Portroids

Starfest 2010!!!!!

2010-04-18T20:40:00.000-06:00

Starfest has been happening in Denver since 1977, so I have no excuse for having never attended until this year. To be fair (to me), I only just heard of it last year (and even that was after it had concluded), so I made sure I didn't miss it this time. I've never attended any sort of comic or sci-fi or horror festival or convention, though I'm a fan of many elements of these genres. I always felt I'd feel out of place amongst the super-fans that I assumed would frequent these events. I was wrong. It was awesomely fun.

The festival/convention takes over the Marriott DTC and Hilton Garden Inn in Denver. Everywhere you look you see people in costumes, booths set up by model-makers, make-up artists, authors, fan groups, and toy sellers, artwork, special celebrity guests, and all manner of experts in the fields of sci-fi, horror, and comics. There are tons of films screening, events and panels. There is nothing I can say to do justice to the girth of activities that take place over the two and a half days it runs. This year it was April 16-18. And I only attended one day (Saturday). Please check out the website and seriously consider attending next year. I think you'll truly enjoy it.

I went hoping to do some interviews, but the celebrity guest schedules were so packed, it was just insane. And they all seemed so happy to be participating and interacting with fans. I was able to get portroids of many of the guests (and even got to interact with a bunch who I didn't photograph).

Here are the special guests I met and portroided:

R2-D2

R2-D2 was there with a bunch of great fan-made droids (including the mouse and gonk droids). In response to a tweet I posted about meeting and portroiding R2, my friend Darryl Duffy quipped "these aren't the portroids you're looking for".

Tim Rose

I got to spend a little bit of time talking to Tim Rose. He was a designer, engineer, and puppeteer on Return of the Jedi. He designed and operated Salacious B. Crumb, Admiral Ackbar, and Sy Snootles. I asked him how he felt about Sy being replaced in the Special Edition version of the film by a CGI character. He said he wasn't happy about it and went out of his way to make sure he had the original on VHS. We discussed them finally releasing the originals on DVD and our mutual joy at that. He also was a puppeteer on The Dark Crystal as one of the skeksis.

Garrett Wang

Garrett Wang from Star Trek: Voyager, on which he played Ensign Harry Kim.

Christopher Judge

From Stargate SG1, in which he played Teal'c, Christopher Judge.

Marina Sirtis

Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Summer Glau

Summer Glau was the most popular guest at the convention and had lines that snaked around the event hall. She went from the autograph booth to the photo station back and forth most of the day and with a smile for every guest. I was able to get this photo in the tiny window between one of these transitions, and as she had been with everyone else, she was very nice to me (as, I should say, were all the guests. Very gracious and friendly and seemingly genuinely happy to be there). Summer played River Tam on Firefly/Serenity and was also on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (as well as many other shows).

Those were all the portroids I took. I did get a few photos of some of the general environment:

A victorious Rogues Gallery

I think this is a Dr. Who something or other

Lost In Space robots

Game afoot

Droid builders

Autograph lines (at a light time)

The Academy of Sorcery

Some sort of battle scene (Tri-Wizard Tournament?)

Balcony decorating contest

More balconies

Yet more balconies

Industrious zombie

The line for Summer Glau

The line for Summer Glau (continued)

GONK!

I'd like to thank the staff at Starfest, as they were all very accomodating and friendly and helpful. It was a great experience all around. I can't wait for next year's!!

See you there!
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Portroids Interview with Ashley Jensen

2010-04-11T17:36:00.001-06:00

At the Vail Film Festival, I had the chance to sit down with Ashley Jensen for an interview. I intended to release it as a Portroidcast, but the background noise makes it very hard to hear, so I'm transcribing it. If anyone still wants to hear the audio, let me know and I'll make it some sort of hidden bonus track. Otherwise, enjoy it in a written form.

April 2, 2010
Portroids Interview with Ashley Jensen!!

PORTROIDS: I'm here at the Vail Film Festival with Ashley Jensen. Hello, Ashley.

ASHLEY JENSEN: Hello.

P: Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me for an interview. You first came into my awareness, and I would assume the awareness of a lot of America, with your role as Maggie on Extras.

AJ: Yeah.

P: Before that you’d been acting for around 15 years in the UK and had appeared on over 30 shows.

AJ: Yes.

P: How did you get started in acting and what were those early years like?

AJ: It was always something that I knew that I wanted to do and I went to drama school. Spent three years there, and relaxed and almost did a teacher training year. And then my best friend looked at me and said, "Ash, why are you doing this? You don't want to be a teacher." And I was like, "No, look, it will be something to fall back on." And I think, I always stop and look back and think, if I'd had that to fall back on I may've fallen back on it. Because I didn't have that to fall back on, I had to make a real go of it. I had to be quite determined in supporting myself as an actress. I started off doing theater, a lot of theater, and a lot of sort of low-scale theater where we would travel to small destinations in Britain, put up the sets, physically, do our show, physically take it down, stick it in the back of a van and travel to the next place. So I did a lot of that, so I feel as if I've really sort of served my apprenticeship to get where I've got to today.

P: Yeah. I read online that you were the voice of the interviewer on the Christmas episodes of The Office. Is that true?

AJ: No, that's a lie.

P: No? It's a lie? Okay.

AJ: Yeah, that was not me.

P: That was not you.

AJ: It does sound a little bit like me, but I think its an actress called Sandy McDade.

P: Okay, yeah, because there are a couple places online that say that it's you.

AJ: It's absolutely not me. You put them right.

P: I will.

AJ: Yes.

P: And now, so that was, I was wondering if that was kind of how you got involved with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant?

AJ: It wasn't. It was completely conventionally through a casting director at the BBC who had got me in several times before, to the point that I began to feel as if I were letting her down because she was so incredibly loyal to me that she kept getting me in for things thinking, obviously, "I think this girl's got something. I don't quite know where we're going to put her but let's put her in for that part." And I kept not getting the parts and I ended up going "I'm so sorry" and she eventually got me in for Extras and a connection just happened with Ricky and I and it just worked. I read the scenes and he read with me, and I think one of the scenes that we read in the interview was the scene in the Samuel Jackson episode where its the Golly toy ...

P: Okay, yeah.

AJ: I think it's that one and then another one, I think, that was actually cut about gypsies and about, and I think it might be on some DVD extras somewhere about, gypsies and pigeons, no, gypsies and seagulls. Or something.

P: On Extras, which we were just talking about, your character would sometimes innocently and inadvertently end up saying some horrible things in front of the wrong people.

AJ: Yes.

P: Was that ever uncomfortable thing to do as an actor, or was it just fun to play along go with the script?
AJ: Interesting question. It was always fun to break taboos as an actor. That's always kind of quite, kind of like, liberating, I think. There was one scene where there was the girl in the Kate Winslet episode that had the disability and I had to look at her sympathetically and go, "oooh, look at that poor wee thing." And that girl was the coolest woman. She did stand up comedy and that was her act, was about who she was and her disability, and she was the kind of person that ... Martinez, what was her name? Somebody Martinez. Anyway, can't remember. (Francesca Martinez) But, she was one of these people that within fifteen minutes of being with her you didn't actually see her disability.

P: Right, yeah.

AJ: And also the other one with an actor called Warwick Davis, who played the elf from the toadstool, who was another guy who was so, "I'm OK, you're OK". That was another guy that you didn't notice his disability after awhile. But I think sometimes it was a little bit like oh my god, you're aware that you're breaking so many taboos. But I think that as an actor, it is a responsibility. I think that the writing is so, their writing is so good that they don't conform to anyone. I think that's what makes the writing work, that its so honest.

P: Now you’ve become a regular on American television, with over 60 episodes of Ugly Betty and in the new series Accidentally on Purpose. How do you compare your UK television experience to that of the US?

