In terms of pure nostalgia, thinking about the past is never an attempt to rescue it. Nostalgia works through the elusive senses, particularly through smell, opening up a passageway that is entirely temporal and always on the verge of closing again forever. Smell is the thing that wafts in and wafts out, and nostalgia works the same way. Like a perfume, there are ways of constructing it, but it depends almost entirely on the chemical responses on the other side of the equation. Not everyone will take to the perfect smell, revealing that the perfect smell does not exist in itself.

This is brilliantly illustrated in one of the great nostalgia films of all time, American Graffiti . Here, the film about a moment of adolescence that anyone over 18 has walked through, captures an enormous sensibility, and one that is as elusive as any scent. It has produced a generation of fans, particularly among those who just missed the 50s, that particularly self-aware wave of baby boomers who still articulate their experience in terms of instable perceptions. It is that particular kind of self-awareness that fuels a lot of the most complex arenas in hot rod culture. It is a quotation of a certain past, and it is also coupled with an awareness that this will always be the present.

A perfect replica is not the goal, otherwise there would be tires of questionable quality that look the part, rather than centerline wheels and other accoutrements of modern high technology. This does come home with the rider who wanted to recreate the one Paul Le Mat drove in the film. The attempt was not worthy in itself, until the product started to bear a real resemblance, and became, in effect, a convincing replica of a machine that is a quotation of another recreation of a replica. Although this particular fun house is full of complex mirrors, instead of deflecting our gaze, they pull us in further, because this is precisely what nostalgia does.

So while there is a sense that the film that marked Richard Dreyfus in our celluloid imagination forever, it did so for a number of reasons. There is the charm in the style of the visuals, and the crisp and clean performances. There is also a charm in the nostalgia, where it’s not trying to mark a moment to bring it back, but to feel its particular loss. A memory of a car can make any other car look like a ghost, and our own childhood suddenly starts to look like a version of ourselves seen on the other side of a river.

American Graffiti and the Invention of Nostalgia is a post from: Faux Reel

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It might just be every young filmmaker’s dream to make the perfect buddy movie.  Most aspiring performing artists have considered it at one time or another, getting a camera and taking a road trip with friends, and faking their way through the rest of it.  Even the ones who do break through in the business have these dreams, like a young Robert Downey making plans for an art project with his friends, or Jonny Depp, living out a very popular fantasy and turning Hunter S. Thompson’s masterpiece into a cinematic daydream.  All these projects are fragile and tentative, and most of the great ideas with friends never do see any light, but the ones that do are powerful documents for a generation.

For the aspiring filmmaker, then, the main thing to keep in mind is that most of these projects do fail.  The reasons for their failures are multiple and complex, but deciding to actually make the project can put you in a better position than most.  It is kind of a slacker dream, after all, and slacker dreams don’t often make their way into any kind of palpable reality.  One way to avoid having your film become something that only gets talked about is to make a decision to not talk about it.  If it stays under wraps, then it has a better chance of getting seen, because it becomes something you want to show people.  Because you haven’t told them about it already.  And the trick here is to keep it secret long enough that it turns into a film.

The next decision is to consider the genre.  Do you want to make a buddy film, or a road movie?  There is a distinction.  Of course, like any distinction in the art world, it’s not fixed, just as genres are not set in concrete.  Every filmmaker has the right, and in some cases the genius, to redefine these things.  There are, after all, plenty of films that do cross over into both categories.  Buddy films focus on the relationship between two people, and road movies focus on an adventure.  In films like Thelma and Louise, or the Motorcycle Diaries, the adventure and the friendships are equally important.  It’s a very good idea, then, for new filmmakers to know their traditions, to make a choice that is based on knowledge, and a willingness to break with certain forms.

The next step, then, is preparation.  If you are hoping to make a film that inspires generations, you’ll need to spend a significant amount of time developing the script and working with the actors.  But if it’s a project that’s intended to be a rough document of a cultural moment, there isn’t much more that’s necessary than enough money for gas and food, and a link for a saturn repair manual download in case of emergencies on the road.  It is an adventure, after all, and the road to adventure is sometimes well paved, and sometimes filled with potholes.

