Monday, November 24, 2014

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Friend's Pics

Nothing like watching the sunrise in the desert while making TV---Wes Alley

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Pick of the Week

Classified X (1998)- A documentary tracing the history of stereotypical portrayal of African Americans in the movies. Written and narrated by writer/director/actor Melvin Van Peebles. Van Peebles is best know for his groundbreaking 1971 film "Sweet Sweetback's Bad Asssss Song". Yes, the title is spelled that way. "Sweetback" broke the mold of stereotyped and assimilated black Americans in the cinema. His characters spoke like the people in the streets of the 1970's. They were strong, defiant and sexual. We will get back to that film in another posting. Classified X is entertaining and edged by the delivery of Van Peebles. He also wrote but did not direct this fascinating look into mirror for us all.

Friend's Pics

Live in Arkansas, work in New York, Take 4. I don't wanna go to sleep--FBS Grad Tim Yoder

Monday, November 10, 2014

A starry night at Joshua Tree National Park. Canon 1DC, 14mm Cine Prime Lens--Cinematographer James Neihouse

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Dialogue Greatness!

“Yeah I called her up, she gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something, I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention.”
 
-----Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) in Dumb & Dumber, 1994

Walkie Talkie Radio Etiquette on Set

Tips for Proper Radio Use:
*Be professional
*Always use your name when identifying yourself. Common practice is to say "Go for ____(your name)" when someone calls for you.
* Keep your voice low when taking on the radio. Most crew will have ear pieces but keep your voice down. Especially when around actors. Just because they are not in front of camera does not mean they are not working.
*Know that anyone could be hearing your conversation.
* If you need to have an extended conversation (or private) take it to another channel. Do this  by telling the other person "Go to Channel___". For really private talks it's best to ask them to meet you in person.
*Production Assistants (P.A.s): If someone higher up than you has their radio battery go dead, give them yours and get yourself a new one. Same if their radio breaks. Be prepared by carrying a couple of extra radio batteries with you. You are being Johnny On the Spot by being so prepared!
* Always say "copy" meaning that you heard and understand. Without a response, people wonder if you heard them or not.

Common Radio Codes:
10-1: Going to the bathroom doing #1
10-2: Going to the bathroom doing #2 (It's not to be gross, just saying that it will take a little longer than #1)
10-4: I have heard and understand
10-20 or 20: Location of someone or something as in "What's your 20?"
"Copy": I Have heard and understand
"Do You Copy?": Did you hear me? Do you understand?
"Radio Check": Say this if you are not sure that your radio is transmitting or working. The proper response is "Good Check". If you hear someone ask for a radio check....respond!
"Stand by": Means that I am busy at the moment and will respond ASAP.
"Flying In": Always respond when asked to bring something or someone to the set. It lets them know that you are on it. Also lets us know that multiple people are not attempting to do the same task and wasting precious manpower and time.

Friend's Pics

Working on Halloween---FBS grad Dan Abbott

Friend's Pics

Today's Office...--Jay Shropshire