Monster Cops Vlog "Love Connection"

It's about to get a little rough now. We'll see how this week will end.

Actions Speak Louder

You are defined by what you do. Even the act of doing nothing defines you.

I think that's why I haven't really blogged. I feel more motivated to do something rather than talk about it. So nothing to really elaborate on.

Fundraising is underway at Kickstarter. And we've gotten some pledges in already.



Been working on re-writes for the new episodes, site updates, and vlogs like this one:



Working on more videos and vlogs. It's one of the only ways I know of to really reach out to the online community about our Kickstarter page. Before you know it 25 days will be up and we'll know whether or not we'll be able to make any episodes.

So please, if you can, pledge. You'll get rewards, you'll help make this dream of mine happen, and you'll help raise money for Cancer Charities.

Even if it's just for one dollar.

Thank you so much to everyone that have pledged so far. Helps me stay positive.

If you don't know what I'm trying to raise money for, please check out http://monstercops.com

If you like what you see, then please help us out.

I'm so tired

I'm just so beat up and worn out, and I feel like I've only moved a few inches in what I needed to do today.

Continuing down that path of trying to raise money. And I am beat up today. And I don't think I need to be as tired as I am, it really doesn't feel like I've done enough today today to warrant being as tired as I am.

I had to delete Monstercops.com and then rebuild it. It was the only way I could fix this particular web design issue I was having. Having to re-install codes, redo the colors, the text, etc. I guess that could be very tedious, and probably did take alot out of me.

So the good news is that Kickstarter has approved Monster Cops.

Kickstarter helps projects get funding through donations. They let you set up a page where you can set a dollar amount goal (in our case $4000) ask for donations, and reward donors for contributing. Like so many other sites, like IndieGoGo and Fundable, you try to get to your amount goal in a set number of days, and if you don't reach it, you get no money.

The difference between Kickstarter and the other sites, is that Kickstarter seems to have grown more and more popular. They're being picky about which projects they approve, so just getting approved seems to be a big deal to some folks. They initially rejected my feature film CREEP. But they approved Monster Cops, probably for the same reasons I've decided to pursue a Monster Cops DVD, because it's gotten good reviews, and it's got somewhat of a following.

Kickstarter has become my back up plan. Still pursuing investors and sponsors, because I'd love to produce a total of 8 episodes, but if all of that falls through, then I can at least produce 3 more episodes with the money I can raise through Kickstarter.

I've got 30 days to raise $4,000. I hope I can do it. And it would be great if I can also get investors and sponsors on board as well. If that happens it's going to be a great Fall and Winter for Monster Cops. You'll hear about the Monster Cops Series 1 DVD everywhere.

I've got everything set with Kickstarter. The rewards are set, the target amount, the date. Just one more thing I need to do, and it feels like I've been trying to do it all day. I need to shoot a "pitch video". Right now if you go to the page, you'll see the Monster Cops Trailer, but I need to replace that with a video of me pitching the project to you. I think it will be more effective and make the project much more personal.

I'm so anxious to get it shot, and I just don't have the energy to do it right now. It's getting late, I'm getting more and more tired, and I'm just going to have to take a whack at this thing in the morning. Then I can spread the word about it, everywhere.

Here's the widget for our Kickstarter page.



I know I haven't completely started spreading the word, and I need to make the pitch video, but I'm anxious to see even just a dollar contributed tomorrow. We'll get the ball rolling soon enough. June will be here before you know it.

MONSTERS VS. COPS

FINALLY. The new Monster Cops Episode is online.

Written, Produced, Directed, Edited and Scored by me.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT NOW!

It's 21 minutes and 27 seconds. It's not quite safe for work, and does have scenes of violence and gore. But it does have some very funny parts. I really like this one, certainly much better than the first episode, SHADOW COMPANY. Don't get me wrong, I love that episode, but this one is much tighter, a little better quality, and a little closer to the look and feel of what a Monster Cops episode should be.

I just hope other people like it like I do.  Now I move on to raising that money so we can get started on the next one. I've got to do it, I see it so clearly in my head. The next one will be an even bigger improvement.

Research make your own puzzles.

Thanksgiving In Spring

I'm in it right now. Editing, re-writes, updating websites, re-tooling the business plan, talking to investors. I've got my computer back and I feel like I'm back in the swing of things, ready to really hit Monster Cops as hard as I can. Finishing up this episode, prepping for the next one.

But as I'm in the middle of working. I need to stop for a minute. Really take stock of what it is I'm thankful for. I was without my computer for a week, and I felt so frustrated not having this very important tool in my moviemaking arsenal. Now that I have it back I realize how thankful I am for it, and remember a time when I was younger and had nothing but a desire to make movies, with no resources to help me get there.

