Founded in 2000 by Tao Ruspoli, the Los Angeles Filmmakers' Cooperative (LAFCO) is a mobile, self-sufficient film production studio based out of a fully-equipped school bus. LAFCO's mission is to give voices to those who are underrepresented in mainstream media, all while using the unique aesthetic of its filmmaking style. LAFCO has produced three feature length films that have screened at independent film festivals across the United States and earned numerous distinctions: Camjackers (2006), Pocket Change (2008), FIX (2008).
More than merely a physical production base, the LAFCO bus is critical in the ongoing effort to find and explore what is true, authentic and beautiful in a chaotic world. As film becomes an increasingly accessible and powerful medium, the members of the Los Angeles Filmmakers' Cooperative continue to seek countless adventures in the United States and beyond, producing dozens of music videos, documentaries, and narrative films.
On June 27, 2008, the LAFCO bus was entrusted to four young women: aspiring actresses, directors, and editors. Total strangers, the only thing they had in common was each of their separate encounters with LAFCO and their shared belief in and commitment to the LAFCO mission. Their journey began in Atlanta, Georgia and leads them across the great American South to Venice, California. Along the way, they plan to upload 2-3 minute short pieces that reflect their unique discoveries among the American landscape and how that shapes each person's personal journey. Upon successfully completing the trip, the short pieces will be edited into a 30 minute short film (for festival submission) that will, hopefully, capture a distinctly contemporaneous take on the American condition that can inform, inspire, and/or spark an effectual dialogue.
STOPS THUS FAR:
Atlanta, GA
Columbus, GA
Mobile, AL
New Orleans, LA
Moss Bluff, LA
Shreveport, LA
Athens, TX
Austin, TX
Marfa, TX
El Paso, TX
Sante Fe, NM
Taos, NM
CREW BIOS
(L to R: Tracy, Sasha, Jennifer, Maggie)
Tracy Chung
Graduated from Columbia University in the City of New York in May 2008 with a major in Political Science – International Affairs and an unofficial concentration in filmmaking. An aspiring actress and filmmaker, she is currently writing her first feature length screenplay. Her collaboration with LAFCO started when she met Tao in Los Angeles in the summer of 2006, during which she attended the Lee Strasberg Institute for Theatre and Film. She is the primary bus driver on the trip because it is a cold, hard fact that the most skilled drivers hail from the dirty 'Jerz.
Jennifer Hobdy
Born and raised in Southern California. A vegetarian for life. Graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Psychology and Studio Art. Her professional career began as an editor working for Plum TV in Aspen, Colorado. After snowboarding for two seasons, she got sick of the snow and then moved back home. Loves to travel but is deathly afraid of mosquitoes and getting stuck in any one place. Current priority: meet new people and make it back in one piece.
Alexandra Metz (Sasha)
Graduated from Brown University in 2008. Although a Human Biology concentrator, she began entertaining her dream of performance arts during her Junior year at Brown. Due to boldness and keen talent, she now holds credits in many play and film productions, confirming her need to continue stimulating and satisfying her creative drive. As a strong believer in the notion that "everything happens for a reason," she is grateful and excited to be a part of this crazy journey across the country.
Margaret Odette Perkins (Maggie) graduated from Brown University in 2008. Her degree in Art Semiotics allowed her to focus on her keen interests in critical film theory and production. She began acting at a young age, performing in plays, musicals, and local film productions. In the spring of 2008, while working as a staff member for the Ivy Film Festival, Maggie met featured guest and LAFCO founder Tao Ruspoli. Within months she signed on to be part of the LAFCO bus' tour back to LA-LA Land. Maggie hopes to see, hear, smell, taste, and create some really cool shit while on the road. "Hey Maggie you should film that….Toooooo Laaaaaate!"
Special thanks to:
Tao Ruspoli, friend, mentor, executive producer, LAFCO founder
Sarah Redlich
The Sulmers Family, Atlanta, GA
Cortez and 2 High Studios, Atlanta, GA
Ian Joseph of Mobile Mechanics, Atlanta, GA
Lee of Yessir Services, Hiram, GA
Joe's Automotive, Decatur, GA
James Wade, Rico Wade, the Dungeoneeze family, ATL
Maddock Truck Repair, Fayetteville, GA
Godwin Road Service, Phenix City, AL
Alabama State Trooper Eubanks
Goodyear-Wingfoot Mobile, AL
Coleman's Wrecker Service, New Orleans, LA
Chloe Cockburn of the Vera Justice Institute, New York, NY
Norris Henderson of SafeStreets, New Orleans, LA
The Moss Bluff Crew
Oliver Stone
Sandra, Marfa, TX
The Copelands and their lovely Austin St. Cafe, Marfa, TX
Crystal and her magic cleaning wand, Las Vegas, Nevada
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