Today is picture lock for the carousel doc and it's been a non stop wham-bam of problems since getting back from my incredibly fun but exceptionally poorly timed trip back to Chicago.
Pic lock was supposed to be at 1:30pm PDT. It's now 5:30pm, and we're still not quite done.
This is how it always goes, though. A million little things always crop up when the final hours and minutes tick away on the final edit of the film. And though the editors will be partying hard once this is all said and done, I get to look forward to the next few weeks of overseeing sound, putting together a press kit, and scraping together the last pennies our production has to finish this damn thing.
Just so y'all know what I'm up to, and why the posts have been few and far between as of late.
Great times back in the CHI though, despite coming home with some kind of sore throat-cold-thing. Perhaps due to the hours of drinking in near-freezing rain Monday morning before the Cubs home opener.
Whatever: I regret nothing!!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
PLAY BALL!
Hooray for the greatest day of the year! Didn't get to watch the entire Cubs game but caught the final three innings and saw Gregg close it out.
Can't we just move President's Day to the beginning of April?
Isn't that what the founding fathers would have wanted?
Can't we just move President's Day to the beginning of April?
Isn't that what the founding fathers would have wanted?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Out like a lamb....
So, this crazy March has come and gone. Don't have too much to say right now, had a very funny and weird conversation at the internship today about Facebook and gmail and other internet stuff, made me think of a little fun thing to do tomorrow...
If you see what I'm talking about tomorrow, try and play it cool and not blow the surprise for people who may not be in the know. If you have no idea what I'm talking about that's totally fine, I'll fill everyone in later. It's got something to do with facebook....
Happy March everyone,
MJK
If you see what I'm talking about tomorrow, try and play it cool and not blow the surprise for people who may not be in the know. If you have no idea what I'm talking about that's totally fine, I'll fill everyone in later. It's got something to do with facebook....
Happy March everyone,
MJK
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The G and S Show: Part II
See? Told you it'd be a two-parter. How could I not follow up on my promise?
The big celeb-ridden party was a big success, apparently. A few of my classmates who worked for the Cinema School and acted as "tour guides" for the open house spotted Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Harrison Ford, among a sea of others. Obviously on hand were the ubiquitous Spielberg and Lucas, who gave speeches and did a lot of glad-handing for the new building bearing their names. In addition to being covered by Variety and L.A. Times, I also got some info over Facebook, wheres some friends have posted some pretty rad pics of the industry titans schmoozing in our school.
It's funny, with Spielberg and Uncle George, because they are elevated to such heights - especially among young film nerds, and even more especially at USC - and such a record of hits that they are almost like these fictional characters...more a state of mind than actual people. Its also fair to say that they've both incurred some recent scorn (Lucas more so) since Indy 4 came out and looked more like a G'd video game than an adventure film. Lucas has also come under more local criticism at USC because everyone likes to complain about little problems with the new building. Not that I'm complaining, but people may say thing like its too big, its too flashy, it more for architectural aesthetics than functionality, there's not a lot of areas to sit and work and meet, and that the money could have been better spent on scholarships....(I may share some of the opinions, but whatever).
Anyway, it almost is an afterthought that these two men crafted some of the greatest, coolest, most exciting movies in Hollywood history. This fact is made obvious by an amazing little item that has danced its way around the Internet and right here onto MGH.
It is a complete transcript from 1978 of discussions had between George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Larry Kasdan about the script for Indian Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Now, some of my more film nerd friends may already be aware, but to anyone who loves Raiders but hasn't read this yet it is AMAZING. The link to download it right HERE.
At 125 pages, it's quite a tall order to tackle but scrolling down to any piece of it is worthwhile, as the whole time they bat ideas back and forth. Lucas talks the most, but Spielberg's got the best ideas, and writer Larry Kasdan (who also wrote Empire Strikes Back) is just listening, occasionally stopping for clarifications.
There's a million great moments and I'm especially surprised by how often G and S mention the production realities and sometimes go into detail, like about the use of a tiger:
G - Then he finds an exit. I like the idea of Nazis putting tigers in there....You know what its like to fly a tiger in from South Africa.
S - It would have to be a neighborhood tiger.
G - There aren't any tigers out there.
S - I'm not in love with the idea.
G - You could have bats and stuff, make it slightly spooky.
