running off bridges

The days have been fast. I go from one big task to another, with little bits of time in between to go for a run, say hey to the dogs and the neighbors and last night Annalise and I snuck out to see Superman. I love a good superhero movie, I love a mediocre superhero movie. This one, somewhere in the middle, is worth the eight bucks.

As for our fall release of jumping off bridges.. progress continues -

• We have venues set in Seattle, Houston, Tallahassee, Baltimore, and Austin with more cities almost finalized. My good friends in Grand Junction Colorado are setting up a screening at their local art house. Our goal is 20 cities. Every day we get closer.
  
• We continue to get emails from people that we never thought we'd get emails from. I can't tell you how thrilling it was to hear from the cousin of Kurt Cobain who has written two brilliant boooks about the effects of suicide on families. It certainly raised my cool factor with my daughter. (When I tell her about standing next to Chris Novaselic at the first Grungefest, she just kinda shrugs, but this definitely got her attention. )
• We are getting things done. We are completely out of funds, so Kat and I continue to do workshops on low budget filmmaking to bring in more operating capital. All the Storie girls love a good challenge, the marathon was just a start.

We're all taking mini breaks for the 4th. I'll be hanging with the family, getting in some time with my Grandma and my Uncles and some of the cousins. I think I'll even ride the crazy horse for a bit.

Then it's more catching up before I head to JAX on 7/10 for pre-production scouting on the next film.

In case you're one of those people who talk on the phone when they drive, I read today that people who talk on the phone when they drive have more accidents than people who drive drunk. Just think about that for a little bit....


file under: jumping off bridges

this film felt like truth to us

A link to a nice review of the film

file under: jumping off bridges

Seattle! is On

1 down, 4 almost secured, 15 to go. Our fall screening plan is in the works.
Our first secured place/time/venue, Seattle, Broadway Performance Hall, September 13, probably 7 p.m.
Thanks to my dear friend Meg for donating venue and my dear friend Jeff for agreeing to produce the screening, we're in business. It turns out that on old friend and old boss of mine, is now the Head Critic at the Seattle Times. She's a super nice lady and brilliant too, hopefully she'll also love the film!

file under: jumping off bridges

I need tinfoil and magnets...and quickly

Yesterday - one of those days when things break and communication is distorted. I wondered if I should put some tinfoil on my head and hang magnets on my porch.
Kat even said I sounded stressed in email..which is probably true...I wasn't all perky and smiley faces, I was short and swift.

Here's the rundown:

• My printer had been fine and suddenly started flashing a message "cartridge is not compatible".
• The water was off (this was planned, but gotta factor it in as it coincidentally happened on a day when failure surrounded me.)
• Technical nonSupport - The domain provider of five websites I manage including storie, jumping, innerstace, rescueme and two others sold all the domains to someone else, then they were bought by some other person and they re all crazy and the domain information no longer lists me as the admin on two of them, three have been locked, and one has been sold to some kind of executive asset firm. I want to move all of them to a new, friendly domain host and the technical support people can't find where they are and release them. There's more to it, but let's just say, it's stupid...really really stupid.
• Sometimes your email to fax program just won't cut it, especially when you really really need it to work.
• Lots of drops and spills, more than usual.
  
• Lots of dropped phone calls, more than usual.
  

Today, I got up at 4:45 to take Ace to the airport for her trip to Denver - it's a reunion with her best girlfriends from music camp. She was so excited. She brought me a cup of coffee at 4:12 and told me it was really 4:40 (it wasn't, she was just trying to get me out of bed).
On the way home from the airport, I stopped by a 24 hour kinkos and did some faxing.

It's raining.

Today, I will sink into the contemplative writer space that I haven't been to in over a year. I have made a date to be the contemplative writer once a week, every Tuesday morning and more often when I want to. In this place, I can daydream, toss around ideas, write and plot and play.

Filed: life in general

airlines and adventures

Southwest Airlines is the best. United is pretty good, too.
In 2 weeks I head out on a Delta flight. I'll report back.

On the way back from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois, I sat next to a baby, she was sweet and crawled over to me to pat my face and look out the window. That's something to see the world below us with a baby cooing about how cool everything in the world truly is.

