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May 16th, 2006
06:13 pm - nothing to see here...
so I have redesigned my webpage and am not using livejournal anymore...or, at least, for the time being.
check the new site here:http://www.mikeromo.com
and use this rss feed:feed://www.mikeromo.com/mikeromo/journal/rss.xml
repeat: this link will not work as of today, May 16, 2006.
see ya!
mike
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11:05 am - followbefore
So, I was thinking about what I wrote yesterday about the whole YouTube "fractional entertainment/integrated entertainment" vs. "HDTV/theatre experience" and I realize that the trends I thought about were probably too specific to people on the coasts/urban areas and people that are about, oh, 23 and under.
I think right now, the baby boomers and the majority of regular people are more than happy to come home from work and sit down and watch TV for rest of the night without doing anything else at all. I DO think there is a sizable minority for which this kind of experience is played out and not as fulfilling/interesting as being able to watch whatever they wanna watch, whenever they wanna watch it, while they chat with their friends, surf the web, write a blog...whatever. It should be really interesting to see what things are like in about 10-15 years, how the possibility of media will be integrated into every possible activity. We can see it already, of course, with TVs/Internet stations in refrigerators, showers, etc. (I think I first started noticing this multi-tasking when I went to hotel and saw a phone by the toilet.)
Anyway, more later!
Current Music: Makin' It Big with Bryan Bertino; Desperate Networks; Times They Are a Changing!-KCRW-KCRW's The Business
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May 15th, 2006
05:26 pm - a little of this and a bit more of that
There is a lot of talk about studio/television execs staying up late at night worry about YouTube, and I will admit, I have been fairly ambivalent about the whole thing, basically checking out the site whenever someone forwarded me a link. Then I noticed that this happens at least once a day, so now I have been thinking about it more.
On the one hand you have video dorks like myself who are constantly evaluating new technologies and which ones are better than the others to provide uncomfortable clear pictures, impeccable sound, and soul-crushing sub-bass. Then there's another side, the people who use the Internet for most of their entertainment and who don't particularly care how good the picture is, just as long as they have access and don't have to pay for it. There's the other side, too, who dislike all of TV (whether they watch it or not) and who would dismiss HDTV as just a way to spend a lot of money to see just way more detailed garbage and have no interest in watching any kind of video, especially the "viral" kind.
The cool thing about YouTube is that you can see stuff from shows all around the world and video from the past. It's really kinda what television people have been talking about for years (and sci-fi writers even longer), where one screen can call up any kind of content. YouTube is a public screening room for the Internet, and as I think about it now, I am pretty inspired by it. From an audience member's point of view, it's a great situation. Since many people (at least those who were born in the 70s) probably spend more time (by far) in front of the computer than the TV. And in this day of multi-tasking, where you are rarely just doing one thing (especially in front of a computer), having a small window with somewhat crappy video but still clear enough to make out facial expressions and text open on your computer while you check email playing some 3 minute clip from Saturday Night Live is an actually acceptable experience.
So, from an audience/"content is king" point of view, YouTube's the way of the future and will never go away.
But how about the other group? The guys with the dope home theatre setups with their 9 speaker setups and 1080p screens? (And who are actively getting ripped off by the studios right now with the whole HD DVD/Blu Ray mess.) What about them?
Well, the good thing is that people like them (like me, dammit), know when to RELAX and stop DOING SO MUCH CRAP and just watch a movie. Which, as you probably know, is a dying art these days. When was the last time you sat down and watched a movie from beginning to end in one sitting? I hope it was recently. I haven't done it in months. I just don't have the time.
Of course, the movie/tv makers like me a lot. I buy my movies and I actually think it's good to buy them as opposed to pirating them. Of course, I am an LA actor that just wants to work in an age (and location) where every other week you see headlines about how TV and movies are dying and good riddance.
Such a strange tension, really. People want to be entertained and they are getting pretty used to getting it however they want, on the TV, on an iPod, on their computer, on their damn phone...but they get all pissy when you ask them to pay for it. Or, studios deliver the content for cheap ("Lost", etc) before figuring out how to pay the people who made the show in the first place. Great questions--great, era-specific questions (my favorite)--that everyone is trying to answer.
