Cinematic Arias

Posts Tagged ‘Avatar’

Sequelitis – 28. October, 2010

So there’s been a slew of big industry news over the last couple of days.

James Cameron has signed on for not one but two AVATAR sequels.
Peter Jackson will direct the two HOBBIT prequels in New Zealand
Chris Nolan is moving forward with THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.
Brad Bird is moving forward with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL.
Ridley Scott found an actress for his ALIEN prequel.

So all of these huge director are making sequels. What the F**K happened to any semblance of originality? Okay, I’ll give passes to Nolan because of INCEPTION, to Jackson because he has directed nothing but duds since THE LORD OF THE RINGS, to Ridley because no one saw GLADIATOR 4, I mean ROBIN HOOD, and to Brad Bird because it’s his first live-action film.

But Cameron? Dude! What possible reason could he have to make two more AVATAR movies? Is it because he didn’t win Best Picture? Does he need more money? Why not CLEOPATRA? Why not BATTLE ANGEL? Christ, I would have rather he hijacked SPIDER-MAN.

Sigh. Maybe I’m just jealous that I don’t have these high class problems.

Still, I make this promise to you: if I’m subtitling AVATAR 2: NOT WITHOUT MY IKRAN in 2014 then I will commit suicide live, on the internet… if we still have an internet in 2014.

(and yes, I’m in a bad mood)

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Ticking Tomato Timebomb – 3. August, 2010

First off, that network admin job is over (for now) and it ended on a high-note: I was successful in setting up a server that allows any user to login and access their home folder from any client side computer. I know, a cakewalk for any IT grunt but remember that last week I didn’t know my POSIX from a hole in the wall.

This week, I’m back on AVATAR for at least the next couple of weeks, if not the whole month.

So that brings me to my question: have any of you tried the Pomodoro Technique? For those that don’t know, it’s this system where you get a kitchen timer, preferably one that looks like a tomato, set it for 25 minutes and kick ass on whatever task lays before you. You then take a 5 minute break before repeating the whole process over again (I think after two hours you’re supposed to take a 15 minute break).

I know, as I’m writing this down I feel so disappointed that my ability to complete a task relies on a f**king timer shaped like a tomato but since returning from Europe I’ve found it harder and harder to get back into the groove of things. Maybe this will give me some structure, force me to kick some ass on those writing and editing tasks I’ve been pushing aside. Anything that can optimize a struggling filmmaker’s time is worth a shot, right?

So, has anyone tried it?

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Do You Suffer From Stockholm Syndrome? – 17. December, 2009

Stockholm syndrome? That’s where you become emotionally attached to your torturer, right? Why I don’t think so, but wait, let me see…

Lately I’ve been working 12 to 20-hour days on an upcoming movie. When I’m not at work, my life is a complete mess but when I’m at work and this flick is eating away at my life, I feel comforted.

Also, I’ve seen said movie about 21 times yet when someone invited me to the midnight premiere, I said “yes.” And I’m dying to get the iPhone game too but that’s totally normal, right…

Oh s**t!

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Giving Thanks for James Cameron – 26. November, 2009

First, I hope you’re having a happy Thanksgiving. Now please allow me to give thanks for…

That’s right, I’m giving thanks for James Cameron and not just because he’s finally releasing a movie.

No, I’d like to thank him for putting some ducats in my pocket.

As some of you may know, I’m involved in digital cinema. I run a quality control team and right now AVATAR has our complete attention. But if you really know me, you know I’m a workaholic. That’s why I took a job timing and placing stereoscopic subtitles for AVATAR. No rest for the wicked, right?

Also, if you’ve ever asked me what my favorite film is, I have a quick and reliable answer. They are (in no particular order)…

Raging Bull

Raising Arizona

Aliens

All three were formative in pushing me towards a career in the movies and each has left an indelible imprint on the work I do. How so? You’ll just have to look at my stuff and figure that out for yourself but I’ll tell you that ALIENS was the first movie I obsessed over. I read all the novelizations, I knew all the characters, gear and dialog, I played all the video games, I even had nightmares for years to come (it was the little ones that freaked me out).

Jim (I can call you “Jim,” right?), I’m treating your flick as if it were my own so don’t worry, I won’t let Paul Verhoeven subtitle this motherfucker (that’s for all of you that read Jim’s profile in The New Yorker).

People of the world, if you have a quality AVATAR viewing experience, give me some props!

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On The Road To Comic-Com 2009 – 23. July, 2009

Although I’m operating on a couple hours sleep (my shoot went long and we didn’t finish so we gotta shoot another day–F********************CK!), it’s time to pack for Comic-Con.

Bleary eyed, I gazed at the Thursday schedule. Things of potential interest:

ROBOT CHICKEN – Maybe I could pick up some stop-motion tips (I wonder how many set-ups they knock-out in a day).

AVATAR – I want to go but I don’t want to wait three hours in line. Plus we’re getting it at work so I’m gonna see it before all of you (I’m fiesty when I haven’t slept).

PANDORUM – Evil Paul Anderson, he feels my pain, or so it seemed from EVENT HORIZON.

KICK-ASS – I’m just gonna be pissed I didn’t make it. Good, anger is sometimes more potent than coffee (damn, I need to shake the sleep off me).

THIRST – I love OLDBOY (but am curious of a Speilberg/Will Smith remake).

Oni Press – I like their comics, plus I should have directed WHITEOUT.

J. Michael Straczynski – I wrote this down cause I saw “writing” in the title and I gotta get stareted on a new feature and a FRINGE spec.

DEXTER – He feels my pain, too (Jesus, I need sleep).

The Physics of Hollywood Movies – I put this one down because it’ll make my brain explode.

Wow, I’m really punchy, surly and tired. My sister’s gotta drive us down to San Diego. Yes, that’s right, I’m going to Comic-Con with my sister. She actually proposed the trip to me. I think this is the first pseudo-family vacation in over a decade. Let’s see if we get in a massive fight.

Um, ignore that last statement. I just need to sleep.

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Cinematic Arias

Posts Tagged ‘Avatar’

Sequelitis – 28. October, 2010

Ticking Tomato Timebomb – 3. August, 2010

Do You Suffer From Stockholm Syndrome? – 17. December, 2009

Giving Thanks for James Cameron – 26. November, 2009

On The Road To Comic-Com 2009 – 23. July, 2009

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