January 11th, 2008
Heidi Yost wrote this exclusive article. Heidi (photo) is a talented actress. In this article, she explains Film Industry situation in the southeast, talks about her experience as artist and gives also important hints for the new actors.
Growing Independent Film Industry in the Southeast
When I returned home to Louisville, Kentucky from my three year-long stint in Los Angeles as a professional actress I expected more. I anticipated that my recent win as a Marilyn Monroe Look-Alike by Premiere Magazine and my appearances on Beverly Hills 90210 and Matlock would have every talent and casting agent in Louisville falling over themselves to represent and utilize my homegrown talents and experience. It didn’t happen. I felt like Yukon Cornelius after I swung my mining pick into the ground and brought it to my mouth to taste for traces of the delicious silver and gold acting opportunities at home and “Nuthin’. Hello, I won the Marilyn Monroe look-alike contest!
Fifteen years later, to my delight everything is coming up roses in the Southeast independent film industry. Is it because I am no longer a platinum blonde ingénue and now a sultry redhead? Is it due to widely available and affordable video and film equipment? Has the increase of Los Angeles film location shooting in Kentucky infused the film community here: ELIZABETHTOWN, SEABISCUIT, THE INSIDER, STRIPES, etc, etc? The 48 Hour Film Festival, among others may have tempted some independent film makers who otherwise would not have stepped behind a camera with simple, short formats and alluring prizes. How wonderful to have developed an extensive filmography in my own hometown due to the indy boom.
Louisville has had a thriving arts community for the entirety of my life. The city has claimed a local ballet, orchestra and professional theater company: Actors Theater of Louisville (that had everyone I auditioned for in Los Angeles inquiring). The River City also boasts a cultural center, the Kentucky Center for the Arts that is used for a myriad of artistic and mind expanding events—from K.D. Lang concerts to poetry readings by Maya Angelou.
The semi-professional theaters in Louisville are also noteworthy and prolific. I cut my teeth at the KY Contemporary Theater before I got my B.A. and moved west. Pandora Productions produced a compelling version of SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES. Since, then Susan Linville, Founder and actress at the Necessary Theater has offered amazing productions with compelling new scripts as does Looking for Lillith. The recent one-woman show WOMEN SPEAK IRAQ developed and performed by Shannon Woolsey was performed with such virtuosity and passion for the widest range of opinions and postures I could imagine.
My training, my stage and life experiences experience have given me the depth that I claim and utilize now as a film actress. Oftentimes, people will ask me which medium is my favorite. They both have their draws. In the live theater experience, the actress has the opportunity to get immediate feedback from the audience, has a substantial amount of time to build emotional crescendos and has the obligation and luxury to live in the moment and keep going whatever the immediate reality (not fun when scenery or a co-actor is falling on your head).
Film offers the luxury of another take, if the first one or fifteen takes aren’t the cat’s meow, you can do another. Film tends to pay better. (However, anyone who acts for the pay is a little misguided). You can capture the moment forever on film (This can be most upsetting for some who aren’t involved in savory productions). Most films have a larger audience than the theater does.
Advice for the film actress: study. If you wish to be an actress, learn from the best in your community who teach. Do not study under an opera diva and expect that you will be taught the subtleties of a fine camera performance. Do not study at modeling agencies who are primarily interested in increasing their bank accounts. Study under those who have the experience you are seeking. Universities are an excellent place to learn and perform as an actress.
If you are younger than college-age and wish to act, go see as many plays and films as you can. If you enjoy someone in a stage performance, find out his/her name and if you may have a few minutes of their time to see how they gained their polish. Community theater is a great place to start. Hopefully you will get a sane director and be able to squeeze into the cast despite the member of the board of director’s narcissistic casting. If you think that Hollywood is political—spend a summer in a community theater!
Surround yourself with positive people. If you consider someone incredibly talented as an actor or director, but he/she is constantly negative, overbearing or abusive—go elsewhere. Life is too short and no matter how badly you want to act—it’s not worth it.
