John Carluccio

Give My Regards to Brooklyn......

2011-03-27T12:05:00.000-04:00

Anyone who has been following my progress has seen the exciting work I've been doing for Brooklyn Independent Television (B.I.T.). Last month, I left the emerging company to lead a small team of filmmakers in documenting music related topics at DubSpot Music Schools (more information to come).

Leaving BRIC Arts Media Brooklyn (the parent company) is bittersweet, because the company creates a fertile soil to build great media. It exemplifies many of the core company values I believe in such as: community accessibility, promotion of free speech, non-commercial programming, educational values, and a space to succeed and fail. The department I worked in, B.I.T., employs a staff of passionate talented producers and editors whom I will miss dearly. Some producers arrived via BRIC Community Media, while others came from TV networks like CNN and NY1 (I came from Current TV). The one thing we all had and still have in common is the drive to succeed and develop great content. The lack of pressure from advertisers, company directives or any other barricades allowed us to test our personal limits.

Below are some examples of my favorite segments that I produced for B.I.T., including the 2009 NY Emmy nominated story about Big Daddy Kane -- an experimental edit that I'm happy to say was not stifled by my senior producer(s), but encouraged by my supportive family at B.I.T. I hope to take that spirit with me to my next career adventure.

I admire and look forward to witnessing the continuing wide range of great work coming from Brooklyn Independent Television, BCAT, BRIC Media Education and BRIC Arts. Do not sleep on this gem of media making in Brooklyn.

a complete list my work at B.I.T

Connecticut Hot Dog Tour

2011-03-12T13:24:00.002-05:00

Whether you are a foodie or a fast food junkie, this film will wet your appetite -- it almost converted this vegetarian into a meat eater. My longtime friend Mark Kotlinski (Producer) and I went all over Connecticut visiting some of the top hot dog spots in the summer of 2010 and I quickly learned that Connecticut folks are serious about their dogs. We even tracked down the rumored "Wieners on the Water" located in the middle of the Connecticut River.

Sausage and Bread
“…a fantastic little independently-made documentary about the many and varied types of hot dogs that are available in Connecticut, and the love affair people of New England have with the classic sausage and bread combo.”

New England Film
“…an epicurean odyssey filled with floating hot dog stands, celebrity cameos and fiercely guarded recipes handed down through generations.”

The Hot Dog I Ate
“Mark’s documentary is going to become a guide book of sorts for me and for any encased meat enthusiast who will reverently tick off each hot dog joints as a religious pilgrim does shrines.”

DVD purchase

Official website: http://ctoriginals.com

Jazz/Punk/Rock

2011-03-08T12:41:00.022-05:00

Here's three recent stories I did for BIT that exemplify a Jazz/Rock, Punk/Jazz and Jazz/Punk/Rock spirit.

First up is Bitches Brew Revisited, a concert that re-examines one of my favorite Miles Davis LP of all time. It was jazz as well as rock and even electronica (using the studio as an instrument). Features: Graham Haynes, Marco Benevento, Cindy Blackman, Melvin Gibbs, Antoine Roney, James Blood Ulmer, and DJ Logic.

Produced for Caught In the Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco
Official site - http://bitchesbrewrevisited.com

Next up, artist Jesse Jones, who I have seen as cool since college. Both of us are Pratt Alumni and when you go to art school, the big man on campus is not the quarterback on the football team, instead it's rebellious lead singer of the local hardcore punk group called Yuppicide. A gentle giant who could scare a novice and awaken an open mind.

Produced for Caught In the Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco
Official sites - ape2ape, Yuppicide, Freight Trane to the Face, Mind Control Assassins

Finally, Vernon Reid meets Beans. I've worked with jazz/rock guitarist Vernon on a number of projects and our conversations have always covered vast territories. He once mentioned to me that he really respected hip-hop artist Beans who worked on his first solo CD. So when presented with the opportunity to match the two artists in a conversation for CITA's Artist to Artist segment, I thought what a match. In Vernon Reid terms, they respecognize each other.

