DONALDREES . COM

I don’t have your typical taste in things.
Now that I’ve said that, hopefully you won’t be surprised by my list of favourite things in 2011!

BEST MOVIE: The Muppets
I was so excited for this movie and it didn’t let me down in a single way. It completely renewed my undying love for the Muppets.
RUNNER-UPS: I really enjoyed Bridesmaids (though I found it a bit long) and I thought Scream 4 was pure horror joy for fans of the series (including myself) or horror movie lovers in general.
*Note: You will not find these movies listed on most respectable people’s list of favourite movies – however, they describe me to a tee!

BEST SONG: Trip To Your Heart – Britney Spears
RUNNER-UPS: Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” is fun in an epic end-of-year way and of course Lady Gaga’s “Edge Of Glory” was a sound I hoped would lend itself to her whole album (which sadly was not the case).

BEST ALBUM: Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor – Caro Emerald
* Technically not released this year, but this was the year I discovered her.
RUNNER-UPS: Robin Thicke’s “Love After War” album is a perfect, relaxing blend of many genres I’m a fan of.

BEST BOOK: The Help
RUNNER-UPS: “The Night Circus” was captivating the whole way through but the ending felt like a bit of a let-down.

BEST PLAY: The Arrangement
RUNNER-UPS: I also really enjoyed “Into The Woods”, particularly the first half.
* Of course, Being Earnest & Here’s To Love! were out of the running because I was in them though I must say Being Earnest will forever hold a place in my heart.

FAVOURITE DESTINATION: Amsterdam
RUNNER-UPS: Can I say everywhere else? The concierge at Disney’s Polynesian Resort? NEW ORLEANS (I loved it there so much!) Disneyland Paris Resort? I feel so lucky to have had the chance to visit these places!!!

It’s been so much fun creating the DonaldRees.Com videos for the past two years, but all good things do come to an end. Sounds so dramatic, doesn’t it? While I still have two rather fun videos to share with you (bringing the total to 15 original comedy videos), these videos will mark the end of this particular brand of fun.

I’ll still be working on creative projects (including videos) but the type and production values will be changing. Expect less improvised home movies, and more well-produced comedy shorts in the new year starring some of Montreal’s top talent.

This time last year I was thrilled to announce that over 15,000 people had watched my videos. To me, that was a staggering number. What’s amazing is that in less than a year that number has over tripled and more than 55,000 people have viewed DonaldRees.com videos – what an amazing success!

And I couldn’t have done it without the help of my amazingly talented friends! Namely: Jennifer Mason, Marc Roth, Orlando Lopez, Tania Vancol, Peggy Tsarouhas, Stephanie McKenna, Dave Reudelhuber, Gerald Doucet and Patrick Sabbag.

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These videos will only be available online until February 28th, 2012 so enjoy them while they’re still available

Another day, another writing assignment I’m happy to share with you. I forget what the goal of this particular bit was, but I find it pretty enjoyable regardless of it’s intention.

Air. How did I get convinced into doing this? Jumping out of a plane. That’s what insane people do. No, insane people jump out of buildings. I’m much higher. Does that make me more insane than the people who jump out of buildings? Feels like it. Air. That’s where most of my thoughts go and every thought is a synapse fired and that’s a physical thing, right? So my thoughts are a thing. They have weight, they have mass – but they’re invisible and they float through the air. A bit of a random thought, but it’s distracted me from what I’m supposed to do. Will my body to jump out of this plane. They told me before I got on the plane that the only way down was jumping. The pilot isn’t allowed to land with passengers in the cargo pit. I have to jump. But why? Why did I do it? What was I thinking about when I decided this would be a great idea? I can’t remember. Those thoughts aren’t with me anymore. I left them down by the beach at the resort where I signed up for this terrible experience. My thoughts, they’re probably sitting in little chairs on the beach drinking tiny invisible margarita’s – laughing at how they sent me to my impending death. I remember them though. How convincing they were. Face your fears, they told me. What doesn’t kill you is not to be feared. Easy words for synapses to say, but holding on to the cold metal frame of the aircraft cargo door, feeling the blast of wind rushing across my face and staring out at the tiny world below me, I feel my thoughts – the rational ones at least – get blown away by the force of the wind. Of course, the decision isn’t my own. The guy I’m attached to lunges forward and I see the plane disappear from around me. The blast of wind that rushed my face is now a part of me, a part of my movement. I’m one with the wind and the air. For a brief moment, it’s amazing. To be able to fly. The world is rushing towards me and I panic. Why hasn’t Guam or Pepe or whatever my buddy’s name is pulled the cord yet? We’re going to die. We’re most definitely going to die. One of my thoughts, the rational ones, comes whizzing down through the air after me. I remember thinking it on the plane and it’s caught up to me now. Thousands of people sky dive every year and nearly all of them survive. Why am I so worried? Just enjoy the moment. Feel like a bird, a big awkward bird with no feathers wearing a helmet. It’s when I finally realize that I’m not going to die that the moment fills me with a joy and happiness I can’t even begin to describe. That is, until I hear Pepe say “Oh shit.”

As part of a writing assignment, I had to create a short two person dialogue based on an image. My task was to go to google images, type in “Two People”, pick a picture and create a scene. Here’s the scene.

Maria: We’re lost.
John: Totally not lost.
Maria: We haven’t seen another person for miles.
John: We’re not lost.
Maria: Or a building or a road.
John: I know where we are.
Maria: Oh yeah, where?
John: The desert.
Maria: What gave it away? The sand? The heat?
John: The sand.
Maria: I was being sarcastic. Obviously. Jesus. Come to Egypt you said. Let’s see the Pyramids you said. Oh, how about a nice evening stroll you said.
John: The scenery is beautiful.
Maria: The sun is up and we’re surrounded by sand dunes. We’re utterly alone.
John: There’s a bird.
Maria: Where? Oh yes. Yes! Thank God. We can’t be far from civilization. I don’t think birds fly around the desert.
John: I think vultures do.
Maria: Fuck you. That is not a vulture.
John: No, I don’t think it is either. And choose your words missy. You don’t talk to me like that.
Maria: I’m sorry. I was just worried that we’re going to die. I misspoke.
John: That’s okay. (Pause). Oh it is a vulture.
Maria: Fuck you. We’re going to die out here.
John: Why don’t we climb to the top of that dune over there?
Maria: Why don’t you climb to the top and I’ll wait here.
John: We do things together sweetheart.
Maria: Like dying in the desert together sweetheart? I could be back at the Hilton with a cold drink in my hand. You know that right?
John: I do know that. I also know that you’re the one who suggested we go off the path.
Maria: The path wasn’t very clear and those statues were beautiful. I got amazing pictures. (Thinks about that.) Fine. We’ll climb to the top together.
John: I love you.
Maria: I love you too, I just better see a Hilton or a McDonald’s from the top.
John: I’m sure we will, sweetheart.

Now, here’s your task. YOU go to google images, type in “Two People” and figure out which picture I drew inspiration from. Shouldn’t be too hard!