Hello Superfair and Frameline!

I’m H.P. Mendoza (he/they), San Francisco filmmaker and musician who’s screened/performed works at Frameline since 2006. (My first film, Colma: The Musical, was the first film I screened at Frameline and is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year!) I’m excited at the possibilities around screening/performing my queer sci-fi musical triptych at Superfair this March!

ATTACK, DECAY, RELEASE can be shown/presented in many ways for any space. I understand that the desired timing would be for this 74 minute film to play on a loop between March 19-22 but for there to be a single EVENT screening on Friday, March 20 that would involve a live accompaniment. Let’s talk possibilities!

The tech surrounding projection would be the same regardless of who performs with the film, so let’s first talk about the various possible configurations for live performance:

LIVE EXPERIENCE #1: The Complete Attack, Decay, Release

This would have me on stage with my piano, melodicas, electric ukulele and, most importantly, my laptop which controls ALL of the visuals that project over my head on the three screens. On stage with me would be my bassist, Seng Chen and my drummer Dan Staublin and waiting in the wings would be vocalists Anna Ishida and Carolyn Oliss.

You can see pics and videos that show how this was executed at The Exploratorium in 2023
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs_6fFCSRxh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

LIVE EXPERIENCE #2: The EDM Experience

The music is technically more IDM, but I’ve been using the term “EDM” in my decks because all of the IDM folks I used to run with all turned out to be total elitist bros. ;)

This is the version that’s traveled well, and would have me on stage with multiple synths, a melodica, my electric uke and my laptop controlling the projection via HDMI.

You can see the results of my Colorado performance (as well as my Brooklyn performance, if you swipe) here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDIAP9lSNdZ/?img_index=1

BONUS BEHIND THE SCENES:
My video deck for Colorado: https://vimeo.com/946355220/9119a2564e?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

My video deck for New York: https://vimeo.com/843725271/fe3c57ee7f?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

LIVE EXPERIENCE #3: The Commentary Show

This would be a version of the screening that doesn’t have synths on stage, rather it’s me and a microphone giving commentary in between songs like a one woman show. Think Sandra Bernhardt or Mink Stole or even Margaret Cho. This could result in surprise musical guests who are in the audience and maybe even some audience interactivity as I walk around with the microphone. Lastly, for the penultimate musical number, “Animated TV Show”, I walk on stage with my “busking attire”, which is an electric ukulele connected to a battery operated hip-amp and distortion pedal.

You can see how I did this for both Wichita and the AV Film Fest in Santa Rosa: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdPgEarrxGk/

(I also did this for a screening of Colma: The Musical at the Roxie, once: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce6ujVCvS9u/ )

As for projection, I’ve only ever done a single projector (4K if possible!) that shoots on three screens. The negative space is often used for projection mapping on me and/or bandmates or even for fun special effects that occur during the live show.

Let me know if you want to talk more about details!

H.P.