Love Tim Minchin. One of my favorites from him! (I love the turn.)
This song is "Remains" by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon, part of the writing force behind TV series such as "Firefly" and "Dollhouse." I love the concept of the video by director Anton King, loosely based off the idea for "Dollhouse." It's just a moving song.
Speaking of the Whedons, I ran across some clips from Joss Whedon's "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" while searching for an example of "shared memories" for my improv class. Always reminds me how much I love this short film. The story is told by a villain scientists who has fallen for a woman at a laundry mat. Things are complicated by his nemesis, Captain Hammer, who sweeps his love off her feet. It's worth your 45 minutes if you've never seen it.
I mean, it's Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion - how can you go wrong?!
Hope you have a great Monday!
Showing posts with label Felicia Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Felicia Day. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A Letter to an Artist
(This is a piece I wrote after reading a blog post by Felicia Day titled "Surprising Encounters." I had heard about Mike DeStefano the day before and had been looking for a way to write about how his tale had affected me. After reading Ms. Day's post, I knew what I wanted to say.)
Art is surprising. It reaches, touches people in different ways. And what some people bring to it personally - whether it's a disease or past experience or dream - determine what people take from it.
On Sunday, a stand-up comedian, Mike DeStefano, passed away. (You might remember him from the last season of Last Comic Standing.) Only 44, he had had a hard life being HIV positive and a recovering heroin addict. He had turned things around, first as a addiction counselor and then as a stand-up. Mike had a gruff, almost confrontational personality, and it showed onstage and off. Because of that, he wasn't my favorite comedian although I respected his talents.
Yesterday, when news of his death spread on Twitter, people gave remembrances of him. One of them was surprising. It was a storytelling festival in Austin where Mike told a moving tale of the grandest thing he ever did. The video follows:
This is why I will always remember Mike DeStefano. The story is incredible and perfectly told. Not that there aren't moments that he doesn't break and stumble and reach for words. It's that he does and that's what that story deserved. I'm not saying that it was performance. Just the opposite. It was heartfelt, real, honest.
The best of art is all of that - it is created with passion and emotion and honesty.
That's what makes your work so wonderful, Felicia. You bring a passion and honesty to it that shines through. You show us who you are - whether it's an artist who creates a series that expresses what it's like to be a gamer, making people feel less alone; or a life-traveler who pushes her own visions into reality, inspiring others to start their own artistic pursuits; or a celebrity using your popularity online to support a worthy cause - and that is all it takes to be wonderful.
You echo because you are who you are and you share that with the world.
Art is surprising. It reaches, touches people in different ways. And what some people bring to it personally - whether it's a disease or past experience or dream - determine what people take from it.
On Sunday, a stand-up comedian, Mike DeStefano, passed away. (You might remember him from the last season of Last Comic Standing.) Only 44, he had had a hard life being HIV positive and a recovering heroin addict. He had turned things around, first as a addiction counselor and then as a stand-up. Mike had a gruff, almost confrontational personality, and it showed onstage and off. Because of that, he wasn't my favorite comedian although I respected his talents.
Yesterday, when news of his death spread on Twitter, people gave remembrances of him. One of them was surprising. It was a storytelling festival in Austin where Mike told a moving tale of the grandest thing he ever did. The video follows:
This is why I will always remember Mike DeStefano. The story is incredible and perfectly told. Not that there aren't moments that he doesn't break and stumble and reach for words. It's that he does and that's what that story deserved. I'm not saying that it was performance. Just the opposite. It was heartfelt, real, honest.
The best of art is all of that - it is created with passion and emotion and honesty.
That's what makes your work so wonderful, Felicia. You bring a passion and honesty to it that shines through. You show us who you are - whether it's an artist who creates a series that expresses what it's like to be a gamer, making people feel less alone; or a life-traveler who pushes her own visions into reality, inspiring others to start their own artistic pursuits; or a celebrity using your popularity online to support a worthy cause - and that is all it takes to be wonderful.
You echo because you are who you are and you share that with the world.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Top Ten Favorite Redheads
I am posting a list of my top 10 favorite redheaded female celebrities, not as some weird stalker-ish inventory of obsessions, but for two reasons:
First, I wanted to work on my blogging skills - creating posts with pictures and text and successfully interweaving them in a creative layout.
And second, the topic came up in conversation the other day and I have been thinking about it on and off since.
I admit it. I do have a thing for redheads. I always have. There is a fiery passion in most that I find alluring - an indomitable drive and always a strong opinion. I've dated three redheads in my life, all relationships I could describe as "interesting" (as a complete understatement, mind you.)
I tried to choose women who are true redheads, though I am sure some have slipped through. And this is a personal list, women who I find attractive for one reason (or several.) It can't be argued because it's my opinion based on my knowledge and experiences. In short, don't flame the comment section because I didn't list your favorite. Just go make your own list.
So here it is (in alphabetical order with some honorable mentions at the end):
Amy Adams Angelic face, disarming smile and a super-talented actress, I think she can play any role she puts her mind to. Watch "Sunshine Cleaning, "Doubt" and "The Fighter" to see a very diverse actress.
