3 Things: SXSW Short Films, Alyssa Limperis, and Shaina Feinberg/Julia Rothman
A quick true story: Yesterday, I went grocery shopping for the first time in two weeks. The line to get into Trader Joe's curved around the block. It took me almost two full hours to get in. The spirit in line was of camaraderie and mutual amazement at how quickly the world has changed. When I was about halfway to the front of the line, an elderly man pulled into the parking lot in a pickup truck and got out with a walker. He maneuvered, with much effort, along the line and towards the entrance. Everyone around me in line was visibly concerned about him but we were glad that he wasn't going to stand out in the sun and was instead going straight to the front.
But when we turned the corner and could finally see the entrance, the old man was sitting at a picnic table alone. He hadn't gone inside. So I was worried again. After some discussion, the couple in front of me and I agreed that we should insist that he cut us in line so he could get groceries. I walked over and offered and he looked at me with an amused grin. "What are you talking about? I OWN this place. I'm just watching the business roll in!"
Immediate huge laughter from me and everyone else around us in line. A perfect set up and a perfectly delivered punchline. Good to know that even in these weird times, I can get absolutely roasted by an elderly businessman.
Upcoming Events
LIVESTREAMS:
- COME ON DOWN, YOU'RE ALREADY HERE! Last week's Zoom game show was so fun that I'm doing it again. Come join audience members from around the internet to compete for prizes with celebrity guests. Tuesday, April 7th at 5:30 p.m. PDT / 8:30 p.m. EDT https://forms.gle/4jAQUrL5YpnkvYZ56
A WAY TO HELP:
- From my friend (and moonwalking Zoom gameshow participant) Dan Fox:
I'm working with my friends at NOV10 on a project to connect artists with NYC medical workers helping treat COVID-19. We want to send medical workers simple pieces of personalized art or creative things (drawings, songs, animations, sketches, etc.) that are as a dumb little pick-me-up in stressful times. If you are interested in creating a simple, one-off piece for a medical worker, sign up here: https://forms.gle/BYAcvZT66JWufAaT9
If you want to nominate an NYC-area medical worker (dr., nurse, building staff, admin, etc), sign up here: https://forms.gle/bqqzDVsfjMJ4pe8n6
This week’s list
GREAT:
SXSW is one of the most important film festivals of the year. And since it was one of the first big events to be cancelled due to coronavirus, a lot of great movies that would have premiered there could have gotten lost in the swirl. But, in a very cool move, SXSW is making all of the shorts that would have played in the festival available online for free. So you can do a little mini film festival in your living room! In general, I think it's a shame that people don't watch more short films since they're really fun (and if you hate one, guess what? It's short!). But the biggest obstacle is where would you find the films? Now, there's an easy answer: 2020 SXSW Shorts
FUNNY:
I genuinely think Alyssa Limperis is the funniest sketch comedian on the planet. I laugh at every single video she makes. She's been profiled in the NYT, called "the next Gilda Radner," and done multiple bits on Conan (and voices in the new Kevin Bacon podcast). Her best and most famous character is her mom. I definitely recommend exploring the whole oeuvre of Alyssa's mom videos, but for today, let's all enjoy the perfection of: Mom Stuck Inside.
INTERESTING:
Shaina Feinberg is a writer and filmmaker. Julia Rothman is an illustrator. Together they put together a beautiful illustrated guide with advice for hard times. "With New York's statewide stay-at-home order in effect, businesses are closing, people are hunkering down, and the economy is flailing. In scary times, perspective can be helpful. We talked to five New Yorkers—via Zoom video chat, of course—about surviving the worst moments of their lives." How We Got By
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Stay safe, stay healthy, stay positive,
Chris