New York Update
Hey guys, it's been a while since I last updated. Sorry. It's just that sitting at a computer and typing out live journal entries seems very counter productive when there's so much to see and do in New York. Still it's important to keep in contact with everyone. Well the course has been going very well so far. The other week we discovered that we have access to a seemingly unlimited supply of film. Whenever we end up budgeting our film wrong and needing more they seem to have no problem with giving us more to shoot with. Due to this we've started to adopt some very bad habits of just shooting lots of film instead of rehearsing a shot until we get it right and then rolling. Why rehearse when you can just keep shooting until you get it right? Of course the reason we have this large supply is so we can experiment and try things out and we do a bit of that as well. It's great fun compared to when we only had one 100ft roll of film to shoot our ad at ECU.
A really cool thing about New York is the amount of films and commercials that are being filmed on the streets. It's great to see the different set ups they have for different films. The new Jodie Foster film was shooting just near where our class was, I checked it out in the morning but I didn't go again during our break and missed seeing Jodie herself. I also saw a bit of the commercial for the new Volkswagon Rabbit. It looks pretty much like a Mini rip off. Apparently the new Tim Burton film is around town at the moment as well. Of course the big film is none other than Spider-Man 3! Trust me this film is looking awesome! Or at least the big action sequence is. Yes, I saw some stuff I shouldn't have, I'll keep my mouth shut though. All I'll say i that if what I saw was how Venom is going to look some people might be upset, however if they use this look they way I think they will it could make for a cool plot point. So far, all the times I've missed sing any Spidey or big star action (although I did pass Tobey Macguire on the street today! He was looking seriously emo, but it might be some method acting thing) but I have got to see a lot extras doing their thing and I did get to see none other than Sam Raimi direct them!
The best part though was the first night I went to check out the set. It was raining and which had brought the production to a halt. This meant that they didn't really care about you walking all around the set checking out the lighting set up. It also meant that there were a lot of bored crew members who more than willing to talk to you. One the the 2nd unit guys who was doing special effects shots even showed me the modified vistavision camera they were using and told me all about how it works. There were also a couple of days where their grip trucks were parked pretty much right outside my door. I don't think I've ever been so tempted to try and steal something in my life.
The other weekend was also the MoCCA Art Fest which saw tons of indie and web comic people. Went and had hot dogs the day before at Crif Dog with R Stevens the man behind probably my favourite web comic Diesel Sweeties as well as a bunch of other cool comic and non comic people. At the actual event I spent way too much on comics, got all five books from White Ninja as well as books from Dinosaur Comics and Diesel Sweeties. The really interesting thing about this was that it had to have the largest concentration of nice people I've ever seen. Sure they were all trying to get you to buy their comics and merchandise but they were still really nice. One book I really regret not buying was the one for Wondermark. I've been reading a lot of this on the web in my free time and it has really grown on me, plus David Malki ! was a really cool guy. So was everyone at his table including the great girls from Fluff In Brooklyn and Chris from Reprographics.
While I've been doing a lot there's still so much in New York that I haven't checked out. I only have a month left and compared to all the things I want to do it feels like I wont get anything done. I've barely checked out any museums and I need to check out some theatre sometime too. I'll probably go check out the Gugenheim tomorrow sometime. I checked out the Natural History Museum a while ago and that was really cool. I was a huge dinsosaur fan in my youth and I never get old of seeing dinosaur bones. In fact, here are some patented *Sam's dodgey camera phone of doom pictures* of dinosaur bones!
These guys great you as you come in! They're very friendly.
I'm trying to think of a funny comment that doesn't involve calling the Triceratops horny... I can't think of one.
I'm T-Rex Bitch!
This dienonychus was unfortunately brought to his demise before he could complete the world's first Air! Cock! Thrust!
I wasn't dissapointed to find that the museum wasn't up on the latest theories as to what the Dimetrodon's sail was used for. Sure they mentioned the "temperature regulation" theory and even the "attract a mate theory" but they complete forgot the "so a guy can hide behind in a laser gun chair" theory.
This Ankylosaurus was really cool. He looks like he's laughing. In fact my theory is that he died by literally laughing his head off. I mean come on, those Duck Bill's are really funny!
Now in all seriousness this skeleton is extremely cool! These Alpatasaur bones were apprently the first dinosaur bones ever to be mounted as a complete skeleton. However this isn't the skeleton's original mounting. As dinosaur skeletons were further studied it was discovered that they had mounted the skeleton incorrectly. In 1992 they finally decided that they should remount the it correctly. Still, this skeleton has a lot of history.
