Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2009

6 months later...

... I decide to blog again. I guess it's typical of me to blog when there is no one to rant to. I get into this phase once a year... The phase when you feel you have an emotional/psychological rash you feel like scratching, it's irritating, and nothing and no one can help you...

and because this happens on an annual basis, I can confidently trace it's cause to lack of money. I just hate not having money, or the thought of not having money. Knowing that at age 31 I am earning less than what I am earning at age 21. Now how did that happen??! How could I have let that happen? I trusted too much I guess. It's showbiz for chrissakes. and i'm fuckin hero angeles.
one minute you're in it, next minute you're out.... and that's supposed to be how it goes.

of course it doesn't help if your former co-writers both are working on a new show, and your former headwriter is directing, and this godforsaken unit has acquired a new batch of workshoppers-- all vying to get hired.

so where does that leave me? christ.

Maybe I'm still paying for the time I pissed off this airhead trannie. (S)he's probably badmouthed me in an instant to the other headwriters... Maybe some ass read a job-related facebook shoutout rant (and this is of course while being locked in, unannounced, for 7 days, during my birthday) and spread the word to superiors on how i'm complaining about my work... Or maybe it's the thinking that "she just had a show, she'll be fine till 2010...".

Whatever it is, fuck them. Fuck TV. Fuck Philippine network TV.
You do your job, you sacrifice your precious time to hang around and imbibe a highly unproductive work process (is there is a process to the madness), you drop everything for them... and this is how you get repaid.

But... I still gotta think up an sexy-action concept to be eligible for the 2500/wk think tank fee, which is the only thing that's keeping me alive... Of course I can't think straight. All I can think about is how to come up with the extra money to cover my monthly expenses amounting to just under 25 grand.

So declan has to stop schooling? Do I let the yaya go? Do I get the dsl connection cut off? do i forego the life insurance I'm paying for? I don't know. What I do know is that I'm deep in debt again... I spent the last few days queuing up at cine europa's free movies just so I can stay away from my mom's tirade on what a useless louse I am. You'd think I should be used to my mom's insults by now... but no, every year as I get older, it hurts even more. When your mom asks you to "get a real job" at age 21, that's nothing. Try hearing that at age 31.

I am usually not this incoherent. But when you're in that weird place between anger and desperation, the words and the thoughts behind it get mixed up.

But I can't afford to freeze in my tracks. I just gotta figure a way out of this mess. But how? I'm too fuckin old to go entry-level at a new career. And I'm too proud to look for another job and just say that this one "didn't work out".

But I'm just ranting now. Useless words in cyberspace. I'm still gonna wait till they get me for another show. I'm still gonna attend these futile meetings and futile pitching sessions, and kiss ass... And then when I least expect it, I'm part of another creative team and the deadlines will begin and the lock ins, but the paycheques will come and I can pay off my debts... until the next drought...

But I can't go on living like this.

Life with ABS is pretty much like married life I guess. Hell... It was great at the start but now, you regret the day you signed the contract.

I'm still sticking with TV and mainstream... Even though I realized now that it won't make me rich enough to buy art... or make art..

I'm sticking around because I have nowhere else to go...

piece of shit

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Summer


stolen from flickr



14+ years of schooling has taught us that summer is equivalent to rest, and fun, and joyful senseless living, free from work, and deadlines, and things we "need" to do.

Now, 10 years after graduating, I still can't shake of the lethargy and inability to focus on tasks at hand. And it is with a looming deadline and a ton of things to write, that I find myself verbally constipated. I need a couple of hours going non-verbal at eye-candy blogs for the words to flow. I like looking at pictures of verbs, of things I like doing.

My usual haunts.

Le Love

Le Smoke



Fffound

Unruly Things


Friday, February 6, 2009

back




stolen from le love


missed me? hahah...i remember one of my new year's resolutions being to "blog less, live more"... but not forego blogging altogether. blame my lengthy absence from work. i never thought that thinking for a living would be that tiring and time consuming...

but things are a bit laid back now. the bosses are panicking less and giving us time to think. and for me that's time to catch up on friends, and what's going on in the lives of my lurkees and in weblandia in general, and time to blog.

but this will be a short one as I have a film to finish. hopefully i can get the money by month's end or early march.

i had a haircut last new moon, bought new slippers and vitamin E. but my insides are dying. i need to feel the love of people around me, but how is that when 80% of the time I'm working with people who don't know me well enough. i couldn't do any of the soul-healthy things I used to like play with declan, play bass, listen to other people play music and read poems, drink with friends, watch films, sleep, stay in bed a few moments upon waking to contemplate on dreams, read good books, and write for writing's sake... I couldn't do any of those things.

