Friday Night Lights

Here I am between Brett Cullen who plays Walt Riggins and Taylor Kitsch who plays Tim Riggins. Taylor was so easy going and nice. Super talented too.

The Friday Night Lights episode should air in January.

Allison Liddi Brown and Friday Night Lights

Here I am taking direction from an absolutely incredible director, Allison Liddi Brown. We are filming an episode for Friday Night Lights and we are in one of the local bowling lanes. As a director, this woman rocks! I mean it. She was very clear on what she wanted and gave everyone the room to do it. To say I was impressed, is an understatement. She also said some really good things about my acting (which she didn’t have too), which left me on cloud nine as I left the set.
Thanks!

A star on my trailer door.

from the set of Friday Night Lights

Here some more shots from the set.

Brett Cullen, Friday Night Lights

This is photo was taken when Brett Cullen and I were taking direction from Allison Liddi Brown. Brett is a very fine actor, who has been in a ton of stuff and I feel fortunate to have worked with him. He’s a fun guy and a very giving actor to work with. It doesn’t hurt that he’s an incredibly handsome guy either!
I found out that he has his own website.
Check it out @ www.brettcullen.com

Friday NIght Lights - thrilling and awesome!

I am now officially Anna on Friday Night Lights and today we shot my scene. It was great fun and the cast and crew are incredibly nice and giving. I’ll have some pictures to post soon. This is going to be short because after the excitement and intensity of shooting today, I still had to go grocery shopping, get dinner for all, pay the bills. I’m a little tired now and may have to skip the bills, but I just had to tell everyone, it was an excellent time and I’m ready to go again.

Friday Night Lights!

Within hours after getting back home, my wonderful agent called me and told me about an audition for Friday Night Lights. The next day I auditioned and got the part.!

Today I auditioned for a SAG feature film and next week there’s something in the works as well.

I guess that 2 months waiting list of things to do, will have to wait a bit longer, while I get in some acting gigs.

DVD players

After two weeks in Texas, mom had decided she’d had enough sitting around my place and we changed the flights to come back early to Florida. Originally, she was to stay until Christmas, but even in her grief, mom has get up and go, and she was ready to get up and leave. (Nothing personal she assured me)

I figured going back would be hard for my mom, so I made arrangements to fly back with her and stay for a few days. What I didn’t anticipate though, was how hard it would be for me.

Sunday would have been Dad’s birthday.

Mom and I needed a break and to get our heads into a different place, I turned to my favorite salve and tonic - films. Let’s watch some fun movies!

The true comedy came though, not in the movies, but in trying to get the damn DVD player to work! It was an obstinate machine, that I would have just as liked to stomp on. One night we pressed buttons on that remote control for almost an hour, before it finally played the film. On the last night, while trying to get “ELF” to play, something happened to the DVD player and suddenly everything was pink. After yet another hour of pressing buttons, our choices were to see it in, black and white, or pink. After watching for a few minutes, it became obvious that this particular movie in pink tones, is down right nauseating. We checked out our viewing options and ended up spending the evening watching “Elf,” huddled and cuddled around my laptop. We laughed more when it was in pink, but it was a good break. The next day we picked up a new DVD player. I’m thinking of signing her up with Netflix.

Now, I’m back in Austin. I’m 2 months behind in everything and I’m wearing one of my dad’s old sweaters.

A dream.

It’s been 5 weeks since my dad died. I feel like I've been dreaming.

keepin' on

Somedays are o.k., some days are not. No matter what is going on with me though, the world keeps moving.

old friends

It's wonderful to spend time with old friends. My old friends stick up for me, don't kick me when I'm down, are damn funny and they keep me real. With my old friends, we laugh just as hard as when we're sober, as when we're on our second bottle of wine. We can disagree and feel shitty, but then we realize that what was said, doesn't really matter as much as our friendship. I feel connected with my old friends. I just love them!

the ride

It’s been a real ride. Between the grief from the death of my dad, being a speaker on panels, screening the film in DC for the National Institute of Health, and bringing my mom back to Texas to stay with me, I feel like I’ve been through the ringer.

A week after my Dad’s memorial, I was panelist for several forums at Spindletop Film Festival. I talked about being an actor, being an Associate Producer, what Storie Productions is doing with self distribution, screened jumping off bridges, and was answering questions for our Q & A. Afterwards, I was so fried, that Tracy and I headed back to the hotel to regroup and get something to eat.
At dinner though, my home life and professional life collided and I thought I saw my dad at the restaurant. In a single instant, my heart rejoiced to see him, completely having forgot that he had died. I felt as if I was about to join him for dinner. Then I remembered that it couldn’t possibly be him.
Through my tears, I could see it was just an elderly gentleman.

