Watch out boy, he'll chew you up....

Hopefully by now you've heard about the GingerBread Mannibal... He's a friendly enough guy but watch out if you're made of Gingerbread... he'll chew you up!

Happy Holidays!

There are 13 episodes currently (with one final episode to still come).  Please enjoy the Mannibal's Gingerbread Reviews...

The end of an era.... (for now)

My yearly Holiday Card tradition was born out of a deep desire to entertain. At the time I needed, and so I created for myself, an outlet that would allow me to create and to express myself artistically while also hopefully adding a little magic to the holiday season.

Over the years I have (mostly) enjoyed the process of coming up with something new each year, producing it, and then, just in time for the holidays, releasing the final image, images, and/or video.

From a Nutcracker come to life, to a 1950’s comic book inspired spaceman, to Jack Frost, to a Blue Christmas Elvis Presley I have loved each and every year. 
Each year has felt appropriate for that particular year, and represented where I was creatively and personally. Sometimes, I was even able to also create films that connected to the images, like the year my holiday card was a World War 2 propaganda poster, which connected to my holiday short, Everything Twas or the year I did the ghost of Jacob Marley which thematically connected to the period short film, Christmas Visitations.

While deeply fulfilling, these projects were often also exhausting, stressful, and financially quite challenging. The challenge was always worth it “in the end” and the creative and artistic payoff was what had me coming back bigger and better the following year!

I have been fortunate to work, over the years, with some truly stunningly talented and amazing artists on these projects! They helped my imagination truly come to life in ways I couldn’t imagine! Even more impressively, many times these working artists donated (or highly discounted) their time and talents!! Some of them even came back to help with multiple years!
I have tagged many of these amazing individuals here on this post, as a way to once again sincerely thank them, but also in the hopes that those reading this post will click and further investigate these talented artists and learn more about them and their own work!

It was not an easy decision, and I have to be honest, it took me awhile to really commit to it, but I have decided that I will not be doing a Holiday Card this year. 
As I mentioned earlier, I really started this tradition as a creative outlet because I wanted more in my life, as an artist at the time. I’m happy to report, that is not currently the case. Not only am I continuing to create short format films, promos, and music videos but I am ramping up to do even more with our latest series, Ann Asks and my comedic series “LA be like…”. My suspicion and hope is that the 2018 mid term elections will bring additional work and creativity and maybe even some more Paulitics! 
In addition to all of this I have officially begun work on writing a feature length script!! My first!

I know in my heart, that all of you will understand and respect this decision, and that you will support me, but I still felt it necessary to officially inform everyone and give my reasons. Many, many people over the years have expressed their excitement in seeing what I come up with for the year. I really do hate to disappoint so I hope this will help to defuse a bit of the disappointment.

The good news? You never know what the future brings, and I make no promises the Holiday Card tradition will not return!
Plus, as previously mentioned, all the previous years and years of images, films, behind the scenes, and alternative shots are preserved and available for you to see at anytime. I specifically recommend you check out my “Paulidays” playlist on YouTube if you are feeling festive! I also truly hope you will investigate the many talented artists who have worked with me over the years. In addition I have started you off with some embedded videos below.

Thank you for understanding and thank you for sharing in my dreams and imagination over these many years. I have loved creating and bringing some magic to your holidays!

Specific thanks to: EZ-Productions, Gareth Fient, Laura Basci, Paul Webster Photography, Gavin Rolph Photography, Elhoffer Design, Mike Thomas Portraiture, Wigsandmakeup, Ann Benson

An April Fool's Day Surprise!

No joking, no fooling... just an April Fool's Day surprise... the official premiere of the BRAND NEW short film, Buckle Up, Buckaroo!

Please enjoy!!


Paul

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#love

Love is a complicated thing.

It can be intricate but also simple.

Love is available to all, but sometimes tardy or completely absent.

Love can appear for all types and it can come in all forms….

Sometimes love is awkward and hurts…



Sometimes love is obsessive and dangerous…



Love can be timeless and pure and never ending too.



Other times love is easy and just slips right in…



But love is available to all… even those that are strange, awkward, kooky, weird, unique, special…
love does not judge.



Wishing you a day filled with Real Love, Romantic Love, Love of Friendship, Passionate Love, Timeless Love, Free Love, Selfless Love, Funny Love, Pure Love….But most importantly... Self Love

Remember always that you are complete just as you are. Anyone who comes into your life just compliments you. They do not complete you.
You are whole.

Wishing you a VERY Happy Valentine’s Day today.

Paul

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2016's Pauliday Card Officially REVEALED online!!

