Ho Ho Hospital Holidays

Interesting events have transpired. Every year, my lovely wife, Stephanie, and I trade with the ex's on who gets the kids for the holidays. This year, we had no kids for Christmas. So our plan was to leave on a plane for Vegas on the morning of the 23rd. The two days before, Stephanie complained of stomach pains. She has suffered these pains for years, and we figured they would go away.

The night of the 22nd came and I already warned my parents what was going on. The next morning we skipped the flight, thinking we would maybe just go to the clinic and then surprise my parents the next day by just driving down. The weather was improving, we could stay an extra day on the back end of the trip, it seemed a perfect plan. The doctor would just give Steph some pills and we can go on our merry way... right?

Instead, the day of the 23rd started with a trip to the clinic, with a result of her white blood cells being a little too high. So we were ordered to another place for a CAT scan. After a few more hours there, it was revealed that Stephanie's gall bladder was about three times too big and that she was ordered to immediately go to get surgery. So we moved to Utah Valley Regional and started our new life in our 2 square-foot apartment. Steph went into surgery and I sat for hours, not ready to eat, couldn't start a book. Maybe got through a game of solitare on my phone. That's about it.

She came out and it went well, pulled out a few stones. But the doctor told me there was more in another part (don't remember what it's called, the place where stones would pass... you know, that place). I stayed with her till late at night and finally went home... alone. I slept in the next morning and missed Steph going in for the second operation, going to get the other stones. They were supposedly not easy, and they had to cut their way in. Poor girl.

When I met her the next morning, she was in a lot of pain. They continued to pump her with morphine. Still more pain. Finally, she has been able to sleep at the time I am writing this. She also hasn't been able to eat. They won't let her till she passes the gas she has inside. So it has been more then 36 hours since she has eaten.

And now I wait... on Christmas eve.

Seems like I remember several Christmas eves being this eventful. In fact, it came to me that 20 years ago, in this very hospital, my oldest son, Forrest, was born. And again, on Christmas eve, I went home empty handed and alone.

I have had other great Christmas eves. This has just been an interesting turn of events. And has given me a lot of time to reflect on the many things about to happen this next year. The Last Eagle Scout is the big one. The day before Thanksgiving, the hard drive to the film crashed, causing a major delay in it's release. I was able to retrieve about 95 percent of the film, but still have work ahead of me.

Also, I am looking at re-releasing Handcart this year, as well as produce a documentary on Will it Blend. Blendtec also has some big things planned this next year, including a possible big-budget infomercial. We shall see.

I also plan to keep people more up-to-date on things on this blog as well as The Last Eagle Scout blog.

Merry Christmas

WILL IT BLEND-DOCTOR WHO

Another blend came along last week in the form of Doctor Who. This is actually our friend David, who is known as Sebastian J Brook on the Doctor Who on-line site. It started as a fan site back in 1997, but it is the biggest Dr Who fan site in the world, to the point where it is sort of the official stop for Dr Who fans.

As a kid, I remember Doctor Who, but rarely watched episodes. The connection I did make was my neighbor from across the street, Tara Carstensen. Her and I were friends from the time I moved to Texas from Virginia in 1977, I was 10 years old. I started to get into Star Wars and Star Trek, and our friend, Rudy, started the Star Trek fan club down there.

South Texas was not exactly a hub of Science Fiction at the time, but there were those few fans who were faithful. Tara gained way into Doctor Who with the advent of cable television and she was on her way. She had curly hair, so she let it grow out to look like the Tom Baker Dr Who, so that is what I remember. She always walked around in the signature hat and scarf, knowing good and well that others around her (in South Texas in the early 80's) had no idea what she was trying to look like.

The only connection I had was I loved making movies. I was never a Trekkie in a sense where I spoke Klingon, but I became more and more a fan as the years went by.

So to dedicate to my friend Tara Carstensen, here is WILL IT BLEND-DOCTOR WHO.

WILL IT BLEND-OLD SPICE (LIVE)

So this morning I got up at 5:30 so Parke and I go on our workout (Blendtec has a gym, and we are usually there alone for the first little while). I get on my laptop and load the new WILL IT BLEND with a parody of the Old Spice ads.

As I spoke in my last entry, I was not very big on doing this one. One of the reasons is that for many people, the Old Spice ads are old and "done", but for many others it is still fresh in their minds. So making the video was rather fun and also very busy. It took longer then most, mostly because of the eye-popping effects (which were still cheesy, but fun).

