Dance is clearly the best thing ever.

Omg, SO creepy slash beautiful. I love this. So. Much. Dance is so awesome.

I Curse A Lot When I'm Scared Enough to Barf.

HOLY. FUCK.

The most intense experience ever. I STILL CAN'T BREATH. Holy fucking shit. I almost threw up. Several times.

BLARRRGGGG I'm still shaking. Oh God. Okay. You don't understand... 3D! 3-FUCKING-D.

This wasn't like watching bloody STEP UP 3D. No no, this felt like you were ACTUALLY DROWNING. I thought I was going to die. Right there in the theater, curled up in the fetal position in my seat.

I never thought I would be so affected by dust particles floating around in the water.... but when they are CENTIMETERS FROM YOUR FACE, your like OHHHHMYYYGODDDD, I'm bloody UNDERWATER UNDERGROUND AND I'M GOING TO DIE WITH ALL THESE OTHER CRAZY FUCKERS!!!

AND I PAID 13.50 TO DO IT.

Shit. Okay. Even though you didn't direct it, I <3 you James Cameron.

BAHAHAHAHAHA.

Twilight Eclipse Parody.

Of all the parody's I've seen, this one takes the cake.

New Things in Life

So, my Lifetouch stint has come and gone, which is a sad thing, but not as sad as it could have been, had i not found the job I'm in now.

By some beloved miracle I stumbled across a job where I am now working as a Media Technician in the MultiMedia Services Department at Royal Jubilee.

 (My ID card makes me feel important, haha)

So far my job entails things like OR (Operating Room) and Morgue Photography. I know what your thinking. Sunshine and rainbows.
I was showed how to scrub in and prepare for shooting in the operating rooms, which was pretty sweet and made me feel like I was on Grey's Anatomy.

I also have to film the nurses, maintenance crew and other such people in training for when the new facility opens in January. So far that part has actually been pretty fun. I got to learn about all the fancy-dancy high-tech equipment the staff will be using (although, to be honest, I'm not sure how they will manage considering people keep seeing me with my video camera and microphone and asking me what I'm taking pictures of).

But today was actually the first time I shot on the construction site. So I have to sport a reflective vest and a hardhat, along with steel toed boots, and then follow the maintenance guys around while they are being trained on all the electrical and plumbing equipment, etc etc.

It's strange actually, because the job is in my field, but has actually exposed me to things I never thought I'd ever see or be in the middle of. I get a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital and how it runs, as well as the complicity of the construction of such a huge site.

So far, things here are awesome. I'm getting paid more than I ever have before, to do things that I love and that I'm good at. That's pretty much the life.

Oh, also, I feel the need to show you this picture of what we call The Robot. It's actually called a duplicator, but it burns and copies dvds, then labels them, and it has this little robot arm that moves the discs around to their corresponding locations. SO INTENSE.

ALSO, I FINALLY spent some time putting together a new FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY SITE!!

 The system of my old site was just WAAAYYY too inconvenient for updating my photography portfolio. I'm doing so many shoots these days, that I need to be able to update my site easily and efficiently, and my old site just wasn't cut it. So I'm still using my old site, (www.maelinadegrasse.com) but my photography page now links to an outside webpage. It's pretty, efficient, and easily updated. And I'm super excited because now I can hand out business cards without feeling guilty about having to tell them that my most recent work is only available on facebook. lol lameness.

AND YOU CAN VISIT IT HERE (HINT HINT)

Okie Dokie,

Until next time!

Lurve Meena

SHAWN SLAVIN: An Inspiration

So a few months ago, a University in Spain called UVIC, made a lipdub (a lipsyncing/audio dub video done in as few shots as possible) that mistakenly got attributed to the Uvic students of VICTORIA by none other than Perez Hilton.

When Slavin discovered this, he decided that Uvic (Victoria) should do their OWN lipdub sensation. He spent months organizing, had dozens of businesses donate their time, money, or product to the cause, and the proceeds of the event were to raise money for the Children's Hospital.

