That's the camera I have. It's a decent camera (exception being the lens). I, too, was always in a rush; it seems to be the nature of this industry except for filmmakers like Terrence Malick. Shooting in LA is no picnic when you are shooting with no budget. We were always fearful of being run off by the cops for not shooting with a permit, and at one point we did get kicked out of a public park by the rangers.

Dodging them kept exterior production running at a snail's pace, and at times scenes that should've taken two hours to complete turned out to be up to five hours or so, because we constantly had to hide the cameras and equipment when the rangers or police came around. And those scenes turned out to be some of the ones I dislike the most about my flick.

You'll never see my film! Bwahawhaw! No, it's still in sound mix. Has been for a long, long time. Once it's out, I still have to get it color timed and converted to progressive 24 HDCAM tape, etc. etc.

>> ^jimnms:
He was lucky indeed. I learned during my flight training that a public road is the WORST possible place to try to land in an emergency. For one thing, roads usually have these things called power lines that run across them, but most importantly you endanger the lives of people on the ground.


"WORST"? So you would rather land...
1) on a preschool picnic
2) on a munitions factory
3) on a preschool picnic on a munitions factory

I think this guy did a good job. No injuries, no damage to the aircraft. He had a view of the road when he made his decision so he could see about traffic and power lines.

I like this drink, although I use a half pint of grand marnier, a pint each of "simply" brand orange juice and lemonade on top of the fruit that way you don't need to let it marinade over night. The juice also means you don't need sugar to cut the tartness. and i dont like the seltzer water, i like it to taste just like fresh lemonade, not a soda. i use my favorite cabernet savion, because it has a slightly dry plum finish. great way to get drunk in front of your nephews and neices when your trapped at one of those family picnics.

Ha ha. Great post. Was that big veiny one really necessary?
This is undoubtedly more WTF, but I remember another scene where one uses his scrote-sack as a blanket and they all have a picnic off it.

1. You are the one who listened to an authority telling you to turn off your lights; without asking yourself whether it made sense or not.

2. Why is my opinion equivalent to resent, in your mind?

3. A 15 watt CFL at $0.05 kw/hour is approximately $0.00075 off your power bill. That is less than 1/10th of a penny. Even if you turned off 66 lights, you would only have saved 5 pennies; and given that your power company rounds to the nearest penny, your power bill actually won't be any different this month. Still, why do you think I care about your power bill either way? I don't.

So to summarize,

During Earth Hour, citizens did not perceptively reduce their power bills, they did not reduce power generation or emissions from power plants, they increased carbon emissions by burning millions of candles, and nobody, including the power company, even knew their lights were off. You are free to participate in Earth Hour, but for these reasons, it is not "anti-environmental" of me if I do not participate, nor is it if I think it is a poorly thought out idea.

Sorry to be ants at your picnic, but I thought you should know the truth. After all, knowing is half the battle.

<embed src="http://i39.tinypic.com/15836s5.png">

>> ^rougy>
It must be the authoritarian in you who expects somebody to tell you what to do,

and who resents millions of strangers across the globe participating in an activity unsanctioned by the power companies.

Like it or not, my power bill will be smaller this month as a result of my participation.

>> ^xxovercastxx:
If you want to hold a fund raiser at the local park, you need a permit. If you want to host a conference at the local park, you need a permit. If you want to host a concert at the local park, you need a permit.

If you and your friends take instruments to the park and start playing, you don't need a permit, if you want to be the only ones playing, or you want to cordon it off and charge admission, then you need the city to grant you those privileges. FNB is not asking for a special privilege, and therefor does not need a permit.

The problem with the permit rules is fundamentally that they are not intended to be applied uniformly. If you feed more than 25 people at your company picnic, you will not be arrested, and everyone knows it. The target is the "homeless", which is not stated in the legislation, since that would be obviously illegal.

This is a conspiracy between the police and city hall to do something which they know they don't have the right to do, by putting a broad rule on paper, and then enforcing it in a very narrow set of cases.

This article changed my life. Thank you, sir.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
lol
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/debunking-ewok-myth.php

Debunking the Ewok Myth

While ewoks are often mawkishly portrayed on film as cute, curious little urchins that live in tree houses and coo adorably, the reality of wild ewoks is an entirely different story. I live near the redwood forests of Northern California, so I’ve been around ewoks all my life; every hike, picnic, or camping trip I’ve ever been on has been marred by their unwelcome presence.

