Every week, Kristopher Pollard from Milwaukee Film and Radio Milwaukee’s Dori Zori talk about movies — because that’s what you do when you’re Cinebuds.
Here at Cinebuds, we have a policy of doing our level best to match the energy of the film we’re talking about. That was an especially tall task for this episode, which throws a spotlight on the new concert film Lifer.
As you may have guessed from the headline, this movie focused on Illinois alt-rock outfit Local H isn’t a cookie-cutter affair. But, the great thing is, you don’t need to guess — because we snagged a couple special guests for this episode: Local H frontman Scott Lucas, who just so happened to write and produce and direct and edit the film, and cameraman extraordinaire Wes Knot.
Lifers isn't just about the band; it's about the experience of being at a show. Inspired by films from Stop Making Sense to Slacker, it weaves together immersive live footage with short, sharp glimpses into the crowd. You'll see the tall guy blocking the short girl, the couple breaking up, the annoying bar customer — all the classic concert moments.
The camerawork puts you right in the action, dodging instruments on stage. But it's not just the filming; it's the editing and sound that create the film's unique style. Lucas, who had to learn editing software from scratch, aimed for a raw, real-time feel. The sound design goes beyond the music, creating an immersive, almost disorienting effect.
Lifers isn't just a concert on screen; it's a trip to a show, with all the energy, chaos and characters that come with it. You can hear all about the film using the player at the top of the page or by finding Cinebuds wherever you listen to podcasts.
