Click on thumbnails for a closer look.

All photos courtesy of Marcus Donner unless noted with - *
The Focus Ring is group of directors who meet once a week to develop the craft of directing actors. The group was co-founded by members Kris Kristensen and Steve Christy. Other members include Tim Coulter, Lisa Halpern, Mark Handley and Brian McDonald.
Fig.1
Fig.2
Fig.3*
Fig.4
Fig.5
Fig.1 - Director's Kris Kristensen and Tim Coulter watch actor's Angelique Little and Lisa
Halpern perform an improv exercise known as "The Mutant".
Fig.2 - Director's Brian McDonald and Kris Kristensen observe a performance.
Fig.3 - Director's Mark Handley, Tim Coulter and Brian McDonald study a scene in progress.
Fig.4 - Actress Angelique Little discusses a scene with director Kris Kristensen.
Fig.5 - Brian McDonald gives directions to Angelique Little.
Fig.6
Fig.7
Fig.8
Fig.9
Fig.10
Fig.6 - A wide shot of the workshop space at 911 Media Arts Center.
Fig.7 - Directors Kris Kristensen and Tim Coulter watch Lisa Halpern and Angelique Little
perform "The Mutant".
Fig.8 - Director Kris Kristensen watches an improv head in a new direction.
Fig.9 - Director Brian McDonald and actor Jose Gonzales ponder the intricacies of a scene.
Fig.10 - Lisa Halpern and Angelique Little take directions from Kris Kristensen
Fig.11
Fig.12
Fig.13
Fig.14
Fig.15
Fig.11 - Director Kris Kristensen and Angelique Little discuss her performance.
Fig.12 - Director Brian McDonald demonstrates an emotional reaction to actress Angelique Little.
Fig.13 - Director Brian McDonald points out a detail to actor Jose Gonzales.
Fig.14 - Director Brian McDonald conveys an attitude to actor Angelique Little.
Fig.15 - Director Kris Kristensen engrossed by the scene he's watching.
Fig.16
Fig.17
Fig.18
Fig.19
Fig.20
Fig.16 - Actor Angelique Little reflects on her character between takes.
Fig.17 - Actor Angelique Little explains her motivations to Director Brian McDonald.
Fig.18 - Actor Angelique Little and Director Kris Kristensen fine tune her performance.
Fig.19 - Directors Kris Kristensen and Lisa Halpern watch as the scene unfolds.
Fig.20 - Director Brian McDonald contemplates how fix a scene.
Fig.21
Fig.22
Fig.23
Fig.24
Fig.25
Fig.21 - Actor Jose Gonzales and Director Kris Kristensen discuss Jose's performance.
Fig.22 - Director Brian McDonald gets to the core of the scene with actors Jose Gonzales and
Sarah Harlett.
Fig.23 - Directors Kris Kristensen and Brian McDonald discuss the arc of a scene.
Fig.24 - Director Brian McDonald watches his scene play out.
Fig.25 - Brian McDonald gives direction to Angelique Little.
Fig.26
Fig.27
Fig.28
Fig.29
Fig.30
Fig.26 - Director Kris Kristensen hammers home a point to actor Angelique Little.
Fig.27 - Directors Brian McDonald and Kris Kristensen scrutinize a performance.
Fig.28 - Actor Angelique Little argues her motivation to director Brian McDonald while Lisa
Halpern observes.
Fig.29 - A lighter moment with moment with director Brian McDonald and actors Angelique
Little and Lisa Halpern.
Fig.30 - Directors Tim Coulter, Lisa Halpern and Kris Kristensen examine a performance.
Fig.31
Fig.32
Fig.33
Fig.34
Fig.35
Fig.31 - Actor Angelique Little and Director Kris Kristensen read through a scene together.
Fig.32 - Actors Angelique Little and Lisa Halpern do an improv while Director Kris Kristensen
observes.
Fig.33 - Brian McDonald directs Jose Gonzales.
Fig.34 - Director Brian McDonald analyzes a scene.
Fig.35 - Director Kris Kristensen in silhouette.
The Good Egg is the directorial debut by screenwriter Mark (Nell) Handley. The film is feature length and was shot mini-DV, over a two week period in the summer of 1999. When the film is complete it will be blown up to 35mm for theatrical release. Kris Kristensen was the director of photography.
Fig.1*
Fig.2*
Fig.3*
Fig.4*
Fig.5*
Fig.1 - Director Mark Handley during a preproduction retreat at the beach.
Fig.2 - Director of Photography Kris Kristensen checks the lighting while director Mark Handley
rigs a mechanical effect.
Fig.3 - Director of Photography Kris Kristensen catches his breath and a cup of coffee between
setups.
Fig.4 - Director of Photography Kris Kristensen and Director Mark Handley rig an effects shot.
Fig.5 - Director of Photography Kris Kristensen catching a sunset shot atop the garage.
The following photos are from the upcoming feature film, Mrs. Baker, produced by Scotopia Pictures. The film is currently in preproduction, with plans to shoot in the summer or fall of 2000.
Fig.1
Fig.2
Fig.3
Fig.4
Fig.5
Fig.1 - The audience listens closely to the script reading of Mrs. Baker.
Fig.2 - Actors Jan D'Arcy, Jen Taylor and Andy Neel.
Fig.3 - Actors Michael Patten, Jan D'Arcy, Jen Taylor, Andy Neel and Tracy Timmons.
Fig.4 - Actors Trish McGuire and Michael Patten.
Fig.5 - Co-writer Brian McDonald follows along with the script.