Stay in school, watch 'Scott Pilgrim'; both are equally rewarding.

School started this week, which to some sounds the death knolls of summer, and just translates to "no more free time". And to those people, I say, "No, sir or madame, you're doing it wrong." School (college especially) is your chance to do and learn about exactly what you want. You know that thing that you love, that maybe you don't think you could make a career out of, but you still kinda hope you can anyway? Yeah, that's what you're supposed to be doing right now. Do it. Learn it. This is the time of your life where you can do whatever you want, take courses that you find interesting, and no one thinks it's a waste of time! (Okay, maybe someone will, but that's because they wish they had the option to do what you're doing.)

Yeah, sure, you're gonna have to apply yourself a little bit. Big whoop. And maybe you'll have to wake up before the crack of noon every now and then. Boo hoo. But you get to spend your time defining yourself as a person, and bettering every aspect of your life in the process. You can get a little taste of that future career that you really really want. And, if you play your cards right and actually do apply yourself, that dream job will stop being a dream job and be your real job.

It's so exciting to think that from here on out, we make our own decisions. We get to choose our field, our job, our path, and really work for it. Yes, you do have to work for it. But, come on. No one's just gonna hand you the job of your dreams (unless you're really really lucky). And even if they did hand it to you, you'd probably screw it up. Because unless you did the work that it takes to earn that job, you're definitely not gonna be able to do it.

So, yeah. College is cool. Sometimes it's the most random classes that take you by surprise and end up teaching you the most.

In other news, 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' came out. So please go watch it. Not only will it completely blow your mind to pieces, it needs your help. We need to support good, original, fresh films. Universal took a risk on this movie; it's quirky and niche and weird--oh, right, and GOOD. It's such a sight for sore eyes; we get so much garbage, especially now (how many 'SAW' movies are there? And 'Jackass 3D'? Really?), that this could be the start of a huge movement in Hollywood where studios take risks on good movies. But only if it makes money. And right now, it's not making money.

What is everyone seeing? 'The Expendables'? I haven't seen it yet (I'd like to), but I can guarantee that it's not original, not risky, not heartfelt; at least nowhere near 'Scott Pilgrim'. Everyone that sees it at least like it, most people love it. It's phenomenal. From a filmmaking perspective, the thing's brilliant. The direction, editing, effects, acting, writing, music, techniques; it's all there, guys. You won't be disappointed. Help support good films in Hollywood and we'll get more of them. Let it die, and we'll get 'Transformers 5', 'Saw 24' and more Zac Efron. And is that really what you want? Really?

In other, other news, I've started production on a short film I wrote about five years ago. I'd filmed it back then with a friend of mine on a crappy camera, and it never made it to the editing room (it was pretty funny, though). But a couple years back I rewrote it, heavily cleaned it up and improved it, and cast a new lead. But then I didn't do anything. Until now...

It's called 'P. D. Stands for Pretty Dumb' (people that have known me for a long time may recognize it), and it's a mockumentary about this private detective, Jim Boe, who's just completely oblivious. We've shot a bit of it so far (piece by little piece, we're getting there; below I included a little 'behind-the-scenes picture from shooting), and it's looking pretty funny. I'm doing everything I can to really nail this one. If I don't like a shot completely, we redo it. No more moving on just 'cause we need to get stuff done (for the most part). I want to make sure every shot is deliberate, and exactly how I want it, before we move to the next one. That way, I can be 100% proud of the outcome (and, if it sucks, I'm 100% to blame).

I love being behind the camera, though. It's home to me. When I'm directing, there's basically nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing. Sure, there's scenes that take FOREVER to get right, and that can get frustrating, but it's a small price to pay to be doing this for real.

It's not gonna be long enough to submit to contests or festivals or anything like that, but it's something that's not too short, not too long, hopefully well-produced and written, that I can show people without any qualifiers of , "Oh, that scene's rough", or "We didn't have time to reshoot that", or "The microphone broke". This is something I can get behind and I won't stop until it's the way I want it. And so far, it's looking really good. It's something simple and small I can pull off during the hustle bustle of school, work, and ten million other things.

Also, I'm hoping to make Jim a recurring character. I already have another script (needs to be wholly revised) and some neat ideas for future stories with this guy, but I'm focusing on the first one for now. This is part of my self-college. I'm actually making my own movies and learning from those experiences, which I think is invaluable. And so freaking gratifying, you have no idea. If you're interested in something, go do it yourself. Don't wait for someone else to tell you the "right" way to do it. Figure it out. Make it happen. It's awesome, and so are you.

But you're probably also lazy. Yeah, me too. Sucks, doesn't it? Partly why this post is two weeks overdue. Guess I'm trying to make up for that in length. So I'll cut it off now and stop rambling. And in honor of college starting, I'll give you college kids the cliffnotes version:

• Stay in school, don't do drugs
• PAY TO SEE SCOTT PILGRIM. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (or at least make you laugh)
• I'm making a movie, and so should you

There you go. Now go do your homework.

-Micah

How glasses made me think about death and stuff.

So, I guess this makes the third post about getting glasses. 'Cause I actually have 'em now. Today is my first day wearing them, so I'm still getting used to them. But wow, I never knew words could look this good before.

It's weird to think that I've gone my whole life, never having seen words the way that most people see them. It's especially weird, since I'm a writer, and I deal with words all the time. Kind of ironic. Also kind of ironic is the fact that I'm a filmmaker, and yet I have flawed vision. A field that is so very visual and relies on sight, in which I have a vision and express to the world that vision that I see, and yet I can't even rely on my own eyes completely. 'Tis odd.

Now, I'm not blind, so it's not actually all that dramatic. My vision really isn't that bad. I've just been putting a lot of strain on my eyes. But crikey, do these things make a difference. It really is remarkable how different things look to me (at least close-up things). Screens, paper, books, cellphones; it's like a veil has lifted from my eyes and now I see everything clearly.

One example that should illustrate the difference is that today on the drive over to Mason to edit Absolution, I tried reading a chapter in my Improv book, to see if my glasses helped with my ability to read in the car. And oh my goodness, they did. For the first time, well, ever, I read a book in the car for an extended period of time and felt...nothing. No headaches, no motion sickness, no dizzyness. I've never been able to do that. I can't tell you how amazing that feels.

As an added plus, I think they look pretty spankin', too. I like the look, even if it is only part time. Besides, now I really look like a geek writer.

On a similar but more philosophical note, I want to talk a little bit about mortality, namely my own. It's a really weird thing that's been dawning on me, especially now when I'm supposedly in my prime, but it has been. I've really been seeing the limitations of this physical body. Obviously, the fact that I need glasses is one of the indicators. But I've also just been faced with different things that make me realize that, if I'm not careful enough, or if I misjudge something, I could do serious, permanent damage to myself. And if I don't take care of my body, I won't be able to do all the things I want to do.

And, frankly, I probably don't have the time to do everything I want to do in my life. Of course, I'll have plenty of time to do a lot--if not most--of it. But not everything. I have to make choices and sacrifices. Novel concept, I know. But there's one thing to know that intellectually, and it's another to know it from experience and realization.

Sorry for the no-funny post today. I'll think up a good knock-knock joke for next time. And don't worry, I'm not depressed or anything. Just more motivated to get this show on the road.

-Micah

Air is evil, and other news...

It's funny how the little random note I put in my last post (about getting an eye exam) is the biggest development in my life since last week when I wrote that.

I went to the eye doctor for the first time, like, ever. At least that I can remember. And, by the way, they are cruel people. If you're unfamiliar, they do a little pre-test (always hated those in school, too. It's all the pain of a real test, but it doesn't count toward your grade. Awesome.). And in that pre-test, first they have you look into these two machines, then the lady says, "Okay, this next machine is gonna blow a puff of air into your eye." And you're sitting there like the little lab rat thinking, 'What the crap is she talking about?' And so you put your chin on the little stand and you put your eye up to the machine. And then BAM! She actually does it. She actually sends a puff of air into your eye.

And it's not some little breeze of wind, either. It's like a .50 caliber shot of air beind aimed directly into your eye. Don't tell me that's scientific. "Oh, well, looks like you have some eye damage, so, guess you need glasses!" It can't tell them anything about my eyes except that now they're irritated 'cause you shot a freaking bolt of air into my eye. Worst part? She did it three times. Uh, I only have two eyes, lady.

Anywho, after that was over, I went to see the doctor (who, for the record, could moonlight as an auctioneer; I swear I was in and out of his office in under five minutes), who then gave me the verdict: I'm farsighted. Apparently for the last who-knows-how-many years, I've been putting a lot of strain on my eyes by doing such simple things as reading, or using the computer; both of which I do a lot.

So, I got my perscription, and got to pick out my very first pair of frames. I guess I'm kinda picky when it comes to glasses, but hey, they've gotta go on my face, so why not be picky? I finally decided on a pair that make me look, as the guy said, "James Dean-ish", which I'm quite alright with.

I'm pretty excited, because headaches are not fun, and I've been getting them more and more (I've also been spending more time in front of computers and reading, a la editing and stuff). I've had them for a long time, but never really linked them to my eyes. After going 19 years without glasses, though, this'll be weird. But I like weird, and I like change, so, bring it.

Annoying part is, they still have to mail 'em out to me. They should be here by the 13th, but still...I kinda need them now...

-Micah