A New Year

Well, it's been some time since my last post, so I guess I better get on with it.

ALMOST GOT IT
The Bar Trilogy, that ever present script in the back of my head, is still far from my grasp.

I don't know what it is about that storyline that just evades capture. I started casting and before I knew it, I turned to find the movies had escaped. Its a hard bunch of movies to cast, not just in terms of volume, but of the types of characters I want. I have to find very specific personalities. The format for each film has also been troubling. My 30 minute films turned into 45 and then into 90 before the first script had even reached 20 pages. Now I'm dabbling with the idea of making them all 25 minutes a piece and piecing together some segue to make them all one, feature length movie.

Either way, I don't think we'll see these fully realized for some time. It makes me sad, but I'm also happy I didn't compromise myself just to get them out.

ROLLING THUNDER
The film I started in December is still in production. I just edited the first four minutes and it shows a lot of promise. I think when we finally finish it, it's going to be very good. I've got two great actors who are doing such a good job that it can't go wrong.

We put the breaks on production for the holidays and after that, the weather decided to have some fun with us. I think we'll end up finishing it late in February. Fortunately, it won't be too late for some local film festivals. And it will definitely be ready for some later festivals this year.

SWEET SIXTEEN
I've registered with The Lot and hope to put up a good couple of projects. You can click on the link to see more, but in case you just want the lowdown. Fox is putting together a reality-type show where 16 underdog filmmakers compete for a million dollar development deal with Dreamworks. Steven Spielberg is involved and its very exciting.

I've spun two new projects special for the contest. Two five minute shorts that will hopefully showcase a little of what I've learned. One is kind of a dark love story and the other is a big ensemble piece featuring a nasty habit. What am I talking about? You'll see.

I've been watching some offerings on the site and am a little nervous. Some of these people have gigantic crews and all kinds of expensive props and equipment. Not to mention special effects and all sorts of eye candy. What I have noticed is that some of these directors aren't really playing with their real talents. I mean, there's some great stuff out there, really original stuff. But some of these guys are just regurgitating what so many others have spit up before them. I know some of my ideas aren't 100% original, but I think that I've got something real to offer. Something that was born of a love that has never been compromised and has never faltered. I love movies. And all I want is to make one kid, just one kid, feel the same way I did when I was a youngster, digging myself into a movie seat hoping to get lost for a couple of hours. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they all feel the same way. Maybe I'm not the only one. But sometimes you can tell from what you're watching that there's skill, lots of talent, but lack of love.

I'll be shooting this weekend and next weekend and editing and scoring in between. Here goes nothing.

PARTNERS IN CRIME
I've recently started another collaboration. I had started writing a script with a fellow director, Eric, whom I haven't really spoken to in a while. I've still got the script in working condition, but I've been so busy with other stuff that I haven't gotten back at it.

When I decided to throw my hat in the ring for The Lot, I called on a fellow writer, Greg, to help me with an idea I had planned to shoot for The Lot. It was a short about a kid going to Iraq. I thought it would be timely and powerful, but feared I was biting off more than I could chew by writing four shorts. So I handed it off to Greg and he ran with it. What resulted was better than I could have imagined. He wrote a story with great characters, detailed scenes and real feeling. I told him to keep writing, even if it went past five pages. I feel like it's gonna be something good. Something that will not just showcase his writing ability, but that I can sink my teeth into as a director. We're gonna sit down again when he's gotten more writing in, but what he's got right now is gold. I hope we can get it done in April, it won't take us long. One set and a handful of actors. I think he's definitely got talent. He let me read a few of his other works and they're just as good. I don't think he sees it, though. But I hope I can help him in any way I can.

I'd been reticent about getting into collaborations, but I feel like the people I've gotten to work with are genuine and more importantly, friends. I hope I don't get proven wrong. I'm just trying to be a realist about it all.

GUTS
I've got a lot of scripts planned for this year. I made it my New Years resolution to sell one. Just one. I figure that if I write my ass off this year, I can sell just one. I'm not going to quit my job and start planning my Oscar speech if I do, but I'll certainly write more.

I'm at a point in my life, with this, that I want more than anything to finally do all those things I swore I would do when I was 20. I want to write movies. I want to direct them. I think I've started to succeed already. I can call myself a director. I can call myself a writer. I've got one project out there with my name plastered on it that proves I've got the mettle. Now I just have to finish what I started. I'll be honest. I'm scared. But I've been told I've got talent and I know I have heart.

This is my year. Hope you come along for the ride.

-30-

Thank God For No Budget

Well, once again, the bar trilogy eludes me.

I found out, yesterday, that my schedule at work will change come next year. I expected it to happen. I mean, I expected there to be a shake up eventually. I just didn't figure it would be as bad as what I was told.

So, having given it some time to sink in, I've come to the conclusion that I have to postpone the bar trilogy until after my schedule change, which will come sometime in January.

I had to tell most of the people who I recruited for the project and hope that they understand. Fortunately, they did.

What hasn't changed is my work on my current project. In fact, I think it's given it greater life and power. It started as 15 minutes, grew to 20 and is now inching to 30. I have a great feeling about it and I hope that the cast & crew does too. With more time to fine tune the bar trilogy, I'll also have more time to dedicate to my current film.

I'm glad I don't have a budget or a studio to answer to. This would be a fucking mess.

One door closes, one door opens.

The chase for the bar trilogy continues...

-30-

Day 1: Play It Again, Sam

Our first day of reshoots for the car film went off fantastic.

Both Chris and Mike gave me lots of great footage to work with. And with Hank behind the camera, it really gave me a chance to work with the actors. My all purpose hand, Greg, was also key to putting it all together.

We called the cops this time and let them know we were shooting. Our weapon is now black and glossy, so it will most definitely attract attention. And not the good kind.

With Hank doing the cinematography, this film is going to look fantastic.

Even if I wanted to, there was really nothing bad to say about the night. With both our actors on top of their lines, we only needed to tweak the motivations behind them. This made the shoot go much, much, much faster.

The next shooting day might not be until Dec. 9th, but even if it work out we can shoot beforehand, the film is gonna be great.

The first photo is of the car, through the XL1's eye piece. Below it, Christopher persuades Mike to do his bidding. The last photo is of Hank and Greg between takes.

-30-

Reloaded & Rehearsed

After a couple of weeks off from shooting my latest project, I recast a role and have gotten back on track. With a vengeance.

Christopher, an actor who will be working with me on my bar trilogy, has come on to take over the car jacker role for the gritty little drama I wrote. He's a talented guy who came in script in hand and ready to read. I can still see some fine tuning is needed to get the same feeling we had with Quinn. Tonya, my wife, pointed out that Chris didn't seem unsure. In fact, his interpretation was a little to polished. We both agreed that what made Quinn's performance stand out was that the shaky, unsure performance he delivered wasn't contrived. It was real. He didn't have the script memorized, he couldn't get in character and he was just generally unsure.

Thankfully, Chris takes direction well and has a real strong work ethic. He's turning himself over for the first installment for the bar trilogy out right. I have a great feeling about this guy.

Chris is the guy to the left. Mike, his victim, is on the right.

We're on the road again!

-30-

Lending A Hand

Tonya and I went to help another film maker Saturday. It was really interesting.

I hadn't read the script, but I managed to jump right in there. Theo was helping a first time director, Hope, shoot a sequence in a car lot.

It was a great experience, helping someone else do their film. I even managed to chip in an idea or three along the way.

It felt really good to get out there and help someone else achieve their dream.

That's Theo and Hope, above, reading through the script as Hank prepared the camera.

-30-

Lost Another Great One

Robert Altman, one of the most unique voices in film history, died November 20th. He was 81 years old.

