Worked on a film yesterday with a friend. All exterior scenes. Just general background. Central Park. Got lost on the way to set because we opted to walk there. Though we found set but it ended up being Six Degrees, though they were nice enough to steer us to our set. Upper Manhattan was littered with all sorts of productions yesterday. It fantastic to see SO much going on. Makes me feel like I'm in the right place and right time.
Someone we avoided work for nearly six hours. The PA just kept passing over us. So we jusr joked and BS'ed, and smoked way too many cigarattes on a park bench. Took a trip to crafty for a cup of Cheerios and my speciality coffee mix. Did some crosses, made fun of other extras, moved to a new location, did some more crosses. Broke for a walk-a-way lunch. Walked FOREVER, probably 30 blocks with my friend in search of a Thai place, because we both were craving it in an undeniable fashion. We finally found it and the food was fucking FANTASTIC!!!! Chicken Pad Thai, topped with shredded peanuts... oh fuck mental block, what are they called? bean sprouts? You know what I'm talking about right? Also two spring rolls, my mouth is STILL watering over that fucking meal. Mmm MMM!!!!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Weekend Getaway #1
So the Salem Halloween Bash 'o6.... Well, it wasn't incredibly Halloweeny, aside from candy, a game of Zombies and watching Friday the 13th. It was however a good time. A respectable number of friends getting together and catching up...and much drinking. Admittedly I really know a few of the people of the people involved. Well I mean I know everyone, but after leaving college the group that I belonged to, divided and regrouped each year with new friends. So I'm acquainted with the group, but not like one is when you're living in the absurdity of college life.
A very kind Sara picked up Porter and myself at Poughkeepsie on Firday night, saving us some money. Tthen we went to the grovery store for candy and eats. There was a frozen pizza, four bags of treats, an akward moment for Sara with the cashier and we were out. Upon hitting Sara's spacious (yeah, I'm a bit jealous of people who have "real" apartments) I played some DCUP songs and recieved grand applause. That's how it went down right? It was an early night, I slept rather comfy-like on the futon, though it pales in comparison to mine.
Long drive, rain, watching Sara white-knuckle the steering wheel, laptop dies after 1:30 hours.
When we reached Dave's house, Curran, Pat and He were already happy-drunk. I snatched a slice of pizza and made myself the first of several screwdrivers. There was much laughter and conversation, stories of old and new adventures. More drinking, picking people up, talking people down, waiting for the rain to cut us some slack to go out, Black Olive from DCUP made an appearance. Really! How surprised was I!! Then there was more drinking, forcing bread and water on people, card games where the stakes were candy and um...drinking. An outing to acquire roast beef sandwhiches and whatnot, as it seems to have been a group craving. Then we watched Friday the 13th, a most ridiculous, outdated movie that was mercilessly blasted by the lot of us.
When it cleared up we went into town. I have to say I was pretty disappointed. I was the ONLY one that dressed up. I decided to be Brekken Brek, the producer/member of DCUP. I think my crowning achievement for the night was yelling out "Can someone give me a booya?" to practically EVERYONE on the street. The going out part of the night was pretty dissapointing for me to be completely honest. We returned to Dave's pad and continued playing unheard of versions of poker and sharing stories until the early morning. Now don't get the wrong impression, I wasn't plastered for 13 hours, I was keeping a nice steady pace, cuz sometimes my friends it's about endurance.
On Sunday we went out and walked the town as Dave's showed us around Salem. I really thought that the only proper way to end the night was to break into an old Puritan village that was set up and fenced off in a park. Three of us went in and explored the village and looked for photo-ops.
Then it was another long ass drive, train ride and hugely inconvenient subway mess once I reached Manhattan. That's it.
For another perspective on the weekend and some photos visit Sara's blog.
A very kind Sara picked up Porter and myself at Poughkeepsie on Firday night, saving us some money. Tthen we went to the grovery store for candy and eats. There was a frozen pizza, four bags of treats, an akward moment for Sara with the cashier and we were out. Upon hitting Sara's spacious (yeah, I'm a bit jealous of people who have "real" apartments) I played some DCUP songs and recieved grand applause. That's how it went down right? It was an early night, I slept rather comfy-like on the futon, though it pales in comparison to mine.
Long drive, rain, watching Sara white-knuckle the steering wheel, laptop dies after 1:30 hours.
When we reached Dave's house, Curran, Pat and He were already happy-drunk. I snatched a slice of pizza and made myself the first of several screwdrivers. There was much laughter and conversation, stories of old and new adventures. More drinking, picking people up, talking people down, waiting for the rain to cut us some slack to go out, Black Olive from DCUP made an appearance. Really! How surprised was I!! Then there was more drinking, forcing bread and water on people, card games where the stakes were candy and um...drinking. An outing to acquire roast beef sandwhiches and whatnot, as it seems to have been a group craving. Then we watched Friday the 13th, a most ridiculous, outdated movie that was mercilessly blasted by the lot of us.
When it cleared up we went into town. I have to say I was pretty disappointed. I was the ONLY one that dressed up. I decided to be Brekken Brek, the producer/member of DCUP. I think my crowning achievement for the night was yelling out "Can someone give me a booya?" to practically EVERYONE on the street. The going out part of the night was pretty dissapointing for me to be completely honest. We returned to Dave's pad and continued playing unheard of versions of poker and sharing stories until the early morning. Now don't get the wrong impression, I wasn't plastered for 13 hours, I was keeping a nice steady pace, cuz sometimes my friends it's about endurance.