The time has come....
My 2016 Pauliday (Holiday) Card has officially been revealed online!! Put Adventure on your Christmas list... and blast off to the link below to see it now!!

Paul

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Twas the Night Before He Went to War

In 2013 I released my first holiday film, Everything Twas.  That same year, as an additional "bonus" piece that came from the same "world" of 'Twas' I released a fun and stylized melodramatic project meant to be reminiscent of a 1950's film called, Twas, The Night Before... He Left for War
As is sometimes the case though, I was never really happy with it.  I liked the concept and thought there was a lot of potential but just didn't feel like technically or creatively I had achieved what I wanted to.
Three years later I felt the same, so I decided to revisit the project.  I don't often like "going back" but I wanted to give this project it's do.
After speaking with editor Gareth Fient (who had also worked on the original version), I felt confident we had "new eyes" and could approach the project with enough fresh ideas but could also now technically achieve the proper and appropriate look for it.  So why not try?  Why not try and make the project I had originally set out to make in 2013.

I'm happy to report...I think we've done exactly that!  What do you think? 
Below you'll find the BRAND new 2016 project, "Twas the Night Before He Went to War" plus my Holiday films, Everything Twas and Christmas Visitations.

I hope you enjoy!  Happy Holidays!!

Paul

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Your Holiday Gift....

A big thanks to everyone who has supported me and to everyone supporting independent film and filmmakers.
Wishing you all a very Happy Holidays from What's the Alternative? Productions.

Please enjoy your holiday treat, our (now award winning) super short comedy film, 7, as it takes a one day break from the festival circuit and is available online for your enjoyment!
Hurry though, and watch it NOW... the film will ONLY be available for 24hours!!!

Paul

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ONE DAY EVENT! December 7th!

AN EARLY HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU!!

We've just released a BRAND NEW TRAILER FOR THE AWARD WINNING SUPER SHORT FILM "7" to help promote our ONE DAY EVENT.... on December 7th!!

While the film is still doing the festival circuit, we thought it would be a nice holiday treat, to make it available online to enjoy for one day!

So don't miss your chance to see the film!!!!

*Facebook users be sure to RSVP to the What's The Alternative? Productions event HERE

If you haven't yet, please subscribe to my channel at www.YouTube.com/GetPaulHoward

MARK YOUR CALENDAR and see the SUPER short comedy film (FOR 1 DAY ONLY) on 12/7/16


Paul

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Nearly (almost!) 12,000 views for Christmas Visitations!!

A very Happy Holidays to you my amazing followers and supporters!

I hope this finds everyone well, and hopefully mostly rested from the cascade of holiday events...
You know though.... There is one more event left.... and it's an important one!!!

Can we get Christmas Visitations to hit 12,000 views before NEW YEAR'S DAY?

We're sure going to try!  Help us hit another milestone before the end of 2015 by continuing to watch, comment, and of course SHARE our film NOW!

A very HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Wishing you success and health in 2016!

Paul

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2015's HOLIDAY CARD REVEALED!!!

I'm very excited and proud to reveal the official image for my 2015 Holiday card!!

As you know, this is a yearly tradition that I always look forward to!  This year's image makes the holiday tradition eight years old!!  Eight images (well, technically more counting alternate shots), and eight years in total!!
As in previous years, I am so happy with the end results and appreciative of all of the hard work that went into this year's card!
I want to thank all the talented individuals who helped me create my iconic moment from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol!  Special thanks to Photographer, Paul Webster, who was my photographer this year! Please see the entire team's details and names below!

Be sure to also check out http://www.getpaulhoward.com/marley/ for more holiday magic (and additional images)!!

Happy Holidays!  Hoping that you are visited with JOY & MAGIC in 2016!!

Paul

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THIS YEAR'S TEAM:

**LINKS**

Photographer:

http://www.paul-webster.co.uk/

MUA:

https://www.facebook.com/jules.roman.SFX/

Hair/Wig:

http://www.wigsandmakeup.co.uk/

Special Thanks:

http://ez-productions.com/

http://laurabasci.com/

http://www.garethfient.com/

http://www.largerthanlifestagewear.co.uk/

And for those of you who want to see more of Marley's origins...

3000!

Christmas Visitations has been out for just over 2 weeks and we just passed another milestone....
3000 views of our film on YouTube!!

It really is a HAPPY holidays!  Thank you to everyone supporting the film by watching and sharing!  And if you haven't watched it yet, or shared it... now is the time!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Paul

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Visitations, of the Christmas kind.

