I am Raphael.

Your probably all thinking. Who the *expletive deleted* is Raphael? Well my friends, the Raphael I refer to is the badass of all the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I recently picked up the whole TMNT set on blu ray, which by the way is pretty awesome. Comes in this really cool pizza box case, all cardboard, and there is this cool burn mark on the back as if you have just bought a hot pizza.

Now that I think I about it, I will get pizza tomorrow.

But anyway, as per the last post, sad to say that I'm still in a funk. Tomorrow begins the editing of the 22min hunting show (urg!). But in one week I'll be on my way to D.C. then on the way home to Bloomington, IN to see someone very special to me ;). So I definitely have something to look forward to.

Now I like to believe that there is a difference between a friend and A FRIEND! (have I confused you already?) I have very few friends, but those friends are the one's who matter the most, not putting down any of the other people in my life but even parents have their favorite kids. I'm amazed when my closest friends are angered my something and they just act as if nothing happened or they forgive and forget. Recent events in my family have sparked this thought in my head as well. But sometimes it gets me to the point where I cannot even think straight, AND its not even my problem. I know its like getting into other peoples business but I sometimes feel I need to be mad for my friends.

I had a best friend, or so I thought in high school, and her and I hung out all the time. I graduated and she ended up coming to the same college as me and my "best friend" from high school at the time was dating her. They were going through rough patches and she would always confide in me about the relationship which again, you have to be that certain type of friend, so she did this for sometime and I advised her to cut ties cause she could do so much better than she was presently being treated. For a time I believed that she really did HEAR ME, but that was a foolish thought to have. From an outsiders view I saw abuse (not physical) but never the less abuse and she saw her present state as an act of.... love. Love. yeah right. Anyway she ended up being with this guy forever. Her choice of course I don't know what the relationship is like now. But I was very upset that she chose that course of action, to the point where I felt and still do feel that I need to be angry for her. That best friend of mine is no longer my best friend( the guy she's with). I might be sounding a little crazy right now, but I think a best friend would do this.

Honestly how many of you guys or girls do this? I know its just not me.

This feeling falls on me again tonight with a different scenario. So much so that I turned off my phone cause I just didn't wanna act like nothing was wrong, when I knew something was. Now being mad for one of your friends I think is like sticking up for them. Your not going to attack whoever they are mad at, or the reason they are mad. Your doing it cause you care and I would hope that they can see this and not the fact that I could be acting possibly like a child..lol.

In one of the TMNT movies, Splinter consoles Raphael, expressing that he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. It may be interpreted as blind hatred and adolescence, but what it really is signifying is what makes him a loyal brother, son, and warrior. So while it seems that I may not be happy with someone personally, its just being misinterpreted.

I hope you see that I'm being "THAT FRIEND"!

Love to all my friends and that special someone.

-StuntmanBob

The Ramble

I sit here in my room listening to the tunes of Shalamar's "A Night to Remember", this surely doesn't feel like one, but dammit if this song isn't pretty badass! Its been a bit sit I've spit an update to everyone who ponders over to my writings. Thanks, btw.

About a month back I hit an impass, fork in the road; you get my point. I went and visited my alma mater, Flashpoint Academy. That sounds cool to be able to say that. Anyway a few of my buddies are working there now in the equipment room, so I thought a visit might be in order. While I was there I came to the realization of how much I actually missed that place. More so the feeling of having a purpose, having to rewrite a script, produce a short, do a shot list. I even miss being mad! In a good way, I'll be honest I'm a bit of a modern revolutionary, gonna speak what I know and what I think is right wether you like it or not. But anyway I went home that night and just felt like I wasted my whole summer, which realistically I didn't because I had written about 5 short films and had started ideas on 1 or 2 feature scripts that are just in the early stages. But I went home and just felt like asking myself "are you doing the right thing?" I mean it sucked having to ask myself that. One of my friends had just gotten an awesome new job within his field and I was incredibly happy for him, but at the same time I couldn't help but not care at all for his happiness.

Its like if your girl just broke up with you and one of your friends comes up and is like "Hey man I asked my girl to marry me, we are gonna be so happy!" Your happy for him, but at the same time you just don't care cause you got dumped. Feel me?

