Stuff I Dig... James Fotopoulos

Just because I was browsing the web and just discovered this guy's work.  Some would call it "avant gutter."  I can roll with that.

See more cool, weird and abstract works under the "Ten Things to Do in Vegas" banner commissioned by CineVegas 2008.

Tribute to Saul Bass

One of the most stylish title designers to ever create title sequences.

The Title Design of Saul Bass from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

To celebrate the release of the long-awaited book Saul Bass: A Life In Film & Design, I put together a brief visual history of some of Saul Bass's most celebrated work.

Saul Bass: A Life In Film & Design, by Jennifer Bass and Pat Kirkham, is available on Amazon.

Celebrating 236 years of crazy, twisted, exuberant existence, USMC!!!

The USMC is over 236 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our Mother was an M-16, and our Father was the Devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green amphibious monster, made of blood and guts, who arose from the sea, feasting on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battlefield, giving my life for Mom, the Corps, and the American Flag. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the Hell out of both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, MARINE BY GOD!!! OORAH!!! Every waking day of a U.S. Marine.

Back in the day... Super Mario Bros. 2

Don't know why I am reminiscing but I remember finishing this game at Verbz's crib atop one of the four infamous WaHi towers... it was a glorious day.

Verbal Stickup Teaser

The latest Bolowhip project... Verbal Stickup, a music project produced by Kontraban and Danny Neiba featuring Verbz, Guestos and Anonymous.

MMA Duo Stop Armed Robber

A video posted on the LAPD's website shows the gun-toting suspect approaching the clerk motel desk and demanding money. As the robber walks away with the bag, the video shows two of the fighters, Brent Alvarez and Billy Denney, coming off of the elevator and almost immediately subduing the suspect into a chokehold.

3D: Just Another Tool In Your Director's Arsenal

Almost a year ago, Christina over at Cracked put down 4 good points of wisdom a filmmaker shooting in 3D should consider.


Best argument: Point "#2: Use it to bring details to life.  3D doesn't have to just be for huge obvious depth differences like hands coming out at you or deep landscapes going into the screen. If you are doing the film in proper 3D (see points #4 above) it's precise enough to show even little differences, like bumps on tweed or weathered wood."

vs.

"Without you knowing it, those textures do more to draw you into the scene than any big, sweeping spectacle could."

Happy Halloween

Skwerl - a short film in fake English

Tips and Techniques: Canon 5d Basics

I've been shooting alot of videos with the Canon 5d Mark ii and I recommend it to filmmakers not only because it is affordable but because it provides such high quality. Here's a good primer on the basics of using the Canon 5d.

Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks (Butch Clancy Dubstep Remix)

dOPENESS

Artist Watch: Rook Floro

This is deep and dope.

In the artist's own words:

SHADOW 

My sculpture/performance piece is inspired by Carl Jung’s psychological theory about the shadow. It concerns with the repressed ideas, weakness, and desires of oneself that the conscious mindrefuses to acknowledge.

It represents my ‘shadow’ which involves my hidden desires to be different and become perfect in my own right. We always feel the pressure to be perfect by everything around us such as themedia, social network, advertisement, friends, and family.

I’m sitting here casting my ‘shadow’.

And in that OTHER fight last night...

Remember a while back, Bloody Elbow said this:

Jake Shields vs Jake Ellenberger at Ultimate Fight Night 25 on September 17th: Under normal circumstances this really isn't a fight of much interest. Neither fighter is particularly exciting nor are they big time draws. However, with the recent death of Jake Shields' father, this fight has significance if only to see how he'll perform after the loss of his dad. EDIT: This match becomes one of interest because Jack Shields was Jake's father, mentor, and manager. The match up doesn't matter as much as the story revolving around it. Can Jake Shields remain clear headed with the loss of his father? 

Well here's the answer to your question:

Although he said going forward with the bout was an easy decision, Shields came into the fight not looking as powerful as usual. On paper, the fight looked to come down to Ellenberger’s takedown defense, because he had the stronger striking game, while Shields had noted before the fight he had found holes in Ellenberger’s jiu-jitsu game. Ellenberger had been training with former NCAA champion Mark Munoz on the wrestling end, to keep the fight standing.

