Pee Wee Champs and Shooting on Actual Film

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I'm even going to use this verbiage in one of my nightly journals required by my screenwriting professor so I'm sort of not even doing it for fun anyway! Ah! Not really, it's kind of fun.

So firstly, this is a still from my HD camera. One of my professors required us to go out and shoot a documentary first thing, sort of a "let's see the best thing you can produce in a short amount of time," kind of thing. So I shot what I knew: youth hockey. I sort of scored a winner and I was just looking for any old team. But these guys are the champs in their division: Southern California Pee Wee A's. I met the coach and interviewed him and his son. The coach is a great guy with all kinds of stories and stuff. The kid reminds me of when I was playing, full of energy and really focused on just playing hockey. I got out there on the ice with my camera and skated around with the players. I ended up getting about 4 to 5 minutes of pretty good footage out of it. It was fun to be there. To be reminded of a time in my life that I really loved and enjoyed. The smells, the attitudes, the drills, they're are all the same. So hopefully I'll have something up for you guys to watch- because of the short time it shouldn't look incredibly polished, just a decent documentary.

For another class my group and I shot actual film (super 16mm) on an actual set, for a class exercise this past Sunday. I put in about 13 hours doing everything I could to keep us organized and on track. It's a whole different world being on a movie set. The culture is stressful yet fun. Film is a lot slower than HD. I think it probably helps though if you have a really experienced Director of Photography to setup the shots and the lights in a timely manner. I was pretty precise with where I wanted to put the camera, what I wanted the actors to do etc. It just took a long time to get everything moving. I hate the feeling of running the set, I don't like telling large groups of people what to do. So later on we had a guy show up who ran it for me half way through the shoot- it took a big burden off my shoulders. We'll see how it turns out. Film is also expensive. This short is probably costing our group of four, $200 each for stock etc. I'm excited to see whether it turns out or not. I'm also excited to have an editor for the first time ever.

OK, Cara wants to use the computer so I'll get off now. I love and miss you guys. Here's a photo I took in a beginning photo class a long time ago. I ran across it today and it really made me miss home. Love you.

Settled in San Diego

Hey folks - some news and pictures, from SJ to SD:
This was taken the day of our big move. The truck is packed to the gills with all of our possessions. It was about an eight hour drive from San Jose to San Diego. Our friend Scott from work who also happens to go SDSU let us stay at his place for a few days while we looked for a spot. And that we did, it's about a ten minute walk from here to the film department. We're happy here and the weather is very nice.

This me filling up the Penske Truck. It's a funny picture I think. Can you see that twinge of pain in my eye?






On the job front- we have been working at the Red Robin in Del Mar for about two weeks now and the money isn't really there. What I mean by that is that we're both used to making around $80-$100 a night, even more if I'm up at the bar. But at Del Mar we've been lucky to make around $60. So...we've been pounding pavement the last couple of days applying at various restaurants. We've hit Gordon Beirsch, Buca De Beppo, Lou & Mickey's Steakhouse, The Kensington Grill and thought about Chili's. A couple of days went by and we got a call for a group interview with Lou & Mickey's. The place is a really swank steakhouse. We think it went well but don't know if the hourly demands are going to work for us (5 days a week?) AND (big and) on the way to the interview Cara got a call from Gordon Beirsch for an interview this coming Thursday. Great huh? Things are looking up.

Oh yeah- This is a picture my buddy and I took (or Cara took) of us fixing a hole that I made in the ceiling. We really tried to patch things up before the move.

Cara took me to Del Mar Racetrack for my birthday. We bet on a few races with the money my Dad gave me. It was a really nice track. Probably the biggest throwback to the 20s I've ever seen. (I know the design of the buildings doesn't look like the 20s (it was built in 1937) but it's swankier than Churchill Downs (that's where they hold the Kentucky Derby). It's less about the races and more about being seen picking up your mercedes from the $100 valet lot. The women all wear those silly hats.

And lastly, I just found out today that I passed my summer internship class and am officially graduated from San Jose State University (Cum Laude, yay). I had a cigar that I been saving for the occasion. So tonight I went out on my balcony with a glass of $4 cab, got myself all situated in a camp chair and smoked my cigar. I enjoyed the SoCal breeze for for about half an hour, I started thinking I was pretty cool- then I got dizzy and almost threw up. What a lamo. Adios Mi Familia!

Goodbye Red Robin and San Jose

So we said our farewells to our friends the Nichols and Koscts families at an awesome lunch. Then we worked our last shift at Saratoga Red Robin. We've been working there since March of 2006, a little over two years. It was a tough last day, and hard to say goodbye to so many familiar faces. They brought out a cake for us and sent us on our way- it was a great send-off. It still hasn't sunk in that we're probably never going to see those wonderful people again. But they'll always be in our memories. Duty calls, I've got to go help Cara pack.

