Warner Crocker

Apple Vision Pro Thoughts After Release to Reviewers

Well now. I wish I could say I’m surprised. But I can’t. After reading and watching reviews of Apple Vison Pro there weren’t many suprises in the many lists of pros anc cons. Well, maybe one. I’ll still be looking forward to real users trying it out and posting their reactions, along with the tech press that didn’t get in on the review cycle. But by and large everything I’ve seen confirms what I’d already imagined..

It’s a terrific piece of tech by all accounts, albeit a bit heavy. Yes, there’s some intriguing tech and quite a few innovations. Yet it is still a very version 1.0 device that I’m perfectly happy to let others discover the ins and outs of as Apple continues to advance this new platform. $3500-$4000 is a steep price for beta hardware and a software eco-system, no matter how much of a new paradigm it seeks to introduce. The interesting thing to watch will be how many developers work to create for the device.

The other interesting theme that runs through these early reviews is that while Apple Vision Pro might open up new worlds it only does so for the wearer. It’s a solitary device. There’s no escaping that this is a device for isolating yourself in those worlds separate from the one around you.

The one surprise I mentioned is that Apple marketing apparently goofed big time when they rolled out the device regarding the EyeSight feature. You know the one when someone can see your eyes, or rather a digital representation of your eyes. Those pictures were everywhere, and apparently the reality is most of the reviews indicate that the feature doesn’t match the hype. No wonder there have been rumors that the EyeSight feature might not survive into future versions.

As for me, I’ll journey to an Apple Store and try it out at some point. Meanwhile I’m stting this one out for who knows how long. I still find the spatial computing concept intriguing and promising. I imagine that might be the way long after I’m gone. In the meantgime I hope it actually turns into something useful beyond just watching entertainment. But maybe that will be enough.

That said, here are some links to some of the reviews and articles, (one featuring Tim Cook wearing the thing), that I found worthwhile. There are plenty more out there. There’s a combination of writing and video, so pick your poison. The first two links really offer comprehensive coverage. Or as comprehensive as you can get this early in the game. The real story will be told down the line.

Apple Vision Pro Review: Magic, Until It’s Not from The Verge

MKBHD’s video look at the device.

The Vision Pro from John Gruber

Apple Vision Pro Review: A Revolution in Progress from Tom’s Guide

Why Tim Cook Is Going All In On The Apple Vision Pro from Vanity Fair

Apple Vision Pro Review: The Best Headset Yet Is Just A Glimpse of The Future by Joanna Stern

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaries here.

The Lehman Trilogy Diaries: Great Review of Our Work

I’m not one to pay that much attention personally to reviews whether they be good or bad. That’s partially a lie. I like to see the artists I work with get recognition for their efforts. That’s certainlly the case for this Broadway World review of The Lehman Trilogy at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis. It’s nothing short of a rave, and if I do say so myself, the writer nailed it.

Of course I’ll say that. That said, I’m glad for the recognition of our design team and espeically our amazingly talented three actors, Kevar Maffit, Michael. Gravois and John Maness (left to right above). They are exceptional. Give the review a read.

FYI the photos here are from Sean Moore. He also captured the show extremely well.

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaries here.

Sunday Morning Reading: Travel Day

Sunday Morning Reading is taking the week off as I depart Memphis and head back home to Chicago. A new Sunday Morning Reading will be back next week. In the meantime, if you’re looking for something to read this Sunday morning, you might want to check out this excellent review of The Lehman Trilogy, the show I just directed at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis. Sounds like we did it right, at least in this reviewer’s mind.

See you next Sunday.

If you’re interested in just what the heck Sunday Morning Reading is all about you can read more about the origins of Sunday Morning Reading here. You can also find more of my writings on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome.

The Lehman Trilogy Diaries: Standing O!

We’re open. The Lehman Trilogy opened last night to a well deserved standing ovation from the first night crowd. Well deserved, if I may say so. It was a great night for all associated with the production, a great night of theatre for all attending, and a great moment of recognition for some pretty damn good storytellers.

This story begins with the script, but in the moment in the theatre it’s all about the actors. These three, John Maness, Michael Gravois and Kevar Maffit, did a remarkable job and captivated the audience from the first moments in this challenging tale that unfolds over three acts. Actually, the word remarkable sells their efforts short. Individually they are each terrific. Together they are beyond whatever dynamic means. They made strings of numbers and lists of names sing and moments of truth cut like a knife. I’m so grateful for their efforts and my association with them.

As we kept meeting challenges in this final grueling week there were moments when you could feel just how badly the three of them just wanted this show. Tireless and relentless, they wouldn’t let a moment pass when they weren’t working like madmen. I was right there with them. Some shows are just another show. Some are just jobs. This one was and is one of the special ones. Because of the plays length and its heft it’s not going to be put on many theatre schedules. We consider ourselves lucky to say we’ve done The Lehman Trilogy. We’ll have that forever. And boy do we have stories to tell and laughs to share that only a few people will ever understand.

Kudos to all who worked on the show. To those who will see it in the weeks ahead, you’re in for a rare treat. I hope you enjoy the story and much as we enjoyed telling it. Because we enjoyed the hell out of it.

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaries here.

The Lehman Trilogy Diaries: Dancing on the Edge of the Light

We’re right there on the edge. On the edge of completing this production of The Lehman Trilogy. On the edge of creating something special. It’s all there, ready to come into complete focus. Everyone can feel it. It’s like dancing on the border between the light and the dark. One step either way and you have a good show or a great show.

We’ve got two more rehearsals left. Some gaps to close. Some hard decisions to make on those we can’t. The rest is about sharpening the focus. Everyone’s working full tilt. We’re like the tightrope walker in the play. He eventually falls. We won’t.

Onward.

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaries here.

Sunday Morning Reading

From deep in the heart of the frozen South here’s some Sunday Morning Reading to share. A slimmer list of links this weekend as we head into the final week of rehearsals for The Lehman Trilogy fighting the cold, burst water pipes and other winter wonders. Looking forward to putting the tech touches to this show and heading home to Chicago. Oh, wait. It’s winter there too. Meanwhile stay warm and enjoy this week’s Sunday Morning Reading.

As someone who wakes early, even in the crazy late night weeks of directing a play, Scott-Ryan Abt’s What Do You Do at 3am? feels very familiar.

Richard Zoglin takes on all the pre-movie promotional stuff tossed at movie goers in When Is This Movie Really Going To Start? I’ve Been Here Half an Hour. My going to the movies habit began changing long before the pandemic because of this.

NatashaMH takes us on a tour of life through a visit to a bookstore in Small Wonders In A Big World.Wonderful.

David Todd McCarty takes us the long way around in telling this story about story telling in ‘Round The Outside. He’s also wondering Where Have All The Hitmen Gone?

Steven Levy takes us through the evolution of the Mac in Apple Shares The Secret Of Why The 40-Year-Old Mac Still Rules.

Lulu Garcia-Navarro interviews Kevin D. Roberts the head of the Hertiage Foundation in Inside The Heritage Foundation’s Plans for ‘Institutionalizing Trumpism.’ If you want to know where the crazy comes from on the right, talk to Kevin.

Apple Vision Pro Excitement Running Hot

Apple started taking pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro this morning and the excitement from those jumping into the pond for this first generation new device is running hot. It’s fun to see. I’m glad to see it. I’m not jumping in. I’ll be anxious to see how real users report their experiences as opposed to all the very clever and promotional marketing Apple has released.

Apple released a couple of videos about the experience that I’ll share below. Slick stuff. But I’m more interested in the real world impressions and wondering just how those are going to be conveyed on the web. Since those who pre-ordered will start seeing deliveries in February it’s going to make that an interesting month to follow the news on this device.

This next one is a “Making Of.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting that this is a cool new thing, but just like with the first gen iPhone I’m not gonna early adopt (especially at these prices) until we’ve got some real world feedback. Or is that virtual world?