And now I am sick, and coughing. And my voice is gone. Literally and figuratively.

But I get by. I bought new flats in black and blue and ate expensive pasta the other day. I will try to dress nicely and not be a slob. I will just think that I have a paycheck large enough to send declan to daily therapy, and maybe save up a little each month for investment in stocks later if and when the financial situation clears. and maybe if I manage to continue teaching while writing, I could save up for my little films. And those thoughts are enough to keep me going. Oh, and the nasty things like nicotine, and caffeine, and beer.

One day, I will be rich enough to buy art and make art everyday. One day I will be rich enough to have all the time in the world for myself and the people I love. One day I will no longer be late and rushing for work because I can afford to set schedules and these will be only for the things that matter.

But right now, I have less than 2 hours for lunch, getting ready for work, travelling to work, and working on the assigned story premises and wrapping up this blog.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

and now we're back...


Been busy for the past two weeks doing this

But it seems I can't wind down till next week. Cheques to look out for, thesis defenses, 4 christmas parties, wrapping up deals, deadlines... it's endless.

I wish I were 17 again, fresh-faced and looking forward to the UP Lantern Parade and afterparty. The reality is, I'm 30 wrought like iron, and pining for an hour to myself to get a massage.

oh and this is the nth xmas with no lovelife for me... but then i guess it's too soon to sum up, there's still 10 days... but then i don't really care... i just want the money to come in on time and that i finally meet all the deadlines, and that the film gets finished.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

marlboro lights & coffee & red shoes

instant quiz and a funny conversation with an old friend (whom I haven't seen in ages). on network writing. of course taking out other parts of the conversation that might incriminate other people ahehhe.

