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Friday, July 03, 2009
Forgive me if this blog is a little fragmentary.
I lost a friend this week.
For those who worked or frequented the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Marc LuPescu was a part of the landscape. A machinist turned blacksmith, his booth was an understated treasure. It's smokey interior was his own personal Williamsberg - a handmade piece of living history built of his own inerests. Besides the traditional forge and bellows, Marc built a water-wheel that ran an authentic trip-hammer and a buffing wheel. There he made iron hooks, bells, mainicles, inronware, connon-fiting,s and just about anything else you could request which caught is imagination. But his major stock and trade was custom sword hilts. For the steel-swinging people on-site, owning a Lupescu was like saying you owned a "Hanzo" sword. Hand-crafted, personal, and sturdy as hell.
Marc was the patron-saint of the Fight Cast. Not only providing them with a "green room" space behind his shop (with tables, chairs, a cooler, a sword rack, etc.) but looking after them as well. Fixing and polishing the tools of their trade, frequently feeding them, acting as support system and chering section. Getting behind any damn-fool bit that they could make him laugh with. I can't imagine how many crazy random props and gags he made for the show over the years. And the full-size iron crows-cage out in front of his shop breifly housed untold numbers of Bristol's cast & patrons over the years - to the delight of onlookers.
That's how most people will know him. The quiet public figure, fueling and suporting the wild run of the show. As much a part of Bristol as the streets and the trees.
I was lucky enough to know him a little more. After my divorce, I lived just four blocks from him. And we spent time together. Over dinner, or many long trips up to the Faire-site. Brought together by the Faire, and a love of movies, sci-fi, Dr. Who, history, and just plain making things. I was always bringing him crazy ideas - for the Street, for movies and shows. And we collaborated on making them. I can't express the joy of watching something catch his imagination. As we'd talk over my rough sketches, we'd brainstorm. Marc would stroke his chin, and start saying: "Hum...hum...yeah...Yeah!" You could see the wheels turning as he rose to the challenge. Getting that keen sparkle in his eyes. And the grin, the laugh. Of pleasure, of fire. We created a lot together. Sword elements from museum photos of elements I liked. Things suggested by his materials. Lots of techniques that became standards in his work. I'm still flattered he named a hilt-style after me. I felt like we inspired each other.
Over the years since meeting, Marc worked on most every project I've done. Making crazy props like flash-paper guns and cut-away machetes, or equipment like camera mounts and dollies. There is a special love for friends who feed and support your dreams. Help make them come true.
But more important than what he made, was who he was. A good man. A decent man. A warm and generous soul, with a huge heart and an easy laugh. One of the best laughs ever. A chortle, a giggle, a cackle. It was whole-hearted, sincere, and contageous. He had his bad days, frustrations, people who rubbed him the rong way. But he wasn't a pety or mean-sprited guy. It wasn't his nature. There was little artiface in him - what you saw was what you got. Unappologetically.
Marc was a really private man. He didn't show his inner life often, so it seemed like a privilage when he did. He had a lot of dark clouds, too. Frustrations. Sadness. Bitterness. But he faced them his way.
As I'm sitting here writing this (on a couch he gave me), I am thinking of the best things he gave me - his time, his encouragement, his friendship. But most of all, his delight. In all the little things that fascinated him. In little details he'd created. That made him proud. In discoveries that made him gleeful. He found joy in little things, in simple things, and could brush away a nay-sayer and be content in sharing what he'd found. Delight was his gift, and I am honored that he shared it with me.
It is inescapable that there was someting mythic about Marc. The mantle of Hephestus lay upon him - for better and worse. His wizened features, sparkling eyes, and toothy grin made him like someone from a fairytale. I often compared him to Alberich the Dwarf, or Weyland Smith. His workshop was a place of smoke and fire, and from it came wonders.
But he was a really fine man. A good friend, and an excellent companion on any road. His journey here was done. He's on to the next adventure. I hope we're all a long time in following, but I cannot shake the certainty that we'll meet again on another journey. I don't know who is greeting him in whatever the aferlife holds. But I suspect that whatever they're showing him, Marc is laughing in delight.
Blessings and Thanks, My Friend. Merry Meet...
David
Here's a little video someone posted of his booth at Faire, in the early years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_TbjnEctow
Wish we could see more of him. :)
I lost a friend this week.
