SUPERHERO MADNESS!!!!

It’s been far too long since we chatted. So let’s catch up shall we?

Mild Mannered, my new web series, is on it’s way. We have two days of filming done, and we are just getting started. It’s been a really wonderful experience. If you haven’t been to the website yet then check it out now. I’ll wait www.mildmanneredtheshow.com

But just in case you are too lazy to click that link, I’ll embed a little behind the scenes video I cut of the first day of the production. I plan on having one of these posted for every shoot. And a new behind the scenes vid should be posted on the site later today.

So how appropriate that there is a ton of Superhero cinema news in the world.

Continue reading


The genre of found footage horror

I’ve been fascinated with the sub-genre for some time. Horror films often fail to scare me because of their production value. It’s hard for me to feel real fear behind the safety of what is obviously a movie. Not that any traditional horror films have failed to frighten me in the past. The Exorcist, the Shining, and Poltergeist are examples of horror films that work. They are creepy, scary, and ultimately fun to experience. But they are only movies, and at the end of the day I can distance myself from what scares me about them. Which is ultimately why I kind of adore the found footage film when done right. Presenting the events as fact while filmed through the characters own camera has a way of cutting through the production, and getting to the heart of what scares me. Not all films are successful, but when done right the genre is amongst my favorite in horror.

Continue reading


Mild Mannered, iPhone Cinema, and Beyond

I like making movies. There, I said it. And one of the first things you learn is that you can’t do it alone. Second thing you learn is it costs money. Third thing you learn is that 1 and 2 are great reasons to make nothing ;)

And so, with the new year, I re-affirm my goals to produce something great. And I think I have something great in the new web-series I’m producing called Mild Mannered. It’s a comedy set in a world where superheroes exist. But it’s focus is on the average people and has fun with how un-impressed they would become if the fantastical was an ever-day occurence. It’s also a pretty touching coming of age story between two friends as they grow and move on with their lives. And it has people in tights. you can’t go wrong there. My goal is to produce six episodes. I’ve written four. We have also done some casting and have gathered a pretty spectacular group of actors who are gonna make me seem far more talented than I am ;) I’ll have more updates soon on the project and have set a goal to finish the final episodes, a 2 part epic, by weeks end. I’m really exited about the project, and am determined to do it right. And of course I decided to start production in December. So yeah, filming hasn’t commenced yet. Blame it on the holidays mixed with rain and a suddenly full work schedule. But in the meantime I’ve been working on scripts, finalizing the website, and basically getting everything into place. I really believe in this project, and my cast and crew seem to as well. So now it’s time to put up or shut up ;) Even thought I’m not really sure what that phrase means. Odd.

But also, since I have set up an ambitious production, I have also added another venture I hope to pursue. Because the sure path to success is to bite of more than you can chew obviously ;) I’ve entitled it iPhone cinema, and my goal is to start producing shorts using my iPhone 4 as my primary camera. I posted a while ago about being in the market for a small but good camcorder and proclaimed my joy upon the release of the iPhone 4. It does indeed record nice video and I have decided to make a new short every month. They’ll  be simple and completely filmed with the new phone. Why would I do this you ask? Well first off because it’ll be fun and secondly because there is something nostalgic about producing simple shorts by yourself or with a friend. Maybe it’ll keep me young ;) So I ask that you, gentle reader, keep me accountable for this silly endeavor. And if anyone want’s to join in on the fun, by all means let me know.

So that’s what I’m planning for myself. There may be bigger news down the line as I make some big steps towards making my dreams come true. got the girl, now it’s time to get the career ;) .

Sooo many winkey faces. Ah heck, here is a few more ;) ;) ;)

 


The Madness of Natalie Portman

As I mentioned in my review of Tron: Legacy, I saw it as a double feature with Black Swan. And while I gave Tron the full review, I figured for things I really do love, there is no need to go into detail about plot as much as just gush about what I love and why. So away we go. And yes, if you continue reading and haven’t seen the film ,you will be spoiled ;)

Continue reading


I like Jay Baruchel

Ya know, after exhausting myself with an endless critique of a film I didn’t like, I figured it was time to talk about something I did. And that is Jay Baruchel in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Is it a good movie? Not really. But Mr. Baruchel’s performance is terrific. Every moment he is on screen I believe what is happening simply because of the emotional resonance Jay imbues the character with. He’s instantly likable and endearing. Heck, he even tears up a few times because of the stress of what the character is going through. The script is awful, but Jay Baruchel shines. It’s so rare for a performance to be so grounded in such a bad movie that I dare say he made me enjoy it. This, plus his great performance in Undeclared and even some terrific voice acting in How to Train your Dragon make Jay a guy I’ll watch a movie for. So yep, time to pop in “She’s Out of My League” Because I owe him that much ;)


Review: Tron Legacy

I’m not really going to get in the habit of reviewing films but considering how much I have discussed Tron here (even to my own surprise) it seemed warranted ;)
I read a ton of reviews for this film. So I already knew most plot points. Knowing a plot point doesn’t bother me if said plot point arrives and is done well. Case in point, when I saw the Sixth Sense I knew the ending. But I enjoyed watching the tricks they used to develop that twist, and still enjoy the movie today. So yes, I knew quite a bit before entering the theater. And my expectations were low. So in this frame of mind, the movie was what I expected.

Continue reading


A Fresh Tron: Legacy

I’m on record with my un-interest in Tron: Legacy. I don’t hate or dislike it so much as I find it very fascinating because it’s rare for a big studio to take an 80′s cult classic beloved by a small but incredibly loyal group and bank a giant blockbuster sequel on it. Not since Superman Returns have we seen a movie made as a direct extension of an original that was 26 years prior (Returns was said to be a direct sequel of Superman 2 which came out in 1980 and disavowed all other sequels). Tron has 28 years between films. That’s a long time for people to remember an original, let alone be motivated to see what happens next. Getting Jeff Bridges back was a good move, but it all ignores the fact that the original, while innovative and visually compelling, was not in fact a good movie.

The Dump: Catching Up

Since I am a procrastinator, the weekly dump has just become the dump. It’s still the place I unload all the my random thoughts which don’t deserve their own posts. So let’s do this thing!


Continue reading


iPhone 4

I’ve been searching the internets for a while looking for the perfect portable video camera for some time now. Working in the video production industry gives me tremendous access to very expensive hd camera’s which are great for filmmaking. But in capturing every day life, they are too bulky and attention grabbing. But also, since I am a video editor, even if I get a camcorder specifically for just capturing random moments in my life, I still want it to be of a quality that can be used to edit with.

Continue reading


The Rant: Iron Man 2

Welcome to the Rant.

there be spoilers ahead matey…

I didn’t hate Iron Man 2. I was just left kind of mildly entertained. It didn’t really stand out why in the beginning. But after a while I realized why I couldn’t connect. So I thought I would type it all out. Cause after all, that’s what Schneiblog is all about. Continue reading


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.