Big Things in Small Packages:

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What is your background? Did you study film, or computers, or both (or neither)? Do you make films or video art yourself?

I studied mass communications and broadcasting in school. I have always loved film and wanted to take film production classes but my school didn't have any. They did have a lot of film theory and criticism classes which I enjoyed. When I moved to Seattle 9 years ago I thought I would get into news or radio. I ended up in video production. I am a computer idiot. I know how to email, surf the net, and write letters, but that's about it. When I started Blackchair productions, I began to shoot art films and videos - what I would call ambient art films. I showed stuff at rave parties but that's about it. Then I suddenly got into curating my shows.

Bill Gates: misunderstood genius or spawn of Satan?

Just a guy with too much money and no idea what to do with it. At least Paul Allen is producing movies (Titus), and building the Experience Music Project and other interesting things.The thing about Bill Gates is that his company has created some 40,000 millionaires, or something like that. That's fine by me because I want them to invest in my company!

What are some movies you love? What are some websites you love? (Also, have you especially loathed any recent flicks?)

Apocalypse Now. Cool Hand Luke. Wings of Desire. Many many more. I can't say I love any website, frankly. I use the web to find information. I watch so many films and get so much entertainment offline that I just don't have time for that online. I haven't loathed any flicks recently. Titus was kind of odd. I was really into seeing it, and I appreciated the story, but I didn't get into the way they modernized the classic Shakespeare story. I felt like it was used as an excuse to put motorcycles and electric lightbulbs and videogames into the film, and it was illogical.

Do you prefer your popcorn buttered or unbuttered?

What is "Real Butter Flavoring?" If I knew the answer to THAT question I could answer yours.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing Microcinema? Do you have a day job?

This is my day job. But when it wasn't, I was doing PR and marketing for film festivals and independent video stores. There have been times when I thought about throwing in the towel and going to some beach in Vietnam and selling beaded necklaces, but I may now just go there on vacation.

What's your ideal scenario for the future of Microcinema?

I would like to establish a solid microcinema network both online and offline. I would like the microcinemas of the world to be part of this network so that we can create an import/export of alternative and independent international media works.I would also like our microcinema.com site to become THE premier portal for indie, alternative, underground, avant garde, do-it-yourself related film, video, and digital resources and content.

Finally, sum up the mission and purpose of Microcinema.

Simply: Microcinema, Inc. will serve the international film, video, and digital communities and its audiences by leading the Microcinema movement. Microcinema, Inc. will promote artists and their works through its international offline and online exhibition and distribution network.

Thanks, Joel!

Interested in knowing more about the Microcinema movement and Joel's projects? Log on to www.microcinema.com.

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Mary Phillips-Sandy is a PopPulse editor. She's also the assistant director of the Maine International Film Festival.
mary@poppulse.com