Welcome to Palm Cove.
Greetings all. Just a quick little update to... pass the time I guess. Sitting here waiting for Will & Grace to come on and I've apparently finished the internet. Let's see...
So, you may or may not remember me mentioning a little group called Malestrom awhile back (one of my early posts). Well, just a little update on that group. It's still made up of Derek Poehls, myself, Nick Naujokas, and Jim Sele. One small change: while originally we were hoping to be sort of a fun, loosey-goosey Alterior Motiv-esque group we discussed at length last month and decided to concentrate on what we do best: classical repertoire. We sound the best, blend beautifully, learn it faster. Basically, it's what we've been trained to do so we decided to stop trying to fight it and just go with the flow. With the change in focus, we also changed our name. Well, maybe "changed" is a bit much. I guess we altered it. We are now: The Malestrom Quartet. I dunno, just sounds a bit more professional don't you think? Right now we're working up some pieces for a short-ish recital/concert in the Spring so hopefully that'll pan out. Also, our friend Joe Osowski has voiced some interest in having the Quartet travel to Anoka where he teaches to perform for his choir which would be a lot of fun. Another friend of ours from way back in the day (Paul Barta) has also invited us to go sing for his students up in Grand Forks. So, y'know, we're still here! Just stay tuned (little bit of bad music humor for you).
Watched Zombieland today and it was a pretty good flick. The surprise cameo was just outstanding but I don't want to go into detail and ruin it for people who haven't had a chance to see the movie yet. Also, I finally saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and it was fantastic. Wow. I really enjoyed it and suggest it to anyone who likes great movies.
Done for now. Will & Grace is starting. Bye all!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Guess it's been awhile...
Welcome to Palm Cove!
Hey ho faithful reader(s). I apologize for the... shall we say, delay... in my postings. I figured it was time to update everyone (emphasis on the one) on what's been going on in my life, as it were.
I'll begin by telling you that the filming of "E. Richard Schwab's All Hallows' Eve" was a colossal failure. Hahaha, it's okay though. We still had a good time out on uncle Clay's farm and we learned some good lessons about the process of filming with friends. The project is not dead-in-the-water, though. I still plan on getting it shot sometime but it won't be until we have a proper camera. Derek's sweet camera notwithstanding, it just didn't suit our purposes well. Well, onto other things, for now.
Here's something that really bothers me for no good reason and I figured I'd vent here. I've been following (for lack of a better term) the stupid AT&T commercials (you know the ones, Luke Wilson is in them). Anyway, they make me so mad because most of them start with him disdainfully saying something along the lines of: "Lately, there's been a lot of talk about maps. I'm here to set the record straight..." or something along those lines. What he's referring to is Verizon's recent claims of coverage superiority. They would show maps indicating the areas Verizon covers compared to AT&T. Naturally, Verizon covers a heckuva lot more area. Anyway, these new AT&T commercials have Luke Wilson "setting the record straight" about Verizon's claims and here's how they do it. By not addressing the claims at all! Verizon never claimed to have a better 3G or 4G network. They never claimed to have faster internet downloading capabilities. They never claimed to have better roll-over minute policies. Yet, these are the arguments AT&T is making... completely throwing the wool over the eyes of the public and side-stepping the issue. "With AT&T you can surf the web and talk on the phone at the same time." Okay, fair enough... but do you know why you can do that? Because you can't actually talk on the phone because you don't have coverage! Plus, why in the world would you need to talk on the phone AND surf the web at the same time? AT&T uses the situation of getting a "Lifeline" call from "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and having to look up some vital piece of information. I mean, of course that's a very commonplace situation. I actually find myself in that situation at least twice a day. Come on.
Their latest commercial has a restaurant full of people and Luke Wilson explaining in an aside that "We secretly switched these AT&T customer's phones with Verizon phones. Let's see what happens..." Instantly, in this fancy restaurant mind you, everybody starts to panic because they can't surf the web (how romantic. "I love you honey... hang on, I gotta check my e-mail." Stupid in it's own right). Another woman shouts: "Hey, where are all my apps?" Followed by: "Where's my cool phone?" Point proven, eh Luke Wilson? Verizon sucks.
However, this is how my version of the same commercial would've gone:
Luke Wilson: We secretly switched out... etc etc.
