THE ELEKTRIK ZOO

Have an Elektrik New Year

2011-12-26T11:08:00.000-08:00

Another year is upon us. Patrick and I hope to see you lots. We look forward to doing great work with you. May we end the destruction and begin creative works that will elevate us all. Together we are stronger.

"Destiny lives Down the Road" officially selected to screen in competition at Australia's only Oscar Qualifier Flickerfest

2011-12-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

Elektrik short "Destiny lives Down the Road" has been selected to screen in competition at Australia's prestigious shorts festival Flickerfest. Australia's only Oscar/BAFTA qualifier, Flickerfest received a record number of entries this year (2,200) of which only 108 were chosen to screen in competition.

"Destiny lives Down the Road" is the Elektrik Zoo's 10th short. It was shot on location in Chalmette, and Gretna for under $1000 with a crew of two. Two additional crew members were added in post production for music and sound design.

Patrick and I would like to thank all of you who've been a part of this film. To the hundreds of people that have supported us and the film, we've lived the Elektrik Zoo motto that "Together we are Stronger."

"Mrs. Carmella Prays" receives two commendations at the Insight Film Festival

2011-12-05T08:28:00.001-08:00

Elektrik Zoo short documentary "Mrs. Carmella Prays" was screened this weekend at the Insight Film Festival in Manchester England. Our little film from Chalmette won commendations in two award categories: INSIGHT JUDGES’ AWARD ‘Best in Festival’ and the SIGNIS AWARD for a film which ‘best explores human values’.

Elektrik Film Night in North London

2011-11-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

Entrance fee £2.00
Snacks & drinks available for purchase
267 Archway Road, London N6 5BS
Opposite Highgate Tube Station
Bus: 134, 43
http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/the-quarters-cafe-london

Destiny wins at the New Orleans Film Festival

2011-10-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that "Destiny lives Down the Road" took home the prize for Best Louisiana Narrative short at the New Orleans Film Festival this weekend. You can read all about it on NOLA.com.

"Mrs. Carmella Prays" to screen in Rockport, TX

2011-09-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Rockport Film Festival (RFF) celebrates the best of independent cinema on the Texas Coast. Showcasing shorts, features, documentaries, animations and student films, Rockport Film Festival is a welcoming three-day event that highlights talent from all over the world.

Carmella in competition at Insight Film Festival

2011-09-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

The Insight Festival was created in Manchester in 2007 by a number of media professionals who wanted to promote community cohesion by encouraging filmmakers to look at faith, and has grown into an International Film Festival attracting entries from across the globe. Insight focuses on faith as a theme, not working to promote any religious or nonreligious views, instead offering a platform through which faith can be explored, discussed and understood.

Cracking Review for "Destiny"

2011-09-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Capitol Weekly: Politics at the Movies:

The true highlight was the final film, Destiny Lives Down the Road. It was filmed using non-professional actors, mostly playing themselves, in the town of Chalmette, Louisiana, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The short film follows the day-to-day existence of a poor teenage girl, played by Dominique Thompson, as she tries to resume her life after the hurricane. She attempts to raise her two younger siblings, deal with her negligent mother and divorced father, and raise enough money to resume her hobby of dancing. The understated performances feel extremely real, right down to the distinct accents, and the shots of Chalmette, with overturned boats and rusting, abandoned cars, paints a grim picture of Post-Katrina life. Directors Daneeta Lorreta Jackson and Patrick Jackson move the film naturally to a bleak ending. Hurricane Katrina has spawned a host of media depictions, but few have the understated, personal despair of Destiny Lives Down the Road.

"Destiny" to screen at Brief Encounters

2011-09-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that "Destiny lives Down the Road" is in competition at the Encounters Bristol International Film Festival in the UK. This is an Oscar qualifying festival, and the longest running competitive short film festival in the UK.

Thanks to everyone again for the support and hard work!

Destiny to screen at the 55th BFI London Film Festival

2011-09-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

We are extremely pleased to announce that "Destiny lives Down the Road" will screen at the 55th BFI London Film Festival. Some info about the festival here:

The London Film Festival started in 1956 when a group of film critics headed by the famous Dilys Powell - the film critic for the Sunday Times - got together over dinner.

They discussed the festivals at Cannes and Venice and agreed that London needed one too. Its aim was to give the public the opportunity to see films from around the world that were not being shown in the cinema. Originally conceived as a 'festival of festivals', screening a selection of strong titles from other European festivals, the first London Film Festival screened 15 films from an impressive array of directors, including Luchino Visconti, Akira Kurosawa and Andrzej Wajda. Most screenings are attended by the people involved in making the films, from actors and directors, to producers and stuntmen! This gives the Festival screenings a unique and intimate feeling, as the audience interacts with the stars.

Destiny and Carmella to screen at the Dreamland Festival

2011-09-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

"Destiny" to screen in Germany

2011-08-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo are pleased to announce that "Destiny lives Down the Road" will screen at the 8th annual Filmfest Eberswalde.

"Destiny lives Down the Road" to screen at the 2011 Sacramento Film and Music Festival

2011-08-09T14:27:00.001-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo announces that "Destiny lives Down the Road" will premiere at the Sacramento Film and Music Festival.

"Destiny lives Down the Road" to screen at the 2011 New Orleans Film Festival

2011-08-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo is excited to announce that EZ narrative short "Destiny lives Down the Road" and documentary short "Mrs. Carmella Prays" have been invited to screen at the New Orleans Film Festival in October. Both films are also in competition.

"Destiny lives Down the Road" Press Kit

2011-08-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the new press kit for "Destiny lives Down the Road." Click on each photo to enlarge and read the text!

Writing, Rockhammar and the Swedish connection

2011-06-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

When we do a retreat, we mostly write, do some goal setting and get in shape. Tomorrow we embark on an extended one month retreat to Sweden. In preparation for a Carmella/Destiny festival run, we've been working on four feature treatments. Our plan is to travel with the films and put those treatments into the hands of everyone who likes our work and can do something about it.

This retreat to Sweden is about getting those treatments finalized. But there is also some sneaky research on Rockhammar as well. We did a retreat in this village in the summer of 2005 to do some editing on "Tokyo Cowboys." We watched the news of Katrina on an old fuzzy TV in Swedish. Patrick has done a dizzying amount of stills of Rockhammar. We've shot video...the opening shot of "Liza" is shot in Rockhammar. It's also where Patrick's mother was born. So, there is something there for us, and we are going to investigate that.

The Swedish connection has been there for me for over 30 years. Bergman and some Swedes who came on an exchange program to my high school. We're going to creatively get all we can from our month's retreat.

