Film School

Shaffer Art Building

Class began today with a collective of first, second, and third year grad students. One requirement course is a graduate filmmaking seminar that is structured for students to create and experiment with film or video, and to evaluate and critique each others work. Early into the first several weeks, we conduct discussions based on treatments we bring in for short film ideas, and introduce some of the work we've already produced. What are we trying to pursue? What methods have we adopted and from where? It's an academic environment that applies heavy critical thinking and discourse in order achieve some sort of creative production. The process essentially repeats in a nonthreatening, informal way. It's very inviting.

I have now been acquainted with all of the faculty and film students. The two other first year grads are enjoyable and less timid each time we meet. I will be working closely with them as we familiarize ourselves with lab equipment and course curriculum. Sook Hyun Kim is from Korea and practices documentary work. Ying-Chin Wang is interested in teaching film and has studied independently in China. Aside from class, we will have equipment workshops, the first being this friday, learning the Arriflex SR1 Super 16 kit.

The film cage is where I report for work. Twice a week I maintain and properly check-out equipment to grads and undergrads in film and computer art. All of the equipment is at my disposal. Quite convenient. John, my supervisor, is also a bit of a crack up. Over beers, he discussed his thoughts on the film program, his career and his family. As it turns out, he's very into the Pacific Northwest and has frequented Snoqualmie Falls on a number of occasions with his wife. John also extended an informal invitation to work on set on two projects this summer, both shot exclusively here in town. Germ is a send-up of Zombie horror films with a modest budget that he is set to direct. Hotel Syracuse, is a more an elaborate thriller-drama under the helm of an Israeli director, Haim Bouzaglo. Supposedly, the producers of Hotel Syracuse are in negotiations to land John Malkovich and Martin Sheen as two of the leads. I've yet to get started and job opportunities seem to be coming around already.

Otherwise, I'm maintaining well now that I've surpassed my limbo state. Emily made an incredible cameo this past weekend by coming to visit. We bonded over Ms. Pac-Man, garlic naan bread, and beers.

File Photo

We sat in 2nd Story Books, read magazines with our bevs and browsed books. On the way back, I declared to Emily that I had found my new favorite spot to visit. Although we didn't get our 2am Insomnia Cookie order in, we managed to squeeze in some time for Wii Sports. It was damn good seeing those Miis again. Emily visiting is a true testament to her loving character. Dodging my way around a room packed full of bros and bro-girls just won't be as funny for a while.

Kervin Brisseaux

When I reported last Thursday of the progress being made, I underestimated the speed at which it was developing. It's enjoyable and slightly odd to find myself in the constant company of architect students. They are already a year into bonding over the stress of school work and social aspects of Syracuse. Yet, Kervin and I seem to have the strongest rapport. He is charismatic and has an exuberant personality that tends to grow when we discuss personal, creative work. Last night we hung out with his roommates, also architect grad students and most of whom I already met. He showcased some pieces from his online portfolio, but we didn't get a moment to jump into in an in depth talk. I thought I'd share with you some of his talents in Photoshop and Illustrator:

You can find out more about Kervin and his work here.

He explained that he has been practicing graphic art and illustration for years as a hobby, but would ultimately like to incorporate it into his profession as an architect. All of his techniques with Adobe software continues to be reinforced with self discipline and independent learning. It's inspiring. He talked of a online collective he'd like to start that spans a variety of expressive mediums. Perhaps this could lead to some really constructive work between us.

In addition to artistic pursuits, we find a lot of common ground in our appreciation for Lost, Battlestar, and Rock Band - shit that opens up a world of conversation.

Treasures

I'm glad you're nearby, Ithaca. You have a lot of qualities about a small town that I enjoy. You're seemingly pretty liberal, have a flourishing artistic community, and from what I observed, a proponent of strong sustainable values.

This past Saturday began with an eruption of rain and thunder. After Andrew entered town to pick me up and we started south a short ways, the weather seemed to calm and the storm clouds dissipated. Sun glinted down on us as we drove through surrounding dairy farms and untold rows of corn fields until we finally made our way to Ithaca. We hung around the Commons, an area primarily occupied with local shops and performance venues. Out of all of the places I've discovered since the move, I found this stretch of city blocks to be the most welcoming. I walked at a leisurely pace and listened to Andrew tell stories of coming out here when he used to live in Auburn six years ago. Moments later, I spotted a curious sign overhead pointing to a cinema in between two buildings. "Look at this treasure!" I examined the alley and found this:

Alley Cinema

We stumbled around some more and found a decent record store followed by a late Thai lunch at an overwhelmingly vacant restaurant. I neglected the secondhand bookstore across from the record store the first pass and decided to go back and give it a try after food. Autumn Leaves Used Books is also a record shop and cafe turns out.

The familiar atmosphere lured us in: Not uncomfortably quiet, antique smells, an abundant amount of obsolete technology, etc. Desperately, I looked to see if I could find some great used titles. Not a whole lot. I think the store gets cleaned out pretty regularly. Before stepping out, I peeked at the rare collection displayed behind the counter. It was beautiful...

You will be mine someday.

Subsequently, Andrew and I had some beers and watched the Olympics at a sports bar. I watched the springboard and diving events and reminisced of Railroad Ave back home. The Ithaca commons are very much like that part of Bellingham, just more elaborate and developed. There was an impromptu jaunt up the hill to Cornell University. Why? No particular reason. It was in close enough proximity. Result? Kind of ordinary. Although, there was a dazzling cricket near what appeared to be some sort of engineering building. Driving back through the barren small towns on the way home to Syracuse, I had recharged some motivation. It was encouraging to find instances of home on the opposite side of the country.