Two days later, I picked up Stacy for early flights to DC for our screenings with NIH, at the American Film Institute’s, Silver Theater. Matt Boratenski AFI’s Coordinator for Screen Education was there and it was great to finally meet him in person. The first screening was awesome. Our film was the center piece for a CEU earning educational program. There was an excellent power point presentation afterwards and the attendance was 100+ strong. Overall, the morning event was beyond my expectations and Lauren Hockman of the Mental Health Association, who put it all together, is awesome and ran a professional event.

Because we had some time to kill before the evening event, Stacy and I decided to catch a film. We started with Babylon. It was really good, but also a very intense and after an hour, I just had to leave. There are certain things I ‘m not up for right now and anything depicting violence, anguish, death, heartache (you get the idea), is too hard to take. I felt myself getting more and more upset and realized that if I didn’t get out of there, I would be a mess. So I ducked into the Russell Crow movie, A Good Year, which is the complete opposite of Babylon. Basically, it’s the male version of Under the Tuscan Sun. A warm, soft, fuzzy type of film, with beautiful scenery of Province. O.K. I thought, I can do this.

The evening screening and dedication of our film to Dr. Wayne Fenton was excellent. I think there was about 300 people there. Dr. Bruce Fuchs of NIH spoke and is an amazing man. Many more top folks at NIMH and NIH spoke as well and I was very impressed with their intelligence and compassion. Then Stacy and I were part of a wonderful Q and A. It’s obvious that jumping off bridges, opens doors and inspires people. Audience members kept asking great questions and offering comments on the film. After the Q and A, more people were telling us how much they loved the film and what it meant to them. It was really great. In the course of one discussion, I had said that my dad passed away three weeks earlier and I thought I was going to get a group hug! Have I mentioned I love mental health professionals.

The next day, Stacy headed back to Austin, and I flew to Florida to get my mom and bring her back to my home for support and lots of love.

This past week has been, in varying degrees, difficult and heart wrenching, and loving, tender and sweetness. Really, every emotion, and all of them very strong. To be honest, I want to sleep for a week, but this rides not over and I know it’s not stopping anytime soon. This ride is, I guess, also called life.

Note: Those who are grieving, should throw out the Halloween candy!

The previous post is the eulogy I said at the memorial for my dad. What i really wanted to say was:
I can rationalize my father's death by saying he lived a full life and that he would never have wanted to dwindle into old age.
But I can't believe I will never sit with him again, ask him what to do, and kiss his sweet face, over and over.

Eulogy for my Dad

When I was a little girl, I can remember thinking that there was something really special about my dad.
I mentioned this to a friend of mine last week and they said, “Oh you’re a daddy’s girl.” I have to say though, that I wasn’t because the idea that there was something unique about my dad, is a belief I’ve carried into adulthood.
Growing up with his words, his actions, ideas, and his energy, has over time, reinforced to me, that he was extraordinary.

When he was a boy, he worked at a grocery store and the owner told him to put the overly ripe fruit on the bottom and cover it with the fresh fruit. This deception, so appalled my dad, that he quit.
Fairness to others, honor, being a true gentleman. This was a philosophy he practiced all his life.

When I was a kid and he used to do consultations at the prisons, I asked him, how could he work and help those bad people. He said, “Well, not all of us are born with equal chances or intelligence.”
When I was in college, he was giving a lecture to one of my classes on the mentally retarded and a student asked, “Why does the mentally retarded need a psychiatrist?” And he said, “Just because they are mentally retarded, doesn’t mean they don’t have mental illness. They have the same mental illnesses as everyone else, including depression. They understand that they are not like everyone else and it can make them pretty sad.”
Dad was a compassionate man.
He never, though, confused compassion with weakness. He was direct, didn’t mince words and had strong opinions. But, he had this way of listening, that let you know he understood and he cared.

He had sense of humor and wit. With maybe only three of four words, he could make a subtle observation, about everyday life and it would make you laugh out loud. Perhaps it helped that he had great delivery, but the more you thought about it, the funnier it got, because it would dawn on you, that there was a lot more to it. He loved to pun and also got the greatest kick out of being a dad. When we were kids, we would be snorkeling around the springs or out on the Gulf, and he would come over and ever so gently, slowly close the top of the snorkel.
When I was in High school at P.K Young, I was hanging out with my friends, next to the band room and Dad came walking up the street. I ran over to him and was hugging him and kissing him and making a fuss over him, and he said in a voice loud enough for my friends to hear, “Excuse me young lady, do I know you?!.”

