New York City has proposed new rules that will drastically affect independent film makers and photographers all around the city.
Under the new rules proposed on May 25, 2007 by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcast (MOFTB), any group of two or more people using a handheld camera (still or video) for more than 30 minutes at a single location (defined as a 100-foot area) would have to apply for and obtain a permit and would have to present proof of $1 million in insurance (unless a waiver was obtained). Also under the new rules, any group of five or more people using a single tripod for more than 10 minutes would have to obtain a permit and have insurance.
The new rules were open to public comments until June 27th but that has been extended until August 3rd, 2007…that’s 2 days from now. What can you do?! Please email your comments and concerns to the address below and let your voice be heard. These new rules, if passed will have a tremendous impact on this great city, where no day goes by that thousands of moments are captured in video and film.
If you’re a filmaker or photographer or just want to express your views please e-mail or send in a letter to:
Julianne Cho Assistant Commissioner
Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting
1697 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10019 jcho@film.nyc.gov
Now I leave you with this rap music video about the subject by the Comedy troupe “Olde English”:
The controversial and very hated documentary director Michael Moore has released its latest documentary to the online world, free of charge. Watch it here:
Meet William Kamkwamba. At age 15 he built a windmill entirely from scrap parts, generating enough electricity to power his home in rural Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa. His personal blog details the steps day-by-day with pics.
The perpetually shirtless and tattooed Terry Richardson is at it again, with some new ads for the Australian division of Lee Jeans. The model: Marilyn’s gorgeous redheaded, Judith Bedard which I had the luck to meet during last season’s Fashion Week in NYC.
Interpol’s new album is not set to release until July 10th but here at Potatoes and Nicotine we have snatched an early copy. This marks Interpol’s first major label debut, no longer releasing the album with Matador Records but with Capitol instead, is a rather fresh change for the NYC based band. Although the first two albums were very similar, this new one brings a few new subtle surprises.
It is still Interpol at its core but the boys have emphasized more on percussion and incorporating other sounds such as piano, strings and handclaps! That’s right, handclapping. Yet they still maintain their melancholic, desolate and moody sound which many argue its the same sounds we have been hearing the past 2 albums. This is one of those albums you might have to listen 2 or 3 times and it will grow on you. Yes, it is still very similar the Antics and Turn on the Bright Lights but it’s a good album nonetheless.
Here is a track by track review by Rolling Stone:
1. “Pioneer to the Falls†This theatrical opening track showcases Interpol’s new love for swooping strings and chilled-out piano.
2. ROCK DAILY PICK: “No I In Threesome†An awesome, apocalypse-heralding track with still more warm, friendly piano.
3. “The Scale†A gothic, bass-drum-driven romp, with cryptic lyrics like, “I made you and now I take you back.â€
4. “The Heinrich Maneuver†The album’s first single sounds like Interpol’s earlier stuff — noise rendered moody and elegant.
5. “Mammoth†This very pretty, very angry track is built around layers of relentless guitars and the refrain “spare me the suspense.â€
6. ROCK DAILY PICK: “Pace is the Trick†This dark ballad starts out with the familiar spare echo of Daniel Kessler’s guitar and Paul Banks’s morose drawl and evolves into an anguished goth symphony.
7. “All Fired Up†This aggressive romp contains more angular guitars, and the lyrics are more violent and confrontational than typical Interpol (ex: “I dream of you draped in wires and leaning on the breaks). Also: handclaps!
8. ROCK DAILY PICK: “Rest My Chemistry†A classic Interpol track, with layered, maudlin vocals and restless guitars over pulsating bass lines.
9. “Who Do You Think†This banging track features urgent Kessler-patented guitar sounds and a spooky choir in the background
10. “Wrecking Ball†On this track, Interpol seem to use every uncharacteristically lighthearted noisemaking aparatus on hand, from lilting vocal harmonies to playful sound effects and strings. This could be the first optimistic Interpol track ever.
11. “The Lighthouse†We never thought we’d say this about any Interpol track, but “The Lighthouse†has a vaguely mariachi theme to it. If Ian Curtis laid down vocals to a Rodrigo y Gabriela tune played slowly on electric guitars loaded with effects, this is how it would sound.
