zhuzhu's Xanga

Monday, March 26, 2007

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:08:20 GMT

this is fucking crazy:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23390052-details/British+man+commits+suicide+on+live+webcam/article.do

stillshot
http://poststuff5.entensity.net/032607/image.php?pic=cybersuicide.jpg

before class on a friday

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:44:36 GMT

in honor of 'how sweet' coming up (mar 31) i figure id post some videos. im still deciding on whether to go, but every time its a hard decision. i think i could live w/o it all, except for the light shows--that's what keeps me in the rave scene. i love it all--photons, glowsticks, strings--it's an art really. for the skeptics (and the interested) here's some vidz of a couple very talented glowstickers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoVEpldxtNc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lokp0G1MqDE

and for the strings fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E1DfcxvWN0&mode=related&search=

seeing as this is really a music post, here's some music that i've been bumpin lately:
john frusciante - murderers
tool - the pot
breaking benjamin - breakdown
rjd2 - de lalouette
sander kleinberg - my lexicon
dj remy - unplugged
Rockerfeller - do it 2 nite (olav basoski remix)

im lazy. all for now, leaving you with a quote from technique (all musicians should love the music as much as he does):
"Obnoxious nigga, murderous lyrics
I know that you hear it
now that I'm getting closer and closer I know that you feel it
your eating off rap, and I hope you choke on your gimmick
niggaz said hip hop was dead but I awoken the spirit
we're taking it, back in the day to the golden age
when wack motherfuckers used to get thrown off stage
Immortal Technique, I made this the bump in your ride
or burn it off the internet, and bump it outside
nigga, we keeping it live, we keeping it live
we keeping it live, we keeping it live
burn it off the fucking internet, and bump it outside"

film production: the process

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 05:24:58 GMT

my schedule has been hectic this year. most of my time is occupied with film projects. from my experience, most people's perception of film school is that it's mad chill--you get to sit around and watch movies in class! though this is true, it is much more than that. in general, i don't think film students get enough credit for all the time and effort required of them. YES, it is very fun but at the same time it's also a lot of work relative to respective deadlines. To illustrate, the orientation seminar i attended upon starting the production track of my major, the speaker began by saying: "this semester, everyone in this room will learn a lot about time management. You will especially learn the value of time, because the more time you have the more time you can sleep--and sleep, is not something you'll be doing a lot of". Then came my first class where again the teacher's first words were along the same lines: "Forget your family and friends...You won't have time for them this semester". While their statements weren't purely literal, it's been quite a task juggling all the aspects of my life.

Currently i'm working on preproduction for my next film project, and i thought it'd be a good idea to write out a plan/checklist of what i need to do for preproduction, production, and post production. i thought, 'why not kill two birds w/ one stone' and xanga it, hopefully shed some light on the process to those not in the field:

Pre-production
Gather equipment -- lights, tapes, camera, tripod, etc.
Write a script; rough draft --> revise --> final draft
Storyboard the script or integral scenes in order to convey visual concept
Identify and acquire necessary props
Identify and acquire preferred wardrobe
Identify roles
Hold casting calls to fill the roles
For on-location shooting...scout locations and fill out necessary forms/waivers to record at locations
For studio shooting...build sets
Once logistics are decided on and confirmed, rework script to write around implausibilities if necessary
Plan shooting schedule scene-by-scene, shot-by-shot
Fill out any necessary forms regarding...minors (hire on-set child labor official/overseer), prop weapons (hire on-set policeman to monitor prop weapon use in public places), car scenes, safety hazards (hire on-set safety official), stunts (hire on-set stunt coordinator), nudity, animals (hire on-set wrangler of specific animal)

Production:
Go over script with actors; go over actor's character
Set-up the scene -- camera, lighting, sound, props, & action
Direct the scene (performance, sound, lighting, etc.)
Re-do scene from necessary angles (standard is at least 3 -- master, profiles, necessary closeups, etc)
Repeat process for every scene, set changes and location changes included

Post Production:
Sound Design -- record any foley sound effects; ADR (dubbing) for dialogue
Capture footage
Watch dailies (footage)
Edit dailies to final product (choose segments of footage you want to use, pieced together appropriately; make sure of continuity); note: the avg film runs probably around 90 min; the amount of footage varies in duration anywhere from 3 to 300 times as much
Edit sound
Digital Cut onto playable media
Review and revise

