DJ Movie Playlist/Soundtrack

This coming semester I plan on taking the first Screenwriting class, and I've been working in my head on an idea that would become a screenplay if I were to get in (I'm currently waitlisted). I won't really go into details right now, but generally the idea is about a young man who, while trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, becomes a DJ and gets involved with an underground music scene, with both positive and negative effects.

Since music will be such a large component of this film, I've made a playlist of songs that I think capture the feeling of the movie. Maybe they will be used as a soundtrack, maybe they will simply be inspiration when I write, but I figured I would share this playlist with you. Some of the songs may seem out of place, but don't worry; they make perfect sense in the context of the film! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this playlist!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has had an awesome day of time spent with family and friends, gift giving, and hopefully a lot of eating. I definitely did, and I'm looking forward to this next week of relaxation ahead of me. Right now I'm typing this while listening to Jack's Mannequin on my brand new Klipsch speakers (!) while Kristen sits on the couch next to me poring over The Hunger Games. I think it's safe to say we are content.

I'm not really sure what the point of this post is, other than to just make good on my promise to post more.  I'm going to start posting some of my videos again soon, but I guess besides that I'm just struggling to find things to write about. All I know is this will be really boring unless I find some way to make it interesting. So I'm gonna post this video by FND Films:



They are awesome; I'm a huge fan. They filmed a behind the scenes video that was really interesting so I'll post that at the bottom of this post. Merry Christmas, and I'll talk to y'all soon!

An Update and Jack's Mannequin

I swear, one of my New Year's Resolutions will be to post more consistently on this blog. In all fairness, it has been the end of the semester and it's been a busy couple weeks for me. In addition to final projects, papers, and exams, I went in to the sleep disorder clinic and was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome, Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, and Psycho-Physiological Insomnia. In other words, I don't know how to sleep.

But the semester is over and I'm home for break, so you'd think that means more posts. Well, I'm gonna try, but hopefully we all can understand how busy the holiday season can be. But I'ma try to work around it.

I've been writing in my creative journal more recently; I guess maybe the stress is giving me more ideas write down. I'm hoping to take screenwriting next semester (the class is full now, but I'm second on the wait list) and if I get in my plan is to write the screenplay on my DJ/Mixing idea, which I won't disclose here now, but I might discuss it more as I get more into writing it.

All right, well before I go I wanted to post a song that I've been pretty obsessed with ever since I first heard it. I don't normally put songs on repeat, but this is one that I absolutely have. Andrew McMahon just writes extremely powerful and emotional lyrics, and the music here is a perfect complement. This song is for anyone who's feeling down and looking for hope.

Video Ethnography Project on Impact of Film

It's the last full week of classes, and I've got a lot of big projects and papers to get done, so unfortunately I've been neglecting the blog. I know I said I'd post pictures of Cancun, but that will probably have to wait until I'm back home for Christmas Break, which should be in about two weeks. I'm gonna try to post when I can, But I'm afraid I can't make promises.

For now, I wanted to post my anthropology project, an ethnographic video study where I examine the role that film plays in the lives of students at the University of Michigan. I'm also working on a video with my group for Production 290, so there will be another video up soon. 

But here's my ethno project, and I hope you enjoy it!

Winter is Here

I've been in Mexico over the past week and haven't had a chance to post, but a Cancún blog is imminent. For now, (and taking it into a completely different direction), it's the first big snow of the season! I love the holidays and get really nostalgic around this time thinking about the things I used to do as a kid, like playing out in the snow, hockey on the ice, making hot chocolate, setting up the Christmas tree, and listening to Christmas music. And, of course, hoping against all hope every morning that it would be a snow day.

I just love this time of year, because even though it's cold outside, the holiday season always feels so warm to me. The season is shared with your closest friends and family, and everyone coming together to celebrate has so much spirit and warmth to it.

Anyway, I just thought I'd take a moment and enjoy this wintry weather that blew in over night, because as soon as Christmas goes, I'm going to hate the snow and cold and just wish spring were here already. Post-January is when the snow gets muddy and there's less of it, and on top of that it's still cold and there are no holidays to be looking forward to (as in, no days of from class to look forward to).

So enjoy it for now!

"Recycle" - A PSA

Well, look who's been neglecting blog duties! ...Oh yeah, that's me... Anyways.

I've got a busy day ahead of me since tomorrow's my last day of classes before break (Mexico here I come!) so I'm gonna make this one quick today. One day in class our teacher came up to us and asked us to make a commercial really fast to air on the video announcements. She said the school was ramping up their recycling program and wanted a few PSA's to show.

Someone else in the class, Joe Ingamells, actually came up with the idea for this video. Or at least, a very basic idea. We decided we wanted to get someone to be in it that everyone knew, and Joe suggested we use our quarterback, Cody Marks. From there, the idea for the video evolved very quickly. We got Cody out of class, filmed with him, came back and edited it, and the video was done by the end of the hour. I've always enjoyed this video for some reason, maybe because it playfully takes a jab at the idea that "Cody Marks can do anything!" Also, the MuteMath song helps.

And without further ado, enjoy!

Squirrel Attacks Another Squirrel

This is just a quick little video I thought I'd share today, nothing special. This clip is part of a larger video we did called "The Chips," which essentially was where we filmed me eating chips at various locations on campus, set to music. I just thought this was funny enough that it warranted its own video. Eventually I'll get around to posting "The Chips," but for now, enjoy one squirrel attacking another squirrel!

"Moving On" - Michael Giacchino

Holy crap. I could spend hours and hours writing about the show LOST. I watched every episode when it aired since its beginning in 2004. I spent countless hours online at other blogs devoted to the show, and I have since watched every episode about five times.

But I'm not writing this to talk about LOST, specifically. Instead I wanted to point you to a specific piece of music from the show. In fact, this piece is taken from the last few minutes of the show, and it gives me chills every time I hear it. Michael Giacchino, the composer, is a genius, and you don't need to be a fan of the show to appreciate this music. There is so much emotion poured into the music itself.

Anyways, I really wanted to share this track with you, so I hope you enjoy it!