I have totally missed Conan's last week. But thankfully I've been able to catch up with it on HULU.com.
I remember the very first episode of Late Night without David Letterman with a then unknown Conan. I remember how odd it felt not having Johnny Carson around, Leno taking over, Letterman leaving for CBS, and Late Night being hosted by some guy named Conan I had never even heard of before. It was like my world was being rearranged. I had grown up with the late night schedule of Carson then Letterman. Seeing it change in such a weird way was just mind blowing. Conan eventually became my favorite in late night.
I have my reservations about Jimmy Fallon. I think he has great potential, for both greatness and for mediocrity. He's made me laugh so many times in the past, but just as many times he's displayed an irritating immaturity to his craft. The last few years of SNL were filled with flubbed lines and breaking character. Nothing was more annoying than a Jimmy Fallon / Horatio Sanz sketch. You knew they were going to screw it up some how. I can only hope that we can see the great side of Jimmy Fallon on Late Night. If Timberlake can make a surprise appearance and they can do The Barry Gibb Talk Show, then I'll be alright with it.
I am going to miss Conan in New York. Had this specific feel to it that was quite classy. New York feels different from L.A. But then again The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson had this classy feel to it. With Conan taking over, maybe we can finally get rid of that cheesy mediocre atmosphere from Leno's Tonight Show, and bring it back to something substantial, and actually funny.
Here's a segment from Late Night with Conan that I absolutely love. It had me in tears. Let's hope The Tonight Show will be as good if not better. I'm sure it will.
EDIT: (March 2nd) Just got done watching the entire last episode of Late Night with Conan. I nearly teared up at the end with everything Conan had to say. Really felt it. And now there is no doubt that The Tonight Show will be amazing.
----------------
Now playing: Hans Zimmer - The Might of Rome
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monster Cops: Tree Hugger
Yet another short webisode for Monstercops.com This time Bryce "encounters" a tree. 3 min 35 sec.
The footage of Bryce (Mark Tabije) was shot years ago on a night a certain special fx guy did not show up. We improvised a few scenes instead. The footage of Cutter and Windows (me and Chris Plouffe) was shot just last week. Really trying to combine both Texas and North Carolina casts. Alot of what Mark did was improv'd with a little bit of directing from me. For the most part this is all do to Mark just being a really funny guy. I also like the way Chris says "He has good form."
Coming up. More short Webisodes but this time it would be nice to actually include a few MONSTERS to go with our comical cops. Wouldn't you agree?
The footage of Bryce (Mark Tabije) was shot years ago on a night a certain special fx guy did not show up. We improvised a few scenes instead. The footage of Cutter and Windows (me and Chris Plouffe) was shot just last week. Really trying to combine both Texas and North Carolina casts. Alot of what Mark did was improv'd with a little bit of directing from me. For the most part this is all do to Mark just being a really funny guy. I also like the way Chris says "He has good form."
Coming up. More short Webisodes but this time it would be nice to actually include a few MONSTERS to go with our comical cops. Wouldn't you agree?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The love is gone
There is no more spark. The gas has run out. I've got no drive for it.
Today I was going to work on my second Callaway Golf Ad for Poptent. But I just don't see it happening. I had it in my head and it seemed like a great idea, but I'm just not feeling it anymore. I never want to work on anything I'm not 100 percent into. I've worked on so much crap in the past and projects that didn't stimulate me, that I'm at a point now where if I don't feel it, then I don't do it. Even if it is for paying jobs. If my only motivation is the paycheck then it's really not worth it to me.
Money comes and goes, and yes these are "tough times" apparently, but I'm not so strapped for cash that I'll just do anything creatively despite how I feel about it. I've passed up plenty of projects in the last few years, paying projects, simply because my heart just wasn't into it. A certain monster movie comes to mind. A few years back, very wealthy man who was into this particular monster, wanted to hire me to shoot his script about said monster. Getting paid to direct is always the goal for me, but not when the script is this bad. Try watching Meatballs and Aliens back to back in reverse, while listening to a Toby Keith album and you'll get the basic feel of this script.