Altman directed "M.A.S.H.", "The Player", "Short Cuts", and "Nashville", among many. I think my first introduction to Altman was with "M.A.S.H" and later "Nashville."

I remember watching "The Player" and being blown away by it. I don't know if it was the direction or the acting or the editing, but it was so smooth.

"M.A.S.H." was so fucking good. There was so much missing when it changed format and ended up on the boob tube. I like the series, but it was nothing like the movie.

He will be missed.

-30-

Gotta Do What You Gotta Do

I've never had to "fire" someone. Not that I recollect. But yesterday, I released Quinn from his obligations to my film.

It was tough because I really do think the guy has some talent, but as I told him last night on the phone, I think I caught him at the wrong time. I believe, in all honesty, that he's got some real talent, but he still needs to find himself. To get in touch with his roots. He's incomplete and I think that's hurting him right now.

So, I spoke to the others and let them know, before I spoke to Quinn, about my intentions. My wife was surprised that I went through with it. I kind of am too. But I made my decision, as I told Quinn, for the good of the film.

I made a call early yesterday to line up another audition. A guy who had previously expressed interest and who I was lining up for December's project. I'm hoping that after Christopher, the new audition, we won't have to look anymore.

Of course, that means that I'll have to recast his sister. Ugh.

All this movement has prompted me to push back my start date for the next project by nearly two weeks. I figure that with the extra time, I can get pick up shots and any additional material. I hope that's enough time.

-30-

Day 2: On The Road

We managed to go back and reshoot the walking scene with Mike. I may have not mentioned it before, but he looked like he'd just committed a crime in the first run from the previous night.

We went back and reshot it with the help of Theo, his daughter and my old garage sale wheel chair. The shot looked much better with the wheel chair as a dolly.

While we did that, I had a new crew member, Greg, come in and work with Quinn as script supervisor. He helped him rehearse while we got the leftovers done.

Then we took the last couple of shots of the pair driving out before heading to the location of the end sequence.

We took out time blocking things out and working out the lines to conserve battery time since I DIDN'T CHARGE MY CAMERA and all we had was Hank's. My camera, which seems prone to failure from time to time, was finally working and I didn't have it charged. Ugh.

Still we went through it as best we could. The location was underneath a freeway exchange blocks down the first location. Lots of freeway support columns, dirt and darkness. Too much darkness. We had a bitch of a time lighting the actors. The camera kept trying to adjust and several times, I had to call cut because everything was out of focus.

Quinn was working much better, but still asked a million questions and offered a thousand a apologies. He managed to get through the night with very few serious flubs and fewer excuses.

Along the way, we managed to come to our first really cool story of the shoot. Almost getting shot by cops.

This marks the second occasion that armed, police officers have halted things during a shoot.

Theo saw the cop car from Broadway. It had the spotlight on and was scanning us. When he came around from the N. Alamo side of our location, he had a friend and was how flooding the area with lots of blinding, white light.

Theo says, "Damn, we need to see if they'll let us borrow that light." We laughed.

The lead officer walked up to us and drew his gun. He kept it behind him, but we could see it. His partner had unsnapped his holster and had his hand on his weapon.

We were told to sit down on the floor.

Officer 1: What are ya'll doing here?
Theo: Filming a movie. (chuckles)
Officer 1: You all got a permit for that?
Me: I didn't know we needed one.
Theo: (chuckling) We're just filming a movie.
Officer 2: (to Theo) You think this is funny?
Officer 1: (to me) Put the camera down.
Me: Sure.
Officer: We got a call that someone had a gun. Is there a toy gun around here?
Mike: It's in the car.

I put the camera on the top of the car and went back to take my seat. Quinn had been laying down on the ground, playing the victim and was now sitting up and had his hands raised. So did Greg. Theo was still chuckling. The first cop went to the car and searched for the gun. Satisfied that it was fake, he returned to our impromptu line up.

