Monday, December 6, 2010

Living Art and expanding media spaces.

I can't really say anything more that what Alexx says but what an amazing instructional, need to use living art in so many things, my wheels are turning. What I love is that he points out that photographers, those skilled in the art of capturing a moment are the superheroes in this. So true, it's not easy to tell a story in 1 or 2 images true photographers can and this is just an extension!


Living Art and the Future of Motion in Photography Seminar - Alexx Henry from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What Do I Want To Do?

A picture is worth a thousand words, in this case it may be a haiku. Also I am sort of in love with this website for the novice art collector. You can buy limited edition prints from great artists for $20. Sometimes we just need a little pretty in our lives. 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Sleepless in Silverlake is right

Tonight's post is written at 1:09 am PST. Most of you who know me know that for me to stay up this late is rather a big deal, therefore I share with you all one of the songs that has been spinning in my head, Les Savy Fav's "Sleepless in Silverlake."  Also just went to a show and saw The Lonely Trees I highly recommend them as well.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Strike Out Looking, and they're going to the World Series!

For the first time in baseball history, that line above was used twice, by at least four different announcers, to describe the final out in this years NCLS and ALCS. Even more amazing, the 2 batters that went down looking are arguably some of the best hitters the game of baseball has ever seen, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, and Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Philles. With those few words, and the batters respective immobility, the 2009 opposing World Series teams (Yankees and Phillies) went down, sending two underdog teams to the 2010 World Series (Giants and Rangers in case you missed it).
Now, in the case of the much maligned (deservedly so) A-Rod, the Yanks were down 6-1, there were no runners on, and 2 outs. Really his backwards K was rather insignificant in a game where his team was completely out played. However, for sir Howard, it was bad; there were 2 runners on, Brian Wilson, the Giants closer had given up 2 walks, there were runners on 1st and 2nd and his team was only down by 1 run. Ryan had a chance, a big one, he fouled off a pitch and it was 3-2, and he blew it/ Wilson threw a gem of a pitch. Yet, it is amazing, this kind of an ending to the League championship series - and for you #s geeks out there below is a chart of how rare this is in post season baseball (only happened 10 times). Also check out Baseball Reference's blog about it were you can do even deeper dives into the #s.

What's worse?? -

As some of you know I spent the first 3 years of my career working in Baseball TV, and all of my life loving the game. One of the many things you do working in baseball, is talk about baseball. I had the good fortune of working with a bunch of guys (and a few women, very few women) who truly loved the game. I distinctly remember one heated and deep discussion we got into one night about the worst way to get out in a game. There was the theory that fouling out with bases bombed and your team losing by 1 run was the worst way to go down, or a double play to end the game with runners on was surely the worst way to go, I know someone brought up just the situation Ryan Howard found himself in yesterday tap a little roller do anything, or watch a pitch down the middle sail by. Strike out looking? Man does that stink, or is it an act of hubris? The other clear moment in my mind, besides the dear A-Rod, was another winner of a ball player, SeƱor Carlos Beltran in '06 for the Mets. The stadium is on fire, a pitch down the middle, 2 strikes on him, and he lets #3 go by! Then that's it for the Mets season. Is there a link between these 3 men? A strange coincidence? The amount of pressure is huge, the call could be questionable, you could go back and watch those pitches over and over again and say "well it was a bit low, a bit outside", but honestly, anyone who has played the sport before knows, you stick your bat out to do something. If it's close go for it. But not Alex, Carlos, and Ryan. I suppose they can sleep better at night knowing they gave up none of their individual principals by swinging at a pitch they felt was out of their strike zone.

Food For Thought, and what do you think is the worst way to go down? Backwards K, K, weak foul up to 1st?


Below is the chart about how many looking K's have happened in a Post season interesting mix of players.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Animal World as it relates to indie music and other things


For this week's mix I've collected a short list (to be honest it took me 20 min and know there are much more so please let me know of the bands I've missed) of bands and artists whose pseudonym is animal related. As any good scientist and researcher should, I include a little methodology warning: I have only included bands who's names included real animals names in the English language, therefore bands such as Toro Y Moi were discounted though I am open to discussion on that especially since I am bilingual. Furthermore, bands whose names include mythical animals, such as Dragons, unicorns, gollums etc were discounted. Finally, I kept it to non-extinct animals as well, so other bands such as Beach Fossils, which are the remains of possibly some living animal, now extinct or dead was discounted. This also is true for any band with any dinosaur, or dodo like name. Sorry. That said enjoy, comment, and share. 


