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	<title>u can't be serious</title>
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	<description>seriously?      yeah we did.      it.            better.</description>
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		<title>Introducing pilot &#8220;Misguided Souls&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=445</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=445#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:16:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bsmith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Misguided Souls]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=445</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After a few months in post-production, &#8220;Misguided Souls&#8221; is really coming together!  Take a first look at some screenshots from the comical fantasy series, which features comedian Adam Greenwood and creature make-up by Beau Kaelin. We&#8217;re currently working on the Misguided Souls website which will have more info and coverage of this hilarious and devious [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-446" style="margin-right: 10px; width: 300px; height: 180px;" title="misguidedtitle12g500" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/misguidedtitle12g500.jpg" alt="misguidedtitle12g500" width="500" height="280" /> After a few months in post-production, &#8220;Misguided Souls&#8221; is really coming together!  Take a first look at some screenshots from the comical fantasy series, which features comedian Adam Greenwood and creature make-up by Beau Kaelin.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re currently working on the Misguided Souls website which will have more info and coverage of this hilarious and devious pilot show.  Screenshots below!</p>
<p><span id="more-445"></span></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Filtering your Job Search</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=424</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=424#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:14:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gravitas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hollywood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sociology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[actionscript]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Add new tag]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[careerbuilding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filter job search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filtering your job search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[finding a better job]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[job]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[job search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recruiters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=424</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Searching for an ActionScript / Flash job is relatively easy. The demand is high and the supply is low. I&#8217;m not even sure the two cross on the traditional economic chart. Here in Los Angeles, with this Economical Recession, the market is flooded with people that have been laid off or contractors reaching for job [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/jobsearchnewspaper-300x222.jpg" alt="jobsearchnewspaper" title="jobsearchnewspaper" width="300" height="222" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-429" /></p>
<p>Searching for an ActionScript / Flash job is relatively easy.  The demand is high and the supply is low.  I&#8217;m not even sure the two cross on the traditional economic chart.  Here in Los Angeles, with this Economical Recession, the market is flooded with people that have been laid off or contractors reaching for job security.  I&#8217;ve been to over 25 interviews in the past few weeks (yeah, I hit it hard) and I&#8217;ve decided to disclose my tactics, observations, and hopefully helpful tips.<br />
<span id="more-424"></span><br />
In a job posting, it is absolutely vital to look for details.  You can almost filter out crappy opportunities from the format and language.  I saw the below JOB posting and decided to re-post it as a great example of what to stay away from when searching for a new opportunity.  I&#8217;ve directly translated what they really want with what they typed:</p>
<p>Job Description and Posting:<br />
&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<br />
Flash Developer with Rock Star Status!!<br />
&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<br />
Are you a Rock Star Flash Developer looking for an arena to call your own? Does your performance deliver the most cutting edge, innovative, interactive and rich media sites on the net? If so, we&#8217;re ready to set the stage for you!</p>
<p>The environment is highly team-oriented, fast-paced and fun! We are looking for talent who can work in a collaborative environment, thrive in the spotlight and want to deliver!</p>
<p>Must Haves:<br />
# Guru / Lead personality who is creative and smart!<br />
# 2-3 years professional Flash ActionScript (2.0) development experience<br />
# Experience working on large sites</p>
<p>Agency or entertainment experience is a big plus!</p>
<p>IF YOU&#8217;RE READY TO ROCK, APPLY NOW!!!<br />
&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<p><i>Are you a Rock Star Flash Developer looking for an arena to call your own?</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
We want you to think you&#8217;re hot-stuff when we dump a shit-ton of work on your desk.  You&#8217;ll get so overworked while we sit back collect higher pay and &#8220;manage&#8221; your time.</p>
<p>I cannot tell you how many managers I&#8217;ve worked under that know little to nothing about the technology industry.  They&#8217;ve never coded, and their development experience involves downloading a template and playing with the HTML tags.  Always ask who you will be working for, and question them about their skill set.  I don&#8217;t expect my manager to know everything, as it is nearly impossible to do in this industry.  But I do need a manager who has enough experience to set appropriate deadlines and actually know the time it takes to properly (or poorly) develop a project.  Phonies are easy to spot.  Ask them to show you their resume; after all, you shared yours.</p>
<p><i>Does your performance deliver the most cutting edge, innovative, interactive and rich media sites on the net?</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
GREAT!  Because we have built a business around this talent and have promised clients we&#8217;ll deliver rich, interactive media sites that we have ZERO clue how to build ourselves.</p>
<p>Working for a developer-turned manager is one of the greatest experiences.  Surround yourself with smarter and better people.  When you respect, admire, and learn from your seniors, you will enjoy the work you do and look forward to progressing as a worker and sometimes a person.  Stay away from CEO&#8217;s, and business-types that have an idea but are afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.  I&#8217;ve seen many situations with overshot deadlines, and ever-changing project specs from people with <i>ideas</i>.  Search for people with <i>plans</i>.</p>
