TRIMPIN the sound of invention

TRIMPIN broadcast premiere!

2011-08-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Documentary Channel

presents

the broadcast premiere

TRIMPIN:

THE SOUND OF INVENTION

this Sunday, August 21 8pm e/p

(check DirectTV, Dish for specific channel)

encore broadcasts:

Wednesday, August 31 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

Friday, September 16 8:30 p.m. ET/PT

Monday, September 26 6:00 p.m. ET/PT

Saturday, October 8 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

tune in and turn on!

we'll open your ears and your mind!

Trimpin's GURS ZYKLUS premieres!

2011-05-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

This Saturday evening (5/14/11)

8pm at Stanford University:

The world premiere of

THE GURS ZYKLUS

a major new work by

Trimpin

directed by

Rinde Eckert

If you're in the San Francisco/Palo Alto area,

don't miss it!

This promises to be a truly extraordinary event!

tix at Stanford Lively Arts

Trimpin in San Francisco Sunday!

2011-04-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

There will be a special benefit screening of

Trimpin: the sound of invention

when: this Sunday, April 10 at 7pm

where: Delancey Street Screening Room

600 Embarcadero (near Brannan St.) San Francisco, CA

Trimpin will be there,

demonstrating his Bookbeatbox and signing posters!

Come on down!

All proceeds will benefit the Meridian Gallery!

Your last chance to see the film

on a big screen in the Bay Area!

Trimpin in Ojai!

2011-03-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Trimpin

is as busy as ever -

he's presently constructing a musical

Sound Arch

for the beautiful new amphitheatre in

Ojai, California.

Check out photos here:

http://www.pbase.com/fredila/trimpin

Trimpin in San Francisco benefit April 10

2011-03-09T11:53:00.002-08:00

Join Trimpin

and filmmaker Peter Esmonde

for a special screening of

Trimpin: the sound of invention!

Sunday, April 10

at the

Delancey Street Screening Room,

San Francisco

This screening is a benefit for San Francisco's

Meridian Gallery,

which has long provided education and internships

to underserved students in the Bay Area.

Trimpin will demonstrate a prototype

of his new

BookBeatBox,

answer questions, and sign film posters!

Please come on down, open your ears,

and help support a worthy cause!

Trimpin at Other Minds March 4

2011-02-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, please take note!

As part of the extraordinary

Other Minds 16

music festival

Trimpin

will assemble a unique percussion assortment

for a new piece by

composer David Jaffe!

Friday March 4

Kanbar Auditorium, Jewish Community Center,

San Francisco

(Also on the bill: brilliant improvisers

Han Bennink and Fred Frith,

and guitar wizard I Wayan Balawan!)

Open your ears - and your mind!

2011: All Trimpin, All the Time!

2011-01-24T11:58:00.000-08:00

Trimpin will be everywhere in 2011!

Thursday, Feb 10 in Seattle:

a one-time only special screening of

Trimpin: the sound of invention

Central Cinema

(in Madrona on East Union Street)

Trimpin will be there

with a prototype of his new

BookBeatBox!

Saturday, February 26 in San Jose CA:

Trimpin

will be conducting an

instrument-building workshop for kids

at the

San Jose Museum of Art!

Friday March 4 in San Francisco:

As part of the extraordinary

OtherMinds 16 music festival

composer/performer David Jaffee premieres a piece featuring

a new Trimpin sound installation

(Trimpin will be present!)

also at Other Minds 16:

Louis Andriessen, Han Bennink, Jason Moran, Kyle Gann,

Sarah Cahill, Janice Giteck, I Wayan Balawan,

Agata Zubel, Fred Frith . . .

and a host of other musical luminaries!

Don't miss it!!!

April TBD in Minneapolis:

festival screening of

Trimpin: the sound of invention

at the

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival

(filmmaker will be present)

and on

May 14 in Palo Alto, CA:

the world premiere of

Trimpin's ambitious new work,

The Gurs Zyklus,

at Stanford Lively Arts!

www.trimpinmovie.com

TRIMPIN film goes to NEW ZEALAND!

2010-07-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

We're delighted to announce that

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

will have its Australasian premiere

at the

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

this coming week!

The Trimpin film will then tour throughout NZ . . .

so please tell all your Kiwi friends!

AUCKLAND: July 15 + 16

filmmaker will discuss Trimpin's work

with NZ composer/sculptor Phil Dadson

WELLINGTON: July 17

filmmaker will be present

DUNEDIN: July 30 + 31

CHRISTCHURCH: August 11

Tika hoki Aotearoa!

Trimpin news: Toronto, Cleveland, Ojai, Stanford . . . and NZ!

2010-06-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

more screenings of

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

this summer:

NXNE Fest (Toronto) on June 16

Cleveland Museum of Art on June 18

And in July,

Kiwis will have their ears opened:

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

will screen at the

NEW ZEALAND FILM FEST

(Auckland! Christchurch! Dunedin!)

This Fall,

Watch for the release of the DVD

(loaded with extras)!

Trimpin

himself is constructing a

musical archway

for the beautiful outdoor amphitheatre

OJAI, CALIFORNIA.

Starting in Fall 2010,

Trimpin be in residence at

Stanford University,

designing and building the

extraordinary

GURS ZYKLUS!

