More Motivation

My confidence has been almost non-existent for a long time now. A lot of it has to do with the systematic stomping of it by Little Caesars over a couple years and showing my work to people who are just … well, the wrong people. I make every effort to not try being funny because I’m afraid of looking stupid. There are a few people… I hear their voices in my head no matter what I’m writing or doing and they’re all telling me that whatever I’m working on sucks for whatever reason. I’m afraid to write anything meaningful because I’m afraid of some a–hole saying it seems kneejerk or shallow because of my political or religious beliefs in which case I think whatever I’m doing is just a waste of time.

There’s that and the fact that I beg people to read stuff I write and no one has any interest. I beg my teenage daughter to share her stories and poetry with me and she has no interest in letting me see it. I should have known better than to have girls – just more of them around me to reject me.

However, the “school” script I’m working on … that – and the cadet I exchanged some emails with – really lifted me up and I keep getting great feedback on something else I wrote. I wrote this stupid little post on my Facebook “blog” and sent it out as a mass email about something that happened the other day and people keep telling me how funny it is. Marci Karp, a girl who was in many of the early movies I did for Little Caesars (none of hers are on here – not for any particular reason, they just aren’t), told me I should write “or something.” She wasn’t the only one … but … it’s all been nice to hear.

I’ve been succumbing to repeated thoughts that Florida will be just another place I’ll fail but today is a bit better (I just woke up, though, so who knows). Maybe my wife is right, maybe the sunshine will make me feel better.

Good Day, Sunshine

Just found these sites and I’m excited about being at all of these:

• Florida Film Festival
  It looks like I missed the deadline for 2008, but that also means I have plenty of time to get ready for 2009, eh?
• The Sarasota Film Society looks a lot like the Detroit Film Center (which I hope to see before I leave – they’ve moved to a new location… I haven’t had time to finish Red Eye because as soon as I got my current day job, I had to start looking for a new job in Florida!) in that they show local/independent films and have classes. They also show art films (which is good because the Maple and others in Detroit are just too far away) and first-run films. They’re totally showing Kids which I’ve wanted to see forever but it’s Jan 5 which is before I’ll get there.
• “Entries begin January 4, 2008″ (I’m not sure what that means, exactly) for the Central Florida Film Festival held in August. I wonder if I can finish … no, probably not. Well, I suppose I could get Red Eye screened … nah, I’ll do that as a Detroit exclusive … hmm… that might be a reason to come back up and visit for a weekend!
• I think every state has an office dedicated to the film industry – Michigan sure does. Florida’s official state-run department, Film In Florida, has it’s own website including a list of Florida film festivals! How cool is that?

I’ve tried to find info on local community access TV but my impression so far is there is none. Poop.

Me at my current (now temporary) gig at AT&T:

In all likelihood, all I’ll have is my own personal camera – not a super sweet one like Little Caesars’ at my disposal. I’ll have to spend a couple hundred on RAM and storage for my little Mac to edit with. Even with more RAM, I’m not sure it could handle Final Cut Express so it might be time to use iMovie. Crap … I’ll need a microphone, too, since my little camera doesn’t have much… it’s all do-able, though.

I’ve been reading a lot about John Carpenter, lately, and listening to his commentaries for The Thing and Halloween. I didn’t realize how low-budget Halloween was or that it was an independent film. Carpenter gives really good commentary. I like Halloween’s better, though, because I love the “how we did it” stuff for low budget productions.

The Story of the History of Little Caesars

 

Based on some very nice feedback, here is a summary of how this video got made:

I LOOOVED the Little Caesar’s thing!
1) Hilarious

Well, a lot of that has to do with Mr. Chris Lewandowski and Ms. Barrie Bailey, the on-screen talent. Chris is fabulous in everything he’s in.

2) Holy cow! Who did all those costumes?!

Well, here’s where my talent comes in. The original concept for the history of accounting came from Barrie. We sat down and brainstormed what time periods we could include and how we’d show transactions in those time periods – like trading furs for pizza in the frontier. We began with no budget (that was increased only marginally by donations of lots of free pizza) and I came up with the idea of contacting museums and other institutions to use their exhibits as sets and backgrounds. The Detroit Historical Museum provided a couple sets that are part of their permanent exhibit, The Streets of Old Detroit. The outfit Barrie wears is straight out of her closet. I don’t know why (I imagine its some sort of role-playing) but she owns all sorts of costumes and she and her husband own their own blue-screen. Even the cave-people costumes she already owned! Extra things like the coon-skin cap, mustache, etc. Chris and Barrie bought out of their own pocket as usual. These two are so committed to everything they do for the company. They are really an inspiration to everyone who works around them. Let me make it clear I don’t expect the company to pay for this stuff – my point is, I think it’s awesome that these two and many others really care and really give and sacrifice for what they do. The company’s #1 philosophy written in the employee handbook and other places is “Little Caesars Must Be A Fun Place To Work” and they are among the brightest in keeping it that way. There are grinches and grouches, of course, but they are far outnumbered by passionate, awesome people.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival provided the set and actors for the medieval piece. Those actors own their own costumes – it’s what they do for a living.