It's why I stopped doing weddings and depositions. Weddings are lovely, but to shoot one is such a pain. Dealing with carzy Brides and Moms, haggling with the photographer for the best spot, and then having to relive the entire thing over and over in editing. Depositions are worse, because it's just point and shoot for long drawn out dialogue about mind numbing details. Depositions are almost as bad as shooting a catholic wedding. Long and boring. Very much like watching Titanic, in reverse, with the sound off. (I don't know where I'm going with these "watching in reverse" references, just bare with me.)
So I try to choose to work on things that I am passionate about. I've got a few VLOGS that I'd like to produce. I've got Tadcast, Jim Beam, and Stella Artois submissions to think about, as well as the usual Poptent Assignments. But right now, I just want to work on Monster Cops.
I'm quite happy with the great feedback I've been getting for the vids being posted so far, so I'm anxious to get a ton more shorts/webisodes up. And I'm anxious to get the next 4 10 to 20 minute episodes up and out to venues and fests.
There is one particular webisode I want to do, but it sorta breaks my rules. I'm very big on originality. Meaning everything I make, I make. I shoot it, I cut it, and I compose all the music. Sure we'll pay an homage to something, make references, and borrow classic comedy bits, but for the most part the material is original, especially the music. I always cringe when I watch video contest submissions where the rules strictly prohibit the use of copyrighted material and there's a video using music from The Dark Knight or Pirates Of The Caribbean. I make my own music and I never want to use anyone else music unless I can pay for it.
Now if you're doing a spoof or a vlog where you're not making any money off it, then I think it's perfectly fine and falls under Fair Use. But for shorts trying to compete or make money, it's a big no no. With that said, I have this great idea for a Monster Cops webisode that features a very popular copyrighted song. I want to see it happen so badly I'm considering actually producing it. Sure YouTube may take it down, and we may not be able to sell it on the DVD, but it's just one of those things that's just gotta be done. At least it'll be online for folks to see. It should survive Vimeo, Metacafe, and Myspace and you'll definitely be able to see it at Monstercops.com.
I shall ponder this some more. Gonna go work on a Monster Cops Short and check on my pot roast, then I think I shall get on the recumbent bike. LOL. Recumbent. I dunno why that word makes me laugh.
----------------
Now playing: Craig Armstrong - PM's Love Theme -Craig Armstrong
via FoxyTunes
Today I was going to work on my second Callaway Golf Ad for Poptent. But I just don't see it happening. I had it in my head and it seemed like a great idea, but I'm just not feeling it anymore. I never want to work on anything I'm not 100 percent into. I've worked on so much crap in the past and projects that didn't stimulate me, that I'm at a point now where if I don't feel it, then I don't do it. Even if it is for paying jobs. If my only motivation is the paycheck then it's really not worth it to me.
Money comes and goes, and yes these are "tough times" apparently, but I'm not so strapped for cash that I'll just do anything creatively despite how I feel about it. I've passed up plenty of projects in the last few years, paying projects, simply because my heart just wasn't into it. A certain monster movie comes to mind. A few years back, very wealthy man who was into this particular monster, wanted to hire me to shoot his script about said monster. Getting paid to direct is always the goal for me, but not when the script is this bad. Try watching Meatballs and Aliens back to back in reverse, while listening to a Toby Keith album and you'll get the basic feel of this script.
It's why I stopped doing weddings and depositions. Weddings are lovely, but to shoot one is such a pain. Dealing with carzy Brides and Moms, haggling with the photographer for the best spot, and then having to relive the entire thing over and over in editing. Depositions are worse, because it's just point and shoot for long drawn out dialogue about mind numbing details. Depositions are almost as bad as shooting a catholic wedding. Long and boring. Very much like watching Titanic, in reverse, with the sound off. (I don't know where I'm going with these "watching in reverse" references, just bare with me.)
So I try to choose to work on things that I am passionate about. I've got a few VLOGS that I'd like to produce. I've got Tadcast, Jim Beam, and Stella Artois submissions to think about, as well as the usual Poptent Assignments. But right now, I just want to work on Monster Cops.