TRIMPIN: one year on!

2010-03-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

premiered one year ago at SXSW 2009.

Since then, the film has screened in

10 countries,

41 cities,

and in

18 of these fifty disunited states-

opening ears and minds all over the planet.

Trailers for the film have been viewed more than

43,500 times.

The film is still playing at festivals

(bienvenido Buenos Aires! g'day New Zealand!)

and museums, art houses, and universities around the world

(from London's Southbank Centre to Austin's Alamo Drafthouse and Tacoma's Museum of Glass).

(Trimpin himself is in Bali, studying gamelan!)

And - yes! - the Trimpin film will (finally!) be released on DVD

(with plenty of extras!)

early this fall.

Please stay tuned for further developments!!!

Trimpin NYC preview screening!

2010-03-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

TRIMPIN: Big Sound in the Big Apple!

Following its recent Chicago premiere,

we're delighted to announce that

TRIMPIN: the sound of invention

will have a special NYC preview this weekend!

WHEN: this Friday (March 12) and Saturday (March 13)

WHERE: 92Y Tribeca Screening Room

200 Hudson St. NYC

It's a beautiful (but small!) theatre -

so get your tix now!

http://www.92y.org/

Goldilocks in the Smoky Mountains

2010-02-19T06:53:00.000-08:00

The Smoky Mountains Mobile Light Show (courtesy of an NC state trooper) cost me more than I can afford, so I drive slowly into the gorgeous mountain valley. This is Cullowhee, the home of Western Carolina University. Ms. Lori Davis checks me into the Alumni Guest House. There are seven beds to choose from. All of a sudden I feel like Goldilocks. Or one of the seven dwarves.

Alumni Guest House Still Life

Later that afternoon, I show a couple of clips to Prof. Arledge Armenaki's senior thesis film class, and start talking. Everyone seems downright sheepish about asking questions, and I realize that this Yankee's been chattering on way too fast, gesticulating too durn wildly. They're all just wondering who gave the guest filmmaker the amphetamines.

Unexpectedly, I meet a former compatriot: Jack Sholder runs the filmmaking program here. I knew Jack more than 20 years ago, when he was a respected film editor in NYC (and I was a lowly assistant). Since then, Prof. Sholder has successfully directed features in LA, then moved to Asheville and set up the film program here at WCU. We reminisce.

The screening goes very well: the theater is equipped with 7.1 surround, so the students hear the Trimpin film in all its auditory glory. The questions are on-point. Over brownies, Prof. Marie Cochran and I converse passionately about visionary artists.

Jolene is waiting silently for me in the car the next morning.

Smokey's Mobile Light Show

2010-02-19T06:44:00.000-08:00

Fully caffeinated the next morning, I drive into the Smoky Mountains. Jolene tells me where to turn. I want to stop off at Toccoa - the birthplace of "the sepia Mae West," Ida Cox, who famously opined that wild women don't get the blues. Jolene advises me to keep on straight, so I put the pedal to the metal, and cross on over into Georgia.

Every bend in the road reveals another pretty rural church; one even offers free nutritional advice:

"For a Christian, the best vitamin is B1."

Once we cross the border into North Carolina, antique shops hug the hilly highway. Some of my favorite singers came down out of these mountains: Rev. Gary Davis; Rev. Julius "Junie" Cheeks of the Sensational Nightingales; Ira Tucker of the Dixie Hummingbirds. I'm trying to make up for lost time when the silver car behind me suddenly starts flashing blue and white party lights.

I document the state trooper's light show

Uh-oh.

I've blown half my honorarium on a speeding ticket.

Jolene doesn't say a word.

the emasculation of James Bond

2010-02-19T06:38:00.000-08:00

I meet Jolene in the Hertz parking lot at the Atlanta Intl Airport. We speed off together in the red Camry, out past suburban Atlanta and into the rolling hills of South Carolina. Jolene is tight-lipped; when I press the accelerator hard to leave suburban Atlanta in the rearview mirror, she doesn't say a word.

Checking into the Comfort Inn in Clemson, I leave Jolene in the car. Prof. Aga Skrodzka, an expert on eastern and central European cinema, meets me in the lobby of the motel, and takes me out to dinner.

I was hoping we'd talk about Kieslowski, Zanussi, Holland, and other great Polish film directors . . . but somehow we end up discussing a) the likelihood of frat boys understanding camp (cf. Susan Sontag) and b) American men's emasculation fears in light of recent James Bond films.

Not uninteresting topics, but not what I was expecting.

Prof. Lee Morrisey - who worked at NYC's The Kitchen in its avant-garde heyday - tells me that Trimpin visited the university a decade earlier, on his invitation. I try to picture what the frat kids would make of Trimpin's whimsical whistle/duck call sculpture, Phffft!, but my imagination fails me. Lee and I talk about sound artists we know; lots of mutual friends.

Dr. Skrodzka has done her homework: The Clemson screening is packed, the projection is fine. During Q+A, the students even laugh at my jokes (bless their hearts). Afterwards, Prof. Amy Monaghan kindly treats me to a beer at the local watering hole. I decide not to tell her about Jolene.

