Michel Sandy-Borden – Cinematographer | Editor
Cinematographer | Editor based in San Diego, CA
An open letter to those with questions…
My mother was born Sharon Lee Borden to loving parents, Walter & Jean Borden. She married my birth father, Joseph Sandy, and changed her name to Sharon Borden Sandy on their wedding day. Shortly after my birth they separated and my mom met a handsome camera assistant named Terry who became my loving stepfather and also brought on a new name, Sharon Borden Pfrang, which is the name (and the husband) she continues to have to this day.
As Anna Kelso wrote in an essay a short time ago, ” What’s in a name?” To me, a name defines who you are as a person. It tells the story of where you came from and sometimes can influence where you go in the future. It carries your family values, your traditions, and your legacy on it’s back, but it is up to you which direction you take it.
Last year I entered a new chapter in my life and married my perfect equal. When we were at the courthouse signing our marriage license I thought to myself… “What name and legacy do I want to continue as with my future family?” The name I was given at birth doesn’t harbor anything negative nor is it something I am embarrassed to be, but there is another family name that holds every value of love and devotion I could ever dream of…
Christa and I have put months of thought into this challenging decision and have decided that we want to continue our life with the adopted family name of Borden from my maternal grandfather, Walter Borden. A man who did everything he possibly could for his family and friends. A man who loved with the kindest smile and the biggest heart. A man I could only hope to be.
This will slowly become effective as we change our licenses, bank info, etc. But, we consider ourselves 100% Borden effective immediately. I hope this answers any questions you might have had as to why the name Borden is popping up. Just consider it a new beginning for your old friends.
Love,
Michel & Christa Borden
P.S. Time to get a new signature! Woot!
California Republic – A Short Film Series
I have been spent the last 5 years shooting projects for various clients around the world. It has been incredibly fulfilling and I am definitely looking forward to the next 5. In 2012 I’d like to do something a little different… I’ll continue creating for others, but I’m even more excited to create for myself. The first series produced entirely by me, “California Republic” will feature California Art & Culture designed and crafted by close friends of mine.
The first piece chronicles The New Black BBQ piloted by my good friends Chris Sullivan & Nick Barainca. Their idea of Progressive American Barbecue has Santa Barbara, CA feverishly checking twitter (@thenewblackbbq) to see where they’ll pop up next. I personally recommend The Holy Trinity, an item only located on their secret menu…
PS – Something you might’ve noticed by watching this film, my name is changing. More on that in a few…
California French Cinema
I went to the bookstore on a whim about 2 months ago and went straight to the cinema section. Luckily, living in L.A. has it’s perks when looking for information regarding film and my local B&N has a hefty section on the subject. I sifted through countless “Film for Dummies” type books and completely ignored a series on “Making Your First Movie.” After only a few minutes of letdown I stumbled upon a book titled, “French Cinema.” I read a few pages in the store and decided it was the right book for me.
After spending two weeks in France (honeymoon) and reading about half of the book, I had a new found appreciation for French cinema. The book reads somewhat like a textbook and covers all aspects of France’s deep film history. Starting with the Lumiere brothers who created some of the first films ever to Jean-Luc Godard and the Nouvelle Vague film era. And don’t forget one of my absolute favorite directors, Julien Duvivier
Julien Duvivier behind the lens.
When I had a few consecutive days off I phoned my friends Ruby & Summer Spiro who had been producing their own French inspired silent films. We had done several works in the past focusing on their music endeavors and now it was time to showcase their wonderful acting talents with me behind the lens. Below is the first short film in a new series produced under our trio pen name; Mrs. Whitewater.
Summer Collaboration | Michel Sandy X Andrew Reilly
Choose your own adventure… Accepted or Detached?
A few weeks ago Andrew Reilly [photographer] [Jay's brother] and I got to talking about working together to create some fresh content for our portfolios. We tossed around mood ideas and decided on two separate shoots that covered the entire spectrum of the life of a teenager.
My Girl & Her Craft
Many of you know that my lovely fiance is quite the artist in the kitchen. Christa (of Mini Baker fame) has been baking sweet treats for her clients for several years now and she gets better everyday. A few weeks ago, Miss Mini Baker received a rather large package from Jessie Steele, an apron design company who has taken great interest in Christa’s brand. While gawking over all the beautiful aprons she received, we became instantly inspired to take our individual talents to the next level and collaborate on a little series of baking videos we are now calling, “Sweet Stories.”
After smoothing out all the finite details we started production right away. We shot these pieces in our little apartment kitchen in Los Angeles. I cut them from my favorite edit bay (the living room) and now, I bring them to you…
Here are the first two installments of Mini Baker Presents “A Sweet Story”
Screen Tested, Warhol Approved
My publisher, Steve Shaw, and I have had numerous discussions on the future of model castings. Currently, models bring a portfolio of their work to each casting and hand it over to the photographer for viewing. After about three minutes of flipping through glossy pages the photographer may take a few photos of the model and then she’s out the door and on to the next casting…
This is such an old world approach considering how much technology, and not to mention creativity, is sitting around the studio when these castings take place. The magazine world is in need of drastic changes and my team at TREATS! is focused solely on being the lead tastemaker of this new world. So, we decided to pay homage to the great Andy Warhol and reinstate the infamous Screen Test. Of course, I had to put my own spin on it.
My Background
I was raised on movie sets as a kid.
I've never been to film school.
I traveled the world to hone my craft
and now I'm creating art to advance it.
Recent entry
- 2012-12-10
- Michel Borden – 2013 Demo Reel
- 2012-01-09
- An open letter to those with questions…
- 2011-12-29
- California Republic – A Short Film Series
- 2011-11-15
- California French Cinema
- 2011-08-23
- Summer Collaboration | Michel Sandy X Andrew Reilly
