Maddie Trailer by Katherine Yaksich

Maddie World Premiere

I’m excited to announce that my short film, Maddie, will have its world premiere at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on Tuesday, May 30th, at 9:55 pm in competition at the NY International Short Film Festival.

Tickets (Maddie screens in program 3): nyshortsfest.com/ny/content.asp?PageID=10

Our cast and crew did a remarkable job on this film and we can’t wait to share it with you on the big screen. We hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Reuben

This Is Our New York by Katherine Yaksich

This Is Our New York

A short 10 sec spot I directed for The New York Immigration Coalition, now being broadcasted in Times Square on Broadway and 43rd St.

Directed by Reuben Hernandez

Produced by Lisa Pertoso 

Gaffer/Lighting Tech Nico Vasquez

Earth Day by Katherine Yaksich

_H9A0546.jpg

Happy 🌏 Day ✌🏼

Here’s one of my favorite images from South Africa

#earthday #savesharks

(at South Africa)

Antarctica by Katherine Yaksich

_MG_1777.jpg

One of the final images I captured on my beloved Canon 5D mark II, on assignment in Antarctica

I did it. I sold my first DSLR camera, the Canon 5D mark II, which changed the course of my life. I didn’t realize how emotionally attached I’d become to this camera. I’m sure some of you can relate.

My trusty 5DII traveled with me to all seven continents, from Africa to Antarctica, and never ever let me down. It helped me forge a new path, realize my dream of doing what I love for a living (after I quit my last and only full time job 7 years ago), and led me to places that I only dreamed of such as Antarctica.

This is where it all began for me and I’m happy to pass the torch onto the next person/generation of photographers. Thanks to photographers Miah Klein and Matthew Morgan who helped guide me after I decided to jump in and purchase this camera 8 years ago. Long live the 5D mark II!

#antarcticaordie

(at Antarctica)

On Assignment in Florida by Katherine Yaksich

IMG_9478.JPG

6:49 AM

Beauty, Balance, and Grace by Katherine Yaksich

I’m excited to share this short I directed featuring JR and some NYC Ballet dancers. Thanks for watching and be sure to check out the NYC Ballet on stage.

Official Selection 2016 Paris Short Film Festival

A film by Reuben Hernandez

Featuring JR, Lauren Lovette, Megan Johnson, Taylor Stanley, and Craig Hall
Produced by Marc Azoulay
Additional cinematography by Frank Maldonado
Set photography by Jen Trahan
Music by I Am Lightyear

Women's March on NYC by Katherine Yaksich

This is my favorite image from the march. This little girl reminded me of my niece, and it’s my hope that my niece will grow up in a better, more loving, and peaceful world. Marching down Fifth Ave in NYC was quite an empowering and meaningful experience. I’m proud to have marched alongside millions of you around the world.

#womensmarchnyc #thisiswhatdemocracylookslike

(at Fifth Avenue)

Women's March on NYC by Katherine Yaksich

Our resistance is going to be the biggest and best you’ve ever seen; it’s gonna be terrific

#womensmarchnyc #thisiswhatdemocracylookslike

(at New York, New York)

Women's March on NYC by Katherine Yaksich

I march for my mom bc my mom taught me to march for myself

#womensmarchnyc #thisiswhatdemocracylookslike

(at New York, New York)

Women's March on NYC by Katherine Yaksich

tumblr_ok9jf6CDZh1r06je2o1_r1_1280.jpg

The largest crowd I’ve ever seen at Grand Central

#womensmarchnyc #thisiswhatdemocracylookslike


(at Grand Central Terminal)

Women's March on NYC by Katherine Yaksich

tumblr_ok7kdpfb7T1r06je2o1_r1_1280.jpg

We the people defend dignity

#womensmarchnyc #thisiswhatdemocracylookslike


(at New York, New York)

Women's March on NYC by Katherine Yaksich

tumblr_ok5t0gywTQ1r06je2o1_r1_1280.jpg

This is what the majority looks like

#womensmarchnyc


(at New York, New York)

The Death of the MacBook Pro by Katherine Yaksich

I just happily returned my spec’d out Late 2016 15″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for a refund because the machine just didn’t work. It started glitching after two days of use (see video above) and Apple could not fix it (they told me this after the computer was in repair for 2 weeks). To add fuel to the fire, this machine retails for nearly $5,000 (with Apple Care), which is already an absurd amount of money to pay for any laptop, especially one that lacks in many ways. The graphics issue has been widely reported by various users, and it’s obvious that Apple does not know what is causing it. The person at the genius bar told me it was the graphics card while another Apple employee based in Austin told me it was due to a faulty logic board. So which is it, Apple? 

