For Research Purposes

This video is amazing. Really the kind of feel I'd like to achieve for a few MC scenes.


Halo The Movie - Funny blooper videos are here

But if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.

First off lemme apologize to the many many people who I have not replied to, texted back, called back, or emailed back. I also apologize to the folks I said I would call or write to and have not yet. I've been a bit busy. But I sincerely do apologize.

Happy Birthday to Andrew. I know your birthday is Tuesday, but I'm saying it now in case I forget to later, and also as a note to call you.

So what have I been up to other than torturing myself with writing a script and posting random videos on my Myspace blog? A whole lot actually. On top of the usual trying not to think about the events of last year, while at the same time trying to stay positive about it all. We are all doing fine. Me and Juli that is. Although we have yet to come up on October 23rd, but she's been so strong.

Oh! I FINALLY got to see Dinosaurs. Walking With Dinosaurs The Live Experience that is. I saw the workshop videos months ago showing how they built these huge animatronic life like Dinos, and thought I would NEVER get to see this show. Thankfully the tour came to Winston and I bought tickets months ago. Finally saw this amazing show Saturday night. Here are some pics.








The show is an educational endeavor, targeting kids and families. But the FX were amazing. One of the main reasons for me wanting to go. I really wanted to see these creations perform live first hand. Especially the Raptors. I wanted to see how they would function and how life like it would be. Mainly because it's the same caliber of work I'm looking for in my own FX work for Monster Cops, if I had the money of course. To have a functioning Werewolf the same style of animatronics and performance as some of these Dinos.

It's not without it's flaws. In some of the Dinosaur "battles" they couldn't actually battle, because they didn't want to bang up millions of dollars of work, so the dinosaurs just kind of danced violently around each other. I was suprised at the few hits they actually made. Two Stegosaurases rammed eachother and I wasn't expecting it, nor the loud crash that would come with it, very cool. Also, the show panders a bit more to the center of the audience. We sat to the side, and we noticed that much of the spectacular pieces weren't as great from our position.

Still, it was most definitely more good than bad. Just watching these creatures move and react, were astonishing. The Baby T-rex was cute, the comic relief of the show. Lemme tell ya, that fuckin T-Rex was amazing. When it came stomping in, I was thrilled. And that roar. Damn!!! I've got video of it that doesn't do it justice. I'll try to post it soon. For now, here's the nerdiest picture of me ever.


Superman hat, Warriors shirt, standing quite happily next to a Dinosaur head. NERD!!!!

Another reason for wanting to go to see the Dinosaurs was also because I figured it would be good for Juli. I never really told her this, but I just figured it would be something else for her to experience that could reaffirm that there is a bigger world out there with varying possibilities. Since her mom's cancer and death, she's felt her world fall apart, and in piecing it back together without her mom, it just sometimes feels so small and lonely and without color or possibility. I just want to keep bringing her to experiences that are filled with fun, laughter, wonder, and possibility, cuz she deserves it. I hope seeing this show has added to her experience and sense of wonder. I know it has for me.

Gotta get back to work on Monster Cops. Soooo much work to do, but more on that later.

Seasons Change

I feel the need to update, but I don't really want to elaborate on what has happened. No, nothing bad. Just something I know I need to keep to myself. Something that was at first a shock to hear, but is now motivating me to take the necessary actions. In all it's a good thing and has helped me focus more on what I need to be getting done, since I've just been so scatter brained about it since summer ended.

It's good to know what direction I'm going in, and as it turns out, it's the direction I originally planned on going in the beginning. And because of it I'm getting excited about something, albeit scared, but excited still. Just in time too. The season, the weather, all of it changing, and it use to spell out my favorite time of year, but now just brings back haunting memories of last year. But I have to say, those old Hallowed feelings are returning. It's getting better, but we still have yet to pass the coming days. But we're ready. And I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help get Juli through it all.

I am excited to report that I'll be working on the Monster Cops project through Halloween. It'll be fun to be in horror movie mode through the season, and very well into Christmas and possibly into next year. I plan on doing at least 3 Monster Cops shorts between 5 to 15 minutes. I'd like to get 5 to 6 done before spring, but in all honesty I'll be happy to get this first one finished. This is my chance to really bring this vision to light. The Midnight Special was very much the essence, really displaying the comedy and drama, but not really displaying the horror or action. I did like what action we did have, but it is what it is because of not having the money.

