Video Distractions: Happiness Edition

Spilling words rapid fire into a vomit draft because deadlines are looming means I've been in a constant state of panic, self-judgement, and dissatisfaction. Here are some videos I've been watching on repeat to wash away the ick. Get ready for some joy!

First, I can't take my eyes off this delightful piece of choreography. "You'll never feel happy - until you try!"



Next, a slightly less finessed dance performance from Paul Rudd, though ten times more hilarious. The last song is my favorite --



In the middle of a 90s music nostalgia binge of old Moxy Fruvous CDs, which led me to discovering bassist Murray Foster's latest creative endeavor - writing and directing his first feature The Cocksure Lads.

Murray and fellow former Fruvous bandmate Mike Ford wrote and performed all the cheery Brit Pop-esque music. Here's one of their new tunes, animated beautifully --



Here's a tidbit from my sports-loving brother The Junk Food Guy that I can't stop watching. Apparently Shaq does not know what a pierogi is. Thank goodness Charles Barkley is there to set him straight --



And finally, some Olicity squishiness is always good for the soul --

Writing Deadline Video Distractions

When I'm cramming to finish a script by a deadline, I always balance my writing intervals with a little YouTube watching. Okay, more than a little. Here are my favorites this month --

A gem from Louis C.K.'s newest comedy special "Oh My God." I love him, of course...



Also in love with this piece of comedy gold - a completely improved, unedited take from Patton Oswalt's guest appearance on Parks and Recreation --



Since I'm swimming in TV right now - finales, upfronts, staffing season, etc. - I've been revisiting this oldie but goodie from College Humor --

My favorite new jam from Clara C - a delicious cover of Phillip Phillips' "Home" --



And even though I'm not on the Zach Braff-shouldn't-be-using-Kickstarter bandwagon, I found this fake Kickstarter video from SketchZord pretty hilarious --



Okay, back to writing...

Video Distractions: Insomnia Gag Reels

When I can't sleep at night, I'll inevitably turn to YouTube to pass the painful waking hours. Specifically, I watch blooper reels. I don't know why they're my insomniac activity of choice, but they are.

Here's a small sampling of what I've been watching for the past hour - or hours - sigh...











I've had the privilege of appearing in a blooper reel myself! Check out my dorky face around 3:03 --



Okay, back to trying to fall asleep...

2012 Video Distractions Roundup

These are the best of the best - the videos that I watched over and over all year. The awesomeness is obvious --











What were your favorite YouTube videos this year?

Video Distractions: Super Nerd Alert!

Yes, I'm an artist who went to MIT. And even though I spend most of my days creating words and envisioning characters, I am damn proud of my techy-nerd heritage.

My latest favorite videos reflect my penchant for all things geek --

First, perhaps the most amazing Gangnam Style parody ever - MIT Gangnam Style!



I heart this parody so much! Not only does it show off a campus I love and miss, it's a great showcase of the incredible diversity at MIT - cultural, academic, sports, and more. Plus perfect lip-syncing, Logs a cappella, and Noam Chomsky! MIT PRIDE!

One of the comments said it best - "Only an MIT Gangnam Style video could feature: the MIT Dean of Admissions, one of the principal leaders of the Human Genome Project and co-chair of President Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the father of modern linguistics, and one of Time's '100 Most Influential People in the World' in 2012 for his liquid metal battery research."

Another fun tidbit from the comments - "Richard Yoon, the star of this video, is an absolute legend. 5.0 GPA, plays on the football team, and I once witnessed him save a kitten from a tree in Killian court."

That's an MIT overachiever, baby!

Next up, a nerdy video referred to me by an MIT alumna --



Did I make one? Of course I did! Still working on getting them perfect - it's my new dinner table trick...

Finally, proof that nerd work is cool --



A little too much woo-ing, but who doesn't love a good Rube Goldberg machine?

Do you have any nerdy videos to share?

Video Distractions: Political Edition

It's election season! You're registered to vote, right? If not, click on the Rock The Vote button over here and do it NOW! --->

Then enjoy my favorite political-themed video distractions, starting with a gem featuring the one and only Samuel L. Jackson --



And another hilarious video featuring Sarah Silverman --



Have you registered to vote yet? Go ahead - I'll wait.

Of course everyone's talking about this secret video of Romney talking to wealthy fundraisers --



That led to yet another hilarious debunking from The Daily Show --

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Chaos on Bulls**t Mountain
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Can you tell I'm voting for Obama? :)

Who are you voting for this November?

Genius Video Distractions

There are video distractions that amuse or entertain. The ones that make you laugh or say, "That's so true!"

Then there are the video distractions I've been watching lately, which are inspiring pieces of pure genius from incredibly creative people that I hope to work with someday.

For example, I can't stop watching this timeless puppetry performance, recorded from The Muppet Show in the 80's, but originally created by Jim Henson when he was 20 years old. Pure genius!



Speaking of The Muppets, here's an incredible collaboration between Ben Folds Five and the characters of Fraggle Rock. Even better than The Muppets invading Weezer's video.



Then there's the latest extravaganza from the multi-talented Todrick Hall that blends a statement for marriage equality with classic Disney fairytales.



And speaking of gays I love, the second season of Husbands has hit the Web. OMG! IDEHTW! Every episode of this Web series from the brilliant Jane Espenson & Brad Bell makes my jaw drop. The writing is sharp, the performances are on point, and the cameos are hi-larious!


Color me inspired - I'm off to write. Zooooom!

The Hump Day Update: Video Distraction Overload Edition

My lack of blogging lately is due to two factors. One, I've been focused on developing a TV pitch that's actually going to be heard soon. My days have been a mix of focused bursts of writing and Olympic-level procrastination.

