Charlie Kaufman has been to me a connection. A connection to a world that may not understand me as a human.A person that in my mind has shown me that all of my efforts have not been for naught. Four minutes into this lecture I finally feel like I'm not alone. This lecture could be the most important one I have ever received in my life.

I'm not sure how I came across this, but...I'm glad I did . I only hope that those that find this article will tune into what he has to say and understand the beauty of storytelling.

Kaufman pulls no punches when he articulates craft vs.  the means to make money. He understands the skill behind everything. Selling out is just a means to sustain one's self.

Kaufman has made a career of balancing art, avant garde , vs commercial virility. He understands the hallmark card production line - and knows how to navigate the lines ---- he knows the system .. he knows how to serve a better purpose... He is manipulated by the same marketing as we are ....but he knows how it works .... and doens't want to play that game ...

His screenplays challenge us- and help us to cope with the surrealness of life.

A true once in a lifetime opportunity: Though I can't embed it; I'd gladly refer you: Click here for enlightenment from the best in the biz.

 
It all starts here. Jan 01, 2012. A new start and new beginning. I was drinking a Flying Dog variety pack, and trying desperately to catch up on end year business for this very website, paperwork for new film  "Longfoot", and personal depressing financial detail- My tradition every year. Irony pulsing through my veins as Flying Dog was Hunter S. Thompson's beer company. I relish the opportunity to turn out 3 articles under deadline ( this one being 1 hour and 45 min away), some changes to TJPASONS.com that many may not even notice. But the spirit was there. Tackling the future before the future is the present. I got some satisfaction felt ok. It's 11:45. This is the new age. I Google "live streaming ball drop New Years". God bless Google- its there in front of me in 1.5 seconds. I felt I was missing something in the world - pushing ahead on the most celebrated days of the year - I needed to join in the celebration or "a" celebration of some type.

Enjoy yourself. Take a break. At times I can't turn the gears off (despite Melatonin, Theanine , Gaba, Valerian and "more", but I made a conscious decision to disengage. Switch gears- Let's check out the modern miracle Dick Clark - who knows how many years he can defy logic and science- lets take it in, in all its glory. 5 min- No Clark. Drake took the stage. The kind of guy that looks like you'd want to have a beer with.  But I started sliding into confusion.  Perplexdom. Back to the Mc's and was uninspired and energy was awry. I still can live with this it's NEW YEARS!!!. Wrong stream? It's ok - I can Cope. This is an internet society. I can live with the stream I am given.  On stage jumped an amped Cee-lo Green. His song "F%$# You" or "Forget you" as the pop world would know it- embodied many of the feelings of this year that somehow I was not able to articulate on several levels - anticipation.  He pulled back in his insanely expensive fur coat, to expose a gold watch as glitter fell, and the camera zoomed in on his face and his jewelry as he was in the middle of  John Lennon's "Imagine".  His head reared back during the lyric " Imagine no possessions, I wonder If you can, No greed or no hunger.." Gold and bling reflecting in the cold New York light. Then I saw the adverts of Times Square, overpowering the sentiment of the lyric.So much so .. so freakin' much.

The hats with product placement, the billboards: I'm dizzy.

I started to feel physically ill.

So really, suffice to say 30 sec left.

20 seconds is the countdown. No one can take that away. It's the euphoric mouthful New Year's food, the 20 second orgasm, something that we all share in the spirit of a nation with collective consciousness. I was able to ignore all the product placement. This moment in my mind defined moving forward despite all the things that I cannot understand. Where I am. Who I am. I walk out to the porch. Pop a bottle cap off and breathe deep. On the horizon I see flares of illegal fireworks shot over the tree tops  with power of tradition over local formalities casting shadows across the tree lines silhouetting an outline of the horizon, beauty and  perseverance despite restrictions. And in my soul I feel proud and happy.

There are quite a few people that took a chance on me this year. I am thankful for having a good feature LONGFOOT "in can". I'm Thankful for new connections, & new friends. I'm thankful for New direction, and hope despite odds and all the naysayers.

These are crazy times. People are struggling to find their place in society. People are struggling to find solace, comfort, jobs, and a reason for living. And a small part of me isn't afraid to be a media whore anymore. So when you see that friend invite, or that questionably titled article remember that I am that small town boy that went away learned great things and moved back in hopes that I could move back and be accepted.
The vision hasn't changed despite the barriers and cynicism. You are a laborer? Consider yourself lucky. Four years of college many, many thousands of dollars in debt and Local TV wishes to pay $7.25 (won't mention any names ) an hour for camera operator and editor. At least with fast food you have the possibility of bringing home leftovers once in a while to help survive- you can't eat video or graphics.

I'd just like you to know: How hard of a year it is to sell art. Art "IS" my reason for living, and it helps to have the few people behind me that I have and in these morning hours after new years it is only fitting to give credit where credit is due.

I wish to thank this year:
Tom Haun -------------"LONGFOOT"
Starship ED----------- Production resources
Matt Chellini---------- Web Admin & Sound
Luke Walker----------Sound and Inspiration
Dolemite---------------Props and Intuition

And to all of the Social Network friends who are engaged with my posts, comment, share, retweet and do their best to help my cause - Hat's off to you all. Everything you do is very much appreciated.

To everyone- have a good beginning to the NEW YEAR. I wish prosperity and health to you and your families - and I look forward to sharing some fun and excitement with you this coming year. Thanks to everyone for all that you do.