On Sunday we went out and walked the town as Dave's showed us around Salem. I really thought that the only proper way to end the night was to break into an old Puritan village that was set up and fenced off in a park. Three of us went in and explored the village and looked for photo-ops.
Then it was another long ass drive, train ride and hugely inconvenient subway mess once I reached Manhattan. That's it.
For another perspective on the weekend and some photos visit Sara's blog.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Hooked on Multi-Tasking
I've recently come under a lot of fire for how I clip my finger nails. You want to know? Well it's nothing big, I clip my nails when I'm on the sidewalk, walking somewhere. I don't do it when people are around me, I don't clip when I reach the station, (I only ever clip on the way to the Queens station), its usually early in the morning. Still some people are appalled. Well this is the simple fact of the matter. I can't justify to myself making clipping my finger nails a single act. Toe nails you have no choice, but fingernails you do. And it goes deeper still, I am a neurotic multi-tasker. If I can manage doing two things at once, great... three things even better! Examples: cooking, exercising, cleaning, eating, watching TV, writing, recording.Is there something wrong with this? Honestly.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Witches + Fire = Salem, MA
Yesterday started all pleasant, then it just become a mess as I tried to get as many things done as I possibly could before departure time. - this weekend I'm traveling with friends to Dave's place for a Halloween monster bash -
After a free breakfast I went in Manhattan to a Halloween shop, to track down the final details of my Halloween costume. I spent probably an hour looking around. I love costumes, diguises, so any time I go into one of these stores I'm like a kid in a candy store. I didn't end up getting much, I almost picked up an afro wig for Dave for reasons I cannot disclose, but we decided it wasn't the right look. Returned home.
For a while I was actually working on a writing project and a music project simultaneously, switching to whichever computer was most agreeable. I haven't really played my guitar or bass lately. But for this song I decided to mix my own instrument playing with my -um- new style of music. Though departure was pushed back I still found myself scrambling to get my shit together and out the door. I've a growing fear that I forgot to bring a change of socks. After I was out the door of my apartment I realized my keys weren't on me. Since I was pushing time anyway I really didn't need this. Long story short, about 15 minutes (and several explicits) later I found the keys in my back pack. A couple of months ago I realized how fucking quickly the 7 train gets me to Grand Central, and last night it saved me.
The train ride was what train rides usually end up being, several acts to occupy the time and keep from dozing off - unless dozies are ok, then by all means doze away - so I listened to some DCUP, wrote, and talked to my sis when the reception allowed.
The train ride to Poughkeepsie was directly followed by a car ride to Tivoli, where reception simply does not exist. In fact this whole fucking place has no reception, it's quite frustrating, so by the time I actually post this blog I guessing it will be a few hours old.
And that's about it, slept comfortably enough, mouth is cut up from a morning dose of cap'n crunch, and fixing to be on the road for the next 3 hours at least, considering weather and traffic. The rain is going to slow down festivities, but hopefully not ruin our good time. I'm making it my mission to force everyone into some kind of costume. Hopefully its a good time because this is the closest I'm gonna come to celebrating Halloween.
After a free breakfast I went in Manhattan to a Halloween shop, to track down the final details of my Halloween costume. I spent probably an hour looking around. I love costumes, diguises, so any time I go into one of these stores I'm like a kid in a candy store. I didn't end up getting much, I almost picked up an afro wig for Dave for reasons I cannot disclose, but we decided it wasn't the right look. Returned home.
For a while I was actually working on a writing project and a music project simultaneously, switching to whichever computer was most agreeable. I haven't really played my guitar or bass lately. But for this song I decided to mix my own instrument playing with my -um- new style of music. Though departure was pushed back I still found myself scrambling to get my shit together and out the door. I've a growing fear that I forgot to bring a change of socks. After I was out the door of my apartment I realized my keys weren't on me. Since I was pushing time anyway I really didn't need this. Long story short, about 15 minutes (and several explicits) later I found the keys in my back pack. A couple of months ago I realized how fucking quickly the 7 train gets me to Grand Central, and last night it saved me.
The train ride was what train rides usually end up being, several acts to occupy the time and keep from dozing off - unless dozies are ok, then by all means doze away - so I listened to some DCUP, wrote, and talked to my sis when the reception allowed.
The train ride to Poughkeepsie was directly followed by a car ride to Tivoli, where reception simply does not exist. In fact this whole fucking place has no reception, it's quite frustrating, so by the time I actually post this blog I guessing it will be a few hours old.
And that's about it, slept comfortably enough, mouth is cut up from a morning dose of cap'n crunch, and fixing to be on the road for the next 3 hours at least, considering weather and traffic. The rain is going to slow down festivities, but hopefully not ruin our good time. I'm making it my mission to force everyone into some kind of costume. Hopefully its a good time because this is the closest I'm gonna come to celebrating Halloween.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Which Ever Way You Say It
Excuse me? Pardon? Huh? Repeat that? Whatcha say?
I tend to say "what's that?" Just kinda noticed that today. It's kind of a weird hybrid version and I'm not sure it makes sense, but I can't turn my back of the phrase now.
I tend to say "what's that?" Just kinda noticed that today. It's kind of a weird hybrid version and I'm not sure it makes sense, but I can't turn my back of the phrase now.
