Doing An Assignment My Way

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Brad Ehney

Assignment

My teacher gave us an assignment, go out, interview 3 people, ask them a few questions and then we’ll edit them together in class. I checked out a camera from the school lab. I took the camera to work, thinking, I’ll get a few coworkers to interview….

Before I even sit down to record the first interview I realize the camera takes tape, which of course I don’t have lying around. I end up getting too busy to even think about leaving work to get the tape, much less interviewing anyone at this point. So…

That got me thinking..

Why do I have to go out and pick people to ask the questions? Why not just get some people w/a webcam and a Youtube account to answer those interview questions? And I’ll just download and edit together the videos!

Action

That’s where you guys come in, you know, the ones I asked on Twitter yesterday if you had a webcam and a Youtube account? I got a lot of responses, with most saying that they did have a webcam and a Youtube account.

So fire up those webcams and record your responses to these questions:

(yes, I know they are random, there is a method to the madness)

Question #1
What do you think about James Cameron, the director? Did you like his movies? Why? (ex Avatar, Titanic.)

Question #2
What do you think of the blogger Perez Hilton and his rise to fame, is it a deserved fame?

Question #3
What is your most hated movie and why?

Visual How-To

Just in case you aren’t sure how to upload a video to Youtube, I’ve included screen caps below on where the buttons are in the interface. They make it really easy to just record right in the browser!

When You’re Done Recording

Please leave the links to the videos you record in the comments, or DM me on Twitter the link.

I also wanted to say a big Thank You! in advance to those who participate.

Imogen Heap at Granada Theater

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Brad Ehney

Not gonna lie, last night was probably the highlight of my internship at the Granada Theater.

I’ve been a long time fan of Imogen Heap, as in, I had iMegaphone on cassette tape back in 1998 and my old friend Ryan Obermeyer did the art work for Speak For Yourself. When I heard that she had chosen the Granada as the venue for her Dallas performance I had an internal SQUEEEEE! Think flaming gay man with flailing arms excited running down a hallway excited. But as most know me, I am a calm natured in real life and not so ready to start fires with my gayness, so I kept my cool but with a big smile.

The Show

I unexpectedly managed to get in during the sound check for Immi. When I say unexpected, I mean I didn’t realize she’d be doing sound check so late. She literally left the stage minutes before people entered the venue.

My good friend Eva and I sat and watched as Immi tested various equipment and songs in her non-stage clothes and her simple hair up in a bun do. It was one of those “damn this job is so awesome” moments.

Then in a unbelievably packed to the hilt Granada Theater I watched Back Ted-n-Ted and Tim Exile play with what I like to call “toys” on stage, working their craft to the delight of the crowd.

When Imogen hit the stage she did as I expected, wonderful. She’s got a charmed presence on stage that is endearing to fans of her music. Her tinkering with the equipment, song restarts and mumbling to herself into an open mic during the show never felt like a disappointment, it just added charm to the show.

She played nearly an equal amount from both of her mainstream albums and nothing from iMegaphone. One of my favorite songs from Eclipse, Bad Body Double was presented as almost more of a rap version than the album’s version. With Buffi Jacobs of Polyphonic Spree Immi performed another favorite, Aha! which I have always thought of as very much like a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman composed song with Imogen Heap doing vocals. Come to think of it, even the tree and lighting for the tour almost seems like early Tim Burton (but a little more feminine).

During Hide and Seek and Just For Now Imogen “played the crowd like an instrument” # which admittedly sent chills through me as I heard the perfectly synchronized voices of the people below rise up and meet with Imogen’s vocals. It was one of those moments I live for when seeing an artist perform live.

Behind the Granada I waited in the cold along with many other fans to get an autograph and a photo with Imogen. While it was chilly, it was worth the wait. She’s just as pleasant in person as she is on the stage. She even got the group of fans to sing Happy Birthday to a girl named NayNay which I’m sure made for one super happy fan and a wonderful birthday present!

The techie in me took the time to put together an RSS feed of links to postings all over the web about the show using Yahoo Pipes and Imogen’s ingenious idea to use hashtags/tags for every show on the tour. You can click here to view it. Also embedded below are some photos and videos I took. Enjoy!

Imogen Heap at Granada Theater youtube playlist

What I’m Listening To [a lot]

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Brad Ehney

It’s been probably over a year or two so since I’ve had the time to sit down and really soak up an album. Since my unemployment I’ve been mentally all over the place. Fear, anxiety, excitement, the blahs, and some bliss. Throughout this time I’ve been listening to music a lot and found a few that just get played way too much to not be shared with others.

Number one on my list is anything by my newly discovered favorite artist, Antony and The Johnsons. He/she’s the most eccentric artists I’ve ever listened to. If you’ve been around me, you know I like weird shit. While the singer is really the most eccentric part of the band, it’s the lyrics belted out with amazing vocals and accompanying lyrics that are just hauntingly beautiful. Antony’s voice is very unique, it has the characteristics of a female voice but there are a few tones that I’ve only heard guys hit. Possibly my favorite song from the new album is Aeon.

