j-a-smiths-blog

[j-a-smiths-blog]

0731 14July25

Can I revitalize?

I mean its not a question of can... but more of will I revitalize the life I once had and be happy and creative?

For the past month I suppose, I have been day dreaming and revitalizing my love for 18th century. I finished season 7 of Outlander and yes I am sad... but in the same side I am motivated to want to make my series that much better.

So with Outlander.. I was first focusing on the story because its great, but then... I started paying attention to the production and I will go back and rematch because I want to utilize the same feel and vibe the show gives off for my color grading of my cooking show. They use lighting very well in Outlander. They make you feel old world.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

1800 2July2025

Sewing again?

So... starting fourth month of film school and the class is English Composition. The first assignment has us identifying an online group we are part of that we can use for the rest of the month.

I decided to choose 18th century sewing as the group i will utilize for the month. We have to identify the types of communications that we have and that came into effect during the second assignment for the week... which was to take a screen shot and describe in atleast 100 words what the post is about. Sounds difficult at first but honestly. It was pretty easy. You needed three to five screen shots so I went with four. Each of my examples showed a different form of communication. There was an event notification, there was a person expressing her joy for her first re-enactment and getting to wear her clothes that she sewed up, there was a sharing of a tutorial video on how to cut linen thr cleanest way, and finally I added a random question someone had that had some decent comments.

So... this has made me get the fabric out and start looking to continuing the sew for this potential upcoming youtube series I am piecing together.

Here is a Chat GPT image render:

[j-a-smiths-blog]

0627 30June25:

2 full months of not posting. This entire year has just been... different. I know ive already stated it in a previous blog but I started film school in April which has been the primary focus. Then I started getting the props together and the crew together and I filmed a few scenes of my first even short story film here in the Philippines. Then two thinfs happened:

One character had family stuff come up, but the actual story was he was just being lazy

rainy season... if I can't film all in one day I have to find similar days.

Next scenes to knock out is the waterfall scene and rhen ill focus on the farm scene to get the main characters shots done. Once that is good I just need to get the guys together to shoot the dress out scene and then the vehicle scene.

To expand more... the little side fling has been burning out and im basically over it as I know there is no forward movement with that, and there never will be, but then someone from my past came back into the picture and has added a little heat. So its nice to be able to revitalize that convo. I also have a really good Instagram.friend chat with a foodie and fellow film creative. Her and I have talked about alot of food and film stuff and we have helped each other a bit with our task. She is also the one that has helped push me into really looking at doing a YouTube cooking show.

Yes.. I have found that I really enjoy cooking and I, through talking with Vee have found a way to mix three passions together. Cooking, filming and 18th century. Not to mention historical accurate for timing wise as to why a British man would be in the Philippines.

Yup basically I will be able to film a cooking show as an 18th century character and I have written eight episodes to be cinematic! Yup not doing the basic kind of show... im aiming to do cinematic short story cooking shows.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

1928 28April25:

What is this any more?

I clearly just have not been writing as much any more. And I get distracted easily.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

0611 21April25:

Wow... wtf? Hahahaha it is now 829... I started writing earlier and something caught my attention and took me away from the oost... then I remembered just now.

So yes, school started two weeks ago. First week, I went three and three scoring 100% on each project. Week two has been 5 it will probably be Wednesday before we hear anything back as far as scores... week three has only one assignment, but I don't know how big the assignment is yet...

I am also still piecing together my first filipino film as I want it to be good. I delayed filming in April as my school money did not start. Then a few days ago I logged into the VA site and noticed they don't even have me down as being enrolled in school so I emailed the school and boom Easter morning woke to emails that my enrollments periods have been submitted.so maybe Wednesday or Thursday I'll log in and double check and try to verify my attendance.

Anyways once I get the college money, it's time sort Financials out. I want to make sure I establish my fun money, gas money, and film money...

I already have eye balled props I need to buy in order to dress up the extras to be security force members for this corporation in the film. So I know I need to spend around $100 for that.. next I need to establish a few more areas where I plan to film. Opening scene in Cabog-Cabog is going to be killer... I love the opening scene I have selected. Honestly I think later in this week I will charge up the cameras and take a trip back out to the locations and establish some shots without the actor so then I can start working on a color correction that I think really suits the film. Some of the great things I enjoy about this process is that I'm keeping everything rather simple so there is no major continuity issues...

The opening scene has the character overlooking a valley and then later scenes, I have the character running through this area, so it's like you see the location in which he is traveling.

Tomorrow I am supposed to visit a farm where I will definitely be scoping out for potential filming location... not sure what it looks like so I can't say for sure yet. It's a family farm so the possibility of adding some extra stuff would be cool... like the possibility of a small explosion for when I have the drone blow up killing the guards... ideas...

Well I need to go get ready for my drive to Angeles!

[j-a-smiths-blog]

1028 5April25

Two days before the start of school!

Crazy to think the day is almost upon me! First day of film school. I've been preoccupied with other things instead of making sure I post on here everyday as you can tell with the lack of post this year!.

Quick recap....

Started my weightloss journey with walking and MMA training.

Took the leap of faith and applied, got accepted and will start film school monday

Officially I am in the pre-production phase of my short story film... which I have yet to name... I guess I really need to figure out a name for it di ba?

