Composing Big Sur: John Wineglass' Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, 35min., USA, Musical
Directed by Douglas Mueller
Composer in Residence John Wineglass' creative process of his most recent Monterey Symphony commission, Sacred Land: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I watch a lot of live classical music and a certain amount of multi-cam concert videos and I've always wanted to make something that felt authentic but unlike other I'd seen.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
When we interviewed composer John Wineglass and violinist Edwin Huizinga it was more than a year before the concert. And at that interview, they had been already working for a few months. The concert footage we shot over four days.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Kinetic and beautiful

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I had never had the 'luxury' of so much coverage- I think we shot three different performances with four cameras each. So with the rich music, you'd build and pear back a lot of options based on the flow.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Watching the feedback video was surprisingly awesome. So much time is spent on the work of making a film, I love being able to hear about it.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I was a senior in high school and my best friend said he wanted to and we both found a way that film spoke to us.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Maybe '2001?'

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
This is already a high bar and I'm not exactly sure as you already do a great job.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Always been a good experience.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Deep dish pizza or some California sushi rolls

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I'm working on a cinema verite documentary I shot over ten years ago about the historic renovation of one of California's oldest buildings. I'm a big fan of Frederick Wiseman, so it's exciting.