Monday, December 12, 2005

EdUpdate12/12/'05

"There is a time when one must decide either to risk everything to fulfill one's dreams or sit for the rest of one's life in the backyard."

Edupdate 12_12_05 Monday 7:30am Las Vegas, Nevada _ Voiceopolis studio.

Last Friday, December 10th, after work I drove down to Los Angeles and stayed at a nice little Days Inn just a few miles southeast of Hollywood. I had filled up my iPod with some more Kathy Troccoli songs, Veggie Tales�� "On The Road Again" sing along songs, and some old time radio shows from the heyday of radio called "X Minus One". I mostly listened to the "X Minus One" science fiction about future space travel. I enjoy listening to how they use sound effects, and voice actors to go as far as Alpha Centauri, or the Crab Nebula and back while making me feel like I am in a real "rocket machine" instead of my trusty little Geo "Bentley".

Arriving in Los Angeles in time for a good night��s sleep, I tried watching a little television, however, it still somewhat disgusts me, so I just nodded out for the evening. My plans for the next day were important enough to warrant a sharp mind the next morning and some extra time in early morning for checking out my route.

My first appointment was at the Los Angeles Film School at 6363 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood a few blocks up from Sunset and Vine. However, that was very close to the hotel where I was staying, and I wanted to check out the route from Los Angeles Film School to my second appointment which was about seven miles north and slightly east in Burbank at the Holiday Inn. My appointment there was at 1:00pm SHARP. By knowing how much time to allow for travel from one appointment to the other, I would know what time I had to depart from Los Angeles Film School.

After I had my continental breakfast of corn flakes, danish, o.j., and coffee, I pre_traveled the route to the Holiday Inn in Burbank, and still had time to come back to the hotel, before heading over to the Los Angeles Film School.

The Los Angeles Film School was having an OPEN HOUSE for possible future students, and I wanted to know more about it. Wow, would I love to have about $55k to be able to go to that intensive school for a year!!! I was probably the oldest person that was looking into the school. The instructor that teaches directing _ Jim Pasternak _ and I got to talking about some things, and he really wants me to attend because of what we spoke of and my "life experiences" really apply when it comes to directing.

Because the Christian film industry is going to really explode, I would like to become involved so that my untapped creativity may be a proper stewardship for the Lord! My dreams of getting Christian media into the hands of children would become more of a reality than what I would have ever imagined. I used to imagine only in doing my dream with radio drama vis_a_vis Jonathan Park, and now, I can see so much more that I could do to get Godly media into children��s hand, minds, and their lives!

Later, I was excited when the Open House tour led us to the sound editing/sound design area and the instructor Jeff Kushner. Earlier in this Edupdate I mentioned my mind was captured by the effects in the "X Minus One" radio dramas from days gone by, but what Jeff Kushner showed us really got my creative juices going!

The cinematography instructor, Charlie Rose gave me some insights into camera usage. The little amount of picture taking that I do with a still camera is sooooo different don��t cha know! NOTE: more creative juices flowing again!

Steve Cook, the instructor of film editing began to show us a sample of what the basics are. My mind was putting the experience of my audio editing together with what he was teaching, and voila... I was almost pre_guessing what he was going to do! Yes, more creativity steaming my mind.

Later we had a chance to view some previous students final projects. I was surely amazed. I am sure that only the best was shown. I could imagine that some way some time in God��s bountiful goodness, I could do this for HIM!

There was to be a time for food, and to chat with each other along with the instructors, staff, and the admissions reps. However, I had to depart in order to go to Bob Fraser��s Show Biz University up in Burbank.

I arrived exactly on time for the Show Biz University. Bob Fraser is the HeadMeister. Bob Fraser is an actor, writer, director, producer and author of You Must Act! The Bible of Acting Success. Bob was one of the original writers for the television series The Love Boat. He went on the write and produce the successful sitcom _ Benson. During the shows seven year run, Bob also directed a few episodes and acted as Benson's nemesis, the slimy Senator Leonard Tyler. His career also included the title of Supervising Producer and writer for the hit show Full House. Bob takes a no_nonsense approach to the "BUSINESS" of acting. His words are written from experience and the heart. I sincerely recommend that you follow his advice and read his book if you are serious about acting.

