I tried being a hero, but it's clear I'm much, much better at being a villain. Ahem... In television addiction update - my favorite shows have returned. Entourage - brilliant as always, Dexter - pretty good, little too much nekkidity and too little BLOOD. Californication is great so far and cements Hank Moody as my hero. He threatened to kill Pete Wentz from Fallout Boy in this episode, which made it all the better. Talk about identifying with a character. I'm feeling mouthy, more updates soon on school, thesis film talk and misadventures in our lovely City of Angels.
hah, earthquake during set building... 5.6 apparently. heavy rolling feeling from in the building i was in, but apparently not to bad. All the kids from out of stae were freaking though ;)
Hey everyone, I'm shooting my mid-term, my take on a scene from trainspotting and I need a couple of people to hang out in the background for a small party scene. The shoot will be from 9:00am to 5:00pm tomorrow - Monday the 28th. There will be craft service all day as well as lunch provided. It should be a fun experience so mail me if you are interested. The shoot will be at the L.A. Film School on Sunset in Hollywood. Write for more info - and thanks!
Trainspotting Auditions! I’m directing...
Current mood: adventurous
Auditions for my remake of Trainspotting write me for more info and to schedule a timeslot
SPREAD THE WORD...
Do you deliver the "Choose Life" monologue for fun? Talk like Sean Connery and obsess over Scottish accents and junkie humor? Well here's your chance to be a have fun with a classic. For my midterm project I've chosen to direct a scene from John Hodge's screenplay for one of my favorite films, Trainspotting. I will be doing a very different take on the film, with more stylized visuals, lighting and production design. (More along the lines of what you'd see in the photo galleries here) Of course I need performers, so please come down and Audition for Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Tommy, Swanney and Allison. Tattoos, piercings, punks/goth/rivetheads also a plus!
X posted to LA casting
Thanks!
When: Saturday Jun 28, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Where:: Los Angeles Film School 6363 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, California|5 90028 United States
"The actor Heath Ledger was found dead this afternoon in an apartment building at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, according to the New York City police. Mr. Ledger was 28.
At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger's bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they did not suspect foul play and said they found pills near body.
I was searching the net when I ran across this Youtube video, its a minute long segment of and interview with Ledger where he talks about playing the Joker. Watching it now, it actually seems somewhat eerie judging from his fidgety body language. But then again, far be it from me to start in on the drug inferences. Sad he actually says the Joker is the most fun he'll "probably ever" have playing a role. Interview Video
Torture School uses Electroshock Punishments on Children
Been quiet lately, but I had to share this. I read this on BoingBoing.net this morning (http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/30/torture-school-subje.html) and it made me sick. Be advised. This is going on RIGHT NOW. Some poor kid is breaking a sweat this morning praying he/she doesn't sneeze, nerves on edge, anticipating current shot through their body for "acting out". Or perhaps even being "restrained" by being strapped to a board and THEN shocked. Some of these children are special needs kids, including autistic children. God I'm angry. Would this type of behavioural modification be beneficial to you or me? I don't think so... as a matter of fact, if I were a child in this situation, I think it would just drive me INTO madness. Honestly I'd probably spend most of my waking moments just waiting for the chance to plunge a sharpened 2 pencil straight into the larynx of one of these torturing fucks. If you care to, please help make other people aware of this. Thanks - Joker ________ Mother Jones has a long, chilling feature on The Judge Rotenberg Education Center, a private radical behavior-modification school based in Canton, Mass. The school is run by a rogue behaviorist who uses discredited "punishment" techniques -- electroshock -- on children as young as nine to change their personalities. Matthew Israel, the school's $400,000/year executive director, straps homemade, overpowered shock apparatus to children (including severely autistic and retarded kids) and has his staff administer strong shocks for even minor infractions. Some children have been shocked thousands of times a day, and several children have died at the school.
Eight states send troubled children to the school, where "high functioning" kids are "educated" by being sat in front of computers all day, running through automated tutorial programs. Talking, fidgeting, or acting out during this "school" time is punished with shocks. Some kids' shock apparatus misfires, shocking them without any provocation. The staff are instructed to activate the shock apparatus out of sight of the children, so that they can't mentally or physically prepare for it.
The Rotenberg process lacks any kind of scientific basis, and the school uses a 20-year-old film of its "successes" to convince parents to send their children to the program -- however, some of the success stories in the film are still institutionalized at Rotenberg 20 years after their "cure," wheelchair bound and in terrible shape.
Then, in June of 2006, a report produced by the New York State Education Department threatened to destroy the program's carefully cultivated image. A group of investigators, including three psychologists, spent five days at the Rotenberg Center and compiled a 26-page document packed with damning findings.
