http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/index/ All Things Matte Chi en info@mattechi.com Copyright 2009 2009-11-23T17:33:17-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/i_chased_an_ambulance_tonight/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/i_chased_an_ambulance_tonight/#When:17:33:17Z My colleague and I had been walking around looking for some compelling footage to shoot for a documentary exercise for directing class. We captured a few things, not extraordinary we knew, but still, something. I was on my way back home crossing Tiong Bahru Rd, when I saw an ambulancing flashing lights toward the bus stop. I was going to ignore it, but I went out of my way to walk after it. I'd just see what it's about I told myself. I'm just going to smoke my cigarette and wait a little I told myself. On the way to finding a good perch to watch things, I grazed the back of a passing field mouse with my foot, barely registering its little squeal. I framed things up nicely: a descending staircase leading down to the empty orange stretcher, barely perceptible flashing lights seeping into the frame. Slow disclosure you see, I was going to hold this frame and let the drama unfold into it. I practiced a pan left and right so I knew where my end frame would be on the right with the ambulance flashing and hopefully exiting out. I was hoping also that the whole thing would unfold under ten minutes since that's all I had left in my Flip. I had these great ideas in my head: I'd ride around in an ambulance and capture all this trauma around me for my doc. Compelling stuff. Real stuff. One more puff of the cigarette and I let it go since it'd served its purpose in getting me here to shoot this thing. Soon I heard some sort of clanking and there was the first EMT bringing back the oxygen and setting the stretcher upright. I held the frame, and let him enter it. I looked behind him to see what I was waiting for. In another EMT's arms was a young boy, his mouth covered by a respirator, his legs dangling out and his mother walking beside him, her hand on his arm. I shut off the camera. I turned and kept walking until I got home. I've never been so ashamed in my whole life. That was pure exploitation and dehumanization for the sake of what, homework? And even if it was for a film (whatever that is), for what purpose was I getting this image? Was this what I came down to? A fetishist for imagery without meaning? There are people who say that you can't see what happened outside the frame. I refute this. If we are to judge a director's control of the medium and vision within the frame then I believe that same rigor must be applied to what comes before and after. We are responsible to the subjects we capture, the cast, the crew and the audience. If that frame hasn't been captured in good faith, then to me, it's tainted and worthless. If this is the callous kind of film I will be producing, may I have the strength to recognize this, to quit and to find an honest way to make a living instead. 2009-11-23T17:33:17-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/freewrite_11/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/freewrite_11/#When:04:58:57Z 11. Two pillars standing on end. White bone, china, smooth, polished, smothered glass. A surface that swallows. White bellied little beasts. Inch in and baby’s breaths through their yellow beaks. A swallow’s call beckons visitors home. A stranger at the door, a burglar in the house. The whites of eyes navigating unlit hallways. The right hand nudges the door, wrinkled hands, silent feet. Hand on mouth, eyes through darkness. No laughter here, only shoulders heaving… Two pillars, two chains on a swing. The plank, the pendulum, slicing beneath. Bare toes fanned out, wind slipping in between… We are guests here. We are nomads with grit in our elbow crease. We shrug off baggage, our folded mothers, sisters neatly piled and packaged. Our footprints fathom threefold, our shadows engorge streets and climb the backs of anyone who flees.  2009-08-08T04:58:57-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/paper_dogs_showing_at_the_brooklyn_art_walk_on_april_25th_2009/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/paper_dogs_showing_at_the_brooklyn_art_walk_on_april_25th_2009/#When:05:31:45Z "Paper Dogs" from Matte Chi on Vimeo. It's looking to be quite an event. I'm honestly humbled that my short film is a part of this exhibition, but incredibly happy to have a chance to share my work with, well, whoever wants to see it. There are a ton of other interesting artists exhibiting as well, so I'd definitely check out the Art Walk just for that, or if you've got the cash, I hear they're, um, selling some condos too. Hope to see you around this Saturday. Check out the site: http://www.brooklynartproject.com/events/art-walk-hello-living-vol-1 The DETAILS: On Saturday, April 25th, the art world will intersect with the real estate world for a little joie de vivre. If Cannes and Art Basel had a Brooklyn outpost it would be the site of the very first Art Walk @ Hello Living (4.25.09 - 5.22.09). 