SquiggleBooth

Favorite Childhood Photos: Christie Trice

Ajit & Friends — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:29:49 +0000

Additional formats: LARGE QUICKTIME - SMALL QUICKTIME To learn how to submit your own favorite childhood photos, check this page for instructions and guidelines. To see other submissions, check here.

Awesome review of Dear Stranger

Ajit & Friends — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:58:48 +0000

Rob Baldus reviewing the Secret City Film Festival shorts for the Tennessee local paper Metropulse says this of my short film Dear Stranger: In his quietly aching study of bereavement, Ajit Anthony Prem reminds us that it’s the invisible world that is the real one. Not only that but he proves that cinema can portray this [...]

Favorite Childhood Photos: Nic Beery

Ajit & Friends — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:41:23 +0000

Large Quicktime - Small Quicktime To learn how to submit your own favorite childhood photos, check this page for instructions and guidelines. To see other submissions, check here.

Favorite Childhood Photos: Maggie West

Ajit & Friends — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:37:52 +0000

Large Quicktime - Small Quicktime Our first submission! To learn how to submit your own favorite childhood photos, check this page for instructions and guidelines. To see other submissions, check here.

Favorite Childhood Photos: Ajit

Ajit & Friends — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:00:13 +0000

Large Quicktime - Small Quicktime I love to hear people talk about their childhood, their stories, their perspective, the little details. It is especially interesting, when you have a photo to refer to. So, here is what I hope is a start to a great collaborative project. I would like for all of you to submit your favorite childhood photos. As an example, I have used my favorite photo from my childhood as a start. To learn how to submit your own favorite childhood photos, check this page for instructions and guidelines. To see other submissions, check here.

Banana Bus screens at Hi Mom! Film Festival this weekend

Ajit & Friends — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:46:39 +0000

My podcast Banana Bus will be playing at the 10th annual Hi Mom! Film Festival. It will be part of the Matineevening block which will screen at the Arts Center in Carrboro at 6pm on Saturday, September 6th. For those who are new to the site, you can view Banana Bus here. The Hi Mom! Film [...]

Ms. Hollywood & Ms. Public Service

Ajit & Friends — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:27:08 +0000

It is sad to see such a talented actress as Madeline Walters leave my neck of the woods. So the day before she left, we shot this little podcast that highlights some of the inner turmoil she faces as she heads to Hollywood to seek stardom. We wish her all the luck in the world. Shot beautifully by Todd Tinkham. With tons of help from Amanda Gurkin & Kelly Cook.

And Then There Were Nun

Ajit & Friends — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:11:56 +0000

Podcast by Todd Tinkham Flash file available here. Ajit says:

Another entry by Todd Tinkham, this short film is one of his early works. Like many of his films, there is an undercurrent of religion which normally reveals itself in unusual and surprising ways. Like it were prehistoric relic with a dark past waiting to return to its former glory.

Todd: It’s strange looking back at your own films. One begins to see unplanned patterns emerging on the screen. Although I am not religious, religion plays a big part in many of my films, comedy and drama. I grew up Catholic and attended parochial schools at a time when the vast majority of the teachers were still nuns. But very few of them were under 60 years old, and many were well into their 80s - which meant they were pretty worn out and more than ready to retire to wherever it is they send aged nuns. Some of the oldest nuns would literally fall asleep at their desks during class. Needless to say, all hell would break loose – until they opened their eyes. Punishment fell fast and hard at Saint Ann’s School. Brutality was common among the Sisters Of Mercy that I knew. I witnessed severe beatings by gangs of nuns and was given more than one nosebleed for my quick and clever remarks. One day in the 5th grade, I was beaten by three nuns and then locked in a closet for the rest of the day. When my mother found out that I’d caused trouble at school, she beat me some more and grounded me for a month. A good Catholic, bless her soul. AND THEN THERE WERE NUN, one of my earliest films, is mostly fun, but it’s also heavy and frightening, much like Catholic schools. Surprisingly, AND THEN THERE WERE NUN did very well on the festival circuit – screening at more than 30 film festivals in 2006 and 2007, including the Vienna International Film Festival in Austria and the Rebel Planet Short Film Festival in Hollywood.