On the way from Chicago to Austin, I sat next to a 4 week old schnauzer puppy and his Mom. That was fun, too.

I'm tired of flying for a bit. Truly. I love to travel. Still travel involves really going somewhere and dissolving into it a bit. I haven't done that in ages.

My first was when I traipsed around Europe with my backpack, all young and hopeful. I went wherever the train and paths led me. I made friends, I saw sights, I woke each morning a little bit different and when I came home, I was different.

Much later I took the first of many roadtrips to the farthest town in Washington State, driving all the way in my little VW Golf. I pulled into a Native American reservation and the kids all crowded around my car and asked if I'd driven all the way from Texas? (I still hadn't spent the $$ to buy new plates.) I stood on the edge of the continent and looked over to see Canada. I had no reservations anywhere, it was a last minute decision, as the best ones tend to be. Luckily, I turned back only a few miles and stopped into a B&B. They had jsut gotten a cancellation. I slept in in a beautiful house nestled in the rainforest, in Forks, Washington. It was a cool, moist night, like a a rainforest night should be.

I need some of that. Some rememberence of that free spirited go power that drove me to some adventures.

Right now, I'm tired and slightly stressed and my house is dirty.

My daughter is leaving for college in about two months...my adventures these days are on emotional, rather than geographical, terrain, something I will try to appreciate as the intrepid adventurer that I am.

file under: life in general

Standing up to the mean, crazy people...

I think it's funny when she calls her a bimbo...

file under: life in general

Day 4 in Saugatuck

Once again I planned to wake up early and run. I did wake early, didn't run.
The party from last night continued at our hotel lobby all night. When I woke at 8, it was still going on. So, I guess, everyone at the festival is relaxing.

Maggie and I started the day with coffee at our favorite place, then breakfast, then a walk. I had a panel at noon, "women in film". It went well. I loved my other filmmaker panelists. Cool ladies. Next we caught a film, Eve of Understanding A fine fine film from our new friends in CA.

Next we d to the Chain ferry for a trip across the river and a hike up to Mt. Baldy.
Up 258 steps to the top of the dunes, then down a sandy path to the beach of Lake Michigan. When we boarded the ferry we met two women who recognized me from the festival. They didn't see juumping,but they'd seen me giving out postccards or something. One of them is a psychologist who uses horses in her therapy, another a published poet who is about to have her first novel released, "Losing It". We talked all the way up the steps and down to the beach and then on our walk back to the ferry. I love it when you can meet nice, interesting people, just randomly, and find so much to talk about it.
I'm sure it's something about being in a beautiful place. This town is full of nice people, artists, poets, you name it, Saugatuck has it, and best of all, they are very kind folks.

Back to the hotel for a clean up a nd then we dashed over to see Wordplay, a documentary about Will Short and crossword puzzle people. It was quite good, very slick.

Next we headed to see Hard Coal. The film tells the story of miners who mine the cleanest type of coal, they are all family run mines, and are being bullied by the governmental agencies who are supposed to support and protect them. It's a great story and the filmmakers are fine people. I know the film will go far. Go to the website: hardcoal.com

After Hardcoal, we were starving, the party didn't start for an hour, so we talked our way into the restraunt that hosted the party and talked them out of some good red wine. We met a woman who volunteers for the festivals who is about to head to Chic ago for the Second city Bootcamp program.Sounds fun.

More people came in and for awhile it was a nice, quiet place to talk and tell stories. Then everyone started arriving, the food was put out, we filled our plates, ate, talked some more and then headed for the hotel, tired and well fed.

It's Monday now and Maggie left this a.m. I went for a run around town, up and down hills and by the water. Now, I'm sitting at an outdoor cafe, reading, catching u p on email and thinking. It's been a wonderful long weekend in Saugatuck. I know tomorrow will come at me hard and crazy and I'll just work to maintain this relaxed, calm gooey center as long as possible.

file under: jumping off bridges

Day 3 in Saugatuck - Waterfront Festival

Slept in this a.m. despite my alarm, out of bed at 10:00 a.m. It's finally settling in that I'm somewhere else, and I'm relaxing more every day. After a 3 mile run around town, compete with kids waving at me from their porches, and a brisk 50 degree morning.

