British Film Institue - The Carnival of Dreams & Build Launch

T H E   L A B O R A T O R Y   A R T S   C O L L E C T I V E     

PRESENTS

THE UK PREMIERE OF

THE CARNIVAL OF DREAMS

A FILM BY LAUREN VANCE

FOLLOWED BY A Q & A WITH GARY OLDMAN & GISELE SCHMIDT

MODERATED BY NIGEL DALY, CO-FOUNDER OF THE LABORATORY

AND THE UK LAUNCH OF

THE LABORATORY ARTS COLLECTIVE MAGAZINE, BUILD ISSUE

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In the feature length documentary The Picture Show (coming 2017), filmmaker Lauren Vance delves into the lives of the residents of Slab City and the work of wet plate artist Ian Ruhter as he spends time making collodion ambrotypes documenting the people who live there. Actor and photographer Gary Oldman visited Ruhter to take pictures for the latest issue of The Laboratory Arts Collective Magazine BUILD. The result of this profound meeting was captured by Vance and turned into the short film – The Carnival of Dreams which is a companion piece to BUILD.

The feature article includes a conversation between Oldman and Ruhter, a personal essay from writer and art curator Gisele Schmidt and original works created during this meeting, as well as images from both photographers’ archives. 

The friendship and passion for collodion photography shared by Ruhter and Oldman is deep and beautiful. The process is reflected in the residents of Slab City, where those gathered on the margins of society have built their own sense of community. This project is as much about building relationships as it is about the alchemy of collodion photography and the physical act of taking a photograph. 

As Ian Ruhter asks in BUILD “If you had been searching your whole life for something you love and you found it, what would you be willing to sacrifice?” Watching this film gives you insight into the answer. This burning question has clearly had a profound effect on both men in their own life experiences. 

The Laboratory Arts Collective is thrilled to have partnered with AMD on the launch of the much-anticipated BUILD edition and the UK premier screening of the film The Carnival of Dreams.

 
 

Photographs by Sarah Burton

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THE CARNIVAL OF DREAMS

FULL CREDITS 

Directed By Lauren Vance

Featuring: Gary Oldman, Ian Ruhter

Director of Photography: Robin Fenlon 

Cinematographer: Ian Beaudoux

Editors: Shannon Burnham, Daniella McInerney, Victor June, Jr. 

Coordinating Producer: Gisele Schmidt

Executive Producers: Gary Oldman, Ian Ruhter, Gisele Schmidt, Lauren Vance 

Wet plate artists: Gary Oldman, Ian Ruhter

Wet plate technician: Will Eichelberger 

Additional Cast: “Builder” Bill Ammon, Will Eichelberger, “Pastor Dave,” “Mary Anne”, Phyllis, Gisele Schmidt

Music:

Kai Engel In Anxious Shadows

Dexter Britain The Time to Run

Peter Cook & Dudley Moore  Goodbye-ee, 1965

As sung by Gary Oldman

Production Group/Affiliations: 

The Laboratory Arts Collective

Silver & Light Films

Flying Pictures Studios

Vance Studios

Sony Electronics

Slab City Community Group

Profoto Lights (Wet Plate) 

THANK YOUs

The Laboratory wishes to thank Gary, Gisele, Ian, Lauren & Will for their generosity in sharing their work with all of us.

Special thanks to our partners AMD for their support in presenting the BUILD issue and the UK BFI Screening & online premiere of 'The Carnival of Dreams.'

Thank you to Cinefamily in L.A. and to the BFI in London for their deep passion and commitment to the filmmaking community and hosting the US & UK premieres. 

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Special thanks to Air New Zealand, our travel partners.

And to Jack English, photographer and Laboratory contributor who set the dominos in motion.

FURTHER EXPLORATION:

IANRUHTER.COM

LAURENSVANCE.COM

CLICK HERE TO READ VANCE'S FILMMAKING ESSAY ON HER EXPERIENCE