UNDERAPPRECIATED MOVIEMAKER: Will Zavala

UNDERAPPRECIATED MOVIEMAKER:

Will Zavala

"The movies I love the most are ones I don't fully understand. They have an extended shelf life because, even after multiple viewings they defy verbal explanation. Likewise, our cat: she is a mystery to me, and I adore her. I really don't understand my wife; maybe that's why I love her so. They are all underappreciated because I am incapable of fully appreciating them. I'm just thankful that they are around." - Will Zavala

[tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE note: In order to inform the interested public who the UNDERAPPRECIATED MOVIEMAKERS are whose work will be screened at the UNDERAPPRECIATED MOVIEMAKERS FESTIVAL. I've asked all the participants to date to provide:

1. a bio (short or long, you decide - short ones, obviously, tend to be read more)

2. a picture

3. a list of your works (either complete or selected - but make sure you list your earliest movie to substantiate that you've been at it for 30 or more years)

4. 1 or more links to relevant websites

5. AN ESSAY EXPLAINING WHY YOU'RE UNDERAPPRECIATED (This is very important. What I'm hoping for is not only an explanation of why you feel underappreciated but what it is about you & your work that you think leads to people neglecting &/or rejecting it. This can be a socio-political-cultural analysis of what might be shortcomings of our society.)]

Will Zavala

BIO

Will Zavala is Associate Professor at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. He teaches and makes films, specializing in documentaries; his work has screened nationally and won numerous awards. He founded and conducts the Documentary Salon, a monthly film society, in 2006. A native of California, he received an MA from Stanford University in 1998. Not including freelance and contract gigs, Will has held over 40 jobs in his life.

WILLIAM ZAVALA

FILMOGRAPHY as PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

KaramoJokes Short Video. A survey of humor in the Karamoja region of Uganda 2018

Untitled Explainer Video for Scholarly Research at Univ. of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health in production

The Filmmaking Intensive Promotional Video for Pittsburgh Filmmakers 2016

Yes, We're Open Online Commercial for Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation 2015

Commonfilm Short Video Engrossing moments from ordinary life in production PART 1, CAUGHT LOOKING FILM SCREENING AT PNC PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA

A Blueprint for Jewish Life: Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh Promotional Video 2011

Luck Documentary. Strangers reveal their personal beliefs when asked, "What's the luckiest thing that ever happened to you? What's the unluckiest?" 2010 WQED-TV (PBS) BROADCAST ON "FILMMAKER'S CORNER" PITTSBURGH, PA 2011; FILM KITCHEN, PITTSBURGH, PA 2010; DISTRIBUTED ON SERMONSPICE.COM

Virgil Cantini: The Artist in Public Documentary Examination of the public art of the late sculptor and muralist. 2009 PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS, PITTSBURGH, PA

Today I Baled Some Hay to Feed the Sheep the Coyotes Eat Independent Documentary One week on a sheep ranch in Montana, portraying the challenging role of the rancher as caretaker, businessman, and steward of the land. 2008 JUROR'S CHOICE + AUDIENCE AWARD, SUSQUEHANNA SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL, LEWISBURG, PA 2008; FIRST PLACE, SHORTS COMPETITION, THREE RIVERS FILM FESTIVAL, PITTSBURGH, PA 2008

Over, and Out Short video Re-edit of Vietnam morale film 2008 FILMMAKER'S AWARD, PUBLIC DOMAIN PRIVATE DOMINION (EVENT) 2008

Hand Job Short film G-rated pornographic film 2008 MEDIA TONIC (EVENT) INSTALLATION, PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS, 2008

See Something Different: The Three Rivers Film Festival Festival Trailer 2007

Consuming Conversation Museum Installation video. "Visual poem" on the latest work by noted metalsmith artist Harriete Berman: teacups made from recycled consumer product tins. 2006 VIEWER DISCRETION FILM SERIES, PITTSBURGH, NOV 2006; FILM KITCHEN FILM SERIES, PITTSBURGH, APRIL 2006; FACULTY SHOW, PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS, FEBRUARY 2006

Things You Should Know Before You Go Educational video. Re-examination of US military recruitment TV commercials in context of factual information about the armed services. 2006 FILM KITCHEN FILM SERIES, PITTSBURGH, APRIL 2006

Earth and Home Educational video. Exploration of ecological design in residential architecture, through the building of a unique home in Mill Valley, California. 2003

San Francisco Beledi Documentary/Performance video. Behind-the-scenes look at popular Bay Area dance troupe FatChance BellyDance as they prepare for a major performance. 2003

Zoo Lessons Children's Education video. Set of two programs compares what different age groups can learn from a field trip to the Oakland Zoo. 2001

New Justice: San Francisco's Drug Court Public Information video. Profile of unconventional treatment approach to drug offenders within the S.F. court system. Narrated by Martin Sheen. 2000

Watching Grass Grow Museum Installation video. How metalsmith Harriete Berman created a "lawn" of 32,000 blades of recycled metal, and the socio-environmental inspiration for it.. 2000

In Search of the American Dream Television pilot. A rollicking journey through the Nevada desert with Tom Brennock & John Aird, Silicon Valley executives seeking secrets of true happiness. 2000

