Easily Confused
Ring... Ring...
Him: H-hello?
Me: Can I speak to Jamison please?
Him: Uhhhh... Who?
Me: Jamison. Can I speak to Jamison please?
Him: What number did you dial?
Me: 878-8390. I'm sorry... I must have the wrong number.
Him: No no... the number is right, but -- uhhhhh...
Me: The number may be right, but I guess this isn't Jamison's number. My bad.
Him: I don't get it. The number IS right, but there's no Jamison here. I'm confused.
Me: It's okay. Sorry to both-- >-CLICK-< Hello?
Somebody needs this Friday more than I do, it seems.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Fringe is approaching
Our first big show is getting closer and closer! Saturday at 17h00 is our frist Fringe show and we're feeling pretty good about it. We had our tech rehearsal on Tuesday night and we adjusted the lights, set the props, and picked the music.
The killer cost in this is the advertising. We had 100 color posters and 500 postcards made, so we've dropped about $300 in advertising costs. I expect we'll have to make more posters and more cards, but we've got to come up with a cheaper way to do it. We might also try to get a sponsor to offset some of the printing costs.
I've seen some of the advertising that the other companies have put together and I don't know how they can afford it (color postcards, full-length color posters). They don't look like they're getting sponsorship, and we're all charging the same thing (approx.), so how are they going to make ends meet?
Maybe the fringe isn't about making ends meet. Maybe that's what I'm about to find out. I don't really care about making ends meet myself, but it would be a nice statement about the show. Like all the storytelling events I'm involved in, I just want to enjoy the art form.
Who knows? Maybe we'll even win something!
Our first big show is getting closer and closer! Saturday at 17h00 is our frist Fringe show and we're feeling pretty good about it. We had our tech rehearsal on Tuesday night and we adjusted the lights, set the props, and picked the music.
The killer cost in this is the advertising. We had 100 color posters and 500 postcards made, so we've dropped about $300 in advertising costs. I expect we'll have to make more posters and more cards, but we've got to come up with a cheaper way to do it. We might also try to get a sponsor to offset some of the printing costs.
I've seen some of the advertising that the other companies have put together and I don't know how they can afford it (color postcards, full-length color posters). They don't look like they're getting sponsorship, and we're all charging the same thing (approx.), so how are they going to make ends meet?
Maybe the fringe isn't about making ends meet. Maybe that's what I'm about to find out. I don't really care about making ends meet myself, but it would be a nice statement about the show. Like all the storytelling events I'm involved in, I just want to enjoy the art form.
Who knows? Maybe we'll even win something!
Monday, June 07, 2004
Low Energy
I spent the weekend in and out of consciousness. I was hit by a severe case of fatigue: one minute, I'd be up and running and the next minute I'd be falling over and snoring before I hit the ground. I don't know if that's a week's worth of exhaustion and stress catching up with me or if it's another facet of this sickness that's been gripping me for the past week or so.
At least I've replenished my supply of DayQuil/NyQuil.
After waking from a sudden four-hour catnap on Saturday, I decided to phone up Garak and check out the latest Harry Potter film. I was amazed by what I saw on many levels. The Kids' acting ability has vastly improved, leaving the studio and moving the set to Scotland was breathtaking, and the plot moved quite nicely from beginning to end.
I've been reading the fan sites and the reviews are definitely mixed, but alternating from one extreme (awesome) to the other (it sucked). Being your stereotypical Canadian, I can see both sides of the issue.
I can see how diehard fans were disappointed because there were many scenes from the book that were omitted from the film (nothing too crucial, but they were missed).
But we need to be realistic here. This movie was already 2:16 hours which is pretty long for the main type of audience targeted (kids). But personally, I could've sat through another 45 minutes of the film (probably without falling asleep like I did in the LOTR movies ("Blasphemy!)). But let's face it: the book will always have more details than the movie can possibly handle.
Did we learn nothing from the LOTR? The transition between Book-to-Movie is never a smooth one and well-written books are not supposed to be easily transferred to the screen.
The people who worked on this movie did a pretty good job at translating the book to the screen, although there were many scenes and moments that I was looking forward to that weren't there. Oh well... Maybe we'll get an extended version on the DVD.
To quote John LeCarre: Seeing your book turned into a movie is like watching an ox turned into bouillon cubes.
I spent the weekend in and out of consciousness. I was hit by a severe case of fatigue: one minute, I'd be up and running and the next minute I'd be falling over and snoring before I hit the ground. I don't know if that's a week's worth of exhaustion and stress catching up with me or if it's another facet of this sickness that's been gripping me for the past week or so.
At least I've replenished my supply of DayQuil/NyQuil.
After waking from a sudden four-hour catnap on Saturday, I decided to phone up Garak and check out the latest Harry Potter film. I was amazed by what I saw on many levels. The Kids' acting ability has vastly improved, leaving the studio and moving the set to Scotland was breathtaking, and the plot moved quite nicely from beginning to end.
I've been reading the fan sites and the reviews are definitely mixed, but alternating from one extreme (awesome) to the other (it sucked). Being your stereotypical Canadian, I can see both sides of the issue.
