Gotta Groove Records Review - CutPrintFilm

“With so much focus on process, Gotta Groove Records could easily be qualified as an industrial video … if a slickly produced one. But it never falls into the tedium of that industrial format. That’s because Cavalier and DOP John Pope lens the action with such obvious affection. Every moment of this film is meticulously constructed and flawlessly executed – including a dynamite tracking shot that unfolds over the final few minutes. If nothing else, Gotta Groove Records is a gorgeous film to look at. But Cavalier has more than just looks in mind. He further tempers the film’s industrial nature by keeping the human element front and center. It’s humans running the machines. It’s humans enjoying the music on all of those gorgeous discs too. And Gotta Groove Records is a company based around the human musical experience. Many of the company’s employees are working musicians on the Cleveland scene. Throughout the film, Cavalier shows us glimpses of who they are, where they’re from and why they love records. The more we get to know, the more Gotta Groove Records becomes a compelling narrative about human passions and shared human experiences. It’s a damn informative one at that. And yeah, with music from the likes of Suzuki Junzo, Lemon Sky and Hazard Adams, it’s gotta killer soundtrack to boot.”

— CutPrintFilm.com

Press - Gotta Groove Records

Today was a good day for press on the piece I directed for Gotta Groove Records. Coming off the tails of our Vimeo Staff Pick, we received a few more write ups at major publications. 

We got picked up by Devour.com, and I was asked to write a short article about grit and craftsmanship in Cleveland for Make Magazine. Shortly there after, we got picked up by Fast Company Design, HYPEBEAST, Laughing Squid, Magnetic Magazine and Digg.com! I'm honored and pleased this piece is getting the attention it deserves. 

Gotta Groove Records - Vimeo Staff Pick

Honored to have my film for Gotta Groove Records selected as a staff pick today at vimeo.com.

Gotta Groove Records

Excited to finally release the video I directed for Gotta Groove Records in my hometown of Cleveland Ohio. It's a procedural doc on how records are made and the underdog story of Vince and Matt and all that they have built on their passion for music and manufacturing.

Huge thanks to John Pope and Mike Bacanu for the beautiful cinematography. Special thanks to Joey Artino for his ariel camera work. A big thanks to Michael Seifert and all his bands/friends. He did the SFX, mix and the music supervision. Lastly, thanks to Allan Stallard and Animal VFX for the color work and gear support. Allan crushed the vintage look.

Warrior Angels Foundation

Full micro doc released today for Warrior Angels Foundation. Special thanks to James Mills for his cinematography and Dan Sugarman for his original music.

Warrior Angels - Teaser Trailers

Recently I had the opportunity to create a short documentary about the work Dr. Mark Gordon and Andrew Marr are doing at the Warrior Angels Foundation. Find out some more in depth information here. 

Special thanks to James Mills for his camera work and Dan Sugarman for the original music. 11 minute documentary release July 4th. Be on the look out.

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine - Forced Perspective

Special thanks to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine for an awesome interview.

“The most important thing I want people to feel is inspired. Inspired to become a hero like Derek did. To inspire others with their craft. The movie is a beacon of creativity screaming loudly “You can do this too. There are no excuses.” That’s transcendent of the arts. The film is about defying the odds, and adversity. Chasing your passion. Outside of that I hope people who have mental illness see the film and hear the message (hidden in the subtext) that you can be extraordinary. Channel that “illness” into an advantage.”

— Nick Cavalier

the Damncast

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the DamnCast. Was a lot of fun! Interview starts at the 40 minute mark. 

Radio Freaks Interview

I was on The Radio Freaks podcast yesterday making fun of my friend Tony L and talking about the process of making Forced Perspective. My interview starts at 12 min 30sec. Check it out and don't forget order the film on iTunes, VOD or Google Play.

Press for Forced Perspective

We have been getting some great press for Forced Perspective. We have recently been featured in the New York Times, Juxtapoz, Cleveland.com, BraveWords.com, Inked Magazine, Alternative Press, Examiner and many more.

Feeling very grateful for the people who are talking about my work. As a director, it feels gratifying to see people connecting to what you put out. Very excited for the release.

Forced Perspective - Available now on iTunes and Google Play!

Forced Perspective, an intimate character portrait of iconic Cleveland artist Derek Hess - out now on iTunes and Google Play! 

Forced Perspective Now Available at Vimeo on Demand!

Forced Perspective is now available worldwide on Vimeo on Demand through our friends at Gravitas Ventures.

Forced Perspective DVD, Blu-Ray and Collectors Book Available now!

