Long before the Hollywood Sign became the iconic symbol of the Entertainment Industry, it was merely an oversized billboard for a new housing development. Nate Barlow’s 9:30 minute short takes the audience on a fantastic historic journey covering 97-years of the Signs ups and downs, modifications, decay, and reconstruction. Using a unique computer animated time-lapse technique to overlay the Sign’s history, Barlow also superimposes major technical advances and milestones within the Film Industry.
"…irresistible nostalgia porn.”
“… a must-watch for cinema buffs across the board.”
“…a fantastic animated short!”
– Film Threat – 8/10 Score https://filmthreat.com/reviews/a-brief-history-of-hollywood/
According to Barlow, “The first time I drove way up into the Hollywood Hills and truly sensed the size and scope of those letters, I instantly became captivated. Upon researching, I realized there was so much more to its story than most people know, and I wanted to share that history in the most visual way possible.”
Barlow continues, “A billboard is not always a billboard… Beyond the show business iconography, the story of the Hollywood Sign and its ups and downs are a direct reflection of the times, a town, an industry, and what was happening in culture. It’s alive and has become the symbol of everything around it.”
From Hollywoodland to Hollyweed to GoUCLA to Perotwood and every prank and promotion in between, this innovative short with a perfect musical score, creates a truly magical and entertaining experience that have fans and film critics raving.
Barlow wrote, directed and produced the project, with original music by composer, David James Nielsen.
See the film's trailer below or on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/451997737
The Dances With Film Festival: “A Brief History of Hollywood” makes its Los Angeles debut screening at the festival on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 4:30PM. Nate Barlow will be available for interviews on the Green Carpet and after the screening.
About Nate Barlow:
In addition to A Brief History of Hollywood – Barlow is also Co-Producer of a current feature documentary entitled, The Water of Life focusing on the craftsmen, chemists, and renegades at the heart of the whisky revolution that turned the industry into the titan it is today.
A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nate quickly rejected an engineering career to become a filmmaker in Los Angeles. He wears many hats in the Industry, from producer to writer, actor, director, and executive. Previously he wrote Random Encounters and produced & directed Tales From Beyond starring Adam West, which won several awards on the film festival circuit.
Upcoming Festivals include:
- Dances With Films – August 26 – September 12, 2021.
- L’Hospitalet – Barcelona International Film Festival – September 13-18, 2021 – Barcelona, Spain
- Rising of Lusitania – AnimaDoc Film Festival – September 24-26, 2021 – Gdansk, Poland
Past Festivals:
- American Documentary and Animation Film Festival
- San Francisco Frozen Film Festival
- Sonoma International Film Festival
