typh

Whattup peoples, long time no see!

As the wise prophet Good 'Ol JR would say, "Business is about to pick up". After taking a prolonged downturn during the holiday season, I think things are starting to bow in my favor work wise. No, I'm not counting chickens before they hatch or anything--consider it more wishful thinking-- but some new relationships this past week that I established would help me find a more stable route in my day job....


...So I can do more crazy stuff in my off time! Book number four is in the works, and I've been toiling away at the first draft at that. The idea is to push it for a Q4 release. It's going to be tight, but i think I can get it done. In any event, I do plan on taking on my third (!!!) NaNoWriMo this November to see if I can do a first draft on Book 5. Yes, these volumes don't have names yet, but they will.

Tomorrow is the start of the LA Galaxy's 2012 regular season. Now with the distinction of being "defending champs", it's up to Blue White and Gold to see if they can repeat. The off season has been long enough and I'm just waiting to get some games in. The Angel City Brigade supporters group has done a good job in welcoming me in the fold, so this season should be a better experience than last.


Lastly, it's with heavy heart to say that this will be my last blog here over at "Flobo of Hollywood". This place has been my home on the web for a whopping TEN YEARS and it's kind of a bittersweet thing to watch it go. It was a place where I could talk about my everyday adventures, offer up writing samples, post pictures, and work towards crossing things off of my bucket list.


The truth is, with the relaunch of Flobito.com (http://www.flobito.com) last December, most of my writing stuff with there. Believe me, as sure as I just KNOW you would want to read what I do from day to day, it's terrible concept for a blog. Ah well, I always wanted to be more mysterious anyway. Check out Flobito.com (because frankly I get more hits there) for all of my literary misadventures.


As for the archive of my old posts, I've already backed them up and saved them on my hard drive like a teenage girl with her scrapbook and diaries. You should rummage through them yourself, there's some gems in there. If I do decide to go back into personal blogging, I would most likely not do it on LJ. LiveJournal simply isn't as powerful as the big boys, and it has this "Legacy" stigma. You know, I get the same reaction that most people give someone who still has an AOL.com email address.


It's like graduation day here. Whoooo! Ten Years? TEN YEARS?! Wanna know what I looked like ten years ago?






I was still handsome, damnit!

From "The Flobo Files" to "Flobo in Florida" to "Flobo of Hollywood", this guy right here is signing out.


--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples?

Long time no post, I know. I wish I could tell you something cool like I was working on a movie set (that was sooo last week), but nope I've just been lazy. Actually, out and about is more like it. You see:

Over the past week, I've been the movies more times than ever in recent memory. Over the past seven days, I checked out the Star Wars revival, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Contraband, and Safe House. You want my inconsequential five-second review? Sure..

Star Wars Episode I: Wasn't too bad when I saw it during its first run, but man oh man, (like I said on Twitter) the years have not been kind. I've only seen two Star Wars movies (with ep 4 being the other) but jeez, I am not inspired to check out the others.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island At first I was going to trash this movie for its crappy 3D presentation, but it was actually the theater's fault in giving me the wrong viewing glasses. I ended up getting a free pass to another movie. Anyway, I can't remember having so much fun in a movie theater in such a long time! It's a family flick, but I loved it! A worthy entry to the series. And scantily clad Vanessa Hudgens? Aww yeah! I even vlogged about on my website this week.


Contraband With my comp ticket, I checked out Contraband. While the film itself wasn't bad, it came off as generic. I will say having the majority of the film at or around sea was an interesting touch but other than that? Redbox it.

Safe House Same thing applies here. I am not one of those people who "figure out" movies before the twist comes, but even I saw the path the movie was going to from the job. The trailer people needed a raise, because they had me pumped to see the flick. This also happened to me with "Colombiana". While I'm on the subject, I think "Miami Vice" holds the record for the best trailer/most disappointing movie on my personal scale.


On Thursday, I finally got something off of my "Things I always wanted to do in LA" list by checking out the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. A little secret, I think I'm the only person in my age group who wasn't on Team Coco and was glad Jay reclaimed his title of host of the Tonight Show. Sure, he's slightly past his prime, but the show was amazing! The set is just so damn BEAUTIFUL. Outings like these, always have me inspired to make something happen for myself. I just have to figure out how to do that.

It was lame that they made us turn off our cell phones before the show. I understand the reason for it, but the folks at NBC should have given us fifteen minutes grace to snap photos of the set.