Hugs.

As always, if you see me in person I am more than happy to burn a CD for you.





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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Variety Write Up about Gates Projects

Better late than never, happy to announce that Variety finally did a write up on our projects. Its a short blurb but at least it's something. Read below. 

Gates give $100K for UCLA org - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Jersey Rocks - A compilation of Indie Rock Sounds from the Garden State

 Yup that's right. They are all from Jersey, Enjoy. Oh and if you actually know me I'll be happy to burn you a CD with more goodies.


Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Purpose Motive

In this amazing talk by Dan Pink, and animated (by RSA), Pink looks into the motivation of workers and how all of these shared collaborative free works are not motivated by money but by something else.

Some of the most fascinating highlights are:
1) Money is ONLY a motivator when the task is rudimentary. When the task is at all cognitive or creative money no longer works as a motivator in fact those who have to do high level tasks for a money bonus DO WORSE.
2) You have to pay people enough to not worry about money and they will perform at an icredibly high level.
3)Autonomy and the ability to innovate is what matters. Give people a purpose. I know this feeling, purpose is the reason I work in the media, it is why i stay in an unstable job with no job security.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Be My Thrill, Director and Illustrator my friend Lauren!

It's pretty awesome when I get to promote a good friend's work. My friend Lauren directed, wrote and all in all came up with this sweet and also queer friendly animated music video for The Weepies. Check it out share with friends etc.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Kid Cudi Cover by Lissie

In a blend of country indie chick rocking attitude Lissie covers Cudi's Pursuit of Happiness and it's amazing not to mention the cinematography is pretty well done for a "live" version. Enjoy

Dragonette - Progressive Hipster House

Now this is the kind of stuff I can listen to all day  as  I write or generally lounge around. Was reading up on Dragonette on the blog forthebeat, which I highly recommend and they have a Fabian remix which I have yet to find anywhere so I'll embed the original song. Original or remixed, it's certainly worth the listen.


Dragonette:  EASY music video

Dragonette | MySpace Music Videos

Monday, July 26, 2010

Despicable Me

My life of lesiure has lead me to see several films. Which is, thankfully part of what I should be doing anyway so I don't feel too terrible about it. Also, watching films in the NY/NJ area is much cheaper than LA, I paid 7, yes 7 dollars to see Despicable Me this week. Unheard of in most places. I enjoyed the film, though I was hoping for a few more laughs, but sadly the theater was rather empty and you quickly get to feel how important it is to have a group experience in a theater. That said, the film had many great points, including my favorites, The Minions!!! But what really suck out for me was the sound track. I've included the lead theme which is a leitmotif through out the whole film. I am not a hip hop fan (as you can see from all my other musical posts) but I can't get enough of this song so here's to that.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Fish Are Not Alright

I have the honor of being mildy connected to the talented writer Paul Greenberg who just finished writing an insightful and well thought out book about fish, well 4 species to be exact: Tuna, Salmon, Bass and Cod. With all the interest in organic food, locally grown food, microbiotic food, well food of all sorts no one has focused on one of the world's largest sources of food, the ocean and the fish contained therein.

Paul had a reading of his book this week at Chealsea Market, very appropos of his book. As an avid fisherman, his passion for his subject shows through. But what's important to know about his book is that it's not a story that elevates fish to some godlike stature. It's a book about people, the fishermen and fish farmers who raise the fish, the politics behind fishing, and the steps that the world needs to begin taking or at least truly begin considering before we wipe out one of our best food sources.

Anywhoo as a scuba diver, fish eating fiend and general water lover I'm all about it maybe you all can help get his amazon rating even higher. 

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Gates Foundation Videos are Posted!

Hi All,
I have to admit I have been remiss in posting of late. I traveled to Puerto Rico for my best friend's wedding and now I am hitting the pavement in New York in the hopes of finding a job. Yes, one would say well, you obviously are not THAT busy, post more. I will, I will, get off me!! Anyway, in the meantime the Gates Foundation posted our 2 projects that I would love to share with you all. One is called Boyz Under The Hood which we shot with a crew group in Philadelphia, and the other is called Greater Expectations which was filmed in LA. Enjoy!