As viral as things go, only hours after posting the videos and were were already a talk on many web sites' minds. Here are a few link to places that already had us up and we have only been up for about 6 hours.

I am not expecting you to go visit all these, most are crap and I don't really pay attention. Plus I have never heard of any of these sites. But it goes to show you how viral works.

TechCrunch

CrunchGear

Wikio

TrendingTube

ComeAtMeBro-Tech News

Cast TV

Others

WILL IT BLEND-OLD SPICE

We just had to do it!

I wasn't really a big fan of it at first (as usual, always the skeptic). But as time went on, we decided to make a WILL IT BLEND based on the Old Spice ads that have been riddling the internet like crazy.

What also caught on was the BYU parody of the commercial. The students at BYU made a commercial advertising the Harold B Lee Library using the Old Spice gags. They actually did a great job and it has gained a ton of views. Then, I was home teaching a family and they said that their daughter knew the guy who was the actor in the BYU ad. Simultaneously, our new marketing director at Blendtec, Spencer showed us being in the top of the list of viral campaigns (Old Spice being number 3).

His idea was to work with the other viral campaigns and raise ratings. So I decided to pipe up and get this guy from the BYU ad, Stephen Jones. At first I wasn't sure, he seemed a little cocky. But as I worked with him, I really got to like him and and he does a great job.

Also, with the re-innovation going on outside my office, it was a perfect time to possibly build a full-on set for the new WILL IT BLEND. I spent days building a break-away wall, a table that slides and a chair that breaks apart (you can see my assistant Ann Ross standing with an electric saw cutting the wicker chair in half). It actually turned out to be great.

In one part of the gag, I had two dollies on one track, one for my camera, the other for the actor to float over to the Will it Blend set (you'll have to see it). We also do an effect where an iPhone appears on his hand and then blends into his hand and turns into dust. It was a good thing it is close to Halloween! I found a hand and spray painted it green, so I can pour the iPhone remains onto basically "nothing", then add it to his real hand later.

I am currently editing the stuff and it will probably be on-line this Tuesday. This Will it Blend has allowed me to be the most creative I have been in a while.

BUILDING A NEW STAGE AT BLENDTEC

I guess the company found the need for me to have an updated facility with the success of WILL IT BLEND and our on-line presence. What is happening is the WILL IT BLEND set will remain, but next to it will be a new set for other uses.

You see, the reality of it is this.... the WILL IT BLEND set, seen by millions, seen on national television and bla, bla, bla, was really only in the small Blendtec lunchroom. Nothing fancy a-tall. There was constant fun with people popping their heads in while we were filming, wondering if it was clear enough for them to come get a Diet Coke. But no longer...

The new set throws out the lunch room (there is a considerably bigger one on the other side of the building, but we have to walk allll the way there). I am the one that pays the biggest price. I got soft since my office was the only one right in the lunch room. I could just sneak my Chef Boyardee Ravioli's to the microwave without getting a lecture from anyone en route telling me how bad they are for me and "if they could get me some Koolaid with that".

But now, this new set will be a full working kitchen. Our nutritionist Liz Brown, who just moved here from Lewisville, Texas (been there, done that) to come work for Blendtec, is preparing a major on-line cook book of recipes using the blender, as well as produce a ton of recipe videos we are about to film. We've done a few recipe videos already, but we will be doing this on-going.

I helped design the set so that it would be filming friendly, and Liz will be using this for all her testing, so the kitchen will be fully operational. The only problem now is... I will be taste-testing all the food, since it is right outside my door. (It's a good thing Parke and I are working out every morning).

LABOR DAY FUN

Over Labor Day, the family and I went to two places. First we went to Pine Valley, Utah. Where is Pine Valley you ask? In the 20 years I have lived here, I didn't know either. Until my parents, who now live in Las Vegas, tried to find a place close by where they can get out of the heat.

They proposed buying a home there and giving it to the kids. I jumped on that and we now go down about every month or two. (More on Pine Valley in another blog).

We spent 3 days there with Stephanie's kids and Parke and I. It was a little learning experience, driving with the kids. I have gotten spoiled with the two boys I have (Parke now 16 and Forrest almost 20) not having attention spans that are the length of a 30 second commercial.

But it was fun. Then after that 3 days, we dropped Parke off in Orem, then proceeded to Island Park, Idaho and Yellowstone for 3 more days. It was great to see the wild life with Stephanie's family (I mean the wildlife out in the forest, not in our car).

With all the 20 plus hours of driving, Stephanie's kids enjoyed going through almost the entire Battlestar Galactica 1978 series on DVD. It helped going through the long roads without getting too bored.

