C-Horse "Tongues" Video Released!

Last week the video for C-Horse's song "Tongues" was finally released!!! This video was shot over one weekend last summer with a very small production team of Sean Johnson directing and Michael Guerena shooting. Both did all of the editing. I designed the lighting based off Sean's concept of using two different looks. To create greater contrast between the two looks, I chose to use silver curtains with darker ambiance for the moodier segments of the song and the existing window of the space for the brighter and more upbeat portions. The choice was made to use their rehearsal space for this performance based video. The space had a very industrial quality with large windows. Space and electrical capacity of the room proved to be a challenge. In the end the video was successful and a good reflection of the band's style.
Like the band? More C-Horse can be found here.

Looking Back to 2007: "The Defenders"

     Looking back five years ago this month to 2007, I was working on a set design for "The Defenders," written and directed by Brian Frette. This play was done in association with the Zoo District Theatre Company, and was performed at the Inside the Ford Amphitheatre space. "The Defenders" was a stylized spin off parody of the popular television show, "The Avengers." The show was a success and full of dark humor, original music and exciting combat scenes. Our team earned five Garland Award Honorable Mentions for this production. I was also nominated as an Honorable Mention for Best Set Design.
     Though this show was in many ways your typical small theatre experience with late nights and total exhaustion; this production was an incredibly rewarding and educational experience. I learned my physical limits and the depth of my dedication to theatre. I also learned to push my designs to be more functional while remaining very abstract. In the end, I was very pleased with the outcome of my scenery design which was only enhanced by strong collaboration with the lighting designer, Rachel Myles, and the director Brian Frette, who also did the props and furniture for the production. For me, this show was one of the "good ones" that comes along every once in a while and stays with you over time, reminding you why you love theatre.

Painting Series Installed

6 of 8 Paintings at the Glendale Trader Joe's

     Over the last few months I have been working on a series of paintings for the Trader Joe's in Glendale. The series includes eight paintings of local landmarks in the area, each measuring just under 3' tall by 6' wide. These paintings were intended to bring more of the local community into the store as well as achieving a more colorful and attractive shopping environment.

     I began researching Glendale history and sketching out ideas about 8 months ago. But due to the nature of the commercial art world, this project was put on hold multiple times for other more pressing projects and signage. Because this project has spanned so many months, I was incredibly relieved after the installation on March 6th.
     I am very pleased with the outcome of this project since it proved to be challenging at times due to the technical and detailed nature of each picture. The paintings and the overall layout of the pictures achieved all of the project goals that were set. The refrigerated portion of this store is now very colorful and inviting while giving customers a dose of local history!

Tar Pits Park Photograph Series

 

http://www.kcoulourides.com/TarPitsPark.html

 
     I finished my series of Tar Pits Park digital photographs this past fall in 2011. This was a series I had been working on for a couple years while living in the Miracle Mile District. I would regularly take walks to the park for serenity, creativity and inspiration. The scent of tar smells of home and relaxation. My urban aromatherapy if you will. Now that the series is complete and I've moved to another part of town, the tar pits park resonated nostalgia in my mind.
      My inspiration for this series stems from how tar connects us, the living, to the dead of the last Ice Age. Our current environment interacts with the tar in ways that are individual to each element of the park. Tar is beautiful in all of its forms and takes on a glistening reflection of its colorful surroundings. Tar can be dark and mysterious holding the mysteries of the past, or rainbow and organic; coating and floating on the current day.

To view the series go to http://www.kcoulourides.com/TarPitsPark.html

Rose Parade 2012!

     This year was my 21st year working on the Rose Parade. Every year I am excited to begin the challenge of decoration week, though this year was more challenging than previous years in a different way. I came into the 100 hour work week already tired from holiday hubbub and end of the year freelance gigs. Additionally, this year I was training a new supervisor and did not have the ultra experienced co-supervisor to lean on. I very much enjoyed training my new co-supervisor and felt confident in my abilities throughout most of the crazy week. The only thing lacking for me this year besides my physical energy was the lack of artistic input I had on the decoration the float. Given that I was made the head cheese of my float for the first time and I was training my co-supervisor, the level of difficulty was perfect for the both of us. It was a very manageable float, and in the end I think that is why I found myself a little bored this year. This year was about people, management and the volunteer's experience and less about the art. The art is what has always feed my passion for the Rose Parade. The large scale of the production and the beauty and artistry of the float is always amazing.
     Though this year the art was less satisfying for me I still learned many lessons about team and project management, working with corporate clients and teaching volunteers decoration skills while still having fun. The 2012 Rode Parade may not have been what I thought it would be for myself, but it was still a rewarding experience.

My Web Site Launch!

The first part of my official website has been launched! This first portion is focused on work of my personal expression. As of now, this portion of my website is heavy on photography, both film and digital. I plan on adding paintings in the next few months. Soon, the second portion of my site will be launched which will focus more on my entertainment design work for both lighting and scenery. This portion will also include my portfolio of commercial painting and comissioned murals.  Please take a look at the newly launched part one of my site. Thanks!

HTTP://WWW.KCOULOURIDES.COM

"Last Look" Trailer Released!

Shooting "Last Look" was a wonderful experience for me as the Theatrical Lighting Designer. Now that the film is almost complete, this trailer has been made in anticipation of it's expected Jan 2012 release! To read more about my experience working on this design and the shoot, please check out my previous blog post from this past summer.

I hope that you enjoy the trailer! (sorry for the ad, trailer starts soon after)

Last Look - First Trailer from Hernando Bansuelo on Vimeo.