24 artists and 10 filmmakers will showcase their curated works and short films along the luxe walls of Hello Living Condominiums and within The Theater Room respectively. The art walk will be the neighborhood's first event of this caliber -- a tour de force for Brooklynites within the art, design and business worlds. If walking around in luxury condos while looking at arts and socializing with people doesn't spark your interest, how about 4 hours of FREE dessert and wine tasting? Our friends at Brooklyn Oenology and Patisserie Lafayette is offering some of their best selections to treat your appetite. What? You are trying to stay away from alcohol and sugar? Not a problem! We've got tons of fresh fruit baskets and SuNo Water lying around to keep you healthy and refreshed. And yes, there is going to be A RAFFLE for some FABULOUS PRIZES: - A gift card to Picholine ($50 value) - A Social Club Wine Basket by Brooklyn Oenology ($75 value) - A gift certificate to Enve Beauty Lounge ($100 value) - A gift card AND a satchel full of goodies from Sephora ($125 value) - A home accessory gift set by BoConcept ($150 value) (Home buyers who are already pre-approved for a mortgage, the developers of Hello Living are offering $1000 off closing cost to those who make an offer on the same day and a signed contract within a week.) Pretty sweet Art Walk, don't you think? It's not over yet. Triumph Property Group is hosting an AFTER PARTY @ 957 Pacific Street with OPEN BAR and LIVE JAZZ! So get there early and get on the list! Last but not least, there is going to be a PING PONG TOURNAMENT held at the after party! The winners, of course, get A PRIZE! (I've already said too much, let's keep this one a secret.) Guest and media check in @ 802 Dean Street 2PM - 5PM Raffle drawing starts at 6PM (Must register through eventbrite to enter) After Party 6:30PM - 10PM (21+, please bring a photo ID!) RSVP http://artwalkhelloliving.eventbrite.com Public transportation: A C S B Q 2 3 Featured Artists: • Ai Campbell http://www.aicampbell.com • Daisuke Kiyomiya • Derin Thorpe • Douglas Ljungkvist http://www.douglasljungkvist.com • Grace Kim http://www.grace-kim.com • Haksul Lee • Hiroshi Nakamura • Hisayasu Takashio • Jason McKoy http://www.shadowplastic.com • Jeffrey Shagawat http://www.shagawat.com • Jim Mahfood http://www.foodoneart.blogspot.com • Koh Murao http://www.koh-murao.com • Kristen Martin http://www.kristenlmartin.com • Margeaux Walter http://www.margeauxwalter.com • Mary Zinn • Max Jones http://www.maxtjones.info • Miles Wickham http://www.flickr.com/photos/mileswickham • Mireya Acierto http://www.mireyacierto.com • Nicole Eckstrom http://www.flickr.com/photos/blinkonmynose/3257155392/ • Nina Norwood http://www.brooklynartproject.com/profile/Nina • Ryan Dixon http://www.dixicon.com/ • Sequoyah Aono • ShaNeace Sharpe • Yoko Suetsugu • Daniel Frei • Dmitry Torgovitsky • Haruhito Naka • Hisayuki Sato • Katsumi Funahashi • Kelvin C. Bias http://www.formulaxfilms.com • Kim Meijer • Kunihiro Takase • Matte Chi • Takayuki Tanaka Sponsored by: • IKEA Brooklyn • SoHo Reprographics • Brooklyn Oenology • City Frames • Enve Beauty Lounge • Cafe Patisserie Lafayette • BoConcept • Ortine Restaurant • Pranayama Art • SoNu Water • Zank and Mars • Ouchi Gallery • Triumph Property Group • Hello Living 2009-04-24T05:31:45-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/warmer_weather_abundant_sound/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/warmer_weather_abundant_sound/#When:20:24:22Z Well, not exactly more sounds, but it seems to me as the weather gets warmer, I can hear more sounds. I have my window open right now and I can hear the starlings in the garden below; the hiss of the buses as they lower their hulls for the elderly; the doppler of cars rolling by; the children screeching in the playground; the planes overheard, their engines thundering in descent; the rattle of some mechanical mishap... And on the face of it, it seems like there are more people outside now, but that's not all - the quality of sound is different. And when you think about it, it makes sense, there must be an effect on sound waves as they travel through molecules thick and thin. Some quick Googling reveals that sound waves travel farther in warmer temperatures since the molecules are vibrating more. Sound depends on these vibrations to get from the horn on a car to the drum in my ear. This speed of sound calculator clarifies a bit: http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-speedsound.htm At 0 Celcius sound travels at 331.5 m/s / the impedance is 428.3 (not sure what measurement but we'll look a the number for now) At 30 Celcius sound travels at 349.2 m/s / the impedance is 406.6 Intriguing. Not only does sounds travel faster in warmer temperature, but to me it looks like it might travel further because of the lower impedance! So there you have it, next time you wonder why it seems like things are louder in the Summer it may not just be because there are people around to enjoy the weather, but the molecules are partying it up too and they're relaying the message. 