my shuttle space!

The space shuttle Endeavour made its final flight of its career (and marked the end of the shuttle program as we know it) a couple weeks ago over LA. After being readied in a hangar at LAX, it took a 12-mile journey through city streets to the California Science Center, where it will be displayed forever.

The two-day haul at 2mph was quite a sight, with the wings coming within inches of several traffic lights and trees. To make the event even more unique was the fact that the shuttle was pulled over a bridge by a Toyota truck. The publicity stunt was filmed for a commercial, and I helped produce a large viewing reception for Toyota executives at Randy's Donuts, an iconic LA donut shop seen in many Hollywood films.

Seeing the shuttle fly overhead was amazing, but witnessing it so up close and moving through the city was breathtaking. The bonus of the evening was running into Luke Wilson, who was shooting a short film as the shuttle passed.

fresh new website!

It's been awhile coming, but as I've learned with everything in this business, patience and baby steps are extremely important to continued success. So, without further ado, I present to you a newly revamped website!

www.guetig.com

Amongst the changes are a sleeker look, more user-friendly pages, and some career updates. I will soon be adding a media page for easy access to many of your favorite commercials, short films, and TV clips. Of me. I mean, obviously, your favorite videos probably involve that little girl from Modern Family or anything from Breaking Bad, but I'll just post my stuff. Hopefully you can pick a favorite of mine from there. And, um, if not, I guess 30 Rock is back on...

one big holiday festival photos!

Here are a few more photos from Flyover Film Festival in Louisville several months ago.
During the opening night screening


Christopher Guetig, Jim James, Michael Feld


Q&A with Stu Pollard


Festival Director Ryan Daly, Board Member-Producer Stu Pollard, Board Member-Actor William Mapother, filmmakers Evan Sennett and Matthew Rivera, Producer Gill Holland, Christopher Guetig, Jim James, Michael Feld

festival press for 'one big holiday'!

What a grand week it was! A homegrown boy who made a hometown film about a homegrown band returning to his hometown to show his homegrown film. Ah, yes, it was exciting for me to return to the place I love so much, and even more fun to have the opportunity to talk about One Big Holiday on a morning show, radio, newspapers, and even a podcast. Below you will find a smattering of infotainment about the film and my connection to Louisville.

Voice-Tribune
http://www.voice-tribune.com/news/profile/a-louisville-love-story/


NPR, WFPL 89.3
http://wfpl.org/post/back-band-drummer-turned-filmmaker-produces-my-morning-jacket-documentary#.T85me_CB3rp.email


WHAS Great Day Live
http://www.whas11.com/great-day-live/video/Its-time-for-the-Flyover-Film-Festival-157818585.html

me on a podcast!

Why hello there! It's been a crazy coupla months, hence why I've neglected this little blog. My documentary about My Morning Jacket had its premiere in the city it was made in (Louisville, KY), and I consequently did a lot of press prior to and during the film festival.

Here is one fun piece of press that is 5% about the film and 95% funsense. Thanks to my friend Alex for having me on his podcast. You can check it out here: http://probablynotpodcast.podbean.com/2012/06/12/probably-not-podbomb-4-with-christopher-guetig/

I'll post some of the other press soon.

'one big holiday' to open louisville festival!

One Big Holiday has been selected to open Flyover Film Festival in Louisville! It will screen as part of a shorts program on Thursday 07 June at the Speed Art Museum, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Michael Feld (Director) and I will both be traveling to Louisville for the festival weekend, and are proud to return to the city that made this film possible.

This is sure to sell out, so get your tickets soon! More info to come!

new screening in chicago!

One Big Holiday has been selected to screen at the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival 12-15 April 2012!

This is another great honor and an excellent festival in one of my favorite American cities! Some of the other terrific documentaries that will screen include Don't Follow Me (I'm Lost) about Bobby Bare, Jr. and Uprising: Hip Hop & the LA Riots, narrated by Snoop Dogg.

If you're in Chicago, come on out! You can check out the full schedule and info here: http://cimmfest.org/roots-rock-gods-and-welshmen/

one big holiday page created!

Hello again!

