Spike in the Rain

We've been doing a commercial for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts with Spike Lee the last few days. We sought refuge in Grand Central Terminal today from the rain. It will be a very cute commercial and can hardly wait to see it airing. Lots of man-on-the-street interviews and movie references. Some of it with foreign tourists is very funny.
Anyways, tomorrow it is back to New Jersey and the Michel Gondry film, "Be Kind, Rewind"

The Bush Record

"The Bush Record: More Poverty, More Uninsured"

"President Bush says “the foundation of our economy is solid, and it’s strong.” That’s true, for some: corporate profits have now climbed to their highest share of GDP since the 1960’s.

But new Census Bureau data show the real state of the current economy. The Bush record on combating poverty and insuring more Americans is an undisputed failure."

And this:
"This morning, the Census Bureau released new figures about health insurance, income, and poverty. It’s not a pretty picture.

The number of Americans without health insurance continues to rise at an alarming rate, men and women are earning less money and there are as many people living in poverty as there have ever been."

With graphs and excellent links, go see more @ Think Progress or here.

Be Kind

We began to scout for Michel Gondry's new film, "Be Kind, Rewind" last week. The entire movie shoots within a six block area in a small town in New Jersey. We start shooting right after Labor Day. Production side has been a dream so far. As usual, there is not enough time or money but Michel always instills a vast creativity over the preceedings. Most of the "Eternal Sunshine" crew is back for this new flick, and everything should be set by the time film starts rolling.

Vacation Snap

Another picture from my vacation last week. Kayaking down "Lover's Lane" on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Accompanied by nieces and mom.

Jaguar Ads

A new round of ads we did in Rome last spring has hit the airwaves in the States. A fantastic shoot. Michel Comte is a great director to work for, and I would like to think that we added our little bit of magic to the proceedings.
And for those who were there, doesn't Antonio our production manager look great in the final cuts.
Take a look. Jaguar Summer Nights

He Finally Admits It

From a news conference today. Bush finally admits that Iraq's role in 9/11 was nil.

"QUESTION: What did Iraq: have to do with that?

BUSH: What did Iraq: have to do with what?

QUESTION: The attack on the World Trade Center.

BUSH: Nothing, except for it's part of -- and nobody's ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq: was a -- Iraq: -- the lesson of September the 11th is take threats before they fully materialize, Ken.

Nobody's ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq"

Read the whole transcript over @ Raw Story and Think Progress has all the times the Bush Administration DID connect Iraq to 9/11.

Brooklyn River Park

I took the script to Be Kind, Rewind over to the river park this afternoon to re read before the tech scouts start tomorrow. I love it down there nestled between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.
There is a lot of new art around the place. The metal birds come out of bushes and look kind of threatening. The other piece that caught my eye was this fellow with the shovel hands. When we were in Italy working, the first assistant director bought me a pair of gloves as a wrap present. Pier Antonio told the shop owner that he must have the largest gloves in his store because his american friend has huge hands.... like shovels. They are beautiful gloves and well, now I know what that image looks like.

Embassy Suites

A fascinating article in The Nation about the massive embassy the US is building in the green zone of Baghdad. 15 foot thick walls and 104 acres making it comparable to the size of the Vatican. Although the military base @ Al-Asad makes this near city-state puny in comparison. It comes in at 19 square miles, over 12,000 acres.

Bush's Baghdad Palace

Young vs. Colbert

Neil Young made an apperance on the Colbert Report recently and as usual, sparks and ideas flew.
The link via Crooks and Liars

Thousand Islands

I just returned from the Thousand Islands last night. The St. Lawrence Seaway is huge and wide and not your normal river. It can be as 2 miles wide and the tanker traffic is a constant presence.
The house we are at is under several huge willow trees, giving alot of cool shade after a day on the water. Happy hour was spent under these trees, reflecting on the glories of the day.
Every spit of land in the water has a house on it. It makes for wonderful scenery. And also conjecture on how hard it is to take things out to these island homes. No pizza delivery.
And the cat, Sid, rules over all.
More later.

Rafa Toro

I saw this spanish illustrator's art online today. He painted this scene from my favorite Fellini film, "Juliet of the Spirits". I love that film. See if Netflix can send you a copy. And my favorite line? ...."Sangria quenches our secret thirsts". So true.

Rafa Toro Blog

And see some of his animation here.

Evolution in America

U.S. Lags World in Grasp of Genetics and Acceptance of Evolution

A comparison of peoples' views in 34 countries finds that the United States ranks near the bottom when it comes to public acceptance of evolution. Only Turkey ranked lower.

Among the factors contributing to America's low score are poor understanding of biology, especially genetics, the politicization of science and the literal interpretation of the Bible by a small but vocal group of American Christians, the researchers say.

“American Protestantism is more fundamentalist than anybody except perhaps the Islamic fundamentalist, which is why Turkey and we are so close,” said study co-author Jon Miller of Michigan State University

Read the rest of the article here.

Sunrise

I love the sunrises in Los Angeles. I have one more of these before I head back to Brooklyn on saturday.

Seven X 3

More photoshop stuff. Not sure why I've been doing these long skinny pictures. But I think it's good since the next movie will be shot in anamorphic. Long and skinny frames.
I just got the schedule..... 35 days starting September 6th. We finish on October 25. Short and sweet.

Escape Series

More stuff out of Photoshop today. What's your opinion?

Bond Art

Just looking through the files and always liked this endeavor. The orginal is huge and could be used as wallpaper. Maybe in the new house.

The Fudge Report

No.... it's not what you think. The Fudge Report is a Democratic takeoff on the conservative Drudge Report. Strictly for politicos and those who want to know.

No Such Thing As Global Warming

"Majority Whip [Republican Roy] Blunt: 'If I Stay In Charge, Congress Won’t ‘Do Anything Meaningful’ On Climate Change' "
To read the whole report, go to Think Progess

Illustrator Andy Gonsalves

I found this cool illustrator on one of my favorite sites Drawn Blog. Check out Andy's show reel.

Andy Gonsalves

eeek! There's a Tyrannosaurus in Eden

One of the best examples of the mentality augering the end of the American Century. $25 million dollars for this museum in Ohio.
An another reason why cutting edge science is being done less and less in the United States.

Creationism Museum

What's He Thinking?