Filmmaker Erik Olsen recently spent time on location at the shop of Tryon guitar builder Jay Lichty, filming the creation of a guitar from rough wood planks to the strumming of the first tune.
The project reflects a collaboration of crafts. Olsen worked with cameras, lenses, lights and jibs while Lichty’s tools included sanders, hand planes, chisels and routers.
At its conclusion, Olsen produced a film that “powerfully captures the spirit and passion of custom guitar builder Jay Lichty while Lichty completed a Brazilian Rosewood dreadnought guitar,” said Corrie Woods of Lichty Guitars. “The film ‘Luthier Jay W. Lichty’ is a short video feature whose appeal reaches far beyond the interests of a guitar builder or player. Olsen tells a story that touches all the senses and that takes the viewer on an intimate musical journey into the small luthier shop of Lichty Guitars, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
A native of Germany, Olsen began learning about photography at a very early age. He later converted his childhood pastime into a career as a television news photojournalist. He continued in the TV news business until making the decision to transform his expertise into a business. Today, Olsen is a full-time filmmaker and photographer.
Luthier Jay Lichty builds handcrafted acoustic guitars and ukuleles in Tryon. He specializes in working with clients to build heirloom quality custom instruments. Learn more at www.lichtyguitars.com.
The film can be viewed at www.erikolsenfilms.com.
– article submitted by Corrie Woods