I will post more photos on a new facebook album.

WILL IT BLEND - Top Viral Ad of All Time

According to MSNBC, (my favorite network... not) has released an article on successful viral videos ads. We have been lucky to be chosen as number one.

Take a look.

LONGEST PINEWOOD DERBY TRACK

Tom (Dickson, of "Will it Blend" fame) came running up to me telling me I HAVE to spend my Saturday on August 28th with him at the Pinewood Derby Track. I was not excited to spend my Saturday at "work", but realized since we are currently without some key marketing employees, including a marketing director, I better fill in.

What I witnessed was at Rio Tinto stadium in Sandy, Utah, the longest Pinewood Derby track in the world. An average Pinewood Derby track is about 40 feet. The previous recored was about 268 feet. Tom's track was measured at 336 feet. The local BSA Chapter, Utah National Parks Council, did the work to get Guinness Book of World Records to record this event.

My objective was to set up artwork signage that represented Blendtec and videotape the event. Scouts were invited from all over Utah to try out their car on the track. I noticed for most of the cars, the real competition was can it even make it through the whole race.

Some "kids" (I use that term loosely, since many of the fathers probably pitched in and helped) came with the official weight and design that make it legal to participate (5 ounces). Many came with altered cars (motors, etc) and obviously would not count, but were allowed to test the track anyway.

The only drawback was the wind was terrible. My hat kept falling off. Speakers that were hanging on stands were falling. The tents were toppling over. It was also a cool image next to the conssession stand when the napkin box fell over and there was a whirl wind of napkins in the air. I think next year Blendtec is thinking of using Energy Solutions Arena (formerly the Delta Center) along with a longer track to help with not interrupting the air flow of the cars.

Here are a few links. We made it on KSL, Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune and other publications.

WILL IT BLEND on "The View"... whoopteedoo

Ok that didn't sound very convincing. It could just me my "outsider" mentality toward things. I have been known to be a sour-puss toward "popular" events. I guess I look at the eternal perspective things. Part of why I don't like reality shows. They make celebrities out of beautiful people that just sit around in coffee shops and bitch about the environment, or whatever shallow topic is cool to complain about that week.

Ok, ok, not ALL reality shows are like that. But you know what I mean. So when the opportunity came for me to provide footage and information about our popular viral website, I was a little hesitant.

On the day"The View" asked me for footage from WILL IT BLEND, they just had their biggest show ever last week when Barak Hussein Obama was on, and the ladies lovingly asked their softball questions about "the issues" in their shallow-topic manor. So how could I resist...

I got a call from what sounded like a kid who might have been an intern... simply because he was nice. He told me that the Executive Producer of The View "specifically" asked for WILL IT BLEND. As I was returning the information along with the overnight shipment of videos, I sent an e-mail to this young man known as "The Tape Coordinator" for The View. I just told him that if a credit is given on the screen to credit "Kels Goodman/Blendtec".

What I didn't know was that I was CCing (that means copying to another address) the Producer and another crew person from the show, both were ladies. All of a sudden I got an e-mail back from the producer in bold:

No!… we are only crediting the websites…that’s what the seg is about… websites…so we will credit willitblend.com….if pple want info on it they can log onto your website.

I wasn't sure, did that sound like anger? It did to me.

Well I was this close (holding two fingers close together) to saying "Ok, no credit, no video" (after all, isn't that was famous people do?). I already knew by this time that our segment was going to be lame. But I remained optimistic, after all, the Executive Producer "specifically" asked for Will it Blend videos, right?

Then, I got another e-mail from the other lady on the copy list:

Just want to make sure the tape will come tomorrow or Monday morning the LATEST...

That one didn't seem too bad. But after the first one, I figured the ladies at The View were ganging up on me. Just like that poor intern "tape coordinator". (Now I remember why I hate working on live events) My only thought was that he is a young guy trying to "make it" in the biz, and the only way he can is to be castrated by a couple of powerful producer/decision makers.

Just like the castration that was done to Will it Blend when it finally made it on the show. A whopping 53.5 seconds of pure viral goodness. Yeah, we got on and yeah we got talked about. (They showed the iPhone 4 being blended.) The ladies brought on guests who were "experts" in viral material, one who talked about WIB was a guy from the show G4 (don't know where it plays).

He really downplayed WIB (we were last on the list, you can tell we were "squeezed" in). I emailed facts about WIB, but he got it all wrong. He made it sound like Tom Dickson just messed around one day and made this hot blender and decided to film it blending all kinds of things. I tried to tell them it was a campaign for the blender that has already been around for years. A real blender you can purchase. And that the result of WIB was a dramatic increase in sales. But obviously, he missed that.

