Looking for VJs/film makers in the Philadelphia area

[ItsaPleasure]

Hi folks,

I'm currently doing performances in the Philly/NYC/Delaware area involving live musical improvisation to collages of B movies etc. The project features many of the area's (and world's) best improvisers, such as members of the Sun Ra Arkestra, G. Calvin Weston, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, etc.

First and foremost, I'm looking to shift into original footage for obvious reasons. I have very little original stuff, nor the time or energy to go get all of my own.

Secondly, I would like a good portion of the visuals to be as spontaneous as the music, so a VJ would be necessary.

mac friendly (for now) quicktimes can be found at:

http://www.itsapleasure.com

It's starting to generate a bit of a buzz....if you're interested in collaborating, let me know!

tom@itsapleasure.com

[JeSs]

Well I'd love to take part, Improvisation/collaboration just always sounds great to me :)
Unfortunatly its a bit far from France :(
But you never know, could bring my improvisor friends (musicans / dancers) for a trip to the states at some point.

Could you tell us a bit more of the way you work.
Hom many musicians ?
What instruments ?
How long do you improvise for ?
Is it always done in front of the audience ? Or do you have working sessions ?

[ItsaPleasure]

Currently, I have about 10 or so 45 minute DVDs of collages. I edit various movies, etc. (on Final Cut) together in a musical sense....for example, I may take a spy movie that involves a fight, followed by a car chase, then edit in additional car chases to create "the mother of all car chases".....that can be segued into a very large car crash, followed by some sort of quiet section. I try to keep things moving stylisticly but the changes gradual, so the musicians can easily follow and catch their breath. It's nice to use sections of movies that have sound, in order to give the musicians/audience a little break. Also, I try to keep an element of humor...the concept is pretty avant-gard, so if I edit in some of Angela Lansbury's workout video, it's going to wake some people up.
Musically, it's always a different group. Sometimes a guitar/bass/drum trio, sometimes 2 trios playing simultaneosly. Whatever you can think of.
I'm trying to take this sucker on the road, so we'll have to hook up if I make it to France anytime soon.

[kallisti]

hey... sorry i haven't noticed this before... i'm based in philadelphia, and am down with some avant stuff...and would love to help/contribute with this project...

[JeSs]

Well if you do take it on the road and make it to france, I can find you some musicans to take part :)
We work in a similar way (although the video is not pre edited but mixed live), but because we also add dance to the improvisation session I try to keep the visuals in a very tight theme. I might only play with color for instance, or mouvement/no mouvement etc... And we always work with the same group, even if we often have guests to come and jam with us. The best part is that we really start to know each other trough improvisation, and can tell a couple of seconds in advance what the others are going to do (6th sense ??? :) )

[ItsaPleasure]

I'll drop u guys emails when i get a chance

T