Ernie the Spaceman (1997)

Like a lot of kids do, I created my first videos using my toys.  At 12 I took what little savings I had and put it towards a used video camera that was for sale in the newspaper.  It's what makes these videos special now, the fact that I actually planned to create these and had it in my head that I wanted to buy myself a camera because I knew I wanted to make movies.

Ernie the Spaceman was actually an Ernie key chain, a mascot from Expo '86, a World's Fair held in Vancouver, BC.  He seemed just unique enough to not be recognizable, and before I started creating my own characters a year or so later, I got a feel for my camera by creating random episodes about the adventures Ernie would go on.  Once he crash landed on a planet full of Mr. Potato Head's, another time he had to rescue an alien princess, and plenty of times he was simply lost in space.

I created scenes using everything from strings of Christmas lights, to old Star Wars toys, construction paper and poster board, and remote controls as spaceship consoles.  The production value couldn't have been more bottom of the barrel, but the fact that I found ways to work in music, that I printed off my credits and taped them to the walls, and that I took the time to create miniature sets at least proved how much fun I was having.  It was only '97 after all and it wasn't like I had a computer to edit on or a digital camera to make things easier.

I only really shared the ten or so episodes I created with my friends, and for the sake of preserving my nostalgia that's the way it's going to stay.  Ernie the Spaceman is special only because it kicked off what I already knew I wanted to pursue as a kid.  It was my amateur directorial and editing debut, and the work I put into those shorts really lit a fire in me that set everything else in motion.

Looking back at it now and thinking about the setups that I'd build in the basement makes me realize how formative those experiences really were.  Without knowing it at the time I was exploring framing, composition, basic editing, and generally priming myself for the digital revolution that was just starting to hit.  The fact that I'd share my creations and get to see everyone's reactions only boosted my confidence.

The results were a long way from perfect, and they were even more embarrassing to watch after I'd gone through puberty, but it's that imperfection that seems so meaningful to me now.  I had no notions about how I was making something, it was nothing more than creative exploration.  Fifteen years later though, through a film school education, having had my work screened at numerous international venues, having over a million video views online, and having edited for a handful of big name clients, it's a rush to be able to trace it all the way back to this.

Ernie's haphazard and clumsy adventures may have only been a blip on my timeline, but it sure felt epic in the moment.  At the very least, it was an exercise in persistence.

The original title card from the Ernie the Spaceman episodes.

Newport Beach in 2004

There's nothing quite like a long day at the beach.  Check out the complete photo sets and edits from this trip in under the California 2004 tab.  

Hollywood in 2004

From downtown L.A. to the tourist lined sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, the trip we took to California in 2004 left a lasting impression.  For links to more of my original photo sets and edits, check out the California 2004 tab here.

Animation Film Strip

It's really exciting to look back at the work you did in film school and think, "this is actually still pretty awesome".  There are a handful of stop motion shorts that I made in the winter of 2004 in an animation class that I haven't ever thought too much about because I can't watch them.  I don't have a projector for one, but the splicing and film is actually pretty rough and might get destroyed in a projector as it is.  

One of the first posts I made on this blog was about my Lost Animation and the backgrounds that I'd created for it.  It was in reference to this project, Over at Grandpa's which was the final short I made in that film class.  After writing about and sharing the film strip that I left with Dave I thought that I could probably capture a lot of my old film strips in images to share what pieces of my past projects looked like.  

The premise of this short was that the grandpa gets shocked when changing a light bulb, causing him to dance around his house, and then his wife catches him.  It was only about 2 minutes long mind you, but it was meant to be pretty fast paced.  Some of the frames below show him mid-dance move, including some quality voguing.  It's fun to look at stuff like this even just to remind yourself that you actually did it.  Despite the fact that it's remained tucked away in a box, I feel proud that I finally found a way to share a bit more of it.        

Disneyland Attractions in 2004

As more time goes by travel footage like this seems to become even more exciting to watch.  Places like Disneyland are seen by so many people that when things start to change there are lots of people who are eager to remember it the way it was.

These travel edits that I shot in 2004 where never meant to be much more than home videos, but YouTube essentially gave them a second wind.  I've re-uploaded these original edits I shot of the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Mark Twain Riverboat Ride, and Splash Mountain as the ones I first uploaded years ago looked incredibly pixelated.  Here's hoping that these bring back some memories for all of you guys too.

For more of my travel edits from this 2004 trip you can view my Disneyland post here, and check out my full  playlist of California edits here. 

Universal Studios Hollywood in 2004

As someone who was just getting his feet wet as a film student in 2004, this trip Universal Studios Hollywood was a dream come true.  I was hooked on all of the props, sets, and kitschy characters.  Looking back at this now it's amazing to think about how much has already changed at the park, not to mention what must have happened following the massive backlot fire in 2008.

As a surprising bonus, I was able to visit the brand new Universal Studios Singapore in 2010 on my day off during a business trip.  Next on the list, Florida?

California Adventure in 2004

The park was only a few years old when I visited for the first time.  Disney's California Adventure opened up right across the plaza from Disneyland and inside was a random sampling of famous landmarks.  From the Golden Gate to a palm tree lined boardwalk and pier, to Hollywood Boulevard and wilderness full of the rustic cues from northern California, the park seemed to have it all.  Needless to say we made the most of our time there and created a lot of fun memories.  

See more of my edits from the trip here.