The ladies all sat around saying "who would want to watch that". Only Whoopee had the balls to say that "some of these video are actually funny". (Joy concluded with, "and many are not"). Leave it to Joy for the final word.

Anyway, my conclusion from this whole event was this: Filmmakers shouldn't make films for filmmakers, for they never pay the bill. Meaning, who gives a crap what programmers and decision-makers say. They may be the one's who get it in the theater, get it on TV, get it on the radio. But it's the everyday people who make the final decision on what works and what doesn't.

There is much more to learn about the entertainment industry.

MINIATURES AND DIGITAL FUN!

It looks like we are delaying the release of The Last Eagle Scout, but not for too long. Things have been crazy and with a few recent showings of the film to closed groups, we have found some changes we would like to make.

With that in mind, we have to opportunity to make the film better and close any gaps we have seen. We also got into finishing some special effects that were not done yet. Clark Schaffer has been patient enough with us in his busy schedule to come finish this scale model of the Knight Building that sits in the city center of Downtown Provo.

We filmed all around the building a chase scene between Cliff and Zeke. It was pretty fun. When I see Clark work, I get a sense of all kinds of things I would want to do with effects and miniatures. I can see a "high" coming from making effect films.

The Knight building has a little significance in my life. It's where I had my office while making Handcart 8 years ago. It is where the first of my favorite sub franchise began, Gandolfos. It is also the building named after the father of my dad's old business partner, Glade Knight, who founded Southern Virginia University (ironically, the mascot of SVU is "The Knights").

It is also the home of the oldest elevator in Utah (as seen in the film). Excited to finish this film.

Vacation and Candida

What is Candida you say? You would think it is another country, or a foreign fruit. Actually, I call it "you-can't-eat-a". I'll explain why.

First, let me say, we had a great two weeks. Stephanie, Parke, Truxton (a friend of Parke's) and I went down to South Padre Island, TX for the first week. The last few times we have gone down, it was either business or too short of a trip. This time I made a point of doing nothing but playing. I could and I did! I had been spending the last few months stressing over finishing up "The Last Eagle Scout" as well as Blendtec stuff, blending the last two Apple iJunk (I admit, I got my own iPad and iPhone 4) and everything else going on.

We went down, stayed at a condo, and did everything from the Schlitterbahn, to ATVs, to parasailing, to watching dolphins and eating lots of sea food. It was a great time. It was also good to see my brother Tom, his wife Melinda and my niece Lori. We also went to my 25th high school reunion. It was a smaller, yet older crowd then last time... plus, I came with a different woman, so a lot has changed. But it was a good experience.

In the midst of it all, Stephanie started to get sick. She got a stomach ache that she could not fend off. It was happening after every meal. Her tummy has been an issue since we have been married, so I seemed to be part of the problem. She finally pieced together she had candida. It has something to do with too much yeast in her body (fun).

The second week of vacation (not really a vacation) I spent at scout camp. We went up to Mount Timpanogos and camped at Timpanookee camp ground for the week and had our own camp (since I am the scout master). It was a great experience.

While I was away, Stephanie consulted her friends who went through the same situation and finally started a diet she has to live by for three weeks. It is a strict diet... I mean, strict! No sugar, no bread, no fruit. "How do you live with that?" I asked. You just have to be creative.

I found that out when I realized that I had to live the diet also. As long as we are husband and wife (very husband and wife) I have to eat the same crappy things that she has to eat.

Actually the truth is, the things I normally eat are what's crappy. What I have to eat on this diet are actually really good for you, but very restrictive. You live off of it strictly for 3 weeks then re-introduce other foods slowly, lasting 3 months. It sucks! Try spending your day eating eggs for breakfast (just eggs, no cheese, no butter on the pan, no bacon, no toast) with water. Then for a snack cucumbers, broccoli, spinach and cashews. You can have meat, but nothing on it. Mostly chicken, beef and seafood. Try eating a dry, non-marinated chicken. And it can't be the quickie pre-processed stuff.

I have also lost some weight on this diet. Not because of the food, but the lack of desiring to eat it. I have to have my cheese, sauce and dressing. My junk food and Sobe (I don't drink soda anymore, unless there's nothing else). I saw my belt buckle go to the next hole.

