sort of cranky tonight...

Borat, The Office, Punk'd...there is so little entertainment out there anymore. Does anyone reme,ber what it was like to turn on the TV and have shows entertain you without that awkward silence. Yeah, I know, the critics love BORAT because he essentially said what Michael Richards said...'cept he was 'funny'...though if his SNL performance was anything close to his stupid movie, then he deserved the beating he got after the show...I still like Hugh Laurie because he is great as Dr. House, but I wish that he had let Borat get his just desert.

It seems that we can no longer be entertained unless we are watching someone get humiliated. I remember walking out of the living room when my wife and I watched "Meet the Parents". How is an hour and a half long movie about making someone feel absolutely worthless and humiliating them repeatedly concidered humorous entertainment.

Entertainment and writing in Hollywood has been at a steady decline for years, but "reality TV" which is anything but reality and "humiliation" comedy is causing so much damage to people...I wonder if anyone can laugh any more unless someone is a) humiliated b) Punk'd(what ever that means...MTV idiots on drugs pulling childish pranks on people most likely) or c) being SHOCKING!

Let's face it...sit coms are all about a) stupid dads b) over sexed and under satisfied wives c) smart alec kids who talk back to dumb dad and then have sex with under satisfied teenagers d) sarcastic idiots who find it funny trashing Christian values...

Stop the world...I'm done for now...

Dr. K.F. R.I.P.

There is no more creativity in Hollywood

Just read this...don't these idiots have a clue? Remember the shot-for-shot remake of Psycho?

NEWS: POLTERGEIST remake coming

SOURCE - SCI FI WIRE:

The proposed sequel film Poltergeist: Kayeri has been shelved in favor of a shot-for-shot remake of the original 1982 film. "I've just received official confirmation that the original idea for Kayeri will not be used for the remake," the source said. "Instead, the new film will be a straight-up remake of the first film. Pretty much frame-for-frame. Just think Hills Have Eyes."

According to the site, screenwriter Clint Morris, who wrote the script for Poltergeist: Kayeri, will not be involved in the new project. The source also confirmed that original cast members Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams and Zelda Rubinstein will not appear in the remake.

The original Poltergeist, produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, centered on a family who moves into a new housing development and discovers that their home is built over an ancient burial ground inhabited by angry spirits. The film spawned two theatrical sequels and a television series, which ran from 1996 to 1999.

we're on our way to nanotech

Introducing the nano battery,
as thick as a strand of hair



SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, November 17, 2006
TEL AVIV — A university here has developed and patented nano-battery technology suitable for military applications.

Professor Menachem Nathan, head of the nano-battery project at Tel Aviv University, said the new battery, with the thickness of a strand of hair, was safer and could recharge faster.

Tel Aviv University has sponsored an effort to develop and patent nano-battery technology. A team of university scientists developed the technology for fast charge/discharge batteries that eliminates fire hazards of lithium-based batteries and could mark an alternative source of power for mobile devices.

"The battery would be especially sought for military applications in equipment used under extreme heat conditions," an industry source said.

Nathan said the safety advantage over lithium was not the focus of the research.

"The development of our technology wasn't actually geared to solve the flammability issue," Nathan said. "It was just a side effect."

Organizers said the university would seek an Asian partner for production and marketing. They cited such companies as Sony or Toshiba.

new Garum sketch

Ron likes it...YAY!

rewrite

The rewrite is coming along smoothly. I am a lot happier with the story this time. Many changes...many...

getting excited...

After shooting on Friday with a REAL camera...I am even more excited about the movie. I'm going to do some test shots next week...

Danielle as a psychopathic cook

What a night…I got to ITT at 4:00 pm and we finished at 10:30…We shot half of the sword fight video (choreographed to the music from Final Fantasy 7) complete with me standing on the bumper of my father-in-law’s truck while balancing the camera on the back cab to simulate a rotating dolly shot that totally rocked…then we destroyed the teacher’s lounge for a TOOL video that had two chefs creating cookies without eggs…there will be images posted next week of both projects…it was a long day…

btw...danielle was the lead singer of the song...i still don't quite get TOOL because I'm almost 40.