10:49:21 AM pam_miras: na pe=pressure ako taena,
10:49:26 AM pam_miras: aheheh
10:49:28 AM xero_roach67: basta less incidental puzzles better
10:49:36 AM pam_miras: pero dapat hindi, relax lang...
10:49:41 AM xero_roach67: yung puzzle mo yung mainthread
10:49:48 AM xero_roach67: ehehe...
10:49:55 AM xero_roach67: ako nagsusulat ngayon ng ********...
10:49:56 AM xero_roach67: pakshet
10:49:58 AM xero_roach67: tuyot na ako
10:50:07 AM xero_roach67: nag-aaway na kami ni ******
10:50:10 AM xero_roach67: ehehe
10:50:17 AM pam_miras: ah talaga? ahehe na-stuck ka na sa mga genre,
10:50:27 AM pam_miras: o baket?
10:51:23 AM xero_roach67: oo nga na -stuck na ako
10:51:25 AM xero_roach67: ewan...
10:51:31 AM xero_roach67: parang tuyot ako...
10:51:34 AM xero_roach67: gusto nilang palagyan ng emotions...
10:51:37 AM xero_roach67: ehhhh...
10:51:41 AM xero_roach67: basta...
10:51:45 AM xero_roach67: mahabang paliwanag...
10:51:47 AM xero_roach67: mag-aangst lang ako
10:51:50 AM xero_roach67: ehehe...
10:51:58 AM pam_miras: ang hirap ng emotions paniwalaan pag may costume aheheh
10:52:03 AM pam_miras: ok lang yan...
10:52:06 AM xero_roach67: oo nga eh...
10:52:09 AM xero_roach67: ngak...
10:52:13 AM xero_roach67: ikaw kaya nasa future...
10:52:18 AM pam_miras: kaya nga
10:52:23 AM xero_roach67: may taong puno
10:52:23 AM pam_miras: para akong ulul
10:52:32 AM pam_miras: mga gumagawa ng scifi ulul
10:52:33 AM pam_miras: ahehehe
10:52:34 AM xero_roach67: may set na weird...
10:52:40 AM xero_roach67: ahehehehe...
10:52:45 AM xero_roach67: okay lang iyan...
10:52:56 AM xero_roach67: una ma-aamaze sila dahil gusto mo gumawa ng kakaiba...
10:53:01 AM xero_roach67: then they will realize...
10:53:09 AM xero_roach67: ah eto yung story na ganito ganyan...
10:53:19 AM xero_roach67: galing nagawa niya yung story na iyon sa ganyang bihis...
10:53:24 AM xero_roach67: then magugulat sila...
10:53:29 AM xero_roach67: oh ganun pala gusto niya...
10:53:33 AM xero_roach67: oh ganun pala yun...
10:53:37 AM xero_roach67: oh... tats ako...
10:53:45 AM xero_roach67: oh... tara lets plant trees...
10:53:51 AM xero_roach67: sign up for green peace...
10:54:00 AM pam_miras: :))
10:54:06 AM xero_roach67: mag sesegregate na ako ng basura...
10:54:14 AM pam_miras: gagu ka***** ;))
10:54:15 AM xero_roach67: then... nagawa mo na yung purpose mo...
10:54:21 AM xero_roach67: tapos paguusapan ka...
10:54:32 AM xero_roach67: napanood mo na yung short film na enviromental ek ek
10:54:36 AM xero_roach67: galing pare
10:54:49 AM pam_miras: basta ayoko na gumawa ng pa-art, na handheld, na may dugo dugo!
10:54:56 AM pam_miras: aheheh
10:55:00 AM xero_roach67: ako may dugo pa rin...
10:55:08 AM xero_roach67: pero yung 'minsan may isang diwata'
10:55:12 AM xero_roach67: yun walang dugo
10:55:16 AM xero_roach67: yun ang gusto kong gawin...
10:55:24 AM xero_roach67: nkwento ko na yun sa iyo no
10:55:34 AM pam_miras: siguro..
10:55:39 AM pam_miras: di ko na maalala..
10:55:53 AM xero_roach67: lolo siya na gumagawa ng fairy tale books
10:55:59 AM xero_roach67: tapos may girlfriend siyang diwata...
10:56:07 AM xero_roach67: kaso hindi tumatanda yung diwata... tapos siya lolo na
10:56:27 AM pam_miras: dream yan ng mga dom ah?
10:56:29 AM pam_miras: aheheh
10:56:34 AM xero_roach67: ahehehe...
10:56:37 AM xero_roach67: oo...
10:56:39 AM xero_roach67: siguro...
10:56:44 AM xero_roach67: then the lolo lets go of the diwata
10:56:50 AM xero_roach67: kasi defeated na si lolo..
10:56:57 AM xero_roach67: wala na daw gumagawa ng fairy tales ngayon...
10:57:03 AM xero_roach67: horror stories nalang...
10:57:18 AM xero_roach67: eh yun lang ang alam niyang isulat... mga kwento nila...
10:57:23 AM xero_roach67: well anyway...
10:57:26 AM xero_roach67: parang ganun lang...
10:57:34 AM xero_roach67: story kung paano siya mag susuccumb sa old age...
10:57:49 AM pam_miras: parang pang Sandman nga eh
10:57:54 AM pam_miras: okey
10:57:58 AM xero_roach67: siguro...
10:58:06 AM xero_roach67: oo nga...
10:58:08 AM xero_roach67: ahehehehe...
10:58:12 AM xero_roach67: pang sandman nga
10:58:17 AM pam_miras: bat ang aga mo gumising?
10:58:22 AM pam_miras: o di ka pa tutulog?
10:58:24 AM xero_roach67: hindi pa ako natutulog...
10:58:31 AM xero_roach67: na-stuck ako sa isang eksena...
10:58:50 AM xero_roach67: pinipilit kong magkaroon ng emotions itong lintek na kwentong ito...
10:58:53 AM xero_roach67: bad trip kasi...
10:58:58 AM xero_roach67: ise-setup nila na walang emotions...
10:59:05 AM xero_roach67: tapos sa akin nila papalagyan...
10:59:07 AM xero_roach67: sus
10:59:15 AM xero_roach67: ayan... nag-angst tuloy ako
10:59:17 AM xero_roach67: ehehe
10:59:35 AM pam_miras: eh.. kaya mo yan
xero_roach67 disconnected (10:59:41 AM)
xero_roach67 connected (11:00:00 AM)
11:00:42 AM xero_roach67: nagtuturo ka ba ngayon?
11:00:49 AM pam_miras: as usual
11:00:51 AM pam_miras: ahehhe
11:01:19 AM pam_miras: nasa dos pa rin ako... pero may show na sa wakas
11:01:25 AM xero_roach67: wow...
11:01:31 AM xero_roach67: kumikita ka na?
11:02:21 AM pam_miras: heto brainstorm brainstorm... pero sabi ni ***** (headwriter ko) magsusulat na ako, one ep a month
11:02:30 AM pam_miras: aheheh... na blackmail ko,
11:02:33 AM xero_roach67: one ep
11:02:35 AM xero_roach67: ahahaha
11:02:39 AM xero_roach67: nice...
11:02:43 AM xero_roach67: pero kumikita ka na nga?
11:02:49 AM pam_miras: one week. ok na yun..
11:03:03 AM pam_miras: technically wala pa...
11:03:11 AM pam_miras: may 2 cheque ako nakatengga
11:03:15 AM xero_roach67: ahhh...
11:03:19 AM xero_roach67: pero okay na yan
11:03:21 AM xero_roach67: at least...
11:03:24 AM pam_miras: kasi di pa ayus papeles ko lech
11:03:36 AM xero_roach67: konti lang talaga magaling na writer...
11:03:43 AM xero_roach67: pagnagka reputasyon ka...
11:03:53 AM xero_roach67: tapos na semento yun... your made...
11:04:00 AM xero_roach67: at least sa showbiz a
11:04:06 AM xero_roach67: hehehe...
11:04:15 AM pam_miras: onga eh... ikaw youre almost there if not already...
11:04:23 AM xero_roach67: not...
11:04:27 AM xero_roach67: mga 3-5 years...
11:05:06 AM pam_miras: ako, gusto ko lang maging close kay ***** or ******, baka bigyan ako ng break magdirect or magsulat sa pelikula
11:05:16 AM xero_roach67: ahhh...
11:05:21 AM xero_roach67: patience lang...
11:05:21 AM pam_miras: parang route ni adolf alix, francis pasion... aloy...
11:05:33 AM xero_roach67: makukuha mo rin iyan...
11:05:35 AM xero_roach67: bata ka pa...
11:05:37 AM xero_roach67: ehehehe
11:05:39 AM xero_roach67: bwahahahahaha
11:05:39 AM pam_miras: hahahaha
11:05:47 AM pam_miras: gagu ka *****! ;))
11:05:54 AM xero_roach67: ndi seryoso...
11:05:59 AM xero_roach67: lalo na ngayon...
11:06:03 AM xero_roach67: hindi ka na ganun ka nega
11:06:08 AM xero_roach67: hihi
11:06:12 AM xero_roach67: :P

