Posts Tagged ‘film’

OMG, Remote Controlled Chopper Video of the Best San Francisco Car Driving Video Ever: Ken Block’s Gymkhana Five

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

All right, 27 million YouTube Views later, it’s safe to say that Ken Block’s Gymkhana Five was the best thing to ever hit the 415. See below.

But now, via Spots Unknown, there’e this:

A short video of remote controlled helicopter shots of the making of G5.”

It’s like just 1:44 long. Click on it. Go for it, nobody’s looking. I’ll look out for your boss. You know, in HD.

There you go.

Ah, memories:

“Only 305 Views so far, but this one will end up with tens of millions of viewers, soon enough.

Ten minutes – full screen and 1080p please:

So that’s what was going on when the Bay Bridge was shut down that day.

I’m already looking forward to the director’s cut, you know, with outtakes and errors and broken stuff.

And just for the record, San Francisco Film Commission, the kids these days don’t want to see scripted drama crap like NBC’s Trauma, they want to see something interesting. So the sooner you stop subsidizing crap like NBC’s Trauma, the better off we’ll all be…

“DC and Ken Block present Gymkhana FIVE: Ultimate Urban Playground; San Francisco.

Shot on the actual streets of San Francisco, California, GYM5 features a focus on fast, raw and precise driving action. Filmed over four days, director Ben Conrad and his team are back to work on their second Gymkhana production and delivered the entire city of San Francisco as Ken Block’s personal gymkhana playground. DC Shoes also provided fellow DC athlete and longtime Ken Block friend, Travis Pastrana, to make a cameo appearance on his dirtbike, and S.F. resident Jake Phelps of Thrasher Magazine fame also makes a cameo as Block hoons S.F. in his most incredible Gymkhana yet. For more information check us out at http://www.dcshoes.com/auto

And here’s some context:

Jumping Taylor in a Fiesta. Wow:

And in the Financial, on California, near some fake cable cars:

More in Potrero Hill, on Bike to Work Day 2012:

And again in the Financial, being filmed by a radio-controlled chopper whilst being recorded by a Saturday-working, Financial District Dell Jockey:

And Matier and Ross say that there were donuts being done on the Bay Bridge – did anybody see that?

Teaser #1 – Impressive – Drifting on a Barge – Chopper Shot

Teaser #2 – All Talk, No Action – Dirt Bike injury? – Man, They Sure are Teasing Us

Teaser #3 – Oh Ma Gah – Drifting and Jumping at the Same Time – Is This Possible?

The Second-Best Bay Area-Related Press Release of 2012: Elisabeth Thieriot Manages to “Survive” “False Accusations”

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Remember this bit from earlier in the month?

Area Whacko Elisabeth Thieriot Hosted a Mayan Spiritual Leader in Tiburon and She Wants You To Know ALL About It

Well, she’s back.

But first, a little background. It seems the world will end on December 21, 2012:

The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on 21 December 2012. This date is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Various astronomical alignments and numerological formulae have been proposed as pertaining to this date, though none have been accepted by mainstream scholarship. A New Age interpretation of this transition is that this date marks the start of time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation, and that 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era. Others suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of the next solar maximum, or Earth’s collision with an object such as a black hole, a passing asteroid, or a planet called “Nibiru“.

OK fine.

Area whacko Elisabeth Thieriot is working on, in her words, “saving humanity” so you gots to listen to her.

(Especially when UHF Channel 36 cuts into a Friends rerun on a Sunday afternoon.)

Deets below.

And please remember, you only have 144 days left before you’re going to have to KYAG:

“It’s A Red Carpet Life…” Features Exclusive Interviews on “Decoding B’aqtun” - Host interviews Head Elder of the Mayan Council and film executive producer & financier Elisabeth Thieriot

SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2012 — MBL Media Productions, an Emmy Award-winning, full-service film and video production company, is proud to announce the premiere of “It’s A Red Carpet Life…The Mayan Prophecy,” where host Marybeth La Motte will discuss the concept and production process behind the filming of “Decoding B’aqtun.” The documentary, filmed in Guatemala in April 2012, uncovers rarely seen Mayan artifacts from the sites of Tikal and Quirigua, Guatemala.

