HollyShorts 2018 - Mountains
In mac/glidden’s psychedelic, awe-inspiring and dance-filled music video Mountains, explore a new world that will leave you wanting more.
Interview with Director/Producer Laurie Berenhaus
Watch Mountains here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I had wanted to collaborate with Andy McCarthy and Grant Glidden on a music video for a long time. I love their sound and they are amazing musicians to work with. I first met Anne Marsen in a movement class 2008 at The University of the Arts. Seeing her then, I had no doubt she would be going places. Seeing Girl Walk // All Day felt like magic. When Anne said ‘yes’ to the project, I couldn’t be happier. Deep down, creating Mountains was an excuse to collaborate with some of my favorite people. It was just a matter of waiting for everyone’s schedule to line up.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Fans of The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Rolling Stones, will enjoy the folk-psychedelia that Andy McCarthy and Grant Glidden’s melodies carry. Anne Marsen’s performance and choreography, which the animation is based off, delivers a contagious feeling that never fails to lift me up. Her dance videos show that time and time again.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I gravitate towards character-driven stories, and like to play with the contradictions that surround the human experience. Contemplating those questions helps me during the creative process. Then I look for how I can strip an emotion down to a moment and sit with that essence.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Grant and I discussed what led him to write the song Mountains, and we landed on the conflict of needing both the serenity of nature and the wild energy of city life.
I brought these themes to Anne and did my best to step back and let her do her thing. She was in LA and I in NYC so Anne would record her performances and we’d go back and forth with notes. I looked to hit certain beats or explore a gesture further. Seeing the first round of recordings from Anne, I knew I had to rethink the whole thing. I had visualized using all these different visual collages to paint the scene, but Anne’s performance was so strong, I knew added production would detract from the power of her dance. Instead, I stripped down the visuals, made them more painterly, and focused all the nuance on Anne’s movement.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response Mountains has received. The film festival circuit really brought momentum I could not have anticipated. I think it really speaks to the power of the music and the performance, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
So much about being an artist is handling rejection, so when this film took off, it was really gratifying, and at the same time hard to process. I’ll take it, though!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Raise awareness of both Anne’s dancing, mac/glidden’s music, my artwork, and hopefully start to build an audience.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I’m always looking for fellow content creators and producers for potential future collaborations. Folks who resonate with my work and visa versa, or are looking for creative support should not hesitate to contact me.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
At its core Mountains is a video of freedom and positivity. Hopefully that comes across, and audiences can share in that feeling.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How does sound and movement inform emotion?
Would you like to add anything else?
Check out mac/glidden’s album, Fall Into The Dark! And if you’re not already following Anne Marsen or her alter-ego bad1kitten online, please do. It is worth every millisecond.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Anne is whipping up a killer web series. Grant and Andy have been composing film scores and regularly perform. I’m working with Fountain House Gallery in NYC, developing a new short in collaboration with artist Caitlin McCormick. Check it out!
Interview: August 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Mountains
In mac/glidden’s psychedelic, awe-inspiring and dance-filled music video “Mountains,” explore a new world that will leave you wanting more.
Length: 4 minutes
Director: Laurie Berenhaus
Producer: mac/glidden & Berenhaus Studios
Music: Andy McCarthy & Grant Glidden
About the writer, director and producer:
LAURIE BERENHAUS is a visual artist and director. She lives in Astoria, NY with her husband, cat, and many puppets.
Haunting melodies, harmonies and acoustic guitar interplay are the staples of ANDY MCCARTHY & GRANT GLIDDEN's folk-psychedelic pop music. They write, record and perform in Brooklyn, NY.
ANNE MARSEN is a performance and video artist, best known for her recurring guest star role on CBS’ “The Good Wife” and as “The Girl” in viral dance film “Girl Walk // All Day”.
Social media handles: @macglidden @bad1kitten @berenhausstudios
Official Website: http://www.berenhausstudios.com/Mountains
Director/Animator/Co-Producer:
Website: http://www.berenhausstudios.com
Facebook: Berenhaus Studios
Twitter: @laurieberenhaus
Instagram: @berenhausstudios
Band/Co-Producer:
Website: http://macgliddenmusic.com
Instagram: @mac_glidden
Twitter: @mac_glidden
Facebook: @macgliddenmusic
Dancer/Choreographer:
Website: http://annemarsen.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bad1kitten
Facebook: Bad1kitten
Twitter: @Bad1kitten
Instagram: @bad1kitten
Where can I see it in the next month? Hollyshorts Film Festival (10pm Monday, August 13th 2018). Mountains is screening as part of the Music Video block.