photography and film
Lucas with Los Angeles Ballet Principal Alyssa Bross
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PHOTOGRAPHY - VIDEO: LUCAS CHILCZUK
Lucas Chilczuk was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and immigrated to the United States shortly after high school. He attended Pasadena City College and California State University, Los Angeles, where he ultimately received a degree in art history. Although Lucas was introduced to photography by his grandfather Lorenzo, an amateur Ukrainian photographer living in Argentina, it was during college that Lucas really honed his skills. Under the direction of Esteban Ignatczyk—a photographer for the Latin Music Industry—Lucas learned the ways of the studio. Lucas’ first independent series, entitled “Beautiful Junk,” celebrates the Mojave desert, ghost towns, and abandoned modes of transportation. This series, which uses the technique known as “painting with light,” harks back to Lucas’ longtime fascination with aviation. In Argentina, Lucas’ family lived near an airbase, and family friends working on the base would often allow him to join them on short flights. “Beautiful Junk” was exhibited at three galleries in Los Angeles, California. More recently, Lucas’ work focuses on dancers, a subject he took interest in while his wife, an art historian, was writing a doctoral dissertation on Renaissance dance and painting. Whereas in California Lucas saw the landscape refracted through the lens of vehicular transportation, the urban fabric of New York increasingly became for him a landscape defined by corporeal movement. Lucas maintains equal interest in critically acclaimed companies, emerging companies, and freelance dancers. When not running from studios to rehearsals, Lucas can be found walking his dog Layla through Fort Tryon Park or exploring the streets of Rome, a city he holds very close to his heart. |
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FILM: ELSPETH VICTORIA BROWN
Elspeth was a ballet dancer for many years after studying at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Washington Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater. In 2005, she earned degree in Theater from Hunter College in New York City. Thereafter, she formed the Eyes of a Blue Dog Dance Theater group, which held performances in many notable venues, including Jacob’s Pillow. Her dance and theater work eventually led to more involvement in moving picture projects. In 2010, she began work with NYLAHD as in an in-house Producer and Director, creating commercials and music videos for major companies and well-known recording artists, such as Nicki Minaj, Hertz, and Nike. In 2013, she directed an episode called “Tonight” for the web series Match, which was shot in Austin, Texas, with Rebekah Kennedy (of the Netflix original “To The Bone”) as the lead actress. In 2014, she co-founded Iron Rose Productions with James Fitzgerald and has since created content for a wide variety of companies and nonprofit organizations, including Lancome (cosmetics), Yield Street (investment services), the Urban Alternative (nonprofit) and ELLE (fashion). |
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PHOTOGRAPHY - VIDEO: THEIK SMITH
Theik Smith is a Brooklyn based photographer, fight coordinator and writer. All of these things influence the other. He's worked with talent from some awesome agencies, some amazing dancers, and just generally amazing people. His work can be seen on a Facebook feed near you. TheikSmithPhotography.com facebook.com/TheikSmithPhotography @theikphoto |
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PHOTOGRAPHY - VIDEO - ARTISTIC COLLABORATOR: @thefestiveanthropologist
A friend asked how the name The Festive Anthropologist came about. While I studied the topic in college, the one thing I was drawn to was that no matter what- across cultures, people had their own way of celebrating. They are the only thing consistent across cultures- even those that don't have a deity. Even when you have no resources, you can still share in the ceremony of celebration. I like how the name is one syllable, then two, then three. And sounds androgynous/unisex. Because the only requirement to participate here is effort. https://www.instagram.com/thefestiveanthropologist/ |
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PHOTOGRAPHY - VIDEO: COURT WHELAN
Court’s background in wildlife and conservation biology led him to pursue a joint PhD in ecotourism and entomology, while simultaneously coordinating and guiding small-group wildlife and nature expeditions around the world. His passion for travel and guiding quickly gave rise to a passion for photography, photographing some of the rarest species and most sensitive ecosystems around our planet. From leading nature safaris to such far-flung places as Papua New Guinea and Madagascar, to locales closer to home such as Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico, Court says his guiding experiences allow him to “help people travel to and learn about extraordinary natural areas that make meaningful lifelong impressions for everyone involved.” Court currently resides in Boulder, Colorado, where he is an Expedition Leader and the Director of Sustainability and Conservation Travel at Natural Habitat Adventures and WWF Travel. www.CourtWhelan.com |