In the episode airing this Sunday, July 29, at 5:25pm PDT on KICU TV36 (directly after “FRIENDS”), La Motte interviews the Head Elder of the Mayan Council, Apolinario Chile Pixtun, and Elisabeth Thieriot, President, Elicosma Productions and also the film’s financier and executive producer. “We encourage viewers to tune in and find out about ‘Decoding B’aqtun,’” La Motte shares. “The unique opportunity to learn more about the Mayan calendar and culture has been a rewarding experience for our team and we can’t wait to share the insight with our audience.”

In his interview with La Motte, Pixtun explains why the Mayan culture designed its calendar thousands of years ago and how it holds true today. He also recaps the development of a substantial friendship with Thieriot and his respect for her concentrated effort in the face of adversity throughout production.

In the second half of the interview, Thieriot explains the Mayan prophecies of 2012, clarifies what society has achieved in the last 5000 years, and gives a sneak peek into what the movie discloses about the Mayan calendar. She also candidly discusses production hurdles and surviving false accusations and blackmail from a previous film’s production in Mexico.

For more information on “It’s A Red Carpet Life…,” please visit: www.redcarpetsf.com, or call MBL Media

Productions at (415) 297-3221, or email redcarpetsf@mblproductions.com.

About “It’s A Red Carpet Life…”

“It’s A Red Carpet Life…” is the most recent addition to the KICU network’s primetime entertainment and news lineup. Pioneered by Marybeth La Motte, host of “Red Carpet Bay Area” and founder of MBL Media Productions, the five-minute spotlight is shined on select individuals during brief interviews where a wide variety of topics are discussed. Whether it’s the mysteries of the Mayans, luxurious getaways, business tips, or even advice for marketing oneself in front of the camera, “It’s A Red Carpet Life…” covers all of the San Francisco Bay Area’s latest entertainment news.

About MBL Media Productions

MBL Media Productions is an Emmy Award winning, full-service film and video production company specializing in the unique needs of events, the fashion and luxury sectors. Host Marybeth La Motte capturing interviews of runway shows and special events, and integrates clients’ editorial material into enticing online and television formats.

SOURCE  MBL Media Productions

MBL Media Productions

CONTACT: MBL Media Productions, +1-415-297-3221redcarpetsf@mblproductions.com

Web Site: http://www.redcarpetsf.com

Again, OK fine.

“Too late,” the prophets cry
The island’s sinking, let’s take to the sky

Area Whacko Elisabeth Thieriot Hosted a Mayan Spiritual Leader in Tiburon and She Wants You To Know ALL About It

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

I suppose.

I can’t think of any other function for this press release, seen below.

Now, be careful what you say about Elisabeth Thieriot. ‘Cause I’ll tell you, the San Francisco Examiner seems to be in fear of her, or her lawyer, or perhaps I’m jumping to conclusions here but this page used to have a few words about ‘Lisbeth and also a reference to a Reuters article about some allegations about Mexico (or Guatemala?) and the police and some purportedly stolen stuff and some movie about 2012 and the Mayan Calendar and other things that rich people in Marin County seem to enjoy.

No no, you’re best off just calling her a “famed business woman“ and moving on.

To this:

Elisabeth Thieriot is a prominent San Francisco Philanthropist and founder of Seasons San Francisco, a lifestyle company promoting natural beauty through healthy skin, diet and seasonal living. The philosophy of Elisabeth Thieriot is based on the universal law of cycles, macrobiotics, and living water, body type consumption, healing botanicals and being aware of the environment. This philosophy, along with the proper care and feeding of the body and the skin, sleep, healthy living and awareness of the seasons and their transitions will bring out the natural beauty and vitality that we possess. It removes illness and allows the body to do its work for physical, mental and emotional health. Beauty is not skin deep, it comes from within which is dependent on our attitude, what we eat, what we put on our skin, what we come into contact with and our physical activity. Attention to these things is what creates timeless, ageless longevity and truly represents the fountain of youth.”

