Here's a quickie post for my low-budget horror peeps out there. It's a short instructional video by Tressa Sanders of Still Guerrilla Films on how to make fake intestines.
I have yet to make an actual horror film, but love the genre and spent many years as a volunteer for the Woodlawn Haunted House in Baltimore where I also plied my trade as a self-taught Special FX Make-Up artist.
No matter how old I get, I still love a little juvenile humor and fun. Thanks for sharing Tressa. Enjoy...
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Apple Improves the Suckier New Version of iMovie
If you've followed this blog at all, you that I am huge fan and proponent of Apple products. It's not just that they are sexy and cool (which they are), but for me it's that they are stable, simple and extremely practical and easy to use. Rarely do I need to even consult a manual to get a new Apple product or software up and fully running...and I'm not that bright.Substance - good fully-functional products - is always number one. (Think Volvo.) Style is fun and hip to look at, but annoying when it's not practical. (Think cheap iKea furniture.) However, when you find a way to successfully marry the two together - you've got a bonafide hit everytime. (Think the Mini Cooper, iPod, or The Daily Show.) In a nutshell, Apple does what I continually strive to do with Down and Dirty DV, which is marry substance with style. They generally do it consistently and well, so that's why I usually love their products.
But you lest you think I have a completey bias eye towards Apple, know that they are not infallible in my eyes. So I will share one BIG way that that I think they screwed up recently- and that is with the most recent incarnations of their editing program, iMovie. I have always loved and relied on iMovie to put together mostly personal projects such as podcasts and home movies.
iMovie's always been a greatly simplified, but powerful editor that had more than it's share of powerful professional features to pull off a variety of video projects, even some more complex ones. It's always the first place I recommend newbies start with editing.
That being said, my man David Pogue, Technology writer for the New York Times, just wrote a great article that sums up the virtues of the old stylistic and functional iMovie versus the last two versions which stripped away the most functional parts of this once beloved program. Anyway peep it out for yourself. He's much more eloquent than me...Best Double Down Film Show Ever!
Last night’s show was great and went right to core mission of The Double Down Film Show - to help you succeed and stay inspired as you make your way in the film and tv industry. We had more people in the chat room and listening in LIVE than ever before. (Truth is we were just getting warmed up and could've easily gone another hour!)
Listen to the show for yourself on the player below. Here are just a few comments we got from listeners already:
“GREAT JOB MAN !!!!!!!! I listened to the radio show and ya said the truth”
- Eric Arriola"I'm sure I don't have to tell you that the show is excellent. I also know that I don't have to tell you that I really enjoyed listening and will continue to listen. It's very motivating not only to film makers, but entrepreneurs, artists, designers and dreamers. I really enjoyed it. You two are top notch. Thanks for sharing the wisdom."
-Lenny Mayers"Your blogtalkradio presentation was awesome! I can't wait for the next 20 lessons."
-Amanda Guest“Nice show, I listened in. Keep up the good work :))”
- Jacqueline Cofield N’Namdi“Great show tonight, Anthony. Each one, teach one in full effect- beautiful, just beautiful.”
- Kia M. Neal“Pete that was AWESOME. I got a chance to listen tonight…..Thank you and Anthony so much. I am fired up, inspired and just so open to the many possibilities. As you say Onward and Upward….Continued blessings to you!!!!!!!!!!!!”
- Richarda Abrams
To get the complete breakdown of our “20 Filmmaking Lessons Learned the Hard Way” you’ve gotta join the DOUBLE DOWN FILM COMMUNITY. This will be uploaded to the site later today exclusively for our members, as well as my and Pete's “Recommended Reading List”!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
20 Lessons We Learned The Hard Way
This week myself and co-host, Pete Chatmon, are going straight to the core mission of the Double Down Film Show- to give you "the real" on advancing in the film and tv industry in a special episode entitled, Filmmaking Lessons We Learned the Hard Way.This will be a candid point-by-point conversation on all the most valuable and practical wisdom that we learned only through many years of experience in the industry.
Everyone is encouraged to participate directly by sharing your own stories of Lessons You Learned the Hard Way by logging into The Double Down Film Community and leaving a comment on our Forum.
After the show our full list will be emailed exclusively to members of The Double Down Film Community.
The Double Down Film Show...Filmmaking Reality Starts Here! TM
Date / Time: Wednesday February 11 - 9pm-10pm
Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Christian Bale Apologizes
After a week of brewing controversy about his blistering tirade on the set of Terminator IV, Christian Bale has issued a public apology on the KROQ morning radio show. We discussed the issue some at the top of last week's Double Down Film Show before Bale's Apology.Here's a short excerpt followed by a link to the full audio version:
I think the incident is a tough career break for Christian and only time will tell if the public and Hollywood will ultimately forgive and forget his over-the-top on-set tirade. There's plenty of food for thought for budding filmmakers in this incident if you really think about it."The thing that I really want to stress is I have no confusion whatsoever. I was out of order beyond belief. I was way out of order. I acted like a punk. I regret that...There is nobody that has heard that tape that is hit harder by it than me. I make no excuses for it. It is inexcusable. I hope that that is absolutely clear." - Actor, Christian Bale
Apart from set etiquette and professionalism, I think there's a real lesson in the pressures of success and fame. Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it...and once you get it, it may come with some unexpected strings attached...like paparazzi, total loss of privacy, 27 dependent employees, pressure to perform every time and possibly even a complete loss of perspective and reality.
I don't think it's cool to talk to anybody like that, least of all in front of crew, but I do understand some of the factors that can fuel such a freakout and based on another unfortunate incident with his family around the same time, Christian was/is clearly dealing with something else in his personal life. I think it's a good reminder of the importance of keeping our feet on the ground as we progress in our careers...especially if we do reach the top.
There's a flip side to everything.
-Ant.
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