Just like that, the weekend is here. The highlight is coming early, as I'm heading to Staples Center to check out WWE live. I think I have good seats, so that makes the show that much better.


Until next time,

--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples!

I'm back after a teenie-weenie hiatus. That's right, I used "teenie-weenie" in a sentence. I've been getting myself involved in some stuff while at the same time I feel as if I've been slacking lately. Maybe it's some weird superpower I have. You know, where I don't feel as if I'm ever being productive. Gift and Curse I tells you


On Friday, a buddy and I went to go see the found-footage film "Chronicle". After the credits rolled, he turned and asked me whether or not I liked it or not. I didn't have an answer. It felt as if every good thing about the film ended up being canceled out by a bunch of lame things that were in the film as well. Where I appreciated some of the shot selections for example, the cutting of the corners in the CGI hurt the film immensely. You see it's supposed to have that "real acquired footage" feel, but the environments manipulated are so obviously computer generated, it hurt the overall experience. "Chronicle" is going to one of those movies people are just going to play in their house when they are doing other chores. It's worth a RedBox rental or a Netflix viewing, but don't see it full price.


On Saturday, I got my adrenaline fix by hitting up Six Flags Magic Mountain. I've loved roller coasters since I was a kid, so hitting up Six Flags is always a treat. The park is more exciting (and waaaay cheaper) than that overrated patch of land called Disneyland. That's right, I said it!

But Goofy is cool.




Not pictured: My matching Green Lantern cape, yo!

This guy has a season pass, so I'll definitely will be going back a couple of times this year.


Sunday, I was on the set for the latest NWA:Hollywood taping. Local pro wrestling at its closest, it was cool to see how the product had improved since the first time I peeked behind the curtain. I'm not a big shot there or anything (technically I'm not even on the roster) but it was still cool to shake the hands of the guys that were. The SoCal indie pro wrestling scene is big family and I'm like that weird in-law, you know?




The highlight was hanging out and shooting the breeze with fans before the show. Best of all, the taping was a five minute drive from my house!

This week is a bit of a short one as I have a PA gig on a TV show set on Wednesday through Friday. This leaves the end of today and tomorrow to handle to personal stuff. In the meantime, I'm trying to continue writing for the next book (details forthcoming), handle some housekeeping, find time to celebrate Valentine's Day (solo), and finally getting around to learning my new digital camera.

New camera means more and better Youtube videos down the pipe.


Have you checked out http://www.flobito.com yet? Aww man, new stuff is posted every week. Stop by, say hi!


--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples?

Shooting along mini-update has we head into the dead of winter (and also Black History Month) if you're following that sort of thing.

I came back from another desert trip a couple of days ago this week. It's always good to get away from home and to focus on other projects. It's so easy to get distracted when I'm writing. There will be days where I just have one thing I have to do, but I blow it online. So when I'm staying at a resort where Internet is 12.99 a day, you are less inclined to purchase the stuff.

Sure quick data burn on the cell phone reading e-mails are the exception.

As I type this, we are in the interterm between Superbowl Sunday and Valentine's Day. As this is my TENTH YEAR Blogging here on LJ, you must know buy now how much I love the holiday. That said, I had to curb my intake of Valentine's Day candy (as delicious as they are) out of fear of me being a roly-poly tub of Conversation Hearts.

Nah seriously, they are soooooo good.

In any event, it looks like this guy is going to be single again for the holiday. Do I care? Am I going to tout it as Single Awareness Day? Heck no, it isn't my style. Now, don't ask me what my style is, because the jury is still out on that one.

This week, it's of course trying to polish off some old projects as well as starting some new ones. Like I said on Twitter, it's about high time I start putting this into high gear! I have to build my brand, and that starts with my work.

In the meantime, feel free to check out my other blog over at http://www.flobito.com . It's been pretty rad. Who knows? I may eventually combine the two we'll see.

As of right now, it's more a split between creative stuff and the everyday stuff.

Until next time, as always,


--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Enjoy!


--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples!

I'm back after a challenging, grueling, but fun weekend in San Diego where we shot the pilot episode of the webseries "Rolo and Flobo".

I play Flobo by the way.

Whether by design or by accident, I had a hand in the pre, post and principal production on the series. Unofficially I am the writer, co-creator, co-star, director and editor of the project. Officially? I will settle for just the co-creator credit. Although if anyone asks me on the street the level of my involvement in the project I'll use entertainment industry jargon and say that I am the "Showrunner".

Anyway, it was an experience to say the least. My biggest fear going in, in that I wouldn't be able to remember my lines, actually ended up being one of the few things I didn't have to worry about. What did I have to worry about then, you ask? Well, all the other actor stuff. You know, making sure you bring just the right level of intensity to a scene. Or making sure you hit your marks so that the camera is in the right position to catch your performance. The amount of time available in a shooting day is always a challenge, but since this was my first time acting, I got to see it from the actor's point of view.

It's true what they say about making movies, it is a case of "hurry up and wait". As the director, I understood that this was necessary to make sure that the crew had ample time to set up for the next shot, but as an actor it kind of kills the momentum. That side of my brain really started to fatigue after a while. I can understand now why actors go through periods of "burning out", you know? It's easy to laugh about how "difficult" it must be to be an actor, but it seems like daily "mental marathons" are the norm.


Speaking of the cast, though I did have top billing, I am really more of a supporting character. The rest of the cast ended up being pretty cool too, allowing for moments of brilliance where I/we interacted in a scene without having to direct every single action. As a director, it made my life easier. As an actor, I felt that it created an environment of artistic freedom.

Was the shoot perfect? No, but what shoot is? As the editor, I know there's at least one scene where it might get a bit tricky continuity-wise, but it's a puzzle I'm willing to solve. With six (or eight, depending on how you look at it) episodes already written, there is definitely room to play with the characters to make the show even better. Or if the opposite happens, if the show becomes a "One&Done", at least I can say that I co-starred in my own sitcom.

That's pretty cool, right?


--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples?

Just in time for a brief update from yours truly.


As I type this, I'm prepping the final touches on the short web series I'm shooting this weekend. It is in fact the same one I've been screwing around with since November, so I'm even doubly glad to put this one to rest. In association with Scrawny Strange productions (http://scrawnystrange.blogspot.com/), this one is sure to be a funny web sitcom starring this guy.

That's me y'all!

While I'm doing that, I'm trying to keep sickness away as I just came off a set in Orange County. It was for another web sitcom, so the experience was pleasurable overall, but like most film sets it wrecks havoc on your immune system. The long hours, the lack of sleep, the grazing on junk food at the catering table all can contribute to the sniffles. It also didn't help that some people brought their colds to set, but it comes with the territory. Filmmaking is fun, so if those are the only problems, then I'll take it.

I worked as a script supervisor (or Continuity, or "Script Girl"). I made sure what was on the page actually made it to screen with regards to ease of editing, spacial parity, and wardrobe harmony. In other words, no inconsistencies. Like these.



This week, it all comes down to shooting this weekend. Of course pics and videos are to follow. Here's hoping it runs smoothly.

--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples?

Well last time I chatted with all of you, it was 2011 and stuff. Now that, and the lofty expectations I have for this coming year are gone, it's time to start putting plans into action, am I right?

I spent the last couple of days in San Diego, away from the conveniences of my apartment to get some writing done. My "working vacation" was actually at an Indian Casino, so there was an option to play if I wanted to. But unlike a Vegas casino, there wasn't another property for miles so the prospect to spending all of your money at the slots could slip into the background if you wanted to. Going in, I had a plan to come up with a short story idea that was going to be in my third short story collection, but I ended up coming up with a police procedural web serial based on an idea my writing partner came up with.

You know, bite-sized-law-action-drama-series-of-fun!

I'm actually going to put the finishing touches on the draft today, and I'm kind of interested to see where it goes. Rumor has it that the executive producer wants me to star in it, but we'll see. I mean really, would anyone believe me as a cop?



I say no! LOL

This weekend, I'm helping a friend on his comedy short film. It will be a good warm up before I go back on set for myself the following weekend. This is where it gets to be important that I keep healthy. Everybody knows a sick Flobo is no bueno.

Lastly and speaking of bueno, I've had the theme song to Marvel's "Black Panther" motion comic series stuck in my head for about three weeks now. What makes it cool is that the song is sung in a made up language, that sounds JUST like similar African languages. I ran through the series on Netflix in one night and I enjoyed it, even though I'm not entirely a fan of motion comics in general. Take a listen.



Now I feel like doing a tribal dance.

--Flobo of Hollywood
http://www.flobito.com

Whattup peoples!

I hope the multiple days of Christmas has been exceptionally well for all of you. You know, partridges in pear trees and all that. For me, this being my first Xmas away from home, I spent it out east in the desert.