I can see how diehard fans were disappointed because there were many scenes from the book that were omitted from the film (nothing too crucial, but they were missed).
But we need to be realistic here. This movie was already 2:16 hours which is pretty long for the main type of audience targeted (kids). But personally, I could've sat through another 45 minutes of the film (probably without falling asleep like I did in the LOTR movies ("Blasphemy!)). But let's face it: the book will always have more details than the movie can possibly handle.
Did we learn nothing from the LOTR? The transition between Book-to-Movie is never a smooth one and well-written books are not supposed to be easily transferred to the screen.
The people who worked on this movie did a pretty good job at translating the book to the screen, although there were many scenes and moments that I was looking forward to that weren't there. Oh well... Maybe we'll get an extended version on the DVD.
To quote John LeCarre: Seeing your book turned into a movie is like watching an ox turned into bouillon cubes.
Friday, June 04, 2004
Fringe Festival: Gathering Steam
Nothing big from our Word of Mouth Productions troupe since the Fringe For All, but the official website for the Fringe Festival is finally up (check it out here).
I haven't seen the TV ads myself, but you can also watch them on the website (the chainsaw one is my favourite).
We'll be rehearsing over the next few days and then we'll be starting in on the big promotion drive. I've got a few personal contacts to be shaken down and then its posters-posters-posters.
I'm hoping we can get a few interviews done and raise more awareness of our little show.
When it comes to the Fringe, I'm alternating between terror and anticipation.
Nothing big from our Word of Mouth Productions troupe since the Fringe For All, but the official website for the Fringe Festival is finally up (check it out here).
I haven't seen the TV ads myself, but you can also watch them on the website (the chainsaw one is my favourite).
We'll be rehearsing over the next few days and then we'll be starting in on the big promotion drive. I've got a few personal contacts to be shaken down and then its posters-posters-posters.
I'm hoping we can get a few interviews done and raise more awareness of our little show.
When it comes to the Fringe, I'm alternating between terror and anticipation.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Medicine Cabinet Management
I've been fighting off a cold for the past few days. I always get sick right before a big event (I think the Fringe For All was the big event, although my latest deadline might also qualify), but I've been going the DayQuil/NyQuil caplet route to stay on top of things.
I don't usually take medicine to fight off sickness, but I can't afford to be ill for the next month or so. Any time the warm weather wants to come hurtling through the atmosphere, I'll be good with it.
So as I was getting ready for the day this morning, I popped a couple of orange DayQuil caplets when I realized I didn't have a glass of water to wash them down with.
When it comes to candy, orange-flavoured candy has always been my favourite. The DayQuil caplets are big and orange, so I automatically assumed that cracking through the outer hull of the caplet would produce a delish orange flavour.
Learn from my mistakes. It most certainly does not. There's a reason why these things are design to melt far from your taste buds.
I've been fighting off a cold for the past few days. I always get sick right before a big event (I think the Fringe For All was the big event, although my latest deadline might also qualify), but I've been going the DayQuil/NyQuil caplet route to stay on top of things.
I don't usually take medicine to fight off sickness, but I can't afford to be ill for the next month or so. Any time the warm weather wants to come hurtling through the atmosphere, I'll be good with it.
So as I was getting ready for the day this morning, I popped a couple of orange DayQuil caplets when I realized I didn't have a glass of water to wash them down with.
When it comes to candy, orange-flavoured candy has always been my favourite. The DayQuil caplets are big and orange, so I automatically assumed that cracking through the outer hull of the caplet would produce a delish orange flavour.
Learn from my mistakes. It most certainly does not. There's a reason why these things are design to melt far from your taste buds.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Fringe For All: the results
We rocked that place! There must've been at least 500 people crammed onto the dance floor at Cafe Campus. Each company had 2.5 minutes to present their show and get the media's attention. The media people sat in the first two rows next to the stage and they were given press kits with all of our press releases.
Our producer Esmerita suggested that we create a strong visual image by dressing in dark pants, white shirts, and god-awful ties. Zimmerman fished out a Winne the Pooh tie and I had one with colorful fish.
As soon as we stepped out onto the scene, we got their attention. I could hear the people giggling about our ties, and knowing that we now had their attention, our confidence was given a boost.
Honestly, we were a bit intimidated at first. Storytelling is a struggling art form in this part of the world, but I was worried that it might be a bit out-of-place in a "Fringe" festival. When faced with other plays about naked cowboys that eat pudding, storytelling doesn't seem on the same level.
But I was relieved to see from the program that there are a few family shows in the Fringe (although we're the only storytellers). Some of the presentations were bizarre, but others were less complex and more entertaining, so by the time we stepped up on stage, I knew we would be okay.
Our bit for the FFA was that we were to present our show about the adventures of Jack, but then Zimmerman and I would start arguing about the details of those stories, punctuated by cries of "You don't know Jack!" The bit ended with the two of us yelling at each other about who knew Jack better and finally pointing at the audience and saying "You don't know Jack!"
Many people came up to us afterwards and congratulated us on our FFA bit and I noticed the media folks taking plenty of notes. The website has even gotten a few hits in the past couple of days, so that's encouraging. Stan Asher has even contacted us to do an interview on CKUT.