For those who worked or frequented the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Marc LuPescu was a part of the landscape. A machinist turned blacksmith, his booth was an understated treasure. It's smokey interior was his own personal Williamsberg - a handmade piece of living history built of his own inerests. Besides the traditional forge and bellows, Marc built a water-wheel that ran an authentic trip-hammer and a buffing wheel. There he made iron hooks, bells, mainicles, inronware, connon-fiting,s and just about anything else you could request which caught is imagination. But his major stock and trade was custom sword hilts. For the steel-swinging people on-site, owning a Lupescu was like saying you owned a "Hanzo" sword. Hand-crafted, personal, and sturdy as hell.
Marc was the patron-saint of the Fight Cast. Not only providing them with a "green room" space behind his shop (with tables, chairs, a cooler, a sword rack, etc.) but looking after them as well. Fixing and polishing the tools of their trade, frequently feeding them, acting as support system and chering section. Getting behind any damn-fool bit that they could make him laugh with. I can't imagine how many crazy random props and gags he made for the show over the years. And the full-size iron crows-cage out in front of his shop breifly housed untold numbers of Bristol's cast & patrons over the years - to the delight of onlookers.
That's how most people will know him. The quiet public figure, fueling and suporting the wild run of the show. As much a part of Bristol as the streets and the trees.
I was lucky enough to know him a little more. After my divorce, I lived just four blocks from him. And we spent time together. Over dinner, or many long trips up to the Faire-site. Brought together by the Faire, and a love of movies, sci-fi, Dr. Who, history, and just plain making things. I was always bringing him crazy ideas - for the Street, for movies and shows. And we collaborated on making them. I can't express the joy of watching something catch his imagination. As we'd talk over my rough sketches, we'd brainstorm. Marc would stroke his chin, and start saying: "Hum...hum...yeah...Yeah!" You could see the wheels turning as he rose to the challenge. Getting that keen sparkle in his eyes. And the grin, the laugh. Of pleasure, of fire. We created a lot together. Sword elements from museum photos of elements I liked. Things suggested by his materials. Lots of techniques that became standards in his work. I'm still flattered he named a hilt-style after me. I felt like we inspired each other.
Over the years since meeting, Marc worked on most every project I've done. Making crazy props like flash-paper guns and cut-away machetes, or equipment like camera mounts and dollies. There is a special love for friends who feed and support your dreams. Help make them come true.
But more important than what he made, was who he was. A good man. A decent man. A warm and generous soul, with a huge heart and an easy laugh. One of the best laughs ever. A chortle, a giggle, a cackle. It was whole-hearted, sincere, and contageous. He had his bad days, frustrations, people who rubbed him the rong way. But he wasn't a pety or mean-sprited guy. It wasn't his nature. There was little artiface in him - what you saw was what you got. Unappologetically.
Marc was a really private man. He didn't show his inner life often, so it seemed like a privilage when he did. He had a lot of dark clouds, too. Frustrations. Sadness. Bitterness. But he faced them his way.
As I'm sitting here writing this (on a couch he gave me), I am thinking of the best things he gave me - his time, his encouragement, his friendship. But most of all, his delight. In all the little things that fascinated him. In little details he'd created. That made him proud. In discoveries that made him gleeful. He found joy in little things, in simple things, and could brush away a nay-sayer and be content in sharing what he'd found. Delight was his gift, and I am honored that he shared it with me.
It is inescapable that there was someting mythic about Marc. The mantle of Hephestus lay upon him - for better and worse. His wizened features, sparkling eyes, and toothy grin made him like someone from a fairytale. I often compared him to Alberich the Dwarf, or Weyland Smith. His workshop was a place of smoke and fire, and from it came wonders.
But he was a really fine man. A good friend, and an excellent companion on any road. His journey here was done. He's on to the next adventure. I hope we're all a long time in following, but I cannot shake the certainty that we'll meet again on another journey. I don't know who is greeting him in whatever the aferlife holds. But I suspect that whatever they're showing him, Marc is laughing in delight.
Blessings and Thanks, My Friend. Merry Meet...
David
Here's a little video someone posted of his booth at Faire, in the early years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_TbjnEctow
Wish we could see more of him. :)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Hey Folks -
A re-post from those talented folks at WildClaw, concerning this year's Deathscribe Contest:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings, DeathScribes past and present! Daemon here.
A re-post from those talented folks at WildClaw, concerning this year's Deathscribe Contest:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings, DeathScribes past and present! Daemon here.
