Liquid Sugar Films is the website of hybrid artist and filmmaker Debra Sugarman (aka Sugerman).
Creative diversity is Debra’s gift.
Since she began making pictures and endeavoring to do so, as a professional, Debra has always answered the common question people ask her, What do you photograph? Her response is always, stuff. Her use of the word stuff refers to the way she is inspired. She moves easily from stills to moving images and from portraits to sweeping landscapes to deep dives into imaging. She refers to this as the Minutia.
Debra’s creativity runs deep, as a skilled artist mainly known as a fine art photographer and reportage image-maker her move into filmmaking was an easy transition. Debra found her way thru the feature film and television world beginning as a location scout and manager. She gleefully left locations and moved into what she refers to as her natural state: the costume and art departments. She is also an experienced producer and director of docs and indie narrative films.
Debra brings an innate artistic ability of vision, style, texture, form, color and design, to all of her work. She is presently working on a new series of imagery and is also accepting commissions for new jobs.
What people say about Debra
Debra’s photos amaze me. She makes provocative images better than anybody - cutting through the lies lies lies to show us things oddly everyday and poignant. Her images are honest; she doesn't posture or pander or lecture. She masterfully uses silver and the square format to focus and seduce us with her quirky and subversive vision. ~John Christensen, Artist
Some photographers present images that return the world as the factual statement of a closing paragraph; Debra’s work is, in contrast, a preface, the first page of a narrative written by the viewer’s imagination. Her subjects, empty rooms, a perfume bottle, umbrellas, people, are awash with memory but devoid of sentimentality. They invite intimacy, but promise a connection that can never be fully realized because their side of the story is forever withheld. The muse inspires, but retreats, mute, trailing longing in its wake. An intense and profound empathy underscores all of Debra’s efforts. In filmmaking, photography and personal activism, over and over, there is a clear desire to establish connections, to bridge a divide – of space, time, ideology, or understanding – to cross barriers, to mend a rift, heal a wound, resolve a difference, or simply sustain and preserve contact.
~ Judith Birdsong, Architect, Professor of Architecture @ UT Austin + Photographer
We asked Debra to photograph our children and the outcome was incredible. She was able to connect with them in a way that resulted in some of the loveliest candid shots. I have never been happier with any other photographer!
~ Stacey Hill, Entrepreneur + Philanthropist
In today’s “do more with less” project environments, I need to work with people who can do it ALL. Debra is that JILL-OF-ALL-TRADES. I’ve worked with her on 3 projects now and she continues to consistently work miracles. And brings an abundance of sunshine to the set, the editing room and to all of the clients. If she is available for your project, snap her up!
~ Herbert Bennett, Editor + Producer
To work with Debra is to know that all the rules will be fair and there will be wonderful surprises: laughter, love, and undeniable artistic talent.
~ Lane Rockford Orsak, Art Director + Artist