So, yeah, apparently "Raiders" might've had a tiger. Then again, Spielberg isn't in love with the idea....how cool is this thing?! It's like sitting in, being a fly on the wall, in one of the most important conversations in moviedom.
Another excerpt I'll share is when G and S talk further about the action in the 2nd half of the first act and they broach the classic "snakes" line:
G - We shouldn't have any snakes in the opening sequence, just tarantulas. Save the snakes for now.
S - It would be funny if, somewhere earlier in the movie he somehow implied he was not afraid of snakes. Later, you realize that is one of his big fears.
G - Maybe it'd be better if you see early, maybe in the beginning that he's afraid "Oh God, I hate those snakes." It should be slightly amusing that he hates snakes, and then he opens this up "I can't go down there. Why did there have to be snakes. Anything but snakes." You can play it for comedy. The one thing that could happen is that he gets trapped with all these snakes.
Who knew? Its just so cool to see that, almost 30 years ago, these guys went through the same idea tossing and brainstorming that all writers go through. I mean, this could have easily been just like a conversation I had with the Red and Yellow team about "Chhk Chhk Boom" back in Glen Ellyn (somewhere on Bryant, perhaps?) or in my writing classes at Second City or here at SC.
It's just very refreshing to take away the Oscars and the blockbuster records and the mutli-million dollar new building and the legendary status and see that it all comes from a couple of guys sitting around, talking about a story they want to tell.
The big celeb-ridden party was a big success, apparently. A few of my classmates who worked for the Cinema School and acted as "tour guides" for the open house spotted Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Harrison Ford, among a sea of others. Obviously on hand were the ubiquitous Spielberg and Lucas, who gave speeches and did a lot of glad-handing for the new building bearing their names. In addition to being covered by Variety and L.A. Times, I also got some info over Facebook, wheres some friends have posted some pretty rad pics of the industry titans schmoozing in our school.
It's funny, with Spielberg and Uncle George, because they are elevated to such heights - especially among young film nerds, and even more especially at USC - and such a record of hits that they are almost like these fictional characters...more a state of mind than actual people. Its also fair to say that they've both incurred some recent scorn (Lucas more so) since Indy 4 came out and looked more like a G'd video game than an adventure film. Lucas has also come under more local criticism at USC because everyone likes to complain about little problems with the new building. Not that I'm complaining, but people may say thing like its too big, its too flashy, it more for architectural aesthetics than functionality, there's not a lot of areas to sit and work and meet, and that the money could have been better spent on scholarships....(I may share some of the opinions, but whatever).
Anyway, it almost is an afterthought that these two men crafted some of the greatest, coolest, most exciting movies in Hollywood history. This fact is made obvious by an amazing little item that has danced its way around the Internet and right here onto MGH.
It is a complete transcript from 1978 of discussions had between George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Larry Kasdan about the script for Indian Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Now, some of my more film nerd friends may already be aware, but to anyone who loves Raiders but hasn't read this yet it is AMAZING. The link to download it right HERE.
At 125 pages, it's quite a tall order to tackle but scrolling down to any piece of it is worthwhile, as the whole time they bat ideas back and forth. Lucas talks the most, but Spielberg's got the best ideas, and writer Larry Kasdan (who also wrote Empire Strikes Back) is just listening, occasionally stopping for clarifications.
There's a million great moments and I'm especially surprised by how often G and S mention the production realities and sometimes go into detail, like about the use of a tiger:
G - Then he finds an exit. I like the idea of Nazis putting tigers in there....You know what its like to fly a tiger in from South Africa.
S - It would have to be a neighborhood tiger.
G - There aren't any tigers out there.
S - I'm not in love with the idea.
G - You could have bats and stuff, make it slightly spooky.
So, yeah, apparently "Raiders" might've had a tiger. Then again, Spielberg isn't in love with the idea....how cool is this thing?! It's like sitting in, being a fly on the wall, in one of the most important conversations in moviedom.
Another excerpt I'll share is when G and S talk further about the action in the 2nd half of the first act and they broach the classic "snakes" line:
G - We shouldn't have any snakes in the opening sequence, just tarantulas. Save the snakes for now.
S - It would be funny if, somewhere earlier in the movie he somehow implied he was not afraid of snakes. Later, you realize that is one of his big fears.