I'm quite happy with the great feedback I've been getting for the vids being posted so far, so I'm anxious to get a ton more shorts/webisodes up. And I'm anxious to get the next 4 10 to 20 minute episodes up and out to venues and fests.
There is one particular webisode I want to do, but it sorta breaks my rules. I'm very big on originality. Meaning everything I make, I make. I shoot it, I cut it, and I compose all the music. Sure we'll pay an homage to something, make references, and borrow classic comedy bits, but for the most part the material is original, especially the music. I always cringe when I watch video contest submissions where the rules strictly prohibit the use of copyrighted material and there's a video using music from The Dark Knight or Pirates Of The Caribbean. I make my own music and I never want to use anyone else music unless I can pay for it.
Now if you're doing a spoof or a vlog where you're not making any money off it, then I think it's perfectly fine and falls under Fair Use. But for shorts trying to compete or make money, it's a big no no. With that said, I have this great idea for a Monster Cops webisode that features a very popular copyrighted song. I want to see it happen so badly I'm considering actually producing it. Sure YouTube may take it down, and we may not be able to sell it on the DVD, but it's just one of those things that's just gotta be done. At least it'll be online for folks to see. It should survive Vimeo, Metacafe, and Myspace and you'll definitely be able to see it at Monstercops.com.
I shall ponder this some more. Gonna go work on a Monster Cops Short and check on my pot roast, then I think I shall get on the recumbent bike. LOL. Recumbent. I dunno why that word makes me laugh.
----------------
Now playing: Craig Armstrong - PM's Love Theme -Craig Armstrong
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monster Cops: Phone Call
Monster Cops Short. 1 min. 47 sec. A conversation about killing monsters is interrupted by a phone call. Patrick A. Prejusa, Brandon White, Chris Plouffe, and Danielle Motley.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Let the midnight special shine a light on me
The signs are everywhere and I can't ignore them. I've been reminded full force of things from the past and it gives me clarity when working on the future.
Credence Clearwater Revival's classic song "Midnight Special". I listened to it constantly when working on the first Monster Cops script, The Midnight Special.
It was this song and 2 others.
Whodini's Classic of Hip-Hop "The Freaks Come Out at Night"
And the one that really inspired me when working on Monster Cops (and still does to this day): The Hollies classic "Long Cool Woman"
It's these three songs I had put on a repeat over and over the entire time I worked on The Midnight Special. To me these songs captures a strong part of the spirit that is Monster Cops. CCR's Midnight Special had that down home rock and blues tone that you really don't associate too much with horror and monsters. Which is why I found it well suited for Monster Cops. It was the feel of how the Cops operated while under the strain of hunting creatures. Cool and groovy, a tone you wouldn't put with hammering stakes in to Vampire hearts. That's the tone of Monster Cops.
The Freaks Come Out at Night was a song that felt right over images of patrol cars looking for, well, freaks. Cops on patrol, investigating strange situations hunting zombies and ghouls. Like driving through neighborhood streets on Halloween Night, seeing costumed creatures roaming around. Plus it was an old school song that did remind me of that Halloween feel, only because it would always end up on someones Halloween music mixtape along with Thriller, The Halloween Theme, and Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes.
And finally Long Cool Woman was always a favorite of mine. Definitely my fav song from The Hollies and in my top 10 of classic rock songs. This song always felt like great background narration for some undercover cop closing in for the arrest, or DEA agents on a bust. Desipte what it's lyrics may define it as, to me this was the action theme for Monster Cops. The bouncy rock rhythm and feel of CCR's Midnight Special but with a harder edge and faster pace. Rock and Blues for Cops on the move, and that's Monster Cops. Burnt out and blue on the job, cracking jokes about the bust, and all the while the Vampires burn and the Zombie heads explode.
Odd, strange, quirky, funny, and thrilling with monsters and guns thrown in.