AJ: There's a lot more money spent on television in America. The budgets are bigger. And in terms of Ugly Betty, the hours that you spend on set in a day are phenomenally long, I feel, compared to Britain. Its a lot warmer when you're filming in California, when you're outside, than it is in Britain. But I think that one of the things I've noticed, like, people ask me often about the comedy, the different types of comedy, like Extras, Accidentally on Purpose, and Ugly Betty, cause they are all so very different.

P: Right, yeah.

AJ: And, cause Accidentally on Purpose is a sitcom filmed in front of studio audience, so that's bringing in other different skills, which, I'll be honest, that I've learned from Jenna Elfman, watching her, who is just, she's done so many years of Dharma and Greg that she just absolutely knows how to play an audience as well as the camera at the same time. And although I've done a lot of theater and been aware of how you play an audience, there's still cameras in your face. So, that's been a technique that I feel as if I've had to learn.
P: And seasons are a lot longer here. They just continue to go on and on.

AJ: They certainly are. And I think that's the difference that Britain sort of quits while we're ahead.

P: Yeah, absolutely.

AJ: And hopes that people buy the DVD so we get DVD sales money. But, sometimes there's pros and cons. I'm not sure which I prefer, actually, because I would love to do another season of Extras. I think, I still think we could squeeze another, another special, out there. But, you know, if something's working then keep doing it.

P: That makes sense.

AJ: But, then again there is the thing of it leaves people wanting more if you leave them at the top rather than "well, it was good at the beginning, and then it kind of got a bit limp", you know?

P: Yeah, some people complain about the US Office, based on it continues to go and go.

AJ: Yeah.

P: It's still a quality program, but it doesn't have the same emotional impact that the original did.

AJ: No, it doesn't.

P: I know you weren't part of that show, but just as a comparison between US and UK.

AJ: Although a lot of people think I am. People go, "oh, The Office was amazing", and I'm "yes, it was amazing, wasn"t it?" "Oh, and you know it, not me, I wasn't in it." "That was Lucy Davis, who was wonderful in it."
P: You’ve also recently done voice acting in “How to Train Your Dragon”.

AJ: Oh, that was a very, very tiny part.

P: Oh, was it? I haven't seen it yet, I just read it was in your credits.

AJ: No, I was basically an extra in that. An extra voice. But I have done one called Gnomeo and Juliet, which is coming out next February, which is Miramax.

P: It must be a different form of acting, cause you're only putting your voice out there and you're trusting the animators to bring your voice to life.
AJ: Absolutely.

P: So, I just wanted to find out how you felt about that experience going into it.

AJ: You're also not doing it with any of the other actors. It's you in a studio on your own with a microphone.

P: Right.

AJ: Not even reading dialogue. Literally saying one line after the other and then the director says "be a bit more sympathetic" and then you do the line a bit more sympathetically and then they'll go "now do it like you're really pissed off at her. OK, now do it like you're a bit hurt by what she said." So, you kind of give them lots of different versions of the same line.

P: As I mentioned at the beginning, we're at the Vail Film Festival, and you're here with a film you did with your husband, Terence Beesley.

AJ: Yes.

P: It's called Sunshine. I saw it today. It was great.

AJ: Yes, thank you.

P: What can you tell us about that film for people who haven't seen it and about working with your husband, who wrote and directed the film?

AJ: Well, yeah, he wrote it and directed it and edited it and did the music for it, and I produced it by, you know, I got the team together for the crew. And basically everyone did it through the good of their hearts really. Our DP did it cause they liked the script. Basically it's about two men that are sort of stuck under their own black clouds, if you like. One is from Scotland, one is from Sweden. Both from the Northern Hemisphere and countries that don't see an awful lot of daylight and how that kind of affects their drinking and their attitude to life and the future. I think it's just basically about carrying your own black clouds about you and being self-obsessed.

P: Yeah. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but there's a part where it seems like he's broken through the darkness, well, for both the main actors, yet at the end you kind of see he still has a dark outlook.

AJ: Yes. It's sort of a black comedy, really.

P: Yeah, absolutely. Next question is just what's next for you? What do you have coming out?

AJ: Well, I"m still doing Gnomeo and Juliet, and I'm waiting to hear if Accidentally on Purpose got a second season. And Terry and I are about to start really getting to grips with our next short. We're going to try to do another one.

P: Yeah, you guys were here last year also.

AJ: My husband was acting in a film last year, yes.

P: At the Vail Film Festival.

AJ: Vail regulars.

P: Perfect.

AJ: Yes.

P: Alright, well thank you so much.

AJ: Thank you very much.

P: It was very great talking to you.

AJ: Cheers. You're welcome.

P: Have fun at the festival.

AJ: Thank you very much.

Thus concludes my interview with Ashley Jensen. I hope you enjoyed reading it, and in the future I will ensure I conduct these in a quiet environment so they can be listened to in podcast form. Ashley also mentioned after the interview that she and her husband produced a baby boy five months ago, so congratulations to them on that. Thanks again to Ashley for taking the time to sit with me during the Vail Film Festival. It was a real pleasure.

Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

VFF2010 - Yet Another Quick Update

2010-04-04T09:28:00.000-06:00

Today is the final day of the Vail Film Festival. I'm going to watch a couple more movies, but doubt I'll get any new portroids.

Full recap of the entire event later. For now, these are the new portroids I took yesterday:

More soon,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Vail Film Festival 2010 - Day 2, my Day 1, written Day 3

2010-04-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

Having a great time. Wish you were here.

Love,
Rick

This entry, by the nature of time, will be short, but its apropos of my experience thus far at the Vail Film Festival. We arrived yesterday morning and after check-in I hopped on a shuttle and went to Beaver Creek (the only complaint I have about the fest this year is the 20 minutes driving distance between the two major venues (slightly inconvenient, but understandable)). I went to Beaver Creek to catch two short film programs (that's the tie-in I was trying to make to the shortness of this update (failed)). I love short films. I will go into more depth about the films I saw in a future entry, but I am on my way out the door to go see Shorts Program 4 (this time held in the Vail Plaza Hotel, where we're staying).

Today I hope to do a lot of fun stuff. Look at the schedule at vailfilmfestival.com to see what that might be!!

I conducted an interview for the Portroidcast yesterday with the actress Ashley Jensen. I loved the interview we did, but there was so much background noise from the filmmaker party happening in the adjoining lounge that it may not be listenable for a podcast. If I can't solve the issue of minimizing the crowd chatter, I will transcribe it for all to read. I hope you read it. I know you will.

OK, I need to get downstairs to watch more shorts (and today I will also be watching some long-form feature length films, so I'll report on those, too).

Here are the portroids I've taken so far. Cleaner copies and descriptions will be on the site as soon as I get home to my scanner.

Talk to you shortly (continued failure),
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

VFF2010 = Vail Film Festival 2010!!!

2010-03-29T09:36:00.000-06:00

Hello.

First, I need to apologize for that boring and unrepresentative first sentence (yes, a sentence can be one word). This update deserves more excitement than that. Reboot.

HELLO!

The Vail Film Festival (VFF for short) two-thousand and ten (2010 for short) starts this Thursday in beautiful Vail, Colorado. But this year, because the festival has grown so large, it will also have many events that take place in Beaver Creek. What??? Yep, you heard (read) me right. Vail and Beaver Creek will be the host cities of this year(2010)'s VFF (V&BCFF? No, don't be ridiculous). And once again I will be there to cover all the fun (or as much as I can fit in (35% of all the fun (because this festival is just that huge!)))!

I'll be staying at the Vail Plaza Hotel and shuttling to Beaver Creek as often as necessary (daily, I'd presume).

This year's festival will be screening over 90 films from April 1-4, 2010. Don't believe me? Think I'm a total liar? Well, here's the schedule, Señor Neysayer! Say ney no mas!

