This is it. It's really happening. Eighteen months have really gone by. Tomorrow, my girlfriend Mary Shepherd comes home from her mission. It seems too good to be true.
For those of you who don't know, Mary and I started dating in high school. After graduation she moved up to Utah State to go to school while I prepared for my mission.
I left, and she waited.
When I came home, she already had her call to serve in Geneva, Switzerland. We spent the next four months together.
She left May 9th, 2007, and I waited.
She comes back tomorrow night. Her flight lands at 6:30 pm in Salt Lake. I won't see her until after she is released from her full-time service, which happens at 10:15 tomorrow night. Then I'll be able to go and see her.
Things are so crazy right now I don't even know what to say. I'm not scared though. I feel good. I am anxious, excited, and I have the butterflies for the first time in a very very long time, but I'm not afraid. We have done what we needed to do at the right time and we'll be just fine.
So, I know that many of you have been counting down the days with me, and it's finally here. Next week I will write more about all this.
Thank you all for supporting me and being there for me. The only way I can think of to repay you is by forgetting about you altogether. Just kidding.
Wish me luck!
11.26.2008
11.19.2008
Films I recommend.
What is up everybody? I have another blog to do. Yay.
Things are going great. Life is crazy and stressful and all that jazz, but it's good.
To start off with, we finished shooting our new film on Saturday. It's a short film that is too unique to explain. Also I'm very bad at giving a synopsis of it, so deal with it. In any case, we'll have it up soon so you can see it and tell us how awesome it is. We put a lot into this so we are very proud of it.
We are also going to start working on our next project as soon as this one is officially finished. We will probably need all the help we can get, so be prepared to get a phone call, cause we just might call you...
There is just something so extraordinary about film. It is a medium with so much potential for influence. Everyone has seen a film that opened their eyes to something they had never even imagined before. Everyone has seen a film that was so emotional it took you days to recover.
Then again, everyone has seen a film that was a waste of their money, even if it was rented from redbox. Everyone has seen films that are so mindless, empty, and heartless it makes you sick just thinking about it.
Unfortunately, the mindless, empty, and heartless have been the most popular and the real money-makers. From what I can see, most (NOT ALL) of the stuff that comes out of Hollywood is garbage. Again, I emphasize that not all of it is. There are movies with heart and real movies that move you that come from Hollywood. I just feel they don't happen very often, as I've said in a previous blog.
Anyways, I have learned to love and embrace two different kinds of films: Classics and Independents.
You know how your parents or grandparents will bring home some strange movie that looks older than film itself and they try and convince you that it's a good one? Here's some news for you: they're probably right. Some of the best films I've seen this past year have all been from the 70's or earlier. Here are some suggestions. Some are more well-known than others.
"Empire of the Sun"
This film was made by Steven Spielberg and stars our most popular hero, Christian Bale (both Batman movies, Newsies, Little Women, etc.) This time, he's a twelve year old boy living with his family in Shanghai. This is my favorite performance of Christian Bale, out of all of his movies. He is absolutely phenomenal as a child actor.
Orson Welles "Citizen Kane"
This might be a tough one to rent or watch for most because the film is in black and white. When you find it at the store, make sure it is the 2 DVD set with the documentary about Orson Welles and other important figures of that era and those that were pertinent to this film. That made the movie so much more amazing for me. The rental usually has the documentary to go along with it.
"The Candidate"
This is an intriguing film with a young Robert Redford taking the lead role. He plays a lawyer who is convinced to campaign against a very popular Californian Senator. This film grasps the world of a rising politician better than any other film I have seen.
Pretty much anything by Alfred Hitchcock
This was a revolutionary man in the film industry. He was decades ahead of his time. Think of films that follow the genre of 'The Sixth Sense', then increase the quality of the story by a billion and you have Alfred Hitchcock. He was brilliant in nearly everything he did, and some of his films would be top sellers in the box office if they were released today. As a matter of fact, they are being released today, after being ripped off and modernized. i.e. "Disturbia." I don't care if you don't believe me. Watch 'Rear Window' then watch 'Disturbia' and tell me that it wasn't a rip off. The original pummels the Shia LeBouf version in my book. Suspense was an art back then, and not the newer stuff disguised under the same title. Now, graphic and nude surprises are referred to as 'suspense' but it isn't a true description of the word or the genre. I suggest Rear Window and Vertigo as your starters, then you can just decide from there which one you'd like to see next. They're in the 'Classics' section you never go to at Hollywood Video or Blockbuster. :)
Have you ever been driving down the road and all of a sudden you see this billboard displaying a new movie coming out, but it's one you've never heard of, you've never seen any commercials, and it looks like maybe it's a joke, or probably just a bad movie? Well, I can't say this is true for every billboard like that you see, but there are so many unpopular films that go above and beyond the mainstream films we are used to watching. And here in the beautiful state of Utah, we have a multitude of films, and not all of them are LDS-themed.