The full version:

Here’s the syllabus (in order):.
· End It All (Beans latest CD)
· Love Me Tonight
· The Killer Inside Me
· Experience Hendrix Tour
· Living Colour’s next step
· Reuniting a band
· Anti Pop Consortium
· Prog-Rap
· Mistaken Identity
· R. Kelly’s Trapped in the Closet
· Divine Stlyer
· The lonely path of an outsider
· Gary War
· Greg Tate
· Burnt Sugar
· Hip Hop disconnect
· W. Kamau Bell
· The Field Negro Guide to Arts and Culture
· The Blank Slates
· Autechre
· Mantronix
· The Black Rock Coalition
· Afro Punk
· Jack Bruce & The Tony Williams LifetimeTribute
· Brotherly love
· Ronald Shannon Jackson

Follow Beans at: www.adoredandexploited.com
Follow Vernon at : http://twitter.com/vurnt22

DJs eat Breakfast too.

2011-03-07T22:55:00.007-05:00

Here's a little something I did for the great minds at Native Instruments.

Great talents with great tools.

a six 5D camera shoot (thanks N.I. and Q-bert's crew).

my previous adventure with DJ Shiftee

Brooklyn Business - 2010

2011-03-07T21:59:00.010-05:00

Some segments I produced for Brooklyn Independent Television's buisness programing, Sector B
(pardon the long intros)

Flavor Paper

Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco
Official website -www.flavorleague.com

Cobble Hill Wallpaper Store Has Unusual Offerings (VIDEO)
The Huffington Post story

Snap Goods

Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco & John Carluccio
Official website - www.snapgoods.com

Brooklyn Review (NEWS) 2010

2011-03-07T21:35:00.008-05:00

Some segments I produced for Brooklyn Independent Television's news programing. Brooklyn Review

Brooklyn Stars of Dance

Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco
Official website -thestarsofnewyorkdance.eventbrite.com

Soda Tax

Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Norman Lam

Holiday Shopping with Tracy E. Hopkins of EverythingSheWants.net

Producers: John Carluccio & Tracy E. Hopkins
Camera: Joe Pacheco & John Carluccio
Official website - www.EverythingSheWants.net

Also from In the Zone (sports)
World Cup Brooklyn

Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Norman Lam

Ari flix in Holland

2010-10-23T15:59:00.001-04:00

FILM + DESIGN Festival 2010 SURPRISE FILM from Cicada Studio on Vimeo.

nice promo.

Brooklyn Jazz History

2010-05-06T20:52:00.004-04:00

Pharoah Sanders & The Central Jazz Brooklyn Consortium
Produced for Caught In the Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Official website - CBJC

The Jack Lords Orchestra

2010-02-04T01:31:00.006-05:00

The Jack Lords Orchestra
Produced for Caught In the Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Ilya Schnitzer
Official Jack Lords website: www.thejacklords.com

CEASE & DESIST - part 1 of 3

2010-01-20T19:00:00.001-05:00

more info:
http://www.cinqua.com/ari.html
http://arimenthol.blogspot.com/

DAVID ELLIS

2009-12-27T18:53:00.003-05:00

My latest for BIT.

DAVID ELLIS
Produced for Caught In the Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco, John Carluccio
Music: DJ Excess
Additional footage : David Ellis, Upper Playground/Walrus Tv
Official David Ellis website - http://www.davidellis.org

Big Daddy Kane

2009-09-28T19:43:00.010-04:00

My latest for BIT. Long live the Kane.

BIG DADDY KANE
Produced for Caught In the Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco

Photos by Adam Pantozzi

Roc Raida

2009-09-19T17:10:00.012-04:00

(click on photos to enlarge)

In an interview I did with DJ Rob Swift, he described Raida as "precious."
Anthony "DJ Roc Raida " Williams rest in peace. You will be missed.

Photos we took back in 97.

video link: X-ersize #1 excerpt

Don Hewitt

2009-09-07T23:38:00.009-04:00

(click on photo to enlarge)
Donald Shepard Hewitt
1922 – 2009

Brooklyn Independent Television// BIT

2009-08-31T13:49:00.004-04:00

Here's a few stories I recently produced for BIT.

MIKE MING
Produced for Caught in The Act
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: America Maldonado
MikeMing.com

BROOKLYN BOWL
Produced for Sector B
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: America Maldonado
BrooklynBowl.com

THE GREENEST BLOCK IN BROOKLYN
Produced for Brooklyn Review
Producer/Editor: John Carluccio
Camera: Joe Pacheco, John Carluccio
BBG Greenest Block information

No Smalls : the Biggie Biopic

2009-01-18T22:00:00.008-05:00

Recently, I was lucky enough to catch an advance screening of the Biggie Smalls biopic “Notorious” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It was a surreal experience for me because Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G. was my next-door neighbor for a period of five years.

