On David Byrd and Michael Woods: Creative geniuses, and helping hands...

The editing of the film is still coming along. I’m still looking to do a few more interviews in the coming months (at this point, anything further is just “icing on the cake”), and I’m still trying to figure out the length and scope of the final act. These are on top of my sorting through all the footage I’ve shot over the last ten years – and a narrative spanning over eight decades.  

Yet however modest the production, or how many times I’ve filmed an interview with just a production crew of one (ME), this film is an endeavor I simply could not have done alone.

I wanted to call out two important people, dear friends of mine, who have helped me on this project immeasurably over the years. They themselves are now both in need help, and I want to do my part to return the favor as best I can.

Pictured: Jolino Beserra & David Byrd

First is artist DAVID EDWARD BYRD, of whom I have written about many times. Last year, David and his husband, Jolino Beserra, had to sell their beloved Los Angeles home in the face of David’s crippling medical debts. I had set up a GoFundMe page to assist them, and we were all absolutely floored by people’s generosity – which made it possible for David and Jolino to move to a new house in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I was planning to visit them right after Christmas, but David fell terribly ill and was admitted to the emergency room. We weren't sure if it was due to heart issues, or problems with his lungs.

Sadly, David is now intubated, and remains in a medically-induced coma. He’s had an ongoing fever, and issues breathing and swallowing.

With this, I'm hoping some of you might be able to continue with your generosity in helping David during this difficult time. No doubt everything David and Jolino have received from you all so far has been immeasurably helpful. But new and more daunting challenges lie ahead, and they need all the help they can get.

And yes, this includes prayers. I don't know David to be a particularly religious person, but I'm sure your goodwill – be it prayers, karma, or a kind thought – is something he and Jolino would appreciate.  

Pictured: M. Woods at work.

Another friend I want to mention is MICHAEL WOODS – a celebrated artist and filmmaker who is currently looking for work.

Woods’ background and achievements are so extensive, that any attempts to summarize them here would inevitably undersell him. But let me try: he’s a multidisciplinary artist and documentarian, dealing both in the avant-garde and the socially conscious. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (BFA) and the recipient of the Erna Plachte Award from the Ruskin School of Art at the University of Oxford (MFA), Woods’ multidisciplinary work has been exhibited internationally since 2011.

He’s also one hell of a teacher – which is how I came to know him. Before embarking on the Amsel documentary, I took a number of editing courses under his tutelage. He was charismatic, energetic, engaging, articulate…and best of all, supportive, empathetic, patient and inspiring.

When Woods moved away from Los Angeles to pursue new endeavors (first in Europe, then Chicago), I was sad to see him go. We stayed in touch through social media, but I missed having him as a teacher. This became painfully obvious when I took additional editing classes under other instructors; they simply could not compare to Woods’ skill or personality.

Late last year, Woods and I reconnected. He’s still in Chicago, but reached out about helping me with the project as an editing consultant. I was both overjoyed and relieved. Anyone who has worked with Adobe software (especially Premiere Pro) knows that it undergoes extensive updates each year. And with the ever-evolving technical tools and formats, I found myself completely overwhelmed and absolutely lost. Woods has been guiding me through it, slowly but surely. He’s something of an editing wonderkund, as well as a great teacher.

Recently, Woods has been looking for work. He holds a BFA with honors from NYU and an MFA with distinction from Oxford. He has over ten years teaching experience in film (especially post-production) and art. Any college or university – or student and filmmaker, for that matter – should consider themselves lucky to have him.

Check out his Disassociate Productions website to learn more about the man and his work. Glancing at his social media profiles, he might strike some as something of a Lynchian eccentric, or an enigma; he goes by the moniker “M. Woods”, and often refrains from putting traditional headshots of himself online. But don’t be fooled: Michael Woods has an extremely affable, very approachable personality, and is a delight and joy to work with.