Part of our job is also staying in shape, so there will also be loads of exercise, fresh air and locally grown vegetables.

See you there?

Destiny lives Down the Road is Finished

2011-03-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

Yes. You read it right. "Destiny lives Down the Road" is finally finished. Now what?

It's festival time, folks, which means spending a butt load of money to enter our film into festivals. We don't mind, though. What else would we do with our millions?

Elektrik Road Trip: Interstate Fringe

2011-03-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

Daneeta took a road trip to Houston this past weekend to perform "Divine Feminine" at the Interstate Fringe Festival with the Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre. "Divine Feminine" is a fun romp with goddesses and their toy-boys, roller skates and barbie dolls.

Two acts from Houston joined two acts from New Orleans the previous weekend at Michalopoulos Studio for the show, which included long-form improv, comedy and drama as well as dance.

Elektrik Zoo would like to thank the good folks at New Orleans Fringe, Houston Fringe, Frenetic Theatre and Michalopoulos Studio for having us. We were relatively well behaved.

Elektrik Retrospective

2011-02-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

For the past few days, we've been doing an Elektrik Zoo Retrospective of words and pictures over on Examiner.com. My remit is to do one post a day. Each post should consist of re-posting a Photo Poem from JosephNils Blog and creating a Slide Show with original captions. I've been feeling my way through the format.

I like to consume media in small satisfying bytes. I guess that's partly why we're creating a lot of short form stuff right now, and that seems right for us. "Ms. Carmella" is 5 minutes. It can be stand alone or part of a series about growing old in America. Or Religion. Or, it could be animated. "Destiny" is the longest thing we've done in a long, long time. And, Patrick is cursing at how long it's taking. "It's so us!" He stomps around."

We are preparing for an extended trip to the west coast in April. That's been interesting planning. Driving has become very expensive. I'm calling Amtrak tomorrow to see if they can cut us a deal. What's weird is that I think it would be super cheap to fly. That just does not make sense. Note to self: ask Amtrak people why flying is cheaper.

How do we monetize our content:

2011-02-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I posted this question on LinkedIn*:

Social Media Expert CH answers our question with a question: Who is willing to pay for your content and how can you best share it with them, Daneeta?

This got us thinking about our audience. Who are they? And, how do they consume media? On Facebook, I'm friends with nearly 700 people. This is not a lot. But, what's unique about my friends is that I have met all of them personally. I know them all on some level. This is a very powerful audience. Another potential audience are people like us: artists who are trying to make our way. By sharing our process, maybe we can help others by helping ourselves. Interesting.

LDG suggests: Do the hard work of converting your piles of content, into sales ready books, films and show ready materials.

We've implemented his advice by beginning to create slide shows of photos and words and posting them on Examiner.com (another one of my audiences). You can see one here. Here is a link to me as the City Life Examiner. And, right below, is one of the pics from the slide show.

MCL says: You might want to think about who needs materials that you have -- ad agencies, web producers, etc. They may be willing to pay for access to your archives and some level of exclusivity. Trade show/event producers are another idea.

GP: Are there ways to turn the photography into Stock photos for sale? Same with Video? Can you turn any of it into footage for use in Documentary films? Can you sell to any local companies? Can you turn any into blogs and charge for content?

And finally Nagaraju D sends this article, which is basic, but reminds us to use the Like: "a user who chooses to specify something as liked by him by marking it with a “Like” liked, conveys the message automatically to all of his friends in the social network."

If ya'll have implemented any good ideas with regards to monetizing content, please share it.

Because...together we are stronger.

*LinkedIn is the more professional older brother of social networking. Everyone is more measured and business-like. LinkedIn is free, although there is a fee version, but its benefit does not outweigh the cost for us right now. You can ask questions like mine and send them out to the general LinkedIn population. The response you get is from some kick ass professionals.

Update on Destiny

2011-01-31T14:13:00.000-08:00

I should give you an update on Elektrik Zoo short: Destiny lives Down the Road. The soundscape is being designed and the soundtrack mixed by Ludovic Morin of The Sound Dept out of London. Another week or two, and it will be done. After that, we finalize the titles, we'll be done enough to screen the film in its entirety.

Patrick took the following picture of Ludo when they were in Tunisia shooting Claire's documentary.

I mention all of this because I wanted to make a point about our collaborations and our connections. When we find someone we like, we stick with them like glue. We've know Ludo for some years, and we came to him through long-time collaborator Kirmann. Kirmann is married to Claire, and we all went to film school together many years ago. This is where and when the collaboration started.

Together we are stronger.

The Elektrik Zoo @ Revel

2011-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday night we screened some of our work at Revel at Michalopoulos' Studio. This is our second Revel, and Reese has really evolved the space. Smack dab in the middle of James Michaloupolos' working artist studio is his wife's cabaret performance space cum screening room. It is a place that feels like home with a hodgepodge of furniture taken from a variety of the Michalopolous holdings. There is a small bar serving New Orleans Rum and beer and catered yummy food by the Lunch Lady.

I think the crowd swelled to about 70 at some point. Some of our friends even showed up. Dave Rebeck kicked us off with a classical music duo. Then some Ttsunami Dance Troupe works in progress. Then, we were up. We talked about the progression of the work from the Kirmann Project and Little Baby Eyes, to Mrs. Carmella Prays, and, finally, an excerpt from "Destiny lives Down the Road." EZ long time muse Dominique Thompson was there to see herself projected on a big screen for the first time.

After us, there was another sexy dance by Tsunami, improvisational musical stylings by Tore and Nikkie (Sanzenback and Wallin Ensemble) and then Nikkie decided to sing, which was kind of a big deal as he hasn't done that in public in about five years.

It was kind of a magical night, and I look forward to participating in the further evolution of Revel.

2010-12-28T08:44:00.001-08:00

Editing continues on Destiny...

2010-12-05T19:31:00.000-08:00

We've been screening the film to people of all varieties. Poets and writers, musicians, fellow filmmakers. Next week we screen to a high school class. We are slowly finding out what kind of film we have. This collaborative process with an early audience is interesting and not as painful as I thought it might be.

"Kirmann Project" screened in London

2010-11-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

Pinch me: I might be dreaming.

We were excited to hear from Kirmann over the weekend about his performance at the Old Queen's Head in London during which he screened visuals from "The Kirmann Project." You might remember that we shot these visuals last year with Elektrik Zoo muse and resident performer Dominique Thompson. Funnily enough, I screened these at Revel* in New Orleans on Saturday as well, so we were doing some kind of weird trans-Atlantic, International thing that rocked both shores.