I could go on for a while about my dad: about his intelligence, his love of classic literature, of being out on the water, how he was an inspiration to so many people and of his pride in children and grandchildren. Of how, especially before his heart attack 10 years ago, he was a real mover and shaker, and literally walked with a bounce in his step. That heart attack was a big one, and it took away that bounce, but it didn’t take away that… twinkle in his eyes. I’m sorry for the cliché, but I don’t know how else to put it, but anyone that knew him, knows what I’m talking about. You could see him light up, see that spark, when you walked in the room and he greeted you hello. It was unmistakable.


But one area I haven’t mentioned yet, was his capacity to love. He loved my mother totally and completely and was crazy about her. It went both ways. I have always thought they set the gold standard for marriage. He loved and enjoyed his family and his friends. As one of his kids, I always knew that he would be there for me no matter what and I grew up knowing that he loved me unconditionally. I loved to just be in his presence.
We are here today, to celebrate the life of my father and I would like to tell you, that I am so lucky. Here was this remarkable, compassionate, funny, intelligent and loving gentleman, and he was also our father, husband, brother, brother-in-law, father-in-law, grandfather, friend, and we will have that, all our lives.

Tomorrow at 4:30am, the family and I leave on a 6am flight to go back to Gainesville for Dad's memorial. Kat and Stacy and Tracy are busting ass on the screening of the film in NY, but it seems like a world away.

Everything feels like - slow motion panic.

It has been a week and I'm always cold.

Everything seems so weird, especially now that I’m back home in Austin. Nothing seems right, like my skin doesn’t fit anymore and my house isn't my home.

.

I’ve found myself working to remember specific details about my dad. Not just how he looked, but memories of us doing things, conversations, events. I became frantic the other night because I couldn’t remember the sound of his voice and I thought I had lost him again.

Everyone says that he is a part of me and that he is always in my heart. But it’s a poor second. How I would love to hold his hand just one more time.

For tomorrow's papers

On Tuesday October 25, 2006, Harvey R. Langee Sr. M.D., a devoted husband, treasured father and cherished friend, peacefully passed away, with his family at his side.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1925, he was in the United States Naval Reserve V-12 program in Electrical Engineering. In World War II, he proudly served in the United States Navy. After graduating with an English (writing) degree from Brown University, he moved to New York to pursue an acting career and met his future wife of 57 years, Jacqueline Fisher, a classically trained singer performing on Broadway. Realizing that acting was not his forte, he worked in public relations. Then at age 33, he and Jackie packed up their children, Joanna and Hank, and moved to California to attend Stanford University Medical School. While a medical student, Harvey supported his family as a free lance writer and was a proud member of the Writers Guild of America. He wrote scripts for approximately 50 film and television programs, including those for PBS, IBM, Bank of America, Film Counselors, and the United States Navy.
They had two more children, Christopher and Leslie, and in 1968, Harvey graduated from Stanford University Medical School. He moved his family to Gainesville, Florida, where he became a professor with the University of Florida’s Department of Psychiatry. In 1973 until his retirement in 1997, Dr. Langee was in private practice, working with various medical establishments, including (then) Alachua General Hospital, Tacachale Center and as Director of North Central Florida Community Mental Health Center. A dedicated physician, he cared for the needs and well being of the local mental health community, as well as publishing his research articles to improve mental health care.
An avid boater and a member for many years of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Dr. Langee took immense pleasure in being out on the water. His greatest joys though, were his loving wife, family, and friends. A man of great intelligence, compassion, wisdom and wit, his sweet love was all encompassing and his presence on earth is greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Langee, children, Joanna Langee BSRN, Harvey (Hank) R. Langee Jr. M.D., Christopher Langee, Leslie Langee, sister and brother-in-law, Leona and Henry Kaplan, son-in-law Samuel G. Campbell, grandchildren Robert A. Campbell and Christopher J. Campbell, former son-in-law, Larry Watkins, many nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial and celebration of the life of Dr. Langee, will take place Saturday, November 4th, 11am to 1pm. For details call Forest Meadows at 352-378-2528.

today, we will remove my dad from life support. my sweet angel dad. this is my saddest day and i am so utterly grief stricken.

