Dominick Aznavour

Hey, I was very happy when my friend Dominick from California agreed to share his thoughts on my blog. More or less everybody is interested in cinema. And I am not an exception... Also I admire people who have a strong attitude, who know what they want from life, don‘t pretend, but do their best.

I minimally contributed to this article, because I just wrote some questions to Dom and after I read his answers, I decided to change nothing and let you read his monologue. It is really nice.

Ladies and gentlemen, Dominick Aznavour from Santa Clarita, California.

Dominick

CHOICES
I am studying film/tv production at California State University Northridge in the last semester.

because I've always had an obsession with the visual arts. All my life I drew, I remember even in elementary school I was getting in trouble for drawing in class. I began with pastels and graduated to oil painting. I took classes for drawing and painting for about 8 years until I hit high school. Once I was in high school I became involved in acting and playing drums, doing many plays and going out for extra work where I finally joined the Screen Actors Guild. After high school I decided to study film and television production because I always knew I wanted to work within the entertainment industry because it would allow me to continue to be creative, and what better place than Los Angeles? I thought I would continue to persue acting outside of school. I then became interested in photography as a hobby. Through studying film and television production at school, I realized that Cinematography is what I ultimately want to do. The aesthetics of film are something that I always paid attention to and loved, that I could create the beauty of an image in real life rather than just drawing it. I basically just moved from medium to medium in visual arts.

THOUGHTS, PLANS

My aspiration is to work in entertainment and be able to be creative in a visual department. Its incredible because art is so subjective, everyone can interpret the same picture differently but in the end of the day, we all feel something emotionally. You can look at a picture of a landscape and say "This is exactly how I feel right now." I’m the type of person who wears their emotion on their sleeve at all times and am extremely passionate, so I love to express my emotions. Anything that expresses emotion is attractive to me.

I plan to hopefully get an internship and become employed somewhere that will allow me to work on set. Production work is where I want to be mainly. As much as I love post-production and pre-production, I enjoy being on set the most. The fact that I would be working on movies as a career would be a dream. I would hardly call it work. Being in class just makes me laugh because here I am shooting a scene, while other people are sitting in lecture classes.

Career opportunities in California for the entertainment industry really vary based off of who you know and being good at what you do. It is absolutely true that in this business, it's all about who you know, which is why networking is so important and refining your craft at all times.

INSPIRATIONS

My inspirations are Martin Scorsese, Hunter S. Thompson, Heath Ledger, Jim Morrison, cinematographer Robert Richardson. All these men were great story tellers, whether it was through writing, directing, acting, poetry, or cinematography. These men were also renaissance men, they never stuck to doing just one thing, they were people who dabbled in everything and had a burning passion for the arts. Passionate people turn me on more than anything. You could tell these men had a thirst for life and wanted to be the best they could be.

CINEMA

In my opinion on American cinema is that it’s now a business more than an art. Everything being done now is a remake due to the studio heads not wanting to take risks. They would rather make a movie knowing there is already a fan base for it and a guaranteed audience. I think that is the biggest difference between American and European cinema. Europe has more of an appreciation for the arts and has deeper roots to it, so in my opinion, European cinema still makes the effort to make original films rather than just remakes. The art and originality is still there for European cinema. European movies are even being remade in America. We still absolutely have the ability to make great movies more often, rather than remaking something, but it’s all about taking that risk and believing in what you’re working on.

PHOTOGRAPHY

I began to become interested in photography right after high school. My sister-in-law purchased an SLR, so I started playing and taking pictures of my friends with it. I soon realized I loved taking candid pictures of people. If I could eventually turn photography into a career, I would. At this point in my life, its just a hobby until I finish school or an opportunity comes up for something more serious.

Here are some Dom's works:

You can become a fan of Dominick Aznavour photography on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dominick-Aznavour-Photography/136510709725693?v=info

And check out his website: http://www.dominickaznavour.com/

Thank you very much, Dominick, and see you in London this summer!
To be continued.

Marius Leskauskas

We all know the situation of Lithuanian music. BUT there are some pretty good bands in Lithuania. Which I really like! And it was very nice to find a person who is working with these good bands.