Monday, July 5, 2010

Great Acoustic Preformances

Was spying the Sirius XMU site and had to post 2 awesome performances:
Gaslight Anthem and Broken Bells:

The Gaslight Anthem continues to draw me in. Hailing from New Brunswick, NJ (What Up Rutgers) these guys keep making off beat tunes that can appeal to a wide audience. I admit they have a sound that's addictive, and have gotten a lot of play of late, but I continue to love their tunes.  Boxer is the track that's making the rounds the acoustic version is great. I've included the Acoustic version of the Title Track American Slang:


Broken Bells:
What can I say a great combination of two bands lead men creates a even better sound

Here's ghost inside.

Drawing Update

Well just so you all know what my lovely direction produced. My drawings may be rubbish but look at what a pro can do.










Arrived back and so tired

Well after a marathon 25 hour flight back, in which Geoffrey and I managed to miss our final leg from DC to LAX I got home and was rescued by 2 dear friends. This was a flight mess to endure, our second leg of the flight was from Vienna to DC, and first after asking the ticket lady to see if any exit rows were available she says no then moves us from the rather decent seats we had to terrible middle seats in a 4 person row. Which is astoundingly stupid to me since we only asked to be moved if there were any EXIT rows avail. Fine, we move on and decide to talk to the others at the gate, they promise us they will help but soon we learn that our plane has been delayed due to a "gas" leak. So, 1.5 hours later, we have new seats together 1 on asile one on window, she says we have exit row, we're set. WELL NO, by exit row she meant IN FRONT of exit row, which turns out to be the most horse crap seat on the plane. We were lucky enough, Langford and I that is, to fly 9.45 hours in seats that don't recline. I felt like a pious Calvinist and felt I should have flogged myself while we flew.

To make it better we land in DC and Geoffrey and I are sent to the lovely 45 min cue for Customs and miss our connecting flight, luckily though Langford made the connection because they sent him the right way. More importantly he was allowed back in the country. But the ordeal just went on and on. I am too tired now to continue, I want to wish you all a happy 4th of july and below is posted the photo I spoke of in the previous post where I am in traditional garb. Many more to come.


From Kazakstan!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Probably is a red flag word

Kazakh Dispatch Day 5 - Forgive the lack of post yesterday as we spent all day in the opera house with no internet for our final pitch. Langford once more gets credit for the post title as we have learned that here in Kazakhstan, Probably means no. So if one says, The Cab will probably be here in 10 minutes we know it will not etc. However I must say that yesterday was the best day of the whole festival. We have to give the organizers credit, they threw an international festival together in 6 months and that they even got it together is a feat in its self.

The closing ceremonies were well done and in good taste and our fine collegue Geoffrey took the prize for his fine script and it seems that they will be developing his script into a film quite soon. So you heard it here first, Apollo 18 will be a franchise soon.


We'll be leaving at the butt crack of dawn tomorrow to make our way back to LA in a Marathon 20 hour flight with 2 hour stop overs in between making our day incredibly long. I must say in all honesty, and this is the first time I have said this in 2 years, never mind in digital ink, I can't wait to be back in LA. Its a place with much more opportinitues for me right now, its funny to have come half way across the globe to have meetings with people who live  and work 15 min away from you but in the confines of a new land, fish out of water if you will, the bonds you make are real and unique.


Overall I hope this festival becomes a yearly event, it is one of the most amazing prizes in all of the industry, to get a production deal with the possibility of actually seeing your film on the screen in the next 2 years simply by applying to a festival is unheard of and also an amazing way to find talent. So for that I applaud them.

So in this case, I hope that Probably actually means yes.

Now for more sleep...

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Drawings Look Like That Of A Serial Killer

Kazakh Dispatch - Day 3, Ok so we have been given the opportunity to work with a great Russian storyboard artist. Now, for all my non film friends, a storyboard artist is essentially an illustrator who's "Whole Job" it is, is to visualize via drawings and sketches all of the planned shots of a film to allow all departments on a film to properly prepare for a shoot. I had originally sent over my descriptions for the big action scene at the end of the film to the Artist in Moscow, but apparently due to translation reasons the Artist was not sure what I wanted, so I opted to try and draw the stuff out myself. 2 words on that: Bad, Idea. As my dear comrade Langford, the witty Brit who's also from UCLA and part of this lovely endeavor pointed out: "Oh god man, the drawings look like that of a serial killer, I mean what is that?"
So all I will publicly humiliate myself by posting some of the most egregious of the drawings to see if you all make heads or tails of them.


