Remember going to the movies and getting surprised? Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? I remember going to see Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and gasping a little bit when Sean Connery turned up in the end as Richard the Lionhearted. Today, I realize that I have been officially robbed of the gasp.
On the way to work yesterday, I heard on the radio that Miley Cyrus has a cameo in next year’s Sex and the City 2. Seeing Miley in that movie would be much more likely to elicit an eyeroll than a gasp, but still I didn’t want to know about it ahead of time. Then later I visited my Twitter page and clicked this MyStyle tweet: “mystyle Kim Cattrall and Miley Cyrus Heart Sex and Sequins http://bit.ly/42RNC3” Which led to the above photo.
And then on my way home, I heard a different radio station say that the scene is one in which Samantha is working the red carpet and Miley Cyrus arrives wearing the same outfit. Sam’s assistant tells her, “You’re wearing the same dress as Hannah Montana.” Now when I see that movie, it won’t be a surprise. It probably won’t even be funny because I already see it coming months in advance. (And you do too, thanks to me. You’re welcome.)
It might seem like this info is a combination of radio and internet, but really DJs are just part-time entertainment reporters who are gathering their information from gossip and entertainment websites. I’m not someone who enjoys knowing everything about a story before I see a movie or a show. I want the full storytelling experience to be intact. I don’t even read film reviews before I go to the theater because they include too many spoilers. Now it seems I can hardly avoid it.
If the Sixth Sense were released today, I wonder how long it would be before the “secret” was broadcast on Twitter or Facebook. Filmmakers today are having conversations about distribution, about the dilution of the craft, about how to make money. Most of the time, the answers being floated involve a greater online presence, more connection with audiences, and more information available through social networking. I’m not sure that’s the right path.
Obviously, I think the biggest and first step is better storytelling. After that, I think we need more mystery in the movies, not less. We need to figure out how to reclaim some of the movie magic that had audiences gasping not that long ago. I realize that’s easier said than done. And I realize that maybe the days of billionaire movie makers are over. But that’s ok so long as cinema remains true to itself.
And yes, I do admit to liking Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. That’s with Costner’s flawed, intermittent accent notwithstanding.
This past week, we were in production on a promo piece for “Something Worth Waiting For” a film I’m producing with writer/director Avril Speaks. We had a great time and captured some fantastic footage. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be assembling that trailer, beginning the hunt for investors and trying to get this feature film project made.
“Something Worth Waiting For” is a faith-based romantic comedy that honestly and frankly discusses singleness and celibacy in the Church.
This is a film I art directed, which in indie world means if it’s in the frame and it isn’t a human being, I had to make it, buy it or build it. It was nice of God to take care of the outdoor stuff for me. I didn’t put any of it on my reel because it’s a producer’s reel. But that doesn’t mean I’m not real proud of it! It’s only ten minutes long and it’s really well written and directed by my pal Jennifer, so I suggest kicking back and checking it out.
It’s come to the place where I am finally getting back to myself after spending a year out of the country and in school. This was a pretty fun way to dive back in to activism!
I just read this post on writer/director Avril Speaks’ blog. Why should I write another one myself when she’s already done the work:
Hello Convergence [Nationsfilm] Readers!
But the main reason why I haven’t been keeping up with Convergence [Nationsfilm blog] is that we’re really in the thick of getting the word out about my film “Something Worth Waiting For.” If you haven’t been to the site yet, make sure you pay us a visit! Great discussions and great fundraising are in full swing over there! So since it’s hard for me to upkeep two blogs, my updates here on Convergence might be few and far between for a little while. But keep checking back, you never know when I’ll have some kind of personal rant that I only want my readers to know about. Please bear with me, but in the meantime, don’t forget to visit Something Worth Waiting For!
Today, I met with Kathleen Boehmig a friend I know from screenwriting class and from my days as an active member of the Atlanta Writer’s Club. She’s also had it on her heart to do a screenplay based in the world of human trafficking. Some of the ideas we kicked around today are so exciting! This is one project I have no ambivalence about. This one’s going all the way!
Shandra, Diana and I spent a good four hours at The Cheesecake Factory at Cumberland Mall today. We talked script, budget, social media and more for Make It Rain, a film based on a the true story of Diana’s life. The main thing we really were hashing it is how to bring more light to an extremely dark story. I’m so excited about the positive progress the story and the film are making!
So, the time of working on 5 Killers is over. The wrap party is this Saturday and should be a lot of fun. I’ve agreed to a permanent contractor role at American Breast Care. Graphic design and photo shoot producing for about twenty hours a week. That will hopefully keep the wolf away from the door while also providing me time and emotional space to write and produce work.
So, I mentioned that I was looking for writing assignments to help make ends meet. Well, last week I had been called by a local newspaper to come in and help them out on an entry-level basis. I didn’t actually interview with everyone I was supposed to meet, I had only talked with the general manager. He asked me to just come in and try the work on a trial basis and meet everyone else. So I went in last Monday. I interviewed with the owner and other department heads and had a generally boring day. The owner asked if I was ready to come on board. I was out of sorts and kind of depressed to have to take a non-film related job, so I only committed to coming in the following day to continue the trial.
I tossed and turned all night. Partially trying to figure out a way NOT to take this job permanently and partially feeling sorry for myself. Morning took forever to arrive, but it finally did. I was dressed and about to leave when my cell phone rang. It was the production secretary on the a new thriller shooting here in Atlanta. She asked me to come in as an Office PA (Production Assistant) that very day, as soon as I could get there. I called the paper, but ended up getting voice mail b/c it was so early in the day. I left a message and high-tailed it to the prodco office. I was really surprised to get that call, as the office had been open since January and it had been months since I had applied. But, shooting was beginning here in Atlanta and they were extra busy. Yay for me!!
It’s my first time on a big-budget picture and I am learning an infinite amount of information as well as making new film friends. We’re working 12 – 14 hours a day, five days a week, and pretty much always on call. I make copies like a mo-fo (scripts, call sheets, sides), order lunches for the production office and accounting, provide general production office clerical support and all other sorts of entry-level tasks. I’m picking up everything I can and loving every minute!
Remember going to the movies and getting surprised? Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it? I remember going to see Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and gasping a little bit when Sean Connery turned up in the end as Richard the Lionhearted. Today, I realize that I have been officially robbed of the gasp.
It’s come to the place where I am finally getting back to myself after spending a year out of the country and in school. This was a pretty fun way to dive back in to activism!
Please bear with me, but in the meantime, don’t forget to visit 
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