Ciscovaras Pictures

The Fantasy Idea

2012-01-27T14:21:00.003-05:00

While I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a fantasy buff, I've long been a fan of Lord of the Rings, thanks to the Peter Jackson films. It created a set of rules for me on what fantasy fiction should contain.

So when my brother, a one time avid reader of fantasy novels, told me about A Song of Ice and Fire, I was very doubtful, due to my Tolkien-centric view of fantasy literature, anything without elves, dwarves, or goblins couldn't possibly be any good.

That all changed with the arrival of Game of Thrones on HBO. I was instantly hooked on the show and it motivated me to seek out the George R.R. Martin novels, which I ripped through in unprecedented fashion. My prior requirements for good fantasy literature were out the window and I saw how I might be able to make my own fantasy film/series without the more fantastical elements.

That was the impetus for The Broken Continent, which I'm currently in the process of fleshing out.

I've been writing to stay within financial limitations for several years now. Consequently, I haven't let my imagination totally run rampant. While I still have to keep the budget in mind, just working in the fantasy genre has already drummed up a great deal more interest than I can typically muster.

So on top of working on the project, I'll do my best to keep tabs on it here. Maybe call it a resolution for 2012.

Lesson learned from the 48HFP

2011-05-27T11:44:00.000-04:00

How the 48 Hour Film Project has made me a better filmmaker

My screenplay gets produced. FTW!

2011-05-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

My buddy Steve Goldenberg starts production on Lizardman out in L.A.

6 NONSMOKERS Official Trailer

2011-04-18T22:16:00.000-04:00

Updated trailer for 6 Nonsmokers with color corrected footage and a few clip substitutions.

Why video games are indeed Art - Our far-flung correspondents

2011-04-02T23:31:00.000-04:00

Why video games are indeed Art - Our far-flung correspondents

Tweeted by Roger Ebert. I've got a vlog topic for tonight...

The N-Word and Huck Finn

2011-03-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

Inspired by the 60 Minutes piece on the sanitized edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

RunCom #1142- My Red State with Kevin Smith experience

2011-03-18T10:21:00.000-04:00

Here's my recap of Red State at the Warner Theater. I plan to talk more about Kevin Smith's self-distribution plans later.

RunCom #1140 - Will Smith: The Last Movie Star

2011-03-17T02:10:00.003-04:00

On the B.S. Report had William Goldman on a few weeks ago and he said that Will Smith was the last movie star left. You don't second guess William Goldman about these things.

RunCom #800

2010-04-11T16:13:00.001-04:00

In my 800th vlog, I share my first film, "Truth or Consequences."

Back in Blog

2010-04-07T22:34:00.002-04:00

I'm returning to blogging after nearly a year. I realized that a blog was the easiest way to provide a central location for all of my various endeavors. So this becomes Shill Headquarters.

Now I'm tinkering with the design and trying to come up with something both aesthetically pleasing and functional. I may have to settle for functional.

RunCom #489: Connecticut Film Festival bound

2009-06-03T06:39:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #489:

I talk about going to the CTFF and my other film festival experiences

RunCom #488: Criminology 101: Cesare Lombroso

2009-06-02T06:49:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #488:

I talk about the father of modern criminology and try to get my money's worth out of my degree

RunCom #487: Box Elder

2009-05-31T23:06:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #487:

A talk about a great indie film by Todd Sklar

RunCom #486: ZOMBthology

2009-05-31T02:39:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #486:

I talk about the premiere of a locally produced film

RunCom #485: Learning how to be a producer

2009-05-29T23:46:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #485:

I talk about getting my trial by fire as a producer

RunCom #484: Fame sucks - Susan Boyle and the Gosselins

2009-05-29T00:19:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #484:

I talk about how fame can affect real people

RunCom #483: It is what it is

2009-05-28T00:24:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #483:

I talk about a popular mantra in my line of work

RunCom #482: Comfort Kills Ambition

2009-05-27T01:20:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #482:

I talk about how having it good gets in the way of your dreams

RunCom #481: Memorial Day facts and Red Dwarf on my ipod

2009-05-26T00:16:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #481:

I talk about the holiday formerly known as Decoration Day and watching my favorite shows on my ipod

RunCom #480: Terry Gilliam, Fear and Loathing, Craigslist

2009-05-25T00:17:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #480:

I talk about one of my favorite films and not knowing what stuff costs

RunCom #479: Terminator talk and Auditions

2009-05-23T23:25:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #479:

I talk about Terminator Salvation and holding auditions for the new film

RunCom #478: Busy day off and Ricky Gervais in the White House

2009-05-23T00:02:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #478:

I talk about preproduction and Ricky's visit to Obama's pad

RunCom #477: 9, Nine, Larry David and Woody Allen

2009-05-21T22:59:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #477:

I talk about two movies with strikingly similar titles

RunCom #476: Humpday and Cannes loves Tarantino

2009-05-21T00:27:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #476:

I talk about the new movie from the Duplass brothers and the Cannes premiere of Inglourious Basterds

RunCom #475: Crash and other controversial Oscar Best Pics

2009-05-19T23:51:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #475:

I ramble on about Crash and other polarizing Best Picture winners

RunCom #474: 48 Hour Bummer and Demolition Man

2009-05-18T23:33:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #474:

I talk about a disappointing result in the 48HFP and a guilty pleasure of mine

RunCom #473: Community Opera, Lars Von Trier, :)

2009-05-17T23:57:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #473:

I talk about Don Giovanni, Antichrist, and colon - close parentheses

RunCom #472: Babysitting, Artomatic, SE D.C.

2009-05-16T22:36:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #472:

I talk about my Saturday

RunCom #471: My memory

2009-05-15T23:17:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #471:

I talk about my ability to remember the inconsequential

RunCom #470: U.S. History 101 - The shortest presidency

2009-05-14T23:25:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #470:

I talk about the man who was president of the U.S. for 32 days

RunCom #469: My IMDb entry and Northern Mariana

2009-05-13T23:13:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #469:

I talk about beefing up my credits and a memorable meeting with a congressman

RunCom #468: Come Hell or High Water, a Maryland Western

2009-05-13T06:35:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #468:

I talk about an indie Western shot locally

RunCom #467: How not to advertise

2009-05-11T21:46:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #467:

I talk about ineffective commercials

RunCom #466: Working Hard and Classic Trek

2009-05-10T22:22:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #466:

I talk about what I've been working on and watching Star Trek, the original series

RunCom #465: Officer Little Brother

2009-05-09T22:10:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #465:

I talk about my brother, the cop

RunCom #464: Star Trek!

2009-05-09T00:06:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #464:

My thoughts on Star Trek

RunCom #463: A little U.S. Government 101

2009-05-07T23:01:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #463:

I talk about the two houses of Congress

RunCom #462: Five Hour Energy fix and Al Jazeera calls back

2009-05-06T23:39:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #462:

I talk about my addiction to Five Hour Energy and vlogging for Al Jazeera

RunCom #461: Our 48HFP premiere on Cinco de Mayo

2009-05-06T00:57:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #461:

From the AFI Silver in Silver Spring, MD... the 48 Hour Film Project

RunCom #460: How I spent my cuatro de mayo

2009-05-04T23:34:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #460:

I talk about my busy Monday

RunCom #459: 48HFP Wrap Up and To Do List

2009-05-03T22:54:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #459:

I talk about the last day of the 48 Hour Film Project and all the stuff I have to do

RunCom #458: From the set of 48HFP 2009

2009-05-02T23:40:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #458:

Some behind the scenes from our 48 Hour Film Project in Washington D.C.

RunCom #457: 48HFP, Hair Cuttery, and Wolverine

2009-05-02T00:54:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #457:

I talk about Day 1 of the 48 Hour Film Project, working for Hair Cuttery, and seeing Wolverine

RunCom #456: Gearing up for 48HFP 2009

2009-04-30T23:25:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #456:

I talk about the 48 Hour Film Project and my history doing marathon film festivals

RunCom #455: Capitol Day 2 and Shrunk by Nina

2009-04-30T00:17:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #455:

I talk about my second day of work in the basement of Congress and Shrinkage

RunCom #454: In the bowels of Government

2009-04-28T22:32:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #454:

I talk about working in the Capitol and meeting a Liverpudlian

RunCom #453: Let's get cynical, cynical

2009-04-28T05:10:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #453:

I get a little dark

RunCom #452: To Richmond for VIFF

2009-04-26T23:24:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #452:

I talk about my day trip to Richmond for Cannibal Cheerleader Camp's screening at the Virginia Independent Film Festival

RunCom #451: Business Meeting and Reunification

2009-04-26T00:11:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #451:

I talk about meeting new friends and old friends

RunCom #450: Does anyone know Charlie Day?

2009-04-25T00:45:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #450:

I talk about one of the stars of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and trying to get him in our movie

RunCom #449: Things I've Taught Myself

2009-04-23T23:53:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #449:

I talk about the things I've learned because I couldn't find anyone else to do them

RunCom #448: The Dreaded Business Plan and My Great Idea

2009-04-22T23:16:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #448:

I talk about getting a business plan together for the new movie and my Pilkington-worthy idea

RunCom #447: Vlog as Diary

2009-04-22T00:33:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #447:

I talk about keeping track of my day-to-day activity and precious memories

RunCom #446: Union Blues: SAG Ultra Low Budget

2009-04-20T23:21:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #446:

I talk about the difficulties of doing a SAG film with no money

RunCom #445: Act Three, Pleasantness vs. Perkiness

2009-04-20T00:28:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #445:

I talk about blasting out the pages and being nice and being too nice

RunCom #444: Crank 2 High Voltage and trailer ranting

2009-04-18T23:27:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #444:

I talk about Jason Statham's latest

RunCom #443: Pitchmen review

2009-04-18T00:30:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #443:

I talk about the new Discovery Channel show starring Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan

RunCom #442: Susan Boyle and a Paradox of Human Nature

2009-04-16T22:05:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #442:

I talk about the Scottish internet phenomenon

RunCom #441: Taxes, Liverpudlians, Acting

2009-04-16T00:12:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #441:

I talk about work, Scousers, and an acting gig

RunCom #440: Miscellany, Linux, and child support

2009-04-14T23:53:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #440:

I talk about my day, amateur Linux ads, and a deadbeat dad

RunCom #439: The great computer swap of '09

2009-04-13T23:48:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #439:

I talk about switching computers

RunCom #438: Pluggage - Shrinkage and Appletinis

2009-04-12T23:04:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #438:

I plug a pair of Youtube programs

RunCom #437: Sunshine Cleaners review

2009-04-11T23:26:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #437:

I talk about the new movie with Amy Adams and Emily Blunt

RunCom #436: Dragonball Evolution, why oh why

2009-04-11T00:37:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #436:

I review a film I haven't seen

RunCom #435: No glory for the screenwriter

2009-04-10T00:03:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #435:

My cautionary advice for the aspiring screenwriter

RunCom #434: Screenwriting software and the Ray Kroc project

2009-04-09T00:34:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #434:

I compare screenwriting software and present my homework

RunCom #433: Homework and getting my Ricky, Steve, and Karl fix

2009-04-07T23:41:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #433:

I talk about helping Mia with her project and checking out the XFM days of Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington

RunCom #432: Too much off the top and Miss Beloit

2009-04-07T00:04:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #432:

I get haircut and Boxing Day has a beauty queen for a fan

RunCom #431: Answering an existential question

2009-04-05T23:53:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #431:

I answer a viewer question

RunCom #430: Film Festival ruminations

2009-04-05T00:47:00.002-04:00

Running Commentary #430:

My Saturday doings and international film festival bias

RunCom #429: Getting an actress naked

2009-04-03T21:59:00.002-04:00

Running Commentary #429:

