"Chase after the truth like all hell and you'll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat tails."
-Clarence Darrow
To call oneself anything is to, in a way, declare your identity.
About two years ago I changed the signature on my main email address to 'filmmaker'. And so it was, I became a filmmaker. Now when I surf the web in search of things I like, like documentary film, it becomes quite evident how many filmmakers there actually are out there. It never used to be like this.
To me, it's crazy how the web has changed the world. What was once a very selective, very difficult industry to break into is now wide open for anyone with a camera, a Mac, and some time on their hands. Well.. and the will to do it of course. There's no guarantee you'll be any good at it, but the opportunity is right there, staring you in the face, waiting for you to realize it. In 2012, it couldn't be easier, nor cheaper.
So now more than 2 years in, with the website launched and functioning properly, and quite a few short documentary movies completed, I believe it's time to take the next step. It's time to embark on a feature length movie. It's time.
Many more details to come.
Keep the faith.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Cambodia: A Must See
Steph and I spent two weeks last winter visiting three countries in Asia:
Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia. While all three are spectacular and worth a visit, we both agree that Cambodia made the biggest impact on us.
Case in point: the magnitude that is Angkor Wat, and Angkor Thom
We had set out to film some of our experience in that trip, but nothing could prepare us for what we saw on that first day visiting those ruins. It's a good thing we had both our cameras with us that day.
That evening we returned to our awesome hotel (highly recommended btw) for a shower and some dinner. Afterwards plopped ourselves down in a cool night spot for a few drinks and some serious research. We were planning for the following two days of exploring and filming.
The video above is, in part, the result of our sincere interest in Cambodian history born out of our visit there. As far as I'm concerned, Cambodia, Siem Reap, and the temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are a must see before you die.
Keep the faith.
Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia. While all three are spectacular and worth a visit, we both agree that Cambodia made the biggest impact on us.
Case in point: the magnitude that is Angkor Wat, and Angkor Thom
We had set out to film some of our experience in that trip, but nothing could prepare us for what we saw on that first day visiting those ruins. It's a good thing we had both our cameras with us that day.
That evening we returned to our awesome hotel (highly recommended btw) for a shower and some dinner. Afterwards plopped ourselves down in a cool night spot for a few drinks and some serious research. We were planning for the following two days of exploring and filming.
The video above is, in part, the result of our sincere interest in Cambodian history born out of our visit there. As far as I'm concerned, Cambodia, Siem Reap, and the temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are a must see before you die.
Keep the faith.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Why Some People Inspire Me
Back in the Fall of 2011, I was invited to a dinner that I thought was just going to be me and the person who invited me. Shortly before I arrived I received a text message. Something like 'we are at the such and such a place by Burger King' popped up on my phone. I had never been to this restaurant, and wondered how many people were already there.
That was the night I met Ross.
Even as dinner came to a close I hadn't spoken much to him. I found out at one point that he was about to be a published author for the first time. I told him I was interested in capturing that sort of thing in my documentary movies. Outside the restaurant while he clutched his skateboard, we exchanged numbers and parted ways.
I had no idea at the time what he had really accomplished, or how his peers around Seoul look up to him.
And instead of an explanation here about who he is or what he's accomplished, I think it's just enough to say that the man inspires me. So much so that I did eventually call him, and we did finally meet for a interview on camera.
Below is the trailer to the Ross Gardiner Documentary Movie that will be released shortly on KRTV.tv
Keep the faith.
That was the night I met Ross.
Even as dinner came to a close I hadn't spoken much to him. I found out at one point that he was about to be a published author for the first time. I told him I was interested in capturing that sort of thing in my documentary movies. Outside the restaurant while he clutched his skateboard, we exchanged numbers and parted ways.
I had no idea at the time what he had really accomplished, or how his peers around Seoul look up to him.
And instead of an explanation here about who he is or what he's accomplished, I think it's just enough to say that the man inspires me. So much so that I did eventually call him, and we did finally meet for a interview on camera.
Below is the trailer to the Ross Gardiner Documentary Movie that will be released shortly on KRTV.tv
Keep the faith.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Anything for some Publicity
I saw this video just now and had to post. A small chain of restaurants named 'Sticky Rice' launched sushi into space in the hope of gaining national attention. It's certainly grabbed mine.