Incredible donations included Red Bull providing crates and crates of energy drinks for the students that were on site at 7 am, some of which stayed until 8pm that evening. Aclara Promotions volunteered their time and efforts and produced the whole video free of charge. Alibaba's and Hot House Pizza donated 5000 dollars worth of Pizza. And of course, BC Transit donated a bus. Okay, well the lent the bus.

Slavin and his cause appeared all over the news, in television, radio and print, did countless interviews, and even went to Vancouver to contact Michael Bublé's manager to get copyright permission for the song. I understand that Bublé was even supposed to make an appearance in the video, but with the life of a popular recording artist, I guess it didn't work out.


The Spain Lipdub consisted of 400 some-odd people, and Slavin was hoping to beat the Guinness world record by getting over 1500 people involved. (I think that's the number, I may be wrong.) In the end, he had almost 1000 students show up that morning to participate. 


The argument as to whether or not Victoria's Lip Dub was better than the Spain's Lip Dub, is a bit of a moot point. Because Shawn's goal was to bring the community together in a fun, once in a lifetime event, and I believe I speak for most of us, that it is astounding how much he accomplished. Most Lip Dubs are organized by media programs, or film schools, but this Chemisty-Psychology Double Major student decided to take the bull by the horns and coordinate his own.

 

I really want to congratulate Shawn. I'm sure he's heard it a thousand times, but I can't stress enough what an incredible person it takes to accomplish something of this grandeur. I'm impressed and inspired and know for a fact that this kid will go so far in life, and that this is only the beginning of his accomplishments.

I had to make it quite small to fit it here on my page, so watch it in full screen, or better yet, go to the Youtube page to watch it!



So please share this with as many people as you can, and help Shawn make this video go viral!!!!

CLICK HERE to watch it on YOUTUBE and comment, like, and share it!

Cheers,

Meena

Family Matters TV Set

Worked as a PA on a talk show with a live studio audience called Family Matters. Hosted by Justice Harvey Brownstowne, he gets guests from all over Canada, mostly lawyers, to talk about family law. Things like prenups and divorce, senior citizen abuse and children custody. It's actually super interesting, and Harvey is the biggest diva ever (he's the first openly gay judge in Canada). He was a hoot.

The show was shot at Island Industrial FX and was Directed by Simon Norton Game. Met some pretty awesome people on set, and made great connections. Here's Hayley and Harvey sitting on set during testing.

There was a backstage photographer on duty so I'm hoping I'll have access to some good photos soon. 

And here's a short vid of one of Harvey's intros.

Okay so this one was kinda dull but I'm tired. lol.

Till next time,

Meena

Common Ground: Webisode Pilot Release

A situational comedy about four friends, two brothers, and one eccentric neighbor, who somehow find a common ground.

5 Days of Shooting

So basically, I got back from the olympics, dumped my suitcase, and filled it with props for the set of my sitcom, and bolted. I spent the next 5 days shooting from 8-4 everyday. Turns out - directing is freaking awesome.

Chris Almighty

Alisha Chompasorus

Randy and Cash

Sleeping on the Job

The footage looks great! I can't wait to start editing!

Island Hoppers Mini Doc

The final mini doc I had to get done before I left for the olympics. It's on the Island Hoppers Precision Skipping Team. :) Check it out!

Directors' Chair

So, had my first director's gig this week. Held about 6 hours worth of auditions, with 17 actors. It was so much fun. I felt so professional handing out forms for them to fill out, and reading the lines with them, not to mention sitting in my yellow director's chair that magically appeared in the studio this year. Perfect timing, haha.

I'm pretty much ridiculously lucky. I feel like fate wants me to succeed in my over ambitions endeavors. Litterally, the actos I found are not only great actors, but also fit the parts perfectly, personality wise and looks wise. AND the two actors I chose to be brothers, look so much a like. I'm ridiculously lucky. I feel like it's a sign. haha.

