Directed By - Michael Sanchez

Michael Sanchez was born to direct “Save Our Souls.” The Canadian born filmmaker’s American parents supported his education in the arts. His father, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in the Bronx, was proficient in several musical instruments, including the trumpet and piano. Michael was learning to play the piano before he could walk. His mother, who was from San Francisco, was interested in painting and pottery. From an early age, Michael was exposed to music and was almost constantly involved in an art project of some kind. His parents encouraged his interest in the arts, which led to his studying not only music, but photography and film as well.

After ten years in the trenches, learning the craft of filmmaking firsthand from some of the greatest filmmakers of our time, Michael saw an opportunity to make a solid contribution to the craft. With easier access to digital camera technology and online networks showcasing a new breed of bare-bones filmmaking, Michael recognized that the only difference between a good film and a bad film was the strength of the story. Armed with a strong sense of how to create a compelling and cohesive story from beginning to end, he set out to make “Save Our Souls.”

Inspired by different looking people doings things differently than would be expected, Michael made a documentary film that presents different facets of the human condition in a way that we can all relate to within ourselves. “Save Our Souls” began as a concept for a twenty-minute piece illustrating the creativity of the Slow Burn Burlesque troupe and demonstrating the influence of the city on the people behind the art. After four trips to New Orleans, compiling over a hundred hours of raw footage, the film became something much more than a “burlesque documentary.”

With music being a large part of burlesque performance, Michael was further inspired to record the acoustic piano for the documentary himself. He reached out to friends with whom he’d played in bands, such as Music Supervisor Robert Davis, to help develop a rich rock and roll feel for the film. Many of the highly recognizable tracks to which the Slow Burn Burlesque troupe were performing had to be replaced with original tracks from bands like The Yelling and New Orleans’ own Debauche.

Michael and producer Richard Barnes, another past band mate, are partners in HiWater Productions. “Save Our Souls” is their first feature film. They are currently in pre-production of a scripted feature, slated to shoot in early 2012!

 

Executive Producer - Phillip T. Barnes

Phillip T. Barnes (Executive Producer) has had a long and varied career. He has traveled the world extensively and built a variety of businesses, most recently acting as owner and President of a hugely successful international company. He is now a successful investor and Producer.

 

Produced By - Richard Barnes

Richard Barnes (Producer) was the marketing director for a large national company for ten years, producing multiple television and print advertising campaigns. He recently published his first collection of satirical short stories, entitled Suicide of the Month. Richard has been friends with Michael Sanchez since they were in their teens, playing in bands together, and are now partners in HiWater Productions.