Repeat of the tweet: "@kevinpollak: just watched "Mission X",I donated as producer, ur listed n twitter publicity.Heard of 'The 1 Second Film'? [link]"
This wouldn't fit in a tweet and I didn't want to send dozens of tweets.
Dave (writer/director/producer/star) of "Mission X" sent me a copy as part of my producer package and I just have gotten around to watching it.
"The 1 Second Film" is a collaborative effort, non-profit. It is also using crowd source funding. People can join the crew free on the website www.the1secondfilm.com or donate at different levels of Producer. So far there are over 14,000 producers.
The 1 second is animation of paintings and the credits will include a feature-length documentary of the making of the project.
Currently Stephen Colbert is the highest ranking publicist with 148 referrals. We can't let that stand can we?
You can check the page out and see the celebrity producers and you can probably ask a lot of them personally to verify that they are involved.
Over $500 is tax-deductible but few donate that much. The minimum is only $1 !!!
I'm not sure how to list me as referral if you do get involved but here's my profile on the film's website http://the1secondfilm.com/crew/16964. You'll have to go to the main page to join.
It would mean a lot to Nirvan (creator/director/producer...) if you would join in the fun. (He doesn't know I'm doing this.)
Sorry to bother you and thank you if you took the time to read this,
Mr. Channing Humphries
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Primary election
I did not vote in the Alabama primary election June 1, 2010. Shame on me, right.
The idea that a single vote "counts" is rather self-important. Even with the Republican primary for US Congressional District 5 tally within 200 votes, one vote would not have made a difference.
However, consider the recount that one candidate is paying about 1/5 of $1M to execute. Last I heard he was losing ground. So far though, if the same amount of votes were errors in his favor, the outcome of the primary still would not change. It does beg to question the accuracy of voting all across the country.
If everyone who felt as I did, that their vote didn't "count" had gone to vote, the turnout would have been overwhelming. Would the election have been more expensive?
More importantly, would the outcome have been better? That would be hard to guess. Hindsight is often 20/20 but a lot more voters would have been less informed about the candidates. Possibly the most convincing, high budget campaign would win instead of a candidate whose record speaks for itself. It too often does anyway.
The candidates themselves paint a broad picture of a platform and let the audiences fill in the blanks of what it means to them. This way they sway a lot more voters, having different views of what the candidate stands for.
They also know their audiences and change the rhetoric even if ever so slightly to ring bells on specific talking points for a specific audience, even if it is just as non-specific as their platform as discussed elsewhere.
So as the majority sits back and says, "I didn't vote for him" while the elected candidate makes whatever level of disaster, we're left wondering if it could have been better if everyone had voted whether fully informed or not.
The idea that a single vote "counts" is rather self-important. Even with the Republican primary for US Congressional District 5 tally within 200 votes, one vote would not have made a difference.
However, consider the recount that one candidate is paying about 1/5 of $1M to execute. Last I heard he was losing ground. So far though, if the same amount of votes were errors in his favor, the outcome of the primary still would not change. It does beg to question the accuracy of voting all across the country.
If everyone who felt as I did, that their vote didn't "count" had gone to vote, the turnout would have been overwhelming. Would the election have been more expensive?
More importantly, would the outcome have been better? That would be hard to guess. Hindsight is often 20/20 but a lot more voters would have been less informed about the candidates. Possibly the most convincing, high budget campaign would win instead of a candidate whose record speaks for itself. It too often does anyway.
The candidates themselves paint a broad picture of a platform and let the audiences fill in the blanks of what it means to them. This way they sway a lot more voters, having different views of what the candidate stands for.
They also know their audiences and change the rhetoric even if ever so slightly to ring bells on specific talking points for a specific audience, even if it is just as non-specific as their platform as discussed elsewhere.
So as the majority sits back and says, "I didn't vote for him" while the elected candidate makes whatever level of disaster, we're left wondering if it could have been better if everyone had voted whether fully informed or not.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Alabama already has a Hollywood
Granted Hollywood, Alabama couldn't be farther from the one in California in every possible way.
Alabama already has filming industry that per capita would be one of the least states in the nation, if not the least.
Some big "Hollywood" films have been made partially or entirely in Alabama ("Big Fish" "Failure to Launch" "The Final Destination" "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" more at imdb including TV and video, etc.)