Borderline Bonfire

Ajit & Friends — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:57:12 +0000

Podcast by Nic Beery Flash file available here. Ajit says: Hello everyone, Welcome Nic Beery! Nic: This experimental podcast is an atmospheric piece that explores the contradictions of life, the environment that surrounds us, and human relationships. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes confusing, it’s always a journey worth taking. Enlightenment begins when one is curious to explore, seek answers and question what they are experiencing around them. Shot in and around the Haw river, natures natural beauty is a wonderful juxtaposition to what the filmmaker was striving for in this piece.

Trailer for Hello. Sorry. Whatever.

Ajit & Friends — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:58:12 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem Click Pic to play. Flash file available here. The trailer for my upcoming short. Starring Amory Casto & Dan Kelly, with cinematography by Jim McQuaid. The idea is pretty simple: a love story told in only three words. The music for this trailer is "Dance, Dance, Dance" by Lykke Li. Will update this page when I have more info about release dates and all that good stuff.

All American Film Festival Retrospective

Ajit & Friends — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:13:01 +0000

There will be an hour of my films screened at this year’s All American Film Festival. My program will be part of a local filmmakers block that starts at 3pm on Saturday, March 8th at the Marvell Center, Durham. Dear Stranger, Indian Giver and (crowd favorite) Banana Bus will be among the films I [...]

American Road Teaser

Ajit & Friends — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:18:13 +0000

Podcast by Todd Tinkam Click Pic to play. Flash file available here. Okay, Ajit, here it is. This is a teaser of our film, AMERICAN ROAD. I've never made a teaser before, so I'm not sure if anyone will feel teased by it. Teased - as in they'll wonder about the film, the characters, and what happens to them beyond the few minutes shown here. Not sure if I'm doing it right, getting to the essence of what the film is about without revealing too much. Mary & I are interviewed briefly about the film, and then we hit the road, exploring America, chasing dreams, and running with the wind, rain and scorching sun of the American landscape. I hope this works for Squigglebooth. Ajit says: Welcome Todd, it works beautifully.

Holiday Bokeh

Ajit & Friends — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:24:57 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem

Click Pic to play. Flash file available here. Along with giving and receiving gifts, driving to see family has become a holiday tradition (Jesus who?). In these parts, as I drive by small towns, the silent glow of holiday lights bring out the warm fuzzies within me. The song is the theme music from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, composed by Jon Brion. A song that I can play in repeat forever. Seriously, can music get any prettier than this? Kelly and I have been dancing to this ever since I downloaded it, the video also tries to capture some of that. If you have never heard of the word Bokeh, check here. The upcoming new year will bring new videos, new people and, maybe, a new site. Happy Bokeh Holidays everyone!

Screenings, interviews and some comedy

Ajit & Friends — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:45:44 +0000

As part of his retrospective, local filmmaker Todd Tinkam will screen my film Banana Bus on Saturday December 8th, 7pm at Carrboro’s Century Center Cinema. I have emailed everyone in the area that I could think of but if you haven’t received an email, it doesn’t mean you aren’t invited. Come, and bring people. It [...]

ConvergeSouth Film Festival Screening

Ajit & Friends — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:16:45 +0000

There will be several videos from SquiggleBooth that will be screeened at the ConvergeSouth Film Festival this October. ConvergeSouth is the annual meet-up for bloggers from the South (the biggest of its kind), so if you are one, please make sure to come because it doesn’t get better than this. Last year, they had some [...]

SquiggleBooth Retrospective at AGFF

Ajit & Friends — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:17:49 +0000

If any of you live in North Carolina or close to, I invite you to the Ava Gardner Film Festival where there will be a retrospective of our work. The SquiggleBooth program will be held at Johnston County library in Smithfield, North Carolina. This program starts at 10am on Saturday, September 29th. There will be [...]