Are ewoks cute? Not at all. That’s pure Hollywood magic. In fact, ewoks are some of the most disgusting wild animals in North America. The dandy little chaps you’ve seen on the silver screen are just midgets in ewok suits; real ewoks don’t have smooth, clean fur, and no sane human would be inclined to pet one. They’re so plagued by lice, fleas, dander and mange that their coats are spotted with huge bald patches and pocked with weeping sores. Touching one would likely net you a fistful of loose fur, matted with pus and crawling with ticks.

lol
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/debunking-ewok-myth.php

Debunking the Ewok Myth

While ewoks are often mawkishly portrayed on film as cute, curious little urchins that live in tree houses and coo adorably, the reality of wild ewoks is an entirely different story. I live near the redwood forests of Northern California, so I’ve been around ewoks all my life; every hike, picnic, or camping trip I’ve ever been on has been marred by their unwelcome presence.

Are ewoks cute? Not at all. That’s pure Hollywood magic. In fact, ewoks are some of the most disgusting wild animals in North America. The dandy little chaps you’ve seen on the silver screen are just midgets in ewok suits; real ewoks don’t have smooth, clean fur, and no sane human would be inclined to pet one. They’re so plagued by lice, fleas, dander and mange that their coats are spotted with huge bald patches and pocked with weeping sores. Touching one would likely net you a fistful of loose fur, matted with pus and crawling with ticks.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

aaaah, they didn't have my favorite non-PC scene where they get up from the picnic, shake the garbage off the blanket and hop in the car.

Riff1:
G D Em
When I was your age I was just like you,
C G
And just look at me now; I'm sure you do.
But your grandfather was just as bad
And you should have heard him trash his dad.

riff2:
G/Am? D
Life's no picnic, that's a given:
C G
My mom's mom died when my mom was seven;

riff 1
My mom's father was a tragic guy,
But he was so distant and nobody knows why.

Riff3
Am Bm
Now, your mother's family, you know them:
C G
Each and every one a gem,
Each and every one a gem.

When I was your age I was a mess;
On a bad day I still am, I guess.
I think I know what you're going through;
Everything changes but nothing is new.
And I know that I'm miserable; can't you see?
I just want you to be just like me.
Boys grow up to be grown men
And then men change back into boys again.
You're starting up and I'm winding down;
Ain't it big enough for us both in this town?
Say it's big enough for us both in this town.


When I was your age I thought I hated my dad
And that the feeling was a mutual one that we had;
We fought each other day and night:
I was always wrong; he was always right.
But he had the power and he needed to win;
His life half over, mine about to begin.
I'm not sure about that Oedipal stuff,
But when we were together it was always rough.
Hate is a strong word; I want to back-track;
The bigger the front, then the bigger the back;
The bigger the front, then the bigger the back.

Now you and me are me and you,
And it's a different ballgame though not brand-new.
I don't know what all of this fighting is for;
But we're having us a teenage/middle-age war.
I don't want to die and you want to live;
It takes a little bit of take and a whole lot of give.
It never really ends though each race is run,
This thing between a father and a son.
Maybe it's power and push and shove,
Maybe it's hate but probably it's love,
Maybe it's hate but probably it's love.

Okay, I'll reel.

1. The truth you are hiding from has nothing to do with veridicality. By ignoring him you are simply not prone to his remarks, and thus the full picture - that is what I mean by truth. I refuse to be blind to them because they affect others that I care about too. To ignore them only lessens the likelihood that eventually something will be done about it. If VideoSift commenting and other people's feelings are a joke to the guy, then take away his toys until he learns a lesson.

2. Have you read the FAQ? "If these types of comments are regular occurrences, we will probably ask you to leave the community." They're practically his ONLY comment contribution.

3. Unpopular political views are no crime. This isn't about that. If QM and BillO are consistently leaving abusive comments then they deserve the same fate. I have only highlighted this case due to recent events.

4. No one. What I was trying to convey was that there is no accountability for these people, so there's nothing to stop more of them coming along and taking a shit in our picnic basket.

SUMMARY: WHY is nothing done when people are continually abusive? It's right there in the FAQ.

this show is getting weird, i'm switching off
edit: choggie and kp out on a picnic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmCe1NOITHQ

I bought the kids about two weeks ago a basket full of japanese treats, including Pocky sticks. I've tried to be all high minded about dishing it out little by little, or a picnic...whatever.

Saturday afternoon, I just let them have the whole bunch and watched them inhale the lot of it at the park. Greedy! heheh

Sorry it's taken this long to respond...

Your points are well made. Looking back, my point at the time was a reaction to what I perceived as more needless criticism of religion in general via its fringe elements.

Skepticism is important for both theists and atheists. As science advances, religious belief becomes more refined. If it rains during a picnic, few believe it's because "the gods" were angry. As a skeptic, this refinement is of little use to you, yet skepticism keeps the sincere religious on their toes.

