Ask Me Anything
Added 2023-08-09 22:30:57 +0000 UTCOkay guys. It seems the verdict overall seems to be that you guys would prefer to do a more intimate Q&A here focusing on your specific questions. And then I will make a video addressing the public at a later time. So yeah...go ahead and ask me whatever below. If I don't wish to answer I will politely decline. But, I tend to be fairly open. So I'm all ears.
Comments
um not sure how to answer the first question. Don't really think about it. But I think movies like Red Rocket, Paris Texas capture an aspect of panhandle Texas. But so far as capturing more the Texas that I've known and grown up with, feels like Boyhood really gets it perfect. I've known and been to many of the places used in the film.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-14 17:41:51 +0000 UTCI can see that! Also if it helps at all, grab some plutonium and a Delorean and transport an actress from any era.
Carl
2023-08-13 19:46:44 +0000 UTCFavorite director from Texas or director that best captures Texas on film?
Stephen
2023-08-11 18:22:20 +0000 UTC1. Scarlet Express is mine too 2.too tough for me to name at this moment. I like a lot of different ones for different reasons who offer different things depending on the film and director. 3. Keaton without question 4. Hahaha no but that's hilarious. I actually am quite fascinated by Mae West. I do an impression of her lol. 5. I like Godard but I feel like you, that there was a period where he was really making amazing stuff, and then he got indulgent with his experimentation. But I admit it's been a while since I've delved into his work in a long time. I went through a big phase in my early 20s with him and then just kinda dropped it. Yes, I prefer Truffaut's 400 Blows as well, to anything Godard has done. But I do think that's more a personal taste thing. And yes send me your list!
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 17:54:37 +0000 UTCFavorite Dietrich/Von Sternberg collaboration? Mine is Scarlet Empress. Favorite Old Hollywood movie star? Difficult for me to answer, but two of my favs are Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart, and I think it’s a shame they never made a movie together because they’d have great oil-and-water chemistry. Chaplin or Keaton? Keaton for me. Do you agree that a key aspect to Mae West’s appeal is that she is Rodney Dangerfield in Bette Midler’s body? And finally, What’s your take on Jean-Luc Godard? I just recently finished ranking the 15 movies of his celebrated New Wave period (you know, the films that make up the crux of his legend before he went fully radical and ditched narrative film), and so he’s fresh on my mind. Myself, I admire him as a filmmaker and even love a few of his films, but I’ll take Truffaut’s 400 Blows over any of Godard’s oeuvre, even an exuberant, furiously inventive one like Breathless. I can send you the list in a DM if you want, along with some reasonings for my choices. Of course, I might be too much under the assumption that you like, are familiar with, or are even interested in Godard. He certainly isn’t for everyone, even amongst devoted cinephiles. Myself, I’m glad I undertook the task of going through his films, but I’m ready to leave him behind and watch a film that doesn’t endlessly deconstruct itself or call attention to the fact that it’s a movie. But if you’re good with it, I’ll message you the list. At any rate, hopefully I got these questions in before this AMA ended.
Bennett Oliver
2023-08-11 14:20:46 +0000 UTCSure, it is not fair to compare them with the G.O.A.Ts. But I think that the industry is searching for new "golden gooses", so there is definitely some discussion going on here. I agree that Aster is the most talented. But none of his movies worked for me as a whole. I feel that he needs some help in the writing department. Nolan for example, gets a lot of help from his brother. Every time I watch a Nolan film, I can tell whether it is written only by him or not. Aris' talent could shine more with a better script. Eggers movies are more complete as stories for my taste. I was so uninterested in Northman due to the misleading trailers, so my expectations were pretty low. I enjoyed it though. It was a "not great, not terrible" situation. I think that all three should make small-scale films before jumping again with big-budget productions. They should explore different concepts, styles and experiment more. What do you think? (Despite my last statement Babylon was my favorite film of last year :P)
Laomedon
2023-08-11 11:45:18 +0000 UTCI've written stories and small scripts but nothing major. I just daydream and create stories in my head. But never had some great story idea I had to get down or anything
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 05:48:28 +0000 UTCMy brother actually lived in California for a bit, but moved back here with his wife, who is a cali native. So yes, I know some lol. But a few beyond that as well.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 05:47:45 +0000 UTCI don't watch them that often. Not to say I don;t. But it's never been something I delve into wholeheartedly. I've actually never seen King of the Hill so I dont know.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 05:46:48 +0000 UTC1) Do you watch grindhouse/exploitation/42nd Street movies often and in case you do - have you got any favorites? 2) Odd question disclaimer: as Johnny Hardwick sadly passed away recently, I was wondering if from your texan point of view do you find "King of The Hill" accurate or too exaggerated portrayal of the local community? Apologies for late participation in AMA, congratulations on your achievement! Cheers.