I need to go ahead and buy the tent, tactical vest and tactical helmets... as for the weapons... I think I can build them myself. I think I am going to try and replicate 3 M4 assult rifles. I suppose I could do a hand gun but I need assault rifles for the guys running through the woods.

Ok for now I have to shower and get ready... I am driving to A beach resort here in an hour!

[j-a-smiths-blog]

2127 27Mar25

Shit shit shit

Starting a budget for this short story film... so far... 5800 pesos... so just over $100

[j-a-smiths-blog]

1552 21Mar25

Man.

I seen a clip two nights ago... then last night I looked up a recipe but via youtube... so this morning I looked up a recipe via Google and said fuck it.... I made tortilla!

Ok... yes a bit tooooo thick... so I used them like tacos to have breakfast... just scrambled eggs and bacon... where I fucked up was that I used bread flour instead of all purpose flour... so next time will be better!

[j-a-smiths-blog]

0744 19Mar25:

Day three complete

Yesterday I completed day three of the new work out and have to prepare for tonight's work out. He claims we will move on to kicks.

Last night though... my thighs both cramped up at the same time and boy oh boy did it hurt... I was walking around like I had shit my pants just trhing to get the cramps to go away. But anyways the work outs are a nice change of pace and I really do push forward as much as I can to get maximum benefit from the work out.

I don't like posting photos of me... but because I'm talking day three of a workout plan... I should document my progress...

You see how big I am... what will I look like 1 month, 2 months, 3 months from now... or even a year from now?? Need to stay motivated.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

1817 15Mar25:

Stillness

I've been preoccupied reading over course syllabus's and preps for starting school. It's like... I know I have nothing to worry about but at the same time I don't want to be over confident and fail. I want to do great and at the same time apply everything I'm learning to my every day life as I put this production company together.

Wife just bought her ticket to head back to the states for medical reasons and hopefully she takes care of her medical stuff. It's right during what looks will be one of my hardest months of school. But again I don't want to over think... I want to go in and knock it out.

I've been imagining how I can spruce up my short story film to be more of a concept film and really out some bang into it so this way I can use it as a concept film for a bigger project.

I have to finish editing the script before April so I can find the time in April to shoot the entire fil. And edit... so I can prepare everything and submit to the VSU film festival. I have until May 15. I think it is very doable. So for now... I'm going to try and take an evening walk.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

1926 9Mar25:

Distance

I've lost touch with writing so much on here as I'm focusing on the future and goals.

I started to do my online orientation for film school as I finally can log in and boy it's feeling real already. It's great I am taking steps to accomplish something in my life that is a goal and dream. Way back in 7th grade I established that someday I wanted to be a film maker. And here I am already gaining experience and pushing forward to get official formal training.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

Season 2 Episode 56

2312 25Feb25

2nd day in Macao

Just a few pictures to count as a post

[j-a-smiths-blog]

Season 2 Episode 55

2146 24Feb25

Macau

First full day going around Macau and the wife throws an attitude over a joke. I think she thinks I'm not serious about leaving her ass. I'm keeping fed up with certain shit not to mention the debt she has caused. Can't rebuild with old baggage.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

Season 2 Episode 54

1122 23Feb25

About to start our trip.

Flights not until 7pm but we have to drive 3.5 hours roughly to the airport and with it being an international flight try to be checked in early so we can rest a bit st the airport before flying out. Once we land we will find out hotel drop our stuff and then head to find something to eat.

A few shots I edited this morning of a film I am helping some students make for school.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

Season 2 Episode 53

2058 22Feb25

Tomorrow is travel day

Tomorrow we take our trip to Macau. Will be there for the week. Hopefully it turns out nicely. I see alot of nice things about it but I've never really paid attention to give much thought to what I'd like to do there.

Either way will be there!

I have decided last minute that I will take two action figures with me and try to snap a few photos of them around Macau. I have to keep my Instagram account posting. I've been fairly blank recently, so I need some content. I am taking Selena and Isabella. Selena is my oldest figure as I bought her in 2014 but I have upgraded her body. Isabella is my third oldest figure I think I bought in 2015. Anyways I out Isabella on a newer body as well and dressed them today. Should be nice to capture a few photos in a new country!

[j-a-smiths-blog]

Season 2 Episode 52

0500 21Feb25

Getting closer

I have today and tomorrow to complete these video clips for the students and get them the video. I wish they'd give me the rest of the stuff I was asking for because then I could make the film work.

So... last night, even though I was tired, I ended up staying up till 1 a.m., trying to figure some stuff out. The idea of a food truck and a trailer that is a BBQ pit. But I'd be looking at the grill being multi functional. I'd want to have a smoking chamber, a traditional grill grid and then a flat top griddle.

I'd want to be able to throw a couple pork butter in the smoking chamber and let them smoke for flavor while I'm grilling up burgers and such. I just need a sales person that could double down as an assembly person too.

[j-a-smiths-blog]

Season 2 Episode 51

2021 20Feb25

Playing with fire?

Long day as I was away from home for 10 hours driving to Angeles for my appointment and then having to take my wife and her friend grocery shopping... so when I was able to use the bathroom... I was sooooo happy... then I showered.

Anyways. I have a secondary project I am focusing on and raising questions that need to be asked at this stage so I know if it's something to push forward with or not. Gotta wait for some answers so I can start deciding on what direction I need to go.