The directors that have had the distinct pleasure of working with are great collaborators. Chris Courson from Lightspeed Productions first cast me as a lead in his film called EMMA’S CODE for Louisville’s 48 Hour Film Festival. Immediately after that in July 2007 he wrote the most amazing short called CIRCUS NUTS and cast me again as a lead. We were so pleased with the results we will be shooting a feature-length on this premise this summer.
Chase Dudley is a young director who was open to my suggestions when he needed other quality actors for the independent feature film LAST SEEN ALIVE (knowing people always helps good actors who are easy to work with get cast). Tracy Dudley his wife wrote an amazing screenplay with a strong female lead, Detective Malone. Tracy was very open to working together to make the script and character as believable and formidable as possible. The process and final product was such that we are planning on working together on a sequel in 2008. LAST SEEN ALIVE will be available at www.amazon.com in late January 2008.
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January 8th, 2008
Artist Robert Tucker talks about himself and his artist experience in this exclusive article.
Inspired by nature
The glorious portal of a new year is again upon me. My mind has wondered since the start of 2008 as to which direction my creative self will take.
For me a torrent of feelings were released in 2007 through the making of art. Every human being is subjected to art from the moment of birth until death regardless if they want to or not, the mean-spirited and soulful alike.
Working in both two and three dimensional art since childhood has given me a wide vista to express myself.
2007 started with exhibiting sculpture in a two person show in southern California. New Zealand, Texas, Michigan, France and Massachusetts all housed my collages in one venue or another. The year ended creating very personal mosaics of marble, tile and broken antique cups, something I had never tried before.
A year has not gone by that I can remember that collage was not part of my creative being. I have no doubt that collage started shortly after paper was invented in China around 200 B.C.
If memory serves me well the first paper collage examples known are the work of twelfth-century Japanese calligraphers, who prepared surfaces by gluing bits of fabric and paper to create a unique background for brushstrokes.
In the seventies I did some bookbinding and papermaking in my studio. Collage was often used in the fifteenth and sixteenth century in bookbinding.
George Braque and Pablo Picasso utilized collage at the turn of the 20th century making it popular and understood by the masses. Thinking back at the history of collage I cannot help but think of my personal history of collage which started at early childhood. My father was in the paper business so rolls, reams and stacks of paper were always around me, fuel for the imagination.
The fact that collage is different from other art forms because it does not dictate a particular style is an excellent medium for both the beginner and the experienced artist.
The multiple layers collage can offer an artist gives countless realms and realities.
Realms have always played a big part in my life, in my art, in my mind and my soul that is why the realm of multi-player online games took me by storm seven years ago. It was yet another avenue to express myself. I became so enthralled with these worlds/realms I became a writer/reporter for one of the largest gaming site in the world, Stratics.com.
This realm or shard afforded me a creative outlet were I could me anonymous. I was afforded that same luxury, pleasure by writing under a pseudonym for the website.
Many years back I remember a lady came through my studio during a tour hosted by the Junior League of a major art museum making the claim, “To be a great artist you must travel and travel often”. I thought the comment absurd then and I do today. I traveled to Egypt this past year and experienced the Nile River from Cairo to Abu Simbel. The textures, smells and sounds left an impression that is for sure from this exotic place. I live in my own little world like so many artists and travel has never been needed to take a journey and the journey is the seed for me. I can germinate in my own backyard just fine.
What will grow this year I still ask myself.
Posted in Arts, People | 2 Comments »
January 4th, 2008
This is another article from author Robert Benson. He writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com, where you can pick up a copy of his ebook called “The Fascinating Hobby of Vinyl Record Collecting.”
