I made this parody of a Goodyear Blimp in Photoshop today for a commercial. The text, of course, is changeable. The aircraft registration number on the blimp’s empennage is improper, but instead shows the make of aircraft I based the artwork on: namely the Goodyear-Zeppelin 20 class of non-rigid airship which makes up the current American fleet of Goodyear Blimps. The livery is based upon the Spirit of America (N10A).

I’ve been moved from the master control room to my own office. There’s no promotion or anything like that as they’re just trying to make room for more stuff in master control, but it’s nice to finally have my own office with it’s own door and windows and thermostat. I’m now strategically positioned at the heart of the station and can roam about anywhere in the office without venturing too far, and I can also have it as cold as I want it. Aww, yeah.

Right now I’m pretty much finishing up moving my gear and getting situated. I started the move after lunch and have been at it until just a few minutes ago. My phone still isn’t plugged in but I do have internet which is great for obvious reasons. There is some junk in here that isn’t mine, but for now I’ll have to let it slide. Still, it’s nice to have my own office finally!

I won me some champagne at the office Christmas party today. My beady little eyes say it all.

Anthony took the picture with his Nikon.

He also got me a little mirror that attaches to your computer monitor so you can see whomever is sneaking up behind you with more work…or something.

I also got to play with a little remote-controlled UFO, took a picture of a Cylon Centurian and lusted over some Gears of War 2 toys.

Me likey bouncy.

Last night Gaby and her husband hosted a Halloween costume party at her home and I shot some footage with my little Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS. This evening I put together a little music video in Windows Movie Maker (yeah, I’m that good). Here it is:

I was videotaping joggers in a nearby public park last week for a series of television advertisements regarding training for a local marathon to be held in December.

A few passersby stopped and asked what I was shooting and were quite friendly. I struck up a conversation with the lead instructor of a fitness group who were exercising nearby. But most everyone else just sort of stared at the camera for a few moments and continued on about their day.

It probably helped that I was using big, expensive professional equipment and was wearing a shirt that said FOX News all over it.

So the office is sponsoring this marathon thingie that’ll be happening later this month or so and they asked me to make, like, 30 PSAs for first-timers getting ready for the marathon. They wanted me to use stills from Getty and I was like, why? Why, when I can go to the park and shoot joggers doing their thing? So that’s what I did just now. Shooting at the park right before dusk and I have a little more than an hour of footage: more than enough for what I need. I’m tired, though. I’m gonna get me some Chinese food and head home.

Ana likes when I’m mean. Being a girl, she frequently fishes for compliments from other human beings with statements like "I feel fat", etc. Not one to fall for such obvious bait I agreed with her, prompting the above response and a few giggles.

I got a nice compliment from two people in a conversation that had nothing to do with me until I walked by. Eric, one of the master control operators, was in a discussion with Donnie, the master control chief, about how he felt like he didn’t have much in the way of creativity and was basically stuck doing jobs consisting of menial labor. Donnie was countering the point in her normal girlie way when I walked by to grab a clipboard and Eric said “not like Jason. He’s gifted. He shouldn’t even be down here. He needs to get out of the Valley and go to some market somewhere that will appreciate him.”

I paused and awaited a barrage of cynical laughter when Donnie chimed in: “I agree. Jason has so much talent that it practically oozes out of him. Like he’s gonna slip on it and fall down.”

I just stood there. I didn’t know how to respond so, after a moment of them staring at me I said, “I guess that’s why I’m The Guy.” I paused. “I’d normally have something funny to say right now, but I don’t.” With that I sheepishly walked back to my desk.

Tomorrow I have a news promo to shoot and edit, another Havana spot to produce and my regular daily chores along with a model shoot after work with a petite Ukrainian hottie named Anna who reallyreallyreally wants to work with me. Also, next week I begin work on my book project. I have the models in play and I’m ready. Should be fun.

Last night I shot footage for a commercial I’ll be working on today for a brand new local night club called Havana Club & Grill. Edward went with me and we started shooting around 8pm, but it became clear to him that he didn’t need to be there so I dropped him back off at the office and I continued shooting until 2am. I almost hooked up with a girl, too. An aspiring lawyer, actually. She got me to dance with her as I held the heavy camera. As it turns out, I can’t dance, so she pretty much lost interest. But she gave good face for the camera so I’m gonna use her for the spot (she is the girl who spins into camera, slightly obscured by dancing arms immediately following a whip-pan of the bar). I’m cool like that. Fun, though.

Following is the video I shot and edited from that evening and is used as background footage for the final commercial. The music was recorded live as a complete eight-minute performance and I edited key elements from the song into the thirty second version you hear in the final spot. Enjoy.

So I’ve applied to Blizzard Entertainment in regard to a recent employment opportunity for a Video Editor. I think I’d much rather work in their Cinematic department, but oh well. Aside from the cover letter, this is what I submitted. I’m actually pretty scared about getting this one as it would require I move to Irvine, California. I’ve never been one to be afraid of commitment, but now…I don’t know. I guess we’ll see what happens. Either way, at least I tried.