Category Archives: Acting & Entertainment
Steven Spielberg vs The Modern Film Biz
I love Steven Spielberg as an artist, but his proposal to change the rules to keep streaming companies out of the Oscars, is way off base. As the Academy Awards attempts to stay relevant, he proposes to constrict, rather than expand, the scope of what constitutes an Oscar worthy film.
Mr. Spielberg prefers to watch a movie in a theater. That’s fine, until he wants to codify his personal preference, as a requirement for Oscar qualification. Netflix follows the arbitrary rules and puts their films in theaters for the required amount of time. This isn’t good enough? Interestingly, action films make most use of the “big screen experience” and they RARELY get a nod from Oscar, outside of the technical awards. Clearly, it’s not the experience that’s being protected.
What it seems to boil down to is protecting the prestige (& profits) of the traditional studios and the ancillary distribution markets that inherently erect insurmountable barriers to entry, for the vast majority of filmmakers. If only the studios have the access and resources to fund a major theatrical release, then only the studios will be able to qualify for the lucrative Oscar. The Academy would be setting themselves up for failure, by leaving innovation behind. They will be leaving great content behind, and in the process, relegating themselves to irrelevancy.
Who will care about the Academy Awards if people know that worthy films aren’t even able to compete?
The saving grace is that the Academy voters have themselves voted for films from these new studios. Will the Academy members agree that they were wrong and can no longer be trusted? Let’s hope they vote contrary to Mr. Spielberg’s flawed plan, and continue to honor filmmaking, not the status-quo, studio club.
Los Angeles Times Entertainment
The Hollywood Reporter
Variety
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Los Angeles Times: Steven Spielberg to propose Oscar rules that could keep streaming films out of contention.
Dear Santa from IntimiDATER
Dear Santa,
My request this year is of a unique nature. I was going to ask you to have the elves in IT put together a subset of your master list, with the following:
DalyDose of…#MyWhy
Most of us have the practice of making and declaring goals, down pat. Where we falter is with success. Many people have written and said many things to motivate us towards success. On social media, I’m guessing that you can find an endless supply of memes, with inspiring quotes typeset atop awe-inspiring images. The one thing that I’ve heard through the noise, that resonates with me, is finding your “why”. The author and motivational speaker, Eric Thomas, speaks of this as an ingredient for success. He’ll ask you “what’s your why?”. Businesses do this with a “mission statement”. They know why they exist and what keeps them on their path towards success. Individuals can use some of that focus.
If we’re looking at the sacrifices that one must make to be successful in any pursuit, it’s no wonder that so many people give up. If you have a strong collection of reasons “why” you are sacrificing, it might just push to you succeed. What’s my why? Read on, my friends.
Dose of 2015
It was a year, 2014. We had some victories together and we also left some challenges unfinished. As we rollover into 2015, it is a great time to reflect on where you’re at, envision where you want to be and how you plan to get there. There will be a lot of “enlightened” people calling resolutions by different names. I don’t care if you call them goals, intentions, plans, resolutions or wishes upon a star. There is value if you reflect, envision and plan (REP).
This post will feature my 2015 REPs for myself and apparently my IntimiDATER alter ego has decided to weigh in. This should be fun.
Let’s start with me. The real me. JD, El Jefe, The Great Jefferini or any of a host of nicknames you might know me as. I have some big stuff in store for 2015 and these are the highlights:
Picture Yourself
Many times we make our first impression, not in person, but online. It’s a static image that doesn’t have the charisma of your animated self. We need to maximize the impression that this image makes. Does it put you in your best light while still looking like you? Does it give clues to your personality? When they look into your photographed eyes, do they see a sample of your soul?
If we work together, the answer to those questions will will be YES. Are you read to Picture Yourself?
JD Reacts to 4D!
I had the fortune of being invited to see a movie in 4D Motion Effects. Yeah, that sounds a full 6 syllables of impressive. What is 4D Motion Effects? Is it really that amazing?
Well, check out my post-screening reaction below and then read along for some more thoughts and information about where you can experience this yourself in Southern California. Hint: You can pick up a load of fresh strawberries while you’re there.
My PureView of the Hollywood Sign Hike
Last week, I was in Portland and the change of scenery was great, but you gotta come home, right? My friend John reminded me that we often forget how interesting the place we live can be. With that being said, I decided to share one of my favorite hikes in Los Angeles.
In my pursuit of entertainment fame and fortune…or just the ability to pay my bills by doing what I love…I sometimes need perspective. It’s the kind of perspective that tells you that your awesome even when you can’t get a meeting or a referral or an audition. Yes, perspective feeds the ego and shuts out negative talk because OBVIOUSLY “they” are the one’s missing out.
OK, enough of that (for now). Let’s get to the hike. Every picture was taken with the Nokia Lumia 1020. Most were taken with the Nokia Camera app, but some were taken with Fhotolens and 4Blend HDR apps. Finally there are some panorama shots taken with the Nokia Panorama app. I’d like to say that this was a sponsored piece. Seriously, Microsoft, Nokia, etc…I’d LOVE to say that this is a sponsored piece. How ‘bout it?
Yes, there’s the hike. The picture above is on Beachwood Drive which takes you to the trailhead. Much like going to the movies or watching TV, the sign reminds you of your destination for the entire journey. Keep reading past the break to experience the journey with me.
JD Rants – Negativity
Yeah, yeah, yeah…the irony of this is not lost on me. It’s a RANT, I don’t care!
You know the nuts and bolts: Shot with Nokia Lumia 1020 and Edited with Sony Vegas Pro. The whole thing is stream of conscious from me, Jeff Daly.
Enjoy and BE POSITIVE…OR ELSE!!
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- JD Rant – Low Flow Toilets (jeffdalydose.wordpress.com)
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JD Rant – Low Flow Toilets
Happy Friday Everyone! I apologize, in advance, but sometimes I just need to get some things off my chest. One of those times is now.
I recently had to have low flow toilets installed in the building that I manage. Sure they’re touted to “save water” and thus, the environment, but is the full story more complicate and dare I say “messy”???
As is the case lately, this was shot with the Nokia Lumia 1020 with the Cast & Crew of 1, in my apartment. Enjoy!
Home Turf
My mission: To put my #NoExcuses manta to work. Last week, I wrote some mini-short scripts and now I wanted to shoot them. I was having trouble scheduling with anybody to help me, so I picked one that I thought that I could shoot on my own and I just decided to do it today.
It took a good portion of my afternoon, but I like how it turned out. I was able to show off the Nokia Lumia 1020’s HD capability. I was also able to (hopefully) show a bit of the funny that exists in my head. Most of all, I just got something done and that is so important in creating the habit of creating.
OK, let’s jump into it. I’ll give a few tips along the way…
A DalyDose of...Jeff Daly 