The film "Sweet Home Alabama" was filmed entirely in Georgia and South Carolina. Just one possible flag that we need an incentive program to draw more production which stimulates local economies and can bolster tourism for the state. (claim that some scenes were shot in Eufaula AL and includes condensed film in AL info)
To that end, there is a film production incentive bill to be presented this week (House Bill 69: ACT 2009 - 144-2. Though the tax code already contains some tax breaks Alabama Department of Revenue: Sales, Use & Business Tax Division: Sales & Use Tax Rule: 810-6-3-.48.05
Governor Riley announced last year Alabama's first "funded" film being "Lifted" starring former American Idol Ruben Studdard.
The bill will be retroactive to the start of 2009.
Productions budgeted at $500,000 to $10,000,000 are eligible, provided that $150,000 will be spent in a consecutive 12-month period.
Incentive is 25% of production cost excluding wages of state residents which will be reabted at 35% as an incentive to hire locals. Any rebate over amount actually owed as taxes will be paid to the qualifying production.
There is also a separate soundtrack provision for budgets of $50,000 to $300,000.
Certain types of productions for news, training, sports are not eligible.
NOTICE page 10, line 6 states that [any applying production that is eligible] shall be approved by the [Alabama Film] Office.
There is an awful lot of Investment company language that looks like a potential loophole. They require 90% or more of assets involved in the production but who is the watchdog/czar of that.
There are provisions for penalty on failure to pay, attempt at fraud, and other neglect. We are constantly bombarded with lawyer commercials for help with tax settlements. Any attempt to collect would be discretionary.
The maximum rebate (including payment to the production if tax is less than the percentage prescribed) is capped at %5M until 9-30-10 (fiscal) and $7.5M 2011, $10M after as could be amended or repealed.
There is concern within the Alabama filming community about consultation services located in California and their role, if any, in approval of projects for the incentive. Would all eligible projects REALLY be approved?
Some Alabama film organization websites:
http://alabamafilm.org
http://www.alabamafilmmakersassociation.org
Birmingham-Jefferson Film Office
Alabama Filmmakers Co-op
Some Alabama film festivals:
Mobile - South Alabama Film Festival
Birmingham - Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Florence - George Lindsey UNA Film Festival (see also www.lindseyfilmfest.com)
Huntsville - Rocket City Short Film Festival
Birmingham - Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Birmingham - SHOUT
Athens - Southern Shorts Film Festival
Troy - Alabama International Film Festival (see also www.alafilm.org)
Montgomery Film Fest
Birmingham International Educational Film Festival
Birmingham - LJCC Amateur Film Festival of Alabama Shorts
Fairhope Film Festival
Some Alabama college film programs:
The University of Alabama - Telecommunications and Film (TCF) Department
Alabama already has filming industry that per capita would be one of the least states in the nation, if not the least.
Some big "Hollywood" films have been made partially or entirely in Alabama ("Big Fish" "Failure to Launch" "The Final Destination" "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" more at imdb including TV and video, etc.)
The film "Sweet Home Alabama" was filmed entirely in Georgia and South Carolina. Just one possible flag that we need an incentive program to draw more production which stimulates local economies and can bolster tourism for the state. (claim that some scenes were shot in Eufaula AL and includes condensed film in AL info)
To that end, there is a film production incentive bill to be presented this week (House Bill 69: ACT 2009 - 144-2. Though the tax code already contains some tax breaks Alabama Department of Revenue: Sales, Use & Business Tax Division: Sales & Use Tax Rule: 810-6-3-.48.05
Governor Riley announced last year Alabama's first "funded" film being "Lifted" starring former American Idol Ruben Studdard.
The bill will be retroactive to the start of 2009.
Productions budgeted at $500,000 to $10,000,000 are eligible, provided that $150,000 will be spent in a consecutive 12-month period.
Incentive is 25% of production cost excluding wages of state residents which will be reabted at 35% as an incentive to hire locals. Any rebate over amount actually owed as taxes will be paid to the qualifying production.
There is also a separate soundtrack provision for budgets of $50,000 to $300,000.
Certain types of productions for news, training, sports are not eligible.
NOTICE page 10, line 6 states that [any applying production that is eligible] shall be approved by the [Alabama Film] Office.
There is an awful lot of Investment company language that looks like a potential loophole. They require 90% or more of assets involved in the production but who is the watchdog/czar of that.
There are provisions for penalty on failure to pay, attempt at fraud, and other neglect. We are constantly bombarded with lawyer commercials for help with tax settlements. Any attempt to collect would be discretionary.
The maximum rebate (including payment to the production if tax is less than the percentage prescribed) is capped at %5M until 9-30-10 (fiscal) and $7.5M 2011, $10M after as could be amended or repealed.