"The Errand of Angels"
This IS in fact an LDS-themed film. The story was originally written by a woman named Heidi Johnson, who served an LDS Mission in Vienna Austria. Years later she followed a dream and wrote the story, and Christian Vuissa was the screenwriter. Vuissa is the founder and head honcho for the LDS Film Festival, which does not get as much credit as it deserves as a film festival. But that's besides the point here. Errand of Angels is a moving story about a sister missionary and her experiences. It's a real story with convincing talent.
"Lars and the Real Girl"
Ryan Gosling (Fracture, Remember the Titans, etc.) stars in a very compelling role as Lars, a young adult man with what seem to be serious social defects. Things take a more serious turn when he buys a female "mannequin" and is convinced that it is his actual living breathing girlfriend. A well-mastered role by Gosling.
"Expelled"
Ben Stein ('Dry Eyes' Commercials, Ferris Bueller's Day Off..."Bueller? Bueller?") takes us on a very interesting investigation to many parts of the world in deep discussion with the most prominent scientists of our day. He is approaching the battered theory that there was some sort of 'intelligent design' in the creation of man. Whether or not you believe in God, this is a funny and smart film that makes you think.
"Stalking Santa"
I don't know about you, but I love those innocent family films that can also be enjoyed by the adults in the family, too. Stalking Santa does that for me. Made locally (No LDS-themes), this film is a high quality mockumentary that follows a man who is a self-proclaimed 'Santologist' as he fights to prove Santa's existence. Narrated to perfection by William Shatner (THE William Shatner), this movie is highly entertaining, but most likely only available for purchase. It's well worth it.
"Take"
I have discussed this film in a previous blog entitled "Take." If you want the full information, you can go there. I do not see R rated films, but I saw this one and I do not regret it. I am surprised and disappointed that it was rated R. This is one of the most emotional and raw films I have ever seen. It enters the battlefield between hatred and forgiveness better than any film I've ever seen. Extremely powerful, but maybe a little too intense for a younger audience (although not graphic).
"Article VI: Faith. Politics. America."
This is a film from the studio I work for right now, called Living Biography. This is a documentary following director Bryan Hall around the country speaking with some of the most well-known Christian leaders in the nation, along with many other people, uncovering many truths about the relationship between religion and politics in this country, and the reasons behind it. This was an eye-opening film for me. Stay tuned for updates about the film and when it will be available for viewing. You can also go to www.article6themovie.com for more information.
"The Ultimate Gift"
This is not an independent film, but it's not very well known. If you have not seen it, go rent it. Go buy it. This is a very entertaining and motivating film with heart that teaches about real love and the truest gifts we can receive in this life. I fully recommend it.
There are several other films I would love to talk about, but I can't remember all of them right now. But these are a few that are on my top list of films that I would recommend to anyone. It's a good thing I'm putting them here, because everyone asks me what my favorites are and I can never think of what to tell them. These are good alternative films you can see when you feel like there's nothing in the theater or the rental places.
So here you go. Enjoy.
Things are going great. Life is crazy and stressful and all that jazz, but it's good.
To start off with, we finished shooting our new film on Saturday. It's a short film that is too unique to explain. Also I'm very bad at giving a synopsis of it, so deal with it. In any case, we'll have it up soon so you can see it and tell us how awesome it is. We put a lot into this so we are very proud of it.
We are also going to start working on our next project as soon as this one is officially finished. We will probably need all the help we can get, so be prepared to get a phone call, cause we just might call you...
There is just something so extraordinary about film. It is a medium with so much potential for influence. Everyone has seen a film that opened their eyes to something they had never even imagined before. Everyone has seen a film that was so emotional it took you days to recover.