On a cold winter night last week, I watched groups of hip-hop disciples and preachers of the culture crowd BAM’s elegant lobby with hopes of catching the un-holy spirit of B.I.G. The special screening took place less than a mile from Chris’ St. James Place home. Amongst the hysteria I spotted a few familiar folks from the old block. Looking at them I recalled the faces of young men who had once paced up and down Fulton Street and lounged on brownstone steps. But now they looked like they were aging twice as fast. The “Ready to Die” street life had taken its toll. The leadership of their friend Chris was ten years past and maybe a film like “Notorious” could fill in that void and at least bring them a contact high.

The evening continued and grew odder as I watched Borough President Marty Markowitz big up Brooklyn -- he actually read some of Biggie’s lyrics to the packed theater. The film began and I felt sort of embarrassed for Chris’ proud mother and young children sitting in audience. I imagined the awkwardness they would feel to re-watch the good, bad and ugly life of Christopher Wallace in front of a devote audience who believed in the “Unbelievable”. Truly the film was preaching to this choir.

MEETING CHRIS

I first met Chris in 1992 when we would hang out on the front steps of our respective buildings. I at 230 St James Place, he next door at #226 (there was no #228). He was a very approachable guy, open to discuss most any topic with anybody. In the five or six conversations we had over a short period of time, we talked about art, power, film and of course music. Respectfully we always gave nods to each other when we crossed paths. From a distance, I watched him transform from just Chris on the block into a “Notorious” figure. It was always sad and confusing that this really nice guy would help peddle a gangster mentality to the Hip-hop world and die as one its famous fatalities. Maybe it was all a dream.

THE FILM
After the audience laughed at Derek Luke’s Diddy dance moves and cheered at Biggie’s sexual conquests, the credits rolled. I was left feeling a bit empty as the applause grew. In general, the film was entertaining and paced well, but for me it seriously lacked any emotional depth that could have revealed Chris’ complexity. I was never forced into the mind of Christopher Wallace. “Notorious” was not a cautionary tale, nor tragedy, but instead the film tried to be “a feel-good” movie about an artist who appeared to have no choice.

The quick assumption that going gangster was the only option for a kid in Brooklyn disturbed me. Chris’s unflinching appetite for money and crime is never established in the film. The gangster fantasies he presents in his lyrics act only as decor. Biggie’s gift is completely missing and never illustrated. Instead his greatness is assumed. The audience is asked to blindly follow because the hype tells us to.

Was Chris a bad, bad, bad man? Maybe, but the film makes sure it is “all good” in the end. Scenes before his death show Biggie squeezing in apologies to all the women he has beaten. There is even a moment where the pregnant woman that young Chris sold crack to early in the film, reappears years later completely cleaned up with a healthy child.

BIO (TY) PIC AL

Obviously the task to do a biographical film is daunting. As a filmmaker, I’m probably overly critical of films that to do not try to reach beyond their grasp. But I feel the best art not only speaks to its audience but also elevates it. “Notorious” had a chance to do so much more for its devout, “built-in” fan base. The potential to tell an innovative story was enormous.

Think of the great biopics: Raging Bull (Jake LaMotta), I’m Not There (Bob Dylan), and 24 Hour Party People (Factory Records).

Example: Raging Bull (1980, Dir. M. Scorsese)
The Jake LaMotta character (played by Robert Deniro) is flawed, paranoid, and violent. Scorsese’s slow-mo point of views and Deniro’s dark performance bring you into his LaMota’s paranoia. The Lamota depiction is honestly imperfect. It does not have to be pretty to be beautiful. This neorealist approach could have served “Notorious” well to reveal Christopher Wallace’s battle with his own demons.

Where “Notorious” does gamble is with its lead Jamal Woolard aka Gravy who was selected from a large scale audition. Woolard is actually very good at impersonating the public persona of B.I.G., but he failed to capture Christopher’s emotional brightness and darkness.

