MARCELLUS HALL AN ARTIST IN NEW YORK CITY (2021)
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MARCELLUS HALL AN ARTIST IN NEW YORK CITY played at the virtual 100th Episode of the We Don’t Even Know podcast on February 22nd.
This first installment of the series Artist in the City won the I Love New York award and Best Editing at NYC Webfest.
The series is currently exploring an offer from a network.
Illustration by Marcellus Hall
An upcoming 5 part series on Marcellus Hall, illustrator & musician. Part of the larger Artist in City project.
SYNOPSIS
The Artist in City series is an internet documentary series that shows how an artist etched out a career for themselves by making art. In a time when automation is taking jobs, it is said creative jobs will be more prominent. The Artist in City series examines how artists make a living by creating by listening to the perspectives of artists who have actually done it.
Each series of less than 10 minute episodes will take us through the life as an artist with relation to the location they have lived while creating. The series does this by using only the artist’s words, music, and artwork. Through the exploration of interviews and art we learn each artist’s creative process in relationship to the iconic location in which they live.
Our first season of five episodes focuses on Marcellus Hall is an illustrator and musician that lives in New York, NY and has created illustrations and music there for over three decades for incredible outlets such as the New Yorker, New York Times, and Matador Records.
Illustration by Marcellus Hall
TOPIC SUMMARY
Computers and robots took over a half million lost American manufacturing jobs between 1990 and 2007. On top of that, industrial robots are expected to quadruple in the next century. Computers are taking away repetitive tasks that have created work for people around the world. With this change what work looks like in the future will also change. Creativity is one work function few believe computers can replicate. As with the industrial revolution many jobs will be done by machines, leaving humans more time to be creative. Freelancers are predicted to become the United States workforce majority within a decade and have grown 14% in the past decade in Great Britain. An Artist in City Series explores the life of a creative artist living in one location by experiencing their artistic output over time. This documentary series will help teach the next generation of job hunters what it is like to earn a living as a freelance creative.
Illustration by Marcellus Hall
Throughout the process of this series Fourwind Films gains access to the art archives of the artists to display famous finished products as well as drafts and different sections of the creative projects that don’t normally see the light of day.
This series continues Fourwind Films’ belief that diversity is important. Diversity of perspective is proven to increase profit, performance, and problem solving efforts. Diversity and perspective inherently is defined from one’s own experiences including a person’s location and economic status. Artistic output is a reflection of an individual’s perspective.
Illustration by Marcellus Hall
VOICE OF THE SERIES AN ARTIST IN CITY
Justin Joseph Hall
Justin says that film style of the series of an Artist in City was heavily influenced by the interviewing style of Errol Morris in the Fog of War. The importance was held on interviewing an individual and having them recount their lives without obstruction from other voices. This style lets audiences understand an individual perspective. By spending time one-on-one with an individual you come to understand and learn the subject’s mannerisms. The first season of the series focuses on Marcellus Hall who holds strong to his ideals as a creative artist. His focus has always been to make a living by creating illustrations and music.
Marcellus is Justin’s dad’s cousin but more importantly he was his mentor as a creative artist when he moved to New York City. He began this project wondering what if he had moved to New York and didn’t have a mentor in the creative field? How would he have etched a path for myself as a creative freelancer in this expensive city? As jobs are being obliterated by technology we need to teach more people that it is possible to make a living creating art.
PRODUCTION STATUS
Set for release in the second half of 2021, we're currently seeking partners in distribution. Get in touch with us.
Please be a part in the creation of the film with contributions: