Category Archives: Film Work

What I Got

by in art, brain matter, comics, Film Work, Media, Music, People I Know, photography, Work, Writing | Permalink

Good lord, I am quite talented at dropping off the face of things.  I haven’t given a proper update on here in a while.

A few things have been happening.  Right now I’m just finishing up an editing gig for the video material for a quiz show.  Most of it has required working in After Effects, a program that I touched once in college, so the experience was an educational one.  I’m also working on an online comic with the INCREDIBLY talented artist Neil Struthers.  This is a project I’ve been trying to get off the ground for a few years and I feel so incredibly fortunate that Neil has agreed to join in on the fun.  Of course, any updates including the comic episodes themselves will be up here once we finish off a couple of them.  Stay tuned.  In the meantime, check out Neil’s Flickr.

Now here’s some things from other people…

- My friend, the very talented Miss Veronika von Volkova recently got together with the wonderful Katelan Foisy and they got up to some wonderful photography-based sexy fun.

- Big Sexy, the comic anthology I mentioned a while ago that explores the many facets of sexuality, is finally for sale and you can get it here.  At$6 for 92 pages I would consider you a fool NOT to purchase it.

- MOON8 created the entire Dark Side Of The Moon album by Pink Floyd in 8bit.  And they’re giving it to you for free.

- An Assortment of Underachieving AT-ATs by Tobias Lunchbreath:

- Mentor and photographer I adore, Lex Machina is having a special Print Sale on one of the photos she took of the League Of STEAM.

- I really can’t wait to see Micmacs, the new film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amélie and City Of Lost Children) Check out the trailer here.

- I REALLY REALLY want a print of this from talented Duchess Caroline Harrison (via her Flickr)

And that’s all for now.  I’m off to bed for a well-deserved trip in to Dreamland.

Crush Luther Promo Video

by in Film Work, Music, Work and tagged , , | Permalink

Back in what seems like ages ago I was asked to come down to the studio where the band Crush Luther were recording their latest album and do a short promo which presented some songs from said latest album and the band’s dynamic.  It was a fun day and they were great guys.  They gave me some footage they had shot themselves the previous day and I spent a day or two combining our footage to make this nifty little video.  I was given a visual reference…I forget what it was at the moment, but it turned out well!  unfortunately, this was only used for a very limited time because soon after I gave them the final product one of the members had left.  But in the interest of my demo reel and for you all to have a glimpse of just what the hell I do when I talk about the odd bit of video work, here’s Crush Luther’s promo video.

Playing Catch Up

by in Film Work, Media, People I Know, Personal, photography, Work and tagged , , , , , | Permalink

Wow, it’s been an exhausting couple of weeks.

For the past little while I’ve been working on filming and editing two skits for the special features of comedian Trevor Boris‘ DVD of his stand up show in Vancouver.  It was very exciting to work in a totally different way than I’m used to and I think in the end we made some pretty damn good videos.  The one I’m really fond of is a kind of Office-style mockumentary of a day in the life of Trevor and his work on MuchMusic Video On Trial.  While editing it I was found myself laughing out loud and thus getting some stern glares from the other editors working on their stuff.  I should say right now, huge mega-thanks to Henry Less Productions, my former employers, who were all too willing to let me use one of their editing suites and thus saving me a panic attack.  It was good to see everyone, if only for a brief time (things were pretty damn busy there).  I just transferred it all on to a tape and aside from shipping off the drive and dropping off the camera, I’m done!

So my next job for this week is country musician Diane Chase.  I filmed her CD Launch party early last month and have now been given the OK to go and edit it for possible air on CMT, which will be fun.  I’m also going to look around for my nikon’s charger and start taking some more photos.  Things have just been ridiculous with keeping up with that.

I’ve been asked to speak at a panel on “getting noticed” at some emerging country music artist meeting…thing later on in the month talking about social media.  I’m going to look in to it a bit more, but I think I’m going to do it.  While I’m waiting for that, I’ve decided that I’m going to write a 2-3 page paper on musicians and getting noticed.  Working title is SOCIAL MEDIA: UR DOING IT WRONG.  Of course, when I’m done it will be posted on here for all to see.  And I’ve also been pointed to Kirsty Hall’s blog which is proving to be a DAMN interesting read on the subject.

