Archive for the ‘General’ Category

 

2009 Midyear Update – 4. July, 2009

Six months into 2009, I think it’s time to check in with those goals I set for myself back in January.

Getting Back in the Directing Chair – Sadly, I haven’t directed anything since I wrapped my film at the end of last year. I was hoping to direct a web series I’d been developing with a troupe of actors but that fell through. I’d like to get something under my belt before the end of the year, maybe a spec spot or a short doc, but at this point…

Write Two Features and One Teleplay – There is cause to celebrate here. I finally finished my TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES spec.

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Once I broke the story, the script came easily. And I gotta say I kinda enjoyed it. I really think I might give it another go later this year with a FRINGE spec.

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Oh, and for those wondering what I do with a T:SCC spec, so far I’ve submitted to the Austin Film Festival Teleplay Competition and the Disney/ABC Television Writing Fellowship and soon I’ll be sending it to the Warner Brothers Writers Workshop.

As for writing a new feature script, I always have to consider what I’ll direct next. I have a few ideas simmering. Basically, I’m deciding between a sequel to the film I just shot, a zombie flick, a coming-of-age comedy and a twist on the bromance movie. Of the ideas I just listed, each one gets increasingly bigger and I think that affects my ability to set them up as my next directing gig. I’m also working on a web-series of my own that I can’t talk about (it’s sorta a legal thing).

Network More – I’ve been trying to reach out to folks but there’s plenty of room for improvement. I am also on the verge of re-styling my website and then possibly this blog (more computer stuff to learn).

Work on Pitching – Yeah, I haven’t really worked on that.

As for my other non-film related goals, I haven’t achieved any of them. I’ve been swamped with work since the year started. But I am teaching myself After Effects and I’m learning how to use the Magic Bullet Suite.

Lastly, I hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July.

Watch The Titles – 25. June, 2009

Recently, the Hammer Museum along with Flux and Forget The Film, Watch The Titles held a one night lecture/presentation by some of today’s most talented motion picture title designers. Those speaking included:

Danny Yount

Jamie Caliri

Karin Fong

Garson Yu

And without a doubt the most recognized name in title design since Saul Bass helped make Hitchcock that much more memorable, Kyle Cooper

Generally speaking, these guys and gal are much better at letting their work do the talking for them. I couldn’t believe one designer brought in a PowerPoint presentation called “What is Art” but easily it was Kyle’s “brain map” that stole the show. It was so intricate It’s almost impossible to describe but here I go: imagine a beautifully designed brainstorming session (you know, the kind you map out with bubbles and lines on a whiteboard) and then imagine that that every bit of text was a hyperlink that opened up another series of links. Yeah, the audience gasped when we realized just how deep we were going into Kyle’s mind. Guess that’s why he’s the unquestioned genius of his medium.

Happy DTV Day! – 12. June, 2009

Do you hear that sound? It’s faint but if you’re very, very quiet you can hear a gaggle of grannies bellowing, “where are my stories?!”

But not you because you’re ready for DTV-Day. Yes, after years of anticipation, a few stumbles and a handful of delays, President Obama pushed the big button and all our television sets just went digital.

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How does this affect me? It doesn’t. I have a TV but I only use it to watch DVDs. It’s not hooked up to anything else (no cable, not even rabbit ears). Where do I watch all my TV? Why on Hulu, of course.

How is the DTV switch affecting you?

Posted in General

Freedom From Distractions – 1. June, 2009

Just the other day I discovered a little Mac app for those of us that are easily distracted.

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Meet Freedom. Running the application shuts off your computer’s network connection for a period of time (you control how long). Once engaged, you cannot access the web until that time is up. Think you can just put your computer to sleep and wait out your internet drought? Nope. Only active computer use counts towards your “freedom”.

Hey, I just stumbled upon that jail analogy.

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Free Beer – 13. April, 2009

… movie, that is. For the last three years I’ve been sporadically helping the documentary BEER WARS reach the finish line. Finally, it’ll see the light of day April 16 on over 400 screens across America. Go support independent film distribution then treat yourself to a tasty beer.

