fun

MANN IN DRIVING

sonnyboo — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:06:07 +0000

This is my friend Jon Osbeck's mastermind creation called MANN. I worked on it as a producer, but Jon Osbeck wrote, directed, and stars in a movie that's more of a throwback to the Charlie Chaplin era of short form entertainment. I hope you all dig this blast from my friend.

For some fellows here that understand spanish

victorpeceno — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:37:36 +0000

Marco, Espektro, Ez, Brad, Yuma...

After severals Tequilas, the clouds leave..., but the sun will not return...

that song rocks like a rocket, the vide was made in mexico, the singer is from spain but she only got

recognized once that she with her group were recognized in mexico

now all the people is telling that she is from spain, she try to develop her career like singer here at spain

but no one help her, after getting the succes in mexico, all the media in spain says, Natalia the spanish singer...

http://es.

Conjoined Epigraphs on the Nightstand

sonnyboo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:53:45 +0000

Yesterday kicked ass. I mean all kinds of ass, big ass, little ass, fat ass – ALL KINDS OF ASS was kicked. Knowing my friend George Caleodis was coming back to Columbus for a few days, I came up with an idea to shoot him on the greenscreen stage with a bit I have that is both for my upcoming feature film and can also stand on it's own for the web for now. It's not hard to shoot, as I planned on 2 cameras and no moving shots so the keying and tracking will be easy sleazy cover girl.

So all I needed to do was write something. I sketched out a few ideas and hand wrote the random assemblage of ideas as I wrote in a previous bloggy blog. Well, that's as far as I got. I scheduled everyone to be at the studio at 12 Noon. I got there at 11:15AM and STARTED to write the scripts for the day. I am generally not a procrastinator, but the writer's block has been a bitch, so I strangled her at got busy. When it rains, it pours, as they say and I got 4-5 new ideas as I furiously typed them out and proceeded to print them.

The shoot was skedded (using Daily Variety terminology) from Noon to 4:00 PM. We got started at 1:20PM and wrapped at 3:15PM. Everything was shot, we improvised ("we" meaning George) a few things at the tail that work out perfectly as interstitials, or opening teases. George is a professional improviser, currently teaching and directing at the Improv Olympics in LA. Working with George is effortless and simple. I ruined 2 takes by laughing out loud at some of his improv's that took my by surprise.

I have studied several forms of comedy as a hobby for many years. It's not an exact science by any stretch, and in the end all you can do is know what makes you laugh and what you personally find funny. There is so much intangible in the form of "comedy". Laughing is an unnatural act. Literally, laughing resembles a seizure and makes your body react in a form of involuntary convulsion – but in a good way. Making people laugh is probably one of the hardest things you can attempt to do, especially as a stand up comedian where all you have is your words, or in the case of Carrot Top, cheap props, which is why he's not the most respected comedian because he can't do his act without the crutches. Most stand ups are armed with words and wit, which feels kind of naked on a stage. Making a comedic film is not easy either, but you have tools and things that you can use, so it's more comforting. Sitting in an audience, lights dimmed and the flickering images and sounds emanating represent the truest test of a comedy film. Luckily, I have been in the audience when my own alleged comedies have succeeded and failed to cause the desired reaction of laughing. You learn a lot from the experience of being in a room full of strangers and as a filmmaker you attempt to manipulate the audience into the communal response. What bombs with one audience, may work well with another group of people. Sooner or later you just have to form your own opinion of what is funny and go with that, not worrying whether it plays in Peoria. Be true to your own sense of humor and be content if you find it funny.

I will never "master" this, but I hope to get better each time. That's all I can ever ask. At best, you can predict what you think is funny and hope that audiences agree. Strangely, I can say I found what we made yesterday to be very funny to me, if no one else. I haven't laughed this hard in many months. It was such a visceral release for me and I was even light headed by the end due to a lack of oxygen, which my Fiancé says is something I should be used to by now. George makes me laugh. My words, reinterpreted and improvised by George always play out better than what I come up with on my own. Yesterday was no exception. I think if I turn on the marketing machine in a way I haven't in a while, this could get George seen a lot. We'll see…

Now the post production end of things lies heavy on me. With footage of George and a sea of green nothing behind him, it will take a lot longer than usual to finish post on this project. So much of what we're doing with this one is in that green nothing. I will have to supervise a design, character creation, music, and sound design with a far more professional touch than my previous clips to date. I am not going to do it all myself. I love to collaborate with artisans that are far better than me so that the whole equals more than the parts. Since it's a green nothing, other people's contributions can shape the whole piece beyond my limited vision.