Then again, everyone has seen a film that was a waste of their money, even if it was rented from redbox. Everyone has seen films that are so mindless, empty, and heartless it makes you sick just thinking about it.
Unfortunately, the mindless, empty, and heartless have been the most popular and the real money-makers. From what I can see, most (NOT ALL) of the stuff that comes out of Hollywood is garbage. Again, I emphasize that not all of it is. There are movies with heart and real movies that move you that come from Hollywood. I just feel they don't happen very often, as I've said in a previous blog.
Anyways, I have learned to love and embrace two different kinds of films: Classics and Independents.
You know how your parents or grandparents will bring home some strange movie that looks older than film itself and they try and convince you that it's a good one? Here's some news for you: they're probably right. Some of the best films I've seen this past year have all been from the 70's or earlier. Here are some suggestions. Some are more well-known than others.
"Empire of the Sun"
This film was made by Steven Spielberg and stars our most popular hero, Christian Bale (both Batman movies, Newsies, Little Women, etc.) This time, he's a twelve year old boy living with his family in Shanghai. This is my favorite performance of Christian Bale, out of all of his movies. He is absolutely phenomenal as a child actor.
Orson Welles "Citizen Kane"
This might be a tough one to rent or watch for most because the film is in black and white. When you find it at the store, make sure it is the 2 DVD set with the documentary about Orson Welles and other important figures of that era and those that were pertinent to this film. That made the movie so much more amazing for me. The rental usually has the documentary to go along with it.
"The Candidate"
This is an intriguing film with a young Robert Redford taking the lead role. He plays a lawyer who is convinced to campaign against a very popular Californian Senator. This film grasps the world of a rising politician better than any other film I have seen.
Pretty much anything by Alfred Hitchcock
This was a revolutionary man in the film industry. He was decades ahead of his time. Think of films that follow the genre of 'The Sixth Sense', then increase the quality of the story by a billion and you have Alfred Hitchcock. He was brilliant in nearly everything he did, and some of his films would be top sellers in the box office if they were released today. As a matter of fact, they are being released today, after being ripped off and modernized. i.e. "Disturbia." I don't care if you don't believe me. Watch 'Rear Window' then watch 'Disturbia' and tell me that it wasn't a rip off. The original pummels the Shia LeBouf version in my book. Suspense was an art back then, and not the newer stuff disguised under the same title. Now, graphic and nude surprises are referred to as 'suspense' but it isn't a true description of the word or the genre. I suggest Rear Window and Vertigo as your starters, then you can just decide from there which one you'd like to see next. They're in the 'Classics' section you never go to at Hollywood Video or Blockbuster. :)
Have you ever been driving down the road and all of a sudden you see this billboard displaying a new movie coming out, but it's one you've never heard of, you've never seen any commercials, and it looks like maybe it's a joke, or probably just a bad movie? Well, I can't say this is true for every billboard like that you see, but there are so many unpopular films that go above and beyond the mainstream films we are used to watching. And here in the beautiful state of Utah, we have a multitude of films, and not all of them are LDS-themed.
"The Errand of Angels"
This IS in fact an LDS-themed film. The story was originally written by a woman named Heidi Johnson, who served an LDS Mission in Vienna Austria. Years later she followed a dream and wrote the story, and Christian Vuissa was the screenwriter. Vuissa is the founder and head honcho for the LDS Film Festival, which does not get as much credit as it deserves as a film festival. But that's besides the point here. Errand of Angels is a moving story about a sister missionary and her experiences. It's a real story with convincing talent.
"Lars and the Real Girl"
Ryan Gosling (Fracture, Remember the Titans, etc.) stars in a very compelling role as Lars, a young adult man with what seem to be serious social defects. Things take a more serious turn when he buys a female "mannequin" and is convinced that it is his actual living breathing girlfriend. A well-mastered role by Gosling.
"Expelled"
Ben Stein ('Dry Eyes' Commercials, Ferris Bueller's Day Off..."Bueller? Bueller?") takes us on a very interesting investigation to many parts of the world in deep discussion with the most prominent scientists of our day. He is approaching the battered theory that there was some sort of 'intelligent design' in the creation of man. Whether or not you believe in God, this is a funny and smart film that makes you think.
