Hear the episode CLICK HERE.
Upcoming events, Flint Zombie Walk 2012
Introducing Zombie Grand Marshal Ken Foree
Scream Theatre 2012 from Flint City Theatre
Interview with Flint actor/musician Patrick Munley.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Audition
In the church, the dear friend gives me the text for his
wedding ceremony - my first time officiating - and explains where bits are
written in fragments, telling me, "You'll have to just improvise. It's
fine," when I realize my audition is in two minutes, in the basement. So I
run downstairs to the black box theatre to find the director, a stodgy, old
school English Lit. PhD type, and Carolyn Gillespie, a professor from my undergrad
days, who is a assisting him in casting his play, waiting for me. I explain my
dilemma, having double booked. Carolyn is more sympathetic than the director
who is clearly unimpressed with my lack of professionalism. Apologetically I
offer to knock out the monologue then run up and do the ceremony. Reluctantly the
director agrees. As I get up to perform, my mind blanking on the name of the
play/playwright from whom I've selected my monologue, several students begin
wandering into the room as if for class and suddenly I have an audience, most
of whom don't seem to care that I'm right in the middle of something. Feeling
sweat in uncomfortable places, I fight for attention. I begin my audition and
realize I can’t even remember what monologue I’m doing. Then people start
responding to me, offering audience participation. Time slows to a crawl as a girl sitting in the back
stutters a reply to something I’ve said. I say, “Uh, it’s not an audition, ma’am.”
There’s a bit of tittering from the others. I add, irritably, “At least not for
you!” This gets a big laugh…I wake up.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Galactica Reboot review
SPOILER ALERT Here I write about the ending of the series.
I don't hate the ending of Galactica as much as many sci-fi geeks do. In fact, I like the idea a lot. But it doesn't work for a few reasons I'll discuss here.
I love that they found Earth and it was all bombed out and useless (although while they were exploring it they seemed pretty unconcerned about the radiation levels which made the planet unlivable). And I love that they finally found the planet you and I know as Earth and named it after their Earth. They are our ancestors. Cool concept. A twist on the ancient astronauts thing. I even really dug the idea that Hera is Mitochondrial Eve. Made me giggle.
I even like the idea that we are a new species that is a mix of human and cylon.
One problem is that after all the wonderful development of stories about human conflict, politics, rebellion, social movements, civil unrest etc. that all took place aboard the fleet, everyone was pretty easily persuaded to accept the "clean slate," land on the planet and fly all of their creature comforts into the sun.
The bigger problem, however, is that they ignored some things that violate our actual history. There were people already living here when the fleet landed, a primitive people for the humans to mate with and repopulate. Historically this should mean a huge jump in the development of language at the time of Mitochondrial Eve. This is not something we see in paleo-anthropology. (Yep, just made that word up.)
Also, they planted little seedlings of society in various spots all over the world. This doesn't work with our out-of-Africa understanding of human history.
The biggest problem, though, is the technology the humans brought with them. They landed a shit load of space craft on the planet. Where is all that stuff rotting all over the globe? And there was a whole lot of technological know how stored up in he brains of the humans from the fleet, know how they would have used in their new life on Earth. This would change the course of history as we know it. For example, weapons. Even if they didn't use the guns they brought with them, the ability to make them would surely quickly manifest. And agriculture. In an emotional moment Baltar even states outright that he "knows something about farming," (and he's probably not the only one) a bit of knowledge that would push the agricultural revolution ahead 140,000 years or so.
The writers seemed to be pressed to wrap things up quickly, and a la LOST, did so sloppily. Most of the problems could have been rectified with some less hasty writing. Suppose they plotted out several new planets on which to drop people. And the one Hera is left on is the one we know as earth. The people here decide to leave all technology behind. The fleet leaves them, taking all of the physical evidence of technology with them. We would still be left with some clunky cramming together of their fictional history and ours, but much less so. I'm not claiming to be a better writer than any of Galactica's, or a writer at all for that matter. I'm simply pointing out an easy fix.
And another thing. I hated imaginary Six and Baltar's final exchange about God and Baltar's line, "You know he doesn't like to be called that." All this talk of God, whether the monotheists or polytheists are right, the idea that the beings we created had their own concept of the one true god, and suddenly "He" doesn't like to be called that. They've just introduced a new mystery at the very end of the story. A little "ooh," a tease that the writers don't have to justify. Cheap shot. Just let the mystery of theology be and leave us with the idea that all this has happened before and will happen again. We, as in real life, can make up our own minds.
I don't hate the ending of Galactica as much as many sci-fi geeks do. In fact, I like the idea a lot. But it doesn't work for a few reasons I'll discuss here.
I love that they found Earth and it was all bombed out and useless (although while they were exploring it they seemed pretty unconcerned about the radiation levels which made the planet unlivable). And I love that they finally found the planet you and I know as Earth and named it after their Earth. They are our ancestors. Cool concept. A twist on the ancient astronauts thing. I even really dug the idea that Hera is Mitochondrial Eve. Made me giggle.
I even like the idea that we are a new species that is a mix of human and cylon.
One problem is that after all the wonderful development of stories about human conflict, politics, rebellion, social movements, civil unrest etc. that all took place aboard the fleet, everyone was pretty easily persuaded to accept the "clean slate," land on the planet and fly all of their creature comforts into the sun.
The bigger problem, however, is that they ignored some things that violate our actual history. There were people already living here when the fleet landed, a primitive people for the humans to mate with and repopulate. Historically this should mean a huge jump in the development of language at the time of Mitochondrial Eve. This is not something we see in paleo-anthropology. (Yep, just made that word up.)