Off to San Diego, and good news already

Hey folks, sorry it's been so long since I've posted. A lot has happened since graduation: I started and finished my summer internship with The Last Cut Productions in San Jose. I shot a wedding with my buddy Pete and a fight broke out (no kidding), I've been playing poker on Thursday nights with my filmmaking buddies, I've been reading Mere Christianity (mind-blowing stuff), and I won the Grand Prize Scholarship from Red Robin for $2500 bucks! That basically covers my first semester's tuition with a little leftover. Cool or what?! God is good. 

We've basically narrowed down our search to a couple of spots in San Diego that are relatively close to campus and downtown (good restaurant jobs). There's also a trolly that runs right through campus that we're aiming to be close to. We have a friend from work who also attends San Diego State and who works at the Red Robin down there. He's been kind enough to let us crash at his pad for a couple of days while we find a place. Cool huh? So we're planning on making the trip down  around the end of next month and Cara has already given me a list of things that need to get done (by me of course). 

Here's a sample of the work I did as an intern with The Last Cut: Enjoy! 

cut and paste the link (sorry):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU4yRQxKlKs

Love you guys,

Phil    

SJSU Graduation

So Cara and I finally did it. We're done- well... almost. I still have to take a summer internship and she has to turn in a couple of papers to a friendly professor who will let her turn them in a wee bit late. We just said goodbye to the folks, my Mom Becky and Cara's Mom Beth, and my brother-in-law Darren and her Dad Noel. We spent our last day at Santa Cruz, it was a lot of fun just to get out and walk around, hang out with the folks, and the beach was nice.

I've kind of been letting it soak in that I don't have to write anymore lame papers about the effects of globalization or the male gaze or even think about America's global meliorism. 

Cara and I slept in today after driving our folks to the airport and then we went to go get the new Pride and Prejudice movie from Barnes & Noble. I then realized that in the matter of a couple of days I've given myself about five books to read: CS Lewis' Mere Christianity, Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis, TH White's The Once and Future King, Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of The Baskervilles, and for a daily dose of the good Book, Eugene Peterson's The Message//Remix: Solo Devotional. I don't know if I'll get through all of them as quickly as I want to, but I was reminded lately that not only do I enjoy watching movies, but man, I do love reading good books. And now that I've finally got some free time I'm going to fully enjoy it- by reading. I remember walking around the Tacoma Public Library as a senior in high school considering myself lucky because I hadn't even scratched the surface- all of these great stories were waiting to be read. But since then I've only crossed off about five or six books from my "classics" list: The Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, Tolkien and Lewis- I don't know if the last two count. And I've read all of the Harry Potter books and a few other fantasy books like Eragon and Bridge to Terabithia, those I know don't count at all, but then again I think the Harry Potter books are the next Lord of the Rings or Alice in Wonderland. But I simply haven't read as much as  I'd like to. Didn't know that I'd ever say this, but all things considered, I've seen way too many movies. 

Anyway, tangent over. Cara and I are getting ready to move to San Diego and we look forward to the opportunities that await us there. I'm trying to get my internship out of the way here so that it doesn't take up too much of our time. August 25th is the first day of classes for Fall Semester- so it's going to be tight in terms of settling into a new place, finding jobs, and starting school etc. But God always provides. 

Love you all, 

Phil

SDSU news

So I got into San Diego State's Masters in Television, Film, and New Media Program. I got the email today. Cara and I went out to celebrate. I'm encouraged and excited about the prospect- but I'm still a little unsure about what the right move is. I was just thinking a moment ago about sticking around San Jose and building up my reel, showing at a few festivals and then applying to the big schools. In terms of the big schools I only really applied to UCLA. But then again, how much directing will I actually do when I get there vs. being a somewhat big fish in another small pond? And do I, we, really have the money? Wouldn't I be better off just focusing on the art and not worrying so much about money... and the conversation continues, and continues. I'm still meeting with my buddy Pete to talk some business and just get our individual ideas and visions out there- I'm still excited about working with him, he's a great guy with an extensive photo and color background. And he can be funny sometimes too, which helps.

Post Script
Here's what happens when you google your name, I think it's brilliant:

UCLA News

So as it turns out, UCLA wasn't in the cards for me. But I'm not too disappointed, an abundance of cons strike the pros from my brain at this very moment: $100,000 debt, 4 years of my life, living in Hollywood, 6 day a week schedules, not directing as much as I want, missing Cara, not being able to hold down a job to pay rent, $100,000 debt - oh, did I mention that already?