All this means that I'm nowhere near done with Monster Cops. There is that specific feel and vision I'm going for and I feel like if I can really nail it, it will really be something great. Not that I wasn't already aiming for that, it's just tonight has been very motivating, and a little inspiring.
Still have many many other videos to work on of course. The video work never goes away, but I do hope to get on the ball with Monster Cops and get as much of my vision out there as possible, more shorts, more episodes, much, much more Monster Cops.
Credence Clearwater Revival's classic song "Midnight Special". I listened to it constantly when working on the first Monster Cops script, The Midnight Special.
It was this song and 2 others.
Whodini's Classic of Hip-Hop "The Freaks Come Out at Night"
And the one that really inspired me when working on Monster Cops (and still does to this day): The Hollies classic "Long Cool Woman"
It's these three songs I had put on a repeat over and over the entire time I worked on The Midnight Special. To me these songs captures a strong part of the spirit that is Monster Cops. CCR's Midnight Special had that down home rock and blues tone that you really don't associate too much with horror and monsters. Which is why I found it well suited for Monster Cops. It was the feel of how the Cops operated while under the strain of hunting creatures. Cool and groovy, a tone you wouldn't put with hammering stakes in to Vampire hearts. That's the tone of Monster Cops.
The Freaks Come Out at Night was a song that felt right over images of patrol cars looking for, well, freaks. Cops on patrol, investigating strange situations hunting zombies and ghouls. Like driving through neighborhood streets on Halloween Night, seeing costumed creatures roaming around. Plus it was an old school song that did remind me of that Halloween feel, only because it would always end up on someones Halloween music mixtape along with Thriller, The Halloween Theme, and Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes.
And finally Long Cool Woman was always a favorite of mine. Definitely my fav song from The Hollies and in my top 10 of classic rock songs. This song always felt like great background narration for some undercover cop closing in for the arrest, or DEA agents on a bust. Desipte what it's lyrics may define it as, to me this was the action theme for Monster Cops. The bouncy rock rhythm and feel of CCR's Midnight Special but with a harder edge and faster pace. Rock and Blues for Cops on the move, and that's Monster Cops. Burnt out and blue on the job, cracking jokes about the bust, and all the while the Vampires burn and the Zombie heads explode.
Odd, strange, quirky, funny, and thrilling with monsters and guns thrown in.
All this means that I'm nowhere near done with Monster Cops. There is that specific feel and vision I'm going for and I feel like if I can really nail it, it will really be something great. Not that I wasn't already aiming for that, it's just tonight has been very motivating, and a little inspiring.
Still have many many other videos to work on of course. The video work never goes away, but I do hope to get on the ball with Monster Cops and get as much of my vision out there as possible, more shorts, more episodes, much, much more Monster Cops.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Ryan Started The Fire
I love The Office and Billy Joel. So this fan made video was definitely up my alley.
Thanks to @rainnwilson for the tweet.
Thanks to @rainnwilson for the tweet.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
I was going to try to put together 3 minutes worth of Archangel to submit to Bigstar.tv anyhow. I've been trying to upload it all day. It keeps giving me an error message.
I'm entirely too sick to deal with it. My ear is stopped up, my nose is runny, I've got a sinus headache and a cough.
No Bigstar contest this month. Or any month as long as my comp and their uploads don't agree with eachother. Not gonna make that midnight deadline.
I'm going to bed.
I'm entirely too sick to deal with it. My ear is stopped up, my nose is runny, I've got a sinus headache and a cough.
No Bigstar contest this month. Or any month as long as my comp and their uploads don't agree with eachother. Not gonna make that midnight deadline.
I'm going to bed.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Putting It All Together
I've been busting my ass trying to submit to as many Video Contests and Assignments as possible. I was pretty successful last year making videos for XLNTADS/Poptent, as well as Metacafe, and ExpoTV. So far this year I've submitted and got Honorable Mention for the Acer Aspire One Netbook Contest. Finished and submitted my ad for Callaway Golf Diablo Promo. Currently I'm working on another Callaway Golf Ad and thinking about Tadcast.