If you happen to live in the Los Angeles area, I got one better for ya. If you can make it to UCLA by 4:30 you can see the movie for free. Yes, I said FREE! Just click below to RSVP.

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I only ask one thing. When my name comes up in the credits (Lead Assistant Editor), cheer really loud. Ladies, feel free to flash your rack.

(a boy can dream, can’t he?)

Jerked Chicken – 10. April, 2009

Years ago I swore off music videos; it you think actors are divas, try aging rockers. Still, when I see an uncluttered idea beautifully executed, I think I ought to reconsider. This was one of those.

So how the hell do I jump back in the music video abyss?

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Vodka Grapefruit – 13. March, 2009

Although I’m a director and writer, I’m also a filmmaking Swiss Army Knife (albeit a Colombian one).  One of my jobs involves digital cinema. Today I sat with Tony Scott to QC his latest film.

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He’s directed quite a few movies you’ve seen/like, such as…

He chomped on a cigar and told great stories throughout the session. Afterwards, he started pouring drinks and he mixed me the perfect vodka grapefruit… and I HATE grapefruit.

Sometimes life is good.

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Free Money – 8. February, 2009

Film Independent & Netflix are offering an opportunity of a lifetime. One lucky first-time filmmaker will win $150k along with goods & services from Panavision & EFilm. Just know that they’re only accepting the first 2,000 entries and the deadline, February 9, is just a couple of days away so don’t delay.

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New Goals for 2009 – 1. January, 2009

While I detest the ideas of new year resolutions I do believe that one should always have a goal. I think these are my professional ones (but I’m reserving the right to revise them at a later date):

Get Back in the Directing Chair – Although I’m posting my first feature as we speak, I haunted by this advice/warning: don’t start your first feature unless you’re committed to finishing your third. Therefore, I should to get back in the directing chair this year. I’m not sure if that would involve a documentary, some webisodes or another feature. Regardless, I do know that the savviest directors get their next directing gigs before their current film debuts. How else could you explain Frank Miller getting to direct BUCK ROGERS when THE SPIRIT sucks so hard?

Write Two Features and One Teleplay – I once heard Oliver Stone address Stanford university.  After verbally masturbating all over the audience for 90-minutes he managed to toss out one useful bit of advice. He said, “if you want to direct, write two scripts a year.” Okay, but then I have to face my first obstacle: want do I want to write? I’m not sure if I should write my romantic teen comedy, my horror comedy, my low-budget ensemble thriller or a sequel to the film I just shot.  Besides that, I want to write a TV spec. I’m pretty sure I’m writing something for this…

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… but there’s a chance I’d write a teleplay for this show:

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(honestly, I’d rather direct for the boob tube than write but I might as well give this a shot… let’s see if fate makes me eat those words).

I Need to Network More – I’m not sure how to go about this exactly but I need to let people know that I’m a director they can trust to get the job done. Maybe I need to revamp my website and then drive more traffic to it. Maybe I need to get more eyes on this blog. Maybe I need to shoot more short stuff and post it on YouTube. Maybe I need to get more involved with… something. I’d really appreciate some advice here.

I Need to Work on My Pitching – Ever seen BROADCAST NEWS? Remember Albert Brooks when he has to anchor the news? That’s what I’m like when I pitch. I really need to work on that.

As for non-film related goals, I’d really like to travel outside the country, do something that scares me, take a class outside of my field, take a road trip, read more fiction, take up the guitar (again), save more, get healthier… you know, all the typical bulls#!t people resolve to do at the start of a new year.

What about you?

Update: I forgot to mention this show:

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Easily the most kick ass new show on TV. Once season 2 starts, I’ll see if I can come up with a good idea for a spec episode.

