Pump it Up: The Warrior’s Path

Well, the movie is out. Before you go and watch… Let’s see what I learned.

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Production started in August… of 2011… and now the movie is finally coming out more or less.

I’ll have a Youtube link for you guys as soon as I get back.

I just wanted to go over everything that happened and why the hell it took a year and a half other than the 4 months of turnaround with the first movie. I can tell you why. Personal problems.

In general I like to keep my lost tempers and anger strictly in a private setting. That’s why you haven’t seen any (really) angry posts and a lot of woe-is-me bullshit. Because blowing it up and making a scene will really help no one, especially. But there are just some cases where it’s just too funny to keep it to yourself and I’ll get to that.

First off it was back in January of last year. I had people over from New Years (I got a pretty nice setup, so it was really the place to be.) But long story short, one of my actors ending up having sex with my art director’s girlfriend… in my house. Yet he got all mad at me. It made no damn sense and everyone ended up mad at me. Sucks doing the right thing sometimes but whatever. I’d do the same thing again for any of my friends.

Secondly, it was my DP Josh. It was a weird relationship. We had worked together before and it was great. He came to me and said he thought we could do even better this time. How can I really deny that type of enthusiasm right? But when I make a movie, and as my actors and the like know. I like to have a particular type of relationship with my actors. While they work with you, they’re your family and should be treated as such with the utmost respect, even if you don’t get it back.

He really didn’t see things the way I saw it. I never want to put them in a bad spot. I need them to be 100% for me or not at all. Thus why I’m open to communication at all times during the day. He frequently argued with me about these things. But that’s the deal with me in those one on one arguments. You’re gonna lose to me every single time. EVERY SINGLE TIME. He realized this after about the 10th time and decided to drag everyone else into it and I was all like “hell no”. That’s when I decided to fire him. He didn’t take it well and took some footage with him. You’ll notice the movie gets really shaky at times. That’s why. We’re missing about 20 minutes of movie that would have made things make a hell of a lot more sense. We also lost 2 characters in the process. Three actually since I couldn’t fit Barrett’s scene in there anymore.

He was surprised at what I did and said he thought I was “Nice guy”. That’s also why initially pretty cold and mean to everyone. Because nice guys tend to get screwed over all the time. This is no exception.

And lastly it was just me. It’s all a bunch of judgment calls really. I shouldn’t have lost my temper with Josh, but that stuff had to happen if I wanted to get this done. And everyone just needs to expect a little less nice me the next time around. Just because. Not just to be mean but because more needs to happen. If you’re not 100 percent with me I got no time. Simple as that. I work too hard for absolutely nothing to not get the cooperation I actually work for and deserve.

But I’m actually going to stop this now and try and collect myself before screening tonight.

*facepalm* Don’t leave a paper trail if you’re an asshole.

You know, one thing I actually give my Dad credit for is my interest in deconstructing people’s bullshit. Got to see him do it in court a few times, it was really pretty cool.

ANYWAY…
Like I said, I had a talk with Josh. Here’s how it went. It was quite hilarious.
It needs the proper music though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ8QVKOWbPU

Josh Carlascio
Been on set for the past couple of days – pulled a double on two separate shoots this week.
I’m just now getting some down time.

Joseph William Greene
Been trying to get you for quite some time now.

(He had been ducking me for about 2 weeks now.)

Josh Carlascio
What does finishing the flick on different terms mean?
Two days. Sleeping and set that’s been my life

Joseph William Greene
That means exactly what I means, I have plans, it’s getting cold and it needs to be done. Now.

Josh Carlascio
Okay. We’ve been stagnant for like a month.

(Yup)

Joseph William Greene
It’s involved me trying to set things up with you and you having better things to do
Then it never happens
And we repeat

Josh Carlascio
Working.
It’s called – working
I have three – count em / three fucking gigs.

Joseph William Greene
I understand what working is. Even if it’s something that involves 5 minutes if your time. Just gotta put that work in. I do.

(I just don’t bitch about it just marvel at the work that I do. It’s always worth the time)

Josh Carlascio
Okay. At last we talked – we were setting up to finish in October, correct?