Instantly, every phone starts ringing. Customers actually start getting their calls and can actually talk to their friends and family on the phone. At first they're confused because, they don't know what's going on. "My phone is ringing?" "Wait, I can actually talk to someone on this thing?" "Hold on... I actually heard what you said. I'm completely blown away." Everyone is astounded by this amazing new technology a phone that actually works as... a phone! Cut back to Luke Wilson who says: "Well, that sure didn't work out like we wanted. We should've realized that with dependable coverage, these fools would actually get their calls and cut right through our sinister smoke & mirrors campaign." Or, you know, it would've gone something like that.
I should be done rambling for now. Even as I typed this blog, I got annoyed for no good reason. Why does this bother me? It shouldn't. But whatever, we'll end it there. I'm sorry to any AT&T customers who read this blog. My intent is not to offend, but you have to admit, the commercials are stupid. For now, though, I bid you all a fond farewell. Hopefully I'll see you again soon!
Hey ho faithful reader(s). I apologize for the... shall we say, delay... in my postings. I figured it was time to update everyone (emphasis on the one) on what's been going on in my life, as it were.
I'll begin by telling you that the filming of "E. Richard Schwab's All Hallows' Eve" was a colossal failure. Hahaha, it's okay though. We still had a good time out on uncle Clay's farm and we learned some good lessons about the process of filming with friends. The project is not dead-in-the-water, though. I still plan on getting it shot sometime but it won't be until we have a proper camera. Derek's sweet camera notwithstanding, it just didn't suit our purposes well. Well, onto other things, for now.
Here's something that really bothers me for no good reason and I figured I'd vent here. I've been following (for lack of a better term) the stupid AT&T commercials (you know the ones, Luke Wilson is in them). Anyway, they make me so mad because most of them start with him disdainfully saying something along the lines of: "Lately, there's been a lot of talk about maps. I'm here to set the record straight..." or something along those lines. What he's referring to is Verizon's recent claims of coverage superiority. They would show maps indicating the areas Verizon covers compared to AT&T. Naturally, Verizon covers a heckuva lot more area. Anyway, these new AT&T commercials have Luke Wilson "setting the record straight" about Verizon's claims and here's how they do it. By not addressing the claims at all! Verizon never claimed to have a better 3G or 4G network. They never claimed to have faster internet downloading capabilities. They never claimed to have better roll-over minute policies. Yet, these are the arguments AT&T is making... completely throwing the wool over the eyes of the public and side-stepping the issue. "With AT&T you can surf the web and talk on the phone at the same time." Okay, fair enough... but do you know why you can do that? Because you can't actually talk on the phone because you don't have coverage! Plus, why in the world would you need to talk on the phone AND surf the web at the same time? AT&T uses the situation of getting a "Lifeline" call from "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and having to look up some vital piece of information. I mean, of course that's a very commonplace situation. I actually find myself in that situation at least twice a day. Come on.
Their latest commercial has a restaurant full of people and Luke Wilson explaining in an aside that "We secretly switched these AT&T customer's phones with Verizon phones. Let's see what happens..." Instantly, in this fancy restaurant mind you, everybody starts to panic because they can't surf the web (how romantic. "I love you honey... hang on, I gotta check my e-mail." Stupid in it's own right). Another woman shouts: "Hey, where are all my apps?" Followed by: "Where's my cool phone?" Point proven, eh Luke Wilson? Verizon sucks.
However, this is how my version of the same commercial would've gone:
Luke Wilson: We secretly switched out... etc etc.
Instantly, every phone starts ringing. Customers actually start getting their calls and can actually talk to their friends and family on the phone. At first they're confused because, they don't know what's going on. "My phone is ringing?" "Wait, I can actually talk to someone on this thing?" "Hold on... I actually heard what you said. I'm completely blown away." Everyone is astounded by this amazing new technology a phone that actually works as... a phone! Cut back to Luke Wilson who says: "Well, that sure didn't work out like we wanted. We should've realized that with dependable coverage, these fools would actually get their calls and cut right through our sinister smoke & mirrors campaign." Or, you know, it would've gone something like that.