11:10:13 AM xero_roach67: 1. If i wasn't a writer, i'd probably be a...
11:10:26 AM pam_miras: director
11:10:28 AM pam_miras: aheheheh
11:11:04 AM xero_roach67: 2. 3 works you are most proud of
11:11:53 AM pam_miras: wala... proud ka lang after mo matapos pero after a year, kadiri na
11:12:10 AM xero_roach67: 3. Most brilliant TV series you wish you had written for
11:12:32 AM pam_miras: hmm..
11:12:39 AM pam_miras: the twilight zone
11:12:48 AM pam_miras: the xfiles
11:13:03 AM pam_miras: heroes season 1
11:13:04 AM xero_roach67: oh okay... next question
11:13:10 AM xero_roach67: 4. Movie/TV quote to end all quotes
11:13:17 AM pam_miras: laki na nga ng kita mo rumaraket ka pa! ahehe
11:13:33 AM xero_roach67: hehe...
11:13:39 AM xero_roach67: prodhouse sila...
11:13:50 AM xero_roach67: para pag gagawa ako ng pelikula may x deal
11:14:06 AM xero_roach67: sagutin mo yung 4
11:14:23 AM pam_miras: ay wala ako maisip. heto "..At ba't ako magrereport sa 'yo? Ano ako reporter" --
11:14:33 AM xero_roach67: ahahaha
11:14:36 AM xero_roach67: san iyan?
11:15:07 AM pam_miras: -- isadora, iisa pa lamang
11:15:13 AM xero_roach67: 5. My best brainstorming buddies
11:15:29 AM pam_miras: marlboro lights and coffee
11:15:42 AM xero_roach67: nice... last i heard they went full camp a few weeks before ending
11:15:44 AM xero_roach67: next
11:15:46 AM xero_roach67: 6. If I'm stuck in front of a blank screen and my fingers refuse to meet the deadline, my 'no-fail' muse that makes me cross the finish line to the "send' button is...
11:16:07 AM xero_roach67: marlboro lights and coffee - ooh.. i like, pa plagarize
11:16:08 AM xero_roach67: hehehe
11:16:24 AM pam_miras: two words. talent fee
11:16:34 AM xero_roach67: nice...
11:16:41 AM xero_roach67: ehehe... now i can write again
11:16:41 AM xero_roach67: hehehe
11:16:43 AM xero_roach67: 7. The best advice i can give to other writers hoping to get that 'by line' on TV is...
11:17:23 AM pam_miras: naku ang hirap niyan
11:17:32 AM pam_miras: wala pa kasi akong by-line sa TV
11:17:35 AM pam_miras: aahehhe
11:17:46 AM xero_roach67: errr... you got your films...
11:17:49 AM xero_roach67: draw from there...
11:18:04 AM pam_miras: tsk.
11:18:22 AM pam_miras: Audacity.
11:18:26 AM xero_roach67: were you never glassy-eyed hopeful...
11:18:33 AM xero_roach67: audacity... nice answer...
11:18:34 AM pam_miras: If they won't hire you, do it yourself.
11:18:40 AM xero_roach67: hah...
11:18:44 AM xero_roach67: very indie...
11:18:45 AM xero_roach67: hehe
11:19:13 AM pam_miras: all "indie" people want to break into the mainstream and get paid big time
11:19:24 AM xero_roach67: 8. How to best deal with Producers, Directors, Clients, "see my comments in blue"...
11:19:28 AM pam_miras: but the process is a killer, so we do it ourselves
11:19:29 AM xero_roach67: or red
11:20:42 AM pam_miras: eh di address the comments, correct what needs to be corrected
11:20:49 AM pam_miras: yun lang naman yun
11:20:54 AM xero_roach67: ehehe... i know this is getting to be adrag
11:20:57 AM xero_roach67: pero last 2
11:21:03 AM xero_roach67: simple questions
11:21:03 AM xero_roach67: 9. Song i'd like to make a movie of...
11:21:52 AM pam_miras: "Dorothy" ng Carnival Park... cinemalaya season 6 entry ko
11:21:54 AM pam_miras: wahahah
11:22:11 AM xero_roach67: kailan ba season 6
11:22:16 AM xero_roach67: eto na ba yun?
11:22:40 AM pam_miras: next year pa
11:22:48 AM xero_roach67: ahhh...
11:22:48 AM xero_roach67: ehehe
11:22:55 AM xero_roach67: ako din sali ako next year...
11:23:04 AM xero_roach67: 'halimaw sa siwang' title ko...
