Fuck them!

One of my life style choices, is the liberal use of the word "fuck." And I've been saying "fuck them" a lot lately. But in a good way!

One of my posts previously was about changing my life. Going to the gym, and having a more positive outlook on life. Which I took some time getting into. But I did get to it! I've been lifting seriously now for 5 weeks, and eating incredibly healthy for 6 weeks. I've lost 2% body fat and 17 lbs, bringing me down to 23% . Tomorrow is my official Monday weigh in, and I expect to be at about 22.5% and 197lbs. My next short term goal is 190, by April 30.
I have noticed that pretty people are treated differently in this town. Maybe it's every where, but it's not just women. Men react better to other men who are handsome. Maybe it's that fat guys don't look healthy, and if you can't even take care of yourself, why should I trust you? This is obviously a stupid way of thinking about people, but sub consciencely, I think that's what happens.

At first I was intimidated by at the gym. I live in Hollywood CA, and look at these ripped guys, and toned women every day. In the gym they seem like these perfect creatures that can do no wrong. "Fuck them!" I'm not working out to impress them, I'm not eating healthy crap so I can measure myself to their level of fitness. I'm doing it for me! That mentality is letting me do it. Being able to move past that mental block has freed me to cruise past my own personal insecurities way faster than I ever had before.
Chicks are paying more attention to me, and guys are taking me more seriously. It's not because I look muscular, or look like I've recently lost weight. It's because I have a new confidence that I had lacked before. So I will continue to Fuck them, and get myself farther into the mind space that I need to be in.

The other way I've been using "FT" is for the haters. A Good friend and school mate of mine, Casey, and I made a short film based on EA Games newest title, "Army of Two: The Devil's Carte." It turned out very well, and we had an absolute blast making it. I served as the armorer and more or less as the military consultant. If you want to see a behind the scenes, with me talking about the guns, and my job, here's the video. 

And here's the video of the full short.

If you look at the comments section, you'll see lots of haters, saying that the camera work sucks, or the visual effects suck. Fuck them. What have they done? It takes nothing to sit in your chair and criticize another's work. Until you offer solutions to fix the problems, go fuck yourself.
Constructive criticism is different, that I invite any day of the week.

Any way, if you like the film, don't worry. Another one is already in the works. It'll be far better, because this proves that we can tell a story, and on a limited budget, make a kick ass visually striking film.

In other news, Rally Point Radio has kicked off. It's going very well. Our second show was a success, and more and more people are down loading it every day. So if you'd like to give it a listen and hear what Casey and I think about making it in Hollywood as veterans, listen to the show here:

Rally Point Radio

I'm always pleased to see that people are reading this blog. It makes it worth writing. I like seeing that I have international readership. Last month, I had a big push from Russia. So thanks, to my Russian fans. If you guys like reading my thoughts about my life. Leave me a comment. I'll definitely get back to you!

Stay sharp, and stay tuned my friends. 

Business as usual

Hey guys! I haven't posted in the last few weeks, because I haven't had a whole lot to report. A lot of the projects I've been working on at Stargate are still on the down low. I'm a actually on set right now at Universal Studios working on a really cool project... That I can't talk about. But it's going to be cool, and come this fall I'll tell you about it.

This past weekend I got to shoot a short with some friends from school. Casey wrote and produced a short for Army of Two: the Devils Cartel. EA and the Node sponsored us, so this is huge! Going to be up on YouTube March 23. I'll post links, but if you're into video gaming, and YouTube, I'm sure you'll see it. Because I was the Armorer I did a behind behind the scenes for Evike.com the airsoft retailer. Which was a lot of fun. Explaining the guns we used and how I coached the actors to shoot like pros.

We went all out and brought in some real professionals. Tom Bellisimo for special effects and Lane Levit for a very special stunt. You'll have to watch it to see which one. You won't be disappointed.

This will be the first video targeted at the video gamer/YouTube audience. Bringing the skills from film making to YouTube will give us a HUGE boost above all the other stuff floating around the Internet.

