Joel.Simone

I experienced a renaissance in art. I spent the last week in San Francisco. The purpose was to collaborate with Nero on the sound; however, our collaboration far exceeded the sound alone. We spoke on psychology, relationships, and man’s place in a technological and industrial influenced ecosystem.

While Nero was at work, I explored the city on public transportation. Jumping between trains and buses, bouncing from café to café, I experienced a very dynamic range of populated neighborhoods – from bearded hipsters in sweaters to clean shaved yuppies with pristinely pressed dress shirts to Hispanics wearing puffy jackets with infamous whale tale creeping from their pants. At the cafés I edited the movie and prepared the soundtrack. At night, Nero and I set sail into the city night life, from dive bars to pulsating clubs; with Manhattans in hand, we observed people from the inside and out, i.e., interacting and watching. Most importantly, we delved deep into the subject matter of the movie, The Doorway.

Each morning, I set out on a run to reflect. One morning I ran to sunset beach, and my open stride graced the west coast sand for the first time in nearly 6 years; the air was clean, and the chill was incomparable to any other. Another morning, I stepped outside into a drizzle of fog; the streets were coated with a light glistening drape of coolness. I thought, I will get wet if I run, and I ran. I returned soaked in the crisp fresh rise of the city.

I returned to the East Bay on Sunday morning, after staying up all day Saturday. I want to make it clear, each day wasn’t a walk in the park. I was challenged daily by my tasks and conversations with Nero, and each challenge made the revelations more beautiful. Saturday was one of the most difficult days, for I was stuck without a solution to one of the most important scenes. Oddly enough, Nero and I went out on Saturday for an absolutely amazing night; it lasted till 5 AM Sunday morning. I dropped Nero off and headed back to the East Bay; troubled by the difficult scene, I psychologically crashed hard after an absolutely amazing, and contrasting, night. When I returned to my room in the East Bay, I immediately passed out under the dark remnants of an incomplete scene. When I awoke, I had a vision, a possible solution to the problem, and it worked.

Now, I am preparing for the presentation.

It is worth noting, during this miniature renaissance, Nero had an epiphany for a song to complete his album. Perhaps I will share more later. The song will likely be shared at the presentation too.

It is also worth noting, I heard something on NPR about identities and sharing aspects of life on the internet. This really had me questioning this project journal and my online journal all together, for it is very personal; I’m considering the separation of this personal aspect of art from the public world. I will see this project journal through, but I may limit my online presence in the future.

Anyhow, below are pictures from the studio and soundtrack recording.

Picture of the tape delay machine used for the atmospheric movie soundtrack.

The hallway to Nero’s studio.

Nero on the phone after the studio recording.