Immediately following the shoot, since we were way early, I started digitizing footage and got both cameras set before My Sexy Fiancé Veronica-- arrived and we departed for the legendary MARIE's PIZZA in Wadsworth Ohio whence I came. My lifelong friend Maurice was in Ohio from Seattle for a funeral and since I have a fresh set of wheels, we drove up to have a nice dinner. My brother was already there and we waited out the extra long Saturday night dinner rush, but good conversation doesn't care if you're waiting in line or sitting at the table.

Since the day's shooting was so successful, I was on cloud 9. What I failed to realize is that by comparison to the last shoot I directed, this was a much more pleasant experience. I think I might have been demoralized by the overall experience of the last shoot. Some parts were good, some parts were disappointing, but mostly it was a bland experience as opposed to the excitement and energy I had almost universally experienced on ever previous shoot. What's even weirder was that this shoot had the smallest crew since my original BACK OFFICE days, as it was on a pre-lit greenscreen stage with wired mics and a mixer/video village already set up. Micah ran sound, slated, and also shot Behind the Scenes footage. The D.P. merely pressed record on the 2 JVC HD-110's and walked away since there can't be any camera movement. I still had a blast, and I don't have that ego of having too many people on set. I'd rather have what we need and I only care about the final product, not the way a set "should" be. Some of my dearest friends feel they have to have a big crew, but it feeds their egos more than the story at hand. I will never compare myself to Kubrick, but sometimes once the stage was lit, the mics were checked, and the camera was loaded, there was no one else on set but him and the actors as he operated the camera himself and kicked everyone else out entirely. What a hack! He must be a loser.

I just finished eating leftover Marie's Pizza and I am stuffed again. We got home late last night, but it was a fun time. I haven't seen Maurice since the Horrors of War screening in Seattle in 2006. I hadn't seen his nephew since 2003. Time flies and I'm in the vortex.

'Round Again and Again

mbbarnett — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:44:50 +0000

So I happen to return to the site today; in between my shoots, before my early classes, and just after completing my resident duties of the day (have my own little babysitting dity as a resident advisor) just to see that my film has been featured as the "film of the day." Coincidence? Maybe; but it's sure as hell a funny one! Thanks for reminding me that, no matter how amateur my previous works have been, there's still a community on the web that will work to help me as an individual gain some experience and confidence - something that I'm sorely lacking at the moment. I truly appreciate it!

Where am I right now? In school; worrying about what will come of me in a year when I graduate into the great big world of film and ramen noodles. Will I move to LA? Stay in New York? Go out on a limb and move to London? I've experienced film after independent fiilm; multiple internships; and critiques and criticisms up the wazoo; but is it so weird that I have absolutely no fucking clue what I want to do with my life yet? There seems to be so many starting points in film. Casting, editing, writing - there's so many places to set down your monopoly piece; but what happens if you choose the wrong one? Are you stuck? Are you miserable? My worst fear is realizing decades from now that I didn't make the right decisions at my current age. It's all worry-inducing. It's all coming too fast. It's all as fucked as fucked can possibly be!

I even find myself losing the confidence I once held in filmmaking. Where's the pleasure when you're forced to do things you hate? Class projects seem redundant; and my work, in effect, seems lacking. I still love writing, but even that seems like a far off pleasure these days. How do you find the time to do this shit? You people who work 7-days a week - how do you manage your time? How do you write without worrying about what you've already written? Without going back to fix previous works before beginning new ones?

I must sound like I'm complaining; like I'm whining. Well...I am, but I prefer to call it venting. Yes; college life is an absolute blast. I'm studying abroad in Britain next semester; renting my first house with friends immediately after. Life seems to be forming; molding; clumping into something sturdy and structurally fit. But how do I know what shape it will take? Do I just go along for the ride; enjoy life as is? Or do I work myself dead every day to ensure a planned future; but wear myself out in the process? Grad school? Worth it? Or do I run into 100-dollars-a-day PA duties? Experience the unexperienced for the smallest of small chances? Sure, you can say "go for it," "you'll only know if you try!" - but when you try and think; how do you gain back the time you've wasted? Hollywood seems to be getting younger and younger; and, at age 20 I already feel old! I have confidence that I will succeed; that I will gain something in my efforts to do so; but the infinite possibilities of success scares the hell out of me. Do you never know where you end up? And when you're there; does your whole life set forth a simple mixed bag of memories and losses?

