Blogging in a vacuum is no fun.
Back in my high school heyday I had a LiveJournal, and I can guarantee that as much of a grade-school vibe that website had, it got way more traffic and commenting than this little corner of the web. I had a bunch of friends that did the same, and it was always much more fun to read what they had to say than blab endlessly by myself.
Which is what I've pretty much been doing on Blogspot. Yeah... Not exactly what I had in mind.
I'll keep this place updated occasionally, so that you three-or-four readers know what's going on with everything. To be honest, aside from the little Youtube project I'm working on, there's really nothing to report.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.
By the way-- The Dark Knight kicked serious ass. GO SEE IT. Seriously.
I'm serious.
<3 "Iggy"
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
what, no "meet the spartans"?
Alright ladies and germs, it's time for another first on this blog. Instead of giving you a daily update on my short film's status-- since there's pretty much nothing going on with it today-- I'm going to go in a completely new, unprecedented direction. It's time for:
Iggy's Top 5 Movies of 2008 1/2!
Yes, that's right. I'm going to list my top five movies of the first half of '08.
By the way-- this is a tangent, but I've always been curious-- when this decade is over, how are people going to refer to it? We had the 70's, the 80's, the 90's, and now... the aughts? The Zeroes? The "2000's"? That can't be right. We're the first decade of the new millennium, and we don't even have a cool name. What if we just go with "The First Decade of the New Millennium"? That's a proud title. Unwieldy, maybe, but also extremely descriptive.
What was I talking about? Oh yeah. Movies.
A quick warning: This list is pretty thin, by anyone's standards. There haven't been many good movies to come out so far this year. Usually studios reserve the best films for the end of the year, so that they're in a better position to win Oscars in February. That being said, there are still some movies that are worth being recognized-- so here we go!
5. Wanted
Great action movie, with a pretty good sense of humor. I know I blasted it a few days ago for being unoriginal, but honestly, what movie these days isn't? And if you're going to emulate other films (Matrix, Fight Club), you might as well emulate some of the best.
4. Get Smart
I really liked this movie. It was full of slapstick and classic humor, and Steve Carell just cements his reputation as a comedic genius. He has such impeccable timing and delivery, I found myself laughing every minute he was onscreen. Carell's performance turned a forgettable action-comedy into a memorable one.
3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Judd Apatow can do no wrong. He's the Pixar of comedy. Forgetting Sarah Marshall was a good example of how solid writing, and a sympathetic lead performance by Jason Segel, elevates an Apatow production above all the Semi-Pros and Old Schools of the world. Check this one out on DVD if you missed it in the theater-- which you probably did, because it didn't make much money.
2. Iron Man
On the flip side, most of you have probably seen this movie already, and chances are you liked it as much as I did. I've always dug Robert Downey Jr. and I would recommend Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang if you liked his character in Iron Man. There's not much more to say about this movie, though, because even though I really liked it, it was absolutely blown away by my #1 film of the half-year...
1. Wall-E
In a way, Pixar is the Judd Apatow of computer-animated films. They can do no wrong. With Wall-E, they not only raised the bar, they strapped a rocket booster to the bar and launched it into the ionosphere. This film is a triumph in every category-- concept, animation, sound, acting (mostly by Ben Burtt, who conveys incredible emotion through bloops and bleeps), and overall execution. Wall-E is a modern-day Charlie Chaplin, and the movie is imbued with the same sense of curiosity and simplicity that he has himself. There are some breathtaking sequences, particularly a little "Soarin' Over California" section in space that is as beautiful and satisfying as anything Pixar has ever produced. The entire film blew me away. What else can I say? It's an instant classic.
So there's my top five.
However, I'm going to see The Dark Knight tonight... and if advance reviews are any indication, I'll need to make some room on the list. God, I'm excited for that movie.
Iggy's Top 5 Movies of 2008 1/2!
Yes, that's right. I'm going to list my top five movies of the first half of '08.
By the way-- this is a tangent, but I've always been curious-- when this decade is over, how are people going to refer to it? We had the 70's, the 80's, the 90's, and now... the aughts? The Zeroes? The "2000's"? That can't be right. We're the first decade of the new millennium, and we don't even have a cool name. What if we just go with "The First Decade of the New Millennium"? That's a proud title. Unwieldy, maybe, but also extremely descriptive.
What was I talking about? Oh yeah. Movies.
