Paul Parducci's Blog

Covers For The Upcoming Paul Parducci Novel "Wet Linda"

2012-01-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

Some may know that my first Novel is being released soon.
Since I'm supposed to be some kind of Digital guy it will be released only as an ebook on all the major and usual platforms.(Kindle, ipad, Nook)
Here are two of the potential covers.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Alan Clarke's "Elephant"

2011-12-27T14:29:00.000-08:00

Social Realism + "The Troubles" = "Elephant."

39 Minutes-Dare you to watch.

More: Alan Clarke
Later,
Paul Parducci

John Logie Baird: And Mechanical Television

2011-12-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Our visual world has evolved so quickly that many interesting and crucial aspirants are left in dusty corners.
This little 30 line wedge is one of my favorites.

John Logie Baird
Utilizing Mechanical Scanning Technology that would make any Steam Punk proud Mr. Baird sent pictures through the air.
Great Overview:

Later,
Paul Parducci

PS: Don't forget Stooky Bill

Khan Academy: Learn Online For Free

2011-11-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Good work Salman.

KHAN ACADEMY

Later,
Paul Parducci

PEAR: Can the Mind Influence the Material World?

2011-10-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Psyleron - Princeton Mind-Matter Interaction Research from Psyleron on Vimeo.

Later,
Paul Parducci

More Info

Napoleon Hill: The Father of Modern Properity Philosophy

2011-10-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

Whatever you personally feel about this extension of New Thought into the world of Material Achievement.
This is the author of the seminal work on this subject: "Think and Grow Rich."
Later,
Paul Parducci

Is Reality a Computer Simulation?

2011-09-21T20:40:00.001-07:00

Later,
Paul Parducci

Chris Hall's "Zoo City"

2011-09-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

Last year I had the privilege of working with an outstanding team led by Writer/Director Chris Hall.
I played Crime Boss Big Jimmy and had an absolute blast being very, very bad.
Attn Parents this clip contains both violence and "Language."
Here is the Teaser:

ZOO CITY - Webseries Teaser from Christopher Hall on Vimeo.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Happy Birthday Hawaii!

2011-08-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Love this state:
August 21, 1959 it officially joined the Union.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Man Ray : "Le retour à la raison "

2011-07-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

Featuring Rayographs!

Later,
Paul Parducci
Just in case: Who is Man Ray?

More on Hypertext: Web 2.0

2011-06-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

Michael Wensch's video:

Later,
Paul Parducci

Jim Ether's Brilliant "Alert"

2011-06-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

My son discovered Jim Ether three years ago.
Many work in this space but few make it to the perceptual corners that Mr. Ether sweeps.
Watch it.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Hypertext: Novel "The Unknown"

2011-06-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

Settle down Everybody, let's not forget Hypertext.

I look at at is as "word travel."

Later,
Paul Parducci

Huh? Electronic Literature Association.

LA NOIRE: Cine-Gaming Comes To Town May 17th

2011-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Some projects are simply very cool.
Brendan McNamara's LA NOIRE is one of them.
And I am proud to be a part of it.
I play Walter Tyler.

Here's me and the very talented and modest Brendan on set.
I knew while I was making this project that it was ground-breaking and sure enough LA NOIRE was the first VG featured at Tribeca.
This really is a whole new hybrid of Cinema and Interactive Entertainment. I call it "Cine-Gaming."
Here is the official site.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Yellow Claw

2011-05-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Father of Electronic Music: Leon Theremin

2011-05-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

Professor Theremin's life is worth a look as well.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Dean Goodhill's "Maxivision"

2011-04-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Film is dead right?
Dean doesn't think so:
Maxivision

Roger Ebert's piece
Later,
Paul Parducci

PS: A Post about Film's Resurrection is of course very appropriate today: Happy Easter Everybody!

All Things Digital: Must Read Site

2011-04-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

ALL THINGS DIGITAL
Later,
Paul Parducci

Buckminster Fuller on a Higher Power

2011-03-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Mr. Fuller the creator of the Geodesic Dome has been described as America's only Engineering Saint.
Here he is in 1975 talking about a consciousness beyond the human.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer's "Extraordinary Knowing."