This time around I'll be doing every no-budget trick in the book, but as I had stated before I cannot possibly do this without somewhat of a budget. So a fundraising I will go. Got some good ideas on how to get the money, along with some traditional strategies (Ebay). If I can get $3,000.00 that will cover the basics and I can get at least 3 Monster Cops episodes done. I may be able to stretch that into 6 episodes. I've already got the camera, but I need some accessories (batteries, tape). Need to cover sound (wireless mics, boom). Got to upgrade the computer (need ram and hard drive space, additional software). And I need to spend some money on special effects (make up fx, monster fx), and props and costumes (guns, tactical gear.) Should have enough money leftover for festival fees. marketing, and distribution.

I plan on releasing most of these episodes online, showing them at screenings, fests, and cons, and then package them up on a nice DVD possibly with a re-release of The Midnight Special. I'll be documenting all the behind the scenes to be sure to have plenty of special features.

I was hesitant to do Monster Cops because right now I'm in North Carolina, and Monster Cops was based in Texas. But the intention was always to shoot throughout much of the south with the homebase being in Dallas. Well I can still do that. I'll be utilizing North Carolina locations, but the episodes will take place in a nonspecific location. I'll set these episodes in fictional locations not really specifying which state we are in, and I may also actually set some episodes in North Carolina, as well as Texas, and other states, just to display the reach of the Monster Cops.

I'll be shooting all new scenes as well as utilizing footage not used in The Midnight Special, as well as getting the boys down in Texas to shoot some new stuff, if scheduling permits. This way I can still include many of the characters from The Midnight Special.

I'm very excited to be able to combine the horror, scifi, action, comedy, and drama, the way I see it in my head. The Midnight Special only partially got that job done, and these episodes will complete the full feel of this project. I can't wait for everyone to see it.

More details coming soon on fundraising. I'll be calling in every favor on the planet, and using every resource I possibly can to get the budget, and get it all done the right way. I've already been doing research, doing fx tests, camera tests, and logging footage.

If you're in NC in the Triad area and you think you can contribute to Monster Cops, would like to be a Monster Cop, a Monster, or just wanna help out in some way, feel free to leave a comment or contact me through the MONSTER COPS MYSPACE.

Matt Hawkins

As if their wasn't enough to be pissed about this week (especially on your behalf Crystal), I just foud out that Matt Hawkins has decided to close down his amazing website. http://www.matthawkins.co.uk/ and his no budget filmmaking resources were an invaluable tool to many no budget indies like myself for the past 7 years. This site is even credited on Monster Cops: The Midnight Special.

Very sad to hear about this Matt, and I hope you will reconsider. Your no budget antics have been an inspiration and your tips and tricks have been a huge help to us all. I hope all is well with you.

Holy Shit!

Crave Online: Funny Videos, Sexy Videos, Music Videos, Movie Trailers, and More!

I'm excited about The Dark Knight sure, but Iron Man? I think I need a cigarette, and I don't even smoke.

Nessun Dorma

With all my heart, thank you so much.

I'm alive

We went through alot last year, and in some ways we're still going through it. I didn't make the top 10 on Our Stage, and I can bitch and moan about production work and having to start from scratch, or how I don't have this or that, or whatever.

The truth is my home and city was not taken away from me by a Hurricane. The truth is I am not living in poverty. The truth is my loved ones are safe and for the most part happy. The truth is I don't have to spend everyday worrying about stepping on a land mine on my way to school, or worry about a car bomb going off in my neighborhood. I am not trapped in a mine nor do I have loved ones who are trapped in mines. I didn't lose anyone to a school shooting. I didn't lose anyone to a bridge collapse. I haven't lost my job (yet) and I'm not in danger of losing my job, and I don't have to spend every waking moment worrying about how to provide for my family, at least not in that way. I'm not stuck in a desert fighting a war. I don't have cancer or diabetes (that I know of.)