A quick warning: This list is pretty thin, by anyone's standards. There haven't been many good movies to come out so far this year. Usually studios reserve the best films for the end of the year, so that they're in a better position to win Oscars in February. That being said, there are still some movies that are worth being recognized-- so here we go!
5. Wanted
Great action movie, with a pretty good sense of humor. I know I blasted it a few days ago for being unoriginal, but honestly, what movie these days isn't? And if you're going to emulate other films (Matrix, Fight Club), you might as well emulate some of the best.
4. Get Smart
I really liked this movie. It was full of slapstick and classic humor, and Steve Carell just cements his reputation as a comedic genius. He has such impeccable timing and delivery, I found myself laughing every minute he was onscreen. Carell's performance turned a forgettable action-comedy into a memorable one.
3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Judd Apatow can do no wrong. He's the Pixar of comedy. Forgetting Sarah Marshall was a good example of how solid writing, and a sympathetic lead performance by Jason Segel, elevates an Apatow production above all the Semi-Pros and Old Schools of the world. Check this one out on DVD if you missed it in the theater-- which you probably did, because it didn't make much money.
2. Iron Man
On the flip side, most of you have probably seen this movie already, and chances are you liked it as much as I did. I've always dug Robert Downey Jr. and I would recommend Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang if you liked his character in Iron Man. There's not much more to say about this movie, though, because even though I really liked it, it was absolutely blown away by my #1 film of the half-year...
1. Wall-E
In a way, Pixar is the Judd Apatow of computer-animated films. They can do no wrong. With Wall-E, they not only raised the bar, they strapped a rocket booster to the bar and launched it into the ionosphere. This film is a triumph in every category-- concept, animation, sound, acting (mostly by Ben Burtt, who conveys incredible emotion through bloops and bleeps), and overall execution. Wall-E is a modern-day Charlie Chaplin, and the movie is imbued with the same sense of curiosity and simplicity that he has himself. There are some breathtaking sequences, particularly a little "Soarin' Over California" section in space that is as beautiful and satisfying as anything Pixar has ever produced. The entire film blew me away. What else can I say? It's an instant classic.
So there's my top five.
However, I'm going to see The Dark Knight tonight... and if advance reviews are any indication, I'll need to make some room on the list. God, I'm excited for that movie.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
gallery of progress
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, here's a few "thousand words" about my rain machine-in-progress...
This was our high-tech sawing table. Yep-- two nasty, dirty old plastic chairs. They were new at some point... roughly 1972, to be exact.
The frame.
The other half of the project, to be put onto the frame on Friday. But first I have to drill a bunch of little holes in it, so that it will shoot water out at random intervals, and hopefully, that will turn out looking something like rain.
And finally...
Here's me, looking ferocious after a long couple hours in the sun.
So with the rain machine half-finished, my other job for today was to call my former boss and ask for a professional camera. He was really generous and agreed to let me borrow a camera for a weekend. Considering I was expecting to pay upwards of $100 to rent a pro's camera for one day, this is a pretty big coup. I knew that internship would count for something.
I figure I can buy a plastic tarp to cover it if conditions are rainy.
Now the next step is to start scouting locations.
If you want to come help me scout, you're invited.
This was our high-tech sawing table. Yep-- two nasty, dirty old plastic chairs. They were new at some point... roughly 1972, to be exact.
The frame.
The other half of the project, to be put onto the frame on Friday. But first I have to drill a bunch of little holes in it, so that it will shoot water out at random intervals, and hopefully, that will turn out looking something like rain.
And finally...
Here's me, looking ferocious after a long couple hours in the sun.
So with the rain machine half-finished, my other job for today was to call my former boss and ask for a professional camera. He was really generous and agreed to let me borrow a camera for a weekend. Considering I was expecting to pay upwards of $100 to rent a pro's camera for one day, this is a pretty big coup. I knew that internship would count for something.
I figure I can buy a plastic tarp to cover it if conditions are rainy.
Now the next step is to start scouting locations.
If you want to come help me scout, you're invited.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
plan 10?
Hey boils and ghouls. Iggy here.
After crying myself to sleep last night, and after eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's and watching old Cary Grant movies with "the girls", I think I'm on the road to recovery from acute self-doubt. Film is a tough business, and no one will sugarcoat things in Hollywood. I need to be ready to accept my own mediocrity, and never stop trying to break through it.