"Stalking Santa"
I don't know about you, but I love those innocent family films that can also be enjoyed by the adults in the family, too. Stalking Santa does that for me. Made locally (No LDS-themes), this film is a high quality mockumentary that follows a man who is a self-proclaimed 'Santologist' as he fights to prove Santa's existence. Narrated to perfection by William Shatner (THE William Shatner), this movie is highly entertaining, but most likely only available for purchase. It's well worth it.
"Take"
I have discussed this film in a previous blog entitled "Take." If you want the full information, you can go there. I do not see R rated films, but I saw this one and I do not regret it. I am surprised and disappointed that it was rated R. This is one of the most emotional and raw films I have ever seen. It enters the battlefield between hatred and forgiveness better than any film I've ever seen. Extremely powerful, but maybe a little too intense for a younger audience (although not graphic).
"Article VI: Faith. Politics. America."
This is a film from the studio I work for right now, called Living Biography. This is a documentary following director Bryan Hall around the country speaking with some of the most well-known Christian leaders in the nation, along with many other people, uncovering many truths about the relationship between religion and politics in this country, and the reasons behind it. This was an eye-opening film for me. Stay tuned for updates about the film and when it will be available for viewing. You can also go to www.article6themovie.com for more information.
"The Ultimate Gift"
This is not an independent film, but it's not very well known. If you have not seen it, go rent it. Go buy it. This is a very entertaining and motivating film with heart that teaches about real love and the truest gifts we can receive in this life. I fully recommend it.
There are several other films I would love to talk about, but I can't remember all of them right now. But these are a few that are on my top list of films that I would recommend to anyone. It's a good thing I'm putting them here, because everyone asks me what my favorites are and I can never think of what to tell them. These are good alternative films you can see when you feel like there's nothing in the theater or the rental places.
So here you go. Enjoy.
11.12.2008
High as a Kite...
These are some crazy times. I'm not talking about politics or anything of the sort. I just want to talk about how crazy things are right now in my life.
Between work and school, I have plenty of craziness to handle. For starters, I have been working with a small group of friends and we have been working on a film for about a month now. We started by sitting down and brainstorming a bunch and came up with a bunch of ideas and all that jazz and developed a story and started writing the script and filling in all the elements one by one. Tonight we had what I assume is our last official meeting before the shoot. We shoot on Saturday so we just have to go out and get things done tomorrow and make final adjustments on Friday. It's going to be absolutely hectic, but I'm way excited. We are going to enter the film in the Insomnia Film Festival that is put on by Apple. It's a 24-hour film festival. In other words, we have to shoot the edit and upload the movie all between the hours of 7 am Saturday to 7 am Sunday. Our plan is to be done much earlier than 7 am Sunday.
So that has definitely been time consuming.
With all that in the works for this weekend, I am pleased to announce that I am getting my wizzum teefs out on Friday morning. You probably are asking, "Why didn't you get them out before your mission?" The answer is that I did, but they grew back. Just kidding. No, I really did though, just the bottom two. So now I have the top two that have to be ripped out of my face for more than 500 bones. that's not cool. I get paid on Friday and most of that will be going down the tubes for my facelift.
So can you just imagine how I'm going to direct a film on Saturday on the side of a mountain in an abandoned mine? I know, it's going to rock. High as a kite.
Sidenote: if you want to know what the movie is about, you'll be able to watch it very soon. It'll be on websites and such so you can go watch it and vote for it cause it'll be the best one, regardless of what you really think.
The big one though is that Mary, my sweetheart, is coming home from her mission in two weeks. She will be flying in at 6:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Best. Thanksgiving. Ever.
As awesome as it is, I feel a huge responsibility to be awesome. That's a really hard thing to do. Anyway, I don't want to sound like I'm completely freaking out about this part, because it's really not my intention. I'm not worried about her coming home and what it's going to be like and all that jazz. I'm more trying to prepare myself because my life is literally going to change after Thanksgiving Day. I will no longer be a HUGE LOSER. Well, maybe I still will be, but I'd be happy to be a huge loser with an awesome girlfriend. (Huge in the proportion of loserness, and also huge as in the size of my body).
Well, I think that's a good note to end on. Things are nuts, but so am I, so we do well together.
