Springtime! Outdoor Photoshoots! Fun Props! With Jennifer Baird and Elizabeth McQuern!

These are from a photoshoot last Spring, when I had a longtime friend (and the person who's hired me the most times to do her headshots - we think it's either 6 or 7 times), Chicago writer and comedian Jennifer Baird.

My frequent creative partner Kristin's sophisticated, intricate papercraft had inspired me to at least try to make simple props with simple materials, and I thought this would be a good time to try using props outdoors for the first time.

In this case, it was simple construction paper hearts taped onto popsicle sticks, and some artificial rose petal props I thought we could have throwing into the air, but I loved the effect.

It showed off Jennifer's playfulness and spontaneity, as well as her tattooes. ::emoticon wink::

These photos were a gift for her grandmother, and we wanted them to be cute, light, airy, and playful. Jennifer's comedy experience and our longtime rapport made things that much easier.

Once again, I used my favorite Chicago public park, named Loyola, which has sloping hills, gorgeous green space, benches, a beach, a colorful mural bench that runs for maybe 1/8 mile, a freshly remodeled playground, and lots of character.

I use this park so much I know where all the sweet spots are - benches with beautiful backgrounds, shady spots under the trees, and I even know where the light will be at certain times of day.

The Golden Hour for Loyola Beach Park is in the morning, when the sun comes peeking up over the horizon 6:30 AM as I type this.

In the evening, the last few streaks of sunlight peeking through tall buildings from the West also creates interesting light patterns on my subjects, and even if I need a little help with secondary light with my flash on a low setting, and I like experimenting with that, too.

Since we seem to have skipped winter this year almost altogether, I'm hoping to start booking outdoor photoshoots soon. Hey, how about YOU?

Thanks to Jennifer Baird, and feel free to peruse more of my work at elizabethmcquern.com.

The Job Interview - by Bryan Bowden and Elizabeth McQuern

Rev. Jim Fundy has come up with a humdinger of an idea - sexless porn! Written & produced Bryan Bowden, directing, music and editing by Elizabeth McQuern. Featuring Kristen Studard and Bryan Bowden.

Made especially for Second City's 7 Day Shorts. I'm happy to report my parents think this is hilarious, and they watched it five times when I emailed it to them.

Sarah Haskins, David Cross at the Late Night Late Show Just For Laughs reunion show

Chicago comedy is still recovering a bit from the week of awesome that was the Just For Laughs festival. Big names came in, and lots of our local pals (including 4-5 of my show's cast) got some stage time at some fantastic showcases. After the two super fun Don't Spit the Water shows Saturday night (pics to come, see 'em on Flickr sans commentary if you want), a bunch of us rode up the street to iO, where they were having a special reunion show for the Late Night Late Show.

The Del Close theater was packed full of more people I've ever seen in there before, with extra rows of chairs in front of the stage and bar. Everyone was excited about the show's special guest, Bob Odenkirk - except he didn't show up, but David Cross was there instead! He was really cool and (of course) funny. He did a recurring bit where the host would ask him to tell the audience what his upcoming book was about (or whatever), and he'd go up and down the rows, briefly explaining it to every individual person. He did it several times and the audience was nerding out at the concept of David Cross interacting with them. When he got to me, he described Arrested Development by saying "It was a show, with people, and comedy..." then he moved on.

Another special guest, for whom the audience woo'd and cheered like mad, was Sarah Haskins, Chicago native and writer/star of the excellent, excellent "Target Women" videos on Current tv. So smart and funny, and so nice. I interviewed her for the Bastion awhile back, and said a quick hello to her right before the show started. After three comedy shows in one night, and knowing I'd need to spend all of the following Sunday writing, I started to wind down at 1:30 am and left the show before it was over, heading home on my bike. Bryan stuck around and ended up joining Sarah and a bunch of our mutual friends for a spontaneous party until the wee hours of the morning. Of course! I always miss all the fun. Anyway, some of my pics:

Sarah Haskins and Steve Waltien:


Seth Weitberg and David Cross:


Seth Weitberg, David Cross, and Jordan Klepper:


And, just for fun, one of my favorite Target Women videos:

Mop Top Festival Video Promo

I can claim camerawork on this brief promo for the Factory Theater's Mop Top Festival, a Beatles-themed comedic play on stage now at 3504 N. Elston. (It was supposed to be more complex, but there were technical issues - let's just say we all learned something in the process.) I used pro-quality mics with my camera for the first time, did green screen for the first time, and worked with multiple actors and a real director for the first time. The Factory Theater people are awesome, and the shooting day was so fun.


The Mop Top video was edited by the tremendously gifted Mike Tutaj, my new filmmaking guru, who has been generous with my barrage of techie questions. To get a better idea of the scope of his abilities, check out this gorgeous video he did for a previous Factory Theater production Siskel and Ebert save Chicago:


Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago - Opening Titles from Mikey on Vimeo.

Kumail on Last Night's Colbert Report

Beginning at the 3-minute mark! Kumail in an orange jumpsuit, pretending to be Omar, AKA Homer, a recently-freed prisoner of Colbert's desk. Amazing. You'd think I'd get used to seeing familiar faces on TV, but it's still screamworthy every time.

Scotty Got an Office Job, I Did Voiceover

My amazing friend Scotty Iseri, who is a musician, sound designer, filmmaker, and all-around hilarious and magical human being, has just completed Episode 26 of his inventive and awesome DIY "Scotty Got an Office Job" video project. And the cranky supervisor warning him at the end of this episode? Me.

Scotty Got an Office Job: The Season Finale from Scotty Iseri on Vimeo.