And if I can't, maybe I'll get a job working on Two and a Half Men. (Ouch! Score one for the Iggster!)
So here's my shopping list for tomorrow. (I'm probably going to do most of the rain-machine building work then)
2 1-by-2 inch boards cut 5 feet long Rope
4 eye bolts 25- to 50-foot soaker hose Wood screws 4 1-by-2 inch boards cut 3 feet long 1 plastic hose cap Zip ties
I still have to consult with my engineering friend about what kind of square footage I'll need, which means I might need more boards.
This is really riveting stuff for blogging material, I know. I wish making movies was more interesting. If I could tell you more about the actual plot I would, but I don't want to spoil anything for you guys before the short comes out. It's a fun little story.
Damn it, I just want there to be one rainy day this summer. That's all I fricking need. I don't want to build a massive contraption to fake it, and have the sun obviously shining through the entire scene. I don't want to make a shitty movie, a "Plan 9 from Outer Space" or something.
By the way, you should watch that movie on Youtube. It's hilarious to see how bad a movie can actually be.
After crying myself to sleep last night, and after eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's and watching old Cary Grant movies with "the girls", I think I'm on the road to recovery from acute self-doubt. Film is a tough business, and no one will sugarcoat things in Hollywood. I need to be ready to accept my own mediocrity, and never stop trying to break through it.
And if I can't, maybe I'll get a job working on Two and a Half Men. (Ouch! Score one for the Iggster!)
So here's my shopping list for tomorrow. (I'm probably going to do most of the rain-machine building work then)
I still have to consult with my engineering friend about what kind of square footage I'll need, which means I might need more boards.
This is really riveting stuff for blogging material, I know. I wish making movies was more interesting. If I could tell you more about the actual plot I would, but I don't want to spoil anything for you guys before the short comes out. It's a fun little story.
Damn it, I just want there to be one rainy day this summer. That's all I fricking need. I don't want to build a massive contraption to fake it, and have the sun obviously shining through the entire scene. I don't want to make a shitty movie, a "Plan 9 from Outer Space" or something.
By the way, you should watch that movie on Youtube. It's hilarious to see how bad a movie can actually be.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
let's be honest.
Here's the thing.
When you're looking toward the future, people will have all kinds of advice for you. Some tell you to follow your dreams, chase the stars, shoot for the sky. Others remind you that in the real world, all that and five bucks will buy you a gallon of gas. It's all bullshit.
Dreams don't grow on trees. They're almost impossible to catch. In fact, most people don't achieve their dream. 90% of all people die unhappy, unsatisfied, and under-potential.
What makes me think I'm special enough to be in that 10%?
The truth is, I'm likely to fail spectacularly at breaking into the film business. I'm not cool enough to be an insider. I have no persuasive ability. Plus, times have changed, and stupid movies sell. Plots with quick hooks but no substance, scenes full of explosions and sex and cars. Derivative bullshit, patterned after the few good films that Hollywood has made.
Take Wanted for example. Crowd-pleasing, pretty likable movie. Lots of action and sex appeal. Premise-- and execution-- almost completely ripped off from Fight Club and The Matrix. There might not be a single original thought in this film. (Except-- MINOR SPOILER ALERT!-- the mildly-retarded "loom of fate" concept). Yet Wanted is what audiences and critics are recommending.
This is not to say I didn't like the movie. I enjoyed it, the same way I enjoy a delicious yogurt treat from Golden Spoon-- with zero thought to its nutritional value. But my point is, I want to make GOOD movies. You know, the kind nobody watches anymore.
I don't like the same type of movies that Hollywood usually sells. I think there's a growing number of people who recognize that the quality of movies has been horrendous lately, but there aren't enough of us to change "what sells".
Not yet, anyway.
So why do I even dream of being a filmmaker? Because I want to change things? I love that I'm egotistical enough to believe I can change Hollywood. I can't change a tire. I can't even change the fucking subject.
If there's a guy to revolutionize the entertainment industry from the outside in, he's probably a lot more awesome than I am.
The truth is, that guy isn't me. No matter how much I wish I were him-- I'm not.
But I've still got a summer left to make my first movie, so fuck it. I'll waste another pair of months chasing stars. Then I'll slap myself back down to boring, drudging reality and laugh at myself for trying to live outside the box.