I mean come on? Is this not absolutely clear






a work of modern art?


Especially classy is the lack of scanner so I had to take photos from Photobooth












Today we did visit the top of the spire which gives you a great view of this intricately planned city, and then we went to get us some souvenirs. Which was really a trip to a mall but wait till you see the photos you will all thing we were in a hut in the dessert somewhere. 

Anyway, tomorrow is the big pitch day, I do hope to have a bit better concept art to support my pitch and then we will see what happens. All in all the best part of this trip has been the relationships created with dear Langford, our other" AFI Guy" Geoffrey, and our French contestant Emmanuelle.


Over and out

Geographer

Just found a new sound, from a New Jersey guy now based out of San Fransisco with the band Geographer. I just heard their song Kites on indie feed and am actually playing it once a day. Has those great harmonies with a small beat behind a sing songy vocal. They are playing in NYC on July 1 and 3.

To listen to more go to their myspace http://www.myspace.com/geographermusic


Tuesday, June 29, 2010

You are connected to Dolf Lungdren's Macbook Air

So, Day 2 Kazakh Dispatch - I write from my hotel room at the King Hotel Astana, not the Rixos Hotel (where I am pictured above) which we spent most of our day. The Rixos is where the "VIPs" are housed including, the infamous Dolf (of which this post is dedicated), Hillary Sawnk, and Harvey Wienstien. We stayed at the Rixos for most of the day working with our stories and spying who else was on our network other than Dolf. I did manage to snap a photo with the fine Ms. Swank, and Dolf did a wonderfully cheesy opening at the ceremony last night in which he got on stage with 4 cronies in tuxedos holding wood broads and he chopped them in half and did some fancy karate movie on each of the poor young offenders. It all made for a fabulous show that included a live orchestra in full Kazakh garb. The festival has been a bit of a "storied' affair if you will, but we're making the most of it.

We've decided that tomorrow will be a day to take on the town which has approximately 4 sights to see, and 1 of which is a spa at the Rixos.  This city is still completely under construction and is quite reminicint of Vegas, where its totally barren landscape then suddenly incredibly gaudy gold sky scrapers which jut out of the vast open plains. The streets are all newly paved and the driving is reckless. What we have yet to figure out is where the people live, we suppose somewhere in the big high rises but this is a city that is being built to hold millions upon millions and we doubt more than 1 million live here. Its like a sim city experiment project but in real life.

Signing off for now and leaving you with the key image

Sunday, June 27, 2010

From Vienna

Live blogging here from the museum quarrier platz after a ridiculos flight over we climbed 356 stairs to the top of the cathedral. Just talking shop seems like our fest is quite legit. We're in search of coffee and food but we're planted on silly pink couches and enjoying the sun more to come

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Festival Gets Hollywood Cred in The Hollywood Reporter

Well Today we made it to the First page of The Hollywood Reporter in this little blurb which was much cooler in the print version than in the online version. But who am I to complain, guess I got to catch up on the Twilight Series.

Our Little Moment in the sun (or ink, if you will):
The festival is also running a screenplay competition, with the winner receiving a cash prize as well as a chance to develop their script with Bekmambetov’s production company, Bazelevs.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Musically Obssessed

So as I've told some I am an indie music fanatic. If its a band with a small following I tend to love it. Though the music industry may be crumbling I think music fandom is at an all time high. We as fans are getting so much good music so quickly it's hard to keep up or listen. I'll try to post all of my current obsessions but below are a few:

Fol Chen - Something quite unique


Sleigh Bells - Can't get enough of it .. and I just don't know why

Bat For Lashes - She's got some voice

The Kazakh Dispatch - Intro

As a finalist of the Astana International Film Festival I will get to Pitch the screenplay I optioned for a panel of Judges in Astana Kazakhstan. All expenses paid! So the first order of buisness getting there! Below is my gnarly flight schedule:

Dear finalist of the AAIFF Screenplay competition.