Between work and school, I have plenty of craziness to handle. For starters, I have been working with a small group of friends and we have been working on a film for about a month now. We started by sitting down and brainstorming a bunch and came up with a bunch of ideas and all that jazz and developed a story and started writing the script and filling in all the elements one by one. Tonight we had what I assume is our last official meeting before the shoot. We shoot on Saturday so we just have to go out and get things done tomorrow and make final adjustments on Friday. It's going to be absolutely hectic, but I'm way excited. We are going to enter the film in the Insomnia Film Festival that is put on by Apple. It's a 24-hour film festival. In other words, we have to shoot the edit and upload the movie all between the hours of 7 am Saturday to 7 am Sunday. Our plan is to be done much earlier than 7 am Sunday.
So that has definitely been time consuming.
With all that in the works for this weekend, I am pleased to announce that I am getting my wizzum teefs out on Friday morning. You probably are asking, "Why didn't you get them out before your mission?" The answer is that I did, but they grew back. Just kidding. No, I really did though, just the bottom two. So now I have the top two that have to be ripped out of my face for more than 500 bones. that's not cool. I get paid on Friday and most of that will be going down the tubes for my facelift.
So can you just imagine how I'm going to direct a film on Saturday on the side of a mountain in an abandoned mine? I know, it's going to rock. High as a kite.
Sidenote: if you want to know what the movie is about, you'll be able to watch it very soon. It'll be on websites and such so you can go watch it and vote for it cause it'll be the best one, regardless of what you really think.
The big one though is that Mary, my sweetheart, is coming home from her mission in two weeks. She will be flying in at 6:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Best. Thanksgiving. Ever.
As awesome as it is, I feel a huge responsibility to be awesome. That's a really hard thing to do. Anyway, I don't want to sound like I'm completely freaking out about this part, because it's really not my intention. I'm not worried about her coming home and what it's going to be like and all that jazz. I'm more trying to prepare myself because my life is literally going to change after Thanksgiving Day. I will no longer be a HUGE LOSER. Well, maybe I still will be, but I'd be happy to be a huge loser with an awesome girlfriend. (Huge in the proportion of loserness, and also huge as in the size of my body).
Well, I think that's a good note to end on. Things are nuts, but so am I, so we do well together.
11.03.2008
Vote! Informative Blog...
Today I want to talk about voting.
Tomorrow we all have to vote.
I'm going to add several links to this post.
Voting keeps us free. We lose our freedoms when power-hungry judiciaries pound their gavels in favor of their false interpretations of the Constitution.
Vote.
If you want more information about the importance of issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, click here. This is a speech that the entire country should hear.
I will not endorse a candidate nor will I attempt to tell you who you should vote for.
Please make an informed decision. Most of the junk that gets forwarded to you in your email, half of the stuff on television, and most of the things spread by word-of-mouth about the candidates is false. It is designed by wicked men to strike fear into the hearts of the citizens of this country. When we buy into those things, we are giving up our freedoms, because our vote was just purchased with lies.
Be informed about the candidates and where they stand.
For example, did you know that Barack Obama and John McCain have similar views about same-sex marriage?
To find out more about Barack Obama, click here.
To find out more about John McCain, click here.
We owe it not just to ourselves but to our children and the continuing generations to make informed decisions about the leadership of our country. It is a duty and an opportunity.
"But my vote is only one vote." Click here to see how important one vote can be.
This post should have enough information for you to be able to find correct and necessary information.
Good luck, and God Bless this country.
Tomorrow we all have to vote.
I'm going to add several links to this post.
Voting keeps us free. We lose our freedoms when power-hungry judiciaries pound their gavels in favor of their false interpretations of the Constitution.
Vote.
If you want more information about the importance of issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, click here. This is a speech that the entire country should hear.
I will not endorse a candidate nor will I attempt to tell you who you should vote for.
Please make an informed decision. Most of the junk that gets forwarded to you in your email, half of the stuff on television, and most of the things spread by word-of-mouth about the candidates is false. It is designed by wicked men to strike fear into the hearts of the citizens of this country. When we buy into those things, we are giving up our freedoms, because our vote was just purchased with lies.
Be informed about the candidates and where they stand.
For example, did you know that Barack Obama and John McCain have similar views about same-sex marriage?
To find out more about Barack Obama, click here.
To find out more about John McCain, click here.
We owe it not just to ourselves but to our children and the continuing generations to make informed decisions about the leadership of our country. It is a duty and an opportunity.
"But my vote is only one vote." Click here to see how important one vote can be.
This post should have enough information for you to be able to find correct and necessary information.
Good luck, and God Bless this country.
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