I'm Going to Jackson

2010-02-19T06:33:00.000-08:00

I've suddenly become an old fart.

Here at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, all the profs are younger than me, and downright energized: A gracious host, Prof. Brent Fogt takes me out for a quick bite; psych prof Melissa Lea has the video projection system racked up and ready to go, and the screening and Q+A go well. I mistake art department chair Sandra Murchison for a grad student. She graciously chats me up about Trimpin while I contemplate my senescence.

The next morning, I fly out of Jackson.

Thinking back on the first half of my Southern tour, I can't get over how culturally rich this stretch of the country is: In a very short time, I've passed through the hometowns of poet Arna Bontemps, blues harpist Little Walter, zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier, country music legend Jimmie Rodgers, country superstar Hank Williams, chef Paul Prudhomme, piano genius James Booker, baseball legend Cool Papa Bell, gospel great Claude Jeter, architect Samuel Mockbee, composer John Luther Adams, and countless others.

In the airport, a poster tells the story a different way:

Yes, we can read.

Some of use can even write.

Underneath, photographs of William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Richard Wright,

Willie Morris, Shelby Foote, Barry Hannah, Richard Ford, Donna Tartt.

Enough said.

Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?

2010-02-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?

The names will be familiar to anyone acquainted with zydeco and cajun music:

Opelousas; Grand Coteau; Lafayette; Atchafalaya.

Pumping out of the Grand Marquis' speakers:

Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, Queen Ida, Buckwheat.

On my way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ!

2010-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

[[Filmmaker Peter Esmonde is presently on the Southern Circuit, showing the Trimpin film at universities and communities throughout the South. What follows is his posting from On the Road.]]

The next morning, after plying me with some excellent coffee, my hosts take me downtown to the Children's

Mardi Gras Parade. More than 70 (count 'em!) floats roll on through downtown Alexandria:

The parade starts off in style.

The local Shriners work on their Sun Ra impersonations.

Proud young flyboy . . .

Nearby, a mural depicts some of Alexandria's greatest,

including poet Arna Bontemps and civil rights lawyer Louis Berry.

That evening - despite the krewes making last-minute preparations for the big Mardi Gras parade - more than four dozen folks show up to see Trimpin onscreen. Minor tech problems during the screening are undoubtedly caused by the projection booth's evil mascot, the Dumpster Baby:

Alexz and Elizabeth make sure everything goes smoothly; the post-screening questions reveal genuine interest. I'm flattered when a tall man in a cowboy hat tells me how much he empathizes with Trimpin's continual learning and tinkering.

The next morning, after some excellent coffee (I'm getting spoiled) I throw my gear in the Grand Marquis and head south into bayou country.

Sportsman's Paradise

2010-02-14T18:08:00.000-08:00

When in Louisiana, best to rent a boat.

After short flight from Memphis, I disembark in Alexandria (pop. 50,236, in the heart of Louisiana's Rapides Parish). "Big man like you needs to go in STYLE," says the man behind the Hertz counter, handing me the keys to a white Mercury Grand Marquis. It's a boat, and I pilot it into town.

My gracious hosts, Dr. David and Ms. Nicole Holcombe, make sure I've been liquidly fortified before spiriting me away to the local Taste of Mardi Gras Ball. It's Saturday night, so we go out amongst 'em.

In the main hall of Alexandria's multi-storey conference center, I sashay among hundreds of partying citizens -each decked out in their Mardi Gras best and in a par-tay mood. Restauranteurs serve up crawfish and crab and gumbo and king cake, and all is washed down with Bacardi or Bud.

Dr. David Holcombe introduces me Mayor Jacques Roy, and to Prof. Greg G., King of the local Krewe of Boogaloo. Decked out a neat red jacket in honor of Otis Redding, festooned with beads and B.B. King buttons, Daddy G (Ph.D.) explains that the Krewe exists to raise funds for the city's needy - and to celebrate Louisiana-inspired music.

And there's plenty of that to go around. Legendary blues harpist Little Walter grew up right nearby; in past years, soul greats Eddie Floyd and Irma Thomas and bandleader Grady Gaines have all played with Krewe Boogaloo. Daddy G lays it all out for me - somehow managing to mention Jimmie Davis and Little Richard in the same breath - then inexplicably disappears in a puff of blue smoke as the band kicks into a very funky version of Sugar Boy Crawford's Jock-o-mo.

The Holcombes introduce me to dozens of folks, and do their best to talk up tomorrow night's screening.

Somehow I don't think my little indie doc stands a chance against this Bacchanalian onslaught.

Last Plane to Memphis

2010-02-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Brief stopover in Memphis. Stuck in the airport, eating fast-food barbeque.

Wishing instead I'd have some of this:

ELVIS' SPECIAL BARBEQUE SAUCE

4 medium cans tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. dried mustard

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1/2 cup vinegar

2 slices lemon

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. red pepper

1 Tbsp. pickling spice

Mix all ingredients together while humming "King Creole." Cook at low heat

for 30 minutes while swivelling hips and humming "Devil in Disguise."

It's been snowing in Louisiana, and we're going to be flying into Weather.

Just hope I haven't booked a ticket on the Buddy Holly Express.