Following up on all of this is my performance on Saturday's Fringe Show "UnRoute." It seems that everyone wants their hands on "The Kirmann Project," and thank the universe for that.

You can see "UnRoute" at Michalopoulos Studios (537 Elysian Fields Ave. near the river) on Saturday the 20th at 9 p.m.

Next, I'm manifesting a performance in San Francisco in April.

*Revel: in association with the Open Studios Artist Collective, Prospect 1.5 and Marigny Market~Elysian Fleas

Elektrik Zoo Produces New Short Documentary: Mrs. Carmella Prays

2010-11-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

"Mrs. Carmella Prays" by JosephNils

"Mrs. Carmella Prays" is the first in a series of short documentary portraits tackling the theme of growing old in America.

We are conducting private screenings and executing our distribution strategy. If you would like a private screening or more information, please do get in touch.

Together we are stronger.

Elektrik Zoo at the New Orleans Fringe Festival

2010-11-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo performed live tonight at the New Orleans Fringe Festival. Projections for the Divine Feminine, a Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre Production, and for last night's Artist, Inc.'s UnRoute were created and performed by the Zoo.

Dispatches

2010-08-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo have completed principal photography on "Destiny lives Down the Road."

Patrick has begun editing.

As per MG's advice, Daneeta has begun breaking down "Chalmatia!" using this method:

http://www.moviemaker.com/screenwriting/article/writing_with_a_full_deck_3382/

Ms. Carmela piece will continue on Monday, 23 August.

Daneeta has begun writing a piece for print publication

Shooting Pam's Hair Shack

2010-08-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

Production Still: "Destiny lives Down the Road"

Finally, Pam is well enough for us to shoot the Pam's Hair Shack scene. Pam looks good, and she performs like a pro. Dominique is stellar, as always, and even Mimi steps up to the plate.

Notes on editing: listen to the sound track from our recky shoot at Pam's. The gumbo bit is on there as well as some political stuff.

More photos on JosephNils Blog.
Thanks to Gabe, Ms. Rita, Ms. Rose

Principal Photography Begins

2010-07-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Shooting at St. Bernard swamps. More photos on JosephNils Blog

Meeting Minister Antoine Brown III

2010-07-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

I first became aware of Minister Antoine Brown III two Christmases ago. Staying in that cold, cold house in the Bywater and waiting for Patrick's visa, we took to wrapping ourselves up in blankets and working with the TV on in the background. Public Access, to be exact. Channel 76. That's where I first saw Minister Brown, and, I guess, in a way, he sort of healed me.

At that time, I was having a bit of a block. No writing to speak of was happening. But after seeing the Minister's show (a strange mish-mash of sermon, testifying and gospel rap), things started to flow. I also got one of his songs stuck in my head, and it's been there ever since.

A year later, and we're walking down the Moonwalk in a misty rain, and there he is again. Just sitting on a bench. "I know you," I say. "I know you. You are Minister Antoine Brown. I've seen you on T.V." We have a short chat then part ways.

When we started working with Ms. Camella, we discovered that she watches a lot of religious programming. Including Minister Brown. So, we wrote him into the short. We wrote her...watching him.

After some fits and starts, we were able to meet with Minister Brown at the McDonalds on Canal Street. He gave us a VHS of his work so that we can use it in the film.

It's funny how things happen.

Photo published in a series on JosephNils Blog.

More info on "Destiny lives Down the Road"

2010-07-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Synopsis:

"Destiny lives Down the Road" is a snapshot of a teenaged girl living in a post apocalyptic limbo.

The Directors:

Co-directors Patrick and Daneeta Loretta Jackson have been working in film for 10 years with over 40 productions under their collective belt. Their work has screened in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Originally from Southeast Louisiana, Daneeta is an award winning poet and writer and has been published in The Guardian Newspaper in London, Metropolis in Tokyo and in the Abiko Quarterly among others. Patrick hails from Sweden and is an award-winning cinematographer and director. The two graduated from the London Film School and worked in London for 8 years before moving to New Orleans to work on a slate of films set primarily in Chalmette, Algiers and Gretna. See their work at www.elektrikzoo.com or on IMDB.

Director Statement:

This project blurs the line between fiction and documentary and is in some way a culmination of our 10 year experience shooting both genres. The story is based on real events that we have encountered over the past two years of research. But, this is not Chalmette or even Down the Road. This is an alternative universe...a post apocalyptic limbo. Destiny and her sisters have been trapped by "the storm" in this world of the dead for 5 years. But, Destiny has an escape plan.

Shooting will take place entirely on location and using mostly non-actors. This film is in preparation for a feature to be shot next year in St. Bernard Parish.

Shooting Dates:

July 28th to August 1st (inclusive)

Casting:

Keith (Destiny's Father): 35-40, Caucasian, preferably dark hair and dark eyes, tattooed arms a plus. This character must have a lot of sadness and character in the face...someone who is a bit rough around the edges.

Deborah Jean (Destiny's Mother): 32-35, Caucasian.

Gracie (Destiny's Sister): 4-5, Caucasian, preferably dark hair and dark eyes.

Tyrell (Neighborhood Boy): 12, Mixed Race or African American. Not afraid of turtles.

EZ Archives: Blowing up Barbie on Clapham Common

2010-06-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Here is something I found on our server that I'd completely forgotten about. Patrick and Francois were doing a test for a music video they were making. They scrapped this idea, and went for "Happy Rabbit" instead. We eventually used the idea of blowing stuff up and extreme high speed again in "Loco" and "The Kirmann Project." Excuse the ropey quality. I shot this on my old Nokia UK mobile phone.

EZ Archives: About Roy

2010-06-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Fragile Ghosts

2010-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

In the spring of 2004, we shot "Fragile." Spencer wanted to shoot on film, and he just happened to have an old Bolex from the glory days lying around. We shot on 100 ft. rolls and with fucked up lenses. Fuji stock, I think.

The location was near Warren St. tube station. Derek, our landlord, let us have it for free. Spencer is standing on a plastic sheet because we are just about to cover Vonda in blue paint and fake blood.

Destiny Screen Test II

2010-03-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

We did a second screen test with Dominique and Mrs. Carmella. You may have seen stills of Ms. Carmella on the JosephNils blog.

Destiny Screen Test

2010-03-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a screen test we did with Dominique Thompson for our upcoming short tentatively entitled "Destiny Speaks." You might recognize Dominique from her Elektrik Zoo debut in the Kirmann music video "Little Baby Eyes." She also appeared in the Kirmann Project.

