Earthworm Jim Coming to a VC Near You!
The long awaited Earthworm Jim video game is finally coming to the Wii’s Virtual Console.
Sara Bareilles - Between the Lines
Song Name: Between the Lines
Artist: Sara Bareilles
Album: Little Voice
Why This Song?:
Sara Bareilles has gained national attention from her song from a TV commercial. Much like Yael Naim’s “New Soul” for the MacBook Air commercial, Sara’s “Love Song” has become synonomous with Rhapsody.
However, despite becoming well-known based on a commercial (which seems likely to end in a very short career), this chick isn’t just a one-hit wonder in the vein of Natasha Bedingfield, who I doubt will have anything relevant again following “Unwritten.” If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong, but I think that chick about as much talent as the members of Good Charlotte combined. A multiplication of zero is still zero.
Sara’s album “Little Voice” is filled with potential hits. Although, it might not be ground-breaking it is easy to listen to and is undoubtedly memorable.
By far, the best track on the album is the slow-paced, piano-ballad “Between the Lines.” Her voice sounds great, the piano sounds beautiful, and the song sounds like it’s something I can listen to quite a few times through.
I have a lot of hope for Sara and really would like for have some staying power. That’s more than I can say for most women singer-songwriters, especially ones that have had any type of radio success. Hopefully she’s more Alanis Morisette than Meredith Brooks, Natasha Bedingfield, Natalie Imbruglia, Joan Osbourne or [ insert your own choice of female singer-songwriter one hit wonder here ].
Dreamworks Licenses Rights to Ghost in the Shell
DreamWorks licenses the rights to make a Ghost in the Shell movie. Spielberg says of the series, “… one of my favorite stories.”
Is the Internet a Viable Route to Success?
As I get closer to the end of my college career, I have to start looking at what I’m going to do afterwards. Being involved in a creative field is nerve wracking. What if I’m not good enough? What if there is nothing for me to say? What if I just don’t make it? All these questions sit in the back of my head during every class and lecture.
The internet and its hundreds of video websites offer completely new avenues for someone involved with film/video. But are these seriously viable options? One of the most powerful use of YouTube has to be Lonelygirl15. Not only did the series reach an astounding 70+ million hits between all the videos, but it lead to some success for a few of those involved. Mesh Flinders, one of the co-creators, won an award for a script he wrote in 2006. Aside from that, the only other acknowledgement he has as a writer is for Lonelygirl15. While the young actress has gone on to appear in the television show Greek, others have seen little success outside of all the traffic they’ve received.
As much as I want to utilize the internet and the many video sites available, I’m a bit hesitant to do so. Internet phenomenon seem be exactly that; just a phenomenon, and not something standard or static. They come and go with what people find popular. There is a vast graveyard of all the ghosts of internet memes that have fallen to the more popular ones. And the cycle keeps repeating itself. Even avoiding this type of popularity and simply using video sites as a tool to get your project seen doesn’t seem very beneficial to me either. I’ve seen the argument from many that as long as someone is seeing it, the site is accomplishing what it should be doing. But just being seen isn’t my goal here, it’s to break into a field that keeps growing and getting tougher to infiltrate.
Assuming I forsake all the internet sites as a means to success, many options fade away. I can simply try and network with people who’ve already found some success. But this is largely cumbersome to me, and seems to not mesh well with my personality. The other option, is the festival circuit. I’m beginning to see more and more commentary from others in the same position as myself, that festivals are becoming less independent and more about selling a product. I’m not so sure this is a completely viable option for myself either. It’s very time consuming and is becoming more and more expensive.
I’ve come to a point where I need to make a decision and begin to develop a portfolio or begin a project that may some day be sold. And I’m confused as to where to start. I’ve begun by doing what I think is best, and that’s reading up and watching those in the same position as me. Triggerstreet.com is something I’ve found to be extremely helpful. Not only does it allow for me to read scripts and comment on them, but I can submit my own and have them critiqued. Not only is this feedback on my own writing, but it’s also getting it out there. Triggerstreet partners with other groups who recruit or survey what is being submitted and considers representing them or the script. Another site, Withoutabox, streamlines the entry process to film festivals.
While I don’t feel like all these video sites will necessarily help me in finding an audience or the attention of some Hollywood executive somewhere, I will use sites like Triggerstreet to get my writing out there. And with the help of Withoutabox.com, I’ll try a run at some festivals.
I’m still unsure whether this makes sense as a choice or not yet. Colin wrote up a nice piece that is very relevant to my dilemma. The comments are full of good insight as well. I don’t want to throw up my films/scripts just anywhere. I want to have control over them. But at the same time, that limits the amount of people who will have access to them and the possibility of my getting noticed. Hopefully, a healthy blend of controlling my own content and and health number of submissions to film festival and script writing contests will win out and get me somewhere.
Movie Review: 21
Before I get to the review of 21, I want to comment on the theatre experience I had on the particular night I saw the movie. I went this Friday, which was also the first night of Prom Night. Never in my life have a seen so many tweens (is this even used anymore?) and young teens in one place in my life. I couldn’t scratch my neck without accidentally slapping some thirteen-year-old on the back of his head, conveniently attached to a cell phone. Which is another thing, why does every kid have a cell phone now? Are their lives so hectic they need a cellular phone to keep in touch with people? Anyway, on to the review.
I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen Kevin Spacey playing a professor. It’s been often enough that he is becoming synonymous with the role, like Billy Bob Thornton as a drunk, philandering buffoon. But that’s fine; it works and Kevin Spacey is still solid. Jim Sturgess plays the vulnerable college student well. They really tried to bring it to the audience’s attention that he was supposed to appear vulnerable or innocent, but it only seemed to bring attention to itself in the beginning. All the other actors have their roles and moments and work just fine as a supporting cast.
The story is based on a true story about some MIT students who count cards and make loads of money in Las Vegas. Of course, the events don’t all really happen and it’s mostly Hollywood-ized. Regardless, it’s a good plot with a lot of commentary on a wide variety of subjects. College issues, gambling, character studies, revenge, and a love story thrown into the mix. It’s also pretty smart. Everything makes sense, and they do a pretty decent job of making the whole premise as believable as possible. There was only one event that left me scratching my head over the motivation behind a choice. It wasn’t even all that important, but Kevin Spacey’s character made a decision or two that seemed to be completely out of his character.
There isn’t anything really new here. All the actors put in their performances, the plot delivers on most of its promises, and in the end I was pretty happy I’d seen it. Definitely worth a watch on DVD, or if you’re looking for something to watch, I’d suggest it over 10,000 B.C. or Prom Night.
Pixar and Disney Rumbling Into 2012
Disney (read Pixar as more important) just published a press release today, detailing a good number of their animated projects into 2012. Cars 2, Toy Story 3, WALL*E, Up, newt, and more.
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Song of the week
Sara Bareilles - Between the Lines
Sara Bareilles' "Between the Lines" is the Song of the Week for April 20 to 26.
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