CAMPING WITH THE RUSSIANS
Story by Bill Zarchy
at The Monkey House, Berkeley
Camping in a state park is an exercise in trust. But who is there to enforce the regulations?
Video: Telling ‘Camping with the Russians’ Read More »
SWEET HOME SHENYANG
Story by Bill Zarchy
at The Monkey House, Berkeley
Sometimes we struggle to go somewhere. And when we get there, we wish we were home.
Video: Telling ‘Sweet Home Shenyang’ Read More »
THE MOON, THE SNOW, AND DR. ZHIVAGO
Story by Bill Zarchy
at The Monkey House, Berkeley
A wintry walk through Siberia.
Video: Telling ‘The Moon, the Snow, and Dr. Zhivago’ Read More »
ECSTASY AT THE ALTAR
Story by Bill Zarchy
Tell It On Tuesday at The Marsh, Berkeley
Odd things happen on our family trip to the Eiffel Tower and Chartres Cathedral in France.
Video: Telling ‘Ecstasy at the Altar’ Read More »
DOG YEARS
Story by Bill Zarchy
at The Monkey House, Berkeley
Pop, Sophie, and The West Wing: A Time of Triumph and Loss
Video: Telling ‘Dog Years’ Read More »
LIVING A LIE
Story by Bill Zarchy
at The Monkey House, Berkeley
Looking for Grandma’s House in New Zealand.
Video: Telling ‘Living a Lie’ Read More »
EVELYN’S STORY
by Bill Zarchy
at The Monkey House, Berkeley
Not all travelers are tourists. Some are immigrants. A cherished family story.
Video: Telling ‘Evelyn’s Story’ Read More »
FINAL PUBLIC SHOWING & RECEPTION
Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Congregation Beth El Social Hall
1301 Oxford Street
Berkeley, California 94709
Wine and refreshments
All are welcome
Come See My First Photo Show Read More »
She looked at me, wide-eyed, with a big smile.
I knew that getting stuck in an elevator was one of her worst fears.
In case you missed the live show (or can’t wait to see it again!), here’s the video of my story, “The Elevator in Rome,” from Tell It On Tuesday at The Marsh in Berkeley last month. Storytelling in the oral tradition. No notes, no text.
Video: Telling ‘The Elevator in Rome’ Read More »
Technology companies around the world spend millions of dollars on marketing media. Many of these projects rely on real people talking about their own experiences—that staple of corporate video, the talking head …
But I’ve come to realize that health is the most important product of technology, and that patient stories make the most interesting and compelling talking heads, not corporate executives, engineers, or software designers. Here are four memorable patients
Health: Our Most Important Product Read More »
An old friend from the East Coast contacted me recently to see if I had any career advice for her friends’ son, a recent film school graduate who was trying make it as a filmmaker in New York City. I told my friend that, though my experience as a freelance crew person in the Bay
How to Succeed in the Film Business While Really, Really Trying Read More »
Video of a presentation by Bill Zarchy at Northbrae Community Church, Berkeley, California on 2/3/16. The author reads excerpts from four of the stories in his book, Showdown at Shinagawa: Tales of Filming from Bombay to Brazil.” He also discusses the ins and outs of self-publishing, as well as his background as a globe-trotting cinematographer. The
Showcasing ‘Showdown at Shinagawa’ — The Video Read More »
“I’m hungry,”said Randy, as we set up a sunset shot from the overpass near the end of our first day on the ground. “We need something to eat.” “Okay,” Larry agreed. “I’ll get street food. There’s lots of it around.” “Is that safe?” “This is at least my fifth trip to Thailand. I’ve never gotten
Bangkok, the Saudis, and the Jism Balls Read More »
Bronze Certificate, Funny Travel Category, 9th Annual Solas Awards for Travel Writing from Travelers Tales, March 2015. It’s not easy being a mileage whore. Sometimes you have to do things that don’t seem to make sense. United Airlines operates a major hub in San Francisco, and I’ve whored for their miles for years now. On
Good Night, Irene: Confessions of a Mileage Whore Read More »
At 9 am Monday, I left my home near San Francisco for what proved to be one of my longest trips ever. Twenty-nine hours later, I reached my destination, after a grueling air journey. But I hadn’t been hurled halfway around the world. I had finally touched down in Fargo, North Dakota, just halfway across
Why They Call It Far-go Read More »
My book SHOWDOWN at SHINAGAWA tells true stories from my long career as a director of photography, working on film and digital cinema shoots across the U.S. and all around the world: Japan, India, China, Uganda, the Philippines, New Zealand, France, Singapore, England, Taiwan, Mexico, and Brazil. The book has recently been honored as a Commended Winner in
New Award & Reviews for SHOWDOWN at SHINAGAWA Read More »
Bill Zarchy’s new book, SHOWDOWN at SHINAGAWA, is now on sale at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle e-book versions.
