Chris Mills is Living the Dream

Music by Chris Mills from the album The Wall to Wall Sessions
Orchestral arrangements by David Nagler
Shot and edited by Shannon Manning

Recorded and mixed live to 2-track tape January 5-9, 2005 at Wall To Wall Recording, Chicago, IL performed by Chris Mills, Jason Adasiewicz, Nick Broste, Dave Max Crawford, Stephen Dorocke, Gerald Dowd, Ryan Hembrey, Kelly Hogan, Nate LePine, Fred Lonberg, David Nagler, Patrick Newbery, Nora O'Connor, Jen Clare Paulson, Jay Pike, Aram Shelton, Susan Voelz, Deb Stevenson.

Most songs were recorded with only a few takes, one run-through and the entire ensemble going into the control room for playback and ego-free feedback: "I'm too loud in the mix." Shot with only one camera using the various takes (the band is perfect every take.) More tracks coming soon!

Live The Dream

United We Stand Beer

Written, directed, and edited by Shannon Manning
Starring James Eason
Music "Hog Callin' Blues" written by Charles Mingus
Performed by the Mingus Big Band

Hard to believe now that this video was screened to audible gasps and groans at a screening of comedy shorts at PSNBC in early 2002. Perhaps it was, as one Daily Show writer said, "too soon." It wasn't too soon for the advertisers and warmongers.... I was crying as I shot the scene at the promenade. January 2002.

Pop Open a Cold One (1:05)

Postcard to a Bird

Directed and edited by Shannon Manning
Performed by Lianne Smith
Music written by Lianne Smith and Neill Furio
Additional footage from the Manning Archive

Notoriously "recording-shy" Lianne Smith was lovely enough to let me record her using only the built-in mic on a sony tiny-cam. Rough sound, but I love this. The other footage is my family's home movies. I'm the baby. March 2001.

Triple Os and Xs (3:21)

The Day's Last Peace Bear

Written, directed, edited by Shannon Manning
Starring David Berman, James Eason, Richie Gibbs, Shannon Manning, Kevin Mullaney,
Joe O’Brien, Ed Snible
Camera by Crystal Bahmaie and Shannon Manning
Music by James Eason

This was adapted from a short story I wrote one day on the EL ride home from my shift at O'Hare. Filmed on the fly at a rehearsal space with some borrowed improvisers from another rehearsal and my extra airport uniforms. July 2001.

A True Life Story (6:02)

Pirate Treasurer

Written, directed, edited by Shannon Manning
Starring Jason Mantzoukas, James Eason, and Jackie Clarke
Music by the Mekons.

Coney Island and the ubiquitous Hollinger offices were the locations for this one. For those of you who thought this was autobiographical, this was written before I played anything close to the role of a pirate treasurer. January 2002.

Watch it matey (12:33)

Ladyland

Written, directed, edited by Shannon Manning.
With Tom Blake, Julie Brister, Jackie Clarke, Sean Conroy, James Eason, Machito Garcia, Janice Kirkwood, Mike Ludwig, Shannon Manning, Phil Shane, Gayle Snible, Christine Walters
Shot by Christine Walters, Ed Snible, Phil Shane, Shannon Manning
Music by Lester (Phil Dray) and Chumbawamba
Voiceover by Sean Conroy and Shannon Manning

UCB Theater, Central Park, and the ubiquitous Hollinger offices were the locations for this one. For those of you who thought this was autobiographical, this was written before I played anything close to the role of a lady executive. August 2000.

You are now entering ladyland (6:32)

Lectures on Tape
Foucault's Discipline and Punish:
The Birth of the Prison

Written by Shannon Manning and Angus Johnston
Starring Angus Johnston
Edited and directed by Shannon Manning

Late-night whiskey and reference material fueled this. The way all films should be made. And, perhaps, watched. August 2000.

Deconstruct this motherf***er! (10:00)