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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Still Life which screens 10/7, 9p at Graumann's Chinese Theater Director Joel Miller and Los Angeles-based Albion Entertainment explore the fragile separation between failure and success and love and tragedy with their debut film, The Still Life. Starring Jason Barry (Titanic), the film is about the redemption of an artist who struggles to regain himself and his identity after giving in to conventional success. The film will be screened at 9p at the Chinese Mann Theater. LAAA will be calling for submissions for this high profile event in the coming days. The film will screen as part of The FAIF Film Festival, which will take place at Graumann's Chinese Theater, located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles. Admission is $11 at the door. Please read below for an interview with Director Joel Miller about his support of emerging artists.
Joel Miller's new film The Still Life is a poignant drama about an artist, Julian Lamont (Jason Barry) who struggles to pick up the pieces of his tattered life. A reclusive alcoholic, Julian creates a new art genre called Destructionism, and his works catapult him into the limelight. Terry Moore, Rachel Miner and Don S. Davis co-star. Joel was gracious enough to sit down with LAAA to comment about his ongoing support of emerging art and his thoughts on where film and art intersect. LAAA: All of your nationwide projects and screenings offer opportunities for local artists to participate. How did your commitment to emerging art develop? Joel Miller: It's been really hard for me to push through to have the opportunity to make my film. Growing up around art, my parents were art collectors; art was always a part of my life. As I'm getting older I'm realizing that for most people that isn't the case. Well I think it should be. Recognizing creativity as an important part of life and the strongest avenue to personal reflection we all need to explore our creative sides and pursue creative endeavors. I'm hoping that my film serves as a vehicle to broaden people's interest in the arts and serve as a tool for other artists to develop. Artists have to stick together and since I made an art film people say I'm an artist now... So its one for all and all for one! And that really is true... Dick Blick (they own The Art Store) supported me in making The Still Life. They gave me all the art supplies. There is no way I could have made the film without them helping me out... So even at the top levels we really do all stick together.
LAAA: Los Angeles has one of the most vibrant and diverse art communities and The Still Life has a strong fine art context. Do you hope to cross pollinate with a larger fine art audience? Joel Miller: I'm certainly trying to reach out to different aspects of our society that might not have explored fine art before. The film was written in such a way that it is easy to understand what is going on... and see the personal agony and issues that plague the main character as the story develops. I get a lot of emails from people who find that the issues of the story relate to what they are trying to do as well. It is hard and "struggling artist" seem to always appear in the same sentence in every artist interview I ever read any more... We have to work to change that... To change that we need to start appealing to a larger audience by opening people's eyes. There is nothing wrong with being an artist. The thing that people don't often realize is that we ALL are. We just need to explore our creative sides more...
LAAA: Los Angeles Art Association (LAAA) has an 80 plus year commitment to serving emerging artists and propelling artists to later success. Do you think that your interest in emerging talent and your strong ties to the entertainment industry poises you as a unique advocate for emerging talent in Los Angeles? Joel Miller: Well I certainly don't have 80 years of experience but I'm doing what I can to help out. But the truth is I need help as well. If no one comes to see my film it's like no one buying an artists painting or sculpture. We really are all in the same boat. That is why I am truly honored that LAAA is supporting the film and helping me out on this one! The film does have a strong message that I believe is universal. "Stick to what you know you are supposed to do and give it all you got. Don't ever compromise, EVER" I think the film is unique in that the movement "Destructionism" is a movement I could see actually being started by someone. It's hard to come up with a movement. However, destructionism is a horrible idea and I'm hoping that in creating it it is evident in the film how much we all really love being ourselves. Because our art really is an expression of who we really are. If I destroyed all of your art I would be destroying who you are. Erasing you in essence. It would be horrible. What would we have left? So appreciate who you are and work harder at who you are trying to become. If someone or something came along to erase that you would never get another chance. Your chance is NOW!
LAAA: The post party screening of The Still Life is a terrific opportunity for entertainment professionals to purchase the best in emerging talent. Do you foresee other opportunities for collaborations between your work and LAAA? Joel Miller: I certainly hope so... I just found out about a screening of The Still Life at the Valley Film Festival on Sept. 17th. I'd like to get artists down there for that as well. Either way I have a documentary that I am in production on now called The Celebrity Art Show as that is expanding I'm sure there will be opportunities for us to see one another again. If you have time check it out at www.celebrityartshow.com
LAAA: What do you see as the alignments and similarities between fine art & filmmaking? Joel Miller: We are both trying to make a difference through self expression.
To see more about Joel Miller and The Still Life, please visit: www.thestilllifemovie.com
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