Stephen M.H. Braitman
Putting a value on your vinyl collection
The value of vinyl records is very subjective and certainly up for debate. There are many elements that go into ascertaining just how much a specific record or a whole collection may be worth. Do you use fair market value, replacement value or record price guide value? As I found out, it all depends on the circumstances, and the best way to achieve these objectives is to have your collection professionally appraised. I had the opportunity to speak with professional appraiser and music historian Stephen M. H. Braitman about the elements that go into putting a value on a record collection.But, first, let me introduce Stephen. He has been involved with records and music since the late 60’s, writing and editing several entertainment and music publications. He also has been a dealer, buying and selling records, posters and related memorabilia throughout the years. His widely acknowledged expertise in the marketplace for music and memorabilia makes his appraisal services very important for estate planning, charitable contributions, expert testimony and for insurance and coverage claims. His many credentials include: passing the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Principles of Practice and Code of Ethics exam in 2004, completing courses on such subjects as the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Personal Property Valuation, Methodology-Research and Analysis as well as the legal and commercial environment of appraisal. He is also a music analyst with Gracenote, the digital music management company.
So what does all this mean? Stephen M.H. Braitman is a qualified, certified appraiser. Why is this unique service so important? As I discussed the details of his occupation with Mr. Braitman, let’s explore some of the details that go into a record collection appraisal and how a record collection should be appraised.
“This is a new service, a new genre so to speak,” he said. “The service is being offered for those people who may have large or small collections and have really no idea their worth. Unfortunately, there are no legal requirements to qualify as an appraiser except in the real estate market, but the IRS and the Appraisal Foundation have led the way with the adoption of nationally recognized standards that reputable appraisers in all fields use. The IRS, for example, uses the concept of fair market value, meaning the agreed-upon price paid by a willing, knowledgeable buyer to a willing, knowledgeable seller. One of the reasons I entered this profession is, not only because of my love for music and music memorabilia, but because I felt that the industry needs certified appraisers to provide critical assistance in defining the values of collections for insurance purposes, estate planning, tax donation claims, personal disputes and investments. Part of the job is also being called upon as an expert witness to attest and back up the values set upon a collection. That’s where I enter the picture.”
When asked what exactly goes into an appraisal, Stephen explained:
“There are many variables that have to be recognized when placing a value on a collection. It also depends on the purpose of the appraisal. For instance, the IRS uses fair market value in determining the value of donated material. But, replacement value in insurance cases different; it’s higher because you’ll be paying a higher cost to recover certain collectibles, let’s say, that may have been lost in a fire. So, the intent of the appraisal must be taken into consideration as well.”
“We research what are comparable items in the current marketplace. There are several aspects to research that include recent and relevant sales, trend analysis, professional consensus, retail stores, auction prices as well as record guide prices. The record price guides are a nice starting point, but they may not reflect true value because of the variables just mentioned.”
“Our first order of business in an appraisal is generally to examine the physical items, if possible, and note the condition, edition or other key points of recognition. Then we conduct extensive research to ascertain the current marketability of the items. Our service concludes with a certified document that details the estimated retail value and the current wholesale value, depending on the type of appraisal. We also include a statement of the overall quality level of the item or collection, including condition, pressing edition or the cultural or historical desirability. This document exceeds the appraisal requirements of the IRS and the insurance companies.”
We discussed one of the most confusing and subjective elements regarding vinyl records: grading the vinyl. I asked Stephen what method he uses.
“It is actually a combination of many methods, including the Goldmine Standards that have been set up in their many publications, the ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’-formula, and my own formula. I like to take it a step further and use a 100-point scale, and deduct points for every flaw, not only on the record, but the picture sleeve (if it is a 45rpm), LP jacket and cover. I would like to see a uniform standard set up sometime in the near future, something that everybody in the industry could agree on,” said Stephen.
