Tuesday, August 31, 2010

ONI MASK

Oni are Japanese ghost, demons, and devils. I was exploring on the web when the concept kinda hit me. Obviously, different cultures view and use certain terminology according to their belief system. Being very Western in lifestyle I was scared at first of the idea, however, I grew up a little (lol) and explored the idea further realizing that a lack of knowledge is way worse than having too much of the wrong information.

Once I figured out that Oni were not originally evil just a way of rationalizing the unknown in the past I soon grew fond of the concept. To face the fear I even created an Oni mask (more akin to anime than folklore) which encompassed my love of nature and themes there in. I even named my mask Kutuu Jujuu Ua Oni which is a fusion of African and Japanese words meaning Butterfly Magic Flower Ghost.

I will post images of my mask once it is completely painted until then read if you like the article from WikiAnswers explaining Oni masks in Japanese culture.

N8


The oni is the demon of japanese folklore. It takes on many other names, sometimes referred to as a devil. Unlike most western cultures, the oni is not necessarily seen as an evil being. It is said to be of a dual nature, meaning it's powers can be good or evil, depending on if it likes the subject it attaches itself too. Oni are credited with with bringing good health, safety, peace and avoiding disaster. A typical oni mask has horns, bulging eyes, a sinister looking smile and sharp teeth. Sometimes, it is shown in a form that looks more like a skull. This represents a very black and white image of transition. A representation that good is leaning toward evil, or that evil is trying to become good. Often, oni masks will have hair. If one could break away from the traditional impression that the demon is an instrument of evil, it would make the oni a more widely accepted good luck symbol.

Monday, August 30, 2010

THE PURPOSE - ATTICUS ROSS

A moving and evoking piece. No real words can describe it well enough.

Nate

Friday, August 27, 2010

SUCKER PUNCH TRAILER

I have known about this trailer and movie for awhile but now it seems very appropriate for some reason to show this. A falsely accused "crazy" girl fights her way out of an asylum while have fantastic visual trips along the way. Is it a female version of Brazil where there there really is no escape just insanity or is it something a little new and different where the "crazy" girl actually walks away a little beat up but free as a loon... hmmmm.

THIS SHOULD BE FUN!

N8


The Song of My Blog Page

My page's song sounds like it needs a little R & B help ^_^ (lol).

N8

My Website Sounds Like This Using CODEORGAN

So I checked out a YouTube site that was recommended to me by a music aficionado and one of the videos there mentioned CodeOrgan.com

The trick to the program is taking the algorithm of your website's page (it's codes) and converting it to music. Odd but amusing. The more code and stuff on your page that you have the longer the song.

I actually think this is sort of neat.

PEACE.

N8



Friday, August 20, 2010

SHIMMER

I wrote this poem because of what is inside. A Universal Spirit housed in what I hope is a very unique soul wrapped in an Earthly shell that will someday return to dust from which it came. FYI - The poem came to me while I was working on my model sword. Sort of like the Japanese idea that the sword was/is the soul of the swordsman.

Interesting. Enjoy.

N8


SHIMMER
by NATHAN ZEN-SAPIEN

Eyes alert and opened wide hail THE GLEAM;
A GLINT flickering from within.
Radiant and resonating like a firefly in a jar;
like a star on the edge of the night sky.
A soul shimmers within it's Earthen form


HELLO, MAMAS!!! NATALIE PORTMAN vs MILA KUNIS in THE BLACK SWAN TRAILER

I love the warped psychological aspect of this film just from the trailer. I am wondering if Natalie's character is just going insane or whether there is something deeper and more sinister at work. So what that Natalie and Mila kiss?!? :P If it has something to do with the overall psychosis of the character... BRING IT ON!!! However, if it is just for titillation's sake I'd honestly rather watch porn. I am seriously hoping for crazy/disturbing mentally twisted cat-fight. ME-OUUCH!!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

THE BLACK SWAN THEORY

When I was very young I saw a documentary about swans. Half way through the middle of the special there was the rare appearance of a Black Swan. It made me feel very special and I knew I was seeing something on film that was rare and beautiful. It wasn't until the narrator spoke about how they could and should destroy the Black Swan (the one Black Swan out of a field of hundreds of normal White Swans) to keep its genetic quality from spreading that I actually began to cry. A 10 year old crying about an implied social dynamic that he barely understood but knew was absolutely wrong.

