David Weathersby is a renowned videographer and cinematographer, based in Chicago. The underground music scene, the ‘raw art’ work of artists performing in Chicago from around the world has always been the center piece of his work. Soul and the question, What is Soul as a music genre, is the subject of his latest short film/documentary, Got The Love.
What is Soul? Soul music, depending on who you ask means different ideas, includes different artists, different music expression depending on the decade, again, depends on who you ask. But everyone has an answer and the root of Soul music is always in how it feels to the artists and to the listener but mainly to the artists.
Alternative Soul music…hmmm…one example suggested is Afro punk…but other artists question whether there is a need to identify the musical expression at all. What’s the point, its music and it’s soul music…why does there need to be another label, is the discussion shared by many artists.
Indie music…its indie but its mainstream because its soul music…yet the success of this genre is tough to recognize. In fact, for many of these artists, success is elusive, often tied to resources or lack thereof. Why is that? The documentary asks and answers the question by raising the question. Many say the answer is that we need to show the love for the music, talk about it, be about it, know about it. Got the Love is a documentary that begins that dialogue by raising questions, showcasing the work of artists and introducing people to music and artists they have yet to know. It’s won wide praise and awards from film festivals, show your love and support by watching and sharing this amazing documentary! itsashort.com is featuring the documentary in our lounge, here. Check it out!
Festival Updates!
Denver Film Festival, CIMMfest, Chicago Comedy Film Festival and a ton of other festivals are literally getting underway this week!
Denver had its largest opening in its 40 year history, maybe because they included 96 amazing shorts! Denvers’ support of short film has historically been amazing and this year is no exception. Ranging from animation to documentaries to fantasy in everyway imaginable, these artists take ordinary stories and find the unique magic that connects all of us.
CIMMfest is the Chicago International Movie and Music Festival. Short film is embedded in the program throughout and has mainly a music focus…we love it! itsashort will catch up with Director Penelope Spheeris to talk more about this incredible documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization, the premiere documentary of the festival. Its not a short but a very different look at the music scene…Ozzie and Sharon Osbourne, defined the era…right?
Chicago Comedy Film Festival features 4 shorts programs with distinct themes, Treasured Friends and Beloved Darlings has good feels! We can’t wait. The festival opening night was a Shorts program! Brilliant! Here at itsashort.com. we are huge fans of this festival…because their opening night is a night of short film!
itsashort.com: this week’s update includes a shout out to FirstGlance film festival for an incredible online short film contest, hosted by itsashort.com. The shorts were amazing and winners will be announced shortly.
Tinsel and Tine, our amazing blog partner, writes about the Philadelphia Asian Film Festival that also opened this week! We love the theme of the industry conference held in partnership with the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, art as activism!