Elektrik Projections

2010-02-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

An invitation to THE WHITE ALBUM

Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre performs a triple bill of their latest work. The three works to be performed include: “ATAWii 3.0”, “Double Entendre Tooth Tiger”, and “Quarters”. The Michalopoulos Studio sets the stage for this avant garde event on March 12 @ 8pm (with a post-performance discussion with the artists) and March 13 @ 2pm and 8pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students & seniors.

Chard Gonzalez is focused on collaborative multi-media projects that offer perceptual challenges to both the artists and the audience. He was nominated this year for 2 Big Easy Classical Arts Awards for Best Modern Presentation and Best Modern Choreography.

“ATAWii 3.0” is a collaborative dance/film work created with filmmakers Daneeta and Patrick Jackson. The objective of this work is to explore the integration of performance with recorded and live video projection. Rather than using video as a background to a performance, the piece is choreographed as a dialogue between the two mediums. Thus, the viewer’s focus is directed toward the interplay between performer and video. The theme, based on video games, emphasizes the particular relationship between the player and the game. The dynamics of the performer’s movement determine the specific cinematographic effects that are manipulated by the film artists in real time. In a reversal of roles, the video will also be embedded with visual cues for the performer to respond to.

“Double Entendre Tooth Tiger” grapples with the issues of Evolution and Creationism. To pursue individual freedom of expression, this work releases the constrictive rules and conventions of traditional dance forms. Without specific codes often perceived in dance, the audience is also free to interpret what is meaningful or truthful from their own perspective. The addition of contemporary film projection and musical accompaniment establishes the work’s multi-media aesthetic. This provocative dance theatre production does not intend to make a statement about what is wrong or right, but does aim to challenge the viewpoints of two opposing sides.

“Quarters” is the company’s most recent work to date. In this piece, the performers take a tumultuous ride down a path that includes a dynamic business meeting at “headquarters”, a drinking game, and a virtual walk through the French Quarter. Based on a simple word association game, “Quarters” highlights some of society’s stereotypes and then amplifies what may be considered as “normal” behavior.

For more information and to buy tickets online please visit our website...
www.charddance.org

The Elektrik Zoo commissioned for green documentary

2010-02-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Operation Reach's new Bio Diesel program to be documented by The Elektrik Zoo

New Orleans, LA - January 25, 2010 - The Elektrik Zoo has been commissioned by New Orleans non-profit Operation Reach, Inc. to produce a short documentary on their new Bio Diesel program. This is the Elektrik Zoo's third collaboration with Operation Reach, Inc.

"I like the collaborative nature of the relationship that has carried over from the last two projects we've done together," says Daneeta Loretta Jackson, co-founder of the Elektrik Zoo. "They have a great enthusiasm over at ORI, and that makes for good filmmaking."

About the Bio Diesel program: "Building upon Operation REACH, Inc.’s 10-year history of successful community education serving youth and families, the Gulfsouth Youth Biodiesel Project engages young participants in a valuable, hands–on learning experience that teaches them the processes involved the production of cleaner-burning biofuels."

Technical Note: RSS Include

2010-01-20T19:14:00.001-08:00

As you know, I am all about the free. We use Open Office to do our spread sheets and word processing. We use the Gimp to do our photo editing, Celtx to do our scriptwriting, Nvu to do our website. Recently Patrick wanted to put an RSS feed of the JosephNils Blog on the website along side the existing RSS for this blog. Our existing free program just couldn't handle the photos no matter how hard I tried. Finally, after testing about 15 sites that generate code for the RSS, I settled on RSS Include. It's super simple, it looks good and, best of all, it's free. To see what it looks like, go to the Elektrik Zoo website and scroll down until you see the two feeds.

Chalmatia!

2010-01-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

Daneeta's Journal

We've been writing every day for three hours a day since returning from Sweden. Then another hour or so of discussion, depending on how far we have to walk. We've managed to make an entire pass, and the script is in a most beautiful state. The weather says that if we keep this up, we'll be finished by the end of this month. Hope is real.

From Down in the Parish blog

The Kirmann Project

2010-01-15T05:48:00.000-08:00

The Elektrik Zoo have just completed their 3rd collaboration with French Musical Artist, Franz Kirmann. Check it out:

Kirmann from The Elektrik Zoo on Vimeo.

The Elektrik Zoo debut new projections in Baton Rouge

2010-01-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elektrik Zoo performs live tonight at the Manship Theatre

Baton Rouge, LA - January 10, 2010 - The Elektrik Zoo will debut their newest projection art along side the Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre tonight in the Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts. The piece, entitled "Double Entendre Tooth Tiger," is their 5th collaboration with the dancer/choreographer. "Chard is constantly challenging me," said Daneeta Jackson, co-founder of the Elektrik Zoo creative partnership. "His pieces are strange and funky. They conjure images in my head that I can't really explain. He's really taught me to trust my instinct, and that has helped me in my other work.

Double Entendre Tooth Tiger (2010) grapples with the issues of Evolution and Creationism. To pursue individual freedom of expression, this work releases the constrictive rules and conventions of traditional dance forms. Without specific codes often perceived in dance, the audience is also free to interpret what is meaningful or truthful from their own perspective. The addition of contemporary film projection and musical accompaniment establishes the work’s multi-media aesthetic. This provocative dance theatre production does not intend to make a statement about what is wrong or right, but does aim to challenge the viewpoints of two opposing sides.

Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre is a recently established nonprofit organization based in New Orleans. Their mission is to amplify the talents of dance theatre artists and to enhance the public’s appreciation of dance theatre through evocative productions performed locally, nationally and internationally.

Elektrik Zoo performs at the New Orleans Fringe Festival

2009-11-15T06:47:00.000-08:00

Daneeta Jackson of the Elektrik Zoo creative partnership performed live projections at the New Orleans Fringe Festival Friday and Saturday. This performance marked the 4th collaboration with Chard Gonzalez, dancer, choreographer and founder of the Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre.

The projections were a collage of clips downloaded off of Youtube and original Elektrik Zoo generated video. The images were mixed in as many as six different video frames. "I wanted to experiment with the messiness of overlapping frames," said Jackson. "Chard structured the dance around different stages in life from childhood to sexy 20's to old age, and I wrapped themed images around that."

Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre is a recently established nonprofit organization based in New Orleans. Their mission is to amplify the talents of dance theatre artists and to enhance the public’s appreciation of dance theatre through evocative productions performed locally, nationally and internationally.

The New Orleans Fringe Festival nurtures emerging and established performing artists by presenting fun, fearless and affordable theater to the community and creating ties between artists, audiences, businesses and local organizations.