Linklater, Rodriquez and Me

Last night at 10pm , I was on KEYE news being interviewed with Richard Linklater, Robert Rodriguez and the Texas Film Commissioner, Bob Hudgins. Pretty good company! They even had one of my scenes in there from jumping off bridges.

O.K. to be truthful, I have never met these folk and the in-depth news segment was a compilation of interviews between all of us. But still, not a bad group to be added to at all!

I was so relieved that the news interviewer was so cool. In fact, everyone from KEYE was great.

I would love to put the video on my blog, but I can't figure out how to get it over here from the news website. It will probably be gone soon, so if you want to see the segment, check out www.keyetv.com . You can find it in the video area. Click on the video lead where Robert Rodriguez is wearing his cowboy hat. (I'm sure the film offers are going to be rolling in at anytime!)

We are honored!

jumping off bridges, will screen in a National Institute of Health “Science in the Cinema” Special Event on November 15^th of this year. This event is sponsored by the Office of Science Education, National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The event is a tribute to Dr. Wayne Fenton

Self Distribution

It’s has been a crazy, long, difficult and enlightening journey of self-distribution for jumping off bridges. The first meeting consisted of us saying “Hell Ya, let’s do it!” and basically we haven’t stopped since.
Kat and Stacy have been doing this 24/7 for months and months. They don’t take no for an answer, ever, and this is in addition to their jobs which actually pay the bills. (Yes, 24/7 and paying jobs. People who work at something they are passionate about and have day jobs know what I’m talking about here.). Tracy also works her ass off to get the word out about this film, get screenings, works various day jobs and still maintains her wonderful enthusiasm and energy.
I do the kids/home/actress routine. When I’m not working with, or to the benefit of raising my kids, or I’m not on set for an acting gig, I’m working on Storie Productions. More and more though, they are crossing over into each other. When I'm on set, I tell everyone about the film and make connections. WHen I'm at home, I find myself grabbing moments to send emails at all times of the day, or I'm shlepping the kids to the post office for mailouts, taking business calls when they're home, or while I’m shuttling them to after school activities.

Fortunately, there are moments where my work and being a mom blend wonderfully. Like when I was talking on the phone to the director of a news program, who could hear my kids practicing their violins (which occasionally sounds like cats in heat) and we ended up laughing through the whole conversation. Or the time an anchor from a tv station called right before one of my kids ran in screaming, with blood dripping down his elbow, which had resulted from his encounter with the sidewalk via his bike. When I called the anchor back, we connected over kids and road rash. Who would have thought.

It really has been a different path lately. Sometimes hard and frustrating but always worthwhile, and exciting. We only have a few more screenings to go and then back to full time pre-production for Brain Brawl and Stacy’s doc and come to think of it, I need to get back to my screenplays.

Michael Emerson of Lost

FOR ALL OF YOU MICHAEL EMERSON FANS WHO ARE FANATICAL ABOUT THE SHOW " LOST."

YES! THE MICHAEL EMERSON WHO IS IN OUR FILM JUMPING OFF BRIDGES, IS THE SAME MICHAEL EMERSON THAT IS THE HEAD OTHER ON "LOST."

AND YES, HE IS A PHENOMINAL ACTOR AND I LOVED WORKING WITH HIM!!

IF YOU WANT TO REALLY SEE HOW MUTLIFACETED THIS ACTOR CAN BE, CHECK HIM OUT IN OUR FILM.

It’s a crazy time for all of us with Storie Productions. The screenings are happening everywhere and we are getting’ going!

The screening event in DC which is being sponsored by NIH and MCHA is so huge. Sometimes I just find myself grinning about it and at the same time bewildered at this films journey. It’s an amazing feeling of it taking it’s own path and I’m just helping it along.

I hope when I learn enough to be able to make my own films, that they will also take flight.

Michael Emerson of Lost

Check it out. This is Michael Emerson bio from ABC's LOST website.
Hi Michael!

"After graduating from Drake University with a major in Theater and a minor in Art, Michael Emerson moved to New York, forgot about acting and landed a job in magazine illustration. He later followed a romance to Florida, where he began acting again and supported himself with a variety of occupations, including directing and teaching. He acted professionally in the south for many years before entering the MFA Program at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (University of Alabama). After graduating, he once again moved to New York as a struggling actor and found a break in Moises Kaufman's Off-Broadway production of Gross Indecency.