Ellenberger was the thicker and more muscular of the two fighters. He overpowered and threw Shields down almost immediately after the first lockup, but Shields was right back up. Shields then moved in for a takedown while Ellenberger powered away. But Ellenberger tied Shields up and landed a hard left knee to the body, followed by a devastating right knee to the chin that put Shields down hard. Ellenberger unloaded with about seven rapid punches on the ground before Mulhall jumped in.

Shields continued to battle for a takedown, but did so on Mulhall, who he instinctively thought was Ellenberger, after Ellenberger had already started celebrating.

A big knee to the jaw was the turning point in Jake Ellenberger's win over Jake Shields.
(Getty Images)

Still, Bloody Elbow wants to remind you:

Jake Shields is a very talented fighter.

Let's get that out of the way right at the start. Because in the wake of his upset first round stoppage loss at the hands of Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 25 last night, it's a statement that needs repeating.

Mayweather vs. Merchant

Mayweather's short fight led to a more exciting fight... And this isn't the first time the 2 have gone at it, they have a history...

Noooo... it's Chuck Testa

"Therefore... But" - The Secrets to BETTER Storytelling

Madeon - Pop Culture

Making Moves... My Martial Moves of the Day

Slip the jab - "Trap" the rear hand as you move behind opponent - Drop and sweep at the ankles - Stand up and be ready to kick your opponent in the face.

Stunt Poetry

Shot with the Canon 60D. Edited in Premiere.
Post production done in After Effects with Twixtor.

Directed by Rishi Kaneria.

Starring Dante Ha, a professional stunt man whose work includes Dark Knight Rises, Contagion, X-Men:First Class, Walking Dead, Teen Wolf and more.
imdb.com/​name/​nm4010586/​

Music by Clint Mansell.

Five Fights to Watch in September

Matthew Roth picks 5 fights to watch this month at Bloody Elbow.  But Jon Jones vs Quinton Jackson at UFC 135 on September 24th is the fight I most want to see.

Hopie ft. Del the Funky Homosapien - "Space Case"

Director, Editor, Video FX: David Dutton

DP: Fernando Camarena

Camera: Fernando Camarena and David Dutton

Lights: Devon and Hart Perez | The Perez Brothers

Clay Alien Artists and Stop Motion Animators: Phillip Eggleston and Mary Johnson

Styled by Step HEAVVY

Hair & Make-up by Step HEAVVY

Mint Julep »Aviary«

mint julep »aviary« 
director: a nice idea every day
dop: julia franken
executive producer: johannes conrad
produced by colonel blimp

Running On Empty

Ross Ching explains his process:

1. Record for 20-30 mins. 2. Go frame-by-frame and grab pieces of the road that aren't obstructed by a car. Eventually, you will have every piece of the road. 3. Put the static image of the road in with the moving background.

Running on Empty (Revisited) from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

And props to Andrew Sullivan/Zoe Pollock

Just Saw This...

The Navigator by Buster Keaton

My favorite scene is the card shuffling scene starting at 3:43.

I don't know why but that part just killed me.

Behind the Scenes: Multiple Takes of "Ma lil friend!"

This scene never gets old no matter how many times it gets repeated in awful wannabe Cuban accents. 
Still... multiple takes of Pacino are worth watching.

There.

Ju like dat?!

Study the Tape

Compare and contrast.  

Imagine what this fight could be.

Hope it happens.

10 Classic Hollywood Screentests

Emily Temple makes a list of 10 Classic Hollywood Screentests and I have to wonder, do these screentests shine because we are so familiar with the actors and actresses OR because they are just that good?!?

The Story of a Streetfighter Gamer

FOCUS is a riveting documentary presented by G4 Films and directed by Steve Hwang. Follow a year in the life of pro gamer Mike Ross as he prepares to do battle at EVO 2010 in Las Vegas.

Props to: Beautiful/Decay and G4

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2012 - Mortal Kombat

World Class Driver

Tales in Production: Videos Galore!!!

What a week! 

Worked on everything from a fitness music video during the week. Then shot a dope music video for Undeniable with Danny Neiba from Friday to Saturday.  And then another music video on Sunday (also with Danny Neiba) for Verbz, Guestos & Anonymous MC who spit lyrics on Kontraban's track at Melodream Entertainment studios.  Plus found time to squeeze in a taping of the NALIP-NY & NYILFF panel on Webisodes.  
Averaged about 8 hours of sleep from Friday to Sunday but was running on a creative high the whole time.  
I am definitely getting used to this. 