My wife, myself and my family can mourn the loss of a loved one to Cancer. It kills me to see my wife in pain when she cries about how much she misses her mother. But the truth is, as sad as it all is, Brenda has moved on, she is free from her pain. There are many out there who are in the middle of the process still. They're loved ones still in pain, the family still suffering watching a parent or child suffer from a disease or medical emergency. There are some people who don't get to mourn. Just as sad, there are families out there who are missing loved ones, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, not knowing where they are. The thousands of people, children that go missing without a trace, and the families nowhere near to closure.

For the most part I am alive, breathing, healthy. I have a roof over my head and although I can very easily (and often do) complain about what I don't have and what I might need, I do have all my limbs. I have a head on my shoulders and a brain in my head and I have all that I need to achieve the things that I don't. I have friends who care, a family that loves me, and a wife I can come home to. I have a car that may not have air conditioning that works very well, but at least I can drive it to a job I may not like, but at least I have. All my family and friends are accounted for. And life in general is not as bad as it may seem sometimes.

I can complain about whatever, but there are so many more people on this earth that have it way worse than me. I thank God for where I'm at now and what I have achieved, and although I have my problems to worry about, at least I can say that I like the problems that I have. I'd rather be worrying about how to make my next movie, than how I'm going to survive a dreaded disease, or if I'm even going to survive the next day. I have so many chances and opportunities that others do not, and I am thankful for all of it.

To the men and women serving for our freedom overseas and everywhere. To the Cops, the officers, the paramedics, the firemen. To the victims of Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi and all those affected by it even two years after. To all those suffering due to disaster or weather throughout the south, the midwest, and everywhere else. To the vicims and victim's families in Utah, Virginia, and Minneapolis. To all those suffering from tragic events, murder, suicide, rape, crime. To all those fighting for their lives and the lives of others. To all those working to make a difference in the face of disaster and suffering. To my country, to the world all over, and all of us now existing, trying, living, and overcoming disease, opression, racism, corruption, and the pain that comes with just being a humanbeing. My heart and my prayers and every bit of positivity I can muster I send to you all everywhere no matter where you are.

And to the powers that be and the Universe in general, I thank you for my life and my problems. And although I do complain at times, I am also grateful just for the fact that I am alive to do so. Thank you for it all and bring help and support to those who need it so much more than I.


BARTLET
Give me numbers.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
I don't know numbers. You give them to me.

BARTLET
How about a child born this minute has one in five chance of being born into
poverty?

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How many Americans don't have health insurance?

BARTLET
44 million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
What's the number one cause of death for black men under 35?

BARTLET
Homicide.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How many Americans are behind bars?

BARTLET
Three million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How many Americans are drug addicts?

BARTLET
Five million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
And one of five kids in poverty?

BARTLET
That's 13 million American children. 3.5 million kids go to schools that are literally falling apart. We need 127 billion in school construction, and we need it today!

MRS. LANDINGHAM
To say nothing of the 53 people trapped in the embassy.

BARTLET
Yes.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
You know, if you don't want to run again, I respect that. [stands up] But if you don't run 'cause you think it's gonna be too hard or you think you're gonna lose - well, God, Jed, I don't even want to know you.

Mrs. Landingham walks out and gently closes the Oval Office door behind her.

THE WEST WING
Season 2, Episode 22 "TWO CATHEDRALS"
WRITTEN BY AARON SORKIN
DIRECTED BY THOMAS SCHLAMME

The BFG9000

Ya gotta love the boys over at Backyard FX and Indy Mogul. They've got some great ideas. Most of this stuff we've all tried, but their vids are great. This is one of my favs.

BUILD A LASER GUN

As of posting this banner. We are in 10th place. Wow!



It's been a roller coaster ride. We were in 9th when the quarter finals started. Then for the past few days we've fluctuated from 9th to 2nd to 6th to 1st and now 10th. Which is scary because we need to stay in the top 10 to make it to Wednesday (Tuesday at midnight).

It's a great time killer. Just log in and judge videos.

So if you please, help us out and judge. Tell everyone else to judge. Just click on the banner and click judge. Keep us in the top 10.

I'm serisouly too concerned about this. But being that it seems like such a possibility that we might win and how we actually got to number one last time, I can't help but wanna TRY to win this. Just TRY to get the word out and get people to register and judge. I really feel like I'd be missing out on an opportunity if I didn't try.