The scene with the giant computer was shot in the University of Michigan School of Computer Science building in the display for their piece of the old ENIAC.

For the scene in the first Little Caesars store (yep, that’s really the first one – I live just a mile or so from it) I got a cap from a Johnny Rockets but I forgot it and Chris ingeniously made one out of a Crazy Bread (registered trademark) bag!

The ancient Rome scene is, of course, that park in Ann Arbor and a mere bedsheet. The coins with Caesar’s face are Caesarland tokens – I’m quite proud of that touch.

The background for the cave-people scene was in the University of Michigan Natural Science Museum. As I said, the costumes came directly out of Barrie’s closet.

Some locations let us come in and film with no question, others asked for payment and got free pizza.

3) The old footage was awesome! Where did you get it?!!

Ah, archive.org which is a wonderful filmmakers toybox! Loads of ephemeral and other free footage for the download! I typed in things like “computers” and “accounting” and got what you see in the video.
4) totally, totally hilarious- you wrote and directed it??!!

Like I said, Barrie came up with the concept and the rest we hammered out together. I directed most of the videos I did there. In some cases, there were many directors which is maddening but the more experience and education I got as time went on, I was trusted and empowered more and more. Sometimes that would frustrate people because I’m a perfectionist and that might mean multiple takes.

When it was shown in Las Vegas at the national Managers Rally, I was backstage waiting for the dance number that followed and I almost cried as people laughed and cheered during it. I felt like Charlie Chaplin at the Academy Awards in the movie Chaplin.

Robert’s Red Eye

I didn’t write Red Eye. Maggie, a fellow student at the Detroit Film Center, did. It’s just so … weird to work on a movie I didn’t write. It’s very different than being in a play I didn’t write. But then … I think it would be easy to be in a movie I didn’t write. Directing is a completely different animal. I’m not sure I’d completely enjoy being one of those directors who is in their own movie.

This sort of thing drives me crazy at my day job. I hate working on everyone else’s projects and never having one of my own. One of the pastors at church said, if I may remind myself, that I need to work on someone else’s vision before working on my own but … dude, that sucks.

I just feel like everyone thinks, “Oh, you’re only the director? You didn’t write it?” or “Oh, you’re only the designer? You didn’t actually create the content?” Actually, I don’t feel – I know … that’s what they say in job interviews. And my Mom says stuff like that. I didn’t plaster my name all over Madre because I feel that’s just, I don’t know, vain. And after she watched it, she said, “You’re name is nowhere on it” which made me wonder if she even believed I made it. Yeah, I could have filled the credits with my name for every crew position, put my name as producer, director, writer, but … whatever.

I should mention the writer/director of the church musical liked the editing and such I did of her show.

I’ve been very bitter and unfulfilled lately, if you can’t tell.

From the Vaults

I just found this video I made months ago when I was experimenting with the process of making video podcasts.

The intro is a collection of pictures and video of me at work followed by me explaining en español the benefits of using podcasts for training.

Un Poco Praise

Frank said the editing was very good. I told him that even if it bombed tonight (which I fully expect it to) I’m still in afterglow from the success of my little flicks in Vegas, so it won’t hurt my feelings.

History of Little Caesars

<<video no longer available>>

I am authorized to post this for one week. Watch it while you can. I’m very proud.

Cutting Hurts

The Love Boat piece turned out brilliant. I’m not comfortable with putting it online in its current form, though, because of all the people who are in it that I don’t even feel like asking for their permission. However, I can substitute some other pictures and put it up. I’m just so pleased with how it turned out. It looks even better than the original. Maybe I can block out their eyes and names or something…

The historical thing … so much had to be cut out which is heartbreaking. I had to take over ten minutes of footage and get it down to 3:21.  That I’ll put up after the rally. So much of what I do is supposed to be a surprise for various events … I wish I could put things up as they progress like I can with my personal projects. I’m saddest about having to cut up the footage from the Michigan Renaissance Festival. I’m also sad I can’t make it up there this year. It’s been years since I’ve been there or Frankenmuth – two of my favorite places.

I still have no idea what to do for a TV show and my new script idea is all full of writer’s block.

I just posted a little video on this blog’s sister blog and here it is.

As Good As Or Better

I wrote the theme song for Madre Sabe El Mejor and people seemed to really dig it and say they can’t get it out of their head.