Very upset I explained to my elementary school teacher what I had seen the night before and she tried to convince me that I had misheard the narrator. The following night she watched the show's encore presentation. The next day, she apologized to me (as if it were her fault???) and rationally explained that people sometimes don't understand what true beauty is? Ever since then I have held that moment close to me.

I do like that things have progressed since my youth. I even like how the Black Swan Theory has evolved from what was originally called The Black Swan Problem.

People have to realize that Nature/GOD/The Universe or whatever else you would like to call it DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES! Judge for yourself but I suggest that you do so wisely.

N8


The Black Swan Theory or "Theory of Black Swan Events" was developed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to explain 1) the disproportionate role of high-impact, hard-to-predict, and rare events that are beyond the realm of normal expectations in history, science, finance and technology, 2) the non-computability of the probability of the consequential rare events using scientific methods (owing to their very nature of small probabilities) and 3) the psychological biases that make people individually and collectively blind to uncertainty and unaware of the massive role of the rare event in historical affairs. Unlike the earlier philosophical "black swan problem", the "Black Swan Theory" (capitalized) refers only to unexpected events of large magnitude and consequence and their dominant role in history. Such events, considered extreme outliers, collectively play vastly larger roles than regular occurrences.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

IN THE TIME OF MY RETURN - A Eulogy Poem by Nathan Zen-Sapien

IN THE TIME OF MY RETURN

Fear nothing.
For it is from the nothingness that we were made.
and back to the nothingness we must go.
In fact, rejoice.
Rejoice.
For I am not leaving this world;
but rather I am going to where I belong.
I am not being taken from this world;
but rather I am returning from whence I have come.
Rejoice in my return.
- by Nathan Zen-Sapien


For some reason I felt the need to write this poem early this morning. Don't worry all is well with me and I pray that all is well with you, Dear Readers.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Some Very Cool Art

Just felt like sharing some pics with you all.

Enjoy.

N8






Wednesday, August 11, 2010

E.G.O.T. Or Something Great In Life To Achieve

Achievement. It is hard to access your goals when you are walking along the path of Life. However, when you look at those who came before you and realize the potential of those who will follow in your footsteps it becomes less about the goal and more about how you got to where you are going.

I was watching one of the festival sites and in a tribute they mentioned that the recipient was an E.G.O.T. or someone who received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

Hmmmm...

I want this title before I end my career.

Hmmmm...

A new life goal.

N8

Monday, August 09, 2010

ONE BAD-A$$ YANK!

Musician/composer/actor STEVE YANK had some free time this last Sunday so we filmed a monologue from both PULP FICTION and ANIMAL HOUSE. Steve did a fantastic job and nailed the PULP FICTION monologue in just four takes! However, two of his best renditions had outside interference. The first was an airplane and the best version had too much wind blowing at the beginning so I split the difference and went with the best take. A little wind at the beginning can't stop us it just fills our sails and speeds us towards our ultimate goals!

Enjoy!

Saturday, August 07, 2010

PANORAMIC - ATTICUS ROSS



POWERFUL.

"BOY" AND THE NEXTV WRITING & PITCH COMPETITION

I am happy to report that my feature length script entitled "BOY" made it to the Quarter-Finals of THE NEXTV WRITING & PITCH COMPETITION.

So to not jinx it all I have to say is WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, it does feel a little GOOD!

'nuff' said!

Nate

THE JOURNEY - ATTICUS ROSS



I LOVE IT.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

I Like This Version Better!

I am pretty sure that this is my new Director's head shot... As if a Director needs one (lmao)!
:P
N8