There are also a couple of ways to have your memorabilia or record collection documented and appraised, as Stephen details:
“We actually offer two distinct services, the professional appraisal and a quick evaluation of your memorabilia or record collection. This entails you sending us a list of your items from which we provide a detailed document with a range of market values based on comparables. You’ll be able to tell whether you have something worth $1.00, $10, $100, or more. This process is quicker and less expensive that the formal appraisal and is most useful in estimating what a sale to a dealer might bring,” explained Stephen.
“Our service includes, not only the appraisal of records and record collections, but posters, flyers, handbills, programs, CDs, promotional items, tour books and other music collectibles. (I don’t handle musical instruments, which is a very different kind of specialty). It is important to have your items or collections appraised to gauge the potential replacement value, assist in estate planning goals, tax elements and other factors. I have much more information on my Website, http://www.musicappraisals.com.”
As we wrapped up our interview, we talked about our love for not only music, but the historical audio format of, vinyl records. I asked Stephen about one of his most memorable record collection appraisals.
“I did an appraisal for a gentleman in Texas and he had a wonderful and superb record collection. But, when he put on an old 78rpm of Robert Johnson and played it on his professional sound equipment, and as the music filled the room, you could have swore that Mr. Robert Johnson himself was playing for you right then and there. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience, and one I will never forget,” recalled Stephen.
So, not only does Stephen M.H. Braitman offer valuable and unique record appraisal services, he also gets to archive, appraise and handle important parts of audio history, and gets to hear them as well. And that is a reward that you can not put a value on.
Stephen’s contact information:
Website: http://www.MusicAppraisals.com
Blog: http://www.NeedleScreech.com
Email: braitman@mindspring.com
Monthly Column: “The Picture Sleeve Archive” in Goldmine Magazine
Phone: 925-679-3044
Posted in Arts, Music, People | 2 Comments »
December 19th, 2007
Robin Mookerjee is a songwriter obsessed with music. Is this a good thing? Or a bad thing? read his story and check his website.
Confessions of a no-frills indie songwriter
I’m really a fan as much as a songwriter, but a lot of songwriters say that. Elvis Costello, Elton John. They were fans first. But I was a serious fan, probably like most people who listen to “dark” music. Great songs got me through my adolescence. They got me through breakups. They kept me company.
So, you can tell I’m a music geek. I wanted to write songs before I wanted a tricycle. I came from a classical music family. Popular music was practically banned – it was trash. They made me take violin lessons. So, naturally, I got an electric guitar. And – no kidding – it was from SEARS. I learned chords. I wanted to be a new waver. I got older and got an asymmetric haircut. No matter what else I did, music was always first for me.
But I NEVER had hip taste, and I was kind of ashamed of that. I liked some alternative and punk bands, but I liked top forty groups, commercial stuff – whatever struck me as real. My friends hated anything with synthesizers, so I hid my New Order cds. I’m kind of disagreeable that way. That’s why it was weird when I became involved with a VERY HIP band. They were everything: goth, emo, industrial, electro, Madchester, trance, ambient, straight rock… Everything except metal, hip hop, or country. This band, Bleak House, in Pennsylvania, was driven by big egos and weird hair. The local bars where we played had country music on the jukebox. They took one look at us with our weird clothes and hair and yelling at us. It was the egos that sunk the band. I couldn’t get along with the drummer who smoked pot all day and watched the Cartoon Channel, or the bassist, my ex-girlfriend, who thought she could sing like Aretha Franklin. We broke up.
That’s when it hit me. I wasn’t hip and never would be. I liked songs that rocked, sure, with attitude, but also sentimental heartfelt stuff. Most of all, I loved an amazing melody. I wanted to crack the secret of how songwriters came up with a melody that everyone wanted to hum. That is my obsession. Unfortunately, I had a day job and not much time to pursue this obsession, except in my mind.