To clarify in my classes I'm required to be an "auteur", taking on all the roles of filmmaking (editor, director, screenwriter, producer, etc.). At any given point during the school year, i am in one of these stages of the process. in real productions, the amount of work is greater (hence the separation of such roles). i don't know how appealing this is to anyone who reads it, but my hope is that at least someone got something out of it. Essentially the filmmaking process is about creating a world within your own--a personal vision. I love film and I love filmmaking, but I hate it when people assume that it's all fun and games. Especially when people in production have the craziest work hours, and it's the most competative industry in the nation.

Anyway, spring break was very needed. All in all, good, relaxing times. Now that i'm back in LA i picked up my fake and have used it twice already. One of my closest friends, Ed, came to LA to visit UBS, the ibanking firm he's going to be working for. Good times hanging out--at this point in my life, i feel very satisfied.

As I dropped Ed off at the airport, a cop pulled me over in the terminal on the grounds that one of my headlights was out. Now this spelled bad news--we were coming from finishing dinner at which I took the liberty of having a couple beers. I wasn't driving drunk or even tipsy, my buzz had worn off by then. But I AM under 21; thus, a breathalizer test would've been enough to charge me for a DUI. As the cop approached the window, I quickly asked Ed for some gum and popped it. I pulled down my window and handed the cop my license and registration while he explained what I was being pulled over for. Then came the question: 'Have you been drinking?'; to which I responded: 'Why no officer, I'm underage' as I flashed a smile, gum in mouth. Lesson: gum/mints are clutch and I'm keeping a stash in my car from now on. Luckily, the situation ended with a fix-it ticket. Nevertheless--close fucking call. And on that note, Happy St.Patrick's Day everyone! Be drunk, but be safe =)

perspective

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 03:35:05 GMT

after ending my hellacious week, i started spring break with a spontaneous skydiving trip w ms. giantvicky. looking back, puts my life in perspective. i've done a lot of crazy shit--skydived, microglided, parasailed, walked on fire, etc--and been a lot of crazy places, and i'm still young. it makes me wonder how reminiscing on my time here will be at the end of my life.

skydiving was awesome and unforgettable. highly recommended even though its pricey.

=O

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 04:38:51 GMT

skydiving tomorrow. we'll see how it goes >=D!!!!!

no time.

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:31:40 GMT

schedule:
monday 10 - 2; interior shots at house
2 - 6; downtown location coverage; bring props
7 - 10; sound design at pyons
10 - ?; work on 10-12pg comm essay

tues 9am - 12pm; sound class
12 - 4; finish coverage, captures & edit
4 - 5; chang session
6 - 10; 290/242 class (bring cam+gloves!)
10 - ?; finish comm essay

wed 10am - 12; edit
12 - 2; OT 220
2 - 5; COMM 499
5 - 12; avid lab

thurs 10am - 6; edit
6 - 10pm; 290/242
10 - 11; formals
11 - 1am; triparty?

fri 1am - 3am; CTWR 413 script
6 am - 8am; josh + art airport
10am - 1; CTWR 413
1pm - ?; dvd export

fri 3/9 - 3/19: CHHHHhhhhiiiiLLLllLL =D

comeback!

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 07:08:06 GMT

ok, after little deliberation i had the idea to come out of xanga hibernation, nontemporarily i might add. that's right--ill be updating at least once a week now. more for myself than anything, but those who read are welcome.

im thinking of taking this direction with my xanga: writing about things i care about or that are important to me, not just random entries. given that focus, my entries from now on will probably be about (1) music, (2) movies/tv, (3) the fight for the cause to "just say know", (4) shopping, (5) technology, and (6) friends/family + the random social situations involved

alright, so to kick this thing off i might as well update what's going on in my life:
it's scary to think that i'm approaching the real working world, and i'm getting my first taste this semester. In my major, the production track has started meaning that I am now making movies. I have a love/hate relationship with this--i hate the process (or it's a bitch most of the time) but i love the product. I like my schedule--i'm taking screenwriting, cinematic sound, cinematic technique, cinematic communication, religion & hollywood/media, and intro to occupational therapy. it seems chill b/c its only 6 classes a week, but when i go to class i'm committed for a good time. I have (1) two hour class, (3) three hr classes, and (2) four hr fatties.

