Randman's World

In Monkey's With Handgrenades, I'm often cast as the voice-over person for the scenes. It's something I don't mind at all, because I don't have to memorize lines. I can read my part from the booth, or the mic area. I have fun finding the right voice for the sketch, whether it's the friendly sounding airport announcer, or the deep voiced movie trailer guy, or the gravel voiced strip club dj.

So, I was surfing around, and I found these great clips of some of the top movie trailer guys having some fun with what they do.

First is a clip from an intro to an award show, where 5 of the best voice over guys get together in a limo. It stars Don LaFontaine, who is the original deep voiced "In a world where" guy (seen in the picture to the right), John Leader, Nick Tate, Mark Elliott (The voice on all the Disney DVD's and movie trailers), and Al Chalk.

It's really fun to see them having fun with what they do (and I love Mark Elliott skipping at the end).

http://images.suntimes.com/images4/trailers/5men.mov


Then, their's this great spoof starring Hal Douglas, in a movie trailer for Comedian.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/comedian.html

Needless to say, these guys make some serious money (especially LaFontaine, who I saw a documentary on. It's his limo. He rides from job to job. ) Nice work if you can get it.

Nick Rigoli is funny. No, darned funny. No, frickin hilarious. He has one of the most twisted, fun senses of humor, and is also one of the nicest guys you can meet.

Nick has a way of coming up with one liners during improv shows. Like the classic

"If I hadn't been so darned proud of my new flare gun"

and the unforgettable

"It reminds me of something my grandpa said to me, he said, "Boy, forget what you seen here, or I'll make you disappear just like I did your grandmother!"

During last night's read through of script submissions for the next Monkey's, Nick wrote a script about a blind date. Without giving anything away (come see the show if you want to see it), suffice it to say the entire cast had tears in their eyes from laughing so hard after the read through.

Nick shouldn't be working in a grocery store. He should be writing full time. SNL would be lucky to get someone like this guy.

So, after I did my video, I posted it to a popular church media website. I've posted vidoes there before, and people have been very kind, and it's inspired some other churchs to do vidoes.

But, of course, immediately, there has to be the postings asking "Did you get copywrite permission?" "How did you get away with using the Sci Fi channel logo on your video?" "Watch out for the Copywrite Police".

Why is it that good, church going people have to get all "hall monitor" whenever something is posted? They can't post fast enough, warning that I might have violated some copywrite. I almost expected some of their posts to start with, "Teacher, Teacher!!! Look what Randy's doing!".

My opinion is that this video falls under the Parody exception for Fair Use, and therefore, does not infringe on copywrite. Even if I may be wrong legally, I don't need a bunch of people pointing their collective fingers and going, "Ummm, someone's going to be in trouble"

Well, after 2 evenings of shooting, and 14 hours at the editing console (otherwise known as my desk in the spare bedrooom), the video was completed. It was actually pretty good. I was really worried, because a couple of the people acting really didn't understand acting for film, so their performances didn't line up very well. But luckily, the female actress did, and I was able to edit around her.

The real "eureka" point was when I was adding music to the video. I was trying to find some good background music, when I remembered that I had the original soundtrack recordings from "The Adventures of Superman". What an outstanding find. Here was pre-recorded background music for 50's tv shows, which all worked together. The music made the piece, adding perfect "stings" for action parts, as well as the perfect mood for a parody of a 50's/60's tv show.

And, tremendous credit to Cameron, who pulled off an incredible imitation of Rod Serling. He nailed it.

Not the best video I've done, but it was alot of fun to do!

Back in 1996, after going to Disneyland, and seeing Fantasmic, I decided to try to do a midi file of the ending theme. I had loved the music during the show (written by Bruce Healey) and had bought a cassette copy. I wore that copy out creating a midi of the ending theme.

I thought it was a pretty faithful interpretation of the music, and I posted it to a midi newsgroup.

I knew that it had made it around a bit, as I've received emails asking for permission to post it on websites.

Today, I did a Google search for the file, and found 14 pages worth of search results that showed my little midi file on websites. They range from Disney fan sites to ringtone sites. It's truly amazing something I did 9 years ago has this much exposure.

If you are truly bored, http://home.kc.rr.com/thetennisons/midi/ is where my midi files are (a couple don't work . . . this is a really old attempt at a webpage).

Tonight, I return to the directors chair to film a video for the church. It's a sendup of The Twilight Zone, with the focus being on a church without volunteers. I've got some gags in mind, but I really am not as prepared as I would like to be. Actual talking videos are tough.

Here's hoping that it all goes smooth, and that I can actually get it cut together by Saturday night. Also, lets pray that my computer system behaves and works properly, so that I can actually edit on it.

It's been a while since I did a video. I've really wanted to get back into it, but due to some personality conflicts, I've been avoiding it. Hopefully, this works out tonight.

So, I picked up Charlie after his first day at "Grandmama's Day Care". He was a little freaked out. We interrupted his routine from the last 6 weeks of staying at home and playing with mom. He was whiny all evening, and very busy. But, we took a bath, which he loves, and then, off to his room for a bottle and some rocking. Then, he quickly fell asleep.

Kim did great at work. They had not piled up on her, so it was a good day for her.

Of course, we both realized that with this schedule, our time during the week with Charlie is limited. That really sucks. It will mean that weekends will be more important.

This morning, Charlie woke up very happy and playful. Then, it was off to grandmama's house. He again seemed a bit taken aback by going over there. I know it must be confusing for him. Poor little guy. He had his world rocked so hard when we brought him home, and now it just changed again.

What is it about a 15 month old little boy falling asleep on my chest while I rock him which makes me smile so much? Or, getting ready to put him down for sleep, and he reaches out and gives me a kiss? Or, seeing him giggle in the swings at the park?

He's about as sweet as they come. Our lives are completely upside down, but in such a good way. We were bored with KC, thinking we had done everything. Now, we have so much more to do. We went to the zoo. Riding the carosel at the mall! Seeing the plaza lights this Christmas. Going to the park to try the slide.

That little sweet face sure can do me in.

• Being a dad is cool
• Diapers are not as scary as I was led to believe
• I will do anything for a giggle
• Kids can be frustrating
• I'm sleeping plenty . . . why am I still so tired?
• Getting the first kiss from you son is one of life's greatest events
• My dog has become a jealous pain in the butt older brother
• Bouncing is fun
• Noses go BEEP when they are pushed
• La La La
• Traveling away from home sucks
• Poker chips + pringles can = hours of entertainment
• Good friends are wonderful when it comes to baby showers
• I love playing splashy splashy during bath time
• Kids toys today are 100% cooler than they were when I was a kid
• Naps are heaven sent
• Seeing his face first thing in the morning when I walk in his room is the best part of my day
• My wife is a saint