Held Up
Day #2 on the same film yesterday. I sat in holding for 6 straight hours. Fortunately I had plenty of writing to do. I played black sheep, sitting in the corner of the room, my headphones on, hood over my head, face buried in my computer. Usually I don't listen to music in holding because I'm afraid I'll miss announcements, but today I did and the escape was great. I don't know if you've heard the newish Thom Yorke album, but most of it's great ambient rhythms and beats, perfect for writing. "Black Swan" is my favorite song of the album, not ambient at all, but downright catchy and it puts me in this groove everytime I listen to it. I was able to accomplish a fair amount of writing before Nate (who I prefer to call Snake) the PA brought us to that crowded set again. It's a stuffy karaoke bar filled to the rim with crew, principals and background. To stay it's hard to move around in there, is like saying the pyramids were probably hard to build. Anyway for the rest of the very long day it was going back and forth several times from holding to set and an occasional conversation with extras I'd met on previous sets. Nothing terribly exciting.
I am STILL working on my Deadland, I'm doing what I can given these circumstances. If I had a signal in holding, I'd be able to post it today, but so far I've had no luck in the area.
I am STILL working on my Deadland, I'm doing what I can given these circumstances. If I had a signal in holding, I'd be able to post it today, but so far I've had no luck in the area.
Clammy Hands
I can't help it. I have clammy hands. I always have. Its not like they're clammy ALL the time...more like 25 percent. Most of the time it's because of social nervousness. Meeting people, crowdedness, interviews, auditions and the like. Pretty much the worst possible time because usually the single given in these situations is the traditional handshake. There are many ways I try to unclam the hand in such circumstances: 'the wipe' of course (pants, shirt, doesn't matter,) "The Phil Collins" pounding out a beat = airing out the hands (sitting or standing, doesn't matter,) "the bird" flapping the arms like you're trying to fly, "the unnerve" mentally make yourself comfortable, trick yourself normal. I'm not a freak. I am terribly shy around people I don't know, I am not comfortable around crowds, I can lash out with all sorts of ridiculous behavior in a crowd, but that's not quite the same thing. Doing background and living in the city is improving me in this area slowly, but it still takes me a while before I talk to people around me. Anyway I digress. Back to my clammy hands.
Its not all social, its temperature related also and maybe even has something to do with my circulation...which sucks by the way.
So if you meet me and I don't shake your hand or have met me and the same, this is probably why.
Please don't think less of me, cuz I still can kick your ass.
Its not all social, its temperature related also and maybe even has something to do with my circulation...which sucks by the way.
So if you meet me and I don't shake your hand or have met me and the same, this is probably why.
Please don't think less of me, cuz I still can kick your ass.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Stare
Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this. You ever kind of drift off in your mind, then finally realize that while you were daydreaming you were inadvertadly staring at someone? It happens to me a lot on the subway. The weird thing is, after my eyes are fixed in a direction long enough, it's somehow uncomfortable to move them and stare off into another direction. So sorry if I'm staring at your crotch, really I'm thinking about something totally unrelated to your genitals, but this is where my eyes are at and this is where they're staying.
One for the Little Man
Yesterday was...interesting. In the morning I went to a fitting for a film I've worked on a few times before. I was going a play military, however I was told the haircut would be a modest cleaning of my sides and back. When I got there though, I sat in a chair watching the hair dresser buzz one after the next, like he was sending them off to boot camp. By the time he arrived to me, I wasted no time in a forewarning. "I didn't agree to a buzz cut." We then walked over to casting together, and the agent more or so less let me go of the obligation. It didn't feel at all bad about walking off the gig, because I had flat out told them beforehand that I wasn't cool with a buzz cut. I was little dissapointed because the scene sounded pretty cool, and I'm guessing I would have gotten some KICK ASS props. But oh well...that's the way the fortune cookie crumbles. I've booked some multiple day gig, so it's all cool.
I need to make a point of saying how fucking much I love Seinfeld. I was watching it the other night, the episode where Elaine is stuck on the subway. Her inner dialogue noticing a smelly guy next to her and people touching her, a slight annoyance when the train first stops that grows into a rageful "mother f***er!" I ride the subway everyday, been stuck on it a few times, I know this feeling! And that's exactly stage for stage how that shit goes down. An "oh come on!" to the deep desire to decapitate everyone standing next to you. Why did this show ever end???? It doesn't matter though, there is enough syndication to get me my fix. My fix! My fixxxxx! Gotta get my fix!!!
I need to make a point of saying how fucking much I love Seinfeld. I was watching it the other night, the episode where Elaine is stuck on the subway. Her inner dialogue noticing a smelly guy next to her and people touching her, a slight annoyance when the train first stops that grows into a rageful "mother f***er!" I ride the subway everyday, been stuck on it a few times, I know this feeling! And that's exactly stage for stage how that shit goes down. An "oh come on!" to the deep desire to decapitate everyone standing next to you. Why did this show ever end???? It doesn't matter though, there is enough syndication to get me my fix. My fix! My fixxxxx! Gotta get my fix!!!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
And Now the Rabbit Will Magically Reapear!
Unfortunately I'm probably going to get tired of writing before I can fully provide a detailed account of my week. It's been busy of course. WORK! It's been good, the last two weeks, I've been working nearly every day. Thursday and Friday I worked 2 overnighters doing stand-in on a film I've worked on a few times before. They were they last two nights of filming for the movie and quite long. Needless to say working until 6am screwed up my schedule a bit, but it's about making that sweet mula! And I was kinda of glad to be there for the last day of filming, since I had been there for the first day.
