Mehran Khaghani: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Mehran Khaghani, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     One of the most memorable characters from the first season of Quiet Desperation, Mehran Khaghani played Robby's flamboyant friend, and the arch nemesis of Tom Dustin. Mehran's hard partying ways often tended to distract Robby from recording, and efforts were made to keep them apart.



    

                             Mehran Khaghani and Ira Proctor, 2011. By Travis Simpkins



Outtakes from Quiet-D

Quiet D- "Holidays"

Episode 12- "Annual Drugs Party"

     In real life, Mehran Khaghani is an amazingly talented, witty and funny stand-up comedian. He performs all over. Read more on wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehran_Khaghani and read a cool interview here: http://www.persianesquemagazine.com/2010/01/21/iranian-and-gay-interview-with-comedian-mehran-khaghani/ And be sure to check out Mehran's profile on Rooftop Comedy: http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/Mehran

Mehran doing stand-up comedy

Commercial for Quiet-D on MyTV

Tom Dustin and Mehran Khaghani, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #5, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Mesa of Lost Women (1953): Classic B Movies

     Some could describe Mesa of Lost Women (1953) as "male chauvinism meets arachnophobia", and such opinions would not be entirely unfounded. However, it is qualities such as those that still make the film viewable and semi-entertaining today.

     The story begins with a couple, wandering lost in the desert, being picked up and given medical attention. As they recover, the man tells a fantastical tale of giant spiders... and his outburst are disregarded at first as hallucinations of dehydration. But with little else to do, the surrounding people decide to hear him out. And so we enter the story via flashback one year prior. 

     Dr. Aranya (played by Jackie Coogan) is a crazy scientist, who has been experimenting with a serum to co-mingle spider and human DNA in his laboratory on top of a desolate mesa.

 The results are odd. Women injected with the spider serum are beautiful and sensuous, and have great abilities of rejuvenation.

     Male subjects are transformed into hideous dwarfs. Spiders injected with the human serum grow to human size and have human capacity for thought.

     In need of an assistant, Dr. Aranya summons Dr. Masterson to his laboratory, but Masterson is horrified at what he sees and refuses to help. Aranya has Masterson injected with the serum, turning him into a simple-minded dope and he is subsequently institutionalized. Masterson escapes the asylum and encounters a group of travelers, and in a near-hypnotic sate, leads them to Aranya's mesa. The story goes on from there...

     What first attracted me to the film was the curious prospect of seeing a grown-up Jackie Coogan in the role as the mad doctor. Many know Coogan as playing the title role as a young tyke, in Charlie Chaplin's 1921 silent classic, The Kid. Once that novelty wore off, I got into the film. It has it's faults, like any other Sci-Fi film of the era (plot holes, bad acting, etc.) but those are exactly the things that give Mesa of Lost Women it's charm.

Mesa of Lost Women- Trailer

Sophia Cacciola: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Sophia Cacciola, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     On Quiet Desperation, Sophia Cacciola pretty much plays herself. She's one of the hip musicians that frequent the Jam space and assorted house parties celebrating the Boston music scene. Alongside her husband, Michael J. Epstein, she is working hard to promote their band- Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, and having a good time with it.

Quiet-D Episode 19- "The WBCN Rumble"

      In real life, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling is indeed a band Sophia fronts with her husband, Mike Epstein. It is one of many musical collaborations they are working on together... others include The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, Space Balloons and Darling Pet Munkee. A gifted percussionist, Sophia can wail heavily one minute and tap the next with equal ease. She can go from screaming to being demure in a flash, as musical mood dictates. She's a great songwriter, and a unique, creative talent. Their stuff is acclaimed regularly, but most recently, DNFMOMD was honored by TIME Magazine when it placed their video for "Episode One: Arrival" in the Top Ten list. Read more here: http://donotforsake.com/ and here: http://michaeljepstein.com/ And check out the TIME article here: www.time.com

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling- "Episode One: Arrival"

Space Balloons- "The Mustache Song"

Darling Pet Munkee- "X-Ray Specs"

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

David Massengill: Behind the Illustrations

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

      Joan Baez, through covering their songs, has introduced a lot of great young songwriters to the world. Her version of "Fairfax County" led me to discover it's scribe... David Massengill. The song was magical. Written in the traditional style of English Folk ballads, it sounded as if it had been written two hundred years ago in some quaint hamlet... certainly not in 1980s New York City. David Massengill certainly had a gift for words, a born storyteller.

