While most in the advertising industry know Edit1 as the leading pre-visualization studio, they may be unaware of the many creative labors-of-love going on under its roof after hours. Case in point: “Dosa Hunt,” an acclaimed new independent documentary short Edited and Produced by Edit1‘s Zoe Schack, and featuring members of Vampire Weekend, Das Racist, Neon Indian, and Yeasayer.
In the film, an all-star cast of NYC musicians join filmmaker/executive editor of online music website Stereogum Amrit Singh, to form a multicultural posse on a quest to find New York’s best South Indian crepe — the dosa.
For Schack, it was a meaningful project that spoke to the cultural zeitgeist of the time, and an opportunity to reignite her passion for documentary filmmaking.
“Amrit and I spent countless hours in my edit suite making sure the film’s intersecting themes of culture, identity, art and the immigration experience were incorporated into the film while maintaining a fun and light pace,” Schack says. “While the one-day/one-camera shoot meant we had a limited universe of footage to use, we were lucky to have Director Sam Carroll and DP Dan Levin. Their work ensured we always had enough to be covered. We used every possible bit of b-roll recorded.”
The final result is an immersive, energetic and intimately amusing film that maintains a high production value despite its limited resources, thanks in part to Schack’s editing and to some creative solutions from the Edit1 team.
Case in point: Late in the post-production stage, Singh (literally) dreamt up a new animated intro. Schack brought the concept to Edit1’s designer Erica Colby Jaffin and together they brought to life the witty animated sequence that strikes a perfect tone for the ensuing film, completed just in time for the film’s New York premiere.
And while the film’s premiere and opening run has enjoyed an enthusiastic response from fans and critics alike, with positive reviews and profiles running in New York Magazine, Interview Magazine, BlackBook, Billboard
“A big part of Edit1’s culture is to support our talent in their artistic pursuits outside of the ad world,” Zimbard says. “We all work hard here and I believe the more we can encourage our designers, editors, and animators to tackle their own artistic endeavors, the more they grow as both an artist and a person. Zoe and “Dosa Hunt” are a perfect example of that.”
For more information about DOSA HUNT, including future screenings and distribution news and to watch the trailer visit dosahunt.com, follow at @dosahuntand facebook.com/dosahunt, or join the mailing list.
-Shoot Publicity Wire