All right, here it is, the best Bay Area-related press release so far for 2012:

“Head Mayan Elder, Apolinario Chile Pixtun, Visits San Francisco to Discuss Mayan Calendar - Executive Producer and Financier of ‘Decoding B’aqtun,’ Hosts Head Mayan Elder in a Questions + Answers Session

SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, 2012  – Elisabeth Thieriot, a San Francisco-based business woman, co-founder of PhoneCharge, Inc, philanthropist and author of Be Fabulous at Any Age hosted a questions and answers session for the Head Elder of the Mayan Council, Apolinario Chile Pixtun, on June 27th for friends and media at her home, Lions Gate in Tiburon, CA.

“I always enjoy coming to Elisabeth’s house because she is a gracious host and has a warm heart,” says guest, Sudha Pennathur. “It’s even more of a pleasure to be invited to Lions Gate and get the rare chance to meet Apolinario to learn about the Mayan culture and her [Thieriot's] film that has been a big part of her life this year.”

Guests sipped wine and savory hors d’ouerves, while Thieriot and Pixtun answered questions one by one from guests and media. Question topics ranged from the Mayan culture and the calendar, to the upcoming movie “Decoding B’aqtun.” Guests represented a wide range of backgrounds, from the Catholic Church, a Cryptologist, an Indian jewelry designer, a Guatemalan female empowerment advocate and more.

Pixtun clutched his Mayan spiritual guidance stick while explaining spirituality in the Mayan culture and the meaning of this b’aqtun in particular. He also discussed the film, “Decoding B’aqtun,” and the pleasure of working with Thieriot.

“[Working] with Elisabeth was different. It is a different work relationship. It is a different way of seeing life,” Pixtun explained. “Working with her is good and especially working on a project that will save humanity.”

Thieriot and Pixtun worked well together and bonded in a strong friendship during production. This is why Pixtun made a stop to Thieriot’s house on his U.S.A. tour of hosting various Mayan conferences.

The film is a guide to the secret of how to live a fulfilled life through spirituality by the Mayan example. While Pixtun explained the Mayan culture, there is more to be revealed that the film touches on. “Decoding B’aqtun” is scheduled to come out at the end of 2012.

To watch the interview of Thieriot and Pixtun, respectively, as well as highlights from the question and answer session, tune in on July 29 at 5:25 p.m. to “It’s a Red Carpet Life…” Red Carpet Bay Area’s summer shorts on KICU TV36 and re-watch the segment with additional photos here.

About Apolinario Chile Pixtun
Apolinario Chile Pixtun is the Head Elder of the Mayan Council. He is a spiritual guide. He carries the wisdom of his Mayan ancestors and passes it on to generations. He travels around the world to hold Mayan conferences and speak about the calendar.

About Elisabeth Thieriot
Elisabeth Thieriot is a San Francisco-based business woman, co-founder of PhoneCharge, Inc, philanthropist and author of Be Fabulous at Any Age. She executive produced and financed the movie “Decoding B’aqtun.”

About “Decoding B’aqtun”
The film does not yet have a debut date. Shot in Guatemala, the film uncovers previously seen Mayan artifacts from the sites of Tikal and Quirigua, Guatemala. It takes its audience on a journey to discover the optimum quality of life through the Mayan prophecies and example.

SOURCE  Elisabeth Thieriot

Elisabeth Thieriot

CONTACT: Hernan Horario Mendez

Web Site: http://elizabeththieriot.com

Only in Marin…

You’re such a wonderful person living a fabulous life
Sensational dazzling perfectly sized

OMG, They Made a Movie About the AC Transit Bus Fight – On Netflix Now – Entitled “Bad Ass” – $$ for Epic Beard Man?

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

This incident in the East Bay a few years back…

…has been made into a movie called Bad Ass:

Which I guess is old news.

But the new news is that you can watch this flick for free now via the NetFlix.

It’s just released. See?

“This movie is: Exciting”

(But, sorry streamer-only NetFlix people, right now you can only have them mail you the DVD or the Blu-Ray – you can’t just stream this to your device.)

And no, I don’t think Vietnam Tom Bruso, or anyone else on the bus that day…

…will get a dime out of Bad Ass.