So please spread the word and help us get up there.

EDIT: I just looked again and now it says 9th. I actually said outloud, "Thank God!" As if I were falling towards hell and Satan was snapping at my heels, and now an angel has pulled me up to 9th place. LMFAO!!! I'm too into this.

Some one asked me the other day if I thought $5,000.00 would really be any help to me.

YES IT WOULD! Are you crazy? Of course $5,000.00 would be a help to me. It would be a huge help. What idiot would look at $5,000.00 and go "Pff, whatever!" and then walk away?

Trying

You ever want something so bad that it hurts? And you ache so painfully over the fact that it's just beyond your reach? That's how it feels. That's how this feels. Knowing what I see in my head, and what I feel in my heart, knowing that I need to set it free. To bring that vision to fruition. To finally create the way you know you were born to. But you can't right now. Because all you have is you and nothing else.

It's been a rough week. It's just been bad all over. But at least I'm back to understanding where I stand creatively. The old adage still applies. No one can help you but you. Not saying I have no help at all. I've got plenty of support from many different people. This has definitely been proven with the recent Our Stage contest. But as far as moviemaking is concerned right now and where I'm at, until I have the full budget to do what I know I can do, I have to settle for going it alone and doing what I can with very little. Sort of fitting for one spartan.

Also it really doesn't help that both Juli and I have been thinking about her mom and about the events of last year around this time and in the coming months. We've gotta keep our minds off of it somehow. Try to think about the positive things. Try to remember the good memories. It's so easy to plunge into that darkness again.

I was going to write about it, but I can't. I have to stay up towards the light. For mine and Juli's sake. I need to make something truely great happen. I need to create something incredible, fun, inspiring, and joyous. A movie, a memory. Something amazing.

Please God help me make something great happen.


A very special thanks to the Our Stage team. I received my prize package from them the other day for making #1 in the Trailers category for July. I got a $100.00 American Express Gift Card, and an Our Stage T-Shirt, and a DVD copy of Four Eyed Monsters, which I've been wanting. So thank you so much to Our Stage. Got some other nifty little perks with it as well.

Hopefully this month we can make #1 again. Looks like our best shot is in the comedy category.



They've done away with Text Voting, as I think I may have mentioned before. This time around it's all about judging the best videos online. Hopefully that's us. But I must say, there are some very good entries on there.

Juli and I had a nice little dinner to celebrate the prizes I had won. She was so proud of me that it made her tear up. I told her it wasn't like I had won the grand prize, but she was proud of me anyways. Proud that I was able to make something and that it's been able to achieve something. It was a good night. And I'm just so happy that she could tear up over something good happening instead of something horrible.

So now it's like my movie making has two goals. One because I have these amazing stories inside my head and heart just dying to get out, and two because if I can make something amazing and something that can do well, it will help Juli see the light beyond the darkness. I like making her proud and I'm so very anxious to show her and the world what else I'm capable of. And I'm so very ready to do that.

Started work on the many other Video Projects and just found out about a few other opportunities I'd like to take a shot at. So much work to be done. At the same time still putting together all the details of the feature I'm going to do. Looks like I'll be working on that in the spring, alone and with no money, unless a miracle occurs. So pretty much the norm, lol.

Gotta get to work on more Expotv vids. Here's another one just recently added to my Expotv account. NIGHT OF THE COMET on DVD.



As you can see this freeze frame isn't as bad as the previous ones. Sadly I was hoping for a trend here. I could've sold myself as the awkward looking Filipino Indie Vidmaker.

Well let's hope we can do well in the Quarter Finals. Right now it's just about staying in the Top Ten til Wednesday. Then it's about going for #1. Damn. I'm getting too caught up in this competition. I've gotta focus on other things. Don't put all your creative eggs in one basket.

Ok, back to figuring out how to make something amazing with no money, cast, or crew, as per usual.

It's Called Death Bed, The Bed That Eats People.

The title is taken from Patton Oswalt's current comedy CD.




It's hilarious. And I really mean that. No really. You should get you a copy. Click the pic to get your own.




It's actually the first comedy CD I've listened to in a while that isn't Eddie Izzard, and I've been listenting to everything Izzard non-stop for the past 6 months.




