Brentium Blog

The familiar excitement of exploring a new place overcame me as we descended into Midway Airport.  From the sky, the rows of uniform buildings expanded into a clearer view as our aircraft approached the runway.  Neat, rectangular brick houses filled the streets with a thin layer of pristine, white snow blanketing the roof tops, parking lots and fields.

As we rode the subway, we passed industrial areas that had a dreary worn feel to it.  Frozen train cars waiting to be awakened by the next shipment and billowing smokestacks in the distance against a drab and gray skyline.  Slowly more passengers boarded the train car as we near the urban areas.  The tracks literally five feet from some of the apartment buildings showed us that we’ve arrived into the dense downtown of this windy city.

As we exited the subway station and descended to the street level, the gritty stairs and encased steel reinforcements made me feel like I was in Gotham City.  Looking at the elevated train rails and freeway over passes on thin stilt-like supports made me feel a bit uneasy.  Those structures didn’t look safe to this earthquake-ready California boy.

The crisp, cold air stings my face as we shuffle our way down the sidewalk spotted with clumps of black snow.  There’s definitely a distinct feeling of this city as we walk past other people bundled up with their breath visibly trailing behind them.

For some reason, my introduction to Chicago has been one of the most memorable new places that I’ve encountered.  Unique and real.  The entire trip was enjoyable.  I’m always grateful to be able to visit and explore new places.

I saw a TED talk a few months ago that really blew mind.  Ueli Gegenschatz was on stage presenting images of his amazing adventures as he pursed the human dream of flying.  At the very end of the talk, Ueli showed a breathtaking video that demonstrated the culmination of his pursuits and a glimpse of what can be achieved if you follow your passions.

I showed the video to a friend of mine the other day and found out through the discussion thread that Ueli was recently in a freak accident that took his life.  The news was unexpectedly emotional for me and I actually had to take some time to gather my thoughts and feelings about it.

This was a man who could fly.  After watching his talk, my perception of him was somewhere between a superstar athlete and Superman.  He was on top of the world (almost literally) and showing no signs of slowing down (literally).  His death was sudden and tragic and I truly believe the world lost an exceptionally passionate and driven individual.

After giving it some thought, it’s somewhat comforting to know that he died doing what he was most passionate about.  A lot of people don’t have that honor and will sadly move on only dreaming about their dreams instead of living it.

For me personally, it was a much needed wake up call.  None of us will be around forever and every single minute is an opportunity to push your dream forward. Don’t wait.  Go now.  What is the next step to actualizing your dream?  Once you figure it out, don’t think too long, just jump and fly.

Custom LOST Orientation Video from Brent Tam on Vimeo.

Making our own orientation video for our LOST themed party was one of our first ideas.  I definitely had a lot of fun making it and learned quite a bit as well.

I shot all the footage using my Sony DCR-PC120BT MiniDV camcorder.  The production took about 3 hours since I had to shoot everything myself and it was a bit tricky to get the lighting right because of the reflection in the windows behind me.

The editing took much longer since I was learning how to do things as I went.  I probably spent about 5 – 6 hours cutting and putting effects into the video.  I relied a lot on this article for the old film look.

Enjoy and I welcome any feedback!

Comic-Con (aka the Con) is coming up this week and I’ve seen a lot of decent survival guides out there.  I’d like to throw in my advice and hopefully not contribute to any unwanted noise with the massive amounts of Comic-Con information flying around.

This is my fourth year going to the Con and I’ve definitely seen my fare share of crowds, cheap deals, weird costumes and Hall H bursting at its seams.  I’m no expert and I’m definitely not a veteran like some people I know, but I’m a fan of being as prepared, efficient, cheap, safe and comfortable as I possibly can when at the Con.

First, some general tips.

Do your research and plan ahead

As Comic-Con gets bigger every year in terms of popularity, planning will make the difference between a great experience and a horrible ordeal.  There are tons of resources online and at the event that aggregate all the information that you need to know.

• Spend a few hours going through the Comic-Con site.  The organizers have made this site better and better each year.  Tons of information here and well worth your time.
• Study the floor layout and prioritize what you want to do.  This is important because it’s difficult to determine how much time you’ll spend at a particular booth.  Make a quick list of booths that you want to visit in order of preference.  Then do your best to stick to it.
• Programming and panels.  Study the guide online and prioritize these items as well.  Categorize them into something like “must see”, “would like to see” and “will see if I have nothing else to do”.
• It’s all in the details.  Information like the bus schedule and the closest restaurants with cheap eats will come in handy when you’re in a rush.  Make an itinerary for your entire stay, not just the time you spend at the Con and cover all the little things that may seem insignificant.