Tonight, again I'm having a few of those feelings. Right now I'm wondering if I can survive in my own career. "I know I can, I have to!" Its really what I love. I love movies! But like everyone said it is going to be hard. I miss having that creative group around me that just fed my wit, my creativity and my drive. I feel like you really do need creative people around you, to feed you. I mean its definitely what feeds me. It just gives you that extra push to do things and get projects going.

I have a few freelance jobs right now, which are getting me by. But I don't wanna do this forever! I don't wanna just be stuck in a rut! And I find myself feeling that way, like I can't breathe. I did have one of my freelance bosses tell me about visiting a tv station for which we are doing a demo reel to and he explained to me that the set up there at the production house is an "editor's dream" Right then and there I was just like "ahhhhh SHIT!" Like a coward I guess I wanted out, right then and there. It was just like I couldn't handle being an editor. I mean I can, but for someone to just know that's the only thing you can do and nothing else is hard because I know I can do so much more than just edit. This is nothing on the employer but it was just thoughts running through my head. Panic, to say the least. By the way I love editors they are the greatest people ever! :) Its just hard to be doing something that you didn't set out to be your primary focus, in the beginning.

I just need someone to baby me and tell me its gonna be ok. Now if your still with me and your an artist of some sort I'm sure you know what I'm talking about and for lack of explaining, its just something that I felt the need to write about and get off my chest. Its like you have to allow yourself to just "get down" sometimes, just so you can get it out of your system and say "ok, its done, you did it, you complained, yes the world isn't fair, but don't be a little bitch either about it!"

The Art Of What Pizza goes with what Movie.

If you have ever seen the movie High Fidelity with John Cusack, he relays a nugget of information that there is a very subtle art to making a mix tape; “many do’s and don’ts”. In the same fashion I believe that, that same philosophy can be used in choosing the correct pizza to go with your movie rental of the week. The summer is winding down and the hustle and bustle of blockbuster movies have once again filled our days with some good and not so good films. Tiresome though they may be, we cannot deny the reality of the coming fall and winter. I know, I know, take a breather, I mean granted we didn’t have that much of a summer, so it shouldn’t be that much of a change, right?

So with the snow comes take-in pizza and the joy of renting a good movie. Here are two scenario's that play out the choices in deciding on a pizza and movie.

It seems as though there is an age old philosophy that says, going to a movie or watching a movie is not a good first date. I beg to differ. What if both of you are into movies? Heh? Never thought of that, now did you? Now I think its safe to assume that in this case, going with one of the traditional style pizzas, like cheese, sausages or pepperoni is a safe bet. I mean you don’t wanna blow your chances at getting a second date because she got bubble guts while trying the new experimental pizza YOU picked. But as more of safe bet ask what her favorite style of pizza is and make that the pie of the night. Now the movie choice is crucial, renting the movie SAW and eating pizza together

doesn’t scream “OMG! it was like so romantic, we watched people get mutilated while I ate what looked like the remains of the victims”. Not good! So a drama, perhaps a dramedy of sorts or a lighthearted romance/romantic comedy could be right up your alley. Something that afterword could be a very good conversation piece.

I always looked forward to getting all together, ordering a pizza and watching movies, it does sound cliche but as a college student those nights are gonna be you most memorable. With a lot of friends the various pizza choices lead directly into the fact that you can have a variety of movies to look at. A good action movie! The subtle drama! Or the laugh out loud comedy. The perfect night to me would be a cheese and sausage pizza while watching Ghostbusters, you really can’t get any better than that. But then again everyone is different and that’s what makes those nights with your friends exciting. Since the variety is there I say go with all three traditional pizza’s then order a fourth that is completely different. Perhaps something like BBQ Chicken Bonanza! Depending on your movie tastes or choice of pizza there is always something to collaborate well with what you eat and watch. I really encourage all of you reading this to continue to eat pizza and watch movies as vigorously as you did during the summer.

Also the next time one of these nights comes your way, carefully analyze what you watch, cause I’m sure the pizza will be top notch and you’d hate to have a crappy movie ruin that awesome pizza.