Music City, USA

2010-02-13T08:28:00.000-08:00

29 and holding: sweet Jesus, it's cold here in Nashville.

First stop: The Ernest Tubb Record Shop, where I elbow out some Swedish tourists to nab Conway Twitty Rocks. Then across Broadway to Hatch Show Print, where massive Vandercook presses roll out smack-your-face, hard-edge posters that tout everything from strip shows to academic conferences, and ballyhoo everyone from Mother Maybelle Carter to Thomas Mapfumo.

Tool down Music Row, headed for Vandy: Past Great Escape, Chet Atkins Place, Roy Acuff Place. (Blaring out of the Pontiac's speakers: "Lonely Blue Boy" recorded: 7/24/61 @ Owen Bradley's studio, 16th Ave S., Music City, USA Vocals: Mr. Harold Lloyd Jenkins; on guitar, Grady Martin; on piano, Floyd Cramer; and on drums, Jack Nance -- later in life, best known as the star of David Lynch's ERASERHEAD.)

Beneath Vanderbilt's staid chilly red brick exteriors, lots of heady conversations. Legendary writer Peter Guralnick waxes poetic about Sam Cooke's producing work; a demure English prof offers insights on Stan Brakhage, Jonas Mekas, and Latin American cinema; an expert dancer, still young, talks about having to hang up his toe shoes. And film prof Will Akers (who could be a stand-in for Sam Shepard) regales me with an old Hollywood story that would make Robert Mitchum blush.

The students ask about film schools, narrative through-line, crew dynamics, music post-production, shooting with the RED camera . . . and how to land a job. Sitting at the bar with Laura and Demelza, I hear tell that my new doc short will screen at the Nashville Film Fest.

(Bless you, Mr. Brian Owens.)

Barbeque at Jacks, then back to the airport, where the lovely young Ethiopian women behind the counter ring me up while chatting about Goo Goo Clusters.

TRIMPIN tours the South: notes from the road

2010-02-10T08:12:00.000-08:00

[[Howdy all. From Feb 9 - 25, filmmaker Peter Esmonde will be taking TRIMPIN: the sound of invention on a road trip. Courtesy of the Southern Arts Federation, he'll be screening the film at universities and arts centers throughout the South. Blog postings from the road follow.]]

With documentary, it never happens the way you imagine.

It's been 25 years and a lot of miles since I've driven through the Southland. 16mm and Steenbecks have been swapped out for HD and Final Cut. Doc classes that once read Margaret Mead now screen Michael Moore. In the hills, meth labs bump shoulders with pot likker stills. Katrina has come and gone.

As Minnie Pearl would say: I'm just proud to be here.

Driving north out of Nashville (Pontiac = good stereo system), I expected maybe some cold Kentucky rain and verdant hills, but got hit in the face with Winter Wonderland.

After playing tag with the big rigs through the flurries on I-65, sat down to a convivial dinner with Profs. Steve White (a fellow grizzled veteran), Ron Demarse (who valiantly led his students through a six-week feature shoot), and Marjorie Yambor (a hip media prof with a soft spot for baby elephants). Afterwards, we stumbled outside to find everything from the Steak n Shake and the Starbucks to the Shoneys blanketed. Ron and I dug out the Pontiac and skidded to the screening.

There's always competition for eyeballs. Tonight, not only a blizzard, but WKU b'ball. Still, a surprisingly large audience for the film. A flatteringly lengthy and incisive Q+A, topped off by a nostalgic tour through a roomful of ancient black 16mm equipment.

The next morning, more snow; morning film class is cancelled. So I head south to Vanderbilt.

TRIMPIN returns to SAN FRANCISCO!

2010-01-19T22:26:00.000-08:00

We're delighted to announce these

special upcoming screenings

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

in the San Francisco Bay Area!

RED VIC MOVIE HOUSE

Fri Jan 29 / Sat Jan 30 / Sun Jan 31

1727 Haight Street, San Francisco

co-presented by the Exploratorium!

RAFAEL FILM CENTER

Wed Feb 3 / Thurs Feb 4

118 4th Street, San Rafael

(The filmmaker will be present

at the Friday and Wednesday night shows.)

TRIMPIN hailed in SPAIN!

2009-11-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

premiered in SAO PAULO on Oct 23

and in BARCELONA on Oct 30

The film has been hailed by the Spanish press,

including two writeups in

EL PAIS!

Watch for the film this month at the

THE LEEDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Nov 6 + 7

DENVER FILM FESTIVAL Nov 15 + 16

GIJON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Nov 26 + 27

and

(for you up north)

THE OSLO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

The Trimpin World Tour Continues!

Open your ears and your mind will follow.

TRIMPIN INVADES ENGLAND!

2009-10-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

God Save the Queen!

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

premieres this coming week at the

53rd LONDON FILM FESTIVAL

three screenings!

Saturday, Oct 17 at the ICA

Monday, Oct 19 at the National Film Theatre

SOLD OUT!! Tuesday, Oct 20 at the NFT Studio SOLD OUT!!

(Filmmaker Peter Esmonde will be present and jetlagged for Q+A.)

http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/node/519

please tell your friends!

www.trimpinmovie.com

TRIMPIN INVADES CANADA!

