In case you want to catch some stand-up live and in-person… I will be doing a late show on Thursday, January 5th @ M Bar in Hollywood. Should be a fun one.
You’ve probably never heard of a SnorriCam, but you’ve definitely seen movies or TV shows that use ‘em. All it is, is an actor-mounted camera rig that creates a disorienting effect. I thought if we could get our hands on one of these for Little CEO, life would be grand.
Here was the challenge: They don’t appear to sell SnorriCams anywhere I looked. And to create a Snorricam small enough for my pint-sized nephew to wear required some DIY. There are a bunch of great how-tos to create your own. But alas, they were going to be too big and too heavy. You can’t plan for your lead actor to faceplant on the camera… though hilarious.
In seeing footage comparing Canon 5D footage with the iPhone 4s camera, seemed like we had a new option on the table. If our 7D footage wouldn’t be so vastly different from my new (excuse to buy) iPhone 4s, then we’ve solved some of the weight issue. But now for the size question and not to mention the pieces to build it…
I went to the lumber yard to get some ideas and some scrap wood. Side note: This is how I’m able to build furniture whilst drunk– As it turns out, scrap wood doesn’t buy itself! This particular trip seemed futile, though. I realized I didn’t have the tools, know-how or proper inebriation to pull this off.
Step Two: Call Dad. To say my dad is crafty would be an understatement. He’s something of an inventor really. His latest endeavor, AirTurn, has been sweeping the nation of digital music. And with that, he has a pretty extensive shop going. My dad graciously offered to try and throw something together for us. I told him it could be single use– just like the palm-frond-and-pizza-box shoes he made me in Mexico, that broke the moment we arrived back on the sand. He said he would see what he could do.
We exchanged some logistical and sizing info then went on our merry ways. I didn’t know what to expect or if this was even going to be doable. But a week before our shoot date, the finished product arrived… And pardon my Swahili, but it was fucking awesome! Excited and nervous, I strapped it on for a trial run. Not only was it exactly what we needed, but it wasn’t just built with single use in mind.
It has options for:
adult-sizing
other camera/phone fittings
an extension arm to add some distance.
And on top of that, the materials are durable. When you’re all strapped in, it’s surprisingly comfortable. Like a big metal hug. We affectionately refer to this home grown rig as the LesterCam, after my dad… Check out the pictures and a short clip from our footage.
LesterCam (Front)
LesterCam (Back)
On set
If you’re local to Los Angeles and want to borrow it, please let me know! Would be great to know if there are others who could use of a little rig like this, and would certainly love some feedback.
If like me, you’ve been accused of having “Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget,” have no fear. I don’t know what it means either! But the good news is, there is a remarkable solution I just discovered: It’s called CIDER.
We toasted my script making it to the Finals of the Page Awards (Holy cow!) and it was there that I discovered at City Tavern in Culver City the most Champagne-like chuggable drink known to lady-kind. Light, refreshing MF-ing delicious hard cider. Taste/budget problem solved.
A little Little CEO update. We just shot our 5th day of shooting. We have about 3 quick yet challenging scenes left, but getting down to the finish! Anyone who’s made a movie– of any length– knows how hard it is. But we’re lucky that for as many people who say ‘no,’ there are always great people on the other side who say ‘yes.’ The dedicated cast and crew, who pick up the slack that inevitably needs picking up with a production. ASL Limousines for providing top-notch limo and driver. I give thanks for all the people who said yes to making a fun little movie possible. You guys are awesome.
Now if I only I can figure out how to find a courtroom to shoot in.
A nice little piece of new came in– my feature script, Lab Rats, made quarterfinalist in another contest– the Page Awards. Not sure the implication of that except to say that it’s getting out there and that’s awesome. In other news, Rapture and Carmageddon passed with not a single blip, yet the economy has decided to jump off a bridge again. Is there some sort of medication that counteracts financial panic? I’m looking at you Hoffmann-La Roche.
In other other news, last weekend marked the mid-point in production on Little CEO 3. So far so good! We somehow crammed 3 adults and one small CEO into my VW bug and drove what ended up being an almost 11 hour trek to Vegas. We then proceeded to shoot in 105 degree heat, then drove home in pouring desert rain only to encounter another almost 2 hour bout of stop and go traffic. Our patience was tested again and again. But all those challenges aside, it was actually a really great trip. We got the shots we set out to get, spent some quality time playing arcade games and dining out the way Vegas intended… And last but not least, I won $20 at roulette. Which is sure to fund at least 1% of the film! Woo!
