Dean's Pool Tips: Defensive Shots

I've been working with Lois Larimore and My Pool TV as a camera operator and editor for over a year now. Dean's Pool Tips is just one of a number of billiard related series we're producing for the internet, cell phone and international TV markets.

Although he's not a professional pool player, Dean Von has picked up quite a few tips over the years. He shares this knowledge through videos available for download on Veoh TV.

ASTC @ LACC

The Association of Science-Technology Centers held their annual conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center this past weekend.

Not only did I get to attend this fun and exciting event, I got paid to be there (mainly for the parts that weren't as fun or exciting). Most of these types of gigs are setting up and striking stage sets and equipment, but the real job is a few hours of camera work in between.

This organization is made up of science museums and other related businesses, so it was like having the best exhibitors all in one place. And of course, the multimedia presentations had to be top notch as well. In addition to the usual speeches from the group members, this year's guests included the Mythbusters from the Discovery Channel.

TV is Brilliant Again

I know it's a popular pastime to trash TV, especially when TV is trash already. But last night I got a rare opportunity to watch some of the new programs before they get cancelled. Or worse, successful and formulaic.

My new favorite has to be Carpoolers on ABC. It's created, written and produced by Bruce McCulloch from The Kids in the Hall. Great characters and visual storytelling. Even the closing credit sequence was a hilarious call back. God bless Canadian comics and the American TV executives who give them the timeslots.

It comes on after Cavemen, which surprises me how much I like it. Of course, I had low expectations to begin with, but this is another well written show with great characters. And the contrasting of their sophistication and intelligence against modern man's inability to operate a remote control was just brilliant. Not bad for a dumb sitcom about primitives.

Also got to see a bit of Reaper (CW) which is getting better. I didn't care for the pilot and I think I missed an episode last week, so who am I to say? I've always liked that guy from Grounded For Life and the other guy is also a favorite from that show he was in before (real descriptive - the sign of a good blogger).

And to cap off my viewing experience, The Colbert Report outdid themselves when Stephen interviewed himself about his new book. They've done this bit before with the Formidable Opponent, but tonight must have had some pre-recorded parts to it. Check it out on YouTube.

Beer Shark Mice at the iO West

There's really nothing special about the shooting or editing on these videos other than the fact that I get to point a camera at my comedy heroes. As a video producer for the iO West, I get to enjoy amazing shows by some of the best improvisers in the business.

Plus, they trust me to edit and publish these videos as part of their marketing program. Do us a favor and check out all their clips and click on the post-roll ads. Better yet, get down to Hollywood and catch a live show.

Beer Shark Mice is a comedy improv group featuring Neil Flynn (Scrubs), Peter Hulne (American Body Shop), Michael Coleman (Arrested Development) and David Koechner (Anchorman). They perform regularly at the iO West in Hollywood.