2009-03-27T20:24:22-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/free_panasonic_scene_files/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/free_panasonic_scene_files/#When:14:42:16Z Looks like Panasonic's feeling the heat from the competition. They've released a whole bunch of Scene Files for their P2 cameras so you feel better about using their products. I will say that the FILMFPS and SHUTEFX scene files are pretty slick because they've configured it so you don't need to go back into the menu to change frame rates - you can use the function dial instead. The frame rates they've got set up are: * (F1) 12fps * (F2) 18 fps * (F3) 24 fps * (F4) 30 fps * (F5) 48 fps * (F6) 60 fps As you know there are documented Scene File hacks that people have created already around, most notably the "P2 Scene File Hack" as they call it, which makes it easier to get 2fps if you wanted it using the scene file. This is just something else to add to the arsenal I suppose. For SHUTEFX, they also play around with the shutter angle. According to Panasonic: * (F1) 24-10 A frame rate for film that produces a very sharp image or can be used when more ND is needed. * (F2) 24-180 The normal exposure for film use. * (F3) 24-350 Will soften the image slightly, while increasing the exposure one stop. * (F4) 60-10 Extremely crisp slomo, useful for motion analysis. Requires a LOT of light. * (F5) 60-350 Smoothes out slomo, while increasing exposure to compensate for the light loss of the frame rate. * (F6) 12-10 Useful for movies and music videos to produce that edgy effect that, when played at 12fps, allows frames to be up twice as long on the screen and small particles of explosions, dirt, liquid etc. to be clearly visible. Now here's the breakdown of what's available: AJ-HPX3000 - 33 scene files AJ-HPX2000 - 31 scene files AG-HPX500 - 16 scene files AG-HPX170 - 18 scene files AG-HVX200/HVX200A - 20 scene files Don't take my word for it see for yourself: http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/scene_files_main.asp 2009-03-19T14:42:16-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/aafilmlab_relay_09_simons_short_film_underway/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/aafilmlab_relay_09_simons_short_film_underway/#When:17:38:16Z We were on set yesterday on Simon Ko’s shoot. You may or may not know that the AAFilmLab is producing four short films with four directors right now and after all this thinking and talking, we’re actually on our way. I was Production Manager along with Hyunsuk Kim and basically having a blast. The crew was magnificent and most importantly, just a pleasure to work with. We give props to the cast for making time to work with us even though they have all kinds of other engagements to abide by. Because of the Relay rules, Hyun and I are Directors in the project so we couldn’t actually help out during shooting, but we lounged about and made sure we carried our load from location to location, and insured that the crew was as well nourished as our meager budget allowed. Right now, in the afterglow, I can’t tell you just how proud I am of our AAFilmLab right now. More info here: http://relay09.tumblr.com 2009-03-16T17:38:16-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/opt_out_of_verizons_personal_info_sharing/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/opt_out_of_verizons_personal_info_sharing/#When:05:29:05Z Verizon calls it CPNI or Customer Proprietary Network Information. If you've got online billing, you're not going to get the legal pamphlet that tells you that you have 45 days to tell them not to share your information. What kind of information? Stuff like: "services purchased (including specific calls you make and receive), billing info, technical info and location info. They promise to only share this with 'affiliates, agents and parent companies.' It will definitely not be shared with 'unrelated third parties' ... unless, perhaps that third party pays Verizon to become an affiliate, whatever the heck 'affiliate' means," (hyperorg.com) Very good stuff. I just gave the 800 number (1-800-333-9956) a call and of course it's not working. Will try again tomorrow. Apparently it's somewhere in the online billing site, but I haven't found it yet.UPDATE 3/8/09: I just called and the phone number works. According to robo-voice, if you want to check your CPNI status you need to go to you account on verizonwireless.com then sign up for My Verizon - whatever that is. Just call. REFERENCES: Tales of data pirates: Opting out of Verizon’s open-ended sharing, http://www.hyperorg.com Verizon Customers - Just