Group Sounds

Thats the name of the band I helped with their music video yesterday.
You can check out more info on the band at www.groupsounds.tv

Here's a photo of the band.


The guy wearing the hat, name Joe I think. Was the friendliest. He and I chatted some and he couldn't believe I was deaf. So I explained how it works etc etc, hearing aid can without background noise, otherwise am deaf as a doorknob. I aslo asked if they became super famous to make sure their music videos are closed captioned. Joe said, ofc. We will see? I think the video will be played on the FUSE channel.

The guy with the sunglasses, the loudest and most outrageous! This video was shot in southern Brooklyn, about a mile from Coney Island. The house that the video was shot in, belong to a crew member's grandparents so it was rent free. I did set dressing with Alexi but I was BORED a lot, because too much down time. My pager died because I forgot to charge it the night before. And I didn't bring a book with me, I become super restless! I need to be busy, its the ADD, I swear. Plus even tho there were lots of nice folks, I couldn't follow along with what they talked about, I would laugh when they laugh without having a clue as to what's happening? But it was good to see Alexi. The best part was I was able to scout and recruit three more actors for SDI part III in April. One of them is a modeling casting agent. He seemed so surprised I asked him to be in it. I think he's used to being overlooked and the focus being on the girl models. Btw they were all like 22 years old or younger. They wore the most revealing stuff, stuff I would never wear, even with a killer body! But then again, thats hollywood for ya, if you got it, flaunt it.

Funny I didn't bother asking any of the "hot" chicks to be in my movie simply because my movies are about giving everyday people screen time that they may not normally have the chance to do. Its a great feeling when the person gushes "me, you want me to be in YOUR movie?" hell yeah! thats why I asked.

On saturday nite, Szymanski introduced me to a great movie called "Hedwig & the Angry Inch" about a transexual lead singer of a band. If you're open minded enough, and like good music, good story lines, then this is the movie for you!



I think its great that transexuals are being more accepted by society, we still have a long way to go but at least its "in" right now. I was lucky because my Mom was always open minded. I met my first gay couple when I was 8 years old. But it wasn't till I was 10, that Mom explained, they weren't just roommates but lovers, partners. Thank you Mom :)

6 30 am, I hit the shake awake for the last time and force myself out of bed for the dumbass exams. Imagine to my surprise to walk into the kitchen (fyi you hafta go thru my kitchen to get to my room) so I walk out and theres the hearie roomate just about nakked in a pair of boxers. *grumbles* I as quickly as I could darted to the bathroom to avoid permenant eye damage.

When I arrived to the platform for the 1 train going downtown, there was of course the local homeless group on the wooden row seat area. 3 of them, sorta sleeping, mouth agape. I figure whom am I to say boo to that? But as I passed this one particular pillar near the homeless gang, this one homeless man was swaying and leaning against the pillar. (I didnt see him because he was hidden from my view) It appeared his pants were down to his ankles. Again I quickly turned away and walk back to the other area. But not before seeing a glimpse of his thigh with what looked like smeared blood? I don't wanna know. I just wanted to get to the east side for the teaching exams.

Took the ASL content test first in the morning. The same ASL exam as last year. The video tape they use for the 1st section SUCKs. The questions that you answer to the video are no way feasible based on what is signed. Really lame people, I know its a new test, first of its kind but come on! I was done by 10 30am. Now what?
All I wanna do it crawl back to bed. Unfortunately I had one more exam at 1pm. So i went to China Town and schmyed around there. I was trying to find a good little chinese food joint for lunch but forget that on Canal St. Its all purses, jewerly, perfumes, some electronics, hats, belts, scarves, tee shirts. I walked and walked looking for a place to eat. What's up with that? I live in Washington Heights so there's always at least one Domican Republic or Latino food joint every 2 blocks or so. It was weird, kinda like the twilight zone...

The afternoon test was kinda boring. I did not enjoy the essay. Not because I don't like essays, I do. It was the question they wanted me to answer. /Goals of Excellence in Curriculum/ where the issues that I had to address was about teachers working to design and implement a curriculum. Why would that be beneficial? What strageties would I do to make it happen? Use of reasoning and theories to support my argument so I did. I used a lot of the jargon I've learned in the past year and a half at TC.

Now I await for Szymanski's arrival. Where we shall feast on National Hebrew hot dogs among other things. Im kinda cantonic due to the lack of sleep. I am glad I cancelled yesterday, I had a hard enough time staying awake this morning and afternoon. Feeling very legathric (did I spell that right?)

Tom Bytes

Figured some of you been missing Tom. So here's to show, he's still a little b*tch.




Look at the byte marks!




He's still quite the little bastard, but he's my bastard er I mean babieeeee

Tonight social was nice, I was too tired to really be perky. I was more subdued. Blondie and another girl name ShazBam came too. I never knew her well at Gally, she and I were different crowds. Tonight I think is the first time we ever really talked. I found out she gratduated from Lexington School for the Deaf, cool huh, the same year as me '93. The buffalo chicken appetizer at West End were delish, I would order them again but stay away from the Calamri, I just didnt like the way it was made. Am home hanging with Tom, we is be family.

Mongo Cosmo

I blame the mongo, er mango cosmos for todays heater induced headache. Last night had a good time, ended up staying out till way past 2am! It was good to hang out with a different crowd. I met one girl name Erica visiting from DC. She's graduating with a BA in ASL studies. Good for her. When I graduated from Gally in '99-'00, they still hadn't acknowledge ASL as a real language. Now here's the kicker. One of my biggest gripes about Gally is the fact they require all students to take a foriegn language because they didn't reconize ASL as its own language during my time but now that they do, they STILL require a foriegn language. HellO, I mean don't us deafies have it hard enough trying to master ASL and English. I wouldn't mind if it were an elective but to make it mandatory, hmph! I took Latin for 1 1/2 semester, then got mono that spring, ended up withdrawing. Two years later Im a senior and need to graduate so I ended up taking Spanish. I enjoyed it more so than Latin or French (MSSD). Since my studies at TC, I've learn that ASL and Spanish have a similar word order and Spanish is the only foriegn language I retain some of my vocabulary and word phrases. I was even able to squeeze in the line "No habla espanol" for Szymanski's character in SDI during the last shoot.

So anways I wake up with my left side of my forehead with stabbing pains. Partly from the drinks, partly from the frickin heater in my room. I woke up b4 9am and I felt like sh*t. Man, I had to back out of the volunteer gig today. I knew I wouldnt enjoy myself and I have my 2 teaching certificate exams tmw at 8am! I do feel guilty because had I not went out and had a few drinks and stayed out so late, I probably could've swung it and crash on tues (my next full day off). I am usually very reliable so it does bother me. Ach, my friend is getting paid, I am not.

God bless the lifetime channel. I'm watching this 1992 movie called "In the Best Interest of the Children" with Sarah Jessica Parker playing a mother of 5 and she's manic depressive (thats what the info guide says) they're wrong, she's actually playing atad paranoid, Schizo. She's not having extreme highs and lows, nope just paranoid and at one point even says "The voices are warning me, they're out there. They're out there!" Now dept of children welfare took the kids away and they went to live with Struthers, who's first name escapes me. The woman from "All in the family" and she did, FEED the CHILDREN informercials. As the the foster parent for all 5 kids. Honestly, SjP does a good job and the only thing I don't buy is her figure. Let's get real, someone who is on welfare, pops out 5 kids would not look like her. Sorry, not buying it. I wonder if Ty enjoyed working with her for the Family Stone?

soon, Im going back to bed. I need more than 5 hrs of sleep. tonight, no drinks for me. I really need to be ready tmw, I want to do well on both exams and be ready to teach next fall. Later I wll go to my work's social hour at a bar called West End. Im not a big fan of that place but for my co workers and Eddie, sure why not?

Overbooked

Man do I over commit! This friday and sunday I am volunteering as a set dresser again for my friend Alexis (hearie whom I met on the DOOM set last January). She's great and really makes sure I am involved and up to date with all the information. The shoot is taking place this weekend saturday and sunday. But saturday I have teaching certificate exams all day.. Its a music video, taking place at some house in Brooklyn.

I gotta make an "artisit" resume soon. Perhaps even get headshots?

*yawns* been insomaniac all week! tonight will be fun, gonna meet some friends at a nearby bar called "Radio Perfecto" off of Amsterdam ave near Columbia U.. perhaps a few drinks will help me fall into la la land when I get home. I am in the mood for a whiskey sour or Bobmbay gin with seltzer water, Tonic is forbidden, bleah.

Well after spending an hour and a half or more on VP trying to find a mediator for me and my hearie roommate and I finally found a place within walking distance from our apt. The appt will be March 14th (depending if they get a terp by then or not?) I know my roommate isnt gonna be happy, he wants it NOW, well boo fooking hoo ya know. Today he sent me an email with a small sob story about how his funds are messed up and that the bank account is in the red. Like I care... As he said to me last week when I explained I dont have the money to move till next fall when I am working FT then I can but his response was "its not my problem" well ditto for me. I just want this to end asap, I want some kind of signed agreement so he can't do this to me again when he messes up and brings home some other weirdo off the street! Here we go again with the terp situation, from his email to me earlier today-

"Again--never objected to you having an interpreter. Or said you weren't "deaf
enough" for one--forsooth! (But--just curious--how many times in, say, the past year and a half, have you felt the need for one, and under what specific circumstances...?)"
- ah so using a terp and note taker at school doesn't count? Going to only open or rear view caption movies doesnt mean anything? What about my frequent use of VP and online relay??? jesus I shouldn't have to defend my deafness to him..

Last night hung out with Joe Joy and King, we had a great time chatting. King told me this most outrageous story of a coat check woman giving her a hard time and at one point had the nerve, the nerve to grab King's arm to prevent her from writing or gesturing. Ohmigod.. if I had been there, I would've ripped off her head. Thats so wrong and like a gag for a hearie. King handled it with grace and maturity (things I lack) and it was just unbelievable the stupidity of this woman! Also Joe Joy showed me the most up to date script of EB. And relieved me the responsibility of being the videpgrapher (whew) now I can just be one of the supporting roles for his movie in May. I am "Stewardess #1- Roxy" I play the dianty but sassy role. This will be my first real acting gig in years. I hope I do ok?

Teeny Tiny

I think I look more like a receptionist or file clerk. Office work in real life *shudders* is not for me.

Here are some field notes I took while waiting for my turn to audition, if you can call it that...

There are a bunch of good looking people. Probably not LA standards but definitely NYC all the way. I think I look shabby next to them. Most of the women are wearing slacks. There's one lady is collecting resume and headshots.
Another girl nearby is studying her lines. Me, nada, gonna just let them know I'm good for background, not leads.
There's one man in the further part of the room that is yammering loudly and people are feigning interest in what he has to say. I only hear his voice, don't got a clue what's he's actually saying...

The audition ratio as follows;
About half guys, half girls.
about half were there for lead roles, the other half like me, wannabe extras
2/3rds are white
The other 1/3rd ethnic or diverse from white bread
Me, I represent the less than 1% of the population, a deafie.

The weird thing is, people keep coming towards me and asking me
info like where the sign in sheet (there isn't one) and whether we will be going in for our auditions as individuals or as a group, (dunno). I think the reason why is I am constantly surverying the room with my eyes to keep in check of whats happening. There s a cute guy next to me, I've asked him 2xs now what the audition man (a short chubby man with a clipboard) says.

One of the message I got from the cutie guy was we are going in groups of 4 into another area. I was in the 3rd group, and in my group, I was the last to audition. I didnt have a fancy black and white head shot and when I went into the room. it reminded me of American Idol. There was a small panel of 4 or 5 young people and I said right off the bat, that I thought this was an extra related gig and that I did not have a monologue ready. Then I added quickly I am DEAF and began sim-comming with the panel saying/signing that perhaps if they want me to do one or two lines, to have me sign them and I represent diversity.

The short chubby guy with the clipboard was also the videographer, he then asked me to look into the camera, say my name and contact info. I said my name and I wasnt sure what the 2nd part was so I asked him "right contact info?" cuz honestly the man did not speak clearly. He was like yeah, so I sounded off my cell nbr and my email addy. That was my audition, yep the whole sheebang. Wish me luck. I think this is a small paying gig, I could use the $$ for the Final Cut Pro editing software I ordered the other day. But seriously I know my chances are teeny tiny (Szymanski is a big fan of this word combo)

Jittery

I totally forgot I have an audition tonight. I replied to one ad for a part as an extra. I think its the one where its being shot in a restuarant during a business lunch meeting? Or is it a corportation setting, I am not sure.

Nyhoo I just expected to get the shoot date and details about what I should wear, show up, do what they ask, sign a release form and hopefully somewhere down the road, get a copy of the project. But today I get an email asking me to wear corportae attire and if possible, prepare a monologue.. ARGhhhh I have done perhaps 2 or 3 in my entire life! I think instead of trying to do a monologue, I am gonna tell them a story about what I like to call "An Equal Opportunity Employer" where this lady back in 2000 discriminated against me on more than one occassion. I will use the ASL shoulder shift and mimic my reactions and Heidi who was one of my supervisor and gave me a lot of grief.
The director will probably just give me a funny look and send me packing. As I leave someone else will come up to me and say "we'll call you if you get a part" and I have to then remind them, to email me, not call me.

either way, I will report back if my predictions were right? I really just want to be a person in the background, typing on a computer. Perhaps a shot of me walking by with a folder. No lines, just movement and an addition to the background imagery. I like helping movies look authentic.

alrighty, gotta get the shovel out and pile on a layer of "business" make up. Cant go too sexy, so eye shadow will be minimal and a nuetral shade.

one thing for sure, its cold outside, I am wearing comfortable shoes there and then slipping into my audition shoes! And damnit, I don't have an artist resume or headshot :[

No sounds....