Today I composed a new one for the video mentioned in the previous entry but I think it’d be perfect for the feature I’m starting. I had two ideas but I don’t think I’d be able to write the first one. Just don’t have the life experience or cultural experience. I think this new song is as good as or better than the first.

OH! I’ve been reading oodles of film & video books over the last few months and today I got one from the library with the best title: A How-To Guide for the First-Time, Flat-Broke Film and Video Maker.

More Color Correction in FCE

I’m really pleased with this. Even moreso than the earlier example. I was telling my boss earlier that my skill level in Final Cut has increased a great deal over the last few weeks. I’m pretty pleased. Of course, life would be much better if I never had to deal with crappy corporate lighting everywhere I go. That can’t be good for your health. I keep thinking of Tom Hanks in Joe v the Volcano … the lights sucking out his brain and happiness.

This ugliness is “before.”

This is “after.”

I do this all the time in Photoshop. I don’t know exactly why I get so much more excited doing it in FCE. Maybe it’s just a new skill. And that’s why I don’t mind the lethal yellow lighting. It makes me stronger.

Just Started Playing With Live Type

for the “historical” multi-media extravaganza. Wow. I’m diggin’ it.

Page o’ Live Type tutorials.

Fire and Opportunity

I’m really excited about this editing for the church’s musical and doing the wedding. Both will be great portfolio pieces. I’m going to make a web site and make a DVD for the newlyweds that they and I can show people. Same thing with the musical. I’m going to make the DVD as nice as I can for both … ooh, and I should include my contact information.

Barrie, Chris and I shot some more stuff. One of the shots was … well, we’re using something new in our company that replaces something old and the video showcases the new thing. Part of the video is “new uses for the old thing” and there’s a bonfire. We went to a park, made a huge fire in one of the barbeque pit things and started throwing stuff into it (I wanted them dancing around it like pagans but …). During all this, someone said, “So, how are we going to put this fire out when we’re done?”

Yesterday, Chris spent a few hours shooting for a different project and I’ll be editing that today. When his project is done, I’ll start working with Dan for yet another video project for Vegas.  I still have to get back to Phyllis’ at some point.

And to think some days I actually believe my job has gotten less creative & fun. Some days I have such an unwarranted crappy attitude. I’m glad I’ve got friends and family and co-workers to lift me out of that pit when I stumble into it.

Subtitles and Drop Shadows

It took me forever to find the drop shadow effect in Final Cut (under the Viewer’s Motion tab, of all places!). Last night or the night before, I was lying in bed with Grace watching some documentary and I noticed they had a semi-transparent white rectangle behind their subtitle which helped them pop even more. Definitely something to remember.

Color Correction In Final Cut

One of the things I have to deal with, shooting in a corporate environment (and not yet having a budget for a proper lighting kit – 2008 can’t come fast enough!) is the icky yellow lighting. The offices have it and so do the stores. I can, however, get rid of that pretty satisfactorally (is that a word?) in Final Cut.

Here are before and after pictures. Pretty simple correction. I just used Effects > Video Filters > Color Correction > Color Corrector. I clicked “Visual” and just pulled the center thingy toward the cyans/blues and away from the yellows. Just like I’d basically do in Photoshop. I’m very happy with the result.

Back at the Detroit Historical Museum

I’ve never been able to say “I have dance rehearsal” until now.

For the video portion of the multi-media bit, we filmed some more of the “historical “footage today. This will all be mixed in with some yummy stuff from archive.org from and about various time periods.

These first two are Barrie looking like she’s in a Sergio Leone flick.

And Chris in the coon-skin cap I made him buy.

The crap that is on our expense reports is ridiculous. Green makeup, Spider-man costume, sombrero, saint candles, songs from iTunes, Dan is at a recording studio today doing a song about Little Caesars to the tune & background music of the “Love Boat” theme…

Barrie took us out to lunch after which rocked. Free food always rocks. We went to the chinese place on Woodward I like. It’s good food for cheap. The only down side is the homeless people come in the restaurant, right up to your table, ask for food, and then get really belligerent if you don’t give them enough.

Here is our turn-of-the-century manager taking an order over the phone.

Barrie, looking great, coming out of her hotel (I love the barber shop next to it).

The public relations guy who was supervising asked us, “Is this SUPPOSED to be really cheesy?” I wanted to say, “No, as a matter of fact, what are you trying to say?” but couldn’t keep a straight face.

Here’s Barries feet on a great reproduction of the old paved roads.

I didn’t know they used to pave roads using tree stumps. Cool, huh? I did know, however, that Detroit had the first paved roads! And the first stoplight.

Little Caesars is, of course, a Detroit-based company, and this is one touch I really, really liked … an authentic antique Vernors (also a Detroit-based company, if you didn’t know) soda fountain. Isn’t that insanely cool?