Elektrik Zoo announces completion of Operation Reach 10 Year Anniversary Documentary

2009-10-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elektrik Zoo completes new documentary short

New Orleans, LA - October 22, 2009 - The Elektrik Zoo creative partnership announced the completion of their new documentary short in collaboration with Operation Reach, Inc. The short marks Operation Reach, Inc.'s 10 year anniversary as a New Orleans non-profit.

"This is our second collaboration with Operation Reach, Inc., and we were very excited to work with them again." said Daneeta Jackson, founding partner at The Elektrik Zoo. "Dr. Kyshun Webster and Hamilton Simons-Jones wanted to do something different from your basic promo. They wanted to have a document that celebrated their 10 years of service to the community of New Orleans. That's why we were all keen to use the documentary format."

Jackson and her partner, Patrick Jackson, first collaborated with Operation Reach, Inc. during their stint as mentors of NOVAC's Annual Teen Filmmaking Camp.

View "The Story of Operation Reach, Inc."
View Teen Camp Short Documentary

The Kirmann Project Continues

2009-10-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Daneeta's Journal:

We have finally uploaded some of the work we've been doing on the Kirmann Project. I refer you to the links to Patrick's favorites here, here and here (no animals were harmed in the making of these pieces).

In case you are just tuning in, the Kirmann Projection Project is the third collaboration we've done with Franz Kirmann, the French composer and musical artist based out of South London. See music videos "Liza" and "Little Baby Eyes" for the first two collaborations. This is also our second collaboration with my niece, Dominique Thompson (pictured above), who starred in "Little Baby Eyes."

For me, working with Dominique always has a sort of documentary quality to it. I am very aware that we are capturing a moment not only for a piece of art but for my family as well. And, she really is a joy to work with. Because she is trained as a dancer, we can really push her physically. And, because we are related, I think there is a level of trust that allows us to do all sorts of experimentation.

The pieces are non-narrative and heavily treated visually. They will be mixed live by a VJ and projected behind Kirmann as he performs on his European tour.

Daneeta's Journal: Writing and Editing

2009-10-10T19:49:00.001-07:00

Daneeta's Journal

Early morning: took the streetcar to the bus, and over the river to the Elektrik Zoo HQ in Algiers. Most of ORI's archive footage is on VHS, and we have an old VCR knocking about. Patrick shoots the footage off the TV screen to use as a low res placeholder in the first cut. We want to make sure that they will want to use this footage before getting it transferred properly.

Lunch with mom and gave her the autographed cook book by Chef Besh that was a perk from the last job. Also, two autographed copies of Amanda Shaw's new CD (one for mom and one for Ms. Stella).

The rest of the afternoon/evening spent with me writing "Chalmatia!" and Patrick cutting the ORI doc. It's coming together (both the script and the doc). Syd Field says "know your ending," so I worked mostly on the ending, and, my God, it was a great writing session.

Walked Howie at midnight (we're staying at Melissa's until Monday). The block was alive with a party hosted by the Mexican dudes at the end of the street, so we walked for about an hour just talking about the script, the ORI job, Sweden and our future.

Today was a good day.

Elektrik Zoo produced video picked up on United We Serve

2009-08-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Government website picks up Elektrik Zoo produced video

New Orleans, LA - August 25, 2009 - The United We Serve website has picked up an Elektrik Zoo produced documentary. The short portrait documentary was directed, shot and recorded by teens participating in the 2009 NOVAC Teen Filmmaking Camp: Documentary Edition, which was lead by independent filmmakers Daneeta Loretta and Patrick Jackson, founders of the Elektrik Zoo Creative Partnership.

"It is a great honor to have an Elektrik Zoo production 'screened' on the United We Serve website and on their YouTube Channel," said Daneeta Loretta Jackson.

The filmmakers and camp participants worked together with Operation Reach, Inc. to highlight their Gulf South Youth Action Corps program, which partners young volunteers with community-based facilities.

Teen Camp Documentary Completed

2009-08-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

Daneeta's Journal

Editing and upload completed on the Teen Camp documentary. This was an amazing gig that we did through NOVAC. They do a filmmaking camp for teens every summer, and they approached us after seeing the work we did for LA Green Corps. They wanted to try a documentary edition of the camp this year, and Patrick and I were up for it, so they introduced us to Operation REACH, Inc. to use as our subject. The teens jumped right in. They learned how to use the camera and sound gear in two days, we shot for two days, and Patrick edited for about a week. We used Jamendo to find some really awesome Creative Commons music.

The Elektrik Zoo does teen camp

2009-07-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elektrik Zoo mentors teens during week long documentary filmmaking camp

New Orleans, LA - July 15, 2009 - The Elektrik Zoo Creative Partnership have been chosen by the New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) to mentor teens at their annual Teen Filmmaking Camp. This year's camp will introduce participants to the art and technique of documentary filmmaking through a hands-on, one-week, intensive training program.

"We want the students to feel the rush of making a documentary film," said Daneeta Loretta Jackson, producer and co-founder of the Elektrik Zoo. "NOVAC are very open to letting us really put our mark on this year's camp...to making this year the documentary filmmaking edition.

At this year's camp, which runs from July 20th to July 24th, students will collaborate to produce a finished short documentary for Operation Reach, a Central City non profit that supports children, youth and families to succeed. Operation Reach has chosen two of their GYAC volunteers as subjects for the teens to document: Willie McCorkle, working out of the North Rampart Community Center and David Donald, working out of the Desire Street Ministries.

The Elektrik Zoo is a creative partnership. We produce films, photographs and writings.

Operation Reach is a national non-profit community education resource that assists individuals and communities in reaching new height in their lives and maximizing their full potential through a zeal for lifelong learning.

NOVAC’s mission is to foster the creation and appreciation of film and video for a public of diverse ages, income levels, and backgrounds. NOVAC accomplishes this mission through education, career development, community outreach, independent productions, and special events.

Dominique Thompson

The Elektrik Zoo performs at the Sidearm Gallery

2009-06-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elektrik Zoo performs at the Sidearm Gallery

New Orleans, LA - June 19, 2009 - The Elektrik Zoo Creative Partnership performed their latest creation "ATAWii 2.0" at the Sidearm Gallery on Friday. Collaborating with local choreographer and NOCCA Dance Instructor Chard Gonzalez, Elektrik Zoo co-founders Daneeta Loretta Jackson and Patrick Jackson VJed the performance using altered recorded video footage, live video and original animation.

"We first started working with Chard on ATAWii v. 1.0 back in February of this year," said Daneeta. "When we performed at the Baton Rouge Little Theatre, it was just a five-minute piece with Chard as the only dancer. At that stage, Patrick and I had no real experience collaborating with dancers, but we knew that Chard's choreography was something special."

