Hey, I'm The Emcee For This Event Saturday Night!

Wow I haven’t updated for a few weeks, so here goes:

As I stated in a previous post I was asked to Emcee for the “Slippery Kittens” in SLC on the 30^th of this month, and on the 28^th of July too. This month is a variety show with various acts from fairly tame to somewhat outrageous. Next month the Kittens will be performing exclusively.

I am working on a few jokes, a bit of stand up if you will. I am seeking ideas and jokes or funnies that may be just a bit off. I am looking for stuff that I can possibly use at the start of each show. I have come up with some stuff, but I’d love to get your ideas too!

On the acting front, I have been blessed to be able to work with a very talented group working on the independent feature film “Manifesto”. Here is a clip from the first day of filming, there is no sound, but I’ll bet you can read my lips.

Shooting was scheduled to take place on the weekends and because of location issues filming ended up being delayed for two weeks. Then, once we started filming, my shoot dates ended up getting moved up a week. I did get to film one day, but at the end of the day we had some equipment failure, so, Sunday ended up being a bust as far as filming went, but it did end up being a rehearsal day.

When we reconvened the next weekend and after meeting for most of the day, it was decided to take the film in an entirely different direction. So the cast and crew were called together on Sunday for a meeting where the changes were discussed. But for now anyway, it looks like the project may just be shelved.

Oh well, on to other projects!

I did my part in the 35mm film project called 10 letters. I was the preacher, who let us say enjoys his female congregation. That’s only a very small part of the story, but it was my part. The story is actually about one of those internet chain letters and the consequences, taken to the extreme for not following the instructions.

This was done by a few grad students in the advanced film department up at the U. The department was awarded a grant from “Kodak” for the project. It was only opened grad students, but those students could enroll other film students to participate.

The night I filmed, there had to be 20+ people and tons of equipment. Part of the grant was the use of a 35mm movie camera. The camera came in 19 boxes and a van was rented to carry all the equipment. Pretty impressive stuff! No, not the van rental, but the fact that the camera involved so much.

I think the reason that Kodak was giving away the grants was so that students get a chance to work with the equipment that they have heard about and may have only dreamed of being able to actually work with.

So much “filming” is being done on HD cameras and it’s those cameras that the students are learning on. The HD equipment it is so much less expensive to work with than film is. Both the cost of the film itself and the processing is very expensive. So I’m sure that the film manufacturers like Kodak are pretty concerned about loosing massive amounts of revenue if the up and comers don’t use their product. I say that its a pretty wise investment for Kodak.

Filming was fun and another learning experience for me. I really enjoy working with this group. They had a wrap party a few nights later where we all got to just BS, hang out and discuss this project along with some other upcoming projects.

Sue & I went to the “Damn these Heels” showing of “Back Stroke”. It was at “Brewvies” where you can get a meal, a beer or wine cooler and watch a movie. Pretty cool idea, hua? Afterwards we ended up at the WFW to play.

“Back Stroke” is playing this week at the “Utah Arts Festival’s” - “Fear No Film” event, @ 1:00 pm Friday and 7:00 pm Sunday at the Downtown Salt Lake City Library in the Auditorium and it’s free! If you haven’t seen it yet come play with us! This film is getting a lot of recognition both nationally & internationally and is now playing in its 3^rd festival. Amy Bronson, the writer/director, is getting some really great feedback and there is quite a bit of interest in her work. Go Amy! She has been asked to submit this film to festivals around the world. Pretty exciting stuff!

That’s it for now but remember to send your jokes and funnies my way, maybe I’ll use yours!

See Ya,

Bill