With all this, I know that it is no fun seeing Stephanie in pain. And Stephanie would probably do the same thing for me, bless her heart. We have both been fairly weak and depressed over this situation. I especially have found myself with little energy. But, we mostly look at it as a challenge and often laugh about it, especially when one of us says "what's for dinner tonight", it usually causes us to burst into laughter. That's my Stephanie. I love her so.

BEEN A WHILE...

I have been drowned in work, between working for Blendtec, finishing up The Last Eagle Scout and taking on a few other things, I haven't had time to sit and think... which is what I usually do before writing a blog.

First, I have finally accepted the fact that The Last Eagle Scout will not officially be released in September. Still more to do and the time will not allow it. That's what happens when you produce things on such a tight budget.

Second, I have finally gone to see the film RUSH: BEHIND THE LIGHTED STAGE. I have gained a new perspective of one of the hardest working bands I have ever known. The same 3 guys for the past 30+ years and still making albums with the highest level of musical excellence and not selling out. It was also amazing to see all the bands that were inspired by Rush. The whole story focused on this band that focused more on music and not on what happens after the concert. It made me look at my work as a filmmaker and see where I can improve and strive for a little more excellence.

Third, my mother has successfully gone thought the chemotherapy to help get rid of the cancer she had. She is obviously on the watch-list, but that evil chemo is past us for now. In the meantime, my father bought another home. This time, a summer home in the mountains of Pine Valley, Utah. Didn't know where the heck that was when they told me. It's so they can get out of the heat in Vegas and not drive too far (about 2 hours away). I guess as siblings we will part-own the house. Stephanie and I have not seen the house yet, Parke, Forrest and us will be going down for Father's Day to see it for the first time.

Distribution... I am having that dilemma as to how to release this film. (I am already looking at the next project, so I am thinking ahead). I can't publicly say what exactly I am planning (my producer Danna doesn't even know). But I am going to look into as many options so as to stay away from the DVD moratorium as long as possible. Don't mind a DVD release, but it can't be dead on arrival. It needs to have some life. Will get back with ya....

Finally got new carpet in the house and tile. Looks like a different house. Steph has been such the trooper making the house look great. She went to Pier 1 Imports and (another store, I can't remember the name) and bought me a bunch of film related art work for the walls. Things like a couple of old film reels, big sized tickets, popcorn boxes and other paintings with film "stuff" on it. It looks great and I love that she celebrates my profession. I hope to do the same for her.

Later this summer is a trip to South Padre Island (for my 25th high school reunion, can you believe it) and scout camp. And lot's of Orem Owlz baseball.

NEW LAST EAGLE SCOUT AD

Around June 1, Utah County begins the Freedom Festival, which is one of the most patriotic events you will ever see in the US. It is a series of events that happen that lead up to the 4th of July.

They have a beautiful magazine that comes out around the same time with all the events listed. I bought a full page ad to advertise The Last Eagle Scout film. I might get crap for it, don't know. I tested the ad on Facebook and besides some technical things, people overall liked it.

Getting close to done. Just finished a scene with Richard Hatch from Battlestar Galactica, which was awesome. He played a role I was saving for someone important, the scout leader during Cliff's Board of Review. Otherwise, pretty much most everything is in the can.

MEETING MARGO KIDDER

As a kid, one of my favorite films was "Superman: The Movie" in 1978. I was 11 and I still remember going to the Plitt Cinemas in Harlingen, Texas excited for the films release. It was toward the end of what I felt was the grand days of the movie theater, where a new film opening was an event and people stood in a line around the building to get a taste of Hollywood's latest.

In those days, there wasn't the answer of "I'll just wait for it to come to video". You saw it in the theater, or cross your fingers as seeing it edited for television. Otherwise, you missed it! And I remember "Superman" having an overture at the beginning and an intermission in the middle, just like the old days.

I think I saw "Superman" 11 times in the theater. I remember going over to the music store and seeing the big glossy double album of the Superman soundtrack lined up, costing a whopping 9 dollars. It would have been the closest thing I could see in having "Superman" in my home.

For years I kept the nice Superman ring they sold at the theater as well as the Superman pin. I actually still have the pin to this day. I also still have my Superman lunchbox from the film. It holds my Superman collector cards.

So now you could understand my excitement when I heard that Margot Kidder (Lois Lane in Superman) was going to be acting in a film at BYU. I guess Brigham Young has some new program where films are produced through an outside source to allow students to have a more "real world" experience with film making, something I wish we would have had when I was there 20 years ago. Somehow, they were able to get Margo to come play a role in a film I think is called "Robbing the Dead".