I was working on submitting my Archangel action trailer to Bigstar.TV's Action Short Contest, but it's due this Saturday and I'm a minute short. So I won't be making that one happen.
My apologies to Chris Plouffe. He's been a major supporter of my work and he's lent us the use of his office so many times. The last time we shot we ended up breaking his window. We were going to fix it, but apparently it wasn't fast enough for the owners. They've told him to move out by next week. Chris, I am immensely sorry we got you kicked out of your office. Indie Movies successfully destroys yet another location. Again, so sorry Chris. I feel bad about it.
I am working on those contests above as well as others. Also writing a couple of shorts and working out a possible feature. And as usual, I've been working on my baby, MONSTER COPS.
The main goal as it stands is to just keep producing as many shorts (5 minutes of less) and episodes (10 minutes or more) posting them at monstercops.com, and just continue to get the word out about it as I try to get my vision for it produced. I feel strongly about it, and if I had the right budget I know I could produce an amazing feature film out of it AND get it distributed.
I've got the entire process and agenda mapped out on how to produce, distribute, and market a feature film for less than $400,000 and make the money back. So lemme just pull that out of my ass and we can get to work on it. But seriously, I know it's a rough economic landscape right now, but I also know I still see alot of people out there still spending money. Perhaps raising money for an indie film may not seem feasible, but I know it's possible. But all I can do right now is work on making monstercops.com as great as I possibly can. Keep producing good material, getting it out in front of people, and hoping that people like what they see and will want more. Like old Harry Anderson use to say:
So that's where I'm at right now. Working the day job, working on making more videos for money, and working on Monster Cops. So far so good.
Here's the semi-new intro for Monster Cops. It's actually the old vid recut to include some new shots and old clips from The Midnight Special. To me it's a little bit closer to what I see Monster Cops as. Action, Horror, RealityTV, mixed with Comedy. I'm hoping to achieve more and more of those things with each short and episode.
I was working on submitting my Archangel action trailer to Bigstar.TV's Action Short Contest, but it's due this Saturday and I'm a minute short. So I won't be making that one happen.
My apologies to Chris Plouffe. He's been a major supporter of my work and he's lent us the use of his office so many times. The last time we shot we ended up breaking his window. We were going to fix it, but apparently it wasn't fast enough for the owners. They've told him to move out by next week. Chris, I am immensely sorry we got you kicked out of your office. Indie Movies successfully destroys yet another location. Again, so sorry Chris. I feel bad about it.
I am working on those contests above as well as others. Also writing a couple of shorts and working out a possible feature. And as usual, I've been working on my baby, MONSTER COPS.
The main goal as it stands is to just keep producing as many shorts (5 minutes of less) and episodes (10 minutes or more) posting them at monstercops.com, and just continue to get the word out about it as I try to get my vision for it produced. I feel strongly about it, and if I had the right budget I know I could produce an amazing feature film out of it AND get it distributed.
I've got the entire process and agenda mapped out on how to produce, distribute, and market a feature film for less than $400,000 and make the money back. So lemme just pull that out of my ass and we can get to work on it. But seriously, I know it's a rough economic landscape right now, but I also know I still see alot of people out there still spending money. Perhaps raising money for an indie film may not seem feasible, but I know it's possible. But all I can do right now is work on making monstercops.com as great as I possibly can. Keep producing good material, getting it out in front of people, and hoping that people like what they see and will want more. Like old Harry Anderson use to say:
If you give em a good enough show, the people will be more than happy to pay the price of admission.
So that's where I'm at right now. Working the day job, working on making more videos for money, and working on Monster Cops. So far so good.
Here's the semi-new intro for Monster Cops. It's actually the old vid recut to include some new shots and old clips from The Midnight Special. To me it's a little bit closer to what I see Monster Cops as. Action, Horror, RealityTV, mixed with Comedy. I'm hoping to achieve more and more of those things with each short and episode.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Diablo
Here's my video for the Callaway Golf Promotion. They're trying to promote their new driver called the Big Bertha DIABLO.
