Turkey Donut

            Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed my last post on Lindsay. If you had the chance to catch the docu-series, feel free to comment on it. I’d like to see if you agree or disagree with me, or if there were some shocking moments I forgot to mention.

This post includes a Q&A with director/writer and my friend Ethan Barrett. He is the creator of Turkey Donut, a YouTube channel he launched a few months ago. There’s also a surprise if you scroll down. I was involved in one of his videos. Make sure you click and watch to find out how.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in filmmaking?

Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to make movies. On weekends I wanted to go out to the movies. When my friends came over, I asked them to bring movies over. I can't really explain the motivation behind it; it's just always been there. However, I had no idea you could do "filmmaking" as a "career." It never occurred to me - as kids we're told to become something like a firefighter or doctor or teacher or engineer. That lasted basically until I got to college, when I found out other studies were actually taking "film classes" where all they did was talk about and make movies. My first semester I added a film major and the rest is history.

2. What kind of content will we see on your channel?

For my channel you can expect the unexpected. It's a no-holds-barred type of comedy in which the most outlandish thing (within limits) happens and takes a huge turn. Hopefully no one sees the endings coming in Turkey Donut Videos, and it’s all the better for that.

3. How did you come up with the name for your channel?

It's hard to say... Originally the name for the channel was, "Challegne Voidoes." I don't need to explain that was almost impossible to refer people to. So I needed to come up with a new name, and the idea of a walking and talking donut popped in my head. Then I mixed it with a turkey, because they're funny, too. Right?

4. What's the story behind "Haunted Shoes?" What motivated you to do it?

The first time I ever watched a reality show, I laughed my head off because I thought the whole thing was supposed to be a joke. I mean, who's really that vocally open about what's going on around them when it's so obvious? Who needs narrators to elaborately exaggerate minor conflicts? Just taking the idea of having two people walking up to each other and introducing each other on television - that's kind of dumb! There are a dozen camera people around, and of course these people have met before. You can just see it in their faces. Reality TV's just funny to me, and it's never funnier than when it takes itself absolutely seriously. Then, one day a friend was watching one of those "spooky house" shows where a ghost-hunter explores a haunted house in night vision, pokes his head around the corner, and has to TELL us that something really scary is going on.
Haunted Shoes was my reaction to that show. Reality TV is just hokie; it tries to convince us that the situation is much more dire than it really is. Because even though we may be exorcising evil ghosts, in the end they're still just boiling shoes in ketchup.


5. What is your favorite scene from "Haunted Shoes?"

Probably the scene where Bob runs off and we hear the sound of the ketchup squirting out of his shoes. Because everyone's taking everything very seriously while all the while the situation is pretty ridiculous.


6. Can you give us a sneak peak on videos we might be seeing in the near future?











You can definitely expect to see a lot of more of the favorite characters from Turkey Donut. More planned with Major Tim, Bill of Bill Rates, and Shirley Martinelli Buford, Jr. And Sigmund will soon be embracing a career in hip hop.

I still love Ethan, even though he totally just dissed Reality TV...

#LindsayOnOwn

            

           Hello everyone! It’s nice to be back after two months. You might remember a blogpost from July 14^th of last year in which I talk about the announcement of Lindsay Lohan’s docu-series on the OWN network. Well, today was the finale of the seven-episode show and I will be giving my personal points of view. So, if you haven’t finished watching, stop reading as there will be spoilers.

            I can’t say I didn’t like it since I watched each episode religiously; however, I had so many issues with the show! First of all, I was taken away from the experience many times (especially at the beginning when I was figuring out the tone of the show) because it wasn’t strictly shot like a docu-series, and there was a lot of intervention by the crew. Audio was really bad on some scenes, such as Lindsay’s audio when she’s being interviewed by Oprah at Dina’s house on episodes three and four, and the literary agent’s audio in the sixth episode. One of the things that made me laugh took place on the fifth episode. It’s a scene with the personal assistant, AJ, and someone else having a conversation on the street. People are walking by, aware that they’re on camera but not knowing what to do. They look at the camera, try to hide from it, walk quickly, etc. I just thought it was pretty funny, but also wondered where the second camera was.

