tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15487970308615465942024-02-19T01:55:42.736-05:00Wingin' It ProductionsWingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-12868840074648591652015-10-06T15:48:00.000-04:002015-10-06T15:48:52.907-04:00Moving On...<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rock and a Hard Place</i> was a passion project that taught me so much about filmmaking. That's a huge positive. However, the film has struggled to find a home. My last festival submission didn't end the way I'd hoped.</span><br />
<br />
The <i>Hamilton Film Festival</i> turned down <i>Rock and a Hard Place</i>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Audio was really, really low on this and wouldn't hold up against the other films. Good performances though.</i></blockquote>
I know exactly what they're referring to. The audio was a serious issue on this film. It was low in places, not in the entire film, but that was enough to hurt its chances for festival inclusion.<br />
<br />
I've put a lot of energy and money into festival submissions with no positive results so, <span style="font-size: small;">I'm releasing it into the wild. </span>It's been a long road and the film needs to be set free in order for me to move on to my next film. I'll take what I've learned and apply it to all of my future projects.<br />
<br />
To everyone involved on the film, from cast and crew to all of our crowdfunding contributors, thank you so much for everything. This film would not exist without you.<br />
<br />
Ladies and gentlemen, that's a wrap!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7tzTYuBYa94?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-13325329431987671142015-08-06T03:24:00.000-04:002015-08-06T14:35:28.196-04:00What I Learned On My First Long Short<style>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I used that
oxymoron on purpose since my last short, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rock
and a Hard Place</i>, was the longest and most technical of my films thus far. To
steal from Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
Though I’d rather start with the negatives and end on the positives. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Make sure everyone knows his or her role</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I wanted to up
my game with this film and went so far as to launch a crowdfunding campaign to
at least offer participants a stipend. I’ll get to that campaign in a bit but
first I have to tackle what caused me a lot of difficulty. My DP on this
project wanted to be a director, whether he is conscious of it or not. The role
of a Director of Photography is to give the director the shot that’s needed.
Yes, there is always room for discussion, preferably a bit more than, “That’ll
look like shit.” A good director will use the talents of those around him or
her; they’d be stupid not to. However, a clearly defined role allows the
director to direct and not worry about how the shot will be set up – he needs
to trust the DP to do that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1fz48IJG8lQBrhDBVzuOIvI53qsKi7r4pxcnqSxhqcbM9J0w9eLV5eXjEy_la2QT9sviRV9XMHG5H7TULmzVwMTWSiWgQ_CXl6iLVluum87GEORC_8M7BTabYLRE4Rx0LF0XXGMOcj4/s1600/DSCF0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1fz48IJG8lQBrhDBVzuOIvI53qsKi7r4pxcnqSxhqcbM9J0w9eLV5eXjEy_la2QT9sviRV9XMHG5H7TULmzVwMTWSiWgQ_CXl6iLVluum87GEORC_8M7BTabYLRE4Rx0LF0XXGMOcj4/s320/DSCF0748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">If the DP hasn’t
even read the script, well, you’ve got a really big problem. There is no excuse
to come on set unprepared. Every actor knew their lines and through my direction
and some discussion, nailed their scenes. So much time was lost on discussions
about what a scene was to look like. I put a shot list together that was
completely ignored. A Director of Photography is NOT a cameraman; he is the
person in charge of setting up the shots. If a shot is going to look like shit,
it’s because the DP can’t do it right or at all. I gave in too many times
because it was wasting so much time to argue. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Know your role
and clearly define the role of every single person on set. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Everyone has a process</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Try to recognize
your talents’ processes quickly so you can accommodate everyone’s way of doing
things. Since this was my first production with several actors, all having key
moments in the story, I felt overwhelmed at times with overlapping processes. Even
professionals have feelings and I felt comfortable dealing with situations that
arose. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Shit happens</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Equipment
breaks. Pieces of equipment are missing. People get stuck in traffic on the way
to the shoot. These are all expected to happen. In fact, count on them
happening. They’re inevitable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">However, when
you break to hear what the sound quality has been for an entire day and it is,
to put it mildly, terrible, then you’ve got a major problem. This was 100% my
fault. The sound engineer was happy with sound but somewhere between recording
and downloading it turned ugly – very ugly. I ran out of funds and had to
contend with fixing the audio on my own. This will never happen again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxro6kOPeoxKT6EFlh1_6rEH_rgkJZon-LZeeijgHSphpw9L9RYiC00BxvmZNHmsmIeU8t-rfWTkcJsDTWXORO8cGPA-G3NSXXmNOD1CjxaFUWOsrlC0__hAorW3eKZkgsuHuqpvopWs/s1600/DSCF0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxro6kOPeoxKT6EFlh1_6rEH_rgkJZon-LZeeijgHSphpw9L9RYiC00BxvmZNHmsmIeU8t-rfWTkcJsDTWXORO8cGPA-G3NSXXmNOD1CjxaFUWOsrlC0__hAorW3eKZkgsuHuqpvopWs/s320/DSCF0733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stacey Iseman and Ian O'Neill</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Checking out footage</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Check
everything. Then check it again. Make sure to build in extra set up time at the
beginning of each day so that you can catch these snafus early. The sound issue
could have been avoided had I done a test shot and sound check ported to a
laptop before rolling cameras and sound. Big lesson learned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Agree to disagree and move on </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Everyone wants
to direct but more importantly, everyone has an opinion. As the director you
must listen to everyone about ideas they have regarding their responsibilities.
If an actor wants to share an idea, listen. However, once you’ve made a
decision, move the production forward. It is not wise to linger over such
things. Remember your shooting schedule – people have to be other places.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilji_jUAT4bT8ax_54TGeEbDngEkMLaBAMgZkGODPzwKhXnPO0HEp6iwBgF8xZuV1-Xhl2mPbx7ZFs8E7-JhtBsAVHLr8ylSRky7Jhd99pii-grI7e2tEJHGEOEZ8f5VGgEUDyrqvdtfk/s1600/Clapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilji_jUAT4bT8ax_54TGeEbDngEkMLaBAMgZkGODPzwKhXnPO0HEp6iwBgF8xZuV1-Xhl2mPbx7ZFs8E7-JhtBsAVHLr8ylSRky7Jhd99pii-grI7e2tEJHGEOEZ8f5VGgEUDyrqvdtfk/s320/Clapper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Case in point,
someone on set told me I was wasting time by telling the actors how good they
were. I listened to this person. I disagreed with this person. I continued to
give anyone…actor, sound, lighting, grips…anyone doing a good job positive
feedback. I sat alone in a room and created this story. I had characters
speaking in my head. I played out scenes in their entirety in my mind. After
witnessing these professionals use their skills to bring that story to life, I
was almost overcome with emotion. It was an incredible sight watching these
characters come to life. After watching the first heavy, dramatic scene play
out and yelling cut, I walked to my actors and hugged them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I listened to
the complaint about wasting time. I considered it, then dismissed it. I
continued to give the actors positive feedback and my thanks for great work. If
I were an actor doing a job, that would mean a lot to me. It would mean that I
was doing a good job. That’s an important message to impart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Stay calm</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzHZm0teAUxODOmiAFtFnyoc4nS93M2IdIB6vEgomFs4vSGUgUuQ2MBUmBSckf9RS9Uz8xw6ms2fgM9fVSzOZpsXH7m6q6-vfHRbEInEe9vB7ftctZpW-OqDJi1QJxYH86JCW5ONxZSQ/s1600/_MG_4612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzHZm0teAUxODOmiAFtFnyoc4nS93M2IdIB6vEgomFs4vSGUgUuQ2MBUmBSckf9RS9Uz8xw6ms2fgM9fVSzOZpsXH7m6q6-vfHRbEInEe9vB7ftctZpW-OqDJi1QJxYH86JCW5ONxZSQ/s400/_MG_4612.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">The toughest
task on the shoot was keeping my cool when things seemed to be going absolutely
wrong. I was angry, frustrated and worried. What saved the day was the people
around me. I was so dejected when I heard the sound quality that I was going to
cancel the shoot. I heard one of my actors say, “Well, we’ll do it better next
time.” What an amazing person. It was all I needed to hear to pull everything
together to get this film shot. As inevitable as it is that bad things will
happen there is an equal inevitability that those around you will rally around
you and help right the wrongs of the day. Always remember that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Think clearly</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I had options
that I did not use because I was not thinking clearly. I had a lot of people on
set that could have taken on roles in the production to clear out some negative
energy. I only thought about it after the fact. Always keep a clear head to
enable good decisions, even in the face of controversy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Get the f&$#ing budget right</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I figured out
what I needed, barebones, to make this film. I accounted for every person
receiving an honourarium even if they told me no (I’m looking at you Parr and a
few others, too) or they did not perform well or were a giant pain in my ass.
It didn’t matter. I wanted people to earn something for their time, energy and
expertise. I calculated for food and gear. Everything. Except for the cash I’d
need to take care of any crisis that arose. Yep, no emergency funds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Always have a
set amount set aside in case of emergency. Big lesson learned. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Crowdfunding is a full-time job</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I will be
writing a standalone article on this but I still felt the need to share
a bit about the subject here. I put everything I had into crowdfunding. It was
a very difficult job. Even though I’d done my homework and I was organized and
driven, raising these funds was so tiring and soul draining. I was successful
in raising the funds for this film and came away with this thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If this is what it takes to raise $2,500,
what would life be like raising $2.5M?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h6hOMOzCQxM" width="560"></iframe></i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">This was a movie set</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I was not in a
friend’s house. I was on the set of my movie. Take control of the set. It is
your set. You’ll be amazed how quickly you find your footing when you think
this way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> a
director</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The
greatest feeling during this shoot was that I carried myself as a director and
was treated as such. It was an amazing feeling knowing that these professional
actors were taking my direction and bringing the characters I’d created to
life. This truly was an amazing experience.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VFwFmSBOSsTDkv87ZN_GsO7_7UjhWnmxOoBWrfl-K3JtsV0AGWLU5U8lMs5LDHubC_5ZV80Gn9rxdw3vf1XY7TcVhGdu-B9gn5yx05Sp29adeoAhtDLn7Ln4nbTyxBAvSIxkySKoaP8/s1600/Directing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VFwFmSBOSsTDkv87ZN_GsO7_7UjhWnmxOoBWrfl-K3JtsV0AGWLU5U8lMs5LDHubC_5ZV80Gn9rxdw3vf1XY7TcVhGdu-B9gn5yx05Sp29adeoAhtDLn7Ln4nbTyxBAvSIxkySKoaP8/s640/Directing.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Have pre-shoot discussions with everyone</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">It’s amazing how
a short discussion about the character an actor is about to play can be so significant.
All the actors arrived on set prepared and it took but a little tweaking to get
the characters down. I was incredibly impressed by every single one of them.
Amazing. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Those short
discussions with crew also paid off, for the most part. During these discussions
you have to be aware of your gut feelings. If they tell you someone is going to
upset the apple cart, listen and act upon it. Your shoot will be a lot better
for it. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Be prepared</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">How can you
expect everyone else working on the film to be prepared before arriving on set
if you’re not prepared as the director. Being prepared will not nullify those
nasty inevitable gremlins from appearing, but it will help minimize them. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I went over
every aspect of the script, checked to ensure equipment rentals were on hand,
everyone had directions to the shoot, and that everyone had rides to the shoot.
I checked with actors to ensure the meals were sufficient. I knew who was
staying at the location overnight. It was a constant vigil to make certain
everything was ready.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I kept everyone
up to date with emails before the shoot. I also sent out a shooting schedule
which turned out to be a huge positive since my actors could then help me tweak
it to suit everyone’s needs. I also sent them a shooting script ahead of time.