On the 19th I recognized my 2 year anniversary of residence in New York City. TWO YEARS!! That was fast. I still remember Dave and Clancy driving upstate in a van that could easily be mistaken for a molester mobile. We packed up my shit in record time, ate some grilled cheese/ tomato sandwiches and headed straight for the ghetto lands of Bushwick, set in the gritty heart of Brooklyn. AH!! Bushwich, with your skanky chicken, your bird-ridden grocery stores screaming salsa music, your rooftop. You really were a great introduction to living in the city! I spent 2 weeks looking for a job, then getting antsy I worked at a McDonald's near Times Square. No one spoke English, making my day undeniably confusing and lonely. Upon receiving my first check (and seeing my pay rate) I quite McHell. It was alright though. Soon I was working two jobs, Barnes and Noble and Gap. And I continued to work both jobs for the next year. I toiled over several rewrites on a suspense script, worked on songs, sparred Clancy on the rooftop, sparred Clancy in the living room too now that I think about it. I was introduced to Firefly, joined Dave in many a sing-along, one that went horrible wrong. God, there's SO much history already here. I go on on forever on the adventures, good times, bad times. That's how I want my life... FULL!! I library of experiences. Two years.... I've moved 4 times!!! That's an average of once every six months. Now you need not wonder why there's so very little in my current apartment. Every time I moved, I had to throw out a few more belongings. When I moved to Manhattan, I trashed my dresser, bed, and...well about 30% percent of my belongings. I'm a minimalist so no big deal. Of course I went upstate for a week to film ShE. I don't think I need to say what a pivotal experience THAT was. Then I broke into the background world of film and TV. I haven't worked a 9-5'er since February. I can honestly say that I haven't looked back since.
OK, I'm there, the point of being tired of writing. it's time for bed already. Suffice it to say, life is good. And things are looking brighter each and every day (most days.) I have SO much going on creatively and many prospects concerning my career goals. I'm very excited, and hopeful. This is not an elegant blog, sorry folks. By the time I get to the blog, I'm just completely pussyjunked.
I'm glad I have those dust-covered blogs, they are far writings than this blog.
On the 19th I recognized my 2 year anniversary of residence in New York City. TWO YEARS!! That was fast. I still remember Dave and Clancy driving upstate in a van that could easily be mistaken for a molester mobile. We packed up my shit in record time, ate some grilled cheese/ tomato sandwiches and headed straight for the ghetto lands of Bushwick, set in the gritty heart of Brooklyn. AH!! Bushwich, with your skanky chicken, your bird-ridden grocery stores screaming salsa music, your rooftop. You really were a great introduction to living in the city! I spent 2 weeks looking for a job, then getting antsy I worked at a McDonald's near Times Square. No one spoke English, making my day undeniably confusing and lonely. Upon receiving my first check (and seeing my pay rate) I quite McHell. It was alright though. Soon I was working two jobs, Barnes and Noble and Gap. And I continued to work both jobs for the next year. I toiled over several rewrites on a suspense script, worked on songs, sparred Clancy on the rooftop, sparred Clancy in the living room too now that I think about it. I was introduced to Firefly, joined Dave in many a sing-along, one that went horrible wrong. God, there's SO much history already here. I go on on forever on the adventures, good times, bad times. That's how I want my life... FULL!! I library of experiences. Two years.... I've moved 4 times!!! That's an average of once every six months. Now you need not wonder why there's so very little in my current apartment. Every time I moved, I had to throw out a few more belongings. When I moved to Manhattan, I trashed my dresser, bed, and...well about 30% percent of my belongings. I'm a minimalist so no big deal. Of course I went upstate for a week to film ShE. I don't think I need to say what a pivotal experience THAT was. Then I broke into the background world of film and TV. I haven't worked a 9-5'er since February. I can honestly say that I haven't looked back since.
OK, I'm there, the point of being tired of writing. it's time for bed already. Suffice it to say, life is good. And things are looking brighter each and every day (most days.) I have SO much going on creatively and many prospects concerning my career goals. I'm very excited, and hopeful. This is not an elegant blog, sorry folks. By the time I get to the blog, I'm just completely pussyjunked.
I'm glad I have those dust-covered blogs, they are far writings than this blog.
Birthday Girl: DCUP's Second Single Out NOW!!!
Is it possible? Did I actually die happy? Am I in heaven now? DCUP just released another song!!! Brekken 360 and Ariel Starbody getting all rounchy and slap happy on Birthday Girl!!!! Someone prick me, cux if I ain't dead, I must be dreaming!!! A must listen!!!
DCUP's MYSPACE
DCUP Releases first Official Single!!!
It's finally here!!! These Fortune Cookies is Bitch, featuring Brekken Brek, Ariel Starbody and Black Olive!!! And just in the nick of time!!!
Go to DCUP's myspace!!! Listen, love it, and die fucking happy!
DCUP's MYSPACE
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Out With the Old, In With the New
We've been together eight good years. You were there with me on my first day of college, on the long drive to CA, and you helped me move so many times it would be impossible to count. You were very good to me. And now it's my turn to be good to you. It's time for you to die already. Your zippers fall off and the zips open up. The hole on the bottom of you spills out items, your compartments are all joining as one. You need a rest, an eternal rest. And now I am giving it to you. Thank you for being there for me.
1998-2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Knitpickers
Anything worth mentioning of today you ask?? Well, it was long, tedious, tiring, pain inducing. I had to listen to extras knitpick about every fucking penalty in the book and most of them had no fucking idea what they were talking about. I was on set most of the day doing absolutely JACK. We couldn't sit down, the people of the building didn't like how it looked. So I was standing for a very long time, in very uncomfortable shoes. Blahblahblah, just bitchings and moans. That's all I got from today. Tomorrow I'll be back on track.
