Who do you want to go with?

The merry band of pranksters on this trip reflect the creative process of the journey. Some are in it for the long haul, others will come and go.

the cast of characters are fellow filmmakers, photographers, artists and the open-minded folks that I’ve convinced to be our performers.

Nicky Keros, cinematographer

Nicky’s dreamy scope on the world couldn’t be contained by just the skate videos he grew up making in Southern California. He flew out to Brooklyn to hone his skills as a filmmaker at Pratt Institute where he developed a kinship with the experimental visuals of Guy Maddin and Maya Deren. In his Junior year Nicky produced a film inspired by a flyer found outside of his apartment offering an absurdly large reward for “The Crimson Pigeon” - This film caught my attention and we began a collaborative relationship during our thesis class.

His thesis, 10 Homes, is a languid trip of childhood memories with a gentle but not overly sentimental scope on how he grew up to be the super chill dude he is today. It was shot in tandem with You Look Good In Blue which he served as the Director of Photography.

Ben Cleveland, performer (Levi)

Born and Raised in Chico California, Ben’s now a butcher and mechanic in Aspen. He’s also the owner of the truck featured in the film.

I knew him as this lil guy on the ranch when I was Levi’s age, but 5 years later I saw him mountain biking and realized his spirit reminded me a lot of Levi.

This will be Ben’s first time acting, something that’s always interested him, but being in a military family had never considered seriously.

Brian Norman Kane, Performer (Bryce)

Bay Area Native, Brian was minding his own business on the subway when I came up to him to ask if he was an actor. I was feeling good about how street casting went on Beach Rats so I wasn’t afraid to talk to strangers, but even if I was I wouldn’t be able to help myself, because this dude is Bryce. Luckily Brian turned out to indeed be a Brooklyn based actor who had trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He’s also a musician providing some soundtrack to the film.

Hannah Rose Ammon, Producer/Performer

When I first met up with Hannah for coffee, I don’t know what came over me but I started to cry and we’ve been close friends and creative partners ever since. As a team, our on location talent scout efforts for Beach Rats garnered recognition from the Casting Society of America, and our first short premiered at an internationally regarded festival.

Together we cover a lot of ground between the creative process and execution of filmmaking and this research mission will be no different. Together we will talent and location scout. Hannah will also serve as an actress, and musician along the trip.

Transcending Eyeball (Alex Herzog), Photographer

From his website: “Alex Herzog makes work about ghosts and the stains of the past they leave behind that haunt him, and the subjects and objects he documents. All bodies of work; still, in motion, and in conversation aid Alex in the pursuit to maintain his non-understanding of the world, and urge those who know the answer to reconsider.”

my first impression of Alex was seeing him breaking a sharpie on his sketchbook in a charcoal figure drawing class. This guy, no stranger to life on the road, just sees things differently, man…

His eye draws to the most graphic visuals, and he treats his subjects, close friends in punk scenes across the country, with soft spoken reverence. His work is a masterclass in juxtaposition in the modern American landscape.

Alex plans to meet us somewhere along the route in his van.

AND future collaborators

Our aim is to scout for more collaborative spirits, more stories and more diversity while out in the field.

To specify in detail, and broaden in perspective.