OK.
Not not only did I completely drop the ball by not linking the Wired article on J-Gae and the Matrix, but I get blogger demerits for slacking because I missed the Metafilter thread on the article, which you should check out, because Steve Silberman (the article author) is a MeFi user and actually particpates in the discussion.
"In person, Gaeta was very bright, forthcoming, and friendly, albeit with the personality quirks that I described in the article. (I'm in favor of personality quirks.) He didn't come off like a corporate lackey at all, but more like a very sharp geeky guy who has been able to make a living doing what excites him most."
Gosh, I love the internet.
red pill | from inside the mind of krix at April 21, 2003 10:43 PM .We forgive you, Krixy!
Posted by: :: jozjozjoz :: on April 22, 2003 12:08 PMForgive me.
I am not enthralled with Mr. Gaeta. He seems to be the only out there tooting his own horn and letting everybody know how brillant he is.
He may be. HOWEVER, without the Brothers vision and the actors execution he would not have had anything to do with those cute little programming toys of his.
I am also wondering how much of a backlash this will cause when the movies come out, a la, its special effects and not the actors, its Gaeta.
I am saddened for Keanu, knowing that he kicked back part of his back end in order to keep the production going. I am saddened for the Brothers W because, according to a recent story, they made sure their core production team had a piece of the action.
Which makes me wonder something else: why DID Keanu have to give up part of his back end if the team had a cut. Why didn't anybody else put into the kitty.
I am annoyed because I see two years of people working their ass off so somebdoy else can grab credit.
Posted by: Tyler on April 22, 2003 03:26 PMFrom people I have heard from who have actually met Mr. Gaeta, they only have nice things to say about him. He does come off a little bit "proud" (to use a nice term) in some interviews, but I sort of think he is a bit entitled. He just doesn't have the humilty that we are so used to in Keanu. You are right in the fact that if it wasn't for the W's vision and the performers' execution, that these effects wouldn't be what they are. But he rightfully is the "golden boy" of special effects of the new millenium in some respects. I personally wouldn't begrudge him that.
I will however, mock his hair as I see fit.
Posted by: krix on April 22, 2003 04:48 PMAs well you should. :)
I only begrudge him credit when it comes at the expense of others.
Posted by: Tyler on April 22, 2003 05:07 PMBrainfog from the Keanuvox post (imagining that sultry/velvetry voice) competing with feelings of ennui as I check out the Lakers performance ....
~ ~ ~
Still reading the Wired article, but I liked what I read. Only thing, I read/interpreted G’s success in creating the “ultimate in special F/X” as a contribution to the total effort envisioned by The Bros. W. (I really admire how Keanu and the rest of the Matrix cast & crew acknowledge that the Matrix trilogy is something bigger than they are (individually), and that they‘re glad to be a part of it . That is so cool). So, not to take anything away from Gaeta‘s individual talents, only saying that because of everyone else’s belief in G’s conceptualization and subsequent continual “superperfect” efforts (YAY Keanu and the gang), G.’s accomplishments can indeed shine as they do.
Sorry my belief is he is still a glory hound.
Posted by: Tyler on April 23, 2003 05:44 AMYeah, that's right Tyler, stick to your guns!
I don't really *like* him as well, but then again, I have no right in saying that, since he's about a zillion times smarter when it comes down to computers. (ONLY in that field, hah!) The point is that many guys are like him though, boasting and bragging, and that's probably why Keanu is such a nice change :-) So, credits to JG for making mr. Reeves look even more wonderful! - And credits to him for his effects, yes, yes...
He DOES have crap hair, though! Pah.
Thsnks Julie.
I kinda of liked the blonde streaks. Seems so computer punk. :-)
Posted by: Tyler on April 23, 2003 06:59 PMFolks: It was *my* decision to write an article focusing on John Gaeta -- it wasn't like he emailed Wired and said "Ya man, I'm great, and the Brothers have been getting too much credit for these films. How about doing an article on the *real* genius behind the Matrix?"
I did an in-depth profile of Gaeta in part because it had never been done before, which surprised me, because the effects in the Matrix were certainly the most influential effects in films in the last five years (with Lord of the Rings equally influential now.)
Gaeta sees himself as serving the Brothers' vision, and had nothing but wonderful things to say about Keanu, who I happen to love. (It is saying too much if I confess that I hope the Agents in the new films find another excuse for tearing his shirt off again? [grin]). In fact, one of the info sources for my article that was most valuable to me was a lengthy piece of visual effects philosophy that Gaeta wrote *at Keanu's request*.
Clearly, Keanu is not just a great actor in these films, but a deep study of what they mean and why they're important aesthetically.
-- Steve Silberman, Wired
Thank you for taking the time to comment here, Mr. Silberman.
Now excuse me while I ::faint::
:)
Posted by: krix on April 26, 2003 11:11 AMThanks so much, krix. This is a great site!
Steve
By the way, while interviewing Gaeta, I expressed concern that because Keanu is playing a superhero in Reloaded, his character would be less interesting, less human. Gaeta said the following (from the verbatim transcript):
Gaeta: Neo is still really mysterious. He's still super-minimal in his manner. His whole engagement is very Zen. The best dialogue I have ever read is coming in Reloaded, in terms of dialogues that Neo is having with these new visuals. When you're in the Matrix, it's very much like a dream. There are all these reality-loops. You're never sure which reality you're in, "Is this happening? Is this Neo thinking? Is this a perception that he's having?"
----
So, it appears that we will all get a little *deeper into Neo's head* in Reloaded. So to speak. I can't wait!
Steve
Posted by: Steve Silberman on April 26, 2003 12:06 PMI thought the "wired" article and writing thereof,was brilliant..and i am NOT just sucking up(much)..i also find John G to be really interesting.I saw him speak at the "Matrix Filmaker Series" in Sydney and i found John to be articulate,clever,wry,cynical, VERY funny and quite cute in person(grin)..i could have listened to him babble on about The Matrix,F/X for two weeks straight and never been bored.
He has a passion for The Matrix and to see development in F/X, and i respect his vision and even though he IS confident,he didn't seem to have his head up his own ass..
btw..love you krix..
Fantastic commentary about a very good article!
Posted by: phoenix IX on April 27, 2003 06:49 PMThanks!
Posted by: Steve Silberman on April 27, 2003 07:14 PMEek!!! Remind me never to make fun of JG's hair again! :-D Please tell him I didn't mean it... Ehm... *wink* Well, maybe I did :-)It's so cool of you to comment! Thanx!!!
Posted by: Julie on April 28, 2003 12:07 PMRemember, this is a fan site.
Keanu Reeves is in no way connnected to this website.
Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.