Dear Stranger

Ajit & Friends — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:25:02 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem

(click pic to play, flash file available here) This is a short film I completed more than a year ago but has received little love in terms of marketing. After the film premiered at the Annapolis Film Festival last fall, promoting this film fell behind other projects that were in production. It belongs on the big screen but it certainly works on the small one, so here it is. I had been running a blog that was dedicated to the film but I am no longer posting there. However, you can find all the important information that is relevant to the film on that site. Here are the important players from the cast & crew:

Rosie - Nikki Alikakos
Gordon - Steven Lock
Stranger - Michael Teh
Voice-Over - Kelly Cook
Rosie's Friend - Maryse Karunaratne
Still Photographer - Carl Gunhouse
Music Composer - Hunter M. McDermott

Some of you have shown in interest in buying a DVD copy of this film, I am still hoping to do this but it will most likely be part of a larger DVD set. However, you can support this and other SquiggleBooth projects by donating to us. Click here for more information on our simple donating method.

Banana Bus

Ajit & Friends — Sat, 19 May 2007 16:57:46 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem

Click Pic to play. Flash file available here.

My good friend, JaCynthia Shepherd, recalls her experiences on the Public School Bus system. It seems she received much of her education while riding to and from school. This project was originally supposed to play as part of Videoblogging week. The beautiful song is "She Was a Girl, She Was in Love" by Matt Baldwin. You can purchase it on iTunes.

“Like Father, Like Son” Teaser

Ajit & Friends — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 04:45:35 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem for Videoblogging Week 2007

click pic to play, Flash file available here.

This is a teaser for a short documentary that is coming up on Squigglebooth. Filmmaker Trevor Bayack becomes a limousine driver to pay his bills. The job is very similar to his Father's work -- a New York City cabbie. And though his Father is content with his job, he is disappointed with his Son's new line of work as this is not what he had imagined for his Son. A documentary on family, passion for driving and expectations. Keep an eye out for it as it should be up soon.

Also, the Day 6 video for Videoblogging Week will up sometime next week. It requires a lot more time than I first imagined but the result should be quite adorable!

Fishtank Ferrari

Ajit & Friends — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:25:29 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem for Videoblogging Week 2007

click pic to play, Flash file available here.

I am probably breaking some Videoblogging Week bylaw by posting a podcast that was not made this week. But the original Day 5 episode needed a little more tender love and care. The Fishtank Ferrari episode was one fragment of a bigger documentary project on tricked out cars. Sadly, the project was abandoned.

Credits:
Directed & Edited by Ajit Anthony Prem
Produced by Trevor Bayack
Shot by George Rivas

Thoughts On The Road

Ajit & Friends — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 07:15:30 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem for videobloggin week 2007

click pic to play, Flash file available here.

Sometimes, the best place to think is on the road.

Music by Hisato Higuchi. Buy the album on iTunes.

First Carwash

Ajit & Friends — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 02:10:04 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem for Videoblogging Week 2007

click pic to play, Flash file available here.

Captain's Log, Day 3: Can we just get through this?

Oil Staining

Ajit & Friends — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:04:02 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem for Videoblogging Week 2007

click pic to play, Flash file available here.

Continuing on my travel theme, a look at the latest artform that is hitting our streets.

Credits:
Voice: Kelly
Song: Continental Balcony Twilight by Gnac. Buy album on iTunes

April Fool’s Scott

Ajit & Friends — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:36 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem for Videoblogging Week 2007

click pic to play, Flash file available here.

So Videoblogging Week is upon us, which means participating videobloggers will post every day from April 1st to the 7th. Last year, there was a theme chosen by the community for each day. Since there is none of that this year, I decided my theme for the week will revolve around automobiles. As it stands, I only have three ideas of what to post this week, I am also busy with an editing gig, so I am hoping none of this deters from the week's mission.

The first day of the event falls on April Fool's, so there is no better way to kick things off than with a prank. Shot only a couple hours ago, it is fresh with all kinds of silliness.