On Broadway Emerson appeared in Hedda Gabler and The Iceman Cometh. His television credits include guest starring roles on The Practice, in which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as William Hinks, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Without a Trace, The X-Files and The District. He also starred in HBO's The Laramie Project.

On the big screen he appeared in such films as Saw, The Legend of Zorro, Playing by Heart, The Imposters, Jumping off Bridges and Straight-Jacket.

His hobbies include Shakespeare, the Greeks, verse, black-and-white films, black-and-white drawings, bluegrass, world crafts and ghost stories. He is a long-time supporter of the charities that are connected to the Theater community -- Actors Fund, Broadway Cares, Gay Men's Health Crisis and Off-Off Broadway, as well as publicly-supported radio stations and Habitat.

Emerson is married to actress Carrie Preston.

too long to write

I’ve waited too long between posts on this blog. So much happened, that I’m overwhelmed with where to start. How about we settle for some highlights and random thoughts.

1. Storie Productions is kicking major sweet patootie. The word is getting out about the film and the screenings are picking up steam. The San Antonio screening was awesome and the Austin screening was completely sold out. Kat is screening it today and tomorrow in Tallahassee and then next week we’re going to Houston and Nashville. And then on to DC, NY, LA and Atlanta. The chica’s of Storie Productions are working, working, working and the word is getting out. This film is going places and so is this production company. I really believe in it. A plan is forming in my head and it feels right and good.

2. I’m thinking about my unfinished screenplay and I’m wishing I had time to write. I’m hoping my hubby will take the kids for a few hours this weekend so I can dedicate some time to it. But we’ll see.

3. The weather in Austin is beautiful, but the air is full of mold and pollen and only those who are immune to it or are on allergy injections are enjoying it. L

4. I am hopefully going to visit my dear friend in CT in a few weeks. I can’t wait to see her, but I’m going to need horse tranquilizers just to step foot on the plane. Man, I really hate to fly!!!

5. One of my kids recently became a teenager and now the sarcasm and attitude have arrived.

6. I’m still married and that’s a very good thing, as we just celebrated our 19^th anniversary. Have I mentioned recently that I really love my hubby!

7. I’m really tired, so I’ll write more later and hopefully it will be sooner than later.

jumping off bridges

Fall Tour Screenings (more TBA) DALLAS, TX Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 8/9/06 7pm Angelika Theater - 5321 E Mockingbird LN Available Here LUBBOCK, TX Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 8/11/2006 7:30pm Underwood Center - 511 Avenue K Available Here SEATTLE, WA Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 9/13/2006 7:30pm Broadway Performance Hall - 1625 Broadway $8 Available Here ALBUQUERQUE, NM Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 9/15/2006 7pm Southwest Film Center - University of New Mexico $6 N/A 9/16/2006 1pm Southwest Film Center - University of New Mexico $6 N/A 9/16/2006 4pm Southwest Film Center - University of New Mexico $6 N/A 9/16/2006 7pm Southwest Film Center - University of New Mexico $6 N/A OVERLAND PARK, KS Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 9/15/2006 7pm Glenwood Arts Theater - 9575 Metcalf $8.50 Available Here SAN ANTONIO, TX Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 9/30/2006 7pm Historic Guadalupe Theater - 1301 Guadalupe Street $8 N/A AUSTIN, TX Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/3/2006 7pm Alamo Drafthouse South - 1120 South Lamar $10 Available Here NEW HAVEN, CT Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/5/2006 7pm Critereon Theater - 86 Temple Street $9 Available Here TUSCALOOSA, AL Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/5/2006 7pm Ferguson Student Center - University of Alabama N/A TALLAHASSEE, FL Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/6/2006 5:45pm All Saints Cinema - 918 1/2 Railroad Avenue $6 N/A 10/6/2006 7:30pm All Saints Cinema - 918 1/2 Railroad Avenue $6 N/A 10/7/2006 5:45pm All Saints Cinema - 918 1/2 Railroad Avenue $6 N/A 10/7/2006 7:30pm All Saints Cinema - 918 1/2 Railroad Avenue $6 N/A BETHEL, CT Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/7/2006 7pm Bethel Cinema - 269 Greenwood Ave $9 Available Here NASHVILLE, TN Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/14/2006 2:30pm Belcourt Theater - 2102 Belcourt Avenue $8 N/A HOUSTON, TX Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/14/2006 7pm Rice Media Center - University and Stockton $6 N/A MEMPHIS, TN Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 10/15/2006 4:30pm Muvico Peabody Place 22 Theaters - 150 Peabody Place $6 Available Here MONTCLAIR, NJ Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 11/2/2006 Montclair State University N/A NEW YORK CITY, NY Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 11/3/2006 7pm Pioneer Theater - East 3rd St (Between Avenue A & B) $9 Available Here 11/4/2006 7pm Pioneer Theater - East 3rd St (Between Avenue A & B) $9 Available Here BEAUMONT, TX Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 11/10 - 11/12 Spindletop Film Festival LOS ANGELES, CA Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 11/12/2006 12:30pm Fine Arts Theater - 8556 Wilshire Blvd $6 Available Here ATLANTA, GA Date Time Venue Price Advanced Tickets 11/17/2006 7pm The Plaza Theater - 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE $7.50 N/A 11/18/2006 7pm The Plaza Theater - 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE $7.50 N/A awards 2002 Chesterfield Fellowship Finalist (Script) 2002 IFP Market Emerging Narrative Participant (Script) 2002 Semi-Finalist Sundance Screenwriter's Lab (Script) 2005 Texas Filmmaker's Production Fund Grant 2005 IFP Rough Cuts Lab Participant 2006 Semi-Finalist, Women in Film Foundation Finishing Fund 2006 Official Selection, South By Southwest Film Festival 2006 Official Selection, Jacksonville Film Festival 2006 Official Selection, Waterfront Film Festival 2006 Official Selection, Dallas Video Festival 2006 Special Guest, Flatland Film Festival All photos © Mike Slack, 2005