Long John Season
Get your thermal underwear out, hat, scarve, gloves (or mittens,) pile on the layers, open up the boiler room, let in the heat, get yourself all snuggly warm before you step outside, get ready for the artic wind, it will be here VERY soon and it will try to knock you over, get ready to scratch your dry as hell legs until they're red and hairless, get ready to lose all your winter accessories at least once, runny noses are coming, snow in your shoes, slippery sidewalks, crosses in the cold, hand warmers are an extras best friend, time for lots of homemade soup and spaghetti, get ready for the holidays, going home on crowded trains, last minute shopping, insisting family buy you nothing because it only makes the train-ride back more stressful, juggling visits between two families, work gets slower and slower, and then BOOM everything lights up again, get ready for the passing of another year...it's all about to be here.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
No Ifs, Ands or Buts
I don't know, it's been so long the event seems almost mythical, but in less than three weeks I will be going home to premier ShE to hopefully a sizeable audience. Granted the premier isn't really my focus for ShE at all, but it does certainly solidify that the movie is done and finally accessible to exploit the fuck out of it. Plus there's always something nice about seeing it up there on the movie screen with audio pounding all around in the theater. Anyway, here's the official movie poster. The website should be completely renovated by the end of the month. See what deadlines can do!
Where's Ryan?
Where the fuck are you, man? You clearly moved, your phone's been disconnected for like a month. How does a motha get a hold of you?
Saturday, October 14, 2006
1 for Fun
I ended up working a few more hours than I anticipated last night, but I really didn't mind because I was in such high spirits. I also have been experimenting with crafty coffee lately. I've come up with a sort of cafe mocha: coffee, cocoa mix, and irish creme mil stuff. The concoction is out of this world! The mixture of sugar and caffeine also had me flying high. I was talking a mile a mile and bursting with energy. I didn't really know any of the other background, but most of them were pretty cool and easy to have conversation with. There was one guy who apparently was a stand-up comedian, but he was tragically not funny at all. The sort that try really really hard to be funny and flat out fail. And THEN when they see themselves sinking, they try even more desperately and fail ever worse. The kind that when in a group and they try to spurt out something funny, everyone ignores them rather than bother with a fake laugh. So I took it upon myself to bail people out of their awkward encounters with him. I did it rather blatantly and think he noticed, but I couldn't see people go through that. Of course then I just started to make fun of him. So not only were people not laughing with him they were laughing at him.
It was a pretty cold night, I was happy to finally grab my coat for the final two scenes and just do some regular BG (leaning up against a building wall, the assumed leader of a 6 member gang.)
This is my one day off. There's so much to catch up on, but I don't feel like doing it. I want to be creative today.
It was a pretty cold night, I was happy to finally grab my coat for the final two scenes and just do some regular BG (leaning up against a building wall, the assumed leader of a 6 member gang.)
This is my one day off. There's so much to catch up on, but I don't feel like doing it. I want to be creative today.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
He's Good People
I'm not really comfortable naming names, but I'll say I would gladly sit on a trash can for 5 hours, to get the opportunity to be around the director of the movie I'm on today. He's funny, a sarcastic funny, my kind of funny and he's really down to earth for being one of the top directors out there.
He was joking around with me and another stand in, making fun of the crew and asking if anyone had ever tried sucking a stain out of a t-shirt cuz I think he was about to try it. And now it's back to the garbage can seat.
He was joking around with me and another stand in, making fun of the crew and asking if anyone had ever tried sucking a stain out of a t-shirt cuz I think he was about to try it. And now it's back to the garbage can seat.
Hangman's Midnight
Rain cut through night, beating against the ground, running waterfalls down spouts and forming lakes on the concrete ground. The building was a monolith, a gutted carcass with rusty hints of what it used to be: large holes in the ceiling, a track set on the floor, round metal ducts, large square pits set deep in the ground, chains hanging from the ceiling, outside stacks of lumber lined against the walls, 4-foot tires collected in neat piles. Where there should have been a wall, was a view of the river, which was having a rough night, and a set of stairs missing a floor of steps. The windows were busted out, and the lights that shown through presented a variety of shapes left to intrepretation for an imaginative eye. It was getting close to midnight. I was somewhere in the shit of Brooklyn. I sat in a dark corner eating rice and steamed vegetables, while to the left of me a man pleaded for a second chance before a gang of mobsters hung him. And I suddenly thought to myself: what an odd job I have.
It was a good day, very busy, which I far prefer to sitting in holding for hours doing nothing. I had stuffed crab for a snack and rib o'lamb for dinner. The only downside was that it was a long late day and I was only alotted 4 hours for sleep, since today was an early day.
There was a foreign chap there that I've worked with several times and we talked about our filmmaking for a while. Not as two people trying to one-up the other but as two people who had a passionate disposition of filmmaking. (The former is what usually its about, and why I rarely tell anyone that I'm a filmmaker.) Of course another guy joined in on our conversation (the type that only wait for when they talk about themselves.) Needless to say he didn't last long in our conversation.
Currently I'm on set on the sidewalk in Harlem on a lidded garbage can. I'm standing in on a movie, but in only two scenes that are quite spread out. So today will be a lot of thumb twiddling me thinks.
Oh! I finished Frankenstein finally!!! I've decided I hate this book. All Frankenstein and his monster do is fucking whine and moan and argue who's life is worse. Its drab and fucking boring. All the action is omitted, instead you sit there for 5 pages reading about landscape. Landscape I say! Aw fuck!!!!! I don't know whom I detest more, Frankenstein or his bitch montser. You know what, Shelley will do just fucking fine. You suck Shelley. I'm so glad to be done with that shit.
