I shot an independent feature film over the summer, and the official trailer was finally released! It's called "The Video Guys." It's a comedy and it was filmed on Long Island. Basically, it's about these four guys who have a business videotaping weddings, and the movie has several storylines where the guys videotape the weddings. I play the Jilted Bride....I'm left at the alter!!!! It looks really good, and I can't wait to see the full film! Here is the link to their website, and make sure to click on "Watch Trailer."
Hi guys! I just uploaded Episode 3 of The Retributioners! I uploaded to YouTube and Funny or Die. Will get it up on MySpace shortly.
Based on real events, as I'm really getting run out of my apartment, and I'm being forced to move! So, enjoy! You can also vote for it on Funny or Die, right within the video!
I don't know how, in the middle of all this craziness, but we did it! We filmed a short Episode 3 today, all shot in my apartment. Yes, the very apartment I am about to leave. I am in the middle of editing it right now, with the hope the whole thing can be finished by tomorrow night. VERY wishful thinking.....but this is a very simple episode to edit.
It wasn't the original Episode 3 idea we had....we're going to have to push that to Episode 4, or even 5, as it's going to require a bit of more planning to shoot. However, I think #3 is really different and funny. We'll see what you think. I'm proud of it, considering the little time we had to actually do it.
One of my closest friends, Jessica Myhr, will be playing the part of Madison. Sorry I have no pics this time....we probably packed our camera for all we know! Don't mind the mess in our house......
OK, today I am stealing, but I got permission to do it. Eric, my husband, wrote this great blog yesterday about the Carly Hennessy/Smithson controversy on American Idol, and there is something inspirational about it. He posted it on his MySpace page, which you can view at http://www.myspace.com/ericandsalo. Here it is: OK. First thing: I hate the show "American Idol" and everything it stands for.
Now that I've said that, I'll admit that a certain Web site called "Vote For The Worst," which rose to some prominence last year, makes the show a little bit more palatable as a guilty pleasure for me. Every week, the Web site prompts its readers to phone in and pick the most comic, clownish or freakish contestant. It is not merely a ploy to ruin the show, as worthy a goal as that would be. No, the writers on VFTW say that their true aim is to play up the entertainment value--to throw the spotlight on shtick--which serves to illuminate the utter artifice of the whole affair, to illuminate it as prefabricated melodrama, to limn the preconceived nature of the suspense.
The site has recently stumbled upon the past history of one of the show's new contestants: Carly Smithson, nee Carly Hennessy. This woman has already had a failed career as a teen pop star at MCA, which flushed millions through the glory hole on her debut album, trying to sell her as the new jailbait on the block--Britney Spears from Dublin, or a Gaelic Liz Phair--only to sell fewer than 500 copies and send the girl home packing where she got a tattoo and an attitude. If I were a paranoid person, this would seem like somebody's still trying to recoup a bad investment by putting her in a reality TV show setting and not telling anybody about it.
The truth is, I don't give a frog's fat ass if she wins, fair or unfair. I'm only bringing it up because it's illuminating to read her story, which you can find in the Wall Street Journal here. If Courtney Love's similar article in Salon hadn't already convinced you then the WSJ article certainly will that the music industry in this country is evil and that you'd be better off playing the lotto than ever signing a recording contract with a major label. With few happy exceptions, most people who get to the major labels do so with wildly unrealistic expectations, and for that they are not simply crushed by the overwhelming competition, they are robbed blind by people who exploit youthful narcissism and like to turn a buck off silly dreams. I used to write about bands in Austin, Texas, all of whom sought the brass ring of a label signing, and it's demoralizing to see talented people, the people you think you want to be, the people whose most important asset is their fecund imaginations--completely lose hope because they were unwise. They sadly came to realize that all the accouterments of this strange lifestyle--the videos, the recording costs, etc.--are costs that they will have to shoulder themselves eventually before they see any real money. The advances and living expense money usually disappear quickly, and when pro rated out over a few years, don't do you much better than a job at the post office would have. Meanwhile, the most valuable item--the intellectual property known as the songs you write--are robbed from you and become the property of the record company. Adults don't sign away things that could make them money later. Only kids do. The good news is that I think this is the best time ever for musicians, because now we have the Internet. We can write, produce and sell (if there's demand) our own music without middle-men. What we lose sometimes is professional polish and a bit of legal protection (say, if your music was so good it was pirated). But I think the long-awaited goal of creating an artistic middle class is much closer than it used to be, and I'm happy to think that the music industry, buffeted by piracy and declining sales) is close to dying the death of the bloated gorgon that it is. If you need more money than that offered by the life of a middle-class artist, then I would suggest that you are just greedy and also recommend that you get a real job--specifically as a stock broker, where you can make shitloads of money without being terribly bright. If music is your whole life, I would also politely mention that there's more to life than music, and that learning about something else would probably round you out as a person anyhow.