Communication is key

Every minute during the Con is jam packed with panels, booths, special events, screenings, parties and people.  You can’t be everywhere at once which is why communication is so critical.  Talk to your people, listen to the experts and stay in the know.

• Cell phones, walkie-talkies, etc.  Make sure everyone in your group has one.  If there are new people in your group, trade numbers as soon as possible.  Also, don’t forget your charger!
• Twitter.  Use it and contribute.  There are tons of people chattering about everything Comic-Con as we speak and will also be tweeting during the event.  Just use the hastag “#sdcc” to find out what people are talking about.  This is also a great way to get insider information since celebrities and companies (like Marvel) are using twitter constantly as the prepare for this year’s convention.
• Pay attention.  A lot of times you’ll overhear individuals or booth workers talking about something that may interest you and turn into something awesome.  Things like “I can’t believe I won’t be here on Sunday to check my raffle ticket” or “I hear Marvel’s doing an exclusive party at the Hilton tonight, don’t tell anyone!” will be your cue to cash in.
• Share your plans/itinerary.  As a contingency, it’s good for your group to know where you’ll be at all times.  You never know when a quickly expiring deal will come along and you’ll be glad that you can get a hold of someone if phone communication fails.

When it comes down to it, there are three major things you want to be concerned with at the Con: getting stuff, seeing things and staying alive.  Below are some tips and tricks separated into each of those categories and hopefully by the end of this weekend, you’ll go home happy, broke and ready for Comic-Con 2010!

Getting Stuff

Free Swag

At my first Comic-Con, I make the rookie mistake of taking every single free thing I saw: pens, stickers, bottle-openers, postcards, everything.  That’s a horrible idea and if you’ve never experienced the sheer amount of free stuff that is at the Con, believe me, you don’t want it all.

Here’s what you need to know:

• If it’s a Comic-Con exclusive item, TAKE IT (see “Comic-Con Exclusives” below).
• T-shirts are usually a hot commodity.  Don’t worry too much about what’s on it, you may have potential to sell it later (see “Be Entrepreneurial” below).
• For items besides exclusives and t-shirts, ask yourself two questions: “Is this something I actually like?” and “Is this something that someone I know would actually like?”.  If the answer is “no” to both, just drop it and get out of there.
• If there is a crowd, grab one and ask questions later.
• Don’t be a jerk.  If little kids are crying around you, you’ve done something wrong.
• Don’t be afraid to nudge people (everyone does it) to get that t-shirt, mug, etc. – It’s a rough environment out there on the convention floor, so a little bit of aggression comes in handy.  Just don’t overdo it, it’s free crap, it can’t be THAT good.
• Take some time to look at some of the swag at the smaller booths, sometimes you can find decent new comics from up-and-comic artists/writers.  There’s always potential to find unexpected gold mines.
• Be alert on Sunday (last day of the Con), this is when companies and booths offload stuff that they couldn’t get rid of.

Comic-Con Exclusives

These are a staple at the Con.  Every year, many of the major toy companies will produce a new (or modified) toy/figurine specifically for Comic-Con.

• Stay updated by checking this page.  Think about what you want before showing up on the convention floor.
• Make your rounds.  Most of the time, manufacturers only have a limited amount of these exlusives (makes sense right?) and will only allow you to buy one if you win a raffle.  Naturally, it’s smart to increaes your chances by getting more tickets.  Everyone you know should grab a raffle ticket, even if they’re not interested in getting anything.  Also, most booths will allow you to get a raffle ticket per day (sometimes more than one), so check back often!
• The annual Comic-Con t-shirt sells out FAST.  If you even have a remote interest in the design (or t-shirts), just buy it immediately when you’re at the booth.  Don’t think twice on this.

Buying comics

This is COMIC-con right?  It you do things right, this can be one of the best places to stock up on those issues you’re missing or pick up that series that your buddy has been talking non-stop about.

