Camera Operations and People Watching 101

After a whole 30 or so years of taking in films, I've only just come to realize that I really don't care much about plot. I don't value wardrobe designers much. Music directors are acquaintances, yet not good friends. Editors come and go without notice. What impresses me most, driving a desire to watch a film more than once, are two artistic components to film creation:

Cinematography and casting. These choices, when well done by their individual experts and approved by good directors lead to a movie that I'm likely to give time. Immersion in a scene...truly making the escapism of a film feel real - what an incredible feat, especially today when it's easy to question authenticity (CGI, and its evil buddies). I also relish those moments when the hackneyed phrase becomes legit- actor becomes the role. When even the thinking viewer seriously considers that actors personality to be whats on display...and this goes beyond the speech, mannerisms, etc. Even the physical appearance of the actor aligns with people that you've actually met that have the same characteristics (mannerisms matched to physical appearance) That's a whole different point...the whole "what you look like determines partially your personality and lifestyle", that I'll leave alone, but the point is made.

Ok, so some examples:
Billy Elliot
Cast and Cinematography - only noticed cinematography after 3 viewings! This movie makes me feel England in a way that 100% matches my experiences living there. Music Director gets a thumbs up as an aside.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Liz, Paul, Burl Ives...even Gooper. Absolutely crushes any modern acting by current starlets

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Again, Liz and hubby at time Burton, even Segal and his little woman. An absolutely coup de casting

The Thin Red Line
Cinematography at it's best - Nature sets the scene, but taking it in adequately and creating a pensive quality is genius. Video Excerpt

Just a few that came to mind within 26 seconds...I could go all day. Films and music...two of the fundamental keys to happiness in life.

Sure, I'm a big fan of many films that are especially well plotted, and some of the above are also great plots (Billy Elliot springs). However, whenever I'm feeling a little Howard Hughes-ish, I'll pay the cinematographer and the casting director first. Make it beautiful to watch and let the best believable acting talent make the film. All else is a backdrop. No props to props from me. (yes-I like a little dry wit mixed into movies too) :)

Who's got your vote?

I've heard this question many times lately. I'd like to think it's because everyone wants to hear my unique opinion on this whole election process. However, the more reasoned answer is that this question is simply numero uno on the week's small talk list. So, here are some answers I've given different folks in all their flippant glory:

1. I'm voting for...the younger generations more than myself. (the most honest answer I can give).
2. I'm voting for...change. (that covers the gamut, as only beggars say "change" more often than the candidates).
3. I'm voting for...the candidate best aligned with the plans I believe will amend this country's mistakes, misunderstanding, and misdirection.
4. I'm voting for whichever candidate the ballot reader thinks I voted for.
5. I'm not going to vote, as I was advised by many celebrities.

Of course after these answers I get the "ok, sure. So then, exactly for whom are you voting?!"

1. I'm voting for...and refer to folks I'm voting for in the local elections, but not the obvious national one.
2. I've not yet decided (curiously, I've heard many recent news reports which wholly knock the 14% of undecided folks. Why is this?? I've never understood people that would rather just make a decision on impulse, than think on it for even a minute).
3. I'm voting for whomever you are. (that answer brings either a smile/chuckle or a 10 minute soapbox special on why my partner in dialogue believes that so and so should be elected)
4. I'm voting for you...I'm writing you in, would you like to sign my petition to have you added? (this one's reserved for the inner circle of special friends)


and finally, one just for my Blog readers:

Voting? I'm from Scotland...there is no pending Scottish election! Long live the Queen.

November 4th, please vote.

Balancing a Bike and a Life

Happiness is elusive for sure, but sometimes the world arranges itself around you in such a way that you can't help but smile and be thankful. I recently had one of these moments, and it returned dividends for days, overriding stubborn negative thoughts. Bellissimo. So, what was this amazing event? Some sort of epiphany? A personal gain or recognition? A financial windfall?

Exactly wrong. Many of us grown ups are so intent on fulfilling more complex (and often more superficial) accomplishments, that we risk missing out on those things that can truly reward us with happiness.

In my case it was simply a beautiful afternoon, and the witnessing the purest joy of two children. I was able to be there when two little boys first experienced "dirt jumps" or "dirt hills" as we called them ages ago. I felt so lucky to be there...watching these boys confront their fears and pedal/ride those bikes up and down the jump bumps with precarious balance. Of course no jumping was really being done, but they were outside their comfort zone, and that was what mattered. The completely transparent rush of accomplishment, fun and enjoyment that I witnessed in them immediately made me flash back to the very day in which I had the same.

The dirt jumps, and really the entire afternoon, hadn't been planned out, but they were randomly there, and begging to be experienced. It truly matched the definition of fun.

By yet another strange universal twist, I found myself, the next day, surprised as I passed an official mountain bike advanced skills training course. The bike was in the back of the truck...so yeah, I got out there and rode the wooden oversized see-saws, jumped the dirt hills, and drove home the 6 foot drop-offs...just like a 7 year old. It was awesome...not a single crash, plenty of intense focus-on-balance moments, and definitely having fun. Day 2 of sincere and severe fun that wouldn't have happened had I not been prodded by the vicarious experience of a 4 and 6 year old 'jumping' dirt for the first time the day before...what a dividend.

So, what's this post about? It's simply one answer to the elusive question - How does one find happiness? The answer, if you haven't yet guessed...let yourself go, don't hold back...life's very short and the universe aligns itself for you only so many times.

