This is a pretty epic nerd moment. Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple Computer, and Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, in a rare appearance on the same stage.
They take some time out of their busy lives to discuss their own contributions to the computer world and what they feel the other brought to the table.
This is a pretty cool video for anyone who is remotely interested in the world we live in today. Every single one of us counts on the machines and software that these guys created.
* Trah Film Production Update: Voice recording and filming is underway. This puts Trah Shorts Episode 3 officially in the production process. More to come.
My good friend, fellow Quinnipiac Alumni and popular stand up comedian, Thomas J. Kelly (thomasjkelly.com), produced this video. Tom goes to New York's "Save Conan" rally at 30 Rock, chaos and hilarity ensue.
Enjoy.
About Tom: Thomas J. Kelly is a stand up and web-based comedian. You can catch him daily warming up the audiences at "The View" and performing in clubs in New York City. He also hosts a web-radio show at ThisShowAgain.com and has starred in a number of TV and web based projects.
We are trucking along with the final steps of pre-production for Trah Shorts Episode 3. All sets have been built and all props are have arrived and have completed fabrication.
This last week was spent concentrating that all aspects of pre production for the animation have been completed and can be checked off the list. The next steps will involve voice recording and the filming process; this will officially put the animation into the production process. Once this is complete we will move into post production with sound and picture editing (but we no are where near that as of now).
The Trah Blog has now officially switched focus to documenting the production of our next work. Since our attention is focused on production right now we will only be posting production updates until the animation is ready to be released.
Following the unveiling of Kaiser Klink Van Rumplelurk III we have recently designed the official crest for his Army. We now present this official crest to the public.
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and check back for more production updates.
Today we unveil a new member to our family here at Trah Film, Kaiser Klink Van Rumplelurk III, Second Duke of Lurkenburg and supreme commander of the Rumplelurk Realm.
Rumplelurk has been spoken about in numerous Trah Film productions but has never been seen on screen, until now. Rumplelurk will make his on screen debut in Trah Shorts Episode 3. He was previously mentioned in Trah Shorts Episode 2 (2009) and Episode 2 of Munch Shorts (an unreleased Trah Animation, due to a contractual agreement)
The character’s name was first used in an animated series created by Trah Film, The Farmers Tale (2006). An early version of the character was then transformed into a live action character that was portrayed by Dave Zani in short film made for the national tea council in 2007. In that video Dr. Van Rumplelurk explained the heath benefits of drinking tea.
Please join us in our welcoming of Kaiser Klink Van Rumplelurk III to our family here at Trah Film Studios.
Its been busy at Trah Film Studios. We are currently in production with the next installment of Trah Shorts. We will post some behind the scenes shots from time to time to give you a peak into the world of creating an episode of Trah Shorts.
Check back for more behind the scenes from Trah Film Studios.
I was getting ready for work this morning when all of the sudden my phone rang, It was my buddy Al Czervik on the line. He told me to drop everything; they needed an extra guy down at the Bush Wood Country Club for a round of golf. Al was blabbering on about some tournament against Judge Smails. How could I pass it up? I threw on a pair of plaid knickers and before I knew it Al was outside my place in his red Rolls Royce. I heard the horn honk so I grabbed my golf bag and ran out the door. As soon as I got in the car we blasted I’m Alright by Kenny Loggins and off we went.
We arrived at the club and got ready to tee up. I pulled a driver out of my bag, very excited to kick off a glorious day of golf…sadly I was abruptly woken up by my alarm clock, I was still in bed…it had all been a wonderful dream. I quietly sat on the edge of my mattress as a tear ran down my face.
Harold Ramis’s Directorial debut, Caddy Shack (1980) is classic and favorite among many. It was the first film Ramis Directed. He had already written sweet films like Animal House (1978) and Meatballs (1979) and would go on to write Ghost Busters (1984) and Groundhog Day (1993), among others.
Caddy Shack has a legendary comedic line up and marks the feature film debut of Rodney Dangerfield, who had already made a household name for himself from his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show when he told his first “No respect Joke” ("I get no respect. I played hide-and-seek, and they wouldn't even look for me”). An interesting fact about the first few days of filming with Rodney is that he was bummed out at first because none of the crew was laughing at his jokes while being filmed, it had to be explained to him that they can’t laugh or it will ruin the sound. I think this film is regarded as one of the funniest films in cinema because it showcases different types of humor, they don’t pick one comedic perspective and stick with it. What aided in the film being like this was the different, yet equally brilliant, comedians acting in it and an open script that encouraged imporv. Rodney represented the goofy/slapstick aspect, Ted Knight as the all too serious and dry Judge, Bill Murray delivered the stranger side of things as the deranged grounds keeper and Chevy Chase brought the sarcastic and over confident persona we have all come to enjoy. Honestly, I don’t really play golf, but you know what…whenever I watch this movie I strongly consider it. I think I would be more into it if I could hang out at Bush Wood.