Officer 2: This isn't funny. Someone could get hurt.
Officer 1: What are ya'll filming a movie for?
Me: For contest.
Officer 1: Alright, let's see some ID's.
Theo: (offering the script) Wanna read the script?

So, with that, we were told to notify them of our activities and we proceeded to finish up the last shot of the film.

Looking at the dailies, I'm not happy. We had lots of light and camera issues. It was quite frustrating. Not to mention that Quinn still wasn't on the mark. His blank expression came right through his mask. Never mind that he didn't know where to look when Mike wasn't at his mark.

Right now, I'm wondering when this film will get done and if a certain actor will be around to play his part. The wife suggests I reshoot everything with Hank, but I'm not sure when he'll be free. Never mind that "CODE" is coming up in just a couple of weeks. I still have so much to do for that.

I have to make some tough choices here in the next day or two.

-30-

Day 1: First Night

I'd like to say that everything about the first night of filming went fantastic and that we got a lot done.

The reality of the matter is that we had camera issues and actor issues.

Quinn, the actor who had promised to give me his best performances and a great work ethic, launched into apologized and stumbled over lines and stopped takes several times to inform me that he could do better.

Thanks to Hank, we had a camera. But, as he'd informed me when he gave it to me, he wasn't entirely sure what the life of the battery would be. Once camera batteries get old, they're ability to hold a charge just isn't the same. We managed to get two good takes from inside the car.

Having watched dailies, I went from angry to frustrated to feeling triumphant for getting two great takes in a four hour shoot. Two.

Once Quinn gets going, I think he's right on the money. But if I have to wait that long to get him going, there might not be a place for him in this film. And then I'll really be pissed.

-30-

Happiness Is A Warm Gun

I spent the latter part of the afternoon painting a gun. With interior latex paint. Yes, house paint, you heard me.

Earlier that day, Tonya and I watched dailies from the previous night's rehearsal.

I've never really done rehearsal. Not for movie stuff. I remember doing it when I was an actor in junior high. It has to help. It just has to. Last night's events left me a little frustrated.

Quinn, the young kid whom I saved a really important role for, was ill or uncomfortable or I don't know what all through last night's lines. He started off well, but quickly took a turn for the worst.

He struggled all night with his material. He was unprepared. Thing is, I know he can do it, he just needs to convince himself. He mumbled. He stuttered. He apologized. He repeated.

For a brief moment, I was unsatisfied enough to call in a backup. Tonya and I talked about it. He would simply be notified of this.

I called him early in the morning and let him know, in no uncertain terms, that I had made concessions for him to be in the film and that if his performance didn't improve, he would be replaced.

I have a really good feeling about this film. Despite the slap-dash way I'm throwing it all together, I think it has a lot going for it.

-30-

Rehearsals, Day 1

We had a good, but short, rehearsal last night. At least it seemed short to me. Still, it was productive and I think that both Quinn (left, black shirt) and Mike understand more of the motivations their characters.

Hank, who I had lined up for cinematography, wasn't able to shoot this for me, but he did lend me his 1 CCD camera to shoot it myself. So, camera crisis is over. My camera is still in working order, for the moment, so I'm going to devise a way to use it, for as long as it's not glitchey.

Quinn has read very well. I have, and continue, to have a good feeling about him. When he reads, he picks up on little nuances and inflections that I've put into his lines. I expected that from Mike and he's come through. Mike has a very good work ethic. He likes to get his hands dirty and get in there to work out prop problems or anything that might come along.

This being my first real rehearsal since "Time", it's going to take some getting use to as far as letting the actors take the reins and read without any serious direction from my end. I have to tell myself, "They're not fully into the script. They're just rehearsing. Can't distract them from the lines. At least, not yet."

I think everything is going to work out well. Better even. As my sophomore offering, The Road has a lot riding on it. And most of it is for me.

-30-

The Road: Prelude To Rehearsals

We are set to rehearse tonight on my new screenplay. A full rehearsal, not like we did a few nights before.

This little project has great potential. I think it will fair strongly once we get it down and flush out the kinks.

I still don't know how I will shoot this if Hank can't make it. Even less if I can't borrow a camera from someone. This is gonna be tough. Especially with the shooting just a few days away.

If my camera survives the week or weekend, it would be awesome, but I'm not putting my eggs in that basket.

I just want Mike & Quinn to be ready for whatever comes along.

-30-

It Starts With Paranoia

After shelving my door-opus "OPEN", I've decided to move into grittier ground with my adventure/drama short "The Road".

The idea began when I was leaving work one evening. I often park at our company's fenced in lot. Most parking downtown charges so I feel like I'm being a bit thrifty this way. The parking lot is a few blocks down, so I walk for a bit, but it's free, so...

At night, the lot is usually empty and my truck is all alone under the single street lamp, surrounded by darkness. I've often held my pocket knife in my hand just in case. There's always homeless people or people who have just hit the plasma place down the street. You never know.

So it starts from paranoia and goes into kidnapping, ransom and violence. And for this task, I've recruited two actors who I feel are opposites. I think that they both have talent which has yet to be really measured.

The guy in the green shirt is Quinn. I literally picked him off the street during the filming of "A Matter of Time." He's looking to dig himself deep into a good role. I don't know if this will be that role, but it's got definite possibilities.

The guy in the grey, button up was also in "A Matter of Time." His name is Mike. His role should have had more meat to it, but due to a loss of a character, it got trimmed. He's been in a lot of indie films around town and does voice over work. He helped me do the voice over work for my film.

I have a feeling that this film is going to be a real challenge, but I'm looking forward to it.

Since we don't have very many sets, I'm hoping this will be a two day shoot, but I'm prepared for four. I think that four days are much more realistic, but I think that working out the details for this film will give us all a chance to get the most out of a two day shoot.

We'll rehearse two days before we shoot and try to get as much blocking done before we get to the actual locations.

And then there's "CODE"...

-30-

Rehearsals & Planning for "Open"

I didn't do a great job with rehearsals the last time around. Fortunately, the two actors whom I've got working on my next project are pretty good about coming down to rehearse.

They're a very cooperative pair who live near College Station. They're also married, which helps my script since the characters are a couple.

This film doesn't make me near as nervous as the last. But it makes me aware of the pitfalls. Rehearsing, storyboards and planning the blocking.

Dustan and Laura, the actors, I believe will be very good in this and I may cast them in something else.

I'm excited about both the next projects, but I'm SUPER excited about the Trilogy.

More to come.

-30-

"I don't like that, so far, off to a bad start..."

Okay, so I'm not as prepared as I thought I'd be.

The script isn't fully completed because I lost two locations and now I have to do rewrites on the fly.

The weather might be bad this weekend. It's been raining these last few days and I'm not sure the weather will improve. (goes to weather.com) Okay, Sunday might be washed out.

Which then brings me to Sunday. Since Hank is busy with Eric's shoot on Saturday, he might not be in good shape to shoot Sunday. Which sort of gets double washed out.

So, we've got one shot at doing this with the Friday shoot. I might have to trim the pages down. Eliminate some scenes and make it more compact. I have no problem with that, but it might be a little less fun. I don't know.

I'll talk to my wife-slash-producer and get her take on it. She has a good way of putting things in the proper perspective.

Fun, fun, fun. And I sincerely mean that. This takes a lot of work, but I can't tell you how truly exciting it is to be doing this. Even if this works out to be a 7 minute film, it's gonna be awesome.

-30-

Now what?

So, I've sent my last movie around, emailing the link from person to person, trying to get some reactions.

The actors and crew who have thrown it around say the response has been great. Everyone who has seen is has liked it. At least as far as I know. I wouldn't be hurt if someone said, "You know, you could have done this better..." or "I didn't really care for the plot..." or "You stink as an actor..." Constructive criticism, in other words.