11:23:10 AM xero_roach67: pero hindi siya horror...
11:23:15 AM xero_roach67: parang donnie darcko siguro
11:23:18 AM xero_roach67: napanood mo na yun
11:23:19 AM pam_miras: aheheh
11:23:24 AM pam_miras: ayus ayus
11:23:49 AM pam_miras: tangena, kelangan ko gumawa muna ng tweetums bago mag-horror
11:24:03 AM xero_roach67: nyahehehe...
11:24:08 AM pam_miras: pag magaling na ako magpa-kilig, gagagaling na ako manakot
11:24:08 AM xero_roach67: napanood mo na donnie...
11:24:19 AM xero_roach67: oo nga... mas mahirap magpakilig
11:24:21 AM xero_roach67: hehehe
11:25:00 AM pam_miras: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RqCBHMc_A
11:25:08 AM pam_miras: ito yung song na dorothy...
11:25:22 AM xero_roach67: yeap...
11:25:25 AM xero_roach67: uploading...
11:25:32 AM xero_roach67: uy have u seen donnie darko...
11:25:46 AM pam_miras: uy i dont remember..
11:25:51 AM pam_miras: di pa
11:25:57 AM xero_roach67: pahiramin kita...
11:26:00 AM xero_roach67: promise...
11:26:01 AM pam_miras: sige sige
11:26:04 AM xero_roach67: when i was watching it...
11:26:10 AM xero_roach67: ikaw naisip ko...
11:26:13 AM xero_roach67: ehehe..
11:26:22 AM xero_roach67: parang hi concept sci fi...
11:26:26 AM xero_roach67: pero downto earth
11:26:38 AM xero_roach67: about space time continuum... ekek
11:26:47 AM pam_miras: yung mga books mo nga nasa kin pa
11:26:52 AM xero_roach67: ahhh...
11:26:52 AM pam_miras: yung tv writing book mo
11:26:53 AM xero_roach67: o
11:26:54 AM xero_roach67: ano?
11:26:55 AM xero_roach67: ah
11:26:57 AM xero_roach67: eheheh
11:26:59 AM xero_roach67: oo nga...
11:27:03 AM xero_roach67: tapon mo na iyan
11:27:09 AM xero_roach67: may bagong buk ako
11:27:12 AM xero_roach67: ehehe
11:27:14 AM pam_miras: oo, binabasa basa ko uli
11:27:15 AM xero_roach67: about writing ek ek din..
11:27:22 AM xero_roach67: joke lang wag mo itapon...
11:27:24 AM pam_miras: hmp. kainis naman to
11:27:54 AM xero_roach67: kilala mo si david mamet
11:28:05 AM pam_miras: uy di mo naman ipu-publish yung quiz no? if you do, wag mo lagay name ko...
11:28:12 AM pam_miras: oo acting actingg yun eh
11:28:26 AM pam_miras: i mean directing actors..
11:28:26 AM xero_roach67: ehehe...
11:28:28 AM xero_roach67: hindi kaya
11:28:34 AM xero_roach67: ahhh
11:28:41 AM xero_roach67: hindi ba sa talkie isya
11:28:41 AM pam_miras: ano? writer din sya?
11:28:45 AM xero_roach67: yeap
11:28:50 AM xero_roach67: mas kilala siyang writer
11:29:00 AM xero_roach67: pulitzer prize winners ang plays niya
11:31:13 AM pam_miras: ow..
11:31:21 AM pam_miras: sige pabasa na rin
11:31:41 AM xero_roach67: niwei...
11:31:41 AM pam_miras: uy sige, magsulat ka na
11:31:43 AM xero_roach67: galing niya...
11:31:45 AM xero_roach67: gagao siya
11:31:46 AM xero_roach67: teka..
11:31:49 AM xero_roach67: last quiestion
11:31:51 AM xero_roach67: 10. Title to the screenplay of my life...
11:32:22 AM pam_miras: ayoko nga sagutin yang ka-cheesy han question na yan ahhehehee
11:33:13 AM xero_roach67: sige na
11:33:15 AM xero_roach67: last na iyan eh
11:33:16 AM xero_roach67: sus
11:34:00 AM pam_miras: "it could have been a brilliant career"
11:34:09 AM pam_miras: -galing sa belle n sebastian
11:34:09 AM xero_roach67: woah
11:34:16 AM xero_roach67: hahaha...
11:34:21 AM pam_miras: aheheh la akong maisip
11:34:21 AM xero_roach67: yung source ba ang disclamer mo
11:34:44 AM pam_miras: kanta nga yan ng belle n sebastian
11:34:51 AM pam_miras: oo disclaimer siguro aheheh
11:35:24 AM xero_roach67: ehehe
11:35:27 AM xero_roach67: ayt dashit
11:35:33 AM xero_roach67: nyt
11:35:51 AM pam_miras: ayt gudnayt...


