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Stephen Michael Simon

@stephenmichaelsimon

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Award-winning director @bacon_n_laces + @farwestxdoc w @newyorkermag
Editor: Most Expensivest @vice
Origins of Hip-Hop @aetv // NYHC 24/7
POSTS STORIES REELS
FAR WEST // The New Yorker // I first crossed paths with Lala a decade ago while throwing parties in a downtown Brooklyn storage unit. I purchased a few of her early artworks, and we stayed in touch through social media. Little did I know that years later we would reconnect in the desert during a worldwide pandemic. On Friday the 13th, March 2020, I was on a plane headed out on a solo road trip through the American Southwest when the COVID shutdown was announced. With only a car and nowhere to stay, I reached out to the only person I knew living out west. Lala offered me a place on her land with one condition: I had to stay in a tent. I soon realized this wasn’t a health precaution—she herself was living fully off the grid, without water, electricity, or cell service. I spent a week with her, observing a way of life that had shed the anxiety and pressure of the city world we had both known. This simpler, more meditative lifestyle deeply inspired me. I had embarked on the trip searching for clarity, and Lala became a kind of guide—someone who had already done that inner work. Her lifestyle felt therapeutic, and I knew I wanted to explore it through film. A year later, I returned from New York City and stayed with Lala for a month, filming every day—observing. After two more years of editing, the film premiered at the Sedona International Film Festival, won an Independent Spirit Award, ran the circuit for another year and a half, and was later showcased by The New Yorker. Following my positive experience with my directorial debut, Bacon ’N’ Laces, in 2022, I’m proud to partner with The New Yorker again and present Far West. The film owes everything to Lala, whose way of living informed both its creation and its cadence. Featuring | @lala_abaddon Director | 🫡 Cinematographer | 🫡 Editor | 🫡 Exec. Producer TNY | @paulmoakley Story Producer | @rileyctaggart Colorist | @nabil_colorist Original Score | @gravity_proof Sound Designer + Re-recording Mixer | @benlehou Digitization Technician | @garybardizbanian Graphic Designer | @parrispierce Thank you: @keepordestroy @samanthafod @skautobot @jordan.mov @marciabsimon by @stephenmichaelsimon
THE NEW YORKER // My film @bacon_n_laces is now available on @newyorkermag for public viewing // I first met John on a location scout for a short narrative I was shooting with @ja_vasco (James Rodrigues). After wrapping on our overnight shoot, where I candidly watched John and his boys do their normal routine at the diner, I knew I had to come back and turn the camera on this family. For around two years, James and I would source a car and drag my gear over to Jersey and follow John’s life without any interference - we simply asked questions and pointed our lenses. What really resonated with me was their ability to adapt to the situation life dealt them. My own dad had a disability so my interactions and relationship with him had to be adjusted from what you might see as the typical father/son dynamic. Also, my dad was from Jersey so that dry sarcastic humor brought me right back to poker nights in my childhood kitchen. I thought maybe there were others like me who might relate to a blue collar family with a few quirks. And so Bacon ‘N’ Laces was born - John, a single father with three boys, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Happy Father’s Day and this one is for you pops. Miss you. A huge hug to the people who made this all possible. These individuals are so insanely talent and I couldn’t ask for a better group to share this story with. Directed by Stephen Michael Simon Produced by @ja_vasco Cinematography & Editing by Stephen Michael Simon Additional Photography by @ja_vasco Animations by @jordan.mov Sound Editing/Design/Re-Recording by @benlehou Music by @mosssmusic @chrispetrosino @parrispierce @garybardizbanian @semblancesounds Thank you Bendix Diner, the Diakakis family, the Rodrigues family and @skautobot From The New Yorker team: Executive Producer Soo-Jeong Kang Producer Melissa Fajardo Associate Producer Devon Blackwell by @stephenmichaelsimon