Ann Ross, a friend of Stephanie and I, told me about it and got me to come on set for a short while. I wish I could have spent more time there, I literally only got 5 minutes with her. But she was very sweet and obviously not prone to the "leave me alone, I'm Margo Kidder" syndrome. But she did seem older then she really was. I don't know if she had some stress or smoking or what, but I looked up that she is only 61, but looks like she is 71.

She was impressed with the BYU facility. Interestingly, after I left, I remembered the old film in 1977 produced by The Church right there in the same location called "The Phone Call" which starred Marc McClure, who was also Jimmy Olsen in the same Superman series.

I can check that off of people I hoped to meet before they pass on. Now on to William Shatner.

RUSH!!! Yes... I'm a nerd.

So I find out that RUSH is coming to Salt Lake City on a "Time Machine" tour. Usually RUSH doesn't tour unless they have a new album. But for some reason, someone convinced Neil (the drummer) to keep going (they've got to be pushing 60). Either way, I found that out and sent a text to my wife stating that "there is a God". (I already knew that, but figured it fit the situation.)

I was just wondering lately if they would come out with a new album so we could see them. But the process would go like this: I would read a little blog about Neil, Getty and Alex deciding they might record new material, thus a new album. That would be a few months. Then, they would go in and record... there's another few month, maybe 6. Then, they would start the promotion of a new album... another 6 months. Then, the album would be released and they would announce their tour, but Salt Lake would be toward the latter half of the tour. So I would go ahead and buy tickets... 6 months in advance.

Get the picture? I will have waited 2-3 years from the time Neil thinks of new material till I actually get to see them. I guess that is the price you pay for greatness. They used to come out with a new album almost every year. But I am sure age and popularity have allowed RUSH to "take their time" as well as keep the quality of the music up to the level they always demand.

I have a personal connection with Neil Peart. I don't know him personally, wish I would. But in October of 2005, I was getting divorced... a second time. It was probably the lowest point in my life. I won't go into the details, but I had lost a lot, in material goods, time with my kids and my sanity. I sadly left my wife at the time from Dallas, where I was living, back to Virginia. I would then turn right back around and drive all the way back to Utah.

While I drove back to Virginia with my tail between my legs, I had just bought a book written by Neil Peart called "Ghost Writer". Since Neil writes every lyric for Rush, his writing is usually fairly incredible. The book was an account of his loss in life, and the 14 month motorcycle ride he took to heal himself. In the matter of six months, Peart lost his wife to cancer and his daughter, his only child, in a car wreck.

I remember reading, while I took my short and painful, but thoughtful, drive across the US, feeling some similarity to what he was going through. Obviously, not near his loss, but a loss none the less. I especially felt a kinship when, in his book, he recalled watching television aimlessly while taking care of the paperwork of his family's recent death (going by memory here). He watched a PBS documentary on the Mormon Pioneer Wagon Train west (this was in 1997). While watching, he remembered the lessons learned on the trail that some die and some live, and it was not up to us to decide. Not sure what exactly he got out of the documentary, but it somehow turned his mind to get on his motorcycle and drive all across Canada and the US over a 14 month period.

Ironically, at that same time, I was working on the Mormon Trail Wagon Train as they re-enacted the 1847 trail Brigham Young took, celebrating the 150 year anniversary, and producing a documentary on the event. Who's to not think that he was actually watching some my work. Who knows.

I know that Peart can sometimes seem to have an agnostic view toward life around him. I am not so sure what his true beliefs are, and in a way, I prefer to keep it like that. But I do respect him as possibly the most accomplished drummer in the world and a wonderful human being.

One dream before I leave this life is to meet the man. I know that sounds silly, but I gotta have my dreams.

WILL IT BLEND iPAD - NUMBER 1 VIDEO ON YOUTUBE TODAY!

It isn't even that great of a video, but the marketing and curiosity killed this cat known as the iPad. It has been a while that we have had a hit like this. Usually, when a new Apple product comes out, we blend it and get a ton of views on YouTube (iPod now at 5.7 million, iPhone at 8 million and the iPhone 3G at 4.3 million views). As a whole, we are now at 200 million views.

I have to admit, I didn't think it would generate this kind of showing. But Ray proved me wrong. Will It Blend is basically George (marketing) Ray (web guy) and me (video producer). Ironically, George left the company last week to go work for an organization that produces Barbecue grills, Ray gave his two weeks notice yesterday (to go work for George) and I am still here. Many other changes are happening at Blendtec, but I am personally not worried.