Right now Glorious is in the rotation and is probably my fav. However I have noticed that the DVD performance is different from the CD performance. Same act different performances. They each have different little nuances that make them funny, but I think I prefer the DVD performance. It's the way he says "covered in bees." It cracks me up.




If you love Eddie Izzard and Tetris, then you should definitely check out his official site. It's pretty awesome with everything a website should have, plenty of things to waste your time. http://www.eddieizzard.com/home.izz


New ExpoTV video. This time I'm talking about HELL NIGHT on DVD. As you can see by the freeze frame below they are obviously trying their best to make me look like a big doofus. This freeze frame is by far my fav.




The audio seems to be a bit out of synch and the video lets a digital fart at the end. Other than that, another ExpoTV review DONE.



Looks like we're winning again on OUR STAGE. The other trailer is currently in 6th place in the COMEDY category. Check out the nifty banner they now provide to help promote ya. Feel free to click and vote for us.





And as you can see below, it is, once again, The Paper Rose video. I'm pimping it out again seeing as it's reaching enough views to pay out more money. I've already been able to pay some bills with this video. God bless making money through online video. So watch it a whole bunch a times will ya. And tell your friends.



Paper Rose - The top video clips of the week are here



As far as the production front. Many many projects in the works. Many are work related. And a few career related. But always for fun. Still pimpin the Monster Cops. Still gearing up for that next feature. Much more later.

recognize the moment

It's a good feeling to hear a crowd singing in unison together a song they all love so much. It's even better when you're a part of that crowd.

It's a good feeling to laugh all night long with someone you're madly in love with.

It's a good feeling to see something live for the first time that you'd only seen in pictures, read in a book, seen on TV, or even just told about.

It's a good feeling to say that you can make a living doing something you love.

It's a good feeling solving that puzzle, finding the answer, and resolving that mystery.

It's a good feeling to be able to really recognize those moments when you are truely alive.

I'm not quite at all my goals just yet, but I can say that I've felt these good feelings, these amazing feelings, and it's been overwhelming. As rough as it's been, this adventure has been an amazing one, and I'm fairly certain that it's far from over. I just wanted to post this here and now as a bookmark to remind me of this night and the many other nights of revelation that make me appreciate those amazing moments that have passed, and the ones that are sure to come.


Dana: I-I went to a show.

Casey: Please tell me you have Milk Duds in your purse.

Dana: Don't you want to hear what happened to me?

Casey: Not unless you held up a deli during intermission.

Dana: I believe in the power of the theatre.

Casey: Well, that's good. I believe in the power of a roast beef sandwich, so I really don't have time to talk. (starts to walk off)

Dana: Casey. (he turns back) It was really quite something. The music began and I just started to cry. I don't know where it came from. It was like... church. I didn't know we could do that. Did you know we could do that?

Casey: (with a gentle smile) Well, when I forget, something usually reminds me.

Dana: (as he walks away) I didn't know we could do that.

SPORTS NIGHT
Season 1 Episode 9 "The Quality Of Mercy at 29k"
Dana recognizes a moment. As does Dan. Great episode.

UFO

Just saw this online. I love this stuff and I'm pretty good at spotting fakes having attempted much of the same effects. But Jesus Christ. This one's pretty damn good.



The motion blur, the motion tracking, the sound. Really it's that motion tracking that I find impressive. When the camera moves it's completely natural. Something I only got right at the tail end of my "glowing orb" video here.



Working on this type of stuff on no budget, is really kicking me in the ass. But fun.

Contest Round Up #453

What better way to hone your skills than submitting to a contest. get some practice in while giving yourself a chance to win cash and prizes. Some of these are kinda cutting it close on the deadline, as usual. I've put them in order of deadline, as usual. If you know of anymore then by all means comment and let us know.


