Halloween weekend progress report: Friday

Ziam and friends,
uploaded by Fuzzytek

Plans versus reality - do we have to live in disappointment when our plans are not met? ~Laughs~ I just step out of the condition for a moment look around and proceed.

Friday recap - Ziam and friends

My plans originally were to meet Ziam at Caribou Coffee in Royal Oak at 6pm. We spoke in the afternoon and shifted that to 8pm at Niki's in Detroit. So what happens? I run late 7:08 and watch my bus taking off from the bus stop from 1/4 mile away. I called the number I had been called from (Ziam has no phone) and tell them I'll be there at 9pm. I have to wait 45 minutes for the next bus, then travel an hour. I hate repeating that destiny over and over of missing the bus!!

What to do? Lover's Lane is a short walk from 13 Mile & Woodward. I walked in and opened up a photographer's account with them. I picked up a nice lace & sheer black gown and jacket set along with some stain black long gloves for the photoshoot in Toledo on Saturday.

So if you're looking for sexy clothing to use in a photoshoot talk with me about using my discount.

I got to Niki's (Lover's Lane bag in one hand, laptop in a shoulder bag too) and wait to see Ziam. We wander over to Fishbones where Aisha(sp?) is waiting at the bar. I got the laptop plugged in and we looked through photos, drank a little and enjoyed the band playing pop music covers. I think we were kinda animated and the talk of several tables around us. I guess creative people (read crazy) attract attention. We had a great time sharing photos even if we didn't get to specifics in futures planning for AID. He promised to come out to my place and discuss things more thoroughly very soon.

Around 12:30 we wrapped things up and I had some time to wait for the 1:17 bus (last one) to get me home. I found the Rock Harvest Fest tent across the street from Delux on Monroe. Inside I saw Aphrodite and talked with her a bit. I like her and hope our paths continue to cross more frequently. She doesn't live that far away and we both seem to enjoy the same events too. I also saw John from the band White.

I left around 1am to get over to Woodward. Outside Oslo is a great spot to wait for the bus - you can people watch all night. SunnyJ came along and we talked a bit before she went inside. We need to hold a photoshoot soon. I LOVE the big blue eyelashes!!! Those HAVE TO be in the photoshoot.

Looking down the block I walked to Bleu to see who else might be out... I talked with Pam about photos I took from the Real Big Hairball. I also had to confess I had her mixed up with Mahogany and that's so weird because they really don't look the same. I guess I had my friends of friends association for them mixed up.

Then along comes Andi and I give her a big whirl around hug. She's great ... I could tell she was gonna have a fun time. For me it was time to board the bus, walk home and rest before the Toledo Halloween shoot.

Photoshoot: YogaChick

Saturday I had a photoshoot with a new model on OMP. She goes by YogaChick. So we talked about potential locations and thought for sure it was gonna be a trip into Detroit. So she gets to my house and we look out at a day without the predicted rain, the leaves all changed in color and choose instead to go to Cranbrook.

I've been pining to shoot with the Canon AE-1 manual film camera from my grandfather. I've been looking through the viewfinder for a couple weeks now and love the depth. Funny thing is Tony asked me to help him with some website work and gave me a 135mm lens that fits the AE-1 perfect. I guess it isn't a high quality lens, but anything different is something for me.

I looked and thought about taking the AE-1 and chose at the last minute not to. We get to the location out on the path taking photos and the Sony keeps throwing shitty error messages on the screen about memory errors and format errors. I swapped memory sticks - same errors, swapped batteries - same errors. I think it is the camera I've used it so much this past year and got so many great photos from it. They seem to keep getting better too as I explore new conditions. But these error messages have been showing up more and more frequently the past month.

Frustrated and annoyed in front of a new model. I kept appologizing for the conditions of things. I finally said - we need to go back to the house and get the film camera, this one isn't working.

Sad - we spent maybe 30 minutes in that spot and got about 8 photos from it after all that effort. Got back in the car drove to a camera shop on Woodward and got a battery and several types of film. That was a $47 expense I hadn't planned.

We drove out to another area at Cranbrook featuring the architecture rather than nature. Here I am, new model and trying out film on a full manual camera for first time too. She really handled everything VERY well. The temperatures were only about 45 degrees too and the cloud cover was mixed. I popped a 24 exposure roll of 400 speed Fuji film in.

