Philo Film and Phonograph Co.

This is the name I use for the collection of film and audio materials I have accumulated and carried with me the past 25 years. Includes super8 and 16mm cameras and projectors, the Steenbeck flatbed editing table, and a bunch of reels and cans of films, including the Filmers Almanac collection of super8 films, 16mm prints of Frames For Frampton and The Flamerthrowers and others. Also some stray prints of great international films, including "The War Game" by Peter Watkins, "Paddle to The Sea" (a NFBC short from the 70's), and Al Razutis's "Bridge At Electrical Storm". Other prints, including 2 great Japanese films with Toru Takemitsu scores, have been sold in the recent past to pay the bills etc.

There is a good collection of films as dvd and VHS tapes, although I have been working to clear out the VHS shelves, converting some to dvd-r.

The Philo Film and Phono collection also includes a large audio section, a fair number of antique records, 78's and Edison Diamond Discs, and 2 antique Edison Phonographs, an H-19 Diamond Disc player and the Amberola 50 cylinder player.

There is the LP and CD collection, probably in the region of 3500 LPs and the same number of CDs. A great selection of antique music on LP and CD, early jazz and "novelty" music. The main core of my record collecting was in the progressive rock vein, but there is also a lot of contemporary or "new music", including John Cage and Harry Partch, Xenakis, Ligeti and Kagel, and a fair amount of classic bebop, free jazz and otherwise improvised music.

I had always hoped these materials would find their way into some growing public trust, like the library of a non-profit media organisation, but for many reasons my life hasn't played out in that direction. I am not in the position to leave an endowment and most recently must think about the 2-year old boy's future. I am still trying to keep this collection together and useful as a resource for my own practice as a music- and film-maker, though it does seem that current financial conditions may demand further selling off of these resources. I have been working on cataloging the materials and began that project (in the Underminds blog).

This content, the creative work of several generations of human activity, is the reason for all our machines and gizmos: to allow the playback of the songs and films with which we tell ourselves the stories of a people, who found themselves spinning through space on planet Earth.

Owen O'Toole World Media

Representing Owen O'Toole worldwide in areas of filmmaking, sound and music creation, and all other endeavors of creative and/or scientific endeavor. Pursuing collaborations with other artists, particularly on the international level to promote world peace and understanding. Since 1981.

(This "business name" is partly tongue-in-cheek. But I like it.)

New Inventions In Search of Funding

It's funny to me that I should finally be getting comfortable with electronics, given that I have used such devices to make music/sound and film/video the past 25 years. The 6-channel speaker array project I detailed on another page: http://underminds.blogspot.com/2009/05/building-slork-speaker-array-part-2-i.html
has been my undergraduate electronic project and I can now solder reasonably well, though I am still trouble-shooting some bugs in that device.

I occasionally come up with ideas for machines or devices which I think could make living more interesting, at least to a certain number of people. I hope to be able to follow these invention ideas to fruition, but it often takes investment capital. I once had some family money and used it to the best of my ability towards understanding the world and making films and music (ways of understanding). I had a short-lived record label. As a self-employed filmmaker and soundtrack composer I am currently surviving by selling pieces from the Philo Film and Phonograph Co. collection of film and music history materials. In other words, the materials I collected to inspire me to create. Books, records, film, equipment.

I am looking for financial partners to help me continue my creative activities.

I am currently working on an iPhone app which I have found several willing developers to work with on, but they all expect payment before the work goes forward. Funny how that is. This idea involves turning the iPhone into a playable musical device, I think a universally enjoyable one. I think it has good return possibilites. One developer estimated about $5,000 to complete that project. If anyone wants to talk with me about that I am available thru e-mail as always.

I also have a musical hardware invention I am researching and trying to build the prototype for, involving a mixing board designed in a novel and truly fascinating manner. It will be a beautiful combination of antique and futuristic hardware. I'm hoping to find some investment partners to try to make this thing real.

So I am reaching out to friends as a way to begin these new approaches to micro and macro fund my endeavors, since most of what I do exists outside the borders of normal activity and research. If you are someone who has some investment funds around and are looking to help a devoted artist and searcher realize a few good projects, and maybe even benefit back upon the success of these projects, I would love to hear from you.

Sorry, I don't have a name for an electronics or softward firm yet. I'm open to your ideas!

Thanks you.
Owen O'Toole
oein@mac.com
Los Angeles

Macro-Memoir Fundraising Letter

Dear friends,

I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in the making of films.
I have devoted the majority of my life to film-making and music for film.
We moved to Los Angeles 3 years ago when it looked like my work as a soundtrack composer was on the rise. The past 3 years have been difficult, as the music field has become extremely competitive and noisy. This fund-raising appeal is an attempt to jumpstart the film-making track I have been on.

I recently took part in a competitive application to make a short film with Christine Vachon's Killer Films through massify.com. They chose a film project by a young woman about a transgender teen, which had an extremely well written script. The process was an excellent exercise in preparing film materials, from script and pitch video to budget. They imagined a 10 minute short to cost about $25,000 to produce. I'm aiming to fundraise towards the same goal and to produce one of the shorts I am working on or begin a feature project.