There is concern within the Alabama filming community about consultation services located in California and their role, if any, in approval of projects for the incentive. Would all eligible projects REALLY be approved?
Some Alabama film organization websites:
http://alabamafilm.org
http://www.alabamafilmmakersassociation.org
Birmingham-Jefferson Film Office
Alabama Filmmakers Co-op
Some Alabama film festivals:
Mobile - South Alabama Film Festival
Birmingham - Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Florence - George Lindsey UNA Film Festival (see also www.lindseyfilmfest.com)
Huntsville - Rocket City Short Film Festival
Birmingham - Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Birmingham - SHOUT
Athens - Southern Shorts Film Festival
Troy - Alabama International Film Festival (see also www.alafilm.org)
Montgomery Film Fest
Birmingham International Educational Film Festival
Birmingham - LJCC Amateur Film Festival of Alabama Shorts
Fairhope Film Festival
Some Alabama college film programs:
The University of Alabama - Telecommunications and Film (TCF) Department
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Movember - facial hair for a cause
Lance Armstrong Foundation (laf.org) and Prostate Cancer Foundation (pcf.org) have an event each November (or Movember, mo being short for mustache or in French and in the Queen's English moustache).
According to the wikipedia article (linked above), Movember has been around since 2004.
The idea is to start November cleanly shaven and grow a moustache during the month. Friends and colleagues will likely ask if you're growing one, why, etc. which is a good way to bring up the event and raise awareness. The official site logs donations and there are prizes for the most donations. I have no fear of coming close to prizes but I wanted to participate.
I let my moustache grow in and didn't shave it until I was 33. So knowing I can grow one (and also having grown a full grizzly beard in 5 weeks in 2006 pretending to be Iraqi Police in a Marine training exercise) I thought maybe if just a couple of people hear about it, think about the problem, tell a friend or two, then the snowball effect begins.
There will also be events and local competitions. Some with the chance to go to an event where Lance Armstrong will be.
Here's my profile page on the US site http://us.movember.com/mospace/346240.
There's an app on facebook to help make a time-lapse of the moustache growth. The intro video wasn't working until the day before so I didn't try to use it, plus my laptop isn't stationary (for once). I've taken webcam pics and posted some progress on my profile. I've taken pics with a tripod camera but they will likely be too dissimilar to make a time lapse.
If you can grow facial hair, or think you might be able to by next November (or Movember) we need all the help we can get "to change the face of men's health."
According to the wikipedia article (linked above), Movember has been around since 2004.
The idea is to start November cleanly shaven and grow a moustache during the month. Friends and colleagues will likely ask if you're growing one, why, etc. which is a good way to bring up the event and raise awareness. The official site logs donations and there are prizes for the most donations. I have no fear of coming close to prizes but I wanted to participate.
I let my moustache grow in and didn't shave it until I was 33. So knowing I can grow one (and also having grown a full grizzly beard in 5 weeks in 2006 pretending to be Iraqi Police in a Marine training exercise) I thought maybe if just a couple of people hear about it, think about the problem, tell a friend or two, then the snowball effect begins.
There will also be events and local competitions. Some with the chance to go to an event where Lance Armstrong will be.
Here's my profile page on the US site http://us.movember.com/mospace/346240.
There's an app on facebook to help make a time-lapse of the moustache growth. The intro video wasn't working until the day before so I didn't try to use it, plus my laptop isn't stationary (for once). I've taken webcam pics and posted some progress on my profile. I've taken pics with a tripod camera but they will likely be too dissimilar to make a time lapse.
If you can grow facial hair, or think you might be able to by next November (or Movember) we need all the help we can get "to change the face of men's health."
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Black Friday
Fewer than 32 shopping days until Christmas.
The day after Thanksgiving is now known as Black Friday and has been the top selling day in retail. (The day after Christmas has also claimed that spot.)
Safety is a concern as stores open earlier and earlier, as early as 4am (JC Penney) and even 12am (Toys 'r Us). Some 24-hour Wal-Mart stores might also be open Thursday or at least at 12am as well. Some Wal-Mart stores will allow "camping out" next to items that will be on sale but not available to cart until the sale begins.
The stores create safety concern by making huge savings on a seriously limited quantity of items and/or limited time of the savings.
Car dealers are getting in on the Black Friday buzz. I saw a news bit about it and it was never mentioned that maybe instead of a TV you could put a down payment on a better than average car deal. They talked about clearance of 2009 models but I've seen commercials for deals on 2010 models.