right now, i'm panicking. and when i panic, i procrastinate. yesterday i bought a useless pair of shiny red shoes. for no reason at all. and 100 bucks on colored pencils. colored pencils?!



and to think i am spending so much money on cab fares, food and drinks for meetings, other little things. this is bad... i need a progress report done, a script revision, a legible storyboard, all by thursday morning. goodluck

Monday, November 10, 2008

armor-in mo mukha mo

stolen from michael cassutt


"The common wisdom is this: For a sci-fi series or movie to work, you've got to have interesting characters, and it never hurts to have an engaging story. No argument.

But that's true of any series or movie. For a sci-fi series, you've also got to have a world.

And to have a world, you've got to have a designer—a production designer.

The role of every production designer is slightly different, mediating as she does between the style of the director, the visionary palette created by the cinematographer, the look of the set, the texture of the costumes, the realism of the effects, the score, the sound, the alien appliances—

But it is becoming clear that the production designer can make or break your sci-fi project."

(more here)


And methinks my scifi project is being broken... how on earth can one expect to work with someone who texts you messages like this:

"mga director ko...nagsabi lang ng eksena, ako na bahala sa gagawin namin... tsaka sanay aq macho at industrial un design"

"Ikaw na magdesign, kmi na lng magconstruct.."

"Unang una... pang girl un costume... d aq gumagawa ganun.. Armor kami"

Whoever gave this person the idea that costume design is a "girly" job? And that minimalist (as opposed to his "industrial" look) is un-macho? Ok, granting that he is a chauvinist pig, do production designers really think like this?

I don't want cluttered, retro-scifi industrial! I don't want stupid armors! and bulky gadgets! how many pre-prod meetings do you need to understand "minimalist" and "alien"? how hard is it to ask us for an allowance so you could get off your ass to actually canvass for materials? how hard is it to consult other PD's when you can't think of an idea?"

But how do you fire a person when you don't have a replacement? And will i ever hope for a any PD to bravely attempt this endeavor (considering the meager budget)? And how can you communicate to this person that he is a FAKE, and that REAL designers DESIGN, and are OPEN-MINDED, and CREATIVE?