G - Maybe it'd be better if you see early, maybe in the beginning that he's afraid "Oh God, I hate those snakes." It should be slightly amusing that he hates snakes, and then he opens this up "I can't go down there. Why did there have to be snakes. Anything but snakes." You can play it for comedy. The one thing that could happen is that he gets trapped with all these snakes.
Who knew? Its just so cool to see that, almost 30 years ago, these guys went through the same idea tossing and brainstorming that all writers go through. I mean, this could have easily been just like a conversation I had with the Red and Yellow team about "Chhk Chhk Boom" back in Glen Ellyn (somewhere on Bryant, perhaps?) or in my writing classes at Second City or here at SC.
It's just very refreshing to take away the Oscars and the blockbuster records and the mutli-million dollar new building and the legendary status and see that it all comes from a couple of guys sitting around, talking about a story they want to tell.
Friday, March 27, 2009
The G and S Show: Part I
"When do we go into lockdown mode?"
This is the question I posed to a classmate earlier today, and since we don't have classes on a Navy submarine or State Prison or anywhere that might usually require a lockdown mode, you may wonder why.
Well, this weekend all students - except for students currently editing a project - are not allowed in our brand new multi-million dollar School of Cinematic Arts building. Which might be mildly annoying, except for the fact that the reason is because this weekend "Uncle" George Lucas is throwing big grand opening party for himself and all the other big Hollywood-types that ponied up the dough to build our splendid little superstructure.
The two most high-profile guests will be the two men for which each wing of the new building in named: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
It's pretty wild thinking that these two barons of the blockbuster will be hobnobbing and schmoozing around the very same halls I stroll and saunter. Just think: Steven Spielberg sitting on the same bench I sit on, Steven Spielberg drinking from the same water fountain I drink from, Steven Spielberg crapping on the same - well, you get the idea.
And G and S are just the tip of the iceberg - top execs from all the major networks and studios will be milling about...Dreamworks, Paramount, NBC Universal, 20th Century Fox....the list goes on and on! It's the networking opportunity of a lifetime!!!
Which is why, of course, students will not be allowed within shouting distance of any of the entertainment elite this weekend. Starting at 5pm PST the building goes into "lockdown mode" - where only special staff and guests will be allowed entrance - until 5pm this Sunday. I can't say I blame 'em. I mean, I'm not one to get too starstruck but the thought of the ridiculous amount of movie moguls that will be hanging out at the SCA building this weekend is enough for me to "explode a Death Star" in my pants and run up to anyone and everyone with a script in one hand, a directing reel in another, and my mouth full of business cards.
Now the editors (including the editors of our documentary) will be allowed access to the labs in the basement for a limited amount of hours, but that comes only after being put on a special list and getting a special bracelet. Even after that, they have strict instructions to dress appropriately, not linger or loiter in the hallways, and explicit orders to not speak to or disturb any of the partygoers who are walking about during the open house.
So as much as I'd like to sneak myself in with one of those bracelets (and I certainly could) I've decied I'd get about as much access to these people as I would standing at the corner of Hollywood and Vine shouting at every dark window-tinted BMW that passed by. Plus, considering this is our LAST WEEKEND of filming for the doc, I'll certainly have enough to do already.
But is there a chance I may swing by campus for some silly reason and slowly meander in the proximity of the SCA building this weekend?
You bet your sweet X-Wing there is.
-MJK
This is the question I posed to a classmate earlier today, and since we don't have classes on a Navy submarine or State Prison or anywhere that might usually require a lockdown mode, you may wonder why.
Well, this weekend all students - except for students currently editing a project - are not allowed in our brand new multi-million dollar School of Cinematic Arts building. Which might be mildly annoying, except for the fact that the reason is because this weekend "Uncle" George Lucas is throwing big grand opening party for himself and all the other big Hollywood-types that ponied up the dough to build our splendid little superstructure.
The two most high-profile guests will be the two men for which each wing of the new building in named: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
It's pretty wild thinking that these two barons of the blockbuster will be hobnobbing and schmoozing around the very same halls I stroll and saunter. Just think: Steven Spielberg sitting on the same bench I sit on, Steven Spielberg drinking from the same water fountain I drink from, Steven Spielberg crapping on the same - well, you get the idea.
And G and S are just the tip of the iceberg - top execs from all the major networks and studios will be milling about...Dreamworks, Paramount, NBC Universal, 20th Century Fox....the list goes on and on! It's the networking opportunity of a lifetime!!!
