S.R. Wild: Artist and Graphic Designer

Norman's Ridge Panorama

Sunday, on my way back to Vermont, I stopped at my parents’ house to pick up some of my crap (I have crap everywhere, even in places I don’t know), walk around the woods, and use the facilities (aka the woods).

While I was there I went up to Norman’s Ridge, which is behind my parents’ house. This is one of my favorite places on earth. The view is spectacular. Photographs or words don’t do it justice. It’s one of the only places in the Adirondacks that one can get a 360° view (the photo above is only the eastern view) without climbing a mountain. The best time to go up there is at night. There isn’t any light pollution so you can see the stars very clearly — you feel like you’re in the sky. It’s amazing.

The photograph above is my first attempt at creating a panorama. I took six photographs and merged them in Photoshop. It’s not the greatest but I learned a few things and I’ll definitely be doing more of these.

Weekend in the ADK

Desperately needing a break from the madness and a change of scenery, I headed to the Adirondacks (aka where I grew up) Friday evening. I figured the only way to keep me from working was if I wasn’t near home or a computer. Plus, I wanted to see some real mountains and not the little Vermont bumps.

It was a lovely evening for a long drive and a ferry ride. The ferries are at Marine Security Level 1 (MarSec1), as they have been for quite some time. It just means you have to consent to your car being searched if you want to board. They obviously can’t search every car, instead, they pick cars at random. I take the ferry numerous times every year, so I’ve been searched a few times — I’ve found clever ways to hide the bodies, weapons, and drugs. When I’m picked, I usually exclaim, “Yeah, I won!” — they don’t find it humorous at all. This time I was searched on the way there and on the way back. That has never happened.

I pulled into town around 11 o’clock and went straight to the restaurant my friends work at.

Saturday, after some excellent raisin bread French toast and coffee, we headed to the mountain to go snowboarding for the afternoon. It was odd to ride in such warm weather. We spent most of the time sitting on the deck at the top of the mountain, looking at the mountains and the people — some very odd people.

My neck and hands were burned by the bright enormous ball of gas in the sky. This was probably the one and only time I’ll be hanging out in the sun — sorry (not really), I don’t do bright, sunny, or happy. I don’t like being in the sun except when it’s rising or setting. During the summer, I’m usually the whitest guy around.

I also walked in the woods, walked the dogs, and other exciting things. It was nice to get away but I’m glad to be back home with Pinky, my mannequin — I always miss her so much and I wish I could take her with me.

Post-Film Forum

The Lake Placid Film Forum was a bust. Friday morning, Aaron and I went to the auditions for the Sleepless in Lake Placid short films. About fifteen people showed up. It was sort of like gym class and we were the black sheep. Everyone introduced themselves and they all had acting experience… except for us. “I’m S.R. Wild and I’ve never acted in my life—except like a fool.” Even though I was chosen, the Marlboro College group that picked me never called me back. Oh well, perhaps I’ll make my acting debut another time.

Later that night, I went to see The Interview. I ran into Steve Buscemi and introduced myself—he’s a nice guy. The movie was good. The interview with Buscemi after the movie was great. He’s really funny and handles dumb questions perfectly.

During the movie, Aaron took this amazing photo of Steve Buscemi in the projection booth.

Even later that night, I took some photos on the way home.

Lake Placid Film Forum

This is my last lazy YouTube post for awhile and then I’ll get back to our regular scheduled programming.

As I’ve mentioned before, next week is the Lake Placid Film Forum (June 14–17). On Thursday, they’re showing Buster Keaton’s silent film The Cameraman for free.

The following night, they are showing The Interview. It’s the first in a trilogy based on films by Theo Van Gogh, the last surviving Van Gogh who was murdered in 2004. It’s directed by Steve Buscemi, starring Steve Buscemi, and there will be an on-stage interview with Steve Buscemi after the film.

There are a few other things going on too, but it’s much smaller than previous years. Sadly, there aren’t any short film programs. Regardless, I’ll be there with bells on… mayhaps sock garters too.

Copy Shop

I love short films and “Copy Shop” is one of my favorites. It was shot with a digital video camera, printed on paper, and then filmed with a 35mm film camera.

I first saw it in my old stomping grounds in the Adirondacks at The Lake Placid Film Forum. Which is happening again this year, June 14–17. I haven’t gone to it for awhile and it looks like it’s going to be much smaller this year, but I think I’ll go. Especially since they’re showing Buster Keaton’s silent film The Cameraman. Silent films at the Palace Theater are great because they have a Robert-Morton Theatre Pipe Organ.

PART I

PART II

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