That’s Tinseltown for you…

OMG It’s Here! The Best San Francisco Car Driving Video Ever: Ken Block’s Gymkhana Five

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Only 305 Views so far, but this one will end up with tens of millions of viewers, soon enough.

Ten minutes – full screen and 1080p please:

So that’s what was going on when the Bay Bridge was shut down that day.

I’m already looking forward to the director’s cut, you know, with outtakes and errors and broken stuff.

And just for the record, San Francisco Film Commission, the kids these days don’t want to see scripted drama crap like NBC’s Trauma, they want to see something interesting. So the sooner you stop subsidizing crap like NBC’s Trauma, the better off we’ll all be…

“DC and Ken Block present Gymkhana FIVE: Ultimate Urban Playground; San Francisco.

Shot on the actual streets of San Francisco, California, GYM5 features a focus on fast, raw and precise driving action. Filmed over four days, director Ben Conrad and his team are back to work on their second Gymkhana production and delivered the entire city of San Francisco as Ken Block’s personal gymkhana playground. DC Shoes also provided fellow DC athlete and longtime Ken Block friend, Travis Pastrana, to make a cameo appearance on his dirtbike, and S.F. resident Jake Phelps of Thrasher Magazine fame also makes a cameo as Block hoons S.F. in his most incredible Gymkhana yet. For more information check us out at http://www.dcshoes.com/auto

And here’s some context:

Jumping Taylor in a Fiesta. Wow:

And in the Financial, on California, near some fake cable cars:

More in Potrero Hill, on Bike to Work Day 2012:

And again in the Financial, being filmed by a radio-controlled chopper whilst being recorded by a Saturday-working, Financial District Dell Jockey:

And Matier and Ross say that there were donuts being done on the Bay Bridge – did anybody see that?

Teaser #1 – Impressive – Drifting on a Barge – Chopper Shot

Teaser #2 – All Talk, No Action – Dirt Bike injury? – Man, They Sure are Teasing Us

Teaser #3 – Oh Ma Gah – Drifting and Jumping at the Same Time – Is This Possible?

 

Unbiased Report Concludes That CA State Film Credit Program Benefits are Exaggerated – What About SF’s?

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

Does the “Scene in San Francisco” program work? I’m sure it does for some people, but does it succeed overall, you know, for the Commonweal?

No.

It’s the same deal with the CA state film subsidy program, which was recently looked at by the CA State Legislative Analyst’s Office.

See below.

Did San Francisco subsidize the horrible NBC non-hit show Trauma? Yes. Should it have? No. 

Click to expand

All the deets:

Net Credit Benefit Likely Much Less Than Reported.

We have discussed five issues that could affect the results of the LAEDC and/or UCLA-IRLE studies:

 Unknown assumptions embedded in the LAEDC economic models and their failure to consider the benefits of alternative public or private uses of tax credit funds (which could result in the credit program having significantly less net benefit than shown in the studies).

 In-state film activity that would occur in California without any tax credit (which results in the credit program having less economic and tax net benefits than shown in the LAEDC study).

 In-state economic and employment activity resulting from out-of-state productions (which results in the credit program having less net benefit than shown in the studies).

 Crowding out effects (which result in the credit program having less net benefit than shown in the studies in at least some years).

 Effects of film-related tourism (which would likely not result in significant changes in net benefits in most years).

While the total effects of these issues are impossible to quantify, their combined effects are likely to be negative in any given fiscal year—that is, resulting in the net benefit of the credit program being less than shown in both the LAEDC and UCLA-IRLE studies.

Given the conclusion that the net benefit of the credit program is likely less than shown in the LAEDC study, the LAEDC’s finding that the output-to-credit ratio was about 20-to-1 is likely overstated, as is its estimate of job gains resulting from the credit program. Moreover, given that UCLA-IRLE adjusted downward to $1.04 the projected state and local tax revenue return from every credit dollar and given that we find that this also was overstated, we believe it is likely that the state and local tax revenue return would be under $1.00 for every tax credit dollar—perhaps well under $1.00 for every tax credit dollar in many years.

In any event, even if the combined state and local tax revenue return is right around $1.00 for every tax credit dollar, the state government’s tax revenue return would by definition be less than $1.00 for every tax credit dollar. The credit program, therefore, appears to result in a net decline in state revenues.”