Which is why, of course, students will not be allowed within shouting distance of any of the entertainment elite this weekend. Starting at 5pm PST the building goes into "lockdown mode" - where only special staff and guests will be allowed entrance - until 5pm this Sunday. I can't say I blame 'em. I mean, I'm not one to get too starstruck but the thought of the ridiculous amount of movie moguls that will be hanging out at the SCA building this weekend is enough for me to "explode a Death Star" in my pants and run up to anyone and everyone with a script in one hand, a directing reel in another, and my mouth full of business cards.
Now the editors (including the editors of our documentary) will be allowed access to the labs in the basement for a limited amount of hours, but that comes only after being put on a special list and getting a special bracelet. Even after that, they have strict instructions to dress appropriately, not linger or loiter in the hallways, and explicit orders to not speak to or disturb any of the partygoers who are walking about during the open house.
So as much as I'd like to sneak myself in with one of those bracelets (and I certainly could) I've decied I'd get about as much access to these people as I would standing at the corner of Hollywood and Vine shouting at every dark window-tinted BMW that passed by. Plus, considering this is our LAST WEEKEND of filming for the doc, I'll certainly have enough to do already.
But is there a chance I may swing by campus for some silly reason and slowly meander in the proximity of the SCA building this weekend?
You bet your sweet X-Wing there is.
-MJK
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Worst. Post. Ever.
Sorry guys. I spent more than 40 min working on the today's post but then navigated away from the page and damn "blogger" thing didn't save ANY of it so I'm back to a blank page and am too tired and frustrated to rewrite it right now. I will hopefully game up and punch it out again tomorrow.
It's a good post, though. One of the best, maybe, if there are any posts that seem "better" than others. I don't know. I've always enjoyed June, 11 2008. Whatever. It may even be a two part-er.
-mjk
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DOC COM
One of the cool thing about this crazy documentary I'm producing is that for the class - 547 - we also have a class that meets Mondays where we get to watch a relatively new doc and then someone associated with it, usually the director or producer, comes in a talks about it and there's a Q&A. Some of the notable doc we've watched are the Oscar nominated films The Garden and Man on Wire (which actually won the damn thing - the producer who came and talked was a real sport considering she had probably been out partying all night). Both are good and I would recommend them.
This past Monday we watched a film called WE LIVE IN PUBLIC - it's a crazy story about a dot.com millionaire who created this insanely voyeuristic underground compound in Manhattan in the late 1990's. Here's the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74NWhP_0RxA
It's a great film and really, almost frighteningly applicable in this day and age. Especially if you paid attention to the facebook ownership dispute and all the other things about privacy and emails and identities.
But mostly its just a lot of crazy sh*t and drama happening, which is you really what you want from a good documentary. That's actually what we've been learning in class.
Well, not really. But its been true of every doc we've watched this semester. Whenever people give long-winded feedback in class on our docs, I think what they really want to say is: "It's good, but I just dont think you have enough crazy sh*t and drama going on...Could you shoot more? More crazy sh*t and drama, cuz that'd be great!".
We have our last weekend of shooting this upcoming weekend. I'm so excited and yet incredibly tired at the same time. I'd like to point out we've pretty much been filming for, like, 10 weekends straight almost.
I'm goin' to bed.
-MJK
This past Monday we watched a film called WE LIVE IN PUBLIC - it's a crazy story about a dot.com millionaire who created this insanely voyeuristic underground compound in Manhattan in the late 1990's. Here's the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74NWhP_0RxA
It's a great film and really, almost frighteningly applicable in this day and age. Especially if you paid attention to the facebook ownership dispute and all the other things about privacy and emails and identities.
But mostly its just a lot of crazy sh*t and drama happening, which is you really what you want from a good documentary. That's actually what we've been learning in class.
Well, not really. But its been true of every doc we've watched this semester. Whenever people give long-winded feedback in class on our docs, I think what they really want to say is: "It's good, but I just dont think you have enough crazy sh*t and drama going on...Could you shoot more? More crazy sh*t and drama, cuz that'd be great!".
We have our last weekend of shooting this upcoming weekend. I'm so excited and yet incredibly tired at the same time. I'd like to point out we've pretty much been filming for, like, 10 weekends straight almost.
I'm goin' to bed.
-MJK
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