I had really high hopes for this machine, and waited a long time for it. I was even willing to overlook all the complaints: poor battery life (yes, it’s poor), lack of legacy ports, overpriced, under spec’d for pro/power users, etc. Admittedly, I even started to grow attached to the retina screen and better speakers and really wanted to make it work. At the end of the day, this is a terrible, faulty product. It’s no surprise that Apple’s revenue is on the decline and it will only continue to decline unless they start making better products and stop ignoring their pro user base. This is actually the first time in 11 years that I have chosen not to purchase Apple (ever since I had my classic iPod), and don’t plan on purchasing another Apple product again soon, if ever.

Long story short, do not buy the late 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, or return it if it’s not too late. Buy an older 2015 MacBook Pro or even a PC, anything is better than the latest MacBook Pro (I really should have listened to Snazzy Labs, but ended up learning the hard way). It is you and I, the consumers, that hold the power as we have a choice to vote with our wallets every single day. Let’s raise hell, together, and hope for something better in the future.

#courage #donglegate

Winter is Coming by Katherine Yaksich

Winter is coming. Aka “time to bust out the snow goggles and slay some White Walkers” - Jon Snow #❄️

(at Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

2016 A Year in Review by Katherine Yaksich

tumblr_oj2hmj8lWF1r06je2o1_1280.jpg
tumblr_oj2hmj8lWF1r06je2o2_1280.jpg
tumblr_oj2hmj8lWF1r06je2o3_1280.png
MADDIE_Still_001.jpg
tumblr_oj2hmj8lWF1r06je2o5_1280.jpg

2016 A Year in Review

As I write this, it’s hard to believe that I’m approaching my six year anniversary of living in NYC.

2016 was an interesting year, to say the least. A lot of people can’t wait for it to be over. I learned a thing or two and some memorable experiences include:

Antarctica premiered in NYC earlier this year and screened at a handful of film festivals.

Beauty, Balance, and Grace premiered in Paris, France.

I had the opportunity to film Bono this year for a PSA for the Red Nose Day campaign. Spike Jonze randomly showed up and then thanked me for allowing him to help out. It was surreal. Bono and his crew were so gracious and kind and it was truly a pleasure to work with them. I’ve looked up to Bono for many years so it was such an honor to meet him.

This year I wrote and directed my first narrative short film, Maddie, that will premiere next year. I’m so thankful for my talented cast and crew that worked so hard on this project and gave so much. Writing is a new creative process for me, and I’ve learned that I can do it even out of necessity. It was an empowering experience to own a project completely from start to finish, and to learn firsthand that anything is possible. So many elements of this film seemed impossible and daunting at first, but we somehow pulled it off. People helped out from near and far and I’m truly grateful for all the support. We look forward to sharing Maddie on the big screen in 2017 so stay tuned for upcoming screenings.

I spent two months abroad in Europe this summer, working on post production for Maddie and recovering. Production on Maddie gave me a serious ass kicking so it was a much needed breath of fresh air to spend the summer away from NYC. 

One of my major takeaways from 2016 is that if you have a creative vision/idea that you believe in, then you just need to go for it and figure it out along the way. Some people thought that making Maddie would not be possible, but deep down I believed in my vision and was absolutely determined to see it through. I also learned a hell of a lot along the way, which will be invaluable.

See you next year.

All My Best,
Reuben


 

by Katherine Yaksich

Closing Time

(at Newport, Rhode Island)

Closing Time

(at Newport, Rhode Island)

by Katherine Yaksich

Current mood 

#tempelhoferfeld #abandoned

(at Berlin Tempelhof Airport)

Current mood

#tempelhoferfeld #abandoned

(at Berlin Tempelhof Airport)

by Katherine Yaksich

Post-it notes from around the world. The pink one on the bottom left reads “Spread love! It’s the Brooklyn way”

#spreadlove #postitnotes #subwaytherapy

(at 14th Street-Union Square Station)

Post-it notes from around the world. The pink one on the bottom left reads “Spread love! It’s the Brooklyn way”

#spreadlove #postitnotes #subwaytherapy

(at 14th Street-Union Square Station)

by Katherine Yaksich

There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in 

#turrellmeeting #jamesturrell



(at MoMA PS1)

There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in

#turrellmeeting #jamesturrell

(at MoMA PS1)

by Katherine Yaksich

| Super Duper Moon 11.15.16 | 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” 

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

(at New York, New York)

| Super Duper Moon 11.15.16 |

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

(at New York, New York)