British Film Institue - The Carnival of Dreams & Build Launch
T H E L A B O R A T O R Y A R T S C O L L E C T I V E
PRESENTS
THE UK PREMIERE OF
THE CARNIVAL OF DREAMS
A FILM BY LAUREN VANCE
FOLLOWED BY A Q & A WITH GARY OLDMAN & GISELE SCHMIDT
MODERATED BY NIGEL DALY, CO-FOUNDER OF THE LABORATORY
AND THE UK LAUNCH OF
THE LABORATORY ARTS COLLECTIVE MAGAZINE, BUILD ISSUE
In the feature length documentary The Picture Show (coming 2017), filmmaker Lauren Vance delves into the lives of the residents of Slab City and the work of wet plate artist Ian Ruhter as he spends time making collodion ambrotypes documenting the people who live there. Actor and photographer Gary Oldman visited Ruhter to take pictures for the latest issue of The Laboratory Arts Collective Magazine BUILD. The result of this profound meeting was captured by Vance and turned into the short film – The Carnival of Dreams which is a companion piece to BUILD.
The feature article includes a conversation between Oldman and Ruhter, a personal essay from writer and art curator Gisele Schmidt and original works created during this meeting, as well as images from both photographers’ archives.
The friendship and passion for collodion photography shared by Ruhter and Oldman is deep and beautiful. The process is reflected in the residents of Slab City, where those gathered on the margins of society have built their own sense of community. This project is as much about building relationships as it is about the alchemy of collodion photography and the physical act of taking a photograph.
As Ian Ruhter asks in BUILD “If you had been searching your whole life for something you love and you found it, what would you be willing to sacrifice?” Watching this film gives you insight into the answer. This burning question has clearly had a profound effect on both men in their own life experiences.
The Laboratory Arts Collective is thrilled to have partnered with AMD on the launch of the much-anticipated BUILD edition and the UK premier screening of the film The Carnival of Dreams.
Photographs by Sarah Burton
THE CARNIVAL OF DREAMS
FULL CREDITS
Directed By Lauren Vance
Featuring: Gary Oldman, Ian Ruhter
Director of Photography: Robin Fenlon
Cinematographer: Ian Beaudoux
Editors: Shannon Burnham, Daniella McInerney, Victor June, Jr.
Coordinating Producer: Gisele Schmidt
Executive Producers: Gary Oldman, Ian Ruhter, Gisele Schmidt, Lauren Vance
Wet plate artists: Gary Oldman, Ian Ruhter
Wet plate technician: Will Eichelberger
Additional Cast: “Builder” Bill Ammon, Will Eichelberger, “Pastor Dave,” “Mary Anne”, Phyllis, Gisele Schmidt
Music:
Kai Engel In Anxious Shadows
Dexter Britain The Time to Run
Peter Cook & Dudley Moore Goodbye-ee, 1965
As sung by Gary Oldman
Production Group/Affiliations:
The Laboratory Arts Collective
Silver & Light Films
Flying Pictures Studios
Vance Studios
Sony Electronics
Slab City Community Group
Profoto Lights (Wet Plate)
THANK YOUs
The Laboratory wishes to thank Gary, Gisele, Ian, Lauren & Will for their generosity in sharing their work with all of us.
Special thanks to our partners AMD for their support in presenting the BUILD issue and the UK BFI Screening & online premiere of 'The Carnival of Dreams.'
Thank you to Cinefamily in L.A. and to the BFI in London for their deep passion and commitment to the filmmaking community and hosting the US & UK premieres.
Special thanks to Air New Zealand, our travel partners.
And to Jack English, photographer and Laboratory contributor who set the dominos in motion.
FURTHER EXPLORATION:
CLICK HERE TO READ VANCE'S FILMMAKING ESSAY ON HER EXPERIENCE