Marketers lurking

Recently, I've been surprised by a few companies/organizations on how well they marketed to me. In the past, I felt that my target hadn't been hit...and even when a marketer hit me directly, I'm not the type of person to buy that product or service just because they "figured me out". Regardless, why is that certain groups have really gotten me down pat lately? In the past few months, I feel as though at least 4 groups hit me quite close to the bullseye...which isn't an easy feat, since my entire dartboard's typically swinging.

Perhaps it's simply that marketing people my age, and with similar experiences, ethics, etc have advanced in careers where they've begun to be in executive roles - making the call on the marketing campaign direction. Perhaps it's just that I'm getting older, and easier to market to? Perhaps it's that I'm a rare elusive species of consumer and some marketing organizations secretly follow me/listen to me for the thrill of the kill. Just kidding, I'm not that vain or conspiracy-theory-ish.

Anyway, it's just a self-fulfilling prophecy...but I'll give you an example. I wanted to let folks know of a website I found: Hulu I visited it today, and nearly everything listed, of the monumental volume of media that could have possibly been on their homepage favorites, is within that which I'd like to see when I have time. How did they figure me out that closely? Well, I better run...I think I see a marketer lurking in a corner watching me.

Eating Economics

The capital letter "E" is being used extensively in the recent press. I would expect that key on the keyboard is taking on that overused sheen on many laptops. Many times E's used for the words Economics or Energy or Earth or Environment, but I'm wondering about a 4th use that seems to be related to the other three...

Eating.

Times are tough in many western societies, largely based on poor energy decisions, in turn based on economic factors and having environmental repercussions. A recent question I'm thinking on with my spare cycles is this: Using the society with the largest recent economic impact as the context, has the diet of Americans changed to match the economic factors? The obvious answer is yes, but I would like to take it a bit further and explore the change.

Based on these US conditions, which US company would you prefer stock in:
A supplier of low cost budget-friendly food like McDonalds?
OR
A supplier of healthy foods like packaged salads from Fresh Express?

Again, we're talking about society at large as a single context, as it's understood that society strata make different economic decisions regardless of the overall class-independent economic environment.

Therefore, can we satisfactorially expect that possibly the dour mood draped on the states has people looking for hope, and therefore eating more healthy to prolong life, and give themselves something to feel better about? Critic: long shot...think comfort food instead.

Could they be eating out less often (even if fast food can be so labelled) to instead purchase food at the grocery, for economic reasons? Critic: Grocery stores don't just sell fresh, whole, healthy foods. Aisle 11 is stock-a-block with frozen Hungry Jack TV dinners.

Could they be catching on to the "organic" movement and trying to eat better foods? For those still stuck on the notion that the masses are different from those that can afford the choice, a factoid for you: WalMart, bastion of the economically limited, now sells more Organic food than non-organic, and is the largest retailer of Organically labelled food in the US.

So, in the Salad (Fresh Express) versus Big Mac (McD) matchup, which stock are you buying? I may just put some money into both, and track it.

Does eating green tie to feeling green tie to saving green? Does the spinach/environmental/economic combo beat out the red haired clown with greasy, burger-stained gloves in the other corner?

Exercise 12 muscles at once!

It takes 12 muscles to smile. A doctor was recently paid to put a long running myth to the test. (It only takes 11 muscles to frown and 2 to fake a smile, since I'm certain you wanted to know) The New York Times and Washington Post both had it wrong in recent articles, but they maintain my respect nonetheless.

So, knowing those life changing factoids, get into a healthier lifestyle and exercise those 12 muscles even if you exercise no others. It'll be a step in the healthy direction for you, and any others that notice your exercise. If you're feelin lazy, at least use those 2 that fake it. (fyi - it's only 2 since the eyes don't "smile" when you fake it)

Speaking of smiles, a few musings that recently ran through my head...in case you don't know the author well, I'm the type that can focus better on one thing while I'm also pondering on something else, sometimes entirely different. Yes, this does mean I'm typically dividing my attention when conversing, writing, reading. Sorry, but just think - it's actually keeping me from missing anything in the conversation. Ok, back to the musings that I likely had while talking to you or you or you...

Now here's something I noticed recently in a spot of the world where appearance and personal presentation are everything, Los Angeles- Carrying a baby makes you a universally awesome person, seemingly removing aggression from anyone's greeting/glance/mannerism. I was carrying a 9 month around a bunch on a recent week, and felt like I was handing out $100 notes...even the most fringe de fringe tough guy players out there were breakin a smile. Great to see that kind of thing still exists in the world - something that shows the inherent goodness of people that is often locked away. That, or perhaps they were just getting some exercise.

You've likely noticed that tightening-of-the-lips smile that people throw on anytime they need a "sorry about that", or "hello, I'm actually nice, don't worry about me" expression. Rarely is this smile accompanied by any words. How did this get started? I find it amusing how this again crosses so many cultural divisions.

Last smiley thing I made a note of recently - Count how many people make you smile the second you see them or hear their voice (or read their blog), be it based on love, humor, friendship, whatever. Isn't it awesome when you smile just in seeing someone else. I call it the WR factor. Anyway, I really hope that's a large number for you, my reader, and if not, focus your eyes on me as I'm often embarrassing myself in a hilarious way, so you'll be smiling often.

Are you one of the 55?

I'm one of the 55. Are You?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs, cnorgats on benig a cut abvoe.