            Story wise, Lindsay was pretty much a lost cause until the last episode, maybe? I sympathized with many of the people around her who didn’t get the credit they deserved, which are AJ, the sober coach, and the best character of the show, her personal assistant. I am happy though that the show didn’t really take sides and didn’t mind showing Lindsay be a total b****, as the Indonesian lady from the “natural lighting” photo shoot called her. (I love that they showed that).

            This show was a guilty pleasure that kept bringing back the audience to see if Lindsay could ever clean her act. Oprah reminded us she is a total boss with her speeches, and even though it wasn’t great on a technical level as I’ve mentioned already, I think the people in the story department did a good job considering all the footage that was recorded and all the events that took place.

#IAMSORRY: An Art Experiment for Many, A Patience Experiment for Me

            Unless you live in a cave with no Wi-Fi or don’t work in the entertainment industry, you probably have no problem associating the words #IAMSORRY (Hashtag included) with actor Shia LaBeouf due to his ever growing eccentric behavior these past few weeks.

            LaBeouf, who is better known for his roles in the Transformers trilogy and Holes, has been topic of discussion on tabloids and social media lately. The 27 year old plagiarized a graphic novel in his directorial debut, a short film that premiered at Cannes in 2012. Also, he plagiarized fourteen apologies he made. You thought that was strange? Well, he stormed out of a press conference for his latest two-part film, Nymphomaniac, and wore a paper bag at the Berlin Film Festival premiere of such film with the words “I am not famous anymore.”

            The paper bag occurrence led to a so-called art experiment in Los Angeles called none other but #IAMSORRY. Taking place at a rented spot across the Buzzfeed headquarters, the experiment consisted of the actor sitting down (with a paper bag of course) for hours. People had the opportunity to walk in and tell him whatever they wanted for as long as they wanted.

            Since I recently wrapped on a show and had the week off, I decided to swing by on the third day of the “show.” Doors opened at 11:00, so I got there between 10:15 and 10:30. Little did I know that the line would already be lengthy, but worse, that I wouldn’t get in.

            You might think I’m crazy for waiting in line that long, let alone for wanting to talk to a stranger with a bag on his head. Honestly, it was refreshing and much needed. I got some sun and observed hundreds of “different worlds” who where there of the same reason. I got to meet people who work in the industry, I witnessed weird and unique people share their stories about moving to LA. Some talked about their favorite music, someone even brought a boom box. Another one in particular, claimed his upcoming book was plagiarized by LaBeouf. The man stayed there all day handing out flyers and explaining his situation. Even Ray J (Known for being Brandy’s brother and the reason Kim Kardashian is famous…) pulled in. He didn’t get in either. He thought he was too good to cut in line, but everyone refused to let him in.

            It was 17:30 and there were still twenty people ahead of me. Doors closed at 18:00, so my chances of getting in were hopeless. I think the reason I didn’t make it was because some lady stayed in the room for almost an hour! I wonder what she told him. That lead me to ask myself what I would’ve said. Honestly, I didn’t plan anything. I probably would have sang Chingon’s version of “Malageña Salerosa” or I would have told him my story about LA in Spanish. The idea of attending was to see what all the hype was about, to experience something I would normally never do, and to test my patience. I was successful.

 Bumblebee showed up!

 Smart lady selling water bottles for two bucks

 Buzzfeed Headquarters across the street

 The things people do to make time pass

Ray J shows up and attracts the media

Copyright Ricardo Ramos 2014

Top 10 Motion Pictures of 2013: Three Matthew McConaughey movies, four period pieces, and a ton of LGBT characters

It’s that time of the year, the “Top 10” list of the best pictures last year had to offer. 2013 was one of the strongest years in a very long time. If you read my “Top 10” list of 2012, you may recall I wished it could be a “Top 20” list instead. A year later, I’m glad I didn’t “break the rules” and create it; if that had been the case, I would’ve had to make a “Top 30” this year. Anyway, as I mentioned a year ago, my list consists of movies that I consider to be technically and artistically beautiful. These ten pictures have impacted me and left a mark in me. They offered different points of view, and even though some were challenging to watch and analyze, they were of value and importance to me as a person and filmmaker.