They wanted to stick with the theme of "Release Your Inner Diablo." So I decided to take it literally. I immediately thought of an Exorcism scene, capped off with a cheesy punchline.
Irreverent? Yes. Corny? Most definitely. But I just had to see how it would turn out. Chris Plouffe as the Priest, Sarah Vroom as the possessed girl, and me, Patrick as the corny looking Monk at the end. Additional production help from Brandon White, Richard Gaither, and Darrin Chamberlin on lights, wind, and paper.
The actual words of the exorcism were mostly taken from a Supernatural episode with a few words thrown in from Chris.
I am quite proud of the opening shot of the skyline with clouds and lightning. Those were two public domain photos, one of Long Beach, the other of a cloudy sky. I animated them using Sony Vegas. The final shot of the golf club was a still of the Diablo club cut out using After Effects and placed on video of papers being dropped on the floor. Lightning and pan and crop done in Sony Vegas.
We'll see if it goes anywhere, but as always, it was fun to do, which makes it worth it either way.
They wanted to stick with the theme of "Release Your Inner Diablo." So I decided to take it literally. I immediately thought of an Exorcism scene, capped off with a cheesy punchline.
Irreverent? Yes. Corny? Most definitely. But I just had to see how it would turn out. Chris Plouffe as the Priest, Sarah Vroom as the possessed girl, and me, Patrick as the corny looking Monk at the end. Additional production help from Brandon White, Richard Gaither, and Darrin Chamberlin on lights, wind, and paper.
The actual words of the exorcism were mostly taken from a Supernatural episode with a few words thrown in from Chris.
I am quite proud of the opening shot of the skyline with clouds and lightning. Those were two public domain photos, one of Long Beach, the other of a cloudy sky. I animated them using Sony Vegas. The final shot of the golf club was a still of the Diablo club cut out using After Effects and placed on video of papers being dropped on the floor. Lightning and pan and crop done in Sony Vegas.
We'll see if it goes anywhere, but as always, it was fun to do, which makes it worth it either way.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Christian Bale, REMIX!!!!
So Christian Bale flipped out on some lighting guy on set. Apparently it was quite a rant. The media got hold of the audio and has been having a field day with it. Personally I like Christian Bale and I don't know the full circumstances behind the rant. I am intrigued as to how crystal clear this audio is.
Anyhoo. The interweb will never let you down when it comes to creativity. In this case, a nice little techno remix using Bale's F-bomb filled Rant. I love this song. It's stuck in my head.
This one is created by revolucian.
Download the mp3 here:
http://www.revolucian.com/BaleOut-Download.html
Show your support for revolucian by subscribing to the YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/revolucian
This video is almost as catchy as this one:
Anyhoo. The interweb will never let you down when it comes to creativity. In this case, a nice little techno remix using Bale's F-bomb filled Rant. I love this song. It's stuck in my head.
This one is created by revolucian.
Download the mp3 here:
http://www.revolucian.com/BaleOut-Download.html
Show your support for revolucian by subscribing to the YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/revolucian
This video is almost as catchy as this one:
Honorable Mention
So as expected, I did not win the Aspire One Contest. Just wasn't getting the views, and comments. But I am glad that the top 3 videos that won, were some that I liked a lot and I felt actually deserved to win.
And as a nice gesture, my video was featured as an Honorable Mention. Although there are no prizes for honorable mention, it is a great honor just to have my work recognized. So thank you so much to ACER for the opportunity to compete. I live for video contests! And congratulations to all the winners and my fellow honorable mentionees. I felt everyone got what they deserved, especially those that worked hard and used true creativity for their videos.
Here's a list of the winners and honorable mentions:
http://www.wantonecontest.com/video_contest_winners.aspx
And just for the heck of it, here's my video for the Acer Aspire One Netbook Contest, ALIENS and COW LIPS.
And as a nice gesture, my video was featured as an Honorable Mention. Although there are no prizes for honorable mention, it is a great honor just to have my work recognized. So thank you so much to ACER for the opportunity to compete. I live for video contests! And congratulations to all the winners and my fellow honorable mentionees. I felt everyone got what they deserved, especially those that worked hard and used true creativity for their videos.
