Only Sorta Goodbye

Photo (a still from the film 'You & I') from my very first Wonder/Land Posting.

On July 24th of 2006, I stumbled upon something called Blogger and thought, "What the hell, why don't I start one of these online journally things?" And so began Wonder/Land. Now, just shy of 5 years later, I've decided to retire it (largely due to the fact that, while the rest of the world moved on to 2011, Blogger pretty much stayed back in 2006). I'll still continue to post inane randomness except I'll be doing it over at Persons + Things now, so click through and follow me! And thank you, reader, and you, Blogger, for the solid run.

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Road. Trip. (virtual or otherwise)

It's officially summertime (sort of?). Aka, time to try something new. To explore and adventure. To experience and encounter. And if you're stuck at a desk right now, then it's time to think about getting out from behind it. Music is a vehicle. Get in and drive.

https://www.dropbox.com/

user: mamitastember@gmail.com

password: roadtrip

Project Updates

I'm so accustomed to posting all my updates on Facebook that I forget to share things elsewhere but in addition to my documentary The Long Way Home, I have been working on a couple of photography projects worth mentioning.

First off, there's the 2,552 Mile Project:

The 2,552 Mile Project was conceived as an artistic collaboration between two photographers: Alexis Stember in Brooklyn, New York, and Monika Clarke in the small northern town of Hayden Lake, Idaho. Each photographer shoots a roll of 35mm film and sends it to the other photographer, 2,552 miles away, who then reloads the roll to create a series of double-exposed images that fuse together two geographically based experiences into a single frame. With no more than a generalized theme behind each round of work, the hope is to encounter visual accidents that upset and/or affirm stereotypes and expectations; to capture in analog form a world that seems to grow smaller with each technological advance; and to see how close, or far apart, 2,552 miles really is.

And then there's The Delishous, a fun and frivolous look at faces and fashion on the street.

Click through and follow them both!

The Long Way Home - Teaser 2

The second teaser for The Long Way Home, a documentary about my father, the photographer John Stember.

While the first teaser was largely my attempt to enter into the experience and perspective of my father, it was impossible to ignore that despite the film being about my father, it was being told from the perspective of his daughter, aka me. It is from my perspective then, that I share this teaser.

To give a little background, I should mention that I set out to make this film for entirely selfish reasons. I was in pain after a difficult year and hoped that in making a film about my father- in coming to terms with him and his journey- I might come to better understand myself and my own. The result of that pursuit is what's being worked into the feature-length documentary, The Long Way Home.

Both this and the first teaser are comprised of personal footage taken not for the film itself, but for keepsake purposes, with my Pentax K7 dSLR. The actual film is currently in post but updates and the official teaser are to follow, along with an inevitable request for your help and support.

Thanks for staying tuned.

Music: Tahiti by Bat for Lashes

The Long Way Home - Teaser 1

I recently wrapped the shooting of a little project that's near and dear to my heart: a documentary about my father, John Stember. I'm not going to say much about it, and neither will this teaser, but the lyrics, courtesy of Tom Waits, might offer some elucidation. Many thanks for all the love and support I've received in endeavoring to do this. A long post schedule lies ahead but I promise there is light at the end of the tunnel. And that light, unlike this one, will be color graded. Stay tuned....

Hennessy "A Very Special Experience" Director's Cut

In addition to my regular duties as an agency producer for Hennessy, I got to direct my first spot for them back in December. I had a serious blast shooting it so I hope there's a residual effect in the viewing. Enjoy! (With a fine glass of Henny, of course.)

Director's cut edited by the one, the only, The John Resner.

Client cut, edited by the lovely and talented Arthur Dougherty, can be found on Facebook. Log in and like it!

Many thanks to Greentea Films for being awesomely game with next to no prep time, and for working over the Thanksgiving break.

Royksopp - The Fear

I'm in a video for my friends over at Charred Oak Films. We almost got arrested (twice) in the making so watch and give them some Royksopp love.