Cool

My Sweet Diaries

My dear friends Kristy Mangel AKA K-Rock and Angelica Busque (AKA Geli Girl) have been working hard to digitize the embarrassing childhood journals of their own and their friends, transforming terribly teenage angst into adult internet humiliation (hey, I'll bet there's a fetish site for that). ANYWAY, the old journals are heartbreaking and hilarious and I invite you to enjoy My Sweet Diaries.

A special excerpt, from Michelle's Unsent Letters Part 3:

Age: unknown?

Julie,

This has been going on long enough. I’ve always kept my mouth shut before, but now I have to speak out. I feel like I’m being ignored by you! I feel like your purposely trying to make me jealous! You knew I was in your group, but you didn’t even walk with me! Or talk with me! It was always Danielle, Danielle, Danielle!!! “Danielle sit here! Danielle come here!” Why? Just because she’s super pretty & super popular? Just trying to make me jealous with that? But I don’t think you would do something like that! I know you better! So why don’t you ever pay any attention to me in school? Outside of school, we’re best of friends! But inside school you act like I’m not even there! See, that’s what this letter’s about! It’s about why you seem to hate me all of a sudden! Not that I think you shouldn’t have any other friends. See what I’m getting at? I’m willing to forget this whole thing if you’ll talk it out or write it out with me, OK? Understand? Understood!

P.S. Pleeeeeeeeeeeease, feed that poor, starving turtle of your’s? Actually, I’ve had my headbrace for 9 weeks, and I know I haven’t slept over anybody’s since I got it including yours, so, if the only time it ever gets fed is when I’m over, well, it hasn’t been fed in 9 weeks! Jeeeeeeeeeeezzzz!!!!!

Write back!!!

Frankenstein Part Two: Love For All

Sure, the Bride of Frankenstein was literally made for him, but what if her heart belonged to someone else? Like a sexy lady vampire? Lucky for her he's a pretty understanding, progressive guy. Lucky for Frank, his ex-wife still cares enough for him to introduce him to his new love, the Undead Bride.

This is for all the people who loved our first Frankenstein video, but felt sad for Frank, who was all alone and looking for love. I hurried up with unused footage and a smidgen of new stuff to facilitate the introduction of a new character so I could wrap up the tale with a second happy ending.

Starring Cameron Esposito, Bryan Bowden, Zee Hartmann, and Teresa Lemaire. Writing, video, editing, music and obnoxious voiceover by Elizabeth McQuern.

50 Things You Didn't Know About Barack Obama

Highlights from Fifty things you might not know about Barack Obama (from Telegraph.co.uk):


He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry

Dude, me, too!

He uses an Apple Mac laptop

Dude, me, too!

He's a Grammy winner

Okay, not so much...

His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

Definitely not.

He's a smoker

Oh, now, that's not good. You're a role model, President-Elect Obama!

He bench presses 200 lbs

Hot.

He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee

Aww! Unsexy nerd phase.

He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal

Glad I'm not the only one taking forever.

He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds

That is so cool. Dudes, we have a cool president!!!

My Pix of Lincoln Lodge Halloween 2008

Last night's Lodge Halloween stand-up show was a TON of fun. They screened my Frankenstein video to a very appreciative audience (!!!) right before Cameron performed as the Bride of Frankenstein, and my roommates dressed up as a bunch of grapes and the Undead Bride. Tons of other fun costumes, also lots of fun laughy drunky afterparty pix. WOO HOO!

Pix by me, entire set here.

Nellie rethinking the functionality of her "bunch of grapes" costume:


Teresa as the Undead Bride:


Eliot Rahal as Han Solo:


CJ Toledano as Three Hole Punch CJ Toledano:


Keith Ecker as...well, I'll let him explain that:


Bill Cruz as Larry the Cable Guy ("Accomplish your task!"):


Michael Sanchez as Dracula:


Chad Briggs as a crazy visiting school lecture dude who wants you to be aware that "safety can happen at any time!"


Cameron Esposito right after the screening of our lesbian Bride of Frankenstein video (on the screen at the left!) to a very appreciative audience who actually laughed so much they laughed over a lot of the jokes:


Cameron Esposito:


Ricky Carmona as the Green Lantern:


Paul Sigwerth and Ricky Carmona:


Chad Briggs, James Fritz, and Bill Cruz:

My New Vid - Pride of Frankenstein: You Sexy Beast

Finally done! 3.5 minutes of hilarity starring my adored friends Cameron Esposito and her real-life girlfriend Zee Hartmann, and my boyfriend Bryan Bowden. Video, music, and editing by me.

Sure, the Bride of Frankenstein was literally made for him, but what if her heart belonged to someone else? Like a sexy lady vampire? Lucky for her he's a pretty understanding, progressive guy.

This is going to be shown at the Lincoln Lodge tomorrow night right before Cameron does a stand-up set. I've never had one of my videos screened in front of a live audience so I'm pretty nervous.

Baby Taste DELICIOUS, Says Frankenstein

...he was also quoted as saying "ARGH! AUGH! ARRGH!"

So, yeah, with the monster video, we had to shoot the video at my friends' nanny job (with the parents' permission, of course -- they are also improvisers), and somehow the baby was not freaked out in the least. In fact, he thought having extra people there was a blast, and he especially liked Bryan. ADORABLE.

Cameron Esposito Turns Bryan Bowden Into Frankenstein

The comedy video should be online by tomorrow night. Nothing like watching one of your best comedy pals turn your boyfriend into a monster (with the help of a cute baby and a cute dog). Yeah, I have a lot of editing to do. In the meantime, a few snaps:

My Pix From Fourth Fridays at Town Hall Pub

Silly faces edition. Pix by me. Full set here.

Cameron Esposito:



Robert Buscemi:



Seth Thomas:



Tamale:



Jay Harris:



Sam Fels:

My Pix From Dan Telfer's Atomic Nerdery Comedy Variety Show

All pix by me, full set here.