I've got a new Roommate!

Little Baby Theo
Originally uploaded by Ewwwwwwww.

There are some things in life that I never thought I would ever do. One of them is watch American Idol, the other is own a cat. Now, both of them have shown that I am a sinner.

We are fostering this little guy, that I have named Theo Smokestack. That wacky cone on his head is because someone was mean to him and he got a huge gash on his back leg. They've given him some stitches, hence the cone.

He's been here for a couple of days now, and he pretty much occupies my room. He's still scared of us, but he's coming around: last night he walked right up to us and decided he wanted to watch TV with us. We didn't try to pick him up or pet him, and he soon got bored with us and went back to his chillzone (i.e. my bed).

Are you ready for a deluge of cat pics, and "awww, my cat did the cutest thing today!" posts?

Stephen Colbert Wears a Pink Visor!

Oshawa, Ontario is about 30 minutes drive rast of Toronto, and is mostly known for it's big GM plant and the Oshawa Generals, a minor league hockey team that some greats have played for (Eric Lindros, Bobby Orr etc...).

I was a huge fan of the Daily Show when I had cable, and I've caught the Colbert Report a few times (when at a place showing it), and I must admit his pseudo-right wing caricature is brilliantly funny.

Due to a joke made on Stephen Colbert's show about the Generals playing the Saginaw Spirit (Colbert's hometown minor league hockey team), the mayor of Oshawa ran with it, and declared yesterday "Stephen Colbert Day".

No kidding. A band played, some comedian performed and Don Cherry headlined. I never knew Don Cherry could headline something. There was even a look-alike contest.

Everything was taken in jest, and the mayor got a ton of free publicity out of it. There was just one thing missing. Stephen Colbert never showed up.

Grown Ass Man on Spring Break

Flying the Friendly Skies
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

The entire Subatomic Films office went to Canada for Spring Break.

The week also proved for a much needed R&R, catching up with old friends, eating a lot of food and just goofin around.

The apex was my parents' 35th Wedding Anniversary party, which we helped plan. The food was excellent, but more importantly my parents had a great time.

It was great to have everyone that I really care about under one roof.

Shut Em' Down, Shut Em Shut Em Down!

Closed For Business
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

I think Chuck D wrote that song years ago because he knew the problems that would plague NYC these days with dirty eating establishments.

Yet another restaurant is complaining about the 'witch hunt' going on with NYC health officials shutting down restaurants in light of the Taco Bell/KFC fiasco a few weeks ago.

Give me a break! Officials are doing their job, which is public safety. Also, in ALL cases the shut restaurants have had MULTIPLE infractions and multiple opportunities to clean up their act.

As a former food service employee, there are times when even I wouldn't eat the food that I'd be serving. The health inspectors didn't shut down the place I worked for, but they totally should have.

No Justice No Peace

I ain't gonna front: I watch American Idol. I've watched it for the past few seasons, and I schedule my weeknights accordingly (unless I've got class that night).

I still have no clue how Sanjaya is getting through week after week. He's painful to watch. I'd be the first person to be giving up props to a halfway decent brown guy. I'd write some C++ code to jam the Idol phone lines for him.

Perhaps the old culture-jammers at Vote for the Worst do actually have some clout in the tallying after all?

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Wednesday is Pi Day. How will you celebrate?

I think I'll sit down with a piece of Pecan and watch Darren Aronofsky's masterpiece.

Nerds of the world unite. Everyone should nerd out.

"There's a beauty to pi that keeps us looking at it... The digits of pi are extremely random. They really have no pattern, and in mathematics that's really the same as saying they have every pattern."
- Peter Borwein, 1996

Health Kick

It's no secret that I gained a bit of weight over the production period. Craft services on film shoots is a killer, with it's donuts, pop, chips, chocolates etc...

So, I've been on a health kick for a bit now, and yesterday was my true test: blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol test.

I am happy to report that Subatomic Films is in great shape, the consultant said to continue doing what I'm doing, because it's working. All my results were in "normal" range.

I think I'll celebrate with some wings & beer. With EXTRA celery.

John Sayles

Last night, John Sayles came to our department for a little bit of an editing class. He wrote and directed two of my favourite movies: Eight Men Out and Lonestar. He gave the students in the 3rd year editing class, all of the takes from the opening scene of his new film "Honeydripper", and each student was to cut the scene in their own way.

During the time, he meticulously went through every single version and talked about how each was working, and what he got from it.

It was absolutely fascinating to see how much he could take from the editing of a simple scene, and just how much he really cared about what he was doing.

He spent the time to really look at what each student had done. A natural teacher, Mr. Sayles gave his approach to editing, and also working with actors. He also spoke about how he works within the studio system (mostly as a script doctor), and uses the money he gains to direct the movies he wants to make.

All in all, very informative insight from one of America's great filmmakers.

The Reviews Are In!

Things have been quiet here on the Subatomic Films front, as I've been preparing for the evaluation of my latest film. I've been spending 16 hour days picture editing, and then sound editing (my favourite part) culminating with todays screening.

I signed up to go 2nd, thinking that someone would want to go first. That didn't happen, so I ended up being the new 1st.

What happens is this: they put you into the screening room with the faculty, they put up your movie, the lights come up, and then the faculty tells you their opinion of your work. It's kind of like American Idol, except the judges are only Simon (and Randy - this season only!).

I took my DP to make notes, and pretty much nodded while everyone said their piece (it's not customary to say anything back to them).

By and large, it went pretty well. Everyone agreed that the film looks great and was nicely cut together. The chair gave me props for my sound work, which is good because I'm especially proud of it.

Of course, people gave their criticisms, but to be honest it was all constructive criticism, and I know the flaws of my work.

My film is by no means finished. I still need to retool a few of the scenes and put some more work into the sound. With that being said, the formal part of the project is over. It marks the end of a huge struggle and learning experience. I think I'm a better filmmaker now than I was before (this being only my 3rd). The more I think about it, the more I realize what a thrill and privilege it is to make movies with a great group of people such as my colleagues. It's something that a lot of people would like to do, but few get the opportunity to do so.

It's incredible to see your work up on a big screen, with people watching it intently. From this abstract idea in your head, to a written script, to filming it, editing and finally projecting it, the movie becomes your baby. It's always nice to know that you have a nice baby. Just don't call it ugly to my face. Behind my back is fine.

Gettin' There

Female Lead Doing Work
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

So it's coming down to the wire. My big evaluation is on Tuesday. I signed up for the 2nd slot, but no one has signed up to go ahead of me, so I think I'll be showing first.

The evaluations are akin to the regular art critique: you show your film, and the faculty then tells you what they thought. It's kind of like American Idol.

At any rate, this is the culmination of months and months of hard work by many people. Yesterday, I did an ADR session with my actors. Automatic Dialogue Replacement is just re-recording dialogue that doesn't sound so good due to location problems, or perhaps the performance was off. The actors watch the film on the screen int eh sound studio and try to synch up their voice with the image.

It's definitely not as easy as it sounds, because the original production was over 2 months ago, so it's my job to get the right performance out of the actor. It was fun, but tiring.

I'm also working with the composer who is going to score my movie, and that is also about translating my ideas to a talented person that can use their creativity to make something complementary to the film.

This weekend is all about finishing this movie for Tuesday. It's going to be a lot of long hours.