Mr. Concentration & Mr. ADD

Ajit & Friends — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:02:39 +0000

Podcast by Ron Barba

click pic to play, flash version available here.

It is always intriguing to see yourself through other people's eyes. Ajit wrote this and it is loosely based on the conflict in my creative life. It was shot, acted and edited by me.

To see more of my humorous videos, please go here.

Squiggle Chat

Ajit & Friends — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:20:09 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem

click pic to play, flash versioon available here.

Some good 'ol multi-media silliness.

Meet me in Atlanta

Ajit & Friends — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 05:57:24 +0000

I will be on a panel on videoblogging at the PodcampAtlanta (Un)Conference talking about SquiggleBooth. If any of you live in the area or can drive up, please do come and say hello.

The videoblogging panel will take place in Atlanta on Saturday, March 17 at 1:45pm in the Governor's Hall room. I will stick around after the session, if anyone is interested.

Besides me - the other panelists are:
Kary Rogers - Inside Mr. KaryHead and Good Commitment
Erin Nealey - Mom's Brag Vlog
Chris Daniel - nTune.tv and Chris Daniel's Video Blog
Grayson Daughters - The Spacey Gracey Review

A pretty diverse group, it should be interesting.

Directions and other info can be found here: http://podcamp.pbwiki.com/PodcampAtlantaSessions
Please register here: http://podcamp.pbwiki.com/PodcampAtlantaRegistrants

click here for the pdf

Wings Castle

Ajit & Friends — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:29:00 +0000

podcast by Rachel Connolly

click pic to play, Flash version available here.

After filming a narrative short at Pete Wingâ€™s castle in 1995, I returned at the break of dawn after several years to follow Pete around with the Mini DV. Hours and hours of his ramblings were whittled down to this 10 minutes documentary. I wanted to tape Pete until he finished the B&B extension but realized he was probably going to be working on the castle forever and I needed to wrap things up. Turns out, he discovered the taxes would be prohibitively expensive on the B&B so he and his wife, Toni, are trying to sell it and move to Montana. What will happen to Pete and castle is still undecided but hereâ€™s a little artifact of this character and his folly in the meantime.

Synopsis:

At the age of twenty-one Peter Wing returned from Vietnam and started building a home for himself and his family using recycled materials. For thirty years he and his wife are proud owners of a medieval castle visited by hundreds of tourists every year. Wingâ€™s Castle Documentary shares with us what a little perseverance and resourcefulness can accomplish and how one can draw inspiration from the most challenging of lifeâ€™s experiences.

Work It Out

Ajit & Friends — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:40:04 +0000

Podcast by Ajit Anthony Prem

(click image to play, Flash file can be found here)

Apologies for not being more frequent. I have been quite busy with work. However, things should start getting back to normal very soon. There are a lot of exciting projects sitting in the wings waiting to be edited.

Riding in Stride opening

Ajit & Friends — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:11:31 +0000

click pic to play, Flash version available here.

This is the unofficial opening scene to a documentary completed last year. It is currently playing at most of PBS stations, check your local listings.

Riding In Stride (25:30 mins.) probes the age-old relationship between girls, women and horses by documenting girls on ponies and women at the racetrack, including interviews with veteran jockey PJ Cooksey, trainer Joan Scott, and bestselling author Mary Midkiff. Riding in Stride focuses on women who have carried that passion into their adult lives and reveals what it takes for women to make it in the racing industry while staying dedicated to their love for horses.

This opening scene was split up in the final cut for many logistical reasons. But I have always had a fondness for it in its original state.

Riding in Stride was directed by Rachel Connolly, edited by me (Ajit Anthony Prem) with music composed by Carmela Sinco. If you would like to buy a DVD, go to Premhart.com.

Happy New Year Scott

Ajit & Friends — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:27:41 +0000

SquiggleBooth's first audio podcast. My neighbour Scott recieved this telephone message from one of his good friends, Jonathan, right after New Years Eve 2007. It is exactly what you'd expect -- emotional, hilarious and out of control. Music by Carmela. Note: This has strong language.