THIS CHARMING MAN

After the screening I thought about why I was not convinced by Woolards’s portrayal. It hit me later that night as I stumbled upon the documentary "Notorious B.I.G.: Bigger Than Life" (2007), which contained rare home videos of B.I.G. The archives reminded me of how charming and fun Chris was. I mean how else did he get all these women to love him so much. Imagine Cedric The Entertainer with Brooklyn street creed. Chris could be mellow, but he also spoke with rapid enthusiasm. Woolard’s performance seemed to catch the well-documented “King of New York” personality, but the lively unguarded man was missing.

READY TO DIE:

One day Chris told me about a song he worked on called “Suicidal Tendencies” (later re-titled as "Suicidal Thoughts" - read lyrics ). I always wonder why he told me about that song.

Once you get beyond Chris’ “keep it real” clichés about fast life, there is a troubled man who struggled with the pulling temptations of good and bad -- pleasing his mother or pleasing his friends. Just look at some of his song titles [“Life after Death” ,“You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)”, “Ready to Die”] and it reveals that the blues of B.I.G. resonates with confusion and powerlessness. His emcee name even points out this irony by including both “big” and “small”.

Maybe B.I.G.'s sadness is not the flaw we want to see in our heroes. The internal death wish of inner-city youth is a very serious issue that has an effect on all society. Clearly it is an issue complicated by race, American history, public policies and the prison system. This issue points out that despite all the fame, money and the success, Christopher Wallace was powerless against the lure of the streets and maybe tortured by the guilt of upsetting his mother.

A MOTHERS LOVE:

"If he was around, I would slap the daylights out of him." - Voletta Wallace

Chris’ mother, played by Oscar Nominated actress Angela Basset, was underused in the film. I’d be intrigued to see more of the proud single mother’s personal conflict with her charming son and his criminal behavior. From a recent interview with Tavis Smiley it appears that the film is a bit of wake up call for Ms Wallace. ( see video)

“What was most troubling in this film was the fact that I never knew the man. There were things about him that I adored. I still love my son, don't get me wrong, but seeing the film, I don't like Christopher Wallace. He was not a very nice person, and that was more shocking to me. I've heard things over the years, I've heard statements over the years, and I would go back and ask, "Did that happen?" And some people said, "No, it never happened," …… “he was a very aggressive person. He wasn't very nice to the women around him. I don't like that very much”

IT HAS BEEN SAID

Obviously anyone’s life story is not simple and trying to squeeze it into 90 minutes requires making some hard decisions. But I just wish Hollywood would have allowed us to watch a flawed character and allowed him to be flawed. Can’t we learn more about ourselves this way?

Maybe this would have been too serious for an audience to examine, or maybe it is of less importance today? As we see our first black president take office, many see Barack as the new role model. Obama is keeping it real. Perhaps the glorification a gangster rapper is slightly less appropriate now. Is the “Ready to Die” mentality still relevant or has it become “Ready to Live”?

STEPPING AWAY

In the lobby after the screening I ran into one of the guys from the block, my man Chico (of Junior Mafia). He lived at 232 St James. He was excited to greet me with a big hug. He had since moved to New Jersey and was plugging away at a rap career.

As I caught a whiff of the alcohol drifting from his paper cup and a large smile cracked his weathered face, I was taken back to the day of the funeral procession. The cars glided down St. James Place on that sad day and crowds clogged the sidewalks with excitement. After the hearse passed my window, I spotted Chico pop out of the top of a trailing limo. Chico excitedly threw his hands up in the air like an emcee on stage, the crowd roared! But quickly Chico dropped his head in shock and sadness, unsure how to play to this crowd. I think limbo best describes the uncomfortable place where the memory of Chris still lingers.

New Short Film: Cease & Desist

2008-12-15T17:09:00.004-05:00

A new project I did about longtime friend Ari Forman and his controversial sneaker. Follow this blog: arimenthol.blogspot.com

The Pirates Dilemma

2008-12-01T17:19:00.002-05:00

Here's glimpse at a project I'm working on with Mark Kotlinski of 88 Hip-hop, author Matt Mason, and super producer Jesse Alexander.

If you haven't checked out the book, do it now, you can even download it FREE !

Current TV 2008 (second half)

2008-11-29T15:59:00.000-05:00

Fuerzabruta ( Brute Force)

Political Fashion ( Current Tv version)

Political Fashion ( Original version)

Waterboard Thrill Ride!

