avivapress's blog

By Maria Esteves – November 11, 2011

Art from the heart, Wolfgang Busch (WB) is producer, editor, promoter, director, and Award-winning documentarian who began his career as DJ and sound engineer. WB has promoted music artists at legendary NYC nightclubs, is board member, technical director, and volunteer coordinator to many organizations. He has received countless awards in many disciplines. In 1990, Busch television show “New York New Rock” aired weekly on Manhattan Neighborhood Network. He produced, edited, and directed over 700 television music shows.

WB has embraced the performing arts for the underserved and the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (LGBT) communities wholeheartedly. In 2006, Busch founded Art From The Heart Films, LLC, a New York based special needs video production company. His compelling documentaries include “How Do I Look,” the art of Voguing and Fan dance, “A True Lesson in Humanity,” people with disabilities in the performing arts, and many others. His latest awe-inspiring must see documentary “Flow Affair,” the art of Flag, Fan, Poi, and Floguing dance premiered Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church, New York. A live performance by FloKaz Dance Troupe with Flaggers David Wichman and Chris Ofner preceded the New York Premiere. A special Q&A discussion immediately followed with director Busch and cast members George Jagatic, Brad Carpenter, Mike Rahn, and Frank Coronado (living with Parkinson's disease). I had the distinct honor and privilege of interviewing filmmaker Wolfang Busch in New York on Friday, October 14, 2011.

ME: What inspired the making of the documentary film Flow Affair?

WB: The inspiration was to help empower the LGBT community artistically and financially. We were looking for a tool to do so and decided collectively the best medium is film. I followed the guidelines the community directed me with and became a servant to the community.

ME: Briefly describe the film.

WB: Flow Affair captures the history of the art of flag dance that originated in the Asian culture and introduced in the Western culture by the gay community. It's a flow arts film that includes Fanning, Poi, and Floguing. My first film “How Do I Look,” was about the Harlem House Ball (Voguing) community, they used props such as fans. This film is about the Flagging community. I was able to bring the two communities together. In doing so, we created a new dance form called Floguing. We are always looking for new creative outlets to achieve global excellence in our art form.

ME: How long did it take to make the film?

WB: It took approximately seven years to make the film. As a historian, it is my responsibility to put individuals within their own community into perspective, to sort out and record the truth and that takes time. I had to become part of the community, understand their sensitivity, and study who are the leaders (shamans) and the followers.

ME: Where will Flow Affair screen next?

WB: In November 2011, at the MIX Film Festival in Brazil, and in December, at the William Way Community Center in Philadelphia, P.A.

ME: What was your greatest challenge in making the film?

WB: I am self-taught, I am able to do everything myself. Because I wear all the hats, at times the challenge is waiting for inspiration. When I am dealing with corporate matters, I do not feel my creative juices and vice versa. Another challenge is financial because we do not receive any grants. This film is a labor of love because the artists come out and support what I do.

ME: What was the budget for the film?

WB: The budget was approximately $20, 000. The finance came from the proceeds of the first documentary “How Do I Look.”

ME: Where and what year were you born?

WB: I was born November 6, 1955 in Heppenhiem, Germany.

ME: Were you raised with a spiritual upbringing?

WB: I was raised Catholic. I separate myself from religion and consider myself spiritual.

ME: Where and what did you studied?

WB: In Germany, I studied and began my career as a dental technician. My passion for the music industry allowed me to become a DJ and sound engineer touring live with bands. Everything was self-taught from club promoting, to making videos, and documentaries.

ME: At what point in your life you became interested in the film industry?

WB: In 1984, I moved to New York and performed sound and lighting volunteer services at the Musicians Union Local 802. I produced seminars, workshops and booked showcases for artists. Then became an independent nightclub promoter and booking agent for the Limelight, Palladium, Tunnel, Danceteria, and the China Club.

As a booking agent, I started to video record the bands live performances and realized my talent for music videos. Eventually, I became involved in weddings, corporate videos, and documentary films.

From 1990-2000, I had a public access weekly TV music show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network called “New York New Rock, ” where I promoted the artist and acquired the ability to edit, produce and direct. I must have produced over 700 half hour TV shows. I was on the producer’s advisory board and received two grants. It was my starting platform for learning TV and video production.

ME: What films have you directed?

WB: In 2006, I directed “How Do I Look,” a sequel to “Paris is Burning,” directed by Jennie Livingston; In 2007, “A True Lesson in Humanity,” a documentary about people with disabilities in the performing arts shot in Florida where they call me Wolfella; and in 2011, “Flow Affair.”

ME: What awards have you been honored?

WB: The acknowledgment and respect received from the communities in making documentary films is most important to me. I received the Humanitarian Award for ”How Do I Look” at the 2008 Black International Cinema Berlin, Germany, and many others.

ME: What goals have you yet to accomplish?

WB: My vision is to build an artistic infrastructure for the LGBT community. It takes time and eventually it will all work out. We have Tony Award winner singer Melba Moore involved. I have an offer to work with four-time Grammy Awards nominee songwriter Michael O’Hara.

Thank you, Wolfgang.

For more information, please visit: http://www.flowaffair.org.

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