The DOC SHOT Q&A is a new exclusive online feature by Documentary
magazine associate editor Tamara Krinsky. Through this mix of questions (some serious, some sassy) each DOC SHOT will provide a glimpse into the work and lives of those creating and supporting non-fiction film.
Joe Carnahan
Producer—Playing for Change: Peace Through Music
www.playingforchange.com/
Writer/director/producer Joe Carnahan is primarily known for his narrative films such as the Independent Spirit Award-nominated Narc, Smokin’ Aces and Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane. With Playing for Change, he takes a walk on the documentary side.
YOUR FILM
Brief description of your film:
A film about the extraordinary power of music to unite people, bridge cultures and bring the entire world together as one.
Your role/credit on the film:
Producer.
How did you find your subject or become involved in the film?
I was approached by the filmmakers Mark [Johnson], Jonathan [Walls] and Kevin [Krupitzer] through a friend of mine and producer on the film, Raan Williams. I watched about a ten-minute portion of a rough cut they had and was utterly blown away by how I felt. I thought if it could touch my cold and calloused heart that it could win over millions more.
Was there a moment in this film that went a different way than you expected?
I think the boys let go of the more ethnographic approach they had taken and allowed me to sit them down and interview them so it could be included in the body of the film. I don’t think Mark ever intended on narrating or being this kind of “tour guide” through the movie, but that’s what wound up happening and I think it makes the viewing experience much more fulfilling.
If you had had an extra $10,000 to spend on your film, what would you have used it for?
A huge party for everyone involved who gave up huge chunks of their personal lives to take part in this adventure.
When you found out that your film had been accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival, what excited you about playing your film there?
It’s New York and it just felt like a big moment in time for all of us. The guys hadn’t really had this experience and watching the film for the first time in full surround sound on a state of the art system was pretty remarkable.
YOUR WORK
What's the first film you remember seeing as a child?
Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Tell us about a film that affected your profoundly or changed/inspired the way you do your own work.
It was the first time I became aware of a force working behind what I was seeing. That sublime cinematic manipulation that Spielberg still does better than anybody. I realized for the first time what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing.
What would surprise people the most about your job or the way you execute it?
I run a light set. I don’t yell and scream, and I usually DJ on my computer for the rest of the crew and take requests all day. I have a microphone handy so it takes on the dimensions of this morning radio show.
When you are feeling creatively stumped or burnt out, what do you do to get the creativity flowing again?
I go out to the desert and let it get really quiet.
YOUR LIFE
Daily essential read (online or off)?
ESPN.com, if I miss SportsCenter, which is required viewing.
Mollygood. Cord Jefferson is funny as hell. My sister turned me onto that site and it just makes me laugh.
What's on your TIVO or iPod right now?
Andre Previn and the Royal Philharmonic: Holst’s The Planets.
What do you want more of in your life?
Time with my kids.
What do you want less of in your life?
The bullshit that is endemic to this business.
If you could add an extra hour to every day, how would you spend it?
Sitting around the fire, telling stories.
What do you want for your birthday?
To age in reverse.