Danielle is Gwen

By the way...the images of the nice young 'dead chick' are actually those of the star of our film, Danielle. She will be playing Gwen...and it's nice to see that she isn't afraid of a little blood because she takes a beating in the last act of the film.

ALIEN and Ridley Scott

Just watched/listened to the comentary track of ALIEN...I also looked at all of the sketches and preproduction paintings and story boards for the movie...I am so pumped...I think I am going to rewrite the script from scratch and redraw all 500+ story boards...

This sounds cool...

With his prequels behind him, George Lucas has shifted his attention to two daring projects that could bring tie-fighters, tauntauns and Tatooine to a new generation of imaginers. First among them is a largely 3-D animated show very different from the recent, slick Genndy Tartakovsky "Clone Wars" cartoons but set throughout the same epic battles. "We've got a number of episodes finished now," he promised. "It looks really good. It's a lot of fun.

"It's that same time period," Lucas added of the show, which is being shopped to various channels. "But it's quite a bit more sophisticated, and it's not like anything you've ever seen on television before. ... [Tartakovsky] used his distinctive 2-D style to do [Clone Wars], but it was two minutes at a time, so it was a test-subject kind of idea. It worked and everything, but then we knew we were eventually going to do a 3-D animated series."

In 2007, Lucas will begin work on a live-action "Star Wars" show set during the 18-year gap between Episodes III and IV. "We haven't started yet; I start that next year," the filmmaker said, adding that he's determined to write an entire first season before shooting begins on the show that will star "background" characters from that time period.

"None of the Skywalker story, none of that stuff is in there," he explained, shooting down any depiction of a young Han Solo acquiring the Millennium Falcon or running with Lando Calrissian. "It's completely different. The animated series has got all the characters in it. The one that comes after, the live-action one, is with people who were in 'Star Wars,' but they're not the main characters."

Lucas said the plot will be steered by characters such as Tie-Fighter or Rebel pilots, most only briefly glimpsed in the six "Star Wars" films.


got this info at www.darkwordls.com

ouch...and I mean OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those of you who pray...send one off for me...

I posted a while ago at the other blog about the pain in my knee from years of abusive fencing and such...well the pain has reached a point where I'm bothered by it...and pain is usually something I'm quite good at ignoring.

However...it's to the point where vicodin isn't helping and I'm (cue dramatic music) going to the doctor. I'm limping and I DON'T LIKE THAT! The knee has swollen to a size that looks rather odd and unreal and my wife (the beautiful Kristi) has insisted that I go in for x rays and other DR. things that I so loath.

Any whoo...I'm hopeful that sugery isn't in my future...but MAN IT HURTS...so toss out a prayer or two for me..OK?

just so ya know

Tomorrow is National TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY! ARRR

There seems to be a disturbance in the force...

After seeing Shane Felux's film, I've gotten excited about Darkness Aftermath. I have a LOT of still shots that I took during location scouting. I'm going to start creating some composite images of ruins to be used in the film.

They're pulling a Lucas here

Fans of the original Star Trek series...check out this article...

To Green or not to Green

After watching Star Wars Revelations, I began to realize that I had seriously restrained myself with visuals because I did not want to worry about green screen shots. But the other night as I was looking through my sketchbook, I found a sketch of an old statue (monumental in size) that was leaning at a slight angle with rain water flowing from the empty eye sockets like waterfalls. It was to be the location of the librarian (who in the storyboards lived in a makeshift tent). That could so easily be green screened in. I have a lot of photos from the locations so I think I am going to try to create the image and perhaps edit it to see how feasible it could be.

Actually quite cool

This is very interesting. I plan on watching it again and then I'll post a full review.

Why Darkness Aftermath did not get made (yet)

1) Schedule conflicts among key players due to school and other commitments

2) People who vanished...i.e. my two guards who practiced one of the key fight scenes and then vanished without phone numbers or email adresses...shame on Jon and Loren.

3) Dedication...many who said they wanted to help, didn't...and they were key people...I won't name them because I am truely frustrated with them...

HOWEVER! I want to thank those who dedicated time and energy to the cause.

Carrie (Lilly) - When this movie is made, you have to be Lilly...you are forever in my mind LILLY!

