COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND Arclight Productions Documentary Film Debuts at the Annenberg Space for Photography
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 30, 2014 -- Arclight Productions announces today that its newest original documentary film COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND will debut at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles as a featured component of the eponymous exhibition that opens May 31, 2014. Directed by Steven Kochones, the film explores the history and culture of country music through the lens of photography, which has portrayed the ideals, lifestyles and personalities of country music artists for over 80 years.
The film, commissioned by the Annenberg Space for Photography, features the images and commentary of Grand Ole Opry staff photographer Les Leverett; the late celebrity photographer Leigh Wiener; documentary photographer Henry Horenstein; iconic music photographers Henry Diltz and Raeanne Rubenstein; and contemporary photographers David McClister and Michael Wilson. Over a dozen country music artists also appear, including Rosanne Cash, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Lyle Lovett, LeAnn Rimes, Tanya Tucker, The Band Perry, Keith Urban and Lee Ann Womack. The film weaves iconic imagery, historical footage and interviews with musicians, historians and photographers together to present a dynamic look at country music and photography’s role in capturing and communicating this uniquely American sound. The film also features music and songs by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Hank Williams and more.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to explore the visual side of country music,” said Steven Kochones, the film’s director and principal of Arclight Productions. “The film chronicles a fascinating evolution over many decades, and I hope audiences enjoy the journey as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Also shown as part of the exhibit is the short KENNY ROGERS: MY COUNTRY, produced by Arclight Productions. The vignette evolved out of the interview process for COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND when the filmmakers discovered Rogers’ decades-long passion for photography. The stand-alone film presents a rare look at the performer’s 30-year odyssey behind the lens. His sophisticated eye has captured the images of Elizabeth Taylor, James Stewart, Bob Hope, Ray Charles, President Jimmy Carter, Lucille Ball and many more legendary personalities.
The Arclight Productions team conducted over 40 interviews with artists, photographers and experts—in locations across the US, including Nashville; Los Angeles; New York; Atlanta; Tulsa; Salem, Oregon; and Bakersfield, California. In addition to one-on-one interviews, the production was granted access to film a photo shoot with Lyle Lovett and photographer Michael Wilson at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia—a venue where Lovett has performed for 20 years.
COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND was filmed in 5K resolution on RED Epic cameras and will be presented in ultra high definition 4K resolution on 14-foot screens at the Annenberg Space for Photography.
COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND is a presentation of the Annenberg Space for Photography in association with the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Produced and Directed by Steven Kochones. Producer: Joe Russo, Director of Photography: Luke Geissbühler, Editors: James Pendorf, Juli Vizza.
Country: Portraits of an American Sound
May 31 – September 28, 2014
Annenberg Space for Photography
2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tel: 213.403.3000
http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org
Tuesdays through Fridays: 11 am – 6 pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 11 am – 9 pm
Closed Mondays.
COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND
and
KENNY ROGERS: MY COUNTRY play continuously.
Admission is free.
Parking with validation is $3.50 Wednesdays - Fridays and $1.00 on weekends.
About Arclight Productions
Founded in 1997, Arclight Productions is an award-winning film production company specializing in documentaries, commercials and behind-the-scenes for film and TV. The Arclight team has produced original content for Warner Bros., Focus Features, Universal, Columbia Pictures, HBO, IMAX, DreamWorks, Disney, 20th Century Fox and more. Since 2009, the company has produced 14 original documentaries commissioned by the Annenberg Foundation for the Annenberg Space for Photography including: EXTREME EXPOSURE; WATER: OUR THIRSTY WORLD, produced with National Geographic magazine; NO STRANGERS and THE WAR PHOTOGRAPHERS. The popular documentary WHO SHOT ROCK & ROLL: THE FILM made its theatrical premiere at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and has been an Official Selection of 25 film festivals around the world, earning four awards. Arclight also works with major museums such as the California Science Center and the non-profit Will Rogers Institute. With a professional staff at full-service facilities in the heart of Hollywood, Arclight boasts film-finishing capabilities at high resolutions (4K), high frame rates (60fps) and 3D. Learn more at http://www.arclightprods.com.
About the Annenberg Space for Photography
The Annenberg Space for Photography is a cultural destination dedicated to exhibiting photography. The Space conveys a range of human experiences and serves as an expression of the philanthropic work of the Annenberg Foundation and its Directors. The intimate environment features state-of-the-art, high-definition digital technology as well as traditional prints by both world-renowned and emerging photographers. It is the first solely photographic cultural destination in the Los Angeles area. Annenbergspaceforphotography.org
Alexia Haidos & Alison Deknatel, Smart Exposure, http://www.arclightprods.com, +1 (310) 450-6890, [email protected]
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