I have three favorite sports films of all time, they include The Sandlot(1993), Rudy (1993) and Caddy Shack (with an honorable mention to Cool Runnings, 1993)…1993 was a good year for sports films I guess. But Caddy Shack led the way for such films that touch the human soul.
There are many reasons why Spielberg is The Man. He sure has a pretty impressive list of films under his belt, many of our favorites like Jaws, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park to name just a few. His movies have some of the most iconic characters and moments in cinema…his works are usually of epic proportions and make millions of dollars at the box office. But there is one special reason (for me) why Spielberg is The Man.
Way before the release of the first Star Wars film in 1977, Writer/Director, George Lucas, decided to screen an early cut of the film to some of his fellow film buddies. In attendance were Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull, Goodfellas), Brian De Palma (Carlito’s Way, Scarface), Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now), Spielberg and Lucas’s own wife (who also edited the film). Apparently this cut of film was missing some of the music, epic title scroll and some other features we now recognize as staples of the franchise.
When the film ended there was silence among the small audience. Everyone just looked around at each other with an odd expression on their face. They didn’t understand what they had just watched. No one liked it; no one got what Lucas had tried to create. His wife supposedly burst into tears and said it was awful... De Palma started to heavily criticize the film (but actually gave some great feedback, one being the suggestion of the famous title scroll). Everyone agreed the film didn’t work… except for one guy, Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg contradicted the entire room. He was the only one that claimed Star Wars had “the stuff”. He announced, “This movie is going to make a $100 million”. As of 2010 the first Star Wars film (completely by itself) has grossed $461 million domestically, $775 million worldwide…the movie has yielded some of the most historical characters in film and ranks as a favorite by millions of people all over the globe. Spielberg was the only one who saw the potential of what was to come…that’s why Spielberg is a studio head these days, and why he is The Man.
Here is a very early trailer for the film. Notice it lacks the music we have all come to love, the traditional Star Wars logo and how the footage itself is dingy looking (before finalized color and printing of the film) This may be kind of close to what was screened that day.
Remember when Karate and Ninjas use to be really popular in the 80’s and 90’s? There were all kinds of TV shows and movies that involved that stuff. Things like The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series (1987), Films like The 3 Ninjas (1992), Beverly Hills Ninja (1997) and video games like Street Fighter II (1991) and Mortal Kombat (1992). Every kid in town was taking Karate lessons and making homemade nunchucks. Its pretty funny when one company has an idea that hits with the mainstream, everyone else runs out to make their copy. Now the craze is vampires (give me Ninjas over Vampires any day).
But my most favorite Karate movie is the cinema classic, The Karate Kid from 1984. Mr. Miyagi is like an Asian Obi-Wan Kenobi, he’s the man and I love him (both of them actually).
This film has everything you want in a fun 80’s teen movie. You got a lovable hero (Daniel), a wise teacher (Miyagi), classic bad guys (Johnny Lawrence and the douche kids), a love interest (Ali, with an I) and a sweet Karate tournament...o, and did I mention the famous Crane Kick. 80’s teen movies really are the best; I don’t care what anyone says.
You would be lying through your teeth if you didn’t admit to often daydreaming about being entered into the All-Valley Karate Tournament, defending yourself against Johnny Lawrence as he is told to “sweep the leg” (but sensei!). Wipe the sweat off your brow; take a deep breath...its time to remember all that Miyagi has taught you to battle the evil Cobra Kai Dojo. One of my favorite scenes in the film is when Daniel becomes tired of waxing the car and painting the fence and decides to quite the training. With a loud yell of “Daniel-san” by Miyagi, he is summoned back and is enlightened to what he has been taught. “Daniel-san” is now the quintessential way to get someone’s attention when you are trying to show them the way.
Keeping in mind what I said about Revenge of the Nerds and our love of the underdog, the same theory is at play in our love for this film. Daniel-san finds himself in the pits of despair, a stranger in a new land but is able to regain his footing and fulfill his destiny as the All-Valley Karate Champion.
At the end of the day, deep down inside of your heart and soul…I know you’re a fan of this film. Enjoy the clip
Dont forget...You’re the best around, Nothings gonna ever keep ya down.
We are currently experiencing technical difficulties here at the Trah Blog and are forced to keep things short today. Rest assured magical elves are hard at work restoring the Trah Network.
I love a good old-fashioned epic moment in a film. There are so many out there…like when Mel Gibson (adorned in blue face paint) gives his powerful speech against English tyranny (freeeeedom!) in Braveheart (1995)…. or when Darth Vader tells Luke Skywalker “No, I am your father” in 1980’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Movies rule, don’t they?