• Be patient.  The prices for comics and trade-paperbacks fluctuate alot during the course of the convention.  Shop around, compare prices and if you can, wait until Sunday when some of the deals will blow your mind.
• Think like a hunter and gatherer.  Cheap comics aren’t going to come flying at your face (at least not all the time).  You have to actually look, scrounge and sometimes, fight for them and don’t be afraid to ask some of those mean looking comic dealers, they’re just grumpy because they can’t check out the panels.
• Stock up on supplies.  There are numerous booths that have killer deals on sleeves and boards, so stock up if your supply is low.  It’ll also come in handy if you get comics that have no protection.
• Don’t be surprised if you find a rare gem or that comic you’ve been constantly search for, this is a comic book convention after all.  Be ready to store it and gaurd it with your life.

Be Entrepreneurial

With all the exclusive items, unique freebies and panel giveaways, it’s a great opportunity to flip some merchandise to all the thousands of people that couldn’t get into the Con.  With a little bit of luck, planning and hardwork, you can make a pretty penny from your stay in San Diego.

• Check eBay.  Many people start posting auctions for items that they don’t even have yet.  Try searching for terms like “Comic-Con Exclusive” and you can get a gauge for how much things are selling for.
• Timing is key.  Post early?  Post way after?  Post right when you get the item?  All great questions.  There will be a flood of auctions right when the Con ends, so that might be a bad time.  Play around with your timing to figure out when there’s less competition.
• Sometimes, what you don’t want, someone else might KILL for.  Win an autograph session for someone you don’t know?  Can’t make the last day of the Con and willing to give up your badge?  Happened to grab a freebie that ran out of stock?  All opportunities to turn a profit and recup some of that money you spent on the $9 hot dogs they sell at the conession stand.

Seeing Things

“Must-see” panels

With some many panels throughout the jam packed 4-day event, you’d have to try hard to not find one panel that gets you somewhat giddy.  Some of the larger panels have grown so popular that you have to plan well in advance to get a shot at attending.

• Get there early.  Showing up 10 minutes before the panel starts doesn’t count.  If you really want to see it, check the room a few hours beforehand.  It might even be necessary to sit in on the previous panel (or two) to secure a decent seat.
• Study the programming, make a schedule and create a plan.  Make sure to have contigencies in case you don’t get into your first choice.
• Bring something to do.  If you’re going to be sitting around for hours, you might as well make that time productive.  Go pick up a trade-paperback to read or knit your cat a sweater.

Exclusive Previews

More and more studios, companies, etc. are starting to use the Con as their testing/proving grounds for new shows, movies, games, etc.  Keep an eye out for interesting content and take advantage of the exclusive sneak peak.

The Masquerade

Seeing all the cosplay and costumes on the convention floor is one thing.  Seeing them congregate together in a huge massive crowd is another.  Even if you don’t like some of the characters, you can appreciate the meticulous time and effort some of these people took to transform themselves.  It’s another staple of the Con and a “must-see” for any first-timers.

• Arrive really early to gurantee a ticket into the show.  The show usually starts at 8:30PM, but they start handing out tickets at 4:30PM.  There’s overflow seating, but you’d rather watch everything in person at the ballroom.
• There’s usually a rebroadcast on Sunday if you’re really interested and missed the show.

Staying Alive (or at least comfortable)

What to wear

Unless you’re planning on doing some Transformer’s cosplay, your main goal should be comfort.  Just keep the following things in mind and you’ll be fine.

• It’s hot in San Diego.  It’s when there’s tons of people on the convention floor.  Your best bet is to go with shorts, t-shirt or some combination of loose, airy clothing.  Deoderant is good for everyone, please use it.
• You’ll be walking/standing ALOT.  Wear comfortable sneakers or sandals.
• Expect some changes in temperature.  There’s a bunch of different environments to consider: Ballroom 20, waiting outside for Hall H, the convention floor, walking outside to grab food.  Wear some layers and be prepared for the worst.  They are usually pretty good about air conditioning on the convention floor, but it’s kind of unpredictable what 125,000 atendees can do to an environment.

What to bring (aka The Survival Pack)

If you walk into the Con with nothing but the clothes on your back, you’re in for a rough time.  Here’s the list of what I consider the essentials.