Another cool thing is the themed subway station that gets you to the museum. You think snakes on a plane are cool? How about freaking DINOSAURS ON A SUBWAY!
These people almost got eaten by the T-Rex! Seriously, the T-Rex practically had the guy's head in his mouth. Luckily I issued the international sign for "more away!" by holding up a "camera" in their direction.
The other thing I've been up to that I know a lot of people want to know about is the bands that I've been seeing. Well I've been seeing a lot! I think on average I've seen a band about every second day. If I did a write up about all of them I'd be here for ages so instead I'm just going to list some of the more note worthy ones and if you want me to tell you about it ask me to in the comments (or on MSN/ICQ/Skype) and I shall elaborate.
The Books
Sun 0)))
Boris
Hair Police
The Psychic Ills
T-Rex Tribute Bands and Rolan Bolan (son of Marc Bolan)
The Super Furry Animals
Prefuse 73
Matmos with So Percussion
Amiina
Alarm Will Sound
!!!
The Rapture
The Favorite Sons
Dead Combo
The Eels
The Juan Maclean
Also if you really enjoy pictures of my dancing you might be able to find a few of me doing my thing at MisShapes on the 27th of May. I think I managed to avoid the official photographer's pictures (although you might see the back of my head in the background) but there were times were so many flashes were going off that it seemed like the place had strobe lights (it doesn't). It's a general indie-dance night which I guess is most comparable to The Amplifier back in Perth. The night is completely hipster to the max but really good fun. The hosts and DJs are pretty much always going wild in the DJ booth which tends to spur on everyone else (except for when jumping on top of decks in a fit of excitement causes the song to stop). Everyone completely goes off on the dance floor and it's quite a bit naughtier than what I'm used to. I don't think I've ever seen so much dry humping on a dancefloor. The place also pretty much turns into one big make out club at the end of the night (which unfortunately is actually very frustration and depressing in my situation of my make out partner being on the other side of the world). One thing that I'll mention that I really like about the indie-dance stuff in New York is that they aren't afraid of pop music. Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, and even old 80s stuff like Billy Idol are just as much fun to jump around to as all the obscure indie hits and it's good to see them mixed together and embraced.
Oh and if anyone ever comes to New York. Besides the great Oh My Rockness the other site you need to know is My Open Bar. It has served me very well so far. It even got me out to some really nice photo exhibition launches that I'm glad I went to (even if I was there just to tank up before a gig).
I miss you guys! Go buy lotto tickets and fly over to party with me if you win!
A really cool thing about New York is the amount of films and commercials that are being filmed on the streets. It's great to see the different set ups they have for different films. The new Jodie Foster film was shooting just near where our class was, I checked it out in the morning but I didn't go again during our break and missed seeing Jodie herself. I also saw a bit of the commercial for the new Volkswagon Rabbit. It looks pretty much like a Mini rip off. Apparently the new Tim Burton film is around town at the moment as well. Of course the big film is none other than Spider-Man 3! Trust me this film is looking awesome! Or at least the big action sequence is. Yes, I saw some stuff I shouldn't have, I'll keep my mouth shut though. All I'll say i that if what I saw was how Venom is going to look some people might be upset, however if they use this look they way I think they will it could make for a cool plot point. So far, all the times I've missed sing any Spidey or big star action (although I did pass Tobey Macguire on the street today! He was looking seriously emo, but it might be some method acting thing) but I have got to see a lot extras doing their thing and I did get to see none other than Sam Raimi direct them!
The best part though was the first night I went to check out the set. It was raining and which had brought the production to a halt. This meant that they didn't really care about you walking all around the set checking out the lighting set up. It also meant that there were a lot of bored crew members who more than willing to talk to you. One the the 2nd unit guys who was doing special effects shots even showed me the modified vistavision camera they were using and told me all about how it works. There were also a couple of days where their grip trucks were parked pretty much right outside my door. I don't think I've ever been so tempted to try and steal something in my life.
The other weekend was also the MoCCA Art Fest which saw tons of indie and web comic people. Went and had hot dogs the day before at Crif Dog with R Stevens the man behind probably my favourite web comic Diesel Sweeties as well as a bunch of other cool comic and non comic people. At the actual event I spent way too much on comics, got all five books from White Ninja as well as books from Dinosaur Comics and Diesel Sweeties. The really interesting thing about this was that it had to have the largest concentration of nice people I've ever seen. Sure they were all trying to get you to buy their comics and merchandise but they were still really nice. One book I really regret not buying was the one for Wondermark. I've been reading a lot of this on the web in my free time and it has really grown on me, plus David Malki ! was a really cool guy. So was everyone at his table including the great girls from Fluff In Brooklyn and Chris from Reprographics.