It was a good day, very busy, which I far prefer to sitting in holding for hours doing nothing. I had stuffed crab for a snack and rib o'lamb for dinner. The only downside was that it was a long late day and I was only alotted 4 hours for sleep, since today was an early day.
There was a foreign chap there that I've worked with several times and we talked about our filmmaking for a while. Not as two people trying to one-up the other but as two people who had a passionate disposition of filmmaking. (The former is what usually its about, and why I rarely tell anyone that I'm a filmmaker.) Of course another guy joined in on our conversation (the type that only wait for when they talk about themselves.) Needless to say he didn't last long in our conversation.
Currently I'm on set on the sidewalk in Harlem on a lidded garbage can. I'm standing in on a movie, but in only two scenes that are quite spread out. So today will be a lot of thumb twiddling me thinks.
Oh! I finished Frankenstein finally!!! I've decided I hate this book. All Frankenstein and his monster do is fucking whine and moan and argue who's life is worse. Its drab and fucking boring. All the action is omitted, instead you sit there for 5 pages reading about landscape. Landscape I say! Aw fuck!!!!! I don't know whom I detest more, Frankenstein or his bitch montser. You know what, Shelley will do just fucking fine. You suck Shelley. I'm so glad to be done with that shit.
just a little bit, just a little bit more time...
That would be "the musical box" old school genesis.
Waking up for work in 4 hours, I'll be back this way later today. What an interesting night its been.
Waking up for work in 4 hours, I'll be back this way later today. What an interesting night its been.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Brek's Bootleg
While internet surfing today, I came across this bootleg of Brekken Brek's collaboration with rock group, Solus. I've heard of the song before, but as far as I know it hasn't been released. As you'll see it definately has an experimental sound. Excitement!!!
audio:To the Center of my Brain
by rec327
by rec327
Friday, October 06, 2006
A Call to Arms
Today went by so quickly that I can barely register it. With some help I concentrated today on ShE. We've finally come to the last stretch and I'm excited that I can once again take this project into my ambitious care. To two main concerns at the moment are festivals and somehow showing ShE in Manhattan to industry types who could see something in maybe the performances, the story, writing, the filming, anything. Someone is going to come out of this thing a winner (this is my determination.) I'm alive with ideas, and I'm feeling rather unyielding. Even more so I'm glad to have others ideas and opinions, they renew mine and even augment them. Anyway, that was today. Lots of phone calling, emails, research, thumbing through web pages and the like.
I tried to take a quick nap before work (30 mins.) But it didn't happen, I nearly nodded off when I got a call for the work I've booked for Tuesday. So afterwards I just lied there, knowing sleep wasn't going to happen, but comfy as hell under my blankets.
I'm at work now, or rather on break.
Makeup department wasn't too thrilled that I didn't shave. But then I told them that I was an undercover cop, which I thought would be fitting. They said oh! You are? That's perfect. (Exactly.)
There's no reception in holding which completely sucks. Nevertheless, its forced me to the final pages of Frankenstein. I have no idea how long this night will be, but I'm really looking forward to my little bed, and tiered pillows. We'll be together sometime my lovely futon!
I tried to take a quick nap before work (30 mins.) But it didn't happen, I nearly nodded off when I got a call for the work I've booked for Tuesday. So afterwards I just lied there, knowing sleep wasn't going to happen, but comfy as hell under my blankets.
I'm at work now, or rather on break.
Makeup department wasn't too thrilled that I didn't shave. But then I told them that I was an undercover cop, which I thought would be fitting. They said oh! You are? That's perfect. (Exactly.)
There's no reception in holding which completely sucks. Nevertheless, its forced me to the final pages of Frankenstein. I have no idea how long this night will be, but I'm really looking forward to my little bed, and tiered pillows. We'll be together sometime my lovely futon!
The Backside of Liberty
Second day being in or traveling through NJ, where the Statue of Liberty is perpetually shaking her ass for that state. Did work on a movie that a month I was interviewed to do permanent stand-in work on. The women that I had met that day was still there doing stand-in and she wasted no time confiding to me how terrible the experience had been, with all nighters, rain, attitudes, crew getting fired and the like. I was suddenly glad not to have picked up the gig.
It was a most uneventful night. Lots of sitting on a lawn, an occasional step, an even more occassional chair. Running out of cigarettes, going to set now and then to do some work, snacking, taking a van into town for catering, searching for cigarettes in the little plastic town, determining it's a non-smoking communnity, gave up, went to eat the cold, left-over food, and a mighty good pecan pie, suspiciously followed the actor back to set on foot, because I myself didn't feel like waiting for the van. When the night got later, there was no more sitting, since dew had taken the grass, just standing and shivering. I welcomed a warm meatball subway.
After about 14 hours of work it was time to go home. And what an aggravating journey it is! I went to the 6 line, noting the downtown train I crossed the street and went in what I thought was the uptown train. It wasn't. But the card was already swiped. I tried to wait it out, about ten minutes later a train showed up and I still couldn't enter (having the unlimited monthly plan, there's a time limit after you swipe.) The train passed, the staion worker cared not about my plight, so I said fuck it and walked to the nearest N/W line to acquire a more direct route. Much waiting. I took the R train hesitantly...blah blah blah, it took FOREVER to get back home. But you know what?? I ended the night right, with a good epdisode of Seinfeld. So it's all good!
