"Karma Generator" - Short Film Documentary - Trailer Released

What the heck is a Karma Generator you ask?

It's a killer short film documentary that my brother Brad and I made. Last November we shot Brian Vander Ark recording his new album in the mountains of North Carolina with legendary producer Bill Szymczyk.

Here's a three minute trailer for the short film that we've titled "Karma Generator". The final film takes you behind the scenes as Brian Vander Ark poors his soul into a new record. It's an amazing document of a great singer/songwriter working.


karma generator trailer from Brad Kelly on Vimeo.
We'll officially screen the entire film before Brian Vander Ark's concert at Aquinas College Performing Art Theater on Saturday, March 22....BE THERE!

Brian Vander Ark - short film

Just got back from NC late last night...a mind-numbing 14 hour drive. Over the next day or two I'll be posting some quick photos of Brian Vander Ark as he put the finishing vocal touches on a new record with legendary producer Bill Szymczyk. Bill's worked with The Eagles, The Who, Bob Seger...Brian Vander Ark...you get the drift.

My brother Brad (that's him with the camera) also shot hours and hours of film footage to be cut into a redBrick short film documentary that will debut before the album is released (target of February). Brad drove back to Boston to start cutting the film together. We've got really interesting interviews with Bill, Brian and tons of North Carolina scenery to hype the new record...

My first impressions of Brian's new album...his best yet...both lyrically and sonically. It's fantastic.

It's exhausting work. Here BVA takes a combat nap next to James Brown (who apparently still isn't buried and is staying at Bill's home).

Brian Vander Ark - North Carolina

Here's a couple photographs I took with Brian this morning. We had to scramble down a small ridge and dodge some hunters with dogs (and shot guns) to get to this location. The large rocks and morning sun peaking over the ridge made this particular shot work well.

Here's another shot close to Bill Szymczyk's house...there's a cool old mine near there. We tried a few things with the mine in the background but we both weren't really feeling it. So instead I put the sun right behind Brian's head to create a dramatic portrait.