Back in October I believe, I showed you some really modestly priced items that you could get to put in a make-up case if you were interested in doing some "Low Budget" ... or if you have the resources I have - "No Budget" Filmmaking. After that I realize ..hmmm... results. "Hey TJ put your money where your mouth is ..all that is well and fine , but what do those modestly priced items produce aestheticaly and for the love of God what do they look like in a photo-op or on screen?".

Well the story starts with the production of "Longfoot", and if you have been following the progress thus far I'm happy to report that we are now in Post-production. The main puppeteer and handler of LONGFOOT himself with a pensive look on his brow - always highly engaged and willing to learn all he could, mentioned to me his interest in film and the process in general. During production I was happy to open up to him on the technical aspects and various workflows of producing a film for consumption. Towards the end of the process he came to me with music, storyboards, and an evolving screenplay that is right up the alley for you "Uddershiet Crew". I saw the drawings , I talked with him about the tone, the feel... and I was intrigued. After experimenting in the past months with various make-ups I could not help to pounce on the opportunity to help him realize his truly unique vision even if briefly on a weeknight in this yet to be unexplored year-2012.

Minus the camera, the effects below I am about to show you were literally procured for under 10$. In total. From beginning to end $10- no lie - no shenanigans. I will not bore you with a tutorial, there are so many people that can do it better, namely FILM RIOT- shout out to you Ryan.

It starts with an idea. Google is an amazing tool for reference photos. In this case I was looking for the mouth of a snake. I found several reference photos. I made this mould while watching Ancient Aliens on Netflix - things like this are fun and imagination fodder- guilty pleasures. Here is the mould:

What follows is what came out of the evening. All rights reserved- Regional Unity Productions. I'm just happy I finally had an excuse to do some FX makeup - whew ...finally. I'm sure there are more of you guys that do film in the Shenandoah Valley. I will did dig you up if its the last thing I do.


 

Verdict: I was blessed with the fact that the subject had a face that I could work with. It was easy to mount the prosthesis to his facial bone structure. Remember: Silicon may turn out to be heavier than you expect. Go thin. Also rule of thumb: make sure your make-up can last the shoot- and make sure that your subject can do the job with it fastened tightly to his/her jaw or body - or whatever body part. And also above all make sure that you do not use materials that react unfavorably with the actor (allergens).This was not a bad test at all.. as a matter of fact I'm quite surprised - but there is always room for improvement. By the time "Curse of the Rattlesnake People" comes into full swing I will have many new tricks up my sleeve. A big thank you to Tom Haun and Regional Unity Productions for giving me a chance to fling some make-up around for a change. A short video may follow and we are entertaining the thought of trying some composite animation with motion tracking. Perhaps we will compare practical effects with digital. Time will tell. Hope you enjoyed the eye-candy.

Love and Cheers,

TJPARSONS

Twitter = @tjparsonsfilms

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