Hitchcock's Filmmaking Notes

I ran across this site on Kottke.org that discusses Alfred Hitchcock's filmmaking techniques. This is a very interesting read.

Hitchcock was an innovator, but he was also a storytelling purist. He was careful not to abandon the cornerstones of good storytelling in order to show us a new camera trick, etc. His motto: keep the story simple.

iPhone Shuffle

A filmmaker friend of mine, Jason Connell (who also did "Strictly Background") made this short film spoof. Have fun!

Have A Slice of Americana

Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet...

What's weird, is that I've never been a Chevy driver, or a Chevy fan. But when I was a kid, this ad campaign (recently resurrected) was America to me. It meant: the 4th of July, ball games, playtime, parades, friends, summer, etc, etc.

At the time, when the commercials were originally running, I never realized that they were instilling in me a pride in our way of life, in our freedoms and values. I know they were just trying to sell cars, but the residuals have proven bigger - at least to me. Maybe I owe them a purchase?

Everyone has been influenced (whether good or bad) by the advertising of their youth. For me, when I think of the 4th of July, I try to remember to enjoy the freedoms for which we have paid so dearly, and I also usually think of this slogan.

Sometimes You Have To Face It

You may never play Olympic-level table tennis.

Dangerous Waters

I have finally decided that if my blog's title was going to be "Miscellaneous CREATIVITY", then I had better add some new color to it for that "creative" look.

I am way out of my element here, being the type of guy that asks his wife if this white t-shirt goes with these blue-jeans. So be patient with me whilst I'm in experimental mode. Ahh, for the day when there were only uneditable, fixed templates.

If you have any feedback, please submit it in triplicate to the management. Or here.

Anduril, Sword Reforged

Last month, we went to the Scottish Highland Games. We had a great time and did our usual listening to our favorite celtic influenced rock music (Bad Haggis, which was great as usual), watching the caber toss (which is essentially throwing a telephone pole end-over-end), as well as other games, and looking at the thousands of weapons available for purchase.

I have always fancied Aragorn's sword Anduril (from Lord of the Rings), but have never gotten one... 'til this trip.

What can I say, I got a great deal, and it's a terrific replica, measuring in at 53" total length. So, now I just need to find some practical uses for it.

So far I've come up with:

1) letter opener
2) butter knife
3) to clean out my dirty fingernails
4) hedge trimmer
5) When the girls become dating age, I'll wear it when I meet their boyfriends.

Maybe it isn't the best idea to use this sword as a common household item, but since there is a shortage of ORCS around here, I have to or it'll never see the light of day. If you can think of more uses, please share them with me.

Driven To Tears

We went to see The Police at Dodger's Stadium last night. It was so great to see the band play together again. (I went to see them on The Ghost in the Machine tour 25 years ago) Anyway, last night was a terrific show.

Personally, I think Stewart stole the show. He hasn't lost a step at all since the "old days". The highlight for me was "Driven To Tears". On that song, he played better than I think I've ever heard him play. I'll even say that one song was worth the night for me. His choices and taste were amazing.

The Foo Fighters preceded The Police, and though there were sound issues, they had a great set. Thanks to LA traffic, we missed Sting's son's band that opened.