After the run, back at the Ship N Shore, Maggie brought me coffee and we hung out with the gang for a "barbecue" which here means "cookout" not saucy meat. Met a lovely Frenchman who represents Nextcat a grown up version of Myspace. Signed us up.

First film of the day was a documentary Three Women and a Chateau, a slick historical doc, very nice. Then a group of shorts, with some good ones. Brining two home.

Talked the film up all day, as people said the film description sounded "depressing". Still wasn't sure what kind of turnout we'd have. Back at the ShipNShore for clean up and refresh.

Met Amy who had just shot a film in Miami. We exchanged cards and she told me all about shooting in Florida. Said the film commission was amazing and we'd have no trouble with getting approved for any funds from their program.

Met some others and talked up the film, at 8 headed for the venue. Made friends with the theatre manager, Pamela and Ross who ran the technical aspects. Told him the audio was up and down in places, etc. He assured me he'd keep it on target.

People started coming in. There was a line, a short, healthy line. More folks arrived, the venue looked about 1/2 full. I saw some faces of people I'd seen that day and given postcards too, a few filmmakers, too. I stayed in the lobby during the screening, a bit nervous and just listened to audio. Ross did an excellent job, he kept the levels spot on.

After the screening, I went in with Pamela to a clapping, stunned, quiet audience. I thanked them, gave them a moment and then the questions began. First question was whether Zak and his friends were completely apart now. I told the man that he'd have to answer that on his own, that we wanted the ending to be open. He liked that. I told him the friends seemed to be there for each other, but grief is hard and takes time. The next questions, "I only saw one stunt performer, did the kids do their own stunts?" I told the mayor/stunt/storm story. Next was a
question about where the story come from? Told them loosely based, etc. and that the story came from truth, as all good stories do. Next one was just a comment "This is a phenomenal film, thank you". Then, where will it show next? Then I thanked them and there was another group of people wanting to talk to me. One lady who works at a hospice and runs a
program for teens, wants to use it in her work. Another told me she just loved it. Out in the lobby, a lady was talking to Maggie who had been acting like just a regular person as the woman told her how much she loved the film, actually she told her that she had to keep reminding herself this was a festival because the kids were so professional in the film she just saw (jumping).

When I came out Maggie introduced me and the woman said she loved the film, but just had to take a moment before she could talk about it. Her husband then came over and said how much he loved it.

Then, I met a group from a film, "Eve of understanding". They loved the fillm and the director and I are on a panel together tomorrow. They shot part of their film in Austin and we made plans to hang out some tomorrow. A super nice group of people.

I went to the next film as the filmmakers who made it had come to ours, and it was a horror flick. A typical back from the dead/star crossed lovers story with a lot of violence and a little religion. The short before it, about a garden gnome gone mad, was terrifying.

Back to the ShipNShore, stopped at tonight's party on the way which was way too loud for us...so headed on to the hotel. Missed dinner, so we talked our night clerk at the ShipNshore out of some breakfast bananas.

Overall a good day and a great screening. I loved that our audience was small and appreciative.

Tomorrow, a walk to the dunes and then films, panel, films and perhaps another walk around this amazing town. So very tired now, off to bed.

file under: jumping off bridges

Day 2 in Saugatuck - Waterfront Festival

Woke early this a.m. in time to get coffee on the way to the 9 a.m. screening. Stopped at the local coffee shop and while there, a man asked if we were going to a film and if so, could he interview us? I told him we're actually going to a film I represent and of course, but he has to
come with us as we're on the way now.

He grabbed his tape recorder and walked with Maggie and I the 5 or so blocks to Saugatuck High. The air in Saugatuck is lightly fragrant, floral and herbal, the houses are all tidy, with well kept gardens and yard art. The people all smile. The wonderful thing is, it's all honest, a true, tiny village of happy people.