I don't recall any major politician invoking God's will for any particular reason. I agree that they let people reach their own conclusions, e.g. Bush is devout, and by invading Iraq "while devout" this is "proof" that God wanted the USA to invade Iraq.

My answer to the whole kerfuffle is the saying attributed to Abe Lincoln, about being able to fool some of the people all of the time.

We're all annoyed by those we perceive as getting a free pass. As a believer that the earth's climate is what it's always been and no danger to humans, I'm angry Algore gets away with bad, distorted science with no rebuttals from anyone.

Reason is a godsend (ha!) but it's always in short supply. Man is still a vicious animal whose impulses must be controlled. In the past, religion filled that need. Today it still does, but coupled with complex laws and greater understanding of the natural world. The Mystery continues to expand along with our leaps in knowledge.

In reply to this comment by BicycleRepairMan:
Yes I do see a problem with that, I dont blame John McCain for the crusades and I dont blame Cat Stevens for 9/11, but that was not my point, I merely pointed out to you that being an atheist towards the christian god doesnt guarantee a reasonable viewpoint on any other subject. The problem with the "atheist communists" was not that they were too fond of skeptical and critical thinking....

Thank you for your great comment! Finally someone who can see both sides of the issue!

The negative points that you brought up about their faith are true. They do go after "lost sheep" in a way that I understand must be annoying for members who leave. We do have to remember, which I think you do, that they believe that they are commanded by God to be his instruments in bringing souls to him. They honestly believe that the best thing for you is to come back, and their sincere desire to help makes them a little overexcited, perhaps.

What I find really interesting about anti-Mormon criticism is that people have major issues with Mormons claiming that their church is the "true church". Isn't it logical, though? If ANY religion believes that they teach the truth and nothing but the truth, aren't they claiming to be the only truth? Because anything that contradicts them would be lies, right? Mormons believe that other faiths teach truth, just not the WHOLE truth.

I think that it was definitely wrong for people to teach you that your friends wouldn't be able to play in Heaven with you. I know it sounds horrible to most people that in order to get to Heaven you have to become a Mormon, but again, I believe that issue is misunderstood, even by some Mormons. I read that book, Mormon Doctrine, by the way. They believe that certain ordinances that Jesus taught, like baptism, are neccesary for salvation. They also believe that the priesthood is neccesary for baptism. They further believe that the priesthood was lost from the earth after Jesus' death and after all of the remaining holders of the priesthood died, and that through Joseph Smith, the priesthood was restored to the Earth. Therefore, only Mormons have the authority to baptize, and so you have to become a church member to recieve the saving ordinance of baptism. So, again, people blow that way out of proportion. I don't think you do, though. I'm just using your comments as a springboard for things I've been dying to say to videosift people. Sorry. But thanks!

>> ^SDGundamX:
I was a Mormon for several years (lived in a rural area, was the closest church in town until I was about nine and a new Presbyterians church was built closer). I have to say I'm a bit confused at all the hate that's delivered towards them. Of all the churches I ever attended (and I attended lots as a kid), theirs had the most caring and active community I've ever seen. If you were sick, church members were there the same day with food and asking what they could do to help. They had lots of great family activities all year round, such as picnics and camping trips.
But what impressed me the most about the Mormon church is that they basically taught me the morals I hold true today. They didn't just teach the kids in Sunday school not to lie because "God says so." They explored the consequences of things like lying and stealing. We'd do role-plays where they'd make us think about the consequences our actions had on other people. Like, for instance, if you shoplifted a toy you really wanted, how would the toy store owner feel? How would he feed his family if people kept stealing the stuff in his shop? The fire-and-brimstone Christian churches I later attended never impressed me much with their Bible beating compared to this style of teaching.
This is not to say Mormons aren't without their flaws. In some ways, they do resemble a cult. When my family left, they hounded us for years trying to "save our souls" and get us to come back. They would just show up unannounced at our house or call at random hours. It was more annoying than anything else.
Another downside was the whole proselytizing thing--I distinctly remember being told as a child that if I wanted to be able to play with my friends in heaven that I'd have to convince them to become Mormons too. Otherwise I wouldn't see them there. To put that into perspective though, my Dad's priest told him the same thing about his Protestant friends back when he was a kid. The Mormon religion hasn't got a lock on the conversion market by any means.
All things considered, I find the Mormon religion to be relatively harmless. Yes, they believe in some odd things like the Book of Mormon, but at the end of the day, unlike a lot of self-proclaimed Christians, I found the Mormons to do more than just give lip service to their values and actually practice what they preach.