• A comfortable and spacious bag.  This can be a backpack, shoulder bag, etc.  Just make sure you can easily wear it the whole day and it can fit the rest of the stuff that you plan to bring and pick-up.
• Small poster tube.  Even if you don’t plan on buying posters, believe me it comes in handy.  What if you happen to win an autographed poster that you can sell later?  You can stick any kind of documents in there to keep it neat and wrinkle-free.
• Small first-aid kit.  Things get rough at the Con, people get injuries, egos get bruised and feelings get hurt.  Having a few band-aids, gauze, neosporin, aspirin and moleskins will go a long way.  You can even use it to barter in certain situations.
• Water.  Keeping hydrated will help immensely when you’re on the hunt for those exclusives.  Bring a decent sized water bottle and you can avoid long lines and expensive bottled tap water.
• Snacks/Food.  Believe me, you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you stand in line to buy $8 pretzels that taste like an old shoe box.  Snacks like trail mix will keep your energy up and keep you from stepping out of the convention and away from all the good stuff.
• Access to the Internet.  I don’t care if it’s an iPhone or a wireless card, access to the net will give you a leg up in research, communication and general information.

Get your rest

With everything that is going on at the Con, it’s information and activity overload for most people.  While there are some killer parties and events every night, make sure to get enough rest so that you’re not nodding off during the LOST panel or snoozing while they call your winning raffle ticket the next day.

• Stay close to the convention center.  Securing a decent hotel room without paying a bundle is probably one of the hardest things to do in preparation for Comic-Con.  Book your room MONTHS in advance and keep an eye out for last-minute deals and rooms opening up right before the cancellation deadline.
• Take a break.  There’s lots of space in the convention hall.  Don’t feel obligated to walk the floor or attend a panel every single second of the weekend.  Enjoy some of the more relaxed and kick-back booths that have fun games and entertainment.

My list is definitely not perfect and is probably missing a number of things that others have probably learned over the many years of attending the Con.  If you have a personal tip/trick to share, please feel free to leave a comment below and help others (as well as myself) learn from your experience.

Be smart, stay safe and above all, have fun!  See you all in San Diego!

I spent some time recently reflecting on the progress I’ve made so far since my last post and on the surface it seems like I haven’t really been up to much.  I haven’t created anything tangible, no videos, screenplays, scripts or doodles, but I have this feeling that my mindset, knowledge and philosophy has dramatically progressed within the last couple of months.

The best way I can describe my activity in the last month would be “immersion”.  I don’t have a huge budget for this new quest of mine, so I’ve turned to the two things that are always free: people and the Internet.  I’ve had the good fortune of connecting without a lot of driven filmmakers and the advice and conversations have been priceless.  The Internet is a little different; for every good article or site that I find, I’ve had to sift through about 20 – 30 to get to it.  Everything is taken with a grain of salt and the idea for the information on the Internet is usually more quantity over quality.

Here are some notable accomplishments that have helped me develop and grow:

• Read Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
• Begun Shot by Shot by Steve Katz and The Five C’s of Cinematography by Joseph Mascelli
• Participated on a team for the 48 Hour Film Project

The most important lesson I’ve learned is this:  If you have a story to tell, just tell it.  Don’t worry about the camera, the lights, what kind of ketchup you’re gonna use for the fake blood, etc.  Focus on the story and your goal of conveying an idea to the audience.  Talk to your audience.  Don’t try to trick them, don’t try to confuse them, don’t wave fancy things in their face, just talk to them.

Every time I start searching for “Canon XH A1″ on eBay, I have to remind myself that this shiny new HD camcorder won’t make me a better filmmaker.  Well, since I haven’t really made a film yet, I guess it won’t turn me into a filmmaker.  What will make me a filmmaker is the process of transferring an idea from my brain to the audiences’ brains without hurting them (physically or emotionally).

While I’ve been absorbing books and probing the talent of filmmakers, my mind has been constantly brewing with ideas and I’m pretty eager to get started with some projects.  I can’t wait to see what hideous creations will come out of my head.  In my last filmmaking post, I mentioned exploring and diving deep in the areas that interested me.  Below are some of the things that I’ll be focusing on in the next few months.

Screenwriting
After reading Save the Cat, I feel like I’ve gotten the little bit of exposure that I’ve needed to start writing.  I’m not naturally a writer, so the book was helpful in the sense that it doesn’t just discuss the theory of screenwriting but also the technical (and practical) techniques.  Theoretical books are great, but not so useful when you sit down to write something and you draw a blank for about 3 hours.

My final goal for this area will be to finalize an original screenplay for a short movie; 15 – 20 pages at most.  But to give me some much needed practice, I’ve reached out to some writers to see if I can read and possibly translate some of their stories into screenplays.

Production Management
I’m a sucker for automation and operational efficiency.  I love spreadsheets and neat organized bullet points.  When things stay on schedule for a project, my heart flutters just a little bit.