Oh, but it's not just going to be about seeing awesome films and skiing (I forgot to mention skiing, but I hope you made a correct assumption that while in Vail, skiing happens (not for me, as I am rubbish on skis)), it's also about cool celebrities and music and awards and panels and competitions. Go back to the last paragraph and revisit the schedule. You won't be sorry!

So, who will be there? Besides me? How about this guy ...

Zach Braff

And these two:

Terence Beesley

Ashley Jensen

And this musician fellow:

Cary Brothers

And a ton of other awesome people, like: Patrick Warburton! Jane Seymour! Dennis Haysbert! Others!

Plus, a couple friends of mine, who I've known for around 20 years, have a short film screening in the Shorts 3 program on Friday, so go see that. It's called Path Lights.

I'm also going to be working on doing a couple Portroidcasts while there, so subscribe now in iTunes so you don't miss out the second they go up. Who knows who will agree to an interview. Let's hope it's lots of fun people.

So, after all that, I hope you bought a ticket to Vail and got your festival passes and that I see you there!

See you there!

Rick

portroids@hotmail.com

Jay and Jack LOST items (and more) for auction for Autism Speaks!!

2010-03-18T13:39:00.000-06:00

Quick update to let you know about these cool items up for auction on ebay by the Jay and Jack Show in connection with their upcoming 30-hour marathon podcast this weekend (starting Saturday, March 20, 2010). The proceeds all go to Autism Speaks. Lots of great items from LOST and other shows. Check it out!!
Here's someone from Lost, who has some signed items in the auction and will be part of the 30-hour podcast:

Tonight at UCB Theatre - LA - Night of 140 Tweets

2010-03-12T15:53:00.040-07:00

0There is an event tonight which has nothing to do with me, but is so awesome I wanted to advertise it (though it is sold out and you can't go (unless you already have tickets)).

It is called "Night of 140 Tweets" and it consists of 140 performers coming out on stage one after the other and reading one of their tweets, all in a theater that has a 99-seat capacity. The event is hosted by Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel (both from Human Giant (and a thousand other things)) and sponsored by Stillerstrong and Funny or Die. It is a charity event to help support rebuilding Haiti.

Many of the 140 performers (more when you include the videos) appear on the pages (webpages) of portroids.com (I knew I could find a way to make it about me), and here are who they are (with their twitter page linked):

Nick Kroll

Adam Scott

Other performers, not on portroids (yet):

Jen Kirkman
Diablo Cody
Jesse Thorn
Jordan Morris
Rob Delaney
Will Ferrell
Ashton Kutcher
Dave Holmes
Whitney Cummings
John Ross Bowie
Steve Agee
Damien Fahey
Mindy Kaling
James Gunn
Dragon Boy Suede (Howard Kremer)
Eric Appel
Chantal Claret
Alex Blagg
Kelly Oxford
Michael Hitchcock
Aubrey Plaza
Jonah Ray
Rich Sommer
Dane Cook
Glenn Howerton
Charlie Day
Rob McElhenney
Eddie Pepitone
Nathan Fillion
Colton Dunn
Rainn Wilson
Josh Fadem
Sasha Grey
Joanna Angel
Bob Saget
John Stamos
James Urbaniak
Ed Helms
Kate Micucci
Caprice Crane
Kyle Kinane
Kevin Seccia
Dan Harmon
Dan Levy
Riki Lindhome
Chelsea Peretti
Sean Tillmann
Bryan Greenberg
Damon Lindelof
Mike Colton
Neil Mahoney
Doug Lussenhop
Arden Myrin
John Cho
Ethan Suplee
Eric Filipkowski
Demi Moore
Kulap Vilaysack
Sophia Rossi
Nick Thune
Jon Daly
David Harris
Jeffrey Ross
Jason Woliner
Freddie Gibbs
Samantha Ronson
Brain Huskey
Justin Lyon
Mary Elizabeth Ellis
Shannon Elizabeth
Tom Scharpling
Brendon Walsh
Mike Phirman
Justin Long
Questlove
Jamie Denbo
Jessica Chaffin
Jenny McCarthy
Lake Bell
Nia Vardalos
Wilmer Valderrama
Muno of Yo Gabba Gabba
Brett Gelman
Chad Carter
Paul Rust
Ben Schwartz
Neil Campbell
Katie Dippold
Alec Sulkin
Joe Wengert
Jensen Karp
Greg Fitzsimmons
Andrew Donnelly
Mike Schur
Alan Yang
Casey Wilson
Jackie Clarke
Rob Schrab
Liz Meriwether
Jordan Rubin
Stephanie Pratt
June Diane Raphael
Todee (from Yo Gabba Gabba) (Julia Vickerman in costume)
Owen Burke
Ilan Hall
Jarrad Paul
Brea Grant
Ellie Kemper
Peter Sciretta
Deanna Russo
Ian Gomez
Neal Brennan
John Aboud
Janina Gavankar
Bill Simmons
Morgan Walsh
Chris Romano
Andy Milonakis
Will Sasso
Daryl Wright
Ariel Schrag
Adam Pally
Curtis Gwinn
Chris Kula
Gil Ozeri
Aaron Bleyeart
Mike Mitchell
Tricia McAlpin
Eugene Cordero
Emily Maya Mills
Codi Fischer
Cameron Sinclair
Rob Corddry
Joe Mande
Adam Lisagor
Dave Ferguson
Jon Lajoie
Andy Cohen
Jake Fogelnest
Hannibal Buress
Olivia Munn
Kevin Pollack
Caissie St. Onge
Jon Glaser
Dave King

I added all these to a Twitter list you can follow.

That's the 140 who will be (were) there!! As I hear more names, I'll add them to the list. I may have some extras who weren't actually on stage (but were in videos), so will refine as the truth is revealed.

Paul Scheer will have the official list posted on his website soon (probably March 15), at which time I will finalize this list, too (as I think I still have some extra people on here). And, thanks to Rob Huebel for listing this blog on his website. Very cool!

Photos on the night were taken by the great Robyn Von Swank. See them on her flickr page.

A DVD of the event will be available to purchase on amazon. You can pre-order it now!

Courrier International

2010-03-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Bonjour,

The new issue of Courrier International on Japan Pop features my portroid of Haruki Murakami. Buy it if you get the chance and turn to page 62 (after you buy it, of course).

It may be online after it leaves newsstands, too, but you're probably best served buying it, as I've already instructed.

Au revoir,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Portroids and the Academy Awards

2010-03-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

The Oscars (the somethingth annual) are this Sunday, March 7, 2010.

I'm not going to pick who I think should win, but instead will show a little gallery of nominees and presenters (as best I know) who appear on portroids.com (because it really is all about me, right?).

Here we go!

The hosts of this year's Academy Awards are:

Nominees include:

Other nominees who I have seen, but did not take a portroid of, include: Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness, Matt Damon, Stanley Tucci, Helen Mirren, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Henry Ansbacher, and maybe some others without even realizing it (hardly counts, though).

Some of the announced presenters include:

There are probably others that I missed. Watch on Sunday to find out who they are!

Goodbye!
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Inspired Art

2010-02-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was recently contacted by artist Filip Allberg regarding using one of my portroids as a reference for a new piece. Of course, I agreed. He sent me a scan of the completed work and said I could share it, so enjoy!

See the portroid he used for reference here.

More Podcasts, etc.

2009-12-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to remind you to listen to the new portroids podcast (Portroidcast). You can subscribe in iTunes, or go to the main podcast site, or listen to them directly from this blog.

Listen here for my interview with Matthew Bissonnette and Joel Bissonnette at the Starz Denver Film Festival, where they presented their new film "Passenger Side".

And here is another podcast of my interview with Adam Scott, also at the Starz Denver Film Festival, who was in the films "Passenger Side" and "The Vicious Kind" (which begins screenings in LA on December 11, 2009).

Next up is an interview I will be conducting this Thursday with comedian Natasha Leggero. Expect to see that posted up on Thursday night.

