What inspired you to use stick figures to convey complex ideas in your documentary?
In the art world, they often champion intricate and complex paintings. I found George Hobbs’ Stick Figure Wisdom series to be simple, elegant and carried deep messages about the complicated issues in our society through the themes of love, religion, politics, relationships and humanity as well as fighting against the evils in the world. Some of these mature themes would be hard for viewers to digest through realistic drawings and George really conveyed these critical and social issues through simple drawings that even a child can comprehend.
How did you first come across George Hobbs’ artwork, and what made you decide to make a documentary about him?
I went to an Opening Night Gala at the Artists Corner Gallery in Los Angeles. George Hobbs’ artwork was part of the group exhibition. At the time, my manager Matt Chassin was working with the owner of the Artists Corner. During the weekday, my long-time collaborator Kristin West and I were asked by Matt to visit the art gallery, where we were formally introduced to George. We were impressed with George’s work. Matt suggested the idea of making a documentary about him. Kristin and I have a deep appreciation for the visual arts. We were all very excited about the opportunity to interview George. George is not only talented, but a very nice and genuine guy. We were honored to have him as our subject.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while making this documentary?
As an independent filmmaker, it’s not easy to make a movie. It’s also very difficult to get funding for your project and we were unable to travel and interview George’s contacts. We began post-production and one month later, the editing sessions got canceled due to the pandemic. After ten months, our post-production sessions resumed and we realized that we had more than enough footage to justify a comprehensive documentary. It took four years to complete the documentary feature.
How did you approach the editing process for this film, and what was your goal in terms of pacing and structure?
I spent a lot of time watching the footage as well as finding the story and shape through editing. I give credit to Kristin West. She played a pivotal role in creating the road map about George’s artistic journey in a three-act structure. We were very blessed that George provided his original material that helped enhance our documentary. Throughout the editing process, we took out scenes that we didn’t need and worked countless hours to make sure that our documentary not only flowed smoothly, but delivered a cohesive narrative. It took a process of trial and error.
What do you hope viewers will take away from this documentary, both in terms of its artistic value and its social commentary?
For the viewers, I hope this documentary will spark a dialogue and help raise awareness. I hope this documentary will also inspire them to pick up a paint brush. It’s never too late to create something.
What role do you think art plays in society, and how do you see George Hobbs’ work fitting into that role?
George Hobbs’ artwork resonated with me. Every single time that I was working on this documentary, I would learn something new about George or learn something about myself as a filmmaker. Also, George has a sense of humor and I would laugh at moments while reviewing the footage.
How did you go about selecting the other artists to interview for this documentary, and what did you hope to learn from them?
Our subject George Hobbs is very well known in the entertainment community as well as the art world. We were able to reach out to many of George’s contacts in both of those worlds. Unfortunately, we were producing the film during the pandemic and many of the contacts we reached out to were unavailable.
What was the most surprising thing you learned while making this documentary?
No matter what obstacles you go through, anything is possible.
What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers who want to create socially conscious documentaries like “George Hobbs: Stick Figure Wisdom”?
Follow your intuition. Stay committed to your goals. Don’t be afraid to fail. Always be patient. Never give up.