* Staff shock kids for "nagging, swearing, and failing to maintain a neat appearance" and once threatened to shock a girl who sneezed and then asked for a tissue. * Some students must "earn" meals by not displaying certain behaviors. Otherwise they are "made to throw a predetermined caloric portion of their food into the garbage." * When students enter and leave the school each day, "almost all" are wearing some type of restraints, such as handcuffs or leg shackles. * "Students may be restrained"--on a four-point restraint board or chair--"for extensive periods of time (e.g. hours or intermittently for days)." * Some students are shocked while strapped to the restraint board. * A "majority" of employees "serving as classroom teachers" are "not certified teachers." * Rotenberg's marketing reps bestow presents on prospective families--"e.g. a gift bag for the family, basketball for the student." * Although the center has described its shock device as "approved" by the fda in its promotional materials, it "has not been approved." * The facility collects "comprehensive data" on behaviors it seeks to eliminate, but "there was no evidence of the collection of data on replacement or positive behaviors." * The facility makes no assessment of the "possible collateral effects of punishment such as depression, anxiety, and/or social withdrawal."
Hey gang - Been outta town for a bit, but now that I'm back, I'm telling you all to go to Hell tomorrow and check out the Dark Art show (and all the other cool stuff going on there) I'm going to have some new prints up that I think you cats will dig... so check it out!
Live performance by OOZE Outstanding Industrial Band of the Year, RCN 2005
GWENMEDIA promoting their new DVD release: Mind Control 4 Starring Anastasia Pierce and Arachnia Webb
Free tickets to see PSYCHIC TV live
FEATURED ARTISTS INCLUDE: Leyla Akdogan, Laurence GARTEL, Michael Diaz of Surgeon Studios, Topper Anthony from XIII Designs, Jim Gentry, Douglas Alvarez, Tiffany Trenda, Jim Groves, Paul Zirkle, Robert Mills Art, Future Remains, Heather Lloyd, John Hicks, Sage, Pinkgrenade®, Stanley Gunn, Bryce Nadeau, The Joker, Christian Cadiz, Vanessa FAYD, Emily J. Steigerwald, Danielle Masucci, Alicia, Pictor Photography, 4614, Luanie Kologi, Zombienose, Silventar, PACKMAN, Gaston, Jinx, Roger Cornwall Jr., Vanessa Cook, Anastasios Gionis, SPHINX, Erebus Films & Photography, Suspect Art, K. Howell, Sir Lawrence The SithVamp, Mondo of NitewolF Studios, Junky Christ, Armando Huerta, and UNEQUALART
Open Bacardi Rum Bar: 9-10 PM
Cyber Kidz Made on Marz
BDSM/Fetish performances by: Master Angelus & Sir SkipDog Orpheus & Simon Blaise of Cirque de Sade Fetish Jade & Syrus Mistress Melissa CharlyB
Book release party for THE ART OF FETISH by Laurence GARTEL FATHER of the Digital Art Movement
Yet more sarcastic answers to a Survey
Current mood: busy
Any teenager can write a survey about their favorite class, or their secret crush, or how nice their car is that their parents paid for. This survey is one for the grown folks.
1. Do you have a college degree? Crafton Hills Dropout, AA Degree from Platt College, PhD from School of Hard Knocks, minored in chemistry.
2. What was the amount of your last electric bill? Hm, not certain. I do believe it's written on the dry erase board on the fridge, above the colorform magnet letters spelling out "PANDA COCK" (Had to use an upside down "V" for that "A". Tricky business.
3. Do you have life insurance? I applied, but it's really difficult to get approved given my constant participation in caged "Deathmatches". Also "Professional Adventurer" sounds great on the application, but they frown upon it.
4. How many hours per week do you work? Dayjob? - 40 Personal projects - it would be easier to ask how many hours I dont.
5. Have you ever attended a Toastmasters event? Not yet.
6. Favorite place to attend Happy Hour? My kitchen. The crowd is ugly as sin, but the drinks are cheap ;)
7. How many miles is your commute to work each day (one way)? Im lucky at the moment. Less than 5 miles.
8. What time do you get up every morning for work? Hahah about 7:30, 8:00 lately
9. What is your definition of sleeping in late? I think noon is late, but if you're asking how late I'm capable of sleeping in, I'd say 2:00pm. 4 to 6 pm if after a party.
10. Do you check your cholesterol on a yearly basis? Nope, hourly. I ate so much Del Taco during high school I occasionally actually have to put a tap in my side like a keg and drain it out. Then I make my own syrup. It's amazing.