Wanted to let you all know just ahead of an official announcement: we're extending the deadline for submissions to DS09 to the end of July. That had always been the unspoken plan, but it's official now and here's what it means to you...
1) Those of you that have submitted for this year's festival: It gives you a little longer to look over your pieces. Nothing against giving a little tweak or tighten, now that you've had a while to let it percolate.
In fact, the whole notion behind pushing the process up the calendar a bit this year as opposed to last is to give us all some time to choose the pieces, get them assigned to directors, and start a dialogue between you and your director in terms of twists, turns, rewrites and punch-ups. Dialogue! Collaboration! The fun stuff!
So please, feel free to tinker and send in new drafts. Or send additional stuff. Or challenge your friends to beat what you've got. And we'll even try to shake our lazy Literary Manager out of his stupor long enough to write you back with thoughts or suggestions or answers to your questions.
2) Those of you who haven't sent something for this year: Come on, yo?!? Remember how much fun it is getting those twisted thoughts out of your head and safely down on paper where they wouldn't hurt anyone?
And back to the tweak conversation: if you want to re-submit something you sent in last year, please do! It was such a strong field, and we were so overwhelmed by the sheer volume -- to say nothing of the sheer craziness -- of the entries, that I'm sure you could make the case that we overlooked an absolute gem.
And for all of you, from all of us: thanks again. It was fantastic last year, it'll be the same again, and obviously we can't do it without you and your generosity with your talent.
Just for fun, I'm going to close with a quote from the HWA's "On Writing Horror" editor, DS08 panelist, Mort Castle:
"[your readers] implicitly agree, 'I want to be scared--and so I choose to willingly suspend disbelief in order to accept your imaginative premise. A manacle-rattling, saber-waving, or ice cream cone-licking ghost, a werewolf, werepanther, werebear, werewhatever, a two-hundred-year-old transvestite vampire who needs root canal work on his fangs... okay, I'll go with that.'"
I so want to read (hear) THAT story. Will you write it?
Cheers, DeathScribes. And happy nightmares,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was a runner-up in last year's contest, and it was a total blast! So write something and submit it now!
It's only 10 minutes and loads of fun. :)
http://www.wildclawtheatre.com/
Best to all,
David
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hey Folks -
Sword & Cloak has new T-Shirts!
If you've checked out our website before, you know that we already had shirt designs from our feature-length movies - Sword of Hearts & House of Black Wings. But we've got two new designs! These are unrelated to the movies, and just for fun - but if you're an indie-filmmaker or a coffee-lover, then they might be just your thing!
Are you a *True* indie filmmaker? A do-it-yourself-er? Is Robert Rodriguez your hero? Then this shirt is definitely for you: http://www.cafepress.com/makemovies
Or are you one of those people who feels like "death warmed over" till you've gotten some of the black-stuff into your "caffeine system"? Or you've always wondered what zombies *reallY* wanted? Then this one is for you:http://www.cafepress.com/mochadead
Enjoy! :D
Best to all,
David
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Hey Folks -
Tony Kern's documentary - A Month of Hungry Ghosts - is finally available on DVD!!!
The last few years there have been a number of fiction films that have built their ghostly plots around the Hungry Ghost Month, but this terrific documentary finally paints the facts in a far more fascinating manner.
Starting with the history of the Taoist and Buddhist traditions of ancestor worship and respect & compassion for the dead, this movie colorfully captures this month of ritual, superstition and personal grief and remembrance through the eyes of many of Singapore's inhabitants. From Taoist Masters and Buddhist Lamas to Cab Drivers and Getai pop singers, their stories reveal personal perspectives, candid experiences, and deeply held beliefs. Colorful animated sequences and live events illustrate the 18 levels of Taoist Hell, the origins of the Buddhist offerings to the Hungry Ghosts, and the many gods and spirits represented in the pageantry like the Horse Gods and the Demon King.
But this isn't some dry educational classroom - the film is as stunningly shot as cinematic cultural adventures like Koyaanisqatsi and Baraka. Decked out in vibrant images and edited with a kinetic energy that brings brings places and people to life. Midnight rituals in lonely cemeteries are not merely portrayed events, but the sounds and images capture the atmosphere of the moment in mystery and eerie beauty. In turns in playful, and then turning to evoke a deep sense of awe and mystery, this is passionate and imaginative filmmaking at its most intimate. From the varied rituals of businesses, restaurants and community groups, down to the common street-level beliefs and practices - this is a rich portrait of cultural celebration and intimate personal rites that speaks not just about the spirits of the dead, but to their lingering impact and importance to all the living.