<p><i>The environment is highly team-oriented, fast-paced and fun!</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
You&#8217;ll be working alone jammed into a cubicle surrounded by other coders jammed in cubicles.  Maybe we&#8217;ll go for lunch together and talk about the company&#8217;s organizational problems.</p>
<p><i>We are looking for talent who can work in a collaborative environment, thrive in the spotlight and want to deliver!</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
We want to take everything you do and call it ours as we sell it for 10x what we pay you.</p>
<p><i>Agency or entertainment experience is a big plus!</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
Long hours, no food, little pay, and lots of unnecessary middlemen that get paid more than you.  Too many cooks in the kitchen is a common phrase, but ultimately you’re just another developer chained to the cubicle.</p>
<p><i># Guru / Lead personality who is creative and smart!</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
Did we already mention you&#8217;ll be working alone while your soul is sucked dry of ideas and sold for high $$$?</p>
<p><i># 2-3 years professional Flash ActionScript (2.0) development experience</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
Screw college degrees&#8230;what little we know about the last guy that quit is that he had these skills.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve heard over 10 horror stories about guys working in companies for 3-6 months, and not even lifting a finger.  They sit around and keep pushing back deadlines while they collect a nice paycheck.  I&#8217;ve cleaned up over 6 jobs following these fu#@$ers while having to spend an extra day or so convincing the client that I&#8217;m worth the higher rate.</p>
<p><i># Experience working on large sites</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
S. O. S.  Those overdue deadlines we didn&#8217;t mention&#8230; well&#8230; .we bit off more then we could chew.</p>
<p><i>IF YOU&#8217;RE READY TO ROCK, APPLY NOW!!!</i><br />
<b>TRANSLATION:</b><br />
Our deadlines are way past due and we&#8217;re cheap.  And we think we can save money by having an in-house developer instead of out-sourcing it to another company who is charging too much (competitively).</p>
<p>Details, details, details.  Read between lines and when you talk to your potential employer, don&#8217;t let the interviewer run the show.  I find that I&#8217;m capable of doing 99% of the jobs I interview; however, the crucial part of an interview is to ask the interviewer more questions.  I&#8217;m more interested if I&#8217;ll be a good fit, if this new client will be a great working relationship, and if there will be a possible and potential future to continue generating revenue together.  Remember asking the company questions is more important than talking about yourself or proving to them that you can do the job.  So, here are a few questions to get your blood pumping:</p>
<ul>
<li>What&#8217;s the business strategy?  Describe your business model.</li>
<li>Who are your major competitors?</i>
<li>What problems and issues do you frequently run into?</li>
<li>I&#8217;d like to take a peak at the project timeline or scope.</li>
<li>How are you planning on expanding?</li>
<li>Where do I fit in the company hierarchy / organizational chart?  Who do I report to?  Who am I interacting with?</li>
<li>Great follow-up or closer, if the position sounds too demeaning:  I&#8217;d like a more strategic impact on the business.</li>
<li>Can I hire more people?</li>
<li>Does this position include equity?  Bonus structure?  How is ownership split-up/setup?</li>
</ul>
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		<item>
		<title>HTML DropShadow</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=105</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=105#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:54:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gravitas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Idol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[americanidol.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dropshadow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dynamic html]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dynamic html dropshadow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flash dropshadow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HTML DropShadow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[html element]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[javascript]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[js]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[js dropshadow]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=105</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The best HTML DropShadow I&#8217;ve seen is here: http://www.tastypopsicle.com/dropshadow/ This works fine with simple images, but in a situation where you need a background image, or you&#8217;d like the DOM to play more OOP. After working with the amazing talent over at American Idol, we created a MooTools 1.2.1 DropShadow class that injects a Flash [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_359" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 478px">
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3VjYW50YmVzZXJpby51cy8/cD0xMDU=" title=\"The Source\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/ucantbeserio.us/');\" ><img border="0" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dropshadow_promo.jpg" alt="DropShadow Snapshot" title="dropshadow_promo" width="468" height="282" class="size-full wp-image-359" style="margin-left:70px;" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">MooTools/Flash DropShadow Snapshot</p></div>
<p>The best HTML DropShadow I&#8217;ve seen is here: 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy50YXN0eXBvcHNpY2xlLmNvbS9kcm9wc2hhZG93Lw==" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.tastypopsicle.com/dropshadow/');\" >http://www.tastypopsicle.com/dropshadow/</a></p>
<p>This works fine with simple images, but in a situation where you need a background image, or you&#8217;d like the DOM to play more OOP.</p>
<p>After working with the amazing talent over at 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWVyaWNhbmlkb2wuY29t" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.americanidol.com');\" >American Idol</a>, we created a 
<a title=\"MooTools\"  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tb290b29scy5uZXQ=" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.mootools.net');\" >MooTools 1.2.1</a> DropShadow class that injects a Flash DropShadow into a specified DOM element.  I know Microsoft IE offers the CSS filter: filter:DropShadow(Color=#EEEE66, OffX=5, OffY=5) which can come in handy; however, this tutorial offers the rich Flash style.</p>
<p><span id="more-105"></span></p>
<p>
<a title=\"Working Example\"  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3VjYW50YmVzZXJpby51cy9kZXZlbG9wbWVudC9zYW1wbGVzL2Ryb3BzaGFkb3cvZHJvcHNoYWRvd19leGFtcGxlLmh0bWw=" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/ucantbeserio.us/development/samples/dropshadow/dropshadow_example.html');\" >A working demo of the DropShadow can be found here.</a></p>