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     I got a copy of his 1991 album, Coming Up For Air, and must've listened to it two hundred times. It was one of the few albums I couldn't just skip from track to track on. I'd let it play beginning to end and marvel how smoothly it transitioned from sound to sound, emotion to emotion. Instrumentally speaking, I found it all the more impressive considering Massengill used the dulcimer (a rare choice) as his primary choice of instrument. His subsequent album, The Return, had it's own merits as well.

     Earlier this year, he played a show nearby at the WCUW radio station. Sadly, I heard about it after the fact and missed it. It would've been great to see him.

 

Read more about David Massengill here: http://www.davidmassengill.com/

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Michael J. Epstein: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Michael J. Epstein, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     In Michael J. Epstein's first appearance on Quiet Desperation, he played a fan seeking an autograph from Steve "The Sniper" Foley at a Baseball Card Show. Mr. Foley obliged, saying, "You remind me of someone special... Groucho Marx." In other episodes, Mike played a version of himself alongside his wife, Sophia Cacciola, as they hung out in the Jam space at New Alliance and encountered the colorful characters that frequent the place.

Quiet-D: The Baseball Card Show

Episode 20- The Warehouse

     In real life Michael J. Epstein is among those at the forefront of Boston music. He might even have the distinction of being the founder (or co-founder) of the highest number of successful bands (an honor he shares with his wife, Sophia) in Boston. I can count at least six off the top of my head... The Motion Sick, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, Space Balloons, Darling Pet Munkee and Neutral Uke Hotel. He and Sophia have received much recognition and many honors, but perhaps the most exciting notice came recently when TIME Magazine put DNFMOMD's video for "Episode one: Arrival" on their top ten list. Read more here: http://donotforsake.com/ and here: http://michaeljepstein.com/ 

The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library- "Civil Engineering"

Darling Pet Munkee- "X-Ray Specs"

Mike's pre-mustache days... The Motion Sick- "Thirty Lives"

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964): A Holiday Classic

     For me, when it comes to Sci-Fi movies, the worse they are the better. I like using my imagination. I don't need many flashy effects. Plus, they're good for a well-intended laugh. These crappy old films possess a certain naive charm that CGI laden films lack. Part of the appeal is the fact that these people who made the films actually thought they were doing great work, for the most part anyway. The bad acting and lousy effects are sincere and superb. And when it comes to crappy Sci-Fi Christmas movies, one film stands alone... "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" (1964).

     In a nutshell, the Martians are upset that their kids are glum and obsessed with watching Earth TV programs about Santa. Their solution... to kidnap Santa and bring him to Mars to cheer the kids up. Of course, to be expected, there are some Martians with ulterior motives concerning the ultimate fate of the jolly old elf. 

     Watch and see. Who knows? Maybe with imagination and good humor, this odd Christmas hybrid gem will find it's way into your annual Holiday movie lineup. Eh, probably not... but it's worth a shot.

Movie Trailer

Happy Holidays!

Chris Faraone: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Chris Faraone, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     In episode sixteen of the first act of Quiet Desperation,  journalist Chris Faraone shows up to do a story on Robby because, according to Chris: "Robby's relationship is pretty fucked up with the other media. He's exhausted everyone else."