This illuminating, visually rich, and multifaceted look at this ancient tradition will be captivating to fans of Asian history and culture, students of religion, seekers of the paranormal, and really just anyone who loves a good spooky story. A big recommend - check it out!
It's available on Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Month-Hungry-Ghosts-Tony-Kern/dp/B00284BVDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1244572349&sr=8-1
Best to all,
David
Tony Kern's documentary - A Month of Hungry Ghosts - is finally available on DVD!!!
The last few years there have been a number of fiction films that have built their ghostly plots around the Hungry Ghost Month, but this terrific documentary finally paints the facts in a far more fascinating manner.
Starting with the history of the Taoist and Buddhist traditions of ancestor worship and respect & compassion for the dead, this movie colorfully captures this month of ritual, superstition and personal grief and remembrance through the eyes of many of Singapore's inhabitants. From Taoist Masters and Buddhist Lamas to Cab Drivers and Getai pop singers, their stories reveal personal perspectives, candid experiences, and deeply held beliefs. Colorful animated sequences and live events illustrate the 18 levels of Taoist Hell, the origins of the Buddhist offerings to the Hungry Ghosts, and the many gods and spirits represented in the pageantry like the Horse Gods and the Demon King.
But this isn't some dry educational classroom - the film is as stunningly shot as cinematic cultural adventures like Koyaanisqatsi and Baraka. Decked out in vibrant images and edited with a kinetic energy that brings brings places and people to life. Midnight rituals in lonely cemeteries are not merely portrayed events, but the sounds and images capture the atmosphere of the moment in mystery and eerie beauty. In turns in playful, and then turning to evoke a deep sense of awe and mystery, this is passionate and imaginative filmmaking at its most intimate. From the varied rituals of businesses, restaurants and community groups, down to the common street-level beliefs and practices - this is a rich portrait of cultural celebration and intimate personal rites that speaks not just about the spirits of the dead, but to their lingering impact and importance to all the living.
This illuminating, visually rich, and multifaceted look at this ancient tradition will be captivating to fans of Asian history and culture, students of religion, seekers of the paranormal, and really just anyone who loves a good spooky story. A big recommend - check it out!
It's available on Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Month-Hungry-Ghosts-Tony-Kern/dp/B00284BVDG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1244572349&sr=8-1
Best to all,
David
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Hey Folks -
We came home from two amazing weeks in the U.K. to the first online reviews for House of Black Wings!
Check 'em out here:
"Equally as creepy as any Roman Polanski vision...a unique effort full of dark flavor.
...this one has something great to offer."
- Horror News
http://www.horrornews.net/reviews/Review_House_of_Black_Wings.htm
"Takes the time to build a story around our main characters...so when the horror becomes unleashed further we actually care about what happens"
- Horror Yearbook
http://www.horroryearbook.com/544736/movie-review-house-of-the-black-wings
"something unique and special...we were quite impressed with this film."
- Kitley's Krypt
http://www.kitleyskrypt.com/hobw.htm
Congrats to all involved - we're off to a great start! Watch here for more, as we approach the festival season and our future release on DVD. :)
Shortly after wrapping House of Black Wings, cast/crew-member Michael Klug shot his own first movie: French Toast. This terrifically surreal and disurbing little chiller is *finally* available online! Check out the creepy fun here:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57282527
Best to all,
David
We came home from two amazing weeks in the U.K. to the first online reviews for House of Black Wings!
Check 'em out here:
"Equally as creepy as any Roman Polanski vision...a unique effort full of dark flavor.
...this one has something great to offer."
- Horror News
http://www.horrornews.net/reviews/Review_House_of_Black_Wings.htm
"Takes the time to build a story around our main characters...so when the horror becomes unleashed further we actually care about what happens"
- Horror Yearbook
http://www.horroryearbook.com/544736/movie-review-house-of-the-black-wings
"something unique and special...we were quite impressed with this film."