<p>DropShadow.class.js has all options as 
<a title=\"DropShadowFilter\"  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL2xpdmVkb2NzLmFkb2JlLmNvbS9mbGFzaC85LjAvQWN0aW9uU2NyaXB0TGFuZ1JlZlYzL2ZsYXNoL2ZpbHRlcnMvRHJvcFNoYWRvd0ZpbHRlci5odG1s" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/livedocs.adobe.com/flash/9.0/ActionScriptLangRefV3/flash/filters/DropShadowFilter.html');\" >the Flash DropShadowFilter</a>.</p>
<p>WARNINGS:  This can get janky.  Too many Flash components on a web page can crash browsers.  And IE always has problems with too much AJAX.  So, make sure you dispose of your Flash elements and treat your HTML design with client&#8217;s browser memory in mind.</p>
<p>
<a title=\"Source Files\"  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3VjYW50YmVzZXJpby51cy9ibG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDA5LzAyL2Ryb3BzaGFkb3cuemlw" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dropshadow.zip');\" >Download source files here.</a></p>
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		<title>On Your Mark keeps running&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=111</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=111#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:30:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bsmith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[48 hour film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[48hfp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anthony wentzel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brandon smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cruxtroy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horror]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kyle weishaar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[troy dover]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=111</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Your Mark, a 48film challenge entry from the Jack Credit and Cruxstar crew, continues to thrill audiences.  The short, improved horror has just won the BigStar.tv Horror Film Contest.  Below is a special promo, and your can check out the full 48 cut here. I&#8217;d like to give special thanks to everyone who voted [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>On Your Mark</em>, a 48film challenge entry from the Jack Credit and 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jcnV4c3Rhci5jb20v" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.cruxstar.com/');\" >Cruxstar</a> crew, continues to thrill audiences.  The short, improved horror has just won the BigStar.tv Horror Film Contest.  Below is a special promo, and your can check out the full 48 cut 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy52aW1lby5jb20vMTgyMDQ5NA==" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.vimeo.com/1820494');\" >here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=111"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p><span id="more-111"></span></p>
<p>I&#8217;d like to give special thanks to everyone who voted for our film, and we promise to keep producing exciting, strange, and terrifying work.</p>
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		<title>Nacht Der Verboten &#8211; Wave 25</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:55:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gravitas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[call of duty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[co-op]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coopertive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[level]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[level 25]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nacht der verbotenl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nazi zombies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[split-screen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wave]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wave 25]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[world at war]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Call of Duty World at War has developed one of the best mini-games in recent history. NOTE: This is for 2-player Split-Screen Cooperative Play; however, it can serve well in a multiplayer setup. Some recent Googling has also uncovered some tips, tricks, tactics, and myths. The game developers even mentioned there is NO END to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Call of Duty World at War has developed one of the best mini-games in recent history.</p>
<p>
<a title=\"DeadSnow - Nazi Zombies for real . . . fake\"  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbWRiLmNvbS90aXRsZS90dDEyNzgzNDAv" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.imdb.com/title/tt1278340/');\" ><img style="margin-right: 10px; width: 300px;" src="http://twitchfilm.net/site/images/entry_images/DeadSnow2.jpg" alt="Dead Snow - A NAZI ZOMBIE Movie from Sundance Film Festival's Official Selection" width="300" align="left" /></a></p>
<p><strong>NOTE: <em>This is for 2-player Split-Screen Cooperative Play; however, it can serve well in a multiplayer setup.</em></strong></p>
<p>Some recent 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5nb29nbGUuY29tL3NlYXJjaD9xPWNhbGwrb2YrZHV0eSt3b3JsZCthdCt3YXIrbmF6aSt6b21iaWVzK3N0cmF0ZWdpZXM=" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.google.com/search');\" >Googling</a> has also uncovered some tips, tricks, tactics, and myths.  The game developers even 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PW1HVERBNmIzOXRz" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.youtube.com/watch');\" >mentioned there is NO END</a> to the mini game.</p>
<p>One trick exploits a bug where you can jump on your prone partner and have him stand up, then use the flamethrower.  I read 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL2ZsYW1tYWJsZS1wYXBlci5jb20vMjAwOC8xMS9uYXppLXpvbWJpZXMtY29kLXdhdy1zdHJhdGVneS10by1zZXJ2aXZpbmctdGhlLXVuZGVhZC1ob3JkZS8=" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/flammable-paper.com/2008/11/nazi-zombies-cod-waw-strategy-to-serviving-the-undead-horde/');\" >the best post here</a>, which is similar to our slightly modified strategy below, and I also found 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PXRDa0loOHpzZl9R" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.youtube.com/watch');\" >this XBOX glitch</a>, which is about as much fun as cheating can be.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t know what enticed me.  Whether the thought that people have enough time to find these glitches or the simple fact that you will truly never see an ending to the game, it was too late.  The 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL2VuLndpa2lwZWRpYS5vcmcvd2lraS9PYnNlc3NpdmUtY29tcHVsc2l2ZV9kaXNvcmRlcg==" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder');\" >OCD</a> in me was already triggered and I stepped up for a late night gaming challenge.</p>
<p><span id="more-67"></span></p>