Getting the word out!!!

It’s an amazing process when you go into self distribution.

You probably know that jumping off bridges, is having its World Premiere in 20+ cities across the nation. What you probably don’t know, is the work involved in getting the word out. To put it mildly, it is monumental! I have been calling television stations around the country. Every where it’s showing, you can be sure I have called and emailed the news editor, assignment editor, the community bulletin and a few reporters of each station. And then done it again.

Fortuanely most stations now have it on their calendar and interviews are being scheduled. The hardest part is hearing the “We’ll get back to you.”

(Have I mentioned that I’ve never been very good at waiting?)

The thing is, as hard as I’m working, Kat, Stacy and Tracy are working 50 times harder. I only have one area, television. They have a zillion areas.

The work is paying out though and the film is gaining momentum and buzz.

The word is getting out!!

Yo!

seattle tonight

This evening, jumping off bridges is screening in Seattle at 7pm at the Broadway Performance Hall. Stacy is there as the filmmaker in attendance and will host the Q&A afterwards. As I write this, the film has already started. I wish I was there. I know I hate to fly, but I really wish I was there.

Even though we have screened in many theatres to date, this one feels like the beginning. All of us, Kat, Stacy, Tracy and myself have been in high gear getting the ball rolling on this world tour. It’s exciting, tiring, nerve wracking and sometimes scary. More often than not, I feel like I’m in over my head, but I just put one foot in front of the other and without fail, the road has risen to my feet.

I wish I could do more.

Storie Girls!

Tracy, me, Stacy and Kat.

When I was a kid...

When I was a kid, I had a big beautiful, creamy Palomino Quarter horse that I was crazy about. I would ride everyday and spent more time at the ranch, than I did my home. Looking back I guess it was my home. I knew everyone and their horse. I knew every dog, cat, goat and every now an then, a rat or two. Having a horse was my ticket to freedom and in the mind of a young girl, I truly believed he could read my mind. In the pastures, I would often ride without a saddle or bridle. Out side of the ranch though, I had to use a bridle. I couldn’t chance the ESP connection breaking right next to the highway. On most days, we would explore in every direction and for miles.

Across the road, there was a very poor, shanty neighborhood where I loved to ride. It was a place where dense ancient oaks, arched over decrepit one room wooden houses. Where women could be heard cooking in the back, and children would run up to my horse but were too afraid to touch him. Where the old men would sit on the patio, laughing and talking and smoking. There were fields of corn and sometimes fields of wild black berry bushes, thick with enormous berries.

I used to wrap my horses legs and go to the middle of those blackberry fields and gorge myself with berries until my hands and clothes were stained red. Then one time, I saw in the sandy road along one of these berry fields, a snake trail that was easily 5 inches wide. Amos (I’ll have to tell you about him later) told me a rattler made that trail and that it was probably a 7 footer. I have seen a 6 foot rattler, so I knew it could be true. To prove to myself that I wasn’t scared though, I went into the patch one more time, but I was so uncomfortable, it became my last.

