfist" Klitschko and No. 1-ranked Cristobal "The Nightmare" Arreola met the media and faced-off on August, 13, for the first time at a packed Staples Center press conference. Vitali Klitschko will defend his title against Arreola at Staples Center, Los Angeles, on Saturday, Sept. 26.

There wasn’t much trash-talking as both fighters paid their respect to one another. “Every day I think about how I am going to fight him. I’m ready for this fight and I know this will be a real battle. Everyone says that this fight will not go the distance. I don’t think it will either”, said 38-year-old Klitschko. “This is heavyweight boxing. It’s two punchers. No one knows what will happen, that’s why I prepare to finish the fight inside 12 rounds. But, I am ready to fight all 12 rounds. I am ready for anything that can happen.”

Arreola was asked by one reporter about his chances. “Any man is beatable,” he said. “If you’ve got two hands you can beat any man. He has a chin and I have a chin. It only takes one punch. I’ve said it before: We’re in the hurt game and one of us is going to get hurt. I just hope it’s not me.”

Klitschko, of Los Angeles and Hamburg, Germany, brings a record of 37-2 with 36 knockouts into what will be an exciting, hotly contested 12-round showdown. The dangerous-punching Arreola, of Riverside, California, is 27-0 with 24 KOs.

WINE COUNTRY

Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 4:20PM / Standard Album
40 pictures / 79 views / 9 comments

I went up to wine country recently for a quick weekend getaway. 

Enjoy.

-Dax

HIKING

Monday, Jun 15, 2009 5:12AM / Standard Album
14 pictures / 87 views / 7 comments

Sometimes, when the monotony of the gym is getting to me, I'll take to the hiking trails in the mountains behind my house.  Apparently, the Temescal Ridge Trail leads all the way to the ocean and I have no doubt that it does, though I haven't yet found a full day to devote to completing it.  I hope to with some friends one of these days.  Anyway, the trail is a great place to think and almost always inspires new story ideas. 

-Dax

KLITSCHKO VS. GOMEZ

Wednesday, Feb 4, 2009 1:39AM / Standard Album
40 pictures / 581 views

WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko, who beat Samuel Peter last October in his first fight back after a 4-year retirement due to injury, will return to the ring on March 24th and battle the WBC's number-one contender, Juan Carlos Gomez, in Stuttgart, Germany. 

I'll be updating this photo-blog as more images of Klitschko's promotion, preparation, etc., are released to the public. 

-Dax

MY GRANDFATHER, THE SOCCER PLAYER

Thursday, Dec 25, 2008 6:19AM / Standard Album
2 pictures / 383 views / 8 comments

Unfortunately, my grandfather died shortly before I was born.  It was a very sad day, apparently, because he was loved and respected by many in my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a police officer and served as the head of the Juvenile Division.  Like my dad, I was named after him and, when I was born, my grandmother said, "God took away one of my Joes and gave me another one." 

Obviously, I never got to meet my grandfather, but I did cross paths with his legacy a few times.  In fact, I can distinctly remember being out to dinner with my dad in the old neighborhood and witnessing strangers come up and pay their respects.  It was a bit surreal, to say the least. 

Fortunately, my dad is still around and, from time to time, he tells me stories about my grandfather.  Today, for example, while we were sitting around preparing for Christmas, my dad started telling me about how my grandfather used to be a professional soccer player before he became a policeman. 

This revelation took me by surprise. 

After all, I've known for a long time that my grandfather played soccer, like a lot of the immigrant families of his generation, but I didn't realize that he'd actually played professionally.  "Really?" I asked.  "How long did he play professionally for?" 

"Eight years," my dad said. 

This revelation took me by even more surprise.  Eight years is a long time. 

Sure, the game was different then and, in some cases, very different.  For example, my grandfather's team drew bigger crowds than the St. Louis Cardinals and football was considered boring because the players spent too much time "standing around."  Soccer players didn't wear shin guards then.  Instead, they would stuff copies of "National Geographic" down their socks and hold them in place with rubber bands.  Soccer shoes were more akin to hobnailed boots than the cleats players wear today. 

But the game was still the same. 

It turns out that my grandfather played center forward and was referred to as the "top gun" because he often lead the team in scoring. 

He wasn't always this good, however.  Although he had grown up playing soccer, he wasn't good enough to play on the team in high school.  The high school coach even went as far to say, "Joe, the only way you'll get to participate with this team is if you pay for a ticket." 

Needless to say, my grandfather continued playing.  Then, many years later, while playing professionally, my grandfather noticed that very same coach watching in the stands.  So, he ran over and asked the coach, "Now who's paying to see who?" 

After my conversation with my dad, I quickly went upstairs, got on the internet, and googled my grandfather with the key words, "Joe Phelan St. Louis Soccer" and was amazed by what I found.  I came across old team pictures and newspaper articles, featuring my grandfather. 

And did I mention that he's in the Hall of Fame?  Wow! 

Anyway, there's a lot of material to sift through, but I've decided to post a couple of the photos that I found, in case anybody's interested. 

-Dax

P.S. Maybe I should have played soccer.

SECRETS IN THE FIELDS (VOL. 2)

Saturday, Nov 15, 2008 9:26AM / Standard Album
48 pictures / 917 views / 10 comments

If you've taken the time to view my earlier photoblog, "Secrets in the Fields (Vol. 1)," then you know that Charlie "Barley" Gumbiner (featured), my frequent collaborator, and I traveled to England this past summer on a research trip, regarding a couple of projects we currently have in development.  As I've said before, I began the trip as a cynic.  By the end, I wasn't sure what to think.  All I know is: I saw things I couldn't explain and felt a sense of wonder I hadn't experienced since I was a child.  The investigation continues. 

