May 21st, 2011
5:30p.m.

     Then again, I guess it was all in how you looked at it.

William the Bloody Looking For His Own Nerd Girl Redd

When I was a kid, I used to fight the waves. Literally, I remember vividly getting in the water and punching waves as they tried to push me back to shore. I think it was my attempt to play Hercules.

Neptune would laugh and go back to more important matters while the boy and all other beach-goers experienced the horrors of the deep.

Then, he sends Godzilla to finish the kid off.

Like I said, vengeful.

Yep, he is.

Well, more specifically I’m going to talk about copyright.

Why does copyright have to be so important? I mean, I understand that it protects someone’s intellectual property from being used in a way they don’t like, but when mega-corporations attack harmless video makers for using a music track that they own the rights to, something seems very wrong with that.

Now, if these videos were making any kind of profit, then of course the copyright holder should get some percentage, but half the time these are twelve year olds who decide it would be fun to dance to their favorite song, or even lip-sync.

It’s fun, it’s a laugh, and if the big-money record companies decide they don’t like it, it’s criminal.

Bollocks.

The main thing that has me thinking about this is the edit on “A Battle of Wills.” I’m at a loss for music because I don’t have any musical ability and anyone who I have on tap couldn’t possibly throw something together this quick.

It would be so much easier if I could just use amazing music properly credited and call it a day.

The same thing is true for Jersey Jones. That project would have been out long ago if I could use the music I have as a temporary soundtrack. Unfortunately, I could never afford the rights for all that.

My kingdom for a… well for a kingdom actually.

Imagine how much awesome stuff I could make if I had a budget like that.

William the Bloody Musically Inept Redd

P.S. VEDA Day 28 – Dancin’ Fool:

So, there is this guy in my education courses, he started getting on my nerves around the second week of class. He’s a “traditionalist,” which means that he thinks that standardized testing should be the end all, be all of academic success. He wants things put into a neat little box.

I don’t like the box. In fact, I took the box, burned it, and launched it into orbit.

The box and I, we’re not close.

And this guy and I, also not close.

But apparently he interprets that dislike for his opinions as some grand conspiracy against him. Here’s the problem, Smallville (our nickname for him due to a striking resemblance to Brandon Routh), you are coming into a class that has seen how much the current methods do not work and have been challenged to find new and better ways to replace them. So walking in and saying “change is bad” and “I think a rigid structure is the only way to effectively teach” is the same as saying “hey guys, please argue with me.”

Well, that’s how I read it.

Smallville really got on my nerves one day when we were having a round-table discussion that somehow turned to the constitution and education. I don’t remember what set me off, but he said something that was inane and close-minded and I just snapped. At that point, I decided to start picking apart everything he said and turning it back on him. I would play devil’s advocate and attack his word choice on certain arguments.

At the end of class, one of the other students called me Lex.

This pointless rivalry continued through the semester. I did it out of boredom, honestly, and to me it was all in good fun. I could care less what this guy believes. He is of no consequence once I am out of this program (unless he winds up at the same school, which is unlikely).

However, a few weeks ago, my friend Pat and I noticed that Smallville wasn’t saying much during class. Then we realized he wasn’t saying anything. He wasn’t even paying attention anymore. He would do something on his laptop, headphones in his ears for our back-to-back Tuesday/Thursday education courses. Again, this isn’t something that really concerns me in any way, until Tuesday.

In our second class of the day, we were assigned a presentation in groups. Smallville had been assigned to work with his table, but after class talked to our professor about working individually (the project was designed to be a group project because it was all about finding a way to teach something in multiple concentrations. For example, our project was how to teach the sinking of the Titanic in Math, History, and Literature).

Last week, Smallville gave his solo presentation and it was one of the most boring things I have ever had to be present for. Seriously, he created a full lesson plan complete with pacing guide and breakdown.

This was not at all what the project was supposed to be. So much so, that the professor e-mailed the class to remind other groups that this was supposed to be a multimedia project either during or directly after Smallville’s presentation.

Based on this one presentation, I can tell this guy is going to be a horrible teacher. This was further evidenced by what happened next.

This past Tuesday, the other groups presented. Our group went first. I felt it was a successful presentation even though nobody laughed at our humorous explosion edited in to the iceberg hit in the Titanic trailer. After we sat down and the next group started presenting, I noticed that Smallville was on his laptop, headphones in, not paying any attention.