I should be done rambling for now. Even as I typed this blog, I got annoyed for no good reason. Why does this bother me? It shouldn't. But whatever, we'll end it there. I'm sorry to any AT&T customers who read this blog. My intent is not to offend, but you have to admit, the commercials are stupid. For now, though, I bid you all a fond farewell. Hopefully I'll see you again soon!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Table Reading
Well, the screenplay is 100% complete! All typed up and professional looking. Pretty awesome. So, I sent out a Facebook message to all of the members of All Hallows' Eve but just in case there are people who check Palm Cove more often, here's the deal.
Tonight I would like to have a tabe-reading. Basically get all the cast members together and do a straight read-through. No acting, just reading. This is useful on a couple levels. First: I get a good idea of the timing/length of scenes. Second: I get the general flow of the dialogue and if it sucks I can change it while everyone is all together to mark it. I'm hoping to get word from most of the cast so I know whether or not it's even gonna be able to happen tonight. Incidentally, there are still a few roles I have yet to fill so if you'd be interested in reading for the part, you're more than welcome to join us. For more details, just leave a comment in Palm Cove here or contact me via Facebook or e-mail.
Anyway, things seem to be coming together quite well so far. A little hiccup here and there but what movie doesn't have those?
Tonight I would like to have a tabe-reading. Basically get all the cast members together and do a straight read-through. No acting, just reading. This is useful on a couple levels. First: I get a good idea of the timing/length of scenes. Second: I get the general flow of the dialogue and if it sucks I can change it while everyone is all together to mark it. I'm hoping to get word from most of the cast so I know whether or not it's even gonna be able to happen tonight. Incidentally, there are still a few roles I have yet to fill so if you'd be interested in reading for the part, you're more than welcome to join us. For more details, just leave a comment in Palm Cove here or contact me via Facebook or e-mail.
Anyway, things seem to be coming together quite well so far. A little hiccup here and there but what movie doesn't have those?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
All Hallows' Eve
Welcome to Palm Cove.
Well, the screenplay for "All Hallows' Eve" is completed! I've been typing it up over the past few days and plan on finishing that process on Monday after work. I will then take it to Kinko's and have copies made and (maybe) bound. It's a pretty exciting time in the planning process. I still need to price out renting some filming equipment and I fear it will be quite expensive... we'll just have to see though. I am planning on updating Palm Cove more frequently now with news about the film. Anyone who is involved, please feel free to leave comments on here or contact me via Facebook, e-mail, or cell phone and I will address the questions directly AND publicly in Palm Cove. That's it for now.
Well, the screenplay for "All Hallows' Eve" is completed! I've been typing it up over the past few days and plan on finishing that process on Monday after work. I will then take it to Kinko's and have copies made and (maybe) bound. It's a pretty exciting time in the planning process. I still need to price out renting some filming equipment and I fear it will be quite expensive... we'll just have to see though. I am planning on updating Palm Cove more frequently now with news about the film. Anyone who is involved, please feel free to leave comments on here or contact me via Facebook, e-mail, or cell phone and I will address the questions directly AND publicly in Palm Cove. That's it for now.
Monday, August 24, 2009
So far so good.
Welcome to Palm Cove.
A major success for "E. Richard Schwab's All Hallows' Eve." My uncle has agreed to let us use his farm on Halloween weekend to film! After the recent loss of our main character, this news is very welcome indeed. The script is coming along nicely and (knock on wood) so far everything is coming together pretty smoothly. The more I think about it, the more I get excited. It has pretty much consumed my life at this point. I hope we can do a really good job with it because I'm leaning towards entering into the annual Fargo Film Festival. How cool would that be? For more details concerning the movie, feel free to check out the group on Facebook and (hopefully soon) the official website!
This update was just a short one because I wanted to share this great news with someone but nobody was here when I got home. Off to finish my Subway! More to come.
A major success for "E. Richard Schwab's All Hallows' Eve." My uncle has agreed to let us use his farm on Halloween weekend to film! After the recent loss of our main character, this news is very welcome indeed. The script is coming along nicely and (knock on wood) so far everything is coming together pretty smoothly. The more I think about it, the more I get excited. It has pretty much consumed my life at this point. I hope we can do a really good job with it because I'm leaning towards entering into the annual Fargo Film Festival. How cool would that be? For more details concerning the movie, feel free to check out the group on Facebook and (hopefully soon) the official website!