End of story? No, because one Christmas my sister sent me a digital recording program - Cakewalk. One weekend I learned it. I’m still not that good at using these programs – I’m a songwriter, not a producer – but, anyway, I got TOTALLY OBSESSED with music again. I started recording and writing songs, and I couldn’t stop. And a funny thing happened. I decided to be myself. I wasn’t an acid-rave-nu-techno-retro-psychedelic punk. I was a guy who LOVED great songs. Everything from the Stones to Paul Simon to Dire Straits to The Cure to Smashing Pumpkins to Coldplay… Even Hall & Oates. Anything with a great melody and some heart and soul. The songs started pouring out of me, and I got some musicians in to help with bass and percussion parts. They sounded okay. They had hooks. I thought some as hits, at least the kind of song that used to be a hit, and I could imagine some tracks as somebody’s favorite song.
And another funny thing happened. The songs came out like Elliot Smith or Nick Drake or something. Not the tunes, which were pure pop, but the lyrics. They were about loss, death, uncertainty, basically saying “What’s it all about?” I never knew I was that morbid. Writing is funny that way. Like looking into a mirror and seeing someone else. Some songs were your basic, “I got dumped and I can’t deal with it” type thin. But none were particularly cheerful. So I called the album MISERABLISM.
Now I perform them in little bars in Brooklyn. Places where everyone is a garage punk / grindcore / progressive house / nu-metal / swamp-punk. And they actually like it, even though I’m basically just a guy who writes songs. My songs are for other people who needed pop music to survive growing up in America. That’s why their a bit sad. Because sad songs make you feel a little better.
It feels great just knowing my little creations are on people’s iPod playlists as they jog around and around a New York City park. Now I’m hooked, talking to record labels and renting time at a high class studio, very different from the pure indie setup on which I recorded “Miserablism.”
Posted in Arts, Music, People | 2 Comments »
December 6th, 2007
This is a post I’ve received from Julien Bernier-Haineault and he is a music producer from Quebec, Canada. He made several songs for a lot of bands that never really got appreciated to their real value.
He said me: It’s countless hours, in fact I could count it as months, I’ve put into this industry for very low results in the end. This is my first attempt at writing articles and I hope people gets the point across that this art is reserved to an elite and that you must obey to some fixed rules to get into their circle. I hope to help people understand what are those traps and guide them to avoid those.
Julien, your voice can be heard now, thanks to ManuelMarino.com!
The industry of Do-what’s-already-done
Lately I’ve questioned myself why was there so much newcomers in the music industry that didn’t grab my attention. Soul less recordings, heavy thumping bass, yells and screams is all I hear these days. Where is the hear candy? You know that kind of song you listen once and you’re not sure you like until you give it more listens. The kind of lyric that hooks you and makes you want to change something about you, or even the world. The strange feeling of nostalgia, of fear or faith. That is all gone since the music industry is now all about money and none about feelings. What people want these days are instant rewards, premature orgasms while what we need from the music industry is more like a long term relationship. Don’t get me wrong; I understand why people want it that way, but there’s one kind of songs that’ll eventually fade in history while the other one will be there to stay. I think music needs a second chance, a change in the way of thinking, a split for newcomers that don’t want to fit in the prefabricated mold that today’s industry is.
Most contemporary musicians want to have the right “recipe” for success. The recipe that would get their songs top the charts and generate a buzz. They want the special ingredient that would get them out of normal life and throw them right into the elitist artist world. And that is understandable since the industry demands it. Instant success stories are heard all over the newspapers but from experience I know that most of those stories are forgotten shortly after. And if they are not, maybe they should.
What’s sad is that the music that doesn’t fit the standards gets pushed on the midnight playlist on Tuesdays, or worst, not played at all. So the infamous Verse Chorus Verse type of song is filling the entire rush hour playlist. Miss “Perfect Body” and Mr. “Perfect Voice” are all over the radio stations. We’ve come to an era where the beauty of the singer is more important than the beauty of the song. And that’s where it must stop. Sure an anti-charismatic singer won’t attract much audience at first, but fans listen to the music more than looks at the eyes, do they?
