Day 242: Branigan

Before the 192b midterm, Edward Branigan's Puzzle Film class was watching The Sixth Sense. But they weren't just watching the film... they were experiencing Branigan. 

Branigan is considered a legend at UCSB if you are a film student. He is kinda crazy. Branigan yells during his lectures and give off that mad scientist vibe in which there really is a thin line between genius and insanity. I guess during this class, to emphasize the importance of red, he wore a red tie. Then halfway through the lecture he wanted to suggest its importance even more so he pulled out another red tie and put it on. 

I have never had a class with him but I think I may sit in on a couple just to see the man teach. I'll probably bring some popcorn.

Day 241: The Phone

Meet the antagonist of Elixir. Recently I have been using objects as characters in some projects I have been working on. Sometimes they are better than people because they symbolize so much more than just an object but an idea behind it. The phone represents authority and an infinite attachment to the outside world. The red light makes it even more threatening.

Day 240: The Buchanon Dungeon

As the porn T.A., I sometimes have to go into the middle part of the Buchanon building. For four years I have seen teachers come in and out of the catacombs and have wondered what it looks like in there. Now I know and let me tell you... it is awesome.

There is an entire room of projectors and lights and stuff. At first I thought they were broken and it was an electronic graveyard but they seemed to be in working order. Kinda eerie.

Day 239: Wrapped on Elixir

After two long days, Elixir's principal photography is over. I had a great time and can't wait to see the footage.

These are some of the props that survived the shoot. Most of them did not.

Also got some blood on the Reyn Spooner.

Day 237: ELIXIR

Today was the first day of principal photography for Elixir. It could not have gone better. The laboratory/basement came together perfectly and Brainard's performance was spot on. 

Here is a teaser picture before the album gets put up online.

Day 236: Rick Rosen

Rick Rosen came to speak at 54 today. He is a huge Hollywood agent who represents Conan O'Brien and Larry King. A couple years ago he helped merge Endeavor (created by him) with William Morrison and become WME, one of the top three agencies.

A few students, including myself, got to sit down and ask him some questions. One of the best parts about being important is you can be late everywhere... and its OK.

Day 235: Keg at '95

Took this picture at 4am after a successful submission of Frayed to the Sony contest. Cory did a great job color correcting.

Slept in for a little and then went to class. When  came back, we had a visitor in our shower. Doug, who works at Hollister Brewing Company as a Brewer, brought home a delicious keg of a dark ale hybrid.

Keg Stand + Urinating = A Kegpiss.

It was the greatest keg I have ever tasted.

Day 234/420

Day 233: Film Delivery

The 16mm film for Elixir came today and it felt great to open it to say the least. At 1600 feet this is the most film I have ever boughten and we are going to tear it up this weekend.

It came in this little purse/bag, so you know its legit.

Day 232: Identity Fraud?

Since I am about to graduate there has been a lot of mail from credit card companies trying to convinve me that they are the right choice. But I think Citibank has convinced me with this envelope. If they can spell my name,  W.D. Smithaddison, then they will for sure be able to handle my finances.

Day 231: Casting

Part of our busy Elixir weekend consisted of driving down to L.A. and have a casting call. We rented out this  place called Elephant Theatre near Korea town. Kyle and I needed to find a wife/mother and son for the project and the day could not have gone any better.

We got their at like 10am and our first actress got there at like 9:55am. The theatre guy was late so we had to have her audition in the lobby which was very awkward, but Vickie was perfect. At around 10:30 this kid named Maxwell showed up and blew Kyle and I away. He was like a smaller version of Justin Beiber and had a great attitude.

Since the first two people we saw were awesome (and available to shoot on Easter), we left like four hours early from the casting call and had some dank Korean buffet. I will go there many more times.

Day 230: Garage Sailing

Allison, Kyle, and I went garage sailing today and found a bunch of sick stuff for Elixir. At one guys "life sale" I found this Coca Cola antique. Had to have it.

Day 229: Greatest Piece of Production Equipment of All Time.

For this Sony contest we are being judged 25% on Cinematography and 25% on "Best Use of Camera/Equipment". So they basically should have just said 50% judged on cinematography. But since my piece takes place in one location and one actor (kinda like 127 Hours but 3 minutes long), I really needed to get creative with some of my shots.

