Goodbye January Seraph

All images taken from her Facebook stream... I own zero, absolutely no rights to any of these photographs.

Today, monday the 24th of July was a sad day. Upon opening my own Facebook I discovered that January Seraph had passed away. So far there are no details surrounding her passing but the general mood around the media sites seem to be self-inflicted. This is absolutely tragic news, and has obviously left me in shock, is dissamay, in disbelief.

I will not pretend that I was her friend because, well I was not. I knew of January, and spoke to her via text messaging online on a number of occasions, always trying to be respectful of her and her presence, always trying to offer my own support in her art and craft. I will not pretend to have shared anything remotely special, as fleeting comings and goings of online exchanges are of questionable value, one always in constant flux and greatly depending on who recounts the story in which way. I will not pretend I was not quite smitten by her and very appreciative of what little exchanges she did grant with/of me, for the little exchanges we did have seemed to be real, and not strictly based on frivolous online pseudo fan-based flirtacious sentiment.

The only thing I can say is that my heartfelt sentiments go to all those she touched in her life, all those she has shared her love and pain, her feelings, her inner being, her light and her darkness. To everyone who were lucky to have shared a brief glimpse of existance with her, I send you nothing but my deepest condolences, as well as positive feelings in light of this absolutely tragic event. I can not help but be reminded of a few other people I have known here and there who have alas succumb to the cruelty and pain of being alive. I can not but help thinking of Jezebel Yum, whom I had always wished I could have been there to help her in her own trying times. Now I feel a similar impotence with January, wondering if there was anything I could have done to help her in her trying times, if my presence would have brought a little bit of a push towards the happier side of the spectrum. Alas, in my own insecurities, I never allowed myself to communicate more regularly with her, what by being just another fanboy and such, and yet I somehow feel the great loss now even if it is but from an online contact. I am at a loss for words and there is nothing I can say or write right now until there are more details surrounding this event. To quote the character of Tuvok from Star Trek Voyager, to the character played by actor Brad Dourrif: "I offer you a Vulcan prayer, Mr. Suder. May your death bring you the peace you never found in life. "

And now for something completely different

If you are not familiar with Godfroy Ho, well you should be. Be prepared to witness something absolutely absurd, beyond what you may think absurdity is. Read up on Godfroy Ho if you will, for he was the "master" of below B-grade (if not totally Z) films, the cut-and-paste kind. I won't bore you with the détails of how all this came to be but here is a 16 minute montage of just the added "ninja" storyline which was edited into another film. Don't worry if you don't understand the whole thing (or if that little scene with the jump cuts looks like it belonged somewhere else), I don,t think it will take away your enjoyment of this total crap-fest. Take a few shots of booze first, and prepare to die! I mean, prepare to be "entertained"...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo5gPG72KM

Propaganda and Manipulation (another documentary!)

Part 3 (check out my previous 2 posts for the first two parts). Now that you have assimilated and taken in the information so far, as always questioning everything along the way as well for you should never believe anything at face value no matter how well they try to sell it to you, now you can check out this online lecture. Yes, it's a lecture, like a class in school. But I strongly doubt anyone actually gives classes like this at school. If they did I sure would have taken these.


Check out this 1:17 long lecture about how today's so-called information is completely re-manipulated to manufacture your opinion and point of view on any given subject. As always, keep in mind you must always question evrything and never believe anything just because someone appears to believe it to be true. Take from it what you want, as I just hope it will help to open your mind a little more as to that veil which has been cast upon us all.


Propaganda and Manipulation: How mass media engineers and distorts our perceptions  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo5gPG72KM

The Cult Of Materialism (a documentary)

PART 2 (see my previous post for the initial introduction). So if you think you can take some more in the vein, and you believe that there is something else in this world than what is presented to you, and you do think you can begin to possibly see things in a different perspective than what they want you to see it as, then how about a shorter presentation about our state of being as a commodity?


After all, we humans (cattle) are only valued if we do one or two things: 1) make money/profit for an organization/corporation in which we see zero return, and/or 2) spend our money (chump change) to consume the predetermined products from the corporations to continue to feed the corporations. Check out this little 50 minute documentary, again to be taken with a grain of salt (as you should always, as mentionned in my previous post), and hopefully will add to your already freshly "hypernormalized"-prepared brain to assimilate the information. Take it or leave, but just try to keep an open mind.:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qIBxXLMCL0&spfreload=5

HyperNormalization (a documentary)

Like Morpheus in that infamous Watchowski's film "The Matrix", he asks if you ever felt as though something is wrong with this world but you simply could not put your finger on it? I guess the first question you should ask yourself is how open minded are you really? Do you categorically reject all different viewpoints which aren't in leaugue with the followed doctrine? How quickly are you to judge a person and their point of view on something which may contradict your own to what is perceived to be your basest and most primal instincts? Do you know for certain your beliefs are in fact your own?