<p>My friend and I reached Wave 25 doing a Split-Screen Cooperative Play on the PlayStation 3 (this should work on the XBOX as well).  We&#8217;ve decided to post our two-player strategy in hopes to further increase rather informative information on the supposedly unbeatable Nacht Der Verboten.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The split-screen co-op strategy:</span></strong></p>
<p><center><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/starting-room-map1.jpg" alt="Reference Map for Starting Room" title="starting-room-map1" width="300" height="200" /><br />
<strong><small>Reference Map for Starting Room</small></strong></center></p>
<p><strong>Summary:</strong><br />
Conserve ammo.  Master your headshots, frag grenading, and fancy footwork.  You and your partner will stay in the starting room through wave 5.  On Wave 6, unlock the backroom behind the <em>HELP</em> door.  DO NOT unlock the couch in the starting room.  This will create a better situation with less entry points in the later 10+ waves.  Your main post is the room with the random chest through wave 10.  You&#8217;ll never have to worry about zombies coming down the staircase.  Just the 2 windows in the back, the &#8220;help&#8221; door, and the $#%$#%#in wall =)  After lvl 10, unlock the couch in the <em>HELP</em> room and take your last position by the grenades.  You will never unlock the couch that leads from the starting room to the grenade balcony.</p>
<p><strong>Wave-Position Overview:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Wave 1-5     ::   Starting room</li>
<li>Wave 5-10   ::   <em>HELP</em> room</li>
<li>Wave 10+    ::   2nd Floor by the Grenades</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wave 1:</strong><br />
<em>Overview: Only knifes and boards.</em><br />
Simply maximize your points boarding the windows.  Eventually you&#8217;ll stop earning value, then you can start knifing the zombies from inside.  By holding the square button and pressing the right control stick in for a slice, you can actually knife the zombies while boarding.  I use the same thumb to hold square , but my friend uses his left hand to knife because you can stand.  Make sure you aim upward or let a few boards get swiped off.<br />
<strong>Weapons: knife.</strong><br />
<strong>Points Per Player: 330 (930 minus the price of the M1A1 Carbine)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Wave 1-2 Transition:</strong><br />
There is always a small break in between zombie waves.  Pick up the M1A1 Carbine for $600 points, then switch back to the pistol.  You&#8217;ll need the M1A1 for Waves 3-6.</p>
<p><strong>Wave 2:</strong><br />
<em>Overview: Knifes and boards again.</em><br />
There will be a few more zombies.<br />
<strong>Weapons: knife.</strong><br />
<strong>Points Per Player: 1260</strong></p>
<p><strong>Wave 3:</strong><br />
<em>Overview: Use the pistol with the knife while boarding.</em><br />
This is the first wave where you can use your pistol.  Empty pistol rounds into the zombies.  Empty one clip then knife the zombie when it reaches your window.  This will maximize your points, which you need in Wave 6 to play the random chest.  If some zombies break in, empty a clip, drop a frag grenade, and then run up and knife them to stall their movements.  The grenade will blow them to chunks.  Mastering this technique is vital to creating gimp zombies late in the game.  Only use two grenades per round, if any.  Every new wave gives you two free grenades, but your maximum is holding four.<br />
<strong>Weapons: Pistols, grenades, and knife.</strong><br />
<strong>Approximate Points Per Player: ~2900</strong><br />
<i>NOTE: Point sharing is sometimes difficult for the following reasons:</i></p>
<ul>
<li>Knifing a zombie with an item will automatically set the bomb off</li>
<li>Double Point (x2) item drops</li>
<li>The Zombie 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL2VuLndpa2lwZWRpYS5vcmcvd2lraS9BcnRpZmljaWFsX2ludGVsbGlnZW5jZQ==" title=\"Artificial Intelligence\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence');\" >AI</a> appears to send more to Player 1</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wave 4:</strong><br />
<em>Overview: Time to bust out the M1A1 Carbine!</em><br />
Headshots are worth 100 points and will conserve ammo as well as kill the Nazi Zombies faster.  Waves 4-10 take more skill and mastery of knifing, headshots, constantly boarding and re-boarding, while placing two grenades at opportune moments.  Also, remember the power item <b>x2</b> will double your points, and since a knife kill is worth 130, you can get 260 when this perk is activated.  Take advantage of the insta-kill item as well in the early waves, and knife to maximize points in addition to conserving ammo.  Knifing the zombies is much easier early on as they appear to double in strength each round.<br />
<strong>Weapons: M1A1 Carbine and two grenades.</strong><br />
<strong>Approximate Points Per Player: ~3800</strong></p>
<p><em>The opportune grenade moment:</em> When zombies have been stacking up outside of a window, which you&#8217;ve boarded a few times while holding other windows at bay, you can get 3-6 zombies with a well-placed grenade.  Simply run across to a window and board while aiming at another window.  Then run back to the window kill the zombies, board, then turn back to the window with 3+ zombies.  Let them come on in (like you have a choice), drop the grenade below the windowsill.  Run towards them firing a few rounds, then knife at them to help stall.  Back up&#8230;. KA-BOOM.  Watch for the gimps.  Try to leave one slow gimp alive, but kill the speedier ones.</p>
<p><strong>Wave 5:</strong><br />
<em>Overview: Blow those barrels.</em><br />
This is the hardest and most crucial wave to making it through the rest of the game.  Do not open the couch, or the door.  Stay in the first room.  You and your partner should each be covering two windows on each side, while sharing the south window depending on the Nazi Zombie positioning.  A mix between the above tactics as well as some quick foot movement will easily get you to the next wave.  Try making it all the way with out dropping and with 5000-6000+ points.  Save M1A1 ammo by switching the pistol to blow barrels.  If you&#8217;ve mastered your Nazi Zombie killing skills, the barrels should be saved for waves 6+.<br />
<em>TIP: You can save ammo blasting the barrels with the pistol.</em><br />
<strong> Weapons: M1A1 Carbine, grenades, and barrels.</strong><br />
<strong>Approximate Points Per Player: ~7000</strong></p>
<p><strong>Wave Transition 5-6:</strong><br />
Like we said earlier.  This is a crucial wave.  There needs to be a gimp, hopefully a slow one.  Left alive.</p>
<p><b>3 GIMP Tactics:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Blow up a zombie with an explosive and let him crawl around</li>
<li>Hold square and constantly board a window with one zombie outside</li>
<li>Let one zombie in and do laps and circles</li>
</ul>
<p>The GIMP Tactic should be executed at the end of every wave.  This allows your team to keep trying the random chest as many times necessary to find your final weapon combo: Browning/Flamethrower + Ray Gun, and also allows you to board the windows.  Both the Flamethrower and Browning will only be used with insta-kills leaving your Ray Gun as your primary weapon.  If you do not get a decent gun reserve $1200 points for the Thompson.  </p>