10. Mud (Dir. Jeff Nichols, Take Shelter)

Mud is a fine example of a strong independent film with an amazing story about loss and recovery. I’m glad I had the opportunity to watch it at the Florida Film Festival. There is something about the characters, especially Ellis, the leading young boy played by Tye Sheridan (The Tree of Life), that make them relatable in various ways. (I’m glad he was nominated for a “Best Young Actor” award at the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards; he definitely steals the movie). This is an underrated movie, at least among my circle of friends and acquaintances. I wish it had gotten a bit more attention.

9. Prisoners (Dir. Denis Villeneuve, Incendies)

Prisoners is a movie with talent galore. It’s sad it didn’t get any recognition in the awards circuit, except for Roger Deakins’s cinematography in the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards and the Academy Awards. Hugh Jackman and Paul Dano steal the show with intense and unforgettable performances, both of these incredibly talented actors, along with the cast, got snubbed from nominations.

8. Kill Your Darlings (Dir. John Krokidas)

Kill Your Darlings is another underrated movie. No one I’ve talked to about it has seen it. This provocative film, which played at Sundance, presents to us a more mature Daniel Radcliffe. “Harry Potter” portrays a young Allen Ginsberg, the American poet who was part of the beginnings of a movement known as the Beat Generation.

7. The Wolf of Wall Street (Dir. Martin Scorsese, Hugo)

If I had to describe The Wolf of Wall Street in one word, it would be “grand.” The movie is out of control and all over the place, which is why I love it. The art direction is the element that appealed to me the most; the clothes, the cars, the houses. Unfortunately for Leo, this year was very competitive for male actors. He delivers the best performance of his career. As the movie develops, you root for him, he makes you laugh, you despise him, you feel sorry for him, and you root for him again.

6. Blue is the Warmest Color (Dir. Abdellatif Kechiche)

Once more, I’m going to go ahead and use one word to describe the next film, and that is “fearless.” Blue is the Warmest Color is a three hour-long film about how two French girls meet, start a relationship, fall in love, and everything that comes after. I wouldn’t be surprised if twenty-year-old Adèle Exarchopoulos didn’t undergo a nervous breakdown during and after shooting this film. I’m glad she received the “Best Young Actor” at the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards. Winner of a Palm D’ Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the controversial, NC-17 Rated film, is probably the most honest, brutal, and real story I have seen about a relationship.

5. Blue Jasmine (Dir. Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

Blue Jasmine has to be one of the funniest movies this year. It is heartbreaking to go through Jasmine’s journey as she falls and jeopardizes the relationships she has with the people closest to her, who also happen to be the most distant. This is one of those movies with strong characters and good dialogue. Cate Blanchett and Sally Hawkins nail their roles.

4. Philomena (Dir. Stephen Frears, The Queen)

The story of Philomena, which is based on a true story, is incredible. Despite some of the tragedies our leading character goes through, it is a feel-good movie with charming moments, all thanks to the chemistry between 79 year-old Judi Dench and 48 year-old Steve Coogan. Another great Weinstein Company art piece. 

3. Dallas Buyers Club (Jean-Marc Vallee, C.R.A.Z.Y.)

Dallas Buyers Club is an informative and eye-opening film about a subject that unfortunately is still taboo in a way. I have many friends who were literally scared to have contact with another human being after watching it. It shouldn’t be that way, but at least I feel that the film left an impact and created awareness in people. This is a film about survival, forgiveness, and starting again. It’s nice that after 15 years, the script finally turned into an outstanding piece of work.

2. Gravity (Dir. Alfonso Cuarón, Y Tu Mamá También)

Gravity is a film that has no categorization. I remember being on the edge of my seat during the entire hour and a half; it felt like 45 minutes. I describe Cuarón’s best film to date as a roller coaster of emotions. You laugh, you sweat, and you cry. Many people bash the story, saying it’s too plain, but I think it’s perfect. Its simplicity makes it grand, going deeper than what you see on screen. There are a lot of metaphors and foreshadowing. If you think about it, this film is pro life, it roots for women, and it is a reflection on the fragility of life, to mention a few. I remember hearing and reading about this film for years, so it was very nice to finally experience it.