Ourstage (of course)
Deadline: On going
http://www.ourstage.com/go/video?gclid=CIHF35nw540CFSgRGgodYHnf0Q


Psoriasis Cure Now Video Contest
Early Bird Deadline: 8/15/07
http://www.psoriasis-cure-now.org/contest/


Best Buy Youtube Tech-U-out Contest
8/18/07
http://www.youtube.com/contest/TechUOut

IFC's Assassins Creed Short Film Contest
Deadline: 8/20/07
http://medialab.ifc.com/content.jsp?pg=assassin_s_creed.html


Jumpcut and Butterfinger's “Battle of the Balls” Video Contest
Deadline 8/21/07
http://www.jumpcut.com/groups/detail?g_id=30A18AA624F511DC8AB3000423CF385C&fudd=


Project 86 Make Your Own Video Contest!
Deadline: 8/24/07
http://www.youtube.com/group/project86contest


Mobile Video Rockstar
Deadline: 8/31/07
http://www.namethatmusicvideo.com/?pg=contest


SuperMediaStore Video Contest
Deadline: 9/14/07
http://www.youtube.com/group/SuperMediaStore


XLNT ADS PARTICIPATING BRANDS CONTEST
Deadline: 9/15/07
This is actually about 8 different contests. Go to their site and click on anyone of the "participating brands" to the left.
http://www.xlntads.com/


FairVote Democracy Video Contest
Deadline: 9/28/07
http://www.fairvote.org/upgradedemocracy/enter.php


10 Day Take 2
Deadline: 10/4/07
http://www.ziddio.com/contest.zd?dispatch=landing&contest=25


Psoriasis Cure Now Video Contest
Regular Deadline: 10/10/07
http://www.psoriasis-cure-now.org/contest/


Videomaker Short Video Contest
Deadline: 10/31/07
http://www.videomaker.com/blog/2007/07/318-videomaker-short-video-contest-is-under-way


I'll repost as I find out about them. Always got my ear to the ground.

Reanimator on DVD

Doing more review videos on Expotv.com

Here's one I did for the Reanimator DVD. I think I'll be sticking with horror and cult DVD's for a while. Gives me an excuse to edit something since I love to edit so.



I love these freeze frames they choose to use. I look constipated in all of them.

Monster Squad DVD

I'm really getting a kick out of doing reviews on Expotv.com

Here's one for the Monster Squad DVD.

Minneapolis

I've been out all day and just found out a little while ago. Minneapolis my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am truely dumbfounded by this.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone that texted and voted. We did not win the grand prize, but more importantly we helped spread the word about our little indie movie. Thanks to everyone who showed there support for the flick. It means alot to me. I'm very happy to have found so many people that support this project. I appreciate all of you.

Feel free to continue to tell people about our movie. Visit our official site at
MONSTERCOPS.COM

You can get the DVD as well as download the movie for rent or to own at
AMAZON.COM

You can even find out more about hosting your own screening at
BRAVE NEW THEATERS

Thank you so much for helping us in our quest to make movies independently and raise money for cancer charities.

- Patrick

WE MADE NUMBER 1 !!!!

So thank you to everyone who received that last email and voted in. Apparently it worked because WE MADE #1 IN THE TRAILERS CATEGORY. Now for the next 24 hours the TEXT VOTING begins and the text votes will decide what category wins. In this case we're hoping the trailers category wins. If we win that's $5,000.00 for our indie making efforts.

See the full list of number ones in video here: http://www.ourstage.com/judge?genre=video

So don't stop now. Help us out and text: trailer01 to 78243

Again text trailer01 to 78243.

Fair warning, it's 50 cents per text, so if ya aint got it, I won't be mad at ya. But if you can, then by all means please do so, and tell everyone you know who might care to do so.

Again thank you all for helping out and showing support. Let's see if we can win this thing. THANK YOU!

- Patrick

HELP US WIN!!!!

HELP US WIN!!!!

Watch this video to find out how.



or just read below

OURSTAGE.com is an online contest for music and videos where people watch or listen to music or videos and then select which one is "best". The trailer for Monster Cops: The Midnight Special is in 4th place. We could very well win $5,000.00 and much needed exposure for our movie, if we can make it to #1, but we need people to vote. Help us out!

Click here: ourstage.com/judge?channel=27-trailers

Please help us out and tell everyone you know who might be so inclined to vote.

Voting ends August 1st. The number 1 video will be chosen in each category (ours is in TRAILERS, of course)

That's when people can text in their votes to choose which category will win.

We need all the help we can get.

Please pass this on. :D