<p><i>After playing it some more, I think the Deployable MG or Flamethrower might be the best combination with the Ray Gun.  The Deployable MG reloads faster than the Browning and both are only used as your insta-kill weapons to simply save ammo on the Ray Gun.  The Browning is a close second, but its reload time is poor.</i></p>
<p><strong>Weapon Combinations that have worked wonders wreaking havoc (waves 5-12):</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Ray Gun + Anything</strong> &#8211; The Ray Gun is the weapon you&#8217;ll ultimately need for the rest of the game.</li>
<li><strong>Deployable MG + Trench Gun</strong> &#8211; I still prefer Thompson because you can easily buy more ammo.</li>
<li><strong>Flamethrower + Trench Gun</strong> &#8211; Flamethrower is awesome coming equipped with unlimited ammo and automatic headshots.  The Zombies burn +10 a few times, then die with 100 or 130 points.  It is your best combo weapon for insta-kills towards the higher waves.  However, you need to master pumping the flames, never holding them, while mixing in some knifes and fancy footwork.  Sometimes you&#8217;ll have to switch to the Trench to clear close encounters, otherwise it takes 6 seconds until you can fire again, but this still leaves it half overheated.  A full 12 seconds to refill it completely.  Another downside of this unique weapon is the limited disability in close combat.  There&#8217;s a chance that the fire rendering can temporarily impair your team&#8217;s visibility (and if you can&#8217;t see &#8216;em, you can&#8217;t kill &#8216;em).</li>
<li><strong>Sawed-off Shotgun + Sniper Gun</strong> &#8211; Experts only.  Once your becoming an expert zombie killer, almost any combination can be used, but you will not last much past wave 9 without the Ray Gun/Flamethrower/Browning</li>
<li><strong>Magnum + Anything</strong> &#8211; The Magnum kills Zombies in one shot which rocks for close quarters and is a great substitute for the shotguns.  However, it has two major downsides.  You never want to have the Magnum + Ray Gun as the Magnum will be the weapon used if you go down.  No headshots, you only get 60 points a kill.   So, you are cheating yourself on maximum points which is necessary if you have yet to pull the Ray Gun from the random chest.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Weapons to <em>not</em> swap in:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Bazooka</strong> &#8211; Maybe in multiplayer this is tactful, but not for killing kamakazee-nazi-zombies in close quarters.</li>
<li><strong>Rifles</strong> &#8211; Russian or USA, they both suck for blasting zombies.  I&#8217;d love to see a masterful player do nothing but headshots, and still survive to double-digit zombie waves; however, it&#8217;s highly unlikely.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Possible keepers:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Magnum</strong> &#8211; It&#8217;s amazing waves 1-12.  1-shot kills, but the reload time won&#8217;t take you to wave 20.</li>
<li><strong>Bar</strong> &#8211; (instead of the Thompson) &#8211; Thompson refills faster, but you can last a few waves with the Bar if needed.</li>
<li><strong>FG / MP40 / STG</strong> &#8211; I still prefer the Thompson, but this can be useful if you&#8217;ve mastered your headshots.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>TIP: Getting the Trenchgun or Thompson in the chest and saving 550 points.</em></p>
<p><strong>Enough reading, here is the RunThrough, Waves 1-5:</strong><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><strong>Wave 6:</strong><br />
<i>Overview: This wave should fly-by with your newly acquired arsenal.</i><br />
Conserve ammo with headshots.  Switch with your partner guarding the door.  Both of you need to share the wealth.  Practice your gimp fragging, and look for max ammo items.  Bombs are great if your panicking or a partner dies, but keep the upperhand because they waste point$.  Expert lingo:  Bombs bad.  If you die, the other player takes the full screen, you lose your weapons and 1000 points.  You will come back in the transition with only the pistol.  Yeah, so don&#8217;t die either.<br />
<strong>Approximate Points Per Player: ~2200+ (Remember you&#8217;ll be spending all your points on the chest every chance you get)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Transitions:</strong><br />
Board your windows.  Play the chest for the Ray Gun and Browning.  You can sometimes squeeze one random chest during a transition; two if you are standing right next to it and ready to run!</p>
<p><strong>Wave 7-9:</strong><br />
Play for the Ray Gun.  Make sure one player holds onto a closeup gun like the Trench while the other has a Thompson.  Hopefully you&#8217;ll mix it up with a Machine or Ray Gun.  Remember two Ray Guns is the key!  Play the random chest until your points run out between every round.  You can also play the chest immediately after a bomb; however, you&#8217;ll never have enough time to grab a gun while zombies are still coming.  The Magnum and the Automatic Sniper Rifle can be useful for short and long distance single-shot kills respectively; however, their reload times are slow and they do not maximize your points.</p>
<p><b>Waves 6-9 RunThrough:</b><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><strong>Wave 9-10 Transition:</strong><br />
Time to move to your final position.  Unlock the <em>HELP</em> room&#8217;s couch, take the position by the grenades, and never unlock the other couch (the one that connects the starting room and the grenade balcony).</p>
<p><strong>Wave 10+:</strong><br />
By wave 12, you should have two Ray Guns, otherwise&#8230; good luck.  Hold the balcony&#8217;s window and door.  Communication is the key!  Rotate with your partner every reload and board the window when you can.  Chuck grenades often and refill when you have the advantage.  Wave 12 and up, the one player with the Ray Gun should hold the door, and allow the other player to get points when an insta-kill drops.  Regular guns will not do well in the later waves.</p>
<p>If a max-ammo item does not drop, you will have to trade in your Ray Gun and play the chest again.  Simply buy the Kar98k for 200 points, and cross your fingers to get that next Ray Gun (this is why bombs are bad in a 2-Player game).  Sometimes you will lose because you have 30,000 points and you never pull it again.  Way to go &#8220;random&#8221; box!  I&#8217;d blame the game designers for making this truly random, but then they&#8217;d laugh at how much time I&#8217;ve wasted playing this silly mini game, and even writing a strategy to it =)</p>
<p><b>Wave 9-12 RunThrough:</b><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><b>Wave 12-14 RunThrough:</b><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><b>Wave 14-18 RunThrough:</b><br />
This one is awesome:<br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><b>Waves 18-20 RunThrough:</b><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><b>Waves 20-22 RunThrough:</b><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><b>Wave 22-24 RunThrough:</b><br />
