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