Clement Lush
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| Clement Lush | |
| Birth name | Clement Aleksandr Lush |
| Born | August 02, 1973 (age 33) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Other name(s) | None |
| Years active | 1992 - present |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Gail Lush |
| Official site | www.lushbrothers.com |
Clement Aleksandr Lush (born August 2, 1973) is an Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter, and skateboarder. He is most known for his production of feature films, commercials, and skateboarding videos, all of which take a very creative and independent tone. His themes often include high-school melodrama, child genius, and blue-collar culture; all often mixed with comedic adventure or criss-crossing plot lines. He is also well-versed in post-production, such as colouring, editing, telecine, and digital effects. On set and off, he is known for being extremely organized.
He is becoming known as an up-and-coming director involved in a new independent genre reminiscent of work created by other film makers such as Wes Anderson.
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[edit] Early life
Lush was born in Toronto, Ontario to Goldwyn Nelson Lush, an independent businessman of Scottish descent, and Marylynn Humphries, who is of English extraction. Soon after, his family moved to Oshawa, Ontario, where he resides to this day.
In the mid-80s, Lush began skateboarding, which he still does. It was skateboarding that initiated his foray into creative activities, beginning with simple graphic design, but which also influenced many of his later themes involving blue-collar, industrial city-type situations, as this was the type of environment he was brought up in. Skateboarding also gave him a sense of independence, which also gave him the spirit to pursue independent film making. It was later after this beginning that Lush envisioned himself as a graphic artist, but it was fate that decided he attend film school. During a return from a road trip to Vancouver, Canada, Lush decided to stop by the campus of Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a campus known for its film making program, and immediately decided that film making was gong to be his chosen career. He joined the film program, and it was during this time of study that Lush produced many short films including The CART, which has gained notoriety in many circles. It was recently submitted as a contestant in the reality film competition by Mark Burnett and Stephen Spielberg, called On the Lot.
[edit] Film career
After college, and after several short films and commercials, Lush embarked on his first feature-length film, Loose Change, which he co-wrote, produced, co-directed and edited.
A comedy, the story of Loose Change involves three 20-somethings who are lost on their career paths in a city dominated by blue-collar industry. Dean, the main character, played by Craig Norton, realizes that the answer will not be found in the want ads, but could be found at the bottom of a wishing fountain at the local shopping mall. They then hatch a plan to steal , what they think is a wealth of change, in the fountain, and eventually, a whole host of problems unfold, with even the mafia being drawn into the scheme.
During and after Loose Change, Lush also focused his efforts on TV commercials, producing work for clients such as Saturn cars and Alcatraz Skateshop. It was also during this time that Lush wrote several screenplays, was active as a sponsored, amateur skateboarder, and began making skateboarding videos. This era of Lush's life was also enhanced by a long stint at Medallion PFA, a post-production facility in Toronto, where he honed his post-production skills by performing such positions as tape operator and assistant colourist. In this time Lush met and married Karen Gail Brown and has most recently had their first baby, Ruby Elizabeth Lush.
The year 2004 brought Lush to Los Angeles in search of contacts in the film industry. Met by Jay Revelle, his long-time friend and collaborator, who flew from Japan, and two other friends, Clay Greer of CG Films and Wes Evans of Wes Side Photography, Lush eventually met Rima Greer of Above the Line, an agent representing writers and directors in Hollywood. This relationship continues to blossom, leading Lush into the writing of many screenplays and the formulation of many new creative ideas.
Lush is also co-founder of Lush Brothers Entertainment, which is his and his brother's, Christiaan Lush, production company.
[edit] Skateboarding
A skateboarder since the mid-80s, Clement was no stranger to film making even then as he often filmed and edited videos of him and his friends skateboarding. It was in the late 80s that he also met fellow skateboarder Jay Revelle, who later became a key collaborator and performer in many of Lush's later projects.
He eventually became so adept at skateboarding, that many sponsors came his way. His greatest sponsorship relation came from the growing Alcatraz Skateshop, who would eventually also commission him to produce skateboarding videos and, as mentioned, TV commercials, in which Jay Revelle starred in. In 2004, Lush went on to write, direct, and edit (with Jay Revelle) AT Large, Alcatraz's first feature-length skateboarding video, which featured Lush and the rest of the Alcatraz skateboarding team. Lush followed up with Chairmen of the Board, the second installment of Alcatraz feature-length skateboarding videos, in 2006, also in close collaboration with fellow Alcatraz team rider, Jay Revelle.
In the skateboard video genre, Lush is known for the advocacy of using film instead of video whenever possible.
[edit] Television
Lush has appeared on TV on numerous occasions for promotion of his various independent films and skateboarding videos. Notable appearances include Breakfast Television with Dini Petti, Real to Reel with Christopher Heard, The Dan Carter Show, and Day Time with Rita Nave.
[edit] Influences
Lush is without a doubt inspired by his favourite film makers, as well as his peers. Top influences include Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Michael Mann, and Ridley Scott.
[edit] Casting
Like many directors, Lush has group of actors that he often casts, including Christiaan Lush, Craig Norton, David Halliday, and Jay Revelle.
[edit] Personal life
Lush has been married to Karen Gail Brown since 2001, and they have one child, Ruby Elizabeth, who was born October 12, 2006.
One of Lush's closest friends is fellow skateboarder and collaborator, Jay Revelle, who has appeared in many of Lush's productions, including Loose Change, Chairmen of the Board, AT Large, and various TV commercials.
Lush has a non-threatening liver disorder that disallows him from consuming alcohol.
He is also impeccably organized and keeps his living space eternally clean and free of random "stuff".
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Director
Shorts:
- The CART (1997)
Feature Films:
- Chairmen of the Board (2006)
- AT Large (2004)
- Loose Change (1999)
[edit] Writer
- Chairmen of the Board (2006)
- AT Large (2004)
- Loose Change (1999)
- The CART (1997)
[edit] Producer
- Chairmen of the Board (2006)
- AT Large (2004)
[edit] References
"Local talent on view in skateboard DVD", www.durhamregion.com, 2006-12-27. Retrieved on December 27, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Clement Lush at the Internet Movie Database
- Lush Brothers Entertainment home page
- Lush Brothers on Myspace