1. 12 Years a Slave (Dir. Steve McQueen, Shame)

12 Years a Slave is a film that needs to be shown in US History classes all around the nation. It is sad I didn’t know about the story of Solomon until I saw the movie, like many other people. It is a shame (and a blessing) that this is one of the very few films that truly show what slavery was about. I’m going to have to use the word “fearless” again to describe this film and its director, who happens to be a British making a film about slavery in the United States. McQueen and Fassbender collaborate for the third time and need to continue doing so. This film scarred me but also made me appreciate life a little bit more. Every element works, and even though it was tough for me to decide between this and Gravity, this just had to be the best and my favorite film of 2013.

Ad Lucem

            

            Hello friends, I hope you had a great weekend and that you’re looking forward to Thanksgiving because I know I am. It is an honor to share with you Ad Lucem, a short film I had the pleasure of working on back in September. This is a three-part music video for Queensrÿche, a progressive heavy metal band that started in the 80s and has sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

           

            The Veva Entertainment Co. production is produced by Marco De Molina and directed by Daniel Andres Gomez Bagby. The duo was kind enough to answer some questions, making this my third “Q&A session” on my blog. (You can check out the previous one by clicking here). So for those of you interested in producing or directing, I hope this Q&A is resourceful.

MARCO DE MOLINA (PRODUCER)

What was the most challenging aspect of producing this short?

Logistics. We had the band available for only two days since they were getting ready to go on tour, so we had to coordinate numerous things around these dates. Locations, talent, crew, equipment, etc. I had to work many deals on many different levels to make it work because we shot on a Monday. And as you know, in L.A., if you shoot over the weekend, you get equipment One-day rentals over the weekend, so, that was a challenge. 

We were fortunate to have Brian Krause, Cathy Baron, Erik Aude, and R.J. Adams, who were interested in the project and came on board – they have busy schedules, so we needed to also find a way to accommodate them into the mix too.  

When we realized the actual magnitude of our project, and the considerable amount of setups, and sets we needed to pull it off, it is when we decided to shoot with two cameras, which will allow us to move faster. But as you know, more cameras, more crew, more money. So we needed to be very savvy about where to allocate our resources the best. It is sad that we had to scratch a scene altogether so we could get the best piece. We were a little bummed out because we were excited about shooting that particular scene, but it was simply not possible. So Daniel Gomez and Christian Moldes (they both wrote the screenplay) needed to re-write things. There were still changes even the night before the shoot that the script needed to be adjusted to. It was great working with both of them on this level. Producers always feel like the bad guys because they say yes or no to things based on costs/availability. So it is great to have a team that understands that, and vice versa. We all want what's best for the project. And we did it.

We looked into different locations, studios, stages, etc. We like to build our own worlds, and we are fans of practical effects, so we were very fortunate when our 1st AD, Gus Peña, mentioned to Daniel Gomez and I about Central City Stages. We went to check them out and they were just wonderful. They worked with us and it made the best spot for our production.

The day of the shoot we had about 60 people on set, between crew and talent, and we had about 42 setups to go through in 12 hours! There were multiple sets we had to build and dress the day before and during the shoot. I knew that it was imperative we needed to be as proactive as possible. So, there was never any downtime for, literally, anyone.  But, by the time camera wrapped, we were only waiting for DIT and we were out of there. 

We have stellar teams and crew. Everyone knows each other. How everyone works. It's our family. And I must admit, one thing I am proud of is that, even at crunch times, everyone is still enjoying themselves and having fun, loving what they're doing. This makes crazy challenging days a simple joy.

What is the most valuable lesson you obtained after finishing the project?

Being resourceful. Always work with people that care about things just as much as you do – definitely key for great results.

How did you come across Queensrÿche?

It was cool because I was at a concert when I met Queensrÿche's A&R and he said the band had seen what we did for Buckcherry's "Nothing Left But Tears" video and that they were interested in working with us. We were immediately excited [and flattered], so a conference call was arranged, we listened to their ideas and off we went to create the treatment. They were excited about our proposal of making a short film instead of a music video.

How is your relationship with Daniel and how does it help (and maybe challenge) with the fruition of your projects?

