7.12.07

Break a Leg - the Sitcom

Okay, I feel like I haven't quite talked too much about Break a Leg. So I'm going to completely break it down, review-style.





As you can see from the trailer, it's about a writer named David Penn, who has just gotten his sitcom, Groomates, picked up. The whole show is basically a satire on modern-day Hollywood, with the multiple guilds, eccentric people, and of course the snuff-film actor turned porno star. Yes, it is as creepy as you think.



Now, the whole hook to this show is the fact that the naive protagonist is going to die at the end of the first season. He thinks. He's not exactly sure yet. So we go back one season, and get rid of that washed out, indie look. At this point we are introduced to our producer, Sebastian, and the director, Jennifer. Yes, Jennifer. It's Scandinavian.


The cast of BaL is mostly composed of local San Francisco actors, who were all initially gathered together to take part in Yuri Baranovsky's film Life Noir. They shot the film, but before they were able to edit it, Break a Leg (the sitcom) was born. Out of an online contest, too. By Myspace. Who does Roomates. Which Baranovsky hates. But enough of that.

The series is written by Yuri, and his brother Vlad. It's obvious that they both share their love of deadpan humour, which is the biggest draw of this show. If, for some reason you can't stand deadpan satirical humour, you should watch this show anyway.


Now I'm going to stop with the undying praise for a moment, and take a look at what really makes a Break a Leg episode. Unusual for internet shows, Break a Leg is actually filmed in a more conventional style. This is a very good thing, and something Baranovsky takes very seriously. Each episode, however, is broken up in three parts, with the latest episode, entitled "High Treason" being broken up into five pars. This is to allow release over several weeks.

The first episode introduces the characters and the hook. It provides some nice characterization, and it contains lots of archive footage cut into the actual show, similar to Arrested Development. Thus far these little clips of archive footage have been nice and humourous, I just hope it doesn't turn out like Family Guy with their overuse. Especially one the show gets into shorter length. It would be unforgivable if they sacrifice plot for laughs. Well, we'll probably forgive them anyway. They're just so damn lovable.


Thus far all their jokes have worked like clockwork. The second episode, which furthers the plot of the first, is fairly similar in substance. I had a bit more of a problem with this episode, because it was inside way too much. In this episode, a publicist hired by the network "CNC" is slandering the actors, so the actors have a sit-in. You know, like an intervention. Except everyone is sitting down.

Anyway, I personally felt like this episode lacked a bit of the lush San Francisco scenery, but we did learn about how desperate these actors were to become famous. We also learn of their camaraderie, though with a certain actor leaving in the end, and everyone else chastising the writer for vouching for his dismissal. The plot only gets more confusing from there.


Episode 3 is the onset of something horrible. I'm reminded of the Harry Potter films, but that thought immediately leaves me. (Despite both this Episode and the Harry Potter films thus far being chopped up in five parts. Coincidence? I think not.) Stuff only gets worse from the beginning of the episode, to it's (literally) explosive ending.

There's a mole in the production. What's worse, this mole has been selling the idea to another network. A rival network. So, David decides (with some prodding) to investigate. The whole turns out to be some form of conspiracy that, even with the seventh watching, I'm still not sure if I get it.


As for Episode 4, well it hasn't been released yet. However, the Break a Leg crew have been filming short little minisodes they call "Conversations". It's an actually great idea, as we get an idea of character relationships between the shows, without harming the overall plot. It's also a platform for Baranovskys and Co. to comment on current events. It's a very slick, entertaining idea.

Ultimately I like what I see. I like the professionalism they take in producing the show -- it's definitely not some teen in his mother's basement filming himself eat a goldfish with his webcam. That would be boring, simply because we've all seen it far too much. This is a wholly original idea, presented in digital form on the internet. It's humorous, and the best part: FREE. I would strongly suggest watching out for it, and for things in the future from these guys. They have a very intelligent, funny show on their hands, and I really hope they can keep it up.

Break a Leg - The Sitcom - www.breakaleg.tv

6.12.07

The State of Internet Video

Yuri Baranovsky, the co-writer/co-creator of the hit internet sitcom, Break a Leg, waxes poetic on internet video. An excellent article on the state of Internet Video. I strongly suggest reading this article. And...yeah...that's that.

read more | digg story

29.11.07

I cannot make up my mind!

As anyone who has been reading this blog knows, this is the fifth time I have changed the theme. I cannot stay consistent in how it looks...I've always been like that, though.