When I look at a movie production, I see an endless opportunity to organize a heaping pile of LEGOs into a magnificent tower of wonder.  A lot of people love the technical aspect of production, being on set, etc., but I think most of the fun is in the pre-production.  I won’t say I’m the best planner or project manager, but I sure love doing it.  It’s sort of like assembling your platoon, gathering your weapons and defining your exact plan of attack before going to war.

Directing
I always hold back a little bit whenever people ask me about the specific area that I want to focus on in the filmmaking space and I want to answer “directing”.  I’ll admit that I don’t know enough about it, I’m don’t have any experience and it’s always the glamorous answer.  But from what I have experienced, seen and read, it’s the blend of artistic freedom and painstaking technical knowledge that intrigues me.

As more and more ideas fill my head, my goal is to turn them into reality and I want to be able to convey that idea to my crew, actors and ultimately my audience.  I may not know too much about directing right now, but I plan to learn quickly by producing content and LOTS of it.

–

I have reached the point where taking in the information has satisfied my appetite for knowledge, but I need to move past “wetting my feet” and jump into the deep-end.  I’ve processed a lot of information from the web and interacting with filmmakers, but at the end of day, I need to find my own path to realizing my goals and artistic vision.  I read an interesting interview with filmmaker Shane Carruth before he released his Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winning film Primer and I think it’s very close to the truth:

Question: What advice do you have for young filmmakers branching out into the world of independent filmmaking?

Shane Carruth: I have zero advice. There are so many contradictory recommendations out there, that I’m sure first-time filmmakers already have enough to deal with without me adding to the noise. For the last 3 years I have been given so much bad advice, I’d hate to do the same to anyone else.

I appreciate all the advice that I’ve received so far and I have no doubt that it’ll help define me as a filmmaker as I grow into one.  But I think I’m ready to take to leap into becoming a content-making machine and really exploring my artistic voice and visual personality.

I have tons of ideas for projects and they range from scripts to scenes to industry changing business plans.  If you don’t see me doing anything about it, call me out on it.  If you want in, come let me know.

Remember those days when you would run home from school and bust through the door to your room like a crazed madman looking for treasure?  Only the treasure that you were looking for was in the form of shiny round pieces also known as quarters.  After you found a few, the excitement was unbearable and the promise of endless hours (if you were good enough) of arcade action was at your fingertips.  You’d throw your backpack and “stupid” homework to the corner and make your way to the nearest wooden video game box you can find.  Those days, they towered over you like a digital monolith waiting to be defeated.  All your friends would be there to talk shit and physically push you around when you pull off a cheap throw in Street Fighter 2 or linked combos in Tekken.  When you were not playing, you’d be cheering on your friends while snacking on Doritos and sucking down a sugary soda.  Sometimes you’d all be huddled around the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, that everyone pitched in to buy, trying to learn all those tricky special moves.

Nowadays, you go to an arcade and you’ll probably find one of two things: a room full of highly-expensive card system games that don’t take quarters or a run-down, dingy place with nickel games and unmaintained machines that have buttons stickier than a young, pubescent teenager’s computer keyboard.

What happened?

Sure, I get it.  The advent of technology these days has shrunk the giant wooden boxes into small, plastic machines capable of providing you with hundreds and thousands of games at your finger-tips.  You can sit in your boxers in the comfort of your living room talking shit to some European teenager while you waiting for your hot pocket to finish cooking in the microwave.

Convenience.  Video games whenever, wherever you want.  But what happened to the community?

With all the Web 2.0 technologies creating better communities out there on the internet and online gaming becoming the new stomping grounds, I’d have to say we’re still far from recreating those long summer days at the arcade playing on the five bucks of lunch money your mom gave you.  I’m all for technology and I think we’re headed to a better place being able to connect to almost anyone in the world.  But I just miss the feeling of spending the whole day with your “arcade friends” (people that you don’t really know except for at the arcade), pulling up a bar stool and putting your quarter up on that dirty glass pane.

Sometimes, it’s not about how many games you have access to or being able to defeat people all over the world.  Sometimes, beating the neighborhood bully who’s two feet taller than you on the oldest version of Samurai Showdown puts you on top of the world and that feeling can’t be replaced or recreated in any living room.  Seeing the look on his face as you’ve defeated him, getting to stand there in triumph while he moves away from the joystick, your friends beaming with pride behind you.  Those were the days.