I wanted to get some shots from underground as the main character, Eric, digs down into the sand. I thought about getting a piece of glass or a window and then it hit me. An aquarium! I looked on craigslist and found one for $10 and let me tell you it was the best $10 I have ever spent. It perfectly protects the camera from sand and salt water. since it worked so well on one shot, we came up with 3 or 4 other shots that came out even better!

The best part about film making is figuring out how to create the illusion. And when you can do it for almost nothing, that truly is No Money Necessary. 

Day 228: Rob Gym

As a videographer for Rec Sports, we had to make a video for the Rec Sports referendum which includes repairing Rob Gym. We shot their tonight and I saw, for the first time, the gymnastics room. It was pretty fucking cool. Some future Gauchos were tumblin'.

Day 227: Not On My Side

Joe wrote out "Time" all over my chalkboard for our kickstarter video to show how a a production manager handles the P.A.s. But now the chalkboard is in my room and I see it everyday. It reminds me of how little time I have left here at UCSB and how busy these next couple weeks are gonna be with the Sony Contest, Elixir, and our top secret project... codename: Applesauce.

Day 226: Primero Examen

I have never gotten an A in Spanish before. It helps to take Spanish 3 four times I guess (I had to spell out four because 3 4 is confusing.

Day 225: wsi

Tonight was my last ever grab-a-date. At least that's what Sarah said. The theme was matching so Sarah went as a celebrity and I was her bodyguard. I grabbed my Windsor Security and Investigations jacket that I got for $2.00 at good will. People thought I was a cop. Great costume.

Day 224: Silent Heart Extra

Tonight I headed over to Lotte Lehman to be an extra in Ryan Turner's Silent Heart. It was fun being on the other side of film making and not having to stress. I look forward to seeing this film at Reel Loud along with the orchestral accompaniment. 

Eddie and I got in on the "celebrity shot". Get it?

This is Orlando's Enrique Iglesias pose. He can be your hero.

Day 223: The SONY PMW-EX3

I felt like Sid in Toy Story when his toy rocket came in the mail... "IT CAME!" This sony contest that I made the top ten in sent me this camera. It is valued at $10,000 and is by far the most expensive thing I have ever received in the mail. Although it has to be sent back, I look forward to shooting many things on it while I have it.

Oh, and I cuckooned the fuck out of Sarah.

Caught Brian having one apparently awesome dream. Get Wet.

Day 222: Kickstarter

My Elixir crew and I made an awesome video today to help raise some funds. It was a one shot video that lasts around 5 minutes. Surprisingly, it only took 4 takes and we organized it in less than an hour. Can't wait to work with the crew again... for reals this time.

The video can be found here. Donte some funds!!!

I'd say the squib worked...

Day 221: Never Stop Hasslin'

Even the Spanish teaching cops are dicks. Look at that smile.

Day 220: Gift Cert to Silvergreens

Not a big fan of Silvergreens and their Orjanic food but if you give me a $10 gift certificate I will buy $12 there so I never have to go there again. The steak avo sandwich was good though.

 

Day 219: Lazy But Good Picture

I just read this Canon ad that says "I gaze at the sunset with the woman I love and think F8 at 1/250" I thought it was hilarious. Thanks Brian

Day 218: Blowin' Smoke

Today someone blew smoke between the rays of light cast by the blinders and I thought it looked cool. I tried to get a good picture of the separation of light but it looked way cooler in person. I'll try again soon.

Day 217: Tom's Tat and Wrestlemania XXVII

Tom got a tattoo because of his nickname "Tomato Man". It is one of the dopest and most original tattoos I have ever seen. Mad props.

"Fresh off the vine since '89"

Spencer bought Wrestlemania today for $59.99 simply because The Rock was the host... and fuck am I glad he did. I felt 12 all over again. Stone Cold came out on an ATV and Stone Cold Stunnered three different people before chugging multiple beers, The Big Show and Kane fought in a 4 on 4 double tag team match that lasted three minutes, The Undertaker fought Triple H and is still undefeated at Wrestlemania with a 19-0 record (he had to get paramediced out), Snooki did a double back spring to win a tag team match, and The Rock shit on everyone (especially John Cena and The Mix). He said all of his key phrases like "candy asses", "jabronies", and the most famous catch phrase in the entire world (according to The Rock) "Do you smelllllllelelelelelelelelelelelellllllllll what The Rock is cookin'!" We got hammered and had a great time.