Gonzalez describes ATAWii as "a collaborative dance/film work in progress the objective is to explore the integration of performance with recorded and live video projection. Rather than using video as a background to the performance, the piece is choreographed as a dialogue between the two mediums. Thus, the viewers focus is directed toward the interplay between performer and video."

The Elektrik Zoo is the creative partnership of Daneeta Loretta Jackson and Patrick Jackson. The Elektrik Zoo was founded in London in 2001 and produces film, photography and writings.

The Elektrik Zoo performs at NOCCA

2009-04-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elektrik Zoo performs at NOCCA

New Orleans, LA - April 26, 2009 - The Elektrik Zoo Creative Partnership performed their latest collaborative creation "Amused" at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) this weekend. "Amused" is their second collaboration with local Choreographer and NOCCA Dance Instructor Chard Gonzalez and was performed as part of the NOCCA Spring Dance Concert.

"We really liked working with Chard on 'Atawii' and were quite keen to collaborate with him again," said Daneeta Jackson, co-founder of the Elektrik Zoo. "Chard created the piece with nine dancers representing the nine muses. He had seen our music video "Little Baby Eyes" and really liked what we had done with light. So, expanding on that idea, we decided to incorporate the dancers into the projection. We wired them up with lights and shot them using a stills camera on a slow shutter speed. The result is a dance of light that we then animated through Final Cut Pro.

The music Chard chose was Rajaton's 'Dobbin's Flowery Vale,' which is this amazing a capella, and we wanted the projection to react to the music. We brought everything into Isadora, where we could cause the video to react to the highs and lows of the music. I think the result became something almost other-worldly."

Gonzales and the Elektrik Zoo are now expanding "Atawii" from five to 20 minutes and from one to five dancers. It will be performed during the summer in New Orleans.

Screen shot from "Amused" projection.

The Elektrik Zoo is the creative partnership of Daneeta Loretta Jackson and Patrick Jackson. The Elektrik Zoo was founded in London in 2001 and produces film, photography and writings.

The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts is a regional, pre-professional arts training center that offers secondary school-age children intensive instruction in dance, media arts, music (classical, jazz, vocal), theatre arts (drama, musical theatre, theatre design) , visual arts, and creative writing, while demanding simultaneous excellence.

The Elektrik Zoo Presents: "Little Baby Eyes"

2009-02-26T12:09:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Elektrik Zoo produces new music video

New Orleans, LA - February 26, 2009 - The Elektrik Zoo Creative Partnership has released a new music video: "Little Baby Eyes." It is their second collaboration with musicial artist and DJ Franz Kirmann (their first being Liza).

"We wanted our first New Orleans project to be short," said Daneeta Loretta Jackson, partner and founding member of The Elektrik Zoo. "We wanted to capture that almost otherworldly New Orleans that exists after sunset."

The Elektrik Zoo is a creative partnership between Daneeta Loretta Jackson and Patrick Jackson. The Elektrik Zoo was founded in London in 2001.

Elektrik Writings on Examiner.com

2009-01-29T08:30:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Veteran Elektrik Zoo writer signs with Examiner.com

New Orleans, LA - January 29, 2009 - Daneeta Loretta Jackson, co-founder of the creative partnership The Elektrik Zoo, has signed on with Examiner.com as their New Orleans City Life Examiner. Jackson (formerly Daneeta Loretta Saft) is a veteran writer of creative non-fiction. She has published internationally including features in Metropolis in Tokyo and The Guardian in London.

"I wanted to see if my style of writing would integrate into this kind of format," said Jackson, who has been tending her own blogs since 2003. "What I like about Examiner is that I can write short, concise pieces using my own voice. It took me two or three articles to find my way, but once I published 'Derek says,' I hit it. The pieces are more creative than newsy, however, they provide information to a New Orleans audience."

Photographs accompanying the pieces are taken by The Elektrik Zoo's other half, award-winning cinematographer and director Patrick Jackson. The two have been collaborating since 2000 and co-founded The Elektrik Zoo in 2002. The Jacksons relocated their partnership from London to New Orleans in the fall of last year to begin work on their second feature.

Contact:
Anita Green
green@elektrikzoo.com

Little Baby Eyes

2009-01-15T13:17:00.000-08:00

Shooting has commenced for the Elektrik Zoo's new music video "Little Baby Eyes." The track is by long-time Elektrik Zoo collaborator Franz Kirmann. Locations include Chalmette, Bywater and New Orleans East.

2008-12-20T19:50:00.001-08:00

EZ Announces Next Project: Little Baby Eyes

2008-12-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

The Elektrik Zoo announced today plans for their next project entitled "Little Baby Eyes." The music video will be the second collaboration with eclectic musician Franz Kirmann, "Liza" being the first, and will be shot on location in New Orleans. It will star 15 year old Dominique Thompson and will be co-directed by Patrick Jackson and Daneeta Loretta (Saft) Jackson. Jackson and (Saft) Jackson co-founded The Elektrik Zoo in 2002 and have co-directed the feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys" and the music video "Loco." They are also co-writing a feature script set in New Orleans and plan to co-direct it in the winter of 2009.

Happy Rabbit to Screen at Slamdance

2008-11-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

"Happy Rabbit," directed by the Elektrik Zoo's Patrick Jackson, has been officially selected to screen at the Slamdance Film Festival in January. "Happy Rabbit" incorporates analog animation techniques. Each frame was handcrafted by Jackson and his team. "Happy Rabbit" was produced by Day for Night Films.

NOVAC

2008-11-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

Daneeta's Journal

Met with Liz D. at NOVAC to discuss possible collaborations. The New Orleans Video Access Center has been around for 37 years. Wow! They are dedicated to helping independent filmmakers in New Orleans, but they also have a remit from the State to train below-the-line personnel to work on the influx of big budget films coming into the region to take advantage of the tax breaks.

EZ Site gets Overhaul

2008-09-05T01:54:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo Website has been updated to include clips of completed films and links to photos and writings. New features include clips from music videos "Happy Rabbit" and "Loco," from shorts "Liza," "Daybreak," "Fragile," "Toasted," "This is What it Feels Like," "My Beautiful Reward" and "Vigilante" and from feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys."