Anything you can do to help everyone be prepared. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqixvUBacrmhXFre9UgZBGHWJPFTUYzIhi-YZmCTFXp3ejsDHECcTHAZgchTTW9nsyACrKX1cVI_KoXz9xvAGTeScw6ZKBiNAoYqa0qGK5CbszXSvzvcYOZnXabcTokCG2dEt5X3KCAUY/s1600/DSCF0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqixvUBacrmhXFre9UgZBGHWJPFTUYzIhi-YZmCTFXp3ejsDHECcTHAZgchTTW9nsyACrKX1cVI_KoXz9xvAGTeScw6ZKBiNAoYqa0qGK5CbszXSvzvcYOZnXabcTokCG2dEt5X3KCAUY/s320/DSCF0765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The information binders came in handy </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">On the day of
the shoot I handed out binders to each performer and crewmember, in which was
the shooting schedule, shot list and photos of the shooting locations
throughout the house. Again, I wanted to give them tools to help them prepare
for the shoot. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Enjoy!</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">The ‘best of
times’ were just that, the best! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_8j0ygWFTmuMoT2JoUgIWIY4XAB5WQapEUVWB2hDRZoHchdk2HJhNIuv6wuRpFBkdGKr2DEDVg-2GbF-uWnf7XJfGEoSxSnHte1vjbJhQmJ0nSy3-65csA2rP8iQgT7UafApw0YSyzU/s1600/DSCF0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_8j0ygWFTmuMoT2JoUgIWIY4XAB5WQapEUVWB2hDRZoHchdk2HJhNIuv6wuRpFBkdGKr2DEDVg-2GbF-uWnf7XJfGEoSxSnHte1vjbJhQmJ0nSy3-65csA2rP8iQgT7UafApw0YSyzU/s320/DSCF0791.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I find it
difficult to describe how it feels to be surrounded by people so willing to
give their all for something that I envisioned. Remember, I wrote <i>Rock and a
Hard Place</i> in isolation, characters and scenes going off in my head. Going from
that to the set was such a thrill. I’m smiling right now just thinking back on
it. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">My friends gave
up their home for two days so that I could film RAAHP. It was an extraordinary
gesture that I’m sure they’re still reeling from. Friends jumped in as grips to
do pretty much anything I asked of them. You just don’t know how good you’ve
got it until you see friends grabbing a quick power-nap before I need them to
do something else. They worked so hard for me and I cannot thank them enough. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwhbynZ_VgV4DSzMjM-QI91peJhL8Fpp_olkM-0QeQuj_WK6RyWMxFemQrXuKz_2jqTZKX_PPx_QKOOeE75UKsR8kPcy0YKaPnmQpnpi7J-Ij2u0TLHBkHbS9nzZD5JKvVkZ6d-Cq79c/s1600/DSCF0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwhbynZ_VgV4DSzMjM-QI91peJhL8Fpp_olkM-0QeQuj_WK6RyWMxFemQrXuKz_2jqTZKX_PPx_QKOOeE75UKsR8kPcy0YKaPnmQpnpi7J-Ij2u0TLHBkHbS9nzZD5JKvVkZ6d-Cq79c/s320/DSCF0762.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I met new people
who just blew me away with their talents and levels of commitment. Every actor
on this set was stellar! I’d work with them again in a second. I learned from
them and for that I can’t even begin to thank them. Biggest lesson I learned is
that of collaboration. A movie shoot is nothing without collaboration. This was
a great lesson that I’ll take with me to every project in the future. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I laughed. So
did everyone else. In the midst of chaos we all had so much fun. Bloopers are
the best. Now I know why they’re included on special features. Love them. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2mFHLXPafI" width="560"></iframe><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">That’s a wrap</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">One of the
coolest, most thrilling moments on this film was when I said to the entire set,
“Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a wrap.” Cheers and applause arose from the set
and I remember feeling so good at that moment. I now know what it was I was
feeling. Pride. I was so proud of everyone. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Wow</span></b>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">I may have
bumped heads with my DP along the way but I have to say that the film looks
amazing! I still cringe at missing so many shots and angles, but what we got
looked great. The movie has a look and feel to it that lends itself to the
genre of thriller. I worked my ass off on the sound and though it isn’t
perfect, it’ll do. The end result is a film that I am proud of. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hEs0IHh6YN4" width="560"></iframe> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Chomping at the
bit for my next film. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Stay tuned.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;">The Best Actors in the Biz!</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWLQCrwD4f0oZTzoCSEiJvLhj5lD1Pc6tbsvEntrXY-bMmRgdhFDF_pnsjw_m-BG6vtLn0xbdtWZDqVeOMoOBh1ymLpUh9QcLISkCjgUGKmY3wi2c1zRs9mo1xar9AmZDdajrmvtUBZo/s1600/Image+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWLQCrwD4f0oZTzoCSEiJvLhj5lD1Pc6tbsvEntrXY-bMmRgdhFDF_pnsjw_m-BG6vtLn0xbdtWZDqVeOMoOBh1ymLpUh9QcLISkCjgUGKmY3wi2c1zRs9mo1xar9AmZDdajrmvtUBZo/s320/Image+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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Peter Campbell<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwClPUeWDVoKwhhs36h2Jd8UqTldf1ynnYQLkVIIb3KOhC8ICDYuQxWEFb7H_vsu8Q4ztgJCWbjtIIcu8ga2rZS64jWmNr_SS4Ko44YwbJUQukYUlo4_ewouS57fvezv0_BkY-U6AwExM/s1600/Image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwClPUeWDVoKwhhs36h2Jd8UqTldf1ynnYQLkVIIb3KOhC8ICDYuQxWEFb7H_vsu8Q4ztgJCWbjtIIcu8ga2rZS64jWmNr_SS4Ko44YwbJUQukYUlo4_ewouS57fvezv0_BkY-U6AwExM/s320/Image.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stacey Iseman</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5SOKXdEPztnAouzh7rbcFI6FSnWJBE3MxKPkjPC2ibdBeGdmDVzMAIqvKUhNJ9aSswM_L6LgK0lj3D0rNUnDq5VT2NooeTI-0puWppOWanwCGlzeO3AIJOX3S7OR4h4jcXLikTR5Sec/s1600/Image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5SOKXdEPztnAouzh7rbcFI6FSnWJBE3MxKPkjPC2ibdBeGdmDVzMAIqvKUhNJ9aSswM_L6LgK0lj3D0rNUnDq5VT2NooeTI-0puWppOWanwCGlzeO3AIJOX3S7OR4h4jcXLikTR5Sec/s320/Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vincent Marciano</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYjGpDCGqswquuHHiEU0Gtgp4pXY8bDLpora1K-R8keDaB0R59DQLCiWVbVRJ6lgaLZnxDAqA7HPXTkvQrQyzuSBq58Utv7NPT6PqqjhkU3W8dMfizHthkeShb2lO_HOPceA9sP_zDo4/s1600/Image+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYjGpDCGqswquuHHiEU0Gtgp4pXY8bDLpora1K-R8keDaB0R59DQLCiWVbVRJ6lgaLZnxDAqA7HPXTkvQrQyzuSBq58Utv7NPT6PqqjhkU3W8dMfizHthkeShb2lO_HOPceA9sP_zDo4/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aieron Munro</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROe-i3mcjgN4PaGKZ1tsQYd4501gRWEwqG44IxqyhGAU_m7qcX3JxaW-WB0bKHOWC8xkZWVcGkFRK8ALBJKSDBS2388VaOUes20zmwfnISEiwfAThi2okkJs5F7pHXG08mKgeuE_gYcE/s1600/Tyler+Parr_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROe-i3mcjgN4PaGKZ1tsQYd4501gRWEwqG44IxqyhGAU_m7qcX3JxaW-WB0bKHOWC8xkZWVcGkFRK8ALBJKSDBS2388VaOUes20zmwfnISEiwfAThi2okkJs5F7pHXG08mKgeuE_gYcE/s320/Tyler+Parr_2.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tyler Parr</div>
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Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-9953862275447177222015-04-25T15:46:00.002-04:002015-04-25T15:46:34.049-04:00Rock and a Hard Place Trailer<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hEs0IHh6YN4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-26038598833919791852014-03-14T22:28:00.001-04:002014-03-14T22:28:14.123-04:00Rock and a Hard Place Needs Your Help<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/h6hOMOzCQxM" width="480"></iframe>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-6181416027296215022013-07-02T14:27:00.000-04:002013-07-02T15:18:28.243-04:00What I Learned On Short Film #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
the fun and success of my first short film, <a href="http://youtu.be/vzqVz3taFKY"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Birthday, You’re a Zombie</i></a>, I threw myself into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Upon Reflection</i>, a longer and more technical film.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HKCKCU1TnqY" width="640"></iframe> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
idea for this film came from a tutorial I watched on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGZ0LgTmAJn9Banetdr_ZFg"><i>Indy Mogul</i></a> about shooting
a subject and their mirror reflection at different times then marrying them
together; gives the illusion of two distinct subjects. The effect looked really
cool so, I started feverishly writing notes and plotting and staring out the
window until <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Upon Reflection</i> was
born. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
with my first attempt behind the camera, there was a score of lessons to be
learned in the making of this, my second short film. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
was happy that everyone to whom I showed the script was impressed by it. This
experience drove home that my wheelhouse is writing; I’m sure I’ve surpassed
Gladwell’s supposed 10,000 hours of performance/practice. Even so, I have
always maintained that writing is a craft <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i>
mastered so, consider my 10,000 hours extended to unlimited. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUvJreezrOlNIEkUzj41x24rZXxdCakv7cD-7-jEitocDjNhOvMBDhVBnNcz1i-IB70q6l6BWG8dp-2utdUiEIa5mzfUiCXDYmXdUstnzIRgh-htSC_YWSr0LMYZ0ahGIH12v39-FJ2g/s1600/_DSC3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUvJreezrOlNIEkUzj41x24rZXxdCakv7cD-7-jEitocDjNhOvMBDhVBnNcz1i-IB70q6l6BWG8dp-2utdUiEIa5mzfUiCXDYmXdUstnzIRgh-htSC_YWSr0LMYZ0ahGIH12v39-FJ2g/s640/_DSC3160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen Dance pours while Peter Campbell watches. A view of the high-tech equipment used on the shoot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
attempt had me reaching out to actors, people who have been in stage or film
productions before and it was clear that not everyone is at my ‘no budget’
level. Many of the actors I approached either had scheduling problems or were
no longer working ‘gratis’. It was the best thing that could have happened
because I ended up asking Peter Campbell, who originally was to play the lead
detective, to take the lead of the man and his reflection. He was amazing! As
were all of my performers. That is a certainty to which I will always cling;
actors act – and they’re damned good at what they do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
made the mistake of falling in love with certain locations and shots. I saw a
large bathroom for the main scene and searched high and low for it. There was
nothing available without taking the route of permits, insurance and paperwork.
I stuck with that vision far too long which delayed the shoot for months; that
and the lack of a committed actor for the lead. I also saw a crane/jib shot in
the production and no matter how I tried to figure out a way to do it – rent or
DIY – I couldn’t justify the cost. Still, I hung on to that shot and it cost me
something more precious than money – it cost me time. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoyG5CEPM041tyGskqoZoYwVxTnPxs1p-My8QQFwkqIqvI_jY4jjm13VyEgL_OLhDnvYRhATdhjFDdc1YaxniFSQh1pv4D4edBSIxB1UBswNaL-w3NVYpDsdXOIERJ0xuOyqHuYyBSAM/s1600/_DSC3130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoyG5CEPM041tyGskqoZoYwVxTnPxs1p-My8QQFwkqIqvI_jY4jjm13VyEgL_OLhDnvYRhATdhjFDdc1YaxniFSQh1pv4D4edBSIxB1UBswNaL-w3NVYpDsdXOIERJ0xuOyqHuYyBSAM/s320/_DSC3130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen Dance prepares to add the blood effects to Peter Campbell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
I ever again fall in love with a shot, I’ll make sure the calculation is done more
rapidly; either find a way to shoot it or quickly move on to an alternative. Hell,
I’d cut out shots before I’d stall myself like that again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
lost control of my shoot. Before shoot day I finalize the script then create a
shot list (I’m not a storyboard kind of guy). I stick to my shot list like a
lifeline, that is, I did, until this shoot. I was challenged about many things,
not the least of which was actor motivations. I saw this as a simple script to
screen jump but I failed to see it from an actor’s point of view. That is one
of the most important lessons I learned on the set of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Upon Reflection</i>; every actor needs to know what happened to their
character leading up to any shot. I answered many questions I hadn’t considered
while writing the script. To be candid, it threw me. I wasn’t prepared to be
peppered with characterization questions. Time was fleeting and my shot list
was abandoned in order to get the shoot completed on time. </span></div>
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</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdrhx0JW8k3wVd6TbNbAk4nELGQyAY7wWIBAk3Yc0a9zCyp4Wa_yBEW8XX_4IINQXsEdRyduiOVSmjzqP8CeNdeU4jRmctPlQ4LR3qF2Xmf5lgOvPcH_tz8uXFcziYsgHGkj5scm_GkQ/s1600/_DSC3148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdrhx0JW8k3wVd6TbNbAk4nELGQyAY7wWIBAk3Yc0a9zCyp4Wa_yBEW8XX_4IINQXsEdRyduiOVSmjzqP8CeNdeU4jRmctPlQ4LR3qF2Xmf5lgOvPcH_tz8uXFcziYsgHGkj5scm_GkQ/s400/_DSC3148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I give some instructions to my two detectives, Sandy Morrison and Jane Pokou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That
was a mistake. A very big mistake. I failed to complete many shots and that
left me scrambling in post to make up for them. There were places that needed
close ups, one shots of a two shot conversation, blank spaces that were
absolutely critical for the effects I needed – missed because I wasn’t prepared
for what wasn’t written on the page. That will never happen again because every
shoot from this day forward will start with a table read; a gathering of the
actors to sit and go through the script so they can ask any questions they have
before we get on set. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
keeping with my budgetary restraints, I wore many hats in the making of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Upon Reflection</i>: writer, director,
cinematographer, camera operator, sound, lighting, props, continuity and
editor. That was the biggest mistake of all, taking on so many roles that I
couldn’t give them my full attention. My goal is to direct a feature that I’ve
written. To do that, my focus has to be on the writing and directing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Upon Reflection</i> was written to push me
on both of those fronts but fell short because I took on too much
responsibility. So, if you’re reading this and are looking to gain experience
in lighting, cinematography, camera work, editing…anything other than writing
and directing, then stay tuned for word on my next project. Trust me, if you
work for food, I’ll be needing you.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNun6SoOPl4yCWG1Ri645VLIUZvrSV_N_Ea_P61yRPivYuvan_6xDcU7sSg7ureQS3otUqqv2LQZVMrXc8-O7tPQZ1geBYzou7Mk6UEXaWpQdEOrxeHFtLoyu3zI1zHj3S47u0xi_S3PA/s1600/_DSC3191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNun6SoOPl4yCWG1Ri645VLIUZvrSV_N_Ea_P61yRPivYuvan_6xDcU7sSg7ureQS3otUqqv2LQZVMrXc8-O7tPQZ1geBYzou7Mk6UEXaWpQdEOrxeHFtLoyu3zI1zHj3S47u0xi_S3PA/s640/_DSC3191.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Peter had to endure the sun and a photo bombing from Sandy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
lucked out on this film and was able to meet some new, talented people, Peter
Campbell and Jane Pokou, who I hope to work with again. And, I was able to call
on friends who’ve worked with me before and who did a tremendous job for me. Laura
Marks continues to impress me with her acting. Karen Dance is an amazing makeup
artist and I highly recommend her for any film. If not for Tony and Raquel
Heayn, continuity would be terrible and I would have no stills of the
production. They also helped set up all my sets. My wife not only acted in this
film, she helped in so many ways. A great big thank you to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyone</i> for all their help. I hope we can all work together again,
soon. And, I know that I will learn just as much from my next project. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8PltT6bmB7u3jef5k6ldw34FEiLlCAcISu9VIzbGFIIy3fdQ2iyx0sUJ1TALBp2aN-fU-0a9Nofr4BsgpaVmtGwT_Co7LAowIVxXBI6AjguGVUGmKoFZg93BRUrC3o03_LhxOqVavis/s1600/_DSC3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8PltT6bmB7u3jef5k6ldw34FEiLlCAcISu9VIzbGFIIy3fdQ2iyx0sUJ1TALBp2aN-fU-0a9Nofr4BsgpaVmtGwT_Co7LAowIVxXBI6AjguGVUGmKoFZg93BRUrC3o03_LhxOqVavis/s400/_DSC3172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen really does love what she does!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins8UXZrgnGcRBHeD30Hqb1r_zx04jHOWv4eNoTO0tEltVYR_7OVvqpRab_kTMglV2LZioCA8wlntqlK3dfmQDnVfPt9vvQzdOjfihwAc69VF_em2lgiEKNX_4mxiIzLZDjca9SsLAXGE/s1600/_DSC3194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins8UXZrgnGcRBHeD30Hqb1r_zx04jHOWv4eNoTO0tEltVYR_7OVvqpRab_kTMglV2LZioCA8wlntqlK3dfmQDnVfPt9vvQzdOjfihwAc69VF_em2lgiEKNX_4mxiIzLZDjca9SsLAXGE/s400/_DSC3194.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy checking out Karen's excellent effects.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LnM7-s3eaSrLCScMwi0PfVaAE6YR0E45rrpUha_vYAKTaNwFHVmw0Lw6-RIgGe0nhqVYvfn1ZOQYC3IAUoL-_Hj6jloLvPb35_VWLEOVhhnSyZ5Tdi6P2kDLb_41wc0K3dowZfZ0yD4/s1600/_DSC3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LnM7-s3eaSrLCScMwi0PfVaAE6YR0E45rrpUha_vYAKTaNwFHVmw0Lw6-RIgGe0nhqVYvfn1ZOQYC3IAUoL-_Hj6jloLvPb35_VWLEOVhhnSyZ5Tdi6P2kDLb_41wc0K3dowZfZ0yD4/s400/_DSC3192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how Laura Marks studies her lines - on a smartphone. Very smart!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1MUMHqMSXQtMU99xAlEtj_SYna22y2AAhd2ZoJOe-M2ioP4fO4mpvI9rowlPoxXwEcbLj7leg9U7j9YWccoD3IfHzOYvQrtg4Iq6TDzZ8GffVm9Y5ly_1YmFRnlHV8h2tbtCjJGHMv0/s1600/_DSC3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1MUMHqMSXQtMU99xAlEtj_SYna22y2AAhd2ZoJOe-M2ioP4fO4mpvI9rowlPoxXwEcbLj7leg9U7j9YWccoD3IfHzOYvQrtg4Iq6TDzZ8GffVm9Y5ly_1YmFRnlHV8h2tbtCjJGHMv0/s400/_DSC3183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony Heayn looks on, ready to pounce into action for continuity, set up or breakdown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-78261414949306806262012-10-20T14:08:00.001-04:002018-07-06T20:58:39.586-04:00What I Learned On My First Short Film<style>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve
been shooting as much of everything as I can. It’s one thing to shoot your
tree being removed, some birds at the park or the dogs playing in the yard,
it’s a completely new experience to write, direct, shoot and edit your own
short film. Though I learned a lot from the 24 hour film challenge I entered
last year, I’m not considering that my first short film. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Birthday, You’re a Zombie</i> is my first short and it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> short; just over one and a half
minutes long. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vzqVz3taFKY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vzqVz3taFKY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
most important thing I learned shooting this short is that I have a lot more to
learn. A lot more! Though I’m well versed at screenwriting, I’m as green as
they come behind the camera and as a director. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
friends and family are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">priceless</i>!
