OPAL PICTURES
CHICAGO
Feature DocUMENTARY: THE FARAWAY NEARBY
PREMIERE @ 2024 DOCVILLE BELGIUM
Screenings / Awards:
LightHouse Film Festival, NJ / SILVER AWARD, PFCAT, Portland OR / Heartland Film Festival, IN / AWARD, Cine Paris Film Festival / BRONZE AWARD, Sound and Vision Film Fesstival
The Faraway Nearby follows the tragic life of pioneer physicist Joseph Weber, whose pursuit of gravitational waves takes him on a dizzying journey from the height of acclaim to the depths of despair and disdain when he breaks the cardinal rule of science and clings to his ideas though his results can't be duplicated. Physicists, artists, and other creatives explore the emotional side of discovery and question whether the risk is worth the journey.
FOR MORE INFO: INFO@OPALPICS.COM
DIRECTOR PORTFOLIO - SHORTS
POLITICAL SPOTS
CMP SHORT PROMO PIECES
NORTON PUBLISHING SOCIAL MEDIA PIECES
DIRECTOR PORTFOLIO: INDEPENDENT FILMS
FEATURED MEDIA:
el relojero (The Clockmaker)
el relojero is an animated short film made in collaboration with Perry Harovas, an extremely talented 3D animator. It is based on a painting by Spanish surrealist Remedios Varo, and explores the magical realist world of creativity.
To see more of my films click below:
FEATURE DOC SHOWCASE: THE SHOW MUST GO ON: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF THE FLYING WALLENDAS
For eight generations, The Flying Wallendas have amazed all who watch their daring artistry and dazzling skill. Since 1780 the Wallenda family has been a traveling circus troupe famed for their wire walking often as high as 10 stories above the ground and always without a net.
In the face of diminishing audiences, a collapsing business model and a vanishing way of life, The Flying Wallendas struggle to hold onto their rich heritage. They must beat back the harsh realities of performance anxiety, financial despair and spectator ambivalence while continuing to bring dreams to the dreamers from under the big top.
About ME:
Paula Froehle is a FILM DIRECTOR, VISUAL ARTIST, EDUCATOR and ENTREPRENEUR with over 30 years experience in film and education.
As a FILMMAKER she has directed 14 films and over 20 media projects. Her directing credits include her 2nd feature-length documentary, “The Faraway Nearby,” which premier at DocVille Belgium and has screened at numerous festivals.
As a VISUAL ARTIST she explores new approaches to traditional mediums. Most recently blending portraits and stitching to create "floating drawings".
As an ENTREPRENEUR she has been involved in the founding of several successful startups, including Opal Pictures design & film production company (2004-pres); Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy media arts college (as Founding Academic Dean, 2007-2014), and Chicago Media Project (2014-pres), a member-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting impact documentary work and presenting the DOC10 Film Festival each year.
She is also co-founder & co-fund manager of CMP Invest/Impact (CMP I/I) one of only two equity funds in the US to invest in documentary films as a "pay it forward" approach in supporting documentary work.
As an EDUCATOR she was Founding Academic Dean of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, where she developed an intensive, immersive degree program in Film & Broadcast Media, Recording Arts, Game Design & Interactive Media, VFX & Animation and Design & Visual Communication.In addition Froehle has developed MA curriculum in Social Impact Media for Saybrook University, Oakland, CA.
MOVIES THAT HAVE INSPIRED ME:
Un Chien Andalou by Bunuel + Dali
Meshes of the Afternoon by Maya Deren
La Jetee by Chris Marker
Man on Wire by James Marsh
Anything by the Quay Brothers
ICARUS by Bryan Fogel
306 Hollywood by Elan & Jonathan Bogarin
so many others...
FAVORITE PLACES
Sardinia
The coast of Maine
Cadaques, Spain
Santa Fe
Joshua Tree
My home
“It's all in what you choose to put a frame around in the world.”
My first film. A found footage loop, optically printed. My first love.
THE HUMAN CANNONBALL
Watch - at 1:14 something extraordinary happens.
DAD @ 80 + new technology = just speeding along.
CREATIVE PORTFOLIO
I have always kept sketchbooks, a private record of - and respite from - my day. When I discovered the Japanese accordion-style book, I began to see relationships between drawings done over many days, or weeks or years. I now think of them as "exquisite corpses" with my inner spirit.
Click on the image to see more:
