and I'll escape into you
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Re-CyCle
Feeling green today...been so busy I haven't had time to do much online. What to expect in the future or before the end of the year? Radiohead concert video, Xmd5a directors cut, acid reflux music video, interview visual video and potentially Ai will make it public debut on the video outlets. Can you handle all that? Hope so...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
IFU Raffi Radio Interview
This interview came about through a promotional opportunity from Indieflix, where my film Ai is available for sale. I come in around the 16 minute mark, but the CEO of Indieflix does a really nice introduction so listen from the beginning if you feel like it. Enjoy the interview and drop me a line if you check it out.
Friday, November 28, 2008
DIY Days NYC
I edited these series of videos from the DIY Days NYC dinner. Check them out...they are very informative for filmmakers.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Kanye Reezy
Halloween was fun this year...you can check out my pics on flickr. I was Dexter with my girl DeeDee on Hallowheezy and Kanye Reezy last night.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Times Square Ai Screening
Check out the above video and pics on flickr to see myself and Sarah Fisher introduce our films at the FH2A Times Square screening that went down last Friday. Sorry for lack of updates and any new vids, just started a new job editing for Animal Planet but new content is on its way. STAY TUNED!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
FH2A Interview
My FH2A interview hit the official blog last night and as a result, I've been featured AGAIN on Independent Films Direct, a great website about independent film. In case you missed the last article they did with me...here ya go!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ai featured on Joost
It may not be there for a long time but apparently Ai was handpicked to be featured on the film front page of Joost through my From Here to Awesome distribution deal. Pretty awesome if I do say so myself...
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Jack is Back
After sacrificing everything for his country, Jack Bauer (Sutherland) is wanted by the U.S. government and now stands to lose the only thing he has left: his freedom. Nuff said.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Give us the bailout money
Got this in an email today:
The Birk Economic Recovery Plan
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of
giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a 'We Deserve it Dividend'. To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up...
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00. My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It Dividend."Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife have $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family? Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved. Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads. Put away money for college - it'll be there. Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs. Buy a new car - create jobs. Invest in the market - capital drives growth. Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves. Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else.
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back, and of course those serving in our Armed Forces. If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ('vote buy')economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President. If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult US Citizen 18+!
As for AIG: Liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't. Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion. We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.
Kindest personal regards,
Birk
T. J. Birkenmeier
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Reminder: Ai
Did you know you can buy the film right now? On DVD or Digital Download? If you get a chance to see it, review it on my FH2A page, become a fan on Facebook and stay tuned for more news about a related upcoming new samurai project.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Stranger
The second film of my Death trilogy. Good primer on my filmmaking before watching Ai and my other films. Brought to you by my favorite video sharing site, Viddler!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
TubeMogul is the Best
TubeMogul is the best tool available to video content creators who want to distribute across a number of video sharing sites at once. I use it now for every video and easily track stats on all my videos daily. If you upload videos and want to track viewership, do yourself a favor and sign up to Tubemogul. Check out my profile!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
DIY DAYS NYC
So I was lucky enough to be at DIY DAYS in NYC and film the informal dinner that went down in the wine cellar of a fancy Italian restaurant. Stay tuned later this week for the official video with Faye Dunaway, Ted Hope, Lance Weiler and Arin Crumley.
also...
SURPRISE SCREENING OF AI at GRASSLANDS in BROOKLYN. TONIGHT. 9PM. BE THERE!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Talk with your Audience
This is a chat room from the IndieFlix site where I can interact directly with people who see "Ai".
Support my film on IndieGoGo
IndieGoGo is one of the sponsors of From Here to Awesome and I'm trying to take advantage of their unique fund raising tools for filmmakers. Check it out and let me know what you think. I will be offering the limited edition blu-ray version of Ai on IndieGoGo later this year, just in time for Christmas, so stay tuned.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sitting in Eternity
Sometimes that's how I feel. Frozen in time. But not right now, I am getting things done. New FH2A video coming soon, special concert video soon, new project teaser coming soon, Ai and FH2A shorts showcase coming soon. Been crazy busy with work which is why content is being delayed.