RVA TV and Bark Marketing partnered with the small sushi chanin, and were responsible for executing the stunt.
Sticky Rice's Sushi in Space from RVA TV on Vimeo.
RVA TV and Bark Marketing partnered with the small sushi chanin, and were responsible for executing the stunt.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The 'Arts'
...'Martial' Arts I mean.
The first real sports filming I've ever done is now on display at www.krtv.tv. Here's a look at the characters who'll be competing later on in the movie:
The website has seen increased traffic since the release of 'Kyokushin Karate - Part 1', and I found a website to share the movie that's geared specifically towards those interested in this type of martial art.
The first real sports filming I've ever done is now on display at www.krtv.tv. Here's a look at the characters who'll be competing later on in the movie:
The website has seen increased traffic since the release of 'Kyokushin Karate - Part 1', and I found a website to share the movie that's geared specifically towards those interested in this type of martial art.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Election 2012
I saw this video and, because I'm an independent living in Asia, felt compelled to share it.
As an American itt certainly feels real, especially from an Asian viewpoint. Maybe that's why it's been banned.
Keep the faith.
As an American itt certainly feels real, especially from an Asian viewpoint. Maybe that's why it's been banned.
Keep the faith.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
What we learn in school
Conservative is to education what apple pie is to America: inseparable. Though I still feel I shouldn't have been so naive in the beginning, I learned this my very first year while teaching in New York.
Of course this was not my first year of teaching.
Anyone who has taught children of any age in public school knows you should probably keep your mouth shut if you would like to not ever lose your job. I'm referring to mostly what you say in front of other teachers (or administration) at the workplace. The students, of course, usually don't mind so much if a teacher has something to say. At least that's what I've experienced in classrooms back home.
Korea is quite different, though this should be no surprise. In offices and hallways here, no one is complaining about anyone else, and there are virtually no problems with students. In middle and high schools, students become accustomed to not having any responsibility whatsoever participating in class. Years go by, students get used to listening, and before you know it they've been taught not to challenge anyone. And thus the cycle of falling in line and permanent good behavior begins. One might even go so far to call it indoctrination perhaps.
Students here, however, want to learn in a way that's better than the way they are now. The system here in Korea is (mostly) the result of a largely populated country following what it believes is the fairest way for the younger population to have a fair crack at getting into what most believe is the best university possible: Seoul National. Unfortunately in making things fair, the country has severely hindered its creativity potential.
I'm not saying the situation in other countries is any better. Some of the inner cities districts in the U.S. are no better off than they were 20 years ago. But they have an excuse. And I suppose, so does Korea. Because the truth is, education can never really be changed, until the development and evolution of technology forces us to make it happen.
Keep the faith.
Of course this was not my first year of teaching.
Anyone who has taught children of any age in public school knows you should probably keep your mouth shut if you would like to not ever lose your job. I'm referring to mostly what you say in front of other teachers (or administration) at the workplace. The students, of course, usually don't mind so much if a teacher has something to say. At least that's what I've experienced in classrooms back home.
Korea is quite different, though this should be no surprise. In offices and hallways here, no one is complaining about anyone else, and there are virtually no problems with students. In middle and high schools, students become accustomed to not having any responsibility whatsoever participating in class. Years go by, students get used to listening, and before you know it they've been taught not to challenge anyone. And thus the cycle of falling in line and permanent good behavior begins. One might even go so far to call it indoctrination perhaps.
Students here, however, want to learn in a way that's better than the way they are now. The system here in Korea is (mostly) the result of a largely populated country following what it believes is the fairest way for the younger population to have a fair crack at getting into what most believe is the best university possible: Seoul National. Unfortunately in making things fair, the country has severely hindered its creativity potential.
I'm not saying the situation in other countries is any better. Some of the inner cities districts in the U.S. are no better off than they were 20 years ago. But they have an excuse. And I suppose, so does Korea. Because the truth is, education can never really be changed, until the development and evolution of technology forces us to make it happen.
Keep the faith.
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