Since suffering many artistic disappointments in my 20s, I've become a lot happier since I stopped looking for approbation from other people to legitimize my creations. My wife and I make a lot of art and put it on this space, and sometimes you don't know who's out there rooting for you, if anybody. But at the end of the day, if the work is not making you happy, then maybe you don't really want to be an artist in the first place. If you want to do it, you just have to do it, and therein lies the key to most spiritual happiness. It's also nice to patronize those who are doing the same thing. It gives a little power to the masses and offers hope, which is not always a four-letter word.
Holy fuck! This turned into a rant. Something funnier tomorrow, eh?
So, we're still packing, getting ready for the big move. We're also getting ready to shoot "On a Very Special Retributioners...." so you guys don't have to wait TOO long to watch something while we're in the middle of moving.
However, it's my favorite time of year. American Idol has just aired the top 24 contestants!!!! Am I an Idol fan? Yes, but only for one reason.....and I think it's time you knew this about me........I'm a Worster!
That's right! I am a follower of Vote for the Worst (VFTW)! Been a fan since season 5. If you don't know what I am talking about, it's all about this genius website right here:
They are best known for sabotaging last year's show by encouraging their readers to vote for Sanjaya. Yes, I voted for Sanjaya until my fingers bled.
I am not trying to trash these kids' dreams. I am, however, a supporter of that website. People find it extremely mean spirited. It CAN be viewed that way. But for me, it's all about their blogs. It's far more than just a campaign to sabotage reality TV. The site is run by two extremely talented writers who each write a review of the episode right after it airs. They are both hysterical. They go by the names TheFunnyStone and Mr. Chan. The blogs also act as great 'Cliff Notes' to the show so you can get a really funny recap and not have to watch. But seriously, if you want the full VFTW experience, you need to watch the show, then read the website the next morning for the blogs. Or, you can read the comments on their forums. The VFTW fans create the funniest avatars I've ever seen.
So, I am very happy! I just watched the show, now I can sit back and enjoy reading my favorite blog!!!!
If you like MY show, then I can't imagine you not liking VFTW. Please do check them out. There is a lot to read on that site, so just take it in slowly.
OK, in honor of Melanie, I bring you the EXTENDED version of Duran Duran's "Wild Boys." Watch out for Simon Le Bon as he continually gets beaten, abused, and dunked in water. Then he gets bitten by some fake, crazy looking sea monster. John Taylor keeps banging his head against a car. Not my favorite song, but definitely a classic video!
OK, I can FINALLY give some good news. Eric and I are officially moving! We are staying in NYC. We are moving only two blocks away from our house! Pretty funny. We currently live on the Upper East Side. In fact, we're keeping the same exact zip code.
As you can imagine, the unexpected move has stalled things for 'The Retributioners.' But I promise we'll be on track again. I have a lovely, talented actress playing the role of BFF in Episode 3.
It also looks like I'll be working more to make money, which we'll need for this costly move. Can I tell you how much I hate moving?! We have not moved in over five years, so it's very strange to leave here. We got married here. My wedding dress is still hanging outside my bedroom door.
In fact....I never even got it dry cleaned (gross, right)? That dress is part of the decor of the house! I honestly don't even know what to do with it.
So we'll be very busy these next few weeks packing. I am hoping we can squeeze in some Retributioners filming while doing this.
By the way, Vanilla or Chocolate cake? I like chocolate cake with vanilla frosting? What do you prefer????
OK, I think it's time for me to explain what's been going on for the last few weeks, and why we were considering moving to LA.
We're getting kicked out of our apartment. We lived in this apartment for five and a half years! A new management company bought our building, and they want us out, or we'll have to pay $2,800/month. Well, obviously we're not going to do that, so we have to move.
The last few weeks have been a major roller coster ride. Our situation can literally change by the hour! We have to get out of our apartment by April 1st. May seem far away to you now, but while we're producing our show, this is a major distraction. We were not sure for WEEKS whether we had to leave right away or until April. We've looked at many apartments in Mahattan. We've come so close to getting a new place, only to be disappointed in the end. This has been a long and painful process.
So, while trying to find a place to live, I've been working at my day job, and trying to plan Episode 3 of Retributioners. It's been VERY tough to do.
We've been back and forth on the LA issue over and over again. At this point in time, I think we've decided to stay in NY, with the possibility of considering LA in the future.
So, there you have it!!! I'm really scared I won't have Episode 3 ready when I want....so I ask for your patience! We're trying!
I produce and star in this web series called, "The Retributioners." It's about a woman who contacts folks from her past and present and seeks revenge and validation. It's pretty disturbing!!!!
- OK, time for American Idol!!! This time it's the girls!!!!!!
I just watched the show, now I can sit back and enjoy reading my favorite blog!!!!