Author: Lee Hurtado

A Game Of Old Men Who Have Lived Too Long

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It’s relatively minor, I’ll admit, but one of the things I enjoyed about this week’s episode of Doctor Who was that now I don’t have to be so circumspect about what happened in the season premiere. So, spoilers away…

When we last left The Doctor, he was in another very dark place. Trapped on Skaro by his ancient nemesis Davros, with his three closest friends seemingly exterminated before his eyes, he looked truly broken, desparate enough to throw away his greatest rule: the rule of compassion.

Exterminate?

And so ended “The Magician’s Apprentice,” a dazzling beginning to Series 9. But this was a two-parter. And we all know how hard it is for the second part to live up to the promise of the first.

Except this time, it was even better.

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Film Music Friday: Notes On A Working Relationship

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By now it’s no secret that I believe that the composer-director relationship is one of the most important in film. I’ve studied it, actively and passively, for as long as I’ve been aware of film music.

Film music is as much about collaboration and relationships as any other part of the art. And that goes beyond the work a composer and filmmaker do together. So today, I’ll be looking at one particular relationship that spanned only two films, but cast a wide shadow.

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Coming Really Soon: Classes For Young Actors

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A little earlier today Nikki announced on her Facebook that she’ll be teaching acting classes for kids, tweens, and teens at the Condra Artista talent agency. They start next month, and here are the details:

First, Kids on Camera is a five-week session for children ages 4-7. It’s an introduction to the basics of acting on camera.

  • When: Thursdays, October 1-October 29, 4:30-5:30pm
  • Admission: $125.00 per student (maximum 6 students)

Then there’s Tweens & Teens On Screen, also a five-week session. This class focuses on film and commercial acting, and is open to young actors of all levels of experience, from age 8-18.

  • When: Thursday, October 1-October 29, 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Admission: $250.00 per student (maximum 12 students)

Classes will take place at CA Studios (12521 Nacogdoches Road, Ste. 104, San Antonio, TX 78217). And as you can guess, those seats should fill up pretty quickly. So if you’d like to register your child, call 210-492-9947 today.

And of course, if you know any parents who might like to register their children, please feel free to send this blog their way.

Thanks as always for your support, and keep spreading the word!

Tonight, You’re Going To Break Your One Rule

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Good men don’t need rules. Today is not the day to find out why I have so many.

As good as Matt Smith was as The Doctor – and he could be very, very good – his time on Doctor Who gave Eleven few moments where he could be well and truly dangerous. (The above quote, from “A Good Man Goes To War,” is one of those few.)

That hasn’t been an issue with Twelve. From “Deep Breath” on, Peter Capaldi has taken the character to those dark places only hinted at before. He’s borne the weight of the horrible things The Doctor has seen, the horrible choices he’s had to make.

And he’s nowhere near done.

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One More Reason (Of Many) Why I Love What I Do

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Last night Morgan’s Wonderland held its annual Free to Soar gala (which also included a birthday party for Morgan, and a Bruno Martian flash mob by the students at The Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland). I wasn’t there for the event itself, but I got to sit in on rehearsals the night before, and I’m still going through the photos I shot.

I had a great time at the rehearsals, so I can imagine how much fun the full event was. It’s just so much fun working with everyone in the Wonderland, TX community.

But it’s a lot more than fun. It’s also so incredibly rewarding. I’ve shared not a few words about the experience, and I’m thankful for everyone who has supported them. More importantly, I’m thankful for everyone who has supported the park and the school.

But for all the words I’ve written, it’s the visuals that tell the story far better. So, if you’d like to see, REALLY see, what it means to support Wonderland, TX, watch this video:

That is what you’re supporting. That’s what all the staff and teachers and administrators are supporting. That’s what I’m supporting.

And I’m honored to be a part of it.

If you’d like to be a part of it too (and I’ve had a few people ask), please message me for details. I’ll try to help if I can.

Thanks as always, and hope to see you in Wonderland!

The InDoctornation Begins

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When I went to Gallifrey One earlier this year (and I just found out this week that I’ll be going back in 2016!), I had the pleasure of joining a contingent of local Whovians. So we had some great conversations on the flights to L.A. and back.

And we were on our way there when Ross Ruediger (who, besides being a Doctor Who fan, is a writer and filmmaker – and for the last couple of seasons, his recaps on Vulture have been essential reading after every episode) told us about his next project.

And I was hooked.

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Film Music Friday: The Summer Of Spy-Fi

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In my last Film Music Friday post, I included a cue from Daniel Pemberton’s rather fantastic score for The Man From U.N.C.L.E. That time, I was using it as an example of a score and a composer that excel at bringing contemporary musical language into the more traditional forms of film music.

But that’s always been typical of the kind of score we’re talking about today. Since Monty Norman’s James Bond theme (as arranged by John Barry) first shot up the screen in 1962, spy scores have always drawn on pop, jazz, and other “modern” forms.

And this summer has seen them come back in a very big way.

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Labor Day at Morgan’s Wonderland

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If you still need ideas for your Labor Day weekend, Morgan’s Wonderland has a few.

The park’s Labor Day Celebration will be happening on Monday, and (as the flyer to your right promises) features appearances by:

  • Animal actor Trinity
  • Miss Greater Helotes Texas Teen 2015, Analee Hemann
  • Steven O. Sellers, performing with his ukelele and Party Time Puppets (and Great Day SA offered a wonderful sneak preview of their show)
  • and Katy McKenzie

Plus, of course, all the park’s great rides and attractions will be there.

It’s going to be a fun day, so bring your family. Invite your friends. Tell your neighbors. Share it with your peeps and tweeps.

Thanks as always for your support, and hope to see you there!

My Fan Page Is Live!

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For a while I’ve been thinking of setting up a Facebook page for my writing career. I don’t really know why I haven’t done it already.

But to make a long story short ([and if you know what comes next, we’re going to be very good friends]), I’ve finally committed and set it up.

Of course it’s still very much a work in process – like me. But it’ll be another place to see more of what I’m up to. And it’s a chance for me to build my profile and portfolio just a little more.

So please feel free to visit. I hope you’ll like the page. And I hope you’ll share it with your friends, your family, your co-workers, their friends and family…

Anyway, thanks as always for your support!