BEST PLACES

TO ROTOSCOPE!
(In the visual effects industry, the term rotoscoping refers to the technique of manually creating a matte/silhouette for an element on a live-action plate so it may be composited over another background)

My top 5 suggestions to where and how to get the job done:

~ Me at the Edendale Library in Echo Park

1. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY - When you're out of work and need some extra cash or something really mindless to do other than sleeping in till 11am (like me). This would be the best place to pick up a mouse and roto away. Go online and search for the closest library. Plonk yourself in one of their many chairs and sofas, and click away. They have free internet and wifi but the connection is iffy. (Funny how the library's book search facility takes control of your default page in your web browser! So don't freak out) You won't need a library card to use the facilities and they stay open till 8pm. http://www.lapl.org/
2. YAKKING ON THE PHONE - not really, but listening to a friend on the phone whom you've not connected with in a while but feel obligated to take his or her call. Let them do all the talking about their co-dependent, toxic relationship they are having with their former classmate who's now their ex-boyfriend's au kurant mate. Don't try to opine or dissect the issue(s). Long pauses of silence because of your concentration on the other more daunting task, followed by "mm-hmm" will help keep the flow of 'conversation' going and let your friend know they have your support. Just keep to monosyllabic responses. "Uh-huhs" and "totally" will suffice, as you roto away. Don't worry they'll call you again because you are a good listener!
3. WHILE TRAVELING ON A PLANE - provided there is space for you to set up a laptop and you don't have nosy fellow passengers trying to figure out what the hell it is you do for a living. Don't forget to bring your travel size mouse preferably bluetooth. You can't really roto with a touch-pad. Add your noise-canceling headphones and you'll feel right at home. Keep your peripherals to a minimum otherwise your cabin mates might think you're in IT and pester you with questions about Vista, hoping you might offer up some free advice. Plug in, plug out and plug away.
4. SLEEPING AT THE AIRPORT - because you just got off the same flight and realize you've missed your connecting flight or got bumped off your overbooked discount jet but still need to finish that 'light-saber' roto. Rejoice and settle in for an adventure! First, find a 3-seater preferably without arms in the transit area or spread your borrowed (not stolen!) airline blankie on the floor behind an unused check-in counter, use your carry-on for a headrest, down 3 beers and start focussing on the task at hand. Airports to stay away from include Charles De Gaulle, Paris (dirty bathrooms, rude staff and homeless French people) and Narita, Tokyo (they'll shuffle all airport sleepers to a section where they'll watch over you and bug you every hour about your 'waiting' status, as if they didn't remember they just took your name down. No speak Ingrisu too!). Airports that are top-notch for a sleepover include Changi, Singapore (numerous 24 hour restaurants plus security on top of fantastic shower facilities and an all night movie theater; wifi too). On the domestic side there is now a private lounge available for hire by the hour at Tom Bradley Terminal at LAX. http://www.relaxloungelax.com/ Oh and if you really need to occupy a day-room to do more than just rotoscope, there are day rooms available for an affordable rate at most international terminals too. Incheon Airport, Seoul is also a good bet for some 'airport roto'. For more information about sleeping in airports and useful terminal reviews, here's a site that might help the next time you anticipate a short 'stay'. http://www.sleepinginairports.net/
   
5. DON'T DO IT - Delegate and get your intern who's learning the tools of the trade, to roto! Kidding.