November 25th, 2015

Exactly two years to the day, that I premiered my first holiday short film, Everything Twas, I am excited... no, actually, I'm overjoyed to premiere my new holiday short film, Christmas Visitations! I'm so proud of the film and all involved! Truly!

Thank you to all the cast and crew and to our kickstarter backers who helped make this film a reality!! You all are... AMAZING!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

*Remember to help spread the word about Christmas Visitations by sharing and liking and commenting!

Paul

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Only days away now...

The date for the world premiere of Christmas Visitations has been announced publicly... and we are now only days away from the premiere...
If you haven't yet, be sure to LIKE our fanpage & SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube.... NOW!!

Paul

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Eighth Year.

It's official!

My 2015 holiday cards have been ordered on Minted!!!!  And I'm not gonna lie, this holiday tradition of mine is a TON of work... sometimes, mid way through the process I ask myself... "WHY?!?"... "Why do I do it to myself?!?!".... LOL... So much planning, organization, money, effort, and magic goes in to every year!!

This year was no exception, however, something that did make this year a bit tougher was in addition to planning and preparing my 8th holiday card, I was also in production with Christmas Visitations!!  A holiday film!!

But now that I round the corner on the final lap, I am reminded as to why I do it.  Every year.  For eight years.... why I put myself through it all...

BECAUSE I LOVE HELPING TO SPREAD A BIT OF HOLIDAY JOY AND MAGIC!!!

I can't wait to reveal this year's images... first via select mailboxes and then, later in December, officially ONLINE!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Paul

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Visiting very soon....

It's just INCREDIBLE how it's all coming together!! What an AMAZING post production team Christmas Visitations has been blessed with....

Gareth Fient, Barni Sparkes, Erick Schroder, Dean Otusanya Wood are working their magic and the film... oh my god... the film... Let's just say... it's sweeter then the sweetest sweet!!

I'm so very truly excited to PREMIERE it. Soon.

But until then.... ANOTHER, brand new, tease.....

#ChristmasVisitations


Paul

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NEW Christmas Visitations Trailer!!

It's here... a BRAND NEW trailer for my upcoming holiday film, Christmas Visitations!!
I'm so excited to premiere this one later this month!
In the meantime, please check out the Christmas Visitations Fan Page on Facebook and be sure to Subscribe to my YouTube channel!
There is so much more .... visiting ...coming soon.....

#ChristmasVisitations


Paul

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*Check out a few on set photos and behind the scenes photos below:

Be a part of my next HOLIDAY themed project.. join the campaign!

No need to wait for the holiday season to start to begin giving.... tis the season.... now!
Join my kickstarter event and help make my next holiday themed project!

Please share with your networks of friends and family.

Thank you for your kind support of my art.

Paul

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Why Lionel Richie’s HELLO should be on your Halloween playlist not Valentine’s Day!!

When most people think of, or hear Lionel Richie’s iconic song, “Hello,” they hear a love song.  A pop song about a man experiencing love at first sight. A man experiencing true love.  A sweet romantic ballad perfectly constructed to appear on a Greatest Love Songs collection or your Valentine’s Day playlist.

I am not one of those people.

 

Hello has always sounded less like a power love ballad and more secret admirer/stalker song to me. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love Lionel Richie, I love his writing, his singing, and I love Hello.  I consider Hello to be one of the best pop songs of all time.  I just don’t think it should be celebrated as a love song.  At least not a traditional one.  As I have written before, I have always been struck by the song’s darker but clear message.  A message underneath the beautiful and simple love song lyrics.  Underneath the beautifully and richly sung notes.  There is something darker, something sinister underneath that simplicity.  It's there in the music too.  Listen for it.  Something stalking.  A repetitive "drumming" of the piano.  A repetitive note.  Like torture.  Even Lionel's voice has a whisper to it, a haunting feel and a clear desperation.

My fascination with this song and it’s darker intentions has in no way diminished it’s power as a pop song for me, in fact, I have a deeper respect for it and it’s one the reasons I was motivated (or driven) to create an entire project based on it!