When they committed to help then showed up on time and ready to go, it was the
greatest feeling in the world. It gave me confidence and it let me know that
these truly were people who wanted to be there. They wanted to help, to be a
part of what I was trying to do. It inspired me to do my very best. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriDdobieS9hM5OrBOzYCnG97A_NrTLPHvrjm-LHLuS1QC5y4nweW3MH6q4jeq9Vbln6Gi8hEd0cxMJh1L-eh9LimOQauWpeZxJbWj4ZyZJgax9_qHJU7RrS_RB-i_uUrsJjHGxcUxyiI/s1600/DSC_2124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriDdobieS9hM5OrBOzYCnG97A_NrTLPHvrjm-LHLuS1QC5y4nweW3MH6q4jeq9Vbln6Gi8hEd0cxMJh1L-eh9LimOQauWpeZxJbWj4ZyZJgax9_qHJU7RrS_RB-i_uUrsJjHGxcUxyiI/s320/DSC_2124.jpg" width="216" /></a><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My wife is a Saint. She filled so many roles on set that I should have credited her as not only the zombie, but wardrobe, makeup, props master, candle wrangler and a heck of a lot more. I could not have completed this film without her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lighting
is the bane of a filmmaker’s existence. Therefore, lighting is now the bane of
my existence. I’ve been a photographer for thirty years but learned that
shooting stills is far easier than shooting film with existing light. I shoot
in one direction using settings gleaned from the available light and the shot
looks great. Turn the camera around to shoot in the opposite direction and the
shot looks like hell. You are constantly checking to ensure consistency in your
lighting and it is a hell of a chase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
can never have enough lighting. I MacGyvered a light that I never used, but I
was so happy that it was there just in case I needed it. I had four lights
available and I would have been comfortable, and happy, with even more.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90wXfkg4gIcPhNcCWH4iTp7mEhRPXAau9R3lvK1UkTJ1KCeaDI1yvqaArgf09Ql0Hm7O7qjhhNoG3loF2N35rYxpc9Z-y5b7Mc8CDAhusdFIflcoa8kniEs5xCUPGq16WNplQ7uz5inI/s1600/_DSC0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90wXfkg4gIcPhNcCWH4iTp7mEhRPXAau9R3lvK1UkTJ1KCeaDI1yvqaArgf09Ql0Hm7O7qjhhNoG3loF2N35rYxpc9Z-y5b7Mc8CDAhusdFIflcoa8kniEs5xCUPGq16WNplQ7uz5inI/s400/_DSC0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUZh5e3jUfqiREHe6SnWPssQB1L3i3DTzeppPQ2riqkn320Mqa1lvOgR5eqvbPn6gaV4-cqgX7nlwLaixJL5n0fxebGY5jJ7ufQFCc35GTE32v5b1PgVtIF0Y7SH-HcMy7zFaDmSbYzM/s1600/_DSC2065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUZh5e3jUfqiREHe6SnWPssQB1L3i3DTzeppPQ2riqkn320Mqa1lvOgR5eqvbPn6gaV4-cqgX7nlwLaixJL5n0fxebGY5jJ7ufQFCc35GTE32v5b1PgVtIF0Y7SH-HcMy7zFaDmSbYzM/s200/_DSC2065.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Timing
is everything. In a time when digital means you’ll never waste film, there
should never be a shot not covered. I still kick myself for not getting more
(and better) coverage of the amazing zombie makeup by <a href="http://www.kdancemakeupartistry.info/">Karen Dance</a>. I may never have
used it in the film, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t use it in a reel or that
she may have wanted some footage to use on her reel. There were a few instances
during edits that I wanted to reassemble the team and shoot just a few more
angles, a bit more footage. Something I hope to avoid on future shoots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
creativity has to extend beyond the idea, script and shooting to problem
solving. The aforementioned lights were one such dilemma. I had no budget for
lights and used a 500W halogen worklight indoors with a reflector to help extend
and/or diffuse it. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dollar Store</i>
is a lifesaver. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Home Depot</i> should be
renamed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Problem Solving Depot</i>. I
created my own dolly using two eight foot long channels laid on the ground side-by-side and used string to pull a $17 Walmart skateboard across them, the
wheels of which I swapped out for Rollerblade wheels. I was forced to think on
my feet and come up with affordable solutions to what seemed like problems only
lots of money could solve. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxMvmvfNbBtU9etViapJcZbuyazhyB8USzV64t34FyIicAE72VT0dQPQPMy0SKastC8KL-dV7IeTwlYE4nxc5B5Bmg_-eAuvO_4dMdU5FnUkw5KlwPJrxWv3MfD740QxlwCqhTbEfzAI/s1600/_DSC0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxMvmvfNbBtU9etViapJcZbuyazhyB8USzV64t34FyIicAE72VT0dQPQPMy0SKastC8KL-dV7IeTwlYE4nxc5B5Bmg_-eAuvO_4dMdU5FnUkw5KlwPJrxWv3MfD740QxlwCqhTbEfzAI/s320/_DSC0028.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
parents often said, “You’ll never get the jail for asking.” They were
right. Sometimes it’s hard to pluck up the courage and ask your friends, loved
ones and even strangers to help you with your film projects. I took my parents’
advice and asked a lot of people for help because truly, the worst thing they
could say was no. No one gets hurt. No one goes to jail. And, I’d never hold a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>grudge against anyone for saying no. But, now
I’d beat myself up if I didn’t ask. And, one more time to all the people who
helped me on my film, a great, big thank you!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
sure more lessons will penetrate my brain as the weeks go by. And, I look forward to it, both the learning and the
filmmaking. </span></div>
Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-74360715804495975942011-07-21T16:38:00.000-04:002011-07-21T16:38:43.697-04:00Pointing In The Right Direction<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">In 1985, before I left on a vacation to Jamaica, I gave my dad a little pep talk about an impending round of medical tests he was facing. Dad hated doctors and hospitals. When I returned home from my trip, I couldn’t find anyone. This was a time of pre-cell phones so they weren’t a call away. I checked with a few friends but got no leads. No one left a note for me either. I thought back to those tests and then headed to the local hospital. Unfortunately, he was there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Dad died a few weeks later. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">My dad’s brother had come over to Toronto from Glasgow, Scotland. I felt horrible that this man, who had longed to visit his brother, had done so under such terrible circumstances. When he went home, I sent almost every photograph I had of my father with him. It was the least I could do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I remember telling my Uncle Jack, “Don’t worry, I’ve got the negatives.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Years later, when I longed for photos of my father, do you think I could find those damned negatives? I looked everywhere, but they seemed to just disappear. I’d headed to my mom’s place and she and I looked through some of her old photo albums, the ones she could find. Still couldn’t find those damned negatives.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">“These will all be yours someday son,” she’d said to me waving her hand over a stack of photo albums.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZIy7igsYednoHb8ERKIFzV42OUoPlEZ3o3NPZWzeJ4U6oglM-gaU_uBz-fhhHagY9ai2MD_JZx8h-EIhCWCzErRaMwZ523OCogiE55FvVlve_ew1FzONfKHxxjl8F7WOvrVVFMBZ2ZQ/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZIy7igsYednoHb8ERKIFzV42OUoPlEZ3o3NPZWzeJ4U6oglM-gaU_uBz-fhhHagY9ai2MD_JZx8h-EIhCWCzErRaMwZ523OCogiE55FvVlve_ew1FzONfKHxxjl8F7WOvrVVFMBZ2ZQ/s320/IMG_0313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stack of Polaroids waiting to be scanned</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Mom died two years ago and when I was cleaning out her apartment I boxed up every photo I could find. There were hundreds including her and dad’s entire wedding album. It took me a long time to start sorting though them. I wanted to scan them to keep them safe. Were the images I found that impressive that I needed to protect them so the world could see them? Were they museum quality shots? Were they shot by professionals and worth a lot of money? Was Ansel Adams a part of my family?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">No on all counts. However, I did feel the need to protect them for my family’s posterity. Could others find them interesting? Maybe, but the thrust was to ensure that my family had a photographic record of some of its early members. And wouldn’t you know it, I found those damned negatives, too. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6cj3cS_y8994DwAytJKZdfh6l5UPn-pWfUUJQ-fP4p38o1gP5DgNh9iZ8SSIjkFJ2uam5KBE645wPYr3JhxKkq_pVgpE5eo6dlAbqtuxPBqHCax6hZX6rHeQoZkNNvw6A_p3qKZdIJQ/s1600/img853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6cj3cS_y8994DwAytJKZdfh6l5UPn-pWfUUJQ-fP4p38o1gP5DgNh9iZ8SSIjkFJ2uam5KBE645wPYr3JhxKkq_pVgpE5eo6dlAbqtuxPBqHCax6hZX6rHeQoZkNNvw6A_p3qKZdIJQ/s400/img853.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Dad. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I’m passionate about photography. I’ve been paid for my photographs but I still don’t think of myself as a professional. The marketing department of a camera manufacturer would call me a prosumer; not quite a pro but above an amateur. I’ve worked hard to improve at the craft of taking pictures. When I went through the hundreds of pictures accumulated by my parents I lost track of the number of bad ones. There were a lot of bad photos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">And I loved them. Bad, good and everything in between. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Part of my interest in photography was always seeing a camera in my dad’s hands. I remember the 8mm movie camera he had that he cranked to use. I remember the Super 8 movie camera he used with the cartridges. The camera I remember the most was his beloved Polaroid. I found out recently that my brother had it. Once I got the model number it took me a week to get my own. It was a Polaroid ‘Automatic’ 330 Land Camera which was produced between 1969-1971. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0FcM4HkyiqOjhY1-NbuRovPkl5YBTfus5x_Iqu-QaKqdBDQLBoXz1qIUJc6BBMUjuCBQ8Chv8BBH_r8tRIgC1LBtISBg1XP2fyfXWW5tESlCsXUm0Bcn-WeeToA7Bk4f6ZI1474ousg/s1600/img153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0FcM4HkyiqOjhY1-NbuRovPkl5YBTfus5x_Iqu-QaKqdBDQLBoXz1qIUJc6BBMUjuCBQ8Chv8BBH_r8tRIgC1LBtISBg1XP2fyfXWW5tESlCsXUm0Bcn-WeeToA7Bk4f6ZI1474ousg/s400/img153.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The O'Neills in October of '69. Dig those ties.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I can still see the spots in my eyes from the flash he used. Dad became a master at pulling the picture from the camera. He’d flip the little switch on the back of the camera to start the timer, dangle the ‘developing’ picture and wait. I can still hear the sound of the timer buzzing down, and when it stopped, he’d peel the photo from the chemical paper and there was his photo. It was a special moment, every single time he’d reveal the results.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">He was no Art Wolfe or Yousuf Karsh; he was a man who loved to take pictures of the people and places in his life. He had little patience for manuals. No time to shoot with film formats that forced him to run to the drug store for ‘prints’.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Mom and Dad weren’t the only shooters to contribute to the pile of photos, their friends added photos and so did I. Those negatives I spoke of yielded some great shots of dad. I even scored one of he and I together. I discovered that when I started out in photography I was no Adams, Karsh or Wolfe either. The shoe box full of photos along with the bags and smaller boxes, all had blurry shots, heads cut off, underexposed, overexposed…all kinds of crazy mistakes. I smile when I look at them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwRuIKrD2dD0lKJ15B6FltU2AfZMuzCXpZjx7_5FhkIKugntyIvTEBUBXLAhLABgN8_MAlfv54YN1pLBYmhDmu0TLED9weIPMXcuVo6XkkP1gd2aRM9Wkfv9RGecSb2omxTJzICsU120/s1600/img938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwRuIKrD2dD0lKJ15B6FltU2AfZMuzCXpZjx7_5FhkIKugntyIvTEBUBXLAhLABgN8_MAlfv54YN1pLBYmhDmu0TLED9weIPMXcuVo6XkkP1gd2aRM9Wkfv9RGecSb2omxTJzICsU120/s400/img938.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of Mimico Ave in Etobicoke. Painted streetcar stop. Traffic lights 'button'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I am so thankful that someone, <i>anyone</i></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">, skilled at photography or not, was there to take these photos. They show the city where I was born and the one where I grew up. Most importantly, there are many photos of family and friends. Though these may not be considered national treasures, they are historical documents to me and hopefully to my kin’s future generations. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I’m thrilled that my daughter has picked up a camera and started to shoot – and not just shots for her Facebook page. She’s trying to learn, just like I did after seeing my dad with his camera. This means more photos to add to the pile – good, bad and everything in between.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So thanks dad, mom and all those people who shall remain nameless, for picking up all those different cameras and pointing them in the right direction.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12pt;"><i>What follows are just a few of the photos I found in my mom's 'pile' of pictures. I hope this gives others the impetus to gather up their family photos. </i> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCljiEwvRNXgEnpZO66gMFakBbxcCy-t5r2_-Z5jihq-yEf0IT5ugrMsdegvpGtaceuDZuMUX0nd1ObT_Is6x42QLtNFkF_DjwPFGElOf5K_B1MdHPrXcg2NJJA1IpOcHiQw5_zWwbzww/s1600/Andy+and+Alec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCljiEwvRNXgEnpZO66gMFakBbxcCy-t5r2_-Z5jihq-yEf0IT5ugrMsdegvpGtaceuDZuMUX0nd1ObT_Is6x42QLtNFkF_DjwPFGElOf5K_B1MdHPrXcg2NJJA1IpOcHiQw5_zWwbzww/s640/Andy+and+Alec.JPG" width="407" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy (my dad) and his brother, Alex.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIcEUC1t34R7eMOQUw2s41sHJI2lVv-wJmfpuvbCVD68tJbeUbPgDQdKF4XK5ZTHWga-kFKInR94b7lL_yy7tD2dUhmOlqHSnwZ1ENqFQYCA016UMaBJca5J_0P1Bi8TBQ5y5Gjra_Jg/s1600/Alice+and+Andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIcEUC1t34R7eMOQUw2s41sHJI2lVv-wJmfpuvbCVD68tJbeUbPgDQdKF4XK5ZTHWga-kFKInR94b7lL_yy7tD2dUhmOlqHSnwZ1ENqFQYCA016UMaBJca5J_0P1Bi8TBQ5y5Gjra_Jg/s400/Alice+and+Andy.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice and Andy O'Neill (my parents).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZjJZnagXamxol9nIBjkTnHHavhKEqwOsnprTfApB7qKZc9kcbXJPXCzAajchvBtEQcKHhlVfZv2gS8GpdXJOlwNn8Ix2M2BSve7VIsKW90qbVOfiSkxYISo05559iMKWymFYcIR8IlA/s1600/Alice%253AWilliam%253AElizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZjJZnagXamxol9nIBjkTnHHavhKEqwOsnprTfApB7qKZc9kcbXJPXCzAajchvBtEQcKHhlVfZv2gS8GpdXJOlwNn8Ix2M2BSve7VIsKW90qbVOfiSkxYISo05559iMKWymFYcIR8IlA/s640/Alice%253AWilliam%253AElizabeth.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother Alice Paterick and her parents William and Elizabeth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxdkh_RAcHG6CxaPWu4ATWPlASmeSKTWNiP6OuNHL0Yj9OjCvwvrYi7RYg62A6dOroyNrXa5i-93AGFh0JOa6CSLIBYZ06PUY-ZrmWaD2bmAZjrGFzUj3QArWPizidzzJXIGZgGuNliI/s1600/Loch+Ean1954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxdkh_RAcHG6CxaPWu4ATWPlASmeSKTWNiP6OuNHL0Yj9OjCvwvrYi7RYg62A6dOroyNrXa5i-93AGFh0JOa6CSLIBYZ06PUY-ZrmWaD2bmAZjrGFzUj3QArWPizidzzJXIGZgGuNliI/s1600/Loch+Ean1954.