2011-03-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

This video gives a solid intro to a very interesting book.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Fede Alvarez's Panic Attack (2009) With and Without VFX

2011-02-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

Amazing!
With:

Without:

Is Brilliant enough of a word here?
Later,
Paul Parducci

Fold and Cut: What?

2011-02-02T19:21:00.001-08:00

Thank you Erik Demaine!
Later,
Paul Parducci

St. Januarius: Let's talk about Blood!

2011-01-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

This is one of those strange ones:
Click HERE

MORE

Better Blood Through Chemistry

Later,
Paul Parducci

Peace On Earth

2010-12-24T06:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas,
Paul Parducci

The Tyrannical Dane: Carl Th. Dreyer

2010-11-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

Carl Th. Dreyer is the unquestioned Master of Danish Cinema.

His amazing film:

The Passion of Joan of Arc features the unbelievably brilliant Maria Falconetti.

My personal favorite?
VAMPYR

Later,
Paul Parducci

PS: Also read this Senses of Cinema piece.

Dario Russo's Italian Superman

2010-10-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for Wheels-on-the-ground Solid,Excellent, Work.
Nice job Dario.
Later,
Paul Parducci

For more info

Charles Laughton's "The Night of the Hunter"

2010-09-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

"It's a Hard World For Little Things."
Charles Laughton directed only a single film, but he made it count.
This sparse Expressionistic masterpiece is highly recommended.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Charles McNulty And The Education of Artists

2010-08-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Great piece from the LA Times
Later,
Paul Parducci

Rest In Peace Dan Resin

2010-08-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

Actor Dan Resin's commercials for Ty-D- Bol are an indelible part of my childhood.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Cool Site: Your Name in Hieroglyphs

2010-07-11T16:44:00.001-07:00

This is mine:

For yours go Here.
Later,
Paul Parducci

The Seeds: "Can't Seem To Make You Mine"

2010-06-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

American Proto-Punks The Seeds on American Bandstand:

Later,
Paul Parducci

"Take A Good Look" Ernie Kovacs

2010-06-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Television Pioneer Ernie Kovacs:
Later,
Paul Parducci

The Piri Reis Map

2010-05-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Piri Reis Map is a great place to start your journey into the Strange World of Ancient Maps that don't exactly jibe with our current notions of of Who, What, When and Where.

Graham Hancock:

Later,
Paul Parducci

Man or Astroman! "Spferic Waves"

2010-05-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

Sarah Jacobsen's Video of one of my new Favorite bands.

Later,
Paul Parducci

From Russia To Hollywood

2010-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

Terrific film chronicling the work and influence of Michael Chekhov-
Later,
Paul Parducci

Freddie and the After Life

2010-04-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

The late Philosopher Alfred Jules Ayer AKA "Freddie" had an interesting Near Death experience that had a noteable impact on his world-view.
Douglas Todd from the Vancouver Sun has written a very interesting piece on Ayer and the whole "Risen" question.
Happy Easter!
Later,
Paul Parducci

Cecil B.DeMille's Silent The Ten Commandments (1923)

2010-03-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Mr. DeMille's lavish Silent classic was shot on location on the dunes of California's central coast. The LA Times reports on a modern cinematic Indian Jones who is searching for what was left behind.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Is Evil Dead Two The Greatest Horror Action Comedy Ever Made?

2010-03-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Just watched it with my son, having not seen it since it's original release and I certainly think so! My son's quote? "Amazing!"
Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell are at the very top of their game in this ultimate Eighties Horror Masterpiece.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Facebook Food for Thought

2010-02-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Michael Hiltzik's piece on Jaron Lanier from the LA Times.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Rene Laloux's Fantastic Planet

2010-02-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

Rene Laloux's amazing 1973 Cut-Out Animation Feature "Fantastic Planet."
Later,
Paul Parducci

Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti

2010-01-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

And Give to the Red Cross.

Hello 2010!

2009-12-30T19:00:00.000-08:00

Don't know what's ahead but I wish us all the best!
Later,
Paul Parducci

Lightning Bolt and Harvey Benshotter

2009-12-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

My son who knows all things cool turned me on to this amazing B&W video. Just in time for the Holiday Season!

