REEL 2 REAL [TV SHOW]

Hi, everybody! It took some troubleshooting and lots of rerenders to get the show streaming on the intrawebs, but we did it! It took seven hours, but we did it. It's done! Let us never mix or mux different video formats ever again. Enjoi the show folks!





I’d like to thank everyone on the cast and crew who help make the show run so well and smooth during the production phase. In no particular order shoutouts go out to: Richard “Thrillhouse” Oxley, Steve Goldschmidt, Jonny Sadeh, Tony Angeles, Joseph Young, Jon Krivo, Thomas Hoekstra, Nalini Ramer, Keith Kadinger, Margo Cavis, Neil Niederkorn, Blaine Irvin, Lyle Miller, and Mikhail Phiri. We nailed it, thanks everyone!



Yes… But we've got to do it from different angles! Again and again, and again and again and again! I’m currently working on a music video for Jaded Rzeign, moving into my new house, got a job, watching The Simpsons on dvd with and without commentary! Lastly, I’ve been writing something for the kids that’s been swirling in my head for some time. More fun, big news, and updates on the way. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Acta Est Fabula Plaudite

“I don't use a pen. I write with a goose quill dipped in venom.”

The last month has been crazy. Got myself a job in the field of videography at Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area, moved into a place of my own, started my final semester of College, met the Sony EX1-R and dug ‘em, got to know an awesome Dame, found a talented Rap Duo to craft a music video along side thanks to a High School friend, also got hired on by Wide Eyes for some EPK package work, and last but not least I shot a high-definition and non-keyed version of Reel 2 Real. Everything came up Millhouse and the footage turned out buttery.



I had the Master of Ceremonies from the Red Bull Flugtag Jonny Sadeh host the show this time as well. He was the only talent I had in a studio for the show.



All of the reviews were shot ENG style on location. For the feature films reviews with Steve Goldschmidt and Tony Angeles I went with a theater, which in this case was the school’s auditorium.



On the Getz/Gilberto LP review I went with one of my favorite spots to tune-in and then tune-out. An automobile, known as Jon Krivo's Lexus. To wrap it up his final take is out front of a local record store.



When it came time for the video game review of Super Street Fighter IV I went Eastwood and shot it in my basement circa AVGN, and I think you’ll all like the twist at the end.

I’ll be wrapping the show up next week, and will post it soon after for you all to see right here. Now, with all these lines in the water I’ve got lots of things to do and get ready for. Major Updates are on the way. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Ab Uno Disce Omnes

TAY MAC TAY AFTERNOON [FILM]

Taylor Trygstad sessions the old warehouse spot in his hometown.



We filmed this past Saturday around the warehouses in our hometown near where we all grew up. Special Thanks goes out to Taylor Trygstad who was not only was the subject of the film, and an all around murderous on a BMX bike, but he's also surgical with the beats as he was the composer for the film as well. Muchos Gracias! I hope you all enjoy it as much as it was to film and edit. On the horizon this coming Friday is round two of Reel 2 Real which is now going to be in HD! Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.
Bibo Ergo Sum

STANDARD THOMPSON - FIREWORKS [MUSIC VIDEO]

From Standard Thompson's all new LP More Noise For The Broken Hearted comes Fireworks. We shot it over a weekend in early June. You can read Don't be afraid, my Son. No one is more powerful than God for the whole story.



I'd like to thank Justin Staggs, Randy Smith, TJ Schwingle, Alex Bowes, Ben Thompson, Joseph Harris, Johnny Griese, Frenchy Lunning, and Beth Van Dam. Also, the guys from the band Mike Hjelden, Aaron Winter, Dan Behrens, Jordan Keating, and Drew Lerdal. Lastly, on September 4 at 9pm you can peep the video with the band, myself, and others at the The Fine Line Music Cafe. More big things on the way. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Per Angusta Ad Augusta

MINNEAPOLIS [in] BLACK & WHITE [FILM]

Summertime in the city of Minneapolis



This Summer as I biked around the city I took my camera along with and took pictures of my hometown. What was just going to be a photo album soon began what you see here. Special Thanks to Taylor Trygstad for killin' some spots for the project. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did shooting and editing it. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Felix Qui Potuit Rerum Cognoscere Causas

"You can tell this by watching him play some drunks in the park?"

