Don Swaynos

Richard’s Art of the Deal

Don — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:58:50 +0000

Richard’s Art of the Deal is a short documentary which profiles Standford University alumni Richard Rainwater through interviews with his friends and co-workers. The film was produced for the 2010 Arbuckle Award Reception presented by the Stanford Business School Alumni Association.

The Austin Chronicle talks about Jollyville Pictures, The Ballad of Friday and June, Collection Agency Films, Year at Danger, Zombie a Go Go, etc.

Don — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:30:45 +0000

The Austin Chronicle’s Marc Savlov recently wrote an article about the “loosely knit” filmmaking collective Jollyville Pictures, to which I belong. Savlov mainly talks about The Ballad of Friday and June, calling it “one of the most exquisite short films to come out of Austin in ages” adding “you’ve never seen anything quite like (it)” and “At a tight nine minutes, Friday and June eloquently articulates, with equal parts humor and heartache, an unnameable cri de coeur that nevertheless should be instantly recognizable to anyone who’s ever chased an artistic dream, stumbled, got back up, and grabbed hold even harder than before. It’s that good.”

That article also talks about Year at Danger (calling it “immensely powerful”), Collection Agency Films, and the music video for Zombie a Go Go.

The issue is on stands now or you can read the article at The Austin Chronicle’s website.

Love at 20: Waiting

Don — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:00:50 +0000

Here is the Andy Warhol-inspired video I directed for the band Love at 20. This clip, for the song Waiting, will eventually serve as part 3 in a series of 4 videos, each of which will have a different director making an homage to one of their favorite filmmakers. Love at 20’s album Time to Begin is currently available through iTunes and the completed anthology should be finished early next year.

New American Widow Project Website is Now Online

Don — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:00:19 +0000

The American Widow Project has just launched a new, redesigned website created by Site Goals in Austin, TX. The new site includes improved navigation and usability and will also incorporate the series of web videos that the AWP will produce starting in January.

Music Videos!

Don — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:08:07 +0000

Recently I’ve been directing music videos. Currently I’m in post-production on two projects; one for Jesse Dayton from the Voices of a Grateful Nation compilation and one for Love at 20 off of their debut album Time to Begin. Also, Fangoria recently posted this behind the scenes video from the Zombie a Go Go shoot this past summer (an alternate, non-gory version of the finished music video is embedded above, the gory version can be seen here). More information on all things music video related can be found here.

Introducing Big U!

Don — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:43 +0000

Collection Agency Films was commissioned by the Secular Student Alliance to write and produce a funny and informative video about their organization… So here it is.

The Ballad of Friday and June Wins “Best Short Film” at Indie Memphis

Don — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:25:16 +0000

Tate English’s The Ballad of Friday and June won “Best Short Film” at the Indie Memphis Film Festival this weekend. The film will be screening at the Austin Film Festival on October 24th.

The Insur-Animals Take Home Silver and Bronze

Don — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:13:41 +0000

I just found out The Insur-Animals: Episode 1 won two Pollie Awards (which recognize “the best in political and public affairs communications”). The video took home a silver for “Best Use of Web Video” and a bronze for “Best Use of Humor.”

More Festival Screenings for The Ballad of Friday and June

Don — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:50:31 +0000

Jollyville Pictures’ The Ballad of Friday and June continues its “World Tour of America’s Southern States,” playing Indie Memphis on October 11th and the Austin Film Festival on October 24th. I’ll be attending both festivals along with director Tate English and speaking on a panel, “Storytelling Through Editing,” at the Austin Film Festival on October 25th.

Final Insur-Animals Episodes Now Online

Don — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:27:50 +0000

The final three episodes of Insur-Animals were finished in 2008 but only appeared online last week. Fortunately (sort of) the health care debate continues and these cartoon are still relevant. Insur-Animals were produced by Collection Agency Films. Check out Episode 4 above or follow these links to see Episodes 1, 2, 3, and 4.