have a good weekend

I'm checking out for a few days. Going to shoot a student film this weekend. Wish me luck ('cause I'm definitely going to need it). If you happen to have an environmental film, check out the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada City, CA. Their final without a box deadline is coming up (September 30th). Enjoy your bbq parties and the last days of summer. Happy Labor Day and see ya next week.

expendables recycler

I just went over to Expendables Recycler for the first time yesterday. If you're driving the streets of Van Nuys, and not sure if you've found it, you probably have. This place works out of their residential garage. They specialize in low cost expendables that are left over from other productions. I got nearly a full roll of 1/2 plus green for just over $60. And a couple of sheets of cyan perfectly cut for a 4x4 kino for just over 2 bucks each. Make sure you call ahead if you're looking for something specific.

don't get run over

Today, I bought myself a shiny new headlight. Apparently, it is illegal in Los Angeles not to have one. My homie Erin also sent me a great article on how NOT to get run over. The streets are dangerous out there. I've already witnessed several people get hit by cars with the rising amount of bicyclists on the roads. It's as much the cyclists' responsibility as it is motorists' to take heed.

Be safe, bitches!

sprinkles

Who knew you could eat a cupcake AND be green? Sprinkles cupcakes are committed to their community and their environment. All their "silverware," napkins, boxes, plates, and shopping bags are environmentally friendly.
Treat your cast and crew to some yummy goodness.
I want CAKE!

The world wide web: the final frontier

Beginning the film festival process (otherwise known as the “whore yourself out” process), can be very daunting. When you’re a beginning filmmaker, it is THE way to get seen and be taken seriously. But, like every other stage of the game, it gets expensive.

A great way to save some costs, as well as consumption, is optimizing the use of your website. If you don’t already have a website for your film, then you’re already two steps behind every Joe Schmo out there that thinks they’re the next Wes Anderson. You want to use your website to provide festival programmers with easy access to your press kit or a trailer. Allow your photographs to be downloadable, and post a pdf of your bio, synopsis and director's statement.

I also suggest for short filmmakers that you post your film on a “secret” page of your site. This is a page on your site that can’t be linked from your home page. Only you can provide the url to select viewers. You can go even further by setting up a page or user account that is password protected. The importance of protecting your film online is to prevent it from being considered public content. Most of the big festivals will disqualify you if your film is publicly available online. Plus, you want your audience to watch your film at the festivals you get into. You can use this method for programmers, talent agents and managers, producers, and fellow filmmakers that you are likely to meet on the film festival circuit. You can even use this to post scripts for your next potential project. Not only does this give you fast turn around, but it saves you money on dvds, dvd cases, shipping costs, and the gas it takes to get you to Fed Ex. Everyone will be so impressed with how business savvy you are.

If you absolutely have to provide a hard copy of your film, I suggest using Eco-Wallets from Discmakers. They print their cases on recycled cardboard that is lighter than standard cases, and with vegetable-based inks.


PS. Thanks to Lex for helping me with this post. He suggests using godaddy or namenova to register your sites, and hasweb for web hosting.

recycle them apples

I just wanted to make note that I'm adding a new link on the online resources side bar. The Apple Store will take your ipod or cell phone for free for their recycling program. Also, if you purchase a new Mac computer, they will take any computer, regardless of manufacturer.
The EPEAT gave the MACBookPro a Silver Rating.

on the subject of bicycles...

I've been on the look out on how to trick out my bike, and make it useful as well as cute. I read this great article today on Re-Nest that I thought all you novice cyclists might appreciate.

road trip

I am currently on a road trip for a wedding in Washington. One of my best friends got married on the beautiful Orcas Island. Their ceremony was hard as shit to get to. All I kept thinking about was how to get the grip truck up those roads. At any rate, it was gorgeous and definitely one of the most unique weddings I've ever been to. I will be back in a couple of days with photographs and more postings. Cali can definitely learn some things from the Pacific Northwest. They got the eco thing down. Talk to y'all laters.

Algae could save the planet

If you haven't already heard about this, Valcent is a company trying to use Algae as an alternative energy source. I haven't done too much research on this yet, but it sounds pretty fucking cool. Maybe I should pull a Scarlett Johansson, and drop the link with the Obama camp. Anything to get Obama and McCain off the off-shore-drilling debate.

Check it. Let me know if you've heard anything about it and what your thoughts are.