-Stuntman_Bob

Whitewash Wrapped!

Today felt very very good! We Wrapped the final of shooting for Whitewash. I could not have asked for a better group of people to help me accomplish this short film. The energy of the actors was incredible, they really got in each other's face and let it rip today. 

Thank you very much Alberto and Alex. I hope to work with you guys more in the future. 

To my crew; on all days of shooting. Thank you for braving the cold and making this possible, it is cause of all your hard work that this short got pulled off. 

Now we move on to post production editing and sound. 

Keep on eye out for more updates. 

-StuntmanBob

Whitewash Day 2

The best 1st A.D. Dan Meincke and My producer also the best Monique DeVasquez (thanks guys)

Setting up shots with our stands in's/P.A's for the day

Lights....

Mike Bartello, master at the camera! 

Moving outside.

Nicole and Dan Newman

Dan Newman and Brian Shields 

Alex Rodriguez, myself, and Alberto Garcia planning out shots

Justin Jackola, don't let the suit fool you. ;)

Checking the Monitor during a take. 

Praying the rest of the day goes well!

Cheap attempt as self promotion ;)

The TEam of Mike Ray and Mike Bartello. 

Alberto and Myself. 





Hey everyone here are some more pictures from Day 2 of Whitewash, enjoy and feel free to comment. The restaurant we are at is called Sarno's. A real big thanks to them for letting us use the location to shoot. 

Whitewash Day 1

My Camera Team: Mike Bartello, Ryan Berena and P.A.  Justin Jackola 

My awesome sound guys setting up for the day. 

My best friend Joey Cruz Jr. who played Ivan. 

ME!..

Alex Rodriguez (Rob), Joey Cruz jr. (Ivan), Alberto Garcia (Jimmy)

Mike Bartello and Ryan Berena. Alex Rodriguez in the background there; He played Rob.

Camera and gaff teams. 

Myself and my 1st. AD Dan Meinke planning the day. 

Kieran Dennis

Dan Macias and Dan Newman.

My actors, Dan Meincke, Monique DeVasquez in the back, Dan Newman with the boompole in the corner. 

Hey everybody what's going on. Been  a little while since I posted, but here are some photographs, done by Vanessa Luna, ( THANK YOU) from the first day of shooting on Whitewash. I have to say that my crew for this day really really pulled all their weight and guys I appreciate it more than you could possibly imagine. Enjoy the pics and I'll have a future blog giving my detailed thoughts on the shoot when we finish up our final day this coming sunday.   

My game is that....I have no game.

So its 11:39 in the evening and I just finished watching this movie called Elegy with Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz. If you haven't seen if I suggest that you go out and rent it.

In the movie, Kingsley plays a middle aged teacher who is just worried about everything, he thinks to much. He starts seeing a student of his who is about 30 yrs. younger than he is.  He worries so much about what he is doing and about losing her that in a way he does. 

For a moment while watching this movie, I completely related to his thoughts and courses of action. It's amazing to see that age is nothing but a number and that even at an older age, men and possibly women still have the same panicky thoughts of a 22yr. old.  These feelings of panic will be with us till they day we die. And why is it that we realize what we have right at the moment that it is going to be taken away from us forever? Human nature I guess. 

I personally am a straight shooter. Here is my mentality; I meet a girl and off the bat I don't care what anyone says, looks are everything. I mean an initial physical attraction is there somewhere.  Usually there is something that captures my attention about a certain individual. The way she carries herself, her smile, her interests, etc. Its all in the conversation to me, a conversation can hold so much in what starts out as just a conversation....still with me?

So the convo starts, things are good. You find out that you both have similar interests and that each of you like each other, almost in a way that reminds you of that black and white painting where two kids are kissing each other on the lips. Its harmless, exciting, a beautiful thing to behold when it happens. Cliche I know, but you are literally on cloud 9, naw fuck it, I'm going to cloud 11 on that one. 