I am really looking forward to seeing how things go when (if!?) IPv6 actually starts taking off and YouTube content becomes as good as watching TV. Then what?
And how are we going to quantify entertainment? The Al Gore sketch that I referenced above from SNL--what did I just do when I provided that link? I mean, no one at NBC got paid..but I mean, it was only a few minutes from the entire show. Should people pay for a fraction of a "packaged/whole" piece of media?
I think they should, to be honest. 2 cents. a penny. Not much. But someone's gotta get paid if people expect new stuff to get made.
(And if gas continues to get more and more expensive, will this drive up the desire for this kind of experience? If it costs so much to drive to the theatre...)
so many questions!
Current Music: He Was a Friend of Mine-Willie Nelson-Brokeback Mountain (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
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May 5th, 2006
12:35 pm - friday...
So tired...here's a pretty funny little video that I identify a bit too much with: http://videosift.com/story.php?id=2163
more later..
Current Music: TelevisionRules the Nation-Daft Punk-Human After All
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May 1st, 2006
05:06 pm - more video.
more video from Daft Punk. insane.
Current Music: Television Rules the Nation-Daft Punk-Human After All
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04:54 pm - Daft Coachella
Went to Coachella on Saturday. I had never been before...the closest parties I have been to were a few massives in San Francisco back in the day. It was pretty amazing, I had an incredible time, though it was really, really hot. Like everyone else, I have to agree that Daft Punk ruled the school, with the best electronic show I have ever seen. I mean, the guys wore robot helmets! Check out this video showing the large tentand this one closer to the stage. Truly amazing. I saw glimpses of lots of other bands, but I will admit that I spent most of my time dancing to Derrick Carter and Carl Cox. Great music and great crowd.
The whole weekend went by very quickly, somehow. It was nice to be back in the desert--we haven't gone there since the wedding -- and the house we stayed in was pretty plush (and crowded...15 people were staying over, I think!). All in all, a great weekend with much escaping. Of course, I didn't do my ears any favors (I did wear earplugs at times), but oh well. I dunno when the next time I will go will be.
Friday night we did our skit at Second City--and won! (I'm in the hat.) It went really well--the crowd seemed really into it and it just went without a hitch. We got some really great feedback and given that there were a lot of "industry people" there, it may help me get some work. Who knows--it was just fun to entertain people on stage again.
okay, I gotta wrap up. super tired.
-m
Current Music: Television Rules the Nation-Daft Punk-Human After All
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April 25th, 2006
02:26 pm - we can rebuild
didn't get the commercial! Whatever. The whole "strong avail" thing...I just kinda wish I didn't even KNOW I was on avail (which just means that they were really interested in me, wanted to make sure I could make the shoot dates; a "strong" one just means you add a few extra "really"'s) just so I can get used to assuming that I would NOT get the gig, so I can get on with looking for another audition. Being on avail is just torture.
This is definitely very interesting, this whole process. I feel like I am getting a chance to experience every single phase of being an actor in LA. I had to drop two commercial agents before finding a good one, I have been picked for spots then dropped for spots, I have auditioned for pilots, I have been called back, I have been put on on avail, I have been called back for voiceovers, I have finally gotten a theatrical agent...everything has been one....at...a...time. It's just taking forevvvvvvvvver. And meanwhile, MEANWHILE, I have been working my ass off at my day job, where I started as a tester, then as an assistant product manager, then a regular employee, then a "real" product manager.
At least all the moves are "forward" moves.
Still, I would have rocked that commercial.
Current Mood: indescribable
Current Music: Big Budgets, Big Trailers; Managers versus Agents-KCRW-KCRW's The Business
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April 24th, 2006
10:48 pm - back...finally
I have been in jury duty for eight working days. I am still working it out in my head, but I will say it was very, very interesting and, I admit, somewhat heartbreaking. We found the defendant guilty of carjacking and robbery after a day and a half of deliberation, of constant and consistent efforts to figure out, somehow, a way to find him innocent. It was rough.