I'd like to introduce you a smart guy: Marius Leskauskas. Born in Klaipeda, but currently living in Vilnius for the past 8 years. Marius is involved in various aspects of music world. He is a composer, music producer and a keyboardist.

Marius

Music was a big part of his life since childhood. Marius' mother is a chorister at Klaipeda State Music Theatre, so she used to bring him to rehearsals when he was a child. After coming back home from mother's rehearsals he used to sing various choral parts. But it was sooo many years ago!
Apparently it was the very beginning for Marius. During the second grade he started taking after school music classes and later got accepted to the Art High School. After graduating from High School, he became a student of Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy. He was studying choral conducting for the first two years, but figured out that it was not for him, so he decided to study jazz piano instead. Marius entered not the first, but the second year of this program! And graduated.
Of course, he started his career here, in Vilnius. Marius doesn't hide that you must have special contacts if you want to play in a band.

Marius used to play with such Lithuanian bands and singers as: Saules kliošas, Mia, Vaidas Baumila, Žas, Skamp, Tabami...
Now he works with: Mantas, Sasha Song, Jurga, Twnkl, Sel, The Ball&Chain, Nora...
Jurga is the one that Marius has the longest playing career with, but he can't single out the band with which he likes to work the most. All cases are unique and different.

Marius doesn't work with performers from abroad. Of course, it would be interesting for him, but he has no time for searching such projects.
Marius believes that there are musicians who want and try to produce high quality music in Lithuania. However they are forced simplify their product because of a very ignorant Lithuanian public and poor pop culture. It is sad.
I personally listen to different styles of music, says Marius and immediately adds: it's because when I am listening to music, I am almost always analyzing from technical and creative side. Somertimes I even don't need to like certain music in order to listen it.

In the future Marius wants to make lots of music while keeping balance between "shit pop" and quality commercial music. And speaking about his own production... He has few ideas and some projects that already under way, but with his busy schedule it is hard to find time to complete them. Marius hopes that it will change in the future.

You can have a look here: http://www.myspace.com/keebau/

Algirdas Padleckis

Stones... Huge rocks. An outdoor museum. That‘s all I can remember about that small Lithuanian town called Mosėdis which I visited a million years ago. But this time I won‘t be talking about this wonderful and a little bit mystical place. I‘d like to surprise you with something else.

Painting, design, poetry. And a young person who is into these artistic things. My compliments go to Algirdas Padleckis who was born in that lovely town of Mosėdis.

We can call him the Cyp. Algirdas says that wherever he goes, everytime he gets a nickname. But he does not complain, he likes it.

Algirdas

Algirdas was painting as far back as he can remember himself. His mother said when he was 5 year old he used to get up early in the morning and start painting. He stayed in pajamas until his idea was materialized on the paper.

Algirdas was noticed at school. His teacher sent him to the art class for gifted students.  He used to paint there, at home, everywhere… The painter admits that doing homework was the biggest bugbear for him. He used to pretend that he was doing it, but obviously he was painting, painting... Then he started to attend "Skuodas Art School". Algirdas says that he studied there for five years and learned a lot during this time from really good professionals. He was drawing all the time and tried to be universal. He wants to try new areas. Even at a young age when children used to play computer games he analyzed a range of drawings, photo editing programs. He was drawing with a pencil and later he became interested in graffiti art, then in illustration, painting. This summer he went on aerography. Now his attention is devoted to animation. When Algirdas was a little boy, he used to watch cartoons, thinking how could they be done and now as he has some understanding he dreams about animation art studies.

What can you say about your work, what messages and expressions do they cary? In my works, I convey my mood, feelings, ever present human issues and problems that affect me too. No matter what is the work,  a portrait or a figure, or ...I leave a part of myself in my works, I even don’t try to express my mood, I just leave it in there in a form of colors, lines, strokes, contrasts. Parents told me when I was little I had a toy, a pyramid which was composed of a different color and size lambs. I used to put it in different sizes. Parents thought that I did not understand that it should be arranged as a pyramid - in descending order - then they noticed that I was trying to arrange it by colors. I was fascinated by colors even then, colors meant a lot to me back then as they mean now. I want my works just to draw people's attention at the first glimpse, I don’t want them understand the idea of the painting immediately. The solution of a riddle provides even greater connection between me and the viewer, explains Algirdas.



Painting

My dream is to held exhibitions, Algirdas doesn’t hide his wish. The time has to come. Lots of his works are on his friends’ walls… But he believes that soon he will be able to gladden people with his exhibitions.

For him inspiration is something that makes him to get out of bed, take a sheet of paper and draw. Or stop everything that he is doing and let that idea flow from his head onto paper. Algirdas says you don’t need to wait for inspiration. And those who say I’m waiting for it to do something, are just sloths. For me, it doesn’t matter if I am in a good or bad mood, he adds. The mood colors the work. My inspiration is my way of life with its pits and holes.

 I asked Algirdas what artists he liked, and without hesitation he mentioned Leonardo Da Vinci because of his greatness and versatility. Algirdas admires Michelangelo because of his heroic acts and his character - the grieving genius. Salvador Dali because of his personality and  Banksy, because of his protests, mystery, ways of expression and his ideas.

Let’s talk about design studies. Algirdas says that at first he didn’t want to study interior design, but now he is happy studying at Vilnius Design College. I got the freedom here, I became interested in design, I met with like-minded people. Freedom is the most important thing for a person, I always needed it. When you live in a small town you don’t see what’s going on outside it. You want to be yourself, but you can’t, you are forced. When I arrived to Vilnius and started studying at the College, I got everything I needed, everything I was lacking in small town.  I got a new breathe of freedom, peace, understanding, creativity and a knowledge, of course. Everything I found here. And design is everywhere, that’s why it fascinates me.

Now it’s time to hear more about Algirdas’ projects. This guy is busy: interesting studies with exciting tasks, workshops, contests… All projects are different and so unique that he cannot compare one with another. His future sounds promising – even more and more projects are waiting ahead. What is surprising for me to hear is that studies atmosphere there is creative, warm and inspired by teachers who try to help for each student no matter what it is about.

Another talent is poetry. I was wondering has he ever thought about publishing a book. He admitted that it was one of his dreams. Writing is something this guy does when he feels he has to leave all bad emotions on the paper.  Somehow he believes that bad emotions can come back if he tries to read it again that’s why he doesn’t like editing his poems.  However, this is not always so, here you can find one of his poems:

STOVIU VIENAS LYG ŽVAKĖ

IR STOVIU VIENAS,

STOVIU VIENAS- LYG ŽVAKĖ...

SU SAVO JAUSMAIS...

SU SAVO MINTIM...

PABEGT AŠ NIEKUR NEGALIU.

DEGA ŠEŠĖLIS ŽVAKĖS LIEPSNOJE

IR SEKA MINTYS MANO GALVOJE,

KODĖL AŠ VIENAS?!...

KODĖL KAIP ŽVAKĖ?!...

KUR VIRVĖ PRIRIŠTA?

KADA NUTRŪKS JI?!...

MAN GANA!!!...

IR STOVIU VĖL,

LYG ŽVAKĖ, SAU VIENAS...

VIENAS, KAIP MEDŽIO KAMIENAS...

TU UŽPŪTEI ŽVAKĘ MANY,

UŽGESO LIEPSNA ŠIRDY,

APLINK TAIP TAMSU,

ŽIŪRIU VISUR, KUR TU?...

TU UŽPŪTEI ŽVAKĘ

IR VILTY MANY,

NEBETIKIU DŽIAUGSMU ATEITY...

UŽGESO LIEPSNA AMŽINA...

DEGTUKU – NEPRIKELIAMA...

Also click on the link to see Algirdas’ works:  http://www.thecyp.tk/

I would like to say thank you to my fabulous friends Egle Taro, Kriste and Juozas for helping me to prepare this article.

Greg Ash

There are many people who are trying to be creative. But there are people who ARE creative.

Nowadays it‘s fashionable to say I AM AN ARTIST. Isn‘t it? But there are people who ARE artists and they don‘t need to say this. Because we obviously can notice their talent and learn something.

Let me introduce you a talented person, my friend Greg Ash, British filmmaker, photographer and writer.

This is Greg

Greg is currently living and creating in London as it is a great place to do that. Even more: together with his friend and producer Matthew Adam Greg owns a production company called Big Bright Lights. The idea was to have an general name that they could not only use in Greg‘s short films, but also to create organization that was more than just a production company. Two friends wanted to make a network of budding filmmakers working together. In the long run I'd like it to be a name that's associated with good stories and talented people, and hopefully we'll be able to attract people to invest in that, says Greg.

I was wondering if other filmmakers are interested in working together with Big Bright Lights. Greg mentioned that they already did one co-production with another filmmaker called Ryan Turner from the US. Their work was called 'Smile'.

But in the UK there are a lot of people who want to do more but aren't sure about how to meet people or put themselves out there. It can seem hard. So Greg would like to help those people and maybe put them in touch with other like-minded people.

Some words about The Cannes Film Festival. Greg was there with his company Big Bright Lights. They had two films in the Short Film Corner there Greg‘s main short film that was at Cannes was 'Life's A Foreshore'. The other was one he made in 48 hours called 'Courgette Me Not'. It was more of a learning experience.So friends spent time meeting other filmmakers, attending film screenings, and special talks. And... Who wouldn‘t like to drink champagne and hang out with celebrities for a week?

Here is the link of 'Life’s A Foreshore':  http://www.vimeo.com/13821300/

Greg in Cannes

On the red carpet

Believe it or not, but as myself, I first noticed Greg not of his films, but because of his amazing lomo photos. Actually at the moment filmmaking is more interesting to me, he says. Of course I suffer the daily uncertainties of whether I am a filmmaker, a writer, or a photographer. So I try to do all 3. Photography is great. Because it can be spontaneous expression (or at least, it was before digital). But for now it is more of a hobby for me, Greg adds.

Click here to check out Greg’s photography:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/realartyone/

Any future plans? Definitely there are lots. Greg would  like to continue writing and making films. He is planning on making two more short films in the next few months, plus he has written two other scripts for friends who are directing. Greg is  working on a Sitcom with Matt, and he hopes to pitch that to TV Channels this year and hopefully get it made. Also he is writing a feature film comedy with a friend about Table Tennis. Of course all of these things are dependent on how the ones before go and whether people enjoy them.

My short film 'Mr. Mzuza' which I made last year is premiering next month so hopefully people will like that, he continues.

And then in other things, Greg would like to write novels. He has entered the Paris Literary Prize this year, and if he is shortlisted he will have to finish the novel by April.

My friend will also be editing the Lomography City Guide to London this year which will be great fun. 'Lomography' is a brand. They produce analogue vintage-style cameras and guides to cities. They are doing one for London this year which will include photos taken by customers and write ups of areas of London. Greg will be compiling everyone's submitted pieces and then probably passing it all off as his own work!

As for me, it was a pleasure to present you a young and very talented creator Greg Ash. Never stop, keep going and inspire people!

If you want more: http://gregash.wordpress.com/

D: Drugs

It sure is cold out. Last night -29C with the wind chill factored in. I did notice yesterday that the days are getting a little longer, so that helps banish the blues I always get at this time of year.

D: Drugs

When I had my last doctor's appointment, sure enough;  I didn't leave without a prescription. In a way I feel sorry for my doctor. He really wants to help me, but there isn't much he can do. He knows I won't take any injectable medications and that I reject most drugs. Still he keeps trying. This time it was another "anti fatigue" pill, which is in fact just another variation of speed.  I''m sure the fact that I have a good drug plan only encourages doctor's to precribe more stuff that I don't really need.

When my doctor  told me to take this new medication early in the day as it can cause insomnia, I didn't say a word, but I was thinking "here we go again!" The same message for a new drug as for the old.  Drug companies are very good at dressing up old medications to look like new ones. I even saw a drug ad (while I was in the U.S.) for a pill that helps boost anti depressants, to supposedly make them work better. So they admit the anti depressants don't work that good, but instead of telling people to stop  them, they come up with another pill for you to take!!

Well the prescription is sitting in the drawer and I doubt I will get it filled. I've tried those wake up pills and all they do is make me feel stoned in an unpleasant way. 

My drug of choice is THC vapour and it works for me. Used in moderation, cannabis is beneficial . It helps me sleep and takes away my aches and muscle spasms. I also have very nice dreams!!

P.S. : Does anybody know  the official  MS colour(s)? I looked it up and some say it is orange, but grey, silver, and red are too. I'm asking because I want to design some jewel bracelets for a fund raiser.

JULIJA MARIJA

By the time you finish reading this, you will realize you have wasted 5 seconds of your life. Stop complaining and keep reading it anyway. Welcome to my black and white blog. Ok, not only black and white, but usually you won't find here anything yellow. It means I don't like vivid colours and it doesn't mean I am depressed or what. I am ready to write about the people. The people who inspire. The people that I like.
As it is a post about myself I must add that Jamie Oliver is my favourite personage of Saturday. If he was a vegetarian, of course he would be my favourite personage ever. Don't be ridiculous and don't ask what I eat, imagine me eating only apples.
I think I should stop here because saying I do this or that is not my favourite thing, so to the reader who doesn't know me I can tell that now I'm just enjoying holidays, sleeping too much and improving shooting skills. Photography is the love of my life.

Blog owner



This Is Interesting and Strange

1/1/11

1/11/11

11/1/11

11/11/11


NOW, figure this out...take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year and see what you come up with.

My number was 111 and every member of my family number was 111. I find it strange and interesting. It definitely make you go hmmmm... I had some friends do it and their number came up 111. If this is interesting to you, please do the above and post your number.

C: Computers and Commentary

 C: Computers

What could I possibly say about computers that hasn't already been said?
I was very slow getting my first personal computer;  waiting till around 1997, I think, and I'm glad I waited. Dial up internet and  the constant upgrading to bigger better computers, seemed like a total waste of my time and money. How many people  I knew back in the early ninties who wasted over $3,000 on a computer; only to have it surpassed a few months later and then even after many expensive up grades, the thing was no better than a large doorstop.

By the time I bought a personal  computer the Pentium 2 and cable internet were available. Yeah there were lots of hiccups in the begining with  the internet going down, viruses, and the simple fact that the computers simply couldn't keep up. It was thanks to my young son and his desire to play computer games that I figured out the need for a good graphics card, good speakers, and maximum RAM. ( I don't think they even call it RAM anymore). 

Now here we are in 2011. My new computer with tons of memory, flat screen monitor, amazing graphics and sound only cost me $800 !

To me computers are a blessing and a curse. Computers allow me to work at home, shop for groceries, do my banking, and pursue hobbies . They also suck a great deal of my time that I could use to do others things!!

C: Commentary

"When you represent a district -- the home of the O.K. Corral and Tombstone, the town too tough to die -- nothing's a surprise."
— Rep. Gabriele Giffords, brushing off a 2009 incident in which a demonstrator's pistol fell out of his holster

In my blog I tend to stay away from political commentary and other "hot" topics  like religion, however today I read  an article that  is one of the best commentaries on the awful shootings in Arizona.  I won't bother to say what my take is on the situation, only to say that I will never again complain about politics and politicians in Canada as being boring. AND I don't care what they say out west in the U.S. or what my son thinks; I support restrictive gun laws. I may go into more details about that in my G Alphabet  post.

I recommend Foriegn Policy magazine. I subscribe to the print and electronic versions.  I always look forward to the" Morning Brief" email I get, with the days headlines from all over the world. No I'm not getting paid  to plug it.

Hey this alphabet blogging is great Try it!

Alphabet Blogging: B

B is for Better?

Had my appointment with the Nuerologist today. More about that later. At the end of it I asked him about CCSVI and MS surgery.

He told me that 25 of his patients  have had the surgery. Of those, 3 have improvements in their health that can clearly be measured; meaning tests show they have improved. The rest say they feel better, have more energy, but there is no measurable change in their physical symptoms. He is optimistic that the surgery may result in fewer relapses and slow down progression, which is a good;  however, he still thinks more research is needed and doesn't think anyone should go abroad for the surgery. I had to smile when he said that many of his  patients have not listened to his advice and "it has been a humbling experience". Yeah the days of doctors being the last word are over. Patients  feel empowered to take risks. Have to wonder if the internet has anything to do with it?    

