Day 694: Dancing Storm Trooper

Have you seen Tokyo’s Dancing Storm Trooper?  Classic.

Day 693: Extreme Ironing

I can’t really add any commentary to www.extremeironing.com.  Their home page says it all:

Welcome to the home of extreme ironing - the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt.

If you're new to the sport you might want to check out our Galleries or to find out more, including history, FAQ and contact details, click here.

Day 692: Tom, Dick and Penny

In the summer of 1999, I attended the New York Film Academy for two months.  ‘Tom, Dick, and Penny’ was the final result of my time there.  It might not seem like much on the surface, but the nuts and bolts behind the project makes me wonder how I ever finished it. 

First, it’s shot on 16mm B&W film.  I edited it by hand, and when I say ‘by hand’ I really mean it.  I had to physically cut the film into pieces and then tape it back together… by hand.

Second, I didn’t have a way to capture audio on location, so chose to forgo dialogue and focus on telling a story with only actions, props, and music… I know… it’s my bizarre-o-blog world.

Third, I had two mishaps, one during film processing… the other during filming (however, it didn’t show itself until post production.  I believe I shot around 10 rolls of film… which isn’t a lot for a film this length.  I went in knowing exactly what I wanted to shoot and I did… unfortunately, I didn’t have the time or money to shoot extra for insurance sake.

MISHAP #1: When I got my film back from processing and viewed it… I noticed one roll had been processed backwards… meaning it was the mirror image of what I actually shot.  I couldn’t use the scenes captured on that roll, because everyone was facing the wrong directions.  From an audience perspective there was no continuity and it was very disorienting.

MISHAP #2: I originally intended the film to contain a five minute fight scene.  Not to toot my own horn, but the fight sequence was pretty hilarious.  And when I edited it together it really worked… however, I had to omit it from my final project.  At some point during the filming a small piece of film broke off and wedged itself between the lenses and the gate.  The result was a rectangular dark splotch in the upper right hand corner of two rolls of film.  The two rolls containing the fight footage.  Even though the fight seen worked, I couldn’t bring myself to use flawed film… and I didn’t have time to reshoot. 

As a result, I was forced to skip the fight entirely… although it is clear when the fight sequence should take place, its omission doesn’t at all detract from the overall theme of the film. 

However, its omission does cause a few unanswered questions in the film… most notably, “why is the businessman putting his socks back on in the final scene?” 

Wouldn’t you like to know!

PS: You can thank this film for paving the way for the monthly family videos... but thank God for digital media.

Day 691: SchutzHappens: May 2010, Mambo Italiano

Day 690: Mad Cap'N Tom

This guy was running to office for the district we were lining in while we were in London.  This is Politics at its best.

http://www.madcapntom.co.uk/

Day 689: Okay Go!

Okay Go! is one of the most creative Rock Bands out today.  They offer good music and their videos are interesting, entertaining, and simply shot.  This is a grassroots band at its best.

Here It Goes Again – aka, the Treadmill Dance

This Too Shall Pass

A Millions Ways

This one is their simplest video and it’s really good.  Again, I can’t embed the video, so follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bav63MWNUKg

Day 688: My Humps

Okay, I can’t stand ‘My Humps’ by the Black Eyed Peas… but after seeing Alanis Morrissette’s spoof the song and video, I LOVE it!  Even Serena thinks it’s one of the most hilarious things she’s seen.  The quick rundown is this: When ‘My Humps’ hit #1 on the Billboard Music Charts, Alanis Morissette was appalled.  She questioned how a song with such horrible lyrics objectifying women could reach #1.  So, she stripped down the song and sang it her way… please note, she sings the original lyrics 100% correct… the result is nothing less than brilliant! 

I embedded the original Black Eyed Peas video just to give you the flavor.  Seeing the original makes the spoof even better!

Black Eyed Peas

Alanis Morissette

Youtube wouldn’t let me embed this video, so follow the link, you won’t be disappointed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRmYfVCH2UA