"Looked like sort of a big turtle, in a trench coat."
Ever since I saw Raphael roll over that cab along with the rest of the trailer for the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie way back in 1990 I was hooked on film. Several other films added to this endeavour over the years, but it all started with those heroes in a half shell some twenty years ago. Mutant turtles, a young boy, and a Burger King Kids Club VHS the dream is born.
"Can anyone tell me who or what this is? Don't know, but I bet it never has to look for a can-opener."
At the age of five when I first saw the trailer for the film I was convinced the turtles where not just a cartoon as I previously thought. They were real! Indeed, in a way they were real. Physically they existed outside of a computer tower and monitor. Sure, they were men is suits circa Gojira, but they were on set to interact with the actors in every scene. NO RENDERING NEEDED. Why can't it be done practically on shooting day(s) with the other players? The move away from this has given us some performances that leave much to be desired. Namely, a lack in believability in most cases. Looking at green dots in terror just doesn't come across well most of the time. Sorry, Miss Fox. Hello, Mister, Hamill.
I've said it before, and I'll write it here. My goal as a filmmaker is to due the same to this and future generations of youth. Leave an impression on them to the same effect. Using real effects whenever possible. It's real and thus comes off more so on celluloid or in our case still mini dv tapes. Working on changing that, folks. With the magic of film, and a little ingenuity, pride, effort, and a bit of luck anything is possible. Anything and everything. Ask, James.
Been watching a lot of films as well as working on finalizing the script for Gone to the Undead. Peep the link to read the blog for the film. Spent this last weekend watching the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy. Radical!
Best wishes to Avatar tonight at the Academy Awards. I feel in my heart of hearts it is due the Best Animated Feature award!
"Hey, didn't they use this place in The Grapes of Wrath?"
I have returned from Dallas, Texas, and much was gained from the trip. In the words of the great Dwight D. Eisenhower. "In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.". Knowledge is power. I'm very thankful for the trip and all I saw and learned. Thanks, Fresh Entertainment.
I've begun post work on the new Kay mixtape viral music video Superstar. Some of which was shot in Dallas and the trip to and from. I'm in the middle of edits and still have some to shots to pick up before I wrap up this bad boy. [ABOVE] The lighting setup is for the lonely and melancholy hotel room scene. With space and weight concerns I took three Lowel Tota-Lights, and thus had to use a little noir foil to turn them into some Omni like setups. With a little grip tape, gels, and a bit of luck I did just that. More details when the video drops, Better Believe It.
Also, with my new Canon T1i camera I took photographs of the trip as well, most of which will be used in the video in some way or another. Clubbin' mostly. When they hit the interwebs I'll be sure to let you all know where you can peep 'em too.
The train is still very much in motion with the Untoten film. Major details and much much more real soon I pinky swear to all of you. The 24 Hour Film Race goes down on March 26th for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Standby once again, I can't wait!
Before I leave you all once again, only to return once again. I must let you all in on some of the flicks I've seen as of late. First, I've got to tell all of you to see Black Dynamite which was a total trip to find on Blu Ray. Thanks, F.Y.E. for once. This means you can stop asking me if I need any help. Best Buy, epic fail. Also, making it's way to the DVD player The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Toy Soldiers, The Last King of Scotland, The Quest, and Gamer which was totally shot on the Red camera. 100% digital. Stay tuned.
A viral music video I put together with Twin Cities Hip-Hop artist, Kay and others from the Fresh Entertainment family. Maybach will be on his newest mixtape Kay's Anatomy. For more check out Clickkay.com
I'd like to thank my awesome crew, without you all I'm nothing.
Thanks a million to Gaffer Joseph Young, Best Boy Brian Hoskins, and Grip Samantha Hanus for all your hard work, smiles, and determination. We done did it again. Soon again I'm sure. We shot the barber shop scenes at Fresh Cuts off Nicollet Avenue back on January 27th, and then shot the hookah scene at my place on January 31st. A special thanks to everybody at Fresh Cuts, Fresh Entertainment, and my housemates Abraham and Lindsey. The video came together real fast and real clean. This I like. A lot.