This update was just a short one because I wanted to share this great news with someone but nobody was here when I got home. Off to finish my Subway! More to come.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
FAIR enough
Welcome to Palm Cove!
"They were harrowing..." This is what Evan Montgomery's mom had to say concerning the porta-potties at the Warren County Fair yesterday afternoon. After experiencing one for myself, I must say that her assessment was sound. How lucky are we that the flushing toilet was invented? Extremely. Thank goodness for plumbing.
What was I doing at the Warren County Fair yesterday afternoon? Well Evan Montgomery, Bobby Frasier, Jim Sele, and myself were singing of course. Evan put us together as sort of a last minute thing for the talent show portion of the fair. We sang under the nom de guerre the Lone Rangers (all of us being hopelessly single, this name sort of stuck). We performed two barbershop songs: Sweet Adeline and Coney Island Baby. We did well, minus a couple pitch/balance issues, and ended up coming in 2nd place. The prize was a neat little medal and $75.00, which promptly went right back into Evan's gas tank. All in all it was a nice outing and the Lone Rangers may ride again next year as an actual performing talent at the fair (paid and everything).
Meanwhile, a little closer to home, Malestrom (consisting of myself, Nick Naujokas, Jim Sele, and Derek Poehls) is still going strong. We're currently practicing hard to prepare for our mini-tour of some local high schools this fall. So far we only have two planned stops but, hey, I'm sure those two will be amazing. After that we will be putting our nose to the grindstone to get ready for our first official concert event: A Malestrom Family Christmas. Stay tuned for further details regarding this glorious holiday extravaganza.
At this point, I'm out of things to say for now so I'll end the post here. God bless and I'll talk to you all later!
"They were harrowing..." This is what Evan Montgomery's mom had to say concerning the porta-potties at the Warren County Fair yesterday afternoon. After experiencing one for myself, I must say that her assessment was sound. How lucky are we that the flushing toilet was invented? Extremely. Thank goodness for plumbing.
What was I doing at the Warren County Fair yesterday afternoon? Well Evan Montgomery, Bobby Frasier, Jim Sele, and myself were singing of course. Evan put us together as sort of a last minute thing for the talent show portion of the fair. We sang under the nom de guerre the Lone Rangers (all of us being hopelessly single, this name sort of stuck). We performed two barbershop songs: Sweet Adeline and Coney Island Baby. We did well, minus a couple pitch/balance issues, and ended up coming in 2nd place. The prize was a neat little medal and $75.00, which promptly went right back into Evan's gas tank. All in all it was a nice outing and the Lone Rangers may ride again next year as an actual performing talent at the fair (paid and everything).
Meanwhile, a little closer to home, Malestrom (consisting of myself, Nick Naujokas, Jim Sele, and Derek Poehls) is still going strong. We're currently practicing hard to prepare for our mini-tour of some local high schools this fall. So far we only have two planned stops but, hey, I'm sure those two will be amazing. After that we will be putting our nose to the grindstone to get ready for our first official concert event: A Malestrom Family Christmas. Stay tuned for further details regarding this glorious holiday extravaganza.
At this point, I'm out of things to say for now so I'll end the post here. God bless and I'll talk to you all later!
Friday, July 31, 2009
A little bit of magic
So, I've created a blog. I was inspired by my friend (and roommate) Bobby Frasier. You can check his out at http://rwfrasier.blogspot.com/. I tried to resist the creation of such a blog after the Xanga fiasco... does anyone even remember Xanga? I know you do Jim. I just didn't think anyone would care to keep checking my blog. Whatever. Over it. If you're here, you apparently have some morbid curiosity about what I would like to say so here goes:
Welcome to Palm Cove.
Is it just me or are touch lamps probably one of the coolest inventions ever? I think we all feel a little magical when we merely brush our fingertips against the base of one of these lamps and the room is suddenly filled with light. My parents have one in the guest room in their house (where I've been staying all week watching the cats) and the highlight of my night is when dusk settles in and I go into the room and turn on that light. "Lumos!" I mutter and the room is instantly awash in glorious light. Is that not the coolest thing ever? Then again, maybe it is just me.