The first step is to find a two and a half hour timeslot in your Schedule to Watch what I think may be a very important documentary. Like ALL things (not just that of the system but every bit of info being thrusted at you) you must take this with a grain of salt, but I think if you keep your mind open to this, you may start to unlock your world view and begin, perhaps or not, to see things with a bit less of the glitz and fast food fashion glamour of the modern propaganda machine. Don't just take my word for it, check it out:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InbLmw_x6jQ

Check out the Z.Z.B. Ft'gh story!

Recently I accidentally re-discovered the recorded material of a band I used to be a part of in the 90s, the Ze Zinjanthropes Brachycéphales Ft'Gh. Check out my memoirs/recollections on those long pre-internet days of yore!


http://lxwheill.blogspot.ca/p/ze-zinjanthropes-brachycephales-ftng.html


(I'm making a post about it because the page does not seem to be appearing by itself!)

The Alexander Wheill filmography (as of mid-2017)

Here is a list complete with links to short films, previews/trailers, and other goodies surrounding my official filmography. It is "complete" as of May 2017. This does not include my YouTube Chrnx material nor other online "webisodings" or whatnot. Enjoy!


----------------------------------------------------------


2012: "Mulla Xull" (dir: Philippe Bourret) soundtrack score (as ARCHangel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kktq8fipiHg
Phil participated in the Blue Sunshine 48 hour short film race where DIY film teams were given a few détails to be used in a film they had to shoot, edit, score, and show 48 hours later, finished, ready, or not. "Mulla Xull" features an original soundtrack score by my band ARCHangel, and the short film actually won a prize, which gave Phil the film-making bug again.


2013: "Eroticide" (dir: Mathew Saliba) casting director

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3129802/?ref_=nm_flmg_cldr_1
During the shooting of "First Night", actor Mathew Saliba was writing and preparing to direct his own short for which I helped with casting. He originally wanted me in the lead role but I was actually getting married on the weekend were the principal shooting was taking place. You can check out the film here.




　


2014: "First Night" (dir: Philippe Bourret") actor, "Moses" ; soundtrack score (as ARCHangel)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3891638/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_2
https://vimeo.com/101188088
Password:
FirstNight01

The teaser trailer (my music as well): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QREF6KOIwhc

Check out an interview Phil and I gave just before the official screening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG58g0YMl4o

"First Night" is the film I am most known for, the one which basically put me on the map, and I owe it all to the writer-director-producer Phil. I could talk until civilization ends about this film but suffice it to say it was a tough and grueling shoot, but it showed and tested the cast and crew's real colors. It won a couple of indie awards and allowed me to learn a lot from other actors on the set, mainly Sandra F and Rob Verret. If the film ever gets a DVD release, I'll try to get into a "director commentary" to gets into the détails.




　


2014: "Infiltré" (dir: Mathieu Vaillancourt) actor, "Jo"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3644322/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1a

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TD2BcawhkQ

Mathieu was the assistant director on "First Night", and was working on an ambitious project for which he said he had a role for me. Unfortunately during "First Night" I was horrified of having to learn lines (as I was terrified I would flub every take) and told him I'd do anything as long as the part was a non-speaking role. The result in this film is a mute performance which I also enjoyed being a part of: it was a ton of fun and a lot of laughs behind the camera, for which I also have a ton of stories.


　


　


2015: "Downsized" (dir: Frank Zen) camera, editing, technical
A UK lady into horror and gore made a contest where people had to showcase a 1-minute film by the end of the week. Frank Zen had an idea and I came in and shot, attempted to do some kind of production, and edited it into a few versions. The result is purely amateurish and quite laughable, but it shows how much any type of production does require at the very least some pre-production and serious dedication to the work at hand.
　