(sigh) ok. i'm done whining. back to work...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

can i just rant?

it's been almost a month since i posted here... things have been an unending whirlwind of racing to cross out as many "things to do" in my unending lists. and i'm so tired. i think i'm more hardwired for lying down and reading a good book. i've spread myself too thin, i feel 2D.

i don't need just a coordinator, i need a production manager, who can make sound decisions, who has the initiative to get things done in a timely manner, who will not just wait for me to give orders.

i don't need an art director, i need a production designer. one wh0 can think out of the box, who can DESIGN, who can draw for chrissakes who will not say, "oo basta alam ko na yan"... i can't work with "basta".

it's ok to have fun, but it's hard to work with people who think "indie" filmmaking is one big party. is "wazak", is "rakenroll". it's hard work and i feel like one big kill joy. and that is the most detrimental thing that could happen to an un(der)-paid team. leading the team, one has to be charismatic, and fun to hang around with, and all good-vibes. but it's hard to put up appearances.

this film is really gonna push the people who decide to work for it, out of their comfort zones. do things they haven't done before. to figure things out for the first time and more often than not, do things they don't like doing. this is what LK requires. and it's frustrating that i can't pay the team for it. not that money will make people brilliant overnight. but money can get people to try. and this is what's so frustrating, that some people aren't even trying.

but not all of them are like that, I'm greatful for people who actually find ways around my vision. who are not afraid to think and share their ideas and their time. who actually come on time even if i'm late. thank you guys. i hope you don't lose faith.

maybe if LK was the only thing i'm doing... but i'm looking for a job, taking in small freelance jobs, wrapping up school requirements, rushing to help get a soap-opera concept in flight (with a january taping scheduled and a february airing date), doing child-care related chores, dealing with parents who want to throw me and my son out of the house because i'm "selfish" and "inconsiderate" and "a failure", "a leech". i mean, what do i say to that?

whew... now i've gotten that out, am taking a blog break and get back to work.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Unsmileys




photos from weheartit.com

No reason for smiley faces. Nothing works. Not even the beer. Saw in a Woody Allen quote in a friend's blog

"Most of what you need, as a director, is psychological help..."


What I need is a hug...

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Stress

pics stolen from khayal and programwitch

And it all has to happen at the same time...
I'm sorry but I can't bear to be sunshiney polyanna when:

a. Fursey's combo-drive can't eject a !#$% dvd when I need to preview a ton of student projects for grading. I've done every friggin trick in all the Mac/ Apple forums and nothing seems to work. Which means I need to bring him to a Mac repair shop.

b. They aren't calling!!! It's mid September and my life is on hold! I need to know if I can afford to not take on an academic load this coming sem, or if I'm gonna get a decent salary by October (because if not, I need to find all freelance jobs I can do and fast)

c. The amount of money I'm spending with Declan's schooling, the post-prod for the gov't .project, and research for the soap are all eating up into my pre-prod fund for my film. And I can't help it, money isn't coming in and I can't afford not to spend. Today, I'm friggin gonna have to pay for Declan's tuition... I guess the laptop repair is out of the question for the next 2 months. Aarrgh!

d. My usb is virus ridden and can't open any of the folders stored on it. And these folders have important files in them! Files I need for work!!!


photo stolen from emiliebjork

These days I either wanna pull my hair out or punch someone, or both. Sometimes I do it in my mind... or I count to ten. Is it mercury retrograde yet? Or am I reaping the fruits of bad karma?

Happy thoughts... Happy thoughts..Happy thoughts.. I need to clear my head for Friday when my class will be observed for PAASCU accreditation day, when I present my research for the soap, when I meet my staff for the first time (and make sure they don't back out after that meeting).

Monday, September 1, 2008

When you can't say anything nice...

Just pick a card...


I heart the Unmentionables. These cute printed cards by Shineboxprint are something you wish you had handy when in the midst of @#$%@#$% --people.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Work


I heart Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert. I think Dilbert is only truly funny for people who work in thankless 9-hour corporate jobs.... And I'm going back to this flourescent-lighted hell--depending on the job offer (and interview results) in a few weeks from now.

It sounds crazy at this time, but I think I can focus more on the film when it is the only job I have requiring creativity and heart. Any form of writing requires creativity (whether its crappy ass tv drama or crappy ass avps). And teaching requires heart (and patience and a tough exterior). Phone sales for IT solutions may require mental work but it ends with the shift. I don't take it home with me.

Plus the money. Yes the money, I can be sure that no matter what, I get a paycheck twice a month that's enough to pay for the basics with a little extra in case the NCCA fund falls short. And maybe a little extra for the little things that keep me sane.