In fact, this Will It Blend could be our last. I'm hoping. We are working on a new series that will be more on the "selling" side of the blenders. So it would be great to go out of Will It Blend with a bang.

Ray and I started a new separate series (that is also already over, since Ray left, the jerk) called Inside Blendtec. It is just some silly and fun behind the scenes of what we do at Blendtec. We did one on us buying the iPad. Pretty funny.

At this point of this writing, the new WILL IT BLEND iPad has reached 1.3 million views after only 24 hours on line and is the number one video on YouTube today. Kind of cool.

WILL IT BLEND - iPAD

OK, ok, ok... yes we had to do it!

Ray and I stood in line for a few hours on Saturday morning (that was a hard wake up) and purchase an iPad... just so we could blend it. It turned into a media circus. We stood in line with over a hundred other people, many of whom looked like it was one of the few times they stepped out of their mothers basement (in between levels).

But there were a few responsible people there. We were there because we were paid to be. It was actually pretty fun. Ray, who doesn't own an apple product and won't, acted like he was part of the gang. It's only because 5 minutes before opening, there were about 40 Mac employees at the Salt Lake store who ran around the building clapping, cheering, acting excited (a little better then the employees who "act" like they get excited at a Monday morning Walmart employee meeting... er, I mean, "team member" meeting).

We just played along, and Ray gave hugs to employees as if his life just changed for the better. Like, his life can go on, now that he has an iPad (that he is going to destroy later that day.) In the midst of that, he went on the be on the front page of the Local section of the Salt Lake Tribune. I also was interviewed on the Deseret News and this morning on Salt Lake's country station K-BULL and it was pretty funny.

So does the iPad blend? You will have to see and find out.

MAN, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

It's not like I have anything to do. Trying to finish up this film is a challenge, but I am having a great time. Usually, by now, when doing a feature, I will be sick of a film. But this time is different. I guess since I pretty much have all creative control and so many more tools to use than I did before.

I just finished a scene with Johnny Biscuit (he looks WAY better than me in this photo). He plays a talk show host who spews negative things about the scouts in a time of fury. I will be filming others, mocking talks shows and comedy shows, showing how a piece of bad press can spew the negativity of public opinion to the point where someone is guilty before even having their day in court. Part of the theme of The Last Eagle Scout.

The film is starting to grow in popularity (which means I better make a good film, all eyes are watching). I have a Facebook page and a few fans. And I get some hate mail already. There is even an anti-Last Eagle Scout page, if you can believe that. So I must be doing the right thing. I don't let it get to me.

Stephanie and I are working day and night right now. I still have my day job, Steph is trying to finish a new children's book, and I am editing and throwing in new shots as I see them. Luckily I got my own camera now, so I can make that happen. Much has been happening and I can tell life might be changing for me in the next 9 months. Not sure. But I can't talk too much.

Also been going to the gym. Been steady for about 6 weeks now. I am starting to lose my gut I got after being remarried 3 years ago (that's right, blame it on the marriage). I go with Parke every morning at 5:30 (that's the hardest part) to run and lift weights. My saggy boobs I was starting to get are now starting to not be so saggy (say that 10 times real fast).

We've been very blessed. And as things are happening, I continue to see others struggle. It hurts because I know, I have been there. I wish I could bring millions of dollars of work to Utah to keep all my friends afloat. One friend in particular is losing her house. That is hard.

There doesn't seem to be one great answer, but what I can do is help people with optimism. I give what I can with work and goods, but in the end, each person needs to take their own risks. Plus put more faith in the Lord for their needs.

SURVIVING THE KLONDIKE

Ok, that's not such big news, but it is for me. These are photos of actually two Klondikes we did, one a few months ago and the other just this past weekend. My troop is not very big, about 7 kids total, but their energy is enormous. (The photos in the middle are my son, Parke. Then me coming back from the Klondike, I'd had enough).

My assistant Scoutmaster, Jed, also has a great love for the scouts. He makes me look good by helping them with knots and camping, things I haven't mastered. I think much of scouting is for the adults as well.

I have done about 2 other Klondikes before this year as a leader and was a wimp. I ended up sleeping in my car both times. But I was only assistant Scoutmaster at the time. Now I felt obligated to live up to what the boys themselves go through. So on these recent Klondikes, I slept in the tent and it snowed both times in the middle of the night.

We actually camped at Camp Maple Dell, which is where we filmed all camping scenes for THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. It was weird going back to the same place but now having to lug everything around in a sled.