Later,
Paul Parducci

Happy Thanksgiving and Don't Forget...

2009-11-24T22:12:00.000-08:00

to take some risks with your left-over sandwiches. Half the country uses the cranberry sauce already- let's really push the envelope this year.
God Bless,
Paul Parducci

Rest in Peace. I Will Remember.

2009-11-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

Lt. Col. Juanita L. Warman, 55, of Havre De Grace, Md.

Maj. Libardo Caraveo, 52, of Woodbridge, Va.

Capt. John P. Gaffaney, 54, of San Diego, Calif.

Capt. Russell Seager, 51, of Racine, Wis.

Staff Sgt. Justin Decrow, 32, of Plymouth, Ind.

Sgt. Amy Krueger, 29, of Kiel, Wis.

Spc. Jason Hunt, 22, of Tillman, Okla.

Spc. Frederick Greene, 29, of Mountain City, Tenn.

Pfc. Aaron Nemelka, 19, of West Jordan, Utah.

Pfc. Michael Pearson, 22, of Bolinbrook, Ill.

Spc. Kham Xiong, 23, of St. Paul, Minn.

Pvt. Francheska Velez, 21, of Chicago, Ill.

Chief Warrant Officer retired Michael Cahill of Cameron, Texas.

Autodidacts Rejoice!

2009-10-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

I think it is self-evident that learning is best looked at as a life-long endeavor. I for one find myself constantly stumbling along to keep up with what is for me a flood of information. When I'm not doing my best to remember (re-learn?) vast portions of material I'm supposed to already know from College and Grad School I am playing hide and seek with concepts that seem about as clear to me as granite.
Luckily the web (which itself can be an ocean of confusion) is now offering up a growing community of outlets that offer structured, professionally curated knowledge acquisition.
Here is a great resource from Lifehacker.
Later,
Paul Parducci

A Real Hero Passes: Marek Edelman

2009-10-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

Marek Edelman, the last surviving member of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising has left this world.
Here is his Obituary from the Los Angeles Times.
Later,
Paul Parducci
PS: The photo is from Eilat Gordin Levitan's excellent site.

Robert Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay"

2009-09-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

Nature's first green is gold

Her hardest hue to hold

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

Here is a Yale lecture on America's own flinty isolator Robert Lee Frost.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Louis Prima and Keely Smith

2009-09-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

This incomparable duo redifined Vegas entertainment in the 1950's.
Here they are with "Hey Boy Hey Girl."

This weekend I saw the truly terrific show "Louis &Keely Live at the Sahara." at the Geffen Playhouse. It's also directed by one of my personal favorites; Taylor Hackford.
If you get the chance see it.
Later,
Paul Parducci

I Remember.

2009-09-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-05T15:18:00.001-07:00

This year I am going to maintain constant vigilance! I vow no burned burgers! I pledge not a single curled and immolated hot dog!
God Bless and be safe-
Later,
Paul Parducci

If You are In Los Angeles this Weekend: Check Out My Buddy's First Reading

2009-08-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

Congrats my friend!
Later,
Paul Parducci
PS: E is a fantastic writer and a great human being.

Sunn Classic's Beyond and Back

2009-08-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Remember Sunn Classics?
Here is their famous foray into the question of Life after death.
Enjoy!
Later,
Paul Parducci

Robot Attack!

2009-07-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am not a Tech Alarmist but is this the first ripple in a Man versus Machine showdown?
Man Attacked by Robot
Later,
Paul Parducci

You Must Fight to Live on The Planet of The Apes!

2009-07-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

Later,
Paul Parducci

My Favorite Song: Martin Denny's "Quiet Village"

2009-07-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Martin Denny was a giant in the world of Exotica.
Here is most famous piece on the original 45 Record!

Later,
Paul Parducci

Happy 4th!

2009-07-03T10:26:00.001-07:00

Be Safe and Thank a Vet.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Ancient Egyptian Electric Light Bulbs?

2009-06-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

More fun with Speculation!

Here is a good intro (From an Ancient Astronauts Doc) that includes a demonstration of the Baghdad battery.

