EHDT Studios, going to the Olympics.

Do you think we can get a press pass?

Unlikely...

This is a little bit early, but i just want to announce that I will be going to China this August with Eddie. We'll be staying there for exactly 1 month and 2 days. On August 3rd, we are departing from Toronto and flying non stop to Beijing. Plans are confirmed yet, but from there we will likely take in some Olympic events (suck it up boycotters) and do the whole Beijing thing (shopping, sightseeing, audi driving... dentistry?) After that, well I have no idea what happens after that. We will likely travel the country and take in some sights, and exotic food :P

On the 5th of September we are heading home on Air China from beijing to New York, then on a regional American Airlines flight to Toronto.  

A lot of friends are asking whether I will be documenting the trip through video. The answer is...

Kinda

I learned after being in France, that is is very hard to film while you are on an itinerary. As you know, the video from France still is posted because I have no idea what to do with the random  snippets. 

What I think I might do, is publish a journal on the website once I get back. I think it will be easier to take lots of photos and write a paragraph or two after each day. I am bringing my laptop, so I can just save each entry in a Pages file until it's done.

This way I think the whole experience will be better communicated. 

I've always found video to be confusing. It's hard to take video that will make sense back home. And putting it in one video is tough without an accompanying essay to describe what's going on.

The great thing about using a point and shoot camera is that it's quick, shooting with a camcorder takes up too much valuable time. It's discreet, I learned the hard way that pull out an expensive camera every five minutes while traveling can get you in some trouble (gypsies). It's abundant, I can 1000+ photos and charge batteries easily, no need fro expensive DVDs. Finally, it's beautiful, we all know how hard it is to compose a good frame for video. With the technology of todays digital cameras, beautiful shots are very easy.

BUT

Don't go thinking  I'm not going to bring my camcorder! Of course I am. I still want footage of those memorable moments. Maybe for once in my life I'll try that video blogging crap. 

Here are some of my ideas for documenting our trip. Suggestions are welcome and can be left in the comments.

-Documentation of packing, clothing that I brought, travel strategies.

-Airport experience, aircraft, airline experience, stuff we do on the plane.

-Complete list of meals and my thoughts about them.

-List of activities and occurrences.

-Items purchased 

-I'm sure there will be difficulties involving the language barrier, that will be interesting.

Before I go, I want to make a checklist. Not a checklist of items, or a packing routine. I want to make a checklist of things that I could see. And as I go through the trip, i will check each of. This will add a bit of satisfaction and fulfillment to the adventure. (Not that it isn't already fulfilling) 

So I hope everyone is excited as I am :P

I will keep the blog updated as events unfold!

Shooting A Relic

Two weeks ago Sebai, Kurani, and I were out shooting some footage with the dolly when we heard a loud piston motor overhead. I looked overhead and saw a Ford Tri-Motor (only recognizable because of flight sim) chased by a Bell 407 helicopter with a camera pod! 

I freaked! I don't think the guys realized the significance of the situation at the time. It took a bit of convincing to get them to believe me. 

And I know what you're thinking! Yeah! I did get footage of it!

So after getting home I listened to the scanner, found the registration of the plane, and looked it up. Only to my surprise, I found out that this baby is a piece of history! The aircraft was flown by aviation greats such as Amelia Earhart herself!

It's quite a privilege that we got to see this bird, we may never see it again!

So the footage should be up shortly, I am sick of editing lately, and I'm not quite sure what to do with it! 

Here are some photos!

Click the image to see a higher resolution version. 

School Work

So I had a neat idea while writing an english essay today.

I do all this work for school, I spend most of my life slaving away at some crappy project, only to hand it away to a teacher and never see it again. 

It would be nice if more than one person could recognize and appreciate this work. 

So starting today, I am going to post selected projects, essays, and reports that I've done for school.

I only have one request for those reading these items.

Please do not criticize my work. I am only a student who is doing what I am told, I don't want to spark conflict over my opinions or intelligence. 

Also,

Feel free to use my work for personal use. If you are to use it academically (only do so if allowed) please make reference to myself. 

So here is an essay on the novel The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini 

A comprehensive look at the characters of the novel, and their corresponding feelings and emotions.

Enjoy!

PDF Can be downloaded Here 

Requires Adobe Reader. Download Here

Westdale Film Festival

We've entered four shorts, along with a commercial (similar to the Opus video) submitted by Miss. Melnick, our media arts teacher at school to the Westdale Film Festival.

This was sort of last minute, well, really last minute. I ran into Miss. Melnick at Light Computer Centre  while buying a DVI adaptor where she asked me to submit a few films.

I had thought earlier about filming a short documentary to enter, with more production value than my other films, but I just didn't have the time. So I ran home and whipped up a CD containing our favourites, "Cooking With Moe" "Winter" "Cereal Killer" and the "Ambience" trailer.

The films are being reviewed and judged by Fenian Films, and Lock 3 Media. I'm glad to get some of our stuff out to professionals!

Miss. Melnick says everything will be wrapped up in about a month or so, I'll keep everyone updated on the status of things.

Till then, productions are in progress, and some really high quality films are going to come at you by July, stay tubed.