Casey and I have also started our monthly broadcast of Rally Point Radio. An Internet radio show for veterans looking to break into the entertainment industry. But it's useful to any one looking for a leg up in this crazy business.
Here's the link to the channel, where you can listen to the first show and tune in to the next one. Last Thursday of the month.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rallypointradio

On to something more personal. I've been following through on my promise to myself to be better. I've been making green smoothies every day. No more fast food, much less meat, and 1000% more fruits and veggies. I feel so good it's bordering on creepy. I have energy after a really hard lifting session at the gym. My attitude is great, my energy levels are through the roof and I'm happier.
1 full body fat percent and 12 lbs in one month. By the end of March I want to be under 200 lbs, which is only 4 more lbs.
I'm going to be looking good this summer. I won't be embarrassed to take my shirt off anymore. I'm really excited.

Lots of exciting things coming up, so like usual. Stay sharp and stay tuned.

Diversify!

Happy Holidays! The time of year when dreams come true, people put aside their differences and come together...oh wait. That's not really how it happens is it?

I've never been one for holidays. I guess, after having spent so many holidays away from home in foreign countries and combat zones, I've seen how important holidays actually are. Even though I grew up in a house where we celebrated Hanukah and Christmas. Look at me now, and as atheist as they come! Whoo! Happy Holidays!

No no no, there's more. Don't worry. Like the title of this blog says "Diversify." The people that I consider to be successful at this level of the game, have their fingers in a lot of pies. A writer who pays the bills as a grip, electrician, and carpenter. Or a camera guy who shoots independent stuff who also works at a camera rental house.
It's partially to pay the bills, but it's also to stay busy. It's hard to always have something to do in this business. If you ONLY want to do production sound, and refuse to do anything else, it's going to be incredibly difficult to have enough work to live on. So learn how to do post production sound also, and while you're at it, learn how to edit. That way when you meet a potential client, you can be their one stop shop for sound and post production. You're increasing your value with every skill you pick up.

When I was trying to get into stunt work, I was taking jobs doing grip and electric work, as well as military advisor, armorer, and acting gigs.

I actually just watched "Hugo" last night, didn't love it, but I certainly appreciate it as a great film. The whole premise was about the film maker Georges Melies. His film "A trip to the Moon" is the logo of the Visual Effects Society, VES. Their award is the moon with the ship in the eye, which we have about six of in the Stargate office. I never really realized what they were, now I know the story. So thanks, Marty Scorsese!
In 4 1/2 years I'll be eligible to apply for membership into the VES. I heard some of the guys in the office, talking about their "Hobbit" screeners. I need to see that movie. It would be nice to have it delivered to my apartment.

So one of the things that I was going to do to diversify, was to host an internet radio show. That's been put on hold, because the school that was sponsoring it has fallen through for now. They still want to do it, but it's taking a back seat for a little while. I'm still confident that it will go on, but it's shelved for the immediate future.
Next, I've started a YouTube channel. I sit down and interview popular content creators and talk about their lives. I want to give it a personal touch, and help their audiences really get a feel for who are they are. I'm really excited about our launch, which was tonight. Check it out, and if you like it, subscribe:

Mr. Third Side

That's my big announcement. I'm very excited. Next stop, partner!

Happy Holidays, stay sharp, and stay tuned. 

Social media kick!

Whoa! Two blog posts in as many days?? This is unheard of. I just thought I'd share quickly, that I was told by half of the Freddie W YouTube channel, that I should use social media more. And I'm such a tool, that I took his advice.

Haha, no I'm not a tool, I'm fully capable of making my own decisions, but he is right. I should branch out and diversify.
So I started tweeting. We'll see how that goes. I do use Instagram, but it's mostly cigar pics that I've tweeked on my iPad. But I put up some cool things now and then. If you're on Instagram, look me up. My user name there and on twitter is halfflash. So come find me and let's socially do media things together.