And here is a demonstration of how it could have worked.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Pulled Commercial

2009-06-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

Starring the great Frank Vincent and Mike Starr:

Later,
Paul Parducci

Murnau's "The Last Laugh"

2009-06-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

As far as I'm concerned this is the most perfectly executed silent film ever made.
It contains exactly one Title card.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Currently Working on Some Great Projects

2009-05-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned...
Later,
Paul Parducci

JJ Abrams' Star Trek

2009-05-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

I was among the throng that went to see this much anticipated re-start of this Sci-Fi behemoth.

After purchasing tickets early in the day I had the privilege of standing in line with my family. I say privilege because the waiting was all part of the fun. In the great hall of my local multi-plex, a party atmosphere was in full effect. (Our line backed into another line waiting for another show.) Kids connected with each other while families goofed and smiled as they balanced vats of popcorn. (My family did the same.)
After twenty minutes the line moved and we took our seats. My wife and I frequently joke that the coming attractions always seem better than the movie we are about to see. There was none of this feeling last night. The trailers were fine but not a single frame held the promise of besting what was to come.
We watched the movie.
Star Trek was always a family thing for me, I absorbed the original series with my father and brothers countless times-its episodes are as much a part of my childhood as Hawaiian Punch and GI Joe. And gratefully it is from the original series that Abrams uses as the bedrock for this fantastic piece of Cinema.
It is heroic without devolving into Character jingoism and action-filled without being exhausting.
The Script, Direction, Acting, Production and Sound design, Special Effects and Music are all prime examples of what this town does best.
Go ahead now to that thing with your fingers.
Live Long and... wait maybe I'll just say "Good Luck." (You'll know why after you see the movie.)
Later,
Paul Parducci

Mother Teresa: There Are No Great Things

2009-05-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite Mother Teresa quote:

"There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are those."
Mother Teresa
Later,
Paul Parducci

My New Favorite Hollywood Biz Site: "The Wrap"

2009-04-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Smart and non-scummy:
THE WRAP
Later,
Paul Parducci

Tim Carey's "The World's Greatest Sinner

2009-04-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

To my absolute awestruck delight this played on TCM Underground last night.
It is in my humble opinion a work of sheer unadulterated brilliance.
Hopefully soon to DVD-
Later,
Paul Parducci

Here is Sam McAbee's excellent piece on Mr. Carey.

Another Life After Death Post: Howard Storm's Near Death Experience

2009-04-04T11:16:00.001-07:00

Howard Strom was an Athiest and an Art History Professor when he maintains he had a genuine near death experience.
What do you think?
Here is a short film on what he says happened.

Ray Kurzweil

2009-03-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent introduction to the Futurist Ray Kurzweil.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Time Travel and Special Relativity

2009-03-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

Most of us have had the experience of the passage of time as being something less than fixed. But can we move through it?

First off, here is an excellent Lecture from Leonard Susskind on Relativity:

Next go here for Rick Groleau's fast and entertaining Click and move.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Creepy Safety Film

2009-03-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is a very effective PSA from the UK.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Harry Thomason's "Encounter With the Unknown" Beware The Heptagon!

2009-02-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

From 1973, narrated by Rod Serling and a fascinating Genre time capsule. What makes this film interesting is Thomason's efforts at exploring the humanity of his characters.
Later,
Paul Parducci

"The ABC's of Diet" a Poem

2009-02-07T16:25:00.000-08:00

My brother inspired me to write this poem so please forward any psychic blame for damages to the world of Poetry to him.

A white
bread loaf
can
dead you.
Eating
fat
guts make.
Have
instead
just
Kibble,
Like
many
names do take.
Or
perhaps for
quite a
reasoned
snack
that
unloads
very
well, an
x-tra special
Zwieback Toast for you to gum in hell.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Put On The Mask! Julian Roffman's "The Mask" in 3D

2009-01-24T10:54:00.001-08:00

The first Canadian Horror Film to find wide release in the United States.
It features an amazing early electronic music score by Louis Applebaum

As far as I know its not yet available on DVD.
But as soon as it is...
Later,
Paul Parducci

Jim Dine At The Getty Villa

2009-01-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

My son started telling me about Jim Dine several months ago. So I was flabbergasted when I saw that the Getty Villa was hosting an exhibition of his right in my hometown.

