Meathead, a filmmaker obsessed with Superman - By N.L. Belardes

I’m listening to Meathead serenade me right now. He’s on Bakersfield’s KRAB 106.1 radio talking about the new Superman movie. I remember I was in the studio the day he saw the trailer.

Talk about a big kid getting excited about a movie. Meathead is a connoisseur of the comic in himself and of comic book films. He knows lines from movies and could probably tell you every detail and hiccup of every Superman film, ever.

And he kind of looks like Lex Luthor on steroids. He’s that big. Though I liken him more as a gentle superhero rather than a dark villain. So don't let his looks fool you.


Meathead: the superman I have been looking for


A hero among us mortals. It's true!

Next week he’s even going to give details about what he calls “hiccups in the current Superman movie.” He did note today on the radio that he loves the new film.

Recently I attended “The Meatydish Show” starring many local bands in cool videos. Oh, you didn’t hear about it? It was at the local Bakersfield Independent Film Festival. There were films about love, murder, naked people parties, fish, superheroes, murderous fairy tale creatures, lonely men, coming of age murder stories, hectic cop shoot-outs, at 11:00 news flashes, and more.

And music videos starring local Bakersfield bands. Many of them. All of them made by Meathead, a filmmaker with a film degree from Florida State. And his expertise doesn’t stop there. Meathead is also part of the Brighthouse on-demand TV show, Damaged TV. Damaged TV is a hilarious show with skits, interviews, and stars Meathead, Rocky, Desi and friends including Francis Mayer and Meathead’s brother…

As a result of my recent article where I criticized a pregnant lady who still might kill me, her husband who should have, and myself for wrongly wanting to skip out on the film, Youthanasia, I also came down hard questioning why Meatydish Productions did not attend. Was I just hurt myself? Or was I disappointed in a greater scene not showing total support of Meathead himself and the BIFF?

I wrote:

Meatydish Production folks skip film festival

BIFF’s short entries included a barrage of film shorts that included Meatydish Productions music videos and hilarious episodes from their Brighthouse Network show, Damaged TV. Although there was a nice crowd in attendance, no one from Meatydish or any of the promoted bands or radio showed up to the event other than The Filthies on Saturday to help promote their “Embalm You” video. Especially disturbing was the Krotch video. The audience wasn’t sure whether to clap or not until one lone audience member from the video stood and clapped. I thought the director’s non-attendance was embarrassing, since the films and videos promoted local music, radio and TV personalities. Was it egos or did they just not know about BIFF? Strange.

The truth came out in a recent phone call with Meathead of KRAB radio who said he was hurt over my paragraph. Luckily we were far apart so he couldn't strangle me. I explained to him that I aimed my piece at being critical about a lack of total support, and even bashed myself for wanting to walk out on a film. I understood Meathead might have a good reason for not showing up, and he did. He wrote on my blog:

First I would like to say Congrats to all the talent that was showcased during the B.I.F.F 1.5. And second I am sorry I couldn't make it due to an undesirable case of Green POOP. Yeah I said it—you know dollar bill green, but this green cost me my weekend along with horrible chest congestion that only Bako has to offer.

That being said. To my friend N.L. Belardes who colorfully commented that my absence was, oh yes I remember now "Embarrasing" . To you Nick - I shake my fist and wag my finger.

There are so many people I would like to work with and hopefully will be able to. Even you Nick.

M

Oh yes, Meathead spoke out on the blog, and rightly so. And now that is cleared up, where were all the people who Meathead filmed who should have come out and supported him? Bands, get off your asses and support Meathead. Your videos were shown on the big screen. Where were you and your fans? You should have been dancing in the aisles! Damaged TV actors: go support Meathead when his artwork is shown. His vision as a filmmaker is just beginning to be realized (And I know he gets a lot of support. I just wanted to SEE the support firsthand at the festival)

Meathead is a community servant, and a person with artistic goals.

Appreciate what he lends to the music and film scene. He’s helping to fuse the arts in this building of the Bakersfield Renaissance…

I spoke out and Meathead responded. Let me just end this piece by saying while I lived in Vegas I was approached by a questionable lady only once. Was that luck or am I that ugly? I was standing near the Lady Luck Hotel-Casino while waiting for a ride. I worked for Up in the Air Productions, a subsidiary of the Golden Nugget Hotel-Casino of Mirage Resorts and we made cheesy sound and light shows for the Fremont Street Experience. I leaned against a planter and the lady walks up and says, “Are you the Superman I’ve been looking for?”

I swear I am not lying.

No, I wasn’t her Superman, but Meathead is mine.

*NOTE: Meathead is currently developing a very secretive and dark project that he won't talk about but that will promote Noveltown's Cinema of the Lords Short Film Contest...

This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on Friday, June 30, 2006. You can leave your response.