It frees a few options up, the direction my life is going is no longer a squiggly arrow but one that's actually starting to point somewhere. My friend Peter Lindsey has proposed something interesting to me: starting a non-profit Christian film organization that makes films with moral backbones and positive messages. It's pretty much right in line with what I want to do.

I have yet to hear from San Diego State. Peter has a year or so left at school so we might just take off from the Bay Area and get a masters there while he finishes. Who knows? I really felt the hand of God working in my life on Saturday. Thank you all for your prayers and phone calls.

Love,
Phil

Post Interview

Hey all, we shot some footage while we were at UCLA of the campus etc. The video is a basic run-down of what happened. Enjoy. Love ya!

PS They'll let me know by Wednesday- we'll see, it's in God's hands now.

Thanks, Phil and Cara.

My Reel

Here's a reel I put together for my UCLA interview. Hope you like it.
It's much more effective on a bigger screen. See ya. - Phil

In Other News

Happy Easter everyone- our Pastor said that we wont see one this early for another 270 years- it seemed weird to have it on March 23rd.

We started filming "Grandma Shoes" (pictured) this weekend. It's a short I wrote awhile ago and it's finally coming together. I'm really excited about it. That crew that you see in the picture are some of the most talented film people I know. The guy behind the camera shot a film that screened at Cinequest, the guy holding the boom mic won a Turner Classic Movie Award, and the dude in the brown shirt with the bounce card won 3rd place in a national script writing competition. They're also some of the nicest and most creative guys I know. It was the best crew I'd ever worked with. Cara and I also met with the lady we're going to have play Drake's Mom today and she read the part really well. So far I've really been enjoying directing this thing- hopefully I'll still be saying that when the week's over.


















This is Drake and me, (and the grandma shoes) at the SJSU bowling alley. He's the lead in the short. He's a great kid. He's home-schooled so his schedule is flexible. This is being counted as his "drama project." His parents have been very supportive.
















Attention: Cara and I are now officially riding in style. This is the new Wilsonmobile. It seats four and can haul laundry, film equipment, and camping stuff. At 34 miles per gallon, it is the perfect road trip vehicle.



Specs: 1999 Ford Escort SE Wagon 2.0 4-cyl with only 42,000 miles. We traded in our 2002 Escort ZX2 that had 62,000 miles on it and got the dealer to go from $6992 to $5,700 on the financing. Our new payment is now $139 a month, down from $158. I'm pretty happy with it- at least we're living within our means. It runs very strong and is even fun to drive. It has brand new tires and handles very well. I went 70+ all the way from Sacramento with AC on and it did just fine.


















We were thinking of upgrading to something really nice, (like a Toyota Matrix or a Pontiac Vibe) but there's no real present reason to do that. We'll hang on to this one and run it into the ground- it's the perfect car to do it with.

The interview with UCLA is set for April 19th. Pray for me. I really hope all goes well. If it doesn't I've still applied to the University of British Columbia up in Vancouver and San Diego State University, the latter of which I've recently heard good things about. The camera guy on "Grandma Shoes" said they actually shoot on real film- which would be pretty cool.

Cara and I are both very tired and have been working a lot. Cara is on her last semester and is really looking forward to when it's going to be over. I've got a lot of production classes going, all of them have been a great deal of fun, but a lot of work. I'm also taking a History and English class- I wish I had time to do the readings but I really don't.

That's all for now. I'm going to bed. I love and miss you all. -phil

UCLA MFA in Production/Directing Interview

Are you kidding me? I sat motionless as I read this email from UCLA requesting me for an interview. Even as I'm saying this I'm still telling myself not to think about it. Because it's probably not going to happen.

But UCLA? They want to meet me? For an interview? To direct films? Yes that's right, U-C-L-A, the film school that Coppola, Rob Reiner and Gore Verbinski came out of. The film school that Spielberg applied to and got rejected from 3 times. 500 people applied, and I am one of 61 finalists this year for 21 positions in the program. This has been my dream school from the beginning. Are you kidding me?

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Cara. Thank you Mom. Thank you Dad. Thank you Noel and Beth. Thank you Jen, Rory and Cecily and NB. Thank you Grandma. Thank you Dick and Dale Hancock. Thank you Mr. Downum. Thank you Marty...this list could go on forever.

BTW- Cara would like me to inform you that she is directing her first short film this coming week. I helped her write the script. It's called, Zoe Goes Green. She says, "it's a romantic comedy that will warm your heart and not the globe." I am her director of photography, assistant director, editor, and producer. Heck I might even make some music for it. I'm planning on it being good enough to get into festivals.