FAR | WEST // Sedona International Film Festival // World Premiere: We are happy to announce that @farwestxdoc will have its world premiere at The 30th Annual Sedona International Film Festival (@sedonafilmfestival) at the end of February. Far West will screen on Thursday, Feb. 29th at 10am and Saturday, March 2nd at 4pm inside of Harkins Theatre. Drained by the fast-paced urban lifestyle, Lala makes a bold decision to uproot herself and seek solace in the untamed landscapes somewhere far west. Stripped of the familiar comforts of running water, electricity, and constant connectivity, she faces the daunting challenge of building a life from scratch. Follow at @farwestxdoc to support and stay informed. Featuring: Lala Abaddon / @lala_abaddon Director: Stephen Michael Simon Cinematographer: Stephen Michael Simon Editor: Stephen Michael Simon Story Producer: Riley Taggart / @rileyctaggart Colorist: Nabil Moo / @nabil_colorist Original Score: Alex Mitchell / @gravity_proof Sound Designer + Re-recording Mixer: Ben LeHouillier / @benlehou Analog / Digital Intermediate: Gary Bardizbanian / @garybardizbanian Graphic Designer: Parris Pierce / @parrispierce by @stephenmichaelsimon
THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE YOUTH THAT IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA & A SOLID CREW YOU CAN GET ANYTHING DONE. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT SAY “HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS HAPPEN?” AND DO IT. FILMED BY @stephenmichaelsimon @nomotivepictures by @stephenmichaelsimon
After ten years - Stephen Michael Simon’s feature documentary debut En Route has released its official trailer. As three different millennials pack up their boxes to move, we unpack their lives. ​ A No Motive Pictures Production ​ Directed by Stephen Michael Simon Executive Producers | Stephen Michael Simon, Marcia Simon & Carol Aitken Producer | Stephen Michael Simon Story Producer | Gabriella Canal Featuring Al, Nana & Nickie ​ Spoken word written & performed by Mitzi Akaha ​ Cinematography | Stephen Michael Simon Editor | Stephen Michael Simon ​ Director of Animation | Scott Palazzo Designer | Jordan Kuyper Compositor | Sean Maymon ​ Original Score by Alex Mitchell Sound Designer & Re-Recording Mixer | Ben LeHouillier Assistant Sound Editor | Antonio Iengo Additional Songwriting & Guitars by Rob McCurdy Featured Guitarist | Mark Johnson ​ Colorist | Nabil Moo ​ Additional NYC Cinematography | Zach Villafana ​ Additional Archival Footage | Grant Conversano & Valeen Bhat at Private Picassos ​ “諦めたい (Akirametai)” Written & Performed by Nisemono Toxic State Records 2025 ​ “Dirty Sun” Written & Performed by Infinity Girl Topshelf Records 2015 ​ Thank You Kendal Lotze, Andrew Tomaszewski, Daniel Lombroso, Alex Advocaat, Jerry Hartleben, Emily Drury, Alberto Resendez, Alexz Graves, Gabrielle Altarac, Nicole Kung, James McMillan, Sean Mowry, Aaron Sheer, Aaron bear, Ray Smiling, Old Stanley’s, The Bends #indiefilmmaking #documentary #movingday #enroute #filmmaker by @stephenmichaelsimon
This is @loosenupyourbuttons live session video for the band’s hit track “I Saw Jon Hamm At The Beach” ☀️ “The vid was shot on a beautiful stretch of sand (AKA inside a Long Island City warehouse) amidst seagulls (very fake) and friends (very real).” Video directed by @stephenmichaelsimon Read the interview with frontman @nizgretsky by AC contributing writer @grouponmom live now on altcitizen.com by @stephenmichaelsimon
THANK YOU NEW YORK FOR THE HOMECOMING SHOW. ALONE TOGETHER TOUR CONTINUES IN AUSTRALIA IN DECEMBER W @evanora.unlimited MORE SHOWS TBA SOON by @stephenmichaelsimon
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS COME OUT. THANK YOU TO @whispershc @lipcritic @truckviolence @holder.413 WE GET TO END IT TONIGHT IN NEW YORK AT WEBSTER HALL. THERE ARE A FEW TICKETS LEFT. ABOUT TO SELL IT OUT. NO BARRICADE. LETS FUCK IT UP. by @stephenmichaelsimon
Sacrificial camera for @whispershc #hardcore #filmmaker #ontour #mosh #stagedive by @stephenmichaelsimon
by @stephenmichaelsimon
Damn it. #insta360 #showmethebody #tour #hardcore #filmmaking by @stephenmichaelsimon
FLATSPOT & FRIENDS #1 Terror. King Nine. Whispers. Love Sick. Thank you to everyone who came out and made the first one special. Announce dropping next week for FLATSPOT & FRIENDS #2. by @stephenmichaelsimon

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