I’m not a gamer, so maybe I don’t understand.  But I can tell you for sure that something great died with the decline of good arcades.  Maybe one day when I make my millions, I’ll open one just for old times sake and try to relive those glory days.  Invite all my neighborhood friends and have a good old fashion Street Fighter 2 Championship Edition tournament.  Loser has to buy me a twinkie.  Who’s with me?

I see the corresponding areas of knowledge associated to film making similar to an ocean, vast and expansive. The best way I know how to approach it is to skim the top surface before I dive deep.

I usually get bogged down or discouraged by the details: What camera do I use? What software do I buy? What about a tripod? What’s this lighting stuff all about? How do I get the raw video onto my computer?

Having a technical background and an affinity for details, when I answer one of those questions, I come up with about 20 more questions about the same subject: What’s the difference between 24 fps and 30 fps? What is white balance? What kind of media should I record to? Where am I going to get $3000?

Trying to find the right answer to all those questions can be paralyzing.  I can read multitudes of articles/books, basically diving deep in one spot when I don’t even know how big the ocean is.  Just so you know, all the scary fish are usually at the bottom.

The amount of information becomes daunting. If I let it run rampant, it’ll scare me away.

We’re spoiled with all the modern technology that exists today.  We can create content in such a quick and seamless manner.  But I want even more – I want to be able to visualize something and create it almost instantaneously.  So my approach is to learn and establish my work flow before I start studying.  To determine how to go from idea to end-product.  Skim first, dive deep later.

So my plan was to think of an idea, visualize it (story board), shoot it, load it onto my computer, rough cut it and export it into a viewable format.  After that exercise, I would tighten the bolts and figure out the buckets in which I need (and want) to explore further.

So I asked myself a simple question:  What do I have right now that I can use to make a video?

Here’s what I had:

• Sony Camcorder DCR-PC120BT
• MiniDV tapes
• A computer with Windows Vista and Movie Maker

I’m practically there.  All I was missing was a tripod, which I bought on Amazon for about $35.

I waited patiently for about a week while my tripod was shipping.  The day it finally arrived, I decided to complete the experiment that night.

I spent 5 minutes on a story board and about 30 minutes shooting it.

What happened next was a prime example of why exploring the work flow is so critical for me.  As I moved onto the next stage of loading the video on my computer, I ran into two problems:

1. I didn’t have the right cable to connect my camcorder and computer
2. When I finally got the right cable, my computer would not detect my camcorder

If I had spent countless hours lighting, directing and shooting some video, building the momentum of my creative process, this roadblock would have been a creativity killer.  For me personally, I want to work out these technical work flow kinks before the serious stuff starts coming out of my brain.  Skim the surface, make sure everything looks okay and then start the deep exploration.

After some workarounds and computer borrowing, I was able to sit down and edit.  I spent about 30 minutes cutting up the video and turning it into something viewable.

Total Time Spent: about 1 hour

Here’s what I ended up with:

What I learned

• Microsoft Vista has problems recognizing some Sony Camcorders
• I need to invest in some sort of lighting kit
• Editing is actually pretty fun
• It’s hard to film things by myself

What’s Next?

Now that I’ve tested the waters and am comfortable with the surface, I’m ready to take a little dive.  A little dive.  I’ve been toying around with the idea of shooting a very short sequence with some of my friends.  Some things I’ll focus on is camera framing/movement, sound (which I completely ignored in this experiment) and working with actors (or people that will try to act).  If you have suggestions, let me know!

I’m really interested in creating something engaging that draws the audience into it.  I’m a firm believer that high-end technology enhances that feeling, but never creates it.  I think I have all the equipment I need for now, I just need to push their potentials to the limit.

If you didn’t know, I’ve been stuck on watching TED talks.  Obsessed, really.

I came across this one in particular that moved me in a way that I can’t describe.  Maybe it was the time of day or remnants of my dreams from the night before, but watching the video almost put me to tears.

At first, the random banging and chaotic noise-making wasn’t really for me.  I get easily turned off by “creative randomness”.  But the beauty of the performance is in the sum of the parts.  The beginning is chaotic, the middle is beautiful and the end is almost like a struggle to keep the beauty until it ends with an eventual regression back into chaos.  I can’t help but see a parallel not only with our lives, but our existence as well.

The pinnacle of the performance is so beautiful, but it was also so short.  Just a small fragment of the entire performance.  But while I heard it and experienced it, there was an immense feeling of profound clarity and nothing else around me really mattered.  At that very moment, the only thing that was real was the beauty of it all.