I really don’t care what the band looks like. They could be just “okay” but if what they do is pure genius, nobody will notice. What people will notice after some time is the music, the real reason why the band existed in the first place. Since when does a rock star need to be a supermodel to sell tickets? What we want is presence not nude skin.
Maybe I’m wrong a little bit though, since so much people are going to Justin’s or Britney’ shows. As they say “sex sells” and this can’t be truer. A lot of artists are betting on this to make their stash bigger. Think Janet Jackson at the superbowl. Publicity, marketing and word of mouth are what is important now, no matter what you do to get it. Good or bad, talk about it, heh? That’s what they want… And it works! What’s sure though is that good rock music has left its place to rap, screaming rock and pop music this decade and I can only hope it will be back for the next.
Posted in Business, Music, People | 6 Comments »
November 29th, 2007
This is another writing gem, from Jeff Doak, Application Developer for Sprint Nextel. He currently resides in Rome, NY, and has interests in music, nature, lifetime learning, programming. Lives with wife, three kids, cat, hermit crab, and fish. Check his “neglected” website.
The true rewards for being human
Fall – my favorite time of year. Here in the Northeast U.S. it is a beautiful time of year. The snow is falling today, but not sticking. The wind has a chill to it, but not harsh. It is a great time for daydreaming and self reflection.
I find myself drifting in time to the days of my youth, even then this was my favorite time of year. I was in Germany then, but the climate was much like it is here. The scenery is excellent. I recall my walks and jogs through the woods there and the brief conversations with the locals. The man I never saw before who gave me a walking stick he had meticulously and painstakingly carved himself. The woman who remarked how beautiful the scenery was at the beginning of one of my strolls. The girl who had a crush on me, but I was to young and shy to notice. The magnificence of Neu Schwannstein castle.
I also am swept to the more solemn times. The visit to Dacau where I was overwhelmed by the smell of death in the air brought out by the rain. The memories of the Berlin wall before it later was brought down. The Russian solders at the train station that stood a pace apart the entire length of the stopped train. The visit to the large hill outside of Stuttgart that had been erected from the rubble of the post-war crushed city. And of course the cross at the top, large enough to see from a mile away that stated something to the affect of “Never again”.
Much has changed. I have a family and between them and my job I find little time for reflection, but it sure is nice when I can. Please take the time yourself to reflect on life, current and past, because reflection is one of the true rewards for being human.
Posted in Arts, Culture, People | 1 Comment »
November 29th, 2007
Rob Mitchell is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN. He has played songs around Nashville and appeared at the Bluebird Cafe. Musical influences are James Taylor, Jim Croce, Jimmy Buffett and John Denver. Rob is not a writer but what he wrote for us is a real writing gem:
Every journey an adventure
Today the weather in Nashville is brisk. I woke to a chilly wind from the North whisking it’s way accross the dairy farm behind my home. Our dog is still curled deep in the cedar chips inside of her dog house as I fill her bowl with water. She stirs and looks at me with a bareful look. I think she wanted to sleep late too!I notice my steps are short and stiff. The ache is evident in my thighs. Last night was the second of my new nightly routine of running. One mans quest to regain lost youth and health. As I walk back inside I make a mental note to learn to welcome the pain as that is my benchmark of progress. I’ll now cook breakfast for the kids and let my wife sleep late. She deserves the break.
After dropping the kids off at school I begin my 50 mile drive into work. I turn off the radio so I can reaquaint myself with my inner voice. That is the voice of my youth. I try to hear him encouraging me as he did in the old days. The clutter of my daily worries has driven him back into dark places as of late. When he went back there to the fringe of my forgotten subconscious is was when melancholy wandered in. I listen for him and his words of encouragement and hope as the asphalt ribbon runs beneath the car. He speaks softly at first. Unsure and not having the confidence that comes with youth. However the more I listen to him his voice becomes more assured.