As much as I like to complain about what I don't have (we all do it), it's important to really look and appreciate what you do have. I'm in such a better position now than I was years ago. Yes, I want the latest equipment to help make better quality stuff, but at least I've got the tools to make something decent now.

But I have to look beyond that. Before I jump back into the grind, and pump out as best an episode as I can, I have to look beyond the pursuit of my dreams, and really see what else I'm TRULY thankful for.

I'm thankful for my health, the fact that I'm breathing and I have all my limbs, and a functioning brain (sometimes). I'm thankful for a roof over my head, food on my table, and that I live in the land of the free, where, despite whatever supposed blocks I may encounter, I am absolutely free to pursue my dreams. I'm thankful for my amazing wife, Julianna. For the times we share, the adventures we have together, and the love that I have found with her. I'm thankful for such supportive friends, both online and off. There are people who believe in me so much and do things to support me, and I am ever grateful for them, and promise never to let them down and do what I can to return the favor. I'm thankful for my supportive, caring, and loving family. I'm thankful for my community, for my very existence, and the fact that I am blessed to witness so much greatness and beauty, and for the opportunity to use my talents to add my own creativity to that greatness.

I mean, why wait til Thanksgiving to take stock of what you are thankful for. I think it's important to stop for a minute, and appreciate what you have, appreciate that you're living, and appreciate the opportunities that are given to you. It's easy to look at what you don't have. It's easy to look at what more you could have. But life isn't about easy. It's about living and really experiencing the true nature of your own existence.

To do that, to really live, you don't need anything else but what you already have. Your heart, your mind, your soul, and the very breath in your lungs. With that, you can do anything.

I'm back

Got it all up and running, editing timeline is back up. Straight back to cutting footage I go.

I feel so naked

without my computer. Still using the wife's laptop. My desktop is still being worked on. I will hopefully get it back tomorrow and I can get back to some real work.

Must finish the next MC episode, as well as do some major updates to monstercops.com. I have intro videos to upload. And I have to get a DVD copy of this episode to New York by next week. If I don't get to, then I just wasn't meant to screen Monster Cops at the New York Television Festival. I swear I've been trying to get a video to them for the past 3 years. And it's not that I ever got rejected, something always seems to prevent me from even getting in a submission.

I have alot of confidence that this episode will be a better example of what Monster Cops is and could be. I just hope that you all receive it well.

On the fundraising front, a few interested parties, but nothing solid yet. I'm pretty sure everyone is waiting to see the newest episode first, and once I can get that done and out for people to see, we can probably get a bit more movement in getting the funds.

It's a bit harrowing right now, a little scary, and very adventurous. In the end I hope I get the chance to really show my stuff soon.

Hopefully the next time I blog it will be from my desktop.

This shit just got real

I didn't want it to happen, but we're going to have to go into overtime. Need to make a play soon, or something drastic will have to happen, and I'm going to have to call this whole thing off and head on home. Like for real.

Always Something

I'll get my computer back in a few days hopefully. Chris is having to take a closer look at it. Depending on what can be saved, I may have time to actually get this episode done and sent out before the deadline. It's got to go to a few places and seen by a few people. Also I was looking forward to putting it online. Give folks more reason to head over to monstercops.com

Monster Cops has moved to the forefront in the projects area. Creep is second. Especially now that I may have a few people interested in helping Monster Cops out financially. I may have the seed money to at least get the camera and go ahead with the next episode, as well as shoot that first scene for Creep.

My main goal is to really get going on episodes for Monster Cops and have that DVD ready for the fall and the holiday season. Creep we'll be able to work on more closer to the end of summer into fall. But the Monster Cops DVD is looking like more and more of a possibility.

Without my computer I'm out of commission on video and sound editing. Thankfully my script writing software is installed on my wife's laptop and she's been nice enough to let me use it. So I can at least work on re-writes for Creep, and the next few Monster Cops episodes. Unfortunately all my music that I listen to as I write is on my computer, but for now, iTunes radio will have to suffice.

I'm hoping a few things will happen in the next few weeks that will mean me getting the rest of the funding to ensure these Monster Cops episodes get finished. I have 8 listed, but I'll be fine with producing 6 total. Here's a listing for all episodes and what they are about.

1) SHADOW COMPANY. Completed
Cutter still deals with the death of his wife, Greenly is obsessed with the death of Tupac, Weir has questions about the death of Mothman, and the team faces off against zombies, and a Vampire that knows too much.

2) MONSTERS Vs. COPS. Almost Completed (Computer Status Pending)
It's Jack's birthday and zombie activity is on the rise. Cutter bakes cookies for everyone as the team investigates the activities of an Occult Worshiping Succubus.