Oh and if you haven't signed up to Ourstage yet, please help me out! My next video will explain more details about everything going on.
So until eternity stops, I'll keep moving.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
FH2A Screenings of "Ai" in San Francisco
FHTA invades San Francisco - Screenings and DIY DAYS
Been really busy with editing in New York city, so excuse me for my lack of blog updates, but here's some really cool info for people in the San Francisco area. FH2A is doing an interactive screening for 3 of the 12 feature films in the showcase where the audience chooses what film to watch. All the short films (including mine!!!) will be playing on an alternate screen. It's really cool so check out the video above for more info and stop by if you are in the area. The event is free, register here.
Been really busy with editing in New York city, so excuse me for my lack of blog updates, but here's some really cool info for people in the San Francisco area. FH2A is doing an interactive screening for 3 of the 12 feature films in the showcase where the audience chooses what film to watch. All the short films (including mine!!!) will be playing on an alternate screen. It's really cool so check out the video above for more info and stop by if you are in the area. The event is free, register here.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Ourstage Deal
As part of my film "Ai" being in the FHTA showcase we get amazing partnerships with online outlets. The "Ai" banner above will lead you to a sign up page for this cool website Ourstage. It's a social network site where you can download independent music, music videos and films. If you sign up (it will give you 3 options, choose Music Fan) you will get 30 free downloads of DRM free mp3 and earn me a mighty four dollars when you confirm your account through your email. The deal is only good from August 1st to September 31st so please sign up soon.
If you successfully sign up, I will receive an email from Ourstage notifying me that you signed up. When I get this email, I will send you a private link to watch Ai for free with no watermarks on Ourstage. It's really simple to sign up to Ourstage, they're giving you free music and videos and it would be a huge support to me and my films. Thanks to all who sign up!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Here we are all awesome
The founders of the FH2A festival talk about the future of media in a digital society.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Want to see Ai?
From Here to Awesome has just begun and as a result my film is getting distribution in a myriad of different outlets, the first of which starts today.
You can purchase a DVD of the film from indieflix for $6. If you prefer downloading a compressed version of the film, go to Caachi and download a torrent for $1.99 for either an ipod viewable mp4 or an avi for your computer. Do you use vudu? If so, you can already view the film as part of your package.
Please help support Ai by paying for it from any of these sites. If you can't afford to fork over a few bucks, I will be releasing a watermarked version of the film next week on social network sites, but purchasing it in some fashion is the best way to support Ai. Stay updated for more screenings, information and videos on my personal FH2A page, my youtube, my flickr and my twitter and check out my newly launched Facebook fan page for "Ai". Thanks and I hope you enjoy the film!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Behind the Ai
Ai - Behind the Scenes from ZAFFI Pictures on Vimeo.
Check out a collection of behind the scenes moments during the filming of my new short film "Ai". Be sure to subscribe to me in some fashion to be the first to see the film.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Blur'd Visionz
So I went to a wedding in Montreal over the weekend and took some cool slow shutter speed light drawing blur pictures. Please check em out!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Mind's Ai
If you haven't already seen the slew of behind the scenes pictures on my flickr, please go look at them. I promise you will see something.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Ai is featured in FH2A online dsitrubution festival
So as people who know me know...I'm a huge proponent of online distribution for all forms of media. I had a vision 5 or 6 years ago that this business model will eventually become so powerful for independent voices that it cannot be denied.
A few months ago I submitted my labor of love short film "Ai" to what I believe is an intriguing and amazing social experiment, From Here to Awesome. The concept? Use the power of the internet and social network to market and sell your film directly to the audience. I believe deeply in this core concept as I envision a future revolution of all forms of media to become distributed in this fashion, directly from the artist.
So please continue to support the film by checking out my page, my FH2A article and follow me in whichever social network you prefer to stay updated with news of the film and be the first to experience it.