Quiet Desperation Episode Sixteen- "A Line of Traffic"

       Chris is indeed a journalist in real life. He writes for The Boston Phoenix as well as other publications, covering an eclectic variety of topics... everything from politics to entertainment and hip hop music. He has written at least three articles related to Quiet-D that I know of. Check out the links here: 1) Must Flee TV, 2) As Seen on PC and 3) Quiet D Silenced?

     Most recently, he has been diligently covering the Occupy Movement and is compiling those writings into a book to be released next year called, 99 Nights with the 99 Percent  . Read more of his Boston Phoenix articles here: http://thephoenix.com/authors/chris-faraone/.

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

New Illustration: Quiet Desperation #5. (Different Look, Different Format)

     After finishing the last Quiet Desperation illustration, I asked show creator, Rob Potylo, if he had any requests for the next one. He suggested I might try doing stills from my favorite scenes. I liked the idea and went with it. 

Quiet Desperation #5, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     Inspired by old movie posters from the 1940s and 50s, as well as comic book illustration, I decided to change the format from my usual "collage" style and go with a more blocked visual narrative. Using film strips entering and exiting from either side of the picture plane, I wanted to capture the energy and spontaneous, fleeting production of the show in a simple way.

     These stills come from Episode 12 of the first season "Annual Drugs Party", and features Rob Potylo, Tom Dustin, Mehran Khagani and Ira Proctor

Quiet Desperation Episode 12, Season One- "Annual Drugs Party"

Read more about Quiet Desperation here: quietd.com

Ira Proctor: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Ira Proctor, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     Through his role as a frustrated, failing, angry landscaper, Ira Proctor brings a high level of energy to Quiet Desperation. From heckling Robby in the side yard of his building to moving in with Mehran because of the tough economy, every moment of screen time featuring Ira is hilarious and worthwhile.

Mehran's new roommate, Ira: The Sheriff of Butt f*#king

Ira is featured in the first episode of the second season of Quiet-D

     In real life, Ira Proctor is a high-energy actor and stand-up comedian. His website, iraproctor.com , elaborates, "Ira Proctor is a Boston based comedian that has traveled everyplace from Las Vegas to Afghanistan performing comedy. He recently showcased to rave revues at the prestigious Montreal Comedy Festival, was featured on the Today Show, and finished his second season of NESN's Comedy All-Stars. He's the Boston winner of Sierra Mist's "Next Great Comic Search," become a fixture in the Boston Comedy Festival, and has appeared in Comedy Central's "Laugh Riots." Ira’s other credits include appearances on ABC’s Inside Edition, Fox News, New England Cable News, NBC Nightly News, Chronicle and XM radio along with commercials for Diet Pepsi, Harvey Windows and Bob’s Stores."

Ira doing stand-up comedy

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

New Illustration: Quiet Desperation #4

     Casting over 200 creative-type people in Quiet Desperation, Rob Potylo certainly gave me a full plethora of unique, interesting faces to choose from in these Quiet-D illustrations.
     And here is a new illustration, "Quiet Desperation #4" featuring Rob Potylo, Shaun Bedgood, Ira Proctor, Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola, Josh Gondelman, Rick Jenkins, Dug McCormack, Vic Foresta, Chris Faraone and Duncan Wilder Johnson.

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     In Quiet-D you find the rarity of rarities: musicians, comedians, writers, actors and artists working together, genuinely, focusing their creative energy on a common project. In this age of universal ADD, no one artistic field is truly going to thrive without some help from the others. Combining them all into one awesome package, like Quiet-D, is the perfect way to showcase the abundant talent in the local arts scene. And the successful result is immediately apparent. Watch the first season and you'll experience the full gamut of human emotions- you'll laugh and be confused, you'll get angry and saddened... and most certainly, at some point, you'll be offended. Which is the way it should be.

