Sundance busy!

Suddenly everything is really busy. I don’t think I’ll get my actors reel done in time before I leave for Sundance, but I’m o.k. with it, (which should really tell me something).  I’m behind in post on my short film Static, and all of those hundreds of emails I sent out to press people, are coming back to me. My inbox is bursting!

It’s also occurred to me that I don’t have any snow boots and I’m concerned my 20year old winter coat, may not last the trip.

But I’m going to Sundance which means I’m going to ignore the things I really should be getting for my trip (long underwear and warm socks) and doing stuff that is completely unnecessary, like dying my hair purple and getting a black manicure.

For work though, I’m completely on it.  The reporters that came to the press junket (and those that couldn’t) are asking me for information about Black Metal and even films that I’m not a publicist for, but that’s totally cool. I’m very happy to connect the actors/filmmakers with the news folks.  There’s also one interview I’ve been trying to set up between Victor Diaz from YNN and the filmmakers/actors from the press junket and at certain times I feel like I’m trying to herd cats.  It’s going to work out but it’s going to take a lot more emails.

Fortunately, my producer, DJ Becker, has been working overtime to get our publicity material together for our short film Static.  I wish with all my heart she was coming. This is going to be an experience to be sure, but sometimes a little part of me imagines, very quietly, what this would all be like if it was our film Static, that was going too.

HEADING TO SUNDANCE

Jonny Mars in Black Metal

For me, a real homebody, to go to Sundance is a major step out of my comfort zone. I had worked on Black Metal, which is a Sundance competition short film, and the director Kat Candler (my friend and office mate) was telling me I totally had to go.  We’ll share a condo, see films, etc.  I had worked on her Sundance short film Hellion last year, and hadn’t gone. Kat said something about it being a lot of fun and I’ll meet lots of great people from all areas of film.  Plus, I’ll never find a greater concentration of film festival programmers anywhere!

She had me at the programmers.  I’m currently in post production on own short film Static,  that I shot last August, and I suddenly realized what Kat was telling me. Sundance could be an incredible opportunity to promote Static.  So I agreed to go. My official title would be Publicist for Black Metal . That’s what I did for Jumping Off Bridges years ago and since I seemed to be good at that sort of stuff, and I was happy to take on the role.

I started with doing a press junket at Austin Film Society for Black Metal and  several other local films that were making their way to Sundance and Slamdance (Hearts of Napalm, by Andrew Irvine,  Spark by Anne Silverstein and Pit Stop by Yen Tan). Then after the screenings,  I ushered (or bossed, depends on who you ask) filmmakers, actors, and journalists around, so that everyone could get time with each other for questions, photo’s etc., . I met some amazing journalists and from all accounts it went really well.

Then I started on the press releases. Lots of press releases, that went out to hundred of press outlets and people, about Black Metal.  I really love this film and its story. While working on set, I was riveted by Jonny Mars performance,  loved studying Heather Kafka’s work, the look of each shot, the direction, lighting, everything and more.  To talk up something I believe in is really fun, so I’ve loved championing it to the press and I’m excited to chat it up at Sundance. 

More Sundance coming soon.....

"SUBMERGED" is done!

It took a really long time, but my short film “Submerged,” is finally done and done! It had it’s premier at the Fort Lauderdale International Film fest in Octorber 2012, and it’s getting wonderful reviews.   It’s a short film about Jenny, a young teen, who sneaks out in hopes of a chance encounter with her life long crush, but he doesn’t recognize her from when they were children, or connect their shared tragedy.  “Submerged” is not the cute, bittersweet film that Eulogy Maker was and I think that has surprised a lot of folks. It’s grittier, has a harder, more disturbing story line, and I think the F bomb is dropped about three times.  I love it and maybe it will comes to a film festival near you!

Above is the official poster (or one sheet) for the film. It was painted by the incredibly talented artist and graphic designer, Lavanna Martin.  

submerged

I love this shot of Angela Powers as Jenny in my most recent short film, "submerged." She was wonderful to work with and I love how beautifully she portrayed the innocence and apprehension, that was required of the role.