Two, the summer heat wave that hit Los Angeles this past week has inspired more laziness than creativity. The earthquakes have been fun too.

One thing I have been doing is watching plenty of videos. (Sigh, perhaps my next New Year's resolution should be a year-long hiatus from YouTube.) Here's the rundown of my latest obsessions --

My nerdiness has been in high gear thanks to the Mars Curiosity Rover landing. Here's the play by play if you missed the live event --


An MIT friend's husband works on the Curiosity team and the whole family is supporting him by living on Mars Time. Check out the teen son's blog MarsTimr for more on their adventures.

Also obsessed with two music videos - one from Sara Bareilles, directed by Jonah Hill --


And another made by a fierce Asian kid who replicated Beyonce's "Countdown" video SHOT FOR SHOT! Incredible stuff --


And of course, plenty of comedy videos --



Including my favorite "Call Me Maybe" parody video to date --



Yes, I'm a ST:TNGnerd. My favorite part is the Ferengi yelling, "CRAZY!"

And finally, as if we needed it, more proof that Joss Whedon is the coolest creative ever --

Movie Night Video Distractions

Last night's movie night at T's inadvertently turned into an evening of watching YouTube videos on the flatscreen via Apple TV.

I was eager to share my latest obsession - Todrick Hall's "Beauty and the BEAT!" --



M's favorite video of late was Isaac's live lip-dub proposal. We watched while explaining to D the difference between a lip-dub and a lip sync --



The evening took a nerdy turn with a lineup of T's favorite Star Wars-inspired videos. Loved these in particular --




Then came the laughs! This was A's favorite --



And T's favorite --



Before we knew it, it was past midnight! Ah, home entertainment in the digital age...

TV Trailers Galore

Video trailers for all the new television shows coming in Fall 2012!

Click to watch: ABC • FOX • NBC • CBS • CW

These are the shows that have me excited - first, the dramas --

Revolution on NBC - I love post-apocalyptic, dystopian future stories - and this one's got sword-fighting!



Nashville on ABC - I also love country music. I think this is secretly about Faith Hill and Taylor Swift, who got famous with a song about Faith Hill's husband - drama bomb!



666 Park Avenue on ABC - Creeptastic fun!



Elementary on CBS - It's Monk as a serious drama! Slick and well-written, and Jonny Lee Miller looks pitch perfect.



Arrow on CW - This clip doesn't do the script justice - it's going to be straight-up superhero drama - can't wait!



And now, the comedies --

The Mindy Project on FOX - Hilarious and awesome, part 1



Ben & Kate on FOX - hilarious and awesome, part 2



What are you excited to see this fall?

Saturday Video Distractions

I have a LONG to-do list this weekend - taxes, pilot pitches, Parenthood spec, and revisions to a Web series outline for an ad agency - plus a few blog posts, if I can stay awake.

So what did I do this morning? I watched these videos on YouTube - all inspirational in their own way - yeah, that's it...

First, a fantastic backseat cover from the incredibly talented Clara C --



I love watching this trailer for Australian TV series Summer Heights High and taking in Chris Lilley's ridiculous talent. Need to get this on DVD!



I don't watch Adventure Time on Cartoon Network, but Christopher swears it's brilliant. He introduced me to the character of Lumpy Space Princess, voiced by the show's Creator & Executive Producer Pendleton Ward.

This compilation of LSP quotes is comprehensive and totally random. My favorite - "Aw no. I am not getting eaten by zombies tonight. Get the lump outta here!"



Of course, this is the best compilation of quotes ever --



Finally, I discovered this wonderful short film from Cherry Sky Films. A simple premise and basic production values, yet completely genuine and authentic performances that make the story sing.

Video Valentines

Love, love, love...




Love, love, love...




Love, love, love, love...




All you need is love!




All you need is love!




All you need is love, love!




Love is all you need!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Check out my MIT friend Vlad's new Web series Connection Lost, a sci-fi Valentine's Day tale. Visit their site for a discount code on Equal Exchange fair trade chocolate!

2011 Video Distractions Roundup

My go to videos of the year. Many, many valuable minutes spent watching these…

First, a delicious spoof video from the multi-talented Laura Bell Bundy. She’s done Broadway, gone country, and created Cooter County. Is there anything she can’t do?




I became obsessed with this campaign and this dance routine in the spring. Wish I had kids so I could make them do it with me.




More proof of Louis CK’s comedic genius from Conan. “Ugh, they die.”




I never watch Jimmy Kimmel’s show, but I couldn’t stop watching this. The last two kids are my favorite, clearly.




Also discovered this piece of hilarity around Halloween time. Apparently, Amy was also a KidStage actor in Boston back in the day!




And just sneaking into 2011, the best video example of simple concept/skilled execution I’ve seen in a while.



Now, back to work...

2010 Video Distractions Roundup

The videos I couldn't stop watching this year when I was supposed to be writing.

First, a gem for the ladies from Sarah Silverman on Conan:




ClaraC just released her first album, but she also records covers & mashups right in her apartment - a real DIY inspiration.




The great John Lopez was cinematographer on this tasty tidbit. Short, sweet, and funny!

1-555-LIVE-LYNX - watch more funny videos

Nicole Scherzinger & Tracie Thoms on the Hollywood Bowl stage. I saw the show live, but watch this whenever I wanna feel fierce.




Max Adler plays a gay-hating bully on Glee who is secretly gay himself. This video he made for The Trevor Project made me cry. I now want his body.




An animated tale from Mike Birbiglia, the best Moth storyteller / comedian / sleepwalker ever.




And finally, just because...




Curse you, online videos. Why are you so damn watchable?