Be passionate. Be confident. Be determined. It's obvious that to succeed you must know first that you can do so. But questioning ones abilities is hard NOT to do. How do you just go along for the ride without sticking your hands outside the moving car? I'm finally working on a short narrative again - not some stupid class-related bullshit. Hopefully it turns out quirky; smart; fun to watch. I'm also searching for future work. Jobs during the summer that may actually pay a buck or two near New York or LA (preferably the former). Any knowledge? Any advice.

I'd like to say I'm lost but I know exactly where I am...I'm just not sure how I want to read the map yet.

As always;

Thanks.

Film Song Quiz

veenotph — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:50:38 +0000

It is time, yes, I think it is again time.

The Film Quiz.

Think you are so smartee pants, well lets see.

In what film was the following song used.

"Ten little dancing maidens, dancing all the time. Ten little dancing maidens and their mine all mine.

Their, mine, their mine, now isn't that just fine.

Not three, not five, not seven and not nine.

Just ten little maidnes fine. Ten little maidens, and their mine, oh mine"

Now here is one more hint - the maidens are actually fingers.

Let's see who figures it out, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, (continue maniacle laughter until fade out.)

BLACK FRIDAY, another Horrors of War webdoc

sonnyboo — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 14:37:28 +0000

In this video, my co-director JOHN WHITNEY takes things up a notch after the whole company moved to YOUNGSTOWN to shoot the ending of the film HORRORS OF WAR and what happens on a production when you schedule a "short" day...

Fantastic Plastic Machine!

sonnyboo — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:52:20 +0000

Fantastic Plastic Machine!
Aug 1st, 2007

Ahhhhhh, I am beginning to feel some serenity. Scott has returned and I am no longer minding the store. The hours were mad crazy, but the pay was decent, so the Ross is content. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around the idea of having semi-steady income again. Being a freelancer, money comes, and money goes, and money sometimes comes in big and other times small. Regular money in regular intervals makes for a more reliable schedule.

My Sexy Fiancé Veronica started not one but two jobs. We see each other sporadically, but our time is Quality Time when we do. I'm glad she's back at work because now I can save up for a newer car. I'll save for about 6 months, and then shop around a bit.

Since Saturday's are more likely for My Sexy Fiancé Veronica to be off work, we've been catching the CAPA SUMMER MOVIES to see some classics on the big screen at the Ohio Theater, a kick ass 1920's theatre that's been refurbed and preserved. We dig it lots. I took her to see NORTH BY NORTHWEST, the great Hitchcock film from 1959. The 35mm film print was in great shape considering its age. I hate old movies, but seeing CITIZEN KANE for the first time on a pristine 35mm print at the Ohio 8-9 years ago got me into a bunch of films I normally would never have seen. My old roommate Shannon dragged me to that screening and I've been going every year since. This past weekend we saw DR. NO, the first ever James Bond film and Sean Connery's first performance as Bond. I've seen this flick about 40 times in my life since my father is a huge Bond fan, and I still saw more detail and image than ever before. This week is another Hitchcock, this one being ROPE, the movie that takes place in one single take. Unfortunately, My Sexy Fiancé Veronica is working, so I'll be taking my mistress, another hottie and an even younger one. Sadly, my commitment to the INDIE GATHERING this weekend will prevent me from seeing CADDYSHACK on Friday night. It's a one time screening so I'll miss it this year.

I am being pulled hard to do some more shorts. Since it's for a studio, I'm wavering on my lack of desire to do anything. I might choose to produce and not direct. I've got too much editing work to do. There is The Derek's feature, a commercial, some actor's reels, and my own feature documentary, and that's just THIS Month's extracurricular editing outside of the full time job editing for a production company. I've been tagging spots for MTV2 and the FOOD NETWORK en masse. It's not thrilling, but there are far worse ways to make a living. I rather enjoy the process and thank god (wherever she is) that I don't have to work a day job or live with my parents which turns out psychopaths like Cho from Virginia Tech.

ZO WESSON, the host & producer of Cincinnati's VIEWFINDER show on PBS, on which I have made 2 appearances, has been selected as a contestant on the reality-game show PRODUCER for TV GUIDE's channel. I wish Zo a ton of luck. He deserves it. He was at the regional Emmy's recently on the gig I had to cancel on for camera op several weeks ago. If I had known, I might have left the E.R. and gone to see him on stage because he's hilarious. When I had first met him, he knew all about DIRECTOR's COMMENTARY and director Peter DeLane, my own personal inspiration as a director. Peter DeLane represents everything I aspire to as a director, more than Spielberg, Lucas, Ridley Scott, Peter Jackson, Kubrick, etc.