Just Saw This...

Koyaanisquatsi 

directed by Godfrey Reggio with music composed by Philip Glass and cinematography by Ron Fricke

Knockout Statistics for 2011

from Blackbelt:

Analyst James LaFond studied 1,675 acts of violence that took place between June 1996 and May 2000. At the request of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, he then analyzed the incidents in his study that led to a knockout.

Some interesting observations:

What are the most effective one-strike-knockout methods?

·  100-percent success with a sucker punch by a competition-level boxer, delivered to the jaw of an individual male who is usually taller and talking.

·  98-percent success with a surprise come-from-behind strike executed with a heavy blunt weapon to the head of an intoxicated male.

·  95-percent success with a poor-leverage throw effected by a larger male against a smaller member of an aggressive group or against an individual participant in a match fight.

·  90-percent success with a punch thrown by an average-size athletic man against an unprepared member of a poorly organized aggressive group.

·  90-percent success with a kick thrown by a competition-level kickboxer against an unprepared person.

·  80-percent success with an elbow strike to the head or face executed by a male wrestler, boxer or kickboxer.

·  75-percent success with an attack effected with a moving vehicle on a pedestrian.

Note that 73 percent is the typical rate of success for aggressors, with the vast majority of the incapacitations stemming from multiple strikes.

AND:

---

How do specific fighting arts rate?

·  19 percent of karate stylists who hadn’t kickboxed knocked out their opponents in violent situations. This is identical to the worldwide kickboxing KO rate of 19 percent.

·  20 percent of boxers knocked out their antagonists, compared to the 34-percent worldwide boxing KO rate. These fights were often urban street encounters that featured groups, weapons and indecisive resolutions.

·  90 percent of boxers involved in drunken brawls knocked out their opponents, with 10 percent sustaining hand injuries. Not one of those boxers jabbed.

·  36 percent of martial artists who had kickboxed knocked out their antagonists. These encounters reflect a wide variety of circumstances and correspond to the worldwide boxing KO rate. The side kick was the dominant KO strike.

·  47 percent of identified noncombat athletes scored KOs in brawls and self-defense situations. They were primarily large throwers (football players) and small punchers (rugby, softball and soccer players) taking the fight to low-cohesion groups of smaller males.

AND: 

How did the various weapons perform with respect to knockouts?

The incapacitation rates were as follows:

·  Folding knife: 19%

·  Fixed-blade knife: 38%

·  Pencil: 13%

·  Pointed tool: 44%

·  Prison-made shank: 64%

·  Razor: 5%

·  Sword: 33%

·  Stick/baton: 37% (for law-enforcement officers), 20% (for escrimadors), 28% (for untrained persons), 27% (for groups)

·  Bat: 58%

·  Board/club: 70%

·  Sap/blackjack: 47%

·  Stone/brick/trophy: 56%

·  Blunt tool: 42%

·  Machinery/furniture: 42%

·  Everyday item (bottle, etc.): 20% (used by the defender), 7% (used by the aggressor)

Dutch Wife

Dutch Wife from Jesse Kanda on Vimeo.

Just Saw This...

Dead Man directed by Jim Jarmusch

Move

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Just Saw This...

Valhalla Rising dir. by Nicolas Winding Refn

Tales in Production: H.O.M.E. Part I

Spent the week working on (director/producer) Daniel Maldonado's and (producer) Ingrid Matias's production of H.O.M.E. Part I, traveling the subterranean labryinths of the MTA and capturing footage (on the Canon 5d & 7d) of Jeremy Ray Valdez, playing the lead role. 
Shout-outs to the cast!
And especially to the crew I've been working with:
Shawn Bell (DP); Boryana Alexandrova (AC/2nd Camera); Mike Vernusky (Sound); Crystal Glass (Hair/Makeup/Wardrobe); Cassandra Riddick (Key PA); Vanessa Carmona (Talent/Set PA); Dioeval Martinez (Production Intern).

Here's some guerrilla footage I shot on my iPhone:

That Ol' School Shit

Black Belt asked jujitsu master George Kirby to [talk] about a few of his favorite techniques from his new book, Jujitsu: Basic Techniques of the Gentle Art Expanded Edition.