My 2008 Viewing Habits – 31. December, 2008

Wow. I saw a lot of movies this year. Here are the movies I saw in a theater this past year:

  1. The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
  2. First Sunday
  3. Untraceable
  4. I’m Not There
  5. 27 Dresses
  6. 88 Minutes
  7. Meet The Spartans
  8. Cloverfield
  9. Ping Pong Playa
  10. Shutter
  11. Vantage Point
  12. Over Her Dead Body
  13. Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show
  14. Jumper
  15. Helvetica
  16. Quiet City
  17. Rambo
  18. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
  19. 21
  20. Pineapple Express
  21. Owl & The Sparrow
  22. Be Kind Rewind
  23. Doomsday
  24. Diary of the Dead
  25. Horton Hears A Who!
  26. 10,000 BC
  27. Never Back Down
  28. Run Fatboy Run
  29. The Rocker
  30. Nim’s Island
  31. The Express
  32. Street Kings
  33. Harold & Kumar Escape Guantanamo Bay
  34. Expelled
  35. Made of Honor
  36. Prom Night
  37. Space Chimps
  38. Get Smart
  39. What Happens in Vegas
  40. Deception
  41. Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D!
  42. Fly Me to the Moon
  43. Fool’s Gold
  44. Iron Man
  45. Speed Racer
  46. Sex and the City
  47. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
  48. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
  49. You Don’t Mess With The Zohan
  50. Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
  51. Hancock
  52. The Happening
  53. Wanted
  54. WALL-E
  55. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
  56. Reprise
  57. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
  58. The Baader Meinhof Complex
  59. The X-Files: I Want To Believe
  60. Delirium
  61. Fireproof
  62. The Dark Knight
  63. The Women
  64. Assassination of a High School President
  65. The Secret Life of Bees
  66. Proud American
  67. Babylon AD
  68. Lakeview Terrace
  69. Mirrors
  70. Open Season 2
  71. Rent: The Broadway Closing
  72. Quarantine
  73. Apaloosa
  74. City of Ember
  75. Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist
  76. Ashes of Time Reduex
  77. Center Stage: Turn It Up
  78. Religilious
  79. Quantum of Solace
  80. Let The Right One In
  81. Sex Drive
  82. Pride & Glory
  83. RockNRolla
  84. Not Easily Broken
  85. Milk
  86. Revolutionary Road
  87. Doubt
  88. Slumdog Millionaire
  89. Timecrimes
  90. Role Models
  91. Four Christmases
  92. Valkyrie
  93. Paul Blart: Mall Cop
  94. Marley & Me
  95. The Wrestler
  96. Yes Man
  97. The Time Traveler’s Wife
  98. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Those movies not reviewed were watched for work and my NDA prohibits me from talking about them.

If I had to pick three that I enjoyed the most, in no particular order I say…

  • Slumdog Millionaire
  • WALL-E
  • The Dark Knight
  • Maybe enjoy isn’t the right word for DARK KNIGHT but that flick put me through the wringer while reaffirming my faith that Hollywood can put out a comic book/action films can has depth, intelligence and wit. Go Hollywood!

    On a tangent, that might be my first Blu-ray purchase. That or IRON MAN… or CHUNKING EXPRESS.

    I think my favorite new television show might be FRINGE but I think I owe that to knowing a naughty secret about Anna Torv that just makes me love her more. As for an old show, I’ve been digging SPACED and THE PRISONER. Damn, the Brits make some fine television. Then again I really enjoyed DEADWOOD and ROME so go America!

    My favorite album of the year has to be “Midnight Organ Fight” by Frightened Rabbit. If you have no idea who they are, drop me a line, I’ll get you a free trial subscription to eMusic and I’ll let you find out for yourself.

    Okay, now you’re wondering why I’m blogging about music here when I have my Tumble blog for tunes. Well, as my musical musing are infrequent, it made more sense to collapse that blog into this one.

    On a final note, as we’re about to ring in 2009, let me say good riddance to 2008. It was a bitch of a year and while some good came of it, mostly it kept trying to knock me down. Guess what? I’m still standing.

    Posted in General