Mateusz
2023-08-11 05:43:36 +0000 UTCI've heard that a lot of people from California have moved to Texas (because California is so mis managed). Have you come across a lot of former residents in Dallas?
anthony scully
2023-08-11 03:13:21 +0000 UTCDo you ever have story ideas? Have you ever written a script?
anthony scully
2023-08-11 03:10:27 +0000 UTCNice. South Park is hilarious.
Shane Palamara
2023-08-11 02:50:49 +0000 UTCyeah I think those three guys are the ones leading the pack, but I do think it's a heavy burden, and not particularly fair to try and force a legendary persona out of them that matches the film school brat generation of the pat. But I totally agree with you. But yeah I see Aster being maybe the biggest one, followed by Chazelle. Eggers I think is magnificent but...Northman just really was a major fail for me. So we will see if he can come back from it
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 02:11:44 +0000 UTCDallas
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 02:10:08 +0000 UTCyeah a lot of old shows I watched like Batman the animated series I like because it's like that. But I'd have to say probably South Park off the top of my head
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-11 02:10:03 +0000 UTCI already asked a question so you don’t have to answer if there’s a 1-question minimum. I know you’ve said you like animated shows like Cowboy Bebop that follow one narrative across its episodes, but are there any animated shows that use a “floating timeline” that you watch now or growing up? Personally, I’m a diehard Simpsons fan (only the first ten seasons).
Shane Palamara
2023-08-10 20:57:47 +0000 UTCWhat part of Texas do you live? I left Texas five years ago for New Mexico, then to Idaho and now western Oregon. I loved Texas and lived in north Fort Worth and worked advertising in Dallas' design district..
Atticus Xey
2023-08-10 19:10:31 +0000 UTCHi! As time goes on, most successful filmmakers are becoming older. So, I feel that the movie industry is a bit anxious and is now trying to find the next big name. Director that sells movies only by his/her name on the poster. So, there are 3 young directors that seem promising but failed (commercially) on their last more giant budget movie. The directors are Ari Aster, Robert Eggers and Damien Chazelle. I like all of them. Do you think that anyone of these directors can grow and become a big standard on the industry? And who do you think is more likely to be there in a couple of years?