2009-10-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

If you're in Vancouver this weekend,

be sure to stop by downtown for

the Vancouver International Film Festival on

October 9 & 10

It's an action-packed weekend:

Trimpin

will install his 'mini-Klompen' sculpture in the

VanCity Theatre lobby starting 10am on Friday Oct 9.

Then he'll join filmmaker Peter Esmonde and

artist/moderator Jean Routhier

at the Pacific Cinematheque

for MEET THE FILMMAKERS at 5pm

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

then premieres Friday Oct 9 @ 9 pm

and screens again Saturday Oct 10 @ 1:15 pm

Be there or be square!

Open your ears and your mind will follow.

(many thanks to the VIFF)

Trimpin on the 6 O'Clock News!

2009-10-06T22:49:00.000-07:00

He didn't kill anyone, he wasn't seen with Arnold,

and he didn't die of swine flu . . .

yet he made the 6 O'Clock News in San Francisco!

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/entertainment&id=7051695

Trimpin

himself will attend

the Mill Valley Film Festival screenings

October 14 & 16

( get your tix here: http://2009.mvff.com/ )

Trimpin will also be presenting at

the Vancouver International Film Festival on

October 9 & 10

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

then heads for

the London Film Festival (Oct 17, 19, 20)

the San Francisco DocFest (Oct 24 & 29)

and

Barcelona's In-Edit Music Doc Fest (Oct 30 & 31)

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

TRIMPIN WORLD TOUR: OCTOBER 09!

2009-09-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

TRIMPIN: the sound of invention

will be screening in October in

San Francisco, London, Vancouver, Mill Valley and Woodstock!

Please check listings below!

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL

Thursday, Oct 1 at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock

Saturday, Oct 3 at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, NY

http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2009/details.php?id=19682

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Monday, Oct 5 at Vancity

Friday, Oct 9 at Vancity

Saturday, Oct 10 at Vancity

(Both Trimpin and filmmaker Peter Esmonde will be present for Q+A.)

http://www.viff.org/tixSYS/2009/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=3691

THE MILL VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

Wednesday, Oct 14 at the Sequoia (surprise special guest)

Friday, Oct 16 at the Rafael Film Center

(Trimpin and filmmaker Peter Esmonde will be present for Q+A.)

http://mvff2009.inticketing.com/filmevent.php?eventid=48456

THE TIMES BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL

Saturday, Oct 17 at ICA

Monday, Oct 19 at the National Film Theatre

Tuesday, Oct 20 at the Studio

(Filmmaker Peter Esmonde will be jetlagged for Q+A.)

http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/node/519

THE SAN FRANCISCO DOCFEST

Saturday, Oct 24 at the Roxie

Thursday, Oct 29 at the Roxie

(Filmmaker Peter Esmonde will still be jetlagged for Q+A.)

http://www.sfindie.com/

Further screenings will take place later this year in the UK (Leeds),

Spain (Barcelona, Gijon), Brazil (Sao Paulo), and elsewhere in the U.S. of A.!

Join our Facebook group! Check out trailers on vimeo and YouTube!

Open your ears and your mind will follow.

TRIMPIN PLAYS WOODSTOCK!

2009-08-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

We're on a natural high

just because

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

has been selected by the

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL

to screen in October at their big 10th anniversary fest!

Stay tuned for specific times/dates!

Join our Facebook group!

Check out trailers on YouTube and vimeo.com!

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

what the critics have been saying about

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION:

“terrific . . . a must-see for anyone who loves music and culture”

-- Anne Thompson, IndieWIRE

“an excellent film . . . a testament to the endless possibilities afforded by a free imagination.”

-- The Austin Chronicle

“a superb portrait” -- The Stranger, Seattle

“a visual and aural treat” -- Newport (R.I.) Mercury

"an 80-minute fun ride . . . very inspiring . . . I was simply amazed." -- KEXP, Seattle

more news to follow!

TRIMPIN INVADES CANADA!

2009-07-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

We're downright proud to state that

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

has been selected for the

Vancouver International Film Fest!

Following our special benefit screening for Artist Trust,

Trimpin

heads due north!

O CANADA!

To launch a successful

sonic invasion

of our

Neighbor to the North,

we'll need all the help we can get --

please invite

your fellow musicians, inventors, performers, artists,

and tech geeks

join the Facebook page

for

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION!

See Trimpin trailers on both

YouTube and vimeo!

And don't forget to check out

www.trimpinmovie.com

Open your ears and your mind will follow!

TRIMPIN goes to EUROPE - and BEYOND!

2009-06-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

On its

2009 American Tour

(which ain't over just yet),

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

took

SXSW (Austin), Nashville, Boston, Seattle, Newport, and Silverdocs (DC) by storm -

selling out shows, receiving standing ovations,

and causing kinetic musical mayhem.

Join us this Fall as we take the Trimpin film across the pond,

starting with the

LONDON FILM FESTIVAL!

Please check back here for further updates!

Join us on

Facebook!

and enjoy

www.trimpinmovie.com

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

what the critics say:

"an excellent documentary . . . a testament to the endless possibilities afforded by a free imagination."

"a superb portrait"

"an excellent film"

"delightful"

"a roller coaster ride!"

"wild digital shenanigans!"

