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Updates to the movie blog are coming up very soon.

San Antonio Film Foundation featured!

I just got an email from the fine folks at NING, where I have started the San Antonio Film Foundation, that they featured the site on their blog. SAFF on NING! Take a look! And if you haven't joined...what's the hold up? On other fronts, I'm going back into production for the film I started back in late 2006, "The Road". Currently, I've got Mike Roberts and Christopher Liserio in the two main roles, but after looking at the story closer, I might end up making a few casting changes, as well as many revisions to the script to make it more gritty. I haven't yet spoken to my current cast and I still have a couple of other roles to fill, so I'll be coming back with more posts very soon. My current work schedule frees me up for weekend shooting, as well as evening shooting (which is the time this story takes place). I'm glad to be back and I'll be posting soon. -30-

Dark Night

In my previous post, I rambled on about how I thought Heath Ledger was rising to a true artist and about how there's an empty space now where he should be. I also talked about how it would truly be a dishonor to pull back the reigns on the publicity for The Dark Knight. I wondered what Christopher Nolan might feel about Heath. Click here to see how Nolan felt about him. Its truly awesome. -30-

An Indelible Impression

The first time I saw Heath Ledger was on Ten Things I Hate About You. An adaptation of Shakespear's "Taming of the Shrew", it took place in a high school. I was resistant to liking Ledger. Later I remember him in his short role in The Patriot and his equally short, but impressive role in Monster's Ball. I had started to really give him a chance then. There was something about him. Then came movies like The Order and Lords of Dogtown. By then, I came to the conclusion that this guy had real talent. He was charismatic, sincere, engaging and insightful. His choice of roles was ever changing and made him a joy to watch. He made shaped himself how he best felt the role needed and he didn't short-change himself or those of us who watched him perfect his abilities movie after movie. Then came Brokeback Mountain. The buzz was almost deafening. And when the movie finally premiered, he was instantly praised for a truly remarkable performance. It was his breakthrough role. More recently, he was cast as The Joker in Christopher Nolan's follow up to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight. Like many Batman fans, I was hesitant to think of Ledger as The Joker. I've followed the storyline since I was a little boy and have seen the countless rebirths of the character. But none prepared me for what Ledger and Nolan would do to him. Ledger as The Joker. What emerged in the viral campaigns was a totally new incarnation of the character. And after the full trailer emerged, it was clear that Ledger had made the character into less of a punch line and more of a punch in the junk. And the studio took full advantage of this new persona for the viral campaign. Several days ago, Heath Ledger was found dead in an apartment in New York City. While no conclusive medical examiner's report has been delivered, it is widely concluded that he accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills of some kind. His death has stunned the world. It even stunned me and I wasn't a huge fan of Ledger. He has gone, leaving behind a body of work that took his abilities right to the brink of true greatness, but which will never be fulfilled. He had said, in several interviews, that his work on the latest installment of the Batman franchise had left him physically drained. That the energy he put into immersing himself into the role of The Joker had took its toll on him. And in the wake of his passing, the studios are considering pulling back the reigns on the use of his image as the villain in the new film in fear that they might offend or hurt his family. While I understand that there should most definitely be a period of mourning for Ledger, I disagree with straying off the path they've set upon. I know, it sounds cold and selfish, but if this role is everything it appears to be, Ledger should be remembered for his incredible talent. My heart goes out to his family and to his two-year-old daughter, Matilda, who will never get to really know her dad. So long, Heath. Thanks for giving us a part of your talent and your life. We will miss you. -30-

Close but no cigar

SHOOTING DELAYED Foul weather played a part in the cancellation of my latest shoot. Well, foul weather and the fact that I never got the location I desired locked down. Actually, it wasn't so much that I didn't get the one I desired; none of the ones that Theo looked into were a lock. "The Road" has been plagued by starts and stops. Most notably, a stop for nearly a year. Out to shoot the end sequence, which originally took place outside, in a field, I had to re adapt the script for it to be an interior shoot, due to a rainy cold front we had last Monday. I figured that we could hijack a parking garage and use the ambient lighting in place of fill lights and bounces. Although we'd probably need some kind of key lighting somewhere. Still I was willing to take a chance. It got later and later and before I knew it, it got foggy as Hell, so I just pulled the plug on it. We're going to try again, next Tuesday. I'm trying to line up a rehearsal day so that we've got the lines down and some of the blocking. MIXED IN I was finally able to attend one of those San Antonio Film Commission mixers yesterday. I arrived quite a bit late with my brother in tow, but it was an interesting time. I saw one of the actors, Mike, who's appearing in "The Road", not to mention Theo, Hope and a few other recognizable faces. It was interesting to see so many people. I'm guessing a lot of them have been involved in the scene for some time. I didn't get to meet too many people, but, honestly, I was just there to get a glimpse of the scene. I'm glad my brother was able to go. Turns out he knew a few faces there too. Being a Mac Genius, he will undoubtedly work on many of the Macs these would be filmmakers own. Well, that's all for now. I'll report back after rehearsals. -30-

There Goes My Hero...

Martin Scorsese is probably my favorite director. I enjoy interviews with him or articles or books about the man. Especially when he injects his own thoughts, motivations and ideas about film and film making. Yesterday a friend at work who is also an avid film buff, told me about a site where Scorsese had apparently done a commercial in Europe. Its for some kind of champagne or wine or something. I don't know what it is about Europe that actors and directors feel that there's no stigma to doing a commercial or filming one. Maybe they just throw them bags full of money or something. Anyhow, after watching the "film" Marty did for this champagne, I said, "Damn!" I mean, it's fucking Scorsese so you know it's gonna be good. Here's the link: Scorsese's booze ad Enjoy! -30-

On 'The Road' Again...

Oh, I just had to use that title. Well, I'm struggling with editing two films right now. One that I directed; the other I did not. The second is KICKING MY ASS. Its hard to cut without being intimately acquainted with the materials or really knowing the vision of the director. Or the writer for that matter. Ugh. So, despite my better judgement, I'm going to get back in the director's chair while I cut these other projects. I finaly got Chris and Mike, the actors from my car jacking picture, locked down for a night shoot a week from today. I've also got my ever handy cinematographer, Hank, back on board, so I feel confident this will work out just as good as the first round of shooting. I edited the initial footage a while back and man does it look fantastic. I think only my wife, my parents and maybe two others have seen it. Its the grittiest thing I've done so far. Profanity and violence galore. I know that will probably get the film excluded from several indie showcases. A lot of them tend to have you scale back the profanity. But I say, FUCK THEM. I thought indie film was about uncensored voice. The end of the year is almost upon me and I need to know that I was able to complete another film from first frame to final cut. 'The Road' will have taken me nearly a year to complete. That's just insane. Gotta get it done. -30-

Holidaze

I've been caught up in some personal things right now and I haven't had time to post anything, even though I've wanted to. Balance, I keep thinking, balance. But I find none. Yet. Coming back, I promise. -30-