RobMakesMovies.com

In the process of writing my treatment, I thought it to be best to do a running production blog so that others can understand better how, in theory, the Hollywood Machine works. I say “in theory” because I’m not actually a part of the Hollywood machine, but I am a part of the Industry it serves.

Now that I’ve cleared that up, let me start to get into the nitty gritty: Why make a movie? From what we have been taught here at Full Sail, read told, it is to tell a story. From what many people think they know of Hollywood, it’s to make money. Here’s my reason: To create a living, breathing world of people and places, and share it with mankind. That may seem like I’m trying to be “deep” or “ethereal” or whatever, but it’s how I describe it best. Yes, a story is most definitely involved; Yes, it is possible to make money, lots of money, with films. But the key reason that I would make a movie is that.

Mēan•îng•lěss Sěx. I know it caught many eyes over the past couple days in my status. I know this because I was messaged my more people than you would think saying things like, “Can I be in it?” or “Making a porno right out of the gate, eh?” I don’t mind these questions or jokes at all. It’s partially why I posted what I did. This film isn’t even in a full draft of scripting, and it has what is known as “buzz” based on a title, with certain goofy markings that tell you the proper pronounciation.

Here’s the question I’m sure you’ve since been pondering: What is Mēan•îng•lěss Sěx? That is what I want you to think about. Not about the movie itself (I’ll get into that in a later post), about “Meaningless Sex.” How do you define it? Is it thrilling? Is it repulsive? Is it what our generation now defines a meet-and-greet? Those are the questions I am going to put into this Indie Short Comedy. I’m making it such that it would be viable commercially (If it were to be released in theaters), but I believe that its controversial subject matter, as well as the style in which I will tell this story, will look favorably on me submitting this to Festivals next year.

In the mean time, continue to ask yourself how you think of meaningless sex. If you find yourself with an answer, comment and let me know what you think. Since I am still writing, your thoughts could be that of one of the characters in my story. Any opinion is valid. There is no wrong answer.

Thanks for taking interest.

Robert Sloan
Writer/Director – Mēan•îng•lěss Sěx
Full Sail University

Some very interesting things have shown up on varying sites on the net. All of which involve much-anticipated films of next year. The first of which involves J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” film. /Film poster Peter Sciretta posted an evolution of the USS Enterprise from The Original Series that started William Shatner’s career, all the way to the NCC-1701 that will be shown in the upcoming Trekkie Film.

FirstShowing also relayed the released image and had a small commentary from J.J. Abrams about why it looks the way it does. I think his explanation is brilliant.

If you’re going to do Star Trek there are many things you cannot change. The Enterprise is a visual touchstone for so many people. So if you’re going to do the Enterprise, it better look like the Enterprise, because otherwise, what are you doing?

The next film that had some great goodies for all the fans was Zack Snyder’s “Watchmen.” While I’m not quote sure where the lawsuit stands between the different studios, the marketing is still phenomenal. Here are six gorgeous posters that have recently been released:

Brilliant Noise takes us into the data vaults of solar astronomy. After sifting through hundreds of thousands of computer files, made accessible via open access archives, Semiconductor have brought together some of the sun’s finest unseen moments. These images have been kept in their most raw form, revealing the energetic particles and solar wind as a rain of white noise. This grainy black and white quality is routinely cleaned up by NASA, hiding the processes and mechanics in action behind the capturing procedure. Most of the imagery has been collected as single snapshots containing additional information, by satellites orbiting the Earth. They are then reorganised into their spectral groups to create time-lapse sequences. The soundtrack highlights the hidden forces at play upon the solar surface, by directly translating areas of intensity within the image brightness into layers of audio manipulation and radio frequencies.

Brilliant Noise from Semiconductor on Vimeo.

- Robert

I’ve already talked with some of my friends here in Florida about what this scene entailed. It’s amusing, and vulgar, and other variants of those same two words. It took around 16 takes or so to get the perfect shot. Only a couple were my fuck-ups. Mostly the director was just wanting to get more emphasis or a different type of tracking shot. The absolute last take was the one he will probably use in the film’s cut, but we have plenty of backups if for whatever reason it needs to be changed. It only took about an hour and half, including setup, to shoot and wrap that scene. I was happy with it, David, the director, was happy with it, and the film with open with a jaw-dropping hilariously disturbing scene of me.

The character I play has become more and more interesting as David and I work together. Already, he wants to write another couple scenes, just to amplify how big of a douchebag Barry Dease actually is. I’m fine with that, especially if it entails me acting like a complete asshole. Something about being a jerk is just fun.

In either case, I hope we can get enough scenes shot within the next couple weeks that David will cut together a trailer of some kind. If he does I will definitely post it.

- Robert