You know how it goes when you have something new and it seems kinda complex? Also I didn't read the instructions and trying to look like you know what you're doing. I swear it was strange. Funniest thing is I kept fogetting to advance the film. I was taking longer to setup the scene and check the composition. Click to take, and be amazed that the shutter worked, then try to figure what I missed to get the next photo to work. YEP - FULL MANUAL. Crank the film into the next frame. I tried some photos without a flash and then thought I'd better make sure I get the photos so I attached the flash and got the tripod from the car.

You have to understand that digital cameras when you adjust the settings and viewfind -- you see a simulated image revealing the settings. With a manual camera you get no feedback in the viewfinder to say you have good settings. I probably should have shot 2 or 3 rolls of film, but this was definately a test shoot for me and a new camera. Thanks to my model for understanding so well, she was outstanding through the whole shoot.

After the shoot we drove to Walmart and submitted the photos for one hour turn-around as double prints with a CD.

I worked with the photos a bit and created some pretty cool images. Walmart's CD kinda sucks... the images from the film are averaging only about 750kb. My digital camera is averageing 1.8mb for files. Fortunately I understand my editing tools well enough to compensate.

I used the Virtual Painter plug-in for PaintShop Pro to get the artistic effects on several of the images. However I don't simply rely on the tool to give me the completed work.

Weekend plans for NYC killed

Well there seems to be a trend here that is preventing me from going to NYC this weekend.

1. Person we were to be staying with may not be home due to circumstances beyond his control.
   
2. Andi says her ex-husband is being a jerk about the modeling. He had agreed to take care of their son and since this trip was for modeling he's decided not to support her going -- refusing to watch his son for the weekend.
   
3. Aaron's car died yesterday and he has no transportation to go. That was going to be how I got there too.

SO --- As much as I hate to say it ...
No, I'm not going to New York this weekend.
No, I'm not going to Modelween.
And No, it is not possible that I would be making a visit to my daughter on the return trip home.

NYC trip plans for this weekend

This weekend I'm headed to Modelween with Andi & Aaron. We'll be going out to see Ralph in Brooklyn.

It's gonna be a great networking event for models & photographers. I wish I'd printed business cards but the scraps of paper I use will work OK. I may need 400 'cards' though. Thinking about the night being half photographers and half models has me thinking the number of cameras is gonna be insane.

Right now I'm sorting through photos to assemble a portfolio of prints. I'm very overdue in getting this done and will have to run a CD in for processing tonight to get the photos back by Thursday morning.

Chickee thank you for that music video bulletin - it reflects my mood now. It also has some cool NYC scenes in it. Reposting it here for your enjoyment...

Weather Forecast for NYC

Oct 20 Thursday

Sunshine. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid 40s.

Oct 21 Friday

A few clouds. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid 40s.

Oct 22 Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the low 50s.

Oct 23 Sunday

Showers possible. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the mid 50s.

So much to get done before the trip.

Photos: Armin Van Buuren & Real Big Hairball

Here are sample photos from the galleries of photos uploaded the past couple days. Click on the link above the photos to view the gallery.

Thursday
at Bleu - Armin Van Buuren

Sunday
at Royal Oak Music Theater - The Real Big Hairball

Event: Real Big Hairball

Sunday, October 9
I headed out for a night of debauchery with Aaron. We went to the Real Big Hairball at the Royal Oak Music Theater. This was a great performance art showcase by the hair salons around town. Nothing quiet like it and the line outside when we arrive attested to its popularity. Inside the seats were all taken and people standing all around. Seating was pretty open and I didn't realize that I could have been right up to the stage until the night was just about over. Still from my vantage point I got some great photos. And I got the full stage in view, which if I was too close would have been impossible.

As the hairball closed we took a quick group photo with some people. Then headed over to Sky Club, the official after-party location. The Hairball had models being staged at Sangria for the show... they said there were over 140 models working. At Sky Club many of the models enjoyed dancing along with their friends and family. It was packed shoulder to shoulder with beautiful people.

I need to write up a 600 word review for The Detroiter and submit that for publication by Monday Oct 17.

Mz Hypnotic video shoot...

Saturday, October 8
I had a hip-hop music video shoot with Mz Hypnotic in Southfield. I brought Yarnell and Patrick in as models for the shoot. We didn't quite have 8 people for pairs, so I ended up in the shoot as well.

I did prepare for the shoot bringing a couple pairs of baggy jeans for Patrick and myself. Funny, I never figured that I would want to wear the 38 inch waist jeans ever again. {I used to weigh 225 pounds in 2002, 245 in 1997.} I guess I had a use for them, that surprised me.