What. A. Dick.

You put together one of the most boring presentations I’ve ever had the misfortune of witnessing and then you just shut out everyone else? Who do you think you are? Every other project was actually interesting (you know, that thing you keep forgetting about).

I wish I had seen him on his laptop during our presentation. I would have called him out in front of the whole class and embarrassed him in any way I could imagine. It annoys me that I did not catch him in the act.

Congratulations, sir. You fail the most basic part of being a good teacher. Listening.

I seriously hope that I know someone who works with this kid once he’s a teacher. I want to hear that gossip.

William the Bloody Glad He Never Has To Have Class With That Jerk Again Redd

So, you know… nothing new.

Now I remember why I haven’t been working on more short films recently, between school and my online efforts, not to mention my work with Research Paranormal (which had an attempted mock investigation this evening to practice some new methods we were incorporating that was cancelled early due to an uncooperative neighbor watching television too loudly) I haven’t really had the time.

This, again, is where I need a Type A personality to handle scheduling and the like. I’m too scatterbrained to really be any kind of success at getting everything organized for a shoot. I typically remember to call or write to an actor or actress days before I plan to shoot instead of as soon as I make the plan in my head.

If anyone knows of any way to help me combat this issue, please let me know.

The edit for “A Battle of Wills” is coming along. As always, I notice things that I wish I had done. I keep meaning to get some form of small dolly so I can achieve interesting tracking shots. Hey, that might be a summer project.

Speaking of summer, once school is out I will finally have a chance to plan out this epic road trip I have been talking about. Wait, have I mentioned the road trip on the blog? I can’t remember. Anyway, so I’m going on this epic road trip this summer with my friend Adam (Gears on Youtube). We’re driving from North Carolina to Los Angeles to attend VidCon, then driving back. Plans have been tentative until I have time to really work out the details.

With the semester almost over, that time will soon be here. Just need to get through the next two weeks and I’ll be able to devote the necessary time to planning and implementation.

I am very excited. This will be my first cross-country road trip.

William the Bloody Cross-Continental Redd

P.S. VEDA Day 26 – A Thank You To All the Regulars:

Two of those things I will miss, the other… not so much.

This teacher, the one that makes me question the PhD program of a major institution, has never actually been outside of a college environment. This woman is supposed to be giving us insight on how to teach high school students and she has never done so herself. In fact, her concentration was middle school.

What exactly is this person supposed to teach me?

It certainly was not proper grammar, which she did not have, or the proper way to motivate students, or how to explain an assignment so that there were no questions and complete confusion.

I think one more week of this woman and things would have turned mutinous.

Last week, one of the more even-tempered students finally had enough and called her out on the current pointless assignment in a long line of pointless assignments we have been given throughout the semester, a portfolio through Blackboard (which is probably one of the most useless tools the University has ever forced upon the student body). This “portfolio” is essentially a web page using the simplified templates that Blackboard has available.

How about I just show you one of the 50 websites that I’ve coded in my lifetime? I guarantee any one of them would be better than whatever this piece of gosa will be, even my old Angelfire page would be a step up, and that’s just sad.

The final for her class is a waste of time and energy as well. We have to put together a packet of 40 resources that we can utilize in the classroom. I understand the point of having these resources, but then she gives us this list of criteria for how to present them, and the whole assignment becomes a chore that nobody wants to do.

My main issue with this class and particularly this professor is that I feel we’ve taken a giant step backwards from the inspiring lessons learned last semester. This woman has single-handedly helped ruin a few students on the idea of teaching. One girl has already changed majors to save her sanity.

Last semester, we were taught to look for certain things in a bad or ineffective teacher, this woman hits every single one of them.

Congratulations, you’ve just taught every student in your class how NOT to be a teacher.

You must be so proud.

I wonder if Hogwarts is hiring… and if they’d consider a muggle.

William the Bloody Over It Redd

P.S. VEDA Day 25 – The Return of Mr. Jenkins:

But not before writing a very quick blog post.

Filmed the rest of “A Battle of Wills” yesterday. Haven’t had a chance to edit since I was working on the video for class.

Sometimes it sucks being video savvy… everyone wants you to be the video guy. One of my professors even called me out in class as an available resource for the video project we had in that class.

Then again, I certainly wouldn’t change it.