We are happy to present the schedule for the Astana Festival, which will help you plan your visit. We hope you will enjoy Kazakhstan and take part in all main events of the program.
SERVICE        FROM                TO                     DEPART  ARRIVE
-------------- ------------------- --------------------- -------- -------
AUSTRIAN - OS 7998
SAT 26JUN      LOS ANGELES CA      NEW YORK NY            0610     1439
NON STOP       INTL                JOHN F KENNEDY
               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 757-200/300
 UA 0084       FLIGHT OPERATED BY UA UNITED AIRLINES
               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - M ECONOMY
 
 
AUSTRIAN - OS 88
SAT 26JUN      NEW YORK NY         VIENNA AT              1750     0835
NON STOP       JOHN F KENNEDY      VIENNA INTL                     27JUN
               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 777-200/200ER
               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - M ECONOMY
 
 
AUSTRIAN - OS 697
SUN 27JUN      VIENNA AT           ASTANA KZ              2025     0540
NON STOP       VIENNA INTL                                         28JUN
               EQUIPMENT:AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200
               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - M ECONOMY
 
 
AUSTRIAN - OS 698
SAT 03JUL      ASTANA KZ           VIENNA AT              0710     0905
NON STOP                           VIENNA INTL
               EQUIPMENT:AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200
               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - Y ECONOMY
 
 
AUSTRIAN - OS 93
SAT 03JUL      VIENNA AT           WASHINGTON DC          1130     1515
NON STOP       VIENNA INTL         DULLES INTL
               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 767-300/300ER
               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - Y ECONOMY
 
 
AUSTRIAN - OS 7867
SAT 03JUL      WASHINGTON DC       LOS ANGELES CA         1725     1939
NON STOP       DULLES INTL         INTL
               EQUIPMENT:BOEING 777-200/300
 UA 0967       FLIGHT OPERATED BY UA UNITED AIRLINES
               RESERVATION CONFIRMED - Y ECONOMY

The Blog Moves Home

So I've moved my lovely blog to this sweet new address I will put up all past posts today and add the new info as it comes! Also I've added the Kazakh Dispatch for my travels to Kazakhstan next week. Hope you all track me! I Think I'll need to add this to my travels but not sure if I'll be able to actually pronounce the words:

Older Post: No Pants Day

Another reason to love NYC.
Yesterday was the 9th annual No Pants Day. I got great updates from my favorite person about this as she rode the subway with her fellow pantsless New Yorkers.  What I love from these pictures is that the people are going about their normal day with no pants. It’s really all about the sock choice.
It was about 20 degrees in NYC yesterday so these are real champs.

Older Post: The 4 year who was suspended

Alright everyone so a 4 year old in Texas is suspended for wearing his hair long to school. Why Texas, Why must you live up to the stereotype?!  Some highlights:
Incident occurred in Mesquite (yes like the flavor) TX
School Board voted to unanimously to enforce its ban on Beatles haircuts. - Really everyone was in agreement about this? Really? I wonder if they get so huffy about harassment or sexism or racism. I’m just saying.
Boy’s mother’s name is Elizabeth Taylor. - I just found that cool.
The parents rejected a compromise proposed by the board under which they would braid his hair and pin it up. - Some how braiding is ok, but long not ok? Really?
I must quote my dear friend Lamont on this:
“It’s amazing that the same folks who crow on and on about the government taking away their freedoms are the first ones to deny freedom to others.”
A coda: It’s raining in LA. Waaa Waaaa.

Older Post: Truism

Ok I can’t take credit for this goodness but some of them are so true I may add some sizzle to some of them as well:
– Even when opportunity knocks, you still have to get off your ass and open the door.
1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to
immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong. (SO TRUE)
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger. (In fact I used to tell my overworked mother sleep is for the weak, man is Karma going to be a bitch!!!)
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font. (So true, even in real life as I speak I wish the sarcasm font would come out of my mouth)

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? (ok this I know, get a cuban mom you’ll learn)
6. Was learning cursive really necessary? (total waste of time)

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. (and those first five are usually wrong, this is why I call my GPS Piss off)
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.
13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this - ever. (I think dry cleaning is a plot by the government to ruin society)
15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello?  Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away? (Pisses me off so much)
16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste. (now that I live in LA totally happens wayyyy too much)
17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.
22. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in. (to be clear I would rather carry 10 in each arm shove one in the backpack and one in my mouth than make 2 trips)
23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text. (happens more than I will ever admit)

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger. ( think that but really I know and I just tell myself this is hunger)
25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?
26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent an A-hole from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?
29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists. (unless I’m on a bike, but even then other cyclists annoy me)
31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is. (And then I look at my blackberry and am still confused)
32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I’d bet my ass everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!