Searching for Bobby Fischer is another film that had a major impact on my youth, and my craft. I first saw the film back in 1994 on VHS with my parents who had rented it for themselves for the weekend. Perhaps it was the cover I saw at the store, but something made me sit with the Family and watch despite the fact it was for old people. Much like when I joined them to the theater to see Forest Gump with their friends on some kinda double date, but I didn't care about being the fifth wheel I needed to see the film on the silver screen. Much the same happened again, as I was shopping at F.Y.E. and saw the DVD of Searching for Bobby Fischer, and within a split second it was in my hand.



Age nine, I am watching the film for the first time, and like a sponge I'm taking it all in. I see much of myself in the story of young Josh, as his pursuit and passion overtaking him. Without knowing it at the time this film much like Radio Flyer would greatly effect the way I see the world through the prism of my mind's eye, and the camera's lens. Age twenty-five, I am watching the film for the second time, and this time the full effect is hitting me just how much the film has influenced my perception of cinema and shaped me as a filmmaker. Teaching me to "play by the gut, and bring her out."



The film is about real life Chess Masters Bobby Fischer and Josh Waitzkin, and was Directed and Written by Steven Zaillian. Based on the book by Fred Waitzkin played byvJoe Mantegna, Joan Allen played his wife Bonnie, and Max Pomeranc steals the show as their son Josh whom several are grooming to become the next Bobby Fischer. Also staring Laurence Fishburne, Ben Kingsley, Laura Linney, Dan Hedaya, and William H. Macy as a Tunafish loving Father. The acting is superb all around, but for me the crew behind this magical film always stood out for me.



In my eyes the most important credit of the entire motion picture would have to be Conrad Hall, ASC the Director of Photography. His work as I realized some sixteen years later as I watched the film for the second time in my life was the single biggest influence on my composition tendencies. The scene above really struck me, as the architecture of the curved half-wall, and camera's subtle dolly movement focus your attention on Vinnie played by Laurence Fishburne. Free and yet trapped. Conrad's tendency to underexpose is something I've also found very ascetically pleasing and something I've taken to my own work. Steven Zaillian's misdirection and sense of the human spirt, as well as the amazing editing of Wayne Wahrman, A.C.E. also left major mark on me. Namely it the chess battle sequences in which quick cuts not only work, but are used to perfection. Nothing to cover-up, only to enhance.

"Look deep, Josh. It's there. It's twelve moves away, but it's there. You've got him."



On the production side of things. Above is a quick look at me shooting the Red Bull Flugtag in Saint Paul, Minnesota back on July 24, 2010. On the way is a little Noir Blanco from the city, to myself, and soon you. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

Luctor Et Emergo

RED BULL FLUGTAG [FILM]

Jonny Sadeh hosts the Saint Paul Red Bull Flugtag including the World Record shattering flight of 207 feet by Major Trouble and the Dirty Dixies in front of 90,000 people. You can also view the film on YouTube, and be sure to check out Old Abbot's brand new channel.



Another smooth production from Old Abbot and Media Storm, everything just clicked and the production had a nearly flawless almost effortless feel and flow. I love it so, and for that I've got a few folks to thank on the cast and crew. Your tireless efforts and skills often with a smile, joke, and a tummy full of Red Bulls are what made this all possible, well that and the fact some folks are crazy enough to test Earths laws for themselves. Naturally.



Brian Hoskins our awesome Producer and all-around Magic Mojo Man who got us those epic media passes. Thank you, Hosk's. Both, Cinematographers Daniel Steinberg and Joseph Young, as well as Cameraman Justin Aarestad for nailing all those buttery shots and reminders of gravity's power. Thank you, JoJo, Dryberg, and Justin. Also, Jonny Sadeh are Master of Ceremonies, for without him we would have had little if any real story to tell. Thank you, Jon. Last but not least, Richard Oxley or Executive Producer for his faith and support. Thank you, Ox. Same URL, some other time, stay tuned.

A Caelo Usque Ad Centrum