Mary - Costumes were fantastic! Hopefully next year we can get this going again because your vision of the costumes opened a whole new set of ideas regarding the history of the people of D.A.

John - you actually made location scouting an adventure and your animation will rock...of this I am sure.

Danielle - You are still Gwen!

Dorian - you are the Libraian...but spell check man, spell check.

Kevin Rowan - thanks for the gym

And...well...I'm not sure...remind me who else came through...

there were others (and I blame you NOT) who had said that they would help with post production...sound, music, editing, I have not mentioned you (because you did not fail me), but you know who you are and you will hear from me...soon.

DARKNESS AFTERMATH WILL LIVE!!!

It lives...in a way...

John, one of the most dedicated members of the team, has put together story boards of the confrontation between Lilly and the Drifter. Check it out here.

shutting down sir...sor of

It looks like Darkness Aftermath is not going to be made any time soon...there have been scheduling problems, due mainly to ITT deciding to schedule many of my key team players on Saturdays and 'when to shoot' conflicts due to shedule conflicts and most frustatingly a lack of commitment by some of the people involved in getting this project up off of the ground.

Now I'm not killing the film...just taking a nap from it for a short spell...I still want to shoot several scenes and get some of the CG work edited. I also plan on recording the 'Darkness Aftermath' theme. I then plan to edit it together as a potential demo reel to present to a college or university or film organization or...well, anyway...

I'd like to thank all of you who have put time and energy into this...Darkness Aftermath WILL GET MADE...even if we have to shoot it next summer.

Stay tuned for updates...

where the heck did they go?

Loren and John (AKA the body guards) are MIA. where are you guys? Report in. We need to shoot your scenes and then 'kill' you. Call me! 420-9816

set backs...and now...moving forward

Well, we've had a few hiccups, but it's finally happening. Meeting with Jay on Wed. to discuss the scenes we're shooting. Mary reports that the costumes are ready. And since our weapons guys are AWOL, I've designed some new weapons for Saturday's shoot in Markle. I'll post pictures Monday or Tuesday of the shoot.

shooting starts NEXT saturday...not THIS saturday

The costumes will be ready for John, Loren, and Danielle NEXT week, not this week...my mistake. Also, the guys making the weapons seem to have vanished so I have been working on new weapons which will be ready for our shoot next week in MARKLE.

...and rain is a set back?

There are two scenes with Lilly where the rain is supposed to stop. I had wanted to shoot it this week end...it's been raining for 6 days now...

what's up...

Now that Entropy Gate Journey is done, I'm really looking forward to editing the follow up, Beyond. In the mean time...I'm finishing teaching my four classes at IPFW, about half way through writing next year's musical production "Come in out of the Rain" (a musical comedy that takes place in a club in the 1940s...all of the characters are named after characters in Humphrey Bogart films), halfway through two classes at ITT, and currently reading Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac".


Oh, and I'm editing the Darkness Aftermath script again...got inspired after watching the Firefly series. Going to watch Serenity tonight.

Final costume design for Gwen

This set of images will show Mary M. how to create the layered look of the costume.

Inspired after the setback - drifters reborn

Well, we had a slight setback. Our guy who was to animate the DRIFTERS backed out. So...I was sort of bumbed and frustrated with all the work that had gone into designing these creatures...but then, last night, an entirely new design hit me and I'm much happier with the look.

guest instructor

He offered his advice but only if we used his weapons...

shooting schedule

the shooting schedule should be ready by the end of next week.

another logo idea

nothing to do with D.A. but cool anyway...

War of the Worlds graphic novel...click here

just a logo idea for our production co.

The fighting began...

top image: John taking a break
second from top: showing Danielle how to take the staff from the other John
third from top: walk through with John and Danielle
bottom image: showing Danielle how to disarm John

Rumble in the Gym

This Sunday at 6pm at New Haven High School we will be choreographing some fight scenes...

Our lead thought she had to drop out...then we got a new lead...but she needs knee surgery...so our original lead is back in...for good...or we'll shoot her!

More Drifter news

Production has begun on the first scene with Lilly and the Drifters...