Daniel and I have a great working relationship. It is rare when you can find someone that you can be and perform without having to worry about the other person, or a person having to worry about you. We both know what we have to do, and we love what we do. The best thing is we are always there to help each other's job be better and make the best project always. We have an inside joke that we simply do not share the same taste in movies, and at times aesthetics of things, but it is the "perfect-different". And due to this fact we've gotten far cooler ideas, that otherwise would have been, perhaps average, if we always liked the same things. We respect and share a mutual admiration for our skills, and we take each other very serious – but, on top of it all, I think a great thing is that we do not take ourselves, individually, too serious, so at the end of the day, literally, no matter how exhausted we may be, we always share a laugh recapping our work day over a beer. Couldn't ask for better.

Which is your favorite scene in the video?

If I had to pick, I'd say the hospital scene when Cathy and Geoff meet while he's all bruised up. I was a little bit worried if the chemistry would be there between them, given that we had very little time to work with them prior to the shoot. People we knew had worked with them separately so they came recommended. So I was very pleased that they both looked good together and the relationship does come across. They have some nice moments and smiles. And another scene I really like is Cathy going into labor – it's gruesome to me. Daniel and Kris Carrillo, our DP, did a wonderful job at capturing the moment, the pain, and then the way Zac Surprenant edited the scene, it is one of those moments you feel you did something cool. Hard scene to watch though, but it is "cool.”

What inspires you to be a producer and who influences you?

My inspiration comes from just wanting to entertain. Simple. It is a great satisfaction to me, for example, that Queensrÿche has millions of fans worldwide, and here we are creating something special for them. That to me is the whole reason why. Entertaining. At the same time, movies, music, and media, are the strongest form of art in our era, and like throughout the passing of times and history, it is art that has defined us as cultures and generations, etc. So, yes, I just want to entertain, and contribute to society through our art form. And, it's fun at the same time!  

Who influences me? My team does. They're my force.

DANIEL ANDRES GOMEZ BAGBY (DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER)

What was the most challenging aspect of directing this short?

The need to shoot it in one day because of budget restraints. The continuous changes that had to happen last minute to be able to fit everything in one day. With that said, we did not have the opportunity to shoot more than 2-3 takes. Making it work at such a high speed was a challenge, not only for me but for the actors and the crew as well.

What is the most valuable lesson you obtained after finishing the project?

It’s dangerous to be over ambitious.  Not saying it's wrong, but you are walking on thin ice.  Though sometimes that type of risks can lead to great things.

How is your relationship with Marco and how does it help (and maybe challenge) with the fruition of your projects?

Marco and I are completely opposite in a great majority of things. Taste, looks, etc, which has worked for us because we end up complementing each other. We both know what the goal is, and we both don't step on each other’s toes. So, we work together seamlessly never losing focus of the finish line.

Which is your favorite scene in the video?

The scene I like the most is the childbirth scene. A new life is born and a life is taken away. A beautiful tragedy.

What inspires you to be a director, where do you get your vision from and what do you do to translate it on screen?

What inspires me, is that moment when you go to the theater, you sit down, silence your phone and disconnect from the real world and engulf yourself in a completely fictional world.  That experience inspires me.  Of course the need to tell the story, the art of filmmaking are both forms of inspiration and that goes without saying, but it’s the experience of the audience that inspire me. Be it good or bad.

My vision comes from many different places. Some ideas are born in dreams, others in open conversations with friends, over a couple drinks, and sometimes the visions are fed to you with concepts and you go from there, other visions come from experiences in your daily life or past events. There is no particular place where the vision comes from.  After you have a set vision/idea/concept you write down, put it on paper and see where this process takes you. It's crazy how much it changes over time, evolving into something that you would have never thought of had you not start writing it. After this, you go through all the nuts and bolts to produce it and make it happen. You work with every head of department and you make sure everyone is on the same page of what the vision is. Set a style and mood with your director of photography and you work with your actors so that your characters are alive and well. I don't believe it’s any different or unusual from any other director... It all comes down to how prepared you are, how many problems you solved ahead of time in every aspect and most importantly having fun with it.

Can you name some actors you'd kill to work with? Why?

Kevin Spacey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep… There are so many. And why? Why not? Their work speaks for itself.

            As I did on my last blogpost, I apologize for taking an inordinate amount of time to add content to the blog. I’ve been quite occupied with the new show I’m working on, but hopefully that will change a little this Thanksgiving week. 

Photos Courtesy of Pascal Halim Photography