Seal Team Six; The Raid on Osama Bin Laden

Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying the New Media Photojournalsim program at the Corcoran College of Art and Design?  Of course I have...get used to it.  All my instructors are rock stars in their own right, and I am surrounded by an amazing group of motivated and fantastically talented classmates.  This week was another great example of the cool things that happen at Corcoran.  After hurricane Sandy delayed the world premier of "Seal Team Six; The Raid on Osama Bin Laden," Steve Elfers (Video Diretor at USA Today, and our advanced multimedia instructor) scored tickets for the class to attend the postponed premier on Thursday.

Going into the premier I knew two things - the movie's subject was the killing of Osama Bin Laden by Seal Team Six, and there was a swirl of controversy regarding the release date.  The list of things I didn't know far exceeded those I knew.  Was this a documentary?  Was it a mockumentary? Who produced it?  What message was the movie intended to convey?  These, and many other things became clear over the course of the evening.

Here is the easy stuff:  The movie is an action feature film that will be shown on the National Geographic Channel at 8pm on Sunday 4, November 2012.  The producer was Harvey Weinstein, and John Stockwell was the director.  The movie is a taut, face paced, fictionalized account of the Seal Team Six successful mission to kill Osama Bin Laden on May 2, 2011.  According to director John Stockwell, although the movie is a fictionalized account, it is factually based and reflects significant research as well as on-location consulting from former Navy Seals.

Our class was fortunate to spend 20 minutes "interrogating" Stockwell.  The highlight of the discussion was his regret that the film is being politicized.  Stockwell said his main goal was to get the details right.  His initial concept was not politically motivated, and included less stock footage that ultimately made it to final release - amplifying the political message.  The debate regarding political motivation in advance of the movie's release centers principally on the release date.  Just two days before election day, detractors claim "The timing of this film is absolutely ridiculous. For an Obama supporter to be releasing a ‘prObama’ film just before the election is a blatant attempt to sway voters. And liberals wonder why conservatives complain about Hollywood.”

This conservative commentator may have a point.  Maybe the Democrats should play by the Republican playbook and release a "tell-all, scandalizing, sex filled, you lied about your military record" propaganda piece about Governor Romney.  Personally, I prefer happy endings.  

I encourage you to watch the film this evening at 8pm on National Geographic...that is, of course, if you are sufficiently sentient and thereby capable of watching a movie and not being swayed to vote according to the whims of evil hollywood producers.  If you are incapable of independent thought, I'm sure there is an episode of "Biggest Loser" just a click away.

Thanks to Oliver Contreras for the photographs.

1979 Kawasaki KZ750 Cafe Racer Project Update

It has been a while since I posted an update on my cafe racer project.  I have made great progress and am thoroughly enjoying the ride.  If you are just now landing on this page, follow this link to read about where this project started - 1979 Kawasaki KZ750 Cafe Racer Project - Before.  For a quick look, here is a photo of the starting point back in July.

An another from the first of September.

So far, the modifications have included:

• Removal of front fender, rear fender, turn signals, mirrors, handlebars, seat, and airbox.
• Added cafe racer seat and tail light
• Added clubman handlebars
• New muffler (sounds fantastic!)
• Frame and fork painting
• Removed Kawasaki logos and painted tank - add Coast Guard racing stripes
• Adde low profile aluminum billet mirrors.
• Exhaust wrap (needs to be redone)
• Fabricated license plater frame
• Added "bullet" turn signals
• Added K&N air filters

The most invasive part of the project was installation of the new seat.  This required removal of nearly a foot long section of the original seat/fender frame.  When the saw touched metal, there was no turning back.

If the weather holds following Hurricane Sandy, I hope to take a ride to my Southern Maryland garage and continue with a few more modifications next weekend.  The work list includes:

• Paint the tail white
• Remove center stand
• Install a crank case filter
• Install and paint new exhaust wrap
• Install muffler support
• Cut off rear foot peg supports
• And possibly remove the chain guard - I am still contemplating this move.

As I was walking through the neighborhood today, I met a guy who is embarked on a similar project with a Honda 650CB of the same era.  He is doing a fantastic job and has the distinct advantage of being a furniture designer and metal worker.  He already has a few pieces of nice custom metal on his project.  I think I just found a new friend.

I will be back with more updates.

Craig