Then maybe when I'm a 40-year-old systems analyst and I hate my life, I can look back on this summer and feel a glimmer of what it used to mean to be young and happy. I'll remember the freedom I felt and wonder what happened to the dreams I used to have. The ones that died a cold, dark death in a lonely corner of my mind, the day that I gave up on them.
...
Just kidding. I'll try to keep dreaming. Denial is a beautiful thing.
When you're looking toward the future, people will have all kinds of advice for you. Some tell you to follow your dreams, chase the stars, shoot for the sky. Others remind you that in the real world, all that and five bucks will buy you a gallon of gas. It's all bullshit.
Dreams don't grow on trees. They're almost impossible to catch. In fact, most people don't achieve their dream. 90% of all people die unhappy, unsatisfied, and under-potential.
What makes me think I'm special enough to be in that 10%?
The truth is, I'm likely to fail spectacularly at breaking into the film business. I'm not cool enough to be an insider. I have no persuasive ability. Plus, times have changed, and stupid movies sell. Plots with quick hooks but no substance, scenes full of explosions and sex and cars. Derivative bullshit, patterned after the few good films that Hollywood has made.
Take Wanted for example. Crowd-pleasing, pretty likable movie. Lots of action and sex appeal. Premise-- and execution-- almost completely ripped off from Fight Club and The Matrix. There might not be a single original thought in this film. (Except-- MINOR SPOILER ALERT!-- the mildly-retarded "loom of fate" concept). Yet Wanted is what audiences and critics are recommending.
This is not to say I didn't like the movie. I enjoyed it, the same way I enjoy a delicious yogurt treat from Golden Spoon-- with zero thought to its nutritional value. But my point is, I want to make GOOD movies. You know, the kind nobody watches anymore.
I don't like the same type of movies that Hollywood usually sells. I think there's a growing number of people who recognize that the quality of movies has been horrendous lately, but there aren't enough of us to change "what sells".
Not yet, anyway.
So why do I even dream of being a filmmaker? Because I want to change things? I love that I'm egotistical enough to believe I can change Hollywood. I can't change a tire. I can't even change the fucking subject.
If there's a guy to revolutionize the entertainment industry from the outside in, he's probably a lot more awesome than I am.
The truth is, that guy isn't me. No matter how much I wish I were him-- I'm not.
But I've still got a summer left to make my first movie, so fuck it. I'll waste another pair of months chasing stars. Then I'll slap myself back down to boring, drudging reality and laugh at myself for trying to live outside the box.
Then maybe when I'm a 40-year-old systems analyst and I hate my life, I can look back on this summer and feel a glimmer of what it used to mean to be young and happy. I'll remember the freedom I felt and wonder what happened to the dreams I used to have. The ones that died a cold, dark death in a lonely corner of my mind, the day that I gave up on them.
...
Just kidding. I'll try to keep dreaming. Denial is a beautiful thing.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
i need rain!
Guess who's back
Back again
Iggy's back
Tell a friend
And not a moment too soon. I bet most of you readers were wondering if I was ever going to return. Well, of course I'm back! How could I disappoint the hundreds of people who visit this website every day? There would be rioting.
So I'm crouched in a small shanty in the South Amazon, fighting off the urge to melt into my own clothes. The humidity here is over 100%. This basically means that unless you're a fish, or some other gilled animal, you should probably rethink buying a condo here.
The only reason I'm here myself is because I'm an animal researcher, studying a new strain of piranha that recently appeared in the Amazonian waters. The main difference between these new piranha and the other kind is that they have lasers attached to their heads.
Don't worry, I don't get it any more than you do.
What I do know is that I want to get the hell out of this country and start making some movies already. I requested leave from my research company, but they're keeping me down here. They want to explore the possibility of evolving other animals to have frickin' laser beams attached to their frickin' heads. Things aren't looking too good on that front. Although I do have some shark specimens that seem promising.
(If you want to learn more, here's the company I work for.)
Here in the Amazon, rain isn't all that hard to come by. Unfortunately, that's not true in other certain places of the globe. If I was in a place like the United States, for example, I would be stuck in the middle of a big heat wave and I wouldn't be able to find any rain to shoot my movie. Which means I really would have to make a 50-foot rain machine by myself.
Luckily for me, I think I have some engineering friends that can help me with it.
Another side project I still need to do is to buy a couple pairs of shoes. So far I haven't been able to find what I need. I assumed they would be on sale at most shoe stores, but it turns out they aren't! ANYWHERE! So I might need to go another direction for the shoes.
