Steinbeck- Author and Proclaimer of Da Truf

I am reading John Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent and came across this gem. Enjoy.

"I guess we're all, or most of us, the wards of that nineteenth century science which denied existence to anything it could not measure or explain. The things we couldn't explain went right on but surely not with our blessing. We did not see what we couldn't explain, and meanwhile a great part of the world was abandoned to children, insane people, fools and mystics, who were more interested in what is than in why it is. So many old and lovely things are stored in the world's attic. because we don't want them around us and we don't dare throw them out.

He's a Truf Pugilist, check him out!

Google Image Labeler

If anyone is still confused as to why Google is on track to conquer the world check out their newest diversion: Google Image Labeler. The concept is simple. You and a randomly paired partner are shown a picture (one of many in the Google image search) and your goal is to enter words that describe the picture. When you and your partner match a word you receive points based on the word. Simple words receive fewer points than more unique word matches. When you match a word you move on to the next picture. The goal is to score as many points possible in the 2 minute time limit. Now you might be asking why this simple game will lead Google to world domination. The answer is that through this simple, and might I add addictive, game, Google is using the word matches we create to facilitate better image searches. We are effectively helping Google create more effective and specific searches. The real genius of the whole idea is that they managed to turn a task that would cost a lot of time and money, not too mention be excruciatingly boring and have turned it into a fun and addictive game. To this I say "Welcome Google Overlord".

Check out Google Image Labeler here:

Google Image Labeler

Post your high scores in the cooment section to this post.

Lars and The Real Girl- Movie Review, but seriously just go see it!

Lars and The Real Girl drops this Friday but I was lucky enough to catch a sneak preview and am glad I did. You have to see it. It is an amazingly sublime film with some great acting and a story that pulls at your heartstrings. I recommend everyone see this film. Below is a link to the synopsis of the film. The description sounds absurd however the film is anything but. It is films like this that drive me to dream of making film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/synopsis

For Want of a Water Bottle...

...the production schedule was set back. Continuity is a fickle fickle mistress. We filmed the next installment of the film yesterday and then in editing realized that we had some significant continuity issues in the second section of the segment. Because of this we will need to reshoot a couple scenes. No big deal except that now the weather has changed and schedules are a bit busy at the moment. This means the next installment will be posted when it is done. After that post I will aim to post a new installment every other week with time for a week of voting and a week of filming/editing, but will slide on that schedule as time time permits (or more likely does not permit). Please subscribe to an rss feed or the email list here on the site to stay informed when I post. I will send an email of my own out to my contact list as well.

Thanks

Phil

Decisions Continued

Watch the continuing saga of everyman. When you are done watching scroll down to the 2nd week poll and vote.

It has been decided, stay tuned

Well the polls are closed and the vote is in. Stay tuned for the next part in our unfolding story. I will work to have it to you by Sunday. Voting will resume Sunday and run through Wednesday. I hope to keep that schedule each week.

Update- 10/7/07
My plans to release the next installment today, Sunday, Have met a delay. I will have the next installment up tomorrow. Voting will begin Tuesday and go through Thursday. I will work to get to the regular schedule of videos posted on Sunday, and voting occurring Sunday-Wednesday. Thanks.

Phil

Decisions

Watch and then vote to decide what happens next.

The Hook Has Arrived

So here it is "The Hook". I am sure that many my age remember the genre of books known as "Choose Your Own Adventure". These books left the direction of the story to the reader. At the end of each chapter the reader was given options for what the character should do next. IF the reader chose option A he/she would skip to Page X and if he/she selected option B they would skip to Page Y.

I have taken that idea and created the beginning of what I hope will be an interesting film and collective experience for all involved. I have started a story about a guy, so far he has woken up to a new day. It is up to you to decide what happens next. You the viewer will watch the current film and once it is done vote in the weekly poll to help decide what our protagonist will do next. The option that receives the most votes will become the next step in the story.

So watch the 1st installment of our saga titled "Decision" and then vote in the Week 1 Poll in the right margin.

As always please pass this on and if you are so inclined donate a dollar.

The Hook is Coming...

When I first came up with this crazy idea, a good friend of mine asked me "What will make people want to come to my site and give?" At the time my answer was "I don't know". Now I think I have the answer. The idea will hit on both aspects of this blog- the power of the internet and film making. I think people will have a compelling reason to regularly visit the blog and spread the word and perhaps give a buck or two. Regardless I think we are going to have some fun. So stay tuned and come back soon.

Phil

Recognition

As I receive Donations would people like to see a list of those that have given? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Looking for ideas

I am open to providing some incentive to encourage the donations so I leave it to you the people of the net to help me come up with an idea. What sort of contest would encourage you to help me in my quest? Leave a comment with your idea.

The Total

Total Towards Goal= $160.82

I will update every few days. Check back often.

The 1st Dollar

Well if I am to have any chance of success then I better put my money where my mouth is.

The Camcorder

Here is a link to the camcorder I am seeking to purchase.

Canon XH-A1