The Lehman Trilogy Diaries: Pure Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a funny thing. It can drive you further and faster. Call it a high. Stories are legion of an adrenaline rush giving folks superhuman-like powers in extreme circumstances. But the bill always comes due once the rush is over and the crash happens.

I’m rehearsing this beast of a play, The Lehman Trilogy, while suffering a bit with a pulled groin. Yeah, that slows you down. During the day I do my usual treatments to ease the pain and get around as best I can doing a bad Walter Brennan impression. I’ve had this problem before so there’s a ritual and a regime. But in the moments before rehearsals begin I feel things easing up and never notice it at all once we commence and push through rehearsal.

One of the characters in the play ends a monologue with the following:

LEHMAN CORPORATION. Created by Philip Lehman.

Pure finance.

Invest money only to make money. No companies to fund.

No industries to launch. No markets to explore. Pure money.

Pure adrenaline

Well, we all know how that ended.

Sure enough, once rehearsal ends though I pay for it as the pain comes back bit by bit and so it’s back to the ritual. Unitl the next rehearsal. Probably not healthy to be doing things the way I am, but hey, we open a week from tonight.

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaires here.

The Lehman Trilogy Diaries: Jacks of All Trade

When you’re in school (which was ages ago for me) learning your craft and finding out if you have a voice worth sharing as a theatre director, no one teaches you many of the lessons you will one day need to apply in doing what you love. I’m guessing that applies to most pursuits in life. There are times though that can try your patience unless you were brought up with a father like mine who taught you how to deal with the crazy curve balls that get thrown at you from plumbing to staying warm to how to navigate unexpected weather disruptions.

As I sit here this morning in this lovely Southern town beset by the vagaries of winter, compounded with the already slower rhythms native to the region, we’re having lots of fun trying to keep The Lehman Trilogy ship sailing along. Winter weather is playing havoc with all the usual fun things that come with it: icy conditions, burst pipes, power outages, travel and delivery woes, and a pulled groin from bailing water from one of those burst pipes. I’m not blaming anyone for the choices they are making. Life sucks here for most right now and folks have to make their own choices.

Fortunately, we’re reasonably self-contained as an ensemble and have kept our work on course as we head into technical rehearsals this weekend. I’m sure (hope?) we’ll find our footing and head into next weekend’s opening in good shape. Things usually work out that way in this game.

Onward

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaries here.

The Lehman Trilogy Diaries: A Show Finds Its Home

We spent the weekend taking the stage for the first time in rehearsals for The Lehman Trilogy here at Playhouse on the Square. What a joyful and glorious weekend of rehearsals it was.

Pictured above is me (on the right) with this astounding cast, Michael Gravois, Kevar Maffit, and John Maness. We’re all smiling because we’re really enjoying this process. These three are putting their all into this beast of a play. Their roles require as much work as if they were each doing Hamlet.. They are rising to the challenge and then some.

Let me tell you it’s not often that you feel this joyful at this point (transferring from the rehearsal room to the stage), but the work is so good, so rich, so fun, and most importantly so collaborative that there’s no other way to express it. The other day I wrote about my fears of missing the intimacy of the rehearsal room before we moved. Well that intimacy transferred right along with our props and all those bankers boxes. That’s rare. The four of us, plus our stage manager, Emma White, continue to experience the work and the story almost like we don’t want each day to end. That’s a bit silly of me to say because we push each other so hard that by the time we call it a day we’re exhausted.

The best part of our transfer from the rehearsal room to the stage is that a good 85% of our work translated intact. Often in that kind of space shift you lose quite a bit. That 85% has allowed us to continue advancing the story instead of spending time adjusting what we wanted to do to new realities.

Don’t get we wrong. We’ve still got a long way to go as we begin adding the technical artistry. Those technical elements are behind so we’re working to keep the cast focused on their part of the story telling and getting a little ahead before the inevitable begins.

Today is our final day off before opening so we’ll get a brief breather. Then onward.

You can find more of my writings on a variety of topics on Medium at this link, including in the publications Ellemeno and Rome and check out The Lehman Trilogy Diaries here.