Nursing a noggin
Changing comix, cinema, and theater together
Cheers to 2023!
I haven't had paying work for a month or two and anxiety hasn't taken over - yet. I'm living off financial fumes and a cauldron of passion to do what I gotta in hopes it keeps me from learning how little a skill set I have for society. Look out for a comix Kickstarter coming soon.
Our night of DENNY BARRACUDA and 3 SHORT FILMS at Parkside Lounge, NYC was a resounding success. Thanks to Chris Lee, his staff, and everyone who showed up in the pouring rain.
Here are the links to see all four films FOR FREE:
DENNY BARRACUDA — written by Whitney Matheson & directed by Shannon Goldman
THERE IS NO TRY — written & directed by Dean Haspiel
CONTINUITY ERRORS — written & directed by Whitney Matheson
THE TIP — co-written & co-directed by Whitney Matheson & Dean Haspiel
I’ll be mentoring comix at The Atlantic Center for the Arts from Feb. 12th — March 4th, 2023.
I talk about my return to ACA in Florida's Home Town News: "Artists returning to ACA for the next residency in New Smyrna Beach"
Excerpts:
When I was a kid in the 1970s falling in love with comic books, there were no classes to take and no books to learn from. Most art teachers dismissed the medium and didn't respect that comix are a multidisciplinary form. Nowadays, half my peers teach comix in college and young kids love webcomics and graphic novels. I take a holistic approach to mentoring. I guarantee that each associate I meet at ACA will employ a different strategy to making comix and that's cool. But that also means I need to steep in each individual project, get inside their mind, and help elevate their storytelling prowess to help maximize and realize their vision.
Residencies are hard to get into, but don't give up. As rewarding as a residency can be, they're equally frustrating. I spend half my time failing. But that's what art is all about. Failing hard and learning what doesn't work. Meanwhile, spark your own creative retreat. Go somewhere and be alone for a week or two. Throw stuff against the wall. Or bring some like-minded creators with you and make your own happening happen.
NIGHTWORK STUDIO NEWS:
”TAKE ME” is an 8-page comics collaboration I did with Whitney Matheson. She wrote it and I drew it. It’s a B-side in David & Maria Lapham’s THE ENDS #2, published by Bad Idea. Big Ups to editor and old SUNY Purchase chum, Karl Bollers!
Whitney also wrote lyrics to a song that the inimitable Eytan Mirsky (of American Splendor and Happiness movie fame) produced and sang called, "If I Could Only Draw." You can listen to it for free (or donate money) HERE.
A reading of Whitney's new play, BED REST -or- The Intern, The Rockstar, and the Mattress Inspector, will mount Saturday Feb. 4th @3pm at The Tank theater in NYC, for free! You’re all invited.
LOOK!
Produced in cooperation with the award-winning independent creative company Mother, LOOK! is an educational activity book for kids ages 5-10 created by Whitney and Dean. LOOK! emphasizes observation techniques, storytelling and community. Released in fall 2022, the book has been used as a classroom tool in Brooklyn elementary schools.
Friend, actor & cartoonist Tony Wolf just published his first comix collection, TALES FROM THE WOLF. Here’s what I had to say:
"When I first met Tony Wolf decades ago, I understood him to be an actor who loved comic books. But the dirty secret of most comics fans, no matter their day job, is that they, too, have a desire to write and draw stories. And when I got to see some of Tony's early art, I encouraged him to keep drawing! But here's the thing: most fans never get beyond their dirty secret because making comix is harder than it looks. So when Tony started to write what he drew in the grand tradition of independent autobio comix, the likes of Harvey Pekar's "American Splendor" and Josh Neufeld's non-fiction work, I was thrilled to know him as a peer and someone to admire. TALES OF THE WOLF is what happens when you commit to sharing what you know but, more importantly, celebrating what you love."
You can learn more about Tony’s book HERE — and you can buy it HERE
Friend, filmmaker, renaissance man, and provocateur, Onur Tukel dropped a trailer for his upcoming movie, POUNDCAKE. I’ve watched the entire movie — TWICE.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Check out this John Amos Cameo, Whitney got me for Xmas!
And check out artist Jen Ferguson’s website update with her cool DESIGNS!
The above story sneak-peek is brewing and coming to your doorstep soon…
love, Dean
SCENE BY SCENE WITH JOSH & DEAN is a podcast I did with Josh Neufeld that breaks down the film American Splendor, Harvey Pekar's legacy and growing up making comix in NYC.
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