Everything is perfect right? yes? no? Its only when things get blurry that this "digital fairytale" starts to crumble. By blurry I mean, that someone stops. No reason just "brick wall". Is it fear? Panic? There is that word again. I don't know. I like somebody, I tell em simply as that. I've learned that you can't waste time. So much time is wasting on playing the "game" or "spitting game"that what ever was there in the beginning is now lost. But then again this is only my outlook on things. I'm not saying TIME is a bad thing, I just like to strike while the iron is hot. 

Now if you have game, more power to you. But I go on the notion that my game is that I have no game. I don't have line or anything like that, if it happens then it happens. When it does happen I think that those people are the one's who truly deserve your dedication, your time. 

I've had this happen three times. This third time, I'm still trying to figure it out. Is it too much? coming on too strong? I guess If I'm asking those questions to myself, my answer is already there.

It is pretty crazy the thoughts and emotions that movies can bring out in you. Even before and after this movie I'll be thinking about this stuff. WE all will, I mean again human nature. 

Well I hope I can instill some sort of thought or conversation with this bit of insight. If you can call it that. Have a good night I'm heading to bed. 

-StuntmanBob 

 

3rd Short Film: WHITEWASH

So I am in the middle of pre-production on my next short film called: WHITEWASH. The story is about urban social equality and acceptance. It involves two best friends Rob and Jimmy,  who have been absent from their lives for the past two years, Jimmy sees that Rob has taken on characteristics of White people: Whitewash.  Jimmy has a hard time trying to accept this new side of Rob, while Rob is trying to avoid the obvious fact that he has changed. 

Producer: Monique DeVasquez 

Director: Roberto E. Navia (me)

Director of Photography: Michael Bartello

Sound Team: Dan Macias, Kieran Dennis, Dan Newman, Brian Shields 

Editor: Adam Wiebe

The rest of the team rounds out our P.A.'s who I am grateful for having on set. 

Amanda see, Nicole Oliverio, Ron Runanphae, Ryan Howard, Justin Jackola. 

We have all of our locations in place, the actors are chosen and we should be having rehearsals this week in preparation for our shooting dates coming up in two weeks.  Keep a look out for pics and other updates and production continues. 

-StuntmanBob

Explanation of the 5 sec. movie rant

In anything I watch I can always find something good in it. Seriously! At the risk of turning you off to reading anything on this blog, I even liked some sequences in the movie Twilight. But aside from that it was still a bad movie.  Bad movies are just as much of my "education" as good movies.  They show what not too do, or in my case I think of how can I improve on the script or what actors might have been better in those chosen roles. 

My 5 sec. movie rant will hopefully give you a quick and precise outlook on what movies I have seen whether they are in the theaters or not. If you like my rants leave some comments and I'll hit you back. If not well, then, apparently I read into movies just a little more than you do. 

Anyway hope you enjoy! 

love, peace and chicken grease! 

-StuntmanBob

5 Sec. Movie Rants YO!

So I decided to post some quick rants about some recent movies I've seen. enjoy.

TAKEN= Liam Neeson can do more with just a Lightsaber, suck George Lucas. Neeson is badass once again!

WHAT JUST HAPPENED= Robert DeNiro flick about being a producer in Hollywood! A little depressing, but realistic I take it. Check it out.

SWING VOTE- So sue me, I get a kick out of Kevin Costner, while entertaining. Spend the money or downloading space watching Open Range.

W. = I'm glad i didn't pay for it at the theater. But Josh Brolin did a good creepy job as Bush.

ROCK N' ROLLA= Guy Ritchie has redeemed himself and is back. Super good. Keep it coming Gerard Butler.

NOTORIOUS= Glad I only paid $5 bucks for at the theater, but the guy who played biggie was very impressive. Wait for cable or Netflix.

MILK= was the best outta all of em. Sean Penn is the man! Very inspirational and definitely makes you wanna stand up for what you most believe in.! see it!

NEXT AVENGERS: HEROES OF TOMORROW= Another Solid Animated effort by Marvel, real entertaining, but I say go and watch Hulk vs. Wolverine.

speaking of...

HULK VS. WOLVERINE= BADASSSSS! That's all I really have to say.


There is more to come! stay tuned

Love peace and chicken grease, gangsta's !