The rest may under go title changes and are open as far as plot. I have to leave them kind of open because I need to leave room for improv. That's how it is on no-budget. If I get complete funding, then we can shoot the scripts straight up with minimal surprises.

3) DEAD BY DAWN (Vampires)
The team has less than 6 hours to track and destroy a Master Vampire before one of their own becomes one of the Undead.

4) BLOOD MOON (Werewolves)
Bigfoot sightings at a Campground lead the team to do battle with a giant Lycanthrope. Meanwhile Windows is having a tough time trying to find a date to the prom, and Jones' sexuality becomes a hot topic at the water cooler.

5) PARANORMAL DIVISION (Exorcism / Demons)
A closer look at the Paranormal and Psychic Division of 19-3. The Exorcism of a young girl may lead to clues about the coming of a Demonic Beast the Cops must destroy. Meanwhile, Weir is dealing with his fear of insects and Cutter faces off with an old adversary.

6) DREAD (Demonic Serial Killer / Cult / Zombies)
The Lab needs a specimen to study, which means the Cops must capture the elusive Supernatural Zombie. Meanwhile research ties the rise in zombie activity to an old hippie cult known as The Cult Of Dread. Also, the Sniper team is having way too much fun with new weapons.

7) HELL GATE (Zombies / Sorcerer)
Satellites detect a hot spot in an open field, where the team finds one lone Sorcerer trying to open up a gate to hell. The team must use every weapon and piece of technology at their disposal to do battle with an ancient sorcerer, who has the powers to summon evil zombies and demonic beasts. Meanwhile a government revue could mean a CIA take over of 19-3.

8) 19-3
A prophecy foretells of a coming war against humans as demonic beasts known as RAGS gather in large numbers in the forests of Gaines park. The team must put all of their weapons and training to the test in order to stop it. Meanwhile a new CIA liaison begins to micromanage Shadow Company officers, putting a damper on team morale. Cutter must make a decision to save 19-3 from a CIA take over, but could mean his official leave of Shadow Company.

With a little funding I know I can produce 6 episodes, but with the full funding I'm sure I can get all 8, which would be great, because I would be able to tell the full arch of this particular story. There are many more Monster Cops adventures as well as 2 feature length screenplays that I'd love to produce in the future, but for now, I'll concentrate on these, see how people feel about them, and if a larger audience would like to see a full fledged series on DVD. I know I've got a few supporters, so for now I'm making these for you guys, but I'm hoping we can reach out to a wider audience, see where it goes from there.

I have to note that, although it sucks the possibility of me losing files and having to start over, it's nothing compared to what some people are going through right now. I see tornadoes hitting some towns, and of course the other recent earthquake disasters. I lost a stupid computer, these people have lost homes, lives, entire communities. I still count myself very lucky that I'm still breathing, I've got my wife, and I've got a roof over my head.

Stupid computer problems? Whatever. I'm still very blessed.

Going to hand the Laptop back over to the wife. Gonna hit my notebook to do some notes, back on later.

Chris Plouffe currently battling my computer demons. He feels confident they can be slayed.

Out of comission with no comp. blogging by phone. a good time to sit and really look at the situation. much to ponder.

won't be online for a while

The End Of The World

I had a dream that the world was ending.

The dream was very real. I really believed it was happening. I actually remember wishing that it were all just a dream. Then I woke up. And although my heart was pounding hard, I felt so relieved. It really was just a dream.

I remember those other times, when it felt like a nightmare. When my mother told me she was diagnosed with Cancer. When Juli's mom got Cancer, the day we realized she was going to die, and the night she passed away. These things in life happen, where you wish it was all a horrible nightmare, and you'd just wake up from it. And the helpless terror you feel when you don't wake up.

So when I learned the world was going to end, I ran through all the emotions, the denial, the helplessness, the fear, the reluctant acceptance, and the immediate regret for all the things you'll never get to do. I'll never have children. I'll never grow old with my wife. I'll never see my family again. I'll never make movies. I'll never get the chance to sit with an audience in a theater as they and I experience one of my movies together. I'll never see any of my dreams come true.

Imagine my relief when I woke up. I was in my bed, next to my wife. Right where I was wishing I was. I felt like I was given a second chance.

I felt more driven than usual. Like nothing could stop me. Then I turned on my computer.

My computer is down. Crashed due to a virus. I may very well lose a ton of video files, including the entire project file for this new Monster Cops episode.

The good news: I have all of the videos on tape, so I'll just have to re-capture everything. Pain in the ass, but still good. I have alot of files backed up to an external hard drive. Some stuff I have backed up online.