To contrast the barber shops' clean and flat look I decided to go with the cameras' color extract option and run wild with 738 with the light through the window and lone ground flood light behind the couch. Leaving the key light white and defused on Kay himself. The only thing I really wish we had were some c-stands as to give him just a little hair light. Yes, Ox said they be on the way. We just need to head to Cinequipt to buy those bad boys and a few other things we need. Hello, Wednesday. Let's not even get started with any specular highlights in Kay's eyes. As always, lessons learned.
Check it out and as always feedback is very welcome. The plan now is to head to Dallas, Texas for the NBA All-Star Weekend with Fresh Entertainment family! Got myself a new Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera earlier today to go along with good old Sony HVR-Z5U. Steinberg! Randall! Photography time soon enough. Yes, I'm a five year old once again. Sadly have to wait 'till tomorrow to take any pictures as the battery has got to charge. Tonight, I shall watch Surrogates, not lookin' nearly as mint and stark as the comics. So, to close things out the classic piece of motion picture history Tales From the Crypt: Bordello of Blood with Dennis Miller, Angie Everhart, and the Crypt Keeper. Grin.
Here it is everybody the trailer for our short documentary which won Best Picture for the Filmanthropist Project at the Oak Street Cinema back on December 13th, 2009.
Well, after a few delays and a best in picture award, Media Storm / Standby Productions has five thousands dollars to play with!
After three attempts it was the correct semester and we had enough people to vote at the monthly Student Life Board meeting. As the President of the IDVP student group Media Storm it's up to me to ask for funds for side projects and the like. So I asked for two grand for the 24 Hour Film Race this April in Minneapolis. Another two grand to buy equipment and other such goodies for our upcoming productions including the one I hinted at before. Lastly, a thousand dollars for the SkillsUSA state contest to be held at the Hennepin Technical College campus this spring.
This is the third time in total I've asked for funding for projects and the third time the request has been approved. It's been a great asset since the first time I was at the helm of a film back in 2008 with the 48 Hour Film Project and Alpha Omega Pictures may you rest in peace old boy.
The trailer for A Thank You From The Heart is very much nearing the end of the pipe! Should be online no later than this weekend for everybody to see!
Installed Final Cut Studio III and OS X Snow Leopard on the old Mac this weekend. Thus, lots of waiting, and so another blog.
Tomorrow, I've got to go make my pitch to the Hennepin Technical College Student Life Board for funding our next picture. The proposal is for five grand with the goal of buying some much needed equipment. Namely, c-stands, apple boxes, and some various shotgun microphones. Also, fund the next big thing from Standby Productions. I'll be filling you in with more details on that real soon. Wouldn't wanna jinx her before she's off the ground and standing on her own. Mary Shelley would be proud.
The trailer for A Thank You From The Heart should be up very, very, very soon. Sadly, the films have not been posted to the Filmanthropist Project website as of yet. So, 'till then I plan on posting this trailer to give all of those who didn't see it at the Oak Street Cinema back in December a taste.
Before I shut off the lights on this post I've been watching some flicks. Surprise, surprise. Right at Your Door a very well put together indy end of the world flick that got a whole lot of a heck right. Hey, armageddon is hell. Short Circuit 2, Last Action Hero, In the Line of Fire, Easy Rider, The Omega Man, and the new Diablo Cody film Jennifer's Body. Yikes, from Juno [homerun] to a mere single. Sure it's got Megan Fox which don't hurt my eyes, but the dialogue sure did hurt my ears. Memo to self - If I ever go with a smartass and know it all I'm going with little Miss Ellen Page. Yowza! To end things on a high note I'll recommend The Hurt Locker which was an amazing film about the E.O.D. a story to tell to say the least. Flawless victory. One of the best war films I have ever seen, and I've seen my share of war films. SEE IT.
Today is my 25th Birthday, and over my quarter of a century on this rock I've seen a lot of films. Here are twenty-five that have inspired me and shaped my perception of storytelling on the silver screen.
Battle Royale This movie shocked me like none before or since. I thank the guy I worked with at Blockbuster for leading me to this gem.
The Big Lebowski The greatest motion picture ever made in my humble opinion I must opine.
Child's Play Chucky scared the crap out of me as a kid. Dolls and I were never the same again.
