End of Year Checklist...

So. 2008 is coming to an end fairly soon. Having just come inside from a late night snow-removal session I am feeling the need to blog. Just a quick listing of shit that will be/I want to have done soon.

- Finish Christmas shopping. Soon.
- Get my hands on a camera support rig (tripod, better base plate/rod system, SteadyCam, M2 RedRock, Zacuto shoulder-mount rig).
- Decide whether to vacation or not to vacation (most likely not considering the time is fast approaching).
- Get a car. Something post 1999 Toyota/Honda/Hyundai... ish. Though I don't think I can lease at this point, I am definitely open to that.
- Find another job.
- Find housing in L.A.
- Land a few more DPing/gaffing/ACing gigs between now and May.
- Collect footage for Sara (the editor of my professional reel).
- And if I can... Go out more. To bars. To parties. To events. I'd like to spend as much time as possible with everyone here before I head out.

I mean, there is no telling if this is going to be a permanent move or anything, but look at what happened to Blaszczyk. We were attached at the hip like freakin' 6th graders (6th graders with booze, mind you) and now I have seen him twice since June 2007. Fuckin' marriage, man...

The first screening for 'One Simple Life' is thursday at Columbia. I am still not happy that it will be shown before color correction, but apparently the director has some cousin that is coming in from Afghanistan for this week only. So fucking unprofessional... Just like the film.

Speaking of unprofessional, 'Avers'' soundtrack now appears as though it may be in my hands this winter... Seriously? I am not a composer. I know that the producers and director ran out of money and sort of trusts the fact that I have some musical talent, but I mean... You spend $12,000 out of your pocket only to let one of the most important decisions in the final film go to someone with no experience in scoring a film of this type and length? Spend the little extra now, be happy later.

I really need some extra work to come my way. I suppose this is the reasoning behind the move to L.A. where I won't be able to walk a block without stubbing my toe on a film set, but I want some more work I can show and be proud of.

'Statler's Tapes' just finsihed color correction and on-lining. Jon did a pretty excellent job with that one. I also need to become more decisive in color correction situations. For this it didn't matter because Jon is a friend and it was just a step up from being a student film, but in the real world, time is money. SO much money. Anyway, once the score is complete, some screenings will be scheduled and this stupid ducking marketing silencer on me can stop (I hope).

Time to shower and play some relaxing games. Damn. Tuesdays are supposed to be my drinking night.

Now Playing: Rapider Than Horsepower - "Lick me on the Face, It Feels Funny"

Guild Meeting and Other Such Vaguely Depressing Events...

So the CGC (Cinematographer's Guild of Columbia), of which I am a member, had their final meeting of the year yesterday. The purpose of which was to show our reels for critique and advice and other miscellaneous info the President and VP had for us for the upcoming year. Only 4 reels were shown, one of which being a set-photography reel. The first two were much more polished than mine. I attribute this more to the fact that all my footage was captured and transferred using the school's equipment rather than paying upwards of $1,000 on getting a paid professional to telecine and color correct some footage. My reel was the last of the cinematographers' and though the first two gave the audience (of about 15 or 16 cinematographers, teachers, photographers, etc...) much to discuss in the ways of constructive criticism and praises, when mine finished, the room was silent. I can't tell you how excruciating that feels. Whereas the discussions for theirs was lively and full of helping hints and compliments, the audience for mine had nothing to say...

Except how "fucking awesome" the song I used was. Granted, I did get some compliments and one constructive comment, but man was it pretty humbling. It was just another reminder to me, I suppose, of how immense the field is. It's difficult to stand out when you're a needle in a stack of needles.

*Sigh*

...The work will always speak for itself. I know this. It's just getting that work that worries me... and everyone else, I'm sure.

Getting into a size 33 jeans for me right now is akin to a blind man attempting to cross a busy intersection. It is that frustrating and terrifying.

Finally replaced the PS2 after years of it working half of the time and being slow all of the time. I gave it to Katherine because it still plays PS2 games just fine but not much else. First thing I did on it? Despite getting 15 new games with the package from the dude on eBay, I went back to an oldie but goldie: Ico.

FUCK YES. Still the most beautiful game of this generation for my money. I beat it about an hour ago with a time of just over 4 hours total. Great. Game.

The move to L.A. is approaching fast and I don't have any prospects on a job, apartment or car. I am not terrified yet... just hella worried.

My Aunt gave me a bucket of cash and DVDs of Hollywood musicals to create a sequence of some of the 'best' songs from them for a party she is throwing soon. "Here's the money. I need it in a week." Excellent... minus the whole needing to watch musicals part... UGH.

I feel kind of a depression coming on. Am I actually suffering from S.A.D. now? WTF?

Now Playing: The Album Leaf - "Twenty Two Fourteen"