Speaking of magic, I would like to discuss Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. First of all, I'll just get it off my chest. I loved this movie. Was it different from the book? Yes, of course; at some parts, almost irretrievably different, and yet, it was still a fantastic film. I'm currently re-reading the book and there are, of course, some happenings that I would've liked to have seen in the movie. Unfortunately, they just wouldn't have fit with the way the movie was made. When making a movie based on a book, the screenwriter(s) must decide what's most important to tell the core story of the book. Sadly, this means that a lot of stuff gets left out. There are so many things from the novel that were left out of the film simply because at this point in the vast mythology of the HP films, they wouldn't make sense. For instance: the entire arc of Dobby the House Elf. In the sixth installment of the novel series, Harry enlists Dobby and Kreacher (another house elf, begrudgingly enslaved to Potter) to tail Draco Malfoy and report to him (Potter) what he (Malfoy) is being so secretive about. This is a prime example of a story element that would be completely out of place as, in the movies, Dobby was only mentioned in the second one and Kreacher was barely mentioned in the fifth. To have these two house elves, who play relatively large parts throughout the series (one more than the other), just randomly show up like they've been there the whole time would confuse the non-Potter reading viewers. Sadly, believe it or not, studios produce films to make money. Sure, if they can tell a good story while doing it, that's great too. On the whole, however, it's cash they're after. To alienate an entire viewing audience by introducing and re-introducing important (albeit minor) characters randomly here and there throughout the movies wouldn't make sense to studio execs. They know that Harry Potter fans are going to see the movies anyway (if for no other reason than to be able to yell about how much better the books are) so they simplify to pull in the non-literary types who just like to go see a sweet movie about really friggin' cool magic. I think I've rambled on enough about that for now. In closing, the Harry Potter series of books: I'm in love with them. The Harry Potter series of movies: I'm in love with them also. One must simply learn how to separate the two before one can truly appreciate both.
Welcome to Palm Cove.
Is it just me or are touch lamps probably one of the coolest inventions ever? I think we all feel a little magical when we merely brush our fingertips against the base of one of these lamps and the room is suddenly filled with light. My parents have one in the guest room in their house (where I've been staying all week watching the cats) and the highlight of my night is when dusk settles in and I go into the room and turn on that light. "Lumos!" I mutter and the room is instantly awash in glorious light. Is that not the coolest thing ever? Then again, maybe it is just me.
Speaking of magic, I would like to discuss Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. First of all, I'll just get it off my chest. I loved this movie. Was it different from the book? Yes, of course; at some parts, almost irretrievably different, and yet, it was still a fantastic film. I'm currently re-reading the book and there are, of course, some happenings that I would've liked to have seen in the movie. Unfortunately, they just wouldn't have fit with the way the movie was made. When making a movie based on a book, the screenwriter(s) must decide what's most important to tell the core story of the book. Sadly, this means that a lot of stuff gets left out. There are so many things from the novel that were left out of the film simply because at this point in the vast mythology of the HP films, they wouldn't make sense. For instance: the entire arc of Dobby the House Elf. In the sixth installment of the novel series, Harry enlists Dobby and Kreacher (another house elf, begrudgingly enslaved to Potter) to tail Draco Malfoy and report to him (Potter) what he (Malfoy) is being so secretive about. This is a prime example of a story element that would be completely out of place as, in the movies, Dobby was only mentioned in the second one and Kreacher was barely mentioned in the fifth. To have these two house elves, who play relatively large parts throughout the series (one more than the other), just randomly show up like they've been there the whole time would confuse the non-Potter reading viewers. Sadly, believe it or not, studios produce films to make money. Sure, if they can tell a good story while doing it, that's great too. On the whole, however, it's cash they're after. To alienate an entire viewing audience by introducing and re-introducing important (albeit minor) characters randomly here and there throughout the movies wouldn't make sense to studio execs. They know that Harry Potter fans are going to see the movies anyway (if for no other reason than to be able to yell about how much better the books are) so they simplify to pull in the non-literary types who just like to go see a sweet movie about really friggin' cool magic. I think I've rambled on enough about that for now. In closing, the Harry Potter series of books: I'm in love with them. The Harry Potter series of movies: I'm in love with them also. One must simply learn how to separate the two before one can truly appreciate both.
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