Also, in portroid news, we'll be going to New York on Dec 18-20, so expect a lot of fun new pictures from that trip. I'll also try to do some quick interviews while I'm there, so as I keep saying, subscribe now.

Love,

Rick

portroids@hotmail.com

"American Faust - From Condi To Neo Condi" - A Review

2009-11-23T20:52:00.001-07:00

As you all know, I've been attending the Starz Denver Film Festival for the past twelve days (or thereabouts) and have seen many great movies (of which I will write later). I've also been able to meet, photograph, and interview some of the filmmakers. Overall, it has been very fun. That's my overall generic review. More on that later. For now I'd like to get into the discussion of one film in particular.

American Faust - From Condi to Neo Condi

Condoleezza Rice is a war criminal. And she has gotten away with it, whether out of fear of her power by those who should be pressing charges, or by indifference to the atrocities she initiated/allowed/ordered. After seeing this documentary film, which I recommend you do, you cannot plead ignorance anymore of her involvement in torture, pardoning of the Blackwater killers, and starting a war and continuing said war under false pretenses.

The film, by director Sebastian Doggart, takes a more objective approach, tracking Condoleezza's life from her early days in segregated Alabama all the way to her time as US Secretary of State. Along the timeline, as the Faustian title suggests, Condoleezza makes decisions, takes opportunities, that increase her power while her ideals drop off one by one, seemingly without emotion.

There is no narration in this documentary. It relies solely on interviews, testimonials, news clips, and expert opinions of people in Rice's life, with both positive and negative impact. Condoleezza's life is such an interesting story about an intelligent and compelling woman, and if it was fiction I would love the twists it takes. The problem is that it is real and it is horrifying. Left unchecked, power leads to corruption, and in the name of protection, through pre-emptive strikes and enhanced torture techniques, to the demise of any moral standing our country could wish to have.

This is a well-made and compelling film which I would recommend everyone watch. But don't just watch it. Act upon it. Write to your Congressperson (find out who they are and how to contact them here (send an actual letter if you can)). Demand action be taken.

I welcome any feedback, either before or after you see the film. Commit to seeing this documentary. The decisions, past and present, the people in government make ripple through the world. The bad decisions, some made for personal gain, some for seemingly the right reasons but with the wrong tactics, can accumulate into a tidal wave of hatred which we may not be able to stop. We need to act now and hold accountable those who made the decisions, by using the laws we have established so these crimes should not have happened in the first place. Otherwise, what are we but complicit?

You can buy or download this film from indiesdirect.com starting December 2, 2009 or find out more at americanfaust.com. Also, you can become a fan of American Faust on Facebook to stay up to date with the film's developments.

I also conducted an interview with the director, Sebastian Doggart, which you can listen to here, or by going to my podcast page at http://portroids.podbean.com/

Next time, I will return to more jovial topics, including my interview with Matthew Bissonnette (director of the film "Passenger Side") and Joel Bissonnette (actor in the film "Passenger Side"), and my interview with actor Adam Scott ("Passenger Side", "The Vicious Kind", Starz TV comedy "Party Down", and "Step Brothers").

With Highest Regard,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

New Podcast and More 32SDFF!

2009-11-18T11:18:00.001-07:00

I'm back from vacation and ready for more excitement regarding the 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival. While I was away (in Las Vegas), I took one new celebrity portroid. Click here to see who it is (Note: it's Jerry Springer (you were going to find out soon anyway)). He asked me, when he saw my Polaroid, if I also have a Model T (I do not).

Before I left for vacation, I had the chance to sit down with George Hardy and Michael Paul Stephenson from the movies "Troll 2" and "Best Worst Movie". We met for about an hour and had a great time. Those guys are very cool and down to earth. I will probably write something up for their combined portroid page, but for now, enjoy this podcast (Portroidcast) I made of our interview.

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If the player is not working, or if you just want to listen later, you can download it here. It will also be available on iTunes soon.

I also attended the red carpet for the Evening with Ed Harris. I took portroids of the co-writers/co-directors of his new film "Touching Home", Noah Miller and Logan Miller. It was a cold snowy evening, so the Polaroids came out a little purple-blue.

There are still five great days of festival activities for you to attend, so pick out some movies and buy tickets. Tonight, I'm going to see Official Rejection. Friday, I will see Please, Please Me. Saturday will start with either Tales from The Script, or Laila's Birthday, then Passenger Side (actor Adam Scott is expected to be in attendance this weekend, but it may only be Sunday), and then closing it out with the Closing Night film The Young Victoria. Sunday, I have conflicting tickets for the Michael Cera film Youth In Revolt and the film The Vicious Kind (where J.K. Simmons will be receiving the Cassavetes Award (which means it will likely be my choice to attend)), then I have tickets to see Buick Riveria, but may opt to see the sneak peek screening (which I am 99% sure is the new Jason Reitman film "Up In The Air") where a surprise guest actor will introduce the film (my guess is it is J.K. Simmons (but don't quote me on that (unless I get it right))), and finally the last film I will watch for the festival will be the new Terry Gilliam movie The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

I hope to see you at some, or all of these films.

See you there (I hope)!
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

32nd Starz Denver Film Festival Opening Night Red Carpet Portroids

2009-11-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last night was Opening Night for the 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival. The film was "Precious" and it was excellent. You'll probably see it when it is released, but if you hadn't planned to, change your plans and do.

Here are the portroids I took on the red (blue, actually, to support the cause to stop child abuse) carpet:

Director of the documentary film "Con Artist", Michael Sládek

Dentist/Actor from the films "Troll 2" and "Best Worst Movie", George Hardy

Actor from the films "Troll 2" and "Best Worst Movie" (director), Michael Paul Stephenson

Actress (and repeat portroid subject) AnnaSophia Robb

Director of the film "Precious", Lee Daniels

Look for more portroids from this festival coming soon.

Rick

portroids@hotmail.com

Business As Usual and More on 32-SDFF

2009-11-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

As you may already know from your avid following of my twitter feed, I tried and failed to get a portroid of one of my favorite authors, John Irving. He was doing a presentation at the great Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver (where I have taken many a portroid) for his new book "Last Night in Twisted River". Even though he is one of my favorite authors (previously stated), I didn't even know he had a new book until I saw he was coming here. Maybe you didn't know either, but now you do, and now you have no excuse to not buy his book. Anyway, I got there early and got a good seat. Mr. Irving's planning for quick entrance and quicker exit left no time for any fan interaction (before or after). He did spend about an hour answering questions (pre-written on note cards handed out before the event) and talking about his writing process and new book. His son and grandson were also in attendance (and I think his wife was there, too) and he told some stories about them. As I mentioned a few sentences ago, upon completion of his talk, he made a speedy departure through a back door (I did see Denver mayor John Hickenlooper waiting near that doorway for an equally speedy greeting). All in all I was pleased with the event, but learned that Irving's evasiveness may prove to make a future portroid equally as difficult, but I shall be ever-alert should he make a more welcoming appearance in the future.

Other note. I will be in Las Vegas this weekend, which means I will miss a few events happening right here in my own backyard (not my literal backyard). Hal Holbrook* will be in town for the Starz Denver Film Festival, and Harrison Ford will be here to receive an award at the Wings Over The Rockies museum. Both events I would love to attend. Sorry, guys, maybe you can get your portroid taken another time.

Speaking of the Starz Denver Film Festival, it begins tonight!! I'll be standing near the red carpet if you want to come say hello. I'm the guy who looks like me (for more on what I look like, look me up on portroids.com).