The First Movie with the Handheld is a post from: Faux Reel

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Many people have fantasies about being a movie star, rock star or other famous celebrity. Meanwhile, there are others who seem to be oriented toward a passion for film or music and these are the individuals that actually devote their lives to perfecting their trade and dedicated themselves to their career. This is a particularly tenuous ambition for the actual changes of a making it big are about the same as getting struck by lightening. And that’s for those rare individuals who happen to possess the talent, stamina and “it” quality necessary. In addition, being at the right place at the right time, or knowing the right people definitely makes a huge difference for many talented hopefuls. Meanwhile, if the passion is there, it has to be accepted that no matter what, that individual will pursue their art regardless of obstacles or life elements that get in the way. And this, of course, includes money, which is frequently the biggest challenged faced by most film makers, even those that come from privileged classes or others in the industry. Money Mutual and other personal loan options are a frequent consideration, though there are some standard pieces of advice given to young filmmakers.

So, how do burgeoning independent filmmakers get started? Is going to film school a good way to start? Of course getting a solid education is always a great idea, and regardless of one’s personal genius gift, a solid knowledge of one’s medium and the industry is essential. Of course another argument is that there are various ways to get this understanding, which is true. However, it is true for the film industry as it is for all, or most others, that a solid education in one’s field is necessary for most jobs and greater respect. Meanwhile, depending one what exactly you wish to do in film, your decisions might be a bit different when seeking your first employment . If you intend to become a director, you will likely want to attend a film festival. Having quality samples, short films, etc is great to have around when it’s time to be noticed. Film festivals are a great way to get shorts and low budget films seen. In addition, some potential directors take jobs with major production studios, thinking this will be a great way to make solid connections while earning a living and learning more about the industry. Others insist on making their own movies and nothing else. If this is the route you take there are plenty of personal loan options, a cash advance loan , and other services that will help you with that big project.

Financing Your First Film and Building a Career is a post from: Faux Reel

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This summer’s movies are expected to be blockbusters, but thus far, none have really lived up to the hype surrounding each one.
 

One of the major duds of the summer was Pixar’s Cars 2. The movie has high expectations from viewers because of Pixar’s reputation of producing fantastic movies. The original Cars movie was a huge hit and everyone expected the same with the sequel. Unfortunately for Pixar, the movie did not receive good ratings; in fact most major media sources really disliked the movie. The original was witty and had great characters such as, Luigi who sold automobile tires, or Flo who owned the gasoline station. The second movie features mostly Lightening McQueen, who has brand new rims and tires, and Mater, the old tow truck. While the new Cars movie will provide humor for the children, it may be a bore for the parents. It is sad to say that Pixar’s golden streak has now been tarnished with an unnecessary sequel.
 
The next major letdown of the summer was Transformers 3. It seems that whenever a movie company strikes gold on a new movie they have to try and extend it as much as possible. Almost every movie that has come out this summer is a sequel or part of a trilogy or saga. The first Transformers movie was revolutionary in the use of graphics and action scenes but the second movie seemed to lack in plot and character development. This last one was too full of action and lacked any sort of plot development.

The Green Lantern was probably the third biggest failure of the summer, as it had much hype surrounding it but did not deliver. Many comic book readers are huge fans of the Green Lantern and with stars such as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, the movie was expected to be entertaining. The plot took too long to develop and the graphics and action was extremely unrealistic. It is unfortunate that a comic with such potential ended up a dud in the theatres.

While this summer was expected to produce some major movies, it has unfortunately let the public down with its overhaul of sequels, prequels, trilogies, sagas, and series.

Summer 2011′s Movies Disappoint is a post from: Faux Reel

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There are some moments in time when art and entertainment begin to blend in interesting ways. Historically, the overlap between the two has not been an entirely clear one. The distinction between large-scale public entertainments and culture has been clear enough that it would be difficult to distinguish moments of convergence. This isn’t true, however, for the public when they are actually living through such a moment. It might be a blip in the larger picture, and almost certainly is short-lived, but when it happens, it can be rather heady.

