Finding Billman is a feature-length documentary that follows the life of a contemporary string quartet from its earliest compositional stages through rehearsal, performance, and recording. Centered on composer Robert Paterson and an unusual commission, the film examines the creative process of making new music and the role of modern patronage in sustaining artistic work.
Rather than focusing on a single event, the film traces how a piece of music continues to evolve over time as it is interpreted by performers, shaped by different spaces and audiences, and carried forward through performance and recording. Through verité filmmaking, interviews, and observational footage captured across multiple locations, the project offers an intimate look at the realities of contemporary music-making and the relationships that support it.
The project is produced over an extended period, allowing the film to capture how the music develops across multiple performances and contexts rather than presenting a single moment in time. This longitudinal approach reflects how contemporary music is actually created, sustained, and shared, offering audiences insight into artistic work that unfolds gradually rather than instantaneously.
By focusing on the life of a single piece of music, the film provides a point of entry for audiences who may be new to contemporary classical music, while also offering depth and context for those already engaged with the art form.
In addition to the completed film, Finding Billman will be presented through public screenings, film festivals, and educational events, including discussions and presentations designed to engage audiences with contemporary classical music and the work of living artists. The fundraising period supports continued production, post-production, and public presentation of the project, with the goal of making the creative process and life of new music accessible to a broad public audience.
Learn More: https://FindingBillman.com