This House Is Growing

Manita was the first face I'd seen to inhabit this building opposite me. I still don't know where she's from and what she studies, but she has a puppy and isn't too timid to strike up conversation. She lives directly next to me in a larger space, but the view out her window is lackluster. So far I know we will be splitting internet costs. Jeffrey lives further down the hall and I've seen him once or twice. He's quiet and we have yet to communicate about anything, really. No matter. There are several others supposedly moving in this week. How close or estranged will we be over time? We'll see. It's good this place is growing a pulse.

Unadulterated Joy

Coming November.

Taking Shape

Kitchen.

Exactly one week ago I celebrated my departure with my dearest circle of friends. It's been downright excruciating at times, but changes have shifted rapidly. Since Jason and Dad left, I've been in the process of finishing my Teaching Assistanship orientation and modified a new apartment to feel comfortable in. It's been a welcome distraction, but usually on my way home, I'll catch a moment to assess my whereabouts and tend to make the assumption that I'm just temporarily visiting. Even though some of my belongings from Washington are here sitting with me, they somehow maintain an oddly unfamiliar connection.

Shower.

However, progress has been apparent. What began on Tuesday, and through the continuation of this week, I've been in the company of other graduate students from around the world. The atmosphere and vibe is quite interesting. We are a collective of young professionals salivating at the chance to dive into our respective fields. It's a serious environment, but there's room to have fun and to acquaint yourself with people in the other departments. During one of the seminars on problematic classroom situations, I placed myself next to an unsuspecting student. I decided to introduce myself to him and we chatted a bit. He informed me that I happened to be seated with his second-year architecture colleagues and was in good hands. Sarcasm on his part? Yes, but a few wise cracks later and I was in. During lunch break I met with the other four members of his class. Over Indian food we discussed our programs and hometowns. We repeated the process today and sat next to each other during a couple large seminars and followed suit with lunch. We grew friendlier, guards naturally fell, and we joked. It felt safe to set aside talks about school now. The duration of our conversation was colorful. I managed to explain the concept behind Taco Trucks, its relation to authentic Mexican cuisine and weather patterns in Bellingham and Seattle.

Orientation ID.

Guess who's coming to dinner? Well, it already took place earlier this evening, but a former coworker at the bookstore took me to experience some fine teriyaki and sushi. Andrew is vacationing in Auburn, a neighboring town west of Syracuse, with some family. To clarify for some of my familiar bloggers and readers, yes, the same Andrew that eats steak at dance parties and wears white-out contact lenses. A short time after devouring a hardy meal, he taught me the significance of Wegmans. As much as supermarket chains stimulate me, this one truly commanded my attention. My God, the variety, the discounts... Syracuse has a few treasures it seems.

This week is brimming with an exciting blend of the past and present. I am planning to visit Ithaca this weekend after Andrew offered a trek out there. Why the hell not? Tom Green goes to school there, right?

*I started a Flickr account. After this weekend I should have something posted.

Video Stills - Another Way

Here are some teaser stills from the Jenni Potts video that wrapped back on the 2nd. Thanks to Hollie Huthman for snapping these lovely photos. Now that I'm settling into my new place, I will begin to cut this thing together pretty soon. Until then...

Day 3

continued from Syracuse, New York...

It dawned on me today that the Olympics tend to coincide with some of the more memorable life adjustments I've had. Back in '92 the family moved to Yakima from California and I was on the brink of my third academic year as a student. It's odd because my memory of that year is spotty except a clear recollection of the Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson triathlon rivalry that was about to take place in Barcelona, Spain. The only distinct impression I got from their unimportant, competitive airtime was that they both enjoyed having Reebok as their corporate sponsor:

In '96, (which still remains my favorite year for the Olympics. What's up, Kerri Strug!) I was making the leap up to the middle school and had my first girlfriend. '04 was the transfer to Western Washington University. You get the idea. All of the Olympic coverage today got me in a nostalgic trance, largely due to this man who keeps popping up on my television set every four years.

Today we started out a little somber and quiet. It's been a demanding weekend for the Drori men. By the time I wrapped on some bedding purchases, moods lightened up some. We made our way to Best Buy to look at some tech. My sights are set on a TV right now. A little present to myself, sure, but realistically can't afford it. I consulted Abiel for some electronic advice and came back to finding Jason and Dad jamming on Guitar Hero, the Aerosmith edition. Man was that an amazing sight to see. I wish I could provide a picture. Dad really, really loves Dream On so much that he wanted to replay it again to hear the song. Well Dad, in your honor, here is your cut. Feel free to replay it as many times as you'd like:

Grabbed a corned beef sammie at a pretty medicore irish pub called PJ's downtown shortly afterwards. I had a sneaking suspicion my apartment was not yet complete and so we swung by to do a check. No one was there. Little improvements had been made. Whatevs. It's going to work out. I have to start thinking positive or else I'm going to completely psyche myself out here. All of the structural work now will seem so insignificant in a matter of time. Otherwise, today was a little more managable all the way through the evening. We ordered in pizza from Dorian's and caught up on more Olympic games coverage. Nom, nom, nom. Medals, medals, medals...

Jason leaves back to Boston tomorrow and so begins a new week and period of acclamation. After Dad leaves Tuesday, I will begin orientation for the assistantship. Hold on to your butts. We've got work to do.