Just wanted to pass along the newishly-created Facespace page for my film One Big Holiday. There are tons of behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot, as well as great photos of the concert by the super-talented Margot Landen. This page will also feature all festival updates and any other general news that the filmmakers would like to share.

We'd love it if you took a second and "liked" the page so you continue to get all the updates. You can visit it here: https://www.facebook.com/onebigholidayfilm

Thanks!

it's festival time!

Life isn't about how many rejections you get, but rather how many acceptances. With that said, I'd like to proudly announce that my little film One Big Holiday has been accepted into its first festival! Thank you to the LA Film+Music Weekend for including us in your 2012 program!

We have some other excitements on the horizon, but for now we are relishing the idea that a public audience of film and music enthusiasts can see My Morning Jacket and the city of Louisville on the big screen. Hooray!

For those of you in Los Angeles, I invite and encourage you to attend the world premiere of One Big Holiday. Visit here for more details: http://www.lafilmweekend.com/one-big-holiday.php

World Premiere: One Big Holiday
LA Film+Music Weekend 2012
Friday 23 March
11:05pm

Downtown Independent Theatre
251 S. Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

doritos commercial!

Doritos Commercial from Christopher Guetig on Vimeo.

This is an unaired commercial produced for the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest last year. The director is a colleague I've worked on several projects with, and most of the cast and crew have also worked together as well. This commercial did not receive enough votes to make it to the finals, and therefore has never aired on TV.

The photo below is the application of dorito bits to my face. Eww.

break a leg!

"Break a leg" is a lucky wish given to a performer prior to a show, something I've said and heard a million times. Whelp, the sentiment has finally come true after all these years. Medically, I have a chip fracture of my right fibula at the ankle, and am in a boot.

Yes, a boot. It looks like the ski boot I wore on new year's day, though I escaped my many falls unscathed that day. I've also been fine on the many long hikes I've been taking in Cabellero Canyon, and have remained safe in the many hard-fought paddle tennis matches I've been playing. So, taking a step down in the backyard to retrieve my laundry from the garage? Boom goes the Guetig!

It sounds a bit comical, though I can assure you the pain is not. Apparently, a chip is the worst kind of break you can have and there's nothing I can really do to help it. I think the doctor prescribed bourbon, ice cream, and movies. At least that's what I heard.

life's highlights!

Life's Highlights from Christopher Guetig on Vimeo.

This is the trailer for a short film I shot two years ago and will be coming out soon, as published on a Brazilian film production website. It stars Randy Fratkin as my boss, whom I confront after I find out he's standing on the ledge of our building with some serious questions about life. It's a film about perspective and how we handle not reaching our goals. The photos below are from the set during shooting.

If you speak portuguese, check out this post about the film in Brazil: http://www.perestroika.com.br/?p=1892

another short film!

Distorted Trade from Christopher Guetig on Vimeo.

This is one of the first films I shot in LA back in 2008. It premiered in February 2009 as part of the Los Angeles Film Collective's We Love Los Angeles Art Show that included films as well as studio art made by local artists.

I play a guy who gets caught up in a bad situation with some bad people. Playing opposite Michael Bayouth (Paranormal Activity) was a lot of fun; he is the highlight of this film for me.

I don't think anyone's seen this film, so I thought I'd dig it up and release it here. Enjoy!

dishnetwork with blockbuster commercial!

And here it is, in all its glory. Apparently, the :30 is airing all over the place, though I've only caught the end of it when I was in Atlanta. But texts, calls, and messages have been raining in from all over the country, so I suppose maybe you've seen it, too. If not, here is the full two-minute version.

As mentioned previously, there is a bit of dancing. With a remote. And some of the outtakes also were apparently good enough to make the final cut - my scene was all improv, and I'm quite happy with it. Enjoy.

one big holiday poster!

i booked a commercial!

After being on avail for a Pepsi/Saturday Night Live spot two weeks ago that I did not book, I came back strong and booked an ad for DishNetwork! The audition was on a Wednesday, fitting Thursday, and shoot on Friday. Bangbangbang. It all happened so fast I didn't have time to tell my mom (hi Mom! I'm still a working actor!). I dunno when it'll run, but there will be innerwebular components as well. I won't give away any secrets, but there's a chance I had to dance during the shoot. If it's not too embarrassing, I'll post it here when it airs.