At this past Klondike, the boys had competitions where they did speed knot tying, guessed first aid needs, measured their scout spirit, built fires, raced snow sleds and mapped out compass courses. The council that put this on was awesome and you can tell the great spirit of scouting was alive and well.

2010 LDS FILM FESTIVAL

Steph and I spent hours watching films and visiting with friends from years past. If I had more time, I would give all the details, maybe I will soon. But for now, just letting you know, it was great to see everyone and talk about their projects. It was also great to see the desire of "young bucks" step up to the plate and make films, using the latest technology. I think as long as the technology doesn't lose way to story telling, I have been guilty of that very thing.

Christian Vuissa performed well, as usual, as master of ceremonies and keeping people satisfied and desiring more. It was too bad we couldn't have The Last Eagle Scout done to show, even a rough cut. But I was able to speak about the film in a forum and show the preview and get feed back. Most people were stunned (either that, or pissed). BTW, I am already getting hate male for the type of film I am making. That's a great sign.

LDS FILM FESTIVAL 2010 STARTS

Again, every time this year, we get to spend 4 luxurious days and nights at the Scera theater and watch new material from the LDS community. It is usually pretty exciting mostly because I get to meet with a lot of good friends, some I haven't worked with in a while (mostly because of my job).

I like to see what they are doing. But Stephanie has been more of the social nut then me. She actually keeps up with them more than I do. That is probably why she has almost 800 people on Facebook, twice more then me. That's OK.

Also during this time, we participate in the 24 hr competition. Christian Vuissa, the organizer of the festival, hands us a theme, a line of dialogue, and a prop... and a three minute limit, all in 24 hrs. I notice a lot of my long time friends don't participate. I think they feel they are just too good because it is more for people getting into the biz. Or maybe they are just too busy. Or maybe, they don't like to stay up all night (like I just did... ugh).

Either way, hypocritically, I will probably stop doing them myself as well. I guess working at Blendtec, I can get a little "creatively cramped". You can only get so creative producing blender videos. So I feel like I gotta do something.

Plus, my son and wife look forward to it every year. This will be our 4th year as a family, my 5th in attending. BTW, I will be speaking at one of the presentations. Friday at noon. I will be talking about marketing (Will it Blend) and the latest project (The Last Eagle Scout). Good times! I will probably video tape it and you can get a good laugh later.

SEALED TO MY LADY

It has been three years waiting, but we finally received our permission from the First Presidency to be sealed. So we gathered with family and friends to make that a reality.

For those of you who aren't part of my religion, this is part of the eternal plan, we believe our marriage to not end at death. But it is not easy to just walk in and do it. A sealing is a life-long commitment and beyond.

I was very tired that day. First, the day before, I participated in a 24 hour film festival competition where we write, shoot and edit a short film in 24 hrs. I had come home at 7 am that morning from working on the project. The sealing wasn't taking place till 2:30. So I thought I would get some sleep... that didn't happen. I had too much to do, and the busy body that I am, I couldn't sit down.

We had a potluck afterwards with many others. It was a wonderful evening and plus it was a time for us to reflect upon how many friends we actually have.

For now, my back and arm still hurt. I am working on getting feeling back in my arm. It has been numb because I have a pinched nerve on my neck and I am trying to work it back into place. I think I am getting old.... well, not too old.

WEB SITE UP!!!

The Last Eagle Scout now has an official website with more photos and videos available. Ray, my man, made this for me and it is the beginning of more things that will be added to it through time. We are now focusing on finishing the film and hoping to make the best product possible. Pass it around.

NEW BLOG!!! also SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

As THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT starts to pick up steam, we will be pulling out all the social media punches over the next little while. We have a new website lasteaglescout.com which will be updated in the next day or so. We now have a facebook, youtube and twitter account. And we have a new blog.

Since I have left this blog to become a more personal blog (for all 2 or 3 of you who actually read this), I have started a newer blog strictly for THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT film release. You can currently see the newer explosion video we made. It's pretty fun!

Also, I have just been informed that I will be speaking at the LDS Film Festival next Friday (Jan 22) at about 12 pm. I will be talking about Will it Blend for a moment, but focus more on The Last Eagle Scout. So if you're looking for a good snore (or some good comedy) come on out!

EXPLODING FUN!

Here is a little video that is the start of a series. Behind The Scenes of us making The Last Eagle scout. We get to blow up miniature buildings tomorrow. This was a test. It was obviously too much gas and gun powder. We will run 4 cameras at high speed and explode 2 or 3 buildings that we did in the film. There will also be some CGI work on the explosions as well. FUN!