This letter is intended to reach those of you who love the cinema and films and might enjoy some participation in getting films made. I am speaking to those of you for whom the request or invitation would not be intrusive, assumptive or a burden. I'm also not asking for something with nothing in return.

If this might interest you, please read the accompanying posts and consider contributing to my film-making fund. Gifts of 100$ will receive a dvd compilation of my films from the past 20 years. Gifts of 250$ and over will receive a 6 dvd set of almost all my films collected together. All gifts will receive recognition through thanks in credits of the film the donation was used towards and you will be kept informed of that. Anyone wishing to support my filmmaking at a higher level is welcome to contact me at oein@mac.com to discuss that.

I began studying film because I thought it was a medium that could create international understanding and make the world a better place. I think all art and literature have the potential to do that. I am still working towards that goal, even as the world becomes more and more complex with each day. There is all the more need for good communication.

Please view my artist website, under construction:
www.owenotoole.com
My best wishes and thanks.
Owen O'Toole
Monrovia, CA

History of Owen as Filmmaker

Here is a timeline of some of the peaks and valleys in my film-making life.

Summer 1981-- Animation class with Flip Johnson at Boston Museum School.
1982-- Purchase of Beaulieu super8 camera for semester in Barcelona.
1983-- First films completed, including Pisa and WR Theme (self-portrait in Harvard Stadium). Meets Jeff Plansker and begins 2-projector performances.
1984-- X-country trip with Jake Dillon in 1967 VW bug. Performance screening in Olympia, WA (with Bruce Baillie) of "O'Merica" travelog.
1985-- Completes film "Frames for Frampton", first dedication to Hollis Frampton. Somerville Arts Council grant for "Sonnet Lumiere", collected early s8 films.
1986-- Boston Film/Video Foundation grant for 2 channel video/film "The Siberian Tigers". Also screen "Hammerhead" regularly in Boston area.
1988-- The Filmers Almanac year, collecting 1 roll films from 125 filmmakers internationally. 2nd project dedicated to/inspired by Hollis Frampton.
1989-91-- Almanac screened across Europe, Canada and the US (also screened at NYMoMA as part of Big As Life series in 1996).
1989-- Co-creates "The Flamethrowers" with German film groups Alte Kinder (including Matthias Mueller) and Schmelzdahin (including Jurgen Reble). Flamethrowers shown around the world in Goethe Institute "German Experimental Film of the 1990's" program.
1989-92-- Moves from Mass to Portland, Maine. Various short films completed, screenings at Raffles Cafe and The Tree Cafe.
Winter 1992-3-- 63 days and nights in Russia. Video document: "They Have Poisoned The Drinking Water".
1993-- Moves to Northern California. Begins longform super8 film to be called "As If It Were Your Own".
1995-- Forms film-sound group Wet Gate with Peter Conheim and Steve Dye. Wet Gate does numerous 16mm projector performances over 10 years and are guests at international film festivals (Taos, Olympia WA, Montreal Film Pop, Rotterdam, etc).
1998-- Films TV pilot/short film Jalopy Hour in New Orleans with Jeff Plansker.
2005-- Co-creates short film "The Lion Still Has Wings" with Jeff Plansker.
2006-- Moves to Los Angeles.
2008-- Jalopy Hour completed.

Owen O'Toole: Identity Box (working title)

These blog pages are akin to a fund-raising drive at a Public Radio station. I'm hoping that--if you can afford to do so--you might consider contibuting to my future film-making activities. I decided to make 2009 a year to experiment with new fund-raising methods.

In return for your gift/donation, I offer a credit in the film which gets directly created as a result of this fundraising. Gifts of $100 also receive a dvd compilation of film works by Owen O'Toole, including:

1. Pisa, 2. WR Theme, 3. Frames for Frampton, 4. The Filmers Almanac, 5. The Flamethrowers, 6. Wet Gate Live in Australia (sample), 7. As If It Were Your Own (sample), 8. The Lion Still Has Wings. Approx 50 minutes.

Gifts of $250 or more receive the complete 6 dvd set, including:
1. Sonnet Lumiere (early super8 films)
2. Filmers Almanac (3x dvd)
3. As If It Were Your Own/They Have Poisoned The Drinking Water (2 films from the 90s, Drinking water being a documentary on my 2 month visit to Russia).
4. Jalopy Hour/Lion Still Has Wings (collaborations with Jeff Plansker)

Smaller gift/donations are welcomed and will receive film credit and thanks. Larger gifts are welcome and I would be happy to discuss options and involvement with anyone interested in acting as a larger financial benefactor.

Contact me at oein@mac.com and you can use PayPal to make a donation/contribution to the same e-mail address.

My goal is to make films, to keep my small dream factory functional during a financially challenging time period. I would like to make "successful" films, which do well at festivals and find distribution. I would be happy to discuss profit-sharing options with anyone willing to finance my film-making.

I am also developing an electronic music device and a musical iPhone application, both of which need financing to become realities.

Thank you for your consideration.