Thoughts

I'm really itching to shoot some video.

I miss the Scape Films crew.

Labels: filmmaking, Scape Films

posted @ 10/03/2007 04:15:00 PM 0 comments

 

Brief Thought

I just watched the second half of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest", and the extra disc for the first "Pirates" flick (thanks Jen & Ali!), and it really made me miss working on a film project. I miss busting my ass trying to get a project done. It also didn't help hanging out with Mike, Steve, and Cheryl (all involved with Falling Apart).

Time to pop in the Donnie Darko Director's Cut and lull myself off to sleep. Again.

Labels: filmmaking

posted @ 6/19/2007 11:07:00 PM 2 comments

 

Love for Clerks II - Scenes and Comments (and spoilers)

Be warned. There's spoilers below. If you haven't seen the movie already, well, too fucking bad.

Dante: Are you trying to tell me that you don't believe in love, Beckelah?

Becky: In romantic love? No. Like I love my parents. I love my car. I love you. But romantic love? Hearts and flowers? There's only one person out there for me? Come on, do you know how many people are out there? Odds are, there's always going to be someone whose a better match for you than the person you're going to end up marrying.

Dante: So, based on your theory, there's someone out there better for me than Emma.

Becky: Oh, no, I'm not touching that one.

Dante: Wait a second. You don't think I really love her.

Becky: I think you love what she represents.

Dante: Which is?

Becky: Come on, Dante. She was the type of girl who wouldn't give you the time of day back in high school. Years later, after she's played the field and found out how unsatisfying the so-called hotties are, she's finally gone with someone who looks --

Dante: Oh my God, you're gonna say fugly, aren't you?

Becky: Unconventional!

Dante: Nice backpedal.

Becky: Thank you. It took her a few years to figure out that thing that every mother tries to teach their little girl but she has to figure out on her own, that guys that look like you have a lot more to offer because you'll always try harder than the pretty boy.

Dante: What am I, some hideous fucking chud over here?

Becky: No, you're a catch... kind of. And Emma's a catch, too. Because not only is she pretty, she'll make all your decisions for you -- which is lucky because you're pretty terrible at making decisions.

Dante: So, my last day is all about you telling me what a ugly, indecisive loser I am.

Becky: Come on, you worked at Quick Stop for like a decade, and you worked here for a year almost, and since day one at both jobs all you've said is how you have to get out and start your life. And it wasn't until Emma walked in the door and was like "Come to Florida with me and I'll fuck your brains out, and my daddy will give you a job..." that you actually did something about it, and I get it. She's your golden ticket.

Dante: So, uh... What's that make you?

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I love Kevin Smith's writing. The above scene really draws you in to build Dante in his current state and completely create Becky, showing that even if Randal is Dante's counterpart, Becky and Dante are just as close. Soulmates, as they say. It's a connection I wish I could end up with at some point in my life, and maybe be able to complete the projects which are currently faint impulses in my brain. Then again, that's probably just me falling into what images the media displays to keep the economy going. (Did I just entropy?)

I've watched Clerks II four times in the past three days, and this movie is amazingly heavy, donkey show aside. It says a lot of things that have gone through my mind. I'm nearing my thirties (I turn twenty-eight in roughly three weeks), and sometimes, I feel like I'm still spinning my wheels in my life. I'm still evaluating people and friendships, trying not to rock the boat, and yet still falling into the water.

I'll probably have several moments like the following scene. After all, I've been on the verge of it several times, why not follow through?

Either way, I wish I could write this well.

Dante: I'm going to smooth things over with Emma, go to Florida, and start my Randal Graves-free existence. And... they to forget these last thirty-three years ever happened.

Randal: So, that's the way you see all this time we've spent together?

[beat]

Randal: That's weird, man. I thought you were the only guy in the world got me, and had my back. The only person who'd take a bullet for me because I assumed you felt about me the same way I feel about you. Then, all of a sudden one day, you're like "I'm moving! Bye!" Do you know what that's been like for me?

