spring has sprung

Ok, ok. I have neglected this for too long. This morning, I greeted the day with resolution. No longer will I let the distractions of laziness and procrastination obstruct the small creative outlets I have. It's spring. A new season. A release from hibernation. There are too many things happening which can no longer go without commentary, if only from a lowly young professional with limited creative talents (that's me). South Austin continues to fascinate all with so many sights, sounds, and scents. The sun is shining, temperature rising, and energy climbing. And so, I give you a taste of things I have seen today in this fine portal of information...

One of the best lessons on screenwriting; from David Mamet

Movieline posted an article recently, publishing the notes that playwright/screenwriter/director David Mamet had shared with the writers of the short-ish lived TV drama The Unit (which he Exec. Produced), and I really could not agree more with his notes. I grow oh-so-tired of watching a drama (tv/film/play) with superfluous scenes and character interactions, where the action or dialogue is conducted out of convenience and/or undermines the audiences concept of dramatic progression. Sure, it's the old "show, don't tell" adage for writing. But Mamet hammers it away like only Mamet could. Worth reading the whole thing via the link

THINK LIKE A FILMMAKER RATHER THAN A FUNCTIONARY, BECAUSE, IN TRUTH, YOU ARE MAKING THE FILM. WHAT YOU WRITE, THEY WILL SHOOT.

HERE ARE THE DANGER SIGNALS. ANY TIME TWO CHARACTERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A THIRD, THE SCENE IS A CROCK OF SHIT.

ANY TIME ANY CHARACTER IS SAYING TO ANOTHER "AS YOU KNOW", THAT IS, TELLING ANOTHER CHARACTER WHAT YOU, THE WRITER, NEED THE AUDIENCE TO KNOW, THE SCENE IS A CROCK OF SHIT.

Scarface- the elementary school years

Interesting concept ("motherfudgers", cocain replaced with popcorn), awkward execution (sorry, but the sexiness of young Michelle Pfeiffer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio shouldn't be superimposed on toddlers). Worth a viewing to make up your own mind. I'd be happy if my kid was in it, as long as he didn't play "Manny".











New Music: First Listen of new Dr. Dog album

Justin was telling me about this over the weekend. Need to catch them live.



Massive Undertaking

The MTA released some pictures (via facebook album) showcasing the progress on the Second Ave. subway line in Manhattan. Proposed in pre-WWII New York, the tediousness of the project is realized when viewing its scale and magnitude.

Looks like a movie set. You can already see the foundation of the subway platforms, future stomping grounds of the creative and indigent alike.




Deja vu all over again: Apple to release Verizon carried iPhone

AT&T stocks took a hit today, as Apple (up 1.49%) released the news (or at least, the rumor) that they will start producing a new iPhone that will be compatible with other cellular networks and carriers. Apparently, it all comes down to two different types of cell networks (GSM vs. CDMA) which are distinct, propriety cell infrastructures and not compatible. Apple had initially made an exclusive deal with AT&T (which uses GSM) and that was beneficial to them because it kept their manufacturing costs down by only having to make one version.

I'd be very happy to be a part of the iPhone family, but am far too familiar with the AT&T issues. However, with such a potentially large number of new users hitting the network, who is to say that Verizon will have the bandwidth needed to sustain their current success rates?

Despite the rumor mill and opinions blasted to the web, I think it's impossible (and far too short sighted for the likes of Apple) to keep this product on a single, exclusive network. Diversification is one of the things keeping the Blackberry alive (as well as corporate backing and support). But that's Mac vs. Windows mentality, and while Apple does favor exclusivity over mass adoption, they're always looking to broaden their reach, even if it is to their own adopters (think vertical market here).