Mike Flanagan and The Haunting of Hill House

It’s only August, but I’m feeling like autumn (my favorite season) is already here. Autumn always brings spooky movies and books back into my life. And speaking of spooky (obvious segue), I’ve been thinking a lot about filmmakers whose visions inspire me, and at the top of that list is … none other than Mike Flanagan.

Of all the horror movies and TV series Mike Flanagan has created, written, and directed, The Haunting of Hill House is by far my favorite. I can’t recall how many times I’ve watched it in its entirety! Hill House is a gem for filmmakers to study and learn from, especially its Episode 6, “Two Storms.” Shot in only five long takes, it is a masterclass in filmmaking! And something about long takes always mesmerizes me.

Being a huge fan, I’ve been looking for as much BTS info on Mike Flanagan and the series as I can. I found this terrific podcast interview with Mike Flanagan from Creative Principles that discusses in depth the making of The Haunting of Hill House. I’ve also found a script of the pilot episode and a few scripts from Midnight Mass online, as well as a Tumblr Q&A post in which he goes into detail about his “most grueling professional experience” working on Hill House.

I’m hoping one day Mike Flanagan will publish all of the scripts for the entire series. For now, his podcast, website, and blog will have to do. Oh, and his Letterboxd account too!

Another gem I found is Mike Flanagan’s very own documentary on the making of Absentia which I’ll include below. Enjoy!

Other Mike Flanagan gems include:

If you know of any other Mike Flanagan treasures, please share them via the Comments section below.

The Quiet of Bryce

Finally, I had a chance to do a National Park trip out West. Bryce Canyon blew me away. It is one of the most magnificent and soulful places I’ve ever been to, perfect for introvert me. With my little Canon Vixia HF G50, I filmed the canyon mostly from above.

Santa Barbara by the Sea

I’m happiest somewhere by the sea. Perhaps that’s why most of my travels end up in coastal towns. Santa Barbara was peaceful and relaxing. I made time to document the trip a bit.

Cayucos & Morro Bay

More quiet times to recharge my introvert battery. A day spent in Cayucos and Morro Bay. The otters were super cute.

Niksen, the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing

A huge believer in the Dutch concept of hygge (taking it slow and enjoying life’s simple pleasures), I’m also embracing niksen, another Dutch philosophy centered around doing nothing on purpose. Niksen is not about practicing meditation, mindfulness, or being lazy. It is about allowing oneself to simply just be. To spend some time without a goal or productivity in mind. In this stressful world we live in, Niksen is a way for us to chill out, zone out, and recharge. It’s not often I get to be in the niksen zone. But when I am, it’s quite lovely!

Fujifilm X100VI and Sam Abell

Finally, the long-awaited Fujifilm announcement is here! On February 20, 2024, at the Fujifilm X Summit in Tokyo, Fujifilm revealed the latest version of their beloved & world-famous X100 camera … the X100VI. Since then, I’ve watched dozens of YouTube videos about the new X100VI. All of them discussed the technical specs of the camera, but none of them is able to show us the soul of the camera. That is until tonight … when I discovered this short documentary featuring the X100VI and Sam Abell, a photographer whose photographic wisdom of “compose and wait” I love so much.

When you have 17 minutes, I hope you’ll watch this lovely short film.

I bought my X100V back in 2020 and then shortly after I gifted it to my nephew. It’s the most beautiful camera I’ve ever seen! And it takes gorgeous photos as well. The perfect everyday camera for me. I imagine the X100VI embodies the same … a perfect everyday camera … for me.

This lovely X100V was briefly mine for a while until I gifted it to my nephew.

January 2024 Movie List, etc.

I can’t believe I have not posted anything in so long – blog or vlog. Real life has been consuming much of my time. Blink and it’s now the second month of 2024. Just a note to check in and let you know I’m still here.

In my precious free time, I’ve been watching endless movies and TV series, as well as reading books, screenplays, and listening to podcasts. I fell in love with Anne With an E, having watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. I love it with almost as much intensity and devotion as I love Gilmore Girls. Yet, there are just three seasons to consume. I’m on my 2nd series re-watch, discovering even more gems as I go along, the second time around.