It was a most uneventful night. Lots of sitting on a lawn, an occasional step, an even more occassional chair. Running out of cigarettes, going to set now and then to do some work, snacking, taking a van into town for catering, searching for cigarettes in the little plastic town, determining it's a non-smoking communnity, gave up, went to eat the cold, left-over food, and a mighty good pecan pie, suspiciously followed the actor back to set on foot, because I myself didn't feel like waiting for the van. When the night got later, there was no more sitting, since dew had taken the grass, just standing and shivering. I welcomed a warm meatball subway.
After about 14 hours of work it was time to go home. And what an aggravating journey it is! I went to the 6 line, noting the downtown train I crossed the street and went in what I thought was the uptown train. It wasn't. But the card was already swiped. I tried to wait it out, about ten minutes later a train showed up and I still couldn't enter (having the unlimited monthly plan, there's a time limit after you swipe.) The train passed, the staion worker cared not about my plight, so I said fuck it and walked to the nearest N/W line to acquire a more direct route. Much waiting. I took the R train hesitantly...blah blah blah, it took FOREVER to get back home. But you know what?? I ended the night right, with a good epdisode of Seinfeld. So it's all good!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Cookies and Kat
Kat is currently featured in a commercial/music video for the upcoming TV show Knights of Prosperity. YAY! Congrats to her!!! Watch it, believe me, you won't have to look for her!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgEl1TRsstw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgEl1TRsstw
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The Pearl of the Civilized World and the Race Against Time Borrowed
Somehow in the 530am rush to collect my belongings and head upstate I neglected to include my cell phone charger. Actually I know exactly how it happened. I put my laptop and charger into my backpack collectively and then in yet another rash decision decided not to bring my laptop. Unfortunately I didn't distinguish between computer wires and cell phone wires. The problem this whole thing presented was that I was specifically rushing back to what the train conductor likes to call, "the pearl of the civilized world," for the purpose of potential work on Tuesday and if my phone was to die, well then I couldn't confirm to any hypothetical calls that I can indeed work. So the trip home was a bundle of stress, with me inspecting my battery life a little too regulary and eventually turning it on and off in a fruitless attempt to stretch the last bar out until I reached home.
LUCKILY! I did get a call for work and I was able to confirm it. And blahblahblah here I am, back home in my little underground abode.
During the train ride I returned to Frankenstein. It's amazing how different the book is from the common perception of the monster. I don't know if I should or rather care to explain. But it's certainly not where I was expecting this book to go. I enjoying a little more, but honestly it's not going to go on my top 5.
Apparently I am hearing from people that I was on Without a Trace Friday I think. I remember this job, I was a valet at the strip joint Lace in midtown, bit of a featured part. This of course has prompted more of the "tell us when you're on TV again!" Like I have a magical TV Guide that schedules all my amazing background appearances. I could think of a 100 other magical things that I would want instead.
LUCKILY! I did get a call for work and I was able to confirm it. And blahblahblah here I am, back home in my little underground abode.
During the train ride I returned to Frankenstein. It's amazing how different the book is from the common perception of the monster. I don't know if I should or rather care to explain. But it's certainly not where I was expecting this book to go. I enjoying a little more, but honestly it's not going to go on my top 5.
Apparently I am hearing from people that I was on Without a Trace Friday I think. I remember this job, I was a valet at the strip joint Lace in midtown, bit of a featured part. This of course has prompted more of the "tell us when you're on TV again!" Like I have a magical TV Guide that schedules all my amazing background appearances. I could think of a 100 other magical things that I would want instead.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
The Big Event
The showing of the Lycian preview at the Mocca Lounge in Tribeca was an interesting experience. Not terrible, not amazing, but an experience I am glad I partook in anyway.
My colleagues were running late, so I went ahead without them. Thinking I might have to go it alone, I prepared a little speech in my head while on the subway. It went a little like this:
"The trailer you're about to watch is to a movie called Lycian. It was the first major feature film that I produced and it was a somewhat of an exhaustive experience that took nearly 2 1/2 years to complete. As you will see, the production required the building of a full scale Medieval village, period customes for the five principal actors as well as nearly 70 extras, the employment of a 2 time Emmy award winning composer to create an epic soundtrack, stunt choreography, and scouting for authentic castles within New York State... all for just under $30,000. All of the funding came from the wallets of three broke-as-hell filmmakers from upstate New York, who all shared a passion and need simply to tell a story."
It kind of sounds a bit arrogant, but fortunately it's all true, without any exaggeration.
When I got to the Lounge my colleagues were still enroute. So I decided to settle into things with a mixed drink, my regular: a screwdriver. I then got a complimentary shot of tequila from the bartender who matched me. It was certainly a good way to start things off I must say. The place was smaller and less organized than I was expecting and at a point, I was just hoping that they had received the DVD we sent them (as there was some question to this.) Though we were asked to be there at 7:15, nothing started until 8:00. They guys arrived and with time to spare. The host asked if we were part of the movie event and then sat us down in a reserved section. The DJ who was running the event (I had met him moments before) came over and introduced himself to everyone else. A little later, and after some poor communication, we found out that we weren't meant to be in the reserved area where we were seated. This kind of kicked us out to the front patio, and made for plenty a joke later in the night (such as going into a chinese eatery and asking to show our preview there.) The DJ found us and apologized for everything. I told him it was fine. There were people there actually premiering their stuff and our thing is years old, so it really didn't mean the same thing to us. I decided our director should make the speech after all that planning. I genuinely thought it would be good for him to do it. There was a funny moment when the mic wasn't working, and he pretty much said "thank you" several times, but it was still good. After the preview ended there was applause, the DJ then prompted a second round of applause and announced my name, telling me to raise my hand. When I did, he followed saying not to be shy. So I raised both hands and did a silly exaggerated triumphiant pumping of the arms. Collecting the DVD afterward, I received many nice compliments and then we left. And that was that. I did find out that they do this monthly and talked to the DJ about showing ShE there either at the end of the month or the middle of next month. It's a good practise anyway I think.