Also, comic writer Kevin Glover gave me a sample script of his upcoming comic with Amanda Hayes titled The Invisible Skein.  I haven’t finished reading it yet and I can’t give anything away, but I will say this now:  This is reading so damn good and I look forward to it’s release on December 14th.  Anyways, you’ll read more about it on here I’m sure.

And in a more personal kind of note, my 25th birthday is approaching on the 4th of December.  It’s kind of weird… I FEEL like I should be a grown up, but when asked if I wanted anything for my birthday the response was (almost immediately) a Nintendo DS.  There was a little cardigan-wearing grown up in my head saying “NO.  YOU MUST ASK FOR ANY SEASONS OF LAW AND ORDER.  YOU’RE A GROWNUP NOW”.  But still, a quarter of a century…christ.  (And alright you old codgers, feel free to comment with mockery)

Anyways, I should probably eat something before I head out.  My stomach is screaming like some kind of horrible creature that people normally put in basements and feed door to door salesmen to…

Current Stuff!

by in brain matter, comics, Film Work, Work, Writing | Permalink

Alright!  Time to write about what the hell is going on here!

So, some crappy things have been going on in my life lately.  Grandmother has terminal cancer and about a month left, my godfather was rushed to the emergency room for breathing problems, after a pleasant year and three quarters the Tyson and I ended the relationship.

But! With all crappy things usually some good things come with it.  I went to Montreal and and took some nice photos (even decided that I will one day move there), got some news saying that I might be going to sunny Vancouver for the Canadian Country Music Awards on videography-related business, I will most likely be getting a table at some music convention deal pimping my wares and giving out cupcakes, and I might be going to New York in November just for the hell of it.

Notebookery: I’ve been informed that the notebook has arrived in Michigan as of Wednesday.  By Monday we should have a scan.  A big problem I’m feeling with Notebookery is the stagnation in between contributors.  I think I may add a couple of things like short interviews with contributors, samples of their art and maybe just some freakin’ music.  I dunno.  Also, it seems the only way I can send an e-mail to over 70 people is to start up a google groups account and get you all to sign up.  More on that Later.

Comics: I’m working on a script for the Edward comic I mentioned a while ago.  I still haven’t found an artist, though I’m just writing it up because I miss that little weirdo and his bodyguard.  As for the reading of comics, I haven’t had much of a chance.  When I was in Montreal I picked up Welcome To Hoxford and soon intend on picking up Batman: The Long Halloween.

Dose: I’ve been meaning to do a review on Dose for a while and regret that I haven’t yet.  I will in the next day or two when I am at home and have it in my hands.  But right now I can tell you that it’s really really really good and they’ve included a Warren Ellis-inspired Scooby-Doo and you should go and buy it right now.

Other Work: I’m writing and taking some photographs.  Am also starting work on a bible for an animated series I’ve been pondering for years.  I’m going to save up some money and get a nice artist and get that fucker developed.

Bah.  I’m off for now.  Here’s an old comic that I wrote ages ago.  God Nathan and I were fucked up.  Still are.

Busy Busy Busy

by in Film Work, Personal, Work, Writing | Permalink

I know, I know…it’s been a while since I’ve updated.  Apologies all around.  Things have just been too busy and I haven’t been able to report on them just yet.  But aside from two tweeks (an element of which I am waiting on from the client) I’ve finished the Christine’s fitness video and will be moving on to the next one which is the EPK for Crush Luther.  And judging by the footage it should be wonderful.

In other news, as a way to help get my friend Luka to quit or at least cut back on smoking, Tyson, Luka and myself formed a bet.  For one week Luka can’t smoke.  For one week Tyson can’t use narrative (tell stories, refer to anything in the past tense, make recollections etc.). And for one week I can’t do anything nerdy (no comics, no sci-fi/horror/fantasy/science/history movies or documentaries, no video games, no cartoons etc.).  Now…on the surface it sounds incredibly stupid (and it is) but this is to help our friend and maybe if he sees that he’s not suffering alone, he’ll kick the smokes.  I’ve been taking it fairly well as time goes by.  The first day I was a wreck, almost desperate to click on my beloved daily links or watch a particular cartoon.  But now I’ve gotten better and seemed to have transferred the nerdy lifestyle with a kind of healthy/hippy one.  I’ve been working out, going for walks, eating lots of fruit, getting back in to yoga and have been coming up with some amazing vegetarian dishes.  I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather for the past couple of days, but once I’m better I think I’m going to make this healthier lifestyle permanent (with some nerdiness thrown in  of course.  I’m only human).