Watching Anne With an E (Netflix) on my laptop

Oh and do you remember our short film The House on the Cliff? I have a bit of good news on that front. THOTC won “Best Sci-Fi” at the 2024 Black & White Film Festival this month!

This tiny film made by 4 friends while on a road trip in Colorado 2 years ago has had quite a journey. Even though it made no money (as expected), it has gotten a few in-person screenings in 2022-2023 as well as being accepted in many film festivals. All in all … the short has surpassed my expectation in every way! And I’m proud of our combined efforts in making this passion project.

On to another topic. This year, I decided to keep a log of my favorite movies, series, books, podcasts, etc. Similar to Soderbergh’s annual lists – which I love and follow religiously each year.

Hopefully, by December 2024, I’ll have my own list of favorites to share with the world. Not that anyone really cares. But me.

MOVIES/SERIES IN JANUARY 2024
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, True Detective: Night Country, Queen of the Desert, Saltburn, Austenland, Gilmore Girls (both the OG and AYITL). Many on this list I re-watched, by the way. And they’re still just as good, if not better. There are other movies/shows that I have not mentioned since they somehow have escaped me.

FAVORITE PODCASTS
Fujilove and Kraig Adams. Both are so relaxing to tune in to when I’m on a solo walk or drive, washing dishes, or cooking.

CURRENTLY READING
Independent Ed by Edward Burns
Screenplay: The Foundation of Screenwriting by Syd Field
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (I’ve been reading this for the past 2 years, it’s not the sort of book one can finish in a weekend, apparently.)

The House on the Cliff at Niagara Falls international Short Festival 2023

Recently got the good news that our short film The House on the Cliff is an official selection and a semi-finalist at the Niagara Falls International Short Festival. The results should be out within the next few days. Win or not, I’m so excited! Thank you NFISF!

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UPDATE May 3, 2023

The House on the Cliff won Best Sci-Fi Short at the Niagara Falls International Short Festival! Yay!

Maine Coast Diary #1

Yesterday was the first day of Spring but the gorgeous flowers in our hood have been wowing us for at least a few weeks now. Personally, I’m not ready for Spring yet because Winter was so short and snow-less this year. But … I’m learning to adapt to Mother Nature.

Also, I haven’t had a chance to share some photos taken on my last road trip to Maine. Here they are, a bit late, but better late than never. 🙂

On the way to Maine, we stopped by An Unlikely Story Bookstore aka “The Wimpy Kid Bookstore.” My nephews love this series!

Arrived just before sunset and it was a beautiful evening by the Maine Coast.

The view that always takes my breath away!

Dinner … french onion soup & crusty bread. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant. Note to self: always take a photo of the restaurant’s name.

Lovely artworks at the inn. 🙂

Palm Springs Visual Diary #2

One of the things I love most about Palm Springs is its retro-ness and the Modern Mid-Century vibes evident everywhere. Perennially nostalgic, I soaked it all up happily.

And here are a few more photos I took on the trip with my new Fuji X-E4 and 27mm lens.

The Palm Springs Babies were a bit freaky.

Gre Coffee Shop has delicious coffee and lots of terrific LPs.

Best ramen in Palm Springs! Seriously. We went there twice!

Our favorite breakfast spot … ate here almost every morning. 🙂

“The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs” … is literally the name of this little bookshop.

Love staff recommendations!

Beautiful local fauna.

We took a drive through some beautiful Modern Mid Century neighborhoods. I’m in love.

I have a special love for Mid Century Modern … perhaps the nostalgic, retro soul in me always prevails.

After watching THE FABLEMANS, it’s time for a late dinner at Sherman’s.

We got there so late … it was almost closing time.

Mushroom barley soup + pastrami sandwich.

On our last day, we took the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the mountains.

Snow in California in December! Magical!

The blue hour. The views took my breath away. We always make so much fuss about the Golden Hour … but the Blue Hour has an ethereal beauty all on its own!

