Big Party or is the Film Festival a myth? Sundance 2013

This festival always kicks my butt every year for the past 7 years. This year was no different. I get commentary from the universe ” Oh isn’t it SO FUN- you get to party the whole time and photograph celebrities.. wow. wow… wow”. Yes it can be that fun- usually for the filmmakers, A-listers,” famous people”, volunteers or the public enjoying the festival.
So I just want to burst that bubble right now. The festival is an insane intense experience. The days are LONG- 10-17 hrs a day for 10 days. You have to be on your A game too- during this time principles from “How to wind friends and influence people” are incorporated all day.
A typical day looks like- Hustling to each location in a blizzard up hill both ways carrying 50 lbs.’ of gear as well as getting on and off the bus 50 times. On any given day I have 4-8 assignments, which change at a moments notice. Between every 2-3 assignments I need to check in with the editors and caption every person I photograph. So out of the 300- 500 people I photograph daily I must caption THAT many people.
A month before Sundance- I lift weights, do conditioning and get my body ready to go. During, I take a ton of vitamins, make sure I rest, and Yoga if I have time. By the end I usually get sick.
While working the festival i day played on a Disney movie, which is equally as intense, but in different ways. The movie was Cloud 9 and its a teen snow boarding musical movie. It’s was a circus to work on. I hear they have a bunch of night shoots. Which is nice to not have to work on the mountain in -20 degrees at night. I always feel bad for the extras.
So Yes its a big experience. I am grateful for it. It’s a glimpse into this other world of people. That’s very interesting, socially heighten and politically ridiculous. This year I really tried to focus on taking more portraits. I love portraits and people are so interesting. I love working the music cafe – listening to music and shooting portraits. I also love working with first time filmmakers because its like peoples first wedding. They have this glow and excitement and are very nice to work with. Red carpets and high profile film premiers are nuts. Veterans of the festival experience have had their photos taken an insane amount of times from hundreds of photographers. These folks are not fans of photographers, which is fine I get it. I feel bad for the programmers of the festival like John Cooper, Trevor Groth, David Courier and the other programmers.
Highlights-
Music Café- Shooting awesome musicians like: The Head and the Heart, Eric Hutchinson, Melanie Fiona, Kenny Loggins, Jill Barber, Emily Wells ( WOW she is seriously amazing… new Pandora station! )
Premiers:
James Franco and Travis Mathews with “ Interior, Leather Bar” ,
Nice folks from “What they talk about when they talk about Love”
Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch with “Prince Avalanche”
A policy I have – is that I do not Pap anyone. This is a slang term used by photographer’s meaning- paparazzi. I am not a paparazzi and I will not pap anyone. So if I see an high profile person I just ask them if I can take their photo. If I cant ask them then I introduce myself later. I’m not the creepy photographer lurking to get you. Im the goofy looking girl with a smile here to make you look awesome.
Im very grateful for my assistants this year. Its no nice to have a buddy and the moral support to get through the festival. I also had alot of friends help me in other ways ☺
Special thanks to :
Gautam Altman, Darryl Dobson, Dowey, Ariane Borg, Stephen Wisely/ Heather Duke, Lisa Thompson, Brad Hunter, Stephen Pace, Lynn Decker, Alex Boyton, Troy Boman,Ruban Lah, Lainy McKay and Joel.



Festival / Event Photography created by Natalie Cass www.CassStudios.com
Author Natalie Cass https://plus.google.com/u/0/100508638594788720568/posts/p/pub

This is not a TV show... this is Vintage Fashion Story that combines Vintage clothing from several stores in the North Loop Shopping district in Austin Texas, complete strangers ( who are not models, actors or perfect people) a glorious Bar, a producer to pull it all together and my crazy idea of fun and no alcohol. Initially this shoot was done for a poster for a fashion event featuring the different stores on the North Loop District in Austin Texas and then it turned into creating a story sequence that I found entertaining. It was alot of fun and alot of work.
 Special thanks to: Rebekka Adams- who produced it and put it all together
 the Austin Independent business Alliance
 Pam Pritchard for hosting our madness at your awesome bar- The Tigress Pub
Models and clothing: Lilly White outfitted by Forbidden Fruit
Jenny Cambell outfitted by Blue Velvet
Eric Adams outfitted by Bloomers and Frocks
Ashli McKee outfitted by Funky Finds
Andrea Kinnigon outfitted by Room Service Vintage

 Couch and Furniture- Lori Goodpasture from Room Service Vintage Austin advertising photography provided by Natalie Cass www.CassStudios.com 

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Age of the Dragons- Stills & Portraits from the Movie

Age of the Dragons Poster

 I did the set photography for this movie.