Also, a short story I wrote has been accepted in to a zine based here in Toronto.  This will be the first piece of writing I have had published that wasn’t a comic or written when I was eight.  As such, I’m looking forward to seeing my stuff printed.  I have to write a bio now and I don’t know what the hell to write.  Maybe “likes Bok Choy” or something.  I guess I’ll figure it out.

Right.  I’m off now.  I leave you with the video of the fitness tests for Miss Canada without the small tweeks (I only have to add one picture and a web site address, so visually you aren’t missing much).  Because it is untweeked, it will probably be up for a short amount of time.  Take care.

Beautiful Fitness and Further Education

by in Film Work, Personal, Work | Permalink

Yesterday morning I had the great privilege of going to one of the locations of Christine’s Fitness to film the fitness test for 25 of, among beauty pagents, the most beautiful women in Canada.  This incurred the jealousy of many female-attracted friends of mine and I endured more than one joke about it.  But the fact of the matter is that the girls were wonderful, bright individuals who were very natural in front of the camera (a welcome change from many clients I’ve had that just couldn’t turn themselves off).  The whole thing was rather quick, but I believe I got enough good shots to create a video that will go on Christine’s web site.  I’ve imported the footage and should be ready to go as soon as I get the first half of payment.

With a lot of my friends either currently in or applying for university, the thought of furthering my own education has been a theme that has been going around in my head for some time.  Afterall, I wasn’t really satisfied with the education I did get, which aside from about two or three teachers was full of failures who took the option of teaching as a way to make some money and give their lack of talent more merit than it deserved.  I’m actually taking a good look at MIT‘s courses in Comparative Media Studies and maybe even Media Arts and Sciences (although that would require some extensive research before I even consider applying).   I don’t know.  I feel that the world has been changing in the past couple of years and I have this burning desire to learn as much of this new knowledge as I can.  MIT is well known for supplying this knowledge (and has an amazing radio station to boot).  We’ll see what happens though. If there is a chance that I can learn this stuff for free than I’ll take it.  Either way I have all the time to think about it.

Finishing Up The Work

by in Film Work, Work and tagged , , , | Permalink

Alright, so I’ve been busy with a bunch of things…lots of cutting, converting, uploading, cutting, converting again, motre uploading…you get the idea, has been going on and I’m finally able to show some of the (uncut) footage from the Folk Alliance Conference. Just two acts, mind. And these videos will only beup temporarily. I just wanted to let you folks know that I’m actually doing something with my time.

1. BOP Ensemble

2. Lynn Miles

More will be coming in the next week.  I still have a recording session and an edited video of the conference itself coming up.

Alana, Graceland and Toronto Work

by in Film Work, Music, Work and tagged , , , , , , | Permalink

alanablogWell I’ve finally got the video up of Alana Levandoski’s message to Volkswagon.  They sponsored her and gave her a pretty snazzy car to drive all over North America in.  I believe she’s called it Hadrian.  I’m not thrilled about the low quality that the video is in, but that couldn’t be helped with conversion problems and the upload limitations on Vimeo.  I think I’ll be investing in a plus account soon though so I will be able to upload bigger files with better quality.  I could do a lot with 5GB a week.

Regardless, being on the road with Alana was an awesome experience.  I got to know her a lot better and most of the time we were joking around.  She’s an awesome, talented person with a whole lifetime of experiences under her belt at such a young age.

Last night was a lot of fun.  We went to the famous Free Times Cafe on College and Spadina to eat some great food (I had an excellent veggie burger with an unforgettable chocolate Bailey’s cheesecake), meet some old friends and see Alana play in a more intimate setting than a folk festival.  All three were a treat.  Halfway in to the second song, Alana’s mic crapped out and she sounded like a gramophone recording so she ended up doing the entire show acoustically which I thought added greatly to the intamacy of the surroundings.  About ten people showed up including myself, but there were a couple of heavy hitters in attendance.  The president of EMI Music Canada was there with a posse of friendly music-lovers.  Also my old friend Jane Harbury was there.  I talked to her about internet applications that would be great for music publicity (I’ve been doing that a lot lately which…is kind of weird.  makes me feel like some sort of expert haha).  it was great to see them all.

So work coming up…I have a few small $50 jobs to do. Nothing huge.  Just giving some footage to the right people so they can put it on youtube.  I’m not even going to be editing (alright, the perfectionist in me wants to do a little. Just the colour correction, I swear!).  After all that I’m pretty much open to any work with the exception of a possible shoot at Christine’s Fitness to film a competition which should be fun.