I have wonderful, rich, funny, sad and scary stories from riding there. When I have more time and if it’s not too boring for you, I’ll tell you about how we got shot at while in the corn field, about how my horse startled and went racing through the baseball game and almost took out the second baseman, about the falling down convenience store in the middle of the road, the card games and cigars, the old men who kept their gaze down and away from a white girl, the women who offered me fresh ocra or corn from their gardens, the rides I gave to the children, the areas more colorful characters and of course my friend, Amos Moses.

Got to do some riding this weekend. My bike, the blue in the background of the top photo, was being temperamental, so I rode my hubbys. I thought the Texas heat would d kill me, but it wasn't too bad as long as we were either riding or in the shade. But if we had to stop because of crashes or a fouled spark plug, then the heat was really impressive.

I guess if I was a really radical moto chick, I'd have to say something ridiculous like:

Dude, I like totally kick ass! Catching air on the doubles was like, the shit! Serious soil sample but I'm good!"

But I'm not stupid cool, or cool, or stupid, or whatever. I'm just me and I had a really good time hanging out with my kids and hubby, and riding and being scared and thrilled and having fun.

Last UKPP scene for the day

To get a feel for the scene, here are some no nothing shots. Somewhere in here are stars (Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Linda Emond, Abbie Cornish). I didn't feel right going up to them and snapping their pictures with out asking them first, but unfortunately, I was too embarrassed to ask them.

So I just took some general lousy type shots.

Cora Cardona and David Kroll

The heat was so horrid, that at every chance we got, we'd hang out in an air conditioned lawyer's office, which was facing the street where the filming was taking place.

Sitting with me is Cora Cardona and David Kroll. Cora is an actress, director, producer, playwright and well, you name it. She started the Latino theatre scene in Dallas and is the artistic director and founder of Teatro Dallas http://www.teatrodallas.org/ . She has this warm, supportive positive energy that is enveloping. I wish I could work with her everyday.
David played the minister to perfection and I loved watching him. He hails from Austin and has been in several things as well. I am so glad I got to be in the last scene with him. Everyone was super tired, hot and ready to put our feet up, but his jokes kept coming (even the bad one!) and it was a great way to wrap up the day. I have to admit, normally it's pretty had for me to get the giggles on a set, but man, did I get them bad with David! I still laugh thinking about it.
Hi Cora!!
Hi David!!

Kimberly Pierce is a director who I would happily work for again. She is all business and doesn't mix it up. There was no ego, tantrums, or histrionics. Just very professional. She surrounds herself with equally dependant, professional people and a lot of them were hired locally!

To me that totally kicks ass!!

Pictures!

This is the last the scene of the day, where it's after the parade and speeches, and the town folk are walking around feeling wonderful. Here is Elizabeth and her "GI boyfriend" . Of course he's not her real boyfriend, but he is a real GI and he came over from one of the local bases. A really nice guy (damn handsome too!) Sorry I don't recall his name. Something like Chergard, or Charemund or Shurmere.

Pictures!

Here I am on the set with Elizabeth and Joy ( Why can't I rememebr last names?).
Anyway, they are really wonderful people and hanging out with them made it easier and more fun to braved the 100+ Texas heat. Believe it or not, sometimes we were so desperate for shade, that we were thankful for the ladder!

Hi Elizabeth!
Hi Joy!

Untitled Kimberly Pierce Project

Hello to everyone that I met on the set of the Untitled Kimberly Pierce Project!

I would like to extend a thanks to so many of you that maintained a professional attitude and for just being kind, while shooting outdoors in 100+ heat.

To Heather Collier – You are an awesome agent!!!!

To Beth Sepko, Casting Director – Thanks for pulling my headshot!!!!

To KP- I can read lips.

To Scott – You went out of my way. Thanks.

To Tim Olyphant – Nice to meet you. Yes, the heat was a bit much.

To Ryan Phillippe, Truthfully, we didn’t actually meet, but we did say hi.

To Channing Tatum – Thanks for not having a big ego. You could have but you didn’t’. I know the GI’s really appreciated that!

To Joseph Gordon-Levitt – I looked, and yes, it was a really touching last scene.

To Josef Sommer – Seems like you really loved this Texas heat!

To Elizabeth – Girl, You are crazy! Fun. Good luck in LA.

To Joy – Thanks for the company. Ps. I’d leave the senator!

To David Kroll – Very nice meeting you! Did you hear the one about…

To Cora Cardona – You are such a wonderful person. I’m so glad I got to meet you.

To Glen Mormon - Thanks for being kind, the AC was great and so was the food!

