Time flies

Time flies, whether we do something with it or not.

Those were the wise words I read this afternoon from a filmmaker friend of mine, Evelyn Badia, who lives in Brooklyn, NY.

It's a statement that puts me into an immediate reflective state, because there's such truth to it. There are the doers of the world, the talkers, and the complacent. Life, always at some point, catches up with you. And when it does, how will it be? How will you respond to it?

Lost In Sunshine's theme is self-discovery. All of the characters are 'lost' and looking for something else -- better than what they've got. They're so consumed with themselves, or wrapped up in finding something different, that they're forgetting to be one with the present, and appreciate what they do have. They're unaware of looking within.

So yeah, time does fly, whether we do something with it or not. I want to fly with the time. I want to be one with the present. Maybe that's why I wrote LIS. Perhaps it was an unconscious attempt at fleeing reality, only to come full circle. Perhaps it was my lesson, first.

Our stories are ones that require nurturing, attention, and love, in order to grow into something special and fly.
But the GREAT news is, we don't need wings... all we need is determination, and perhaps a little caffeine.

Be a participant, says Peeks, the neighborhood peacock.

Out with the E-G-O!

Today I felt defeated. Only for a brief moment, though. It started out rough... tough... emotional... not a common day at all for me.  There was drama surrounding me, and I wanted nothing to do with it.

So I carry on with my day, and I'm told by someone what I need to do if I want to be a filmmaker. Wow. I thought, "You mean, in addition to getting my film degree, writing every day of my life, studying, observing, learning, networking, growing, taking vitamins, and trying to be a successful new director?" I would have never thunk it. 

Dialog: You say I should do wh...?  And how...? 

O.S. A bell rings. 

Action: Deep breath.  Smile.  Nod.

Then, I was speaking to a good friend/film peer this afternoon about her unfortunate experience with a hot headed film director-guy who booked her and her crew in NY this past weekend. What's up with that? Yet another example of someone's ego taking over.  This case sounded a bit more mental, but I have to think if you're not working from heart, there's only one other place you can work from - and it ain't home.

SOMEONE needs to follow the yellow brick road... :)

That's the beauty of diversity though. There will always be people who think they know more than you. Some of them do. And there will always be people that feel the need to talk to you like you're five to make themselves feel more important or taller. And I might always be a minority in the challenging film world, but I can dig it. I like it, actually. Truth is, you can't control how people talk to you, what they say, or be responsible for their actions. All you can control, to some level, is YOU and your reaction. So that's what I do. :) Use it as fuel. I smile politely, nod, say thank you and move on. I know where I'm going... and it's OK if you don't. You can't fight or resist what IS. You just have to accept the IS-NESS and decide what you want to do with it.

As women, we want to be fearless, and strong. But we also are nurturers by default, and most of us care how others feel. We care when we hurt people's feelings and can't understand how others could DO THAT! But that's life. It's not about trying to make the entire world be the way you want - it's about making your world the way you want. 

So I went on a walk and forgot about it... the only way I know how to kill anything is with kindness. And the great thing about that way is - it usually works!!!! 

Besides, what I got to be upset about - I making a freakin' movie, y'all!!!! 

Yes, I know it's not grammatically correct. :)

Got Paranormal? A true guerilla adventure..

So, if you've been reading this blog you know that it's predominately about me making my first feature, Lost In Sunshine, and any helpful advice/links/names I can provide YOU with to save you time, money and sanity (every bit counts in the indie world!). But I must mention another collaborative project I'm working on with the Aether Paranormal team. We just released our new documentary online, Ghosts of Goliad, which we filmed at the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, TX. Wow. What an interesting place....

The team consists of myself, Shad Chancey (my husband), Carly Bell, Beaux Jackson and Matt Williamson. Our newest (and last) addition is Chad (AKA: Doug) Richardson, whom we'll introduce before our next film. We're an artful group of young professionals with one common goal here - to catch proof that paranormal life exists. That means something different to all of us.

You can view our entire documentary online FREE at our website (click on link above). The link is: http://www.aetherparanormal.com or you can YOUTUBE it and watch the TRAILER. So far, we've had an overwhelmingly supportive audience. Thank you!!

And to let you beautiful film people know what can be done: we used three different types of cameras on this shoot: canon XL1, HD panasonic SD1, and a cheaper night vision camera. We filmed over the course of a weekend, and did everything pretty much guerrilla style, with the exception of some very slightly premeditated introduction scenes. We didn't have the luxury of going there before we shot, so what you see - is what we had time to get! Thankfully, we stayed on top of our game, never veered from our goal, and got some pretty cool footage to work with (remember, it has to be cohesive... oh, yeah, right). :) We purchased a package of equipment to aid us in our investigation, and scheduled a meeting with a local historian and paranormal investigator, Bill Corey, before arriving to the fortress.

Although the next adventure will be more organized, and better planned, our improvisational, visual approach created a solid documentary with a more cinematic feel, unlike anything else out there. Tracie Austin from Let's Talk Paranormal (radio/TV show) called it, "raw and archaic." I say, think Blair Witch meets Ghost Hunters. :) The rest is organic, movie making history!

Let's talk paranormal: http://www.letstalkparanormal.com

Right now, we're in the midst of starting up our next investigation at a supposedly haunted hot spot right here in Austin, which we hope to film on FRIDAY, FEB. 13th (scary!!). Keep en eye out at our website for our next round table discussion about it.

If you're interested in our PARANORMAL BLOG go here: http://www.aetherparanormal.blogspot.com

Just like a feature, you have to work your butt off to make these things happen. And that requires a good, solid team you trust and a few lucky stars. For me, movie magic happens when a collaborative group of professionals all throw their speciality skills in one pot, leave whatever egos at the door, and focus on one common goal. All of my projects are interconnected to what I adore in some way, shape or form, or there would be no motivation for me to do them.

For me, Aether Paranormal is fun, exciting, and adventurous. It's also an opportunity to share the adventure with YOU. We hope you enjoy the experience!

Scouting for a locations manager!

Ah, the scouting continues...

Things are moving along fabulously well, I'm insanely excited, but we still need a professional locations manager on board. I sent out a listing on Dan's email list (the one I told you about in my producer blog) and got an overwhelmingly wonderful response, which lead to an extra large bowl full of inbox possibilities... yet once again...

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

You can make anything... but what are you going to do with it?

Having been under many previous illusions in my lifetime, I can now wholeheartedly say that I have almost no control over what happens, especially in the competitive world of filmmaking. But I can control what I put out, and how I handle what does happen....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)