Palm Springs Visual Diary #1

I have not posted in a long while. Here are some photos from a recent trip to LV and Palm Springs. 🙂

Our drive through the Mojave Desert from Las Vegas to Palm Springs.

View from our LV room.

I didn’t know MS has restaurants? Where have I been?

As you can tell, this was around Christmas time.

“Seven Magic Mountains” … looking like bubble gum stacks. 🙂

Terrible’s is no longer in operation. I’m disappointed even though I’ve not heard of this hotel casino until that day.

The drive through the Mojave Desert was so beautiful!

This would make a lovely scene in a movie.

Arrived in Palm Springs, dinner was at Rooster and the Pig … a different kind of Vietnamese restaurant.

My friend likes the food here. I think it’s just ok, but the ambience is lovely.

Early morning in Palm Springs.

Our hotel is so retro - just like everything else in this town. I love it!

Hiking in Palm Springs where the views from every angle are so breathtaking!

I can’t remember the name of this cactus. Does anyone know?

Majestic palm trees in the canyon.

After the hike, lunch was at El Taco Asado, a Mexican restaurant where the locals go. Delicious margarita!

And last but not least, there’s also a Palm Springs vlog, filmed with my new vlog camera Fujifilm X-S10. It’s replacing my G7X Mark II camera which recently fell into the water in Maine and promptly stopped working. It was my fault totally. The G7X Mark II was my favorite vlog camera for a long time. I made so many beautiful memories with it.

My Fujifilm X100V Replacement Camera is ...

I bought my Fujifilm X100V sometime in 2020 during the pandemic. It was love at first sight for me. The X100V is one of the two most beautiful cameras I’ve ever owned (the other being the Fujifilm X-Pro3). Yes … I’m a huge Fujifilm fangirl. 🙂

About a year or so later, I gifted the X100V to my nephew. I had no clue then how much I would miss this little camera. I started looking for another X100V to purchase but the that camera has become quite elusive these past few years (due to chip shortage?) and is rarely available on the market unless at an exorbitant price (way over market).

After much research, I realized that the next best thing to an X100V would be a Fujifilm X-E4 which was also hard to come by. When I received a notification on HotStock last December that an X-E4 became available, of course I couldn’t resist. ImA birthday present from me to me was my excuse. 🙂

I still miss my X100V … but I also appreciate having the X-E4 as an EDC now. I love its minimal aesthetics, tiny size and retro look.

The beautiful X100V … briefly mine for a blink …

If you can’t have what you want … you can always have the next best thing. I made a vlog about this … of course. :)

My Camcorder Love Continues

If you follow my YouTube channel, you probably know that I’ve been in love with and coveting the Canon XA50 camcorder since 2019. Yep! Way before the pandemic made its much-unwanted entrance into our lives! Even though I love Fujifilm cameras with all my heart, I think camcorders are great for filming everyday life and documentaries.

I recently decided to try out the smaller versions of the Canon XA50 since they look and feel almost the same but have smaller price tags. Here are my thoughts on the Canon Vixia HF G70 and G50, with the G70 being the newer model of the G50.

Renting the Canon Vixia HF G50

Not sure why it took me so long to come to this decision … but it’s a logical one since I love this camera’s big brother – Canon XA50 – so much yet my budget is still standing in the way.

I rented the G50 (a baby-brother version of the XA50) to try out and documented my experience in this vlog. I think it may be the answer to my Camcorder Love dilemma for everyday life documenting.

Las Vegas Visual Diary

A few days in Vegas and then on to Palm Springs. That’s how I’m celebrating my birthday this year. :)

Sunset reflection … totally by chance. Magnificent!

Pretty colors … and to think the sodas could match the bear.

La Salumeria, Park MGM.

Dinner at Yard House and a night stroll down the LINQ Promenade.

Always try to make time for window shopping at Bauman Rare Books.

The Dark Half by Stephen King could be had for a mere $1350.

For the love of First Editions. :)

My first Somi Somi ice cream. So good!