*I got the chance to watch the Hal Holbrook film which will be screening at the festival, "That Evening Sun". I don't really know how to classify it. I definitely liked it. It was a slow film with two main characters that are both right and grossly in the wrong, which makes for an interesting study. Throughout, you want to side with Abner (excellently acted by Hal Holbrook), but his relentless antagonism (somewhat justified) keeps you from knowing what is the correct path (much like life). I'd recommend you see this film and attend Mr. Holbrook's Excellence in Acting award ceremony this Saturday (sold out, but if you already have tickets ...). Let me know how it is. I will be out of town. In Vegas. Doing things I can only tell you about if you meet me there (probably just walking around, playing penny slots, scoffing at the escort trading cards being flicked my direction on the strip, and whatever else happens there (likely going to bed early)).

Kindest regards,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

32nd Starz Denver Film Festival - Pre-Festival Documentary Reviews

2009-11-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

Hello.

So far, I've seen three of the documentaries screening at this year's Starz Denver Film Festival (the 32nd one (beginning Nov 12, 2009 (this Thursday))). Each of them was well worth seeing. As is my wont, I will tell you that you should see each of them. And, yes, I am the boss of you, so go buy tickets now.

Garbage Dreams

I've written many times about my recommendation of the film "Garbage Dreams". I saw it this year at the Vail Film Festival and have sung its praise ever since. That praise shall not be quieted. You will watch this movie and realize how much more you can be doing, and how much every country should be doing to better recycle and reuse our garbage. This film from Egypt is an inspiration (and you shouldn't scoff at that). The Saturday screening is already sold out, so you'd be wise to buy tickets for Sunday so I don't have to shake my head, disappointed, at your laziness and indifference (I'm using guilt as a tool to market this film, because I'm willing to stoop so low to make sure you see it (you owe it to yourself (and to me (a stranger you're likely to never meet)))).

Con Artist

What I cannot figure out after watching the documentary Con Artist by director Michael Sládek is whether the subject, artist Mark Kostabi, is actually insane. So many of his antics, both present and past, are obviously those of a manufactured (and highly entertaining) persona. His eagerness for fame (which he defines as love) drove him to the heights of the art world, to an amassed fortune, and ultimately to ostracization. You will see, when watching this film, the innate talent and perspective in his works, and how he took that talent, coupled with his over-the-top character, and created a brand that is more about the name than the work. Kostabi World is his conglomerate of artists, all working to present new works of art in the Kostabi name and style, guided and approved by the man, though not actually painted by Kostabi himself. It is one of the many ways he has striven to turn the art world on it's head, mocking those who invest in his works and even producing a public access game show where his host of celebrity panelists vie to name his newest Kostabi brand painting. Sládek captures both the manic persona and the man behind, yet leaves the interpretation to us, the viewers. I am undecided. While I am in awe of the ambitious drive and fierce self-promotion, I am also slightly terrified of the man in his tortured quiet moments. I didn't want to look away, for fear of what I may miss.

Best Worst Movie

Best Worst Movie is a great movie, well-crafted with a compelling story and engaging characters, unlike the film its based on, "Troll 2", which has become a cult classic due to it's sincerity and, at the same time, ridiculousness. From the earnest and likable dentist turned actor returned to dentist, George Hardy, to the child star mortified and ashamed upon first viewing of his perfomance in Troll 2 yet fully embracing it in cult status, Michael Paul Stephenson (also the director of this documentary), to the Italian director, Claudio Fragasso, who refuses to understand the amusement audiences get from his film and aggressively derides his actors for lambasting it's production, to the one hold-out in participating in fan events, the mother in the film, Margo Prey, whose homelife must be seen to be believed, the cadre of actors and filmmakers involved in the original movie make up such a cast of interesting studies that at times, "Best Worst Movie" felt like a mockumentary (a la a Christopher Guest's film), with scenarios and reactions so seemingly staged, yet not. The documentary aspect makes this movie just that much better. Without giving too much away, the journey George and Michael go on together to follow the path the die hard fans of Troll 2 lay out for them 17 years after it's release is just incredible. See this movie. Even if you haven't seen the film it is based upon, you will enjoy Best Worst Movie. Both George Hardy and Michael Paul Stephenson will be present at the screenings, so take the opportunity to meet them. They seem like really great, fun, guys.

Don't forget, the festival starts this Thursday, November 12, 2009, with the Opening Night film "Precious".

More reviews to come.

Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Coming Soon - 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival (Nov 12 - 22, 2009)

2009-11-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Longtime readers will recall that every year I attend the Starz Denver Film Festival and take the opportunity to see many amazing films and meet and photograph (in portroid form) some very cool people participating in festival events. This year will be no different (well, a little different (I'll be out of town for the first big weekend of the festival)).

The festival starts next week (Thursday, November 12, 2009) with the opening night film 'Precious' at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. I'll be there. Will you? Only if you bought tickets before now, because, my friend, that event is sold out. If you waited until now, you waited too long. Didn't I warn you about this? What were you thinking? Sorry. But, all is not lost. You still have a chance to buy tickets for most of the other events (though they are selling out fast, so I wouldn't wait long).

That said, there are 200 or so movies to choose from over the 11 day festival. So, check out the schedule and start picking out what you want to watch. Even if you're not in Denver, you should totally fly or drive here and hang out and enjoy some films you may not otherwise get a chance to see. You won't be sorry (and you'll be helping the economy (double win!))!

The big events this year are the Opening Night film 'Precious' (as I already said), An Evening with Ed Harris (who you know I already met once, but am looking forward to seeing again), Excellence in Acting Award for Hal Holbrook, Women + Film panel with AnnaSophia Robb (who you also know I met a few years ago at the Starz Denver Film Festival), Big Night film 'The Last Station', and the Closing Night film 'The Young Victoria'.

Some of the other films I am looking forward to seeing (other than the ones I already mentioned) are:
PoliWood
Leaves of Grass (one screening already sold out)
Who's Afraid of the Wolf?
Protector
Happy Tears
Best Worst Movie
Memory (sold out!)
Son of the Sunshine
Official Rejection
Children of Invention
Tales from the Script
Everybody's Fine
Footprints
Please, Please Me
The Vicious Kind
Passenger Side
Youth in Revolt
Buick Riviera
The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus

Go online and choose some films that fit your taste (and some that don't (expand your view)) and come to the festival. I'll be happy to talk to you before or after the movie (as long as you're not super boring or overly talkative (how about maybe a five minute test conversation?)) about what you've seen or your thoughts on what we just saw. Sounds fun, right? Of course it is!! I apologize in advance if I am super boring or overly talkative.

Don't you dare think I forgot to mention the amazing lineup of directors, producers, actors, and other talent attending this year's festival. I haven't forgotten!! I just don't have time to list them now. I'll cover it next time (probably). (sneak preview: I'm excited to possibly meet Adam Scott and J.K. Simmons)

I'll be posting up some pre-festival film reviews in the next week to help you make your decisions. Look for it!

See you at the festival (Starz Denver Film),
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

P.S. Please go see Garbage Dreams. I saw it at the Vail Film Festival earlier this year and it was amazing.

Newsletter and Contest

2009-10-22T14:39:00.001-06:00

If you haven't entered the current portroids contest, you have until tomorrow (Friday. October 23. 2009 (Portroid's 7th anniversary)) at noon EST to get your submission in.

If you don't even know what the contest is, or what the prize is ($25 American Express gift card), you need to sign up for the newsletter.

If you didn't even know there was a newsletter, you need to go to http://www.portroids.com/ and sign up!!

I look forward to you winning.

Kindest,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Bits and Pieces

2009-10-13T15:55:00.000-06:00

1. The 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival is coming up in a month (Nov 12). Announced so far this year: Opening Night film - Precious. Mayor's Award - Ed Harris. Excellence in Acting - Hal Holbrook. I will be there for as many of the films and events as I can possibly fit in. I hope you will, too.