The video shoot was held in several places including in Mz Hypnotic's neighborhood, the Southfield Marriott, and Crossroads concert saloon in Taylor. It was very nice to have them take care of transportation for me.

I was just too tired to get myself to Bleu to see Detroit's Finest DJs - love you all.

Club: Bleu - Armin Van Buuren

Armin Van Buurn
at Bleu

Thursday, October 6
I went to Bleu with Andi to see Armin Van Buuren. We had a great time dancing all night. Thanks for being my partner in stolen moments captured.

I wish I had gotten VIP tickets for better photos of Armin. Shooting from the dance floor didn't result in too many good photos of the DJ. I probably should have exercised some of my news/website contacts. More planning next time.

The photos are online. Enjoy!

Holiday Photographer @ Somerset

This holiday season I will be working at Somerset Mall taking photos at Santa's Castle. My hours are posted in my calendar on MySpace.

People interested in getting portfolio photos - TALK TO ME SOON. Schedules fill fast.

Pure Detroit Design Lab Anniversary

When: Thursday, October 13, 2005
Where: Roland Cafe & the Design Lab
From: Sarah Lu @ Pure Detroit Design Lab

Fashion show at 8pm to be held at Roland Cafe in the Guardian Building. It is their opening. Music from local DJs and treats will be served at the Design Lab after the fashion show.

More information to be posted soon. Also view event on MySpace.

Hip-Hop Music Video

Saturday (today) I am bringing male models together for the shooting of a music video for Mz Hypnotic. The shoot location is in Southfield near 13 Mile and Evergreen. The request is for 8 models, at last count I had 5 interested. Expect an email and phone call from me Saturday morning if you have applied for the shoot. Call me if I need to contact you - 248-259-3980.

Shoot time is 2:00 - 2:30pm for the main sequence. Additional footage between 2:45 and 3:30 at a hotel with selected models (shirt off sequence).

Governor's Awards for Arts & Culture

When: November 16 11am-1pm
What: Talkback presentation with Jeff Bruckheimer
Where:Detroit Opera House
Register: Call 248-557-8288 ext 13
Email: education@artservemichigan.org
Website: www.ArtServeMichigan.org
From: Donna M. Edwards, Director, Education Initiatives
ArtServe

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About the Governor's Awards Student Event

Whether you are an actor, producer, animator, director or write musical scores for film and televison, we think you will enjoy listening to Jerry Bruckheimer at a special talkback session on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at the Detroit Opera House.

Jerry Bruckheimer, will be in Detroit to accept the Governor's Awards for Arts & Culture International Achievement Award on Tuesday, November 15th and will sit down and talk about his career on Wednesday, November 16th.

In this 2-hour talkback session, you will hear Jerry talk about his career and what he did to go from a student, who loved photography and watched movies to one of the most prolific movie producers of all times.

To attend this special event contact ArtServe Michigan at 248-557-8288 ext.13 or send an e-mail with register me in the subject line to education@artservemichigan.org.

You will be send an e-mail notification of your registration.

For more information about the Governor's Awards for Arts & Culture gala event on Tuesday, November 15th at the Detroit Opera House,visit ArtServe's Web site at www.ArtServeMichigan.org

Detroit Film, The Passenger, Debuts Tuesday

Original blog post by Girl in the D (linked)

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On October 4, metro Detroiters have the opportunity to be among the first people in the country to view the new Detroit movie, The Passenger.

Image by Eric Livingstone, Helvetica.
Courtesy of Thought Collide.

The full-length feature film – which is about an artist caught between a lackluster 9-to-5 job and the fascinating world of Detroit’s underground – will be shown at Novi’s Emagine Theater on Tuesday night at 7 pm and again at 9 pm.

Written and directed by Jamie Sonderman, a Detroit-native with an intense passion for the city, The Passenger is Sonderman’s fifth film, and is the first full-length feature film of Thought Collide, a conglomerate of creative Detroiters – actors, photographers, singers, producers, sound specialists, and more – that the screenwriter founded with Passenger-executive producer, Ed Gardiner.

The Passenger is the second film of the Mitten Movie Project, a mini film festival of sorts that brings films with Michigan-ties to the public through various formats, such as shorts, feature lengths, music videos, and documentaries.

Films that are part of the Mitten Project, which is presented by Thought Collide in association with Emagine Theater, can be seen at 6:30 pm the first Tuesday of every month at the Novi movie theater. Tickets to Tuesday's screening of The Passenger are $10 each.

For more information on The Passenger or The Mitten Movie Project, please visit Thought Collide's website.

See you at the movies!