Laomedon
2023-08-10 09:47:34 +0000 UTCsomeone asked me recently what movie captures a good shroom trip the best so far as visuals. Easily...no contest....Midsommar.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:59:08 +0000 UTChm...maybe 2001, Vertigo, Persona, 3 Women off the top of my head
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:57:39 +0000 UTCMazzy Star is one for me. It really depends on the context. I mean sometimes for me its just misery porn lol. But yeah, lots of Radiohead back in the day for that. There's an album called Requiem For My Friend that I find myself listening to when I'm contemplating existence and stuff like that. I dont love every track, but some really beautiful ones on there. But yeah just so so many. I listen to music a ridiculous amount, spanning so many eras. It gets tough to narrow down. And aw sweet! I actually did mushrooms last weekend and they were some of the best I've had in a while. I say just have fun with it! For first timer it's best to go in with positive and relaxed energy if you can. Your mood can often dictate how things go. Be sure you are in an environment that maybe feels calm, has good light, is pleasant in some way, and if you're doing it with people be sure they are cool and there's no weird energy between you. But I think it's good to do stimulating activities that open your mind. Mushrooms are decidedly less visual than LSD depending on your dosage but if strong enough they can take you all the way to DMT levels lol. But on a more typical trip I like to go outside, dance, write, draw, be around people I love. Fruit tastes really good on the come down. Music is huge for me in guiding a trip. I tend to prefer classical music on mushrooms actually. A lot of rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Bernstein, Dvorak, Stravinsky, you name it. Some Terrence Malick soundtracks can really be fire there. But last weekend I was going more for a trippy electronic club vibe so that's what the trip ended up feeling like. Basically re-created a Noe movie lol. These things are really not harmful physically to you at all even when trips dont go well. It'll be fine. You might feel it in your stomach but that's all normal And I kinda like the feeling strangely. Feels like the mushrooms are wringing the impurities out of your body in a satisfying way to me...but maybe I'm in the minority there. I enjoy the purging of impurities to get to the spiritual rebirth type deal. But yeah can't stress enough...have a good playlist/albums prepared in advance. Continue to stay hydrated throughout. If you don't feel them it simply means you need a larger dose for the next time. That can happen. But hopefully not. And have a fun little flight for maybe 5-7 hours. That's my only complaint. I wish shroom trips were longer. I did some acid recently too and all in all it lasted about 14 hours at a heavy dose I'd say, which is pretty typical.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:56:08 +0000 UTCThat's cool! Haha oh yeah. Those who follow me on instagram and twitter know I'm a diehard UFC fan and have been since college. I am heavily invested in a lot of the divisions. I think it's the most honest, difficult, primal, and potentially ego-shattering sport that exists, because its the only real sport where the warrior mentality of the past can somewhat exist in this civilized society. Its free of all the PC bullshit in basketball and football these days. Full of fun drama. The most fascinating athletes. I just really love it.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:29:22 +0000 UTC"I think your dream indicate a fear of loss, fear of not being able to help your loved ones" - I believe you're correct on both accounts here.
Stephen
2023-08-10 06:26:30 +0000 UTChaha thanks. I really dont think I'm very smart actually. I was never very confident in math and science and often failed those standardized tests while acing english, history, that kind of stuff. So yeah I was kinda all over the map. Would be an AP student for English but could barely eek out a C in the easiest chemistry class offered. But in college once I got beyond the required basics, and got to do stuff in my actual major I was straight A student most of the time.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:24:45 +0000 UTChaha nope. I tend to not go for the celeb stuff. However...I've had Coppola wine a few times more for the joke of it. But it's actually not half bad.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:20:12 +0000 UTCI think your dream indicate a fear of loss, fear of not being able to help your loved ones, or perhaps subconcious trauma about loss coming back to haunt. Yeah I have had some extreme dreams when I've gone through certain drug withdrawals in the past. So extreme and elaborate that even awake and trying to do things during the day, I would question if it was real. And I couldnt decipher what was dream and what wasnt. It got so bad at one point that I was terrified to go to sleep each night. And yeah during rough times, like breakups and such, I will have pretty vivid dreams.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:18:27 +0000 UTCI do disagree. But I do think that it does give me hope that it can revitalize certain aspects of it again. But I do think that movies are mainly a 20th century artform, and will always be considered as such
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 06:13:15 +0000 UTCHave you ever had a dream so vivid and detailed that a part of you thinks it was real or happened before? I've had a few recently, one in particular where I was a Holocaust survivor in Auschwitz being told by an American soldier that my wife and two daughters were dead. All I feel is immediate pain and shock of it and then I wake up. I agree with one of my co-workers it might have been me in a past life. I don't generally believe in past lives, but if thats truly a thing that was it. Another one I had was less distinctive, but involved me being a homeless man looking for the grave of a recently departed friend with two of my friends who also knew them. We just went from graveyard to graveyard trying to find them. Spooky stuff right before Halloween am I right? Lol
Stephen
2023-08-10 04:42:02 +0000 UTCFrancis Ford Coppola said on Instagram that cinema is heading for another golden age after someone asked him about the Barbenheimer phenomenon. Do you agree with that? Or do you think the industry is too screwed for that to ever happen?