I am still the person I was at 20, 25 and 30! So what if the road was more rugged than it appeared on the map. But isn’t every journey an adventure? Don’t all of us end up in detours sometimes or make a wrong turn or two on the road of life? We don’t stop the trip because we get lost. We look at the map again or we ask directions. What if where we finally end up isn’t where we thought we wanted to go? If we choose to linger here a while it can only mean that this isn’t such a bad place to be afterall. Hopefully we can learn from the experiences in our journey and if nothing else come of it; we can look back and say it was one heck of a road trip we took!
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November 19th, 2007
Massimo Mestichelli is an Italian photographer who discovered this Art recenty. We can read his new emotions and feelings in this exclusive “diary” he wrote for us.
Diary of an Italian Photographer
Less than one year ago, I introduced myself in the wondering world of photography buying my first digital reflex camera. Before this moment, I took shots with digital cameras (‘compact cameras’) using them with automatic settings. These cameras are very small and their portability is good for a lot of situations (vacations, birthday, etc.) but it’s difficult to take night shots, speedy events and so on. With my reflex, now, I can take shots of a lot of kinds I never thought before.Practice and technical documents are basilar in everything and photography isn’t an exception. Try, try and try again to find what you want, not what is beautiful. This is just my opinion but is my choice in photography.
Some days ago, I bought a webspace and I built and published my personal website dedicated to the digital photography. You can find classical shots but there a lot of uncommon photos. It’s a kind of diary where I can share with all you my preferred shots, not the best because everyone has a different opinion about the same photo. Every photo has an own history.
I relax myself when I put the camera in the bag, drive my car and stop it wherever my mind feel an emotion. Turn on the camera and i find to take the best emotional shots.
Many times, my friends told me their opinions about some photos that they like for the colors, the subject but are estetic sensations…mine are deep emotions because I lived the moment, I choose the moment, I materialized an emotion…great!
I imagine that visitors of my site can’t ‘live’ my diary at the same mode of mine, but I hope that I can give you some frames of my emotions.
Posted in Arts, People | 11 Comments »
November 9th, 2007
Jeremy White wrote this article exclusively for us. Jeremy is currently in the throngs of several projects and sub projects in digital art (2d here, 3d there), computer programming, and some hobby-level music production. Actually, all of it is hobby level, but… who cares? I consider Jeremy a real artist, read the article and you’ll know why.
A passion for Digital Painting
Hello! I’ve been doing digital painting for a surprisingly short amount of time, but thought that since I’ve got around two years under my belt, I might as well voice some thoughts on the subject. I’m only a hobbyist, but I’ve graduated to CS3 recently and have had a Wacom tablet for some time and it appears that’s the standard layout for most people.I started art when I was very young in the sense that I enjoyed writing short stories and loved to try to draw Ren & Stimpy characters. Sadly, I let that die away when I reached high school and never really cared again for art until things came to college. I found myself so bored in calculus and other studies that I’d draw in my notebook. At some point, I got very addicted to drawing my dreams and yet I couldn’t get color because I didn’t really want to mess with paint in a dorm room. Anyone who’s been there knows that they don’t take lightly to anyone getting paint all over the furniture and I just knew that’s the kind of person I am. That’s right… my first impulse was that digital art was pretty clean. And I’m no neat-freak in any capacity. My room vacillates from messy to sterile several times a month.So, going in to digital painting, my inspirations were people who did a lot of concept art and also landscapes. One especially prominent fellow comes to mind whom you can look at over here. An example of his 2d digital painting style is here. Some artists avoid stroke work and try to be purely realistic but I especially think the joy comes out when you can blend things fairly well. I’m trying to get there, but sometimes I veer off like in the art work of paper XI. A good tutorial of his method can be found here (I love this method too… forgive my bias here).Someone once told me “Wow… it’s like painting with pen-pricks of light”. I especially enjoy the feeling of wielding millions of little variable colored flashlights. It’s an entirely different thing when you print your work out, but I prefer to keep it all digital when possible. I guess it feels cool to throw out something you did with no real cost on how many copies you make. I know that people steal digital media left and right, too. I don’t so much care about ‘pirates’, but when I say “steal”, I speak of those who claim they did a piece of work when in fact it was based on someone else’s effort or maybe entirely just a copy. It’s a very tragic side effect.
