Look Between the Lines

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Made this over at the Toogle page. Good for a lark.

Bonds & Shackles

I read with interest Tim Harper's piece on Barry Bonds reaching 10 homers to topple Hank's record.

I personally support Barry and hope he takes that record. Then again, I'm not white and the stats on Barry's fans and critics (outside of San Francisco) can attest to the clear racial divide that is being drawn.

Let's be honest, all of the steroids use are alleged, and really nothing has been proven or admitted to.

The MLB is completely out to lunch by not making a big deal out of this seemingly permanent record being broken. Selig should be there when it happens, but he probably won't. Bonds is good for baseball.

I was checking out his career stats and they are quite impressive. From 1990 onwards, he has mostly hit over .300 and batted in over 100 RBI's. Very few people can match that.

Naysayers will claim that this has nothing to do with race, it has everything to do with cheating and being fair. We all know what would have happened if it was McGwire or Giambi up close to this record: National heroes.

I feel like a Man's Man

I feel like a Man's Man
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

The entire Subatomic Films office is heading to Pennsylvania this weekend for a wedding. Got the suit, shirt and tie. The shoes are a bit scruffy so I went uptown where the rat racers toil for a shoe shine.

Friends, I am happy to say to say that there are very few things in life better than experiencing a shoe shine. Sitting up on the high chair, reading the newspaper, whilst the pro's go to work on the shoes. Cleaning, buffing and all that other stuff, all for the low price of $2.50?!? How can you beat that. I feel and look like a million bucks.

The Revolution that Never Happened

The NYPD bought 10 Segways. I'm not sure why, other than being nice for the tourists. I remember a few years ago seeing the five-oh in Chicago rolling about with them, and it makes you want to laugh.

This was the machine that was supposed to revolutionize our cities and society on a whole.

Years have passed and no one has really taken notice, other than a few Police Departments, and many countries have banned them completely pending new legislation or safety studies.

For now, the Segway will be continued to be used by G.O.B. or Bananagrabbers.

More HEP Hype

The Times has a thorough article (and video!) on the LHC at CERN. The author does a good job of tackling the importance of this machine, and what it means to the field of High Energy Physics, if not physics alone.

Many of my former colleagues are working on the experiments at LHC, and everyone seems hopeful, but kinda scared. I think people are well aware of the problems that will inherently come with a negative result on the Higgs Boson discovery.

Still, that time is a few years away, and we can marvel at the machines that are being built, and they are impressive. A few years ago I worked on ZEUS at DESY, and I remember the first time I got to ride the elevator down to the pit and saw the entire experiment. At the time, it was being upgraded (including the particle detectors we had built!), so I saw the entire machine, all several stories of it. Absolutely incredible that people can make such an incredible machine, so intricate and detailed. It's nothing short of a miracle that it works.

A Slap on the Wrist

Today was the first day of the summer semester, and I'm teaching the lab component of a physics course, mostly classical mechanics.

It went pretty smoothly, and the students seem cool. It's totally different teaching in the summer, as many of the students are more laid back and are not NYU folks. It looks like it will be a fun semester.

Yesterday I played in my first game in softball. I got in the lineup as DH and went 3 for 4 with a triple and two singles. After one of my singles, I rounded second and went for third, there was incoming throw and I slid hard. A bit too hard, as I jammed my wrist. It didn't hurt that bad during the rest of the game, but when I came home, it's been really hurting since. It's even a bit swollen. I don't think it's anything too serious, as I am able to use it, I just don't have the full range of motion. Hopefully, it will be ok by next week.

If a Butterfly Flaps it's Wings...

OK, it's not exactly the butterfly effect, but there's an interesting article in Nature that clearly correlates intense storms in Eastern Africa with hurricanes in the Atlantic (some of which go on to make it to the USA).

I think that this is a great example of how sharing data and looking for trends in seemingly unrelated phenomena can give profound results.

The Boys of Summer

The Best Softball Park in the World
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

I got invited to play softball on my profs team recently. Unfortunately, the NY Showbiz League (dudes that work in the entertainment industry) plays Tuesday afternoons, and I had class at that time. Yesterday was the first time I could make it. Unfortunately, I joined quite late so most of the team is already made up.

I took some batting practice and fielding and got a few good hits out. I still don't have my fielding confidence back yet, but it will come with time. I haven't played in like 3 years!

It felt great to be back on the field, and playing. Make no mistake though, the guys on these teams can play. It's easily the most skilled and competitive league I've seen, but it's still fun.

The games are played in Central Park to throngs of tourists, so there's a bit of a crowd sometimes. Either way, I'm a bit beatup today, but it feels great. Hopefully, I'll get in the lineup next week.

I was Chekov

The Times has a wonderful piece about life in the Control Room of an experiment over at RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) on Long Island.

The pic on the left shows real time heavy-ion collisions on the experiment that I used to work on, PHOBOS.

On some shifts, it would just be me and someone else looking over this awesome experiment, hoping nothing would go wrong. The hourly checklists involve a series of readings/measurements of various status reports. It was pretty boring, but one could usually get a lot of work done during the down time or get into great conversations with colleagues.