2016: "The Game Warden" (dir: Erik Mockus) actor, "Steve"

http://www.thegamewardenfilm.com/#!cast/c1m47

trailer: https://vimeo.com/145810283

Sandra F from "First Night" forwarded to me a casting call add for what would become my very first full-length film feature. Erik and Bret put all their money and effort in this very ambitious project which was a minimal crew with a shooting Schedule spread out over months and months. It was another absolute pleasure of an experience as I learned more about acting through my co-star Joseph Dineen and was able to offer a few bits of improvisation here and there. It is a fantastic piece of work, part drama and part dark comedy. I suggest you see it if you find yourself in the opportunity to do so.




　


2016: "When We Topple Over" (dir: Giuliano Bossa) actor, "The Mercenary", "The Guard"(uncredited)

trailer: https://vimeo.com/159151641

https://vimeo.com/157078487
password wwto

During the Mascara & Popcorn film festival where "First Night" had its world premiere, writer and director Giuliano wanted the "First Night" crew to be part of the production. However Mathiew and his wife had moved to Toronto, and Sandra was already booked with other projects. I learned a great deal on this shoot as well and basically fell in love with everyone involved (and I got to work alongside Rob again). It was the most pleasant shooting ever, everyone was mellow and professional, and even though 80% of my on-screen time was cut out of the film (as well as the parallel narrative from the original script which was completelly left out) it ended up being an incredible short film which actually played at the Cannes festival.
　


　


2016: "Bonne Personne" (dir: Philippe Bourret) actor, "Moses"

https://vimeo.com/184959859
password: bp123
This is one was cursed. It took almost two years to be released due to visual effects and editing mishaps. I am sure Phil would be willing to discuss the post-production mayhem of this Under-appreciated film. Insofar as I can provide my own point of view on the shooting on my cameo, here it is: 8 hours on set. 3 or so hours in makeup. 1 hour of actually shooting. 5 seconds of on-screen time. A true testament of what it is to shoot a film. Although some critics did not seem to get the film, it does have it's own distinct style.
　


　


2016: "A Moment" (dir: Joe Rossi) actor, "Andy"

https://vimeo.com/189435392
If you watched the "First Night" interview clip with Phil and I, he mentions how he "got back" into the film-making schtick after helping out his friend Joe Rossi on a film set. Joe is a gifted storyteller and film-maker, as everyhting he has shot has realism and heart behind it. My involvment in this film came when an actor could not make it on the day required, so I stepped in to do one scene. It was my first time working for Joe and David, and I got to work with Sandra and Rob again.



2017: "Dreammaker" (dir: Joe Rossi) actor, "Frank, the producer"

https://vimeo.com/211511610Joe contacted me and sent me a script in which he had written a part specifically for me. We exchanged a few ideas on how the character should act and be protrayed, and I really worked my ass off to get this one right. It was also the first time I ever performed a part on camera where I was not completely terrified and felt quite "natural" doing so. After one take of the scene they asked me to do the majority of the performance sitting down as I was maybe too agitated for what they had in mind. This was another great experience where I once again got to play opposite Rob, and enjoy the company of Joe & his crew. 

2017: "In Trouble" (Tonnes music video) (dir: Giuliano Bossa) actor, masked enforcer

https://vimeo.com/218713559
Another "hand me down" role where just before leaving for a week in Germany (with my wife for our anniversary), Giuliano contacted me to step in a role for a music video he was shooting after their first choice dropped out. After some quick re-scheduling I spent a weekend in the "When We Topple Over" costume again and essentially reprised my role from that film. It was probably the easiest, most fun film shoot I have ever participated in. Check out a few bloopers and out-takes from that shoot here: https://vimeo.com/215465851 and here: https://vimeo.com/215463254


2017: "Midnight Run" (dir: Matt Vaillancourt) actor, "the scientist" (uncredited)
Another "hand-me-down" role where an actor cancelled at the last moment and I was asked to step in to take his place. This was an "Actra" project but I was the only non-Actra person on the project which is why my contribution was downsized to "extra" and "non-speaking role". Essentially director Matt (whom I had worked with before) and sound guy Phil contacted me about a very small role in a 12-episode series (which can also be edited into a 96 minute feature) where I would essentially be playing a scientist who, after being rejected by his wife, sneaks into his office and... masturbates to online porn! As you can imagine, many people refused the role due to the obvious but since this was not explicit per se, I knew I could easily do it without too much problem. It was about an 8 hour on set shoot, with only about an hour to 90 minutes or actually shooting my stuff. Makeup was applied to simulate various stages of sweat, and wouldn`t you know it, EVERYONE came in on set to Watch me perform. Whereas most would be embarassed, I just thought it was an interesting and a different experience.