Showing results by author "Michael Uva" in All Categories

Whether you are a professional grip looking to boost your skills or an aspiring one just beginning to learn the trade, the time-tested tips and techniques for smooth and safe operation on set make this new edition an indispensable reference guide.

Based on the story of an enlisted marine who flew a P-51 aircraft during WWII. (Normally, only Commissioned Officers were pilots.) These "enlisted" pilots fought like hellions in air battles in the European and South Pacific theaters against greater trained enemy pilots and superior aircraft. They showed tenacity, guts, and heart in a belief they could stem the tide of tyranny. They crammed their bodies into tiny aircraft, and then hurled themselves across the skies, to protect America!

Film sets, like most other industries, have a unique language of their own. As the world evolves, so does the work conversation on movie sets. How we once spoke lovingly about 35-milimeter-film making.... is almost gone. Now everything is turning to digital... and that's progressing fast. Basics are still basics, but you have to keep up with the current trends. Crew Speak does just that. A perfect blend of old jargon and slang along with the new terms.

A broken-hearted Tennessee tomboy and her sisters are forced to relocate to the underprivileged side of El Segundo Beach, California ,after their mother dies. Her recovery somehow rides on a worn, hole-ridden, broken-down, balsa-wood surfboard.

Nirvana is the story of Karma, cause and effect. An aged philanthropist has a dark secret. Problem being, his years are running out before he can cause change. He has his researchers design a secret suspension device. He will return fifty years later to a hopefully socially changing world. Thirty-five years into his carefully laid plans, things suddenly go bizarre. Greed will unravel his perfect plan.

Worlds collide when a time traveling New York mobster travels to ancient Egypt, before the Great Pyramids are constructed. He brings the Pharaoh many small, insignificant, unassuming, modern items like an iPod, a six-pack of beer, and the Encyclopedia entry "How the Great Pyramids were really built". Does he change the course of history, or does he set the present course while becoming an Egyptian God?

A tiny commercial film crew finds themselves stranded after a coup d'état in a foreign country, with no means of escape. Using the products for the advertisement they were sent there to film as a distraction, they hide their planned fade-out, in plain sight.

If you think the Devil is evil, try dealing with his progeny! Lilith, the oldest of the brood, has been sent on a mission of extreme importance to Satan. If she fails, her birthright will be given up to Alona, her little sister. She has one chance to show her mettle. In her case, that usually comes in the form of stiletto-spiked high heel shoes! You see, she's a zealous Fashionista! Yes, she's coming to get you... one way or another! There's no one that can stop her, except Bruce... The Angel of Death! Who is about to retire!

Breaking into the Movies! It is the humorous (true) story of the life of a kid from Inglewood California, who made it up the food chain to become a world famous motion picture key grip! Michael G. Uva is the author of the world-renowned, Grip Book! (also known as The Grip Bible, now in its fifth edition). Why it's even been translated into Korean. Funny thing is, Mike can't spell or type, nor does he have any command of the English language. None of that has held him back.

Hollywood trivia questions. This will be the audio portion of my trivia/coloring book.

"Fade-Out" - Comedy/Drama/Action. A tiny commercial film crew find themselves stranded after a coup d'état in a foreign country, with no means of escape and no help coming from the USA. The crew devises a plan to use the products for the advertisement, plus their former trades, and their current expertise as filmmakers; they hide their planned escape in plain sight. "Spray" - Coming of Age. An impoverished Tennessee country girl rises from obscurity to become one of the most celebrated woman surfers in America.

Chief is a story of an underprivileged, not-so-good-English-speaking Hispanic immigrant who meets a wrong side of the tracks Gringo. He's the freshmen high school class clown. Both of their wayward lives soon change when they somehow become cops. Santiago, although limited by his migrant background, attempts to rise through the police ranks. His new goal in life is to become the first Hispanic Chief of Police in Los Angeles. Then tragedy steps in and cuts one of the two buddy officers down.