More pictures to come! :)

Off the Grid Film Club: After months of hesitation, I am finally launchin...

Doing a live radio interview tomorrow from 12:30 to 1:pm MST!! If you're in Colorado, tune in to KAFM 88.1 or you can stream the station live athttp://kafmradio.org/ (so excited!)

Doing a live radio interview Tuesday Oct 11th from 12:30 to 1pm MST. If your in Colorado tune into KAFM 88.1 or you can stream it live at http://kafmradio.org/

Gretchen who is interviewing me, also will be reviewing the Eulogy Maker on Off the Grid Film Club. You can check out her blog at http://offthegridfilms.blogspot.com/

I'm so excited!

Directing again :)

I'm happy to tell you that my short film Eulogy Maker is still going strong. And because of that, I'm now getting more requests to direct other people's material. A long time ago, a friend asked me to direct her short and I totally botched it. We never got to finalizing the script, but I ruined a lovely friendship and I've been hesitant to take on anyone else's material since. Living life means taking chances though, and so recently, when another friend of mine asked me to direct her short, I was ready to do it. And I'm really glad I did! I had a wonderful time, the cast and crew were super and I would gladly work with all of them again. They were such hard workers and the actors were delightfully talented!! It's a wonderful feeling when everything comes together on set.

Another thing that's really different with this project, is that I'm not involved with the editing or anything relating to post production. I know this is very different from how it's normally done, but can I tell you how fun it is to only work with actors and the Dp and not have any post production butterflies or stress? To let go is a very free feeling! I could get used to this :)

!!!!

the new normal

It's September and I'm getting used to the new normal.

My oldest kid is away at college (and loving it) and my youngest is actually enjoying middle school. I know - wow! (there's no middle child, just oldest and youngest ;)

I've always held that a "parent is only as happy as their least happy kid." so when they're doing good, so am I.

As for films, the summer put a huge crimp in my acting and filmmaking. I'm not complaining, these past few months were super fun - Mountain biking, catching up with friends, some beach time, more fun with family and friends and of course lots of lazy summer days.

But as usual, school started up, I started showing back up at the office, and life got very busy!!

Busy in a very good way. I'll tell you more really soon...

(Note, the obvious cliffhanger!)

Life is flying By

Life seems to be coming at me fast and faster. Last week I realized several pretty big things were happening at the same time. One is that my short film, Jenny Sweet needed pick up shots. So this past week, I basically, produced and directed a mini short film. There were quite a few shots to get and even a short scene to shoot. So I cranked out the shot list and call sheet (Note: ALWAYS have a call list. Without one, you're screwed!!) and I organized the locations, got the talent on board, the DP, the Art Director and burned through those shots yesterday. It was an awesomely fun, relaxed, great time on set. Reminded me as to why I love directing!

Also this past week, I had to finally admit to myself, that my oldest kid is graduating high school, and I'm not ready for it. He may be, but I'm not. It would help if he was a pain in the ass, selfish, spoiled brat, but he's really a great kid and I'm going to miss having him around. Of course we have the coming Summer to get sick of each other, but still, those 17 years went by fast. wow.

Now though, I have to get the house ready for company, finalize festivities, finish editing and take the footage over to color correction, music, sound editor, and get the transmission fixed in the car.

Oh crap, I forgot! I need to get my kid a graduation gift. ~sigh~ I think I feel a migraine coming on. No really.

Love you Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Editor Mike Rocks!!

I am so happy to be working with an awesomely talented, uber fast, incredibly sweet editor!! Sometimes making a film, even a short depends so much on other people and if you don't have a bunch of film student friends to draft, these things can take a long time. But to get someone so nice and easy going, with mad editing skills, has put a smile on my face all week!!

When things go well, I really feel I can do anything. Thanks Mike!!

(now about those pick up shots...)