Joseph William Greene
We’re finishing without you, we start again in a couple of days, lots of new content and the like

(Here we go)

Josh Carlascio
We talked – last Saturday.
No word
Nothing about shooting
I have not talked to anyone save for a couple errant things here and there – I moved. Remember that?
You have made no plans – sent anything that said – hey, thinking about shooting, you available?

(I don’t even have to explain how that goes every time)

Joseph William Greene
I remember all that. But what about when I just needed a scene from you. Before GenCon. And even after
That was well over a month ago

(Almost 2 months actually.)

Josh Carlascio
Exactly – the move – and then shit jut got busy

Joseph William Greene
That’s really all I wanted over the past month. Sense I knew you had those things.

Josh Carlascio
As is life
Plus the reason I’ve been soon all this work – is because I’m still fuckkng broke.
No $$
My phone is about to get shut off – I’m driving with no insurance And I owe a shitton in back rolls – plus school.
That does not excuse the scenes
You’re absoueltlu right / I fucked up on that

Joseph William Greene
That’s all of wanted for almost a couple of months now

Josh Carlascio
Okay so that I fucked up

Joseph William Greene
Pretty much, and what was the excuse for the lateness every single time we would do anything. Even when I went to Indiana or every time I go even. Late.

Josh Carlascio
Yeah back in June when I drive three fucking hours on my day off to meet you guys

Joseph William Greene
Yeah, that’s part of what we do, and it’s not three hours, come on now
Except that one time

(Keep in mind. Maple Park was an hour exactly from my house, and Josh’s house is 25 minutes from mine.)

Sunday
Josh Carlascio
Utica
Yeah

(We never went to Utica)

Joseph William Greene
But that was wayyyy the hell out there
And we did that once

Josh Carlascio
Most of the time I’m there
There
True

Joseph William Greene
Not once

Josh Carlascio
See this too is a low fucking blow on your part

(Victim)

Joseph William Greene
Explain please

Josh Carlascio
I thought we were friends sir
You fire me – on my wall

(We were friends until you started being a complete jackass and purposefully ignored me for weeks. Putting you on blast was the only way you got back to me and that shouldn’t have been an issue.)

Joseph William Greene
That I did. Only after calling you a couple of times and messaging you. Everyone knew this was coming already

Josh Carlascio
Really?

Joseph William Greene
Yeah, I decided days ago and I’ve been trying to tell you -___-

Josh Carlascio
No , you really haven’t

(Yes Josh, you were late to being fired as well.)

Joseph William Greene
Normally I hate doing that. Not my style, I don’t like it. But it sure got you to me fast.

Josh Carlascio
I just happens to turn my phone on
We were in a long break
Typically – what you’re supposed to do – is say listen / things aren’t going the way I’d like.
(This isn’t a typical situation.)

Joseph William Greene
But it’s days man, days, just a couple of seconds to let me know you’re alive.

Josh Carlascio
Fair enough- but my cousin hasn’t heard from me in four days.
And I talk to her almost every day

Joseph William Greene
I really haven’t had a good talk with you in quite some time. And it’s never really about business.

Josh Carlascio
This is not finished but I have to go.

Joseph William Greene
I think it’s quite finished.

TIME PASSES

Josh Carlascio
Yeah we’ll it really wasn’t

Joseph William Greene
Well continue. I got food.

(Grilled Cheese)

Josh Carlascio
But I saw you removed me from the group you fucking drama queen
There was no reason for this
(There was actually. I know you very well and I wanted to keep everyone else out of this unless they chose to be a part of it. Which they don’t. And by the way he was behaving just towards me that wouldn’t have ended well.)

Joseph William Greene
Dude, if you didn’t notice, you are just so so blind.

Josh Carlascio
You
Didn’t
Fucking
Say
Anything
Again

Joseph William Greene
Also, making sure I can’t change my mind

Josh Carlascio
Oh yeah – because the guy who came out edited your movie in six fucking days and then signed on again, you treat me like shit
(I wasn’t going to sign you on for this again. You came to me and said you wanted in.)

Joseph William Greene
Treat you like shit? You treated everyone on set like shit every time.

Josh Carlascio
No I didn’t
Who?
No one ever said anything to me
Who did I offend?

Joseph William Greene
Of course not, they certainly told me though.

