"Old School New School" Now Playing on SnagFilms

[Sue Smith]

SnagFilms and two-time Emmy®-nominee Steven Fischer have released Old School New School, a stimulating, educational documentary exploring the nature of creativity, all within the context of creative storytelling through various crafts – including acting, cinematography, music, theater, dance and poetry. The film can be seen for free at www.snagfilms.com/films/title/old_school_new_school.

 

In this 33-minute film, Fischer’s quest to fully realize his creative potential takes him into the lives and homes of a variety of accomplished artists. Their conversations explore three central themes: finding one's voice, security versus risk, and the definition of success.

 

“Although the film documents a personal journey, it is one that is familiar to many aspiring artists,” says Fischer. “Showing this documentary through SnagFilms will allow everyone to benefit from the insights and wisdom so generously shared by these extraordinary individuals.”

 

Among the luminaries who explore the genesis of creativity on-camera with Fischer are:

• Emmy®-winning actor Brian Cox (Nuremberg, Frasier, L.I.E., Deadwood)

• Tony Award-winning producer Emanuel Azenberg (Rent, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Lost in Yonkers)

• Oscar®-nominated cinematographer William A. Fraker, ASC, BSC (Heaven Can Wait, 1941, WarGames, Bullitt, Rosemary’s Baby)

• Grammy-winning jazz pianist McCoy Tyner (“Illuminations,” “The Turning Point,” “Journey,” “Infinity”)

• Renowned cinematographer John Bailey, ASC (American Gigolo, Ordinary People, The Big Chill, The Accidental Tourist, In the Line of Fire)

• Accomplished actor Tomas Arana (CSI, 24, Law & Order, Gladiator, Tombstone)

• Actor-turned-Congressman Ben Jones (Dukes of Hazzard)

• Acclaimed theater actor and professor Sam McCready

• Distinguished poet James Ragan

• London Time Out Award-winning improvisational dancer Kirstie Simson

 

Fischer is a multi-award winning writer-producer noted for his artistic and socially conscious storytelling. He earned Emmy® nominations for producing the PSA Silence of Falling Leaves (2000), which he also wrote and directed, and for his cinematography on Now & Forever Yours (2007), a Civil War docu-drama also written, produced, and directed by Fischer. His credits include River of Stone (2011, Maryland Public Television/PBS), Urban Paradise (2011, Maryland Public Television/PBS), Francis Scott Key: Legacy of a Life in Service (2008, Rockbridge Academy), Freedom Dance (2007, Blue Dog Productions, Inc. / Herron Designs), Draw the Line (2006, NVCC-TV), Camp Med (2005, NVCC-TV), and This is CLEARCorps (1996, AmeriCorps). Fischer’s work has been honored by The New York Festivals, CINE, The Directors Guild of America, the Telly Awards, the Addy Awards, World Fest International Film Festival, and many others. He has taught storytelling at the college level and has spoken on creativity at ScriptDC, St. Thomas University, American University, Hollywood Shorts, Maryland Film Festival, Show off Your Shorts Film Festival, and The Creative Alliance.

 

SnagFilms features free sponsor-supported viewing of more than 2,100 award-winning titles from some of the greatest names in film. Since its launch in July 2008, films in SnagFilms’ library have been viewed more than 18 million times. More than 400 million minutes of SnagFilms titles have been streamed across over more than 110,000 affiliated sites and webpages, including through partners such as AOL, Comcast, Hulu, the Starbucks Digital Network, Boxee, Roku, IMDb, the Miami Herald, hundreds of non-profits, special interest sites and blogs — and via a new free application for the iPad.

 

To learn more about Old School New School, go to www.stevenfischer.net.