[beat]

Randal: I'm looking at a future which sucks because you aren't going to be in it anymore. And you're not even throwing me over for a life that means something to you -- It's just this stupid, hollow existence you think you should embrace because you're getting old or something, because it's the kind of life everyone else goes after.

[beat]

Randal: You're a fucking drone, dude.

Dante: Fine. Then the next friend whose life you ruin can be a totally free spirit. How's that?

Randal: You think I want to start making friends at my age? Christ. Who would want me as their friend? I hate everyone and everything seems stupid to me. But you were always the counter-balance to that. The guy who was the Yin to my Yang. Now, what the fuck am I going to do for the rest of my life? I mean, shit. I really wish you would have told me this when I first met you, that one day you were going to bail on our friendship. Because if I'd known you were going flake on me a few decades later, I would have never bothered with your ass in the first place.

Jay: Jesus, why don't you two just fuck and get it over with already?

Dante: Why can't you ever say something useful for a change?

Jay: Well, what the fuck you waiting for? That's your cue, man.

Silent Bob: I got nothin'.

Jay: Jesus fucking Christ, what good are you, you mute fuck!?

Silent Bob: You know what? That hurts. What do you ever add to the proceedings? You got like one answer for everything! "Pussy, man!"

Randal: Oh, well then you must love this fucking guy. He's the biggest pussy I ever met. The due who lives his life according to everyone else's standards. "I've gotta go to Florida and get married because that's what's expected of me!" And the fucking insane part is he ain't even that crazy about the chick he's marrying or Florida -- never mind the fact that he's got a perfectly good chick right here in Jersey who he's nuts about, and even Anne fucking Frank can see she's nuts about him -- God knows why.

[beat]

Randal: And she likes you for who you are, man. She's not trying to stuff you into a box you'll never fit into! Not to mention the fact that she's carrying your hideous fucking chud of a kid. Jesus, if you had any sense whatsoever, you'd fucking stop trying to bray it up with the rest of the sheep, and live your life the way it made sense for you, you fucking ass!

Dante: Oh yeah? And what's that? You obviously have such a great handle on your life -- Tell me what you would do if you were in my position? Or even what you'd do in your own position? Swing that judgmental pendulum back the other way, and tell me how you'd solve all your problems, Asshole -- What the fuck would the great Randal Graves do if he were half the master of his destiny that I'm supposed to be?!

Fucking Brilliant. Justice TLF.

Labels: clerks, film, filmmaking, view askew

posted @ 6/02/2007 12:48:00 AM 4 comments

 

State of Affairs

"The person who fears loneliness is the only person who pays attention when a stranger walks down the street."

The above statement is the finale of a twenty minute conversation I had with my old pal, Matt, last night on AIM. He's been trying to motivate me to get back into writing. I think it might prompt me to write a bit. I've got a couple of visual projects in the works, thanks to finding some old writing. I don't think I'm the writer anymore. I'm more of the technical guy. But, I'm okay with that.

I've had a lot to think about lately -- pretty much all the nouns. (persons, places, things) I'm trying to develop good physical and mental health, and it's been an interesting ride so far. I'm trying to stick to this health kick as long as possible. I just wish the weather would warm up so that I could do more, like ride my bike and start working on improving my property. It's very odd to be itching to mow the lawn.

In other news, my phone crashed this morning. I managed to get it working again, but I lost everything. I managed to restore my ringtones and phonebook from my past backup in early March, and through chat logs.

I should really make a list of all the things I need to do, short and long term.

And I need to buy a Wii. Like now.

One last thing: Why the hell did NBC cancel the Black Donnellys? That was one of only TV shows which got me to tune in weekly. I'll miss it.

Labels: filmmaking, life, phone, thoughts, writing

posted @ 4/10/2007 09:30:00 AM 2 comments

 

Music Videos

I've been taking some time to study some music videos. I'd really like to shoot some videos for some local and regional artists. I've had the itch since I stopped shooting for Diamond Ring Records.