Bob Fraser spent the next six hours with us instilling some honest truths about being an actor that is in search of work in the LA/Hollywood area. This was also an invaluable time that I was busy taking notes, laughing at Bob��s antics, stories, and remarks, along with appreciating every moment learning from him. At the beginning of the class, he told us that we should not have any fear, and then asked for a volunteer... guess who had their hand up the quickest? ME! So Bob had me get up in front of the camera on the mark and tell what me dream is. I quickly and calmy stated that my dream is to appear as a star in a major comic film. Then of course, the rest of the class went on to top what I said with things like their dream was to win an Oscar, etc. but hey, I was the first up eh?

Bob had a very nice hand_out folder for us with headings of what the subjects were for each session, and room to take notes, which I profusely did. By looking around I noticed that only about five of the eighteen of us took notes at all. I guess the non_note takers must already knew this stuff!

Bob had us fill out a card with our names printed on the back and placed all of the cards in a spitoon. He told us that when it comes to success, luck doesn��t really get you there like many people say. Luck is reserved for things like drawings. So he had many drawings throughout the Show Biz University session and I won a wonderful book which I am already well started on, "Memo from David O. Selznik" selected and edited by Rudy Behlmer. Very interesting and informative memos from Mr. Selznik��s career from his early years at MGM, his years at Paramount, and RKO, and back to MGM. Also when he formed Selznik International, and when he produced "Gone With The Wind", "Rebecca", and on to David O. Selznik Productions, finishing with his later years to 1962. Thanks to Bob Fraser, and of course Luck for my copy of this fine book!

Bob gave us chance to get up in front of the camera and tell our thoughts about what we got out of the Show Biz University! Some lady beat me up there, but hey, I was second!

I am sincerely in need of those who would agree with me in prayer for attending the Los Angeles Film School. I have already the support of several friends in this endeavor. Of course the finances are in God��s hands. I know that many of you are thinking, what is Ed up to now? We��ll see, and only God knows!

Sincerely yours,

F. Ed Knutson


www.voiceopolis.com
From the neon shadows of Las Vegas, VOICEOPOLIS gives you that Big City Sound!

posted by F. Ed @ 11:32 PM 0 comments

EdUpdate12/12/'05

"There is a time when one must decide either to risk everything to fulfill one's dreams or sit for the rest of one's life in the backyard."

Edupdate 12_12_05 Monday 7:30am Las Vegas, Nevada _ Voiceopolis studio.

Last Friday, December 10th, after work I drove down to Los Angeles and stayed at a nice little Days Inn just a few miles southeast of Hollywood. I had filled up my iPod with some more Kathy Troccoli songs, Veggie Tales�� "On The Road Again" sing along songs, and some old time radio shows from the heyday of radio called "X Minus One". I mostly listened to the "X Minus One" science fiction about future space travel. I enjoy listening to how they use sound effects, and voice actors to go as far as Alpha Centauri, or the Crab Nebula and back while making me feel like I am in a real "rocket machine" instead of my trusty little Geo "Bentley".

Arriving in Los Angeles in time for a good night��s sleep, I tried watching a little television, however, it still somewhat disgusts me, so I just nodded out for the evening. My plans for the next day were important enough to warrant a sharp mind the next morning and some extra time in early morning for checking out my route.

My first appointment was at the Los Angeles Film School at 6363 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood a few blocks up from Sunset and Vine. However, that was very close to the hotel where I was staying, and I wanted to check out the route from Los Angeles Film School to my second appointment which was about seven miles north and slightly east in Burbank at the Holiday Inn. My appointment there was at 1:00pm SHARP. By knowing how much time to allow for travel from one appointment to the other, I would know what time I had to depart from Los Angeles Film School.

After I had my continental breakfast of corn flakes, danish, o.j., and coffee, I pre_traveled the route to the Holiday Inn in Burbank, and still had time to come back to the hotel, before heading over to the Los Angeles Film School.

The Los Angeles Film School was having an OPEN HOUSE for possible future students, and I wanted to know more about it. Wow, would I love to have about $55k to be able to go to that intensive school for a year!!! I was probably the oldest person that was looking into the school. The instructor that teaches directing _ Jim Pasternak _ and I got to talking about some things, and he really wants me to attend because of what we spoke of and my "life experiences" really apply when it comes to directing.

