This film is dedicated to my Grandfather, Father, Brother, and all who have served the Untied States of America Armed Forces. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank you, and God Bless.
Memorial Day, a holiday for us as a nation to take time out from doing what we as Americans do best, and remember those who served the United States of America Military. All of whom have, and will no doubt make sacrifices, some making the ultimate sacrifice to insure our liberty, and very way of life for this generation, past generations, and future generations.
"We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others." ~ John F. Kennedy ~
(Courtesy of Minday and Brian Johnson at Hope Feathers photography)
I'm in the midst of edits on two soon to be released projects. The first will have it's world premiere here [via Vimeo] shortly, and that's all I've got to say about that right now. The second is the Wedding of Mister and Miss Wangnoo who just happen to be my housemates and awesome friends. Thank you's and congratulations go out to Abraham, Lindsey, their Families, and everyone who was involved in the beautiful and joyous day. One more congratulation goes out to the newlyweds who are now expecting the greatest of all blessings. The gift of life! One love.
As President of Media Storm, a self-driven student group made up of IDVP [Interactive Design & Video Production] students from Hennepin Technical College. One of my many goals is to request funds for competitions that we are involved with. A bit of a crash course in Producing Motion Pictures in some ways. Big smiles, everyone. With the request for five grand made and approved things are chooglin' along. This past Spring, Clayton Ebeling and Samantha Hanus went golden as they took state, and are now going to the National SkillsUSA contest in Kansas City, MO. Now, payed in full. I wish the both of them the best of luck. Let's make it two years running with IDVP and HTC on top again. I must say I love my 'job'!
With roughly four grand left after covering the trip for SkillsUSA the plan is for Media Storm and Old Abbot Films to craft an entry for the 2010 48 Hour Film Project in Minneapolis, MN. This will be Round 3 for myself at the helm of a film for the project. The first time we used a Sony HVR-Z1U, in 2009 we used a Sony HVR-V1U, and now we'll be using a Red One. Looks like my Sony HVR-Z5U will be relegated to behind the scenes camera. In a couple weeks here we'll be shooting a dummy or test film so we can learn the workflow and overall camera operations for this powerful bad boy. I sorta know how that one kid at Toys 'R' Us who finally got his Power Wheels DeLorean [The one from Back to the Future Part II] felt. Soon, our hands will be playing with the big boy toy of our dreams. Shouldn't hurt the résumés too much either. Thanks again to Grand Poobah Richard Oxley.
On the silver screen I've seen Iron Man 2 and [Gladiator 2] I mean, Robin Hood. Both films were well put together, with a few actors and actresses truly shinning and raising the quality and enjoyability of the pictures. However, both of 'em clocked in at some two plus hours, they felt bloated, in need of fat cutting, and character development to boot. At home I've recently [re]watched The Road, Spartacus, Dog Day Afternoon, Road to Perdition, and Kick-Ass. Outside the world of celluloid, and into the the world of silicon. Super Street Fighter IV is still spinning in my PS3 tray. My mains are Sagat, Guy, and Master [Abbot] Gouken. I just hope with Marvel vs Capcom III next year I finally get to fight as Mike Haggar. Sorry, 'Gief but your alternate just isn't enough. Also, been falling asleep to the sweet game play and sharp dialogue of Rockstar Games' ode to Sergio Leone and Spaghetti Westerns as a whole Red Dead Redemption. Thus far they've done it again, and yes someway somehow even better! The story is epic and characters are dead on! They come off as almost believable. Unlike, most games where at best characters come off as possessed mannequins or at worst talking corpses. Either way with horrible lip sync and just as terrible voice acting on top of that. As I play, I begin to care about the folks and the stories of the dying Wild West circa 1911 America. Jus' need myself a semi-automatic Colt model 1911. I'll settle her for sure than.
Thirty years ago, and before my time. The Empire Strikes Back hit theaters, and years later I would see it on VHS thanks to my Brother Jay. I know it to be the best of all the Star Wars films the quintessential second act played to perfection and frozen in carbonite. Not even a crazed Lucas and his Special Editions decades later could muster much damage [yet] against Director Irvin Kersher's vision. Much like the studios did back in the golden age of Hollywood. A system, George worked in spite of and despite of in his youth. I've got something up my sleeve, or in this case on my DVD shelf. Here's a clue to tide you over: Lucasfilm LTD. and ABC studios were involved and it's hard to tell who was more lost in the production(s). Stay Tuned.
Well it's official they now pay me to go to school! As I said earlier it's getting close to the Minneapolis 48 Hour Film Project and well we were in needed of funding. So, as I like to do I went and got it. To date I've asked and got $23,000 from the Student Life Board at Hennepin Technical College. Our plan is simple, and yet a bit complex. We'll be shooting this film on a RED One Camera with a 4K workflow using good old Final Cut Studio. To put this in context peep the diagram below.
What we've used in our previous endeavours have been in either 720p [blue] in the case of the JVC GY-HD110u, or at best in 1080p [green] with my Sony HVR-Z5U. With the Red One we'll be shooting at 4K [pink] which is what they've used to shoot the major motion pictures District 9 and Gamer. *turns into six year-old boy
With my eyes on the Master Sword in the stone, I pause and present you all with a scene I shot and edited form a larger fragmented film from Vanessa Horrocks. Feedback and comments and very much welcome. Stay tuned
Since the spring of 1975 the In the Heart of the Beast Theater has thrown the Annual Mayday Parade in the Powderhorn Neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year's theme was Roar!. I took the good oldSony HVR-Z5U to the parade and what's above is the result.
The goal was to recreate something straight out of the 1960's with that 16mm home camera feel. I wanted capture the moment and mood of the festival, and make you feel apart of it all. I was merely a conscious observer of the experience. Honestly, the old music videoA Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum was by far the biggest influence. As always your thoughts and comments are very much welcome.
A Thank You From The Heart was selected to take part in the The Best Films from the The 28th Annual Minneapolis- St. Paul International Film Festival this Sunday, May 9th at Saint Anthony Main Theatre which is just of Main Street Southeast in Minneapolis. The film also got my name credited on IMDb as a Cinematographer. I hope to see some of you at the screening the weekend. Thanks, for all your support!
When I'm not on the hustle I'm often watching films. Again, I watched The Big Sleep this time however it was the 1945 prerelease version of the film, I'd been watching the 1946 theatrical release of the film for years. The cut is a more raw and straightforward, but I must say I've really come to love the '46 cut of the film. Also, The Girl Next Door, as homage to the 136th Annual Kentucky Derby Seabiscuit, and as an homage to my life in celluloidNine. Lastly, fresh from the Sapphire Series of Blu-ray films comes Saving Private Ryan. Even with the Spielberg clichés and the fact he was also "Directing" Jurassic Park: The Lost World at the same wtime. This film captures the hell that was D-Day, and is War. Somethings, somethings never change.