The importance of "NO"

This week was so amazing. I think that sounds cliche, but that's really the only way to explain it.
My company, Stargate Studios, was brought on board for the grand opening of the new YouTube studios in La Playa California. We were contracted to use our Previzion System to put on a live show for Lindsey Sterling, the hip hop violinist on YouTube. She's incredibly popular, getting millions of hits on her videos, and was surprisingly down to earth and sweet. As were all of the YoutTubers that I met this week.

So the team at Stargate began building an incredible 3D world based on a final fantasy like request from Lindsey. It took three weeks to build the world, and test it in my previzion system. I learned so much about the system in the process of testing the world. It was a big world, with 8 high definition videos playing, real time green screen keying, and 3D rendering all at once. Too many videos, and the system crashes, wrong settings on my machine and it crashes, so many things could (and did) go wrong.
But we ironed out the bugs and got to where we were comfortable.

Then we moved into the stage at the YouTube studio, called YouTube space LA, and started putting up our tracking markers and green screen. This is where the fun starts, orienting the virtual world, lighting, final testing of videos, and walking through the scene. It really is like magic when you see it all come together and work. It still amazes me.

When Lindsey came in, she was obviously blown away by the world we created, and were able to have her interact with. We practiced a few times, got her marks, and recorded a few takes for use later on. She's quite a talented performer. She hit her marks all the time, played very consistently, and really just trooped her way through the whole thing. I was impressed, I thought she'd be a diva.

The following night, we went live. The top YouTubers were invited to the event, and were outside waiting and watching. We were being broadcast to a jumbo screen outside, and I think being streamed live online. So we couldn't have any mistakes. I wasn't given much info on where it was going to be streamed. And I still haven't seen it. Everything on our end went according to plan, and we wound up being the stars of the show. Every one was excited to see what we could do and play in our world. From 8-11:30 we had a constant flow of intrigued content creators asking us questions and trying to find out how they can get a hold of us for their channels. It was very exhilarating.


Meeting some of my YouTube heros was so cool. Among the impressed crowd was Freddie W and Brandon Laatsch, Joe Penna (Mystery Guitar Man), Corridor Digital, Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider, and Tony Hawk.
Funny thing about Tony Hawk, that's who he is. It's not just Tony, or Mr. Hawk. It's only ever Tony Hawk. But he's a really nice guy for a super star.

The point of this post is to talk about the event a little, and also it talk about NO.

During the set up process, working with the talent, directors, and our own VFX supervisors, I never heard the word "no." There were definitely requests for things that could be be delivered. But no one ever said no. They gave political answers, like "Hmmm. Let me check on that and get back to you." Or,"The way that we have our system configured right now, that's not possible. But if we break it down, we can reconfigure in two hours. Is that something you want to do?"

Very crafty, and it reminds me of a lesson that I learned in high school, when I was the coach of the school's improv team. never say no, because nothing kills creativity faster. No eliminates options. Just like Sam Jackson's speech in "The Negotiator." He's talking the new negotiator through how to talk down a hostage taker. "Can I see a priest?" Answer: "I'll see what I can do."

Saying no also makes you sound like a dick. Like you don't care enough to even explore their creativity as an option.

I need to work on this. My first thought is to say no, when I know that something can't be done. Or at least can't be done easily. I need to be more open to trying. I don't know why my first reaction is to say no, but it has been lately. I really need to take my own advice, and be more political. 

