Michael Pugliese: DoP

Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!

Michael — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:55:56 +0000

Stepped out of my comfort zone to do a whole new style of band promo photo! This is what I came up with for the Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt- shot in the back of a short school bus they use as a tour bus. I have never shot anything like this before, and it definitely doesn’t look like the rest of my work!

“Austin Fashion Week” Jose Luis Bollywood

Michael — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:47:41 +0000

Jaya Shukla’s Bollywood collaboration with Jose Luis Salon for “Austin Fashion Week”! Congratulations to the designers, models, stylists, make-up artists, and everyone involved. These beautiful photos would be nothing without the combined efforts of a whole slew of artists.

José Luis Salon: Behind the Scenes

Michael — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:17:37 +0000

This is a commissioned behind-the-scenes for José Luis Salon’s June fashion show exhibition in Austin, Texas. the video gives an idea of what goes into organizing and pulling off a major runway fashion event with multiple designers.

Michael Pugliese – Director of Photography
Dan Herron – Associate Producer

joseluissalon.com
mpcine.com

BBoy Elusive Promo

Michael — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:55:10 +0000

BBoy Elusive brings the heat in an abandoned world of concrete and rebar.

BBoy Elusive – Joshua Vinyard
Associate Producer – Dan Herron
Director of Photography – Michael Pugliese
Gaffer – Blake Weaver
Grip – John Smith
Audio Post – Caegan Meagher

joshvinyard.com

Quiscalus quiscula

Michael — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 07:21:41 +0000

This is an old bit of footage from when I was testing the Canon 5DmkII. The title is the genus and species of the common grackle, the bird featured in the work. This is shot in Austin, Texas where these things gather in large numbers.

Director of Photography/Producer: Michael Pugliese
Assistant Camera : Ben Rubin
Associate Producer: Dan Herron

“Huautla, the Mexican Cave” Documentary

Michael — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:28:23 +0000

A film by Jay Arnold. The 16-mm film was originally released in 1995. The exploration of Sistema Huautla and Cueva de la Peña Colorada, near the Huautla resurgence, up to about 1988. Narrated by Bill Steele. Bill Steele has graciously allowed me to release this short documentary courtesy of the Association for Mexican Cave Studies. Available on DVD at amcs-pubs.org I’ve regraded the transfer and removed grain, made general color correction, and applied sharpening, among fixing other small flaws with the video.

The Manifestation Celebration

Michael — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:36:46 +0000

The Manisfestation Celebration was probably the most single bad-ass gathering of people I have ever witnessed. I seriously believe I got to document something truly important. So many friendly, open-minded, strongly individual people. I got a signed copy of DMT: The Spirit Molecule” by Rick Strassman and witnessed some amazing expressions of self through “Nadis Warriors” and “Shpongle” with these psychedelic costumed dancers. Even better was an incredible discussion by Alex Grey, including a live painting during the performance. There were devices to induce a trance, and computers set up to let people create art with some software, and I smelled people smoking nn-DMT at random times as I was shooting photos. Just a really incredible experience that I am happy to have been a part of. I’m pretty confident I shot the best live-performance shots if ever taken. The after party was also nothing short of the same, with lots of interesting people expressing themselves through lasers, fire dancing, poi, and music. Everyone I talked to had something worth hearing to say; it was a wickedly self-actualized group of people, and the air was thick with a feeling that most of these people have countless experiences at the distant edges of perception. Psychonauts, and Austin, I salute you.

Spellbound Tattoo Short

Michael — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:24:36 +0000

This is a short video I put together for the shop that brought my art to life. Shot on the 5DmkII.

The Caves of Muzquiz

Michael — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:13:15 +0000

This is a short 18 minute documentary from my perspective as a caver and cinematographer. I wanted to convey the feelings of being deep underground in the vertical caves of northern Mexico, and show the scientists and explorers who find value in their study. Narration is by project leader and geologist Peter Sprouse. Produced in conjunction with the Association for Mexican Cave Studies, a non-profit project of the National Speleological Society.

“Dirty Pictures” Documentary

Michael — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:58:40 +0000

So by now a lot of people who know me are aware that my personal hero is Alexander Shulgin. There are a group of filmmakers who have put together a documentary concerning Sasha and Ann’s lives, their relationship, and the broader ramifications of the Shulgin’s work. I was given the opportunity and honor of photographing the team responsible for the film here at their premier at SXSW. I followed them around for two days documenting the historic release of such an important film. What I didn’t know is that Ann and Sasha were in town for the event, and I would be the one doing an exclusive, private photoshoot with the two individuals I cared to meet most on the planet. They were both very warm and friendly, and extremely humble about their contributions to the world. The documentary sold out three straight showings in Austin, illustrating the number of locals who find interest in their work. I got permission from the producer to post this still from the BTS of my photoshoot of Sasha. I don’t normally do this, but I had to get a shot of myself with my subject, considering just how important his work is to me. The final images from the shoot will be released in unison with the guys from the “Dirty Pictures” documentary. More stills coming soon.

www.dirtypicturesthefilm.com