But one epic moment in cinema that always struck a chord with me was the song that the Nerds perform in Revenge of the Nerds (1984) at the end of the film. You really don’t get any more epic than that. What a classic scene. For the 80’s, the music they produce with their electronic gear is state of the art. I still get goose bumps when Booger comes from behind the spotlight and strums the guitar in that sweet Elvis outfit. Does anything say badass more than an electric violin with a gold glitter finish…a real panty dropper.
Many love this film, this scene in particular. I think it’s because we all have a little nerd in us, and we all have had a time in our life when the Alpha Beta’s of the world have pushed us around. I hated Stan Gabel, but Ogre was pretty classic (Who later redeems himself in Nerds Part III when he denounces the Alpha Betas and becomes a Tri Lam).
The Tri Lams are some of the most lovable characters. I think they embody what we all look for in a friend…loyal, fun, supportive etc. The Nerds have each other’s backs, one for all and all for one.
I love the fact that they are all different, misfits in a sense. They didn’t have a home but banded together to battle against the oppressive rule of the entitled jocks. Who doesn’t love a good underdog movie? And when that underdog finally triumphs…well, it’s the recipe for an epic moment. Rooting for the underdog is encoded into our DNA as a living creature; it’s the struggle within all of us to prevail, for life to prevail. If you are against the Nerds, you are against life.
I often day dream about being a student at Adam’s College in 1984… rocking out to Thriller, chilling with Lewis and Gilbert…possibly taking part in that ill performance in one of the yellow suits.
(New Year’s Day was made to watch The Honeymooners marathon on the classic station, WPIX.)
How many Television shows that air new episodes right now in 2010 will still be aired 50-60 years from now? How many will be considered classics? Off the top of my head I can think of Cheers, Seinfeld, South Park and early seasons of The Simpson’s, but all of those shows were created in the 80’s and 90’s. The point is that not many will make the cut and become apart the elite club of Timeless Television.
Jackie Gleason’s sitcom, The Honeymooners, was produced in the mid 1950’s and is still ranked as one of the best sitcoms of all time. The Show was based around a New York City Bus Driver named Ralph Kramden and his wife, Alice, who live in a small apartment in Brooklyn. Mr. Gleason is one of the true kings of comedy (along with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, and Mel Brooks).
There were only 39 episodes of The Honeymooners produced…yet Ralph Kramden and his buddy, Ed Norton, are recognized as some of the best characters ever in comedy. Ralph’s get-rich-quick schemes were a re-accruing theme on the show; it was always the catalyst for some ridicules situation they would get themselves into. Aspects of the production find themselves being recycled over and over again in shows like All in the Family (1971) and The King of Queens (1998) (Both of the characters that Carroll O’Conner and Kevin James depict are based off Ralph Kramden).
The show illustrates another time, long gone. Certainly not politically correct to our society now but they are still pretty damn funny…you can’t take that away from it. The amazing thing about Jackie Gleason is that he would take things that wouldn’t be considered funny in real life (like raising your fist to your wife) but would make it hysterical with the face he would give and a “Zap, bam, boom…to the moon, Alice”.
Like all great shows, The Honeymooners was pretty cutting edge for the time. During this era all of the other shows had “TV wives” that wore pearls and aprons and stayed as the background homemaker, never questioning the husband and always trying to make him happy. On the contrary, Alice Kramden, played by Audrey Meadows, was constantly challenging her husband on who was the head of the household, not afraid to speak her mind…she represented the progressive woman. Whenever she was presented with one of Ralph’s schemes she always shot it down with practicality in mind but was there at the end to help him when things didn’t go as planed. Alice often didn’t need rescuing; it was she who rescued Ralph. Lets keep in mind Alice was doing all of this a decade before the Women’s Liberation movement in the 1960’s, she was way ahead of her time.
The Honeymooners Marathon on WPIX will always be a favorite of mine on New Year’s Day. I hope you got to watch, Happy New Year to you.
Check out the videos below, a different time when TV actually mattered.
A Tribute to the Great One – Jackie Gleason
Trah Bonus Clip of Classicness - Jackie Gleason on the Johnny Carson Show Circa 1986
Director, Animator, Voice Actor and President of Trah Film. He is a lover of all Film and Animation. The Trah Film Blog is a place where Dave takes a break from his own productions and talks about the films, TV shows and animations he loves. Visit TrahFilm.com to view their work.
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Remember when Karate and Ninjas use to be really popular in the 80’s and 90’s? There were all kinds of TV shows and movies that involved that stuff. Things like The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series (1987), Films like The 3 Ninjas (1992), Beverly Hills Ninja (1997) and video games like Street Fighter II (1991) and Mortal Kombat (1992). Every kid in town was taking Karate lessons and making homemade nunchucks. Its pretty funny when one company has an idea that hits with the mainstream, everyone else runs out to make their copy. Now the craze is vampires (give me Ninjas over Vampires any day).
