Well, dear readers, I was about to write that it was Friday when I realized it was Thursday. That realization saved me from writing that it was Friday so let me just say that it is Thursday and be done with it. Let me start off by saying that it is Thursday. Then let me say that yesterday (Wednesday) I got to see the first cut of episode one of season two of Outside The Box. The editor called and said to come on over about three-thirty and happily I was just wrapping up the work session with the musical director of the Kritzerland show. In his words the episode was “pretty damn funny.” So, I drove to the Bank of Bur and sat down and watched the first cut. Normally when I see first cuts it’s not that much fun for me – all I see immediately are cuts that might be awkward, or a laugh line I know is better in a different take, or holding on a shot too long, and then in the musical numbers, seeing cuts that aren’t rhythmic and fluid – stuff like that. But one of the reasons I love working with our editor, Marshall Harvey, is that he is very attuned to my comic sensibility and he’s funny on his own. Plus, all during season one’s editing he learned what I responded to and what I didn’t respond to and the kind of rhythm I like. Apparently he learned this REALLY well because the first cut he showed me was 90% perfect. I just sat there and loved it – it was funny, the pace was great, and the musical numbers looked wonderful, with lots of varied coverage. There was one moment where I actually spit out my Diet Coke that I was sipping. I knew from the get-go that it would be funny – it was on the set and it’s just a good visual gag, but the way it’s cut even enhances it. I was very pleased. We watched the set-up scene a second time and we both felt there were a couple of places to tighten a little and cut out a couple of lines, which we did. And then I think we swapped out one shot in one of the numbers and that was about it. So, now he’ll move on to episode two.
Directly after that, I went to the engineer’s house and we recorded Stephen Findle’s dialogue and then sent it via the Internet to the editor, and he’ll cut that in now. Then I listened to a little of the live recording of Juliana Hansen’s show – it sounds fine, and I just had a couple of suggestions. He then sent that to me and I’ll listen to the entire thing today. I’m still undecided about whether to issue it on Kritzerland. After that, I went to Gelson’s and got a little snack and then I came home and ate it, listened to three little redone mastering things for the Christmas album and then approved that, listened to another master and approved that.
Prior to all that, I had a rough night of sleep – well, not rough but I just didn’t fall asleep until almost three-thirty and then I was up by ten. Once up, I answered e-mails, had telephonic calls, and then went and had a grilled cheese with bacon sandwich that was really good. That, for me, is comfort food. It was like eating an old friend. No, that doesn’t sound right. It was like a visit with an old friend that you then ate. No, that doesn’t sound right. Well, you get the idea. After that, I picked up three count them three packages, then came home. I then had a work session with the musical director, who’s terrific. In fact, it was one of the easiest and most pleasurable work sessions I’ve had on a Kritzerland show.
I also managed to check out two new Blu and Rays. First the new UK transfer of The Curse of Frankenstein. I’ll have a lot to say about not only the transfer but the unmitigated silliness that’s been going on about its aspect ratio. All I’ll say for now is that this is one of the worst transfers I’ve ever seen – funnily, no one is really talking about THAT part. It’s an embarrassment, and when the esteemed Robert A. Harris says the movie can look just like it did in 1957, I believe him. I then watched the first hour of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, also a UK Blu-ray. This transfer was made from a brand new restoration of the film and it’s grand. The color is just right and it looks great. Add to that that the film is great and you have a recipe for viewer happiness. I’ll have more to say when I’ve finished with both films. All in all, a most pleasurable day.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get some beauty sleep.
Today, the helper will be here at nine, and we’re cleaning up the garage. Eight months ago it was still organized, now it’s a four-star disaster out there. So that will take an hour or two. Then I’ll jog, eat, and then David Wechter is coming by for a chat. After that, I’m hoping the piano tuner will finally come. Then I think I’ll be able to relax.
Tomorrow, lots of stuff to do, and then I’m meeting dear reader ChasSmith for his Home Theater Forum event at the Marriott Hotel in the Bank of Bur. Our very own Mr. Nick Redman and Julie Kirgo will be there, too, so it should be fun. I’m not sure what is happening on the weekend other than locking down the cast for the next two episodes of Outside The Box – I have an e-mail in to one actor already, so hopefully he might want to do one of them.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, clean and organize the garage, jog, eat, have a chat with David Wechter, and then relax. Today’s topic of discussion: I mentioned having a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon – to me this is the epitome of what the pundits call comfort food. So, what is your favorite comfort food? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I will hopefully have comfort sleep.