Also, they planted little seedlings of society in various spots all over the world. This doesn't work with our out-of-Africa understanding of human history.
The biggest problem, though, is the technology the humans brought with them. They landed a shit load of space craft on the planet. Where is all that stuff rotting all over the globe? And there was a whole lot of technological know how stored up in he brains of the humans from the fleet, know how they would have used in their new life on Earth. This would change the course of history as we know it. For example, weapons. Even if they didn't use the guns they brought with them, the ability to make them would surely quickly manifest. And agriculture. In an emotional moment Baltar even states outright that he "knows something about farming," (and he's probably not the only one) a bit of knowledge that would push the agricultural revolution ahead 140,000 years or so.
The writers seemed to be pressed to wrap things up quickly, and a la LOST, did so sloppily. Most of the problems could have been rectified with some less hasty writing. Suppose they plotted out several new planets on which to drop people. And the one Hera is left on is the one we know as earth. The people here decide to leave all technology behind. The fleet leaves them, taking all of the physical evidence of technology with them. We would still be left with some clunky cramming together of their fictional history and ours, but much less so. I'm not claiming to be a better writer than any of Galactica's, or a writer at all for that matter. I'm simply pointing out an easy fix.
And another thing. I hated imaginary Six and Baltar's final exchange about God and Baltar's line, "You know he doesn't like to be called that." All this talk of God, whether the monotheists or polytheists are right, the idea that the beings we created had their own concept of the one true god, and suddenly "He" doesn't like to be called that. They've just introduced a new mystery at the very end of the story. A little "ooh," a tease that the writers don't have to justify. Cheap shot. Just let the mystery of theology be and leave us with the idea that all this has happened before and will happen again. We, as in real life, can make up our own minds.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Artys Thoughts 1
This blog was originally set up as a hosting site for my podcast, Flint Arts-Cast. However, it turns out producing a podcast solo takes a lot of time and it has been impossible to keep it up. (Check out past episodes, free in iTunes.)
I hope to return to the podcast in the future but for now I thought it'd be a good idea to keep some activity going on the blog itself. As such I'm going to post my thoughts on the arts, mostly philosophical masturbation.
I'm am of average intelligence and I am not a philosopher. Be warned.
To start off, I don't think there's anything to the Skakespeare conspiracy. I've not heard or read an argument yet that in any way makes it impossible, or even improbable, for William Shakespeare to have written the drama and poetry attributed to him. (Brian Dunning covers this subject very well on his podcast. Skeptoid Episode 280) This is not to say that the conspiracy theories are impossible. It's just to say that none of them are particularly persuasive.
Comment, argue, voice, but be nice.
I hope to return to the podcast in the future but for now I thought it'd be a good idea to keep some activity going on the blog itself. As such I'm going to post my thoughts on the arts, mostly philosophical masturbation.
I'm am of average intelligence and I am not a philosopher. Be warned.
To start off, I don't think there's anything to the Skakespeare conspiracy. I've not heard or read an argument yet that in any way makes it impossible, or even improbable, for William Shakespeare to have written the drama and poetry attributed to him. (Brian Dunning covers this subject very well on his podcast. Skeptoid Episode 280) This is not to say that the conspiracy theories are impossible. It's just to say that none of them are particularly persuasive.
Comment, argue, voice, but be nice.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Episode 5: Halloween
Kristina Lakey discusses Zombie Walk 2010 and all the happenings surrounding the event.
http://www.flintcitytheatre.com/zombie.htm
Nick Hale, Patrick Munley and Megan Donahue discuss Scream Theatre, FCT's perennial Halloween Radio Show.
Sample Scream Theatre sketche performed by Nick Hale, Patrick Munley and Megan Donahue.
Intro, outro and incidental music by Igor Stravinsky
http://www.flintcitytheatre.com
http://www.flintcitytheatre.com/zombie.htm
Nick Hale, Patrick Munley and Megan Donahue discuss Scream Theatre, FCT's perennial Halloween Radio Show.
Sample Scream Theatre sketche performed by Nick Hale, Patrick Munley and Megan Donahue.
Intro, outro and incidental music by Igor Stravinsky
http://www.flintcitytheatre.com
Monday, August 2, 2010
Episode 4: Devised Pieces and Found Spaces
Nic Custer and Jessica Flemming discuss UofM-Flint Theatre's production
Glenwood: Restoration of Spirit
Poetry from Nic Custer, some of which will be heard as part of Tiny Dances
Jessica Back talks about Tiny Dances
Quote: Oscar Wilde
Intro, outro and incidental music by Hanna Fralick
http://www.myspace.com/hannahfralick
and fine her on Facebook
More detailed notes coming.
Glenwood: Restoration of Spirit
Poetry from Nic Custer, some of which will be heard as part of Tiny Dances
Jessica Back talks about Tiny Dances
Quote: Oscar Wilde
Intro, outro and incidental music by Hanna Fralick
http://www.myspace.com/hannahfralick
and fine her on Facebook
More detailed notes coming.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Episode 3: The Kellys and Why Shakespeare
Segments
Intro
Discussion Topic: Why Shakespeare?
Interview: Kay and Michael Kelly, the parents of Shakespeare in Kearsley Park
Quote: Anne Bogart
Opening, closing, incidental music by Dan Gerics
http://www.dangerics.com/
Intro
Discussion Topic: Why Shakespeare?
Interview: Kay and Michael Kelly, the parents of Shakespeare in Kearsley Park
Quote: Anne Bogart
Opening, closing, incidental music by Dan Gerics
http://www.dangerics.com/
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