A Wielder News Net

When I last did a LJ post, I was almost 30 pounds heavier, several shades paler, and didn't own a really sharp vest. I also hadn't been out to the strip in Vegas, or crashed my first bachelorette party.

Lots changes in two and a half months.

Much hugs to my LJ brethren.

Man, first I post 20 things instead of 25 for the Facebook meme and then before that I screwed up the links in my last post so no one could see thangs I made.

Fixed!

This month alone has been pretty goddamn insane. In a good way.

-I directed on the January 24 LIMP (Neutrino) at iO West and it killed! Next one is February 21. My video is at here. A little dark because I haven't touched the levels.

-I directed a web series pilot which showed on Friday and it killed! It'll be up at the site later on. Twas a show about low rent con artists and their wacky adventures. We got multiple demands for it to become a series, so we'll see.

-I was offered the directing spot on ANOTHER pilot, starring a good friend, written and produced by more friends. We'll see, I may be too busy, because...

-I may be co-writing a direct to DVD sci-fi movie directed by the guy who directed this!

-I went snowboarding twice and it was fun.

-Multiple parties, multiple adventures.

-Work is really busy because of January product launches.

-I also finished and uploaded Bleach, a short I directed late last year. Click here.

-I'm developing a short to direct with the writing partner that will likely get the backburner if the writing gig goes through.

-I'm in preproduction on The Box, which may also get a delay but will definitely happen, because it's the kind of movie I want to make.

And MOST of this stuff happened in the last 2 weeks.

I'm strongly tempted to expand westinlee.com into a more personal blog...I miss writing about insane nonsense.

Regardless, happy new year! 

Here's the 2008 accomplishments list. I'm certain I missed stuff. I did a TON of stuff this year:

FIRST: Let us look at my goals I set for the year back in 2007.

And in 2008? Well...
-I'll be moving, of course. <YES>
-The next projects are going to start showing up. <YES>
-Companion will debut online and the DVD run will be completed, with a featurette where I talk about all the choices that went into the movie and why (so I can also self promote, since people will be able to see the level we were working at to make these decisions). The website will have tons of unused stuff we shot that fleshes out the movie and universe. <I did debut it online, the DVD run is done, there is no featurette but there is commentary tracks, the website is pretty bare bones BUT I did load the deleted scenes up along with a trailer.>
-I'm developing a pitch for a short series that will cost 10-15x what Companion did to promote a new audio technology. They'd be super fun and pave the way for... <This fell through; the guy went bankrupt. The work is shelved for future use.>
-Work on Andy is 16 and Psyhigh (hopefully) to come into existence as web series that are turned into mass media movies or shows. <YES YES YES, much discussion and thought on the nature of both. The Box, the short I'm directing next, is a test for Psyhigh tone and production value.>
-I hope I'll be helping Scott with his film, since ultra exciting things are happening there and it's a fantastic premise. <I did, I did lots of storyboards, and also helped with the story itself and feedback.>
-I intend to travel 1 month out of the year. <I think my total travel time was 6 weeks.>
-I intend to pay off all credit card debt. <Haha, NO, BUT aside from some small emergency expenditures over the holidays, I haven't done anything but make payments against my balances. I've probably paid off over $1000 of the balance>
-I intend to be working on a show or film with people I respect. <YES. Work with the basketball team and specifically with CC commences on my return.>

And now, the 'list' I do every year:

I moved to Los Angeles.
I made many new friends, in spite of the whole 'California Window' thing.
I moved up to glendale and got my own room at ridiculous[ly good] cost.
I created and maintained the shame jar.
I created and maintained my job at Redrock, which has easily been the best 'day' job I've ever had.
I found a writing partner.
I developed multiple scripts.
I finished Companion and put it online.
I put up westinlee.com and shatteredabsolute.com
I worked as a storyboard artist and did some swanky lookin' stuff.
I threw my first party in recent memory.
I pitched in at lots of other events.
I have a BAR and it is good.
My wardrobe continues to improve. (see: a graph with a declining level of 'khaki' and a rising level of 'fits well and matches')
I exercised!
I snowboarded!
I lived in Santa Monica and didn't like it.
I went to NAB, Cinegear, HD Expo, DV Expo, the set of 24, Greek, and a couple of movies.
I actually ran HD Expo New York all by myself. And supposedly we've gotten sales from it!
I don't smoke (except when drinking).
I smashed my car.
I quit the improv.
I did some of my very best improv.
I went on dates (which even Brad Pitt had trouble with in LA)
I had opera for thanksgiving.
I was AD on the Nike Human Race production team in August.
I met a Bruce Campbell double.
I shot OOB West.
I shot The Doubtful Guests run in October and got to dress up.
I directed Bleach.
I got the ball rolling on a couple of projects that will be pitched early next year that are AWESOME.
I wrote The Box and completed breakdowns and am in preproduction.
I had some kind of calming epiphany about LA somewhere between August and now.
I saw awesome stuff at awesome theaters.
I supported artists I love.
I got an iPhone and macbook.
I learned a million billion things about photoshop, FCP, apple color, after effects, dreamweaver...
I learned a million billion things about story structure.
I learned a million billion things about directing and acting.
I saw Max Payne and it was a terrible abomination.
I watched many good TV shows
I introduced folks to things they now love.
I got approached constantly as a director.
I got approached as an artist and writer.
I had to turn down several very cool projects due to being too busy.
I crewed UCLA films and made friends and had fun and narrowly avoided injuries.
I swam in the ocean.
I did Rockys.
I fell off my Indo Board.
I got back on.