There is also a link to Patrick's cinematography showreel and to Daneeta's most recent writings and Phone Pics, an ongoing project she has been working on for several years.

anita green

Tokyo Cowboys to Screen at Naperville Independent Film Festival

2008-09-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

Tokyo Cowboys will screen at the Naperville Independent Film Festival in Naperville, Illinois in September. In addition, Elektrik Zoo's debut documentary feature about the trials and tribulations of life on the post-modern urban frontier has been nominated for best documentary feature. Director Daneeta Loretta Saft who recently married her co-director and business partner, Patrick Jackson, said: "We are thrilled that "Tokyo Cowboys" has been nominated. Taking the lead from Senator Biden, we are aiming to get the train called the City of New Orleans going from NOLA to Chicago. It's expensive...more so than flights, but we like how it's better for the environment, and it gives us an opportunity to see some of the beauty of America. Maybe the prices will come down as more people opt for this romantic means of travel."

anita green

Up and Running

2008-08-07T07:46:00.001-07:00

After a few hiccups, the Elektrik Zoo site and email are up and running again. Thanks for your patience. Let the emailing commence.

Saft Interviewed on Directors Notes

2008-07-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Elektrik Zoo co-founder Daneeta Loretta Saft was interviewed on Directors Notes last week (link here). She discusses the joys of independent filmmaking, her career as a writer and her feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys," which she co-directed and co-produced with Elektrik Zoo partner Patrick Jackson.

Daybreak to Screen at the Arrivano i Corti

2008-07-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

EZ's Patrick Jackson has done it again. His short drama "Daybreak" will screen at the Arrivano i Corti International Short Film Festival in Italy on the 7th of August. "We are really excited about this screening. The Italians seem to like our work as we've had several films screened there," commented Jackson.

Written and directed by Patrick Jackson, "Daybreak" is a co-production between the Elektrik Zoo and Rickshaw productions. Co-producing with Elektrik Zoo's Daneeta Loretta Saft were brother and sister team Adam and Tania Shakinovsky and Mike Khan all from Rickshaw Productions. Saft was also responsible for the production design: "Although we shot in May, the film was set at Christmastime, and Patrick wanted to 'see Christmas in every frame.' It was quite a challenge as I think my budget was about £100," said Saft. The film was shot by Charlie Wupperman.

"Daybreak" has also screened at the London Short Film Festival and has been picked up for festival distribution by the British Council of Arts.

Related Links:

The Elektrik Zoo
Patrick Jackson
Daybreak
Arrivano i Corti
Adam Shakinovsky
Tania Shakinovsky
Mike Khan
London Short Film Festival
British Council of Arts
Charlie Wupperman

anita green

Tokyo Cowboys Does Atlanta

2008-07-11T01:54:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo's debut feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys" will screen at the 5th Annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival on Thursday, August 21st at 7 p.m. "We are quite excited to screen alongside 'Wiener Takes All' and '1000 Journals,' some of the best storytelling documentaries of this year," said director Daneeta Loretta Saft.

For more information about the film, please visit the Tokyo Cowboys website.

Anita Green

Super Secret Project Leaked

2008-07-08T02:19:00.000-07:00

Wait for it! It takes for ages to download.

In Spencer's back garden yesterday getting stuff chucked at me: first milk, then yogurt, eggs and finally fake blood. Patrick's got a new idea...music video, but it's a secret, so shhhhh.

This picture is for the bro-in-law Antonio and his lovely Svetlana who, braving a super early morning for her, came along to chuck stuff.

This is me patiently waiting for the next shot. Spencer joined in the fun chucking food and hit me right in the nose with an egg. I am sore today.

The last bit (and the best) was to get washed off with water balloons. Took the tube home and honestly stank to high heaven, but I di'int care because the footage looked so awesome.

It's a secret project...a music video, which we will upload here when it is completed with camera specs, etc.

Liza to Screen at BFI Southbank

2008-07-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Experimental documentary "Liza" directed by The Elektrik Zoo's Patrick Jackson will be screened at the British Film Institute Southbank on July 17th as part of their Upshot series. "Upshot is a specially selected programme of shorts by some of London’s most promising new film-makers."

"Liza" is set to the music of eclectic composer Franz Kirmann of the Day for Night Collective.

Read more about Liza here.

EZ's Jackson co-directs Music Video

2008-06-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Monday is an early morning as we arrive at the Lambeth Walk at 8:30 a.m. The Elektrik Zoo's Patrick Jackson is co-directing a music video with Day For Night's Francois Gamaruy. The artist is Breakbot on the Moshi Moshi label.

In the starring role is Jose of Audiometric Notch and The Missing Limbs.

Here is producer Miss Lisa doubling up on makeup. Director Jackson looks on.

Director Gamaruy...

Where's Jose?

Shooting gets underway in the toilet.

Jose getting ready for a take.

We move location to the underpass at Waterloo. Several policemen walk by, but they don't bother us because it is obvious that we are shooting a music video ya'll.

The Elektrik Zoo are moving to New Orleans

2008-06-21T02:46:00.000-07:00

Elektrik Zoo's founders Saft & Jackson
The Elektrik Zoo, a creative collective headed by Daneeta Loretta Saft and Patrick Jackson officially announced today that they are moving their offices to New Orleans on September 1st of this year.

About the move, Jackson said "Our philosophy has always been to go where the stories are. This philosophy has served us well. Since forming the Elektrik Zoo five years ago, we've been to four continents and eight countries working on so many interesting projects. Now we've got another story to tell. And this one takes place in Louisiana."

Saft explains: "Well, Louisiana is where I'm from. I've been telling beautiful lies and stories about my travels since I left home 20 years ago. It's time to go home and tell those stories now. Besides, it makes my mother extremely happy to have us coming home. And you can't really beat that."

During post production on their debut feature "Tokyo Cowboys," Saft and Jackson began writing their new project tentatively entitled "Down in the Parish" (blog here). "Think Ang Lee's 'Ice Storm' meets Tennessee Williams," says Jackson. "A family implodes against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina. It's Southern Gothic with elements of Magical Realism. And funny...very funny" adds Saft.

The two will be looking to partner with local production companies and financiers. "Because we've been working here in London for five years, there are certain elements that will come from the U.K., but we are very committed to staying local with the production. That means local facilities and management but, most importantly, local talent." says Saft. "You can't really fake the accent."

For more information, email Daneeta Loretta Saft at info "at" elektrikzoo "dot" com.

Tokyo Cowboys European Premiere

2008-06-15T03:33:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo's debut feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys" will have it's European premiere at the Ischia Film Festival in Italy. The festival celebrates the use of location as a character in the film.

Co-director Daneeta Loretta Saft said "We always had the notion that Tokyo was the 5th character in the film. The film is called Tokyo Cowboys after all. So, when Ischia contacted us about screening the film, we were delighted. It means that we have succeeded in that respect."

