tales from the internet: “entertain people and they won’t hit you”

so – i just saw this video on film courage, and i had to post it. immediately.

thank you, bill oberst jr.* you are pretty damn awesome.

this video is relatively short and you should watch it, especially if you’re chasing a dream.

sometimes you just need a reminder that even if you were or are the underdog, misfit, bullied, “freak of nature” – you can be stronger for it. on the playground or in the classroom when you were just a kid, or while fighting for a dream for the rest of your life – you can get knocked down, but get back up again. you can “turn your vocation into your occupation.”

as part of this interview, in another video he also spoke about actors getting their own work and not relying solely on their agent/manager. it applies directly to actors but it’s also a bigger issue.. when it comes to doing what you want to do in life – don’t rely on gatekeepers or displace the responsibility you hold for your OWN life and journey onto someone else. don’t make excuses. do whatever you can to blaze your own trail. everyone will tell you no.. say YES.

* bill is a creeptastic horror/thriller actor based in LA who started in theatre and went on to earn tons of film/TV/internet credits, among them – playing the face of the viral facebook app take this lollipop AND starring as honest abe in the upcoming flick abraham lincoln vs. zombies. .. yes, yes. we love it too.

thanks to film courage for the videos, and please do check them out as well! they’re ALL about indie film and supporting creative people who are pursuing their passions.

here’s to dreams,

– da leopard

tales from the internet: exploding rainbows?!

you can always find some crazy sh!t on tumblr.. this morning was no different.

on awesome, exploratory blog HYPNA i came across a video of “the biggest daytime fireworks show ever” – which is actually somewhat of an art installation/experience by a chinese artist at the arab museum of modern art (?!!??!).

check it:

“At the Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar this week, Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang put on his largest ‘explosion event’ of the last three years, utilizing microchip-controlled explosives to form incredible designs and patterns. The video we’ve embedded of the event is an impressive testament to how a volatile black powder explosion can be controlled and shaped by computer. Each set of explosions was calculated to paint a different picture. One series of explosions created black smoke clouds that looked like ‘drops of ink splattered across the sky.’ In another, 8,300 shells embedded with computer microchips exploded in a pyramid shape over the desert.”

watch the video after the jump!

VIDEOSMARTS: babymetal. just. BABYMETAL.

so it’s monday morning. and if your mind wasn’t already being blown by all that goddamn work you have to do (pssh, work)..

i want to blow it. FURTHER (?)

so, you know. j-pop + metal + rap. sung by adorable little asian girls.

meet: BABYMETAL!

GET IT, GRRRLZ

want.. MORE?

Top 5 Reasons to love Mike Patton

Don’t know what I’m talking about?? Really? Ok trust me, you know this guy. Ok remember this? Pretty awesome for a band that didn’t know the 80’s were over. In any case.. Oh yeah ever play GTA San Andreas? How’s this?… Oh the memories.. The civilian killing, airplane crashing, gang war… bicycle riding….. Hot Coffee mod memories….

Anyway, our man of the hour Mike Patton‘s dynamic resumé of acts includes a track done with the Book of Knots, of which of course includes Joel Hamiliton… And who is that, you may be wondering? Well he mixed and mastered a TON of tracks for SNT’s favorite band  The Giraffes…..

I’ll just leave this here

Ok but really, on to Mike Patton

5. Because really, fuck Anthony Kiedis

So I like RHCP, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t at least like one song from them but EVERYONE I know who has read ‘Scar Tissue’ says to watch out, because apparently he is a major douche.

And looking at this picture I will fully agree

Anyway according to Wikipedia, “Kiedis saw Patton performing with Faith No More and accused him of imitating his style. … Following [an] album release date clash, Kiedis had Mr. Bungle removed from a series of summer festivals in Europe; as the headlining act at the festivals, The Red Hot Chili Peppers had final word on the bands that would appear. Patton stated ‘Our agent was in the process of booking these festivals, and it was becoming apparent that we’d landed some pretty good ones – one in France, another one in Holland, some big-name festivals. Turns out someone’s holding a grudge! We were booted off several bills, specifically because Anthony Kiedis did not want us on the bill. He threatened to pull the Chili Peppers if Mr. Bungle was on the bill. Now, rationalize that one! That’s so fucking pathetic! I mean, this guy’s selling a million records! We are not even a speck of dust on this guy’s ass! What’s the fucking problem?’ … We found out it was the Red Hot Chili Peppers, so our manager called their manager to find out what the hell was going on, and their manager was very apologetic, and said, ‘We’re really sorry, we want you to know this doesn’t reflect the management’s position, or the band’s for that matter, it’s Anthony Kiedis who wants this.'”

“As a result, Mr. Bungle parodied the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Pontiac, Michigan on Halloween of 1999. Patton introduced each Mr. Bungle band member with the name of one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers…Mr. Bungle also satirized many of the mannerisms of the band, mocking heroin injections and on-stage antics.”

That whole band fucking rocks for that!

4. I think he is a Time Traveler

After watching the next video I’m pretty sure he traveled back to 1975 and banged some girl who had a child that later grew up to be Brandon Boyd. That is the ONLY explanation I can find for this

tales from the internet: LEGO eddie izzard

thanks to none other than DeFaced‘s mike stahl for tipping me off about these gems.

EDDIE IZZARD + LEGO!!! what more do i need to say?!

CAKE OR DEATH!

and..

the death star canteen.

you’re welcome

– da leopard

VIDEOSMARTS: ‘fantastic voyage’ by lakeside

it is hiiigh time for another edition of videosmarts.. and this one is a KEEPER.

GLORIOUS does not even begin to describe this.. i wish i could live in this video. 80s FUNK IS THE BEST. if i had to listen to that and disco for the rest of my life.. i would probably be okay.* probably with little to no function left in my limbs from eternally dancing, but probably OKAY.

(*i am reminded that i cannot live without QUEEN or the giraffes or electric six, so scratch that.. but the sentiment is there.)

lakeside had a #1 hit in 1980 with this ridiculous(ly AMAZING) track, “FANNNTASTIC VOYAGE!” it’s just the perfect visual translation of how music like this makes me feel. BEHOLD. everyone is HAPPY. and OUTRAGEOUS. and a PIRATE.

i would like all of 2012 to feel like this, thank you. it’s a longshot but – hey, anything can happen.

Tales from the Internet – Joe Rogan on Reality

On the other end of the ‘Everything is fucked‘ spectrum is the ‘Oh my god EVERYTHING-IS-FUCKING-AMAZING’ side.

Tales from the Internet – The Truth Hurts

Not to get political.. well, this goes beyond politics.. If you’re interested in what is happening to this world right now.. here’s a rundown.

Tales from the Internet – Bev & Bob

I hate to make fun of these people, but if there’s anything I’ve learned from making my own videos and posting them on YouTube, you have to be open to criticism or you shouldn’t make your vids public. Anyway, this couple post somewhat elaborate videos of their cover songs that are as awful as they are entertaining.

It’s hard to pick one… so here’s four

Tales from the Internet – John Stamos’ Guide to Cuddling

If Arrested Development can be brought back then my dream of a new season of a raunchy version of Full House isn’t impossible. Until then there’s always this..

– Eric