Also of note, out of 130 actors that were called in for the audition, only two males were chosen; both had beards, and both were from Kentucky. Thank you beard, and thank you Kentucky.

one big holiday screenings in austria and germany!

I had the great fortune to return to Europe yet again this summer to produce an international relations conference for high school students from 42 countries. As one of the directors of the two-week program, my duty was ultimately to ensure the health and safety of all the students and staff, and logistically move 340 of us through five countries. Easy? Nope. Rewarding and memorable? Yep.

There are many highlights of aiding international teenagers in creating life-long memories and promoting global communication within the Jugendkultur, some of which are indescribable within this silly blog. Many students were traveling abroad for the first time and were awakened by the sheer beauty of Gothic architecture, the spices of Hungarian foods, and the magic of a city untouched by war.

A trip like this, especially when it's the first time away from family and friends, juxtaposes the sense of home with a spirit of adventure. This emotion can be found at the heart of my documentary One Big Holiday, and whilst its journey is a world away from workshops on conflict resolution and cross-cultural communication, it shares the inherent sense of what 'home' means to all of us. At no time do we appreciate where we come from more than when we're away from it.

I had the opportunity to screen the film in both Vienna and Munich, and could not have been prouder to see my hometown of Louisville on the screen in front of colleagues and strangers from around the world. Let's hope this is just the beginning.

the doc has arrived!

It's been an exciting week with the lead-up to the release of One Big Holiday with My Morning Jacket's deluxe box set, and it's been arriving worldwide! It's so incredible to physically see our documentary DVD with all the other packaging of MMJ's sixth, and arguably finest, album Circuital.

The film has been getting a lot of great press, including this fantastic article from Consequence of Sound: http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/05/insight-my-morning-jackets-one-big-holiday/

I am so proud to be part of this release, both as a representative of my hard-working crew and as part of the My Morning Jacket family. The film has been a labor of love and I could not be happier with the final result.

'one big holiday' release!

It's official! The documentary I produced last fall on Louisville and My Morning Jacket is being released Tuesday 31 May with the band's deluxe box set of its new album, Circuital. Titled One Big Holiday, it documents the preparations of a homecoming concert at the newly-opened downtown arena, including interviews with the members of the band, former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, ear x-tacy owner John Timmons, members of opening band Wax Fang, and the conductor of the Louisville Youth Orchestra (LYO).

Directed by Michael Feld, the documentary thematically speaks to what it means to follow your dreams and the strength of having a sense of home, no matter where that may be. Beautifully shot in HD, the film combines footage of Louisville, rehearsals with My Morning Jacket and the LYO, interviews, and the concert itself. While I believe fans of the band and the city will love the film, I'm most excited about its universal appeal and showing the world the symbiotic relationship between two of my favorite things: My Morning Jacket and the city of Louisville, Kentucky.

louisville/my morning jacket documentary!

I cannot say too much at this time, but the rumors are true about a film crew being in Louisville, Kentucky for a week in late October. I am proud to say that I am the Executive Producer of a documentary that takes a look at the 16th largest city in America and one of its greatest musical exports. I was part of an extremely talented and handpicked crew from Los Angeles that spent a glorious week amidst the colored foliage and cool temperatures of the River City. It all culminated with the My Morning Jacket concert within the newly-opened downtown arena, and I am terribly excited about the experience. Stay tuned.

3 new bookings!

I haven't updated much recently regarding my career, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy (drinking coffee by the pool); on the contrary, I've been quite active (hiking) and making more baby steps (in the orchard with the dog). Yes, I've been learning a lot (this new juicer is awesome!) and have been trying to put in hard work and patience (why won't Mila Kunis return my calls?!), so that karma will soon return all this good energy back to me.

Of note, this is the latest good news, all of which should hopefully receive their own posts soon enough:

- I booked the lead in a feature film that shoots for three weeks this summer in five states, including Alaska!