Say No!, by LIDIJA DAVIS, NYT, March 7, 2009 2009-03-09T05:29:05-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/my_left_hand_left_me_a_message/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/my_left_hand_left_me_a_message/#When:14:01:32Z I have pieces of paper with notes hidden everywhere in my house. I find these little gems once in a while. When I found it I was particularly surprised by this one - It’s not my handwriting, but I know I wrote it. I’m not sure when, or what state I was in at the time, but I’m pretty sure I wrote it with my left hand. I use my left hand for quite a few things now, but my parents had me switch to my right when I was young. When I read the note, it felt like my Other was sending a message to me. I’m listening bro. 2009-03-07T14:01:32-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/finished_watching_korean_soap_terroir/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/finished_watching_korean_soap_terroir/#When:23:12:22Z I don't watch too many soap operas, but I've watched a couple of Korean soaps and I admit I have a fascination with them. I came across a site called mysoju.com by way of a friend who also happens to be a Korean Soap-a-file. They've got a bunch. I landed on "Terroir" only because there was someone I recognized on the show (a friend of a friend type of thing). The soap is about a young sommelier who wants to make it on his own because he'd rather not work for his grandfather's conglomerate. Kang Tae Min is his name. He goes off to France in search of a some hard to find wine for his boss at the wine import / distributing company he's working at. Tae Min finds it, then mixes up his wine with another woman's bottle of wine after a wild chase scene in the streets of France. This woman is Woo Joo Lee. She works at a traditional Korean winery, a place that Tae Min's uncle happens to own the lease to. Tae Min's uncle has a terminal illness, by the way. So the wine gets mixed up and well, long, long story short, Tae Min decides to start an appropriately named wine restaurant, "Terroir" on the land that the uncle owns - Yes, the traditional winery where Woo Joo lives and works. I think I gave some things away here, but you get the idea. Some notes I jotted down as I watched it: - The better the soap does in ratings it seems, the better their makeup, hair styling and clothes get. - Deus ex machina is heartily condoned - Women are taken down from their high horses, and taken in hand... by love - Storylines can be diminished and removed completely without explanation - It sucks being the female sidekick - unless your character is popular, you're gonna have to keep wearing those nerdy glasses - Lives are saved and destroyed by cellphones: voice or text, potency of message not related to medium of delivery - Men can try to destroy each other's careers, but in the end, all will be forgiven because it's just business - Forgiveness is a given - It sucks being the incumbent girlfriend/boyfriend - you're gonna get the ax - Characters must secretly do some unexpected good deed, which is to be revealed later in order to sow guilt (and love) into the receiver of such benevolence - People literally only "sleep" with each other in this world - People drink a lot and wine people drink the mostest - The old men are either tough and later soften up (even wearing nicely colored soft, cardigans) or are soft from the start and end up being all-knowing sages - Everyone has a beautiful car - Everyone has a beautiful house, even the small ones are charming and cute - The music counts - see if those tears appear without it - When it's all over, you either wish you could start all over again or wish you never started in the first place 2009-03-05T23:12:22-05:00 http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/my_oscar_2009_pix/ http://www.mattechi.com/read.php/site/my_oscar_2009_pix/#When:00:29:57Z Best Picture The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Director Danny Boyle Actor in a Leading Role Mickey Rourke Actress in a Leading Role Anne Hathaway Actor in a Supporting Role Heath Ledger Actress in a Supporting Role Penélope Cruz Original Screenplay Happy-Go-Lucky Adapted Screenplay The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Foreign Language Film Waltz with Bashir Animated Feature Wall-E Original Score The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Original Song 'Jai Ho' Art Direction The Dark Knight Cinematography The Dark Knight Costume Design The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Makeup The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Documentary Feature Man on Wire Sound Mixing The Dark Knight Sound Editing Wall-E Visual Effects The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Film Editing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Short Film, Animated Presto Short Film, Live Action The Pig Documentary Short Subject Smile Pinki 2009-02-23T00:29:57-05:00