While I've been doing a lot there's still so much in New York that I haven't checked out. I only have a month left and compared to all the things I want to do it feels like I wont get anything done. I've barely checked out any museums and I need to check out some theatre sometime too. I'll probably go check out the Gugenheim tomorrow sometime. I checked out the Natural History Museum a while ago and that was really cool. I was a huge dinsosaur fan in my youth and I never get old of seeing dinosaur bones. In fact, here are some patented *Sam's dodgey camera phone of doom pictures* of dinosaur bones!
These guys great you as you come in! They're very friendly.
I'm trying to think of a funny comment that doesn't involve calling the Triceratops horny... I can't think of one.
I'm T-Rex Bitch!
This dienonychus was unfortunately brought to his demise before he could complete the world's first Air! Cock! Thrust!
I wasn't dissapointed to find that the museum wasn't up on the latest theories as to what the Dimetrodon's sail was used for. Sure they mentioned the "temperature regulation" theory and even the "attract a mate theory" but they complete forgot the "so a guy can hide behind in a laser gun chair" theory.
This Ankylosaurus was really cool. He looks like he's laughing. In fact my theory is that he died by literally laughing his head off. I mean come on, those Duck Bill's are really funny!
Now in all seriousness this skeleton is extremely cool! These Alpatasaur bones were apprently the first dinosaur bones ever to be mounted as a complete skeleton. However this isn't the skeleton's original mounting. As dinosaur skeletons were further studied it was discovered that they had mounted the skeleton incorrectly. In 1992 they finally decided that they should remount the it correctly. Still, this skeleton has a lot of history.
Another cool thing is the themed subway station that gets you to the museum. You think snakes on a plane are cool? How about freaking DINOSAURS ON A SUBWAY!
These people almost got eaten by the T-Rex! Seriously, the T-Rex practically had the guy's head in his mouth. Luckily I issued the international sign for "more away!" by holding up a "camera" in their direction.
The other thing I've been up to that I know a lot of people want to know about is the bands that I've been seeing. Well I've been seeing a lot! I think on average I've seen a band about every second day. If I did a write up about all of them I'd be here for ages so instead I'm just going to list some of the more note worthy ones and if you want me to tell you about it ask me to in the comments (or on MSN/ICQ/Skype) and I shall elaborate.
The Books
Sun 0)))
Boris
Hair Police
The Psychic Ills
T-Rex Tribute Bands and Rolan Bolan (son of Marc Bolan)
The Super Furry Animals
Prefuse 73
Matmos with So Percussion
Amiina
Alarm Will Sound
!!!
The Rapture
The Favorite Sons
Dead Combo
The Eels
The Juan Maclean
Also if you really enjoy pictures of my dancing you might be able to find a few of me doing my thing at MisShapes on the 27th of May. I think I managed to avoid the official photographer's pictures (although you might see the back of my head in the background) but there were times were so many flashes were going off that it seemed like the place had strobe lights (it doesn't). It's a general indie-dance night which I guess is most comparable to The Amplifier back in Perth. The night is completely hipster to the max but really good fun. The hosts and DJs are pretty much always going wild in the DJ booth which tends to spur on everyone else (except for when jumping on top of decks in a fit of excitement causes the song to stop). Everyone completely goes off on the dance floor and it's quite a bit naughtier than what I'm used to. I don't think I've ever seen so much dry humping on a dancefloor. The place also pretty much turns into one big make out club at the end of the night (which unfortunately is actually very frustration and depressing in my situation of my make out partner being on the other side of the world). One thing that I'll mention that I really like about the indie-dance stuff in New York is that they aren't afraid of pop music. Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, and even old 80s stuff like Billy Idol are just as much fun to jump around to as all the obscure indie hits and it's good to see them mixed together and embraced.
Oh and if anyone ever comes to New York. Besides the great Oh My Rockness the other site you need to know is My Open Bar. It has served me very well so far. It even got me out to some really nice photo exhibition launches that I'm glad I went to (even if I was there just to tank up before a gig).
I miss you guys! Go buy lotto tickets and fly over to party with me if you win!