Josh Carlascio
Julie?
Cody?

Joseph William Greene
Doesn’t matter who.

(It really doesn’t matter.)

Josh Carlascio
I want prof

Joseph William Greene
You really don’t.

Josh Carlascio
It does fuckin matter this isn’t high school

Joseph William Greene
It really does. Because this shit is gonna follow you.
I’ll say it again, it doesn’t matter. If you wanna know, you can ask around yourself and I’m sure they’ll let you know

Joseph William Greene
But don’t go after anyone else. If you’re mad at anyone it should be me, it was my decision. Just one everyone seems to agree with.

Josh Carlascio
I flat out do not believe you.

(Believe it)

No – you still haven’t given me a reason – so pull your head out of that swamp ass of yours and tell me what you’re firing me for. And is this how you treat your friends?

Joseph William Greene
I thought I already covered it.

Josh Carlascio
No.
Not one damn bit.

Joseph William Greene
Let’s see what you think. Why would I do something like fire you right now?

Josh Carlascio
I don’t know, because you always seemed like a decent and fair person to me.

Joseph William Greene
I still am, but I have to look out for what’s best for everyone

Josh Carlascio
And why was I bad? I never treated anyone bad – I filmed – setup shots – did my job. That you wanted me to do.
I might add.
I never walked around like I was better than you guys.
Not once.
I treated everyone fairly – and I am gonna ask everyone.

Joseph William Greene
Thing is, you were always late. Always. That’s a huge thing with everyone.
Please ask around if you must

Josh Carlascio
Lateness.
Okay. So that’s something that people could have spoken up.

(Yeah, I did)

Joseph William Greene
We shouldn’t have had to
Also, not getting the footage to me you said you would, those things alone are serious problems
You’re an hour sometimes two late to start. That’s insane.

Josh Carlascio
Well see – now we have a problem – because I still have the raw files – and I’m gonna go home and trash them all.

Joseph William Greene
I figured you would.
Which is why I have alternates. Sir.
I always assume the worst in people.
So there are no surprises

Josh Carlascio
See – all you ever had to say was – you know – your tardiness is an issue – I need you to plan more for shoot days.

Joseph William Greene
And scenes I know you didn’t finish. Even though you said you did…
And you’re a grown up, I show up on time

Josh Carlascio
I always texted you when I was late – and I hustled to make up the time

Joseph William Greene
Trying to make up the time doesn’t work. The fact I have to go back and reshoot things should tell you that.

Josh Carlascio
What things? Lewis?

Joseph William Greene
No, not that.

Josh Carlascio
What?
Lewis was the only thing I think I even had tht you didn’t

Joseph William Greene
We need to go back to Denise’s and we missed out on some ending stuff I wanted to do.

Josh Carlascio
That wasn’t because of me.
Denise’s was a reshoot anyway – we ran too long

Joseph William Greene
BECAUSE YOU WERE LATE SIR

Josh Carlascio
I got lost
You DOUCHEBAG
I can act like a big shot too
I told you that

Joseph William Greene
I’m talking about Denise’s. You were just old fashioned late on the other day.

Josh Carlascio
Yeah so am I

Joseph William Greene
I seem to remember Kristen calling you. You didn’t call us

Josh Carlascio
No I had texted you.
I remember that one

(Flat out lie. We was being a bitch at his house and Kristen had to sweet talk him out. Good job on that by the way Kristen.)

Here’s the thing – and the thing that I think I’m gonna break your legs for. You never ever post anything to my wall like the you fucking child.

(I’m afraid the fat white boy is gonna hurt me, for sure.)

You put me on blast for no fucking reason.

(It’s the only way you get back to anyone quickly. You have to be publicly embarrassed.)

Joseph William Greene
It certainly got us talking and quickly. No tip toeing around. That clearly doesn’t work on you. No matter how many times I threw times at you. Always late. You gotta be on time. It’s not just about me. It’s about all the other people you’re working with. I can’t hold them around all day.

It’s the repeated disregard for THEM that pisses me off so. This is a wonderful cast and there’s an amount of talent here that even surprises me. Great people inside and out. I get the very best out of them. I expect the best out of EVERYBODY. That includes myself and you.