SHOWDOWN AT SHINAGAWA: Tales of Filming from Bombay to Brazil tells true stories from Zarchy’s long career as a director of photography, working on film and digital cinema shoots across the U.S. and all around the world — Japan, India, China, Uganda, the Philippines, New Zealand, France, Singapore, England, Taiwan, Mexico, and Brazil.
SHOWDOWN at SHINAGAWA Now Available in Paperback and Kindle e-Book Read More »
Ten of us arrive, unannounced, at the restaurant on the terrace, hoping for an outside table.
The staff seats us quickly, then waters, breads, menus, wines, serves, desserts, and espressos us in style. The service is seamless, though during the meal I notice one of our waitresses hurrying by, looking harried. But we gab and laugh and catch up in the sun on the terrace, enjoying the company, the food, and the splendid New England day.
Eventually the waitress brings the check, with amends. “I’m so sorry about the delay. Thanks for your understanding.”
Lots of time in Latin America lately.
In the past two years, I’ve been to Brazil on two work trips, vacationed in Baja, visited my son in Chile, and now I’m in Mexico City for nearly a week, shooting a medical video. Everywhere we’re surrounded by wonderful faces, fascinating street scenes, huge swaths of color, unique art, and both traditional and innovative design. A visual smorgasbord, for sure. Also, amazingly, we have a whole weekend off. Here’s a sample of the color around us. Photos from Coyoacan and Palenco Districts, Frida Kahlo’s House/Museum, and the Museo de Arte Moderna.
The Color of Mexico City Read More »
In my mind, I’m Danny McCoy, deftly easing my washboard abs into my 69 Camaro ragtop, trolling confidently up and down the Strip, the wind ruffling my hair as I head for a liaison with my all-grown-up childhood pal Mary Connell, or a dalliance with Delinda Deline, the boss’s daughter. In RL (gamer parlance for
Lost Wages: Everything Looks Great at NAB Read More »
I shot a one-day HD job this week for a Silicon Valley company … in Paris. Another shoot with two Canon 5D Mark II cameras, mine plus one belonging to the production company.
All in all, I was in the air about 22 hours, and on the ground for about 48. I did have a couple of hours to prowl around through the heart of Paris on our arrival day with my camera and director Dan Smith.
Prowling Through Paris Read More »
Busy week. Lotsa time in the air:
Last Monday—Fly SFO to Washington/Dulles
Tuesday—One-day shoot near Dulles airport
Wednesday—Fly Dulles to SFO
Thursday—Breathe, pant
Friday—Scheme, pack
Saturday—Depart SFO to Paris
Sunday—Arrive Paris
Monday—One-day shoot in Paris
Tuesday—Fly Paris to SFO
Today—Breathe, pant, blog
Mastering jetlag is the only way I can get through periods like these. It’s an imperfect science at best
Sky Jockey: Conquering Jetlag Read More »
News from Townsend 11, the writing collective I’ve belonged to for years, here in San Francisco:
First: Volume 1 of our new book series, No Fixed Destination: Eleven Stories of Life, Love, Travel, was originally published in July as a Kindle book. But now we have made it available at most e-book stores.
Next: Volume 2 of the series, No Set Boundaries: Eleven Stories of Life, Misadventure, will be published in a few days on the Kindle Store, and through other e-Book outlets a few weeks later.
Townsend 11: Volume 1 Now in More Stores, Volume 2 Due Out Soon Read More »
Less than an hour after my last post (Brazil: Some Days the Bear Eats You), my friend The Dave Mitchell responded on my Facebook page: “Nice, Bill. Easy days are completely forgettable.” Isn’t that the truth?
“But,” added The Dave, a freelance gaffer/key grip, “I’m available if you’ve got any coming up.” If only!
After our tough time at the tower, the next couple of days shooting in Brazil were smooth as silk.
Brazil: Smooth as Silk Read More »