vince2k
2023-08-10 03:16:23 +0000 UTCWhat are a handful of films you would recommend to someone to show them the possibilities of film as a medium? Unconventional films either in narrative or form, that could push someone beyond the formula of typical movies?
Alex Trott
2023-08-10 03:02:13 +0000 UTCEvery once in a while, when I’m feeling anxious or at a low point, I put on certain songs that take me out of myself and allow my mind to go elsewhere. Sometimes I think about abstract things like…I don’t know, general existence or whether there’s a higher power or not, or things that exist outside our world or on the other side of it or really any place far from where I live. Sometimes I imagine people in my head and invent whole scenarios for them while the music’s playing. Anything really to take my mind off of myself. Some of these songs I listen to are Mazzy Star’s “Into Dust”, Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”, Bruce Springsteen’s “Paradise”, and Moby’s “Memory Gospel” (a cliché maybe, but hey it works). I also listen to certain soundtracks as well like Last Temptation of Christ or Assassination of Jesse James. My question is: do you have songs or music you listen to to get your mind elsewhere, with or without the help of drugs? I know we talked about “Song to the Siren” before, but I was curious whether or not there were others. Also, sometime in the near future, I might be getting ahold of some mushrooms. I’ve never had them before, so this will be my first experience. Any pointers or words of advice?
Bennett Oliver
2023-08-10 02:59:40 +0000 UTCI know you're big into figure skating so are there any other sports you like? My favorite is hockey funnily enough as each of our favorite sports involve ice skating. People don't seem to appreciate the artistry of a hockey game these days as football and basketball get most of the attention. I've been a fan of the game for over 20 years now and it has always felt like the black sheep of the North American pro sports leagues which I never understood. It has a more graceful quality to it than those games very much like figure skating except with more physicality and adrenaline. It also has by far the most beautiful championship trophy ever with the Stanley Cup and few things in this world are more exciting than the Stanley Cup playoffs except maybe the MLB World Series. Recently, your Dallas Stars have been knocking on the door for one. They lost in the Finals in 2020 and were in the final four this year. Might wanna keep an eye on them.
Wolfman Brandon
2023-08-10 01:51:46 +0000 UTCWhat sort of formal education do you have? How did you do in high school and on standardized tests? You seem brilliant! Not that that means much regarding academic stuff. Just curious. Thanks!
Tom Tom
2023-08-10 01:27:07 +0000 UTCDoh. Well, I’m looking forward to going back and digging into those!
Trevor Lisa
2023-08-10 01:25:06 +0000 UTCYeah I’m here in the Bible Belt, and people have their personal concrete ways of how they view God, but I’ve become more aware of the fact that there are countless views and interpretations on God that’s it’s ridiculous to just assume what you’ve grown up with is correct and not at least challenge what you’ve been taught at some point. I personally believe in a higher power, but when it comes to Christianity, that’s where things get puzzling. I could go on all day but it’s good to constantly move toward new ideas that can lead you closer to where you need to be.
Ken
2023-08-10 01:01:38 +0000 UTCHave you ever tried any celebrity’s own brands of alcohol? I’ve tried Ryan Reynold’s Aviation Gin and Sam Neill’s Two Paddocks Wine. The latter of witch has actually become my favourite Pinot Noir. If you have any good recommendations?