Anyway, I haven't forgotten about that one epic blog post, but I have yet to see enough movies that people tell me I ought to watch, so when I do, I'll finish.

26.11.07

Fonts, fonts, FONTS!!!

My internet fonts are not working anymore!!! This makes me mad. I can't get them to the right size, apparently, so pages don't display properly.

GRRR...

Anyhow, I hope everyone from America had a good Thanksgiving. Mine was...okay...I'm not really a big fan of Thanksgiving, personally. Allow me to explain.

You see, I think that a holiday that stands for thanks is a very important one. Unfortunately, ours is coupled with a very racist past. Which is rather unfortunate. Had it not been for the Native Americans, to say in the eternal words of that one guy: "We'd be fucked!" So I think it's horrible that we Americans celebrate a day that marked the beginning of the end of their freedom, and here we are today, chastising those who come here. As far as I know, everyone here (save for the Native Americans) are "illegal" immigrants.

Anyway, that's my rant. I shall speak no more of it, until next year.

In other news, Blogger does not have an underline option. That's very interesting to me.

20.11.07

I have not forgotten!

I have not forgotten about my epic post! I have just been far too lazy.

I finally got to see American Gangster the other day, great movie, I must say. I would strongly recommend it, but it is not for the faint of heart.

Anyway, I have not forgotten, but it is vacation time, so, y'know. I also have been playing Wii a lot more lately. Zelda, man! Anyway, I'm going to end this post now.

12.11.07

Epic, man

Okay, so I had a discussion with a friend the other day, and needless to say some really bad movies came up. With a hot nurse. And some other hot lady. Can't really remember the conversation, but suffice it to say that the word "hot" came up a couple time in reference to the women in the film.

Anyhow, I decided to write a list of 10 movies that I think you should watch in order to appreciate cinema as a whole. With a bit of reasoning. Of course, this is from a person who's just seen a lot of movies, and doesn't have much experience, but I have a tendency to watch movies as art. So, for all you people looking for a ride, go watch Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Then tell me what you thought.

I don't have the list done yet, but soon! I'm taking part in NaNoWriMo, so that's taking up a lot of free time. Oh, yeah, and school, of which I still do. Even if I strongly dislike my English class. My rebellion is now!

Well, later. Y'know, this is a really long post, that could be invested into my novel word count. Funny how that works. Have a good day.

11.11.07

Ubuntu 7.10!

Well I finally did it. I finally installed Ubuntu 7.10 on my computer. I'm currently dual-booting it along with XP.

How do I like it? I love it! Well, except for the fact that XGI is really slow...but I guess I can wait for the next version. And yes, I must have the extra eye candy.

I guess the big thing I miss from XP is iTunes...I love iTunes, but I guess I can always go back to it...if I wanted to. I also miss my modified Firefox...because I can't bring it back over here, but whatever, I'll live.

While typing this I have also noticed another thing that's a huge pain in the ass. The text is really really slow, and not catching up to me typing. Now, for those of you who don't know, I type at like 100 wpm, and my text is typing at about...35 wpm. That is about a 65 wpm discrepancy. That's no good to me. If anyone knows a cure for this, please be sure to tell me :).

Anyhow, now I'm gonna play around a bit more, and do some writing! Woohoo!

5.11.07

The Musings of the Revolutionary Mr. Opus on the Invention Known as Time Travel

Okay, so I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, and my novel is very quirky, written in a sort of second person, it's definitely a humour novel, but I think it'll be fun.

Anyone who's interested, here's my NaNoWriMo profile.

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Listening to: Paul McCartney & Wings - With a Little Luck
via FoxyTunes

29.10.07

ASCII Art

Remember ASCII art? Yeah, you do.

I got bored today. This is what happens:

EDIT:

Never mind...didn't work.

24.10.07

Cafepress

Okay, I've started a couple of Cafepress shops. Why? Because I'm bored, and I think it's funny.

That's why.

Peep 'em out at:



You don't have to buy anything, but you can admire my graphic design work. Oh, and keep your head out of the gutter - that was not my intent.

Have a lovely day.

23.10.07

Jobs...and Movies to see this Christmas

Okay, so I'm hoping to get a job. Which means I can get money. Which means I can go see more movies! Hurrah!

Anyhow, I'm in the mood to write a nice list of movies that are on the top of my list this holiday season.