The three of us strolled up the hill to venue 1, Saugatuck Middle/High school. As he began the interview for Grand Rapids 77, he said, oh and you will be talking to (and he put on German accent) Heimliech. He didn't want us to think he was crazy or anything, but we would be talking with his radio persona.

Are there any movie stars in the film? (one of the stars of Lost!)
Why didn't I have a cowboy hat? ( left it at home, of course)
As we neared the high school, Heimliech complimented me on a great interview and dashed back down the hill.

At the school, there were a few cars parked outside, a healthy crew of volunteers, and despite it being 9 a.m. on Friday, a bit of a line. I saw Hal, the technical screening guy and he said all was well. They introduced the film, said the director would be there, (I was hopeful that maybe Kat was indeed flying in!)

The screening went well. The audio was very spotty, I took notes for Justin. The input was in and out,it was a DVD player with lose cables. People seemed rapt anyway.

As the movie ended, the applause came up and everyone stayed. I found my way down and was introduced as Producer. I thanked them all for coming and then the questions began. I saw between 20 and 30 people in the audience. First question, "I loved your film, you made me cry." Next question, "the film was so real, so honest, I just loved it", it continued. My coal minor documentary filmaker friends were there they asked what things we did to get the film made. I related the mayor jump story. A question about the budget, I was evasive.

More applause, then the walk back to the ship n shore with our coal friends who were just talking about the film and what they loved about it. I wished I could go for a long run along the lake, I was so happy. Back at the hotel, I grabbed my hoodie and put on a long sleeved shirt.
It was a cold cold morning.

Maggie and I got more coffee and I got some oatmeal and we made friends with the coffee shop waitress who even gave Maggie a gold star, made of paper, but gold nonetheless, for guessing the name of a Michigan tree and just for being cool.

We headed out for some town tramping and window shopping. Saugatuck has a really cool shoe store and lots of fudge and ice cream stores. Thank goodness Maggie is on a strict diet these days. We looked at, but did not taste any fudge or icecream.

We had a lovely lunch of carrot ginger soup and mango quesadillos and then headed out to see the Sasquatch Dumpling Gang, but alas, we were intercepted by our friends with the coal mining doc, who were off to see Back to Bosnia, so we joined them as we adore them.

Back to Bosnia was an excellent film. The director and producer were there and they had a warm reception and an active Q&A. It's a film about a family who goes back to Bosnia after the Serbs are supposed to leavce to reclaim their apartment, only to find a family in their apartment who doesn't want to leave. Serioulsy, the origainal families rug and juice glasses are there with the new family. Super film.

So, then we went back to the Ship N Shore and met more people. The temperature dropped even more. I found a nice warm hoodie made in Ecuador at a "fair trade" store and bought it, as I had not packed for cool weather.

I found the exec. at Roar, one of the festival sponsors, and told him I had a script for him, he sounded delighted and grinned at me. This could be good. Mr. Roar, or "Fro" as is on his name tag. I got a good feeling from him.

I also met a big group from Boston and the mom and dad of the film festival founders. This festival is a true family effort. Mom is in charge of making sure all venues have cash to make change with, Dad shuttles people around a lot. It's a sweet sweet group of people.

Maggie and I went to a Michigan film party for dinner, they had a chocolate fountain but I focused on the veggie plate. I did a pretzel dipped in chocolate, which was, I think, a little bit healthier than marshmallows dipped in chocolate. Anyway, we had planned on going to see
Small Town Gay Bar as we'd made friends with the director of the film and the short that preceded it, but it is very cold here and the film screened outdoors at a place you have to catch a shuttle bus to. Maggie rationally felt that it was way too cold to sit outside for two hours,
so we went to see Mojave Phonebooth instead, something some other new friends were going to see. The short that preceded it was hilarious, Divorce Lemonade.

What I'm hearing from people is that they are thinking of seeing our film, then they read the program and are afraid it's depressing. This is a theme that I correct as I hear it. Something to pay attention to.

The programmers all seem to love our film and thanks to Heimliech and our new friends and publicity efforts, I think we'll get a great crowd tomorrow night.

As we got back to the Ship N Shore, it was even colder and it began to rain.