The following technique is found in chapter 4 . Here is what George Kirby had to say about it:

“I like this technique because it is one of the fastest “judo” type throws out there. Once you get this throw [and its variation down, you’ll be amazed at how effectively you can use an attacker’s momentum to bring him down with very little effort.”

Jujitsu Technique No. 3: Basic Drop Throw

Japanese Translation: TAI-OTOSHI

Yoooooo... dude in the black... PUT YOUR HANDS UP!!!

Just Saw This...

My Son, My Son, What Have You Done? dir. by Werner Herzog

Congrats, Danny Neiba!!!

Danny Neiba got a new blog. 

And he always got the ill ish. Check it out.

(from l to r) Danny Indio, with Indio, Anthony Álvarez, Danny Neiba, and Kontraban

Planet of the Apes... Lo-Tech version

Tales in Production

This week, a movie made it onto the iTunes Top 100 charts with no budget whatsoever--that's right, it was literally made for $0. The Polish Brothers' For Lovers Only is a black-and-white, French New Wave inspired romance shot in 12 days with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II. It stars Michael Polish and Castle's Stana Katic and was shot and directed by Mark Polish--otherwise known as the film's entire crew.


for lovers only... from Polish Brothers on Vimeo.

from an interview with the Polish Brothers by Steve Pond for the Wrap:


On their stealth mode: "It looked like I was just shooting a married couple, or a couple getting married," Michael said. "So we were able to go into a church, and people would stay out of our way, because they'd think I was shooting stills."


On the budget: "The film had no artificial lighting – because, said Michael, locations like French churches were made for natural light. The one exception: a nightclub scene was lit by Michael's iPhone.  The brothers said that their hotels and some meals were comped; they shot and edited with equipment they already owned; and they don't consider the few grand worth of meals, taxis and the like to be part of an actual budget. "There was not one dime that came out of our pocket specifically for this movie -- besides the food we ate, but we had to eat, anyway," Michael said.  In the end, Michael and Mark even had to make up some names for the film's title sequence, which they wanted to stretch out to a reasonable length in order to fit the score that had been written by their friend Kubilay Uner.  They even got the film classified as an experimental film by the Screen Actors Guild, which meant they didn't have to pay Katic, who shared an agent with Mark and brought her own wardrobe. 


On distributing and marketing the film: ""I said, 'OK, I'm gonna tweet it.' Then I called Stana and told her to tweet it – and that's when it took off."  Katic's rabid Twitter and Facebook followings spread the word – and when Mark Polish found that the film was drawing almost 1,000 tweets an hour, he made up posters using the Twitter raves in place of critics' quotes. Those posters themselves went viral on Twitter and Tumblr, and helped prompt a healthy iTunes presale.  "They'd put 26 reviews up on iTunes before the movie was even out," said Mark. "The fans who'd already seen it were going around like a swarm of bees attacking IMDb, Facebook, Twitter … . It's a very passionate crowd, and they felt like they’d discovered it."  It wasn't even supposed to be officially released until Tuesday, but the volume of pre-orders prompted iTunes to make it available early."


My assessment: Aside from having a good idea, your own equipment and tons of talent, it helps to have alot of fans and a couple g's for food & stuff.

Training Video Vault

The legend, Paul Vunak, doing what he does best... teaching and kicking ass.

Optical Illusion of the Week

Savoir Faire - "Sur le Quai"

I have no idea what is going on but the animation is uniquely gorgeous.

Sur le Quai from Savoir Faire on Vimeo.

Making Moves... My Martial Move of the Day

Cover against the hook - Palm strike while in the clinch - Grab neck and lift leg up - Sweep the leg - Put knee on the chest and punch like lightning

Shabazz Palaces - Black UP

CHEAAAAAAA!

Peter Falk in Wings of Desire (RIP)

UFC 132: Cruz v. Faber and more

Brian Knapp from Sherdog.com tells the tales of the tape:

• Cruz defends crown

• Leben waylays Silva in 27 seconds

• Siver edges Wiman, wins fourth straight

• Ortiz guillotine submits Bader

• Condit flying knee wipes out Kim

• Guillard flattens Roller in first

• Dos Anjos counter KOs Sotiropoulos

• Bowles takes decision, appears to re-injure hand

• Simpson hands Tavares first loss

• Njokuani outclasses Winner in decision 

• Hougland outpoints Walker in Octagon debut

UFC 132: Bantamweights Cruz and Faber show big heart

 

LAS VEGAS – Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber were the two smallest men to ever headline an event in the 18-year history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. But they came through with one of the biggest matches ever on Saturday night, as Cruz retained his bantamweight title on a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 132. (Read more) - Dave Meltzer

Remember Buttafly from Diggable Planets?!?

