Prove Him Wrong

It sounds kind of weird, but the death of Conservative crazy man Andrew Breitbart has hit me with a different perspective. I am personally a grown up conservative that has inched into a libertarian. There are many things that I don't feel that needs to be legislated and let alone to the individual.

But one thing that I do see a lot of is unfairness in the media... and Andrew fought for that day and night.

As a quick history lesson, one of the goals of the Communist Party listed by former CIA agent Cleon Skousen in his book The Naked Communist, is to take control of Hollywood and the media (this was written in 1958). Thus, instead of winning communism by logic, or even war, lies have to be created and they have to "sing and dance" the message to create an "emotion" to get people to adhere to communism. There are those few who think Communism "works", but history shows people end up dying in the end.

So it has become obvious that the media has an agenda. What long term agenda that is, I am not sure. You can say a "leftist" agenda, and that would be close, but I think it is deeper then that. I am still trying to figure that out.

What ever agenda that may be, the truth is that lies happen. And it is up to guys like Andrew Breitbart to point that out. And he did a wonderful job of that, which takes me to my next point. Andrew was a character.

If you get a chance, type in Breitbarts name anywhere on Youtube. There will be people that will hate him, but whether you do or not, it is fun to watch things like Andrew facing protesters and try to convince them they are just chanting a slogan given to them by their union boss. Or with fire, call people out on a lie someone posted on the news or on a blog. And he did it with such an LA "dude" type of speech, it was hilarious to watch.

Andrew was rough around the edges, but he had character, which is something conservatives have been lacking. The left has all kinds of characters that people have learned to fall in love with, even if you disagree with them. But the right has been short of those who have tough voices who won't just give the "political" answer.

So, because he has passed away, I am making a prediction that a sleeping giant has been awakened. His face (as harry and as chubby as it may be) will be imaged underground in many places like that of Che, Bob Marley or jim Morrison. It will represent that movement that has long been sleeping and is effecting more young people then before.

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The Last Eagle Scout at CPAC

I'm not political, but I try to pay attention to politics. In a way, we have a responsibility to pay more attention then to get our information from Oprah or David Letterman.

I was invited to show THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT at the theater that is sponsored by Citizens United during CPAC in Washington DC. Everyone who was on the right side of the isle was there. I don't know many of them personally. I know a few pundits who I have become friends with.

Some are wackos (as you can see above). Some I don't totally agree with. I personally have changed my position on many things, going from a full conservative to a right-leaning libertarian. I have become liberal on a number of issues because I simply don't care.

Gay marriage is one of them. I don't care if all of my gay friends want to be married (or at least something that is equal so they can get some of the tax benefits, etc). As long as they don't start forcing religions to marry them. It has to be a give and take on the issue.

Anyway, don't get me started. I do think political correctness has gone out of control, though. Hence, THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. I've already gotten the first few reviewed of the film and I love the reviews. They are completely baffled of the film. I like to help start discussions.

The people at CPAC loved it. Steph and I saw our friends from Ireland Phelim and Ann. They are a couple who do documentaries, mostly debunking claims made by Al Gore. In fact, there is video on YouTube of Phelim personally challenging Al Gore about his movie and then being escorted out of the building. Love it!

Then, Steph and I took a quick one-day trip down to Richmond, my old stomping grounds, my one of two homes. We saw the home I was born in and the one I lived in when I moved back for a couple of years (where I got divorced in).

I have since come home and did some last re-editing on the film according to the suggestions made by our the showings we have now had. We will put the film to bed and start our limited theater release.

My Trip To The Big Apple

Still haven't figured out why it's called the big apple. I don't think they even grow apples in New York City, but hey I'll go along with it.

All joking aside, Blendtec sent me and my assistant Kyle and commercial marketing director, Russ to New York for two reasons: to attend a housewares awards show, and to film an interview with the busiest Smoothie shop in the world, Planet Smoothie in Penn Station. Supposedly, they make 3000 smoothies a day on our equipment and we are here to record it.

I haven't always been a big fan of New York City. I just feel it's too busy, and always wonder why half the people in this city can't just thin out over middle America and solve the busyness of the many problems it faces. It could be that that statement I just made would have been offensive those living in New York City who are here to get away from middle America. They like the busyness, they love being around so many people, they love living in a box and calling it "living quarters". I'm selfish, I love my space.

While my traveling companions and I were filming at the local Godiva outlet using our equipment to make their elixir, we decided we needed to find a way to go see the David Letterman show. I haven't watched David Letterman for a long time (we have pretty much cut the cable in our house, we never watch TV anymore), but it was fun to see.

While looking at my phone for where to get tickets, a guy came up to me and said they were looking for audience members for The Late Show. We had to take a quick quiz to see if we "pass" for an audience member. I didn't know the first question, which was "what is the name of the one female member of the late show band". I didn't know, so they asked another question "what does Dave often throw at the camera". I knew it was his pencil and "won" the tickets.

