October 10, 2011 at 02:05PM Keaton Wooden
October 10, 2011 at 01:55PM IFttt
Trying out a new program, IFttt. Tell me what you think?
October 10, 2011 at 01:55PM IFttt
Trying out a new program, IFttt. Tell me what you think?
Trying out a new program, IFttt. Tell me what you think?
The inside of a skippy peanut butter jar looks eerily like the canyon scene from ‘tree of life’
Surely there are many rewards for working in the entertainment industry. Perhaps the lavish popcorn at the multiplex while you make snide remarks claiming to know behind the scenes secrets, or perhaps its the constant state of panic when one person requests to leave a half hour early and it throws the entire production into overtime for some stupid reason, or perhaps it is that warm glowy feeling inside of you while you watch actors under the hot lights pretend its freezing in antarctica rather than the loading dock at the local grocers.
It never makes sense how some people get gratification.
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But more supremely helpful to one’s ego (if you go for that sort of thing) is the beautiful process of award ceremonies. But rather than the sweeping McArthur foundation surprise “here’s your grandpa’s pension fund” amount of money slapped in your lap, it turns out that most awards these days have to be ASKED for, including the Emmy’s.
I never quite grasped the significance of the “For Your Consideration” tags on all those videos Bob Harbin tossed me one day after my high school rehearsal for DREAMGIRLS (I played the white guy). It wasn’t until I had to put together my own packet just like this that I realized the one thing myself and Law and Order had in common: we’re both shamelessly plugging ourselves and asking for a handout.
Basically the next Sam Waterson.
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The packet I created was for a documentary I created titled “VIBRATIONS” (here’s the imdb page, and the facebook page, and the website).
And here is our Emmy Nomination. (Did I mention how shamelessness is important?) As it happens, the powers that be nominated our production for an emmy. It was in all the papers…and by papers I mean blogs. Nevertheless, we were all very proud to attend the event in Cleveland, home of good friends, the Chicken, and a fantastic farmers market.
You should have seen the farmer’s market, much nicer decor than this silly emmy photo.
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And we sat at our table, reminiscing about the story we told about a group of brave Deaf children who danced to music, and how much we wished we could have made the next great documentary, but were so happy to just have met all the kids and learned how necessary it is to listen to a person’s whole story and not judge on the outside. If I learned anything from that experience it is that in order to make someone feel special, they need to be able to communicate, and for that to happen you need to listen, be it either by writing, talking, or learning to speak their language (metaphorically and otherwise).
As the hours rolled on and the judges grew increasingly intoxicated, our category came up. One of our party rolled her camera to get my reaction because, apparently I have such good reactions to things that people need to show them to others and laugh at my expense, but sadly our name did not come up. We did not win, but we fought in stride, and for a first documentary and a first time crew it was an incredible success. I met some of my favorite people on that set, and we still keep in touch. More importantly I found an opportunity to discover my compassion for disabilities (which shouldn’t be even used as a word, really, but its our darn language holding me back at this point). People matter so much more than whether they can do something or are inable or limited. No one wants to feel limited, and in reality, we don’t have to be. That is why I consider this nomination a success.
We’ll see you next time, old girl.
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And now I have the opportunity to put my heart into a new project: NIGHTLIGHTS. A feature film ten months in the making, we now have a full crew, are running on full steam day one, and it is about wrapping (I’m in the production office, already jaded at the flashy lights of the set).
To all my friends, please don’t think I don’t love you if I am distant. It turns out I will be working 14 hour days at either the set or at my hotel on off days (hooray?), and I would never want anyone to think you are not in my prayers. You are. Just be patient with me getting back to you-because nothing makes me happier than talking with friends.
On a personal note: When expressing how the Almighty chooses to move your soul, I must remember that to me his moving is clear, though certainly not at first and not without considerable prayer and request. With that in mind, though I feel a desire to reach out and tell the world what I am feeling via the Spirit’s leaning, his maturity has taught me that I give away too much of myself and would benefit from secrets with Him until He presents someone safe enough to share with. Suffice this to say that, yes I am praying and yes Christ is answering. Praise the Lord.
over and out.