Picking up speed

Well, at a whopping 20 (average) views a day for the last week, I feel pretty accomplished.
Some days, I feel like I have nothing to write, but I still put my thoughts down, then I erase them and either start over and think of something new, or don't write anything. I don't want this blog to become a bitch fest. Believe me, I have plenty of things to bitch about. Like the woman behind me in traffic last week. She was tail gating me, with both iPhone ear buds in. The problem that I saw, was not that she was talking on the phone while using a hands free device, BUT STILL HOLDING THE PHONE IN HER HAND! It's not hands free if you use a hand to operate it! Same with speaker phone, you don't use speaker phone and hold it! It defeats the purpose of hands free. LA drivers...
That's not what I want this blog to be about, though it's tempting some times. I can rant! The upcoming internet radio show that I'll be hosting will probably have a lot more ranting than I want, but that's just how I host shows. When I get to talking, I can go and go and go. A two hour radio show? Sweet. Maybe I'll get more than 20 listeners.
The show had to be put on hold, because we needed more time to get our ducks in a row. January should be our first show. The school that is sponsoring the show had an event that needed attention. And I must say that the Los Angeles Film School's Annual Salute was a blast! I met some fun people, got some swag, and heard some very inspiring presentations.
Which is what I want to talk about today, motivation and inspiration. I've been pretty lazy lately. Not going to the gym, crashing on my couch instead of writing, sleeping in to the last minute instead of reading the news in the morning. But today I think I reached that breaking point, where I just got so fed up with myself, I got off my ass and did something. I started cleaning my apartment, started writing the script that I've had in my head, and I went for a jog. I haven't been to the gym for months, and when I went today, it was closed. So I opted for a short run and an apartment work out instead.

They say that you should do at least one hour of work for your career every day. I say this in response: There are people out there spending two hours on theirs, so how are you going to keep up?

As a wrestler in high school, I learned that every minute you spend not training, there's a guy out there who IS training. And when you meet him, you'll know it.

So what ever it takes, find your motivation. It might take a while, but don't get down on yourself because of that. It just takes time. But don't waste that time. 

Getting a job is a job.

I'm involved with several different online film making communities, and something that I've been seeing from newer members lately, has been bugging me. I don't want to address it there and make people feel foolish, so hopefully they will find their way here and see this.

Making posts online like "I need a job" and "who's hiring" isn't helping any one. The other one I see is, "I'm a _____, and I'm looking for work." Damn! Come one guys, you are supposed to be professionals. 

I'll address these one at a time. 

Just saying that you need a job is not helpful to any one. If I were in a position where I needed to hire someone, the first people that I go to are the people that I know and trust. People that I have worked with and know first hand that I can rely on. Secondly, I will talk to people who bear the seal of approval of those people that I trust. If I'm desperate, and the recommendation carries enough weight, I might bring that person on with out a second thought, or maybe do a brief and informal interview.
Lastly, hiring people I don't know. Taking resumes, interviews, and calling people that I have met at events. 

If you just say that you need a job, you actually say to me "I don't have enough experience or a large enough network to get a job on my own. I don't even have a reel or resume to share." 

Being a novice is not a fault, but it is something that you need to fight against. 

I heard it said this weekend, "You can't do it until you've done it." Meaning that no one wants to hire you until you have the experience of that job. Its counter intuitive, but still kind of makes sense. Would YOU hire a plumber who had never piped a house? So how does he get the experience of piping a full house? 

One answer given yesterday was lie. Make sure that you don't let them down, or get caught in the lie. So make sure you bring your A game. 

The Second line that pisses me off, "I'm an editor/make up artist/what ever."

You need to post some kind of reel or portfolio, especially when it's a creative position like an editor. You can not hire an artistic position based on talk. I've done that, and it was a mistake. Though...even having a reel and portfolio can't tell you what a person is truly capable of. You can be fooled.  

One last thought, people talk about how much time they spend looking for jobs. Getting frustrated is natural, just remember one thing: you only need to talk to one person. The person who has the job for you. You may need to talk to 1000 people before you get to that person. I was extremely lucky, and found him very quickly. 

Just because you talked to that 1000 people doesn't earn you any extra kudos, but hopefully you don't think of those 1000 people in such black and white terms. That's 1000 potential employers down the road once you have a little more experience. 

If you practice hitting a baseball for 1000 hours, but practice wrong, you haven't improved. So bragging about it makes you sound stupid!

Quantity of time spent on an endeavor is not proportional to it's return. 

That's all I have for now. Stay sharp, and stay tuned.