I had more fun yesterday than I have had in a while. Shooting a movie is just a blast. I’d forgotten that.

Extra special thanks to John Krevens and Kristin Mason for providing some top notch acting. I can’t wait for this thing to come together.

Screening next weekend at the Cape Fear Independent Film Festival. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna pass out.

William the Bloody Exhausted Redd

P.S. VEDA Day 24:

     Finding time to get away was the biggest problem. Having someone who keeps track of your every move can get annoying, especially when you’re a solitary animal like myself. But, if he ever saw where I went, or even saw me leave…

     I will have to return soon. Dilworth will still be looking for me. Fortunately it is a big house, plenty of places for a cat to hide where a man cannot find her.

William the Bloody Cat Owning Redd

P.S. VEDA Day 23:

It is entirely unlikely that my main channel will ever achieve partner.

Unless I change things drastically. I can’t keep making these sporadic videos and expect to reach the same status as Wheezy Waiter and the Vlogbrothers. I need a regular schedule. I need a plan.

Step one of this plan involves the Media Blitzkrieg channel. I’ve been trying to get myself on a weekly schedule with that and am being absolutely sure that I do not have any content that I do not have express permission to use. Consider it a test case. The weekly posts start (hopefully) this week. Yesterday I posted an update video. Check it out here.

If I can prove that I have the ability to manage a partner-worthy channel, that might lead me to bigger things. And the production company is a perfect place to start this.

Step two involves figuring out exactly what to do with my other two channels. The regularguy5mb channel has always been a bit of a catch-all. I originally started on Youtube to post short films, then I got involved in the vlogging community and started making my own vlogs. Honestly, I’m not completely sure what to do with it. I’m going to start making scripted shorts of questionable video quality (since I’m often shooting and acting on my own) and see what happens.

I’m trying to create my own path on this site. Need to find my “thing.”

Then there’s the 5 Regular Guys channel. I really have no idea what to do with that one. It’s primary function was a collab channel for vlogging with the rest of the 5RG, but they didn’t really seem that interested. Jason was the only one who even tried to make videos on his own. They always talk about ideas and projects, but as yet, nothing has come of them.

Not saying that I’m any different, but it would be nice if at least one of them would say “hey, let’s shoot something this weekend!” Or even “yeah, let’s definitely do that tomorrow” when I mention an idea.

Since the lack of action from the others, the 5RG channel has become a concert footage channel. I have a retrospective of the 5RG project that I’ve been trying to film for years and haven’t even been able to interview the two of the five. All attempts turn into acts of distraction.

Seeing one of them Monday night, hoping to get five minutes to just ask a few questions.

I would love to make the 5RG channel a place for skits and random video bits from myself and the rest of the five. All I can do is keep trying.

Maybe I’m stretching myself too thin. It would be great if I had someone, ANYONE who would help me with all this. At the moment, I’ve got nothing.

Even a Youtube partner in the “upper echelon” who I could chat with about what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong would be lovely.

P.S. VEDA Day 22 – School Project (that inadvertently started my mind on this topic):

I know the basics, but recipes sometimes are beyond me (mainly because I am lazy and don’t feel like making anything until I’m really hungry, which means I don’t feel like getting really involved in cooking that’s going to take an hour).

One recipe I’ve picked up from the parents is one that I grew up with. It is unique in that I’ve never heard anyone else talk about it and when I explain it, I often get funny looks. But it is one of the best meat loaf recipes I have ever seen… or eaten.

The real trick to this, I think, is the sauce and the fact that the meat loaves are served in smaller sizes. It is not one massive loaf, but six individual loaves. And the sauce includes brown sugar and vinegar, making it both sweet and savory.

The ridiculous amount of onions helps there as well.

I have now made this recipe twice in the new house (making my third attempt since getting a copy) and I can definitely tell I’m getting better. One problem I have is there does not seem to be enough sauce. However, I realized that with the amount of tomato sauce left over (based on the recipe) I would just need to double the recipe and have twice as much sauce. It might be too much at first, but it will make leftovers extremely tasty.

Also, I need to work out exactly when to start the rice. I keep over-cooking it and burning the rice at the bottom. Crunchy leftovers are still tasty, but not as good as they could be.

William the Bloody Making Himself Hungry Redd

P.S. VEDA Day 21 – Saucy Meat Loaves (see what I did there?):