Las Vegas to be exact.

The place was surprisingly more crowded that I thought it would be. This is a good thing, because who wants to celebrate in a ghost town? I actually visited Vegas earlier in the month and if that was the trip for the couples, this was definitely the trip for the families. I guess a lot of people (and their accident prone kids the way they were stumbling about) decided to stay on the strip for the week as we lead into New Year's.


For the record, New Year's (Day, but Eve is cool too) is my favorite holiday. You already know this because you read my blogs. What? You don't? Well OK. New Year's Day has a sense of renewal I totally dig. It's a chance to start over (even though technically you can start over on any other day of the year) and focus on your goals.


For me, I wrote down twenty-eight (28) things I want to get done in 2012. I felt like I slowed down a bit this year and that has to change. Being a slacker has been awesome for my Wii skills, but now's the time I step up and conquer the world. I mean that as a metaphor, because I'm sure actually conquering the world would be fairly expensive.


Last year I called it the 2011 Bucket List. I think "The 2012 To-Do List" is more accurate, if not nearly as spectacular.


Anyway, this leaves New Year's Eve plans up in the air. I'm Not sure what I'm going to get myself into, but I'll find something. Usually, I would spend the night home with family with bottles of Martinelli's sparkling cider while watching the ball drop. The next day was definitely reserved for the Honeymooners Marathon that would be on PIX-11 television.You see, there's something about being home in the city, and watching depicting a naturalistic view of the city in was proposed as a "simpler time" always warms the soul. Well either it's that, or the bottomless cups of tea and cocoa I would drink while I would watch.


BANG! ZOOM! Midwestern transplants (because those suckers never stay in their hometowns) aren't Brooklynites! RIGHT IN THE KISSER!


Until we reach the other side of 2012, Happy New Year peoples!

And as always, I'm:



--Flobo of Hollywood
Visit the ALL-NEW http://www.flobito.com . Please?

Whattup peoples?

The holiday season is in full swing as tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and Christmas heads our way this Sunday. It's going to be my first "Ecks-Mas" away from home but I'm not sweating it too much. I'm sure I'll get myself in some crazy Yuletide adventure. Maybe I can jack a red suit and pose as a mall Santa?

Just a thought.

December has been jam packed with memorable moments and it seems fitting this is how 2011 chooses to bow out. Coming down from the race, I had a bit of what they call "post marathon blues". It's more like "Well, what's next?". I don't have an answer for that as of yet, but things are in the works for making 2012 that much greater. Mother Unit was in town this past week and of course I was in full tour guide mode. To tell you the truth, I'm not very good at it (so keep that in mind if you decide to visit me) but we made do. Mother Unit got some shopping done, I got to stuff my face with food I didn't have to pay for, and we collectively cleaned up in Las Vegas. Oh, I NEVER come ahead on the games so it was a treat when I actually won at couple of games and left town without blowing it on some other thing in the Vegas Money Pit. I mean seriously, you could lose your shirt before you leave the airport in that town.

Looks like this month's bills are taken care of. Next month is something else, however.

I spent the day today straightening up the apartment and getting back into the working swing of things. I even had some extra time, so I checked out the new "Sherlock Holmes" flick at the local everyday garden-variety multiplex. Overall I liked it, as a lot of things I dug from the first movie (the music, the costumes, "Sherlock-vision") are ever present in the sequel, but the story did drag on in parts. I would recommend checking out a matinee but let's be honest, a matinee is just as much as a full priced ticket these days.

Other than the usual, I've been trying to come up with resolutions for next year. Last year I tried something different, I listed things/objectives I wanted to do/reach this year in a sort-of 2011 Bucket List: Stuff that had to get done before 2011 kicked the bucket. I started with over 30 things, as of now I just have three left. Writing them down made them easier to accomplish. Unfortunately, I didn't hit any objectives on my "overall" Bucket List, but that's what next year is for, right?


So on deck for this this holiday season: Watching classic Xmas movies such as "The Polar Express" and "A Christmas Story" (again), and replicating the New York Television tradition of The Honeymooners Marathon by breaking out the DVD set and watching it on New Year's Day on my own. Most importantly, I have to stuff my face with random holiday goodies.

I can't say I have a favorite signature Christmas candy (like Candy Hearts on Valentine's Day or Mellowcreme Pumpkins on Halloween) but you can't go wrong with cookies or Eggnog, amirite?


--Flobo of Hollywood.
http://www.flobito.com