It was recently pointed out to me that my last blog post was in February. I’m sorry for phoning it in, but to be fair, when it comes to blogging, I’ve always been half-assed. Or less than that– quarter-assed. But let’s be honest, you’re probably not coming to this blog to gain worldly insights. More likely you’ve just googled me and wondered what my deal is, and why my name sounds foreign while I’m so tragically american. Or maybe you’re an old friend and wanted to find out if I’m still alive. And I’m pleased to announce, I’m effectively still alive! Although, with the whole world ending tomorrow thing, it’s possible that’s up in the air.
Some updates, if you’re interested… My latest feature comedy script, Lab Rats, made quarter finalists in CineStory. I don’t know what that means exactly, but it sounds like validation, so I’ll take it!
I’ve been writing a lot of jokes and am working on booking some dates to standup again next month. I’ll keep you posted on specifics.
And I can’t say 100%, but there looks like there may be a Little CEO 3 in the works. In the meantime, here are Little CEO 1 and Little CEO 2.
Also, here’s a great theme song for your rapture celebration… The Final Countdown
Dear Friends & Fans,
I hope all two of you are doing well! Since people often ask, I’m finally posting a video of some of my old stand-up. Because my pallor looks whiter than a seagull that shit on itself and some not-ready-for-primetime language is used, viewer discretion is advised.
What I’m about to plug is not new; it’s from early 2009. But as any wisdom connoisseur will tell you, that’s a pretty solid vintage for advice. The florals pop. And technically it came to my attention today via the Austin Film Festival, so it’s brand spanking new to me.
By the way, this is how fashion works for me as well. I stumble upon a trend a year or 3 after everyone else already was on it– I just bought my first pair of skinny jeans last week (in perfect time for them to finally go out of style). And if you hate skinny jeans, you can thank me for giving in. I’m something of a Clothing Trend Cooler.
Anyway, I was so inspired by this blog post, it got me back on the writing wagon. And maybe it’d be helpful to you, too….
“Yes, the business of indie film is back. The rapidity, volume, and consistency of deals blossoming ($30M and counting!) at Sundance should give investors more confidence that you no longer have to rely just on foreign; the US acquisition climate seems quite robust again. Whew. But the good news does not end there.”
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and decided that this is the year I finally will. I don’t know how, when, or with whom, but I’ve started the ball rolling by taking Italian language classes. So far the Community College experience is not exactly what I expected– it’s nothing like the show Community. I dressed like Britta but came off more like Abed. And there’s not a single Joel McHale to speak of. Tragic!
But by far the best part is the teacher. His impassioned language lessons are shadowed only by the fantastic gems of wisdom he doles out. I took notes, and here are just a few of my favorite quotes (meant to be read with Chico Marx-esque accent):
> Never get a divorce. Just pretend that you love her.
> Saying the letter ‘X’ ruins my face.
> In Italian, we don’t say stupid things.
> (Pene vs. Penne) Penis and a pasta: it’s a big difference.
Hopefully there will be more useful tidbits where those came from! In the meantime, if you have any ideas on fun ways to visit Italy, I’m all ears… or at least 63% ears.
I will preface this by saying, Road House is on TV. Therefore I am completely distracted by the sexiness that is ’80s fashion and clever lines like “Come on, Hot Shot!” But as they throw a cassette in the car’s tape deck, I am bringing my full attention back to you.
There are a lot of countdowns for this year. I could go into my own personal lists: Top 5 Times My Heart Was Broken, Top 10 Awkward Moments I Had At the Gym, or Best of Tripping in Public. But alas, I don’t want to bore you with tales of heartache and being locked out of my locker half-naked and alone on Thanksgiving eve (titillating as it may be). As such, I’ve compiled a few 2010-related top lists I felt were worth a glance.
Welcome to the blog of Los Angeles-based filmmaker, writer, comedian Sari Karplus.
Several years late on every trend, Sari (pronounced like Mary) has fancily joined the blogosphere. Hopefully soon she'll go on to discover other new fads like how to speak in first person.
Until then, please enjoy the ride.
