FAREWELL, PORTLAND ADVENTIST ACADEMY.

http://paasda.org/news/goodbye-mr-long/

I say goodbye to a special place.

WILL THE FILM - FUNDRAISING!

This is a short film we're making, alongside my brother Jonny Long and his company, Fly View Aerial, and Portland filmmakers Dennis Mulyar and Ian Midura. We've been developing it for six months and are ready to move into production in September (next month!). Our Kickstarter campaign launched this morning; in the first eight hours we've had almost 100 backers pledging a total of over $3,500. Every little bit counts, even a dollar at a time. If you're able to contribute, support, share, etc., we would be so appreciative!

Kickstarter link: Will the Film

This little film with a big heart means a great deal to us and the surrounding Portland and Vancouver communities. We also know that it has the potential to reach and impact a much greater and global community, as this coming-of-age story* highlights one particular father-son relationship that has lots of laughs and a lot emotional heft, as they navigate their way through life playing basketball, fighting fires, and planning for the future.

Until the future changes suddenly.

(watch the video below for a synopsis, or jump to the text below)



"Will" is a short film based on real people and events. We've been developing it for the last six months and are moving into production in September of 2016. It is a humorous, thought-provoking, coming of age story about the often hilarious relationship between a determined boy and his charismatic, eccentric firefighter dad as they shoot hoops and argue about the future.

Until the future throws a curveball.

This little fictional film has a giant heart. It is based on the life of Gregg Roberts, a firefighter, father, friend, and coach to many. Gregg's big personality and stature, coupled with rambunctious humor and tender spirit, have influenced countless people in his wide-ranging circle, most notably his family, his firefighting comrades, and his friends.

In 2014, Gregg's life was taken tragically and suddenly. This tiny film is meant to shine a spotlight on one of the most important aspects of his life: his relationship with his family, specifically, one of his sons. Although based in reality and about a specific father and son, the themes are universal: the joy, tribulation, challenge, and fantastic reality of a parent and teenage child navigating life together, often in disagreement, always in love.

Through this campaign we are hoping to raise the funds needed to get this film done the right way. We want to honor the Roberts family and others who loved Gregg and love the Roberts family. It’s our hope that this little film with a big heart will bring laughter, joy, and thoughtful reflection to your lives.

We are passionate about this project and are confident in its ability to keep viewers entertained with the frequently comedic relationship between a dad and son, while also leaving the opportunity to be inspired, to think deeply about relationships, and to enthusiastically cherish every moment.

With a little over a month until principal production, we are primed to do this story and project justice with a long list of established creatives signed up to contribute their talents. In order to produce this at the quality it deserves, we need your backing and support.

Please consider helping us in whatever way you can to make this film a reality. We can't thank you enough!
____

*written by yours truly :)

GUEST POST: JONNY & JOSEPH IN UTAH.

Quick little 48 hour trip to St. George/Hurricane, Utah to grab aerials and ground footage in and around Colorado City, home of the infamous Roland and Warren Jeffs, among others. If you've ever read Jon Krakaur's "Under the Banner of Heaven", you'll know some of the controversies that have ensued here. Tune in tomorrow night to ‪#‎ABC20‬/20 to check out the story and see some of our work.

- Jonny Long

©2015 Jonny Long

My brother and I fly Delta, and wait at the airport, and talk about our relationship.

https://youtu.be/VfAJul8ULlM

Franz Ferdinand and Androcles

Stepped out of my (home) office where my wife handed me a cup of late afternoon joe before she returned to swordfighting with our son. New Franz Ferdinand lighting up my little speakers, sleepy sun getting ready to tuck himself in over the horizon. A large spider a few feet away whose life I have chosen to spare, possibly having something to do with the fact that I have told my children the tale of Androcles and the Lion six hundred times. I realise I have not only a phone with a cord, but two of my favourite
typewriters close by. What does all this mean? Nothing, I suppose, except I'm glad to not be dead. Although to be fair, today also brings me one step closer to extinction. 

Happy Thorsday, all. 

A Day Like Many Days, But Different, and I Chat Music With Fred

Woke up.

My wife made me French fries, toast, and tofu for breakfast.
Headed into my mobile office at Stumptown for a couple hours of work.

Took a couple of my students on set to Portlandia, where I had a pleasant conversation with Fred Armisen about Parquet Courts, and also about my friend Art at Jackpot Records, whom I have never met, but is the one who introduced me to Parquet Courts, therefore morally obligating me to credit him to Fred.

Returned home at 11pm, where Countess Becca made me hot chocolate.

Good day.

WHY SHOULD I RUN; I'M ALREADY ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN?!

This morning, I looked out my big window at the great outdoors and the gray sun valiantly trying to awake and realised sadly I would be sitting in a chair, slopped in front of my computer for most of the day. But then I had one of my infrequent* brainstorms. Today is the day.

For Iron Maiden. Once or twice a year, I gotta dig into my old metal collection and set the day afire. And today is the day.

If ESPN could see me speed-editing, they would dedicate a whole new category of the X Games to me. Flying, like Usain Bolt on a bobsled.