Read and see all there is to know about Quiet Desperation here: http://quietd.com/

The first episode of the first season of Quiet-D

The first episode of the second season of Quiet-D

One of the commercials for the 2010 MyTV premiere

Bob Dylan's "Christmas in the Heart": The Best Holiday Album in Recent Years

     If you're a Bob Dylan fan, or just a fan of Holiday music in general, pick up a copy of his album "Christmas in the Heart" (2009). I know it sounds strange to mention "Dylan" and "Christmas album" in the same sentence, but it's worth it. Not since the days of Burl Ives has there been a Christmas album so full of sincerity and humor. I imagine Bob knew people would laugh and giggle at the idea, and that's exactly why he did it. Plus, I'm pretty sure the proceeds go to charity.

Bob Dylan- "Must Be Santa"

Bob Dylan- "Little Drummer Boy"

Happy Holidays!

Bob Dylan reads "The Night Before Christmas"

Rick Jenkins: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Rick Jenkins, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     On Quiet Desperation, Rick Jenkins essentially plays himself (with a few twists) as owner/operator of The Comedy Studio in Cambridge, MA. The frustration he faces with getting the comedians to watch their time is equalled by his shady dealings with Tom Dustin.

Quiet-D Episode Thirteen: "The Comedy Studio"

     In real life, Rick's presence at The Comedy Studio has been an integral part of Boston comedy since the 1990s. "The Comedy Studio in Harvard Square has cemented its reputation as the area's top laugh lab. It's also earned a solid reputation among industry heavyweights as a "must-visit" club for anyone seeking cutting-edge performers or writers for future television projects. The Comedy Studio - no better breeding ground around."

-Dean Johnson, Boston Herald, 12.01

visit http://www.thecomedystudio.com/ for more info.

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Shaun Bedgood: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Shaun Bedgood, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     In terms of screen time on Quiet Desperation, only a couple others have had more than Shaun Bedgood. His recurring role as Robby's record producer always sets the framework for a great episode. With the exception of his mild feline fetish, Shaun is one of the comparatively "normal" characters on the show. He has stood by Robby through it all and is determined to record that album. He was on the premier episode of season one, and now he is featured full-circle on the premier episode of season two.

The very first episode of Quiet-D

Episode 1 of the new second season of Quiet-D

     In real life, Shaun Bedgood is a talented actor and stand-up comedian. He performs all over, and is one act you won't want to miss. In fact, Shaun will be performing tonight at Dick Doherty's Comedy Showcase in Worcester, MA. For a full schedule on where to see Shaun, visit his website: shaunbedgood.com

Shaun doing stand-up comedy

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Phantom from Space (1953): Classic B Movies

     Processing the movie Phantom from Space is tough, because it really is a better film than it seems at first viewing. It's hard to pinpoint the moment or scene when it starts to click. In terms of special effects, for 1953, they are really not that bad. Although most of the "invisible" gags were utilized much better twenty years before in The Invisible Man. The script is better than some Sci-Fi and not quite on par with others. The acting is typical early 50's. I don't know, maybe the most likable part of the film, the part that takes awhile to notice, is it's sense of humanity.

     Phantom from Space begins with an object hurling itself toward earth and it's being picked up on radar. Suddenly the object disappears near Santa Monica, CA, and television sets and radios and such start acting screwy. The government sends out a team to determine the cause of all this interference. They discover that two people in separate incidents have died from injuries inflicted upon them by a man, according to witnesses, "in a diving suit". The hunt is on for the perpetrator. He is tracked to a power plant and cornered. His escape is simple... he removes his suit. That's right, this alien is invisible. He gets away, but it is soon learned that he can only survive for short periods of time without having access to his space suit. So, he sneaks into the lab several times throughout the movie to put on his helmet. A friendly female scientist is genuinely interested and compassionate in communicating with him and he tries to reciprocate by tapping out a strange code that they are ultimately never able to decipher. 

     Perhaps that truly is the best thing about Phantom from Space... it leaves you guessing. It addresses all sorts of "who's" and "what's" but never gets around to answering the ultimate question: "why?"

