Ace in the Hole stepping out of 2020 like a phoenix with new 🔥 feathers🔥
Discovery, creativity, and personal expression are critical components of a healthy society. We can not thrive as a culture, if we do not find a way to understand, embrace and support those members of our society who don’t fit into the mold created by the traditional art world. Our documentary film, Ace in the hole makes a compelling case for a new way of seeing, and shows us why it is so important for communities to make space for, and to support spaces for creativity and community to thrive.
Hi everyone, Spring has sprung!
I hope all of you are doing well, and taking care of each other. Things are looking up…people are getting vaccinated, spring is here, things are slowly coming out of the dark hellhole of 2020.
I’m excited to share that the Ace in the Hole team has grown to include several fabulous new people. Please join me in welcoming:
Thor Young, executive producer and fundraising consultant — Thor is a non-profit fundraising specialist focused on major gift fundraising and helping organizations articulate their impact. Thor is an integral part of our community and has worked in the maker space for more than 15 years. Prior to starting Forging Impact, Thor’s consulting company, he served as the Executive Director of The Crucible in Oakland, CA as well as serving as the first Development Director for Burning Man when the organization transitioned to a non profit in 2014.
“I’ve been committed to helping elevate the importance of creative individuals in our society for many years, so I’m extremely excited about helping to get the message of this project out into the world.”
Dana Laman, editor — Dana Laman has been working as an editor for the past decade. Credits include award-winning commercial projects, documentary features and experimental short films. Her work has been screened at film festivals and galleries across the country.
“I'm very excited to be joining Ace in the Hole's talented team! After recently moving back to the Bay Area, I'm rediscovering my fascination with what makes San Francisco truly unique. I'm charmed by everything about the story of Ace Junkyard. It reminds me of the value of creative community hubs that sprout up in unlikely places to keep culture alive against all odds.”
Cocoa Rigal, animation and motion graphics artist —Cocoa Rigal aka Jenny Muscatelli is an artist, auteur, animator and costume designer for film, theater and avant-garde visual performance art. She went to school for fine arts at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and her most recent animation work includes episodes for the animated series, Extreme. She has also worked as a creative director and curator for several live visual performance art shows, including SummerTramp and Thunder Ground LGBTQ+ art show.
“I knew telling the story of Ace Junkyard would be a magical journey, and the more I got involved the more it’s become a little obsession of mine. I love art and have used junk in my art since I was a little girl, which is why this documentary means so much to me. The world needs more places like Ace to help artists flourish and give them a community to be a part of. I would hope that with this documentary we bring to light how capitalistic expansion and gentrification truly affects the underground art scene.”
Madi Kaplan, post-production assistant — Hey there! My name is Madi Kaplan, and I am the post-production assistant for Ace in the Hole! I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in Spring of 2020, where I studied Film & Media Studies and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. I’ve worked as an intern for documentary features and series in the past, and am jazzed that my first role out of school has been with the Ace Team.
“As a San Francisco native, working on this film has taught so much about the city I grew up in— particularly the impact economic turnover has had on Bay Area artists. I am honored to help tell the story of Ace Junkyard and its community, and hope to continue to tell impactful stories in the future.”
Miranda Hunt, post-production intern — My name is Miranda, and I am a post-production intern for Ace in the Hole! I am a current third year student at the University of California, Irvine majoring in Film and Media Studies, though my hometown is in San Jose. In the past I have worked in university newspaper production, however I am excited to begin working in film!
“I have been learning so much about the community created and cultivated by the junkyard, and as a result, I have gained an even larger appreciation for maintaining the arts in our communities as a whole. Ace in the Hole marks my first real experience working in professional production, and I am so grateful to be working with such a welcoming team.”
Much love,
The Ace in the Hole team xoxo
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Ace in the Hole is fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts and Media
All donations are 100% tax deductible