(This)

Josh Carlascio
We haven’t shot for almost two months – and this problem – just somehow came up now?

Sunday
Joseph William Greene
I kept bringing it up, you were always supposedly busy whenever I tried to plan one thing or another.

Josh Carlascio
Yeah – been insanely busy. Which I think I’ve mentioned oh – 2 or maybe 200 times.
Again it’s the whole $$ thing

Joseph William Greene
But that’s not the issue, you know that. It’s your behavior.

(Because it is.)

Josh Carlascio
See if you we’re paying my bills you’d get to talk.

Mono non
Nononono
You don’t pay me
You are not a professional
You are an amateur – and with this so am I
We are both starting out at this end

(Gives you no right to be an asshole. And again, you volunteered. I didn’t exactly come rushing for your assistance. And a professional is defined by someone who gets paid for what they do. And I have yet to make a cent so that makes me an amateur by definition. But that doesn’t excuse anyone from giving it their best. Also, just about everyone else in this movie IS a professional so they at least deserve that respect.)

Joseph William Greene
Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and do things right.

Josh Carlascio
Okay – I will concede that fact – I will also concede that if people commit to a time – yeah – they should try to be there.

(This makes sense)

However – when thing do arise – such as with me having OCD when it comes to my gear – and checking to make sure I have everything – yes – but it is not nor has it ever Been about respect / I am insanely scatterbrained
I am trying to do 100 things at once
Which is no good

(We have the random OCD drop which is complete horseshit.. I’m not even gonna get into that… Willie?)

Joseph William Greene
No matter what, it’s pass or fail, and you just failed. I gave you more chances than I should have to redeem yourself and really that was a waste. You commit to these things. You have to strive for excellence. There was a lack of that.

(And that’s the last we’ve spoken actually.)

Maybe, but I’m not through yet.

Zero’s eternal words from Mega Man X one. It’s really no diffrent than how the movie is going right now. Rest assured I’m going to have a lot of nice stories posted here once we wrap production.

But let’s get to the meat of things shall we?

We’ll be screening at GenCon Indy on August 17th, check it.

Is that not sexy? We got a primetime spot too. 9:30pm to be exact. It’s gonna be tits.

But we still have some ways to go. But I’m going to end this update by posting a buttload of stills. Yay stills.

Remember, we gots a facebook page and stuff to harass us at and yeah. See you in a couple of months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, let’s explain these two movies.

Greetings true believers. I’m just gonna get right into it. The whole “Serious Business Saga” (DDR and Pump it Up: TWP) actually make a lot of sense believe it or else.

In case you haven’t already figured it out. It’s a huge allegory for…

AN INTERNET FORUM.

 

We have Derek, he’s like the new user on the block. Doesn’t quite have an avatar yet. Doesn’t know how to handle things correctly. Get’s mixed up with Team Z, our film equivalent of trolls.

What then ensues is what happens on any internet forum… pettiness, trolling, and a heapload of fucking butthurt. It’s really quite crazy at times. But like what any troll, they can be taken down with a little help… and practice. In all my days on internet forums, I have never seen a troll get taken down alone. That theme is there with Wolfen and company banding together to take down this threat. That’s why I sometimes call it “Internet: The Movie”.

Now we move to the sequel, that we’re doing now. It takes place about a short while later.

We continue with our analogy at this point. We have Yvette, who’s seen the glories of dancing games and wants a piece for herself. Much like those asking to be a mod on a forum… even though everyone hates them. We have Aaron, who’s the elite of elites… the guy who really runs things who finally sees what the hell is going on and tries to fix it. In this case, it’s literally sending people out to murder those who would otherwise mess things up.

We have John’s Mom, Evelyn who basically the same as Aaron, but handles things a little more directly.

Maya then becomes the moderator. The one who is in charge of keeping the peace at all costs. In this case, it involves even more killing.

Then we have Lily, Ryzen’s mom. You know that guy that always butts in where they’re truly not welcome or needed? That’s Lily.

All and all, the double feature is just the internet converted for your movie viewing pleasure

That’s all the detail I care to go into right now, I’ll have more clips and stuff over the next few weeks as we finish up.

