Saturday, January 22, 2011

Lights, Camera...Action

Few of you know that I secretly dream of doing voice over work. This is a problem because I don't have a particularly distinctive voice, I can't do accents, nor do I have any real acting talent. But I do, however, have this strange desire to have my voice immortalized in a video game, cartoon, or as a chick in a Twiztid song. I know it's a strange ambition, but it's been mine for a while.

I've actually been given the opportunity on numerous occasions to speak live on air for a radio station. While stationed in Keflavik, Iceland, I was in front of a mic at the on base studio many times and just sat there without making a sound. Having friends who were Journalists in the Navy led to many great times and lots of great conversations, but didn't push me to realize my dream. So now, all these years later, I still haven't made any progress and I feel like the clock is ticking! I know that 27 isn't necessarily "over the hill" but I'm not getting younger. I'm slowly devising a plan to make this a reality.

Over a decade ago, some friends and I started writing a screenplay. I have none of the work, but remember the general idea. In the next year I would like to finish this and start working on my very own horror movie. I know there are plenty of people who do this every day, and most with more talent than I will ever posses, but I still am going to do it! So the goal is this, I make my own movie, I can cast whomever I choose to be in it, and there is my voice immortalized! Even if it's just my screams being heard while being chased by a psychopath with some random weapon! I won't mind being killed in the first scene. Just to know that I've accomplished this finally will be enough for me.  I don't really want to act as a profession, but I figure this kills two birds with one stone. And I will have made a movie! Who doesn't want to do that. (And not the kind where you set up a tripod at the end of the bed)....

I guess it helps that I've made friends with some people in the "business". Knowing a few professional actors, special effects artists, and amazing writers is a definite win for my current situation. Now I only need to gather all of these talented people together to work with me and create something amazing! I'm sure this will be a long and stressful process, but I'm going to relish in it all the same. So if you would like to be a part of helping me make this happen, let me know. I can use all the help I can get!



I have some favorite movies that I hope to gather much insight from in the next few months. I want something gory, disgusting, and downright scary. Old school special effects, lots of fake blood and terror that has you carrying a knife to bed with you. It's asking quite a bit of my brain to create something of this magnitude, but what the hell? I like being terrified. Maybe I can share my love for all that is scary with the world!

Friday, January 21, 2011

It's a RAVE!

Anyone who knows me, or reads this blog knows that I'm not really into "techno" or "rave" music. That being said, I took my little sister to her first Rave/Club experience Saturday night in Atlanta. It was a last minute decision that was actually a great one. My co-worker, Jared, mentioned it and I asked Amanda if she was down...when she agreed, I was apprehensive to say the least! I am not a "club kid" by any means. Don't get me wrong, I will have a drink at the local bar or at the Applebee's across the parking lot from where I work, but I don't "club". I haven't been to anything like this in years. I was mortified that I was too old and would surely be kicked out of line and barred from the velvet ropes (snow covered cracked sidewalk in this case) To my surprise I wasn't the oldest person waiting in line in the freezing cold at 2 am to enter this establishment. The place was called Tundra and it was frigid!





I am glad I got to spend some time with my little sister in a "grown up" atmosphere. All too often we just sit around and do nothing. It was nice to be the one to experience this with her and I look forward to more trips to Atlanta while she's visiting from Kansas!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Zero (1995)

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness has some vivid memories for me, but the song "Zero" tops all other tracks. Being the "preacher's kid" the lyrics had a very strong hold on me. Even now the line "...and God is empty, just like me..." invokes emotions that I can't put into words. So instead I will post the song for your own viewing/listening pleasure. Enjoy circa 1995...Zero


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Orphanage (2007)


I must admit, I have been looking forward to watching this movie. I just recently bought it, but haven't had the chance to sit and view it. A couple of months ago I watched Pan's Labyrinth, and loved it. When I saw that Guillermo Del Toro produced this, I knew it was a must see for me.

So when I decided to watch this I chose to watch without English subtitles for a couple of reasons. 1) I can't find the remote to my DVD player in my bedroom and I'm too lazy to watch it in any other room. and 2) I thought I would better enjoy "watching" instead of reading. Most of  all, if after six years of Spanish classes I can't understand it...we have issues. I'm glad I watched without the subtitles! There was a purity that wasn't ruined by my constant scanning words on screen. In Spanish I still got the plot and was able to actually see what was happening in the movie.


I will be the first to admit, if you want to scare me, put a kid in a mask. Tomas is so deeply terrifying to me as the "ghost" in this story. It is moving and beautiful to watch, but just as touching and emotional. I really enjoyed this as much as I expected, and am glad to have added it to the growing number of movies that I now have no more space to store. If you haven't seen this one you really should. It's a great film.

I really am growing an affection for everything Del Toro touches. I'm a huge fan of Hellboy and, as I mentioned above, Pan's Labyrinth. I look forward to finding more of his work past, present, and future.







Again, I will try to keep this a regular post, but need ideas from you! If you have a movie you want to share, please feel free to let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading this week's Terror Tuesday!