Kyah Cook, director of photography for the short film "The Northern Rhapsody", kills time at the Cherkasy Academic Regional Theater in Ukraine while waiting for costumes.
Of the many costumes we used in the production of The Northern Rhapsody, by far the most impressive was a hand decorated cow skull mask courtesy of a local artist in Cherkasy.
The Ukrainian khustka headscarf is traditionally worn after a woman is married, this occurs during the 'head covering' ritual. The khustka is then always worn to cover the hair, particularly when entering a sacred place. Most of the younger generations, however, have opted for more modern methods of dress, especially when it comes to covering their hair.
Lysa Hora, or Bald Mountain as it translates, sits just outside the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. According to legends, witches used to gather at its peak to conduct rituals. Much of the more orthodox population still believes heavily in superstition.
Rain or shine, hundreds of ads cover the walls surrounding public areas and subway stations in and around Kyiv. With the increasing pressure from Russian backed seperatists, Ukraine's economy has struggled to withstand the declining population and low immigration rate.
It was just our luck that the extra we needed for the short film just happened to be working in the same graveyard we were shooting in. A very overgrown graveyard that was by all means abandoned had we not been there. Be sure to keep an eye out for the final release of The Northern Rhapsody.
Finally, after almost two months, OPIA is finished. Created as a collaborative effort between Kyah Cook and I, OPIA features a completely original soundtrack and script.
OPIA
N. The ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye, which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable—their pupils glittering, bottomless and opaque—you’re able to tell that there’s someone standing there, but unable to tell if you’re looking in or looking out.
Here is the story of an almost.
Shot in one day, OPIA is a personal project created from scratch by Davis Bonner and Kyah Cook.
Short film, long regarded as the best way for filmmakers to get their foot in the door, has since become victim to the seas of red tape that can hinder even the most determined of directors. Had we known the challenges facing us going into the production of Opia, (our upcoming short film) I doubt there would have been as much enthusiasm. Set in Denver Colorado, Opia tells the story of two separate, yet completely connected individuals who, in a brief moment, share a feeling of Opia before going their separate ways. On the surface, this sounded like an easy enough production to shoot, gather your actors and crew, then get as many takes at each location as you can. As it turns out, unless you are overflowing with cash and have the backing of a major company, shooting a short film on location is extremely difficult. The most infamous ball of red tape we came across was Union Station. Unbeknown to us, the policy surrounding media capture inside the station is extremely strict. Those trying to use even a tripod are quickly asked to leave as "No equipment is allowed." While I am no stranger to jumping through hoops, the process to request even ten minutes of shooting time as students resulted in a cold no. Left with no choice, we brought what little paperwork we had and a scrap of hope that we could shoot the critical scene at the station. Had it not been for the generosity of a security guard on duty, we may never have gotten the shot. In hindsight, pursuing the thought process behind, "easier to ask for forgiveness that permission" simply means being bold and pushing the boundaries of what others think you can accomplish.
Miles Turner joins the tens of thousands of other students, parents and community members marching through the streets of Denver during...
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My name is Davis Bonner and I currently work and study as a photojournalist with the hopes of making it my career. If you have any question or are interested in my work, please contact me at: davisbonner05@gmail.com
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