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Ean, Scotland, 1954. Third from the left in the very back row (slight profile) is my Grandfather, Thomas Adair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILQGPo-fM7ygM9A3KLhoEk685__taETkIAYvcP2a5HEskkmu3jsOLSxI0jg2fz1KyvuPAyHQMXRxRxSXW6GGuvqKlnN-SuIucD4a_MOOq4b19HXUM57mPFwI169shss5nNSTyw42wmBM/s1600/img945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILQGPo-fM7ygM9A3KLhoEk685__taETkIAYvcP2a5HEskkmu3jsOLSxI0jg2fz1KyvuPAyHQMXRxRxSXW6GGuvqKlnN-SuIucD4a_MOOq4b19HXUM57mPFwI169shss5nNSTyw42wmBM/s400/img945.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my brother Andy. Glasgow, Scotland, 1963.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jOfL_cELkkC5Q-yyccjR0Xw9hxvrAHhWERVaCedxPfa9xjPcuRDlXmx4y1zQIf2xtRKtAdtCAODs4CEp4T6cnMMoJ5nWRVOf-AjHyXBnp_MvnuEegTKd7agEKmIiGrxl3eNOnimPF4A/s1600/img949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jOfL_cELkkC5Q-yyccjR0Xw9hxvrAHhWERVaCedxPfa9xjPcuRDlXmx4y1zQIf2xtRKtAdtCAODs4CEp4T6cnMMoJ5nWRVOf-AjHyXBnp_MvnuEegTKd7agEKmIiGrxl3eNOnimPF4A/s400/img949.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex (Elky) O'Neill, my uncle. My mom, dad and me, downtown Glasgow, 1969. This shot was taken by my brother. How can I tell? Everyone but me is looking down at him. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-bhYL3MHfYO11AEVtxsNc6HCW2h5o521W5Gwq5UHGjrfw9YmUGwjm6S7Ny3YjlD_iV7TH5CW5gFknO96uiQIXHZCt_JWdmUaVD5AUw-i2zK7-DRbNbN4AGPzcRac_dq46dwSg_udV6M/s1600/img039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-bhYL3MHfYO11AEVtxsNc6HCW2h5o521W5Gwq5UHGjrfw9YmUGwjm6S7Ny3YjlD_iV7TH5CW5gFknO96uiQIXHZCt_JWdmUaVD5AUw-i2zK7-DRbNbN4AGPzcRac_dq46dwSg_udV6M/s640/img039.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandfather teaching my Uncle Tommy how to fly. Love the push car.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZNG9k0WGQ-bU8qdPaRGcs60OR_PgmtAjKgXqqV-xnYGyC3exHffKSQapIGZ37xaMdfDsqGTeAybu5WFUE555UZRRu229j2Eg39RPUoENjr2J4FZiPzL5mhs6ckBlgGejHOrC6bI68l8/s1600/img062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZNG9k0WGQ-bU8qdPaRGcs60OR_PgmtAjKgXqqV-xnYGyC3exHffKSQapIGZ37xaMdfDsqGTeAybu5WFUE555UZRRu229j2Eg39RPUoENjr2J4FZiPzL5mhs6ckBlgGejHOrC6bI68l8/s400/img062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Househillmuir Rd, Glasgow, Scotland. Some of my family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6pPX-Kd0TXr1pd2fdqUWOtiBkc6s8MCNAisV9xiXI2jLGlgBxJ5nnV1Yq0XmuycfuOtrjV3QDfwnTu1Inf0xx-BG6uahTBBFc_3pZABywlRQPYCRg2bL0s26q5f8YCsBpcWncuzypz4/s1600/img084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6pPX-Kd0TXr1pd2fdqUWOtiBkc6s8MCNAisV9xiXI2jLGlgBxJ5nnV1Yq0XmuycfuOtrjV3QDfwnTu1Inf0xx-BG6uahTBBFc_3pZABywlRQPYCRg2bL0s26q5f8YCsBpcWncuzypz4/s640/img084.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad, doing what he did best. He was a great entertainer.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-62671205974549532482011-07-19T15:39:00.000-04:002011-07-19T15:39:57.960-04:00Film's Not Dead...<span style="font-size: large;">It's Just Resting Comfortably</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I waited. That kind of awkward pause when mid stride, you freeze with your weight slightly forward, anxiously waiting for the photographer to snap the photo of their grinning subjects so you can resume your saunter. I’ll never break the line between photographer and subject, it’s just not couth. And, on this particular occasion, the photographer was an older gentleman. He held up an iPhone and waited just a few seconds before pushing the digitized shutter button. I could hear the canned shutter release sound, smiled at him, and walked on. Just as my parents were able to acquire cameras that were far more advanced and simpler than what their parents used, this man was able to grasp the absolute joy of digital photography, a far cry from what we used just a few short years ago - film. As a lover of photography, I was thrilled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcihHsgExvTziszKLDJMpqCMYVpg7Wpvw_pIynq1UYq1iZoXhO2W4k4SsJ6FVJyTKGPFGXwzUvo3-esjmpaqDDupHg3R5frYwvuNRYrQYDZ5Lt_BnOEWt_AhNBhW71cE7iAWgisye22Cg/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcihHsgExvTziszKLDJMpqCMYVpg7Wpvw_pIynq1UYq1iZoXhO2W4k4SsJ6FVJyTKGPFGXwzUvo3-esjmpaqDDupHg3R5frYwvuNRYrQYDZ5Lt_BnOEWt_AhNBhW71cE7iAWgisye22Cg/s400/DSC_0075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikon D5100 with a AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 G lens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Every single person I know is a photographer. No, I don’t only hang out with pro shutterbugs. Every person I know owns and uses a camera. I love photography, it is a huge part of my life so, I’m thrilled to see so many people enjoying it, including that man and his iPhone. Advancements in digital technology have opened people up to the joys of photography. That is something to rejoice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Like the vast majority of the world, I, too, have embraced digital photography. I’ve gone through several models (none of which feel as good as my old Nikon F90x 35mm film camera) and will likely go through several more before I find that perfect fit. Through technological advancements that I have no hope of explaining here, let alone understanding, I’m reaping benefits I only imagined when shooting film. Be honest, who doesn’t relish the instant satisfaction of seeing an image immediately after pressing the shutter down. No more waiting to see if you got it right. You simply check the screen and keep or discard. It’s a joy and it’s far less expensive even if you plan to print out what you shoot. Remember, we can cull the bad shots quickly and print only what we need. The costs of printing vary so widely (so many different printers, inks and papers) that I can’t say how much of a savings there is to be had every 24 or 36 frames. There is no doubt a huge savings. No need to buy film, no need to process it, or go through the effort of sifting through the bad and saving the good. There was a time not to long ago that one needed to head back to the lab to process the good for extra prints or enlargements. All that has changed with digital photography.</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_R-S2zc4URR4GWRIJ04Q_zXY3E_WywBM_0ersEjBYxXvKeDZx0W2SwIcijys9t45bRt69VWTGfpGH6FWeroO-5YrGPdRyBPu2M-CxE2OOqB4E5D5PapyYxIrr52NGzJ0QHLZWZ5l9uw/s1600/DSCF1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_R-S2zc4URR4GWRIJ04Q_zXY3E_WywBM_0ersEjBYxXvKeDZx0W2SwIcijys9t45bRt69VWTGfpGH6FWeroO-5YrGPdRyBPu2M-CxE2OOqB4E5D5PapyYxIrr52NGzJ0QHLZWZ5l9uw/s400/DSCF1743.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fujifilm XP10 Point and Shoot Digital Camera</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Clients wait a day, maybe two, to get their images. Anyone shooting for mags (traditional or online), can edit their shots in-camera and upload them immediately. It is an instant world where more and more of what we want and need can be obtained in little or no time at all. With the internet booming, bringing us news as it happens, photography had no choice but to advance. Even if a pro developed their own film images, it could still take days or weeks to see them. A photojournalist in a war-torn part of the world would either rely heavily on locals to have the film developed or they’d send it ‘home’ where it could be developed. Either way, it took time. Now: shoot, plug into your computer, download, edit and hit send. All that could take, if you’re not too picky, seconds, which is often the case with social media. If we were still all shooting film, photos of college kids getting drunk would take days to see. Now, shoot and upload to Facebook or Twitter directly from your phone. Instant!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrvwRM4LAK29-t2C-2QR06zk6jZeX2uDlnZDhEqiaGmjJCamK5jPpnLWB7-iBt5r-7MKMv8vmhOz4mnb_QxO6V4If0hQQAOaCniYkZYPAEWPG91zCSesSXf0-X63RCPKY8Go8IlAk5Hc/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrvwRM4LAK29-t2C-2QR06zk6jZeX2uDlnZDhEqiaGmjJCamK5jPpnLWB7-iBt5r-7MKMv8vmhOz4mnb_QxO6V4If0hQQAOaCniYkZYPAEWPG91zCSesSXf0-X63RCPKY8Go8IlAk5Hc/s320/DSC_0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikon D90 with a 60mm AF Micro Nikkor 2.8 D lens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">One might argue that shooting film makes the photographer think just a bit more before pushing down that button. You need to make sure your settings are correct, the composition just right, backlighting, horizon, foreground, background, hotspots, focus, depth of field…if you mess up, you just won’t know it until it’s too late. You get that roll of film developed and there it is, the perfect shot out of focus or a tree branch growing out of your subject’s head or any number of mistakes you could have avoided. Digital allows for us to rub out those errors quickly, but does it make us slow down and learn? Don’t we have to run through that checklist when shooting digital as well? Point and shoots, no, but if you’re shooting manual settings, absolutely you do. That’s key: turn all of your digital camera’s settings to manual and you will learn a lot more about photography than if you just point and shoot. Given the right circumstances one can learn just as efficiently on a digital SLR as on a traditional 35mm SLR. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><i>Why lament film?</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Photography has advanced so rapidly in such a short span that the thought of film is to some, archaic. Putting aside my love of digital photography, I miss film. But why? All those hassles and worries are gone with digital. What is it about film that draws people in? What is the allure?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rgMxZmiGMMO1_DtAMwO3zOz8KDW10Ljmn3UCY2J7qAJQjndtamY5oPglCVLIuhjShNjSpxvuR-i8DdKsisCOX5ZpHW8vaPHVwlLTJYo9MzBA-6CXfFH_CdPSi4tm9EwbBsuIBjMFSo0/s1600/img183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rgMxZmiGMMO1_DtAMwO3zOz8KDW10Ljmn3UCY2J7qAJQjndtamY5oPglCVLIuhjShNjSpxvuR-i8DdKsisCOX5ZpHW8vaPHVwlLTJYo9MzBA-6CXfFH_CdPSi4tm9EwbBsuIBjMFSo0/s640/img183.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first shot I ever took with my Nikon EM; July, 1981 - I was hooked.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I don’t miss rotary phones, VHS or black and white televisions. I have no interest in messaging with an electrical telegraph. I will never ride a horse, anywhere. I haven’t mailed a letter in years. This piece was not written on a typewriter. I will not shoot with film. Wait. That is a lie. I’ve already started. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I initially began shooting 35mm film with a Nikon EM in 1981. I’ve always loved that camera and I’ve kept it in the best shape possible. I dug it out to display it in the living room and a strange thing happened. I loaded it up with film that we’d had in a drawer for seven or eight years. Every shot showed a hint of red so, I won’t be passing those around at the next dinner party. The more important phenomenon that occurred was the ‘feeling’ I got with that old Nikon in my hands. There was definitely a nostalgia about it; I remembered learning with that camera, struggling to get it right. The biggest lesson I learned by shooting with that camera was that there is no such thing as a perfect photograph. No matter how good you think it is, you’ll always look at a photo knowing you can do better. It’s like shooting over one hundred in a round of golf but keying in on that solitary shot of the day that felt absolutely perfect. It’s what gets you out on the course to try again. That one photo, the one you planned and executed perfectly, that’s what puts another roll of film in the camera which leads to another trip to the local film processor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">All of my local shops still sell a limited amount of film, including print or slide, black and white or colour, 135 or 120. And since they sell it, they process it, too. If you want a quick one hour turn around, there’s always Walmart. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KYje3hXCR1EEQh8wZde7nQuSI6jLxvg_67LnVrT50wiXC_8ThCpY8yFYf2V9vN_D3lovyATNf7geP0PzU1j2HawLeFPAXtdqrs5EVuJtK3atvccczmuEH5gyJRAXdeLXjr_VVDctooE/s1600/010_9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KYje3hXCR1EEQh8wZde7nQuSI6jLxvg_67LnVrT50wiXC_8ThCpY8yFYf2V9vN_D3lovyATNf7geP0PzU1j2HawLeFPAXtdqrs5EVuJtK3atvccczmuEH5gyJRAXdeLXjr_VVDctooE/s640/010_9.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikon FE with a 50mm 1.8 lens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I laughed at myself when I was loading the camera for the first time in a dozen or more years. I’d almost forgotten the dance steps but after a bit of fumbling, I closed the back and advanced the film. It felt so familiar pushing that lever and feeling a slight grinding vibration as the film moved along the sprockets, the click signifying the frame had been advanced, the rewind lever spinning counterclockwise to show I’d successfully loaded the film. I lifted the lever and turned it clockwise to tighten the film. I swear I heard it stretch. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">After the first shot I was hooked. I remembered to manually advance the film. My hands settled comfortably around the controls and the dance steps slid back into my mind. It came easy. It felt so good. There is something about the risk of film that I think is a big draw for photographers. Or, if it isn’t yet, it will be. I was so smitten with my EM experience that I grabbed my Nikon F90x and shot a roll with that, too. Again, a familiar feeling came over me and I barely had to think about what do when composing a shot. I’d used that camera for only six or seven years before going digital, but it remains the camera that best suits me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">There were a few cameras between my EM and my latest Nikon D90 with one in particular standing out. I urge every single person who wants to take up photography to use a Pentax K1000 35mm film camera.* It’s simplicity allows you to focus on the reasons for your choices. You will learn about apertures, shutter speeds and how the two relate. You can concentrate on the absolute fundamentals of photography since the K1000 has no bells and whistles to distract the shooter. There are no temptations to use the camera’s auto systems since there are none. Sadly, I chose to trade in my K1000 in 2001. I’ve mourned the loss ever since. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">But all is not lost. As with film, the cameras are still readily available. There are film cameras for sale online, at local shops, markets and swap meets. My wife and I recently started collecting cameras and without a doubt they all look fantastic in our home. Photography has been a huge part of our lives so, it was just a logical thing to do. I’ve noticed the beauty of cameras and not just old folding or bellows models but more recent models as well. I love their esthetics and I often wonder what those cameras have witnessed. If they could talk, would they spin yarns of years spent abroad, would they tell of tragedy or triumph, would they be able to remember when the Leafs won the Stanley Cup?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8e2iR_0jKy_m4Jm1GC37vapJsq_tcvhTmENf_jaT7lm9A9F3UYZA7dxca6-6TFA-HrppMI5DNV4nEY_iIT1_0h9soWF8_ypT2i9UpZfCgG3QFzBkqy8GDi7C7KvXt4Vip8X5EI0drdE/s1600/012_11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8e2iR_0jKy_m4Jm1GC37vapJsq_tcvhTmENf_jaT7lm9A9F3UYZA7dxca6-6TFA-HrppMI5DNV4nEY_iIT1_0h9soWF8_ypT2i9UpZfCgG3QFzBkqy8GDi7C7KvXt4Vip8X5EI0drdE/s400/012_11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikon FE with a 50mm 1.8 lens<span id="goog_1732713180"></span><span id="goog_1732713181"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">If you’re inclined to shoot some film but don’t own a camera, there’s no need to worry. You can find a very good 35mm camera for a hundred dollars or less. Generally speaking, the more you spend the better the camera with which you’ll be shooting. When it comes to used cameras you get what you pay for. I recently got my hands on a beautiful Nikon FE. Not only will it be the highlight of my camera collection, it will be great to take out on field trips. I stumbled upon another Nikon FE at a charity shop and picked it up, complete with a 35 to 135mm lens for $14. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">There is a light breeze blowing out there, I can hear it. It’s saying, “Collect me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Camera collecting has been going on since Kodak introduced a second model making the first one desirable. Over the last decade prices on film cameras have plummeted. I’ve watched my F90x fall to below a hundred dollars and that was with a grip and data back. Recently, a Nikon F100 sold on ebay for exactly one hundred dollars. These are two stellar cameras whose recent prices are a reflection of the flourishing digital industry.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Collecting is the way to keep these beautiful and highly functional machines in our lexicon. What would our world be without a Brownie, AE1 or Polaroid? Collecting film cameras of all types ensures their history will not be lost on the next generation. As my daughter looked at a vinyl record with a clueless expression, I don’t want her kids to look at a film camera and be dumbfounded. Now is the time to buy film cameras. They’ve hit rock bottom and we all know there really is no other way but up when that happens. Buy them now because they are affordable. Once that light breeze blows a bit stronger, prices will rise and collecting will be far more restrictive. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CGqeXc2Z0pCYpoMSyfN2OXIufDAXIzaXJ8LEj7FRgOAKC32zjYUgq9iUje2cnocF8oOhrzcxgz0wRA54AhpcNCY4Yf2x9jd-ji61nK4b6nWIluJL1yVU_ccQXY2fZOWy4Pol57ITpqg/s1600/img185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CGqeXc2Z0pCYpoMSyfN2OXIufDAXIzaXJ8LEj7FRgOAKC32zjYUgq9iUje2cnocF8oOhrzcxgz0wRA54AhpcNCY4Yf2x9jd-ji61nK4b6nWIluJL1yVU_ccQXY2fZOWy4Pol57ITpqg/s640/img185.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polaroid "Automatic" 330 Land Camera (1968) - Fujifilm FP-100c - July, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Film is not dead, it’s just resting comfortably waiting for the right people to come along and give it new life. Shooting a roll of film a month will give you more satisfaction than you can imagine. It will slow you down, make you think, and let you enjoy the leisurely side of photography. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Give a film camera a home and make sure to take it on plenty of walks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><i>Other reasons I miss shooting with film: I miss those little plastic containers the film came in – they were perfect for holding loose change. I miss opening the fridge and moving the boxes of film out of the way to get to the butter. Darkrooms are great for more than developing photos (great for napping – get your minds out of the gutter). </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">*I do not work for the company, nor am I affiliated in any way. It’s just that good a camera.</span></div>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-16141624703131242692011-05-08T09:18:00.000-04:002011-05-08T09:18:55.731-04:00There Was That Time...<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rGUoX5wE1shU_HLSeF1-OVMH4exxyf2e7K7vC5Hu-UHD1G1ClLfzvZj0wRL14xnwfAZqsV_5QmH9y6iIPct5tI2GsllmcE5w9akqW_QIuT8I0pHmZNteS3_SnciyS2MFuFkyArlz1b4/s1600/img137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rGUoX5wE1shU_HLSeF1-OVMH4exxyf2e7K7vC5Hu-UHD1G1ClLfzvZj0wRL14xnwfAZqsV_5QmH9y6iIPct5tI2GsllmcE5w9akqW_QIuT8I0pHmZNteS3_SnciyS2MFuFkyArlz1b4/s320/img137.jpg" width="227" /></a>I went to one of your dances to hear you sing. You pulled me around by my arm and introduced me to people by saying, “You remember (insert their names here) don’t you, Ian?” Then you were so surprised when I said I didn’t remember them. You knew so many people.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You dragged my sorry two left feet onto the dance floor and you loved every minute of me trying not to fall over or step on your toes.We had a great laugh.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They called your name to sing and the place went crazy. I was in my late thirties and the youngest guy in the room – it shocked me that these people were so excited. We all knew you could sing, but your rock star status was new to me. You grabbed the mic and said, “This one’s for my son.” Then you held a long ‘Hey…’ and the crowd was clapping and calling out your name. You launched into what I later learned was your signature song, <i>The Guitar Man</i>. The dance floor was packed and I swear there were a few senior men trying to crash the stage. You were awesome. You rocked the joint!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were the quiet moments, at home, sitting at the kitchen table, when you’d sing just for us. Mother’s Day is quieter now that you’re gone. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I miss ya, mom. Happy Mother’s Day. </div>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-20312041787807189042011-04-24T14:32:00.012-04:002011-04-24T15:01:10.838-04:00An Easter Quest!My wonderful neighbours, the McLaughlins, sent me on a very special hunt this morning.<br /><br />It all started with a note taped, and an Easter Basket tied, to the door.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeivavl8EEdhGMikvhTcfJ_6LNqiuRX2r0GBZxcm_NJ2hLcPxIs8QSVOGJHLsAAN0zuN4WNw1IkHAHf21guEAk3qOI8S0cu19cBmTtfDDMvc-8cZgwp3CxlFNeAGJkaB-A9qfPqiGYBgo/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeivavl8EEdhGMikvhTcfJ_6LNqiuRX2r0GBZxcm_NJ2hLcPxIs8QSVOGJHLsAAN0zuN4WNw1IkHAHf21guEAk3qOI8S0cu19cBmTtfDDMvc-8cZgwp3CxlFNeAGJkaB-A9qfPqiGYBgo/s400/IMG_0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599220245021012274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Which led me to another clue:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94TXirTcbLDb9WXGZE3tlg7K-an5z02KmNNNbdWaV-Halh7qyEHHPJKAM9VitJSxrA5N0mukA9UM4I1jE83CerY5Zkj41kvy_YBPqYMhguyFxyA8aPGeAZJrX2UIx_oQqVuouSHiqfb8/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94TXirTcbLDb9WXGZE3tlg7K-an5z02KmNNNbdWaV-Halh7qyEHHPJKAM9VitJSxrA5N0mukA9UM4I1jE83CerY5Zkj41kvy_YBPqYMhguyFxyA8aPGeAZJrX2UIx_oQqVuouSHiqfb8/s400/IMG_0035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599220601930463010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm glad I didn't have to drive to my next clue since I may have destroyed this one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNyvWlV4tgKsZY4oWzHQTkG1-YlpcmxoeyhyphenhyphenIUGIHWFO_quFSX4Y86AiyTqZZaYRe5tyE-WkZwr4YSvW88EZWgAb1CsOQtBHuMYqNN0o77YIhgO2PO7VZQoxBOx3NwNrh2LdT9xJQC3k/s1600/IMG_0036.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNyvWlV4tgKsZY4oWzHQTkG1-YlpcmxoeyhyphenhyphenIUGIHWFO_quFSX4Y86AiyTqZZaYRe5tyE-WkZwr4YSvW88EZWgAb1CsOQtBHuMYqNN0o77YIhgO2PO7VZQoxBOx3NwNrh2LdT9xJQC3k/s400/IMG_0036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599220939733160162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This clue led me here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPhsENBIQt5Z8IhIaYU4kQWqH8HuL_k7jKvo8jfOVK2J_cYTyOAClnxGTx-9yr748RNfVhdkNDbRHPyJGvtxVYGb2BDdB9YLfuieoDNxt02Ol2HearfDq0C-JEWEZnzpwppHXSeZVqqk/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPhsENBIQt5Z8IhIaYU4kQWqH8HuL_k7jKvo8jfOVK2J_cYTyOAClnxGTx-9yr748RNfVhdkNDbRHPyJGvtxVYGb2BDdB9YLfuieoDNxt02Ol2HearfDq0C-JEWEZnzpwppHXSeZVqqk/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599221495051394018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then I was off to my next clue here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_RYMabrKpopjvBPFGPP6SLb4QY43e2LLafso5QSNeH4c64RBE2840kI6_sDc3Jqgjj1F7uIvU1j9TYSbCNRNz8fkxat88MNvRS-K_UxiBEsnZoL8R9oLx-QdauoZ7XdAdneheSt1n9g/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_RYMabrKpopjvBPFGPP6SLb4QY43e2LLafso5QSNeH4c64RBE2840kI6_sDc3Jqgjj1F7uIvU1j9TYSbCNRNz8fkxat88MNvRS-K_UxiBEsnZoL8R9oLx-QdauoZ7XdAdneheSt1n9g/s400/IMG_0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599221817213847362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thank goodness my Easter Bunnies weren't taller because I'd have had a real problem getting a grip on this clue. But, I got it and then I was off to find my next clue here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbl3lkZtY0fB8gl2LfCuSozmb32KnwtxbqfUgWS8D3Niw0S-AD0AV2kNJooPLw5O8cyVh8CbwE3v0u1VMBj4OP-XEB3NEWxZkfmvGeyRC403UG4aIvoApEP5hDeU5s8IlM2NBEZX8n6IY/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbl3lkZtY0fB8gl2LfCuSozmb32KnwtxbqfUgWS8D3Niw0S-AD0AV2kNJooPLw5O8cyVh8CbwE3v0u1VMBj4OP-XEB3NEWxZkfmvGeyRC403UG4aIvoApEP5hDeU5s8IlM2NBEZX8n6IY/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599222436515715618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />From here I ended my journey with my last clue/treat which also had something in it for my wife...some coffee!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2JJyXFvnIzeU86ghtZr5nYtBvhb-pSoIkFMSk8_5b5TnpcM4ei4itMdhZ0pgwweNluxDvo215VGmUBAY4D3FBiFeVIK9fbQjvBtY5OoBN5rqFDJzxKnijkEU2JNayI838nR1eK-DWaQ/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2JJyXFvnIzeU86ghtZr5nYtBvhb-pSoIkFMSk8_5b5TnpcM4ei4itMdhZ0pgwweNluxDvo215VGmUBAY4D3FBiFeVIK9fbQjvBtY5OoBN5rqFDJzxKnijkEU2JNayI838nR1eK-DWaQ/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599222973233979314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you so much to my very special Easter Bunnies, Sarah and Liam. You can see their parents hiding in the background in the photo below and I thank them ALL very much for thinking of me today. Holidays are always tough on me emotionally. My mom would always join us for dinner and since she's been gone, I've had a difficult time. What happened to me this morning was truly a wonderful, fun, and much appreciated event that I won't soon forget.<br /><br />Thanks McLaughlins, you rock!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY1DXCCyLg_ceszY12B-cTo1ug56Xhb9WwLVYpMRFa4iWQdQ_t7PVKB7hyTgL-4SbFYJqN__Z6lj-oLpq5XENvoLYbVDnulPXao73C6bgAOt4zyrv-7UFFQns72B_7TqHMYKujqHDdQg/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY1DXCCyLg_ceszY12B-cTo1ug56Xhb9WwLVYpMRFa4iWQdQ_t7PVKB7hyTgL-4SbFYJqN__Z6lj-oLpq5XENvoLYbVDnulPXao73C6bgAOt4zyrv-7UFFQns72B_7TqHMYKujqHDdQg/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599224414238620210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My Bounty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73wkc119vkN_Ug6PC_NFZNySVi-1kpkzf6bYTD9lPeTJvS2rVvXpF9UWzGrf-s1SwW3EY2y0eV7va-FmpkVUdWSVYqwTAT9FtoYbK6dr6uSmrJSaqvEuLDFvYQAA5aNqEa9dp8VZn5lo/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73wkc119vkN_Ug6PC_NFZNySVi-1kpkzf6bYTD9lPeTJvS2rVvXpF9UWzGrf-s1SwW3EY2y0eV7va-FmpkVUdWSVYqwTAT9FtoYbK6dr6uSmrJSaqvEuLDFvYQAA5aNqEa9dp8VZn5lo/s400/IMG_0062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599224658678667522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Chocolate Bunny Milky Ways are already missing. I don't think any clues are needed to find them. They were YUMMY!Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-19847716678203226432011-03-30T17:03:00.002-04:002011-03-30T17:03:45.832-04:00Brilliant Video - The Cyclotrope<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21016797" frameborder="0" height="300" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21016797">The Cyclotrope</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5412163">tim Wheatley</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-43029107510748003792011-03-08T13:45:00.006-05:002011-03-08T13:55:33.829-05:00Two Years!<span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span class="messageBody">There was that time in Scotland when I was eleven. You and Aunt Cathy were trying to get something from a high shelf. You weren’t having much luck, you laughed your butts off the whole time, stumbling and feigning falls. Your bright idea was to have me climb on your ba</span>ck and stand up to reach what you needed. We laughed so hard that I</span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" class="text_exposed_hide" >...</span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > fell to the floor. We howled with laughter. Every time you laughed,</span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > mom, everyone laughed. It was infectious.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span class="messageBody"><span class="text_exposed_show">It was a hearty, from your core kind of laugh. It always brought tears to your eyes. You cried laughing. "The best way to shed tears," you'd said. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />They say laughter is the best medicine, but unfortunately it isn't a cure.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span class="messageBody"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><br />You died two years ago, mom. Two</span></span> years! I miss you so much. I will always remember your laugh. The memory of it warms me. It lets me know that you’re never far away.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span class="messageBody"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><br />Miss ya ma. Safe journey.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0S62-aiirwWJNMDKKUiAuQDoRbvApxHBfhPTqdnE-CDscBSrox9-By7RwaJsbeAYxeaS-lOkACmAQhtIKJeDOlkPnyIjd05qqIGr2ULMXFLS6HFoUAVhNEFLeanyo7h2b_2GVNvBuwc/s1600/img565.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0S62-aiirwWJNMDKKUiAuQDoRbvApxHBfhPTqdnE-CDscBSrox9-By7RwaJsbeAYxeaS-lOkACmAQhtIKJeDOlkPnyIjd05qqIGr2ULMXFLS6HFoUAVhNEFLeanyo7h2b_2GVNvBuwc/s400/img565.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581784085028568594" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-9702540104238578122011-03-02T09:49:00.004-05:002011-03-02T10:04:21.554-05:00That Went Well...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I wanted to thank everyone who participated in the Photo Flash Fiction last month. It was awesome and I was blown away by the stories. That was a lot of fun. I may have to do it again.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In case you were wondering, everyone who participated got an ebook. I just couldn't bring myself to exclude anyone since all of the stories were so great. Thanks so much.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh, and it looks like they've started to clean up the mess.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WdHMi64sVCcgTRzje_dyOA2c04vEc24A1t0ZmT9gStwbfm9Om8uxwBTt42pb4c9-zgCytxnf0k7vqBPyfTnAlyl7sH7wtp6unk0FBn3skgjmFDso3VTwyJCc2701DnS9ZYusQWc1KGM/s1600/SAM_7059.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WdHMi64sVCcgTRzje_dyOA2c04vEc24A1t0ZmT9gStwbfm9Om8uxwBTt42pb4c9-zgCytxnf0k7vqBPyfTnAlyl7sH7wtp6unk0FBn3skgjmFDso3VTwyJCc2701DnS9ZYusQWc1KGM/s320/SAM_7059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579497499300854418" border="0" /></a>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-11017907337751924672011-02-20T17:54:00.003-05:002011-02-20T17:59:06.298-05:00Obedient She's Not...Roxy is our one year old Shepherd we rescued from the Burlington Humane Society. Here's a video to show off what she's learned from successfully completing two obedience courses. She may not be the most obedient dog in the world, but she sure is the prettiest.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N1bwqjRdK94?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" width="480"></iframe>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-36167884355701369552011-02-09T13:24:00.004-05:002011-02-11T06:24:05.927-05:00Depression: Time To Come Clean<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The celebrity dam is likely to break when it comes to revealing what has been a disorder of shame - depression. When stars like David Letterman and Clara Hughes come forward and openly talk of depression, other celebrities are likely to jump on board or off it, as the case may be, sharing stories of their strife. As a person who has suffered with depression for half my life, I hope dozens of stars come out to shine a bright light on this mysterious ailment. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I certainly don’t want anyone thinking that I don’t appreciate the efforts of the famous to come clean. On the contrary, I know how difficult it is to admit that one experiences depression. What I worry about is that celebs will start using this as their excuse d’jour. Oh, did you hear, after telling the </span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">world to suck it and flipping off the press and dropping trow in public, (insert star’s name here) admitted it was because of depression. That would just be insulting to those truly battling the condition.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCdqs1gSoKM-aKGTIH9kp-JJBNtQ0qc9seLhpZjizdeWXZKAL1zUso2sd9-1nnG0qrmuL_2TOAt2CqkNPq18vtHAce3ff4yZz7CJXzFyZ0QmZayrMwocZbHtWI0_EqM0u6gs0M24L-2A/s1600/SAM_7897.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCdqs1gSoKM-aKGTIH9kp-JJBNtQ0qc9seLhpZjizdeWXZKAL1zUso2sd9-1nnG0qrmuL_2TOAt2CqkNPq18vtHAce3ff4yZz7CJXzFyZ0QmZayrMwocZbHtWI0_EqM0u6gs0M24L-2A/s320/SAM_7897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571758384080141602" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This guy looks how I feel when I'm depressed.</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Other than fol</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">ks believing that since I’m depressed I must be a prime candidate for suicide, the real reason I rarely speak of my affliction is embarrassment. It’s likely the reason many people avoid full disclos</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">ure. There is a stigma one faces since most people are ignorant about depression. For the record, I don’t run around the streets in my underwear howling at the moon or my neighbours</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">. I rarely throw anything against the wall and it’s even rarer that whatever I did throw has broken; usually I throw things when watching Leafs’ games so, you know the source of much of my depression. What I’m trying to say is that I’m as normal as the next guy or gal with just a few minor difficulties with which to cope. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.depressionhurts.ca/en/symptomchecklist.aspx">Symptoms Checklist</a></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">It is not easy to admit that one has a ‘mental disorder’. I hate that term. According to <a href="http://www.depressionhurts.ca/default.aspx">DepressionHurts.ca</a>, depression is a serious medical condition with a variety of emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms. Still makes me sound like I’m, well, crazy. I have to admit that sometimes I feel that way. I feel most frustrated when I know I’m depressed but can’t do a damned thing about it – like right now. No, Virginia, there is no switch I can flip to end my depression. The veritable cry of ‘snap out of it’ is useless to a depressive. I don’t think of depression as a disease or something that’s curable. I believe that depression is a condition one must always manage. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i>Please go to <a href="http://www.depressionhurts.ca/default.aspx">DepressionHurts.ca</a> for a lot of great information to either help yourself or someone else. I may not agree with everything on this site, but it is a great place to start.</i></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">If you even have an iota of suspicion that you suffer from depression I urge you to seek help. The best help you’ll find is by talking with your physician. They can guide you through steps to help you battle depression. Doctors are likely to prescribe medication to help in your fight. There are many different anti-depressants available so, come clean with your physician about everything so you get the right match. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I find it difficult to go the drug route. I’ve been on two separate anti-depressants, both of which totally screwed with my sleeping patterns, and worse, gave me night terrors. I believe that the more creative the person, the more horrible the night terrors they experience. Not to toot my horn (which I really hate doing) but I think I’m a pretty creative guy – read my book <i>Afterlife</i></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> and I think you’ll agree. I won’t describe any of the images I saw during my terrored slumbers – suffice to say, I’m finding it difficult to want to try a third anti-depressant. Don’t let my experience stop you. There really is only one way to find out if medication is going to work for you and that is to take it under your doctor’s supervision. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Meds often help you ‘fake it until you make it’. For those reading this who’ve suffered with depression, you’re likely very familiar with that term. My wife and I entertained guests last weekend and they were likely thinking, how the hell can he say he’s depressed. He looks and sounds fine. But, if only they’d been a fly on the wall before and after their visit. The energy it takes to ‘fake it’ is exhausting. I likened it to having run a marathon while getting kicked every so often.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Going to bed or, once you’ve actually gotten some sleep, getting out of bed, can be very difficult. I’ve spent nearly forty-eight hours awake and never more than six hours asleep during my current bout of depression. You’d think that would be awesome for a writer, having all that time, especially in the dead of night, to write. One problem with that is the symptom of depression that hurts me, and likely many others, the most - a total lack of interest in what you are usually most passionate about. So, when my depression has ebbed and I sit in front of a blank screen, I see that as a wonderful opportunity. Depressed, I could care less about writing. You’d have to know me to understand just how horrific that statement is. I love writing. I must write. It feeds my soul. Unless I’m depressed and then I just don’t care. Hell, I don’t really care about much in a depressive state. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I think I speak for all those depressives out there when I ask that those closest to us please, please have patience. Telling us to snap out of it is a joke. Cheer up. Think positively. Really? We never would have thought of that. We know you’re trying to help but the best thing you can do is listen. Listen to your spouse or loved one, your friend or neighbour or coworker. Recognize that they are finding it difficult to talk to you about their condition and be sensitive to that. Allow them to lead the conversation. Ask questions, don’t point fingers. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">My wife is the best person I know and she handles my depression so beautifully that I feel better just knowing that. She celebrates the little strides I’ve taken knowing they’ll snowball into larger gains. This piece is one such accomplishment. I actually smiled after writing this, not so much as a pat on the back for good work, but for just writing it. Another big accomplishment, I forced myself to eat lunch. Trust me, these are huge gains for me. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Where so few people knew of my depression, now, I’ve put it out there for all to see. I sure as hell didn’t do this for your pity. I hope you learned something and that you’ll continue to search for information about depression. The statistics regarding depression are staggering. 1 in 10 people in Canada will experience depression in their lifetime. It’s time to end the silence and talk about it. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Step one, talk to your doctor. </span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Step two – well, that’s up to you. </span></p><br /><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">There is no shame.</span></p>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-36009145585438228242011-02-03T13:09:00.008-05:002011-02-03T16:34:14.985-05:00Photo Flash Fiction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaTQVGaEFtUedxF8hWE1b20iqy2LQF7XMqclL0mdCVCTDB-Hqak5IKtCTbbuRh6D18lJjr2qq-NcyK8GeIXICPRN8HrnAVlqTG1wnwnoIQNx6Nx0VBmE9Gy_yt0DEFyGutBbMlSUV1jY/s1600/SAM_7040.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 661px; height: 439px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaTQVGaEFtUedxF8hWE1b20iqy2LQF7XMqclL0mdCVCTDB-Hqak5IKtCTbbuRh6D18lJjr2qq-NcyK8GeIXICPRN8HrnAVlqTG1wnwnoIQNx6Nx0VBmE9Gy_yt0DEFyGutBbMlSUV1jY/s400/SAM_7040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569530484208296626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The one thing all writers have in common is that they love to write. I hope you'll get inspired by this photograph and write a flash fiction piece about it. This truly is about participation. I know there are a lot of you writers out there and I'm curious to see just what you'll do with this photo. It's all up to you. Simply post your story as a comment. Only rule is length; nothing over 250 words and no, I won't be checking the word counts, you're on your honour.<br /><br />This photo will be up forever and writers are free to add their flash fiction to it at any time. However, at the end of February 2011, I'll draw three names from all who've participated, and they'll receive ebook copies of my books <span style="font-style: italic;">Endo</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Afterlife</span>.<br /><br />Please tell your friends about this and let's see how diverse these stories will be. The more the merrier.<br /><br />Thanks and have fun.<br />IanWingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-72444373215564170252011-01-19T13:56:00.002-05:002011-01-19T13:59:29.082-05:00Shooting Captain Miller<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FOxOYA3u88E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FOxOYA3u88E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-37555138044807413322011-01-06T15:02:00.002-05:002011-01-06T15:32:14.032-05:00Yo-Yo: An Old Dog With A Lot Of New Tricks<style>@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma"; }@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Tahoma"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Tahoma"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; </style><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">There are times in life when you can only find the solution to a problem by playing with a yo-yo. I’ve been a writer for a long time and early in my career worked at a fairly progressive ad agency. I was thrilled that when faced with a creative problem I was able to step outside of my office </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7d3qiVieHWQQb4ug85tRF7M8EmVRj9zq2MhFtF5h9fYMQsYW_wpEvsFdgRpYWwtTPTvxU3OAqRZpZIZWovwTs516VGVQO-9lDg9xF9dn_8mj8VfJ8Xlut84B9Rn_1hV7Midg-uJ0vr_w/s1600/Early+Yo-yo_player.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7d3qiVieHWQQb4ug85tRF7M8EmVRj9zq2MhFtF5h9fYMQsYW_wpEvsFdgRpYWwtTPTvxU3OAqRZpZIZWovwTs516VGVQO-9lDg9xF9dn_8mj8VfJ8Xlut84B9Rn_1hV7Midg-uJ0vr_w/s320/Early+Yo-yo_player.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559166262711134130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">and do a few yo-yo tricks to get my brain working in the right direction. Some say that Napoleon, too, was a yo-yo enthusiast and would often </span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">relieve stres</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">s by throwing a yo-yo. Setting aside speculation, the yo-yo was first uncovered in history in 500 B.C. Greece.<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The ancient form of yo-yos were produced using wood, metal or painted terra cotta dis</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">cs simply referred to as discs. An example is on display in the National Museum of Athens in Greece along with a vase depicting a young boy playing wit</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">h a yo-yo. The toy’s history moves through Egypt, China, Britain and France among other nations. The toy was very popular in the early twentieth century in the Philippines and helped th</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">e yo-yo gain ground in the U.S.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacElMdV03CuP9IRN1CjOjpjrHbkLoFNk74feUWkeIx2ph4-q_maKYyOSwjfpcMz-t1W5PGEeVLnAYBq82nXMI-c5Kb7EdbLmUw2iamjbFFRwRBkeBcwJpn2xIdlSElIRaYcJOlDpCzmw/s1600/1791-Yo-Yo-Bandalore.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacElMdV03CuP9IRN1CjOjpjrHbkLoFNk74feUWkeIx2ph4-q_maKYyOSwjfpcMz-t1W5PGEeVLnAYBq82nXMI-c5Kb7EdbLmUw2iamjbFFRwRBkeBcwJpn2xIdlSElIRaYcJOlDpCzmw/s320/1791-Yo-Yo-Bandalore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559167143964441282" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i>An image from a French fashion journal in 1791 shows a woman playing with what was then known as a Bandalore.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">In 1866, Jame</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">s L. Haven and Charles Hittrick of Cincinnati, Ohio were given the first patent for a yo-yo in the U.S. It was for a yo-yo ‘coupled together at their centres by means of a clutch’. This was the first but many more followed u</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">sing great names for the toy such as Wheel Toy, Bandalore and Whirligig. A very popular yo-yo was manufactured in San Francisco in 1920s by a man named Flores. Yo-yo in Filipino means spring.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">D.F. Duncan Sr. worked for Flores, marketing the yo-yo and </span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">eventually bought out Flo</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVE2_PSnVZzAINRVBGFjVLpM5s4ohJG0JL4p4yR9yVCZYKB-TgVsaaHaw7JWhNC5jQruDhIfchsuCA0ouv2SyJSc81VFJVEBMlCAYBaY3h462OVyu_e8u12AjnK9EXLbOIBOj-Yus99I/s1600/Flying+Panda.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVE2_PSnVZzAINRVBGFjVLpM5s4ohJG0JL4p4yR9yVCZYKB-TgVsaaHaw7JWhNC5jQruDhIfchsuCA0ouv2SyJSc81VFJVEBMlCAYBaY3h462OVyu_e8u12AjnK9EXLbOIBOj-Yus99I/s200/Flying+Panda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559167722652734770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">res. In 1930, he started the Genuine Duncan Yo-Yo Company and trademarked the name ‘yo-yo’. There have been many companies in the yo-yo business over the years and they all benefited us as consumers because, lets face it, we get a better selection of yo-yos to play with and collect. It is an endearing, unflappable, stalwart in the toy world and has become collecti</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">ble as well.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i>Popularity in Yo-yo collecting caused a spike in prices between ‘97 and ‘01</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Where does one start collecting yo-yos and what should one collect? Like any collection, it comes down to finding what you enjoy. Collect what you love and you’ll never go wrong. There are a lot of variations to consider when tracking down yo-yos: manufacturers, old or new (pre and post 1970), material (plastic, wood, metal), design (butterfly, traditional, adjustable), colours, sizes…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDHqi4sME93los_QN_fWgNm4JMtCV5dMZ1R8AEwX587t6dtLrf3CdUi-c0169S0A8Kiam7YIq4icZs4DGlDpwH6ickejAN6Vs59SExhEYJYZRd0p-l0uLfOIR01huiOy_tAAdRAtf3wQ/s1600/Grind+Machine.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDHqi4sME93los_QN_fWgNm4JMtCV5dMZ1R8AEwX587t6dtLrf3CdUi-c0169S0A8Kiam7YIq4icZs4DGlDpwH6ickejAN6Vs59SExhEYJYZRd0p-l0uLfOIR01huiOy_tAAdRAtf3wQ/s320/Grind+Machine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559169460745222402" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Grind Machine by YoYoFactory</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A sleeping yo-yo that is designed to do long lasting tricks.