Verizon is advertising a netbook for about $30 online starting Thursday evening (two-year contract I'm sure). The service is where they make their money anyway, but almost full function laptop with small screen but bigger than smartphone, carry anywhere and go online. Try to find a deal that is not $60 for unlimited net access on top of $30-$40 phone plan.
walmart.com already lists sales for their 5-11am door-buster sale. I doubt they will refer to it as "door-buster" anymore since the tragic incident 2008 at a Wal-Mart in Long Island, NY. They make such limited great savings and there are only 2 stores close to Long Island (at least as of 2006). You enter your zipcode because the prices will vary.
Wal-Mart commercials already boast Emerson 32" LCD flatscreen TV 720p for only $248. This is good enough for most people, especially those still viewing standard definition. Make sure you don't want full 1080p before spending the money and end up wanting a new one again right away. Emerson 42" PLASMA 720p is $448 (locally anyway) and Sony Bravia 1080p 46" LCD is $798. Magnavox BlueRay player only $78. Nintendo DS Lite $98. They have an eMachine laptop for $198. Wireless Kodak ESP all-in-one printer that uses less expensive ink for only $98. iPod Touch $195 with $50 iTunes gift card. A Miley Cyrus Wal-Mart exclusive CD for $5. Over 100 DVD titles at $2 and over 30 Blu-Ray titles at $10. Will this be the last Christmas of the DVD? There's too much stuff to list it all, just go to their website to look at the actual print ad that will come in the Thanksgiving newspaper.
KMart seems to have online-only specials in the spotlight and not their black friday deals. I'm sure they can be found elsewhere online though.
Facebook has fan pages for Black Friday deals:
http://www.facebook.com/blackfridayinfo
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Friday
http://www.facebook.com/BFAds
Happy searching, be safe, find deals (without the crowd mobs if you can).
The day after Thanksgiving is now known as Black Friday and has been the top selling day in retail. (The day after Christmas has also claimed that spot.)
Safety is a concern as stores open earlier and earlier, as early as 4am (JC Penney) and even 12am (Toys 'r Us). Some 24-hour Wal-Mart stores might also be open Thursday or at least at 12am as well. Some Wal-Mart stores will allow "camping out" next to items that will be on sale but not available to cart until the sale begins.
The stores create safety concern by making huge savings on a seriously limited quantity of items and/or limited time of the savings.
Car dealers are getting in on the Black Friday buzz. I saw a news bit about it and it was never mentioned that maybe instead of a TV you could put a down payment on a better than average car deal. They talked about clearance of 2009 models but I've seen commercials for deals on 2010 models.
Verizon is advertising a netbook for about $30 online starting Thursday evening (two-year contract I'm sure). The service is where they make their money anyway, but almost full function laptop with small screen but bigger than smartphone, carry anywhere and go online. Try to find a deal that is not $60 for unlimited net access on top of $30-$40 phone plan.
walmart.com already lists sales for their 5-11am door-buster sale. I doubt they will refer to it as "door-buster" anymore since the tragic incident 2008 at a Wal-Mart in Long Island, NY. They make such limited great savings and there are only 2 stores close to Long Island (at least as of 2006). You enter your zipcode because the prices will vary.
Wal-Mart commercials already boast Emerson 32" LCD flatscreen TV 720p for only $248. This is good enough for most people, especially those still viewing standard definition. Make sure you don't want full 1080p before spending the money and end up wanting a new one again right away. Emerson 42" PLASMA 720p is $448 (locally anyway) and Sony Bravia 1080p 46" LCD is $798. Magnavox BlueRay player only $78. Nintendo DS Lite $98. They have an eMachine laptop for $198. Wireless Kodak ESP all-in-one printer that uses less expensive ink for only $98. iPod Touch $195 with $50 iTunes gift card. A Miley Cyrus Wal-Mart exclusive CD for $5. Over 100 DVD titles at $2 and over 30 Blu-Ray titles at $10. Will this be the last Christmas of the DVD? There's too much stuff to list it all, just go to their website to look at the actual print ad that will come in the Thanksgiving newspaper.
KMart seems to have online-only specials in the spotlight and not their black friday deals. I'm sure they can be found elsewhere online though.
Facebook has fan pages for Black Friday deals:
http://www.facebook.com/blackfridayinfo
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Friday
http://www.facebook.com/BFAds
Happy searching, be safe, find deals (without the crowd mobs if you can).
