Food and Passion

Original post found here: "Babnik"

Some people have passion in food. Others feel that passion is food for the soul. Regardless of how you look at it, working on an indie film is very much the combination of food and passion.

When Alejandro invited me to join them on the set of Babnik, I was more than delighted. But at the same time I couldn't help feel like that neighbor you bring along to a picnic. If you think about it, an indie film can easily take on a very family-like atmosphere. There are rules, there's work and there's play.

The location for the shoot was remote so a carpooling system was put in place. Due to the nature of indie films, it's easy to see how close the cast and crew can be. I carpooled in Alejandro's vehicle and it took on a very comfortable picnic-like appeal, complete with bottled water and tasty snacks. Fast forward 2hrs and I've met the bulk of the cast and crew and immediately I feel at ease as they're incredibly cordial and generous. Food arrives just as shooting starts and there's an energy that reminded me of family gatherings: plates passed around, laughter smothers the air, and stories start being shared. Regardless of where everyone came from, they all share a common destination: The realization of the project in the highest quality.

Filming started as the last paper plate was crumpled and trashed. Perhaps the greatest angle about being active in your passion is how it doesn't feel like work. Maybe it's different for others, but that's how I look at it. When I'm acting, or participating in performance art, I've never been weighed down by the fact that it's still work. There are certain rules that each person is responsible to abide by: being on time, listening to directions, completing a task to the highest degree possible. Sure, after a 12hr day my feet are sore but I'd be more than willing to throw down another few hours if needed. Watching everyone contribute to the project reminded me that the set of a movie (or stage production) is probably one of the most organic work places.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all work in rustic Calistoga, there were enough shenanigans taking place to make any High Schooler jealous (in a good way). There was dancing, running, walnut cracking, gun trotting, food gobbling, and all around goofiness shared by the cast and crew.

All in all a fantastic experience!

My deepest thanks to Alejandro for having me along to share the magic of filmmaking, to meeting new friends and to spark in me the belief that family extends beyond blood relation and that maybe all we need in life is food and passion.

For more information please visit: http://babnikmovie.com/about

Project March has begun

They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. Or something to that degree. Well, I've officially embarked on a journey that I hope will make a difference in this world. It's a project BARKADA INC has decided to complete. I won't let the cat out of the bag just yet but we'll probably be starting a blog about it soon so keep your eyes open. If you're itching to find out, just follow this LINK.

Brain teaser

A friend recently had me read this thing she did in class and wondered what my answer was. Apparently I answered correctly but I'll let you try:

In this world all married men lie and all single men tell the truth.
A young woman in a club approaches three guys.
She asks the first guy if he is married but doesn't hear his answer because the music is too loud.
The second guy replies "the first guy said "I'm married", but he is really single."
The third guy says that the second guy is single.

Determine the marital status of each man.

PM me your answer or leave a comment.

Anyone notice the spiel?

A friend and I were talking about human interactions and she brought to my attention, the "spiel". The deal is, when people to talk to each other, especially if either they've just met or they're having a conversation after some time apart they always seem to want to push their spiels onto the other person. It's probably a generalization but think about it, when was the last time you had a conversation with someone you haven't seen in a while and just listened. Purely listened with no intention of really wanting to share what you've got hidden in your conversation bag?

Okay, maybe I overstated that idea. Now that I think about it, there are numerous conversations I've participated in where I'm content to just listen. I suppose what I'm trying to say in this entry is...I'm now more aware of the "spiel" when it comes around. It just surprised me because I like to pride myself in my well practiced behavioral observations of humans. Just to clarify, I'm mentioning this purely for personal awareness and not because I think the "spiels" are silly.

I took a film analysis class a few years ago and it gave me that extra dimension of watching film. I now feel that way about conversations. So, what's your name?

Notable Moments (in life)

We all have them. Some more than others. Here are three notable moments in my life:

Number 3: The Loogie.

Oh yeah...so in third grade, I arrive at school on Monday morning after suffering from a cold all weekend and before the first period bell even goes I explode into a sneeze that literally projects a THREE foot loogie string out of my nose! Yep, I said...in many respects I can look at it now and be proud that something so amazingly disgusting came out of my body so early in my life. I won't go into details about the actual texture and shape, but it was impressive! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has forgotten about that. I mean, if I can remember a classmate who ATE boogers, I'm sure someone would still remember little ole me ejecting some oozy goodness out of my nose, right?

Right?

Number 2: The Secret is Out

Okay, so number 4 is actually a combination of different situations in my life where I've had a secret crush revealed and while it didn't really have large negative results on my development, they still contribute to those "Oh god, I'm red as a tomato" moments. This teaches me to keep my mouth shut when I have a crush on someone, or at the very least, find mutes to share secrets with. I suppose the way I've combated this problem lately is I've decided to quickly tell the person I have a crush on that...well...I have a crush on them. Yeah, sounds like balls right? You'd be surprised. In many cases, I really enjoy the friendship and would hate to ruin it by mentioning that, oh, I have the biggest crush on them. Yeah, double edged swords blow monkey chunks.

Luckily I think I've come off less creepy than other people have been made out to be, so I suppose the risk is worth it. In the end, the truth is out and I feel better having said what bubbled around in my mind and the person(s) in question can be happy that their ego has successfully been fed.

Number 1: The Banana Tree

When I was younger, say early teens, a neighbor and I ventured into the edge of the jungle near my house and decided to see what lighter fluid and a match can do. *Laughs* I can't tell this story without at least letting a cackle out. So anyway, we doused the shaft of this banana tree and some of its leaves with lighter fluid THEN read the instructions on the back of the canister. Gee, how can this amazing liquid be so dangerous?

Moments later we lit the match and tossed it at the tree. FRAAWWWWWOOOM! This tree light up so fast and so viciously that we were knocked back. LOL, oh man...I miss being a kid. Anyway, we ran our asses so fast out of there that we were clear under our sheets when we noticed all the mechanics from the nearby auto shop dashing towards our "experiment" with buckets of water. Oh man, I got such a whooping that night. Extremely notable.

What are some of YOUR notable moments?

"Benchies" [short film]

A short film I put together after Alana and I visited the CAS: California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. We had a great time! Just as we were leaving, Alana decides to change her roll of film allowing me a small window of time to film. Enjoy.


Benchies from Tasi Alabastro on Vimeo.