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVUSr3an7Jr50X-r_o_leERb9ZDesSoJ6Q9nZTmC6JAbfyZ9E6f37crrpXihg30wx5UtQ5NNnD1pglHHcM09blGLC_Y6JZraSvhmhWpD4AL-7oyDki1_1wu09nrwYzcmvGtrmO5x1rwk/s1600/Velocity.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVUSr3an7Jr50X-r_o_leERb9ZDesSoJ6Q9nZTmC6JAbfyZ9E6f37crrpXihg30wx5UtQ5NNnD1pglHHcM09blGLC_Y6JZraSvhmhWpD4AL-7oyDki1_1wu09nrwYzcmvGtrmO5x1rwk/s320/Velocity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559170004736817346" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The Velocity by YoYoFactory<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-style: italic;">An adjustable yo-yo that allows you to adjust the width of the gap which allows a full range of tricks.</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Toy collectors</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">are well versed in the art of toy hunting so, finding older yo-yos isn’t really that tough but paying for them can be. Prices for pre-seventies yo-yos can run anywhere from under ten dollars to over five hundred. Always </span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">remember to keep a budget in mind for any collection. To help you manage those funds efficiently you’re going to want to keep an eye out for condition when picking up a yo-yo, especially older ones. The graphics on the yo-yo should be sharp and clean and the move vibrant the colours are the better the piece. Flaws hurt value so keep your eye out for chips and dents. Clean paint on wooden yo-yos is almost impossible and repaints are toug</span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">h to spot but you can see the chip paint under most repaints. Make sure that the two halves are even and aren’t loose. If the yo-yo is stillpackaged, unopened, clean and bright are the best.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">There are many brands of yo-yos still sought after by collectors today. Here are just a few:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Duncan</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">American Spinners</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">BC/What’s Next</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Medalist</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Royal</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Tom Kuhn </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Oxygene</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Visit the <a href="http://www.theyoyomuseum.com/">Museum of Yo-yo History</a> for a yo-yo directory (with photos). It’s a great resource.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Basic Yo-yo Styles</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mYGdvelwdz0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mYGdvelwdz0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i>To collect and play!</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I took a look at a few yo-yos from an online dealer here in Canada (<a href="http://www.yoyo-canada.com/">YoYo-Canada</a>), and as a long time yo-yo enthusiast jumped in and purchased a new, modern yo-yo. I really didn’t know what to expect and when my Grind Machine yo-yo arrived in two days I was ecstatic. It was unlike any yo-yo I’d owned or even played with and it proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The Grind Machine in action</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e9TXl3ujGa4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e9TXl3ujGa4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The newer yo-yos come in two categories; imperial with a more traditional shape and a butterfly or wing design. The imperial shape is good for looping tricks since it has a smaller gap which allows the string to catch more easily. A butterfly design is great for sleeping tricks. Yo-yos have advanced to a high state of play when you consider you can now buy string of differing materials depending on your preference. Add to that counterweights, off-string tricks and hub stacks and you have a world of possibilities to collect and to show off.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Basic Types of Yo-yo</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcjwoqlmRnc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcjwoqlmRnc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The F.A.S.T. 201 Yo-yo put through its paces</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ngSHlz4zy4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ngSHlz4zy4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">One of the catches to the butterfly or sleeping yo-yo is that it is only designed to sleep so, that makes the traditional gravity pull impossible (palm up, throw yo-yo over the top down toward floor, turn hand over, pull, yo-yo returns). Like my Grind Machine, you must learn the bind return. It’s a way of getting a sleeping yo-yo to return and believe me, it takes practice.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The Gravity Pull</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R3aPGMCaFrM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R3aPGMCaFrM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Binding Return</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0hA6flGKqbY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0hA6flGKqbY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The yo-yo may not be as popular as it once was but it definitely has evolved into an amazing toy. Whether you reach back into your youth and search out some older yo-yo versions or look for the newest yo-yos, you just can’t lose with a toy that’s this much fun.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">A Fun Yo-yo Fact:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yecWdiVFny8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yecWdiVFny8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The Primo:</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RctdyyO6oQA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RctdyyO6oQA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Check out some great tutorial videos at <a>Yo-Yo Crazy.com</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><a><br /></a> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><i>Yo-yo photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.yoyo-canada.com/">YoYo-Canada</a>; fantastic online retailer who really know their stuff. </i></span></p>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-35428402295581994992010-10-01T12:35:00.012-04:002010-10-19T13:32:59.173-04:00Special Edition Elite 1966 TV Series Batmobile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVh21gvPwnmlpN-Nga_c76xrCI2pajcbUXOoVOmvmuX1CgBha2Rb58gCVHaJ3k20DeynGZTGFYVa-vN_lEuenampIUoEZTNwagY6szol6LFXq0cbgKq2faJylaKcOPljSd2Sf5Hoo42s/s1600/SAM_3327.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVh21gvPwnmlpN-Nga_c76xrCI2pajcbUXOoVOmvmuX1CgBha2Rb58gCVHaJ3k20DeynGZTGFYVa-vN_lEuenampIUoEZTNwagY6szol6LFXq0cbgKq2faJylaKcOPljSd2Sf5Hoo42s/s400/SAM_3327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523118900593218962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; </style><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I received this model as a gift and it took my breath away. I’ll give away my age and admit that I watched the original 1966 Batman series as a kid but that does not make me an expert. I focused this review on comparing this model’s exterior for accuracy rather than looking for every minute difference between it and the TV show car.</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The car’s exterior is as good a match to the original as I’ve ever seen. It’s an impressive size measuring in at just under one foot or 30 centimeters long. The gloss black paint has been applied flawlessly showing no blemishes of any kind. The red pin-striping shows beautifully against the black.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aIZymklUcInfejPd68_Pwt8cf5uKlp9Qdfwkg6rHqH68PdyoB_Kg6K9KsbdLIkU8Oz5fZ88PzvhB0SqB3RVKBMbNF9u55Ce460xs_po_EyKOqG__EKfKkhn_ad6-CQdLGNPZRErgCPA/s1600/SAM_3336.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aIZymklUcInfejPd68_Pwt8cf5uKlp9Qdfwkg6rHqH68PdyoB_Kg6K9KsbdLIkU8Oz5fZ88PzvhB0SqB3RVKBMbNF9u55Ce460xs_po_EyKOqG__EKfKkhn_ad6-CQdLGNPZRErgCPA/s400/SAM_3336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523120441802362466" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Both doors, hood and trunk open fully and glide easily, though it is slightly difficult to get your finger under the hood to lift it. Even though the interior is all moulded plastic, which one would have to look at closely to discover, it looks excellent. It houses some awesome details like a dashboard compass, the Batphone and a fire extinguisher. My personal favourite is the definitive bubble windshields front and back. Mattel did an amazing job of getting those right. They show clear and the grey trim has been applied nicely so as to not take away from the design. The spinning antenna positioned just outside of the windshield is a wonderful touch, though it is extremely fragile and if not careful, it could easily break.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZeSBWsHBYzoHqRfTby95R3u7W9RkERx8gcAcVDn2z0iqzeuZ0IGztC2AjK-XPaBCZ7Icv23xdQnWmiRiXCfhz6KB1eLt4T8pU53pH2VjvXrjkQShT403WWwWvt5wRiqQvF6hCdH95RI/s1600/SAM_3338.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZeSBWsHBYzoHqRfTby95R3u7W9RkERx8gcAcVDn2z0iqzeuZ0IGztC2AjK-XPaBCZ7Icv23xdQnWmiRiXCfhz6KB1eLt4T8pU53pH2VjvXrjkQShT403WWwWvt5wRiqQvF6hCdH95RI/s400/SAM_3338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523128816206229202" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Considering the price of this model (I’m sure you could find one for under $100 USD) the level of engine detail is good; it definitely has visual impact when you lift the hood. However, the silver engine’s highly-polished, shiny finish, brings out the look of the plastic detracting from the quality.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The decaling and detailing on this model are excellent with a great looking steering wheel, dash and labelling of important devices like Bat Turn and Bat Chutes. The all-important and familiar Batman logo is perfect in colour, size and position. Though the sticker that is the Bat Computer in the trunk of the car is slightly off. The car has a nice open (see-through) grill and rear engine nozzle.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMADdrOO1KUJrCKuz3IsURZQQ7SqJmBOzvQBxZAQeRhRavw3iokkhFaXQk_vd0MAVVauAW_RURCwvlVDRBOrHJIOC2zy_2KQLuvh72MJbr8eHgAXg_9tZ7za0Qwc1OUjfLAKB88ductGs/s1600/SAM_3352.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMADdrOO1KUJrCKuz3IsURZQQ7SqJmBOzvQBxZAQeRhRavw3iokkhFaXQk_vd0MAVVauAW_RURCwvlVDRBOrHJIOC2zy_2KQLuvh72MJbr8eHgAXg_9tZ7za0Qwc1OUjfLAKB88ductGs/s400/SAM_3352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523127999881791522" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">For me there are very few negatives to speak of about this midlevel model. The all plastic base does knock it down in quality from the far more expensive Super Elite version. The tires are made from a harder rubber that make them look and feel plastic. As mentioned earlier, the small, brass antenna is fragile and must be handled with care. I’d like to have seen headlights on this car instead of the painted-over grill patterns and small plastic buttons they used. Also, the engine and Bat Computer really are the low points of this model.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9pXXXlfvjNjxH-IEfNw0JOr_dVDbbHys3vMavNepbxPKYSfgC_u2d70hqX5xs-s6c2wD3bz4WQbdqaoyc67Rhmah0Hh-NwidAD9Dz_RhhMrEDYtCwEogKsapXTzc6WyJlx6Z44ysntM/s1600/SAM_3355.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9pXXXlfvjNjxH-IEfNw0JOr_dVDbbHys3vMavNepbxPKYSfgC_u2d70hqX5xs-s6c2wD3bz4WQbdqaoyc67Rhmah0Hh-NwidAD9Dz_RhhMrEDYtCwEogKsapXTzc6WyJlx6Z44ysntM/s400/SAM_3355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523127405809392450" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Hardcore fans of the original ’66 Batman television series will take issues with the differences between this model and the show’s car. By that comparison it is not 100% accurate. This diecast was modeled after George Barris’ current Batmobile. It was always Mr. Barris’ car and after the series ended the car was returned to him. Since then he has made several changes, not the least of which was updating the stereo system which doesn’t match the original. There are other differences such as seats and seatbelts, the size of the phone and extinguisher and I’m sure many others. As I mentioned, I’m not hardcore enough to recognize the difference.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgaTS8488b02x8PW1YJ6tfm36zEfZcvtt9RRfwnMqqOIoKmRsxql_IuYydB_C7nkzQjitMJKiaRiuTAorcfOgzuv7r8EORSl2bnDOyV6aRG-U9-hg1bOQfPE_NVtAcWbKIEeLOfNBJUk/s1600/SAM_3340.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgaTS8488b02x8PW1YJ6tfm36zEfZcvtt9RRfwnMqqOIoKmRsxql_IuYydB_C7nkzQjitMJKiaRiuTAorcfOgzuv7r8EORSl2bnDOyV6aRG-U9-hg1bOQfPE_NVtAcWbKIEeLOfNBJUk/s400/SAM_3340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523128438033235218" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">If you want an accurate representation down to the finest of details then you’ll have to spend three times what this version costs. This is the perfect version for those of us who don’t need the minutia to be perfect, but want to have the absolute best looking and affordable Batmobile available.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68PTr0AvS8fJ1xSPK-OICgNiRT2_wKHNyLSzehOlyKZHDKeQ65mx1gLkAYsCa-kuPnDJk1i3lTFYMRh6SUkI4jWRUJaW8XRX3Efday-_74oophSRuVK2aeDik5lcEhH5BWk9IsX22fa0/s1600/SAM_3345.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68PTr0AvS8fJ1xSPK-OICgNiRT2_wKHNyLSzehOlyKZHDKeQ65mx1gLkAYsCa-kuPnDJk1i3lTFYMRh6SUkI4jWRUJaW8XRX3Efday-_74oophSRuVK2aeDik5lcEhH5BWk9IsX22fa0/s400/SAM_3345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523129086567083330" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">The verdict: Go out and buy this model right now (and remember to keep the bonnet and boot closed). </span></p>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-24302251148992883212010-10-01T12:27:00.002-04:002010-10-01T12:31:03.267-04:00Fan Expo President Offers ApologyThe organizers of Fan Expo Canada took a beating for the mismanagement of the event and have issued an apology.<br /><br /><h2>LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT</h2> <h3> By: FanExpo Admin (admin) </h3> <p>August 31, 2010</p> <p>Dear Fans,</p> <p>On behalf of the staff of Fan Expo Canada™ I would like to apologize for the lengthy delays and inconvenience experienced by many at Fan Expo Canada™ this past weekend. We were, quite simply, inadequately prepared for the increased crowds in a venue that was neither familiar to us nor not capable of meeting our collective demands. We recognize and have heard from many of you that this was unacceptable and unfair to our loyal fans. </p> <p>The staff at Fan Expo have been and will continue to read and act upon the concerns communicated by our fans about Fan Expo 2010. In preparation for Fan Expo Canada™ 2011, we have already confirmed a booking of the entire South Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This will be the largest area ever used for our show and its layout is far better suited to the size and nature of our event. We are also committed to the communication of key practices for ticket purchases, show access and other related logistics effectively and well in advance of the 2011 show. In addition, we intend to engage all of the event stakeholders as we work through the planning process including: staff, fans, venue, security, Fire & Emergency Services, Tourism Toronto and the City of Toronto in this process.