Gillian Anderson Oh, the lovely Agent Scully... yes, I was a HUGE X-Files fan and she was a major reason for it. Toss in her acquired English accent from 'treading the boards' in London's West End and, that's it, you had me at "I want to believe."
Kari Byron Okay, there's some 'geek cred' on this list (you're going to get that from someone who's a geek himself) and this gorgeous Mythbuster has it; cute with a blazing smile - plus she blows things up! Really, what more could you want?
Felicia Day Looking for the geek that has it all? Look no further than Felicia. A talented actress who has created her own Web series "The Guild," she's beautiful and smart and has a laugh and smile to die for. Check out "Dr. Horrible's Sign-Along Blog," "Dollhouse" and "The Legend of Neil" for more of her talents.
Karen Gillan Admittedly, I only know her as Amy Pond in the latest incarnation of "Doctor Who," but wow! does she stand out. She's Scottish (again with the accents, Don?!) and her energy is just as her red hair suggests. Tall and elegant, she may have a future in the business!
Alyson Hannigan As much as I liked Alyson in "Buffy" years ago, she's even more beautiful now. The "How I Met Your Mother" actress can carry all aspects of acting; see the "American Pie" movie series for more comedic chops.
Rebecca Mader I am fully convinced that Rebecca is an alien. Piercing blue eyes, perfect smile and playful personality, she even looked great covered in grime as Charlotte in "Lost." Plus an English accent, like she needed it...
Jennifer Morrison Calling Dr. Cameron. The mesmerizing former star of House M.D. didn't show it as a TV doctor but is a natural redhead. Girl next door looks, an inviting smile and an upbeat personality contribute to her undeniable appeal.
Morgan Murphy Redheaded AND funny? It can't be. But that is the enchanting Morgan with hilarious stand-up and writing for late night TV, currently Jimmy Fallon. Her deliberate delivery is counter to what I'd expect from a redhead but the depravity of her humor only endears her to me more.
First, I wanted to work on my blogging skills - creating posts with pictures and text and successfully interweaving them in a creative layout.
And second, the topic came up in conversation the other day and I have been thinking about it on and off since.
I admit it. I do have a thing for redheads. I always have. There is a fiery passion in most that I find alluring - an indomitable drive and always a strong opinion. I've dated three redheads in my life, all relationships I could describe as "interesting" (as a complete understatement, mind you.)
I tried to choose women who are true redheads, though I am sure some have slipped through. And this is a personal list, women who I find attractive for one reason (or several.) It can't be argued because it's my opinion based on my knowledge and experiences. In short, don't flame the comment section because I didn't list your favorite. Just go make your own list.
So here it is (in alphabetical order with some honorable mentions at the end):
Lauren Ambrose I met Lauren on a movie set recently and she is just as pretty in person as when I 'crushed on' her as Claire Fisher in "Six Feet Under." See "Cold Souls" and the Law & Order ep "Damaged" (a heartbreaking hour where she portrays a mentally-handicapped rape victim) as testament to her acting abilities.
Kari Byron Okay, there's some 'geek cred' on this list (you're going to get that from someone who's a geek himself) and this gorgeous Mythbuster has it; cute with a blazing smile - plus she blows things up! Really, what more could you want?
Felicia Day Looking for the geek that has it all? Look no further than Felicia. A talented actress who has created her own Web series "The Guild," she's beautiful and smart and has a laugh and smile to die for. Check out "Dr. Horrible's Sign-Along Blog," "Dollhouse" and "The Legend of Neil" for more of her talents.
Karen Gillan Admittedly, I only know her as Amy Pond in the latest incarnation of "Doctor Who," but wow! does she stand out. She's Scottish (again with the accents, Don?!) and her energy is just as her red hair suggests. Tall and elegant, she may have a future in the business!
Alyson Hannigan As much as I liked Alyson in "Buffy" years ago, she's even more beautiful now. The "How I Met Your Mother" actress can carry all aspects of acting; see the "American Pie" movie series for more comedic chops.
Rebecca Mader I am fully convinced that Rebecca is an alien. Piercing blue eyes, perfect smile and playful personality, she even looked great covered in grime as Charlotte in "Lost." Plus an English accent, like she needed it...
Jennifer Morrison Calling Dr. Cameron. The mesmerizing former star of House M.D. didn't show it as a TV doctor but is a natural redhead. Girl next door looks, an inviting smile and an upbeat personality contribute to her undeniable appeal.
Morgan Murphy Redheaded AND funny? It can't be. But that is the enchanting Morgan with hilarious stand-up and writing for late night TV, currently Jimmy Fallon. Her deliberate delivery is counter to what I'd expect from a redhead but the depravity of her humor only endears her to me more.Honorable Mentions
Jenna Fischer, Isla Fisher, Christina Hendricks, Bryce Dallas Howard,
Nicole Kidman, Jayma Mays, Rose McGowan, Sara Rue, Alicia Witt,
Evan Rachel Wood
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