The first video up for review: "Goodbye My Lover" by James Blunt

What I took away from this video: This one shows an emotional tale in the past and seemingly present time. Great camera angles, and it fits the lyrics quite well, unlike James Blunt's "You're beautiful" video. This video shows the artist's emotions -- especially as depicted in this video. It shows the power one person can have on another, and how truly amazing the lyrics are.

Second video: "Eat This City" by Thunderbirds Are Now!


[video found at frenchkiss.]

What I took away from this video: This video definitely takes a huge jump towards creativity with its "different panel/angle" approach. I dig that. What I think hurts this video is that that's all it is. Just the band at different angles. Had they taken shots of Detroit or Livonia (the area of origin for the band), and threw them in on occasion, it might hold a bit more interest. It's not a bad video, but it would hold more viewing interest with the suggested changes, in my opinion.

Third video: "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter



What I took away from this video: This video seems to do well in regards to the song. I like the story in the video of two people essentially iving the same life, being unhappy, and eventually finding each other. This is similar to the James Blunt video, but in this video, the artist is seperated from the story moreso than ther former.

Labels: favorite, filmmaking, JTC Productions

posted @ 9/12/2006 04:22:00 PM 2 comments

 

FINALLY!

After months of waiting, Falling Apart got listed on IMDB! (I was a producer and cinematographer.)

Where is the listing, you ask? Right here.

Awesomeness.

(I also have a couple copies left, if anyone is interested in buying one...)

Labels: falling apart, film, filmmaking, Scape Films

posted @ 7/01/2006 11:18:00 AM 5 comments

 

Randomness

While I sit here listening to the Ambient station on Rhapsody and downloading iTunes to get Quicktime files to work properly on my computer...

Sometimes, I have to sit back and think that my current job is turning into a career. I mean,I just realized that next month, I'll have been there seven years. Seven freaking years! Is it something I expected to be doing this long?

No. Not in the slightest, actually.

Well, didn't I go to school to be in a computer related field?

Yeah, but when push came to shove, I didn't think I could tolerate it. I wanted to find something more fluctuating, more changing.

Like film.

I still love to work on projects, but even for that, some of my love is gone. I really feel dissapointed when I look at my path in that field. I know I've been taking some steps in the right direction, but now, I feel like I'm stuck. I need to get out and shoot.

I'd still love to shoot for a living, but other things in life are popping up. What things? Possible home ownership, for one. It's like I'm an adult, but I just don't feel like one lately. I just can't fathom myself being one. I mean, mentally, I've become more business minded, and I can try to advise people, and in actuality, the advice isn't bad... but when I look at myself, I just don't take the risks anymore. It's like I need some safety net.

It fucking sucks.

That's about it. Only fifteen percent more to go on my download, so I'm out.

Labels: computers, filmmaking, rant

posted @ 4/17/2006 11:43:00 PM 5 comments

 

Nothing to see here... Move along...

Well, after a few hours of napping, it was ten pm-ish, and I attempted to sleep.

Foolish me.

I sent out a crapoad of txt messages to people while laying in bed. Now, I'm motivated to be online. Overall, today was a good day. I didn't end up riding my bike again today, but I did walk the dog, and I got through 5.5 chapters in my After Effects book, so things could be looking up.

Yeah, I gots nothin'.

Labels: filmmaking, meh

posted @ 4/11/2006 11:40:00 PM 1 comments

 

Screenwriting Cancelled

I was going to take this class in Plymouth for Screenwriting, but it's been cancelled.

Good.

Now I won't look like some weird pederast by taking the class.

Labels: filmmaking, screenwriting, writing

posted @ 10/18/2005 02:43:00 PM 4 comments

 

Commentary Done.

Mike, Steve, Josh and I sat down in Wyandotte to do the audio commentary for "Falling Apart". It went extremely well. I'd estimate at most two weeks before that DVD is ready to be released to the world. It's been a long time coming, and I can actually hold it in my hands and say, "Yes, I did this."

Fucking awesome.

I dread having to deal with the Secretary of State on Monday, but I must do what I must do.

Later bitches.