Well, that's all for now. Thanks for reading. We love you- Phil & Cara

We made this for our niece, Cecily Jane Adams- she's one today.

"GRE, SCHMEE-ARE-EE"

Just got out of the testing cubicle in San Jose and I'm exhausted and relieved. I just took the GRE, which is required of San Diego State film school applicants. They require a 450 on the verbal and a 4 on the writing- nothing an average college grad can't do- right? So I found out right away that my score on the verbal was 470 and 530 on the quantitative. They're passable. I'm waiting on the written score.

Really, if I have a problem I've got my prep to thank for it. Here it is: the night before the test I go to the library and get a 400 page book about the GRE, make some flashcards, and read it until about 4am. I wake up at 9am (get about 5 hours of sleep) drive cara to her morning class, get some food at McDonald's (I know) and go take the 3 1/2 hour test. HA! What a day!

I'm looking at it this way: if I had spent a week preparing and then gotten really great scores what's in it for me- really? I could pine over math and vocab, crazy words like aggrandize, inchoate, or quiescence and practice, practice, practice for weeks- get a 550 or even maybe a 600. Then I'd apply and get in. But that's the point, to get in. So if my measly 470 gets me in, I'm better off working on film stuff- right? Well that's my attitude anyway.

Thursday Night Darts

Cara and I made this video (in a couple of hours) after watching the first three seasons of "The Office" on DVD. We showed it to our friends and they laughed pretty hard so we thought it might be worth showing you. (My character is just a spoof on Dwight, and Cara is channeling Pam.)

Valentine's day

Cara and I went to a Catholic Basilica in downtown San Jose and looked at the beautiful art and ceilings from 1813. San Jose is pretty old. We also went to see, "Definetely, Maybe" which was just okay. Went to Amici's pizza for a brick oven pizza and then went bowling at San Jose State. Here's the story with the bowling. Game 1: average, I bowl about 100 and so does Cara. Game 2: I bowl one strike, then two, then three, and end up bowling four in a row and finish with a 174. I don't bowl. Maybe once a year. This was a great acheivement for me. I was very happy- and so was Cara. It's the first time she had been to the bowling alley in the Student Union. In the words of Cara, "Best Valentine's Day ever." That's my job folks- I love it.

January in San Jose

So today was rainy and yesterday was rainy etc. It's been nice for a change, but it really is just a constant reminder that I need to put some new tires on the ole Escort. California drivers don't drive well in the rain. They either drive way too fast or way too slow- so I end up having to change lanes more than I'd like to- just to be nice. City driving sucks. Just yesterday I made the conclusion to stop being nice because no one (downtown) recognizes a turn signal and a careful glance anymore. They all honk and get mad because they're either in a hurry to get to work or to go home or to the bank or even to the mall. I don't know about you but when I drive to the mall I'm not in any big hurry. Downtown San Jose is like one big costco parking lot. OK that's an egg-zaduration but you know what I mean. And they tell me LA is way worse.

I've been watching a lot of The Office lately. Cara and I have it on Netflix. The situations are very funny and the way it's shot and edited is so well thought out. So that's been a trend for college students, now I guess. Is to get DVDs of a TV show and watch them all the way through. It is completely addictive because 1. there are no commercials and 2. each one is only twenty minutes. So you catch yourself saying after the fifth one, "what the heck, it's only another twenty minutes." And then you stop caring- which is the point I'm at right now. I don't kid myself. As soon as I get a DVD, I settle in and pop some popcorn and put my life on hold for two straight hours. And I don't feel bad about it at all. And you know what? Those end up being some of my most productive days- well not really, but the day after- definitely.

I've begun my last semester at San Jose State and I'm really excited about it. I think things have been going well so far, I've already got some books assigned that I need to buy. First days are really nice. Some teachers say, "here's my green sheet (hardly ever on green paper by the way) any questions? Good. See you next week." But some teachers assign reading so that you have to go out and put the books on your discover and pay it off by working Monday for a couple of weeks. Speaking of work it's been going well. I overhauled our budget and mapped out a course for us to get out of debt. Now that I've got a set schedule it shouldn't be too bad.

My buddy Nic from work put his music up on Myspace it's really good. I sang a few bars for him that he might put into the songs. We'll see. Just copy and paste the link into your browser: myspace.com/nicholasmyth

Well that's all for now. Hope everyone is well. Cara is a lot of fun to hang out with. She has very good ideas. She's like Steve Jobs. ( I'm like Bill Gates, I steal her good ideas and exploit them. :>)