</p> <p>We appreciate the continued support of each fan, and are grateful to have fans who are willing to take the time and effort to help improve the "Fan Expo Experience". Again we sincerely apologize to the fans that were unable to enjoy the full experience of Fan Expo 2010. Please know that we welcome your feedback and suggestions for how we can improve the fan experience. Please forward your comments to us at info@hobbystar.com.</p> <p>Sincerely yours,</p> <address><strong>Aman Gupta and the Fan Expo Canada Team</strong></address> <address>President and CEO</address> <address>Hobby Star Marketing, Inc.</address>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-1013956207516282232010-09-03T11:07:00.010-04:002010-09-03T11:25:30.332-04:00Toy Collector Feature BlogMy report for Toy Collector at Fan Expo 2010 is the <a href="http://www.toycollector.com/index.php">feature blog</a> this week. I hope you check it out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjQNQFJDuLncjApFYWqnUxHkdTZa0u7n_JPd3OpH14-8Kx1UJFLss87vXHfH3MsO-apKrC6tPvYXVB2vvrhlW8Q-zgisz7JjOTlGgA33E21hgO8qlIMK1J6j_gO9uaBbkuytOnNBVWv8/s1600/SAM_6990.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjQNQFJDuLncjApFYWqnUxHkdTZa0u7n_JPd3OpH14-8Kx1UJFLss87vXHfH3MsO-apKrC6tPvYXVB2vvrhlW8Q-zgisz7JjOTlGgA33E21hgO8qlIMK1J6j_gO9uaBbkuytOnNBVWv8/s400/SAM_6990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512706323991188178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdipjwzuIsGnIG8U5RfcO3amfD3G-vPbZMelnmDtJ2UignXsDCGEpJgeemXKKbA5pEGVLqqWR_1wE6kNt8N55RpODwvfJHA8Z6vcYe8AiPqWP8HhGCCioTo7Lv9L6xEdH8R5SzyMf0Yg/s1600/DSCF1133.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdipjwzuIsGnIG8U5RfcO3amfD3G-vPbZMelnmDtJ2UignXsDCGEpJgeemXKKbA5pEGVLqqWR_1wE6kNt8N55RpODwvfJHA8Z6vcYe8AiPqWP8HhGCCioTo7Lv9L6xEdH8R5SzyMf0Yg/s400/DSCF1133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707076558653858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY423czbnj5vNA3PYnoHaAerKB-nSsxU7GuINZdhguMyJGg_GmU7PV4KQfHCeFc6hahz5fYA5d1Eg4WE61YTQo1ms7Mj89xxpUi_9n26bIxKFUEM0EwKi8zSC4J05edg26bZ6NA-PraA/s1600/SAM_6946.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY423czbnj5vNA3PYnoHaAerKB-nSsxU7GuINZdhguMyJGg_GmU7PV4KQfHCeFc6hahz5fYA5d1Eg4WE61YTQo1ms7Mj89xxpUi_9n26bIxKFUEM0EwKi8zSC4J05edg26bZ6NA-PraA/s400/SAM_6946.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707372746982706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHAgE3Ya8PlcXuK0Ve67Ge6LjQt_r-hyN1S8xygdhOKBrX0V3X-0eqK5L5mfUD0B6iaIni66ONYjrm4QWHy9Kl4HgwQ-QN1-a1kIXjvIaS9aX344epWnOSL5gc2d7eSd1rfarLIjVCK4/s1600/DSCF1159.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHAgE3Ya8PlcXuK0Ve67Ge6LjQt_r-hyN1S8xygdhOKBrX0V3X-0eqK5L5mfUD0B6iaIni66ONYjrm4QWHy9Kl4HgwQ-QN1-a1kIXjvIaS9aX344epWnOSL5gc2d7eSd1rfarLIjVCK4/s400/DSCF1159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707619341799522" border="0" /></a>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-53176109932930753032010-08-31T13:43:00.000-04:002010-08-31T13:45:21.483-04:00Toy Collector at Fan Expo Canada 2010<object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep37LXNcyms?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hd=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ep37LXNcyms?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hd=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-39971748966308624682010-08-18T10:57:00.005-04:002010-08-18T11:28:10.546-04:00The Hunt<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11pt;" ><b>Written By Danielle La Paglia</b></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11pt;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Photo by Ian O'Neill<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11pt;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hyphenhyphen3v_qgqzYil_8-HaZckR9R-MsfI9vx6BWmz1nKkrf_wdKo0V3cXRdPbpuIcO0M_BxYxgCVKSAs4kaWqK4Ir11UbEr5kyg34dax31jBspRSPo7bszdFldzEiaDki6h96_722gMN-RVs/s1600/Jungle1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hyphenhyphen3v_qgqzYil_8-HaZckR9R-MsfI9vx6BWmz1nKkrf_wdKo0V3cXRdPbpuIcO0M_BxYxgCVKSAs4kaWqK4Ir11UbEr5kyg34dax31jBspRSPo7bszdFldzEiaDki6h96_722gMN-RVs/s400/Jungle1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506765224279611762" border="0" /></a></span>He steps carefully afraid to slip, his boots squishing into the moist earth. Easing forward he slowly pulls his rear foot from the mud suctioning it to the jungle floor. Humidity presses in on him, filling his lungs with more moisture than air. His fatigues stick to his skin, soaked through at his belt and the strap of his rifle. Shifting thick leaves aside with the tip of his weapon, he searches for the enemy. His progress is slow, but steady. He pushes on knowing they are close by. He can feel their presence, taste victory on his tongue. <o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11pt;" ><br /><br />Then he hears it, a twig snaps to his left. Muscles tense, he shifts only his eyes at first, then twists at the waist. One step closer and he catches a glimpse of them through the trees. His pulse races, he holds his breath, and inches forward. Blinking sweat from his eyes, he leans into the scope and takes aim. Finger ready, he steadies his arm, releases his breath, and pulls the trigger. He shifts to the second man before the first has fallen and hears the unmistakable sound of a pistol cock behind him. <o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11pt;" ><br /><br />A small jerk and he crumples to the jungle floor.<o:p></o:p></span> <!--EndFragment--><br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11pt;" ><b><br /><o:p></o:p></b></span> <!--EndFragment-->Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-31355053043272100002010-07-23T17:30:00.014-04:002010-07-23T18:00:56.263-04:00My Spider-man Collection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQpuxZZ6iWQIwVjzAyg5TEtgiGe5yRbh4H1ETXQNMAxv3cmZeZ8hzImzeHGiXrLfdAEwPZb24ZK1Kduoz1gUrJ1TLsuSUTncoHZKliFnq2lUd8Yea_1MHngL-XyXlgUkpDLeGX9fVEeU/s1600/Early90sSpidey.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQpuxZZ6iWQIwVjzAyg5TEtgiGe5yRbh4H1ETXQNMAxv3cmZeZ8hzImzeHGiXrLfdAEwPZb24ZK1Kduoz1gUrJ1TLsuSUTncoHZKliFnq2lUd8Yea_1MHngL-XyXlgUkpDLeGX9fVEeU/s320/Early90sSpidey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497222907505672978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">He's still my hero!</span><br /><br />I’ve come across a few fanatical collectors of Spider-man memorabilia and I’ll confess that I’m nowhere on their radar, hell, not even in the same hemisphere. Yet, I still feel like a crazed collector even though I’ve spent maybe a few hundred dollars on my collection, where others have spent tens of thousands. That sounds more like a small gathering of items rather than a collection, but I disagree. I would wager that my little group of Spidey collectibles has the same effect on me as another person’s large collection would have on them; it makes me happy, is a very pleasing thing to look at and it has meaning to me.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><b><i>Why Spider-man?<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Aside from the obvious reason that the fictional superhero is just badass, there is the notion that many readers of Spider-man connected with Peter Parker, the guy under the mask. Here was a kid that had all the same problems we had; acne, couldn’t connect with girls very well, a loner, B.O., awkward…all the stuff that adolescent males deal with was right there on the page. While I’m quite certain this was likely one of the reasons that I connected with Spidey, it wasn’t the main reason. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">When I was a kid I had a minor reading disability. Well, now I think it was a minor problem, but then it was a whole other story. I couldn’t read more than one or two words at a time. So, where some kids were scanning whole paragraphs and flying through their reading assignments, I was jerkily crawling along. I dreaded oral reading, when each kid the class would read a sentence or paragraph out loud. I was terrible at it unless I figured out which sentence or paragraph I was meant to read, then I’d go over it as many times as I could and sound so smooth and polished when my turn came. Reading was awful, it was a chore; I hated reading.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8SpRfn0ZXTNfedMLmYyLs7AhLG6xHCbOEcti18Tncr9clPtj3QJbOQAzViTX0I5I2Yi_ujxPXjd4SS7s6qswvlwfV99Tv2fuCcT9-bnMLgmlKV0zoa0B6DVE2X3gdI7P1gqqTZaYwcs/s1600/SAM_2847.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8SpRfn0ZXTNfedMLmYyLs7AhLG6xHCbOEcti18Tncr9clPtj3QJbOQAzViTX0I5I2Yi_ujxPXjd4SS7s6qswvlwfV99Tv2fuCcT9-bnMLgmlKV0zoa0B6DVE2X3gdI7P1gqqTZaYwcs/s320/SAM_2847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497223657205101890" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">My parents were pretty smart and felt that reading anything was better than nothing so, they </span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">supplied me with comic books. My favourite being, you guessed it, Spider-man. If not for Stan Lee I never would have understood reading for enjoyment or possibly reading at all. I recently wrote a thank you letter to Mr. Lee for his part in my reading happiness. Not that it’ll mean much to him, probably receives thousands of letters a week. Still, it made me feel good. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">So many moons later and I still get a thrill when I pick up a new piece to the collection. For those interested in starting their own collection of Spidey goodies, point yourself to the nearest dollar store. You’ll be amazed at what you can pick up for a buck or two. Items that I’ve purchased, often for one dollar, go for much more online. I’m not suggesting that you go to the dollar stores and pick up items that you can sell for more on Ebay. Far from that. I’m telling you to keep those items, open them up and display them. Hell, you want to keep them packaged to leave them to the kids, go ahead. But, keep them. Enjoy them. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">Dollar stores aren’t the only place to hunt down treasures. I visited a local Party Packagers store and picked up a Spider-man Marvel Legends (Sentinel Series) for $8.50. I found an Ebay listing for the exact same figure, mint in box, for US $50.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I love my collectibles and don’t see myself ever selling them, though I have given stuff away. You can blame my mom for that; she really was right when she said it was far better to give then receive. I enjoy the feeling of random acts of kindness (RAOK). That’s just part of the experience of collecting Spider-man memorabilia or any kind of collectible for that matter. I encourage you to join in the fun by visiting Spider-man sites, toy sites and other collecting sites. Heck, get out to a toy show, you’ll love it! You meet some very interesting folks with similar interests – face to face, too!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><b><i>What’s So Cool?<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">I’m often asked what my favourite piece is from my collection. That is so difficult to answer since I love them all, but when pushed I come up with these three items:<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxVdOPb9TiKU4-fFa50aS8oqBeqm5aggyXk52usA81qZIWBEkxEn5jaz4DzjQKIqPrQ4Bb3svYM2dUxHDZGjfD1FBanr3F5yb3AhkHTmBxL02gbADAgNHU8ech0M6_Rtz3hyphenhyphen1jmkzl5k/s1600/Wrestling+Mask.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxVdOPb9TiKU4-fFa50aS8oqBeqm5aggyXk52usA81qZIWBEkxEn5jaz4DzjQKIqPrQ4Bb3svYM2dUxHDZGjfD1FBanr3F5yb3AhkHTmBxL02gbADAgNHU8ech0M6_Rtz3hyphenhyphen1jmkzl5k/s320/Wrestling+Mask.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497220740633623714" border="0" /></a><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">A wrestling mask my wife brought back for me from Mexico.</span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6aZMSv_8azydOPYc7M6OZNZBPlhGuT1f3T9tRwnwjfUmYL-3DIEdtF1JUPurppnoVepJSk3aGPrbkS8yADXa4M9CCzFzk1jVsv3YhHbhJ1ZVwyRTlexDSGOq06Vi5EIiDUI1tqeeqdA/s1600/Spidey+Blanket.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6aZMSv_8azydOPYc7M6OZNZBPlhGuT1f3T9tRwnwjfUmYL-3DIEdtF1JUPurppnoVepJSk3aGPrbkS8yADXa4M9CCzFzk1jVsv3YhHbhJ1ZVwyRTlexDSGOq06Vi5EIiDUI1tqeeqdA/s320/Spidey+Blanket.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497221372769220114" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">A crocheted blanket in the shape of a spider web that a good friend made for me.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmfgFde7oViJZhiepz8863sPtQtB6Z_UY04E2Reo7c9M2pux3SdQuoVrgcny1zUnhyA28iIVkkC5S9fJUXX1oAcvDeGc85Io3K9hITP-aeiHBoP7R_LyUHIkxw6fC6a0PVDVuxOfDqic/s1600/Bubblegum+Hoder.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmfgFde7oViJZhiepz8863sPtQtB6Z_UY04E2Reo7c9M2pux3SdQuoVrgcny1zUnhyA28iIVkkC5S9fJUXX1oAcvDeGc85Io3K9hITP-aeiHBoP7R_LyUHIkxw6fC6a0PVDVuxOfDqic/s320/Bubblegum+Hoder.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497221877571752114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;">A plastic head used at retail stores to hold bubblegum that my mom got for me from a local variety store.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style=";font-family:Tahoma;font-size:100%;" >There are countless items to collect in the world of Spider-man and countless more in so many other areas. Get out there, enjoy yourself and do a little collectible hunting face to face – you’ll be glad you did.<br /><br />Here's a few more photos of items I've collected over the years.</span><!--EndFragment--><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fE4OzMVUlOhUeGdY6OVfeisMadFpc3rFBig8y5MdJ-S03BdXYdixU3nfxm2ztK4HZ1_eHMnYF2f-9iQEo6JJlwz6KmS18VB3JpJpxuuTmg5oWeJ3VsxHVirxDiTMHYzEdEZHKhEngq0/s1600/DocOck.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fE4OzMVUlOhUeGdY6OVfeisMadFpc3rFBig8y5MdJ-S03BdXYdixU3nfxm2ztK4HZ1_eHMnYF2f-9iQEo6JJlwz6KmS18VB3JpJpxuuTmg5oWeJ3VsxHVirxDiTMHYzEdEZHKhEngq0/s320/DocOck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497222296503458562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5q2LykG_yniu-exQ5A4dBX881gs0CBDZK80ba1xw9rZi22L-2MXO8K6hqAchPHfTMOth8lFfFDGETaM6u29_-aJ1BwxDSDIfdZAURHs0wsU7dKaIkJ18m3rAYnR-T8-KCLycFqYFbG4/s1600/Ock90s.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5q2LykG_yniu-exQ5A4dBX881gs0CBDZK80ba1xw9rZi22L-2MXO8K6hqAchPHfTMOth8lFfFDGETaM6u29_-aJ1BwxDSDIfdZAURHs0wsU7dKaIkJ18m3rAYnR-T8-KCLycFqYFbG4/s320/Ock90s.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497222497133827522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V_xiZzoFkcBEin9bi2HfOtEf8WhM4btt3RBox7OUvdhYXVTf4qizfGecZUkLA2ipK24otS7XNkJLh-CHQNtABV9HPIjFW2Uzb5Fc1681JF0-65_4q0tTeofEBRmBDO0q93VKCV7acms/s1600/SAM_3148.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V_xiZzoFkcBEin9bi2HfOtEf8WhM4btt3RBox7OUvdhYXVTf4qizfGecZUkLA2ipK24otS7XNkJLh-CHQNtABV9HPIjFW2Uzb5Fc1681JF0-65_4q0tTeofEBRmBDO0q93VKCV7acms/s320/SAM_3148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497222652033992562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7pZRSpMaoeDolnjVshjIn3SWzciQeXWtHO_upBbO0WqqSeVDng76It7wIv4UHwbPXH5RQbZrtXZVq7ncCuGpA-QcTSdrtb1CF1f5YeiPtr0ysWY6QMc_13CV8XRLoAcymncBwEK3qP8/s1600/SAM_3010.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7pZRSpMaoeDolnjVshjIn3SWzciQeXWtHO_upBbO0WqqSeVDng76It7wIv4UHwbPXH5RQbZrtXZVq7ncCuGpA-QcTSdrtb1CF1f5YeiPtr0ysWY6QMc_13CV8XRLoAcymncBwEK3qP8/s320/SAM_3010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497223207826930370" border="0" /></a>Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1548797030861546594.post-64085840074151464112010-07-22T16:29:00.003-04:002010-07-22T16:34:16.771-04:00Toy Collector ReviewsAll of my toy reviews, thus far, on <a href="http://www.toycollector.com/index.php?option=com_jreviews&Itemid=&url=my-reviews/user:4109/page:1/limit:50/">Toy Collector</a>.<br /><br />Say it with me..."I Love Toys."Wingin' Ithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501661027988645974noreply@blogger.com1