  • No Country for Old Men
    • It's directed by the Coens--and it's bound to have their quirky humour in a war-type setting. What's not to love about that?
  • Sweeny Todd
    • Johnny Depp sings? Sign me up. Plus its directed by Tim Burton, and that's bound to be at least intriguing to see on the big screen.
  • American Gangster
    • Ridley Scott + Denzel Washington = Movie I must watch
  • The Darjeeling Limited
    • Yes, I haven't seen it yet. Yes, I will, because it's playing at my local "arthouse" theatre. That's good enough for me. Plus it's a bizarre Wes Anderson flick.
That's all for now. Those are four on top of my list, that I must go see. Too bad Golden Compass is going to suck. Even if it's being produced by New Line, it's too kiddy. I mean, c'mon, give us an R-rated epic fantasy to be proud of! Or at least PG-13. Oh, well, I guess we'll see where it goes.

21.10.07

I need to get OUT!

Okay, I have come to a conclusion that a lot of people have probably wanted me to come to for some time now.

I need to get out of my room...and find something to do! I need a hobby other than writing. Maybe I'll find a job. Maybe I'll finally get off my ass and do some filming. Who knows? I'll figure something out.

In the meantime, I have discovered that I am disliking writing essays more and more. I am getting sick about reading how I need to add more and more purple prose to my essay. Good lord, it is an essay, not a prose piece. If you want lovely purple prose, read that POS Eragon.

There, a good rant for the day. In the meantime, I want to write a new short! Isn't that exciting? No more revising for me. No sir! I shall begin anew with a new screenplay. Life is grand.

And I need a hobby.

20.10.07

Helloooo

No, I have not forgotten this blog. Even if no-one reads it.

I'm don't know what to talk about, though. And I'm kind of tired. So...I guess I'll just stop, and maybe post something long tomorrow. When it counts. Or not.

Anyway, nothing new. So, for all those wondering-yep. Nothing new.

15.10.07

Environmentalism - really an issue?

Okay, so because today is Blog Action Day, I shall blog on the topic of environmentalism.

Specifically, is it really an issue?

I don't think so. The earth has been around for about 6,000,000 years. So...in the space of 200 years, we're going to screw it up? I really doubt it. I mean, think about it. I'm sure there has been civilizations far more advanced than ours, and they didn't mess up the earth. It's still here? Why do we need to be so concerned? We knock down trees, more grow. The circle of life. For what it's worth, if we cease knocking down trees, what are we going to write on? One can only use recycled paper for so long. Plus, that stuff is crap anyway.

I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, or anti-environmental. I love the earth. I just think that we're making a non-issue an issue. To counter the argument "But we don't want to leave our problems to our grandkids!" So? They need their problems too. Not like we haven't received problems from our forefathers. Again, I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, but really do we need to worry?

So, in conclusion, I think that the environmental issue is a non-issue. Not like the earth is going to stop functioning because we're using up a few natural resources. Just my opinion, though, as always.

8.10.07

My Web Site

I send my regards.

Yesterday I started a website for me! Yay! We're all excited. And I did it in Google Page Creator...meaning that making it was really easy. Took me 5 minutes.

'Course, I could've made a nicer one in like, 4 hours, but I don't have 4 hours to waste.

Also - found the coolest podcast on iTunes - the Cult of UHF. Check it out if you like B-Movie goodness!

And finally, I have decided to make a podcast to go along with my website. Of course, I'll use a mic inside my laptop, but you all can deal. All 3 of you. Or 6. Or how many are there. Watching me. Type this.

Well, more like watch the consequences of me typing this.

Au revoir!

6.10.07

Movies, Blogs, and M*A*S*H, oh my!

Hello Wisconsin! (Erm-Minnesota)

No, but seriously, I just say 3:10 to Yuma and it rocked. Best Western since Unforgiven. 'Nuff said.

I also saw 28 Days Later yesterday, another phenomonal movie. (Phenomonal? Phenomeneal? Phenomenal? There we go). Basically, it's like a zombie flick on steroids, and not as cheesy. And it's British. No offense.

Also this is the first blog in which I have made ten posts! Hooray for me and all those who don't read it. I'm just another man...writing stuff...on the internet...

As if it wasn't congested with enough crap as it is.

Also - just watched some M*A*S*H, great show, but sad. Damn you Alan Alda! Don't toy with my heart!