Open your ears and your mind will follow.

TRIMPIN at SILVERDOCS!!!

2009-06-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Following festival triumphs in

Austin, Nashville, Boston, Seattle, and Newport . . .

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

continues on its

2009 American Festival Tour!

We're delighted to state that we'll be in

WASHINGTON, DC

and

in festival competition at

SILVERDOCS!!!

Thursday, June 18 6pm

Saturday, June 20 10:45am

Trimpin will be present in person for the June 18 show --

and installing a musical sculpture in the theatre lobby!

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

"an excellent documentary . . .

a testament to the endless possibilities afforded by a free imagination."

-- Austin Chronicle

"a superb portrait"

-- The Stranger (Seattle)

"a visual and aural treat"

-- Newport Mercury

check us out on

Facebook

see trailers on

vimeo.com and YouTube

or head to

www.trimpinmovie.com

Open your ears and your mind will follow.

TRIMPIN at NEWPORT INTL FILM FEST!

2009-05-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

Having taken Austin, Nashville, Boston, and Seattle by storm . . .

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

continues on its relentless

2009 American Festival Tour!

next stop:

THE NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

Friday, June 5 6:45pm

Sunday, June 7 12noon

then on to WASHINGTON, DC,

and

SILVERDOCS!!!

Thursday, June 18 6pm

Saturday, June 20 10:45am

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

"an excellent documentary . . . a testament to the endless possibilities afforded by a free imagination."

-- Austin Chronicle

check us out on

Facebook

see trailers on

vimeo.com

or just head to

www.trimpinmovie.com

Open your ears and your mind will follow.

|||||||

TRIMPIN AT SEATTLE INTL FILM FEST!

2009-05-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hailed by

the Austin Chronicle as

"an excellent documentary . . . a testament to the endless possibilities

afforded by a free imagination,"

and praised as "a superb portrait" and "delightful,"

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

is proud to announce its

West Coast Premiere

at the

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Friday, May 22 7pm SIFF Cinema

Saturday, May 23 1:30pm SIFF Cinema

Monday, June 1 4:30pm Kirkland Arts Center

Both TRIMPIN and filmmaker Peter Esmonde will be present for Q+A.

Saturday's screening will be followed by a

panel discussion

with illustrious guests

Saturday May 23

at the

LAWRIMORE PROJECT

please check back for more details -- and be sure to visit:

www.trimpinmovie.com

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

|||||||

TRIMPIN IN BOSTON!

2009-04-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

This week! The East Coast premiere of

TRIMPIN: the sound of invention

at the Independent Film Festival of Boston!

Thursday, April 23, 10:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 26, 8 p.m.

Somerville Theatre, Davis Square

Trimpin

and the filmmaker

will be there in person -- don't miss it!

Hailed as a “genius” by the Village Voice,

recipient of a

MacArthur 'Genius' grant, Guggenheim Fellowship, etc. etc.

the artist/inventor/composer

TRIMPIN

designs, builds, programs, and composes for

outrageous ensembles of musical instruments.

Called "a superb portrait" and "delightful,"

the film features Trimpin's collaboration with

the Kronos Quartet.

for tickets, go to:

http://iffboston.bside.com/2009/films/trimpinthesoundofinvention_iffboston2009

and check out:

www.trimpinmovie.com

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

Feed Shark

TRIMPIN HITS THE ROAD! Nashville! Boston! Seattle!

2009-03-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hailed by

the Austin Chronicle

"an excellent documentary . . . a testament

to the endless possibilities afforded by a free imagination,"

and buoyed by the enthusiasm of sell-out SXSW Austin audiences

(who gave the film standing ovations),

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

now heads out on the festival circuit.

first stop, Music City:

NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL

Friday, April 17, 9pm;

Sunday, April 19, 2:15pm

Regal Green Hills Stadium 16

then on to the Hub:

INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL OF BOSTON

Thursday, April 23, 10:15pm

Sunday, April 26, 8pm

Somerville Theatre

and stopping off back home:

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

May 21 - June 14

SIFF Cinema / McCaw Hall

before going on to open ears and minds across the planet . . .

www.trimpinmovie.com

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

|||||||

TRIMPIN world premiere at SXSW Film 09

2009-03-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

the world premiere

of a new film

featuring the Kronos Quartet

SXSW Film 09

take a musical journey through the mind of a creative genius

three exclusive showings:

SATURDAY MARCH 14 7:15pm Austin Convention Center

MONDAY MARCH 16 2pm Alamo @ Lamar

FRIDAY MARCH 20 9pm the Paramount

tickets available at box office 15 minutes before each show

Trimpin to appear in person after the

Saturday and Monday premieres

"one of the awesome musical geniuses of the 21st century"

"Trimpin is a composer / sound artist / engineer / god"

"delightful" "wild digital shenanigans" "a superb portrait"

www.trimpinmovie.com

- and stop by the -

TRIMPIN GALLERY

719 Congress Avenue near 8th St.

downtown Austin

open daily

SEE!!! graphical scores that nearly

drove the kronos quartet crazy!

HEAR!!! the mini-tornado of toy electric guitars!

LISTEN!!! to the hanging spiral of percussive Dutch clogs!

