VMHC | Civics Quiz: On the Street

Few things make me happier than taking a big intimidating camera onto the streets of a city and seeing how people react. Some are brave and have a lot to say, others are reluctant participants, but one factor always stays beautifully constant - you never know what you’ll get. This piece was a collaboration with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics.

THE GREEN ROOM | Salon Collective

Special thanks to Jamie Lewis for hooking this one up. The Green Room is a special place in Scott’s Addition that is drawing in some really special stylists in an incredibly intuitive and well designed studio space.

VMHC | JMC Robe Documentary

Sometimes this industry exposes you to some pretty important and intimidating people, and the fun comes online when you get to bring them back down to earth and make something real. That’s exactly what we did with this piece, some of the most powerful judges and justices in the country talk about… their robes?

ONYX | XING™ Demonstration Industrial

ONYX is doing some amazing things around rail safety, integrating AI into existing infrastructure to help prevent catastrophes like we saw on the rail in the last few years.

LOVEVOLVE | Baby Swaddle Mission

LoveEvolve is a business in Richmond, VA and a non-profit organization helping to spread love to newborns all around the state, country and world.

Somn - Short Film

Thanks to the good folks at Needles Flix, I revisited my very first short film with new music and a new title. From NF. “Director and writer Michael Duni weaves a seamless story of a man struggling with unexpected fatherhood and facing down his past to reconcile his future.”

Podium: We create stories

There is an amazing amount of human connection that can happen in the interview space. Within all of us are dormant, untold stories. This video was a great opportunity to connect with some young people who have experienced a profound journey- and to create something entirely on my own. The Podium Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps youth learn writing and language skills at a level American public schools do not provide.

MOVEMENT AND VULNERABILITY

These are some recent works I created with Baldeep Singh Pooni. I filmed, directed, and edited these two videos, and one more I’ll post soon. A meditation on movement, mindfulness, and expansion, Baldeep takes a wholistic approach to whatever he does. His work teaches us that we are strongest when our body and our spirit are healthy, open, and aligned.

The King of Crimes - FILM - 2019

Trailer 1 and 2 now live! Watch below.

The King of Crimes is a feature film adaptation of the play by David L. Robbins about the treason trial of Aaron Burr in 1807 Richmond, VA. Vindictive leaders, executive privilege, and treason paint the story of Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and an empire divided. Shortly after the Louisiana Purchase, those who lived in the previously ungoverned territory had no loyalty for their new overlords, especially President Thomas Jefferson. These men were led by Jefferson’s political opponent and open adversary Aaron Burr. Tainted by his murder of Alexander Hamilton and fueled by a large grassroots following, Aaron Burr stands accused of plotting to float an army down the Mississipi, conquer Mexico, and claim himself a King. Allegedy. That is for one man to decide, Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall. This extensively researched piece explores what happens when our justice system collides with those who would make themselves King. A case study of the trial of the century, what went wrong, and the meaning of truth. Produced by The John Marshall Foundation in partnership with PBS station WCVE-TV, the film pushes the boundaries of broadcast plays to new cinematic heights. Aired April 18th on PBS. (Directed by Michael Duni, produced by Christina Garnett, director of photography Jason Parks, editor Jai Jamison.) IMDb

Articles

Recent local press about The King of Crimes adaptation.

For more information on The John Marshall Foundation and their mission.

THE KING OF CRIMES - STAGE - 2018

Before the film, there was the play. A theatrical retelling of the Aaron Burr treason trial in John Marshall's court. An original play by David L. Robbins, directed by Michael Duni. Presented at the Gottwald Playhouse in Richmond Virginia from January 26th - February 2nd 2018. Starring Jasmine Shea, Foster Solomon, Andy Boothby, Darrelle Brown, Bill Blair, and Billy-Christohper Maupin. Stage direction by Lauren Langston.

The King of Crimes was presented as thrust, seating about 140 a night. Our minimalist approach was accommodating to the 6 actors playing 33 roles, and dozens of settings all over 1807 America. Our tools for telling this story: a two platform stage, an array of period costume and props, and 6 extraordinary actors. 

A Step out of History

A minimalist play is already asking a lot of the audience's imagination. So we embraced the opportunity of open-mindedness, to let our cast better reflect the America of today, not of 1807.