11. How large was your first cell phone? Pretty big, but as with most things, after enough lube it was tolerable.
12. Does your employer provide good health insurance? No. No insurance. Another reason for the Michael Myers-like rage that is slowly consuming me. Which is why I have to avoid injury by crippling possible attackers immediately. Sometimes even before they themselves know they were going to attack me. But I can tell, I can see it in their eyes. Like that lady at the supermarket yesterday.
13. Did you use the internet to write a research paper? Constantly. I used to love the library though.
14. Have you attended a HS reunion? Mine is next year. I am most certainly attending. With chicks. Possibly zombie chicks. Zombie Combat Chicks. They will help me take out the ninjas that lay siege to the reunion, thus endearing me as a hero to my fellow class of '98... Shortly before chaining the doors shut and burning the fucking building down and escaping in a helicopter.
But really, thats just a rough outline.
15. How many jobs have you held in your professional career? Four, but of course I approach everything professionally. (har har har)
16. Have you ever been fired or laid off from a job? Fired once from telemarketing (which I didnt mind)
17. What is your favorite drink? Hm Dr. Pepper - Booze - UV Vodka. Once I'm more successful you guys should petition them to sponsor me.
18. What is the most expensive bottle of wine that you have in your residence? I never drink... wine. (Come on, some of you got that.) Um, no really Im not much of a wine drinker so I have no idea.
19. Have you been divorced? Not really. Though technically if you count the wedding ceremony at recess when I was in Kindergarten, I'm still married to an awesome redheaded girl named Rachel.
20. How old were you when you stopped getting ID'd for Alcohol? I still get ID'd, but Im certain it's just because I usually look like I'm up to no good.
21. Favorite casino? Only been to Vegas a couple of times, and though you'd think it'd be Circus Circus, I'm really not certain.
22. Are you happier now than you were in high school? Tough question. On almost all levels, I'm a much, much happier person. There are a few things and people I really miss from those days though. And I have to say there were a lot of things I wasn't so jaded about back then that really allowed me to be "in the moment" about a lot of things.
23. Did you ever have Hypercolor shirts? Nope, as a Kmart kid I got an "UltraColor" shirt, which was the knockoff brand. Bright yellow that changed to blue. Of course, that just led to people throwing water on me to see it change color. Thats the real reason I wear all black.
24. Do you remember when Michael Jackson was black and was attracted to women? I remember playing the Thriller album over and over again... yes, VINYL. As for being attracted to women, come on no one's EVER believed that. Of course Billy Jean is not your lover. Duh.
25. Do you remember when MTV actually played music videos? Yes, and how I loved it, I was always parked in front of MTV, I learned about a lot of great bands that way. Also, in the mid 90s they still played solid blocks of good band's videos, but usually late at night, which as an insomniac I watched religiously. Its where I was exposed to the likes of Dean Karr, Mark Romanek, Samuel Bayer, Chris Cunningham, Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Floria Sigismondi, Greg Dark and a ton of directors that really inspired me.
26. Have you had a will made? Yes.
27. What music was in your cd / cassette player when you were 16? Hahah Nine Inch Nails, Manson's Antichrist Superstar album almost never left my discman. A lot of the Cure (Standing on a Beach constantly) and Garbage too.
29. How long has it been since you attended a kegger? Not that long actually. Though I can't remember where it was at.
30. Where were you when you found out about 9-11? Getting ready for my color theory class. My parents told me to come see the news.
31. Do you have any children yet? I consider you all my children. Unless we've had relations. That would be awkward. Oh and no, no biological ones at least, but if you're asking if I've ever babysat a whining, crying, complaint machine, yes - yes I have. Sadly most of them are legally adults.
Well it's only 4:39pm on a Monday afternoon and I'm already stressed. I have quite the puzzle in front of me to solve. Take a Rubik's Cube, imagine each of its six faces is representative of the perfect configuration of those 9 little squares for Finances/Bills, Freelance work, Photoshoots/Retouching, Personal Development (no cocoon required), Dayjob, Communication, Planning, Family, Sleep. This would allow for all these things to work properly together without any sacrificing any one individual thing. Now scramble that up. A lot.
It's alright, I'll figure it out - always do. I'm not in dire straights or anything, it just gets tiring juggling everything all the time. But hey, jugglin' is what clowns do right?!
Of course, one should clear the mind before attempting any puzzle of such difficulty. Therefore I'm going to begin drinking immediately after work and then when sufficiently soused, I'm going to dip into about 2 hours of "The Hills" (of the 18 episodes currently on my Tivo.) Afterward my mind should be more blank than the bastard offspring of our Attorney General and that chick that huffs gold spraypaint behind my local Russian Mafia owned liquor store. Then... then I shall solve these issues.
And they say my generation doesn't have coping skills. Pft.
adventurous
determined
busy