Here's a list of the winners and honorable mentions:
http://www.wantonecontest.com/video_contest_winners.aspx
And just for the heck of it, here's my video for the Acer Aspire One Netbook Contest, ALIENS and COW LIPS.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Updated Zombie Hunt Clip
Here's the zombie hunt clip from an upcoming Monster Cops episode. This one includes shots of the MKX300 at work.
Keep Makin Those Vids
Got this article off Twitter via angelmcclinton.
Economic Crisis Will Make Online Video A Champion in 2009
Perhaps we're all on the right track after all.
Economic Crisis Will Make Online Video A Champion in 2009
Perhaps we're all on the right track after all.
Empty Your Cup
There's been a few comments this week, just things here and there that I've been told, that I don't quite agree with. I don't like being told what to do, no one does, and I certainly don't like being interrupted when I'm in the middle of discussing one of my projects. Especially when this same person asked me to explain the project. I like it even less when I'm interrupted in the middle of explaining a project by someone who is telling me what I "should" do.
I understand people have ideas, but if I've got an idea that I've decided to commit to actually shooting and producing, then I'm pretty solid on what it is I'm going to do and I need no further feedback. If you're part of the crew wanting to advise me on the lights and you just happen to be in the lighting department then that's fine, give me your feedback. But if you're feedback has nothing to do with your department, or even worse, if you're just someone I barely know trying to butt into production, then it's unacceptable.
Thing is, I am a control freak. When I decide on a story or an idea for a project it's most likely because I see the full vision for it. I don't like it when people try to intentionally get me to change that vision. It's going to change all on it's own when you bring in the actors, and you look at the set, and when you edit it together, the original vision evolves, and it should, and that's completely natural. When someone else decides to step in and tell me what needs to be changed solely because they had a "neat idea", that's different. That's tampering with what I've ALREADY PLANNED! Don't tell me what my vision should be.
This is why I have a hard time collaborating with other writers. I hog the vision. When I come up with something to create, it's usually because I've gotten so passionate about what it is I see in my head that I NEED to be the writer and director and editor and composer. It's because I know, and feel, and understand EXACTLY what the spirit of the story is. I have no room for someone else to just butt in and say, "Ooh what you should do is..."
No.
Now when it comes to doing some improv on set, then that's fine. Improvising is great, and you get a lot of really great material comedy wise, but it's all placed within the context of the base vision and stays within the established essence of the story. It does not detract from the story of the script.
I have no patience for people who ask me to tell them what my vision is and then proceed to tell me what it should be. This is why I hardly tell people what's going on. You'll get a script if you need to get a script. You'll know the end result if you need to know, otherwise just wait til I'm done cutting footage and you can watch the final cut like everyone else.
I hate posting negatively, but I believe that your blog should be there for the occasional venting. So this is me with my venting hat on.
I use to talk about what my ideas and scripts were. I don't now. Because there is no need to. You'll see my ideas once I make them happen. Also because I end up talking to people who just talk. The talkers are the ones who have ideas, but will never do anything with them. They just wanna hang out all day and never shoot anything. This is why I do alot of projects on my own or with minimal help. Thankfully I'm working with some fairly smart people who are motivated. But these past few days I've gotten cornered with a couple of people who are talkers, and I made the mistake of describing one of my projects when asked.
There's this old tale that I never ever remember all the details of, but I believe it was something of an old Buddhist parable. About an old man and a young man drinking tea. The old man pours tea into both cups and they proceed to drink. The Old mad drinks his tea, while the young man proceeds to talk, ALOT. As the Old man finishes his tea he pours himself another cup and then sets the tea pot down. The Old man drinks his second cup. The young man get's upset and says "Why haven't you poured ME a second cup?" The Old man says "How can I pour you tea, if you have not emptied your cup."
I know I just totally butchered that story. But the essence of it always stayed with me. The talkers talk and they complain when the rest of the world has moved on without them. They're too busy complaining about not getting there second cup, when they haven't even enjoyed or even appreciated their first one.