Matthew Silcock
2023-08-10 00:57:21 +0000 UTCoh man. Great question. Hard for me to say actually. Ya know there are quite a few films back in the old days that are black and white that I think would benefit greatly from color. But it was commonplace for black and white so its what you get. Some utilize black and white so brilliantly you can't imagine anything else. But I will say this...I think I would prefer to see a lot more black and white films than color currently. Just because I think people would be amazed at how dramatic and cool it can look, and how much it enhances the emotion and vulnerability of a face, of shapes, all that. But I do also love color, and we have gotten to a point where we use it so well these days that I'm often leaning towards it more. I'll mull the question over and if I think of a good answer I'll let you know.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 00:33:07 +0000 UTCyeah I mean, I appreciate faith when great artists can explore it...and then there's christian rock albums, lol. I'm not religious myself. I was raised very catholic but I'm agnostic these days since maybe age 23 or so. That said, I have a healthy appreciation for religion and I think it's sad the way so many people reject it in this modern era, with no moral code to guide them in its place. I think quite a few people could benefit from having a God to pray to, a church community, etc.. It's just not for me and never has been, though at times I am not opposed to looking towards faith when I truly need it. I had a really really rough time over Christmas...and I found myself at a chapel. Religion is important in my family ancestry but, it was something I always rejected. I just think so many do it for the wrong reasons. Without really considering the benefits of having a faith you choose to believe in. Those who claim praying to something you don't know is real, is lame....are the same people who have no problem with the human instinct for hope as a survival mechanism. Which is really the same thing. For me I see God the way Bill Hicks described it in one of his bits: "We are all God trying to reach our full potential." I think that's a beautiful way of putting it. My concept of a God, if there is one, comes from inside me and not in the sky. Am I religious? No. But I am spiritual.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 00:28:57 +0000 UTC- which black and white movie would look better in color and which color movie would look better in black and white? - what custom battle car would you drive if the world went into a mad-max-ish apocalypse?
Jared Angcanan
2023-08-10 00:23:47 +0000 UTCDo you believe in God? If not, what do you believe in? Also, are there any films out there with theological elements that you appreciate? I come from a faith-based background and curious about your stance. Guys like Bergman and Malick have these themes in many of their films and explore them in fascinating ways. Then you got your dumpster-fire Christian cinema from PureFlix Entertainment hahahaha.
Ken
2023-08-10 00:20:48 +0000 UTCalso it's hugely important to note that I started doing this in 2009. So...that's why I have a following. I did it back when very very few people were doing it. Back in those days it sounded cool to have a Youtube channel cause it felt original. Now everyone is on Youtube, and so it feels kinda cringey to say you have one. But if I started this channel today and tried to get noticed...it would be hugely different and much harder than it was when I started. When I started it wasn't hard to get a thousand views. Then around 2013 Youtube started to grow in content, and so my views shrunk down to the 100s for quite a few years. But...it didnt bug me. Again, I wasn't after this for fame or money. It was a genuine thing I liked. But eventually they started growing again so...I think its also just years of chipping away at it gives you a boost compared to the people trying hard to break in today.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 00:19:20 +0000 UTCuh...I dunno. authenticity probably. I have no hidden agenda. No desire to get famous out of this like a lot of Youtubers. Just wanted to find a cool community of art lovers initially. Don't care about making anything look fancy. Just wanna talk about movies. I don't take it super seriously. I treat it as an opinion and everyone is free to feel how they feel. I think it's just the casual nature of it and the nostalgic style of the old youtube format I use, combined with just the honesty of caring about the art more than how many views I have, is a huge reason. It may not give me viral moments, but it builds a solid fan base overtime that trusts in you. I will go for the substance over the click bait, and I think people appreciate that. There's really nothing special about it and so I don't look at what I do is special or anything lofty like that. It's just a fun thing, and there's no need to get a big head about it. There are far more important things in the world. So yeah...level-headedness about it also I think helps.