Wave 23 was wild:<br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p><strong>Wave 25:</strong><br />
EFF@!#!  I messed up.  Here&#8217;s the video:</p>
<p><b>Here&#8217;s Wave 25 (same strategy, but different run):</b><br />
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=67"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
<p>You&#8217;ll soon realize the importance to conserving your ammo, making headshots, and never dying.  The smallest mistake will give the Nazi Zombies a slight advantage to easily overrun your team.  I think you could make it to Wave 40 if you really ironed-out this strategy making no mistakes along the way.  In fact, I&#8217;ve seen a few players already post lvl 30+ on 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbQ==" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.youtube.com');\" >YouTube</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Wave 50?</strong><br />
A four+ player squad using this strategy could make wave 50+ easily.  You&#8217;d have to not be greedy, and let two players hog the points early game.  This way 1 or 2 players can get the better guns or possibly an early Ray Gun, while the other 2 players laid low.  However, you&#8217;d have to swap out teams frequently to make sure no player fell too far behind.  I&#8217;d also put 1 man constantly boarding the window by the grenades while the other 3+ held the door down.  If 4 players each obtain their ray guns, then I&#8217;d recommend 2 guys with Brownings and 2 with Flamethrowers for the insta-kills.</p>
<p>You might make it.  Maybe to Wave 50, maybe until the end.  If there is one =)</p>
<p><b>Top 10 signs you are becoming addicted to killing zombies:</b></p>
<ol>
<li>When you buy the M1A1, you switch back to the pistol so fast you can&#8217;t see the M1.</li>
<li>You figure out how to knife your teammate, and do it often.</li>
<li>You know that getting to Wave 25 takes an hour and a half.  Getting to Wave 75, in theory, should take just shy of five.  Therefore, you plan work week accordingly.</li>
<li>Films like 
<a title=\"DeadSnow - Nazi Zombies for real . . . fake\"  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbWRiLmNvbS90aXRsZS90dDEyNzgzNDAv" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.imdb.com/title/tt1278340/');\" >Dead Snow</a>, 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PTZjUS1rTTNUQktj" title=\"Worst Case Scenario\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.youtube.com/watch');\" >Worst Case Scenario</a>, and 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbWRiLmNvbS90aXRsZS90dDAwODEwMjcv" title=\"Zombie Lake the 1981 Movie\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.imdb.com/title/tt0081027/');\" >Zombie Lake</a> are no longer recreational viewings.  They are research and can be written off accordingly.</li>
<li>If you have four grenades in your arsenal, you chuck two grenades over the ledge and gimp one zombie just before you get the two replenishable ones.</li>
<li>You can beat Wave 23 with a Browning and an FG with your teammate down.</li>
<li>You know how long it takes to revive.</li>
<li>You know how long it takes a player to bleed out and die.</li>
</ol>
<p>Feel free to post comments, suggestions, or youtube videos on your strategies as well.  We&#8217;ll try to get one recorded next time we get that zombie-lasting craving that prays on your idealism and makes you forget that there&#8217;s sunlight outside.</p>
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		<title>MUSIC VIDEOS: The Low Cost of High Notes</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:54:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bsmith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blood brothers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cornelius]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electric 6]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[john ruben]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music videos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[panther]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[why?]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the music industry hemorrhages on repetition and formula, it appears that the music video art has lost that sense of free exploration.  Most networks and outlets produce an assembly line montage of flashy edits, shaking ass, and commercial tie-ins. Is budget such a constraint on making a clever music video? Doesn&#8217;t one simply need [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-334" style="margin-right: 10px; width: 300px; height: 300px;" title="41awebdkk4l_ss500_" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/41awebdkk4l_ss500_.jpg" alt="41awebdkk4l_ss500_" width="400" height="400" />As the music industry hemorrhages on repetition and formula, it appears that the music video art has lost that sense of free exploration.  Most networks and outlets produce an assembly line montage of flashy edits, shaking ass, and commercial tie-ins.</p>
<p>Is budget such a constraint on making a clever music video? Doesn&#8217;t one simply need a camera and an idea?</p>
<p>To me, the art and passion of the music video is  still rocking in the underground and independent outlets, from the hearts and minds of the &#8216;smaller&#8217; bands, rappers, and musicians whom constantly work  micro-budget.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s some music videos, from artists both known and&#8230;lesser known, which I feel excel at keeping high concept and low budget in perfect time.  <span id="more-119"></span></p>
<p>Cornelius &#8211; &#8220;Eyes&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>Oren Lavie &#8211; &#8220;Her Morning Elegance&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>Why? &#8211; &#8220;Dumb Hummer&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>John Ruben &#8211; &#8220;Move&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>Blood Brothers &#8211; &#8220;Laser Life&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>Electric Six &#8211; &#8220;Danger: High Voltage&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>Panther &#8211; &#8220;You Don&#8217;t Want Your Nails Done&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>Andre Chocron &#8211; &#8220;Bars and Tones&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=119"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p>I know there may be some debate over the classification of &#8216;budget&#8217; and &#8216;independent.&#8217;</p>
<p>That said, as a video producer, the samples above suggest &#8216;reasonable means&#8217; to me, and I hope they inspire others to not see constraints with creativity!</p>
<p>If you&#8217;ve any suggestions to this list (or a video of your own that matches this criteria and caliber) post it below!</p>
<p>-Brandon</p>