In kind of a rash decision I bummed a ride upstate with the guys and now here I am. Unfortunately I missed out on work (got the call pm today) for tomorrow, and I am getting all antsy. So tomorrow I am catching the noon train back to the city. It's going to be a busy next few months. I've already started looking into film festivals, but more work is needed on that end, and I am completely up to it. I was thinking of concerning myself with the affairs of the premier upstate, but I don't think I will make it my main focus any more. There's no progress in it, in my opinion. I want to enter the competitive stuff, I want it to be seen by people in the industry. I have alot of plans that need to start shaping into action real soon with the multitude of things I am trying to achieve. It's time to sink my teeth in again.
But right now, here I am. Good ole north country. Typing on a dial up connection, sipping pepsi and parot bay, or parot bay and pepsi if we're to go by ratio and winding the night quietly down...
p.s. I wish it was easier to see my family and not be completely unavailable to my work.
My colleagues were running late, so I went ahead without them. Thinking I might have to go it alone, I prepared a little speech in my head while on the subway. It went a little like this:
"The trailer you're about to watch is to a movie called Lycian. It was the first major feature film that I produced and it was a somewhat of an exhaustive experience that took nearly 2 1/2 years to complete. As you will see, the production required the building of a full scale Medieval village, period customes for the five principal actors as well as nearly 70 extras, the employment of a 2 time Emmy award winning composer to create an epic soundtrack, stunt choreography, and scouting for authentic castles within New York State... all for just under $30,000. All of the funding came from the wallets of three broke-as-hell filmmakers from upstate New York, who all shared a passion and need simply to tell a story."
It kind of sounds a bit arrogant, but fortunately it's all true, without any exaggeration.
When I got to the Lounge my colleagues were still enroute. So I decided to settle into things with a mixed drink, my regular: a screwdriver. I then got a complimentary shot of tequila from the bartender who matched me. It was certainly a good way to start things off I must say. The place was smaller and less organized than I was expecting and at a point, I was just hoping that they had received the DVD we sent them (as there was some question to this.) Though we were asked to be there at 7:15, nothing started until 8:00. They guys arrived and with time to spare. The host asked if we were part of the movie event and then sat us down in a reserved section. The DJ who was running the event (I had met him moments before) came over and introduced himself to everyone else. A little later, and after some poor communication, we found out that we weren't meant to be in the reserved area where we were seated. This kind of kicked us out to the front patio, and made for plenty a joke later in the night (such as going into a chinese eatery and asking to show our preview there.) The DJ found us and apologized for everything. I told him it was fine. There were people there actually premiering their stuff and our thing is years old, so it really didn't mean the same thing to us. I decided our director should make the speech after all that planning. I genuinely thought it would be good for him to do it. There was a funny moment when the mic wasn't working, and he pretty much said "thank you" several times, but it was still good. After the preview ended there was applause, the DJ then prompted a second round of applause and announced my name, telling me to raise my hand. When I did, he followed saying not to be shy. So I raised both hands and did a silly exaggerated triumphiant pumping of the arms. Collecting the DVD afterward, I received many nice compliments and then we left. And that was that. I did find out that they do this monthly and talked to the DJ about showing ShE there either at the end of the month or the middle of next month. It's a good practise anyway I think.
In kind of a rash decision I bummed a ride upstate with the guys and now here I am. Unfortunately I missed out on work (got the call pm today) for tomorrow, and I am getting all antsy. So tomorrow I am catching the noon train back to the city. It's going to be a busy next few months. I've already started looking into film festivals, but more work is needed on that end, and I am completely up to it. I was thinking of concerning myself with the affairs of the premier upstate, but I don't think I will make it my main focus any more. There's no progress in it, in my opinion. I want to enter the competitive stuff, I want it to be seen by people in the industry. I have alot of plans that need to start shaping into action real soon with the multitude of things I am trying to achieve. It's time to sink my teeth in again.
But right now, here I am. Good ole north country. Typing on a dial up connection, sipping pepsi and parot bay, or parot bay and pepsi if we're to go by ratio and winding the night quietly down...
p.s. I wish it was easier to see my family and not be completely unavailable to my work.
My Night in the Slammer
Sometimes BG is just boring. I don't mean to really complain, its still getting paid to nothing. But when you're sitting around in a prison gymnasium for nine hours straight, listening to person after person talk themselves up, pretending to make friends really only to hear themselves talk, well... You tend to get a little annoyed. It's not like I haven't had a life or haven't had achievements, I just don't feel it necessary to spread my story over the night's background pool.
I did absolutely nothing in the way of work. I brought my laptop, but didn't feel like pulling it out. I gave a reluctant second try to Frankenstein. I still don't like her writing that much, it's over-dramatic, overly-sentimental and at times tiring. But the ideas of the story are kind of interesting, so I'm sticking with it.
P.s. Sorry for all the typos recently. I've been writing with my Sidekick, and haven't had time to make corrections.
I did absolutely nothing in the way of work. I brought my laptop, but didn't feel like pulling it out. I gave a reluctant second try to Frankenstein. I still don't like her writing that much, it's over-dramatic, overly-sentimental and at times tiring. But the ideas of the story are kind of interesting, so I'm sticking with it.
P.s. Sorry for all the typos recently. I've been writing with my Sidekick, and haven't had time to make corrections.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