Not pestering your friends and parents for money to pay for emergency expenses (and "the film" may require a lot of it) gives me confidence. And I need a lot of it now more than ever. It's been four years, I'm rusty, and I'm doing something that has not been done before (at least in the history of Philippine short films I think), and filming an idea too far-out to be taken seriously. Undertaking something like this can make one look to zealous or eager (like evangelists and activists and lovestruck people and malnourished people). Like your life depended on it. And too much eagerness makes one pathetic. And nobody wants to work with pathetic people.

At this point in my life I come to a realization that people really like you because of how you make them feel about themselves. We are drawn to people who make us feel the way we want to. That of course is relative-- some need to feel needed, some need to feel important, some need to feel sexy, some need to feel feared, and you get the picture. And to get the results you want from people out is to get them to feel whatever it is they want. And this is why we like being around funny, magical people. People who give us hope and make us forget. That is why we have religious cult leaders and rockstars. Of course it takes effort to put on a show 24/7, but politicians, stars, and cassanova's do this unconsciously. This is what sales taught us. Maybe this new job could be a reviewer.

A woman may very well form a friendship with a man,
but for this to endure, it must be assisted
by a little physical antipathy.



Speaking of humour, check out The Nietzsche Family Circus. It's a Nietzsche quote paired with a cutesy Family Circus cartoon.


Thoughts are the shadows of our sensations -
always darker, emptier, simpler than these.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Ultra-femme Wednesday

I can take a hint, but I don't take defeat, at least not as easily, and not to seasonal affective disorder caused by this Karen chick.


Placenta There are things like baby footprints, saving baby's first lock of hair, posting his ultrasound pic on Facebook... but nothing says "motherly love" more than a Placenta Print.

Ah, I should've gotten one back '01, mount it on canvass, auction it when I get famous (or die, whichever comes first). It's the closest I would ever get to "visual art". I wonder what it would smell like though... I guess parenting is like durian, it stinks to some, tastes heavenly to some...it's an acquired taste.

Rubyfruit




Stolen from Elaine . This 1989 short film is by Sadie Benning and was made with this toy camera. I wish my godmother had given me a Fisher-Price camera instead of a Barbie.
Reminds me of my UP film school days in the '90s when we had someone like Sir Jonathan Beller make us watch films like these and Kenneth Anger's and make papers using The Flor Contemplacion Story & Natural Born Killers alongside Renato Constantino readings. Where else could you find an American who make us watch Nora Aunor & Lito Lapid films in film theory class?

Rachel Sofield



pic stolen from designer Rachel Sofield . Not necessarily true I think. My heart is in both places. My heart is all over the place (on my sleeve, on my blog). And it always is fun while it lasts. I have low EQ. I'd rather have fun now. You won't know if the prince is a frog until its kissed.

Sometimes I want to be proven wrong. But same old, same old... The 90-day rule may have some truth to it. My friend Nina was telling me the other day that if we put together all the beer we've drank (since we met back in 2005) to talk/forget about the men in our lives, it would be enough to fill an olympic-sized swimming pool. Definitely enough to drown one's sorrows. Luckily I know how to swim.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Paperwork

photo stolen from nanibird

I wish this was the kind of "paperwork" I had to do.... I still don't know what magical prayer I need to chant to miraculously come up with an extra 5000Php for Monday. I don't get why some twentysomething who is already charging six digits for 4 hours of brainless work, still requires our measly production to shoulder the services of their required make-up artist. Of course after being berrated by some self-important footsoldier over the phone at 2am for an unanswered text message, I still put on my smiley-faced voice and said it wasn't a problem. Hello, showbusiness.

It's 6:30am and I still can't make the necessary phonecalls and I'm wondering why the hell I'm doing this when I could be doing things that are more meaningful to my life. This godforsaken spiels shoot is urgent but meaningless. Nobody cares about this. Only me, because I was dumb enough to sign the contract and get myself enmeshed in a government funded project. It's hard to work with people who "can't wait to get it over with". Government employees are like that. They take forever to do anything, and they don't care. And then they resign in the middle of it all and you're left to deal with another apathetic civil servant.

I don't want to not care. But apathy saves precious energy and therefore makes one more efficient. Like a machine. Pop in a coin and out comes the script or the avp or 10th revision to the storyline. I don't want to be efficient anymore. I want to be the passionate artiste, the diva who throws tantrums, the genius whom everyone bends over backwards to please. I wanna be like your lola Behn Cervantes. Why is it so hard to be nice? All this counting to ten will cost me a nervous breakdown pretty soon.

(shhh) happythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughts