mkpmedia films

So I was thinkin’ the other day - about what separates really good movies and really bad ones, when the both have over $150 million to spend.

One of the main things I came up with is that the best big-budget movies seem to all be made by people who really cut their teeth making edgy, successful independent film. Now of course, nothing competes with character, theme, etc., but you can’t have these things if the director doesn’t push for them.

Sam Raimi
Made The Evil Dead for $350K in ‘81 before getting $300-odd million for Spider-Man 2

Peter Jackson
Made his indie career mostly from financing from the New Zealand Film Board, now the country’s most famous filmmaker after The Lord of the Rings

Chris Nolan
Shot Following for $6000 (less than Robert Rodriguez could), and is now the first Hollywood filmmaker to shoot a film on IMAX film - this summer’s “The Dark Knight”

The list goes on and on (John Favreau - Iron Man, Alfonso Cuaron - Prizoner of Azkaban + Children of Men…) but you get the idea. These guys know how to stretch a dollar; I’m pretty sure Michel Gondry would’ve made a pretty awesome Fantastic Four.

My mum told me, a long time ago, that I absolutely must read the works of George Bernard Shaw. Today, I came across the first thing I’ve read from him, and he sure leaves a good first impression

On that note, my sister started a new site which is exponentially better than this one: Truthful Seeker. Check it.

So I just posted two videos out of the mkpmedia archives. I was clearing out my hard drive and came across the following: the first, a short ‘documentary’ on the 9th Annual Tamanawis Secondary Christmas Community Dinner (2006) and 2nd, an ad we were commisioned to make by the Tamanawis Literacy Committee. THe latter was asked of us in the morning, with a completed ad done that night.

Enjoy,
-Kashif

So if someone starts a facebook group claiming they’ll change their name to McLovin if a million people join
And they only hit the target after years have gone buy
how much funnier is it when they’re McLovin and it’s not even funny anymore?

Look it up on facebook, and join the group.

Just not yet.

It has recently come to my attention that many people in the world do not have zombie plans (a plan of retreat or combat during a zombie invasion/infestation)

Now for the most part i’m fine with this. That just means i’ll be the most prepared person of them all giving me key looting opportunities and a jump on traffic

However I can not be so selfish in my plans regarding the post apocolyptic world. I’ve come to the realization that most people making zombie plans are males. This will present a problem down the road when we’re faced with repopulating the world after the zombies have become rotten and decomposed due to the increased heat caused by global warming (just a small part of my overall plan)

With this in mind i encourage all who read this small blog post
On this small site
In this large mass of information we call the internet
to take 5-15 mins just making a simple zombie plan
and involve as many of your sisters, daughters, mothers, female cousins as possible

If you wish feel free to post them in the comments below
No matter how crazy they are

QQOD:”Then we’ll have to fight Jim Pattison, and he’ll be super strong because money translates into zombie magic”- Daniel (the prophet of zombie doom) Cryderman

The following are two short films, one comedy and one not, both entitled In God We Trust [neither are religious flicks].

First, from the director of Juno and Thank You For Smoking, Jason Reitman. A genuinely funny little film; the kind that gets you a career as a filmmaker.

And second is a little more serious, and, while it could’ve been two minutes shorter, has an overall good message. Watch the first 1:30 and you’ll get all you need.

Enjoy,
-Kashif

So we [Me, Ben Wright, Daniel Cryderman, Shyam Valera] had our first writing session today for our upcoming online TV show [coming this february!]. It’s generally comedy, with hints of seriousness. If it takes off, the series, end-to-end will take place between second semester Grade 11 and secondary school graduation. The question, however, is what to call it. Ben came up with School Daze, but that takes too long to grow on you, this needs to be immediately intriguing.

Leave suggestions in the comments, please!!!

Taking a post off from the film schtuff, I just got a pretty important email from the great folks over at Avaaz.org.

Basically, follow this link, and read more details in the full article.

The people of Gaza are being squeezed to death. This week’s blackouts have finally reached the attention of the world — and the international community could help end the blockade. Our obligation is clear. This isn’t about Israel vs Palestine or Hamas vs Fatah: this is about 1.5 million human beings locked up in the biggest prison on earth. The siege of Gaza is a collective punishment violating international law, and far from ensuring Israel’s security, it is only stoking rage and desperation.

Incredibly, the UN, European Union and Arab League have so far failed to act. We must seize this moment with an emergency campaign: demanding that the international community step in to end this blockade, ensure the free flow of supplies, and help broker the ceasefire which civilians on all sides desperately need. Please click below to sign the emergency petition — we’ll deliver it to the UN, EU and Arab League when we reach 100,000 signatures, so sign and tell everyone you know:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_end_the_siege/8.php?cl=51703716

The humanitarian crisis of sealed-off Gaza is only getting worse, and a rain of missiles is falling. No genuine peace talks will be possible while the siege continues. In the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006, we saw how global pressure and assistance can help stop a crisis and protect civilians from harm — we cannot stay silent about the crisis in Gaza. Please add your name now at the link above, and forward this message widely.

With hope and determination,

Ricken, Paul, Galit, Esra’a, Pascal, Ben and the whole Avaaz team

PS For more about the crisis:

Associated Press article including Red Cross report:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNIUuovp8Buyld1S6EFTSWfznQZwD8UB050G0

Former Clinton official calls for ceasefire, ending siege:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/21/opinion/edmalley.php

UN reports on the humanitarian crisis, including background to the blackouts:
http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection&section_id=11&static=0&format=html

Deepening medical crisis in Gaza (UN):
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75693

PSS In a global interactive poll, tens of thousands of Avaaz members helped to set our direction for campaigning on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and achieving a reciprocal ceasefire were both supported by over 90% of respondents:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/annapolis_results_2

ThinkFilm [or TH!NKFILM, I guess…] just got two great looking trailers up on Apple.com. The first is entitled ‘The Air I Breathe’, which looks a lot like ‘Crash’, but a sort of bigger picture view, steadier camerawork, an awesomer cast, and just general betterness. It stars Kevin Bacon, Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Brendan Fraser. Looks like a movie I’ll really dig, but I’m also pretty sure it won’t make too much bank, though the star cast might take it far.

Catch the trailer at Apple Trailers now.

Film #2 is the decidedly more important b>’Taxi to the Dark Side’, a documentary from the director of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, this one you just need to see for yourself. Really.

Well enjoy that as I go study for final exams, etc…

If you are into filmmaking and this here interview doesn’t inspire you, then you must REALLY hate Mexicans.

It’s an hour long conversation with Charlie Rose, one of the best interviewers ever in my opinion, and ‘The Three Amigos’: directors Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Prizoner of Azkaban, Children of Men), Alejandro Gonzales Innaritu (Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel), and Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth). They talk about their latest films (which combined got about 16 Oscar nominations last year) and their past experiences, including how they work together to make each other’s films the best they can be.