- I booked an innovative and hip short film with commercial director Paul Santana! Check 'im out: www.paulsantana.com

- I am now the lead in the web series, Green Manor! (I was previously a recurring guest star....)


As these projects begin to take more shape, I will give more details about each of them. This could turn out to be an interesting summer....

at the 83rd academy awards!

How in the hell did I get that close? How in the hell did I see every major celebrity walk by? How in the?

Through some lovely friends of friends, I had security clearance right in the middle of the red carpet for the Oscars. We were perched on the second floor of the El Capitan building (next to Jimmy Kimmel Live and across from the Kodak Theatre), where we watched the arrivals and interviews all day long as everyone streamed into the theatre.

While I've had the good fortune of seeing celebrities around town and even hanging out with some, this was quite surreal to see all the big ones on parade: Robert Downey, Jr and Christian Bale chatting it up, Gwyneth Paltrow gliding by, Mila Kunis melting my heart, Natalie Portman having a baby, Annette Benning and Warren Beatty doing whatever they do, Sandra Bullock radiating smiles, Matthew McConaughey with his shirt on, Halle Berry making the world stop, Amy Adams singing to squirrels, Mark Wahlberg also with his shirt on, Jesse Eisenberg being awkwardly genuine, and Kevin Spacey being Kevin Spacey. I can also report that Celine Dion is not a robot and Donald Trump's hair is as bad in person as it is on the television.

It was quite the experience and a good introduction for when I actually get to walk the red carpet sometime in the next 5-10 years. Oh yes, she will be mine.

updated actor reel!

Welcome, Oh Eleven! I have good feelings about this year, and have been quite proactive to start out the new year strong, including having new head shots taken with my beard (with my beard!) and updating my acting reel. You can see the reel above and one of the many photos below. Special thanks to award-winning editor Greg Fitzsimmons and photographer Margot Landen for their artistic talents in making me look as fantastic as possible.

u.s. census commercial! finally!

Whelp, this spot was shot over a year ago and aired eight months ago, but I've finally been able to find an online copy of it. I appear briefly in the :30 version as the dude with the guitar who opens his door to fire trucks. Cool, eh? Sorry for the delay.

pilot for web series.

This post has been a long time comin'. I shot the pilot episode for a web series called Green Manor in September where I play the friend of the lead character. The series is about a young guy who takes the manager position of an apartment building so he can have free rent and get away from his girlfriend. There's a host of characters who are tenants already, and with ten episodes written, who knows what'll happen? Hopefully, the friend will stay around....

best u.s. short at rome international film festival!

The Man in the Glass Case just won "Best U.S. Short" at the Rome International Film Festival! This adds to the list of awards this short has received, and while I only had a small role (and my fight scene was cut), I am proud to have been part of it. It is shot beautifully in black & white, and the writer/director is extremely talented. Super. (Rome, Georgia, by the way; don't get too excited.)

seafishing!

I did a really cool stop-motion project several months back where I was a sea captain fishing for love. I won't tell you what he found, but I bet you can figure it out by looking at the photo. The photo/video project was turned into a physical flipbook, too! I'm published!

Seafishing from Jessica Kucinskas on Vimeo.

overloaded reviews!

Whelp, I think the first review is a good one, saying that the only complaint is that it was too short. Read it for yourself and judge accordingly. But I will gladly repeat this gem: "... this is a charming work, if ever I've seen one. It has an alarmingly interesting cast of characters with great, funny and easily lovable performances". Why, that's awful nice.

The second review is also quite positive and thinks it should be developed into a feature-length film. Okay.

http://www.moviesmademe.com/movie/review/2316
http://www.roguecinema.com/article2315.html

'the man in the glass case' screenings and awards!

I shot a film last summer that has garnered the People's Choice Award at the Arizona Black Film Festival, and has been chosen to be screened at the Texas Black Film Festival, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, RAW: Hollywood Showcase at Cinespace, Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival, and the Rome International Film Festival. Kinda crazy my face is the one chosen for the poster for the RAW event!

Also check out the filmmaker's page of the film at www.maxwelladdae.com