Still, it’s amazingly fun to look back from digital painting and smile and say to a traditionalist “Hey, does your oil paint have an Undo? My media does.” But sadly, when I go back to drawing on paper, I find myself searching for Ctrl-Z all the time and looking like a goofball.
Posted in Arts, Culture, People | 6 Comments »
October 29th, 2007
We’re back with a new interview, to Actress and Producer Glorinda Marie. Here are some interesting links to check, after reading the interview:
- Actress Website
- imdb
- SF Indieclub
- Get Bizzzy Acting Coach
Manuel Marino: “Glorinda, what do you think is an artist?”
Glorinda Marie: “An artist creates something through utilizing his or her imagination or minds eye as the primary tool of invention.”
MM: “You teach and coach other artists, why do some artists fail and other succeed?”
GM: “I teach my ‘Get Bizzzy’ students to practice the 5 P’s:
- Professionalism
- Punctuality
- Practice your Craft
- Persistence
- Patience
If any one of these key elements is missing, one can fail. Always be a professional treating everyone respectfully. You see the same people on the way up as on the way down. Show up early or on time for auditions and work. I know some CD’s that take points off for actors that are late for auditions and producers who will fire people from jobs if they are late. Also, it is especially vital that an actor hone their skills continuously - so practicing one’s craft, keeping one’s instrument sharp and tuned. And - truly persistence is the key that opens the door to opportunity! I think many talented people give up way too soon. So, practicing persistence and patience while doing the other things listed above, will eventually pay off! I loved Allison Janney’s speech at the Emmy’s a few years ago. Some one had referred to her as an ‘overnight sensation’. She laughed and retorted that it was the longest 30 years of overnight ever!”
MM: “You manage SF Indieclub, what can you tell us about it?”
GM: “I founded SF Indieclub to help enhance local filmmaking and filmmakers. Our collective mission is to create more work for all of us and also to enhance the quality of films being made locally. We hope to be inspirational, informative and helpful to our filmmakers. In the 8 years I have led the group, we have made some progress and sincerely intend to continue to do so. At this time, we network together over 2,000 filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, crew and talent. It is extremely rewarding to see many of our filmmakers go to festivals, win awards and even obtain distribution! My mantra for them is… keep creating!”
MM: “What are your next steps in career and life?”
GM: “Although SF Indieclub has proved to be somewhat instrumental in improving and expanding local filmmaking in the SF Bay Area, there is no comparison to the bountiful union work that is available in Los Angeles. As a SAG actress, I must expand my career and take it to the next level. Therefore, I have been living nomadically between Northern and Southern California. Although I am relatively established in the SF Bay Area, I nearly have to start all over again in LA. I’ve been going down there during pilot season and taking classes, meeting new teachers, meeting new casting directors and networking with actors. I am submitting myself in the hopes of finding a quality mid size agent to help me reach the next level in my career. I want to find someone who believes in me and my talent. In the meantime, I am submitting myself for every breakdown that would be considered my appropriate ‘type’ possible in film and TV. I believe that even if one does have an agent, the agent does 10% of the work and takes 10% of the cut because they do 10% of the work. An actor must always be actively involved in his or her own career. My goal is to get my feet in the doors of some TV shows and do some Guest Star and Co Star roles. Of course, I wish to play many more interesting roles in film as well.
As for life - I am traveling to Thailand next month. I love to expand my horizons and explore new cultures and people, customs, beliefs and ways of life. When I return home refreshed, I will enjoy the holidays with my friends and family before going back to LA again.”
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