Labels: commentary, falling apart, film, filmmaking, JTC Productions, Scape Films

posted @ 7/09/2005 01:58:00 AM 0 comments

 

Falling Apart Recap

"Falling Apart" premiered last night at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre, to a packed theatre. It was crazy insane, and it was great to see all the actors enjoying the limelight as they saw themselves and their name on the screen. It was amazing to hear people laughing and cheering and gasping as the movie went across the screen. So many people showed up. It was amazing to see something I put a lot of time into end up being well-received and on "the Big Screen," as it were.

I want to thank everyone who came out to the movie, along with our friends and family who have supported Steve, Mike, and myself through this endeavor. Huge thanks to the cast and crew, and especially my parents who have supported me through everything I've ever fathomed doing in my life.

Thank you.

Labels: film, filmmaking, JTC Productions, premiere, Scape Films

posted @ 6/16/2005 10:03:00 PM 3 comments

 

Stuff

I booked my hotel room for BeastBuzz, so that's all set. Nothing is really going on with me except that Falling Apart is premiering at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre. The showtime is 7:30 pm on June 15th, 2005. Tickets are $10/each.

Other than that, not much is really happening.

Oh yeah. My birthday is coming up.

Labels: falling apart, film, filmmaking, JTC Productions, premiere, Scape Films

posted @ 6/02/2005 01:04:00 PM 1 comments

 

The ol' weekend.

The weekend in review:

Friday:
I went out to dinner with a few friends to chow on some Mongolian goodness. It was a pleasant evening.

Saturday:
Aaron and I headed off to Cedar Point for some Holloweekends fun, and to meet up with Stevo, but Stevo had some relationship issues and bailed without contacting me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the day of forty degree fun (less at the top of Magnum XL-200). We ended up coming back early, so I fell into a local watering hole to watch horrid TV and drink quite little.

Sunday:
What a day. It turns out there was some Scape Films work to be done with a casting call, so I had to rush my day to make sure I got there on time. I encountered quite the automobile frustration involving the main cooling fan and its housing. I was offered Mom's ride as collateral until I could get it fixed, and I managed to get to my destination ahead of schedule. Things went well, and a good time was had by all. I just wish the Scape Films crew lived a bit closer. Forty-five minutes to see friends kind of sucks.

So, that's been the weekend. This week entails the moving of many items from Northville to Livonia, in an effort to get into the new office space. Congrats to Garvin, though, for getting his new place. Go G go!

Apparently, the only night of Holloween weekend I'm not booked is the thirty-first. Prospective offers can be left in the comments section.

That's it for now.

Labels: Cedar Point, film, filmmaking, mistake, Scape Films, weekend

posted @ 10/18/2004 11:28:00 PM 0 comments

 

Is this mic on?

Testing, testing... One, two, three...

Yeah, I've decided to give this a shot again -- this journal-type thing. The bastardization of a blog and a journal. I've done it with Livejournal for a while, and I created my "secret" club of people who post in a blind journal, keeping the general public from knowing who they are, but neither seems to be cutting the mustard. Besides, I don't think I like not having actual content on my site anymore.

It's been an interesting year so far, and the last few months have been filled with some interesting chaos. Things are changing, as they always do, and I'm feeling delightfully cryptic.

Upcoming projects:

• Mistake - While I've made many of these in my life, this is actually the working title of a Scape Films short film I'll be shooting. Looks to be a good thing, if we can get past the initial hurdles.


• Wedding - The wedding I shot with a shitty camcorder is near completion, or at least the ceremony is. I'm waiting for the editing machine to come back from Chicago, and I'm hoping it comes back this weekend. If it does, then I'll get back into it and get that thing cut and out the door.


• Character Assassination - This wonderful little film is plagued with audio issues (due to wind), and it's in the same boat as the wedding footage.

I'm still tweaking things here, so I don't know if it will look this way in a day or two. Whatever, fuckers.

Labels: character assassination, film, filmmaking, first post, mistake, wedding

posted @ 10/07/2004 01:05:00 PM 2 comments