The universe started about 15 billion years ago with the Big Bang.  Humans diverged from chimpanzees about 4.1 million years ago.  Of the entire existence of the universe, we humans have occupied about 0.0273% of history.  It’s such a small fraction, but what if what we have now is so beautiful that the chaos which proceeded us doesn’t matter and the chaos that will come is irrelevant.  It’s a bit egotistical to think of our existence as a pinnacle for anything, but the point is that we struggle to find the beauty within the chaos everyday.  Some times, the beauty is right in front of us, all around us, and we just need to embrace it and recognize that it’s only here for a short while.

It’s November ‘08 and I’m back in Southern California enjoying a 4-day weekend for Thanksgiving with my family.  I take some time to visit old friends and somehow we end up in a cafe detailing out a plan for survival in case of a zombie attack.  A full scale plan with goals, long-term/short-term tasks, risks and a time line.  Sounds dumb, huh?  Maybe even a little extremely paranoid.

I’m currently reading the book Emergency by Neil Strauss and it’s definitely right down my alley.  I’ve only read the first few chapters, but I’m already getting the feeling that it’ll confirm what I’ve known all along:  I need to be ready.  Ready for what, you ask?  ANYTHING.

I was walking down Market Street one morning, thinking about the last chapter of Emergency I had just read and decided to play a scenario in my head.  If Downtown San Francisco went under attack at that very second, exploding dirty bombs, masked gunmen, ICBMs, nerve agents, whatever you can think of, what would I do?  I had no answer.  There’s a Walgreens nearby, but I wouldn’t even know what to loot for.  Band-aids?  This is a major problem.

I’ve decided that I’d rather be the paranoid guy who’s over prepared than the dead guy that only stocks beer and old shoes in his cellar.

 
Why is it so bright outside!?

Studies show that children are spending less time outdoors and more time in front of the computer.  I’ll tell you right now that I probably spend about 45 minutes outside on an average weekday – basically my travel time in between my all-important internet sessions.  When the shit hits that fan, our technology is rendered useless and we’re forced to live in the Santa Cruz mountains, I don’t want to be the first person to be eaten.  Outdoor survival is one of the many critical factors in ensuring self-sufficiency.

When it comes down to it, the ultimate question is “If there is a structural breakdown on the governmental or financial level, are you sufficient enough to protect yourself and the ones you care about?”  One example you can look at is Hurricane Katrina and its effects on New Orleans.  This was a disaster known to the government ahead of time on a medium-sized city (as compared to LA or New York) .  Yet it took them days to respond and weeks to get it under control.  I don’t want to be around when a unpredictable event happens in San Francisco.  You can be sure that I won’t be sitting around hoping that the government comes to my rescue.

 
The Path to Independence

Now that I’ve thoroughly convinced myself that self-sufficiency is the way to go, how do I get there?

I think it comes down to three things:

• Knowledge
• Equipment/Supplies
• Plan

I’ll try my best to track my progress as I improve in all three of these areas.  For now, I’ll leave you with some information/resources that I am familiar with so far.

 
Knowledge
onPoint Tactical Scout, Tracker & Survival School – This training school provides classes all over the country covering anything from Urban Survival to Home Invasion.  Next time they have a class around my area, I’m signing up.  I suggest you do that same.

SAS Survival Handbook – I personally own this book and can vouch for its usefulness.  It covers pretty much anything you need to know to survive: building shelters, tying knots, edible vegetation and mental preparedness, just to name a few.

EDCF – EDC stands for “Everyday Carry”.  This forum is a great place to meet people that know their stuff about the latest and greatest gear.  Join this forum and you’ll have an endless supply of knowledge and information from some really friendly individuals.

The Zombie Survival Guide – Hey, you never know.

 
Equipment/Supplies
TAD Gear – I’ve met a lot of people that are crazy about getting good equipment for outdoors survival and exploration.  Especially in the Bay Area, a conversation about reliable gear will always lead to TAD Gear. Custom designed for maximum effectiveness, you’ll be hard pressed to find better quality/functionality for your money.  You can start with picking up a Stealth Hoodie and a FAST pack.

Camelbak – The high standards of quality and functionality is why their products are the top choice by most military forces (Navy SEALs, Rangers, Marines, etc.).  Check out their Military and Law Enforcement sections, you’ll find some great hydration/storage packs there.