A second favorite from an older album of Antony’s is Fist Full of Love

Next one up is Florence and The Machines. I think she’s been popular over in the UK for a while but until Matt pointed her out to me I was clueless. Her voice reminds me of Natalie Merchant mixed with a little bit of Stevie Nicks. Most of the songs are just fun and not serious. I could see her getting big here if she had more press.

Florence and The Machines – Dog Days
Florence And The Machine – Dog Days

[myspace 45965278]

Quickly becoming a favorite of mine is Bat For Lashes, (another one Matt told me about). She’s had one album out that wasn’t extremely successful, but still has some really good songs on it. I do remember seeing the video for What’s A Girl To Do forever ago. Her new album Two Suns is good from beginning to end. The entire album is about duality, I think almost every song has a mention of two of something. She apparently has an alter personality that she’s in conflict with throughout the album (snore). I could honestly care less about the alternate personality thing because it’s been done before over and over again. But if having a split personality helps you create a good album then by all means, write away. So tossing the cheesiness aside, Bat For Lashes aka Natasha Khan created a pretty and engaging album. Check out my favorite song Pearl’s Dream video below:

Some other recommendations include, The Gossip – Music for Men

Gossip – Long Love Distance (Live 2009) from yonki on Vimeo.

and

Grouper – Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill.

Like I said, my moods and my music selections are all over the map lately. I’m curious to hear what y’all have been putting on repeat lately? I love discovering new stuff so let me know in the comments.

2008 Top 5 Lists

Posted on December 23, 2008 by Brad Ehney

I always like to share what I’ve found each year because it helps others find new things. The only reason I say that is because I am constantly searching the web, or talking my friends virtual or real about the media we are consuming. Quite often I’m at the mercy of my husband and his complete control over the the remote so I just let him take over the recommendations in the home. He’s got great taste, I mean, he found me . But sometimes variety is the spice of life so I look to the web for recommendations outside my little world. Below are my top lists of things that I have fallen in love with over the past year. What did you find out about this year that you feel like sharing with me? Tell me in the comments or @ me on Twitter.

Top 5 Albums of 2008
I pulled these from my play counts compiled by my Last.fm & Zune.net accounts.

Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple
Santogold – Santogold
Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping
IAMX – The Alternative
Dead Confederate – Wrecking Ball

Mixtape from http://favtape.com/got80s/top 5 08

Top 5 Movies

The Dark Knight – The last, and a great performance by Heath Ledger, can’t say the same for Christian Bale.
Milk – Great look into GLBT history, Harvey Milk is our MLK.
Wall-E – Simply the MOST stunning Sci-Fi film ever.
Kung Fu Panda- Another out of left field, really funny movie that appeals to adults and children alike.
Hancock – Surprisingly funny, refreshing to finally see Will Smith be a dick.

Top 5 Fun Movies

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay – A must see for those who saw the first, or if you are a current or former pot head.
Wanted – No holds barred action film with the same director that did Night Watch / Day Watch.
Step Brothers- had me ROFLOL in the first 5 mins and for the rest of the film.
House Bunny – Seriously, it will make you laugh.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars), and Russell Brand, who was actually funny in this movie, unlike his appearance on MTV.

Top 5 Software / Tools

Twitter - After having an account for 7 months before I actually started using it, I’ve finally figured out how to use it and now I’m hooked. my account

Launchy - I don’t need icons anymore thanks to this free piece of software.

Digsby - I ditched the bug laden IM program Pidgin for this all in one piece of add free software and now I’m loving it.

Firefox 3 – If you are still using Internet Explorer on your home computer you are an idiot. ( I understand if you can’t use it on your work computer) If you need to be educated on why Firefox is awesome watch this video.
Google Reader – Forget actually visiting sites to see new content, make your own “newspaper” with Google Reader & the RSS feeds from the sites you visit, you’ll get addicted.

Top 5 (nah, just 2) Concerts

Both of these concerts were visually stunning, they will stick in my mind as some of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

Nine Inch Nails – Lights in The Sky Tour

Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping Tour

Top 5 TV Shows

Little Britian USA – The UK version is just as funny.

The I.T. Crowd – UK is on season 3, but you can catch it on IFC currently showing season 2.

Dexter - I promise, you will be cheering on a serial killer by the time you finish your first episode ( you can rent the first 2 seasons, season 3 just finished airing)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - This show is a little over the top with drama, but the visuals are great for a TV series, plus it’s available to watch in full on Hulu.com

Chuck – Currently on season 2 (you can watch on Hulu.com ), rent season 1. It’s consistently funny and well written.

Until next year, toodles..

My mom is in the internets..and your TV

Posted on January 17, 2008 by Brad Ehney

The local news did a quick fluff story asking the question, ” Is Keller’s Drive-In closing?” They sent a “reporter” out to get the answer..

see the video here

Here’s an scan of an article that my mom was included in a now defunct newspaper from 1974. (warning large image)

I would argue the real story is my mom and why she’s been a carhop at Keller’s since it opened in 1965.

Soon I’ll update this with the actual video, currently the website is being a pain and not letting me pull a copy of the video.

Lawn With Gnomes

My Playground for Tinkering with Everything

Category Archives: video