In 6 hours I will wake up to go to my first feature film set. Thanks to everyone who worked to make this possible. Lord, make us fast, make us smart, make us filmmakers.
My movie so far…
Well its official, with four days and counting I am producing a feature film…that is getting made. After months of development, casting, et cetera, and increasing et ceterii we have a cast, a crew, and a full office of people asking for more time, money and people.
Some did ask for houses, but given the economy, it wasn’t above minimum wage.
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So many people have asked for my signature, my paperwork or fingers that my eyes have been crossed in every direction of cross-eyed (Except for both facing outward, I can’t do both facing outward). But that is the life of producing. Its essentially agreeing to have take on every position in the film until you hire someone else to do it. In the likely event that your budget is small enough to warrant an-shall I say- UN-full crew, you end up keeping them.
But its basically a cushy job. You go to parties, make nice with celebrities, and ask for money. Granted the asking for money part can feel slightly like a boy scout begging someone to buy cookies so they can earn that last dang merit badge.
In my troupe we also wore skirts. I think it was Scottish….
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But the hard work does pay off, if your hard work is hard enough I suppose. Its also a combination of luck, determination, non-cheesiness, cheesiness, being a jerk, back patting, inspirational speeches, and animal sacrifices to Jacques Pool in Port a Prince. If any of these apply, you might be a producer (Or Voodoo priests, they also give great speeches).
With principal (not principle, as I found out) looming, I have had to learn the hard way that those who know little can benefit greatly in their ego by neglecting to admit that and also neglecting to admit anything. To ask someone for the right answer, though embarrassing, eventually does pay off. This goes doubly for being honest, no matter how embarrassing, worry-driving, or silly sounding. Admit your weaknesses, take the admonition, and talk it out to solve the problem. No issue can ever end well if it is ignored.
unless that is your goal, then its probably going to fix itself… right?
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As we enter what is my first feature film, with a budget exceeding five years of my salary, I must admit it will take a level of work I may not be prepared for. But to take a leaf of wisdom from an old tree: The older and wiser that are willing to work under the younger and more naive possess the maturity to grasp that they once did benefit from the same system. So I just grin and bear the chiding because I know that I am always honest, and the faster I get these awkward situations out of the way, the sooner I will be ready to take charge without the embarrassment.
On the lookout…
My next message will regard my emmy nomination. If you didn’t know already, I was nominated, but didn’t win. Its still a great story with some of my best friends, so I want to tell it anyway. Look forward to that.
There will be daily check-ins from the set of NightLights. Like the project on facebook if you can LIKE IT.
God bless all my friends near and far, even if we do not speak today or tomorrow or for a while, you are special to me Matt, Neal, Emma, Nathan, Abby, Elizabeth, James, Lindsey, Keith, Sherri, Whitney. I love you all so dearly, and will pray for your safety and God’s blessings.
over and out.
Introverts 1- Extroverts 1
Perhaps its just the eerie silence in my apartment talking, but man its lovely inside on a terribly rainy day while people run amuck in the…well, muck. At my dayjob I stood inside as well on a Friday night. Needless to say all those that liked a quiet evening in stayed dry and didn’t catch tuberculosis.
Among other things.
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So this was greater cause for me to revisit this very issue one last time. Introverts perhaps are a little boring, or less active than extroverts (we call them “the outsiders”) but we know how to get our freak on. And by freak, we mean relaxed time…on.
Essentially you are dealing with different power sources. Sort of like AC and DC. A neat coincidence is that Thomas Edison, inventor of the “Direct Current”, was a flaming extrovert, and managed to throw his weight around so much that his incredibly inefficient power source took precedence over famously introverted Nikola Tesla’s “Alternating Current.” In this historic case, however, the better idea won in the end, but only after poor Nikola missed out on all his fame and glory, and Edison got all the play an 19th century inventor could handle.
A true Intro, Nikky reads a book while the flying spaghetti monster rages behind him.
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Intros 2 - Extros 1
But perhaps the most important idea to relate here is that not all introverts are stuck in a library for all their lives. A very well known introvert was none other than national television host Johny Carson. The Tonight Show laureate is known “was intensely private, a self-described loner who shunned the spotlight when off camera.”