OMG, It’s Your Summer of NightLife! Thursdays at the Academy of Sciences – Pride, Gallery Crawl, Soundwave, More!

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

As they say:

NightLife events in July 2012 at the California Academy of Sciencesevery Thursday night is different.”

Which one will you attend next?

Deets below.

Put a little swaggr into your Thorsdagr why not? Thusly:

Click to boogie

California Academy of Sciences

Remember, I love the Nightlife…

See you there!

June 21
Pride NightLife
Kick off your celebration of SF Pride weekend at NightLife. In the Piazza, Heklina of Trannyshack will host a fabulous drag performance and “tranimal” costume contest. Carol Queen & Robert Lawrence, co-founders of the Center for Sex and Culture, will give a talk titled “Seven Billion Sexual Orientations” about supporting sexual individuality and diversity. In the planetarium, don’t miss “Stargayzing” at 6:30—a look at the mythology behind some of your favorite constellations—followed by two showings of Earthquake. Plus, hear tales of sex-changing fish and other fascinating animals from an aquarium biologist, and enjoy activities and information from organizations like Hard French SF, Rainbow World Fund, Gay & Lesbian Sierrans, and AIDS Memorial Grove. Entertainment in the east pavilion by San Francisco icon Juanita More and the Stay Gold DJs. Additional music by Hard French DJs Carnita & Brown Amy in the coral reef.

June 28
Gallery Crawl NightLife
For one night only, the Academy will transform into a pop-up art museum, featuring guest curators who will each take over a portion of the space with hand-picked collections that reflect their take on the intersection of art and science. See the selections of Tenderloin art pushers Ever Gold Gallery; Michael Cuffe, founder of online arts publication Warholian; Spoke Art, San Francisco’s newest art gallery and publishing house; writer/curator/street art aficionado Adam Reed Rozan; and Electric Works Gallery, which tends to focus on contemporary art work balancing strong graphic and conceptual elements; and other guest curators others to be announced. Live music performance by Tim Cohen’s band Magic Trick, whose music evokes the early era of rock ‘n’ roll with hints of psychedelic pop. Additional music by Britt Govea, DJ and founder of (((folkYEAH!))), whose sets feature contemporary and cutting edge artists who bridge a large gap of musical sounds and styles. Music presented by (((folkYEAH!))).

July 5
Soundwave NightLife
Celebrate opening night of San Francisco’s innovative three-month art and music festival, Soundwave, presented by MEDIATE and The Bold Italic. The night features a blend of art, science and sound around this year’s festival theme: challenging audiences to question their perspectives on the present and our hopes and fears about the future. Futuristic space rock band Lumerians performs in the piazza, musician Matt Baldwin will play amongst the fish in the coral reef, and guitarist Danny Paul Grody will play the skies of the Aurora Borealis in a mini-planetarium, with DJ Tristes Tropiques spinning the night away with disco house/post-punk tunes. Select Soundwave artists will present interactive demonstrations that explore future experiences of sound and technology, including Les Stuck’s video dance sensors, The Cellar Ensemble’s sound/light oracle instrument, Jay Kreimer’s empathic facial responder and instruments, Drew Detweiler’s Lumisketch, and Stephen Hurrel’s live sounds of the moving Earth. Plus, Apocalypse Cakes author Shannon O’Malley will serve samples and read from her guide to doomsday desserts.

July 12
Disposable Film Fest NightLife
This week, NightLife and the Disposable Film Festival want you to do it yourself. What’s a disposable film, you ask? A short film made on a non-professional device, so DIY is the phrase of the night. At Disposable Filmmaking 101, pick up tips and tricks for creating a masterpiece with whatever camera you have on you (even your cell phone). Discover the latest and greatest gadgets, apps and hacks you should have in your toolkit from the experts at PhotoJoJo, Boom Grip and Veetle, and then practice your storytelling at the flipbook animation booth and interviewing workshop. Attend a food filmmaking workshop and learn how to make food prep look glamorous on-camera. Stop by the Public Bikes station and contribute your story to their bike advocacy video. Disposable Film Festival’s 2012 competitive shorts will be shown throughout the night in the Forum Theater. Music by Slayers Club.