Wow! I am proud of myself, especially when I look at the list of goals I made last year and how they turned out.

For 2009, I will:
-Go outside and play! That means adventures in snow and surf, hiking, urban exploration, golf, frisbee golf, Jai Alai if someone will teach me, running, and maybe first forays into Parkour. I will do the thing where you snowboard in the morning, and then are at the beach in the afternoon.
-I will be in the best shape of my life.
-Westinlee.com will become less about directing and more about my thoughts, ruminations, and creations. I will still post thoughts on directing, but expect a lot more.
-CC and I will take a shot at writing something a little more serious with Seraph. I will pitch Seraph to interested B-movie creating parties and see if anyone bites.
-I will go out at least 2 times a week to socialize, schmooze, and otherwise interact. 
-I will throw at least 6 parties and they will be awesome.
-I will direct and finish The Box.
-I will develop and direct a web series, shot in the style of Friday Night Lights.
-every day I will create.

Go go go!!!

It's that time again!

I love when you create yourself as something and everyone else gets it.

I love that my Xmas bonus is likely a Burton Custom with bindings (what?).

I love ridiculous cashier girls at Whole Foods (both of them!).

I love vodka.

Networking, advice, plans, schemes, snow.

Westinlee.com is live. Full or posts, too as it were.

Shatteredabsolute.com will be live as soon as domain is transferred.

Directed a short today. I'm happy with it. :)

I just want to say last Halloween was a pretty harrowing experience that taught me a life lesson.

So I'm pouring one out. Thankful for the knowledge, respectful of the cost.

I uploaded the Out of Bounds West show to vimeo. It is one of the finest improv shows I've ever seen, and easily the most memorable. Pour one out for the dead.

http://www.vimeo.com/2118790

I am looking forward to voting for something other than a Democrat or Republican in the election.

Blah blah change blah blah: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/13/wall.bush-obama/index.html

I also took an issues test that showed that I agreed with both party candidates on a majority of the issues. It's easy to do because their stances are:

-Things are fine, though things might could get better maybe.

and/or

-Things are not fine, and if I'm elected I will definitely look into maybe finding a way of changing things.

So once again it appears we're just voting for issues that actually divide people, when the truth is, the differences in how things will go down with each candidate are pretty minute. You're voting with the crowd you identify with most, for a guy that looks/sounds like what you like, against someone you don't like.

I'm not going to be played this time around. I'm gonna vote for someone I actually like.

Okay, I'm done.

I did a really solid show last night. Everyone did. The Form is so dangerous, but when it works, god is it amazing.

And then? I didn't get the invite to join the main stage teams. I'm taking it in a cool way - I didn't want to join rotating-cast house teams. Not interesting. Some round holes don't want square pegs forced into them, and some square pegs don't want to fit into the hole anyways. Still, square pegs feel a little down even if that's the case.

It's perfect. I'm about to gear up for The Box. It's time to play.

I saw the pilot for Fringe last night. I made fun of it. It's the X-files. There was some cool stuff in it and JJ Abrams makes good stuff, aside from his penchant for injecting just a hint of vanilla into his very cool shows. Just a hint. I started off enjoying the fun 3d signs that swoop in to introduce locations, and ended flicking them off by the end of the pilot. Fuck those signs.

I'm watching Veronica Mars season 1 again. Holy cow is it good. "Have you found some bitch who will make a fool of himself for money?" Wow wow wow.

I fully intend to drive my car until it is dead, then get a new used car and repeat until I have something nice enough to warrant body repairs, etc. The car is still scratched up from my tire blowout years ago. I never replaced the front license plate when it was torn off by a shredded piece of tire on I-10. Recently the rear left power window stopped working, so I said 'oh well' and used the others.

First thing I did in my car now that I'm back in LA is smash up the right side against one of the concrete support pillars in our stupid parking garage. Tore the rear view mirror clean off. Oops! The door is so crunched in it won't open.

But when I rolled down the windows today, that rear left window worked!

When God closes a door...

What weekend?

So much stuff.

The Human Race was really something else. I want to run in the next one. Pictures up on Facebook, all will be uploaded to Flickr at some point. Nike employees have a drinking chant. 14,000 runners take a long time to cross a start line. Technical problems and headaches and hanging out with gold medalists and famous actors. Wonderful resume bullet point, lots of experience managing a huge event. Got paid! Still tired. I'm glad today is today.

All these fit employees sure were in a good mood. Probably has something to do with how big a deal the event is, plus exercise = better mood. It's really really cool Austin got to do it. There were only 5 US cities on the list, and only 4 'official' cities (Portland got added late). NYC, LA, Chicago...and Austin? Yes!