2. Portroids continue to show up in blogs across the world. This is going viral (it's a very slow pandemic). Let me know if you find some cool posts.
http://loutlifestyle.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/artsy-portroids/
http://jpepe.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/portroids/
http://www.fivefortyfiveam.com/2009/10/portroids.html

3. I'll be creating a mailing list soon for a newsletter with exclusive content, including contests (if I can think of prizes). Sign up when you see the sign up form on the site. You won't be sorry (probably).

4. Polaroid and The Impossible Project announced today that they will be beginning production in 2010 of new Polaroid instant cameras. New film also being created in 2010 (black and white! and color!). Portroids shall live on!

That is all (for now).

- Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Blog on Blog

2009-10-09T08:37:00.000-06:00

Kanye West posted a blog about Portroids this morning. This is my full circle post to create a mobius strip of web surfing (a true circle would include the German site Jeriko which Kanye sourced (and who's translated text makes up the body of Kanye's post) - herein included).

This, to me, is awesome!

Now to just get a portroid of Kanye himself.

Did Some Things. Here's What They Were.

2009-10-07T12:27:00.001-06:00

Every time I post a new blog, I resolve to post more blogs. This is no exception. I'm totally going to post more often. It's going to be awesome! (if only it were true)

I am posting things on twitter as they happen, though, so I'm not a complete deadbeat. I also post up more of a quick and civil recap on my update page when I post images to my update page, so you can read about my photo exploits there, too. See? You haven't been abandoned. Not absolutely.

Anyway, it's been like six months or so since I posted what I've done. Sorry, OK?

I went to some festivals. I didn't get a press pass for them, though I applied, so I figure a less timely report is justified.

OK, let's see, Maui Film Festival was really fun. Their Celestial Cinema outdoor theater is incredible. I almost got a portroid of Willie Nelson. I stood by and let Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard walk right by me without stopping them to ask for a photo (second one of Zooey, if I had). The Taste of Chocolate event at the Four Seasons Maui was star-speckled and decadent (dessert-wise and otherwise). I met many people there and got portroids of all but one (the very friendly, but camera resistant Dax Shepard). Here are those portroids for your eyes' delight:

Lisa Linde Marsden

James Marsden

Robert M. Knight

Anna Faris

Chris Pratt

Tori Spelling

Virginia Madsen

Kristen Bell

Jillian Michaels

Also, since I blogged last, I had one of my portroids in a Polaroid photo show at PhotoWorks SF in San Francisco. That was a cool event and I had a great time meeting people there. I've also recently been interviewed for an article on portroids. It was a fun process, for sure. I did some live-tweeting for the Denver Film Society for their Film On The Rocks series. I even got to go backstage at Red Rocks. You should totally do that if you get the chance. Totally. I'm sure other things like that have happened that I have forgotten. I'm prone to such forgetfulness (not usually).

I got turned down to my face when I asked if I could take a photo. That is always enjoyable (for you to read). Christopher Guest and Lou Reed. Prepare for rejection should you approach either (especially in a hotel lobby, or if they are swinging around a wooden staff martial-artsily).

What else? I went to Bumbershoot in Seattle. Had an amazingly fun time. Saw a ton of comedy shows and bands and met some cool people (AST friends: Rebecca O'Malley (from resilientrabbit.com), Peter Greyy, and ran into previously portroided Andy Wood). Met some of the writers from the TV show "Lost" (Carlton Cuse, Eddy Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz) and contributed some highlights from that to yublog.org. I would write a lot more about it, but I am pretending to be bitter about not getting a press pass for this superb festival which you should try to attend every year for all three days over Labor Day weekend. Also, check out the band "Hotels". They have some awesome songs (and all four of the members let me take a portroid, even though it resulted in an unfortunate Sharpie event for one of them (I still feel horrible about that, Brendan Malec (in case you have a Google Alert for your name))). Some other great talents I met were: Reggie Watts, Matt Braunger, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Matt & Kim, Christian Lander, Tony Camin, and Tyler Bryant. And I feel like this particular portroid of Adrian Grenier came out amazingly well:

That is probably all I have to say. I still need to post my new pictures of Ralph Nader and of Ira Glass. I'll do that soonish. Going to New York next weekend. The New Yorker Festival is happening then, so I hope to get some great portroids while there. If anything else comes up, you'll be the first (last, probably) to know!

Kind Regards, and Until Next Time (6 months, shall we say?),
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

Michael & Michael Have Issues, etc.

2009-07-14T10:49:00.000-06:00

If I were you, and let's be honest, I pretty much am, I would watch "Michael and Michael Have Issues" starting tomorrow on Comedy Central. If you're not reading this today, you may not know that tomorrow is July 15, 2009. A Wednesday. So, let me be more unambiguous: tomorrow night, July 15, 2009 (a Wednesday), watch the new television show entitled "Michael & Michael Have Issues" on Comedy Central at whatever time it airs (do some of your own research, OK? I can't do everything for you. You'll never learn that way).

Where do I get off, you may wonder, in telling you what to watch? Well, my friend (best), I have it on good authority (my own) that the show is very funny and very good. How do I know? I watched the first two episodes (pre-release, motherf*cker!). So, take my word for it. When have I ever steered (storn?) you wrong (other than any time I may have actually storn (steered, right?) you wrong)?

Let's say you don't even know anything about this show. All the better. Set your TiVo or DVR or VCR and record it. Record every episode. Watch them all. Over and over. Start a revolution. Be obsessive. It's fine. It's welcomed. You won't be sorry (very).

What do I get out of this? Nothing other than continued entertainment by Michael and Michael due to your (and my) support of their work. So, do it for me, OK? I owe you one.

I just realized you may not know who Michael and Michael are. My apologies. They are these guys:

Now, do everyone a favor (including yourself), and watch this show, "Michael and (&) Michael Have Issues" on Comedy Central on July 15, 2009.

Also, while you're doing things just because I said you should, go out and buy "The State" on DVD. It comes out today (today being July 14, 2009). It stars the two aforementioned Michaels and nine other amazingly hilarious people (who can be seen on my site as well - The State on portroids )

OK, that's it. Watch the show. Record it. Tell your friends (and enemies).

Love,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

The VFF Wrap-Up

2009-04-16T19:08:00.000-06:00

Those in the know know that VFF stands for Vail Film Festival. Now you're in the know. Feels pretty great, right? Of course it does.

Vail Film Festival (VFF)

As you surely remember, the last entry I posted on here was a preamble to my attending the festival. This is a postamble (assumed word) of the time I actually ambled (too far? Yes!) at the festival. The other weekend. April 3-5, 2009. The VFF ran from April 2-5, 2009, but I only made it for three days. I'll tell you this now (and I'll remind you later), you really should go to this film festival next year (2010). I have no idea who will be there, or what films they'll screen, but I do know it will be well worth it for you. Mark my words and don't make new regrets by not heeding them.

Some of you probably read the Twitter updates (http://twitter.com/portroids) I posted from the festival, but don't worry, there will be new info here. You won't be bored (maybe). Some of my twits (tweets) vanished after the fest, which is weird, so that just goes to show you should be following my every move live, or else you may just miss out (on a couple twitpics of random things).

Our plan was to drive to Vail on Saturday morning, but a blizzard threatened to hit us hard that day, so we came in Friday afternoon. The roads were perfectly clear and the decision was sound. We checked into the Vail Cascade Resort (the headquarter hotel for the festival) and I made a few quick stops at the Hospitality Lounge and the theater lobby to familiarize myself with the layout. I saw Ashley Jensen (from "Ugly Betty" and "Extras") with her husband, Terence Beesley (at the festival with his short film "Pussyfooting"), in the Hospitality Lounge relaxing on one of the couches near the stage (musicians played for most of the weekend). Right after, in the theater lobby, I saw Giancarlo Esposito (there presenting his film "Gospel Hill"). Pretty great start to the weekend. I did not take any of their portroids, as they were otherwise occupied. Later for that.