It is one of the great delights, then, to see public spectacles that are over the top and into another realm altogether. The popularity of Las Vegas shows is based on an idea that’s so firmly enmeshed in the popular consciousness that it is easy to overlook the possibilities of merging. Culture does come to meet itself on a large scale, and the observations of every spectator come into the picture.

It is an interesting consideration, particularly for those whose interests tend to blend. Art for commerce and art for cultural value are historically at odds, and in contemporary times it is still an issue with multiple sides. In the meantime, there are those who can be drawn in to a moment where everything is exciting, and the ones who are perpetually looking in.

Large in Las Vegas is a post from: Faux Reel

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The Grand Canyon is one of the most inspiring places on the planet. It’s one of the great natural wonders of the world, and draws in people from all over the world. Visitors from Europe, Latin America, and all the corners of the globe are drawn to stay at the Grand Canyon hotels so that they are close enough to see the spectacular display here. it never does seem to get old, as the geological history contained here is one that is still in process, and always shifting.

Here, the natural world is definitely enough, and certainly enough to inspire many to turn off their phones and leave e-mail alone for awhile. The deep connection with nature also inspires some to make connections with other people, and finding out how travelers come to be at any particular spot is always fascinating. And with the Artist-in-Residence program offered by the National Park Service, tourists might run into nationally known artists while they’re staying.

The program has typically been offered to visual artists of traditional disciplines, but has recently opened up to include performance and digital media. The creative buzz that most people can’t help but feel here probably does come from the power of the place, but there is a chance that one might be catching some of the waves of inspiration from the artists during their three-week residencies.

The Crackle of Creativity at the Grand Canyon is a post from: Faux Reel

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With all of the famous theme parks and family vacation oriented attractions located in Orlando, Florida, it can be easy to overlook some of the other quality cultural establishments and entertainment options. However, these are some of the standard popular attractions for residents and they are a great find for tourists who visit the city and are enjoying a stay in one of the 4 star hotels in Orlando . And while attractions such as Sea World, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World will always remain some of the most popular and famous places to visit there are other great establishments that continue to attract large numbers of patrons and audience members every year.

This is a great aspect of any city that is so well known for some standout attractions. To be able to find other quality entertainment options and cultural attractions as well as great shopping opportunities are the perfect compliment and sometimes even the favorite aspect of many vacations. And in Orlando, it is difficult to find time away from the well known and loved theme parks, though it is most definitely worth the effort.

The Back Festival Society is one of the prestigious music establishments in the city and has been in existence since 1935 when it was established to commemorate the 250th birthday anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach. It has an international reputation and continually brings world class talent to perform with them. The Orlando Museum of Art is another highly regarded city establishment and attracts numerous people to its extensive permanent collection as well as to the impressive touring exhibits. There are many different cultures and art genres that are represented in its extensive collection and in addition the museum offers quality educational programs and special events. The exhibit Currents in Contemporary Art will remain at the museum through the end of December of this year and continues to be one of its most popular. When you visit Orlando, definitely go to some of the great theme parks, but also enjoy some of these quality cultural establishments.

Art and Baroque Music in Orlando is a post from: Faux Reel

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The luxurious NY hotels are just the beginning of the glitz and glamor of the big apple. You have so many to choose from and many of them are famous like the Ritz-Carlton or the Gramercy Park Hotel. One of the classics if the Waldorf Towers which is the home of the Waldorf salad. How about the many films you have seen the actors standing outside The Plaza hotel. Yes the hotels are really amazing and just the gate way to many incredible adventures to be had in New York City.

If I could I would see a Broadway show every night. It would take you over a month to see a show in each of the 40 professional theatres in the Theatre District of New York. May people come to New York just to see some Broadway shows. That and to have a slice of cheesecake afterwords in Times Square. Between 2008 and 2009 there were about 943.3 million dollars worth of tickets sold in the season. The history of the theatre here does not really begin until 1750. Which for us is a long time ago. There were two actor managers named Walter Murray and Thomas Kean that started a theatre company on Nassau Street. Of course putting on performances of Shakespeare and Operas. This would start hundreds of years of all sorts of interesting history. So many people and styles of performances have been put out most nights at one theatre or another. It all just grew and grew.