To Jennifer Milliman – Good to see you again.

To the GI extras – Thanks for keeping the place fun!

To Chris – I promise, I will never hire you. For anything. Ever.

To the gal who did my make up – Finally, someone who calls it real! Thanks!

To the gals who did my hair – “I had to put it up…It was so damn hot!”

Thanks to everyone that tried so hard to keep us from dying of heat stroke. I know you were hot too, but every bottle of water, and every umbrella, was really appreciated.

To the rain – Thank you!

I’ll post a few pictures soon. Keep checking back.

Astrological things

I'm really not one for these astrological things. I look at them more out of curiosity than anything. That and for some reason, which I had nothing to do with,Tarot.com is now on my Google page. But I have to admit, there have been several which have been spot on. Today’s actually made me laugh out loud!

It probably wouldn't have been so funny if I hadn't been feeling out of the loop and had just emailed Kat to see about lunch.

Check out today’s!

You are more than ready to go back to work, but by midday you realize that the social aspect of your job is important to you, too. You need the interactions with your coworkers, whether it is going out to lunch with associates or getting together with friends after work. Although you are socially inclined now, don't forget to take care of your responsibilities or things can become pretty difficult very quickly.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

jumping off bridges screenings

screenings (more screenings TBA)

8/9, Dallas, TX, Dallas Video Festival, Angelika Film Center, 7pm

8/11, Lubbock TX, Flatland Film Festival

9/13, Seattle, WA, Broadway Performance Hall, 7:30pm, Advanced Tickets Available

9/15, Albuquerque, NM, Southwest Film Center, 7pm

9/16, Albuquerque, NM, Southwest Film Center, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm

9/15 - 9/21, Overland Park, KS, Kansas City International Film Festival

9/30, San Antonio, TX, Historic Guadalupe Theater at Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 7pm

October, Baltimore, MD, TBA

October, Washington DC, TBA

October, Chicago, IL, TBA

October or November (week run), Jacksonville, FL, San Marco Theater, TBA

10/3, Austin, TX, Alamo Drafthouse South, 7pm, Advanced Tickets Available

10/3 - 10/8, New Haven, CT, Connecticut Film Festival

10/6 - 10/7 (weekend run), Tallahassee, FL, All Saints Cinema

10/7, Boston, MA, Capital Theater, 6:30pm

10/13 - 10/19, Memphis, TN, Indie Memphis Film Festival

10/14, Nashville, TN, Belcourt Theater, 2pm

10/14, Houston, TX, Rice University Media Lab, 7pm

10/26, Portland, OR, The Hollywood Theater, 7pm

November, Los Angeles, CA, TBA

November, Beaumont, TX, Spindletop Film Festival

11/2, Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University

11/3 and 11/4, New York City, NY, Pioneer Theater, 7pm, Advanced Tickets Available

Another really good one.

Even if you are prepared, things may not unfold according to the plan. You meticulously read your script and you know how to play your part, but it's as if someone changed the plot and your lines are no longer relevant. You may even feel as if the other players have been given new scripts and nobody informed you. Don't lose it; showing your anger will just make things worse. This is a test to see if you can let go of your personal agenda and graciously adapt to the changing scenery.

Life’s funny challenges.

Sometimes life throws us a ridiculous challenge. We may tell our friends about it or hide it, but to move forward in life, we grit our teeth and get through it. My ridiculous challenge is that I hate to fly in airplanes. I’m terrified of it and with every step I take closer to the plane, it feels like I am taking steps to death.

I didn’t used to fear flying. I have traveled all over the world, have “almost died” on several occasion (ask me to tell you about the bus ride in the Himalayas!) and had made peace with my maker.

Now though, I’m a true chicken shit of the skies. My motto used to be “have toothbrush, will travel.” Now it’s “do we have to fly there?” or “cluck, cluck, squawk!”

I realize that this is really, an irrational fear. It began soon after I started having children. Perhaps it’s the hormones or something, because I’ve heard similar tales from other moms. My hope is that the “fear of flying hormone” will diminish over the years, so that by the time my kids are off to college, I can happily resume my globe trotting ways, or at least not be terrified to fly the 30 minutes to Dallas!

Maybe it’s a self generated fear, to prevent me from focusing on the really scary stuff in life, or maybe it’s a manifestation of the vulnerability of motherhood, but it really does feel like I might die. I’m not one to back down from a fight though, and in a strange kind of way, overcoming these ridiculous challenges gives me perspective and reconfirms the living of life!