Much has happened. On a lunch break I went an auditioned for a commercial (it was crazy--the criminal court buildings are downtown, the audition in West Hollywood--more specifics later) and now I am apparently on "strong avail" for it. I should know soon--a day or two--whether or not I am cast or not (it films on Friday). This would be a much bigger spot than the last one.
I am preparing myself to go back to work tomorrow. I have been somehow beyond myself, separated fully from my day job, and I freely admit it's going to be a bit of a shock to get back into it. It won't make for very compelling reading, I fear, so I will not go into it.
hope you are having a good week.
Current Music: Suitcase-Lisa Gerrard-Whale Rider (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
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March 27th, 2006
02:06 pm - in a cubicle
the one terrible concession I have had to make, the one thing that really does actually bother me and is somewhat of a step backward in a series of leaps forward, is the fact--the cold, hard, concrete fact--that I work in a cube again. I really, really hate working in a cube, man. I really hate it. I hate it so much that I could spend the next 10 minutes just typing the last sentence, over and over again.
What's frustrating is that I live in Southern California where the weather is basically awesome, and I don't have a window anywhere near me. So lame, man.
Kinda of a weird weekend this weekend. A good one, but too short. I realized, much to my dismay, that I had some voicemails that I never listened to fully until Sunday night, meaning I missed some hanging out time...but I couldn't have gone anyway, I guess, so whatever.
Found out a friend of mine (much older, but still) is battling pancreatic cancer, which Whit tells me is the worst one. I wonder if now is the time when every year someone I know dies.
Went to a SAG meeting to discuss a cable bill yesterday. It was really interesting; I had never been to that kind of a meeting before and I must say, I enjoyed it. I met quite a few people and got a much better idea of what it means to be part of a union. I have only been a member for a few years, so it was really incredible to listen to people who talk about having been a member for decades. I had a talk with a guy who was a child actor in Cecil B. DeMille films. It was crazy.
I also realized that my situation, where I have this crazy cubicle "real" job during the day while auditioning whenever I can, is just super rare. On one hand, it's great--and required--because it helps me pay off my debts and live an interesting life, but on the other hand, it could very well make me less hungry than other actors. Of course, "hungry" can just as easily mean "desperate," so I think I am doing the right thing, but it is interesting to talk to people who literally struggle, all the time, most of their lives, for a few minutes of screen time here and there. Humbling, truly. Disconcerting, absolutely. I am very lucky...yet I am impatient. Madly impatient now. I feel like I am throwing a party and no one is coming. This party is ready to go--the music, the food...i mean, i even cleaned the carpets...yet no one is here yet and it's not because there's nowhere to park. But maybe all this means is that, yes, there is a party, but I have no idea what time it's supposed to begin. I just have to trust that people will make it...and be ready for 'em.
back to work.
Current Music: Suitcase-Lisa Gerrard-Whale Rider (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
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March 22nd, 2006
03:38 pm - boompty boomp
hey there--
(deep breath)
okay, my new photos are up. I am pretty happy with them--I am just getting them up everywhere so my reps can wheel and deal with the new, improved me. Laurie got give-count 'em-five auditions the first week her new photos (from the same peeps) were put in play, so here's hoping.
Sorry, andew--the app I was referring to is ichat, apple's built-in chat tool.
What else? Not much. My friend Jen was over and she showed me the script for a pilot she is reading for today, and there's a part for me...and I just can't get into the audition. So frustrating, I gotta tell ya. Irritating to know that there are parts that I can TAKE and I just can't get in front of the people to show them. All is not lost, but ugh.
Feeling basically better after that 1.5 week cold. Back in the gym, etc. I am relieved that I am going back, it would be really, really easy to just stop going...
On a side note, I have been digitizing old tapes (10-13 years old) again. I set up a little import station at the apartment and am on track to import 2-3 tapes a night. I am very happy--the tapes still sound great and, once digitized, need never be played again!
gotta go!
Current Music: Derrick - Live at Spundae (LA)-Derrick Carter-Live at Spundae
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