We finally got over there today and had a great time.

If you're in town try and see it you will not be disappointed.

Jim Dine: Poet Singing ( The Flowering Sheets) is a kind of Neo-Dada Muse gang in a charcoal memory box that you won't soon forget.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Busy New Year

2009-01-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

Hello All!
As usual I have several irons in the fire including work on a new project.

But I will do my best to post throughout.

Later,

Paul Parducci

PS: This is a photo of Gene Slaymaker's Typewriter from the Indiana Museum

2009! And My Favorite Gift!

2009-01-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

I hope Everybody had a great Holiday season. I know I did.

Now I'm going to tell you about my favorite gift. But first I have to say, I am not being paid for this endorsement in anyway- really.

THE MAGIC BULLET!

I drink a lot of protein shakes and this little easy-to-use blender makes the process a breeze. (As in simple to operate and a snap to clean.) I haven't used it to blend anything else but iced lemonade yet but I think an omlette is in the future.
OK, now let's all have a fantastic year!

Later,

Paul Parducci

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everybody

2008-12-24T08:14:00.001-08:00

I wish you all a safe and joyous Christmas and a New Year filled with prosperity and happiness.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Bruce Haack on Mr. Rogers

2008-12-14T10:57:00.000-08:00

Techno Music Pioneer Bruce Haack on Mr. Rogers.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T07:19:00.000-08:00

Here in a America we will be celebrating our Thanksgiving.

So for my brothers and sisters here in the USA, I wish you all a blessed and happy gathering. And for my brothers and sisters on the rest of our blue-green planet, pull up a chair, there's always room at the table.

For most of us the joy of present loved ones will be mixed with the honey-dipped pain of those absent.

So let's join hands and ask for gratitude for what we have, grace for those we've lost and grit for the road ahead.

Now please pass me a drumstick.

Later,

Paul Parducci

PS: The picture is from the Margaret Fuller House collection.

Don Siegel's "The Shootist"

2008-11-15T16:50:00.000-08:00

As far as I'm concerned John Wayne's best movie (which also turned out to be his last.) Directed by American Auteur Don Siegel. With excellent performances by Ron Howard, Richard Boone and Lauren Bacall. This one is a must see. And you can catch it this month on American Movie Classics.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Recession Economics: Keep Your Chin Up.

2008-11-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

Like most of us on planet Earth right now I'm feeling the pinch.

Consumer Reports has aggregated a nice batch of info regarding the saving of the green stuff.

I have a bottle cap with a simple message inside: "Keep Your Chin Up." I affixed a magnet to the back and mounted it on my refrigerator door to remind me of all I have to be grateful for and that this too shall pass.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Can Robots Evolve and Become Self aware?

2008-10-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

Self Aware Robots

Holy Toledo!

Later,

Paul Parducci

The "Quota Quickie" And The Sound of Hitchcock

2008-10-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

In order to resist the growing dominance of American Films, in 1927 Parliament passed the Cinematograph Films Act. The result of which were a large number of films which came to be known as "Quota Quickies."

Nice overview from the Guardian.
Also from Film Reference.

From the Quickie period also emerged the first British Sound motion picture; Alfred Hitchcock's "Blackmail."
Later,
Paul Parducci

Alfred Hitchcock Cameos

2008-10-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Everytime I see Alfred Hitchcock in one of his films I smile.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Psychomanteum

2008-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Nightmare Boss #1 Wide Screen "Are You Paid To Drink Coffee?"

2008-09-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Strange But True: Thirty-One Thousand Year-Old Christian Symbol Found

2008-09-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Discovered in 1994 Chavet Pont Du Arc has many amazing Prehistoric Cave Paintings. The most unusual is one that clearly shows a cross. A symbol that (as far as I know) is not naturally occuring in nature.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Apparently Paul Parducci Owns the Lucrative 35-54 Male Demographic!

2008-09-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Paul Parducci Project "MWF" Overalls and Age breakdown

Sample size 182K viewers

Regular readers of this Blog know that I try and keep overt self promotion to a minimum but I just paid a bunch of bills (and I'm in that certain frame of mind.)

