Seven long and lonely months...

Seven months since I posted my first blog post. Why the delay? It’s unimportant. In a nutshell, the ever dreaded Real Life got in the way and started to kick my ass. My desires to do a video project, let alone blog about them, went down to zero. I actually shot most of the footage for a pirate themed video in January, only to not do anything with it because I hated about half of what I shot. And I never did go to redo it, because quite frankly… Life came up again. Happy to say that I’m making a comeback however, and ready to get back into the art of film making once again!

I have a new project I’m working on, with the totally creative title of “John’s Next Movie Challenge.” Basically, I started it up because of something I need. I needed a deadline. I have some ideas, but never get around to getting them done. “That’s what I need,” I said to myself. “Someone to kick my ass and make sure I get something done on time!” But meh, I did find someone like that, but it didn’t turn out to be what I needed. Then I had the idea for this Challenge project…

Why not create a project where my “fan base” will come up with an idea to challenge me? It evolved into a little more than just a simple deadline, and included a specific time to shoot for and a general, but specific topic for the video.

Now, this isn’t to get just ideas from people. I can do that by myself, that’s the one thing I don’t have a problem with. It’s to prove to everyone who cares, and more importantly myself, that I can do a short film about anything within a few weeks.

I have a Facebook Page dedicated to the project, and every so often I will open it up for submissions. You just simply need to post and my Panel of Film Experts will look them over and decide which one I shall do. Now, my Panel is not me, myself, and I. Part of the Challenge comes from the fact that I have no control over which project I do. That way I don’t just pick the quickest, easiest one.

The Panel will remain anonymous, for a variety of reasons. I want the panel to be completely unbiased. This way no one can influence their decisions. They are film experts, people active in movie making. No they aren’t on the level of JJ Abrams or anything like that; they’re all local and work on local projects. But, they do have informed thoughts and opinions and, contrary to most armchair film buffs, actually know about and have some experience in the process of making films and writing stories.

Anyway, unfortunately if you’re reading this, the submission period for the first project has been closed. The list is with the Panel, and they shall decide my fate. I’m thinking about blogging about the process as I make this film, so if you’re interested, you can follow along.

So anyway, I’m back, and I’m posting, and I don’t feel like stopping now (but we’ll see what happens). One thing I *have* done in the last few months, which I’m rather proud of, is to sit and watch every John Carpenter directed feature film. For the first time, I feel like I can comment on a single director’s style and body of work. I’ll be expressing my views on him and his work soon. Also been sitting and watching the new Doctor Who, seen all of Eccleston (brilliant!), 2/3 of Tennant (not too bad), and the first season of Torchwood (my god it sucks). But more on that later…

A couple more things before I go.

Once again, here’s a link to the “John’s Next Movie Challenge” Facebook Page.

My friend Tenbluestar’s Blog, who in her own way inspired me to get back to posting on my blog.

And lastly, here’s the video of the day. This is my second short: World’s Worst Hangover. Staring Lewis Hiigel, Brenna Parker, and Thomas Qualls. Enjoy!

Until next time, this is John Kovacs Plisskin, saying good night and good luck.

I hate origin stories

So, here I am, starting my own blog.  Kind of because I need to, but it also lets me express some of my thoughts and opinions about the state of film and television and video work.  Plus it will allow me to keep the world updated on my work.

So this is where I guess I should tell you about myself, how I came to be, what led me here, etc.  Fuck that.  I'm going to use this first post as a chance to talk about something I generally dislike: origin stories.

It comes to my general dislike of needing to explain everything in detail.  Knowing that Magneto was in a concentration camp helps you understand his character.  Knowing why Kenny dies in everyone episode of South Park only to be perfectly fine in the next episode does not.  How about the Star Wars prequels?  Those were awesome, right?  Why, with all the crazy things in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, does no one stop and question reality?  They don't need to.  It works better that way.

The best way to understand a character's motivations is, usually, to introduce information a little bit at a time, on an as-needed basis.  Doctor Who is a prime example.  The very first episode kicks off with him and his grand-daughter, Susan, already well on their way.  They don't show you how he becomes The Doctor in that episode.  In fact, they don't go into mass detail on his origin throughout the now 30+ years of the show.  They don't need to, it's irrelevant.  Think of Lost, how much fun would the show have been in the first two seasons were nothing but the setup to the plane crash?  Even though you know that Darth Vader used to be an angsty teenager, he's still awesome, right?  Right?

There are always exceptions to every rule.  Frank Miller's origin story for Daredevil, "The Man Without Fear" is an amazing story.  Batman Begins or the beginning of Tim Burton's Batman both did a fine job of telling his beginning.  A.C. Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy of novels does a fine job of explaining every aspect of Solo's back story in an entertaining read.  There are others, but at the moment I can think of none.

And let me clarify, I don't consider an Origin and the Beginning of the Story to be the same thing.  The Battlestar Galatica miniseries is not an origin story.  They don't show you the original war, how the Cylons came to be, how the humans got to where they were, etc.  Most of that is reveled throughout the show.  No, that miniseries is the beginning of the story of the show.  That's different.

So anyway, you won't get my origin story today.  Nope nope.  If you're really that interested, you'll just have to keep reading.  My backstory and motivitations will be revealed over time on an as needed basis.

Until next time, this is John Kovacs Plisskin, saying good night and good luck.

Oh, and your video of the day:



My favorite of my short films.  The Man Haters Club, staring Irish Bob, Brenna Parker, Noelle Noir, Joe Arroyo, and Thomas Qualls.  Enjoy!