John August

John

Trailer competition judging in progress

Follow Up, Geek Alert, Projects, The Nines, Video

Wow, that’s a lot of entries. I’ll be announcing the winners tomorrow morning.

Erik Beeson, who so generously helped with the hosting and torrenting, sent along stats:

* total torrent file downloads for both torrents combined: 808 (includes search engine crawlers)
* dv torrent: 162 completed downloads
* mpeg4 torrent: 79 completed downloads
* mpeg4.zip: 242 (the direct download)
* total completed (torrents+direct): 483

Thanks to everyone who helped seed the footage.

Having now looked at dozens and dozens of clips on YouTube, I’m struck by the wide range of picture quality (talking pixels, not professionalism). Considering we all started with the same clips, one might not expect such a variation. [My entry](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmpHrRAZs18) is near the middle of the pack in terms of blockiness.

If any readers/competitors have tips on how you kept YouTube from over-smushing your video, please share.

Reminder: The Nines in Austin

Projects, The Nines

If you’re in the Austin area, be sure to check out The Nines when it begins its run at the [Alamo Drafthouse](http://www.originalalamo.com/default.aspx?l=4&d=9/28/2007) this Friday. Ryan and I will be on hand for a Q&A after the 7 p.m. screening on opening day.

Since Austin is sort of ground zero for film geekdom, we’re both figuring out alternate versions of, “You know, I’m actually not allowed to talk about that” when it comes to various superhero projects. But I think I will have some news I’m permitted to share, plus answers to all your questions about Nines, Sevens, Parade Magazine and those meddlesome koalas.

On fanatacism

Asides

Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim. – George Santayana

String theory

Geek Alert, Projects, The Nines

While in Venice, I had dinner with several journalists, buyers, and [Gabriele Veneziano](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriele_Veneziano), who is the father of our international sales rep.

Veneziano, a physicist, is one of the pioneers of string theory — which is ironic, considering some of the related issues in The Nines. In fact, there used to be a scene about it in the movie, which got cut for time.

This is from Part Two, which is structured as an episode of the reality TV show “Behind the Screen.”

INT. MODERN HOUSE IN THE HILLS – DAY

Gavin talks with HOWARD RODMAN in the living room of Rodman’s mid-century modern Lautner house. They both have iced tea.

HOWARD

How’s the writing going?

Howard Rodman

Screenwriter/Mentor

GAVIN

Good. It’s really easy, actually. Effortless.

HOWARD

There’s poison in your drink.

GAVIN

What I mean is, I don’t feel like I’m doing anything. I’m just an observer, documenting what happens. I can tell you what every character is wearing, the color of the leaves. It feels more real than sitting here talking to you.

HOWARD

Maybe it is real. Multiple dimensions, string theory...

GAVIN

Explain string theory.

HOWARD

Ah! Well. In the end, it all gets tangled. And the more you try to untangle it...

GAVIN

The worse it gets?

HOWARD

...the more you appreciate why God made scissors.

GAVIN

You’re saying I should cut my losses?

Howard’s not willing to say that.

HOWARD

In life’s great drama there are Actors, and there are Creators. In this reality, you are a Creator. You know that if your show doesn’t get picked up...

GAVIN

...that whole universe goes away. Boom.

HOWARD

Tough call. Who do you save, your friend, or the universe?