Deep Hit of Evening Sun //// Longx4 April 2, 2013

Like a few other late '70s and '80s bands, Iron Maiden was lumped unfairly into a single genre: Metal. More accurately, the parental favourite sub-genre of "Metal That You'll Promise Me You'll Never Listen to, Ever, OK?"

Their visual iconography is both disturbing and laughable, but the operatic vocals of leadman Bruce Dickenson and galloping breakneck guitars are no joke. Technically amazing and emotionally...thrilling.

"Run to the Hills" has got to be one of the most fast, furious, poppiest, dancingest metal songs ever.

Also, it's ideal for blasting while working in front of a computer on a sunny Spring afternoon.

Happy Dienstag, all.

*frequent

Iron Maiden
Run to the Hills
The Number of the Beast
1982

Everything I Think I'm Good At Goes Away

I used to be good at cooking. 
Then Becca started cooking.
Now, she makes vegan enchiladas and sweet potato curry that make her family salivate.
So now she is the cool cook.

I used to be good at LEGO building. 
Then I came home and Becca is constructing these Baroque spacecrafts with our son that have mini-fig bad guys holding weapons. 
So now she is the cool LEGO person.

I used to be good at being the hero in my children's stories.
Then Johannes tells me this tale about robbers who were trying to get him, and how "My mommy fights them, and says 'NO!' and then the bad wolves come and my mommy fights them too and she has weapons and she chops their head off."
So now she is Captain Americana and saves the day, every day.

Okay, I could be bummed.
Except I feel kinda cool being married to a superhero.

But I have forbade her from learning to bake pumpkin pie. Because I am still very good at that.

I think.

****

Life in the Fast Lane.

Nightlife and Hayley Mills

Why, oh why? Why am I up? Portland city lights winking out my studio window. Fewer with each passing moment past Cinderella hour. Seriously. Why am I up.

Because this is when I can work. In the bluelight hours (more boringly called day), I teach. I fix our home. I play with my children and bride. And frequently try to work. But the siren call of too many other obligations, commitments, and Hayley Mills movies is strong. Too strong.

I can do some work in those bluelight hours. But other work, I need blocks of time; a linear chunk of time to get immersed and down to business. I call it "Cinderella work."

Note: I just invented both those terms as I was writing. Bluelight and Cinderella.

Hayley Mills. Love her and her chirpy, cheerful English cadence. We just watched the original Parent Trap with Magdelana. What a terrific, silly film. And all the scandalous subtext underneath the adult chitter-chatter...the subtle intonations and inferences in the dialogue of those '60s, times-a-changin' movies is so charming...what a sweet film. Despite the horrendous bluescreen footage in a couple scenes. Some things you shouldn't skimp on with the budget.

And Magdelana loved it. Is it too late to get her a British accent? Is too late for me to get one? Family discount?

Can't wait to watch Amélie with her someday.

photograph: November 07

He lights up when she bounds into sight. Eyes start fluttering, Jupiter-size grin breaks out. Arms pumping and legs a-skatter as she plops all around and over him. Hi Johanni! Hi! Hi! Did you miss me? Yes, I'm sorry I wasn't here, don't be mad. Okay Johanni? Okay? Don't watch the television - here, I'll cover your eyes. No! No, you're not supposed to be watching television, silly Johanni!


And he glug-smiles and drools litres and leaks spitup as he and Big Sister snuggle. Like their Mum and Dodes. We are snuggly family extraordinaire.

Gute nacht.

Night Shift

One of the cliches I've heard about becoming a parent is that you learn how to use your time more efficiently. One of the few parenting cliches I agree with. I no longer even have the indulgence of gracefully settling in for an all-night editing session with a full pot of coffee and my Homer Simpson slippers, with the blissful knowledge that it will be a completely phone-free, uninterrupted session of productivity. NOW, because of Miss Maggie, this holy time is more likely to take place in increments of 20-40 minutes.

But you know what. It's cool. I am forced by necessity to be more efficient AND she's even been joining me down here occasionally, though she's not much help, and she gets distracted easily. See below.

(photo taken four minutes ago).

New Assistant

Wasn't sure how I'd be able to get any work done once M came along.

My fears were groundless.

Henry, Portrait of an Official Introduction to Parenting

The Very Long Empire will be welcoming a new associate sometime in July.

For the time being, we are referring to him/her as "Henry." We have chosen "Henry" as a codename for a few reasons:

1. "Henry" is easier to remember than "Genghis Anders" or "Jackomo," both suggestions of Uncle Matt.
2. "Henry" is a bi-gender name, meaning it can be used for either a dude or a girl.
3. "Henry" is not one of the actual options for the real name, just a good placeholder. The real options will be kept under tight security until a yet-to-be determined date, so as to ward off nefarious name-stealers. You know who you are.

Regarding employment with The Company: we are strong believers in Nepotism as a viable - and fair - hiring practice, so Henry will be eligible for some immediate perks, such as breastfeeding from the President's Wife, and perhaps occasionally - OCCASIONALLY - getting his diaper changed by the President himself.

It goes without saying, though it shall be said regardless, that The President is delighted with this news.

(this is The President writing)