Film366.com reviews The Empire Strikes Back

For those Star Wars fans avid enough to do things like the #BillionDollarKesselRun - I propose you prove THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK is the best Star Wars film ever via Film366.com blog page clicks. The Star Wars film that has the highest number of Film366 page clicks - combined with Film366 SW video views on YouTube - wins!

Here's a link to the Empire Strikes Back review:
http://film366.blogspot.com/2016/02/star-wars-empire-strikes-back-1980.html

And here's the YouTube video featuring Phil Congleton...

...and yours truly....

Film366.com: Return of the Jedi

Hey!

Remember I blogged awhile back that I was starting a new blog with my film fiend - er, I mean, "friend" - Phil Congleton called Film366?

Well, it up and running. Better yet, we featured Return of the Jedi with an original video review shot by my son Peter and featuring his Dad blabbing about Jedi's worthiness. Here's the video:




For the complete Film366 entry, click here.

And, be sure to check out Film366.com every day in 2016 for a new movie recommendation!

NEW QVC Celebrates Star Wars commercial

I was fortunate enough to write, direct, and produce another QVC Celebrates Star Wars commercial. Check it out by clicking on the image below...

SNEAK PEEK at Film366.com

About a year ago, I hung a Gone Fishin’ sign on this Digging Star Wars blog with an entry that read I was going to “explore some other creative opportunities.” I’m happy to say my explorations have culminated in the launch of a new video blog – Film336.com.

Film366.com delivers daily videos - each endorsing a classic film selected for each calendar day in 2016. Since 2016 is a leap year, we have 366 films to cover. Get it? It’s film – three-hundred sixty-six days a year!

Best of all, Film366.com has me working with longtime friend/creative collaborator (and the most-passionate-about-film person I know), Phil Congleton. I can’t wait for you to see the variety of stuff we created, borrowed or stole – er, I mean – embedded on our blog respecting all fair use laws. The videos that Phil and I created – whether together or with separate production teams – range from slapped-together comedy skits shot in our backyards to high-end mini-movies shot at interesting locations. 

Rockin' the mike at GasHouse Radio with Phil ready to shoot.

Phil and I wanted to give our audience something new each day in 2016. And while we weren’t able to produce 366 original videos, the site will offer trailers, film excerpts, written reviews and, yes, even some classic Digging Star Wars audio blog entries. So far, it’s been an unpredictable science experiment – from Burger King meetings to build the 366 list to recording at GasHouseRadio, Jimmy John’s Piping Hot Sandwiches, and other unique locations. 

Film366 on location at Burns Pharmacy in Morrisville, PA (film location from the movie SIGNS).

Phil and I have also been fortunate to have the support of fellow film professionals and enthusiasts who have crewed on our shoots and edits, helped acquire locations and written great music for our original videos.  

DP Paul Schneider lends his talent and gear to the cause.

We even have some original animated videos in the pipeline from graphic artists and cartoonists who couldn’t resist helping us (Okay, we begged them – but for the better good!).

Now, we’d like to invite you into the experiment. Here’s a sneak-peak at first video that will launch on the official Film366 site on New Year's Day 2016.

You can visit Film366.com right now to learn more about the project and sign up to follow the blog. You can also follow us on Facebook. And you may see a production still or video on other social platforms out there, too.

Film366.com will always feature a new film each and every day in 2016.

View. Share. Repeat...everyday in 2016. 

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

Chris 

#ForceFriday

I was fortunate enough to write, direct and produce a QVC commercial for their upcoming Star Wars program this Friday! Check it out by clicking on the image below...

#LoveMyQVCJob

#ForceFriday

Star Words!

I’m a guest blogger on QVC.com for Star Wars. Click on the picture below and read my short snippet of devotion to the ancient saga – complete with really cool (and geeky) pictures…

#LoveMyQVCJob

#ForceFriday

Gone Fishin'

Yesterday, a previous DSW guest left me a Facebook message: "Star Wars is a still a total waste of your time." 

I couldn't agree more.

Because Star Wars is just that - something designed to waste our time in a fun way. 

However, time is precious. For the past year or so, I've debated on closing up shop on Digging Star Wars. After all, it's been a good, four-year run and maybe it's time to call it quits.

It doesn't help that LucasFilm & starwars.com launched a similar Star Wars/classic film comparison blog in 2013 based on the same  idea we rolled out in 2010. While "The Cinema Behind Star Wars" offers some unique insights and a few new films, it's pretty much rehashing the exact same catalog of films we explored prior. 

My blog is a small, mom-and-pop shop trying to compete with a big box store. It just can't be done.

And, yes, I truly am excited about The Force Awakens and, yes, this may be the worse time to pull the plug on a Star Wars-themed blog and miss out on the potential web traffic I could get with the ongoing Episode VII buzz...but...it's time.

I've learned never to say "never again" - so, instead of ending Digging Star Wars forever, I'm hanging up the GONE FISHIN' sign.

Digging Star Wars: Jurassic Park 3D episode guest and my son Peter (and one of his many catches).

I'm going to step away, explore some other creative opportunities, and mull over the idea of returning to (or reinventing) Digging Star Wars. 

Until then, I'm leaving the blog up for all to enjoy. If you're so inclined: post a comment. Tell us your favorite episode or your least favorite...and why. I always loved seeing the posts and emails come in from our listeners and followers worldwide.

Most of all, thank you for reading, listening, and supporting this blog that started as a project in a Critical Pedagogy class at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Thanks for posting comments on any and every episode and especially when I made special episodes designed for other classes. I was never shy for asking for comments when a grade was on the line and you never let me down. 

Thanks to my many guests that brought so much to the table - not just their time and insights, but often their own studios, gear, and talents (several guests edited episodes for me or even wrote and recorded original music specifically for our audio entries).

Thanks for joining in on the fun venture that was...and will remain...Digging Star Wars.