Age of the Dragons is a re-imagining of Herman Melville's classic novel Moby Dick. Set in a mythical realm where Captain Ahab and crew hunt dragons for the vitriol that powers their world, Ishmael, a charismatic harpooner joins their quest. Ahab's adopted daughter Rachel, beautiful and tough, runs the hunting vessel. Ahab's obsession is to seek revenge on a great "White Dragon" that slaughtered his family when he was young and left his body scarred and mauled, drives the crew deeper into the heart of darkness. In the White Dragon's lair Ahab's secrets are revealed and Rachel must choose between following him on his dark quest or escaping to a new life with Ishmael. Written by M Daines

Working on set there was very few days with Dragons. So for most of the scenes the actors had to act like there was a dragon there. They green screen the dragon in. The film was shot in Utah- during the winter. What was funny is there was a ship they had that sail through the forest. On this journey for " the White Dragon".


Directed and DP by Ryan Little. Written by Herman Melville and McKay Daines. Film Starred Danny Glover, Vinnie Jones, Corey Sevier, Sophia Pernas, Larry Bagby, Kepa Kruse.

Check them out on my blog
www.CassStudios.com/blog
 Entertainment Photography By Natalie Cass Cass Studios www.CassStudios.com

Waiting for forever for " Waiting for Forever" the Movie

I did the still photography for this film shot in Utah. Here is a quick synposis of this film.
Plot Outline
Who decides what is normal? A unique love story about friendship and a view of the world from different perspectives, WAITING FOR FOREVER explores the connections people make in the face of life's changes. Best friends while they were growing up, Emma (Rachel Bilson) and Will (Tom Sturridge) lost touch a long time ago—as far as she knows. To Will, Emma never stopped being the most important person in his life. Believing them to be forever linked, he goes wherever she goes. Will doesn’t have a home, a car, or a “real” job. He survives on his talent as a juggler and entertainer—talents honed through years of showing off for Emma. When her father gets sick, Emma returns to their hometown, trying to leave behind her complicated love life and failing career as a TV actress. As its characters face love, death and their own preconceptions, WAITING FOR FOREVER questions the realities of life.

Awards
From the producers of WALK THE LINE and GROUNDHOG DAY, WAITING FOR FOREVER features an ensemble cast including Matt Davis, Scott Mechlowicz, Nikki Blonsky, Richard Jenkins, Blythe Danner, and Nelson Franklin. A brand new venture from director James Keach.
Starring
Rachel Bilson & Tom Sturridge
Directed By
James Keach
Screenplay By
Steve Adams
Produced By
Trevor Albert & James Keach
Website
http://www.waitingforforever.com












Visit CassStudios.com for Movie Still Photography

Sexy Body Paint Art

Our beautiful model Miss Wright had her body paint done- it took 5 hours of application before I even got there. The painting is done by the talent special effects makeup artist Chris Hansen.
Just a dash of sexy!



Body Paint Photography by Cass Studios www.cassstudios.com

John Ramsey, "The Other Side of Suffering" Father Tells Story of JonBenet Ramsey

This is one of the most interesting assignments of my life was photography John Ramsey for the book cover of his new book " The Other side of Suffering". Before shooting him I did a lot of research. I remember the story and when this came out when I was child 14 years ago. In my research it really was striking how sad and how much press this case got. My impression "freak tragedy glorified over and over by the media". The story of six-year-old, Jon Benét, was murdered; Ramsey was the one who discovered her body, concealed in the basement of his family's home. He was suspected of murdering his daughter by the press. This book is his opportunity to set the record straight.

It was very awkward for me to meet this complete stranger, famous for the tragedies in his life and capture that. What do you say. What is appropriate ? We went out to the desert to several different locations until the sun had set. He was very kind and sincere. I applaud him in his recovery and hope the best for him.

To purchase the book you can find it on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Suffering-JonBenet-ebook/dp/B004QX07F0



Photography By Natalie Cass, Cass Studios, www.CassStudios.com

Fire Lanterns in Brooklyn New York

I was Brooklyn for business and I was staying with my good Friends and they live in the tallest building in Brooklyn. So going to the roof is incredible. No need to fight the lines at the Empire State building to see the skyline. We decided to hang out there enjoy some wine and these people were lighting these Fire Lanterns and letting them float off the building. I happened to have my camera and tripod because I wanted to get some nighttime shots of the city. I wouldnt mind playing more with these fire lanterns more. Can't do that in Texas right now with the Fire Ban. Boo wild fires!









Photography by Cass Studios www.CassStudios.com Natalie Cass