LOCAL SCENE
Multi-talented Salmon a Renaissance man
By Phil Villarreal
pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.13.2007
Howard Salmon, local filmmaker and artist, is carving out a niche for himself as a historian of local music and offbeat films.
The University of Arizona grad — with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a master's degree in fine art — is a true Renaissance man.
The 45-year-old publishes graphic novels, including "SLIT Fanzine & Tucson's New Music Scene 1980-1981," an illustrated print documentary; and "Israel in Watercolors," a sketchbook of Salmon's visit to Israel.
Salmon paints portraits and makes films, which you can watch on howardsalmon.com. His latest film — the documentary "Are Artists Superheroes?" — contains interviews with Salmon asking artists if their work can help fight crime.
Here's a recent e-mailed Q&A with Salmon:
Who or what are your biggest influences as a filmmaker?
"Michael Moore, because he showed how easy it is to make a movie: Just point your camera and start asking questions. Seriously, he showed how important it is to have an idea that holds a movie together; it all revolves around a point or a concept. I've also been inspired by the tradition of artists' making experimental films (Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol)."
What's your evaluation of the Tucson movie scene?
"From what I've seen, the movie scene in Tucson is healthy. The Loft's 'Gong Show' night is a great incubator for new filmmakers, and everyone's making films. At Tucson High (Magnet) School, there are always kids shooting video. Making movies is part of the high school curriculum. Kids making movies is what a thriving movie scene requires."
What are you working on these days?
"I'm working on a graphic novel that's got holy content."
What have been the biggest roadblocks in your career?
"Technical issues. You can only do so much with iMovie."
Describe your dream project.
"I'd see myself uploading a short video to YouTube and creating an Internet sensation . . . which would then lead to other things. The dream is in the 'other things.' "
Where do you see your career taking you five years from now?
"I've got to sleep on that. That will be another dream project."
If you're involved in filmmaking and would like to be featured in a Q&A, write to pvillarreal@azstarnet.com.
0 Comments on this story