Strider Knives – A strong, sturdy knife is a must-have in any survivalist’s equipment supply package.  There are so many great knives out there, that it’s hard to pick “the best”.  Strider is one of my favorites, so I’m posting it here as an option.

Surefire – Light is one of the most critical resources and with a tactical flashlight, you can get a weapon and light source in one piece of equipment.  While there are plenty other companies out there that make decent flashlights, Surefire has the reputation for being the industry standard.  Pick up one these bad boys and you’ll never touch one of those unwieldy Maglites again.

Lifesaver Systems – You can’t live very long without clean, drinkable water.  A buddy of mine pick one of these up and he said it was the best purchase he’d made in a while.

Celox – Accidents happen and sometimes you need an industrial strength band-aid to prevent you from bleeding to death.  Pick some of these up because in the face of disaster, you won’t know how readily available medical help will be.

 
Plan
Ready.gov and FEMA – While I don’t necessarily trust the government to come and save me during a disaster, it doesn’t mean they don’t have some good planning/resources on their websites.  Check out these sites for some useful documents and tips.

Get Organized – One of the most important aspects of planning is to ensure that all the most important information is clearly defined and distributed across everyone that needs to know about it.  Make a plan, make it known and be ready.

Practice – Survival is a skill that needs to be developed.  Just like any other skill, practice is key.  Once you’ve digested some knowledge, put it to use and make sure you keep those skills sharp.  It can be as simple as a camping trip with very bare essentials or an urban “find your way home with no resources” game.  Just make sure you don’t do anything illegal.

 
What next?

As I continue to develop (or procure) my skills for survival and self-sufficiency, I’ll post and share my progress.  If it wasn’t clear from the content above, I’m no expert, so I’m also looking for people to share their knowledge, experience and ideas with me.

Photo courtesy of Brian Duong

If you’re good enough, you can capture the minds and thoughts of an audience for 90-120 minutes and the impact of that can be astounding, even life changing.  Movies have always been influential on my life.  They have pushed me to learn new things, explore new places and have experiences I would have never thought possible (especially with new technologies like HD and IMAX).

Whether a story is based on true events or spilled out of someone’s very creative brain, it always has a message and a purpose.  The influence that it has is usually underestimated and sometimes overlooked.  But I’ve experienced firsthand what movies can do and the ripple effects it can have.  I bought and read three books about philosophy after watching The Matrix, really studied poker after watching Rounders and went on a hunt for a deep-sea aquarium after watching Deep Sea on IMAX.  I have an infectious personality, but it’s undeniable that a movie experience can extend beyond the theater.  It also doesn’t begin in the theater either with the growth of viral marketing in movie campaigns these days.

My passion for film making has always been there because of the influential power of the medium.   I also feel like it’s an ideal balance of art and technology.  My experience as a manager in the corporate world has taught me a lot about team-building and motivation.  It’s given me a foundation to confidently work with talented individuals and manage complex projects.  But I think what’s lacking is my ability to be creative.

More recently, I know I have something to say and I just feel like film is the way for me to shout it out.  But I’ve never done anything about it and I hope that’s about to change.

Over the past few weekends, I’ve been helping out on the set of an independent film (In the Minds of Men, written/directed by Geoffrey Yeh) and it has really opened my eyes to some of the “nuts and bolts” of the film making process.  It’s my first real experience behind the scenes of any kind of production and the effort and dedication required for everything is truly amazing.

After that first weekend of being on set, I’ve been on a mission.  I’ve really been trying to connect with actual film-makers to get a sense of what I’m getting myself into and to find out the best starting point.  Most everyone has given me the same advice: start shooting.

Here are some very generalized bits of advice that I’ve received (and experienced) so far:

• Start shooting right now
• Shoot some more
• Technology can’t replace skill: equipment is only an aide – don’t go overboard
• Don’t get stuck in the details – the script, storyboard, acting, etc. does not need to be perfect
• Be on set, any set and absorb everything that’s going on

Here are some great quotes/advice that I stumbled upon:

Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director. Everything after that you’re just negotiating your budget and your fee.
–James Cameron

One of the great things about being a director as a life choice is that it can never be mastered. Every story is its own kind of expedition, with its own set of challenges.
–Ron Howard

Don’t give me any money, don’t give me any people, but give freedom, and I’ll give you a movie that looks gigantic.
–Robert Rodriguez

It’s time to let go of my fear of making something stupid and jump into it.  I’ve dreamed about it long enough and there’s no more room for compromising my goals.

I’ll make sure to post updates on my progress and my work.