I can't wait. I'm so excited. =D =D

Living in a House of Cards

Okay this is it, the moment we've all been waiting for... Okay, maybe not all you guys, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. But I certainly can tell you that there were three exhausted students unbelievable grateful to see the successful completion of this project, and so when we got the marks back, we were even more grateful.

I myself was very proud of this piece - lighting, set up, audio - we were pleased with the way we accomplished everything - but I think we were even more impressed when we got it done in 3 days.

A million thanks to Hugh Livingstone, for agreeing to dedicated so many hours to us, and to Shane King - who made us want to cry with relief when we showed up at his place of work with a camera, completely unannounced, and he said "yeah, sure I'll let you film here and do an interview." Well, more like we begged, and he shrugged in complacent agreement, but we are eternally grateful.

Alicia, Cam - I LOVE YOU GUYS. lol

HUGH LIVINGSTONE: Living in a House of Magic




There ya have it folks. Hope you liked it :)

Till next time!

VOTE FOR BRENDAN

This is a guy I work with at the Nexus Brendan Kergin who is AWESOME and is a semifinalist in a creative video blogging contest. I know what you're thinking....."so?"

BUT if he wins, he gets to cover the olympics! and get all sorts of cool prizes.....

You should all register and vote for him! (even if you just delete your account after...)

It's your christmas present to me! because I think he should win. :P



CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
http://www.hihostelspm.ca/blogthegames


Thanks guys!

ROOMMATES - Sitcom Character Sketch

Okay, so for my self directed video project, I want to do a pilot for a sitcom. I am in the process of gathering together a team of writers and am in the first few steps of organizing the casting call. 
The show's tentative title is 'Roommates', and will be done in the basic day to day life style, similar to FRIENDS.
 
This is the character sketch for the leads of the show:

Notes

• Names and descriptions of characters subject to change during production and pre-production process
• Other small parts available but will be undefined until script is finalized. You may inform us if you are interested in being cast in these parts when you audition
• If you do not match the physical description of the character you wish to audition for, please audition anyway - you may still be the best suited for the part

My Camosun = 750 BONES

The My Camosun Contest is a one minute video that is supposed to depict was Camosun College means to you. I was inspired when I heard the the song "One Tribe" by Black Eyed Peas, and instantly knew what I wanted to do. I was pretty excited because it was simple, effective, and really easy to shoot.

Anyway, I guess it paid off because I WON FIRST PRIZE!!!

aka, 750 big ones! I can't believe it! I should buy myself something as a treat...but what to buy...? Hmm.

Anywho, next project is to...well okay let's be honest, there's more than one project on the go. Here's the major ones:

• Take 5 Newsletter (an Applied Communication Publication): Christi and I are doing layout and photography. We're going with a Web 2.0 theme. :)
• Photography Photoshop Assignment: A shot of someone in a scene or pose that clearly depicts their job, then edit it (levels, layers, touchups, etc)
• Publishing Photoshop Assignment: Combine some of your own photos, or creative commons photos from the web, to create a whole new scene. For this I think I am going to use some of the photos from the Sunhawk Band shoot. I did a lot of editing and subbing in certain shots, because sometimes I liked one of the guy's expressions in one shot, but like the expression of the other two guys in another...anyway, the only reason why I'm a little skeptical is quite often I only combined 2 photos, actually I think I only ever combined 2 photos, and although they are very well edited, I feel like it's a bit of a cop out, considering everyone else is doing something really obvious....anyway, whatever, I'll figure it out.
• Sunhawk: Finish editing the photos

Okay, it's almost time for work now, so I'm going to DRIVE down. woop woop.

Till next time Kidlies <3

 

Camosun Video Promo - ACP Video 3

This was so ridiculously fun to shoot. And before we ask, we went through 5 eggs, yes he did really hit his head, and yes it hurt. lol. Hope you like it!


Camosun. The Choice is Easy.