He still on that creative tip with Shabazz Palaces...

Where you will find me on these summer Sundays...

Rock Beach Sampler by ROCKBEACH

Thoughts on FCPX

Comments from people at ProVideo Coalition, including FCPX tutorial and words from Steve Forde, After Effects Product Manager.

Over at Creative Cow: Jeff Greenberg takes a Zen approach to FCPX.

And a No-Filmschool shootout between Adobe's Warp Stablizer and Apple's FCPX Stabilization.

The 6 Most Amazing Acts of Mid-Fight Mockery in MMA History

Courtesy of Seanbaby at Cracked... some funny ish!

Here's #3 Duane Ludwig vs. Shad Smith - KOTC 4

Bela: The Cat Man

Bela: L'Homme Chat from Paul Trillo on Vimeo.

Making Moves... My Martial Move of the Day

Outside parry the jab - slip the cross - grab hair - elbow face... The magic is in how quickly I put on my gloves, halfway through the demo.

Bolowhip Presents: Maluca - Loca - Shoot DONE

Finished shooting with Danny Neiba and Kontraban this morning at 9AM.  Some things did not go as planned. But. Video will feature tunnel views, a parakeet and feverish footwork. And. Now. I'm a HDSLR devotee.
Next comes editing time.  
And in a month, the music video. 

Reminds me of my old Trapper Keeprs

Free Webinar: 25 Things You Might Have Missed at NAB Show

TV Technology will review the most interesting new products, technology developments, demonstrations and more in their third annual "25 Things You Might Have Missed at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show" webinar. This free hour-long event will be streamed on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at 9:00 AM PDT. Register for it here.

Dope Video: Frank Ocean "Novacane"

frank ocean [novacane] from christopher francis ocean on Vimeo.

STRIKEFORCE: OVEREEM vs. WERDUM Open Workout Highlights

Sat. June 18 - Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum

Overeem: I Trained 4 Months for This - Props to Sherdog

Chilly Willy Gumdrops tumblr

My nephew, Chilly Willy Gumdrops, artist extraordinaire, has a new tumblr. 

Bolowhip Presents: Danny Neiba, photographer

Check out the work of Danny Neiba, Bolowhip filmmaker and photograher: 

Which one you like more, Jose?

Shoots on the Street

 

Craig Allen, photographer

Heidi Jones, assistsnt

unknown model

Battles - Wall Street - A Take Away Show

Battles | Wall Street | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Vegan Black Metal Chef

VeganBlackMetalChef

www.VeganBlackMetalChef.com

Training Video Vault

Over all my years of training, I have come across tons of martial instructional  video tapes and books.  They are helpful as a supplement to your training IF you are training in an actual school with an actual instructor and actual students (so that you can apply what you learned).  They explain things that maybe you did not understand clearly in school, provide another perspective and give you an opportunity to watch how a move is done again and again.  On a lighter note, they are relics of the past that are fun to watch and laugh at with.

Spike Jonze’s New Animated Short Premieres Friday at IFC Center

Spike Jonze’s new animated short, MOURIR AUPRES DE TOI (To Die by Your Side) has its U.S. theatrical premiere at IFC Center.  The short will play before IFC Center’s regular features starting June 10 as part of IFC's ongoing “Short Attention Span Cinema” Program.

Directed by Spike Jonze with Simon Cahn and inspired by French Designer Olympia Le-Tan.  The short is set in Paris’s storied Shakespeare and Co. bookstore and concerns the adventures of a skeleton (voiced by Jonze) who springs off the cover of “Macbeth” and falls for a damsel from “Dracula.” Filmed in painstaking stop-motion animation, the film required a new stitched felt character for each shot-some 3,000 felt parts in total. “Felt is not the easiest thing to animate,” Mr. Jonze noted. “It’s very flimsy.”  A “making-of” video is below: