The Edit: a movie studio marries a tech company, something to take the chill off & a monkey that's not so bad
plus a few more things i'm using, trying, thinking, binging or buying.
Hello from the Auteur Edit, a roundup of what’s keeping me sane, inspired and awestruck in the madness that is the media arts business.
It’s beginning to look a lot like cozy season — almost. That means getting ready for unpredictable shoot day weather, taking stock at home and work and hunkering in for some must see TV inspiration. That’s what’s up for this week’s list.
In my studio. We got some new gear to support our sound design artists. That includes this Fairlight Desktop Console from Blackmagic Design —masters of quality products and short cuts that streamline production. We all know those post-production sessions can be quite long and this workhorse is great for speeding up productivity — especially if you’ve got a lot of tracks to mix or record on a tight deadline. Similar to their DaVinci speed editor, the dedicated audio console is ideal for small studios and independent artists. It has the ability to mix multiple tracks at once, while allowing for individual control of channel parameters. Its smooth assignable knobs, buttons, motorized faders, and large search dial makes finding clips faster than a mouse — or using one. The 12 individual fader strips also come equipped with their own independent LCD display that has all the pertinent info for each track you ingest. You can even save fader adjustments you’ve made to go back and edit — picking up right where you left off. And for the tactile obsessed — it just feels great to operate.
What I’m watching. If you’re a television buff, you know that Fall viewing season has already kicked off — with a slew of exciting new and returning titles. Bad Monkey is among them. It’s a new original series from Apple TV+ this season, and one of a few shows I’m currently watching. Let me preface what I’m going to say next by saying that it comes from the producers of Ted Lasso. Enough said, right? In a nutshell, it’s a comedic drama about a detective (Vince Vaughn) turned — rather demoted to — restaurant inspector who is pulled into a world of greed and corruption. Oh, but it’s so, so much more. Right away you’re yanked into the show by those wonderfully sarcastic and perfectly-timed quips we have all come to expect from the characters Vaughn is known for. He is an absolute riot with a heart of gold in this series. And I’m just a few episodes in. You can’t help but be drawn in as Detective Yancy (Vaughn) works to uncover a tangled murder mystery while hanging on for dear life to keep what’s left of his job. Yes, there is a love interest — or maybe two? Then there’s the mysteriously seductive voodoo ‘Dragon Queen’ played by actress Jodi Turner-Smith — who absolutely nails her role. I mean, I was today years old when I learned who she is and the hype that surrounds her talent. She is hands down so fantastically sinister and compelling— I mean, I’m afraid of her and I know it’s fiction. It’s a shame she doesn’t seem to receive top billing. Oh, and of course there is a monkey — who’s just adorably talented — not at all bad. But we come to understand the title within the first episode. Based on a novel of the same name, new episodes of the ten-episode series drop every Wednesday until the season finale October 9th. You’ll definitely want to add this one to your Fall viewing.
What I’m wearing. It’s not quite cold enough, but I don’t want to be left flat-footed when that first flake falls or crisp wind cracks, so when it comes to getting dressed, I aim to get ahead of chilly season. That means taking stock of the suitable sweaters in my closet. After all, it can be 80 degrees one day and 50 the next where I live — or happen to be filming or scouting. In looking for cold weather attire to add to my collection, it’s important that I maintain my commitment to eliminate fast-fashion purchases, invest in sustainable fabrics and reduce waste, with my newly adopted capsule wardrobe. So, before I buy, I consider items that will compliment what I already own and whether they can be worn with more than one or two outfits. The Basile cardigan from Sezane fits the bill. Made of alpaca, wool and 70 percent recycled materials, the popular, slightly oversized button-down is perfect to wear on its own or layered over a shirt, dress or tee. With all the wonderful earthy color choices — these woven wonders can serve as the neutral base that anchors your outfit or as a colorful compliment atop an already neutral bottom. Because I have a lot of brown and grey already in my closet, I opted for baby blue and forest green. Now I’m ready — bring on the chill.
What I’m reading. This week, I’m teaching a module on storyboarding and scriptwriting, which is why this Wall Street Journal write up really piqued my interest. I’m always down for new tech that streamlines my work — and that of future filmmakers. The publication’s exclusive reporting uncovered a first-of-its-kind partnership that’s bringing artificial intelligence (AI) directly into the film production pipeline — specifically for editing, storyboarding and pitch deck potential. According to the WSJ, media behemoth Lionsgate Studios is giving tech company Runway, free rein over its motion picture library. In return, the studio gets “a custom made AI model” they can use in production. Sounds pricey yet, ironically, its being touted as a cost cutting move. Gotta spend more to save more, right? Either way, it’s a fascinating article and especially, if as reported, the new technology also puts indie filmmakers on par with the big boys.
What’s in my cart. I recently entertained relatives for the weekend and updated the decor in the extra room I use for guests. Although they share it with my treadmill, my goal is to make the room — and them — as comfortable as I can during their stay. So — new linens, luxurious soaps, waffle weave bath robe and a few additional personal touches — are mainstay. Since we’re now in that unpredictably hot-cold season, I also searched for a light throw/blanket warm enough to take the chill off without the bulk and heaviness of a duvet. The key is breathable fabric. And, I found a few great — even eco-friendly — options that made it tough to choose. But, I settled on this Quince airy gauze throw that doubles as a blanket.
It works well over bed sheets or to toss on the sofa, and has proven to be the perfectly weighted balance. An added bonus — of the three options I considered — they’re all priced reasonably enough to even snag a few for set dressings.
A few options with this style throw/blanket. (L-R) IKEA, Quince and H&M. What I’m savoring. It’s a good thing I don’t have to wait until it’s cold outside to enjoy one of my favorite Fall food staples — chicken, kale and potato soup. It’s really a great dish anytime of year, but especially when there’s a chill in the air. In the Fall I make this at least every other week but — warm weather be damned — I’m whipping up a big batch this weekend. I’ve got a hankering for it and I’m not waiting. It’s not only hearty and appetite sustaining, but healthy and easy to pack to take on the go. Just reheat and eat.
That’s another Auteur Edit. I hope you found something useful. Thanks again for your support. I’d love to hear what you think or might want to add to this week’s list.