The festival will take place from the 22nd to the 29th of June. The filmmakers are currently seeking sponsorship to attend. For more information, contact info "at" tokyocowboys "dot" com.

Tokyo Cowboys to screen at STIFF

2008-04-23T06:43:00.001-07:00

Feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys" directed and produced by The Elektrik Zoo's Patrick Jackson and Daneeta Loretta Saft will screen at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival in June.

"Screening at STIFF is a special treat for us," said Daneeta Saft. "We hope to pack out the cinema and get this puppy sold."

Saft and Jackson are in the process of selling the film and setting up their next project, "Down in the Parish" (working title).

Tokyo Cowboys to Screen at Little Rock Film Festival

2008-04-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo's debut feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys" will screen in competition for Best Documentary at the Little Rock Film Festival in Arkansas in June. The Little Rock Film Festival is one of the South's premiere film and cultural events.

"We are extremely excited to screen the film to a Southern audience," says co-director Daneeta Loretta Saft, who hails from the deep South. "And there's a weird connection with Little Rock. When I arrived in the countryside of Fukuoka-ken to teach English my first year in Japan, one of the two other foreigners living in my town was from Little Rock. I've lost touch with him, so I hope he finds his way to the festival to see the film."

A wholly independent feature documentary , “Tokyo Cowboys” follows the stories of four western men living long-term in Tokyo. The film's delicate and humorous portrait illuminates the price some pay for a taste of Tokyo's success.

Tokyo Cowboys to Premiere at the Japan Film Festival in Los Angeles

2008-04-05T07:13:00.004-07:00

Début feature documentary “Tokyo Cowboys” from the filmmaking partnership of Daneeta Loretta Saft and Patrick Jackson will première at the Japan Film Festival in Los Angeles on April 14th. “Tokyo Cowboys” is the only film in the festival directed by a non-Asian director and the only film to deal with the subject of gaijin (outsider) experience in Japan.

The film was shot over a two year period and follows the stories of five western men living long-term in Tokyo. In total, it has been five years in the making. A wholly independent production housed under the creative partnership alliance of “The Elektrik Zoo,” the film was co-directed and co-produced by Saft and Jackson. They also shared responsibilities for all major roles on the film. The score was written by award wining composer Simon Rogers.

ABOUT TOKYO COWBOYS – A wholly independent feature documentary , “Tokyo Cowboys” follows the stories of five western men living long-term in Tokyo. The film's delicate and humorous portrait illuminates the price some pay for a taste of Tokyo's success.

ABOUT the FILMMAKERS

Daneeta Loretta Saft: born in Big Branch, Louisiana, 1965. Writing since childhood. B.A. and M.A. in literature. Published internationally, award winning poet. Seven year residence in Japan, eight year residence in the U.K. Producer+Writer+Director.

Patrick Jackson: born in Uppsala, Sweden, 1979. Father English, Mother Swedish. Filming since childhood. Graduated Brunnsvik Documentary Film School and attended Stockholm Film School. Extensively traveled through the Middle East and Africa. Producer+Writer+Director.

Both hold M.F.A.s in Filmmaking from the London Film School, which is where they met and began to collaborate. Seven shorts later, Tokyo Cowboys is their first feature.

Daybreak Picked up by British Council

2008-04-05T07:13:00.003-07:00

Patrick Jackson's do-the-right-thing short "Daybreak" has been picked up by the British Council of Arts for festival distribution.

Liza to Screen at Stuttgarter Filmwinter

2008-04-05T07:12:00.001-07:00

Experimental short documentary "Liza" will screen at the 21st Stuttgarter Filmwinter.

Liza to Screen at the 20th Filmfest Dresden

2008-04-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

Experimental documentary "Liza" directed by Patrick Jackson and produced by Daneeta Loretta Saft will screen in a Special Programme of Experimental Films at the 20th Filmfest Dresden.

Daybreak to Premiere at the London Short Film Festival

2008-01-05T07:11:00.001-08:00

Do-the-right-thing short "Daybreak" directed by The Elektrik Zoo's own Patrick Jackson will premiere at the London Short Film Festival. The short will screen as part of the "Love on the Road" series.

"Daybreak" was shot on super 16mm by acclaimed cinematographer Charlie Wupperman and was a co-production between The Elektrik Zoo and Rickshaw Productions.

Liza to Premiere at the London Short Film Festival

2008-01-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

Patrick Jackson's experimental short documentary "Liza" will premiere at the London Short Film Festival in January. It has been nominated for best experimental short.

Patrick Jackson talks about his reasons for making the film:

"I am completely fascinated by the mutable nature of memory. It is something that has only a tentative connection to events as they actually happened, and it is something that can powerfully overcome us at any moment. While walking down the street, drinking tea or negotiating a business deal, we can suddenly be assaulted by memory. That is when we start to time trip.

When I first heard the song “Liza” by Franz Kirmann, it took me on one of these time trips, back to the desert of Libya where I had spent part of my youth with my family. And, then, it fast forwarded me to my native cold and white Sweden. I was compelled to find a way to juxtapose these two conflicting places. The key was a woman.

In Libya, my father had taken rolls of super 8 footage of my mother in her youth and of us kids. I began to formulate this idea of those images breathing a story into this very abstract music. It is the story of a woman on the verge of old age remembering her youth. The super 8 footage represents the memory. For the present, I traveled to Sweden to shoot my mother in the winter of her life and in the Swedish winter as well. I like the stark contrast between summer and winter, youth and age, memory and reality. I would like to think of this film as a sort of experimental documentary that reflects on things past and a succumbing to the present life that the past has created."

Saft Publishes in the Guardian

2007-03-15T03:52:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo's Daneeta Loretta Saft has published again in the Guardian. The story details her reconnection with her estranged biological father and her half siblings. Saft's unique voice in her creative non-fiction is mostly autobiographical. Read more of her stuff at the Story Truths blog.

Saft Publishes in the Guardian

2006-08-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Elektrik Zoo's Daneeta Loretta Saft has been published in the Guardain. "Blood is Thicker than Floodwater" was published on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's rampage through Saft's native Southeast Louisiana and surrounding areas. "I write a lot of creative non-fiction that is based in autobiography," says Saft. "I'm quite transparent about my life in my writing. This article was difficult, though. I was being transparent with the lives of my family. It didn't go down so well, but they have forgiven me now...I hope."

"It is a year since hurricane Katrina left Daneeta Loretta Saft's family with nothing but a credit card and a handful of photos. Here, she describes what happened next." Read the rest in the Guardian.