Dawn of the Dead [1978]
This started my love for the undead or living dead or what have you. It's just too bad they're not Nazi's as well. Untoten!
Desperado Robert Rodriguez's masterwork [thus far]. Sorry, Spy Kids. I feel this was the movie he had in mind when he made El Mariachi and it was the film that showed me that even with a little you can make a lot. A Legend really. Two words. Hand cannon.
Dick Tracy Directed by Warren Beatty the film is one of the best studio pictures that Mr. Beatty help kill back with Bonnie and Clyde. Vittorio Storaro's cinematography is simply stunning. The lighting, art direction, and casting are among the best of all time. Ain't that right Flattop?
Enemy at the Gates The story of dueling snipers during the battle of the Stalingrad is uniuqe it's ability to tell the larger tale of the war between the Nazi's and the Red Army in two lone wolves. Ed Harris and Jude Law's eyes make this film.
Inglourious Basterds World War II. Spaghetti Western. Quentin Tarantino. Enough said.
No Country for Old Men The Coen brothers do it once again this time with the Cormac Mccarthy novel. Javier Bardem haunts me in my nightmares. Vast, empty, and simply stunning.
North by Northwest The film that started my lover affair with Alfred Hitchcock, and the theory that less is more.
Oldboy The single shot fight scene is but a footnote in this amazing film that left me speechless.
Out of the Past This 1947 RKO noir is one of the blueprints of the genre. Based on the 1946 novel Build My Gallows High. Robert Mitchum as Jeff Bailey creates the archetype of the lost private eye on the hunt for the elusive dame seen in countless films since. I for one live for it...
Radio Flyer The motion picture that made realize the power of film and lead me down the path I'm on. Despite the fact that Hank Williams Jambalaya is a happy song Director Richard Donner is able to ruin it for me with is paring of it with the abusive stepfather know as the King. This one is etched into my psyche.
Robot Jox After World War III the world bans war all together instead, men in fifty foot mech suits battle it out one on one for territory and power. It must be seen to be understood and appreciated.
The Rock Welcome to one of the greatest action films ever made, and yes I say that even with the casting of Nicolas Cage.
The Rocketeer An art deco homage to the 1940's serial King of the Rocket Men, I must say bravo! This is the plan kids...
The Sandlot To this day this film is able to turn me into a little boy, like only live explosions can! Much like Radio Flyer this film bends reality as kids tend to do sometimes. Like that film it works to great effect. Forever.
The Searchers Unequaled. Masterpiece. Perfection.
Shogun Assassin The film[s] that inspired Kill Bill and countless others has inspired another!
Singin' in the Rain Best musical period. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds bring the Vaudeville to the big screen in style and with a smile. Makes me laugh every time.
Starship Troopers With spaceships made with models rather than processors, and a story to boot this one is still epic. It's human vs bug for survival. Campy and powerful this is a must see for war and scieice fiction fan like myself.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles CG can suck an egg! When I was a kid I was sure after seeing the teaser trailer on the Burger King VHS that came with your kids meal for $1.99 extra. Fairly sure it was The Great Boldini... Sorry, I'm back. After always seeing them as cartoons I was now convinced they were just as real as you or I. To this day Jim Henson's work stands the test of time. For example look at the digital Yoda... Smashes 'em. Cowabunga!
Termintor 2: Judgement Day Greatest sequel ever. James Cameron's masterpiece. This film shaped my perception of film and will continue to do so to the grave.
The Wizard California. Fred Savage. Oh yeah, and a little game know as Super Mario Bros 3 Marketing synergy at it finest. Animalssss!
300 For me this was the first time a comic book truly came to life on film. A masterful transition in mediums even if Zach Snyders commerical background is very clear for all to see just like it was in his Dawn of the Dead remake. Still got to give the man props for the storytelling. Frank Miller's The Spirt made this all the more clear. Sparta!
These are not my favorite films of all time or anything like that, moreover they are the films that left the biggest marks on me as a filmmaker. I can't wait for future lessons. Well, I'll see you all in another twenty-five! 2010 is looking to be an fruitful year for myself and my chosen craft. To say I'm excited is an understatement. I look forward to sharing it all with you right here. More updates to come as always. I'm off to celebrate, and enjoy this once in a life time event.