Phantom from Space- trailer

Josh Gondelman: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Josh Gondelman, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     I first saw Josh Gondelman perform at Jerkus Circus, a variety show put on by my friends- The Steamy Bohemians.
     He was featured on two episodes of Quiet Desperation, in which he played an aspiring poet. His character won the winning run in the Artists vs. Executives kickball game. Vengeful after the kickball defeat, Tom Dustin plotted to use his media contacts to dash Josh's poetic dreams and relegate his career to obscurity. Tom exact words, "If I ever have the opportunity to hurt your shitty slam poetry career, I will take it."

Quiet-D Episode Six- "Kickball" (where the grudge started)

Quiet-D Episode Twelve (where Tom exacted his revenge)

     In real life, Josh Gondelman is a mild mannered, affable stand-up comedian. His website, joshgondelman.com , states, "Drawing from his experiences as a preschool teacher and a pretty good guy, Josh Gondelman charms audiences with his good-natured storytelling and cracks them up with his sharp, pointy wit. Josh's comedy touches on topics from rainbows to gangsta rap and makes them all equally hilarious thanks to his terrific writing and performing."

Josh doing stand-up comedy

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

DNFMOMD Video is on TIME Magazine's Top 10 List

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     Great news for Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola... their video for "Episode 1: Arrival" by their band, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, was honored by TIME Magazine in naming it #6 in their list of the top ten creative videos of the year. They truly deserve this grand recognition. They worked really hard for over two years to make this video- a shot-for-shot remake of the opening sequence of the cult 1960s show "The Prisoner." And the results are impressive.

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling #6 on Time Magazine's Top 10 Videos of 2011 article

Here's a side by side comparison of the DNFMOMD video with the original Prisoner sequence, just to demonstrate how detail oriented they were in the making of the video:

Read more here: http://michaeljepstein.com/ and here: http://donotforsake.com/

Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Kevin Harrington: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Kevin Harrington, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     In his role on Quiet Desperation, Kevin Harrington plays Robby's downstairs neighbor. He was studying to be a lawyer; uptight, angry and ever-annoyed by the noise emanating from his partying neighbor's abode. With a sense of contempt for Art, his desire to succeed in law translated to him forcing his wife to attend medical school, despite her wish to pursue the violin. Eventually, some magic mushrooms changed all that...

Our introduction to Kevin on Quiet-D

The origin of Kevin's transformation...

Watch episode eighteen forward, to see more on Kevin's transformation. http://quietd.com/

     In real life, Kevin Harrington is an amazing improvisational actor. Capturing subtle nuances of mood and character and mixing them with humor, is just part of the appeal of his acting style. He performs in and around Boston with a variety of creative endeavors. Read more about Kevin here on ImprovBoston's website: http://www.improvboston.com/users/kevinharrington

Here, Kevin performs as Ben Franklin

Quiet Desperation #3, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Marnie Hall: Profiles from the Quiet-D Illustrations

Marnie Hall, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     Marnie Hall's beautiful visage was first featured on Quiet Desperation episode #16, "A Line of Traffic." She played the subservient wife of a lawyer, Kevin, who was pressuring her into attending medical school, while her true dreams lay in a musical career playing the violin. Living downstairs from Robby, her husband would get enraged at the level of noise generated in the domicile of a musician, and Marnie would get caught in between during the subsequent confrontations.

Quiet-D #16- "A Line of Traffic"

     In real life, Marnie is indeed living the dream of her fictional Quiet-D character. She is a professional musician, playing violin with an astoundingly diverse array of projects... everything from classical to rock music, symphonies to the Liz Borden band. Check out an interesting article here: Rock Violinist Marnie Hall Blazes a Unique Trail. 

Marnie with The Liz Borden Band

Another of Marnie's Performances

Quiet Desperation #3, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

click here to purchase a print of this illustration