 

 

Beasting

One thing I really wanted to do with the movie this time around is have some more intense dance game scenes. I know some of my actors aren’t players at all and a few have never actually seen the game played well.

Leroy and I intend to be in that tip top shape when it comes time for arrow stomp sequences. I don’t have Pump in The Lab, but I sure as hell got stepmania and a Blueshark pad. So… we spent the night just beasting out some songs and just trying to get some sort of arrow based stamina and know-how back.

Took a while to finally break the pad in, and I need to get a chair that isn’t low as fuck -________-

Nonetheless, we had a great time, and there will be more beasting to come, that’s for damn sure.

Sore as fuck right now, about to go back to more beasting in the morning. Good idea or best idea?

Aaron in Japan: My Inspiration

I started playing DDR back in 2002. DDR 4th Mix+ at Wright’s Barnyard in Lansing, IL (RIP). Who can forget classics like “Cat’s Eye” or “Wonda”?

Anyway, AIJ is 13 years old now. AIJ, or Aaron in Japan for those not in the know, is a site mostly where music game players come and post about topics of their intrest. Which is pretty much just dance games and Loli. I started posting there at around the time my friend Brandon (Dyme) started to post. He said that’s where all the good players were.

He was right. I guess I popped in at around the golden age when we could find good DDR machines all over the place. Everyone was playing. People were leveling up. We could really just hang and have a good time. Not to mention, I have friends for life in Lefty, Darkmage, and even that fag GTC. Not to mention SonGohanX and NicX who I should be seeing soon.

You could say that AIJ really changed my entire life. It really did.

The Bemanifest trip was the first real road trip I ever took without my family around. We drove 20 hours straight. GTC, Lefty, Darkmage and I… and we even picked up a Canadian along the way at a McDonalds at 2AM. Shit was crazy. But I learned a lot about myself and came back a person who stood a little bit taller. This led to a lot of fallout… but I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Without AIJ, I must likely wouldn’t have even gone and who knows how life would be now.

I also got a front row seat to the decline of the modern gamer. Back in my day, when we didn’t have the internet (gasp) we had to go over to friends houses on Saturdays to play games. We learned a lot about sportmanship, and really just life itself. All by just playing games with other people. There was compitition, but it rarely ever got unhealthy.

This is not the case I saw on AIJ.

Since it’s the internet, people are going to act rudely, a lot. The amount of competition and hypothetical dickswinging I can really just blame on the lack of actual social interaction. You couldn’t do this shit at the arcade back in my day. You’d get your ass kicked. But it’s just the world we live in now.

In case you all didn’t realize… this is where Dance Dance Revolution: The Warrior’s Path comes into play.

Darkmage mentioned it first. It’s “Internet: The Movie”. You have the users (Derek, Wolfen, Yvette) then you have trolls (SupTrashcan, Ryzen, Terminator). The trolls want nothing more than to put the users out of existence. Everything is taken seriously when it really shouldn’t… and people get butthurt over the smallest thing.

Then in Pump it Up: The Warrior’s path. Without spoiling much, we bring in the moderator. Who deals with the trolls in her own way. You’ll understand when you see it.

Back to AIJ, I really don’t post on there anymore because I like my IQ at 145 where it is. However, I can’t hate on it’s existence. He’s brought together a lot of good people and really helped make my life the way it is, for better or worse. I have to thank him so much for that.

Here’s to another year of not so great people on an otherwise very nice site.

In Indoctrination of Little Tree

You see what I did there? Clever. I crack myself up.

Filming is coming up, I got a lot of new mofos on the project. Many of them not pump players. Okay, if you’re reading this, most likely you don’t know diddly jack shit about arrow smashing. This only makes the fact you’re in this movie that much more awesome. I like introducing people to the deep dark world that is arrows.

I’m not gonna lie. It’s short.

First off, let’s get started.

Oh, hi there sexy TX model machine. Howyoudoin? I can't afford you, you high priced hooker you.

Notice there are two sets of 5 panels. Unlike it’s Japanese cousin that has 4 on each side.

That’s where the explanation becomes completely visual.

Consider yourself educated. I’m gonna take a nap.

New year… drama, logistics, fuckin’ dumbasses ugggggggggghhhhhh

My face when talking about the Pump Movie.