In show business you take a lot of meetings. Most of these meetings lead nowhere but you never know. So I always make it a point to suit up and show up.

Lately, I have been hearing how surprisingly well I do with the lucrative 35-54 Male Demographic. (I'm in this demographic and most of the time I don't feel all that lucrative-but that's for another posting)

One distributor even lists my Nightmare Boss series as comedy for "men." I always kind of thought that the folks who paid attention to my work were evenly split between men and women (I mean my wife and my mom seem to like my stuff!) So I checked into it and found out; it's true!

Okay, I guess I better call my agent.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Are Ice Circles The New Crop Circles?

2008-09-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

Strange indeed.
More info here.
And here.
Okay that's enough.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Seven Years

2008-09-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

God Bless America.
I love this country. It's filled with good, strong, people.
Never count us out.
Paul Parducci

Nightmare Boss #16 "Quarterly Review"

2008-09-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

Proof of ESP?

2008-09-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately so far the record is very slim on repeatable, replicable proof of Psi.

Regarding this question the work of Susan Blackmore is worth a look.

Skepdic provides this overview.

Try for yourself here.

Later,

Paul Parducci

What's The Deal With Luck?

2008-08-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

This is Daniel Pink's article on the work of Professor Richard Wiseman from a few years back.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Oh and the picture? 53 million year old rabbit's foot bones.

Is The BigFoot Body For Real?

2008-08-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

I had to post this.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Tracy Arm

2008-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Alaska and the Yukon.

Here is my mandatory iceberg picture from the amazing Tracy Arm Fjord.

(See the bird?)

Later,

Paul Parducci

My Ultimate Quote Regarding Directing.

2008-07-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

Ivan Triesault as director Von Ellstein in Vincent Minnelli's "Bad and the Beautiful"

"To direct a picture, a man needs humility. Do you have humility, Mr. Shields?"

Regarding this particular job in film-truer words were never spoken.

Later,

Paul Parducci

Magic Squares

2008-07-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

A Magic Square is a "square" of numbers that add up the same vertically, horizontally and diagonally.
This is from Gaudi's Church of the Sacred Family in Barcelona, Spain. (It adds up to 33)
(I've been to this church and if you're every in this neck of the European woods it's a must see.)
This is a terrific Magic Square site.
Later,

Paul Parducci

The Internet as Queen Bee: Or How I Learned to Stop Thinking and Love the Web

2008-06-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

The thought has occurred to me that the Internet is altering not only how we process information but also how we retain it.

In the past I would be inclined to get to the bottom of a topic so that I could file it properly in my long term memory. But now I frequently just tell myself that if I want more factoids when a need arises, I'll just "Google" it.

As an Actor and Filmmaker more and more of the projects offered to me are "Snack-Sized" for fast consumption and limited or compressed thought.

Are we humans becoming slaves to the web and how it works?

Is this amazing information/communication/entertainment hub modifying us to serve "it" in the way "it" works best?

With every passing day we seem to be more Hive-minded with the Internet as our passive but demanding queen.

Buzz.

Later,

Paul Parducci

PS: Here is a fantastic article by Nicholas Carr from the Atlantic

The Disappearance of Sub Culture: Is Privacy the New Fame?

2008-06-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows artist Andy Warhol's quote regarding 15 minutes. And of course this has been proven to be absolutely correct. In the past world-wide fame was linked either to great achievement or great notoriety. Today with a will anyone can present themselves for global observation.
Special knowledge and the feeling of being "in the know" are also fast evaporating.
Where once fame was the elusive commodity it is this writer's humble opinion that privacy is now the most valuable. And in the google culture we live in it will prove to be more desirable with every passing day.
In the future only the most powerful will be able to afford a private life.
In short Privacy is the new Fame.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Great article on our new "everything is everywhere" world.

Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

2008-06-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

Later,
Paul Parducci

Harvey Korman (1927-2008)

2008-06-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

Some of the greatest in front-of-the-box moments of my life were spent watching this great comic actor work.
Here he is with Tim Conway doing what he did better than anyone else.

Rest in Peace Mr. Korman.
Later,
Paul Parducci