"Lagniappe"
is an expression used in South Louisiana that
means "something extra". Each
year the local schools get a day off from
school. It's called Lagniappe Day.
This follows under the category of “Only in New Orleans.” City residents held a Second Line Funeral procession to bury the old New Orleans Saints football team, otherwise known for decades as the “Aints.” The paper bags that covered the faces of loyal fans who attended an era of losing seasons game after game to cheer the embattled team were laid to rest. Left in its wake is the joy of success.
Symbolically, New Orleans seems to be inspired to bury the old and celebrate the new. For all of us in the Big Easy, our new year starts now. Our resolutions aimed at a better future start today. As for myself, it means a greater connection to my home and family as well as a brighter outlook on my career as I learn the delicate balance of work and lifestyle.
That said, here’s the Aints Second Line Funeral march. Happy New Era!
This Mardi Gras season with the Saints Superbowl win has exhausted me. As fun as it was, I’m ready to get back to work. It’s like Lent for a non-Catholic.
That said, here’s one last video from the crazy 2010 Mardi Gras season. We took our dog to the Krewe of Barkus parade which was held on the afternoon of Superbowl Sunday. I made a video featuring him while harnessing the theme of the parade and finding a funny narrative.
Tuesday, the Tuesday before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, will forever be known as Dat Tuesday from here on out by the WHO DAT NATION. Another nickname for the occasion is Lombardi Gras. It was the day the Crescent City held it’s first ever Superbowl Victory Parade for the New Orleans Saints. A Mardi Gras style parade of marching bands and floats loaded with festive Saints players, coaches and staff traveled through the streets of the Big Easy to a cheerful crowd of 800,000 fans celebrating their 43 year climb to become the Superbowl Champs for the first time ever. It was undoubtedly the biggest Superbowl Victory parade in the history of the Championships because this town knows how to throw a parade best!
But, this event is bigger than a sports victory. It’s a mix of life lessons. Here’s a few: Never give up on your dreams. In life, you must take chances to succeed. Those who are willing to succeed work hard, perpare diligently, focus on execution and not fear failure. There are many more. But, it is also a message to a troubled city devastated by the blow of Katrina and poverty. New Orleans is a city of winners. This Championship season has lifted the spirits of the hopeless and given faith to the believers. The Saints Franchise understands that their function as ambassadors and role models is a responsibility to their fans and to the people of New Orleans. They fulfilled their mission flawlessly and are greatly appreciated for it.
New Orleans has gown crazy over the Saints Superbowl win last Sunday night. New Orleans is such a unique place. It has celebrated it’s underdogs for over 40 years, always believing. Finally, their faith paid off and it’s a heartwarming story. Never a big football fan personally, I ALWAYS loved the Saints. Once I sat on the 50 yard line in Washington, D.C. cheering the Saints as they played the then Superbowl Champion Redskins knowing the Saints would get squashed – and they did. But I cheered my heart out! So, for all of us, even the un-football fans, this is a great moment for those who believe, have goals, have faith and never give up on a dream.
Here’s what it looked like minutes after the Saint’s Superbowl win last Sunday night just a couple blocks from home. ENJOY in the CELEBRATION! (and more videos to come …)
Click on the link below called “Monstrous Crash” to see a car crash I coordinated for a film shot in Lafayette, Louisiana last December. After shooting the actual hit, we shot footage inside the car of the actors reacting to the hit. Obviously, we would never subject actors to such danger, but how we got those shots will remain a Hollywood Secret.
The stuntman driving the truck is Sean O’Regan. He is from Lafayette and has a bright future ahead of him. The photographer in the photo is the film’s director, Toshko Chapkonov, and the DP in the video is Lorenzo Salvatore.
Headlines: “Cajun girl goes to Scotland and adores Highland Cows.”
When we travel to Scotland, it is traditional for Mark to drive past fields or farms with Highland cows to let me take photos. This trip was particularly special because of the heavy snowfall. These amazing beasts completely intrigue me.
That said, enjoy watching these Highland cows in snow in my little video I call “Highland Cows in Winter, 2010.”
Week Two of winter holiday vacation in Scotland. On Sunday, we got together with family friends/friendly family for an afternoon of sledging – or sledding, if you are American, like me.
The video doesn’t do the vision of our hike from our steading to the Balfour estate any justice. Nature is just far more beautiful. However, please enjoy.
I wrapped out of Scream of the Banshee after working 15.5 hours on my last night, starting at 7:30 PM on Thursday and finishing at 11:00 AM on Friday. Wide awake at wrap, I made the crazy decision to drive 1.5 hours home to NOLA from Baton Rouge. Thankfully, I made it home safely, however not without stopping to rest on the side of the road twice.
I made better decisions while shooting. Most of the stunts involved actor’s scuffles, but I also performed stunts that I coordinated. Without giving away too much, let me say that it wasn’t easy to wear two hats at the same time, especially when you can’t monitor what you are doing on camera. During the car stunts, I couldn’t get out of the car to look at the monitor (and I don’t think they had playback, regardless). I had to rely on the Director and AD to guide me through and trust their explanation of adjustments I needed to make. This is quite common on shoots with limited budgets. You just have to do your best, hope for the best and have faith.
The entire shoot took only a couple of weeks and will to go the film festivals looking for distribution. I have no doubt that it will get marketed. The production crew was young, but very dedicated and professional. I have a lot of confidence in this production team. Keep an eye out for Scream of the Banshee, directed by Steven C. Miller and starring Lauren Holly, soon.