DRIFTERS

Talked with Brian last night about the Drifters and he's very excited about starting on them. I like the direction he's going with including rusted and aged armor that is fused with the 'flesh'. As soon as I get stuff from him, I'll post it.

We also have three guys working on weapons now.

Carrie as Lilly

Carrie sent this (though I altered it slightly...got rid of the background, extended the scarf length and added the goggles) idea for her costume for Lilly. Yes, that is her hair and no, I did not enhance that in photoshop.

UPDATE ON SCHEDULE

The gym won't work out for this weekend...we have it reserved for Sunday the 26th at 6:00pm. I need to speak to the cast about weapons and costumes.

asetter304@aol.com

All wings report in...red 5 standing by

I need all departments to report...CG guys, weapons guys, and my two wayward body guards John and Loren.

asetter304@aol.com

we also welcome on board our costumer Mary Montgomery (need to check the spelling of that last name)

correction

we'll be meeting at New Haven High School for the next fight choreography meeting two weeks from Sunday...not one week.

Bit of a Bummer

Today kinda stunk...We were going to work on a fight scene but the people involved didn't show...or call...or email...thus, the bummer. I'm sure there were reasons (like the fact that there was a tornado watch) so I'm not that upset about the choreography not getting done...but come on, people, call...pick up the phone.

there...done venting...one week from Sunday...next meeting. Those who missed this one...be there or were talking possible recasting...

was that harsh? nah...I'm sure there were real reasons peole could not make it...

Lilly

Met with Carrie (aka Lilly) today to discuss charater, costume and location. She has some great ideas for the look of Lilly and has some locations where we can film.

Hopefully I can post some pictures of tonight's fight choreography by tomorrow.

"Cry havoc...and let slip the dogs of war!"

We’ll be choreographing the fight scene between Gwen and Danea’s guards on Thursday Feb. 16 @ 6:30. (1905 Crescent Ave.) Then a week from Sunday we’ll meet at New Haven High School to work with tumbling on the mats.

Weapons

Me and Jon's weapon at the meeting.

The face only a mother could love...a blind mother

Musical Instruments

Here is a three stringed instrument (lower) and a one stringed drum (upper) called a Thunder Tunnel. The three string is played by running your finger along the neck holding down only the bottom string. The upper strings are not depressed (though sometimes a little sad...ha ha) but are strummed and play as drones. The Thunder Tunnel consists of a piano string that echos through the PVC pipe when struck.

updates

Just talked to the CG guys...

Got one guy working on the three virtual landscape scenes.
Another is working on the DRIFTERS. We're going to shoot Lilly in early March so that he has the footage to work with.
Also found two guys who are going to create the weapons.

Something odd about Lilly

Lilly (and the various incarnations of her that have appeared on this blog) is an oddity at best. Several people have asked (including the actress who is set to play her) which Lilly is it? Lilly is percieved by people in various ways. Some see her as strong, mature, a fighter, while at other times she takes on the appearance of a child-like trouble maker. Those who have read the script will understand. For the rest of you, hang in there...Lilly's origins will be revealed.

eyes...the problem...the solution

I've mentioned this before, but others have asked so I'm explaining again. The question: "Why aren't you using experienced actors in your film?" I am to some degree, but I'm also looking for people who 'fit the part' physically and attitude-wise. Most actors (most people in general) act (or express emotion) primarily with their eyes. Watch good actors (Anthony Hopkins or Sigourney Weaver as two examples). Their eyes tell the story. Hannibal Lector has completely different eye movement than, say, C.S. Lewis (Shadowlands). The space heroine in Alien uses her eyes to emote fear, anger hatred yet can bring out seduction and humor in Galaxy Quest.

So...since all of the actors (except for Lilly) are blindfolded, they'll be acting with the rest of their bodies and with their voice. Thus, voice and physic over experience.

Hey...it's just a theory...one I first heard from Kevin Smith re: Ben Affleck in "Daredevil".

fighting has begun

On Feb 16 (that's next Thursday) Danea's bodyguards begin their training. I've expanded their firght sequence because Laren and John are so much into their characters. Both have agreed to shave heads into a mohawk-like style when filming begins because they "really want (our) guys too look like bad warriors!"

another poster idea...

At some point (very soon) we I will start working from photographs of the actual actors...