On June 25th, 2014 I released this project online, my short film/music video hybrid, HELLO, which uses the song and it’s less common message to tell a new story.  Reactions to the project were mixed, if not fascinating, with some people “loving” the story and the intensity of a “love gone wrong", others were more shocked and surprised by the twist and turned off by the violence in it. 
I had people tell me that it reminded them of past relationships and that they could relate to the feelings the main character possesses (not my creative intention) others, some victims of abuse or domestic violence, said that it was painful to watch because it was realistic and reminded them of their past abuses (not exactly my creative intention either, but an amazing if not disturbing “compliment” to my work).  Overall I was pleased with the feedback because it got people talking.  It challenged them, and that, was in fact one of my creative intentions.  That, and to entertain (of course) in a creative new way that took something fairly old and deeply intrenched in our pop culture and present it in a new and exciting way.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love and respect the song, and love and respect Lionel Richie.  Got it?  Make sense?  OK.  Well now that I got that out of the way, I can now give you my “thesis” on why Hello should be played around Halloween, not Valentine’s Day!

I should say at this point that I'm not going to even go into the eighties produced music video for the song starring Lionel as a teacher who falls for one of his students, who happens to be blind and has absolutely no talent at making head busts look like their subjects!


OK.  Maybe just for a minute....The music video consists of Lionel calling his blind student on the phone in the middle of the night, singing of his love to her in class, secretly following her around the classroom halls, and eventually confronting her and discovering that she loves him too!  Haven't see it?  It's a hoot, and you should, here.
The music video directed by Bob Giraldi, is a mess in my opinion not because of the idea or the execution but because they tried to make a music video for a love song and as I will further explore, Hello is not a love song.  That's why I think my version of Hello works better for the song.


Getting back to the song... and specifically the lyrics.  Come on!!  Have you actually read the lyrics?  Not just listened to them on the radio but read them?

I've been alone with you
Inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips
A thousand times
I sometimes see you
Pass outside my door
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
'cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love you

If anyone told you that they had “been alone with you inside (their) mind” you’d back away slowly and hope to God that your cell phone gets good coverage for that much needed 911 call you are about to make.  You sure as hell wouldn’t think that it sounded romantic.  But because Lionel sings the lines so sweetly, and it’s a pop song we’re talking about here, you don’t really notice what he’s saying.
“And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times” he continues.  Alright, granted, this is a little less creepy and maybe a bit more romantic if you don’t mind some guy essentially telling you that you are in fact who he’s thought about, when he’s alone at night, eh-hum, all alone.  And for good measure, he’s telling you that he’s done it, with you in his mind, a thousand times!  Um…
Thanks!??

But Lionel's only warming up, “I sometimes see you pass outside my door”… excuse me…what?  You see her outside your door, which means you watch her by peaking through your mini blinds or curtains, stealth like, as she passes your window presumably going to and from her home since, oh great, it appears they live near each other?  Maybe even neighbors!  But you don’t say hello to her (although you sure do like to sing it), no you instead just watch her silently and hidden.  Though you do have a nice view, apparently, since you’re able to analyze what is in her eyes!  You say as much next, “I can see it in your eyes.  I can see it in your smile.  You’re all I ever wanted” 
Wait.  Just a second.  Through your creeping, behind your blinds, you can see “it” in her eyes and smile?  Really?  Again, a normal person would be checking their cell phone and quietly punching the “9” and then the “1.”

He continues… "cause you know just what to say.  And you know just what to do” Wait, so this means they’ve met?  Or does it just mean that you listen in to her conversations with other neighbors.  Or maybe you’ve bugged her place with audio?

"And I want to tell you so much.  I love you”

So based on her eyes, her smile, and that she knows “just what to say and do” you know you’re in love?  Although, there is a high probability that you’ve never even exchanged dialogue with her.  OK.  I guess that’s not quite a stalker yet.  Just a cheesy love song, pop style.  Right?  Right??

*It should be noted however, that the music does start to change here.  For the first time we clearly hear a repetitive “striking” of the same note.  A piano maybe?  Regardless, this musical note is the same musical note, over and over again.  Rhythmic. Repetitive.  Like the dripping of a faucet, or of Chinese water torture.  Drip. Drip. Drip.  Even more creepy, just like Lionel’s character, the repetition has been there the whole time!!  The composition of the song is so brilliant though, that it has slyly hidden it from us until now.  And we should all be weary of repetition or someone doing the same thing over and over again.  Why, you ask?  Well, Albert Einstein said it best “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” 
Besides that, doesn’t the note, that dark, repetitive, haunting sound, doesn’t it remind you of something else?  It reminds me of the music from the classic horror film Psycho, specifically the music (if you can call it music) from the famous shower scene.  Go back and listen to Hello and then listen to the music from Psycho.  It’s not the same, Hello has a slower, less frantic sound, but both have an unnerving repetitiveness to them.  Go ahead, listen for yourself. Psycho Shower Scene

I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I've just got to let you know

