Raintown Pictures

OTHER RECENT WORK

In addition to my own work, here are a few projects I've recently had the privilege to work on together with some other wonderfully talented and creative artists:

"Thicker Than Water"
documentary | 72 minutes | 16mm
Thicker Than Water

directed by Bradley Rappa
produced by Bill Kersey, Nicole Koschmann and Bradley Rappa
cinematography by Bradley Rappa
editing, music and sound design by Bill Kersey
sound recording by Nicole Koschmann

Eleven-year old Tony Rappa struggles to lead a healthy active life while afflicted with type A hemophilia. The frequent scratches and bruises that mark the childhoods of active kids seem harmless to the healthy, but these same small injuries can be debilitating or fatal to a hemophiliac. Despite the severity of his disease, Tony insists on being an athlete. As he gets older and his athletic skills improve, the level of physical contact within each sport increases. Undeterred by a family history of chronic illness and loss, his parents continue to support and encourage his ambitions. Ironically, as Tony's love for his sport grows stronger, so does the possibility that his continued participation will have a fatal outcome.

PRAIRIE SPIRIT AWARD
   Fargo Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION
   Arizona International Film Festival

top

"Rita of the Sky"
documentary | 74 minutes | miniDV
Rita of the Sky

directed and produced by Kathryn Ferguson
cinematography by Ruben Ruiz, Tim O'Grady,
Ramon Amaya and Kathryn Ferguson
editing and sound design by Bill Kersey

After walking 1500 miles from the Copper Canyon in Mexico, a Tarahumara woman is detained in a Kansas mental hospital when officials mistake her native language for the 'guttural noises' of mental illness. Experimental documentary techniques recreate Rita's incredible journey and unconscionable incarceration.

"Startling, concerning...If Ferguson's intent was to portray Rita as a tragic victim of culture shock, then she certainly succeeded."
Arizona Daily Wildcat

BEST OF ARIZONA / BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
   Arizona International Film Festival
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
   International Cherokee Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION
   LA Femme Film Festival
   Boston Latino International Film Festival
   Kansas City FilmFest

top

"Sister Mendelssohn"
stage production
Sister Mendelssohn
http://www.cmpsouthwest.org

featuring Talia Shire and the Clark-Schuldmann Duo
directed by Cynthia Meier
written by Harry Clark
visuals designed by Bill Kersey

Despite the enormous constraints put on her by family, Fanny Mendelssohn managed to compose nearly 400 works, all done and performed in the privacy of her home. Through Fanny’s words gathered from letters, diaries and recollections of friends, the enormity of her achievement is brought to life in an integrated work of words, music and visual imagery.

"Easily one of the company’s finest — and that is saying a lot."
Arizona Daily Star

PERFORMANCES
   Berger Performing Arts Center - Tucson, AZ (11/07)
   ASU Kerr Cultural Center - Scottsdale, AZ (2/08)
 

top

"Black, White and Yellow"
documentary | 56 minutes | 16mm
Black, White and Yellow
http://www.nicolekoschmann.com

directed by Nicole Koschmann
cinematography by Bradley Rappa
produced by Nicole Koschmann and Bradley Rappa
editing by Bill Kersey
music by Hamdija Ajanovic

Growing up in a multi-racial family in three different countries, two sisters struggle to define their own identities as well as their relationship with each other. By telling the compelling story of this unique American family, this personal film addresses current issues of interracial adoption, ethnicity and nationality.

BEST OF ARIZONA
   Arizona International Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION
   Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival
   Athens International Film and Video Festival
   Arizona Black Film Showcase
   Boulder Asian Film Festival
   Cape Cod Film Society Screening Series
   IFP Cinema Lounge

top

"Raisin' Cane"
stage production
Raisin' Cane
http://www.raisincaneontour.com

featuring Jasmine Guy and the Avery Sharpe Jazz Trio
directed by Dan Guerrero
written by Harry Clark
visuals designed by Bill Kersey

A theatrical presentation in words, music and visuals celebrating The Harlem Renaissance's creative ferment of the 1920s and 30s. Jean Toomer's seminal work Cane, the incomparable short novel that started the sparks flying, is given its full due in this musical theater work.

"A theatrical gem....a diverse, entertaining and informative program."
Arizona Daily Star

PERFORMANCES
   Berger Performing Arts Center - Tucson, AZ (2/07)
   Quinnipiac University - North Haven, CT (2/07)
   Stamford Center for the Arts - Stamford, CT (2/07)
   St. Joseph College - Hartford, CT (2/07)
   Apollo Theater - Harlem, NY (2/07)
   The Village Theatre - Canton, MI (1/08)
   Bucknell University - Lewisburg, PA (1/08)
   Ritz Theatre - Jacksonville, FL (2/08)
   Victoria Theatre - Dayton, OH (2/08)
   Clarence Music Cafe Theater - Dallas, TX (5/09)

top

"Life List"
documentary | 16 minutes | miniDV
Life List
http://www.comeuppanceproductions.com

directed and shot by Tom Dunlap
editing and music by Bill Kersey
produced by Tom Dunlap and Bill Kersey
executive producer Tom Dunlap

From the Southwestern deserts to the frozen shores of Lake Superior, this insightful and often humorous documentary explores the world of birding by examining the philosophies and field behaviors of two master birders, one a retired social worker in Arizona and the other a college student in Minnesota.

"Presents the material with an open mind....Dunlap presents a nice mix of tales, and is sure-footed with his editing."
Microcinema Scene

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
   Northern Lights Documentary Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION
   Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
   Crested Butte Reel Fest
   Solstice Film Festival
   Arizona International Film Festival
   San Fernando Valley International Film Festival
   Fargo Film Festival
   Far North Conservation Film Festival
   American Conservation Film Festival
   RioFest Environmental Film Festival
 

© 2010 Raintown Pictures