The cash register didn’t have a 5. You can’t have everything, I guess.

Here’s a bust of Mr. Cadillac, the man what landed in Detroit 306 years and one month ago and started to build St. Anne’s (which I wasn’t allowed to film in because the Arch-diocese of Detroit derelicts my balls) two days later.

It is an absolute pleasure filming with these two. As much as Chris may goof around, he’s a complete professional, shows up ready and gives it every thing he’s got. Barrie is always just herself which is always great. She won either Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress in Las Vegas last year. Chris won Best Documentary or something ridiculous. This year, he actually is doing an actual documentary and it’s going to be amazing. I can’t tell you anything about it, though, because it’s a secret. Shhh…

Raining again today

I hope it doesn’t rain Friday night. How much plainer can I say that? Last night it wasn’t supposed to rain like it was supposed to (I heard 80% chance) but it was disgustingly humid so we left the Tigers game early. It would have been more comfortable had it rained.

I hope it doesn’t rain Friday.

Love Boat

In addition to this multi-media/dance thing for Vegas, I’m also reproducing the Love Boat theme/intro… the stuff I get to do and call it “work” is pretty amazing.

In Vegas

The “historical” shoots I’ve been doing are for a multi-media thing we’re doing in vegas. The movies will show with music and then dancers come out (I’m one of them – no lie). I’m thinking of not using the ephemeral footage I found. It would be cool but I just don’t think it will fit.

What Happens In Vegas … Is Boring

So I’m being sent to Las Vegas and I’m trying to think of something cool I can film while I’m there and have a sweet background. What could I possibly come up with that would be original? Yeah … a crime story … something about … gambling … or … prostitutes …

How about … “My Date With Prince”? Or … Elton … they’re both prettier than Celine …

Didn’t Recognize Her

I saw Sylvia Donahue (plays the Madre in Madre) in the elevator today. When I got in, I thought, “Wow, she almost looks like Sylvia but with curly hair and a lot younger.” Then she said hi to me. It was her! She’d gotten her hair super curly and it totally changed her appearance. She looked a LOT younger.

Rebecca, the admin assistant in my department at LC, got her super-curly hair straightened once. I saw her from behind and wondered who it was sitting at her desk. I said, “Excuse me,” and she turned around and I looked her straight in the face and still didn’t recognize her and asked where Rebecca was.

Working Lots

I love the DFC t-shirt that says “shoot detroit.” Yesterday, we started shooting our class project. No pix yet. Natasha took ‘em so when she gives ‘em to me, you’ll see ‘em.

Yesterday, I shot in the 90 billion degrees F Fox Theatre.

This morning, we shot on the Ren Fest grounds and at a store in Plymouth. Fun times all around.

Update on all my projects

Just confirmed a shoot date for the Ren Fest grounds on August 9. Scouting the Detroit Historical Museum exhibits this afternoon. Got approval to film some stuff in the Archives & got a paper hat for the 1950’s scene, discussed costumes and props with Chris and Barrie.

Started working on the Perfect Neighborhood footage and sound for church.

Last night scouted locations for class project. Need to call managers & owners of those restaurants today.

Have a great new idea for a short. Took notes but haven’t started the script yet. Discussed with Natasha last night.

Both Natasha (teacher) and Kathleen (teacher/casting from Western High) said they’d like to work with me on future projects. Both of their feedback and encouragement really revitalized me.

Thursday and Friday

Filming in a store for work and scouting a location or three for work.

My Wife Thinks I Rock

She said the leadership video I made was the best thing on leadership she’d ever seen. It made a couple people at work cry.

Movie Projects at Worky Work

Chris is one of my main actors at my day job. Here are some shots from my current project. Locations include the Natural Science Museum and the ENIAC display at the University of Michigan Computer Science building.

Movie topic = history of selling pizza. We begin with prehistoric times …

and ancient Rome …

Thanks to the Michigan Renaissance Festival, we’ll have a scene in a castle & tavern with live horses, wenches, and knights!

Thanks to the Detroit Historical Museum we’ll have a scene in a Fur Trading post from 3-400 years ago and …

thanks to Greenfield Village … well, I’m still deciding which location to use there …

I can’t believe all these people said yes! This presentation (multimedia including dancers! No kidding!) and movie is going to kick serious butt.

Chuck Told Me To Get Cut-Aways

I should have gotten more. I had to concentrate so much on the acting and the ticking clock, though … he also told me to get a camera-person …

While trimming away bad video (people looking at their scripts, mostly) I might be left with usable audio … but not enough video to go with them.

This is the first time I’ve worked on Madre in days. Other work projects, including the leadership video have taken up all my time.

The Leadership Testimonial Video Thus Far

Gets people all misty-eyed. Choked up, even.