Zoista Mezzo Forte Cat video. 1999

Drawbridge Masters Thesis Project video. History of unusual ghost town on San Francisco Bay. 1998 DISTRIBUTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA CORPORATION, 2001-06; WINNER, MACFARLANE AWARD, CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2003; BAY TV-SAN FRANCISCO BROADCAST ON PROGRAM "BAY WINDOW" 2001; SECOND PLACE, EARTHVISION FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL, SANTA CRUZ, CA , 1999; THIRD PLACE, DOCUMENTARY, ATAS COLLEGE TELEVISION AWARDS (STUDENT EMMYS), 1999; KTEH -SAN JOSE BROADCAST ON PROGRAM "VIDEO I",1999; FILM ARTS FESTIVAL, SAN FRANCISCO,1998; PUBLIC SCREENING AND DISCUSSION, S.F. BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, 1998

Roller Derby: Theatre of Pain Student film. Sync-sound. On the survival of the sport. 1997 HAMBURG INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, 1998; STUTTGART FILMWINTER, 1999

Dealing With the Truth Student video. Profile of a "dishonest" used car dealer.1998 BRADDOCK LIGHT, OUTDOOR SCREENING, BRADDOCK, PA 2009; NOMAD VIDEOFILM FESTIVAL, S.F./PORTLAND/SEATTLE, 2000

Kids on Candy Student film. B&W non-sync sound. On children, on candy. 1996

A Summer Workshop Conference video. For Native American Renewable Energy Education Program. 1996

Starmakers Documentary. For theater program at Association for Retarded Citizens 1993

Interpreting in the AA Setting Instructional video. Sign language interpreter instructional tape. 1992

38 Reasons to Watch Station promo. Two-minute spot for cable access station Channel 38. 1991 FINALIST, STATION PROMO CATEGORY, HOMETOWN VIDEO AWARDS, 1992

Collect Your Slumber* Fake PSA. 1986

The Director and the Five o'Clock News Documentary. In the control room at a TV news broadcast 1986

Wells Fargo Informational video. One town's response to chronic water shortages. 1984

Know Lies Dramatic short student film 1982

Juco Dramatic short student film 1980 FILM KITCHEN, 2012

Gaslamp Revival* Promotional student film about district in San Diego, CA 1980

Thank Heaven for Volcanos* Claymation student film 1972

* NON-EXTANT OR INACCESSIBLE

ONE OR MORE LINKS TO RELEVANT WEBSITES

Pittsburgh Documentary Salon: http://pghdocsalon.blogspot.com

Pittsbrugh Filmmakers job: http://filmmakers.pfpca.org/school

Pittsburgh City Paper article: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/on-the-job-training/Content?oid=1337107

AN ESSAY EXPLAINING WHY YOU'RE UNDERAPPRECIATED

UNDERAPPRECIATED

I feel a great sense of gratitude whenever one of my films is screened in a public place. Knowing how much media is available to everyone today, I am slightly amazed by the strange and accidental gift of time that some people choose to spend with my film. The actual number of people that show up at the screening is immaterial; each person in the room is deserving of my thanks. When it's not possible to do so individually, then I hope the film itself fulfills the task of returning the favor, as time well-spent.

So screening a film might seem like the attainment of a goal: a movie is meant to be viewed, and it has just been viewed. Yet I have never finished a screening with a sense of finality. Never have I walked away thinking, "That project is done. That film need never be seen again." I see my films as living creatures, with a lifespan at least as long as my own.

Of course, I am profoundly wrong when I think that way.

The shelf life of any given independent film is really short, maybe a year. Why is this so? Is it due to the Niagara-like flow of media each day, where single films-even good ones--get lost in the wash? Sure. Is it our fascination with the New? Yes, that, too (recalling the requisite question at most Q&A sessions, "So what are working on next?"). It is also that we filmmakers tend to prefer making films to distributing them, distribution often being a sour blend of time, money, energy, disinterest and rejection.

The end result is that the work that I devoted a hundred hours to might be seen by a hundred people. Ever. If I'm lucky. So despite the aforementioned gratitude, I also live with a sense of underappreciation.

But that's not the only reason why I feel underappreciated. The bigger reason is more embarrassing.

The truth is, I love my films more than anyone else ever will. I brought these creatures into being, and did so mostly by spending many hours alone with them. I know them. I know the words by heart, and certain lines still jangle in my head decades later. I love the people in my movies (I make documentaries), and see depth and complexity in them that I cannot share with others (lest I become an insufferable ass). I don't think they're all great films; in fact, some are pretty flawed, and I love them anyway.

I receive compliments from viewers with a smiling suspicion that they enjoyed it but didn't really get it.

So I must remind myself of other movies and other creatures. The movies I love the most are ones I don't fully understand. They have an extended shelf life because, even after multiple viewings they defy verbal explanation. Likewise, our cat: she is a mystery to me, and I adore her. I really don't understand my wife; maybe that's why I love her so. They are all underappreciated because I am incapable of fully appreciating them. I'm just thankful that they are around.

tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE

idioideo at verizon dot net

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE Anti-Neoism page

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE Audiography page

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE Bibliography page

to my "Blaster" Al Ackerman index

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE Books page

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE BYOC page

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE Censored or Rejected page

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE Collaborations page

to the tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE (d) compositions page

to Amir-ul Kafirs' Facebook page