Either way, good times were had, even if it was 3am in the dead of winter.

This Quarter Kills Fascists

Back in 2004, the Canadian Mint released into distribution a special quarter that had a red poppy placed on it. The poppy is what many Canadians wear around November 11 to honour and remember soldiers that fought in the World Wars. Pretty pretty quarters, if I say so myself.


Some US army contractors were working in Canada when the coins were released, and became increasingly paranoid about the nature of the quarters. They were convinced that people planted them on their person, and the red poppy part was some sort of "nanotechnology" radio-frequency spy device. I couldn't make this shit up if I tried.

Spencer Tunick is at it Again

Brooklyn reppin' photographer Spencer Tunick is back with his large concept nudes again. This time in Mexico City. About 18*10^3 people showed up to take their clothes off for art's sake this past weekend.

I don't know, I'm a bit bored by him and his work now. I mean, I can't deny the immense audacity and beauty of some of them, but it just seems old-hat.

What I find interesting is not the photographer, but the thousands of people that are willing to do this (full disclosure, I signed up to be a model years ago).

Perhaps it was the documentary Naked States that really turned me off of him. He just seems too pompous, arrogant, and not willing to take a stand. Probably not fair to someone to judge them off of a documentary, but I will in this case. If you haven't seen his work, it's worth a glance over here.

On Vacation...

I will be busy communing with nature up in the Catskills this weekend. Try not to be jealous.

Sarah Polley - Malick Fan

Growing up on the CBC, it's hard not to know who Sarah Polley is. She was in Road to Avonlea (the sequel to Anne of Green Gables), and was also a North York resident my same age. As it turns out, she went to school with some of my friends, but our paths have never crossed.


I've always respected her work and the roles she chooses. You perhaps know her from Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter or the fun Dawn of the Dead remake a couple of years ago. I personally loved her in the not too often seen My Life Without Me. You may not know that she was originally cast to be Kate Hudson's character in Almost Famous, which she walked away from.

Anyways, she's behind the camera now, and her new feature Away from Her opens up soon. Watch for a Snob Movie review soon.

The Times has an article on her and her life in the industry. What does she attribute to re-sparking her love of movies? Watching Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line.

“It literally lifted and carried me out of this depression, and I had no idea movies could do that"

Big Screen!

Spiral Staircase
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

So we wrapped up the 2nd Year Films screening today. Honestly, it was a lot of fun to see everyone's films up on a big screen.

Actually, the big screen was the best part. My work has never been shown on such a huge screen and space. It brings everything into perspective.

I was kind of disappointed with my screening though, because the projector was quite dark, and my film is in black and white, so some scenes just didn't look great. Also, the sound mix sounded 'wrong'. Being in a large space really changes the way things sound. It was virtually impossible to test things before hand, so I didn't get a chance to fix it.

Oh well! My actors were, so I'm happy they were able to see themselves on a big screen.

After the screening there was a party at school, and it was a great time. Everyone (students, faculty, friends) all come out and shake their booty's. Free liquor and food!

Thanks to everyone that showed up!

Dinner for Two (and a movie)

Yuck
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

Tomorrow is the big screening, and I'm still at school putting the last touches on my opus.

I went up to 23rd St to pick up the brilliant score from the composer. On my way back to the subway, I decided to treat myself to some soup.

I've been sick this entire week, and right now I have a bad sore throat. So I decided that some good soup would be in order.

I went to Rickshaw Dumpling Bar because I remember an article saying how quick they are, and it was right on my way back to the train.

i got the Szechuan Chicken Dumplings (steamed, we're trying to be heart healthy!) in their vegetarian soup.

Took the train back to school, and dug into my meal. Way too salty. I'm really hungry so I ate a bit more, then I looked down and low and behold there's a dead fly staring right at me!

I've worked in the food industry before, so I'm not that grossed out about how unsanitary food can be. I'm sure it's an isolated incident. I wouldn't go back there though. Their food isn't that good.

Sun Setting on this Year

No Photoshop Required!
Originally uploaded by subatomicfilms.

So the academic year is winding down. I'm busy re-editing my 2nd year film for our public screening this weekend. It's going to be a lot of work, but it should be a good time. This weekend is also the big end of year party, which is always a blow out (free liquor!).

Anyhoo, if you've got nothing to do this weekend, take a jaunt over to the Anthology Film Archives on Saturday and Sunday between 12 and 4pm and watch our films. Mine will be playing on Saturday at 1pm.

Roseanne is my Internal Body Clock

On Monday mornings I wake up at 7am and set my alarm accordingly. I had a dream early this morning that I was friends with Roseanne, and she walked by. "Hey Roseanne, what time is it?" I asked. She said "Twenty of".

I didn't believe her because it was a dream, and I'm always paranoid on Monday mornings about oversleeping. So I consciously woke up, grabbed my phone to look at the time, and it was: 6:41am.

Thanks for keeping me on time Roseannee!