Because the Christian film industry is going to really explode, I would like to become involved so that my untapped creativity may be a proper stewardship for the Lord! My dreams of getting Christian media into the hands of children would become more of a reality than what I would have ever imagined. I used to imagine only in doing my dream with radio drama vis_a_vis Jonathan Park, and now, I can see so much more that I could do to get Godly media into children��s hand, minds, and their lives!

Later, I was excited when the Open House tour led us to the sound editing/sound design area and the instructor Jeff Kushner. Earlier in this Edupdate I mentioned my mind was captured by the effects in the "X Minus One" radio dramas from days gone by, but what Jeff Kushner showed us really got my creative juices going!

The cinematography instructor, Charlie Rose gave me some insights into camera usage. The little amount of picture taking that I do with a still camera is sooooo different don��t cha know! NOTE: more creative juices flowing again!

Steve Cook, the instructor of film editing began to show us a sample of what the basics are. My mind was putting the experience of my audio editing together with what he was teaching, and voila... I was almost pre_guessing what he was going to do! Yes, more creativity steaming my mind.

Later we had a chance to view some previous students final projects. I was surely amazed. I am sure that only the best was shown. I could imagine that some way some time in God��s bountiful goodness, I could do this for HIM!

There was to be a time for food, and to chat with each other along with the instructors, staff, and the admissions reps. However, I had to depart in order to go to Bob Fraser��s Show Biz University up in Burbank.

I arrived exactly on time for the Show Biz University. Bob Fraser is the HeadMeister. Bob Fraser is an actor, writer, director, producer and author of You Must Act! The Bible of Acting Success. Bob was one of the original writers for the television series The Love Boat. He went on the write and produce the successful sitcom _ Benson. During the shows seven year run, Bob also directed a few episodes and acted as Benson's nemesis, the slimy Senator Leonard Tyler. His career also included the title of Supervising Producer and writer for the hit show Full House. Bob takes a no_nonsense approach to the "BUSINESS" of acting. His words are written from experience and the heart. I sincerely recommend that you follow his advice and read his book if you are serious about acting.

Bob Fraser spent the next six hours with us instilling some honest truths about being an actor that is in search of work in the LA/Hollywood area. This was also an invaluable time that I was busy taking notes, laughing at Bob��s antics, stories, and remarks, along with appreciating every moment learning from him. At the beginning of the class, he told us that we should not have any fear, and then asked for a volunteer... guess who had their hand up the quickest? ME! So Bob had me get up in front of the camera on the mark and tell what me dream is. I quickly and calmy stated that my dream is to appear as a star in a major comic film. Then of course, the rest of the class went on to top what I said with things like their dream was to win an Oscar, etc. but hey, I was the first up eh?

Bob had a very nice hand_out folder for us with headings of what the subjects were for each session, and room to take notes, which I profusely did. By looking around I noticed that only about five of the eighteen of us took notes at all. I guess the non_note takers must already knew this stuff!

Bob had us fill out a card with our names printed on the back and placed all of the cards in a spitoon. He told us that when it comes to success, luck doesn��t really get you there like many people say. Luck is reserved for things like drawings. So he had many drawings throughout the Show Biz University session and I won a wonderful book which I am already well started on, "Memo from David O. Selznik" selected and edited by Rudy Behlmer. Very interesting and informative memos from Mr. Selznik��s career from his early years at MGM, his years at Paramount, and RKO, and back to MGM. Also when he formed Selznik International, and when he produced "Gone With The Wind", "Rebecca", and on to David O. Selznik Productions, finishing with his later years to 1962. Thanks to Bob Fraser, and of course Luck for my copy of this fine book!

Bob gave us chance to get up in front of the camera and tell our thoughts about what we got out of the Show Biz University! Some lady beat me up there, but hey, I was second!

I am sincerely in need of those who would agree with me in prayer for attending the Los Angeles Film School. I have already the support of several friends in this endeavor. Of course the finances are in God��s hands. I know that many of you are thinking, what is Ed up to now? We��ll see, and only God knows!

Sincerely yours,

F. Ed Knutson


www.voiceopolis.com
From the neon shadows of Las Vegas, VOICEOPOLIS gives you that Big City Sound!

posted by F. Ed @ 11:30 PM 0 comments