OK, here’s where it starts to get interesting lyrically.  You “long to see the sunlight in (her) hair?” Um, does this mean we can assume you haven’t spoken with her directly, or at the very least, you haven’t spoken with her in the daylight?  Kind of weird dude, you know, to confess your love to someone you haven’t even talked to in the light.  And on a side note, who says "I long" for something anyway?  You “long” for it?  Really?  To see sunlight in her hair?  Seems a bit….um, much.
Actually he's begun to use a lot of, intense words and phrases now, “my heart will overflow” “I’ve just got to let you know"… plus you repeat yourself, and promise to do more of it, if you ever do actually talk to her face to face, “And tell you time and time again how much I care”
Irrational emotions, intense language and feelings, repeating yourself…hmmm, you are starting to sound a little unhinged.  At least emotionally.  Maybe the crazy is not mental….

'Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you?

Nope.  You are crazy, with a capital “K”!!  You not only stalk her quietly and secretly but when she’s not around you wonder where she is, what she’s doing, and in my opinion, the creepiest line of the entire song, you wonder if she’s getting laid?  That is what he’s asking right, when he says, "or is someone loving you?”  You want to know if she’s getting laid.  Come on dude!  How is that any of your business?  This is something I expect from a lovelorn guy who was suddenly just broken up with by his girlfriend of 9 years.  Sure, then you are going to wonder, is she getting laid?  But wondering that, when you haven’t even met her face to face or talked to her, or seen her hair in the sunlight?  Creepy.  Real creepy.

Suddenly the music busts into the classic 80’s saxophone solo and then Lionel repeats the above lyrics.  Maybe for good measure?  There is something specifically different in him this time when he sings “or is someone loving you?” his intention has changed.  His phrasing very different and appears much darker and more sinister then when he sung the line the first time.  It’s also less “bright” this time around both in his note and delivery.  Is this a subtle way to communicate his fascination moving into obsession?  Want to listen for yourself?  I cued up the song to 2:13, the first time he delivers the line and then 3:29 the second time so you can hear the two versions.



Hello, is it me you're looking for?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say, no, no you are not the one she is looking for since, well, since she doesn’t even know you exist Mr Stalker!

Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue

You haven’t got a clue?  Really?  How about, oh, I don’t know, introducing yourself to her!  That sounds like a good way to start.  Or even, maybe, stop spying on her?!!  Another great way to “win (her) heart” (or at least prevent her from calling the police).

And then, he does it.  He rocks this simple pop song into something so much more.  With one final line he puts everything into context and changes the game.   Most people don’t even notice though, they’ve been hypnotized by the melody, or the beautiful singing that Lionel knows how to do so well.

But let me start by saying I love you

Start?  He'll start there?  He’s probably never met this woman, and there is a high probability that he’s been,at the very least, secretly been spying on her but probably full on stalking.  He seems to finally have built his courage up and he’s going to meet her, face to face, and tell her something.  And that first thing he decides to tell her?  Well, it’s ironically not, hello!  No, when he first meets her, he’s going to tell her that he loves her (of course!).  Even for pop music this is fairly unnerving.

And brilliant.

Lionel Richie has created a romantic, stalker song.  That ever elusive goal in pop music.  Write a hit song that the general public loves, and plays at their weddings, and couples refer to “our song” while you laugh all the way to the bank knowing the irony.
The Police’s “Every Breathe You Take” is a great, more widely accepted example of a stalker song, as is Sarah McLachlan’s “Possession” which is literally a stalker song (Sarah said writing the song, using letters from various and disturbed obsessive fans was very “therapeutic.”).  And don’t get me started on Mariah Carey.  Pretty much every single pop song that woman has written freaks me out.  All of them are obsessive stalker songs and talk about how she is the best you ever had, and that you’ll never survive without her, and that you’ll be back for more.  Or else.  See “Someday” and “Always Be My Baby” as great examples.  In fact, David Cook covered “Always Be My Baby” and the song doesn’t work at all.  Not because he isn’t an able vocalist, but because the songs creepy lyrics are brought out tenfold with a deep male voice singing them.  Listen here.

All these songs are “catchy” and when taken out of context sound like loving ballads.  The perfect pop song.  But like Hello they are more then just cute ditties!  They are multi-level pieces of true artistry.  This is why Lionel Richie's Hello (and the other songs mentioned) should never appear on a Love Songs compilation.  They should never be played at weddings and should never be your Valentine’s Day anthem.

They are about love, but an unhealthy, non Hallmark endorsed love.

And like the stalkers to their pray, we should love them for what they are…. not what we want them to be.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Paul
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To See HELLO, my short film/music video hybrid, click below: