My dear readers,
I apologize for not posting for so long. But here is something, at least, to slake your thirst. I am currently in China on a short vacations, well-earned, if I may say so myself, and so I am not on my usual computer set-up. I just got back from Xi'An, home of the Terracotta Warriors and Great Goose Pagoda, last night.
I have my brand new Canon EOS Rebel T2i camera with me--picked it up from the delivery address the afternoon before I left. I went nuts with it. I filled the 32GB card before the 48 hr trip-within-a-trip was over and had to go back and delete the duplicate photos I had so that I could keep rolling and snapping. When my trip is over, I plan on cutting together a short documentary on day-to-day life in modern China, with an emphasis on the milieu--the sights, sounds, and smells of the cities. Going back through my photos this evening as I dumped the card onto my hard drive, I think I've got some good stuff to work with.
Because I know you're all wanting something from the trip right now, here's a picture of me in front of the terracotta warriors:
PSYCH! Blogger is not letting me upload a photo, or is but is moving exceptionally slowly, so I'll try again later.
Rock on!
- Mont
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Last 24 Hours Have Been Insane!
1) Osama Bin Laden was killed--a little confusion over when the mission was authorized and executed; sources say a week ago, President's speech said that day.
2) Osama Bin Laden's rotting corpse was ditched into the ocean--a little sketchy and seemingly hasty, but still, good riddance.
3) Another film day is done. Jordan Petersen's senior capstone film Weighted shot it's second day--interiors in a local house. Some tricky shots and logistical challenges that came with working on multiple floors and inside/outside spots on the property without radios, but my crew (I was Best Boy grip) built two-story C-stand scaffolding to black out windows with duvatine, while concealing kino-flo light banks under the cloth to create a nighttime effect at 4:30 pm in the afternoon. I love my grips, they rock!
4) ... Isn't that enough for you? How much more am I supposed to accomplish in a day? Sheesh! You all expect too much from me.
... not that I couldn't have accomplished more and wowed you even further.
Here's a fun video for today. You'll watch it more times than you will ever imagine--it is suprisingly addicting.
First, the review by the New Yorker--an excellent preface to the masterpiece.
Now, the video iteslf, "Shine on Me" by Chris Dane Owens:
Enjoy!
Peace!
- Mont
2) Osama Bin Laden's rotting corpse was ditched into the ocean--a little sketchy and seemingly hasty, but still, good riddance.
3) Another film day is done. Jordan Petersen's senior capstone film Weighted shot it's second day--interiors in a local house. Some tricky shots and logistical challenges that came with working on multiple floors and inside/outside spots on the property without radios, but my crew (I was Best Boy grip) built two-story C-stand scaffolding to black out windows with duvatine, while concealing kino-flo light banks under the cloth to create a nighttime effect at 4:30 pm in the afternoon. I love my grips, they rock!
4) ... Isn't that enough for you? How much more am I supposed to accomplish in a day? Sheesh! You all expect too much from me.
... not that I couldn't have accomplished more and wowed you even further.
Here's a fun video for today. You'll watch it more times than you will ever imagine--it is suprisingly addicting.
First, the review by the New Yorker--an excellent preface to the masterpiece.
Now, the video iteslf, "Shine on Me" by Chris Dane Owens:
Enjoy!
Peace!
- Mont
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Ever-Present Obstacles
If life was easy, life would be too easy, right?
So, I had a great summer started--playing basketball, biking, frisbee--and then BAM! Yesterday I was chasing down an airborne frisbee that caught a gust of wind, ran out of grass in my cleats, went sliding along the parking lot pavement ice skating-style and POP goes my shoulder--a dislocation. The second it popped, I knew what had happened. I had to wait for several minutes for my friends to come over and for one of them to gather the nerve to help me pop it back into place. Needless to say, it still smarts something fierce.
But to my credit, I completed a day on a film shoot with minimal occupational accomodations. I carried equipment, swapped lenses, and clapped slate for the day's filming--I think I proved my value as a worker and as someone determined to get the job done, regardless of the challenges, and such an illustration is, I feel, appropriate because I feel that I am that kind of a film crew member. My career goals is to never give someone reason to believe otherwise. I have my work cut out for me.
In other news, I have decided that "A Snickers a Day Keeps Betty White Away," and as I have been bequeathed a big bag of mini Snickers bars (is there really a size that can't be considered "fun size"?), I have been snacking on those here and there througoutt the day. They are a great pick-me-up on a long afternoon.
In light of this, I offer you one of my favorite Snickers commercials ever! It's not high-quality, but it's a classic. Enjoy!
And remember, don't run in cleats on pavement!
- Mont
So, I had a great summer started--playing basketball, biking, frisbee--and then BAM! Yesterday I was chasing down an airborne frisbee that caught a gust of wind, ran out of grass in my cleats, went sliding along the parking lot pavement ice skating-style and POP goes my shoulder--a dislocation. The second it popped, I knew what had happened. I had to wait for several minutes for my friends to come over and for one of them to gather the nerve to help me pop it back into place. Needless to say, it still smarts something fierce.
But to my credit, I completed a day on a film shoot with minimal occupational accomodations. I carried equipment, swapped lenses, and clapped slate for the day's filming--I think I proved my value as a worker and as someone determined to get the job done, regardless of the challenges, and such an illustration is, I feel, appropriate because I feel that I am that kind of a film crew member. My career goals is to never give someone reason to believe otherwise. I have my work cut out for me.
In other news, I have decided that "A Snickers a Day Keeps Betty White Away," and as I have been bequeathed a big bag of mini Snickers bars (is there really a size that can't be considered "fun size"?), I have been snacking on those here and there througoutt the day. They are a great pick-me-up on a long afternoon.
In light of this, I offer you one of my favorite Snickers commercials ever! It's not high-quality, but it's a classic. Enjoy!
And remember, don't run in cleats on pavement!
- Mont
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Martini Shot!
"Martini Shot." Definition: (n) the final shot of a day of filming before the blessed call to "wrap" is announced.
So this morning was an early morning. I was up at 4:30 to make it on time to my bike for a 5:30 am call time. The sound stage it was at was only a couple of miles, and it only took me 15 minutes to make it over, plus the weather wasn't too bad. But 4:30 is 4:30.
On set we were filming the VFX element of a student, Jordan Petersen's, capstone film "Weighted." More info on the film can be found here. We shot on a green screen and had a harness with a rope-and-pulley rig to hoist the actor up. It was the first time I have ever worked around harness and rigs, though not my first time on a VFX shoot (my first experiences in the film industy involved working as a VFX assistant on a green screen shoot). It was pretty cool to see how it all looked, and knowing the skill of the VFX supervisor, Nick Dixon, it'll turn out excellent.
After we wrapped for the day at 12:30, it was off to another student's capstone film: "Mr. Bellpond's Masterpiece." The two films are so different in style, and each should be exceptional in its own right. Since equipment was being rented from the same school facility, Bellpond's crew had to wait until we checked in our gear before they could take it out. I ran swing between the two projects, moving stuff back to be checked in and helping set up other equipment at the locations. I was only there for a few hours as I needed to go home and get something to eat and take a dearly-needed nap.
As a sidenote, for lunch I ate a bacon cheeseburger from Dairy Keen in Heber, UT. It was exceptional. It was not the most delicious thing I have ever eaten, but it used real meat and the bacon was cooked to perfection. And it was real bacon to boot! It was complimented by a scrumptious rasberry shake. I love that the "small" sizes at these kinds of joints are a fast food place's "medium" size. It's like stealing extra goodness. Without doing anything wrong!
I have finished my first year of college and my first semester in the BYU film program. Huzzah! To celebrate, I'm posting the link to my final fiction film for my Basic Media Production class, TMA 185, entitled "Brothers." If you feel so inclined, you can compare it to the rehearsal cut that was done a month or two ago and is also up on my vimeo account. Leave some comments: what worked, didn't work, confused, or impressed?
It's late, I'm gonna sign off for the night.
Keep it real, yo!
- Mont
So this morning was an early morning. I was up at 4:30 to make it on time to my bike for a 5:30 am call time. The sound stage it was at was only a couple of miles, and it only took me 15 minutes to make it over, plus the weather wasn't too bad. But 4:30 is 4:30.
On set we were filming the VFX element of a student, Jordan Petersen's, capstone film "Weighted." More info on the film can be found here. We shot on a green screen and had a harness with a rope-and-pulley rig to hoist the actor up. It was the first time I have ever worked around harness and rigs, though not my first time on a VFX shoot (my first experiences in the film industy involved working as a VFX assistant on a green screen shoot). It was pretty cool to see how it all looked, and knowing the skill of the VFX supervisor, Nick Dixon, it'll turn out excellent.
After we wrapped for the day at 12:30, it was off to another student's capstone film: "Mr. Bellpond's Masterpiece." The two films are so different in style, and each should be exceptional in its own right. Since equipment was being rented from the same school facility, Bellpond's crew had to wait until we checked in our gear before they could take it out. I ran swing between the two projects, moving stuff back to be checked in and helping set up other equipment at the locations. I was only there for a few hours as I needed to go home and get something to eat and take a dearly-needed nap.
As a sidenote, for lunch I ate a bacon cheeseburger from Dairy Keen in Heber, UT. It was exceptional. It was not the most delicious thing I have ever eaten, but it used real meat and the bacon was cooked to perfection. And it was real bacon to boot! It was complimented by a scrumptious rasberry shake. I love that the "small" sizes at these kinds of joints are a fast food place's "medium" size. It's like stealing extra goodness. Without doing anything wrong!
I have finished my first year of college and my first semester in the BYU film program. Huzzah! To celebrate, I'm posting the link to my final fiction film for my Basic Media Production class, TMA 185, entitled "Brothers." If you feel so inclined, you can compare it to the rehearsal cut that was done a month or two ago and is also up on my vimeo account. Leave some comments: what worked, didn't work, confused, or impressed?
It's late, I'm gonna sign off for the night.
Keep it real, yo!
- Mont
Thursday, April 21, 2011
It's Done!
Two big things have happened. First, I officially ordered my Canon EOS Rebel T2i with a 18-55 mm lens kit and a 50 mm prime lens to boot from rythercamera.com. So far customer service has been great. With free shipping I'm supposed to get it by May 4th, a day or two ahead of my departure to China for a few weeks, for which I really need that camera.
Second, I just finished my last final exam for the semester. It was for an American Government and Politics class. One of our essay questions was about the principles of a "just war" and comparing and contrasting the Afghanistan and Libya involvements. It was a lot of fun to write about. The other hour and forty-five minutes I spent writing the exam were less fun.
Heading into the weekend, I am seeing work tomorrow editing a documentary featurette, a drive up in the mountains nearby, a wedding reception, and an early morning Saturday film shoot for the VFX elements in a senior film I'm working as Best Boy Grip for.
It's been a heckuva busy week, but the NBA playoffs are in gear, the semester is done, and life is starting to feel good... real good!
Stay classy!
- Mont
Second, I just finished my last final exam for the semester. It was for an American Government and Politics class. One of our essay questions was about the principles of a "just war" and comparing and contrasting the Afghanistan and Libya involvements. It was a lot of fun to write about. The other hour and forty-five minutes I spent writing the exam were less fun.
Heading into the weekend, I am seeing work tomorrow editing a documentary featurette, a drive up in the mountains nearby, a wedding reception, and an early morning Saturday film shoot for the VFX elements in a senior film I'm working as Best Boy Grip for.
It's been a heckuva busy week, but the NBA playoffs are in gear, the semester is done, and life is starting to feel good... real good!
Stay classy!
- Mont
Friday, April 15, 2011
Down to the Wire
SNAP!
Today was nuts. I was up on campus to film a language fair for my work. I spent hours yesterday blocking out where our three other videographers were going to be and when, as there were five sets of events happening simultaneously and things had to be prioritized to cover as much variety as possible. Turns out, though, that there were actually only going to be two other guys besides myself--we were not able to secure a fourth. So there were some last-minute changes that had to be made at 7:30 this morning.
Also, the schedule of events kind of fell apart--participants in performances were not on time or cancelled last minute, so the prioritizing principle went out the window. But I figured it didn't matter. What mattered was that my guys and I were where we planned to be, filming what whatever was happening then. Whatever we missed, we missed and will just have to live without.
But kudos to my second and third guys--they were reliable and on top of everything, buzzing between locations for different events without a moment's hesitation. I am proud of them.
In the end, everything seemed to work out all right. It was an early morning--I went up at 6:55 am and left work at 1:30 pm after 5 hours of high-pressure performance, and a long afternoon--tax deadline. I spent two hours on the 1040 "EZ." I'm a moron.
I then spent about 40 minutes looking at Canon T2i prices. I am really starting to lean towards buying one, but I am steeling myself for the expense. $800 is a decent chunk of change and I want to make sure I'm not rushing the decision.
Tomorrow will be another early morning--7:30 call time for an ad shoot at a local shopping center. I'm working grip/electric, so not too much to have to think about or plan for, but some good old-fashioned grunt work.
Sometime tomorrow I'll also work on a fellow student's class project so that I can get the credit for one of my production classes. And edit my own final project. And finish assembling the final binder presentation. And author the DVD. And write another essay on a documentary I shot this semester. Yay.
Stay cool, everyone!
-Mont
Today was nuts. I was up on campus to film a language fair for my work. I spent hours yesterday blocking out where our three other videographers were going to be and when, as there were five sets of events happening simultaneously and things had to be prioritized to cover as much variety as possible. Turns out, though, that there were actually only going to be two other guys besides myself--we were not able to secure a fourth. So there were some last-minute changes that had to be made at 7:30 this morning.
Also, the schedule of events kind of fell apart--participants in performances were not on time or cancelled last minute, so the prioritizing principle went out the window. But I figured it didn't matter. What mattered was that my guys and I were where we planned to be, filming what whatever was happening then. Whatever we missed, we missed and will just have to live without.
But kudos to my second and third guys--they were reliable and on top of everything, buzzing between locations for different events without a moment's hesitation. I am proud of them.
In the end, everything seemed to work out all right. It was an early morning--I went up at 6:55 am and left work at 1:30 pm after 5 hours of high-pressure performance, and a long afternoon--tax deadline. I spent two hours on the 1040 "EZ." I'm a moron.
I then spent about 40 minutes looking at Canon T2i prices. I am really starting to lean towards buying one, but I am steeling myself for the expense. $800 is a decent chunk of change and I want to make sure I'm not rushing the decision.
Tomorrow will be another early morning--7:30 call time for an ad shoot at a local shopping center. I'm working grip/electric, so not too much to have to think about or plan for, but some good old-fashioned grunt work.
Sometime tomorrow I'll also work on a fellow student's class project so that I can get the credit for one of my production classes. And edit my own final project. And finish assembling the final binder presentation. And author the DVD. And write another essay on a documentary I shot this semester. Yay.
Stay cool, everyone!
-Mont
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Crewing, Classes, and Canons
So...
It looks like I've got a spot on the film crew, though things are not finalized yet. I will be super busy this summer, but I think it's a good thing because I hate sitting around when there's exciting stuff to be doing.
In one of my film classes today we watched the material that we will be writing our final exam on--a series of short films and songs. There was one very interesting piece that I wanted to share: Erlking, by Ben Zelkowicz. I found it to be quite compelling. The animation is beautiful and the music is superb. There were other shorts that we watched that I loved, but I'll share them one at a time so as not to overload you.
I will be filming two pick up scenes for one of my other class finals--final video to be posted online once we finish the class, so stay tuned--and will most likely be working on a commercial this weekend in addition to editing another final film for my "film bootcamp"-style class.
In other news, a Canon Rebel T2i may be in the near future--I am in desperate need of a camera to shoot films on and I have loved using my friend's Canon 7D, but it is out of my price range. The T2i has gotten great reviews and is about $150 cheaper than the T3i, which was almost my first decision. If I go through and buy it, I'll post short test footage.
Well, I've got a pick up football game tomorrow morning, so I'm gonna hit the sack.
Keep it real! Happy end of the semester!
-Mont
It looks like I've got a spot on the film crew, though things are not finalized yet. I will be super busy this summer, but I think it's a good thing because I hate sitting around when there's exciting stuff to be doing.
In one of my film classes today we watched the material that we will be writing our final exam on--a series of short films and songs. There was one very interesting piece that I wanted to share: Erlking, by Ben Zelkowicz. I found it to be quite compelling. The animation is beautiful and the music is superb. There were other shorts that we watched that I loved, but I'll share them one at a time so as not to overload you.
I will be filming two pick up scenes for one of my other class finals--final video to be posted online once we finish the class, so stay tuned--and will most likely be working on a commercial this weekend in addition to editing another final film for my "film bootcamp"-style class.
In other news, a Canon Rebel T2i may be in the near future--I am in desperate need of a camera to shoot films on and I have loved using my friend's Canon 7D, but it is out of my price range. The T2i has gotten great reviews and is about $150 cheaper than the T3i, which was almost my first decision. If I go through and buy it, I'll post short test footage.
Well, I've got a pick up football game tomorrow morning, so I'm gonna hit the sack.
Keep it real! Happy end of the semester!
-Mont
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