My schedule is starting to pick up, and as i pass the halfway point I know that now my schedule is no joke. Last week I spent sat, sun, mon filming, tues, wed, thurs, editing, and sat, sun I went to vegas for allstar weekend to help my friend Carl on his production team for sandbox TV as camera operator / production assistant. now that that's out of the way, moving on...

My philosophy on music, abridged:
ok so to me, there are two types of music, generally made for two types of people. There's music to dance/party to and music to listen to. The two types of music lovers are those who like music they can dance to and those who like music they like to listen to.

As for me, I believe i fall into the latter category. Music that I like is usually music that i appreciate meaning that it (1) sounds good to me and (2) makes talent to make. As for dance music, I don't necessarily hate on it b/c i can understand what people like it for, but when i'm not dancing/partying I don't want to hear it.

In general, people listen to music to be put into different mindstates. For example, someone may like a song b/c of the memories associated with it. I like to listen to different music when I'm in a certain mood like norah jones when I'm tired and chillin' or hard house tracks when I want to get pumped up, etc. Most people, I think, are like this--the genres that people are most attracted to are determined by "why they listen to music" and the mood(s) that they're in.

Now this is my theory on rock vs. rap/hip-hop. Feel free to yell at me (plz do) if you feel differently.
Ok first to clarify, the type of rock I listen to is not really radio stuff. The only band i really like that gets significant radio play is Incubus. So when I say rock, I'm talking about bands like Metallica, Tool, Deftones, Breaking Benjamin, etc. To me, rock will always be superior to rap--not even because it sounds better. As far as sound is concerned i'm indifferent toward the two--both genres have some SICK (and horrible) songs. But rock appeals to me because of the talent that is required to produce it. Rappers don't usually do their own beats, and even when they do it's usually all synthesized--they make music without playing instruments. Playing progressive rock takes a lot of talent and skill (not to mention years and years of practice). I'm the type of person who likes to give respect where i think it's due, and i put it down for rock just because of the ability of the musicians. To me, i can like a song without liking the muscian, but in order for me to like an artist I need to respect them as musicians. Though some of my fav groups are hiphop, i respect rock artists more. It took me a while to become acclimated to heavier stuff, but once I did it became my favorite, and I think it's going to stay that way. Most people who don't listen to prog rock, dismiss it b/c the stuff that they've heard they don't like. (1) I think that the best bands don't get enough exposure so that the hard rock nonfrequenters hear is not that good and (2) it all sounded like noise to me because I hadn't grown into it. Once I had heard a lot of it, my ears started to develop and I was able to notice the complex structures within the music. This is my theory, and my attempt to share some music and hopefully get more people into the genre.

This all occurred to me b/c I made a playlist of my current faves that I plan to update as I get more new music. I'm going to post some song recommendations if anyone is interested in getting started listening to prog rock. Remember, it takes a while for your ears to get used to it, but the payout is way worth it (it also helps if you play an instrument or know what it takes in order to play one to appreciate the bands' skills).

My fave three bands are (1) Tool, (2) Breaking Benjamin, and (3) Metallica. these are some of my fav tracks:
Tool: Lateralus, Disposition, 46 & 2
Breaking Benjamin: No Games, Follow, Breath, Forget It, So Cold (acoustic)
Metallica: One, Fade to Black, Nothing Else Matters

This is why I love incubus. They manage to retain mainstream appeal and sell, while still pumping out a good product. Here are some of favs from them:
Are You In, Echo, Stellar, Anna Molly, Pardon Me (Acoustic)

aite, i'll talk to myself nxt wk. peace.

my life is complete

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:54:02 GMT

BR now carries size 00 petite.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:16:22 GMT

oh man. the crazy times we have in norcal eh?
>=D

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:06:35 GMT

this is how i've been feeling lately

samurai champloo - the space between two worlds
ryan adams - wonderwall
ray charles - baby, it's cold outside
jamiroquai - just dance
thrice - so strange i remember you (first 40 sec)
breaking benjamin - so cold (acoustic version)
supa lowery bros. - connection
incubus - aqueous transmission
bob marley - waiting in vain
???? - ???? fill in the blank

turning 20 makes me want to be productive. so far its been decent