Well, we're not entirely sure it was a sane idea, but Connotation Press has ventured into the documentary film field with our new project, MK Ohlinger & the Richwood Grill. I am writing, producing, and directing this picture, and once again I am blessed to have Alan Jaskiewicz as my Director of Photography. Alan worked with me on the EPK and making of documentary for the Charles Evered directed, Wonderstar Productions Produced, A Thousand Cuts starring Michael O'Keefe & Michael Newcomer to be released later this year.

 

I've always been a fan of collaborative art. For years I was a working musician playing drums in various bands. And I love collaborating with all the great editors and artists here at ConPress. But making movies, WOW! This gig is more collaborative than the Keebler Elves (and yes, I do wish I just got paid for that endorsement).

We've shot the hardest stuff first, a staged scene for an upcoming feature in Amanda McGuire's column, footage of which we'll use in the documentary. A four camera shoot with lights and extras and the whole ball of wax. I'm not entirely sure how we did it, but after six hours of set up and six more working we got about two and a half hours of really amazing footage. I mean it. It's gorgeous! I've been blessed with an extremely talented, hard working crew and they just dug deep and got it done.

 

And so, without further delay, let's dig deep and see what we have for you this month. As is our custom, let's kick this pig and see what it'll do!

 

Our featured artist this month comes in by way of editor Joshua Fardon and the Drama column. Downward Facing Bitch is the new play by the thought provoking and hilarious comedian, legendary character actor, and cutting-edge playwright Taylor Negron and his writing partner Abina Anthony Davis. Josh interviews Mr. Negron and Kiff Scholl (who we've been privileged to see on the pages of Connotation Press last year). I've got to tell you, kids, I'm a GINORMOUS fan of Taylor Negron. The guy has made me laugh so hard I've...well, let's just leave it at that. And this play is as good as one would expect from an artist of this caliber. Thank you Tay, Ms. Davis, Kiff, and of course Josh! Woohoo!

 

Hoppenthaler's Congeries this month is a powerful mix of artists from various points around the globe. John's featured artist is Alice Friman and I must say her answers in the interview are candid, frank really, and like her poetry, quite exquisite. And as a former professor at the University of Southern California, I can only say that David St. John is a living legend and having him in our magazine this month is just a thrill. John rounds out his column with a list of artists, each one brilliant and unique: Dan Albergotti, Natasha Sajé (with a wonderfully unconventional poem!), Robert Hedin, celeste doaks, John Redmond, Amy Tudor, Thorpe Moeckel, Sharon Fagan McDermott, and Chad Prevost. Enjoy!

 

And now, after all that, it's time for a beer! From Plate to Palate with Amanda McGuire this month focuses on tipping back the frosty mug. Check out takes on this tipsy theme by Frank Cucciarre, Adam Clay & Jennifer McVey (with a killer beer recipe!), F. Daniel Rzicznek, and Cal Freeman. Bottoms up!

 

I have so TOTALLY been waiting for this. Travel Editor, Nicholas Baker, takes us this month to Amsterdam! A-M-S-T-E-R-D-A-M! Oh, man! Nick guides us in his own special way through the city by car, boat, and bike, and he managed to grab some simply gorgeous images along the way. Don't miss this one, my friends. If you haven't been too keen on going to Amsterdam before, I wager you will after checking out this post. Great job, Nick! And please say hi to Freddy for me!

 

Book Review Editor Stephanie Brown brings us a review of Temptation by Water, the new book by Diane Lockward. Sally Rosen Kindred handles this review splendidly and provides a beaming celebration of this, Ms. Lockward's fourth book of poetry. We hope you check out the review and then head on over to Amazon.com (again, really, really wish I was getting paid for these little promo spots. HA!) and pick one up.

 

Finally, as you probably already know, we always publish one artist in the Fiction & Creative Nonfiction column in the first of the month post--a teaser of sorts. This month in the Fiction column we have P. T. Paul's story, "We R Books", and in the Creative Nonfiction column we have Jackie McNamara's "The Silk Dress". Check out these great authors and then don't forget to come back on the 15th to see the entire Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Book Review, and Movie Review columns.

Well, that's about it for the April 1st Post. I have to admit, it is a lot more stable and calm working as a magazine editor than it is making a movie, which is actually hard for me to believe. Fair enough. But the movie making process is invigorating and stimulating, too! You know, I read all the time about how expensive it is to make a motion picture and I guess that can be true. But with the age of digital electronics firmly encompassing us it really isn't that bad. Sure, I have a completely voluntary staff with their own equipment, and I don't want to downplay that fact, but seriously, if you are the kind of person that feels compelled to tell your story on the silver screen all I can say is GO FOR IT! For just a few grand you can get one of those Cannon 7D or 5D or T2i cameras (seriously, maybe I should get an agent), a couple of lights, and an audio recorder and you're on your way. Of course, I'm sure Alan would say you'll still need, "a couple of good lenses", and I'd throw in "and a compelling story" but hey, we're artists, right? Stories are everywhere! Lenses, well, that's gonna cost ya.

 

Connotation Press: Sound. Rolling. Camera. Rolling. Action!

 

This issue of Connotation Press: An Online Artifact is dedicated to screen legend Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor. Although wildly successful by any standard as an actress, garnishing two Academy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award among others from her over 50 movie rolls, it is in the field of AIDS research that Ms. Taylor may end up being remembered for the most. She was awarded the with French Legion of Honour and the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Academy Award for her efforts. Her tireless work in fundraising brought in more than $270 million dollars to the cause of AIDS research, and it was Ms. Taylor that made it acceptable and urgent to speak about AIDS on television and on the national, political stage. It has been written that she left the bulk of her estate, estimated between $600 million and possibly in excess of one billion dollars, including her famous jewelry collection valued at over $150 million, to the two AIDS charities she was associated with, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and amfAR. We hope you, too, will consider giving generously. Here's to you, Ms. Taylor. Rest in Peace.