Some of the most successful artistic endeavors are produced when talented members of different mediums cooperate. Albanis approached dancer and choreographer Kimberly Cooper about creating a piece that would capture and present her work on film. The two decided on a five-minute section from Cooper’s “Velvet” which became titled “Distemper.” Created in conjunction with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (one of Canada’s premier dance troupes), and based on the larger idea of nightmares, “Distemper” explores the notion of suffocation. While the theme is purposely frightening, the action and images are transfixing and beautiful. “Distemper” was a major critical success, earning recognitions from the UK Constellation Change Dance Festival, LA Dance Camera West, Toronto Moving Pictures Festival, and the Calgary High Performance Rodeo. Bravo! (Television Network) was so impressed with “Distemper” that it awarded Albanis grants to create more films of this type. The film also garnered him a nomination at the prestigious AMPIA Awards for Best Drama Under 60 Minutes. John describes the film commenting, “The film explores the ongoing struggle between feminine and masculine forces. Specifically, the feminine spirit breaking away from the masculine will. That struggle is eternal and ever changing. It is violent. It is poetic. The majority of the film has a sharp, kinetic energy that focuses on the dark, edgier tones of this relationship. It conveys a feeling that the masculine force is having its way with the feminine. While also conveying, albeit subtly, that the feminine spirits will overcome the masculine force. They’ve been luring him the whole time. Men think they’re in control, but they’re not.”
Following the overwhelming reception to “Distemper”, Albanis again teamed up with Cooper to create the film “Methuselah.” Based on a character Kimberly had come up with, the two worked with choreographer Jason Stroh to bring the idea to life. In an experience that can most accurately be described as hallucinatory, “Methuselah” is a unique and uncomfortable story. The film and story is an examination of a woman who appears to inhabit and co-exist within parallel lives. One life exists because of her body, the other in a primitive body created by another (a machine fashioned as a doll, whose expiration date is determined by its mechanical parts). The opposite life begins to unfold when a soul from another time inhabits the doll-like form. The soul, originating from what appears to be from courtesan time has transcended eras, possibly jumping from host body to host body. The aesthetics of “Methuselah” were carefully crafted and designed. John notes, “The set and scenery were definitely minimal by design. I wanted it to feel primitive and raw, whilst having traces of earlier life. The final result is both interesting and creepy.”
Albanis went a completely different direction with his film “Nova.” Part Science-Fiction and part social commentary, “Nova” is the type of film which likely requires a few viewings to properly understand the action on screen. The main character goes through several transformations and then seems to experience a rebirth which starts his journey all over again. A mysterious stranger and some type of drug/supplement appears throughout the storyline, which takes places in a futuristic (though somewhat dilapidated) city. John reveals, “The colors of the cityscapes were infused with tones of blue, which were heavily de-saturated. We wanted to keep the main character’s environment cold and muted but also consistent. We didn’t want the environments to detract from the color choices we were making to the character himself. Throughout the film, the main character (Aaron) goes through the metaphysical stages of a dying sun. As the film progresses and the character grows dramatically in size, his skin tones start to change as the burns spread across his body, disfiguring him. He goes from flesh, to pink, to charcoaled red, to molten orange, and finally to pristine, shiny white (a white dwarf star).” The film had over 40 VFX shots, all of which were incredibly complex. Initially, John had partnered with a VFX Company to co-produce the project with him but, shortly after filming was completed, that company disbanded. Rejecting possible defeat, John began completing the VFX shots…one-by-one. Calling in favors from industry experts/friends and his own determination resulted in the film’s completion. Michael Levine (known for his association with Sony, Universal, and a number of major networks) proclaims, “Nova was an incredible success, earning the title of Official Selection at the London Sci-Fi Festival, Palm Springs International Shortfest, and recognized as a finalist for Best Visual Effects at the Hollywood Short Film Festival. John’s achievement of forty visual effect shots in an independent film is a massive task in itself. The social commentary presented is greatly enhanced by the incredible artistic vision he has presented in Nova.” Just as intimidating and vital to this film was the casting of the main character Aaron. Due to the drastic physical transformations of this character, four different actors were employed to portray him. An expertly talented Make Up artist would work on the actors for 3-5 hours each day.
John Albanis and the team of artists he works on with each of these productions professes to the industry and the viewing public that being an artist is a calling. Those who pursue this life do it because they are driven to create. Sometimes this results in major profits and red carpets littered with paparazzi; and sometimes it means eating from the Taco Truck and working through the whole night. In the end, it always results in art…we just have to open our eyes to recognize it.