Alright, I have to head out.  I’m taking a bass guitar somewhere and then spending a little time with some friends.

For now, here is one of the many songs that Alana levandoski played in Memphis and the Free Times Cafe last night.  It’s called Lions And Werewolves and it will be on her new album which may or may not be of the same name. It’s one of my favorite songs by her.

And We’re DONE!

by in Film Work, Music, Work and tagged , , , , , , | Permalink

And this wraps up my very first visit to the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis.  It still has another day to go but I will be driving to Cleveland that day to go to the Rock And Roll Museum.  This was such a brilliant trip and I’m really glad I went.  That being said, I’m also glad that it’s over.  I’m not sure if I should celebrate by getting drunk or dancing naked while throwing James Burton CDs into the fire (Just kidding James dear, we all love you).  I just…wow.  What a trip.  it truly has been an unforgettable experience.

I don’t even know where to start on what an impact this trip had on me.  I’ve suddenly become more organized and prepared for things, I’ve become more of a social butterfly and I am now able to do business on demand without backing down due to shyness.  I’ve also realized that I am a much sought-after commodity particularly in convention situations which proved to be a big ego boost.  And most importatly, I’ve become so much better at getting quality shots for live performances without having shaky moments.  Since most of the people I’ve met here who offered me business mainly want their sets so they can put it up on youtube, I did my best to adapt to that knowing that the only editing I’d be doing is slight colour correction.  I’m really glad to have that skill added in.

At the time of writing this I have two hotel room concerts that I want to go to and for once I won’t be bringing a camera (well…maybe my photo camera) and going there as a civillian just enjoying the music.  I want to go to the last show by King Curly (pictured above), who have become one of my favorite bands at this conference.  I shot their gig earlier today and watching them live is just a wonderful experience.  I don’t know.  Something about the quirk, I guess.   Another concert of note was the Alana Levandoski ones.  Both the 3.00 and 9.30 show were wonderful.  I honestly don’t think I’ll ever get tired of her new song Lions And Werewolves (which I believe is going to be the name of her next album).  Not to mention we had a pretty fun time driving to Graceland and getting to know one another better, but I’ll leave that for another post.

Alright.  I’m off to listen to some more music and ask some favors.  If I don’t post anything later on it will be because the hotel in Cleveland is stupid and does not have free internet.  Or I’ve died.

Hotel Room Parties and Folk Tunes pt 3

by in Film Work, Music, Personal, Work | Permalink

Okay…Saturday night…my last night here in Memphis and supposedly the wildest night for the Folk Alliance.  I’m taking a little break from the action to get my senses back.  Physically I feel like crap.  I have a cold sore, my hair has decided that this week was the time to frizz up and look horrible and I think I might have gained 10lbs due to the wonderful but fattening food here.  When I get back home I’m going to get my fat ass on the treadmill after my 1000 hour epic nap. And then I’m getting a haircut and buying a straightener.  So in short, I’m really run down.

Anyways, music. Today the three sisters from Sweden known as Baskery rocked the day so far, getting about thirty people in their hotel suite concert and just fucking rocking out.  They’re playing again tonight at around 2am.  I’ll see if I go to that or not.  I might want to crash at around midnight since I’ll be leaving for Cleveland at the crack of 9am.  Tonight I will be filming the concerts of Alana Levandoski and the previously mentioned King Curly.  Their gigs are both on at the same time, so I’m going to have to use all the knowledge of sitcoms where the main character is on a date with two people at the same time to make this work.  I’m pretty sure I can do it.

Oh!  I went to Graceland today!  Well, kind of.  Long story on that.  But I went up with the singer/songwriter Alana Levandoski to help her out with a Volkswagon promotion she needed done.  The only three words that came to mind upon looking at the place was “tacky, tacky and tacky”.  Just…wow.  Really?  Leopard skin chairs?  Huge pink caddilacs?  Snowglobes for $10? Madness.  I didn’t get a good look at the place, but if they wanted to really market the hell out of Elvis (and I think they do) they would have a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich stand and have shady-looking guys selling mints in pill vials.  Just saying.

Anyways, I’m off.  Have to go have dinner at a place called Gus’ and then I’m back to filming.  I might just get drunk tonight.  I’m not sure though.