Santa Monica College Media Technology Campus

Back in September of 2010, I posted an article about the upcoming additions to the AET campus.

It looks like Clive Wilkinson Architects have been busy, as the above rendering shows. The 79,000 square foot "Santa Monica College Media Technology Campus", as it is now called, is a marvel of modern design.

Having the broadcast and digital media classes in one central location will help foster creativity and promote interdepartmental networking.

I love how the new studios for the all mighty KCRW are will soon be on Stewart Street for all the world to see. There is also going to be a new cafe and courtyard on campus. If we just add a hotel, we would never have to leave:)

2012 VW Beetle Fender Speaker System

Okay, I did not see this one coming. The newly redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will feature a 9 speaker, 400 watt system, designed by Fender Guitars.

If they offered it in tweed with and oxblood grill like a '59 Bassman, then you would have something:)

Enhance It

I've been doing computer graphics professionally for the past 15 years, and the number one most annoying request I have heard is, "Can we enhance it?" My answer has always been the same, "No we can't f***ing enhance it!"

No matter what you see on TV or in the movies, there is no magic enhance filter or button that you can select or push. If it ain't in the image, it ain't in the image. Period, end of story. Unless you were using a plenoptic camera, in that case, all bets are off.

Now leave me alone, I have to go watch CSI Miami with my sunglasses on, off, on:)

AET Campus 2013

I've been teaching at Santa Monica College's "Academy of Entertainment and Technology" for over 9 years. Holy S#*t! Can it really be that long? Well it looks like our campus is about to receive it's much anticipated makeover.

Designed by Clive Wilkinson Architects of West Hollywood, this proposed redesign has already won a Los Angeles Real Creativity Award. This new complex will feature a new 30,000-square-foot building that would be added to the Academy site to house computer classrooms, a student radio station, production spaces, edit bays, new server room, TV studio and control rooms, art studio, café and a 180-seat auditorium.

In addition, the plan calls for a 34,000-square-foot, three-story structure to house KCRW, which is currently in the basement of the Cayton Associated Students building on the SMC main campus. All buildings are being designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification.

I like the futuristic Blade Runner styling. It's definitely going to be a great back lot for doing student film shoots.

Now if I can only find a parking space for my flying car.

Star Wars Rockband Poster

Check out this amazing poster by Australian artist Hugh Fleming. Originally commissioned in 1999 to accompany a story in Star Wars Insider, the official fan club magazine in the United States, about rock bands and music influenced by the original trilogy.

If you look closely you will see a cameo of the bearded artist as one of the fans in the crowd.

Click on the image above and download a high rez version for yourself.

Darth Vader kicks Gene Simmons ass!!!

iPad or iFad?

To quote Michael Keaton from the 1986 motion picture Gung Ho, "Frankly...I'm sorry, I don't get it. I don't see it, I'm not impressed. Not one iota."

Hitler Wants 24P

Philip Bloom, the unofficial poster boy for shallow depth of field, has put together a hysterical mash up of Adolf Hitler and his frustrations of trying to shot and edit 24P with his Canon 5D Mark II. You almost feel sorry for poor Adolf, as he suffers some serious camera envy due to the announcement of the new Canon 7D.

Inside Jokes Links:

Zacuto

B & H Photo

Tom Guilmette

Robert Imbs

Dan Chung

The Bui Brothers

Panasonic GH1

To quote Jake and Elwood from the Blues Brothers: "Illinois Nazis, I hate Illinois Nazis"

Don't Copy That Floppy Sequel

As a follow up to a 1992 anti-piracy video, this revamped version is almost as retarded as the original. A video this stupid, with such pathetic visual effects and lame rapping, will make people want to pirate software. And what is up with the dancing Klingons?

But they are right about one thing. Don't copy software, music, and movies. Instead download it via your favorite bit torrent site such as, The Pirate Bay, Mininova, and Demonoid.

The More You Know.

All Around The World

"All around the world, you've got to spread the word. Tell them what you've heard. We're gonna make a better day." - Oasis

Okay, so it's not exactly Shakespeare, but it does rhyme. Nice going Noel.

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been visiting my blog over the last eight months. You guys are the best. If you look close you might even see your city represented by a nice little red push pin. I hope by this time next year to have the map covered in a sea of red.

If anyone out there is a friend of Bjork, please tell her about Pixelphile. Iceland looks so lonely without a pin.

Princess Leia Costume

For all those guys who enjoy sci fi, the best costume ever has to be the Princess Leia outfit from Return of the Jedi. Looks like there are a lot of women out there who also agree.

Star Trek The Tour

STAR TREK THE TOUR is dedicated to the over forty years of imagination, artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that together have made the Star Trek legacy the most enduring television franchise in history. This is the largest collection of artifacts, sets and information ever put on public display. A truly impressive array of exhibits, featuring sets, costumes, priceless museum pieces and props from all five Star Trek television series and ten Star Trek feature films. Together these components offer Star Trek fans and novices alike, an unprecedented encounter with the phenomenon that is Star Trek.

STAR TREK THE TOUR is at the Queen Mary Dome in Long Beach, California now through Sunday February 17, 2008. STAR TREK THE TOUR will travel to 40 cities in the United States over the next 5 years.

To quote William Shatner from SNL: "You know, before I answer any more questions there's something I wanted to say. Having received all your letters over the years, and I've spoken to many of you, and some of you have traveled... y'know... hundreds of miles to be here, I'd just like to say... GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show! I mean, look at you, look at the way you're dressed! You've turned an enjoyable little job, that I did as a lark for a few years, into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME!"

Pros: Colossal Waste of Time, Captain Kirk's Command Chair.

Cons: It's Not Star Wars.

Price: Adult Tickets $35 Weekend/$30 Weekday.

Evel Knievel Goes To The Snake River In the Sky

When I was a kid growing up back in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, we had a rather large drop off behind our house. It was basically due to soil erosion. Not a good thing for the house, but a great thing for a kid who wanted to recreate Evel Knievel's jump across the Snake River Canyon.

I always dug the graphic design of his outfits and machines. There isn't anything more easily identifiable as truly American, as one of his leather jumpsuits. Craig Breedlove is the only other motoring icon that comes to my mind who I think also captured the essence of the American Spirit.

Robert Craig, better known as Evel Knievel, that Star Spangled Daredevil, is gone at the age of 69.

And So It Begins...

I have had a lot of requests over the years from students, colleagues, and friends. They wanted to know If had a website that they could visit for more information on what I do, how I do it, what I know, and why I know it. Well, after many, many years, I thought that a little blog might be the way to go.

So, without much fanfare, here it is. Drum roll please... "PIXELPHILE".

A place where I talk about my current projects, teachings, technology, digital media, hobbies, and anything else that might strike my fancy. In the infamous words of Han Solo, " Go strap yourself in, I'm going to make the jump to light speed!" I hope you enjoy the ride:) (Yep, that's me, age 4... embarrassing isn't it?)

I can be reached at mike@pixelphile.tv