 <img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=119" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" /><p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fucantbeserio.us%2F%3Fp%3D119&amp;linkname=MUSIC%20VIDEOS%3A%20The%20Low%20Cost%20of%20High%20Notes"><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_256_24.png" width="256" height="24" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>The Last Call &#8211; Interview with Joseph Hatfield</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=23</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=23#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:03:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bsmith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brandon smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filmmakers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horror]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horror film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[joe hatfield]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[joseph hatfield]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[louisville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supernatural]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the last call]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=23</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Making independent shorts brings unique opportunities. One of those is working with the same independent actors on numerous projects.  And why not? They&#8217;re local, they&#8217;re cheap, and most likely, they&#8217;re your good friends.  I&#8217;ve known Joe Hatfield for many years and he&#8217;s acted in five of my short films.  Maybe more.  After filming The Last [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-24" title="Joe_Hatfield_Last_Call_01" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/lastcallimg05.jpg" alt="Joe_Hatfield_Last_Call_01" width="600" height="338" /></p>
<p>Making independent shorts brings unique opportunities.</p>
<p>One of those is working with the same independent actors on numerous projects.  And why not? They&#8217;re local, they&#8217;re cheap, and most likely, they&#8217;re your good friends.  I&#8217;ve known Joe Hatfield for many years and he&#8217;s acted in five of my short films.  Maybe more.  After filming <em>The Last Call</em>, I quickly grabbed a voice recorder,  as we delved into the following discussion-turned-interview.</p>
<p><span id="more-23"></span></p>
<p>BRANDON: <em>To make sure I have this right&#8230;it&#8217;s Joseph Margaret Hatfield?</em></p>
<p>JOE: (laughs) No.  Just Joe.</p>
<p>B: <em>When did you start acting?</em></p>
<p>J: God man, I grew up doing church plays and what not.  But I would say my first year out of high school was when I truly started, and became focused; so ten years.  I did my first collegiate play that year, <em>Othello</em>.</p>
<p>B: <em>What was your first film/ video?</em></p>
<p>J: We shot video for a religious drama troupe I was part of, called the <em>Carprenters Project</em>.  We did live performances, and three dramatic video pieces.  After that, when I worked at Village Eight, I played a part in a trilogy of short films about an angry usher.  Following that, it was the 16mm film you shot.</p>
<p>B: <em>So, your performances have ranged from 90 minute stage plays, to seven minute silent films;  What&#8217;s the difference in your approach?</em></p>
<p>J: Easy part of that answer; preparation.  I don&#8217;t have as much to memorize for a short.   It has been, for me, an exercise in how well one takes direction.  &#8216;Can u do what they are asking you to do&#8217;&#8230;The internal side of that, actually creating a character is done through constant surroundings.  When a make-up girl is leaning over me, or a quick cut-away shot&#8230;that&#8217;s just natural reaction.  With the pace of a stage show, and that constant surrounding, that is where I can best &#8230;become a character.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-25" title="Joe_Hatfield_Last_Call_02" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/lastcallimg03.jpg" alt="Joe_Hatfield_Last_Call_02" width="600" height="338" /></p>
<p>B: <em>The Last Call; how did it start for you?</em></p>
<p>J: 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy52aW1lby5jb20vMTQ4MDY4Ng==" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.vimeo.com/1480686');\" >Winnipeg</a>.  After shooting with Brian and Drew, they said you were coming in town to shoot a few films.  We got pretty excited.</p>
<p>B: <em>So you didn&#8217;t audition?</em></p>
<p>J: (laughs) I will next time if you&#8217;d like.</p>
<p>B: <em>I know your range</em>.</p>
<p>(Joe laughs)</p>
<p>B: <em>How would pitch THE LAST CALL to someone?  Without spoilers.</em></p>
<p>J: I&#8217;d say&#8230;.uh, &#8230;A glimpse inside one man&#8217;s quiet evening&#8230;at home, and away from home.</p>
<p>B: <em>That&#8217;s it?&#8230;You&#8217;ve seen the rough?</em></p>
<p>J: Yes. I was very pleased.  Most people don&#8217;t like to watch themselves.  I&#8217;m fascinated by it.  The film itself is so eerie.  I like the slow pace, the juxtaposition between dirty earth, and a clean suburban home.  I do think it&#8217;s somewhat unexpected&#8230;obviously, it&#8217;s paired with horror, so you are always expecting something&#8230;but the question is when is it going to come?  It&#8217;s just unsettling.</p>
<p><img class="size-full wp-image-26 alignnone" title="lastcallimg02" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/lastcallimg02.jpg" alt="Joe_Hatfield_Last_Call_03" width="600" height="338" /></p>
<p>B: <em>Any specific obstacles?  Anecdotes?</em></p>
<p>J: They were late nights, and that first day was 2am&#8230;and the next was til 7 in the morning.  It messed your Friday and Saturday, and you had to stay energized.  That was rough.  The night were filming in the house, was a break-though.  We were able to move quicker, and get shots off faster.  It really helped not just this film, but everything we shot afterwards, in the following few weeks.  That night, I don&#8217;t know why, but the unit worked.</p>
<p>B: <em>Power outlets help&#8230;</em></p>
<p>J: Haha, true.  More grips that night too.  I could feel the progression, because we shot in order, that helps an actor like me.</p>
<p>B: <em>What do you want people to take from this short?</em></p>
<p>J: I&#8217;d say that the viewers of your movies are a particular type of person.  This one, is more accessible because the narrative is simplistic;  it&#8217;s how the film is constructed that our artistic flares come in to play.  I hope this leads viewers to more of our films.  More viewers, and different kinds.</p>
<p>B: <em>Have you performed horrors before?</em></p>
<p>J: Well, I wouldn&#8217;t say [<em>The Last Call</em>] is exactly a &#8216;horror,&#8217; rather a thriller.  Anytime we see elements of the supernatural, we tend to lump it in with horror.  Which should not always be the case.  One that jumps straight to mind for me is <em>Frozen</em>.  Although we didn&#8217;t have specific horrors on stage, it dealt with the theme of a serial killer, and not in a fun or polite way.  But <em>Frozen</em> was a play.  In film, this was unique for me.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-27" title="lastcallimg04" src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/lastcallimg04.jpg" alt="lastcallimg04" width="600" height="338" /></p>
