Series 2 Postcards & A New Shop

After I created an online print shop to debut the first series of my Around the Hat postcards last month, things have continued to move quickly.  I've had a blast getting everything up and running, however after a few weeks I realized that I needed a more efficient system for people to browse and purchase the postcards I was designing.  The result of all of this is my new Around the Hat shop on Etsy.    

So, what's new with the shop, you ask?  For starters, all postcards have now been grouped into sets of 5 for purchase.  This has allowed me to reduce the cost of the cards from 4 for $10 to 5 for $10 because I won't be spending as much on transaction fees from individual sales.  In each set I've also bundled related postcards together to showcase more of the series and highlight images that some may have missed the first time around.

By hosting my shop on Etsy I now have a much more user friendly layout that allows visitors to scan what's available more immediately.  Details for each set are also more clearly listed now, and the shopping cart takes all of the manual work I was doing out of the sale (which is better for everyone).  

You may have noticed the size of the shop has expanded with this renovation too.  In addition to the remaining stock I had of the series 1 postcards, I've released a second series of cards featuring 65 new images from Around the Hat.  This means the shop now features 105 unique postcards!  Whether your mailing or framing them, there should be no shortage of options to choose from.

I'm also still selling custom prints by request, but as an added feature to my shop on Etsy I'm offering discounted print sets.  I've organized sets of prints for locations like Medalta Potteries and the Monarch Theatre. This is just one more way of sharing the collection, providing more variety, and making it easier for visitors find things they like.  

Let me know what you think, snap up a few of the limited postcard sets before they're gone, and share your requests if there are more prints you'd like to see in the future. Once again, I want to thank everyone who has supported this series and who is helping me to showcase these amazing locations.  Explore the new shop here.  

Monarch Theatre Interior: Projection Room

As I made my way from the theatre, I was excited by the opportunity to finally get a look inside of the Monarch Theatre's projection room.  In the midst of their Digital or Die campaign, the Monarch is working to raise the $100,000 required to get the digital projector they need to stay open and screen the latest movies.  It won't be long until projection rooms just like this one truly become a thing of the past.

I personally had several film school flashbacks as I explored the upper level of the Monarch.  The old reels, the strands of film, and even a poster from the Medicine Hat Film Festival were all pleasant reminders of my time in uni.  The projector and surrounding equipment was beautiful, only made more so when considering how many films must have passed through here.  What can I say? I was easily charmed by this place and the idea of over a century of films being projected to countless audiences from this little room.   

Downstairs in the walkway between the theatre and lobby sits the Monarch's original projector.  It's another reminder that the theatre has changed many times over the decades.  In general, the departure from film projectors certainly marks the end of an era, but for this little movie theatre in Medicine Hat, a digital projector will no doubt solidify all of the hard work that's gone into bringing this place back from closure.  The fundraising isn't over, but I feel confident that the Monarch Theatre will continue to be a great place to catch a flick for many years ahead.

Spliced: Charlie Chaplin

The following comes from my column, Spliced from Volume 47 - Issue 23 of the Carillon (the University of Regina newspaper) from April 2005.

In film history, or just entertainment in general, there are few artists or projects that are able to bridge generations and that warrant a position in the collective consciousness of a society made up of people that can barely remember the name of a movie they saw a few weeks ago.  

With this in mind, I’d like to shed some light on a figure who acted, directed, wrote, produced, and composed the score for many of his films.  A character who you've no doubt seen mimicked, and a man who even if you've never seen one of his films, you’d likely recognize from a picture of early Hollywood big wigs.  Of course I'm speaking of, Charles Chaplin.

Born in London, England on April 16, 1889 Charlie faced extreme poverty, only made worse by his father‘s early death and his sickly mother.  By the age of 21 he became part of a travelling music-hall company and found himself in the United States where he was well-received by audiences. 

Charlie’s ambition and resounding talent led him to a film contract in 1913 with the Keystone Film Company for $150 per week. 

In 1914 Chaplin made over 30 short films, and by the end of that year had signed a new contract for $1250 per week.  Needless to say, audiences loved Chaplin, especially his cane twirling, bowler hat wearing, little tramp character who would later skyrocket Chaplin‘s name and career internationally. 

On a side note, one German dictator was such a fan of the tramp character that he actually styled his moustache after Chaplin’s.  True story.

What I’ve always found fascinating about Charlie Chaplin is that his own rags to riches lifestyle was made possible by a poverty stricken character, who aside from making people laugh, shed light on social issues such as homelessness and unemployment.  This was something Chaplin took great pride in throughout his life having faced these issues head on.

Chaplin, who began feeling restricted by the studio system, gained independence in 1917 when he teamed with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith in forming the United Artists Corporation.  Artist’s under the label essentially became their own bosses, and when your career can’t go any higher, that’s a big deal.

As for Chaplin‘s brilliant films, if you‘re not familiar with his work, I recommend Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931) or Modern Times (1936) to get you started.  Each one of these films is a shining example of Chaplin’s spot-on routines and the tramp’s infectious lovability that extends from situations he mistakenly becomes involved in.

Modern Times is my favourite film of Chaplin’s.  Some may remember a scene where Charlie slides through the cogs and gears of a factory, or his repetitious fidgeting caused from screwing in bolts on an assembly line, or his hilarious mishaps with an automatic eating machine used to save time on lunch breaks.  I’m laughing as I write it because it really is that funny.

Charlie Chaplin’s significance and staying power is no accident, and you’ll understand why when you watch any of his films.  For the record, all of his major works are out on re-mastered DVDs so there’s no excuse.  I guarantee laughs will be had.