Murakami@ Brooklyn Museum of Art
So I've been pretty busy these last two weeks. I started a new job, fractured my elbow and finished compiling a massive DVD encoding job. But in between all the chaos that is my life I was able to check out the spectacular Takashi Murakami exhibit at the always delightful Brooklyn Museum of Art. I was able to snap some amazing pics despite having to constantly avoid the museum guards...enjoy!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Mahalo Jason Calacanis!
I'm a Twitter addict. Why? Because I heard about it on the awesome TWIT podcast where Mr. Jason Calacanis, creator of the equally awesome "human-powered search engine" Mahalo, frequently makes an appearance and thus I follow him on Twitter. Soooo I was checking my tweets one day and lo and behold Mr. Calacanis posted a link to get a free Mahalo towel for the first 100 people that click it. I wasn't sure if I had made the cut, but sure enough I got a special package in the mail and I am now in possesion of a fantastic Mahalo towel. So thank you very much Mr. Calacanis, it's an awesome towel!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Metal Gear Madness
Got to meet the mastermind Hideo Kojima, creator of one of the most successful franchises in video gaming history, Metal Gear Solid, at the Uniqlo clothing store in NYC two days ago. Been playing his masterpiece, MGS4:Guns of the Patriots, ever since and I can easily say it is one of the most suspenseful, riveting, cinematic and enjoyable next-gen games I've ever played and easily the best PS3 game to date.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
REMINDER: Awesome My Film before June 6th!
I need your help to get my new short film "Ai" seen globally by this online distribution festival called "From Here to Awesome". All you have to do is awesome my film or you can just watch, rate, comment, favorite my submission video on youtube. Support me only if you actually do think my film looks awesome and check out this article about me, Ai and FH2A on IFD. Thanks world!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Old Man and the Sea
This is how I feel for not posting to my blog in about a week. Sorry but enjoy my vacation pics on Monsieur Flickr.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Which site do you share videos on?
Seagull from ZAFFI Pictures on Vimeo.
I'm really starting to love vimeo...and the fact that you can upload in HD. However, I do like the commenting system, twitter and flickr intergration on viddler...but you make money with revver...but you get the most views with youtube...What's your video sharing site of choice: youtube, revver, viddler or vimeo?
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Why I'm not good at blogging...
Because I still don't really understand how to blog. I don't even know how to use RSS to read other peoples blogs! I don't even really understand the appeal of doing a blog unless you are a mainstream blog, but I'm quickly learning that a blog doesn't have to be all that. In a sense, a blog is just a collection of thoughts and in many cases, pictures and videos. When I came to this realization, I said to myself that maybe having a blog is a good idea since I like sharing my thoughts and I take a lot of pictures and make a lot of videos. So even though this blog may be very disorganized and not aesthetically "pretty", it serves me as an aggregator for all my other stuff. So just please, use it for that and who knows, every now and then I might have something oddly profound to say...
Thursday, May 15, 2008
This Vimeo BLEW MY MIND!
MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.
I think whoever did this just created a new form of street art.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Awesome My Film on FH2A
I need your help to get my new short film "Ai" seen globally by this online distribution festival called "From Here to Awesome". All you have to do is awesome my film. Support me only if you actually do think my film looks awesome and check out this article about me, Ai and FH2A on IFD. Thanks world!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Back from Pangea Day
All I can say is WOW! It really was an amazing event.If you still don't know what Pangea Day is find out more on their official site and check out my Pangea Day profile page and my flickr sideshow as well.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Trying to learn how to live in Web 2.0
I don't normally blog...but yet I have a blog. So then why would I be blogging right now? Because I feel like it, and I feel like I am finally figuring out how to use the internet version 2. The trick is to have maximum outreach to your audience, meaning utilizing all the resources available. So I'm twittering now, and I'll be live streaming soon, I'm loving the conversations on Seesmic and I'm still youtubin like crazy.
So what does it all amount to in the end? Exactly what I want to do, reach out to a larger audience of people
So what does it all amount to in the end? Exactly what I want to do, reach out to a larger audience of people
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Beginning of the End
This is one of my earlier films from my high school days. It was the first film I made that I felt extremely proud to show off to people.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
