Posts Under: blog

Mini Doc

April 20, 2012 • blog, Documentary Shorts, Short Films • no comments

I really like the idea of the short documentary.
In this fast paced world, we have barely the time to ask people their name.
Viewing 5 or 10 minutes of a person’s life can open up our experience to
something more cultural. Something worth exploring.

Somehow, I find myself viewing another Phillip Bloom video. It’s like 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, but for me it starts by Googling field equipment like a tripod.

The latest sticks (tripod) search lead me to the NAB Convention in Las Vegas, which then revealed the newest German made Sachtler tripod which is being used by none other than Mr. Bloom who just shot an endearing mini doc in Adelaide Australia…

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

April 13, 2012 • blog, Film Studies, Short Films • no comments

Music sampling has come a long way since Vanilla Ice laid down some phat beats from Queen/Bowie’s Under Pressure classic, thus making him an overnight sensation.
Thankfully our musical pallets have sampled enough flavors to leave Vanilla in the 80’s and evolve with more sophisticated pairings from mashup artists.

For better or worse, I believe film may be going down this crisscrossing path

Here is an example of the “for better”…

Portal from Games to Film

April 2, 2012 • Behind the Scenes, blog, Short Films • no comments

It’s often said that those who can’t do, teach and those who can’t teach play video games.
Well here’s an example of how one unique game mechanic can spin into a potential major motion picture in Hollywood.
Game mechanic refers to a feature of video game play that allows the gamer to effect the virtual world they’re playing in.
An example might be, whenever you press the red button on your game controller, your dragon breathes fire.
This game is named Portal and the studio who made it is named Valve. Take a look at their pre-order trailer…

OK, now that you understand the potential of “portals”, let’s look at the spin Valve Studios and director, Dan Trachtenberg took for their intellectual property.

Can you say Linda Hamilton?
What strikes me is that this game mechanic is a simple one and the live action short mainly takes place with one actor in a single room.
So if you’re the type who “does”, teaches or plays video games, here is another quote…
KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid

Life on the Ranch

February 11, 2012 • Behind the Scenes, blog, Director Insights/Interviews, Short Films • no comments

One afternoon when I was 10 years old, I went to the movies with my brother-in-law to see King Kong. Before entering we noticed a movie poster behind glass showing soldiers in white uniforms and an ominous black figure with a billowing cape emerging from a smoky white hallway peppered with laser fire. After a moments reluctance, I was led into the dark theater where orchestral horns blared out from all directions and scrolling text receded into a star filled background revealing my future. Star Wars was the most important influence in my professional life.

35 years later I find myself playing with characters from a galaxy far far away in the comfort of my own computer at LucasFilm Animation. The studio is conveniently tucked away in the rolling hills of the Marin landscape. Currently the two ranches, Big Rock and Skywalker, are home to a few hundred employees that enjoy its serene lifestyle.

I work closely with some fine talent who help create the Star Wars TV show, Clone Wars. This video of Skywalker Ranch was completely shot with an SLR camera and comes compliments of Phillip Bloom…

Skywalker Ranch from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

 

Besides George Lucas’ television endeavors, he has recently produced his live action feature film Red Tails…

StoryLine: A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard.

Introduction to me, Mike Dacko

January 4, 2012 • blog, Director Insights/Interviews, Film Studies, Short Films • no comments

Hello and welcome to the Petaluma Film Alliance blog page.

My name is Mike Dacko and I am a local film maker currently working for LucasFilm Animation in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I’m so grateful to be living in Petaluma. A Sonoma County town that is rich in film culture.

To prove that point, we will be posting content that puts you in front of the screen and behind the scenes of all the PFA movies, events and venues. We will also provide guest segments from directors and participants.

Here is my short film Lightheaded which was accepted by Petaluma Film Fest in 2010…

Lightheaded from Mike Dacko on Vimeo.

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