As for me. Physically, I'm better than last year, but mentally, I've declined slightly. No big deal, but I have to go for another MRI.

The appointmet was going well until the doctor asked about work . Without even realizing what was happening; I burst into tears.  It may have had something  to do with that morning before the appointment. I was catching up on 2 weeks of  work email  when I was totally taken by surprise, by a message from my manager. Next week my team  will have a new temporary boss and in about three months another temporary boss until they find a permanent new boss. I don't think I can handle having even more people knowing my business and having to listen to their take on my health, what I should do etc. etc. Confidentiality becomes a joke when you have new bosses every few months and the old ones are still around.

So my idea of publishing a newspaper about my life and handing it out at the office door; is not so strange.

Oh yeah here's the link to my friend Sorav's art  He tells me he can only sell it in India right now but you can at least have a look. And check out his art blog The link is in my list of Other Stuff I Like.

Alphabet Blogging: A-Z

A is for Anxiety

Last night I came up with an idea to  write about topics based on a letter of the alphabet from A-Z

Yeah I could have gone for the obvious : angioplasty; but enough of that for now, because last night I also had an anxiety attack. Now before you have me rushing to the doctor to get some pills and therapy please note that I refuse to allow emotions to take over my life. I faced that anxiety and got over it. I think the attack has more to do with frustration.The frustration of knowing that there are things and people that I can't change, so I have to make decisions about how I must change to cope with it.

I was sitting listening to my favourite radio show on Saturday night ( that will be my N alphabet post) and that's when the anxiety hit. I didn't want the music and the talk to be over. I didn't want a new week to begin. I don't want to go to the nuerologist tomorrow, nor go to the office on Wednesday. I don't want to call the plumber, to come once again to fix the crappy pipes in my old house. I don't want to go out in the cold,  wear my winter coat, and trudge through the snow. I just wanted time to be frozen; sitting listening to beautiful music,  stories, and poetry read by  Marilyn Lightstone.  Her soothing voice so seductive, so calming.

It's going to be an unpleasant week, but I have to face it head on. So many decisions to make.

A is for Art

Here's some art from my friend Sourav"Blame it on Your Parents" I'll post a link to his website as soon as he gets back to me in case you may want to see more and possibly buy something. He's trying to save money to go to Vancouver Film School.

Belated Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I'm off to a shaky start; recovering from a nasty sinus infection and sprained ankle. What fun!

 Seems like every time I travel now I get sick . I find the travel part is getting harder and I'm worried that I may not be able to keep doing it. How elderly and disabled people manage it; I don't know.

I thought the new terminal at the  Toronto airport  would be better than the rotten old terminal 3, and I was looking forward to using it. No!! It sucks!   The departure and arrival is equally bad.  I swear by the time I'm finally allowed to get to my boarding gate, at least six different people have checked my passport and boarding pass. All the time I'm having to drag my suitcase along until I can fiinally get rid of the stupid thing.
Toronto why can't you do like other airports and let people get rid of their bags at the checkout counter?
And what's up with that finger scanner? Who designed that arrival area? Making people go up and down escalators and walk endless corridors until they get to customs AND unlike American airports, no electric carts for people to use. You know, there are people who have difficulty walking, people with small children, and the rest of us, who are so tired and fed up by the time we get home, we don't need to run a marathon through the dumb airport.

It seems that every entity involved in air travel; from the airlines to security, have a total lack of regard for people's time. They just don't care.  They don't even bother to make up excuses.


I also think my dream of retiring in the SouthWest U.S.A. is becoming more of an impossible dream. If I was healthy, it would probably work, but being very unhealthy and seeing signs like this:

 Well I don't know. I'm so spoiled living in Canada. I take for granted that I can just go to the flu shot clinic and get a jab no charge, and so can everybody else.  I can go to any doctor, hospital, or drugstore. Yeah our system is not perfect; but it's still a damn sight better than the mess they have in the United States, even with the new healthcare legistation. 

I'm also not sure if  I would fit in. Being on vacation is one thing, actually living there is quite another.

OK Monday I have my big appointment with my nuerologist. I won't even bother to ask him about CCSVI or angioplasty surgery. I will be discussing my options regarding work. That is something I'm very worried about. I'll  have an update about it soon.