Monday, November 23, 2009
Too Good at Internet Searching
I'm way too good at internet searching for my own good. Quickly weeding out the chaff and finding what is appropriate to the context.
This seems to apply to medical and technical subjects (only?). Maybe it's because I know enough about what I'm looking for to narrow down key words to get better results.
I searched some more and found that Cervical Vertebrae (neck bones) play a role in the vestibular problems. UGGH! My 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd are fused, presumably congenitally.
Anyway I was searching for Stevia news in soft drinks to see if they are still being made, better formulations in the works, etc.
Blog stolen and hacked content fills the search with pure garbage. A bit or two from some unnamed source to actually get some real info.
Of course 99.9% of the population has ADD or ADHD and cannot read more than one sentence at a time. (So you twitters who send 60 tweets per hour -- they aren't being read.)
BTW Truvia and PureVia both use a sugar alcohol with stevia. Sun Crystals uses a small amount of sugar cane with stevia.
Plan to try Zevia soda soon and see how horrible it is. :)
This seems to apply to medical and technical subjects (only?). Maybe it's because I know enough about what I'm looking for to narrow down key words to get better results.
I searched some more and found that Cervical Vertebrae (neck bones) play a role in the vestibular problems. UGGH! My 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd are fused, presumably congenitally.
Anyway I was searching for Stevia news in soft drinks to see if they are still being made, better formulations in the works, etc.
Blog stolen and hacked content fills the search with pure garbage. A bit or two from some unnamed source to actually get some real info.
Of course 99.9% of the population has ADD or ADHD and cannot read more than one sentence at a time. (So you twitters who send 60 tweets per hour -- they aren't being read.)
BTW Truvia and PureVia both use a sugar alcohol with stevia. Sun Crystals uses a small amount of sugar cane with stevia.
Plan to try Zevia soda soon and see how horrible it is. :)
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Facebook Viral SPAM
I got a notification on FaceBook today that someone had sent me a MultiMedia Message.
As usual, some crApp had to be loaded so somebody can get some advertisement money.
After adding the app, a notice says that I have to click the link. Since I already play MafiaWars I clicked the link. Then it says my message moved and to install another app that was very similar.
The first app sent 1 friend a notice, the same one I had received.
The second app sent about 6 friends the same notice. One friend also had the app installed, not the one who "sent" it to me.
HERE's WHAT TO DO:
1) If you get a notice like this, ask your friend if they sent something before clicking.
2) If you do click and it sends friends a notice:
--------Open the small Notifications tab on the bottom right.
--------Click "See All"
--------Hover over Notice you did not send.
--------Click the X to close/delete.
--------Select I DID NOT PERFORM THE ACTION THAT SENT...
--------Click Report and Delete app.
Hopefully reporting SPAMmers will help keep them off.
Does FaceBook not have an approval process for apps???
Sadly these SPAMmers will make ad money from doing this.
Also DON'T click on advertisements (which might look like a legitimate Windows notice) reporting that you need AntiVirus. These are Virus and Malware programs themselves. Only load authenticated security programs.
Microsoft's website even recommends some free versions. Watch those because it might be a trial period. Most security programs act a bit like viruses monitoring system level actions. (I currently use Commodo's free version for what that's worth.)
As usual, some crApp had to be loaded so somebody can get some advertisement money.
After adding the app, a notice says that I have to click the link. Since I already play MafiaWars I clicked the link. Then it says my message moved and to install another app that was very similar.
The first app sent 1 friend a notice, the same one I had received.
The second app sent about 6 friends the same notice. One friend also had the app installed, not the one who "sent" it to me.
HERE's WHAT TO DO:
1) If you get a notice like this, ask your friend if they sent something before clicking.
2) If you do click and it sends friends a notice:
--------Open the small Notifications tab on the bottom right.
--------Click "See All"
--------Hover over Notice you did not send.
--------Click the X to close/delete.
--------Select I DID NOT PERFORM THE ACTION THAT SENT...
--------Click Report and Delete app.
Hopefully reporting SPAMmers will help keep them off.
Does FaceBook not have an approval process for apps???
Sadly these SPAMmers will make ad money from doing this.
Also DON'T click on advertisements (which might look like a legitimate Windows notice) reporting that you need AntiVirus. These are Virus and Malware programs themselves. Only load authenticated security programs.
Microsoft's website even recommends some free versions. Watch those because it might be a trial period. Most security programs act a bit like viruses monitoring system level actions. (I currently use Commodo's free version for what that's worth.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