I am getting up early in the a.m. for a run around Sauguatuck, a town that is beautiful and sweet and that I have come to feel quite affectionate about.

file under: jumping off bridges

Day 1 in Saugatuck - Waterfront Festival

Made it to the plane to Grand Rapids by skin of my teeth. Thanks to the
marathon, I don't doubt my abilities to dash long distances carrying things.

Arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, found Maggie, found waterfront people, bought ticket for the July trip to Jacksonville at the Delta counter, then when everyone arrived, we boarded a bus with other filmmakers and headed to Saugatuck.
We had a flat tire on the way, and took the opportunity to chat and bond on the grassy knoll as we waited for rescue.

At the hotel, more new friends. Their first question: What do you want to drink? I started with water, Maggie tried some kind of frozen icy drink. We left to scout the town, found the venue for tomorrow, ate some lunch,met some town folks, including Father Kory, an episocpal priest who asked me about George Bush. (This would happen throughout my time in Michigan as people learned I was from Texas.)

Came back to hotel there was food and more drink. Hung out on the patio and talked. Got on a boat with the others and travelled down the Kalamazoo River to Lake Michigan with champagne for all. Thankfully, I don't like Champagne much unless it's expensive, so I stuck to water and meeting more people.

Returned to hotel and there was more food and more fancy drinks, Creamsicles, I think they're called. Talked to an exec. at Roar and told him about BB. While we were talking a reporter gathered us for a picture and he hugged me tightly and grinned in his NYC sunglasses way. He said he wants a script and if it's tight we're "in". He's nice. I made plans to give him the script.

Next we went to poolside to call home and check in. Once again, someone brought us fresh creamsicles. (vodka and some kind of sugary orange drink). OH my.. I put it down immediately and got more water.

It was chilly, but we headed out for the big outdoor party and screening with some of our new friends. Stayed a bit, then as we were tired, we headed to the hotel where the program director insisted that Maggie to take a bottle of wine to our room and gave us a plate of food, too.

We've met people from Pitssburgh (hard coal), LA, NY, etc. etc. Our bus friends included Sasquatch Dumpling Gang boys, a singer called Emerson Hart (who no one really recognized but who seems super nice. He used to be the lead singer of Tonic), Marc of the film, Hard Coal and somefolks from NYC, with a film called Union Station.

I don't think we'll have a big crowd at the 9 a.m. screening, but that's okay. I'll probably get up and run in the a.m. then head to the venue. It's pretty here, it's quaint. There is a lovely river in front of our hotel and gardens all around.

It's been a long day and now to bed.

file under: jumping off bridges

Here's a question...

From my friend David E:

Imagine that you've been contacted by aliens. You're satisfied that you're not insane, didn't hallucinate it, etc. -- that it really, truly happened. However, you have no objective proof to show anyone to convince them -- no artifacts, no mysterious tattoos, no burn patterns on the ground, no impossible knowledge, nothing. Not even a damn crop circle.

How would you convince people it really happened? Say you had a message to deliver, for example, so there's a reason you need to convince people. How would you get people to believe that you're not insane?

Remember:
1) You know it's true.
2) You have no evidence to show anyone else.
3) You need to convince people it happened.

well? what would you do?

the week

reporting in...
much has happened, is happening and will continue to happen
Annalise graduated, she's been ready for college since 2nd grade, so watch out everyone!

Job is getting color corrected, again, files have been gotten are being prepped, readied

Rescue Me is playing in Galveston,a screening set up by a hard working, committed, amazing woman who love animals.

plans are hatched
balls are rolling
brains are brawling

as I'm putting things in motion or watching them churn,
somewhere in all of it, I'm longing for a vacation and finding it hard to tear myself away
so, I'm combining both and heading for the Waterfront Film Festival in Sagatuck MI this week. JOB will be screening. It's on the water, right at the front of the water, I'm assuming. My best pal is going with me. There will be hikes and beaching and film watching and lots of hanging out and resetting.

In the mean time, it's been a nutty, crazy, busy few weeks. There's so much going on I feel like I'm watching my own life sometimes, like I'm just amazed at what might happen in one 24 hour period.

seriously, it's almost too interesting to rest these days...