A few of the greats would be Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, West Side Story, Show Boat and Oklahoma. Today you can catch some of these shows still going as well as some new one like Mama Mia and Wicked. So if your coming to New York for a show you may want to get a book on the topic because there is a lot of rich history involved and you won’t want to miss it.

Broadway NY is a post from: Faux Reel

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I came to New York City to watch Broadway shows. I managed to purchase my Broadway tickets in New York before even travelling to New York. The most treasured ticket of all was for the musical ‘Spamalot’. I love anything Monty Python, so when I heard about ‘Spamalot’ opening up on Broadway, I made sure I had plenty of vacation time stored up. If I couldn’t get tickets for ‘Spamalot’ on the week of my vacation, then my second choice for a Broadway ticket was for ‘Burn the Floor’. Never heard of it, but I love dancing, and this musical is all about dancing!

Suspense over, I found a ticket available on the date in needed. So, here’s my own take on ‘Spamalot’.  Naturally it follows the madcap adventure of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table with their quest to find the Holy Grail. I got the opportunity to see a long chorus line of legless knights, a killer rabbit, beautiful dancing divas, and men, this time with legs, in tights. As I’ve said, I’m a huge Monty Python fan and I’m a huge fan of musicals, so I wasn’t disappointed with this production.

The musical has a cast doubling up on characters, like Lancelot, Robin, Bedevere, Galahad and Patsy have to play other characters. The song are mostly new, except for the reprised ones. I found the new score much more melodic and witty, and some of the songs were absolutely made fun of Broadway itself! For example, ‘You Won’t Succeed on Broadway’ number was very, very amusing.

‘Spamalot’ was written by Eric Idle and he does a fantastic job of successfully producing a magical and irreverent piece of pure entertainment. Mike Nichols directed the musical, which he did a fine job with detailed staging and keeping the fun rolling along. The musical features a superb cast: King Arthur is played by Tim Curry, David Hyde is Sir Robin and Sir Lancelot is played by Hank Azaria.  The intriguing set was designed by Tim Hatley.

Sometimes, during the musical, I did find the irreverence to be a bit dreary, which is unusual for the sharp edged trademark of any Python production, but all-in-all, the price I paid for this production was worth it. I highly recommend seeing this gem before the star studded power is replaced by unknowns.

Idle on Broadway is a post from: Faux Reel

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It had been a few years since I had visited, so when my friend met me at LaGuardia Airport we headed towards my opinion of one of the best restaurants New York City has to offer.  Of course there are a plethora of fine restaurants to choose from, but perhaps since this restaurant was my very first taste of not only food in the city, but real NY pizza, Rays in Times Square will always have a special place in my heart, and in my belly as well.  We then headed to Lincoln Center as my friend was very intent on my thoughts about the new fountain.

Last year, many people of the city were concerned over the changes and the renovation being done to the centerpiece fountain of the famous performing arts center.  The fountain has actually been entirely replaced, and the new fountain has a variety of special water effects, and the streams and spouting are now choreographed to music as well.  The same architectural design firm that worked on the Lincoln Center fountain, created the fountains located at the Bellagio Hotel and the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas.

My friend explained to me that New Yorkers were nervous about the project, as they wanted something classical, not gimmicky in any way.  The old fountain was an iconic structure in the city, and the memories people have associated with the fountain run long and they run deep.  The executive designer for the project, Peter Kopik, stated at the time that he was aware of the sentiments of the people of New York, and it was his challenge to create a new and a fresh design, without causing the people to be revolted.

Many have considered restoring or changing the fountain over the years, but concluded that it was a treasured symbol, and not something to be messed with.  And now, a few months later, many people do contend that yes, the fountain is elegant, and is an appropriate new centerpiece for the Lincoln Center.  My friend however, is a bit saddened, as the heritage and the history of the city is so important to him, and to most New Yorkers.  But he too agreed, as we sat on a bench and watched the water dance, that it is beautiful and amazing.

Lincoln Center’s Dancing Fountain is a post from: Faux Reel

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