<p>The scenes where we focus on the supernatural got to be harder for me to lose myself.  It was harder to acknowledge the given circumstances, and difficult to find a natural reaction for the scenes that were paranormal.  I can&#8217;t imagine what it was like for Hayden Christiansen in <em>Star Wars</em> or <em>Jumper</em>, or Jude Law in <em>A.I.</em>, or hell, the <em>Lord of the Rings</em> guys when they are having to talk to some other guy wearing balls on a jumpsuit.  Finding something authentic there is difficult.</p>
<p>B: <em>Final question:  Favorite recent horrors?</em></p>
<p>J: I&#8217;m into <em>Saw</em> and <em>Hostel</em>.  A lot of people knock them as just violence and gore, but they do what I had not seen in some time;  They show it.  We got so used to <em>Ghost Ship-</em> like special effects, but never blood.  I&#8217;m a shock fan, not a gorehound.  It&#8217;s hard to scare me.  I&#8217;m looking to be shocked or astounded.</p>
<p>B: I&#8217;d like to thank 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5qb3NlcGhoYXRmaWVsZC5jb20=" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.josephhatfield.com');\" >Joseph Hatfield</a> for his work on <em>The Last Cal</em>l, and participation in this interview.</p>
 <img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=23" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" /><p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fucantbeserio.us%2F%3Fp%3D23&amp;linkname=%3Ci%3EThe%20Last%20Call%3C%2Fi%3E%20%26%238211%3B%20Interview%20with%20Joseph%20Hatfield"><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_256_24.png" width="256" height="24" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>New Thriller Trailer</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=7</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=7#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:30:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gravitas</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anthony wentzel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brandon smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filmmaking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[joe hatfield]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[louisville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paranormal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rodney cox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sci-fi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the reader]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve finally found it.  The first look at Brandon Smith&#8217;s The Reader:]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;ve finally found it.  The first look at Brandon Smith&#8217;s <em>The Reader</em>:</p>
<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=7"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
 <img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=7" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" /><p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fucantbeserio.us%2F%3Fp%3D7&amp;linkname=New%20Thriller%20Trailer"><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_256_24.png" width="256" height="24" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Filmapalooza Promo</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=40</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=40#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:16:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bsmith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[48 hour films]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[48hfp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filmapalooza promo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=40</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Showcasing the best in 48HFP winners and short films, Filmapalooza descends on Miami this year.  Here&#8217;s a short promo I cut from the 2007 showcase.  Catch a glimpse of the action!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Showcasing the best in 48HFP winners and short films, 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy40OGhvdXJmaWxtLmNvbS9maWxtYXBhbG9vemEv" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/www.48hourfilm.com/filmapalooza/');\" >Filmapalooza</a> descends on Miami this year.  Here&#8217;s a short promo I cut from the 2007 showcase.  Catch a glimpse of the action!<p><a href="http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=40"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p></p>
 <img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=40" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" /><p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fucantbeserio.us%2F%3Fp%3D40&amp;linkname=Filmapalooza%20Promo"><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_256_24.png" width="256" height="24" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Louisville film article.  Screenshot of The Reader</title>
		<link>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=59</link>
		<comments>http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=59#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:13:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>bsmith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brandon smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[derby city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[filmmaking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[louisville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rodney cox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the reader]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[velocity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ucantbeserio.us/?p=59</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Velocity magazine recently did a piece on filmmaking in the River City, aka Louisville.  I was lucky to be interviewed and they&#8217;ve printed a screenshot of our new short film The Reader.  It&#8217;s a first look, article right here.  Special thanks and props to journalist Joseph Lord.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL2xvdWlzdmlsbGUubWV0cm9taXguY29tLw==" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/louisville.metromix.com/');\" >Velocity</a> magazine recently did a piece on filmmaking in the River City, aka Louisville.  I was lucky to be interviewed and they&#8217;ve printed a screenshot of our new short film <em>The Reader</em>.  It&#8217;s a first look, article right 
<a  href="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?url=aHR0cDovL2xvdWlzdmlsbGUubWV0cm9taXguY29tL2V2ZW50cy9hcnRpY2xlL2xpZ2h0cy1jYW1lcmEtYWN0aW9uLzY0MTIzNS9jb250ZW50" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/louisville.metromix.com/events/article/lights-camera-action/641235/content');\" >here</a>.  Special thanks and props to journalist Joseph Lord.</p>
 <img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=59" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" /><p><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fucantbeserio.us%2F%3Fp%3D59&amp;linkname=Louisville%20film%20article.%20%20Screenshot%20of%20%3Ci%3EThe%20Reader%3C%2Fi%3E"><img src="http://ucantbeserio.us/blog/wp-content/plugins/add-to-any/share_save_256_24.png" width="256" height="24" alt="Share/Bookmark"/></a> </p>]]></content:encoded>
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