- Kitley's Krypt
http://www.kitleyskrypt.com/hobw.htm
Congrats to all involved - we're off to a great start! Watch here for more, as we approach the festival season and our future release on DVD. :)
Shortly after wrapping House of Black Wings, cast/crew-member Michael Klug shot his own first movie: French Toast. This terrifically surreal and disurbing little chiller is *finally* available online! Check out the creepy fun here:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57282527
Best to all,
David
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hey Folks -
I think it's always important to support fellow artists in need, when you can. Being creative is damn-tough in our culture, and needs to be better valued for all we get from it, and take for granted. For instance, I was recently corresponding with the folks at Wicked Pixel. For 19 years, filmmaker Eric Stanze and his merry band have been making daring, risky and frequently quite personal movies and gaining much acclaim and respect. But their current production, Ratline, is currently bogged down and is looking for funds to help with completion. I've watched and admired their efforts over the years, and I know how hard-working, dedicated and sincere Eric is. (To say nothing of being a great guy. I've never hear anyone ever say a bad word about him - rare among filmmakers!) I know times are tough, but if you value authentic Indie cinema and supporting the arts, I urge you to check out the project page here: http://wickedpixel.com/getcredit.html
Support indie Horror! :D
Speaking of Indie-Horror - check out the trailer for this awesome looking short film The Institute of Seance: http://www.instituteofseance.com/ I can't tell you how much this wonderful outpouring of love for German Expressionism and early cinema utterly delights me. I can't wait to see it!
Also, these folks made a pretty darn nifty little adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft's The Book, which I really enjoyed. Esp. cool are is the ghastly appearance of "unspeakable things". You can view the whole movie here: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3962176281/
And Wisconsin filmmaker Jason Paul Collum has finally released his long-awaited sequel to his Indie horror October moon, November Son! It's a dark revenge-filled drama that feature's Judith O'Dea from Night of the Living Dead! You can check out the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2167014169/
And Wisconsin filmmaker Jason Paul Collum has finally released his long-awaited sequel to his Indie horror October moon, November Son! It's a dark revenge-filled drama that feature's Judith O'Dea from Night of the Living Dead! You can check out the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2167014169/
And saving the Best for Last: WildClaw Theater's production The Revenants is getting awesome reviews! Seriously, folks, get out and see this terrific show while you can! Even if you're not sure you're a theater person, this is the kind of exciting stuff that could open up a new world to you. Check 'em out here: http://www.wildclawtheatre.com/
Okay, that's plenty. *whew*
Best to all,
David
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hey Folks -
Our ever-colorful Mayor Daley has declared that, in honor of the 445th anniversary of the birth of the Bard of Avon, that this Thursday (April 23rd) will be "Talk Like Shakespeare Day" in Chicago:
As the late British journalist Bernard Levin once wrote, this is not so terribly difficult as it may sound:
"If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It’s Greek to me," you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger, if your wish is father to the thought, if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool’s paradise--why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then--to give the devil his due--if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a doornail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then--by Jove! O Lord! Tut, tut! for goodness’ sake! what the dickens! But me no buts--it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare."
Some of the over 17,000 words attributed to him (or at least have first appearances in the English language attributed to him) include:
accommodation
aerial
amazement
apostrophe
assassination
auspicious
baseless
bloody
bump
aerial
amazement
apostrophe
assassination
auspicious
baseless
bloody
bump
castigate
changeful
clangor
control (noun)
countless
courtship
critic
critical
dexterously
dishearten
dislocate
dwindle
eventful
exposure
fitful
frugal
generous
gloomy
gnarled
hurry
impartial
inauspicious
indistinguishable
invulnerable
lapse
laughable
lonely
majestic
misplaced
monumental
multitudinous
obscene
palmy
perusal
pious
premeditated
radiance
reliance
road
sanctimonious
seamy
sportive
submerge
suspicious
changeful
clangor
control (noun)
countless
courtship
critic
critical
dexterously
dishearten
dislocate
dwindle
eventful
exposure
fitful
frugal
generous
gloomy
gnarled
hurry
impartial
inauspicious
indistinguishable
invulnerable
lapse
laughable
lonely
majestic
misplaced
monumental
multitudinous
obscene
palmy
perusal
pious
premeditated
radiance
reliance
road
sanctimonious
seamy
sportive
submerge
suspicious
For an excellent list of Word & Phrases coined by Shakespeare, look here:
And, of course, check out the official website:
Sharpen thy wits, my band of brothers. Allow words to dance trippingly on your tongue, and seize the day. Have fun! :)
Best,
David