July 19
Mixology, Mixtapes and Remixes at NightLife
NightLife stirs things up with Noise Pop this week. Watch the mixologists at Cocktail Lab work their magic during demonstrations using seasonal ingredients. The San Francisco Mixtape Society will host a mixtape swap, so come prepared with a mix tape, mix CD or mix USB stick inspired by the theme of Night Creatures. You’ll walk away with someone else’s mix and a smile on your face. Watch masterful DJs remix a track before your eyes and ears in the Remix Lounge, featuring Friendzone at 6:00, Yalls at 7:00, and Giraffage at 8:00. Music in the Piazza, presented by Noise Pop, is by Heathered Pearls [Ghostly International, ISO50], followed by Dan the Automator. Renowned in underground circles for spearheading critically acclaimed underground projects Handsome Boy Modeling School with Prince Paul, and Deltron 3030 with Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Dan the Automator is perhaps best known as a co-founder of the widely successful anime influenced trip-hop project Gorillaz.

July 26
Runner’s NightLife
In honor of the 35th annual San Francisco Marathon, NightLife celebrates athletes who hit the pavement to push their limits mile after mile. Learn how to take care of your soles with a talk on foot and grounding massage by the SF School of Massage; stop by African Hall for a deep tissue massage and Jamba Juice sample; and make your own headbands and wristbands with SCRAP. Learn why ostriches are the fastest animals on two feet, clocking in at up to 43 mph. In the planetarium, catch the “Messier Marathon” at 6:30, a look at some of the 110 deep sky objects documented by astronomer Charles Messier, followed by two screenings of Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet. Enter the “Runners Have Soul” fashion contest with your best 60s-70s soul–inspired look. Plus, Academy microbiologist Shannon Bennett will be on-hand to discuss her work with mosquitoes, and to conduct a eyebrow mite survey of NightLife guests. Hint: chances are you have them, and no, you can’t outrun them. But the good news is, they’re harmless! Music by the soul/boogie DJs Gordo Cabeza & Timoteo Gigante (MOMSF).

NightLife Basics:

What: NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences (for adults ages 21+) featuring music, cutting-edge science, and food and cocktails available for purchase

When: Every Thursday, 6-10 pm

Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Cost: $12 per person ($10 for Academy members); Tickets available at the door or online at https://www.calacademy.org/tickets/nl.phpWeekly Details: Available at www.calacademy.org/nightlife

Know Your Bay Area Curly-Haired Redheads: 1993′s “Quest of the Delta Knights” vs. Disney Pixar’s Brand-New “Brave”

Friday, June 8th, 2012

There isresemblance, non?

Thena from Novato, 1993:

Merida from Emeryville, 2012:

Brave is due for release on June 22, 2012 in North America

Well Here It Is, Your Moment of Zen: A Nine-Minute Video Called “Rehabilitating the Presidio Officers’ Club – An Overview”

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

Our Presidio Trust just posted a video to the YouTube about the OC being in rehab.

You people want history* in the Presidio? Well here, have some, via un film du Melissa Peabody:

“No place in the Presidio is more beloved than the historic Officers’ Club, located on the Main Post. Over the course 235 years, the building has played many roles. It served as offices and living quarters for the fort commander, as a post headquarters, as officers’ quarters, and as a social center for the Spanish, Mexican, and United States armies. With each new use the building has grown and evolved, like the Presidio itself.

Today, the oldest and most revered building in the Presidio (and one of the two oldest in San Francisco) is undergoing a comprehensive historic rehabilitation that will revive its original grandeur and restore it as a focal point for visitors and as a venue for cultural events.

This video provides an overview of the Officers’ Club history and plans for returning it to its place as the Presidio’s premiere social destination.

The Officers’ Club will reopen as a community and social hub housing the Presidio Heritage Center in 2013. The project is expected to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

This film is by Melissa Peabody. Copyright 2012, Presidio Trust”

*As opposed to a modern art building or a lodge or a working movie theatre or anything else the richers of the Marina actively fight against…