I grew up expecting planning on being an independent film maker. Though I sorta work for “the man” now, and though I couldn’t predict what that DIY artist I wanted to be would look like, I’ve landed surprisingly close to the mark, all* things** considered***. If new media is the new independent film, and I’m ok with that, then I’m certainly surprised in the (albeit limited) revenue streams (ha) we have to pick from. As it stands, most creators scrape their budgets together from a hearty out of pocket donation, and a combination of… read more…
Mountain Man is back, you crazy kids, you. Our extended hiatus is over, and I think worth the wait. Post production has been a super-beast on this series, and we needed to catch up. Check out those flares!
In other, sadder news, our beloved ranch fell vitctim to the Station fires this summer. Not only was this home to the Mountain Man set, but the home of the Mountain Man himself, Mike Miller along with Whitby (Andy Ryz), Kevin Rosen-Quan (a producer on the show) and many other friends. Tubefilter wrote a nice article about our return and the state of the ranch. The Ranch was in many ways the epicenter of our creative efforts, and it will be sorely missed.
Some time ago I posted about the nature of acquiring knowledge on facebook. Despite my blase attitude, I do understand that it can be surprising or off putting if someone knows an inordinate amount of info about you, especially if you haven’t spoken much.
Thanks to the outburst of media and celebrity attention, more and more of our older realitives are joing our favorite social networking sites. Though our parents have some acclimating to do, I’m generally in favor of my parents (and grandparents) knowing about my life. I don’t have anything to hide. Some parents may not be so understanding…
There’s a crucial aspect of this story that you’re going to tease me about. I’m a guy who has lived through this sort of thing his whole life, so it doesn’t phase me at this point. But if I just cavalierly drop this fact mid story, it’ll take you out of it. So, rather disrupt the flow of this post, I’ll say it right now: read more…
You may have noticed a lack of posts this summer. Well, I gone done got a new job over at Atom.com, and so I’ve been writing a ton over there (who says blogging doesn’t help you find work). Not to mention I’ve been out of town for weddings and band camps and stuff. It’s not that I have given up on this blog, it’s more that I hadn’t really had the time to come up for air in a while. But here I am, above water, breaching air through my blowhole like a dolphin blogger.
I’ll be updating more soon. Engaged and Mountain Man are both in the throes of releasing new episodes and as always, you can keep up with my goings on on twitter.
In the meantime, expect more posts about videos like this:
Some of you may remember a post I wrote regarding Geekdom a few weeks ago. It’s a post I’ve thought about for a while, and considered revising. Good thing noted author and minor television celebrity, @Hodgman was asked to speak at the Radio and Television Correspondents’ dinner last Friday. The video above provides all you ever need to hear on the subject*.
And so, it is once again clear, that if John Hodgman has said anything on a subject, I probably shouldn’t.
Via A Special Thing
* Though the comments and post-speach blog are both areas of his expertise, and worth a read.
I had the opportunity to attend USC’s Women in Cinematic Arts Industry Forum this weekend (I know what you’re thinking wise guy – men were invited too). Besides the opportunity to soak up knowledge from the likes of Kim Evey, Mary Feuer and VP of ABC’s Digital Media, Alexis Rapo * I wanted to visit my Alma Mater and check out the new digs. Over the course of the day (and an evening of networking) one thing was abundantly clear: USC students are excited about breaking into new media.
Half the questions asked at the panels amounted to, “Will you give me money to make a web series?” or the popular follow-up “Who should I ask to give me money to make a web series?”. The panelists weren’t always optimistic about the prospect, but the crowd didn’t seem to be listening. Alexis Rapo had to reiterate no less than four times that ABC is only interested in derivative content**. Both panels made it clear; now is not the time to get rich in new media. I still don’t think the idea stuck. And I’m glad.
If New Media is the new independent film, then these kids need to be ready. Though there has always*** been a steep degree of self teaching in new media, shouldn’t students, especially those who are interested in the field, be prepared for the realities of the business and the nature of the form in school? Isn’t that what schools are for? And since USC’s film school is now the school of “Cinematic Arts” and not “Cinema-Television” one would think made for web content would be a part of the program. read more…
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