This didn’t stop ‘ole Johnny from interviewing all the rich and famous, and marrying 4 women. Call me crazy, but that doesn’t sound like a hermit crab to me.
Either way, the end result was David Letterman.
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And so this has led me to call myself and Introvert proudly, laying claim to my brethren and still being an outgoing guy who loves to talk to people and come up with creative ideas. The only limitation is our comfort level, and how much caffeine you’ve had.
- The NUFAN play festival starts this week. I was selected to direct a small scene and give it some life. After a great deal of contemplation we have arrived on a conceit, but it will take some doing. I’ll film it, don’t worry.
- Play On Productions, a film company that makes films for the developmental disability community. We are currently 3/4 raised to our $100,000 budget. The film will star some great talent, more on that later. If you would like to know more go to www.playonproductions.net
- To my friends in far away places, know that I am praying for you and will continue to do so until we speak again. God bless.
People read your stuff more if you put inflammatory titles in the heading and use bullet points. Its science man. Read these and weep.
The day so far….
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I’ve met a grand total of 8 people in the past two days, and none of them were complete strangers, but none were introduced to me either. The item of note is that my lifestyle of sitting at home, typing on my computer (present typing excluded) is at an end—at least when it comes to mopey type away ennui. Its time to get out there, meet people climb every mountain!
Don’t laugh, you’ll hurt Julie Andrew’s feelings.
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This is the point. Some people are outgoing all the time, they can’t stop talking to their friends, their buddies. Heck, they’ll even try to start a conversation with the drive through window lady if she would just stop throwing ketchup packets at them. But we lucky few, we who hide inside all day and then brave out in the wee hours, we can change the world (and this speculation is based entirely on my viewpoint as an introvert, if this were a political tv show it would be the Fox News equivalent of the Myers Brigs system).
1) INTROVERTS THINK MORE
We just have more time to. While little Jane “how-do-you-do” over there is gabbing aimlessly about the weather to avoid even a modicum of silence, we introverts are thinking of all the brilliant ways we could kill them. Then when they take a deep breath to conclude their thoughts on why penguins are better than narwhals, we push them in front of the elevated train with a spring loaded umbrella.That’s Darwin baby!
Intros 1-Extros 0
2) INTROVERTS ARE AFRAID OF MORE THINGS
And while this does not immediately seems like a superiority-think about this. When a person is aware of more dangers, they can avoid them. When a person is brave and runs heroically into battle or a burning building, yes it makes them a better person, but it also makes them dead more often.
In the words of Mel Gibson in Maverick “He who fights and runs away, can run away another day.” Obvious sensibility coming from the man.
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And while we are of course, less often adored by women for our lack of bravery and people make fun of us for reading books instead of having fun…. you know what scratch that, we suck at this one.
Intros 1- Extros 1
MORE NEXT WEEK…
After a major undertaking, the Wakadoos this MEGA-month’s are for November, December, and January. This MEGA-month’s Wakadoos are newly minted and ready to share their story. What’s more, they’re all actors in the project, Soundstage! Get to listening
Here are their one-sentence biographies
Kate’s Bio:
She thanks Keaton for inviting her to be a part of his very ambitious project, and as always her fiance, Dustin for his constant encouragement and inspiration.
Roy’s Bio:
Roy is Stoked to be doing a show with no blocking.
Nick’s Bio:
Previous credits include “It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Play” with the American Theater Company; “Tester” with Twenty Percent Theater Company.
Scott’s Bio:
Special thanks to Keaton and Shaun for asking him to take part in this unique production, and to everyone in this hard working cast. Cheers!
Rachel’s Bio:
After graduating, she worked for a year in Hong Kong as a Drama and English teacher.
Olivia’s Bio:
“Olivia is a joy as an artist, and has the gumption to do anything”
Paul’s Bio:
Paul has been acting since Nov. 22, 1963. He will continue till he gets something right.
Joe’s Bio:
After Spending Years in Corporate America, Joe is now enjoying the pursuit of a dream.
David’s Bio:
In another life he taught high school theatre, and after retiring he has been acting/directing professionally for seven years.