Best Wishes,

TJPARSONS

@tjparsonsfilms on twitter

No matter what type of media you intake, it's all constructed and influences you whether you think it does or not. It could be the hippest new blockbuster that has catch phrases you use with your coworkers, the family values of sitcoms and and how to tackle difficult situations, or the documentary whose prime function is to educate and influence ( without mentioning names, I have seen scenes where a person in a wheelchair was forced to used stairs for dramatic effect when a ramp was clearly seen in the background- I wont mention names but the Title rhymes with "Trolling for Gollembine"). We are bombarded with adds for smell goods and deodorants that would have us believe with vigor that a slightest smell from the opposite sex will have us procreating in under 6 min flat.

When you buy clothes somehow, they never look as good on an average person, or in a changing room mirror and we beat ourselves up about it. And when the Hollywood elite are doing their daily tasks like us regular folk, the Papparazzi just happens to snap off a few shots in motion when the spring of their one leg is thrown behind the other and cellulite is crunched with potential energy to throw the other leg forward ( 1000's of shots they get to choose the most inopportune time for the cover story). Then we have these thousands of glamour infused magazines that meet us at the check out counter. When will it end I ask you when ..... will ... it end?

The question remains: Do you have the tools to see when your reality is being messed with? More often than not it is- and we stress out to keep up with unreal expectations. Check out this article and watch the video below, an understand that this is just the tip of the ice-berg. Now imagine what things look like out of context, with make-up, slyly chosen angles, lenses, or slick editing.

And it doesn't Stop there. There was a Sleeper film of 2004 Called "Final Cut" that demonstrated how a little bit of editing can be the difference between good memories and psychological damage.

This article is the stuff dreams are made of, for science aficionados and sci-fi writers alike. One can't help but to let their imagination  run wild when articles like this break. I hope this entices people to stay glued to their SETI feeds, telescopes and cameras. As weird as this world is, It just might be one of the last true hopes we have left. I personally am waiting to see which planet may very well be my home planet (tongue in cheek). I've been saying that I don't belong here for years.

On a serious note, just in the science inspired renderings that follow - It gives a good picture- one that may inspire a whole new group of kids to want to grow up and explore a universe where in my youth naysayers were saying that things like this are not possible - we are out in the vastness of space cold and alone. I hope that we are not. Kudos to Wired magazine for giving my inner child and inner scientist a swift kick in the pants simultaneously. Check out the WIRED article (here).

What is Chromadepth?
With 3D being used so much in movies now, its natural for artists and Filmmakers alike to want to experiment with this audience interface. Chromadepth is an alternative to polarized, analglyph, and the LCD shutter glasses used in modern home theaters. Chromadepth works by the programmer or artist using color tones to display to the audience objects in different variances of depth. Usually, black and blue are related to background of the image, while warmer colors and lime green  categorizing sequentially in distance from the viewer, red being closest to the viewer. In my personal experiments I have found that the farther one is away from the screen, within reason, creates more depth. While chromadepth in some ways is limiting with degrees of color that may be used, it is very easy to get a desired effect while adhering to a very simple rule-set. The limitations often yield some inventive solutions and creative discoveries.

What materials can I use to make chromadepth creations?
Chromadepth images can be made with just about any materials that can support solid colors: crayons, inks, markers, print materials, chalk, digital images, video, construction paper, colored paper, fabric and paints are just a few. Once you own a pair or two of Chromadepth glasses you may notice things look a little strange around the house and are unintentionally working in 3D and this is just flat out fun - Things like looking at DVD  cases, flipping though comics and magazines will give you an idea of how different materials, pictures and designs can be used.

One of the most amazing unintentional chromadepth uses is to use the glasses with "Morphyre" . "Morphyre" is free music visualization software  that works with your media player. This program is awesome in itself and the upgrade includes more control and customization. I can say that as far as a visualization program is concerned the upgrade is well worth the 4$ and I think it is easily worth twice that.

Where do I get Chromadepth?
American Paper Optics, offers a lot of packages involving different glasses. If you are truly interested the development kit, while simple, may work for you and most purposes. The glasses and packages are available through the chromatek.com website,

A short animated movie produced in Chromadepth: "Dancing Jellyfish" by TJPARSONS.
I figured I would provide a small movie to show how Chromadepth can be used despite the limitations. Within the bounds of its simple rules many things are possible. I found it to be a fun experience, and the movie wasn't muddied up with a blurred stereoscopic images for those that may not have the glasses on hand. Chromadepth has many practical applications from written promotions to Television commercials- much like some 3D trailers for movies during past sporting events where glasses were given away and audiences eagerly anticipated the premiere of the commercials. In the case for your business, it could possibly be a way to make you stand out above the rest. I do have some experience in this area, If you need some creative consultation, but until then enjoy the short video, and get yourselves some chromadepth glasses from American Paper Optics it's blast.

*For best viewing experience select full screen for the video and sit or stand at least 3 feet from the screen. Enjoy.

In past experiments.

At one time I was taking computer science at USC and decided that my project would be using chromadepth to code a website (by hand). The Chromadepth was used less as an aesthetic, and more of a function of the site. It was an experiment to take information that was grouped, and depending on what the user would pick would be given a depth in the user's field of vision - an information hierarchy. For instance a rollover would cause the text to be emphasized by moving closer to the user while a selection, or secondary selection may move closer yet to the user.  At the time my professors told me I was the first person ever that they have heard of to organize and and use 3D technology in this way- ever. It just seemed logical at the time, and can be seen such as in the hit movie "Minority Report" . My idea that 3D was something that should be experimented with to find a "practical" use for, not just for general viewer enhancement. It could provide a function. Much like bullet points on a document provide emphasis as does italics, I was exploring all ideals like this in the context of a third dimension.