End result: It felt great to live large and really help to put something cool together. Very satisfying, very exhausting. Made for a really great coda to the week.

Lots of fun stories, so I'll save them for when you and I are sitting next to cold ones.

I'm off to catch up on work.

Haiku2 for enderspawn
calm nerves i do ask things like 'what format are we playing next'
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Created by Grahame

Isn't that so awesome?

Haiku2 for enderspawn
change the more things change the more i grow the more i watch the less i know
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Created by Grahame

WOW!

Haiku2 for enderspawn
saw some level 4 io prov today i got the stuff to fix it
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Created by Grahame

MY BRAINS ARE MELTING!!

Haiku2 for enderspawn
i'm back in a groove versus hitting against a glass ceiling same drill
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Created by Grahame

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHGGG!!!

I slapped my forehead. Sometimes I don't think with numbers. The Basketball Team started with like 11 people and has quickly whittled down to (I think) 5. It's a shame because there aren't any weak spots in the group. Just shedding cool peoples. And I was mad just now because at our show Friday I could've done a sendoff not unlike Coldtowne's sendoffs.

But then again, didn't Jimmy do an amazing thing at the top of the show? He sure did. Ultimate needs its own signature sendoff.

Will Midnight Society execute Stephanie at OOB this week?

I don't get stressed in Austin like I do in LA. Literally, there is an overwhelming calm. What's up with that?

I wish I wish I could make goodbye-prov as amazingly awesome as it was for me. Sendoffs with much love are amazing.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Here's looking at you, kid.

Coldtowne types - Katie Knighten is in season 2 of FNL!

I have a problem. I have a profound love of a few video game-related podcasts, yet no one who would appreciate them as I do (or so I think) because everyone will be like 'video games are boring'. I'm just gonna have to talk about them anyways and you may give them a try at your leisure. Both are 100% not safe for work.

1Up Yours - 1up's flagship podcast is full of snarky back-and-forth talk radio arguing. It's not as good as it was, but it's easy to listen to if you're into the industry like I am. The E3 2006 podcast was a real high water mark, if podcasts are capable of having water marks. The unique personalities of the key group allows for enjoyable interaction, like with any good talk show.

GFW Radio - 'the Brodeo'. The regulars on the podcast are all interesting, smart people, and the podcast often evolves into much larger discussions ridiculing internet culture, PC gaming culture, and out into bigger discussions about society. Sometimes Shawn Elliott will just start telling a story of some of whatever schadenfreude he's up to that week. They have another segment where one of the interns talks about his burgeoning relationship with a girl who works at a Gamestop. As in improv, the really good stuff is when people are talking and playing with each other honestly. The 8/8/08 podcast's first 40 minutes sum up what's great about this one. Very mid-brow.

I used to really like Gamespot's podcast before Jeff Gerstmann got fired. When he was the second in command to the host he'd say some of the most bizarre shit...

"I think Triple H should be in the next Mega Man game, because that would be rude."

"I made dudes what look like the Dragonball Z characters."

I think part of the problem is that the guys in these podcasts are the only dudes I can think of that are steeped in hardcore nerd culture but still manage to be well adjusted. Besides myself and maybe like one other person.

Nerdy cashier girl at the Whole Foods? Totally have a crush on her.

le sigh

I just looked up three exhaustive articles on writing short films, looking for something to guide me. Silly me. I should know better. There aren't any. I'm tired of wading through explanations. I'm tired of figuring things out. The more I learn the less I know. The more I watch the less I play. All that matters I've already got, or will find through the work. Knowledge is useless. Experience is everything.

http://www.destructoid.com/gaygamer-asks-do-you-manscape-and-the-answer-is-a-resounding-yes-99095.phtml

Hilarious. Once again, the real fun of visiting gamer sites is the people and the culture. Not the games. God bless 1UP radio and their wacky people telling the truth.

Also, best comment ever:

One guy: I shaved a Jackson Pollack into my pubes.

Response: So you don't shave at all Cobra.


SEE WHAT I DID THERE?
IT'S BECAUSE MOST JACKSON POLLACK ART LOOKS LIKE A HAIRY MESS!
AHAHAH I'M FUNNY!

---

Saw some level 4 iO prov today. I hope you don't think of me as overly critical, Ashley. I saw you taking notes after all. :)

Lots of bad news stuff, hot shotting, steamrolling, a dead fetus (for shame!), denials, experienced pros flashing moments of brilliance and providing outs, and one new girl who was trying her best to be real and have a nice solid scene. I went up to her afterward and told her she was doing great. She really was. You can see real work all the more clearly amidst a bunch of improv voices and presentationalism. One dude hovered between being a little funny and me wanting to kick him.

In their defense, that was many folks' first shows.

Being real, being authentic, is absolutely the key. You could see it in the way the more experienced players played. Sure, they had gag walk-ons and tap outs, but the reason they were funny were the little hints of emotion in their voice. Disappointment, frustration, fear, etc. etc. It all makes me think about, yes, the work at Ultimate, and how it all fits into the lexicon. I think Ultimate's work still holds up really well.

And yes, I do. Though not to the extent of a bronzed, chiseled bodybuilder.