2008-08-23T10:51:00.005-04:00

Espo's latest.

ELLIS G. - La vita di un'ombra - (Italian Version)

2008-07-22T12:56:00.007-04:00

I recently discovered that CURRENT TV has a network in Italy (ch.130 di Sky Italia)! Here's how ELLIS G sounds in Italian.

I get a kick out of how they translated the kid on the street who finds Ellis and is like "Bong".

Cinqua.com

2008-07-15T10:25:00.004-04:00

I just updated my reel.

Tuscany photos

2008-07-10T19:36:00.012-04:00

Current TV 2008 (first half)

2008-05-31T19:54:00.011-04:00

WAX POETICS ( my favorite mag)

THE BUBBLE PROJECT ( talk back!)

THE PIRATES DILEMMA ( great book, great blog)

THE DRUMSTRESS (great sound & spirit)

WHY TUESDAY ( great question & video blog too)

OPERA ON TAP - www.operaontap.com

Keepin' Busy

2008-02-22T09:00:00.002-05:00

Shooting a bunch lately. This is from BET's Rip the Runway

The Bubble Project

2008-02-21T22:53:00.002-05:00

download your own bubbles here:
bubbleproject

Peep

2007-09-04T12:14:00.001-04:00

New blog coming soon. in the meantime peep the new site.

Cinqua.com

NIGHT OF SHORTYS

2007-09-04T12:11:00.000-04:00

3 BEATS: Afrobeat, Dubstep & Hiphop

2007-08-05T13:11:00.001-04:00

Farewell 2006

2007-01-02T11:26:00.000-05:00

In memory of those that shaped our world and continue to intrigue and motivate me. Rest in peace

Ed Bradley - Journalist
Robert Altman - Film Maker
Ahmet Ertegun - Music Label Pioneer
Octavia Butler - Sci-fi author (picture left)
Red Auerbach- Basketball Legend
Ruth Brown - Musician
Wilson Picket - Musician
Gordon Parks - Artist (see video clip below)
and always
James Brown - The Godfather of Soul

POWERLESS

2007-01-02T11:17:00.001-05:00

Shot in August 2006 when parts of Queens were without power for over a week. NYC : More People, More Needs, More Problems.

-- Turn off your AC if you ain't home! --

ELLIS G.

2006-04-23T09:40:00.001-04:00

This was a piece I shot on the evening of April 1st, and morning of April 2nd. Peep it on Current.tv. Greenlight it if you dig it.

It was real fun to shoot. When the cops came by I just left the camera rolling. Ellis told me later that the boxes of chalk he gets from the 99 cent store are clearly marked " SIDEWALK CHALK, for ages 3 and up".

The beats are by DJ Excess, a longtime collaborator who I have worked with many times most often with HOP-FU. ( see links)

Gordon Parks 1912 - 2006

2006-03-23T13:31:00.001-05:00

This was short piece I did for Current_tv. (Ch 103 NY Time Warner Cable)

"The Jackie Robinson of photography" is what one photographer called him, and just as Jackie Robinson meant a lot to the African American community, his entrance into the big leagues more importantly meant a great deal to all American culture at large. Our society is greater because of the diverse experience we are allowed to be part of. Gordon Parks brought us into a world we all can learn from and taught everyone that life is not limited.

It was a pleasure to produce this piece. It was delight to rub elbows with such a loving community of artists. Thank you Current_tv and thank you Gordon Parks.

ARTIFICAL AFRIKA

2006-02-22T13:44:00.001-05:00

This is a short I shot in January 2006 about a clever new art show at Gigantic Art Space in New York City

Description:
The African American idea of Africa is one full of misinterpretation, modification and originality. Musician and visual artist Vernon Reid (Living Colour) explores these topics in a unique art show entitled Artificial Afrika. Director John Carluccio follows the talented Reid as he prepares and promotes the opening, complete with observations by Village Voice columnist Greg Tate, participating artists Dread Scott and Accra Shepp.

HYPNOTIC video

2005-11-17T16:01:00.000-05:00

This a video I shot recently. The group is called Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
VIDEO LINK: "Balicky Bon"

HONG KONG photo

2005-11-17T15:49:00.000-05:00