THRILL!!! as a trio of little pianos plays Liberace!

--plus--

a special gramophone tribute to John Cage

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

www.trimpinmovie.com

||||||||

TRIMPIN TEAM @ SXSW

2009-02-25T20:18:00.000-08:00

TRIMPIN: the sound of invention

will be fronting a full team at its

world premiere

at Austin's SXSW Film 09.

Artist/inventor/composer Trimpin,

Producer/director Peter Esmonde,

sales rep Josh Braun, and

publicists David Magdael and Winston Emano

will all be on the ground as the fest kicks off.

Outreach director/associate producer Lorna MacMillan

and

doc filmmaker Gabriel Miller

will handle on-the-ground logistics

for the core Trimpin team.

Film editor Rick Tejada-Flores

(a veteran doc producer/director in his own right)

and renowned sound designer Jim LeBrecht

of Berkeley Sound Artists will also be on hand

to pontificate and celebrate.

If you'll be in Austin, please drop by the

Trimpin Gallery

in the State Theatre lobby

(downtown at 719 Congress).

Aside from the visual/musical treats provided by

Trimpin's own wild kinetic/sonic art,

there'll be plenty of freebies for all!

Josh Braun, David Magdael to join TRIMPIN doc team

2009-02-03T22:24:00.000-08:00

Trimpin team signs Josh Braun, David Magdael!

The producer and director of

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

are delighted to announce that

JOSH BRAUN

of Submarine Entertainment

has agreed to work as sales rep for the film

and

DAVID MAGDAEL

of David Magdael & Associates

is coming on board as publicity director.

Both will be on hand at SXSW Film 09.

About Josh Braun:

A highly respected veteran of the indie feature world,

Josh has been an active player behind the scenes

at many film festivals over the years.

Most recently he brokered the deals for the films

ART + COPY, HUMPDAY, and KUNSTLER at Sundance 09.

Other distribution deals Josh has made include

SUPERSIZE ME, CONTROL ROOM, SPELLBOUND,

GUNNER PALACE, THREE OF HEARTS, OBSCENE . . .

not to mention Josh's role as executive producer,

sheparding the comic book A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE to the screen

for David Cronenberg's acclaimed 2005 adaptation.

About David Magdael:

Principal and chairman of David Magdael & Associates,

David has nearly two decades of experience in public relations,

strategic planning, marketing, corporate relations, and

entertainment and media relations

in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Excelling in strategic media planning,

David has designed and delivered winning media campaigns

for many well-known indie features.

Recent award-winning documentaries he has publicized

include

WILLIAM KUNSTLER: DISTURBING THE UNIVERSE;

ART + COPY; PAPER OR PLASTIC?; THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY;

TROUBLE THE WATER; and I.O.U.S.A.

We're delighted to have these esteemed professionals

join the TRIMPIN team!

TRIMPIN @ SXSW!

2009-02-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

We're delighted to announce that the

world premiere

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

will take place at the

South by Southwest Film Festival

(aka SXSW Film 09)

in Austin, Texas, this March!

In addition to this first public screening of the Trimpin film,

- both composer/inventor/artist Trimpin

and filmmaker Peter Esmonde

will be on hand to help celebrate the world premiere;

- Trimpin will exhibit/demonstrate some of his

most recent musical/kinetic works

at a local downtown gallery; and

- Trimpin will explore

Austin's unique cityscape

with a view to creating some

wild new sonic inventions.

The filmmakers wish to thank SXSW Film, its head honcho,

Janet Pierson, and her team for this great opportunity.

Sincere thanks to all who've worked hard to make

this event a reality!

Be sure to bookmark this page and

check back for regular updates!

"Open your ears and your mind will follow."

Hope to see you in wired, weird Austin!

http://sxsw.com/film

about the director . . .

2009-01-20T00:31:00.000-08:00

Trained at Yale and the American Film Institute Conservatory,

filmmaker Peter Esmonde

spent far too long in NYC and LA

working at various tasks in the film industry:

associate producer, writer, researcher, story analyst,

assistant editor, sound editor, etc. etc.

After toiling during the 1990s as a producer at

Discovery Channel,

Esmonde found himself targeted by executive headhunters,

and spent some years foraging in the corporate jungles

of North America. He finally emerged in 2005

as a producer and director of documentary films.

Although Peter Esmonde has worked on many films,

and taught film, media, and/or information design

at various universities,

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

is his first feature.

about that crew . . .

2009-01-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

made use of some of the most talented documentary filmmakers around,

including:

Rick Tejada-Flores (editor)
veteran producer/director of many acclaimed documentaries
(THE FIGHT IN THE FIELDS; JASPER JOHNS: IDEAS IN PAINT; OROZCO)

Michael Chandler (consulting editor)
best known as an editor (MISHIMA; AMADEUS),
but an accomplished documentary filmmaker in his own right

Nick Doob (second camera)
renowned NYC documentarian
(AL FRANKEN: GOD SPOKE;
DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN; THE WAR ROOM)
and frequent collaborator/associate of
D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
Location sound was deftly handled by
Matt Monroe
and
Gabriel Miller.

