« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Nov 27, 2015

Friday Weekend Edition

Friday Weekend Edition

"I still see myself as a student, and I see the value in that and continuing that tradition."

- Roman Coppola
 

[Film]  Roman Coppola Revisits Ringling
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Screenwriter and filmmaker Roman Coppola returned to Ringling College of Art and Design this week not only to commemorate the groundbreaking of the new soundstage and post-production facility that he designed for the school, but to screen an episode from the Amazon series Mozart in the Jungle, on which Coppola has served as showrunner for two seasons, writing and directing select episodes as well. Michael Zakin, a developer with American Zoetrope and executive producer for Mozart joined Coppola onstage after the screening to speak with Ringling students about the ins and outs of filmmaking, from the creative to the commercial.

A frequent supporter of Ringling’s film endeavors, Coppola gave the commencement address two years prior and for Mozart brought five Ringling students on-board the production, something he views as a continuance of the apprentice-mentor tradition from the early days of celluloid. “I make it a point on-set [to] always have younger people, whether it’s interns or students, be part of it,” said Coppola. “I still see myself as a student, and I see the value in that and continuing that tradition.” In a time when the film school route has become more and more common, he described Ringling as an effective mix of “both having a great academic situation plus recognizing the value of working professionally.”

Following the shocking and comic misadventures of the fictional New York Symphony, with its eccentric performers and “enfant terrible” conductor Rodrigo, played by Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart found a home at Amazon Series, the parent company’s production wing, in the world of digital distribution. But for all the talk of the digital wave, it’s already here according to Zaken and Coppola. “To us, it’s the same as working on a high-quality network,” said Coppola. And as television and digital content merge, so have the distinctions between television and film lessened. “The lines have been blurred, and for the good,” said Zaken.

“Certain stories are contained in that feature-length format,” added Zaken, contrasting the story told on Mozart, now entering its second season. “We can tell stories that go on and on. It’s exciting.” 

Pictured from left: Roman Coppola and Michael Zaken field the press. Photo by: Rich Schineller.

[PINC]  Photographing Through The Frostbite

Different environments can provide colorful backdrops for field photographers, or they can put in place a layer of white. But what has truly drawn Chris Linder to take photographs in the arctic and other locales is the human subjects, namely scientists engaging in critical thinking and problem solving during the arduous journey toward discovery. Linder will describe his experiences when he attends PINC Sarasota on Dec. 10 as a guest lecturer. We spoke to him in advance of the event.

Do you consider your photographs of scientific experiments most valuable as documentation of what was happening or as an artistic work capturing what happens?  The short answer is: both. First and foremost, I want my photographs to tell a story. But if an image doesn’t resonate on an emotional level with the viewer, its power is lost.  My goal is to craft storytelling photographs with an artist’s aesthetic.

More than half of the scientific expeditions you have accompanied have been in polar areas. What draws you to work in this environment?My first trip to the Arctic, in 2002, was aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star. I documented a month-long oceanography expedition to the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas north of Alaska. Tales of Arctic exploration had always fascinated me, but I still remember the visceral reaction I had when we first entered the pack ice. The air was utterly still, and the jumbled ice chunks were perfectly mirrored on the sea surface.  As our huge ship glided through this alien world, I spent hours on the foredeck, hypnotized by the parade of ice floes. Thirteen years and 25 polar expeditions later, I still feel the same fluttering in my chest every time I travel to the poles. I call it ‘polar fever.’

What impact do you think nature photography has on people’s understanding of the world? Nature photography isn’t just about taking pretty pictures—it can also be a powerful tool to educate and inspire. When I’m photographing in a remote location like the Greenland ice sheet or a penguin colony, I am humbled knowing only a tiny fraction of the world’s population will ever see what I’m seeing. I feel a great responsibility to share these photographs and the stories behind them, because people will only care about what they can see. 

Learn more about PINC here

[Daily Shop]  Alligator Accent
Shane Donglasan

Eye-catching and electrifying, this electroplated gold alligator from Black Bird Lifestyle evokes all things wild and adventurous about the Sunshine State. At 40 inches long, it can be easily hung to the wall or displayed on a surface. The piece is also available in white. Alligator by Gold Leaf, $485.  

Black Bird Lifestyle, 1540 Main St., Sarasota, 941-366-0941.

[Recognition]  Bannister Recognized for Veterans Work

Goodwill Manasota’s director of the Veterans Services Program, C.J. Bannister, was named the John H. McLain 2015 Woman Veteran of the Year by the Sarasota County Veterans Commission. Bannister, a veteran of the Unites States Air Force, was hired in September 2014 to lead Goodwill’s efforts on behalf of area veterans. Since beginning her tenure at Goodwill, Bannister has overseen the organization's efforts to provide services to returning veterans, who face heightened risks of unemployment, personal problems and homelessness. 

Goodwill Manasota

[Real Estate]  Atlanta Developer Buys University Grove Property

A 9.2-acre parcel of commercial land on Broadway Avenue in Manatee County was purchased by Waypoint Sarasota Owner for $4.35 million.  Waypoint is a major developer of multi-family housing headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The property, part of the commercial component of the University Grove neighborhood, was originally listed for $4.75 million in December 2011.  University Grove is a 139-acre mixed-use residential/commercial development just north of University Parkway—between Shade and Tuttle Avenues. DeLieto and Associates, of the commercial division of Michael Saunders and Company, listed the property and represented the seller in completing the lengthy and intricate transaction.   

Michael Saunders and Company

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024