-Dax

THE ART OF FABIAN PEREZ

Monday, Oct 27, 2008 4:14AM / Standard Album
12 pictures / 1355 views / 18 comments

Fabian Perez is far and away my favorite contemporary painter right now. 

I discovered his work quite by chance during an impromptu visit to a gallery in Seal Beach, CA and was greatly inspired by his imagery.  In fact, I wound up purchasing his fantastic book, "The Art of Fabian Perez," because I often find that paintings can be incredibly useful during my discussions with cinematographers over how a film should look, feel, etc.

In any case, I sincerely hope that Perez will join this site one of these days.  But, in the meantime, I strongly encourage you all to visit his:

http://fabianperez.com/

Enjoy,

PLACES I WANT TO VISIT (OR REVISIT)

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 3:53AM / Standard Album
27 pictures / 1224 views / 33 comments

Just a few of the places I hope to one day visit (or, in some cases, revisit) before I die.  It'll be interesting to see which place will be next.  Anyway, I'll be adding to this list as I think of more.  -Dax  P.S. I'd be very curious to hear what some of the places on everybody else's lists are, so let me know.

ANTIQUE TYPEWRITERS

Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 11:41AM / Standard Album
8 pictures / 873 views / 10 comments

I've always had a passion for old typewriters.  Although it's not the most costly passion out there, it isn't always the most practical.  They take up a lot of space and moving them around is a pain in the ass.  But, if I happen upon one that catches my eye, I have to have it.  One of these days, hopefully, I'll have an office big enough to display them properly.  We'll see...

-Dax 

P.S. The following photos aren't from my personal collection.  They're just a few interesting finds that I came across while surfing the web.  

KLITSCHKO VS. PETER

Friday, Sep 5, 2008 2:20AM / Standard Album
51 pictures / 1577 views / 3 comments

As some of you know, I'm a huge Vitali Klitschko fan and, despite his 3-year absence from the ring, I'm very excited about his upcoming WBC heavyweight championship bout against Samuel Peter at the O2 Arena in Berlin on October 11th.  -Dax

SECRETS IN THE FIELDS (VOL. 1)

Sunday, Jun 22, 2008 10:34AM / Standard Album
38 pictures / 1795 views / 14 comments

As some of you know, Charlie and I traveled to the English countryside several weeks ago, in order to research a new project we're developing.  The following represents our first encounter.  I'm a skeptic by nature.  However, I saw things on this trip.  Things I can't explain.  -Dax

ENGLAND

Monday, Jun 9, 2008 9:47PM / Standard Album
17 pictures / 2430 views / 19 comments

Hey, guys.  After Cannes, Charlie and I traveled to London for some follow-up meetings, in regard to "Jasmine," and, then, to the English countryside, in regard to a project we're developing.  The following pictures are from the first leg of our journey.  I hope you like them.  -Dax

PARIS

Friday, May 30, 2008 5:49PM / Standard Album
28 pictures / 1449 views / 14 comments

After the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix, we headed to London for some follow-up meetings and stopped in Paris on the way.  Here are some photos from the City of Lights.  I'll be posting more as I travel...

CANNES

Sunday, May 18, 2008 6:37AM / Standard Album
20 pictures / 1643 views / 9 comments

The following document my trip to Monaco where I'll be staying for the duration of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.  There are many more to come, but, for the moment, enjoy...

-Dax

OFFICIAL "JASMINE" ADVANCE MOVIE POSTERS

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 4:19PM / Standard Album
2 pictures / 917 views / 8 comments

Hi, everyone...

So, as some of you know, the last couple of weeks have been an absolutely insane marathon for Jason, Charlie, and myself, as we hurried to shoot, select, retouch, and print the advance one sheets for "Jasmine," in preparation for Cannes. 

If you like what you see, please be sure to leave a comment in Berton Chang's guestbook.  I can honestly say that, without him, none of this would have been possible.  In addition to being the still photographer on the film, he came aboard to handle these promotional materials with literally no advance notice and even worked on his birthday, in order to ensure that we made our deadline. 

Thanks again, Berton.  You saved our fucking asses, man.  Your next shot -- or two, or three -- at Balalaika is on me, brother. 

-Dax

ADVANCE "JASMINE" MOVIE POSTER/PRESS KIT IMAGES

Thursday, May 1, 2008 1:18PM / Standard Album
7 pictures / 1508 views / 17 comments

So, I'm pleased to announce that my co-producers and I will be attending the Cannes Film Festival in a couple of weeks on behalf of my feature directorial debut, "Jasmine." 

In preparation for the festival, we've all been working around the clock to complete the advance movie poster and press kit.  The following shots of Jason Tobin, my lead actor and co-producer at Shanghai Street Films, were taken by our fellow Alive Not Dead "Featured Artist," Berton Chang.  Great job, Bertonian.  We seriously owe you one, man.  Thanks again. 

If any fellow Alive Not Dead members are going to be at the festival this year, give me a shout and perhaps we can get together and "represent" in the South of France. 

-Dax

MOVIE POSTERS I LIKE

Monday, Apr 28, 2008 12:59PM / Standard Album
19 pictures / 2408 views / 14 comments

In preparation for Cannes, we're currently working on an advance poster for "Jasmine."  As a result, I've been thinking about some of my favorite movie posters from past and present, and decided to make an album of them.  Obviously, there is a recurring theme(s) at work here.  -Dax

A FEW BABY PICS

Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 2:23PM / Standard Album
12 pictures / 1658 views / 39 comments