2.10.07

First Person Shooters

Mate, let me tell you - I have gotten addicted to two first person shooters these days.

One is the old fave Unreal Tournament. I don't need to tell you how awesome it is...but let me tell you this - don't take your game on line. You will get your ass served back to you on a platter with some nice sirloin.

Second is the new fave Halo 3. Yes, it rocks, no, we did not contribute to the $170 million dollars they made in the first 24 hours (seeing as we bought it like a two days later) but it rocks, save for the fact that my brother likes to hand my ass back to me on a platter. But without the sirloin. He just gives me burnt chicken. The jerk.

Anyhow, Break a Leg the sitcom has released Act One of Episode 3...and it rocks. And Patrick Oneal is in it (ed- he means Patrice Oneal. He's just dumb, that's all). And I want one of their t-shirts.

Also - just to round things up - Cheapo my new fave store. CDs and DVDs and Vinyl, oh my!

17.9.07

Two Really Awesomely Amazing Things

Yes, I know, you're pumped to know what are really awesomely amazing. And that come in pairs.

Well, technically they're two different things altogether, but I digress.

First:

Wickedly awesomely cool internet sitcom. Trust me when I say you'll like it.

Second:
Emperor of the Fading Suns
Sweetest game, you can download it from a link at the bottom of the Wikipedia Page. Also, you'll want to download the Nova mod, just to make it better.

Best part about this game: It has PBEM. That's cool.

School

I finally was able to go back to school today. Finally! I have missed two weeks of school, and had to drop a class, but I am finally back in school.

Now I just have to catch up, which shouldn't be too difficult. I also have to do an essay for my English Comp class. Five pages on films done by Quentin Tarantino - a piece of cake. For me, anyway.

In other news, there is no other news.

13.9.07

Grrr...

I have found that being bit by a spider is no fun.


I've been out of school for two weeks now, and hopefully no less than that.  I am really getting sick of all of it, let me tell you.

At least I've been keeping up with my schoolwork, which is always a plus.  Hopefully I'll get better shortly.


2.9.07

Pan's Labyrinth

I just have to say that Pan's Labyrinth is a great movie, and that whoever reads this ought to see it straight away.

Unless you can't see, because it's in Spanish, and if you can't speak Spanish, you need to read subtitles.

That's all I have to say, because it's late, and I'm sleepy.

31.8.07

Witty Entry Title

Another day, another entry. Today was a pretty laid back day. Heard that NBC is taking their TV Shows off iTunes, got pissed. Went to the mall, my dad got an Xbox 360 there. That's pretty neat. We also got Heroes, which I want to get into. I can dig it.

Started another web site design after receiving a competition invite from RIT. So, yeah. That's fun. Too bad I need a teacher to sponsor me. :(

Well, that's it for today. I'm signing off, and watching Firefly.

30.8.07

Bloggy

I obviously do not have this blogging thing down quite yet. I guess I'll get it.

Anyway, I keep having this idea for a short film in my head, and I think I'm just going to go and do it. I'm pretty excited, especially since it's going to be retroscripted, which is pretty neat. I'm going to be a star!

In all seriousness, I think it's going to be cool, and I hope to have it done by October.

In other news, I want lots of DVDs. Seriously, I do. I mean, you have no idea. Naw, I really want Whose Line? on DVD, and a few other movies, but not that many movies. Not as many as I think I do.

I've started playing videogames again, which isn't all that strange. I guess I'm a kind of off-again, on-again kind of guy when it comes to videogames. I can go months without picking up a controller, or I can be playing upwards of five hours a day.

Don't know how healthy that is.

27.8.07

Dehydration

Woo, dehydration sure is fun. Went to the doc, got poked four times (once for blood, thrice for IV), and sat there for roughly two hours having water entering my bloodstream.

Not so fun.

Anyway, just got my course materials from Northwestern College. The class I'm taking there (English Composition) looks really easy to me, so I'm not too worried about it.

My First Post

Okay, so I guess this is going to be my blog 'for real'. Instead of a special interest blog, you get to hear me ramble on and on and on about stuff some people won't care about. So I guess that'd be fun.

If you like reading stuff like that.

Anyway, I will post and post, until I cannot post no more! Wait a second. 'Until I can post no more'. That sounds better. In my opinion. Which counts. Occasionally. To me.

Anyway, now that I'm done with single adverb sentence fragments, I shall conclude this post with one word: Pie.