May 2009 Archives

We decided this last week to film the wedding. After some research I found a fairly good camera that I like (for half the cost of it in the store) it's a 120 gig hard drive HD camera made by JVC.


So one of the things I wanted was a Stedicam type set up. But those cost $3000.00 or more! So then I looked to something called a FigRig which is a hoop that holds the camera and the natural movement of your arms smooth out the video. Now these cost less at $300.00, but there was no way we were going to spend that kind of cash after buying the camera.



This is what the professional one looks like. Then I found this link -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shygantic/129121710

Which showed me how to build my own! After a quick trip to Home Depot and about $23.00 later I had this.

Amanda and Sarah enjoing the view..

YUM!

Grilling it up with Bryan and Sarah on their new grill!

Today was my second viewing of the new Star Trek and I am still amazed at how well this film plays out. The actors are well cast and do wear these classic characters not as their persona's but more as their ideals. Sure, McCoy sounds like McCoy and Spock raises his eyebrow like you expect him too.. But it has its own flavor. I think that is what makes it feel so very right. Geekdom has embraced this film becuase it has a honesty and a respect of what people love about the originals.

And on this second viewing I was really struck by how well Chris Pine (Captain Kirk) does. Trying to walk in Shatners shoes is no small feat. People make fun of how odd / cheesy / over acted Shatner has been in the shows and the feature films. But there is a reason for this. Actors have to sell an audience on the lines they say. And you can not deliver a line like "Set phaser to full Scotty and Bones get rid of that Andorian Fever Slug that's making the crew sick if you please.." without over acting it... Shatner brought the perfect amount of swagger and bravado that lines like that need. Not only that but Shatner became an icon in that role just as Nimoy did with spock. Big shoes indeed...

Chris Pine has done something that I only really noticed in my second pass at this film. He has picked up some of the smartest parts of Shatner. The warmth, the smile and the twinkle in the eyes that makes every green skinned babe swoon.

 

Pine captures that "essence" of Kirk so completely that I can see him growing into the Kirk that we remember and that's what is the real selling point for this film. We have to feel like we have come home. Its almost like you walk into your front door and all the furniture has been replaced with newer furniture that looks ALMOST like what your had before. But this time it has heated messager's and surround sound built right in. You got the same deal... Just different and surprisingly a little better.

Now before you overflow my mailbox with hate mail, bear with me good readers. I have always thought that the last Star Trek movie should have been "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" Kirk should never have died and we should have never seen Data become more human. We should have been made to wait for this film. Then I would not have to had my head hanging in shame over my love of Trek these last 14 years. While I am at it we should not have had to have watched any TV show about Star Trek past Deep Space Nine.

I feel in my heart that what the Trek universe has been waiting for all these many years finally came to pass last weekend. There's a new sheriff in town! And he name is J.J. Abrhams!

Go see this movie if you have not... If you have go see it again you will notice things you missed the first time. I did...

At Amanda's friend Sarah's place for a BBQ

Amanda and I went to Costco and got Meili five new Woobies... Very happy dog.

John pointing at Montrose Brownline sign

We're in Arlinton at the racetrack. I got $10 riding on Free Fighter in the 9th race to win or place. Come on FREE FIGHTER!!

This has been a non-stop week for me and ironically tonight (Friday) is my first night off since last Friday.

Saturday - I had class in the afternoon and then a double date with friends.

Sunday - My final show at Comedy Sportz (Although I will be doing a musical Hip-Hop workshop and the advanced musical level and those has class shows I think) here is a link to the show video.

Monday - Amanda's friends Liam and Kristen took us to see our first Sox game but it was rained out.

Tuesday - My first musical improv class (of three) with the show "Baby Wants Candy"

Wednesday - I had an audition for a film short about a burned-out rock band. I will know today if I get a call back. Its a SAG waiver production so there might even be a little pay in it.

Thursday - Show meeting / dinner with the cast of Sickest Stories

Friday - Down time

Saturday - Sickest Stories show at midnight

I seem to be doing a lot of musical training lately but I think that's becuase there is more of that type of training available in Chicago than LA. I was lucky enough to do a full musical conservatory in LA (one of only two that they had every had) here in Chicago they have them all the time. Plus I really do love musical improv! Its like a magic trick to the audience they throw out a suggestion and they get a song. Good trade.

In other news, it has been raining all week here. Meili has been fairly miserable with her arthritis acting up. Amanda and I are in the tail end of our wedding planning and really now just have to pay the last payments. I also sent a newsletter to our guest to keep people thinking about the idea of planning early.

I am also going to work on the idea of a graphic arts challenge for myself each week. Something to stretch my skill set and set a goal of starting the challenge Monday and having a finished and polished product by Friday. This should expand my portfolio in a nice manner and also be fun.

I guess that's it for now..