The Collaborative Art: Ron Shelton & Team

Running time: N/A

Oftentimes, we think of the Maverick as a lone wolf, like a baseball pitcher finding a way to pitch a no hitter. But not always. Baseball teams aren't made of pitchers only. (Which is a good thing, cause Ron Shelton played second base.) At times, the true Maverick is someone who brings together great talents, blends them together to forge something great. Ron Shelton is one of these. Count him among the Miles Davises, who brought out Paul Chamber's Bass, Adderly's horn, and Coltrane's lyricism and came up with Kind of Blue. Shelton begins by writing a screenplay, weaving his chosen themes with words and background and character and plot, and then works collaboratively with his cast on films to create a virtual masterwork of a film. His past work includes Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, Cobb, Tin Cup, Blaze, and most recently, Play it to the Bone. Some characterize him as a sports filmmaker, but Ron Shelton is so much more than that. His films deal with themes of betrayal and language, humor and fate and love and religion. His movies have energy, intelligence, spirit, and originality. Ron Shelton films live the maverick spirit with every frame. He is constantly challenging the way we look at the world how we define ourselves by class and race and gender and education. Shelton's writing reflects his odd entrance to film, (by way of the minor leagues) filled with all manner of references, sharp comedy, lyric pacing, and sports themes. His films all display willingness to delve into the question without already knowing the answer. Ron Shelton has a gift for revealing the often unnoticed details that give a story it's truth and realness. Shelton's maverick attitude also runs into the very making of his films. He finances the films himself, allowing him to maintain the creative control, choosing his own actors, film crew, approving all changes to the story. He still uses the studios for distribution, so that people can see them in the theatres. This freedom he knows in making films is the spirit behind all the films, and the reason for the Maverick Spirit Award. We love seeing our artists work with freedom, telling stories on their own terms. We love it because the freedom comes through on the screen. The maverick spirit infuses everything it touches with freedom. The actors and editors, audiences and even the author are all touched by the freedom of the maverick spirit. Magical, but rare. The maverick spirit may be elusive, but as Ron Shelton will tell you, it can come from anywhere. Even left field. THE COLLABORATIVE ART - Join Play It To The Bones team for an exciting exploration into the collaborative process of making movies. Director Ron Shelton, Actor Lolita Davidovich, Editor Paul Seydor, Director of Photography Mark Vargo, and Composer Alex Wurman reunite to discuss their work together and to show illustrative samples from the film. Paul Seydor, a gifted teacher and editor will moderate. After the panel presentation, Cinequest's Board will present Mr. Shelton with its Maverick Spirit Award.