Sarah’s Bio:
Moving from Tennessee to Boston to NYC, Sarah is thrilled to call Chicago her new artistic home.
Edwin’s Bio:
In his two years in Chicago, Edwin has been in over a dozen productions, most of them Shakespeare, but none of them on the radio.
Jon’s Bio:
Favorite roles include Homenides in ‘A Flea In Her Ear’, Dinky Dau in ‘Tracers’, Angelo in ‘Measure For Measure’, and Borrachio in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.
Each Wakadoo this MEGA-month was sent the same story (this month it was a collaboration to create AS YOU LIKE It for SoundStage Radio) and were ask to repeat that story to whoever they wanted as much as they wanted. If you would like to hear the story they heard, ask them online, or sign up to become next month’s Wakadoo.
So in the first few months of Chicago mark a new year. A post-mortem seems appropo.
Firstly, it appears the only way to get acclimated to a city is to force oneself to go outside and meet people where they congregate.
Close, but really its just bowling or going to plays.
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Regardless its important to meet people, because friends are valuable; both emotionally and professionally. Par example- I’ve met some wonderful people at the STATE Theater of Chicago. They do amazing work, I love their shows, and now I get to help them raise money for next year’s shows. Its a great time. I also met David Midell, a local special educator who wants to make movies; guess what-WE ARE!!!
Another lesson: exercise in every way. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually. I managed to find a sweet craig’s list rowing machine and bought it, so now I wait for my favorite tv shows to go on HULU and watch them as I row.
Yep, you got it.
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Regarding emotional exercise, I find some quiet time with a book to be wonderful, also an honest unguarded conversation with a close friend (or girlfriend :) ) to be really helpful. Now that life is starting to wind down I’ll be able to get to church-work has had me on very often. But prayer and bible time are equally important to one’s life in all aspects.
Next lesson: if you are organized, do it slowly and often.
For me this is painful practically. I feel up to this point I have always prided my “absent-minded professor” nonchalance: this until I realized something very important to fitting into that category: I’m not a professor.
He is, and he’s going to give you an “D” in political science.
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So that means I have to a regular dude, so now its time to slowly and steadily organize my day and find things out about myself. I realized recently that I function best on 6 hours of sleep and exercising physically right away. I also love water to keep me energetic and crossword puzzles to stay sharp. Its very good stuff.
Overall, chicago is finally starting to realize its winter. Just in time for the Bears Game on Sunday (I know I’m a Colts man, but they’re out, and I have nothing better to do).
I have an interview for Victory Gardens today. Wish me luck.
Also wish luck to Play On Productions in their fundraising efforts. Grant apps begin soon, and that can only mean one thing-ask mom for help.
For my whole family really, your prayers, good thoughts, and bribe money would go a long way towards helping us all find solace and peace in the times they are living in. Keep them there.
Shameless comes back to Chicago a week from yesterday, I’ll be there with bells, on, it seems so with William H Macy, as his costumes are usually ironic and fun.
God bless
Wakadoo
This messed up my morning, and my taste for curry..
Sits a package, alone at my door,
It was Fedexed and sent
from my father in Lent
And I took it inside to find more.
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I was busy, directing a play
penned by Shakespeare, and eating parfait
since directing includes
eating of shabby foods
and an eventual need of toupee.
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Out the packages came electronics,
that would be used to capture the phonics
of the actors well versed
in their shakespeare, or worse
in their silly sounds practiced sardonic.
Just like this, except much more ironic.
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And so onward we went in rehearsals
finding tactics, attacks and reversals
and the humor arose
as the temperature froze
and the worry became universal.
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But our team persevered and worked harder
to portray As You Like It with ardor
In the midst of a storm
our house far from a swarm
but we thanked them for coming with larder.
A performance to rival Thane Cawdor.
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We were finished, recorded and done
with our show, which had ended its run
though one day was rewarding
we made sure of recording
the hilarity, songs, and odd puns.
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To my friends, whom I made through this time
please accept my sweet thanks and this rhyme
as a way to desribe
in a small, playful jibe
that our skills are more suited for mime.
Next Production: this would be sublime.