I have a few copies of my book printed up for this weekend to see if anyone's interested. Should be fun. My Sexy Fiancé Veronica has arranged to be with me, so I'm sure with some provocative outfits, and when I'm hosting panels, the boys (and possibly girls) will flock to the Sonnyboo both to purchase items and hit on the pretty girl. I have to remember to order a Sonnyboo Thong for My Sexy Fiancé Veronica before we leave.

My health appears to be on the rise. I have to learn to stop wavering on my habits and create a routine. So far, so good, but it's not really that far. Sleep schedules getting mucked up wreak the most havoc on the energy levels. I wish I were more like my pal "V".

"V" is a demon. No two ways about it. We spoilt him. That's not in question. After Spaz died, we lavished "V" with attention and love. Now that we're trying to work more and not be at home as much, he's acting out. "V" already broke my red neon "open" sign that My Sexy Fiancé Veronica gave me for Xmas a few years ago. He chews on My Sexy Fiancé Veronica's clothes and whines and cries at the door when he wants to go out on a leash, but that's pretty much 24-7. I don't really know how to satiate him whilst also trying to discipline the guy. It's like mini-parenting with an unreasonable and wicked smart creature. Cousette just sleeps a lot. No change there.

Two guys from the Ohio State University's REEL BUCKEYE have been editing a few nights a week here at Rossdonia. I only met them once before, and they asked if they could use my AVID to cut their documentary and I said sure. They are editing a documentary on the Columbus Film scene. It's history, its current climate, the things going for it and against it; these are all subject to examination. I got interviewed for it almost a year ago, and since then they contacted several other relevant/important figures in the community to round it out. It started out solely as a "behind the scenes" of the Reel Buckeye feature film THREE EASY PAYMENTS. Ohio State University used to have a film school, but it was disbanded in 1991. Local fixtures like Scott Spears, John Whitney, Tom Bauman, and more all attended the OSU film school. In the last 2-3 years, the OSU students took it upon themselves to do more than just make a little hobby club, they made a "design your own Film Major", and then created a group that produces feature length movies. They started out as "Buckeye Searchlight" and mimicked the process of Project Greenlight to chose their script, and after that, it became the more palatable Reel Buckeye group. Officially, OSU now has a Film Major due to their collective efforts, but there still is no graduate program or true film production classes. Maybe they will continue to chip away at the bureaucratic bricks until that wall comes down too.

Seeing that their feature switched over to the controversial Columbus Film scene, a recurring topic is about how it sucks to be a filmmaker in Columbus, Ohio. Some people are "glass is half full" and others are "glass is a cynical object that is somehow preventing me from succeeding in the film industry". I do have to say that it's not the city that's a problem, it's you. All opportunities in life are what YOU make of them, not the geography and not someone else's fault. YOU can make anything happen, and no city or other imaginary obstacles can stop you from achieving all of your dreams. Blaming the city you live in is just some pussy cop out because you don't want to accept responsibility for your own failings. If you oppose this point of view, then all I can offer is one amazingly simple answer to the query – If you do think that Columbus sucks, then LEAVE. Move somewhere else. If you aren't willing to work hard enough, save the dough, and go to some other city where supposedly your filmmaking talents will miraculously be recognized, then stop complaining, losers. I still firmly believe that you can't blame a map for your lack of recognition. Maybe filmmaking isn't for these whiners.

I'm just sitting upstairs while they edit away in the basement. I have a new main editing computer, but it came with Windows Vista which is hardly a usable OS for video editing. It's like a MAC OS for PC users. It's a resource hog from hell and none of my video editing programs work well in it. It's like trying to fly a jet engine with a kite string. I can't even get rid of the partition and install Windows XP again. It's frustrating, but at some point soon when I work out the bugs. I just want to edit, and I want this fast machine to keep up with me, not slow me down. Argh.