The Trimpin film's 5.1 Dolby surround-sound
was designed and mixed by
Jim LeBrecht
known for his excellent work on
THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON, THE COCKETTES,
and many other indie doc features.

early buzz

2009-01-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

Though TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION has not yet

premiered, there has already been some early buzz.

Check it out:

"Genius Captured at Last"

http://www.artsjournal.com/postclassic/2008/08/genius_captured_at_last.html

"Almost Ready for His Close-Up"

http://www.sf360.org/features/a-reluctant-composer-is-almost-ready-for-his-close-up

"a superb portrait"

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=680271

Trimpin anecdote #221: SAVED BY THE SALVATION ARMY

2009-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Before emigrating to the States in 1979,

Trimpin used to spend his summers hitchhiking around.

Trimpin once hitched a ride with a trucker,

only to have the man drive off somewheres in Alabama

with the artist/inventor's knapsack, wallet, and passport.

The local police had no clue what to make of Trimpin,

who (with his long hair and shaggy beard)

looked like he'd just stepped out of

the Old Testament.

Things only grew worse when the officers asked Trimpin

for his height and weight.

He related the info in scrambled English --

in centimeters and kilos.

Hoping to at least fix up the nut case with a change of clothes,

the cops took Trimpin to the local Salvation Army store.

Here, the artist was immediately struck by

'what incredible junk you have in this country!'

He realized he'd have to move to the States,

just to take full advantage of all the scrap.

Trimpin Anecdote #27: TRIMPIN + KRONOS

2008-12-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

For more than two decades, Trimpin has been friends

with the Kronos Quartet's artistic director, David Harrington.

Each clearly trusts the other implicitly.

David wanted to 'turn the concert inside-out';

Trimpin was only too happy to oblige;

and conflict and anxiety ensued.

From the outset,

Trimpin's fly-by-the-seat-of-your-conceptual-pants approach

clashed with Kronos' careful, studied virtuosity.

Trimpin encouraged perpetual brainstorming;

the group needed written music. Most of the time,

there was no real score for the quartet to work with --

just Trimpin's cryptic conceptual plans and morphing blueprints.

That the concert highlighted in

TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF INVENTION

came off at all

is a testament to Kronos' extraordinary openness and musicianship,

and to Trimpin's collaborative flexibility.

Trimpin Anecdote #11: HOWLING WOLVES + SMOKE MACHINES

2008-11-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

Trimpin was quite wary of being filmed --

largely because his previous experiences with film crews

had been awful.

Most seemed only interested in ridiculing the 'crazy artist'.

Hoping to portray Trimpin as a true mad scientist,

one local tv station embellished a night shot of his studio

with a full moon and a wolf howl.

Another crew lugged a fog machine

into the artist/inventor's studio, and directed him to

'act like he was working on something.'

welcome to the Trimpin movie blog!

2008-03-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

The process that began 2 1/2 years ago with a phone call
to Trimpin's studio is finally drawing to a close.

We're in the final stages of editing the Trimpin project --
a full-length documentary about the life and fascinating work of
this unique artist / inventor / engineer / composer.

Many of you generously contributed your ideas, work, insights, time,
talents, and resources to this project, and I'm tremendously grateful
to each of you. I truly hope you'll enjoy the film that is being shaped.
It's certainly been a long, strange trip.

We'll be launching a promo website for the film in a few months' time.
Please check out this site regularly and bookmark it
for up-to-date news about the forthcoming film and its subject.
And please feel to contribute as you like.

We look forward to seeing you sometime at a screening near you!

artists + composers who have inspired Trimpin:

2008-03-01T11:59:00.000-08:00

george antheil

robert ashley

henry brant

anthony braxton

john cage

merce cunningham

jimi hendrix

leonardo da vinci

meredith monk

conlon nancarrow

harry partch

archie shepp

morton subotnick

cecil taylor

jean tinguely

david tudor

frank zappa

everyday objects Trimpin has used to make music:

2008-02-29T12:14:00.000-08:00

whistles

duck calls

toy guitars

toy violins

gramophones

hair bands

Tupperware

toy monkeys

wooden shoes

dip-tip chickens

bunsen burners

beer glasses

typewriters

office lamps

juice dispensers

cathode ray tubes

electrical fan blades

slide projectors

vacuum cleaner

pottery wheels

aircraft cable

turkey basters

steel chains

saw blades

10,000-volt neon transformer

announcing a new film . . .

2008-02-27T20:59:00.000-08:00

TRIMPIN
THE SOUND OF INVENTION

a documentary by peter esmonde

featuring
The Kronos Quartet

"A genius at circuitry and machinery
as well as acoustics and musical structure,
he manufactures orchestras that play themselves!"
-- kyle gann, the village voice

"Trimpin is a composer / sound artist / engineer / god . . . and truly a treasure."

a film about
Trimpin
--
an extraordinary
artist / engineer / inventor / composer
who combines wild musical invention and kinetics
with homegrown computer technology.

Recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" award,
a Guggenheim fellowship,
an Artist Trust grant,
a Creative Capital grant,
etc., etc.,
Trimpin
has no dealer, no gallery, no website, and no cellphone.

He dislikes recorded music, detests loudspeakers,
and agreed to be the subject of this film only reluctantly.

We look forward to opening your eyes and ears.