I can't wait to start Fringing. This is going to be great fun. I hope some of you can make it to our show!
We rocked that place! There must've been at least 500 people crammed onto the dance floor at Cafe Campus. Each company had 2.5 minutes to present their show and get the media's attention. The media people sat in the first two rows next to the stage and they were given press kits with all of our press releases.
Our producer Esmerita suggested that we create a strong visual image by dressing in dark pants, white shirts, and god-awful ties. Zimmerman fished out a Winne the Pooh tie and I had one with colorful fish.
As soon as we stepped out onto the scene, we got their attention. I could hear the people giggling about our ties, and knowing that we now had their attention, our confidence was given a boost.
Honestly, we were a bit intimidated at first. Storytelling is a struggling art form in this part of the world, but I was worried that it might be a bit out-of-place in a "Fringe" festival. When faced with other plays about naked cowboys that eat pudding, storytelling doesn't seem on the same level.
But I was relieved to see from the program that there are a few family shows in the Fringe (although we're the only storytellers). Some of the presentations were bizarre, but others were less complex and more entertaining, so by the time we stepped up on stage, I knew we would be okay.
Our bit for the FFA was that we were to present our show about the adventures of Jack, but then Zimmerman and I would start arguing about the details of those stories, punctuated by cries of "You don't know Jack!" The bit ended with the two of us yelling at each other about who knew Jack better and finally pointing at the audience and saying "You don't know Jack!"
Many people came up to us afterwards and congratulated us on our FFA bit and I noticed the media folks taking plenty of notes. The website has even gotten a few hits in the past couple of days, so that's encouraging. Stan Asher has even contacted us to do an interview on CKUT.
I can't wait to start Fringing. This is going to be great fun. I hope some of you can make it to our show!
Monday, May 31, 2004
The Evil Gingivitis
The third annual Superhero Party was held at Ceridwen and Septimus' place on Saturday night. I was determined to make this party since I had to bail on it for the last two years.
The people who attend these parties are extremely creative and talented and the costumes they come up with are unreal (Year 1, Year 2). Last year, I had thought of coming as Super Grover, but I couldn't make the party (or the costume) in the end.
So this year, I decided to attend the party as Listerine: The Action Hero for your Gums. I spent all week trying to put this costume together and I almost gave up in the end. I'm a university edumacated man and my costume looked like it had been put together by a high school student who was hopped up on valium, vodka, and cough syrup. Ceridwen encouraged me to bring my shambled costume to the party and she would see what she could do.
But thanks to three brilliant superheroes (the Bowler, the Flash, and Rogue), we were able to put the costume together. It wasn't exactly what I had imagined, but it was close enough. Let's just say the idea was better than the execution.
I'm not very good with costumes, in general. My finest moment in designing a costume was when I went dressed as a midget. I stood about three feet high and I was holding an enormous sack (that covered the rest of my body as I walked on my hands). Great illusion, but the costume made socializing difficult.
But in the end, the party was great fun and I won the prize for silliest costume (a Batman toothbrush). The costume didn't not survive the evening, but that's okay. I'll come up with something better next year.
The third annual Superhero Party was held at Ceridwen and Septimus' place on Saturday night. I was determined to make this party since I had to bail on it for the last two years.
The people who attend these parties are extremely creative and talented and the costumes they come up with are unreal (Year 1, Year 2). Last year, I had thought of coming as Super Grover, but I couldn't make the party (or the costume) in the end.
So this year, I decided to attend the party as Listerine: The Action Hero for your Gums. I spent all week trying to put this costume together and I almost gave up in the end. I'm a university edumacated man and my costume looked like it had been put together by a high school student who was hopped up on valium, vodka, and cough syrup. Ceridwen encouraged me to bring my shambled costume to the party and she would see what she could do.
But thanks to three brilliant superheroes (the Bowler, the Flash, and Rogue), we were able to put the costume together. It wasn't exactly what I had imagined, but it was close enough. Let's just say the idea was better than the execution.
I'm not very good with costumes, in general. My finest moment in designing a costume was when I went dressed as a midget. I stood about three feet high and I was holding an enormous sack (that covered the rest of my body as I walked on my hands). Great illusion, but the costume made socializing difficult.
But in the end, the party was great fun and I won the prize for silliest costume (a Batman toothbrush). The costume didn't not survive the evening, but that's okay. I'll come up with something better next year.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
You wouldn't like Hector when he's angry
I haven't seen Troy yet, but from what people tell me, today's Penny Arcade strip is pretty accurate.
I haven't read the epic story behind Troy in decades and I don't think I will until I decide if I'm going to see the movie or not. Apparently, the more ignorant you are, the more you'll like the movie.
Nice rubber armour, Braaaaaaaaaad.
I haven't seen Troy yet, but from what people tell me, today's Penny Arcade strip is pretty accurate.
I haven't read the epic story behind Troy in decades and I don't think I will until I decide if I'm going to see the movie or not. Apparently, the more ignorant you are, the more you'll like the movie.
Nice rubber armour, Braaaaaaaaaad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