I talk about working with actresses in kissing/sex/nude scenes

RunCom #428: My apologies to the Scousers

2009-04-02T23:22:00.002-04:00

Running Commentary #428:

I correct my geographical faux pas

RunCom #427: April Pfulz

2009-04-01T23:53:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #427:

I talk about the new woman in my life

RunCom #426: Not making the Maryland Film Festival

2009-03-31T21:27:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #426:

I talk about missing out on my home state's film festival and persistence

RunCom #425: I am a British National Lottery winner

2009-03-31T00:35:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #425:

I talk about e-mail scams

RunCom #424: Re-watching Exotica

2009-03-29T22:28:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #424:

I talk about the 1994 film Exotica

RunCom #423: Slapchoppin' the ho

2009-03-28T23:12:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #423:

The Ballad of Vince Offer Reprise and the uselessness of Facebook

RunCom #422: "What is your favorite curse word?"

2009-03-28T00:09:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #422:

I talk about several varieties of sh*t

RunCom #421: Octomom isn't news

2009-03-26T23:55:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #421:

I use the Octomom as an example of journalism as entertainment

RunCom #420: Firemen, clothes, and mail

2009-03-25T23:59:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #420:

I talk about a light day of work and finally getting a chance to go to the post office

RunCom #419: Al Jazeera, Obama, Pilkington

2009-03-24T23:54:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #419:

I talk about an unusual request for Al Jazeera, almost working with Obama, and Karl Pilkington on philosophy

RunCom #418: Prompting for John McCain

2009-03-24T07:01:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #418:

I talk about working with John McCain

RunCom #417: O Canada!

2009-03-22T23:28:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #417:

I talk about Boxing Day getting into the ReelHeART International Film Festival

RunCom #416: Working for small oil

2009-03-22T00:38:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #416:

I recap my job in Cambridge

RunCom #415: From Cambridge... Maryland

2009-03-20T22:37:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #415:

Recorded from the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MD

RunCom #414: To Hollywood, or not to Hollywood

2009-03-20T00:03:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #414:

Too much work makes me contemplate L.A.

RunCom #413: IMDb vs. Me

2009-03-18T23:57:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #413:

I talk about the ongoing struggle with Internet Movie Database

RunCom #412: Kiss me, I'm one-sixteenth Irish

2009-03-17T23:51:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #412:

An Irish themed vlog for St. Patty's Day

RunCom #411: A gift for my subscribers

2009-03-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #411:

I have an offer for my loyal viewers, and a request

RunCom #410: R.I.P. Test, and Not So Iron Mike

2009-03-15T23:17:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #410:

I talk about another untimely death and fighting a corpulent Mike Tyson

RunCom #409: Vanity Fair

2009-03-15T00:05:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #409:

I talk about my admiration for Vanity Fair

RunCom #408: Eleven pages

2009-03-14T00:25:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #408:

I talk about writing the next project

RunCom #407: I love Lindsay Czarniak

2009-03-12T23:49:00.002-04:00

Running Commentary #407:

I talk about my affection for a local celeb

RunCom #406: History's Greatest Outfit

2009-03-11T23:46:00.000-04:00

Running Commentary #406:

I talk about a timeless fashion classic

RunCom #405: Short notice audition

2009-03-10T23:11:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #405:

I talk about my biggish day tomorrow

RunCom #404: The five worldviews of Watchmen

2009-03-09T22:24:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #404:

I analyze the characters of Watchmen

RunCom #403: A night of fender benders and music

2009-03-09T01:32:00.001-04:00

Running Commentary #403:

A night of quality folk music

RunCom #402: Obesity stole my youth

2009-03-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

Running Commentary #402:

A weight loss update

RunCom #401: I'm watching the Watchmen

2009-03-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

Running Commentary #401:

I give a quick recap of NYC and my Watchmen thoughts

RunCom #400: From New York City

2009-03-06T05:17:00.001-05:00

Running Commentary #400:

One day in the Big Apple