YouTube - Video #1: Duffy Boat Ride - Newport Beach

DUFFY BOAT RIDE - NEWPORT BEACH

I've always been drawn to filmmaking. Not to the point that it became a passion for me, but to the point that all aspects fascinate me and inspire me to learn more. As a kid, my Dad always had the newest and best video camera. He wanted our memories to be vivid and more than just polaroid pictures.

Our first camera hooked up to a dual VCR (Video Cassette Recorder for all you young'n's) which meant that you had to detach the piece of the VCR that held the VHS (Video Home System) tapes and attach it to the camera. Even though they gave you a handy over-the-shoulder bag to assist, imagine shooting wonderful low-quality footage as you hold yourself steady with this 20-pound satchel... and loving every minute of it. That was me!

As the years went by, new cameras rolled in. Still using the VHS tapes as a medium for a while, the newer cameras no longer needed the player; you could load the tapes directly inside the camera. Easy-to-use, light(er) weight models now featured screen wipes, fading pictures and higher video gain to see in the dark. The future was looking awesome!

Mini VHS players and cameras were next followed by video on handheld cameras and the ability to shoot video... it was about this time that I started to pull away from video and shooting movies. Teenage years hit and there were plenty of things to distract and focus my attention on. I continued to appreciate the art of filmmaking but no longer as a participant, just an appreciative observer.

Fast forward to today. Plenty of cameras to choose from, digital media sources to post on and a massive internet audience to appreciate your work. My love for film has been reborn!! ....but, baby steps. As I relearn and evolve my style, I love that I can share with people I know and people that I don't know. The video above is my first venture back into the filmmaking world and I'm hoping that this is the start of something exciting.

So take a look, let me know what you think! The video is available at my Channel - RJ Hendrix along with another film that took me just short of a month to film; a 21-day challenge. I'll post more about that later, but for now, subscribe to my channel if you like what you see... there's MUCH more to come!

-RJ

FOR THE ALLIANCE!

Here is where I get to nerd out just a little so please, bear with me.

So... needless to say... I'm just a bit excited for this film. I've played WarCraft now for 22 years... the original Orcs and Humans kicked it all off when it hit the PC Gaming world in 1994. Since then we've seen StarCraft, Diablo, WarCraft 2, Diablo 2, WarCraft 3 and then finally, the World of Warcraft that took the franchise and Blizzard Entertainment into the PC Gaming Halls of Fame, setting new standards and an unmatchable format for the Massively Multiplayer Online RPG Genre.

This movie has loomed in the shadows for years and years. First announced in 2006, some thought it would never happen, just like the vaporware of so many software companies and frankly, Blizzard Entertainment had bigger, better things going on. When the reality struck that this movie WAS going to happen, there were talks of big name directors taking the wheel - Sam Raimi the most notable, responsible for successful movies and television series in a similar genre - The Evil Dead (1981), Xena: Warrior Princess (TV Series 1995-2001), Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (TV Series 1995-1999).

Raimi dropped out and the Director role was given to Duncan Jones. The story is based on the original back story that was tied to the original Warcraft title - WarCraft: Orcs and Humans and brings back a lot of characters that have gained popularity through the years by being referenced through the following titles and resurrected through the World of Warcraft game and following expansions.

Playing through the series for so many years and seeing these characters brought to life might be what I'm looking forward to the most: King Llane, Medivh, Lothar, Garona, Gul'Dan just to name a few. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not setting the expectations high - I genuinely fear being let down so I'm going to take it for what it is and keep my perspective focused on the delivery of the story and appreciate the reoccurring CGI eye-candy as a result of the large battles and intricate beasts and characters that live in the realm of Azeroth.

Rotten Tomatoes' Review of Warcraft has already begun the slaughter starting it off, before release, at a strong 18% out of 100%. I will appreciate what the film is trying to accomplish and the fact that it took them 10 years to put out a piece that Blizzard felt good about.

I'll make sure to follow up with review after I get a chance to see it on June 10. "For the Alliance"

Can you stump Akinator?

I can't figure out why this is so addictive but I'm determined to stump Akinator. Can you?

AKINATOR

5-years and some change...

Time is a funny thing... it can move forward slowly, quickly, unexpectedly and sometimes, it seems, with reckless abandon; blink and a year goes by. However, it is consistent and no matter how hard we try, we can't stop it (sorry NuSkin users, wrinkles are inevitable).

5 years, approximately, has marked my hiatus from writing in this blog or showing interest in it one way or another. That doesn't mean that all the craziness that dwells inside my noggin hasn't been funneled anywhere, it just means I've had things going on. While I could go into more detail and start a small novella on all of the things that have happened in that 5-year gap in time, my goal is to provide something interesting for you to read and hopefully, possibly, share your interests, comments, questions and concerns with me... if you're so inclined.