Let's do this 2011 thing...

I'm was ready for 2010 to be done. Another year of struggle. Some good things happened too. I still got a job. Still married and happy with my gal. Had a few adventures and good times with friends. But 2010 had the stink of doom and desperation to it. Too many big shoes out there ready to drop anytime. The general mood lifted a bit as December came on and things brightened as the ball dropped and 2011 began. It didn't take too long for one very large evil shoe to drop in Arizona all thanks' to one misguided moron with a glock, lots of sadness and fear now dominates everything. Despite that tragedy, I still feel optimistic about what I can do this year to inject something positive in this world. And I think that overall the clouds will start to clear and we'll all breath a little easier about the future. But then again, that might just be me trying to sell the dream to myself so I can breath a little easier. Whatever works.

One place where I can find a little joy now everyday, is my friend Gary Garbett's new blog, "a passing glimpse". Gary's posting a new photo, taken on that day, everyday as a grand art experiment/experience. I've had a similar notion to try such a thing, but always seem to conveniently forgot the idea, only to remember around January 12th. Gary is really doing it and I believe he will stay true to the cause. I'm looking forward to seeing the next 353 photos he posts.

OK HW

New Kerouac Documentary

Vimeo

I recently found this cool site to upload video clips called "VIMEO". It's slightly different from YouTube in that the posted clips have to be original, no old TV shows or clips from Hollywood films. VIMEO clips lean more towards the "Artsy-fartsy" end of the scale which is fine by me. So far I have posted "ZANK" and the trailer for "Happy Walter" and "ZANK" has really taken off with 427 "viewings" (the quotes are because I don't know what constitutes a viewing, clicking on the page? clicking the play button? does the video have to run until the end?) in the first two weeks. Compared to YouTube, where "ZANK" was uploaded four months ago and has only been "viewed" 127 times. I'm afraid the HW trailer hasn't caught on much yet with the either site with only 3 viewings on VIMEO and 9 on YouTube so far. Check out the clips:





ZANK from Weaverwerx on Vimeo







"Happy Walter" trailer from Weaverwerx on Vimeo


OK HW

Links like this...

I find the best web sites more often through links and not search engines, particularly when it comes to personal, artistic sites. Links create that friend-of-a-friend atmosphere, so if you like one persons blog, their links will lead to even more good reading. With all that in mind, here's some places to explore:

First up is my pal Sam Hundley. Sam is an artist and an illustrator and around Halloween every year, becomes a madman.

Another fine artist and long time friend, Foust creates wonderful linoleum block prints that are self-contained little tales.

The Wishjar Journal is a great blog written by Keri Smith. I've never met Ms. Smith, but find her musings on art, creativity and inspiration to be motivating.

Under "Film Stuff", I've added the always informative Mondo Schlocko run by Tim Shrum. One of my favorite features on this blog is the podcast, which is always a good mix of great indie music and horror movie talk.

Finally, under "Humor, Research, Whatever", I added Boing Boing, Digg, and Screenhead. Three web sites designed to suck your time and life away, but in a very entertaining and frequently informative manner.

Enjoy.

OK HW

Follow the links

Discovered this week that this blog picked up a sidebar link over at Jim Miller's The Awful Writer. Thank's Jim and I'm glad to return the favor. The link is under the "Other Screenwriters" heading, which considering that I haven't posted anything as yet on screenwriting is awfully (sorry) generous of him. I've actually received some new viewers through that link, so hello to any new folks coming in.

Next post - "Gyro", my screenplay.

OK HW

Gypsies, tramps and links

May has been a busy month. My wife and I returned on the fourth from living in Ireland the last twenty months. Since then, we have been living like gypsies, on the road visiting friends and family up and down the east coast. We're enjoying the last bits of freedom before the cruel reality of the job schedule takes effect next month. The big move looms soon, have to collect all the boxes and furniture and shuffle it across town. I always enjoy the unpacking process, playing archeologist with my own stuff.

Just yesterday, I added a few links to this page, to the right there, those film and screen writing links. These are blogs that I read on a regular basis because their authors have wisdom and humor and good writing to share, and they're entertaining too. David Anaxagoras' blog "Man Bites Hollywood", is an illuminating glimpse into the struggles of a screenwriting graduate student. He almost makes it sound fun to stay up all night and drink diet sodas trying to hit insane deadlines. John August is a pro screenwriter, his credits included, "Go", "Big Fish", and the soon to be released "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". His blog is always informative and full of clear-headed advice and a real gift to aspiring screenwriters. "The Artful Writer" is another pro blog by Craig Mazi ("Scary Movie 3" among others) and Ted Elliott (co-author of "Shrek", "The Mask of Zorro" among others) that I only recently started reading, but has become a quick favorite for humorous and insightful information. They also provide one of the most comprehensive list of screenwriting links I have seen. Finally, there's "Dr. Squid's Smorgasbord of Terror!", reportage from the front lines of no-budget filmmaking, Dr. Squid deals the goods on the DIY backyard studio life and makes microcinema look fun! So if you have writer's block and need some inspiration or something to read while procrastinating, click thru those links. Enjoy.

OK HW