And I do bump into these people. Ugh.
Their existence is necessary, though. Like all things that are opposite of you and your goals, they are their to help define who you are, and who you are not.
"The path of the righteous is set on all sides by the inequities of the weak and the tyranny of evil men."
- Jules 4:20
Let the talkers and the morons and the general stupid people in your life help define the fact that you are none of the above. Let them outline your greatness and while they complain about their full cups, you can sit back and enjoy your ability to empty your own and receive even more.
Venting hat off.
I understand people have ideas, but if I've got an idea that I've decided to commit to actually shooting and producing, then I'm pretty solid on what it is I'm going to do and I need no further feedback. If you're part of the crew wanting to advise me on the lights and you just happen to be in the lighting department then that's fine, give me your feedback. But if you're feedback has nothing to do with your department, or even worse, if you're just someone I barely know trying to butt into production, then it's unacceptable.
Thing is, I am a control freak. When I decide on a story or an idea for a project it's most likely because I see the full vision for it. I don't like it when people try to intentionally get me to change that vision. It's going to change all on it's own when you bring in the actors, and you look at the set, and when you edit it together, the original vision evolves, and it should, and that's completely natural. When someone else decides to step in and tell me what needs to be changed solely because they had a "neat idea", that's different. That's tampering with what I've ALREADY PLANNED! Don't tell me what my vision should be.
This is why I have a hard time collaborating with other writers. I hog the vision. When I come up with something to create, it's usually because I've gotten so passionate about what it is I see in my head that I NEED to be the writer and director and editor and composer. It's because I know, and feel, and understand EXACTLY what the spirit of the story is. I have no room for someone else to just butt in and say, "Ooh what you should do is..."
No.
Now when it comes to doing some improv on set, then that's fine. Improvising is great, and you get a lot of really great material comedy wise, but it's all placed within the context of the base vision and stays within the established essence of the story. It does not detract from the story of the script.
I have no patience for people who ask me to tell them what my vision is and then proceed to tell me what it should be. This is why I hardly tell people what's going on. You'll get a script if you need to get a script. You'll know the end result if you need to know, otherwise just wait til I'm done cutting footage and you can watch the final cut like everyone else.
I hate posting negatively, but I believe that your blog should be there for the occasional venting. So this is me with my venting hat on.
I use to talk about what my ideas and scripts were. I don't now. Because there is no need to. You'll see my ideas once I make them happen. Also because I end up talking to people who just talk. The talkers are the ones who have ideas, but will never do anything with them. They just wanna hang out all day and never shoot anything. This is why I do alot of projects on my own or with minimal help. Thankfully I'm working with some fairly smart people who are motivated. But these past few days I've gotten cornered with a couple of people who are talkers, and I made the mistake of describing one of my projects when asked.
There's this old tale that I never ever remember all the details of, but I believe it was something of an old Buddhist parable. About an old man and a young man drinking tea. The old man pours tea into both cups and they proceed to drink. The Old mad drinks his tea, while the young man proceeds to talk, ALOT. As the Old man finishes his tea he pours himself another cup and then sets the tea pot down. The Old man drinks his second cup. The young man get's upset and says "Why haven't you poured ME a second cup?" The Old man says "How can I pour you tea, if you have not emptied your cup."
I know I just totally butchered that story. But the essence of it always stayed with me. The talkers talk and they complain when the rest of the world has moved on without them. They're too busy complaining about not getting there second cup, when they haven't even enjoyed or even appreciated their first one.
And I do bump into these people. Ugh.
Their existence is necessary, though. Like all things that are opposite of you and your goals, they are their to help define who you are, and who you are not.
"The path of the righteous is set on all sides by the inequities of the weak and the tyranny of evil men."
- Jules 4:20
Let the talkers and the morons and the general stupid people in your life help define the fact that you are none of the above. Let them outline your greatness and while they complain about their full cups, you can sit back and enjoy your ability to empty your own and receive even more.
Venting hat off.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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