Well after finding out that the second shoot which was done on the 28th of Jan (2nd part of SDI project) has NO SOUNDS!!! it seems my videographer forgot to turn on the mic, so none of the dialogues were recorded. Ofc, I wasnt too thrilled about this and am thought he knew what he was doing? Ach, it happens live and learn...

But now I gotta waste time doing voice overs and hunt down about 6 or more hearies to review the footage, and lipsync to themselves, lovely. I don't know if that means I will need to do all of the dialogues as voice overs because of the sound quality? Will hearies be able to tell the difference? Which was recorded during the shoot and which was added later???

For the 3rd part of SDI to be filmed the 1st weekend of April, I will use another guy for my videographer. I like working with different videographers. So far I have had the luxury of working with the following peeps below

-Coleslaw
-Flash
-Eddie
-Demon
-Santini

and now with Norton next. Of all the videographers I worked with, Flash was the best! He really paid attention to the lighting and co directed the PAWs film with me last summer. He and I laughed a lot. I enjoy his company and would love to work with him again. Coleslaw was the most professional when it came to lining up the shots and I'll never forget when we were working on one scene where my friend Dan who played the Jolly Green Giant couldnt do what we wanted, Mark said exsperatedly, "I can't work like this!" A true filmmaker he is :)I was soo green eared when we did my 1st film together in 2004. There's footage of me, standing around like an idiot, not an all like a director, chewing on my lips, biting my nails.. ah well I still do that but now I yell or sign "action" instead of "go/start/begin/now" progress people, progress...

Im at work, suppose to be drafting a proposal for some of these individual artist grants that I want to apply for. Grant writing is so hard, I have no idea where to begin and it overwhelms me.

alrighty gonna bite the bullet and get started (after I go grab a snack, need food for thought)

sowwy, Ive been gone...

Well folks,

I started this blog in Jan and then promptly got distracted by other crap like roommate drama. Yeah my hearie roommate is trying to evict me based on the fact I had a lock installed on my bedroom door.

Why you ask? Well the smart man that he is decided to bring home this lady name Lois (no, not superman's girlfriend) but this wacko he found in the park nearby while walking his dog Snowny. Fast forward and she was soon half living in our living room. Via the loveseat with dog and cat hair covered at least an inch thick. Hell, whatever floats her boat. I didnt mind, I always want my home environment to be welcoming and a refuge from the modern world.

But what I do mind is when things begin to go missing, both Szymanski and I noticed items missing almost daily. When we confronted my hearie roommate he admitted he made a mistake but meanwhile I am sure he gave her the apt key because prior to the thefts he asked me if he could give her a copy and I was against the idea simply because we didn't know who she really was? But I suspect he gave her a copy of the keys anyways. So I asked for the front door for all of us to chip in and get a new lock because 2 other asshole roommates who moved out b4 Szymanski moved in never turned in their keys either and they trashed the room they rented out.Holy hell, did the hearie roommate throw a fit. No he wouldnt do it. Ok fine you won't protect our things, screw you I have a $2000 mac in my room, footage that if they were ever destroyed would end my works and they are my only copies on mini dvs. After the locksmith came by, he decided to evict me. WHATEVER! Hell no, he was cheating me and Szymanski rent money and over charging us. What a bastard. I have always been fair and honest with him. Helped him on numerous occassions and this is the thanks I get? The dumbiest email he sent me yesterday reads as follows;

"I'm sure that you have a perfect right to have an ASL
interpreter present at any mediation--but wouldn't this be more
for show than out of necessity on your part? Between your hearing
aid and your expert-level lip-reading, I've never seen you have
any trouble at all in understanding or comprehending the spoken
word (unless you just refuse to pay attention), and you speak
standard English more clearly than 90% of the people on the
street. In any case, I assume that you would arrange this
yourself, and pay any charges required to retain an interpreter
for mediation."


uh excuse me, but my speech is NOT a reflection of my hearing ability. He's always accusing Szyamnski of hearing him when she's deafer than I am! Besides I am NOT hearing no matter how much others would like to believe (deaf or hearing folks both) I get from hearies on how well I speak and from deafies how I look "hearie"

here s an example of him blaming Szymanski for his troubles

"Truthfully tho--as certainly she must likely be on your side in all
this, I have to assume--barring even any word from her to the
contrary--that she has likely been privately encouraging you in the
course you have taken. (Who knows? She may even be the
Secret-Behind-the-Curtain Mastermind of these events, for all I know
[he suggested fancifully].) In any case, it doesn't seem that she is
particularly happy with me as a roommate, and I can't imagine that
she would be any happier about living here once you are gone."

Thats right I am a controlled robot and Szymanski is the powerful OZ! Whatever!