View from the balcony of our room at the Vail Cascade Resort

After dinner (shuttled into Vail proper) with my wife, Erica, and friend, Michael, we relaxed in the hot tub (yes, the Vail Cascade has two outdoor heated pools and a couple outdoor fireside hot tubs). I, of course, was not satisfied having not yet taken a few portroids, so I absented myself briefly when we returned to the room with the goal of getting two new Polaroids before bed. Straight away upon arriving at the Hospitality Lounge, I saw Kaitlin Olson (from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", and at the VFF with her new movie, "Weather Girl") talking to a few staffers. As soon as she concluded, I asked if I could get a quick photo and she kindly obliged.

Portroid of Kaitlin Olson at the Vail Film Festival

A few minutes thereafter, they herded us out and directed us toward the after-party. I saw Ashley and Terence again and had a chance to stop Ashley to ask if I could take a photo. She was talking to a man who worked with the festival. They were having a very interesting conversation about "Extras" and about Ricky Gervais's tendency to try to throw off each scene by either laughing himself or making his co-stars laugh (and Stephen Merchant having to remind him that it was his own project he was throwing off). She agreed to a photo.

Portroid of Ashley Jensen at the Vail Film Festival

I mentioned that I had met Ricky Gervais previously and she wanted to make sure he had been nice to me. I assured her he had. I thanked her and headed off to bed, successful in my goal.

The next day, Erica and Michael went skiing and snowboarding respectively, and I studied the schedule for the day's events to determine how best to occupy my time. I don't ski. I've had a few too many bad experiences which would be too entertaining (for you) for me to describe here.

2009 Vail Film Festival schedule

I decided on the documentary "Garbage Dreams" at noon, followed by the tail end of the Screenplay Competition reading of the 1st Place winner's screenplay ("Chasing Echoes" by Bill Schreiber) in the Hospitality Lounge, and then the Shorts Program D at 2PM (with Jason Biggs listed as "in attendance" (spoiler alert - he was not "in attendance" due to a filming conflict)), then the Award Ceremony at 5PM, and the Closing Night Film "Weather Girl" at 8. I was going to leave the Closing Night Party as an option if I should decide later.

"Garbage Dreams" was an excellent documentary about the lower class citizens in Egypt called the Zaballeen. They are the trash people who collect all the refuse of the cities and return it to their "garbage village" for sorting and recycling. This is not a paid position, but something they are born into. They make their living by recycling 80% of the waste and selling the raw materials. The crux of the film centers around a foreign collector being hired to collect the garbage and how the Zaballeen respond to having their livlihood stolen from them. The documentary follows the path of three teenage boys for four years and how they progress with the changes and their decisions in the new world. I highly recommend this film. See it in a theater if you can, or rent/buy it on DVD when released. You probably won't be sorry (unless you hate to be made aware of how nice your life really is, in a feel-good way).

Next, as promised, I stopped by the Hospitality Lounge. I only caught the Q&A portion of the Screenplay Contest winner's screenplay reading. It would be great if these contests resulted in the film being produced. That, as I said, would be great. You should make that happen, Mystery Eccentric Philantropist.

Shorts Program D. I am a fan of short films. Maybe I'm oblivious (please tell me if I am), but there needs to be a venue to see Shorts on a regular basis. Perhaps before feature films at every movie theater? You should make that happen. Anyway, the Shorts Program D did not fail me. It was an excellent mix of styles and subjects, as you'd want in a Shorts program. I only wish I would've had time to see Shorts Programs A-C.

As previously mentioned, Jason Biggs was touted as being in attendance, but the program came and went and he was not to be found. Upon investigation I discovered he had to cancel due to other obligations (some film or something). Maybe some other time, Biggs. May be.

I did stop and chat with Terence Beesley after the Shorts and got this portroid:

Portroid of Terence Beesley at the Vail Film Festival

He, as you'd expect, was very nice. Ashley came up as I was leaving and said hi. That was the last I interacted with them, so I hope you're not expecting more stories about the Beesley/Jensens, because you will not get that from me. My deepest apologies.

Before the Award Ceremony, I returned to the Hospitality Lounge. It was as good a place as any (probably better than most) to have as a home base. They had a number (4 or more) of musical acts that played in turn throughout the festival. I caught Buddy, Laura Jansen, Holly Conlan, and Cary Brothers at various times. Throughout the musical performances, this guy was painting pictures. It was live art. Here's a still capture of the art in progress:

A painter painting at the Vail Film Festival

Cary Brothers on stage at the Hospitality Lounge at the Vail Film Festival

I had the chance to talk to Cary Brothers for a few minutes and take a portroid. We spoke about the demise and potential resurrection (Impossible Project) of Polaroid film. He summed it up well by saying, "F%&king digital cameras."

Portroid of Cary Brothers at the Vail Film Festival

You may recall from the beginning of this epic entry I mentioned a potential blizzard. Well, it sort of came in on Saturday as predicted, and therefore caused a delay in the arrival of Kevin Smith, which in turn delayed the start of the Award Ceremony. No big deal, really. It was like less than an hour delay, and we, as an audience, were very forgiving. It also gave me the opportunity to have some interesting conversations with the media handlers and publicity crew working the festival. I took portroids of them later in the night, but I will show them to you now (why wait?).

Portroids of Sam Chafos, Deborah Park, and Heather Boyle-Noland at the Vail Film Festival

At the Award Ceremony, awards were given out. I have a list of the winners, but wouldn't it be more fun for you to go to http://www.vailfilmfestival.org/ and read about them there? Sure it would. "Weather Girl" won Best Film. There, are you happy? Michelle Monaghan received the Excellence in Acting Award. "Garbage Dreams", Best Documentary. OK? Kevin Smith - Renegade Award. Discover the rest on the VFF website, like I already told you.

Kevin came up and accepted his award and told a tale of toilet traumas. I think you can find it on YouTube. I won't spoil the ending. It was very funny. The woman next to me was fancily dressed and perhaps in her 70s. She simultaneously laughed uncontrollably and showed surprised indignation (though not enough to not be greatly amused) at Kevin's abject honesty and unyielding grasp of language.

Kevin Smith accepting the 2009 Renegade Award at the Vail Film Festival

Next was a Q&A with Kevin Smith conducted by IFC's Matt Singer. Kevin wasn't comfortable sitting down for the interview, so he and Matt cosied up on stage, first with arms slung around each other and then holding hands. It was beautiful.

Kevin Smith being interviewed by Matt Singer at Vail Film Festival

Kevin Smith and Matt Singer holding hands during Q&A at Vail Film Festival

Due to the late start, they decided to do the red carpet photos after the Award Ceremony. Because of the nature of the photos I take, I was granted access to Kevin Smith in the theater "staging area" prior to his media walk. He and his wife, actress Jen Schwalbach, both posed for their portroids and were really friendly and easy to talk to. I'd always heard that about Kevin, but it's great to experience it first hand.

Portroids of Kevin Smith and Jen Schwalbach at the Vail Film Festival

Just off the red carpet I was able to talk to and get portroids of Matt Singer, Michelle Monaghan, and Tricia O'Kelley (there for the film "Weather Girl"). I also talked briefly to Kaitlin Olson about "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and she warned Tricia that I'd get right in her face with my camera (that's the nature of the Polaroid). Here are those shots:

Portroid of Matt Singer at the Vail Film Festival

Portroid of Michelle Monaghan at the Vail Film Festival

Portroid of Tricia O'Kelley at the Vail Film Festival

And, well, my friends, that's about it. I did not go to the Closing Night party and I did not go see Weather Girl (because it was sold out and Erica and Michael couldn't get in, so I went to see the action sport film "Life As A Movie" which was great). I hope it gets wide distribution, because I'd love to see it.

I also got portroids of the founders of the feast (unfair Scrooge reference, I just like the saying), the Vail Film Festival co-founders and directors, Scott Cross and Sean Cross.