Standing in line for the tickets, I witnessed Bill Murray making his way into the theater, since he was the guest for the night. We were given all these rules of how to be an audience member, showing that these orchestrated late night TV shows are just that... Orchestrated. People laughing on cue, even if it is not funny. You can tell how well Hollywood can force their jokes, and even their opinions, by thinking everyone else agrees with them, and laughing with them. We even watched a video before the show started on how we need to make Dave look good by laughing along and clapping on cue...even if the joke is not funny.

It was a well run machine, the Late Night show. They hit 30 years tomorrow night, which is a great accomplishment. But it shows you how you can form opinions through comedy. It has been a fun trip overall.

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Location:New York

The Last Eagle Scout: The First Showing

The LDS Film Festival is quickly approaching and I am "almost" ready to show THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. It's kind of funny. Today I was told by my sound mixer that I will get the last reel of audio mix on Thursday night... the showing is Friday night. So needless to say, I am a little scared.

I had a flashback of the first showing of HANDCART, one of my earlier films I did about 10 years ago. I showed an incomplete film on Pioneer Day, which is when I originally wanted to release the film. So I think the audience was disappointed. I still remember an "unrendered" shot appearing on the big screen and thinking "man I should have just waited."

Now, for TLES, I have waited, instead of rushing a film to the big screen just because of a date of significance. But I think I have waited too long on this one. And now that I am ready for this first showing, at least I have pushed my post crew to "get'r done".

This showing is not actually a "premiere" of the film. That will happen the Wednesday or Thursday before releasing to some theaters. I just wanted to have the festival be a beginning date to start with.

I am excited because I will use that festival date to kick off the merchandise I will be selling on the film. I want to practice making money in other ways with the film. I find marketing fun. I've got shirts, hats, a backpack, all with our logo. I am also excited about the comic book version of the film. That was very cool to see.

So we have a showing this Friday and Saturday. Then off to CPAC in Washington DC, very interested in seeing that.


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I FEEL LIKE IM GOING TO "BLOW UP"

 We were fooling around at Blendtec (don't do that too much, I promise) and Spencer Taggart showed us this cool app on the iPhone using "Hollywood explosions". You basically roll a few seconds of video and choose your demise.  It is the funniest thing I have ever seen.  My son, Parke got the same app and between him and my step daughter, Kristina (on her iPod touch, spoiled kids) they were blowing up the dog, the other kids, me.  It was hilarious.

It is how I have felt the past few weeks.  My schedule is now getting very booked between TLES opening up and Blendtec, I asked Steph tonight when our next break was.  I am praying for spring break to get here.

On a technical geek side, I have been feeling that the editing software I have been religiously using for the past 12 years, Final Cut Pro, will be coming to an end. One thing I hate is change.  Not that it is stopping, but the recent version released this past summer shows that they are going to a more consumer side (for all those "filmmakers" on YouTube).  Problem is today's filmmaker is more a tech wizard brat kid who can point, shoot and edit... but really can't tell stories.  Just make pretty pictures.

Sorry for getting off the topic.  Point is... I will be switching to a new software.  So my assistant, Kyle and I will be going to NAB this year (in April) with a mission to find what will be our new edit platform.

Again, stop changing things!

Why am I so busy!!!

It's all good stuff. In fact, it's pretty exciting. Right now, I am finally getting special effect shots from my friend Bruce Holt for THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT, barely making in time for the LDS Film Festival... barely. And same with the music and final sound mix... A little on pins and needles to finishing this film. But I finally have some faith (that is if Christian doesn't take me out of the program before hand.)

Then there is the LDS Film Festival itself... I am on the committee and I continue to gather sponsors and organize. It's kind of fun actually.

On top of that, I am producing 3 music videos with Jeremy Hoop, who has provided music for the film. Those will be pretty cool and I hope to have them playing by the time the festival starts.

Also, we are starting an on-line store called "The Trading Post" on the website where we will sell TLES goods (hats, shirts, a backpack) all saying "I've seen The Last Eagle Scout". Plus, I finally saw renditions of the comic book and I was really excited. It's neat to see my work in another rendition.

Now on to Blendtec. Even though I would love walk away from Blendtec and just make movies, I have realized that I have built something long lasting there where I can't see myself leaving anytime soon. I have earned some ownership in the company now. Plus, so many new things coming up, I am very lucky to have gotten that job over 6 years ago. Amazing to think I have been there this long.

I will be going to New York to film a smoothie shop right there in Penn Station, where the busiest blenders are hard at work. Supposedly, they make 3000 smoothies a day down there and have had good experiences. So we will be filming a personal interest video there, watching our blender in action. Plus, around the same time, we were nominated for some award for best new product (Twister Jar). So I might be going to that event in New York at the same time.

Then, I have heard that the TV show "The Office" will be featuring a new character who is real anal, and this character will always be making whole foods in a blender there at the office... and guess which blender they are featuring? Need I say more. I heard we are on another show, but can't remember which.

Who would think I would have this much fun and receive this much recognition from a blender company. Good times.


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Tomorrow, Blendtec will hold its Open House of the third wing of the building.  It is loaded with extra features, such as a Doctors and Dentist office, a cafeteria and a meat locker (not sure what to do with the meat locker, but I can tell you that when it's the end of the world, Blendtec is the place to hang.)

Here is a video we produced for the new Total Blender Designer Series Blender.  Check it out.