Check it out. This is a web pilot for a quirky sitcom a bunch of my friends created. It’s pretty funny. The theme music is enough incentive to give it a watch. You’ll be humming that thing all day. If you like it, comment on their YouTube page. Enjoy.
May, 2009 Monthly archive
I really hate the sidewalk drift. Walk in a straight line, walk faster, or bask in the glory that is my exasperated sigh.
Read MoreLespants and I did another Howcast video. This time we’re playing Gin. We decided to forgo the humor and do a mood piece. Of course we still think it’s hilarious. Good buddy Hank Offinger graciously donated some of his time to help out and thank god he did. Without dialog, his great facial expressions really sell the thing. Not only did I get to play with After Effects a bit, but I got to wear my awesome Justin Timberlake hat AND be a sore loser on camera. This is me trying to be brooding. Couldn’t really ask for anything more.
We got to again work with the awesome and friendly people at Howcast which was really nice. Their website is not only a place to find great How To videos, but it’s such a resource for filmmakers looking to sharpen their skills. Definitely check it out.
So grab a friend and play some Gin.
Who decided that regular salt wasn’t big enough for pretzels? Who was eating a pretzel and said, “You know what? This thing needs salt. Salt the size of hail!” Probably the same person that said, “You know what? I’m gonna tie this dough into a knot.” I’m not complaining. I just want to shake that person’s hand. Or visit their gravestone? Anyone?
With my 300th post just days ago, I thought I’d revisit a promise I made to myself when this website first shoved off. Though I’ve spoken about it before to friends and such, I don’t think I’ve ever really made the commitment official. In writing. On the site.
The original intention of this space was to create honest and original content for the world to see. That was always the mission. I wanted to write my own stories or comments or observations and post them on the web. Miabi Films are still the centerpiece of this site, but it’s evolved to include writing too. Still… when a new Miabi Film is created, I try to make it a big deal.
This website was started way back in 2003. (Though you’ll find the current incarnation only goes back to 2004) Before the term “blog” was used with any seriousness. Before the era of “sharing stories with friends” or hourly status updates. It has become increasingly easy to post the latest funny video or share the latest weird news story for the masses to ingest. However, I never wanted to be an aggregator. When I find there isn’t enough time for Miabi, where in the past I simply haven’t posted anything, now I default to sharing things I’ve already seen around the net. Just to keep you interested I suppose.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this. People that share stories and sites that repost cool content are totally valid. And I think valuable in creating your internet identity. It just strays from the original purpose of this site. So I promise that I will always try to make an interesting observation or story first, before sharing a video about an obnoxious groundhog. Furthermore, when I do share said video of groundhog, I will always try to comment on it intelligently and from an angle that you maybe haven’t heard yet. Am I that interesting to be a cultural commentator? Well I hope so. Hey… if not, who cares? This is an online diary anyway right? I’m an open book.
No one is coming here to get the latest pop culture news, but hopefully you’ll come to hear my comment on it. Or a discussion about toilets. Whatever blows your hair back.
Auto-Tune is computer software that actually adjusts vocals on the fly to a predetermined pitch. As a muscian, I’m equally terrified and intrigued by Auto-Tune. I appreciate when artists use it deliberately and openly. As a separate instrument. This is what Daft Punk did. This is what Kanye does. The gay fish doesn’t pretend to be a singer. He uses it because it sounds cool. And in turn, he’s seemingly created a readily copied style. At least from these indie rock fan’s eyes.
What terrifies me is when Auto-Tune is used subtly. When supposed pop stars use it to sing. When it’s used to touch up and fix certain parts of songs because the singer can’t stay in key. It’s Photohsop for vocals and it’s ubiquitousness is frightening. (Which, I guess is part of my intrigue too.) If these people can’t sing, why are we giving them record contracts? Either redo the vocal track or move aside and let someone come in here with real talent. My homegirl Susan Boyle doesn’t need Auto-Tune.
Regardless of where it fits into pop culture, it’s still an amazing piece of technology. Some people are finding fun and creative ways to exploit it. A Brooklyn artist named Michael Gregory (everything creative comes out of Brooklyn) has been remixing nightly newscasts using Auto-Tune and beats. The results of Auto-Tune The News are often times hilarious and catchy. However, his greatest achievement to date is his remix of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. It’s pretty amazing and just as powerful as the original speech.
This is my 300th post. Some were better than others. Thanks for watching. Hope to see you at 600.
