While I let the holidays get the better of me (so much food, so little time) I'm also enjoying one of the newer reality shows in an already over-crowded landscape. Are there too many reality TV shows? Yes! There are shows where people put themselves through unbelievable things for a little cash. There are shows that are organized train wrecks. There are shows where people make fools of themselves on national television. And those are just the good ones. If there's a job in the fashion industry there is a competition reality show for that job. Amazing.
But every now and then there's one that I can enjoy. One that I can sink my teeth into. I would have to admit to watching several very bad reality TV shows. But the Scream Queens is not only remotely entertaining, it's also educational for those of us interested in the film making process. I have yet to expect an actress to cry. But it could happen. Seeing how these actresses motivate themselves, as well as how some pros from behind the camera motivate them to deliver, is very educational.
Even if you just want to see some bad acting, I'd have to recommend it. Every now and then, however, you see a moment, a glimpse, of really great acting in there. It's sort of inspiring.
I'm not sure how excited I'd be to be cast in Saw VI. To be honest I'm not a huge fan of the Saw franchise. I dig what Tobin Bell is doing in them, and I'll give it credit for being something new-ish (making people make twisted choices of mortality are as old as man). I also like that they're not all clean and polished. They're pretty much the opposite. They're dirty and icky.
I'm not, however, a fan of torture. And watching a series of people being essentially tortured in creative ways isn't my thing.
I like to see the victims in my horror movies surprised, or chased, or something more than waking up with a trap on their head that will kill them in ten minutes if they don't cut their own head off. It becomes a two dimensional one trick wonder (to mix my metaphor). Not saying they're not good movies. Just saying they're not my thing.
BUT I would say that for an aspiring actress, getting a spot on a well established franchise wouldn't suck at all. Hell, just cause you're in the movie doesn't mean you have to like the movie (just ask Elektra's Jennifer Garner).
I'm voting for Tanedra. I think she kicks ass and gives fresh, and sometimes surprising performances. Angela would be a second choice, if I had to pick.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Video killed the radio star
So the music video has been posted, and comments are in. In general everyone seems to love it. I should note a few things about it.
The audio was all done in one take. No redo, no remix, no re-anything. She sang it, she knows she was flat in a lot of places, and it's done anyway. When she watched the final cut for the first time she cringed and squirmed at her own voice. Personally I think that adds to the camp factor. I'd argue it's even better that way.
The client is a friend's gaming guild. They all play World of Warcraft, so there's a couple references that really only make sense if you play the game. It also contains adult themes so...
WARNING: this video contains adult themes and is not suitable for all viewers.
YouTube isn't exactly soft focus friendly. It was shot in HD, but none of that matters when it's shrunk way the hell down. Anyway, you get an idea of what it was here. Instead of using the digital soft focus we opted for the old fashioned method and put nylons over the lens. Vaseline was suggested, but I paid too much for that wide angle lens to want to clean petroleum jelly off of it. Ever.
Anyway... enjoy!
The audio was all done in one take. No redo, no remix, no re-anything. She sang it, she knows she was flat in a lot of places, and it's done anyway. When she watched the final cut for the first time she cringed and squirmed at her own voice. Personally I think that adds to the camp factor. I'd argue it's even better that way.
The client is a friend's gaming guild. They all play World of Warcraft, so there's a couple references that really only make sense if you play the game. It also contains adult themes so...
WARNING: this video contains adult themes and is not suitable for all viewers.
YouTube isn't exactly soft focus friendly. It was shot in HD, but none of that matters when it's shrunk way the hell down. Anyway, you get an idea of what it was here. Instead of using the digital soft focus we opted for the old fashioned method and put nylons over the lens. Vaseline was suggested, but I paid too much for that wide angle lens to want to clean petroleum jelly off of it. Ever.
Anyway... enjoy!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Music video mayhem
The shoot Saturday taught me several things. I'm all about education with this stuff. If I can learn more then that's more I can take with me to the next shoot. Right?
So what did I learn? Well first off I learned that there's a reason they do music playback with the vocals already recorded as they will appear in the video. In most of the initial takes the audio was ruined by traffic going by outside the location. Without usable audio we retreated to a room off the street and did a full run through where getting the singing was the important part. It sounds good, but trying to sync it to video taken in the other room? Sheesh!
I also learned that my habit of WAY over shooting footage is a good one. I tried to get at least four takes of each line, and in some cases it was that fifth, accidental one that I had to use.
It's a short video to the tune of House of the Rising Sun, with lyrics changed to announce a gaming guild's get together in New Orleans.
The song House of the Rising Sun is one of those old ones that people keep claiming someone else wrote. It's a traditional song, predating recorded music. When people started recording songs the money side, of course, came in quickly and people were claiming they wrote songs that they'd actually heard from their uncle. But if they were the first to claim it, then they own it.
The version we used is similar to the arrangement by the Animals. It's pretty recognizable for several reasons. Since no one is making any money off the puppy I have no concerns with song writing royalties.
The shoot was an all around good time. I think everyone had fun, and while I'm still in rough edits, everyone seems happy with the results so far. Good times!
So what did I learn? Well first off I learned that there's a reason they do music playback with the vocals already recorded as they will appear in the video. In most of the initial takes the audio was ruined by traffic going by outside the location. Without usable audio we retreated to a room off the street and did a full run through where getting the singing was the important part. It sounds good, but trying to sync it to video taken in the other room? Sheesh!
I also learned that my habit of WAY over shooting footage is a good one. I tried to get at least four takes of each line, and in some cases it was that fifth, accidental one that I had to use.
It's a short video to the tune of House of the Rising Sun, with lyrics changed to announce a gaming guild's get together in New Orleans.
The song House of the Rising Sun is one of those old ones that people keep claiming someone else wrote. It's a traditional song, predating recorded music. When people started recording songs the money side, of course, came in quickly and people were claiming they wrote songs that they'd actually heard from their uncle. But if they were the first to claim it, then they own it.
The version we used is similar to the arrangement by the Animals. It's pretty recognizable for several reasons. Since no one is making any money off the puppy I have no concerns with song writing royalties.
The shoot was an all around good time. I think everyone had fun, and while I'm still in rough edits, everyone seems happy with the results so far. Good times!
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