Potentially my first viral video. Feat. Andrew Gentile.
Do the Midget Waterville Valley, NH July 24th, 1990
They had just installed TVs throughout the school. Every one of them was tuned to the news, groups of students and teachers pooling there to watch. We were sent home early. I sat in the back yard with friends watching the smoke in the distance. F-16s flew over, too little too late.
So it Begins New York City September 11th, 2001
My first student film while at Penn, starring my freshman year friends. Shot on my dad's tiny handy cam and set to the soothing sound of Such Great Heights.
Apt 421 West Philly January 15th, 2004
student film
When asked to create a biographic short film, I chose to focus on my failed career as a child athlete.
Outsported Tristate Area March 12th, 2004
student film
This is the student film that became the basis for my long time film project of the same name. This version got best of show at the Upenn film festival and was screened at the Ivy Film Fest on this day. Read a review by Josh Bauchner.
ARALY (orginal cut) Providence, RI April 15th, 2005
student film
Some coverage of our Hollywood screening of As Real as Your Life, created by Joel Kuwahara.
Hollywood Screening Hollywood, CA August 13th, 2005
press
As Real as Your Life is my long time documentary film project. It began as a student film, but was soon after picked up by Scot Rubin of Allgames. I worked the whole Summer in LA to produce a longer 22 minute version of the film. I returned home in the fall with the fruits of my labor.
As Real as Your Life (trailer) Burbank, CA October 2nd, 2005
trailer for a film
My own reworking of Jorgen Leth's the Perfect Human, starring the one and only Nick Salvtore.
The Perfect Human Redux Charles Addams Hall April 6th, 2006
a film
Our famous visit to the 'bone doctor' - now a youtube classic with nearly 70,000 hits. Everyone just wants to be tickled.
As Real as My Foot Hong Kong January 13th, 2007
The teaser for my film As Real as Your Life. On this day the film had it's Philadelphia premiere, a double feature with Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World. I don't think I could have imagined a better opportunity.
As Real as Your Life (teaser) Philadelphia, PA October 23rd, 2007
teaser for a film
This blog, Lost in Transration tracks our experiences creating a little America in the big HK. The blog doesn't start until later on in time but this was when I first visited Hong Kong to make plans for our big trip.
An article I wrote for the University of Pennsylvania journal of undergraduate research. Focus on the effects of video games on ego and self identification.
While living in Hong Kong I met Tanya Kaps, a professional yoga instructor and filmmaker. Her current project, the Making of Being focuses the need for conscious evolution if the human race is going to keep from destroying itself.
A journal article i co-authored with my boss from Hong Kong, Dr. Gino Yu. The focus of the essay is on the ways in which video games lend themselves to taking on the role that myth and religion once played in our lives.
Over the past few months I've been working with high school friend Nathanial Halpern on a site for his new made for web drama entitled 'Looking for Grace'. I've read the script, it's going to be excellent, and free to boot. Sign up for updates on the site.
WinWin is a new concept in philanthropy: greedy generosity. It's a simple game of chance where players can increase their odds (helping themselves) while giving to a good cause (helping everyone).
I played soccer for years. I never really got it. Other understanding that the tall slow kid gets put in net.
Futball Montgomery, NJ June 4th, 1991
My intake photo the day I had my braces installed.
Braced Princeton, NJ April 25th, 1995
For Christmas my sister's boyfriend gets me a copy of Quake. It's the beginning of the end.
Quake Waterville Valley December 26th, 1996
God Mode
Towards the end of my not so hot career as a child baseball star. Again height was my main advantage.
Babe Ruth Leauge Montgomery, NJ March 15th, 1997
I'm still not sure why I choose to join the cross country team. By practicing in combat boots trained hard enough to receive MIP. NB: Rosser and Schorling there too.
Cross Country PDS October 14th, 1997
I was called back for the lead role in the 8th grade musical. I sand along with the broadway cast recordings for weeks. The drama teacher choose me to sing first in front of the entire grade. I didn't get the part.
Corner of the Sky Room 170 PDS April 9th, 1999
sing
My first day of high school - I had just been dumped by my long term middle school girl friend, and was already witness to her interest in a sophmore alpha male. I grew a goatee and tightened up my combat boots.
the Freshman Princeton, NJ September 8th, 1999
Sure beat a barmitzvah.
Lost It My childhood bed June 14th, 2000
check
Each day of my senior year of high school I had my adviser photograph me. This is a smattering, the last image comes from this day in November. And yes, I am cross dressed for a few. Long story.
PDS November 25th, 2002
ego
So ended my 13 years at Princeton Day School.
High School Graduation Princeton, NJ June 15th, 2003
Freshman year photo fun, dressed up in a suit and took pictures of myself with video game guns. My hallmates must have thought I was crazy. Just burning off creative steam.
