While taking a mid summer day siesta in the local farmers field… or that was where the aliens decided to drop me off… I ran into Todd and he was kind enough to rest the high wheel cultivator long enough to answer a few questions for me.
MM: Why did you become a filmmaker?
TB: At some point a few years ago, I felt like I had learned enough from working on other filmmakers’ project that I should try making my own. That led to about a dozen short films of my own, and ultimately to a second career as a freelance videographer.
MM: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
TB: This video is about a small farm in Missoula, Montana that is run by a non-profit organization. The director of the project, a professor from the local university, describes the farm and its impact on students and the community. I shot the footage in 2011 when my wife and I were traveling the western United States. But I didn’t edit it until early 2014, as a submission for the Real Food Media Contest. The film’s public premiere is right here at the EFP.
MM: What else are you working on?
TB: I have a backlog of a half dozen other video projects from the same trip, and I’m always working on roller derby videos. But my biggest current project is for the Library of Congress’ Veteran’s History Project. It’s a long interview with my father, who is a Vietnam veteran.
MM: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
TB: I’m the only person I know whose subconscious composes original soundtrack music for his dreams.
MM: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
MM:Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
TB: If it weren’t for the EFP, I’d never have learned about John Hartman.
MM: I believe that earns you an awkward one-standing-leg hug, YAY!!
” Agriculture Supporting Community: The PEAS Farm” will screen at the May 15th Emerging Filmmakers Project!