Very pleased to announce our companion book to Forced Perspective, and the blu-ray DVD packages through IndieMerch.com. Click HERE to order. Details below:

Poster - Offset print, signed by Derek Hess & director Nick Cavalier, 21" x 28"

Fine Art Print - Only available in exclusive bundle, silk-sceen print, limited to 100, 22” x 28”

DVD & Blu-Ray – “Forced Perspective” is an intimate portrait of iconic artist Derek Hess by filmmaker Nick Cavalier. Since he was a young boy, Clevelander Derek Hess has had a “knack” for drawing. As the son of a WWII veteran and professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art, Hess also has had a deep appreciation for the discipline and training necessary for creative growth. Nick Cavalier’s FORCED PERSPECTIVE – evokes Hess’s favored artistic technique of manipulating an object’s size in order to create the illusion of distance. It also traces how these values transformed Hess from an unknown concert poster illustrator at Euclid Tavern into an internationally renowned t-shirt designer, post-hardcore concert organizer, and fine artist. In extensive interviews, Hess opens up about his artistic process as well as his ongoing trials with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Through his intensely expressive mixed media art, Hess not only works through his demons, but also inspires his fans from around the world to do the same. An impressive tribute to Hess’s oeuvre, Cavalier’s documentary highlights the unique perspective this artist brings to the art world.

Director: Nick Cavalier

Running Time: 1 hour 36 mins

Book - The new companion book to the award winning "Forced Perspective" documentary includes over 125 pages of amazing film stills and iconic artworks spanning over 25 years of Derek Hess’s life and career, plus brand new exclusive content you won't get from the movie.

Classic Hess works reproduced include "Burned Out," "Suicide Note," the indelible "Hemorrhage," his poster for Obama campaign, the notorious Barney the Dinosaur suicide flier that earned him a censorship threat from Pearl Jam, and much much more.

A behind the scene look at the production of the film and an introspective look behind “what makes the art talk” for each era of Derek’s life corresponding to the chapters in the film. A one of a kind collector's item for film and Derek Hess fans.

Comes with Bonus DVD that features:

Derek Hess – Deleted Scenes
Unearth – Deleted Scenes
Stipe Miocic – Deleted Scenes
Cleveland Artists – Deleted Scenes
Film Premier – QA with Derek and Nick
Euclid Tavern Photography
Tales From The Euclid Tavern
Behind The Scenes – Making The Music
8 Teaser Vignettes
2 Trailers
SXSW Finalist - Title Sequence

Don't forget to preorder the film on Vimeo! The film Releases April 12th through Gravitas Ventures.

Forced Perspective at 2016 Canton Film festival

Forced Perspective at the 2016 Canton Film Festival.

Friday, April 22, 2016 - Admission $5
6:00pm Doors Open
7:30pm Forced Perspective: The Story of artist Derek Hess
Post movie Q&A with director Nick Cavalier

WCSB Presents Forced Perspective at Cleveland State

As part of WCSB 89.3fm’s 40th anniversary celebration and Cleveland State University’s Graduate Student Appreciation Week, WCSB & the Graduate Student Association present the film and discussion of “Forced Perspective – The Story Of Artist Derek Hess” on Wednesday, April 6 in the MC Auditorium starting at 6pm.

WHERE: CSU Main Classroom Auditorium

2121 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115

SCHEDULE: 

6pm-Reception

7pm-Film Screening

Followed by Discussion/Q&A with Derek Hess and Nick Cavalier

Talkin' Cash

Did a really cool podcast with my buddy Ben Blanchard. His podcast is Talkin' Cash. It's a cool idea, talking about money and how it relates to the creative venture. Check it out below and excuse my profanity. ;)

New Website for Forced Perspective

ForcedPerspectiveFilm.com is now live with a slick new website.

52 Episodes in 4 days

Cooking something up with Fabio Viviani. Be on the lookout! Thanks to everyone at Chef'd and the talented crew for making the impossible possible.

Forced Perspective - Preorders Now Open!

Preorders are now open for my first feature film "Forced Perspective" through Gravitas Ventures. Very proud to be working with them, they are a fantastic company. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen (You know who you are), and thanks to Geoffrey Clark and Lisa Lapan at Something Kreative for seeing this through.

We plan on pushing this out big time on March first, but feel free to support us and share the link below now.

Host a Screening - Forced Perspective

As we prepare for our release in the coming months, we are booking out college, art school, gallery, theatrical and non theatrical screenings across the US. Both Derek and I are available for appearances and QA. Shoot us a message here if you have interest in having us.

If you have not seen the film, it's a a biographic and allegorical hero story about Derek Hess. The film follows his rise to fame through concert posters in the early 90's, his struggle with alcoholism and bipolar and how those demons affect his art. It's a portrait of an artist in the modern age, and it takes a raw look at creativity and it's link to substance abuse and mental illness. 

My hope is that the film inspires future artists to create compelling work, and that Derek's story offers insight into success with integrity in the arts. For more information, check out our facebook, and twitter.