Peace and love + good happiness stuff for my acolytes,
The Ross of Rossdonia

For anyone in Columbus this weekend

frightymcgee — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:48:28 +0000

---------------------------------------------
Columbus IndieClub Summer Filmmaker Gathering
---------------------------------------------

When: SUNDAY JULY 29th 2007 10am - 4pm

Where: Blendon Woods Metro Park (Hickory Grove Shelter)
4265 E. Dublin-Granville Road
Westerville, OH 43081

HTTP://www.metroparks.net/parksblendonwoods.aspx

We just want to remind everyone the event is coming up shortly. We have the Hickory Grove Shelter area reserved from 10am until 4pm and are looking to have lots of fun. Last year we had all kinds of games from Horseshoes and football to Volleyball and Frisbee. Everyone brings something to eat themselves or share or both (up to you). There is a large grill that will need to be shared or you can bring your own as far as I know. The shelter is large and there is plenty of room, plenty of tables, plenty of space. You can also bring your kids, there were swings and other equipment there last year so hopefully that will all still be there. But there's lots of space to run around and it's all private.

We welcome all filmmakers and enthusiasts from all over to come out and join us. So if you happen to be near the area or just willing to travel the distance come on out. It's a great opportunity for networking as well as just having a ball with some folks who share an interest in movies.

If you have questions about this event please feel free to contact J. Michael Lewis director of Columbus IndieClub at justin@temperedzealot.com or at 614.527.4772.

Event is FREE and open to everyone. Bring your own foods, do it pot luck style. NO ALCOHOL!!!

Event is sponsored and organized by the Columbus IndieClub.

NOTE FROM THE PARK ADMINS: The shelter offers electricity, 4 outside grills, drinking water, large wood burning fireplace inside, swings, volley ball court with net and balls, and restrooms.

Blowing off steam

mbbarnett — Sat, 19 May 2007 05:51:44 +0000

Not very good at the whole "blogging" business, so don't expect too much out of me (much more of a forums/communications oriented guy!). Really just posting what's irked me lately; blowing off steam related to the business.

Firstly: Internships...Personally, I didn't think that getting an internship, especially one in Manhattan would be such a big deal. College student, with independent experience, willing to work for free in order to learn and become a better, more equipped member of said community...not too much wrong with that, right? Well; sent out a few dozen applications, got a few callbacks, went to several interviews. They all liked me; all went well; but I was rejected from all simply because "I didn't have enough experience..." Now, tell me; How do I gain experience, from interning, if the internship process is becoming so damned competative? I mean, sure; there's diminishing marginal returns - if you have too many people with nothing to do, it could actually hurt your business...but how do you expect a college student to have mainstream experience if you won't hire them, for free, at their experience, to gain said experience? Maybe I'm just rambling a bit, but so be it...I never do this! Anyways...I have a couple more interviews next week; some pending; and more applications to go out. I'm just trying my hardest to make this a productive summer season for myself...(productive as in I want mainstream experience, so that when I graduate in two years, I have a better chance at a career AS I further my independent status along - writing scripts, filming, and such).

Secondly: On the Lot...yea; I really don't want to become a general part of the "bashing." I believe that the reality show was a fantastic idea - allow members of a growing community, a growing field of production, to take part in a contest to get their work out to the world. And, for the most part, it did, in fact, work...but only until the deadline came a' rolling. Once the deadline hit, the tone of the site changed a bit. At first, I took wonder as to how great it was to interact with other filmmakers, not only around the US, but around the world. I had great conversations about cameras, films, and yes, even politics and baseball! Learned many new things about the industry and the process of production; the works. Then, as said earlier, the deadline came, and with it hundreds of unfocused "members" spamming films, ratings, and forums simply for popularity/contest-related purposes; strict roll upon roll of red tape, not only placed upon spamming and or flamming, but upon simple Q/A/Free Speach (!!!???), and and growing disinterest and malaise related to the simple going-ons of the site and or the members of said community (not to mention the slow build of uploads). I felt like it was a great idea that was fairly well executed; then taken, bashed bloody, drowned, and scribbled over with big brother's ever watchful eye. "Screw the members that made this site such a great place to be; adhere to the people that are logging on to see which contestant is the hottest in the group."

Further, has anyone seen the list of eligable contestants? I'm not going to complain too much, because I really haven't seen their stuff yet, so I can't judge...but one thing I CAN mention is the age group - in that 70% of the people are in their twenties. No offence to the judges, but I watched hundreds of films, fantastic films, made by young teens, senior citizens, and that ever popular "in between group" (uhh...everyone!). Is it possible that some people got in simply because others can relate? Again, I'm not complaining...only questioning motive.

Thirdly: Just got back from the Met/Yankee game...Met's won...YAY!...That's a great thing!...(sorry Yankee fans).

Lastly: Not really on topic, but I suggest people look up the band "Feeder" - UK based - very good songs (my favorite being "Tender"). Very calming!

Hope I didn't bore anybody...felt good to speak a bit, though!