Guns Blazing Kings Court October 10th, 2003
bang
A sketch from figure drawing.
Drawing of John Charles Addams February 10th, 2004
Yeah, this guy, Robin Pemantle gave me an F. I was too busy making videos and playing GTA to study. Ah well. It builds character.
Failed Calculus Philly May 3rd, 2004
suck
Franky Lee, Anthony Cheng, David Wolf, and Michael Highland. Trying to look tough but not quite cutting it.
The Band Kings Court October 31st, 2004
Graphic design project, something about paradoxes.
Punk Monk Charles Addams January 12th, 2005
Ohm..
My first foray into 3D modeling, a blue electric bass. While working on this project I lost my work no less than 4 times. Iterative design baby.
3D Bass Charles Addams January 28th, 2005
B#
C A S E : : : : :
: : : : : J A C K
O U T : : : : : :
Finished Neuromancer Philadelphia, PA February 20th, 2005
My first collaborative piece with Mel Miller, a book of photos documenting the process of my shaving. Photography was done by Mel on a 35mm camera. Probably for the last time.
Shaving Book Kings Court Bathroom May 2nd, 2005
bic'd
My mangum opus 3D model, more than a month of work building my robostitue. The joys of modeling.
Chiba City Blues Charles Addams May 27th, 2005
colonized
Participating in a shoot for cinema production class, feeling like a filmmaker.
Making Movies Chinatown November 12th, 2005
Cut!
best holiday photo ever
The Family Highland WV, NH December 23rd, 2005
go team
Mel and Nick brainstorm what will become Mel's thesis project: The Fall of Pysical Text. Our lives are about to become consumed.
Thesegenesis Hamco January 31st, 2006
I lead my class in Penn's annual Hey Day ceremony / bloodbath / public performance piece.
Hey Day Locust Walk April 26th, 2006
Mel's photo shoot, Comfort Food debuts to a mix a fascination and discomfort. Everyone sees us naked covered head to toe with aunt jemima.
Comfort Food Philomathean Gallery May 8th, 2006
yum
On this day I sold my first car, a blue Subaru Impreza, so I could get something more practical. A little part of me died that day. I still miss how fulfilled I felt behind that wheel.
Sold the RS 2.5 Skillman, NJ June 10th, 2006
TED2007 felt like the first 3 days of a new high school where every student is a celebrity, artist, or CEO. Mind blowing. I'm pictured here with David Perry and Louis Castle, both very successful game developers.
TED2007 Monterey, CA March 10th, 2007
TED2007
I came home from Hong Kong to walk with my friends in graduation. Despite my appearance I still had a semester of class left to finish. I'll walk again a year later.
Fake Graduation Franklin Field May 14th, 2007
Poster from my Philly screening with good ol' Herzog
Herzog Double Feat. Philly October 13th, 2007
ja!
Covering Fire was an installation and performance piece which consisted of my building a bunker, complete with pneumatic cannon. During the performance I shot 10,000 cover letters from the gun while war sounds and O Fortuna played in the background.
Covering Fire Rotunda, Philly December 6th, 2007
Installation + Performance
I grew a massive fuck off beard. Go DNA go.
Massive Beard Philly April 21st, 2008
My very short lived crazy hick phase.
Hick Phase Austin, TX May 12th, 2008
My first trip to burning man. Something like visiting an alien planet where man has evolved to a point where time and money are no longer even in the equation. One of the best experiences of my life.
Burning Man Black Rock City, NV September 1st, 2008
super trip
Behold, the fauxhican!
Haircut Philadelphia December 11th, 2008
Sadie Eliza Highland Jasper is born. 8 pounds, 2 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long. I am an uncle.
Baby Sadie Berkeley, CA February 4th, 2009
While I was living in LA and working on As Real as Your Life, veteran game developer David Perry asked if he could show a piece of the film as part of a talk he was going to give at the 2006 TED conference. I cut a special shorter version of the new film, which he wound up screening to wide acclaim.
At a Halloween party, Erich Matthes dared Eli and I to go make out.
And so we did.
First Kiss Eli's House October 31st, 1996
Finally I can legally drive a car.
After failing the test the first time because of incorrect paper work, I returned to the Scudder Falls DMV and clinched it.
Drivers Liscense RT-1 October 22nd, 2001
The first Haiku in my courtship of mel.
non verbal wakings
misunderstand both being
alone together
First Haiku Los Angeles, CA July 3rd, 2005
I looked in the mirror and cried.
Knowing I would not be forever.
Mortality Home, NJ September 16th, 1992
♥ about
Hello, my name is Michael Highland and this is a timeline of my life and work. As the site grows (5 pixels per day) I will continue to update it with recent life events and projects, as well as slowly fill in the past 20 odd years of my exsitence.
