From Nothing, Something

Creative individuals from across North America talk about their careers in Tim Cawley's lively and entertaining documentary From Nothing, Something, which features 15 subjects who don't just hail from the expected fields of popular music and visual arts, but also biotechnology and computer gaming (and some are pairs—chefs, fashion designers, and cancer researchers—although singer Sara Quin represents the Canadian folk-pop duo Tegan & Sara on her own). In some cases, the interviewees' parents were supportive (in other cases, not), but many took different paths before finding the profession that fit best. Creature designer Neville Page, who worked on the sci-fi blockbusters Avatar and Star Trek, started out as an actor, while author Tom Perrotta, who wrote Little Children, was first a musician. In some cases, these early ventures came in handy later. Artist Huma Bhabha, who hails from Pakistan, notes that she applies techniques that she learned working for a taxidermist to her expressionistic paintings and sculptures. Chance also plays a part for many, such as Perrotta, who couldn't find a publisher for his first book, Election, but a copy made it to director Alexander Payne, who adapted it for the big screen, launching Perrotta's career as a novelist (and Oscar nominee). As with Errol Morris's Fast, Cheap & Out of Control—which may have partially served as inspiration—some of these speakers are a little eccentric, but that only adds to the entertainment value. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)