In 1997, the artist Tom Judd curated an exhibit in the window of TZ- Art gallery in New York City called “The Chalkboard Chronicles.” The show was designed as a rotating month long exhibit, with the centerpiece being three large chalkboards. Each week, three artists were invited to do their art on one of the chalkboards. After each week the boards were erased, and three more artists took their turn. During this time all the artists were interviewed on camera, filmed while they were working, and the completed works were documented before being erased.
![Ilona at work on her board]( "Ilona at work on her board")
- Ilona Granet at her board
The participating artists were: Spalding Gray, Christopher Brooks, Carol Diehl, Richard Hull, David Humphrey, Phillip Johnson, Drew Beattie and Daniel Davidson, Ilona Granet, Gary Komarin, Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz, Elliott Puckette and Ray Smith.
One of the films’ major highlights includes a new, never before seen written monologue from the late Spalding Gray that he spontaneously created for the project. The film captures Spalding painstakingly writing with a piece of chalk the story of a childhood school experience, ending with a moving acknowledgement of his father.
![Spalding writes his monologue]( "Spalding writes his monologue")
- Spalding Gray writing his monologue
This groundbreaking project gave a rare opportunity for the public to witness the creative process up close. It also challenged the artists in both working in public and, perhaps most provocatively, in having the product of their creativity erased.
![Phil checks out his work]( "Phil checks out his work")
- Philip Johnson and Richard Hull at work
In 2007, New York based film and video producer/director Jeff Wolfe joined forces with Tom to take the hours of original footage and start the process of producing a documentary film. They have completed several rough cuts and sequences which will comprise the film. We are lining up the final creative team (including several accomplished editors, graphic designers and animators, audio mixers and composers), and need to raise the necessary funds to complete the film.
![The outside world.]( "The outside world.")
- The world outside, 1997, Soho, New York.
The funds that we raise from our IndieGoGo campaign will be used for:
- Online editorial
- Sound Design and Audio Mix
- Original Music Score
- Graphic Design and Animation
- Color Correction and Finishing
The filmmakers have budgeted $35,000 for the above categories. However if the goal is not reached, we will still put the appropriate amount of funding towards the same categories...we're just going to have to negotiate some better deals!
We are thrilled to open our first IndieGoGo campaign - we want to open up this method of contribution to those who love documentary work, and those who are fans of the participating artists in the film. We think that fans of Spalding Gray will be particularly interested in helping bring the film to fruition - it is a true "lost gem" that we have captured from one of the world's greatest spoken-word artists. Help us share that moment, and the rest of the film, with the world!
![Richard Hull at work on his chalk project]( "Richard Hull at work on his chalk project")
- Richard Hull at work.
Bios of the filmmakers:
Tom Judd is a well established contemporary artist living in Philadelphia. Along with his paintings he has also created installations and projects which combine different media. He has shown his work internationally in galleries and Museums and is in many important private and public collections. The “Chalkboard Chronicles” is an example of Judd’s varied interest in collaborating with other artists and creating surprising and memorable events. This is his first film as a director / producer.
Jeff Wolfe is currently Director of Post Production at Cause & [Effect], a New York City-based production company. For 19 years Jeff has worked professionally in broadcast production, supervising live action shoots through post production for network clients such as Nickelodeon, Discovery, Oxygen, MTV, ESPN, TLC, AMC, truTV, Sundance and Syfy. He has produced commercials and digital content for Google, McDonald's, JCPenney, Intel, Yahoo, Oracle, Sony, KIA, Comcast, and Trump Entertainment Resorts. His work has been recognized with regional Emmy, ProMaxBDA and Philadelphia Addy Awards. The Chalkboard Chronicles is Jeff's second short film as a director.