Not only is Roseanne my Internal Clock, Bill Cosby is my Biological Clock.

The Night The Lights Went Out in Toronto

In a move that is already done in Australia, but not anywhere in North America, Toronto has passed legislation to ban the sale of Edison's incandescent bulb by 2012.

Personally, I think this is a great move. It saves SO much energy (about 75%) to move to fluorescents and LED type lights. Saves money and energy; there's no reason not to switch.

Most of the lights in the Subatomic Films office has been switched over, and I'm happy to say that on the last Subatomic Films production we used a set of LED light panels. I wonder if most studio lighting will switch over too?

Running First

Last night marked the end of NYU's First Run Film Festival, which is a yearly festival showcasing the work of NYU's film community. Unfortunately, none of my films were eligible (but they will be next year), but I went last night to check out some of the offerings.

On display were a selection of Undergrad and Grad Student films. I don't know, but the difference between the two groups are glaringly obvious. Most of the undergrad films have high production value and just look great. Unfortunately, the writing isn't as good. The grad films are usually lower budget but with better performances and writing.

One notable entry was The Soft Asylum, which is going to be tough to beat. Visually stunning, the complex story is weaved masterfully between two worlds. The sound work is equally impressive. A perfect mixture of sound and image.

Political Hooligans

English PM Tony Blair has gone ahead and said publicly what alot of people think: "black culture" is the cause for violence.

Never mind that England is steeped in hundreds of years of bloody colonizations and war.

Never mind that England is completely embarassed by, but still condones their ignorant hooligans in most interenational soccer stages.

Forget that. Let's blame Biggie Smalls .

All you Kids out there...Listen up!

Beware all long haired, European hockey players, Don Cherry is going to appear on NBC.

Most people south of the 49th Parallel will not know that Don Cherry is a commentator on CBC's famed Saturday night show anchor Hockey Night in Canada that doesn't know how to dress and is always giving out 'advice' on how to play the games properly.

Cherry is one of the most hated and cherished Canadian personalities. He's become more of a celibrity as the years and his opinions have become more outspoken.

I don't expect him to last too long. Cherry is something that grows on you, and it took me about 20 years to actually listen to what he has to say. NBC won't give him that amount of time.

Costly Mistakes at the LHC

The LHC (Large Hadron Collider) is turning into the Chinese Democracy of particle physics.

The collider was supposed to be ready and taking data two years ago, but it's still not online.

The way most accelerators work is by using magnets to "stear" beams of particles around a circle faster and faster.

Last week there was an accident involving one of the magnets designed over in Fermilab, which could delay the LHC even more.

Of course, accidents happen and everyone wants the machine to get going as quick and safely as possible.

There's a saying in the film industry that can be applied here: "Fast, Good, Cheap:pick two"

Let's hope the particle physics community picks the right ones.

April 16th: Save the Date

If you've ever gone to a restaurant with me for breakfast, you know my (literally) unhealthy affinity for Eggs Benedict. Basically, if it's on the menu, I have to order it.

I hate to admit it, but I think Denny's has the best (although I don't think that they serve it anymore). The local diner here in Bay Ridge, does a good one (and cheap!).

Well April 16th is National Eggs Benedict Day. I will be observing. I think you should too.

The Times has a great article on the history of the dish, plus the drama surrounding the invention.

Either way, raise your fork for a good ole eggs benny.

A little Too Opinionated

This morning, I almost spit out my oatmeal whilst reading Joe Fiorito's opinion piece in The Star.

The author tells a tale of a recent subway ride wherein two frisky 'kids' (probably teens) are all over each other on the same train as him. Loud, obnoxious and rude. Fine. He then goes on about how they moved towards the area between (ignoring danger signs) trains where they continued to make out and be stupid about it, much to the disgust of everyone on the train.

So far, I'm with him, as pretty much every day there's obnoxious people on the train (and let's be frank, obnoxious behaviour knows no age). Then he closes his piece with what he thinks is going to happen to the said young couple:

"The pale girl is going to get knocked up and her boyfriend is going to run away
because he isn't man enough to stay and be a father, and the girl's life will be
poor and grim and she won't quite know why, and her baby will learn its lessons
in life from her."

HUH?!

Joe, you just lost me. How does it follow? I think the author forgets that kids do stupid stuff all the time. His comments are offensive and completely ridiculous. Get a grip.

New York the Good? The Bad?

I'm not sure what encompasses NYC more: this or this?

Either way, Bello should know better. Or did all that hair product finally seep into his brains.

Best City in North America?

According to the annual list that just got released, Vancouver, BC is the best city to live in North America. It ranks 3rd in the world (behind Geneva, and Zurich). Toronto (my hometown) ended up being 15th internationally.

The list considers 39 quality-of-life measures that include social, economic, environmental and safety factors.

I've been to Vancouver, and it's a beautiful place surrounded by mountains and water and all that stuff. As a city though, it just doesn't measure up. I've been wrong before though.


What I find interesting, is that NYC is considered the 'base city', the one that all are measured against.

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?

cos tan sec csc sin

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.