As I've said before, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

But, now what? So I can officially call myself an indie film writer/director/producer. What good does that do me if I only have one film under my belt? Well, I'm currently in the process of fixing that.

October
I've cast and am aiming to shoot my next short in about two weeks. We'll most likely rehearse this weekend and by the Oct. 22, we'll be done shooting.

The actors I've cast are a married couple from out of town. They've got really good chemistry and seem to be really open to direction. I don't foresee any real coaching with them, but I'm sure there will be little things we'll be able to adjust along the way.

As usual, I've already run the script past my wife, Tonya. She's just got a gift for suggestions and for finding plot holes. I can gauge how fast most people will pick up on something depending on how fast it takes her to pick up on it. She's fast. I think I've mention that when we watch a crime thriller or some mystery, she'll often have it all figured out before the plot twists and turns attempt to leave us in the dust. She liked the story and made some great observations so I know it will be good.

November
I really want to do an adventure film, but I don't think I'm quite ready, logistically, for that yet. I want to spend a few dollars on some good prop guns and maybe even some squib rigs. So, what I've opted for is a more gritty film than the one before it. This one has just one set and two actors. It will be some closed quarter shooting since we're filming in a car for the majority of the film.

I think I might have this film cast already, but I'm going to audition some backups just in case. The two guys I have lined up are good. Both had small roles in my first film. They're definitely contrasting personalities and I think that's what's gonna make it work.

I'm still finishing up that script and finalizing the details for the shoot. Not to mention the fact that I've got to find a car that will let me and the camera man sit with the actors. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to walkie talkies and another vehicle and that means more gas money. Like I said, still working out the details.

The gritty aspect of this script will help me find the path I need to do more high tension dramatic materials and eventually, adventure films.

December & Beyond
For the holidays, I plan to start production on "Code", part 1 of The Bar Trilogy. I've started casting this now because it's gonna take me some time to really line up the right people for the roles. I've got a lot at stake on these three. They tell a story about me and the most important people around me, in a loose sense. "Write about what you know." That's what they say. They talk a lot and say all kinds of shit, but this I believe.

The first film is really going to dictate the way the other two are shot. And as it stands, the first film isn't completely written yet. With the ensemble cast, I'm really looking to develop each character from film to film. Not to mention the fact that I'm really looking to feature some great, original songs for each film. As it stands, I currently have a band from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Blind Punch. The founder of Punch is a guy I met through my best friend, Ben. Chris Jones is a uniquely talented and driven individual who I always wanted to work with. Until recently, I wasn't sure how I would accomplish that. Chris and his band have agreed to lend their music to the films and I'm lucky to have them.

January and February will bring parts 2 & 3 of the trilogy. I'm considering recruiting other bands for the soundtrack. I'd envisioned each film having it's own soundtrack/band. I'm still not sure about it though. Depending on how the first film feels, that's when I'll make my decision.

The Future
I've told a few people that after the trilogy I might dive into a full fledged feature, but honestly, I'm not sure about that. I'd like to; I have material to work with and even if I didn't, I could write it. I just want to make sure I'm not doing another "Caught In The Rain." My first attempt at a film and my first big failure. I still long to reshoot that, but I think I won't revisit that script again for some time.

I'm very excited about the coming months. The process is addicting. Not to mention the fact that I'm working towards my ultimate end: a career in film making.

Ride along with me, I promise I'll make this fun.

-30-

His Name Is Bruce Campbell

I've got a bunch of heroes. Martin Scorsese. John Frankenheimer. Shane Black. But there are heroes that don't always resonate with the public. Like Bruce Campbell. He is "Ash" from the "Evil Dead" trilogy.

Recently, my brother text messaged me with great excitement. Most text messages are generally ambiguous, but when it comes to my brother, I can tell. Especially when it comes to something like meeting Bruce Campbell.