F me.
Oh well. Now I have to think of something that's just as cool. Which might be hard, because these shoes would probably be the epitome of cool.
Now I need to call my former boss and ask him if he has a nice camera I can borrow. Wish me luck.
Back again
Iggy's back
Tell a friend
And not a moment too soon. I bet most of you readers were wondering if I was ever going to return. Well, of course I'm back! How could I disappoint the hundreds of people who visit this website every day? There would be rioting.
So I'm crouched in a small shanty in the South Amazon, fighting off the urge to melt into my own clothes. The humidity here is over 100%. This basically means that unless you're a fish, or some other gilled animal, you should probably rethink buying a condo here.
The only reason I'm here myself is because I'm an animal researcher, studying a new strain of piranha that recently appeared in the Amazonian waters. The main difference between these new piranha and the other kind is that they have lasers attached to their heads.
Don't worry, I don't get it any more than you do.
What I do know is that I want to get the hell out of this country and start making some movies already. I requested leave from my research company, but they're keeping me down here. They want to explore the possibility of evolving other animals to have frickin' laser beams attached to their frickin' heads. Things aren't looking too good on that front. Although I do have some shark specimens that seem promising.
(If you want to learn more, here's the company I work for.)
Here in the Amazon, rain isn't all that hard to come by. Unfortunately, that's not true in other certain places of the globe. If I was in a place like the United States, for example, I would be stuck in the middle of a big heat wave and I wouldn't be able to find any rain to shoot my movie. Which means I really would have to make a 50-foot rain machine by myself.
Luckily for me, I think I have some engineering friends that can help me with it.
Another side project I still need to do is to buy a couple pairs of shoes. So far I haven't been able to find what I need. I assumed they would be on sale at most shoe stores, but it turns out they aren't! ANYWHERE! So I might need to go another direction for the shoes.
F me.
Oh well. Now I have to think of something that's just as cool. Which might be hard, because these shoes would probably be the epitome of cool.
Now I need to call my former boss and ask him if he has a nice camera I can borrow. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
good family fun
This blog might go on a bit of a hiatus for a few days. Some family is in town, so I'm going to be spending a lot of time with them.
Until next time... here's a scene that is really inspiring to me, from a directing perspective. I would love to put together a gigantic shot like this someday. (If you haven't seen the movie, this is from Goodfellas.)
...and here's another from a Taiwanese martial arts film called The Protector. Tony Jaa kicks some pretty serious ass.
Until next time... here's a scene that is really inspiring to me, from a directing perspective. I would love to put together a gigantic shot like this someday. (If you haven't seen the movie, this is from Goodfellas.)
...and here's another from a Taiwanese martial arts film called The Protector. Tony Jaa kicks some pretty serious ass.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
any post referencing "star tours" is a success in my book
I found my final cast member today! Pretty sure I've got everything set in the "finding actors" department.
Now I need to actually do some things that involve getting off my lazy ass. Namely, making a rain-machine.
Now I need to actually do some things that involve getting off my lazy ass. Namely, making a rain-machine.
According to a random website I found, building a rain machine involves a little construction work, but not a lot of cash. I would need some basic stuff-- wooden beams, a garden hose, ropes and eyebolts, and some screws, nuts and bolts. It seems like it would provide a large enough square-footage of rain. Although it might screw up some Scorsese-style tracking shots I wanted to throw in... unless I can put it on wheels and get it to move with the camera.
Oh and the day would HAVE to be overcast, or it obviously wouldn't work.
That means figuring out a schedule is going to be a little bit of guesswork. Blegh.
But I guess I would do all the outside shots at the same time, so that the clouds were always overhead.
I totally love this whole planning-a-movie thing, by the way. I'm having so much fun! And hopefully the final product won't suck completely. It is my first movie, after all. And I'm still getting used to my programming.
(I know this is probably your first short film, and it's... mine, too. Ha ha!)
Oh and the day would HAVE to be overcast, or it obviously wouldn't work.
That means figuring out a schedule is going to be a little bit of guesswork. Blegh.
But I guess I would do all the outside shots at the same time, so that the clouds were always overhead.
I totally love this whole planning-a-movie thing, by the way. I'm having so much fun! And hopefully the final product won't suck completely. It is my first movie, after all. And I'm still getting used to my programming.
(I know this is probably your first short film, and it's... mine, too. Ha ha!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)