The holidays are over… it’s a new year… and in case you didn’t know, there had a lot of shakeups in the Pump Movie. Refer the picture on the right.

Those of you who talk to me or hang out with me on the regular know I’m one of the most level-headed and calm guys around. Again, refer to picture. But certain events transpired over the course of the holidays and I wasn’t amused. I’m not going to call out anyone by name, as usual because I’m not an asshole like that today.

You know who you are: You’re stupid, and you can go straight to hell, not pass go, and not collect $200.

You also know who you are: Hope you come to your stupid senses sometime soon. You idiot.

It takes a lot to truly draw my ire. But it was done. I can be your best friend or your worst enemy, there’s really no gray area. I try to do the best with whatever actors I have. But at the end of the day, actors are actors I guess… evil at heart.

But that’s not really a fair assessment I know. But I can count the actors I really like on one hand. Not even one hand really. I really hope that changes as I move on, but things aren’t looking so hot.

But like I said, I really hope I’m terribly wrong. I’ve met some really nice people. But I guess it’s a #directorsanddivas thing.

Oh, and read the shit I give to you all GRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Me working out the fucking logistics for this movie

Now, it’s question time!

1. When does filming begin for Pump it Up?

-March 17th is day one. I really don’t give a fuck, that’s when we’re starting things.

2. Are there still roles left?

-Yes. But no one is going to know the new additions until day one.

3. Will you be raising funds for this?

-The project is being funded okay for now, but things are about to get real. So yes. We should actually have a little something next week.

4. What are you doing next?

-In case none of my cast and crew figured this shit out already… this is one huge audition. We have bigger, better projects coming up… I’ve even discussed this with a few of you.

5. Will there be another dancing game movie

-No. If anyone else wants to pick up where I left off. Power to them. I’ll support them the whole way. But these movies have been a wonderful experiment, I have a few friends for life. I’m out there. I helped other people get out there. It’s all good. But making these is nothing but stress. Okay working with professionals or those attempting to be so from now on. Because this is just retarded at times.

 

Let’s close now. I can be anyone’s best friend or worst enemy.

But let’s all stay positive, I’m doing what I can. I make myself available 24 hours a day to anyone, anywhere. I actually like the conversation. I’m not comfortable unless you’re comfortable . If not, we can’t work together. Sound hot? Hot. Now, I have to continue working things out on this movie. Only 2 months until showtime.

Selling Out Made Simple: Wanna help with the new film? Here’s How.

Good news everyone. We’ll be filming in March as I stated last night. But due to us kicking it up a few notches (RED Scarlet), it’s time for more funding.

Which is why you’ll see a Kickstarter campaign in the next few weeks. Also, if you would like to invest in this at all… just contact me however you want (info is above on the navigation bar).

Also, if anyone out there owns a business or something they’d like to let us shoot in, again, let me know. You’d be taking a lot off my back.

This is selling out made simple fellas. Okay, it’s just business. But it is what it is. Let’s get back to the fun stuff now shall we? Tons of announcements this upcoming week.

Everything You Didn’t Want to Know About Pump it Up: The Warrior’s Path

Taking a minute to jot down some things.

I really don’t think I’ve made myself quite clear on what exactly it is I’m trying to accomplish. So I’ll lay some things down right now and go all in depth on the cast and crew’s asses on the 18th.

If you’re not familiar with Pump it Up… I suggest you Google it and do so. We’ll be getting some gameplay videos over the weekend during our time at the University. So stay tuned for that.

Secondly, if you haven’t taken a look at this cut from the first film (where we had no budget, rhyme or reason) do it now. You’d get a pretty solid idea what to expect from this production. I can’t stress enough how much I’m going to take everyone out of their comfort zone. Way out. But that’s a lot of the fun right? Right?

I gotta start laying out payroll today as well… fuuuuuuuu. So much to do. Maybe I’ll add a couple of scenes, and I gotta call Nate in Australia. Grah.

It’ll all be worth it though. Can’t wait.

So yeah, there’s not much to tell here right now. Outside is that, and the possible inclusion of a Red Scarlett which would be beyond awesome to be able to play with.

 

Now back to work. I’m always around. Toodles.