So, my brother texts me and tells me, "I'm going to meet Bruce Campbell." I'm in Texas; he's in Buffalo. I'm just as excited as he is.

A few days later, he calls me and tells me all about the book signing and his long conversation with Bruce. I say long because my kid brother, my blood, got me three different books, all autographed by Bruce. And during this time of signing, he had a very cool conversation with him.

I'm not gonna go into the whole thing here, but I will say this. During the conversation, Bruce shared something with him which he prefaced with, "Here's some trivia.."

Apparently, Bruce was persuaded to write his first book, "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor" by the "PC Guy" from the current Apple advertisements. The "PC Guy" is named John Hodgman and according to Bruce, was the reason for his first novel. Hodgman is a published author (Areas of My Expertise) and a contributor to both the New York Times Magazine and the Daily Show w/John Stewart. How's that for interesting. My brother also mentioned that he worked for Apple. Bruce followed that up with a comment about how he knew all these movie makers, since he was in the "business", and he was the only "idiot" still using a PC.

From the entire conversation, Bruce Campbell sounded just like I'd always hoped he'd be like. What's more, this was his first book signing tour and he still managed to take pictures and sign things that weren't his book. He is and will continue to be one of my heroes and inspirations.

-30-

A Julian Cordero Film

What's my next move? Good question.

I was talking to my wife this weekend about my next project. I'm rather torn, but I have so many ideas that I'm not sure what would merit the most attention.

I want to do a shoot 'em up flick, but I hesitate in writing it out. That's ultimately what I'll do in my first feature length film; I'm not sure if I'm ready right this minute for that.

I definitely want to do something contemporary and not too brainy. I thought about doing that introspective, heartbreak short I was going to shoot in Arkansas. That was something I was feeling at the time and I'm just not feeling that now. Not to say that I have to feel it. It's just too... boring.

My son, Terrance, pitched me an idea about a movie with superheroes. That sounds intriguing. My wife would love me to do a trilogy of shorts where I adapt my planned feature trilogy about relationships and the weirdness that men do... Did that make any sense? It's about relationships, about men, about drinking... about life.

I've been thinking about it more and more and more and more and I'm leaning towards starting the trilogy as shorts, to see if it can be done. This will ultimately show me whether I can fully develop each film in feature length.

But that idea about superheroes can be done in soooo many ways.

There are just too many things. And that makes me smile. Why? Because it tells me that I'm not going to get caught in a rut and just do movies about the same thing. I have westerns and actions films and period pieces and documentaries all trapped in my skull. I just gotta let them out carefully.

I recently joined two groups at Meetup.com:
San Antonio Actors Meetup Group
and The San Antonio Indie Film Meetup Group

Networking, at this level, has a lot of benefits. Although I've noticed that a lot of the other groups in town trash talk and bad mouth. You'd think that maybe you'd want to make as many allies as you could in case you need crew or actors or anything that might help you sharpen your skills.

Granted, if you don't like someone or you don't work well with them, there's no reason to work with them.

I don't know. Maybe that's the idealist in my still lingering about somewhere.

I'm gonna hammer out Part 1 of The Trilogy this Friday. I have high hopes for this one. I hope I can live up to them.

-30-

World Premiere

Tonya and I attended the world premiere of my film last night. It was well received and got really great response.

I won't lie when I say I was nervous as Hell. My first completed film and it played on a large screen. The only unfortunate thing about it was that the sound in the the venue, aptly called "The Venue," wasn't very good. A lot of the films didn't have great sound and they sounded even worse.

The highs were great. We got a lot of laughs in all the right spots. I even had a couple of people tell me they really loved the film. It felt really great to know, first hand, that they enjoyed it.

Sadly, we didn't win the overall award. But as my first offering out of the gate, I wasn't expecting to. My future offerings will be much stronger.

The picture in this post is of the company logo. It was HUGE on that big ass screen. The future logo will be animated.

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