Portroids of VFF co-founders Scott Cross and Sean Cross at the Vail Film Festival

The weekend was incredibly fun and I recommend you attend next year. You'll see me there. Say hi, or just wave awkwardly from across the room so I can squint at you and say to myself, "who the hell is that?" I'll wave back, even if it turns out you were really waving to someone else. How embarrassing!

See you there!

Rick

portroids@hotmail.com

Vail Film Festival!!!! April 2-5, 2009!!!!

2009-03-29T11:34:00.001-06:00

Based on my last entry, many of you probably thought I was going to pull out all my tricks (magic, or otherwise) to find my way to New York this coming weekend to get portroids of all the performers at the David Lynch Foundation's Change Begins Within concert (you know, the one with McCartney, Starr, Vedder, Lynch, Donovan, Simmons, Dern, Crow, Stern (recently added), Horn, et al). You would've been right, if you weren't wrong.

You might've also thought this coming weekend I would be attending the wedding of my good friend and old roommate Jivan Hall in Cancun, Mexico. I tried, my friends, but was not able to make it work. Sorry, Jivan and Sarah. I wish I could be there. I'm sure it will be beautiful and I send my love to you.

After two paragraphs of preamble and disclaimers of where I won't be, now I'll tell you the surprise of where I will be (not a surprise if you read the title of this blog entry (you just couldn't wait, could you? (you want to know what I'm getting you for Christmas? So impatient! I'm getting you a mug that says "World's Greatest Friend". Why? Irony.))).

This coming weekend, April 2-5, 2009, I will be attending the Vail Film Festival! That's a long weekend. Four days. I think I may only be there for two days of it, unless I can work some of that magic I referenced above (tricks!). I expect, though, that it will be an incredibly fun and entertaining weekend. We, in Colorado, have been getting so much snow recently that the skiing promises to be amazing. If you're a skiier (which you probably are (I'm not (my wife is))), you owe it to yourself to fly to Vail this upcoming weekend, ski, and take in some of the phenomenal events at the Vail Film Festival!! Festival passes are so affordable and get you discounted ski passes ($55). You'd be a fool to miss it. You don't want to be a fool, do you?

Here, let me tell you more about the festival.

If you believe online rumors, Jude Law will be there. Jude Law will NOT be there. It was a rumor. Unsubstantiated, and proven false. Don't come for the sole sake of hanging out with Jude Law. I would say you would be disappointed, but the roster of actual attendees and events would make being disappointed an impossibility.

Who will be there? Kevin Smith. Do I mean some other Kevin Smith than the writer/director of Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl, Clerks 2, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno? No, that's the exact Kevin Smith I mean. He's being honored with the 2009 Renegade Award (well deserved). That award ceremony is happening on Saturday night (April 4, 2009).

OK, fine, Kevin is awesome, but who else will be there? Michelle Monaghan. Receiving the Excellence in Acting Award. Also on Saturday night. Looks to be a pretty great night, doesn't it? It does. You know Michelle from all the excellent acting she has done. Thus the award. You still have time to rent or buy her movies (if you don't already own them) before the festival. Here are some: Eagle Eye, Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor, The Heartbreak Kid, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Trucker (opening night film at the festival, screening Thursday night (April 2, 2009)).

There are so many superb films screening at the festival, you should check out the schedule to see just what you can see. If I knew more about your tastes, I would make some recommendations. I, personally, am going to go see some of the shorts programs and a couple of the features.

One of the features I am going to see is the Closing Night (April 4, 2009) film, Weather Girl. While I have not seen any official confirmations, online rumors (not disputed) claim that Kaitlin Olson (who you may know from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia) and Tricia O'Kelley ("The New Adventures of Old Christine) will be in attendance. You shouldn't miss that.

Also rumored to be in attendance are Jason Biggs (who you love in pretty much everything you've seen him do), Giancarlo Esposito (who directed a short film in this year's festival, and who I have met a couple times and is so incredibly nice), Julie Benz (from "Dexter"), Tom Everett Scott (with a short film he made), Jenny Mollen (for "Kidnapping Caitlynn"), Rhys Coiro ("Entourage" and "24"), and Ashley Jensen (from "Ugly Betty" and my favorite, "Extras"). Some of those people may not be there, but some may. I bet you can't wait to find out!!

The festival will also have a music lounge featuring Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan, Buddy, and Laura Jansen.

This, as you can maybe tell, is not to be missed.

You can follow the festival on twitter at either the official link or through my experiences as they happen (live!).

Look for me there. I will take your portroid and add you to the site. You are going to have the best time EVER!

See you at the Vail Film Festival!!!
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com

PS - buy your passes at http://www.vailfilmfestival.org/ or by calling 970.476.1092

David Lynch Foundation - 'Change Begins Within' Concert

2009-03-19T20:22:00.000-06:00

As many (all) of you will remember, last summer I attended the David Lynch Weekend in Fairfield, IA. (If you don't remember, read the second half of the first sentence again, wait for a few seconds, and then think about what you just read. Now we all remember. )

Well, that was fun.

It also gave me the opportunity to get some great portroids of some of the special guests for that weekend. Here, I'll show them to you:

I also took some other portroids that weekend, but you'll have to go to the main site to find those. I'm not going to do all the work for you. That breeds laziness.

The point of all this is that there is an absolutely amazing concert coming up on April 4, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The concert (titled "Change Begins Within") is a benefit for the David Lynch Foundation (to teach 1 million children Transcendental Meditation). If that's not enough for you, please check out the lineup:

Hosts - David Lynch, Laura Dern, and Russell Simmons.

Musicians - Sir Paul McCartney (from The Beatles), Ringo Starr (also, from The Beatles), Eddie Vedder (who you might remember from Pearl Jam), Donovan, Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Moby, Paul Horn, Bettye Lavette, and Jim James (frontman for My Morning Jacket).

Sounds like a pretty awesome concert, right? You should totally go. It's sold out. Sorry. I should've told you sooner. Believe me, I'm as disappointed as you are. I tried to get tickets, but just wasn't fast enough. Wouldn't that have been incredible (for me) if I could've gone and got portroids of all these legendary performers? You would've totally loved that (on my behalf).

There is some good news, though, my internet friends (I consider us friends (best)). Lots of good news. I will enumerate it:

1. There will be live Twittering (tweeting) from backstage by the DLF.TV crew. You must follow them at the following addresses: @heatherhartnett, @boozby, @edenweaver, @amy__darling, and @dlftv.

2. There will be a live backstage webcast on DLF.TV.

3. The tweets from enumeration 1 above will be consolidated in a live twitter feed, also at DLF.TV.

4. Sounds like you may want to check out this DLF.TV site. They are running a beta now. You can access it, thanks to portroids.com (and probably lots of other feeds), using the beta code: thealphabet

5. You may want to get on that beta site (see point 4), as there is still a chance for you to get tickets to the concert (WHAT? Really? YES!!) via a DLF.TV ticket giveaway drawing. You also could win the opportunity to have a Meet and Greet and Photo Op with David Lynch. So, you should go to DLF.TV right away and sign up (I totally hope you win).

6. Did I mention the DLF.TV website? Lots of cool exclusive content from David Lynch. You might not want to miss that.

OK, also look at this promo video, since you're here:

David Lynch Foundation Television Trailer (DLF.TV) from DLFTV on Vimeo.

After all this promotion for the event, my guess is that you guess that I am somehow working for the David Lynch Foundation. Well, I'm not. But a lot of my friends are. Friends like Sam Lieb and Eli Lieb and Heather Hartnett and Ed Murphy and probably other friends, too. You can find a lot of their portroids on my site (portroids.com - where you are right now!).

So, anyway, if you already have tickets to the concert, you're lucky and I'm jealous of you. If you don't, we can hang out together on the internet watching other people have a great time. Awesome!!!

Seriously, check out DLF.TV,
Love,
Rick
portroids@hotmail.com