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 00:08:51 +0000 UTCHm...that's tough. Maybe Oona Chaplin. I actually thought of an answer for this not long ago and now of course my mind is completely blank. But if I think of it then I will let you know.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 00:01:22 +0000 UTCHaha hm so many good things to name. Texas is full of real people who tell you like it is. The food is incredible from the barbecue to the mexican food. It's hot as hell and for a girl like me it's a dream. I feel a lot safer here where I feel my rights are protected. There's just a lot more humility and honest hard work here which I admire in the traditional values. I love love love that it's not what people consider to be a beautiful state. It means that no one comes here for their vacations. Which means I can go to some really beautiful hidden national parks and it's never ever crowded. It ain't the case if you go to the states famous for their scenic beauty. Trust me. Some of those hikes have turned into theme parks practically it's so crowded. Here we have a lot of hidden beauty even if it's mostly flat. Sunsets are beautiful. So much land and space. Lots to like for me. Though Texas winters can be really annoying. One day it's 30 degrees and the next its 80. So you always feel in limbo and never know what to wear. Spring and the end of summer is hurricane season, which in Texas also really sucks. Pretty much every week I'm worry about hail and tornadoes. Sometimes the people out in the hick towns can be assholes but...I give it right back to them and haven't been shot yet so, I'll say that's another thing. I think maybe the number one thing that sucks is that marijuana isnt legal. But having said that...everyone here smokes and no one cares. I smoke everyday for years and have even argued with cops over it, and they were agreeing with me that it should be legal lol. So yeah...it's more of an annoyance for others I'd say but...it would be nice for it to be legal so we had more jobs and options for types of THC
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-10 00:00:08 +0000 UTCum...I think I just like road trips. Some of the most important and best moments of my life have happened in the middle of nowhere, usually lost, or in a weird situation. And I feel that existential shit just hits you hard, and things get emotional and powerful often. I feel most alive in these times. It's incredibly lonely and reflective, requires resourcefulness depending on the type of trip, bonding, trust. All these things you take with you in your life. So for me I just think it's a good pivoting point for a story. Putting maybe two people in a situation where they grow together through this isolation. Can't really think of my favorites off the top of my head. I'm so so bad at that. But I'll name one that has been on my mind recently that I consider to be one of the great road trip movies...Paris, Texas. And there are other things that maybe arent "road trips" necessarily, but they carry the same idea. Cowboy Bebop is an example. A group of people on a space ship going from place to place, no rules or responsibility, and the existential pain of the past and future constantly nipping at their heels.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-09 23:51:14 +0000 UTCOverall. A lot of people try to make review channels but very few make it to 10k, not to mention the exponential audience growth you’re at now
Arthur Augustyn
2023-08-09 23:47:12 +0000 UTCI've reviewed Perfect Blue, and a few other animated films. I'm not opposed to it at all. I'm an artist myself so animation means a lot to me. Some of my favorite films are animated. But I feel like I've reviewed most of my favorites already. Was just a while ago at this point. It's been a while since I've seen Triplets of Belleville. I adore the soundtrack tho.
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-09 23:46:28 +0000 UTCDo you mean just overall? Or do you mean the recent spike in popularity?
Deepfocuslens
2023-08-09 23:45:27 +0000 UTCIf there was a biographical movie made about you, what actress would you choose to play the role?
Carl
2023-08-09 23:45:02 +0000 UTCWhy do you think your channel has gained so much popularity?
Arthur Augustyn
2023-08-09 23:03:32 +0000 UTCIt doesn’t seem like you do very many reviews of animated films. I’d love to hear your thoughts on stuff like “Perfect Blue,” “The Triplets of Belleville,” or anything by the studio Cartoon Saloon. Is that a possibility in the future?
Trevor Lisa
2023-08-09 22:57:00 +0000 UTCWhat is it about road trip movies that you like so much and what are some of your favorites?
Tyler Shobe
2023-08-09 22:43:25 +0000 UTCWhat is your favorite and least favorite thing about living in Texas? Greetings from Tennessee
Shane Palamara
2023-08-09 22:38:13 +0000 UTC