The bad news: I'm going to lose alot of unique audio and video files that I could not back up, because I could never afford big enough back up hard drive. Projects that I don't have backed up, videos that I could never re-edit, photos, and many, many scripts, all of it gone.

Yes it is my fault for not backing up my files. I never had a big enough hard drive to do so. It was always on those list of things to get when ever I had the money.

Money, always comes back to that doesn't it? The funding to get this done. As I work to get that funding, things start to fall apart. Situations occur that could be easily remedied with the funding.

Ironically the episode that I needed to finish was almost finished. It needed to be sent off to a few folks who might put up some money, and it needed to get done before next week. But now I may have to start from scratch, forcing me to re-upload, re-edit, re-construct everything from the start before the middle of next week, IF I can get my computer back up again. It's always about irony isn't it?

So I try to remain proactive. I've got someone coming in Friday to look at the computer. And meanwhile I have to prep for the pick up shoot tonight.

And this is how it is for a no-budget moviemaker.

I continue to do what I can with no money, no hard drive, no funding, while trying to get that funding and continue to produce what I can. The goal is to have a product, a DVD, ready for the fall. Spend the next few months raising money and making movies.

So far this year has been filled with disappointments. Investors fall through, computers crash, and no budget production work gets harder and harder to do.

But hey, at least it's not the end of the world.

Plowing Through

Monster Cops episode is basically done. Doing some serious tweaking. This is where I really scrutinize every edit, every sound cue, making sure it's as good as it can possibly be. Seeing if there's any sound elements that need to be added, or if a scene can be tightened even more.

Having issues with this final zombie fight. It feels like it needs to be fuller. It may require some pick up shots tomorrow and some extra graphics work, but I may be able to pull it off purely in post.

This would be easier if I wasn't starving. Going to get some dinner for me and the wife, then I'll do a lengthier post about being in post.

Stealing First Base

You just never know where brilliance will strike. How blessed am I to have witnessed it?

Yeah, I got the message. Clearly.

Inner City Blues

Today's theme boys and girls. Inner City Blues by the late great Marvin Gaye.

Sometimes you feel like burning it all to the ground. Taking it all down. Getting rid of all you've worked on and start fresh. Because right now it looks like everything I've created just isn't that impressive to me. It's a horrible example of what I'm capable. Yet I can't seem to get to the greatness unless I do something to inspire people to help me get to that greatness. It's a vicious fucking circle.

Yes, I'm set to emo, down and out mode. I get this way when it looks like I have to place my future in other people's hands. It's not looking good. It never does. It only seems to workout when I rely on myself, and myself right now doesn't have the funding.

I'm more than halfway through editing this next Monster Cops episode. And I think it's neat. A few inches closer to resembling what I think Monster Cops is in terms of a good episode. We've got the monsters, the comedy, the conspiracy, and a nice little ending. But right now, it's just not enough for me. It's an alright episode.

Man I am so ready to make something that is more than alright. More than ok. More than just nice.

Jesus, this is getting old. How many more times am I going to blog about trying to make something amazing.

I'm just venting. Truth is I got a bit gung-ho about trying to get funding for Monster Cops. Thought for a second I could make a run for it, produce a bunch of episodes and make a DVD this year. But it looks like Monster Cops will stay right where it is. A side project that I'll be working on from time to time, til I die.

So I continue on with my list, clean the house, wash the car, get the CREEP website nice and shiny and as impressive as I can, and get that bad boy running in the next few weeks.

I'll see what else I can do for Monster Cops, but I really just need to quit asking for other people's help, go get me 3 jobs and raise the money myself. I've done it before. Course it's a little harder now, because I have a wife I'd like to see occasionally.

Perhaps I'll get the funding I need for Creep through some generous folks on the interwebs. A few of them have already messaged me to say that they will, and a few of you already have. Thanks for having faith in me guys. I've got to get that website as good as it can, before I spread the word on it.


Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
- Marvin Gaye

Are you the victim?

“As you think, so shall you become.”
- Bruce Lee

In the movie that is your life. Are you the victim? Are you the supporting actor in the background? Are you even starring in your own life?

Or are you the bad ass motherfucker that runs the show?

I watched a screener copy of an indie horror flick called Evil Things, directed by Dominic Perez.

You can read my full review here.

I liked it alot. It was scary. And it really made me think what I would do in alot of the situations the characters found themselves in. What would you do if you were being stalked by a madman? Would you stand by and let him terrorize you? Or would you take a good long look at your life, and realize how precious and wonderful it is, and worth fighting for. Maybe then instead of screaming bloody murder, you would have the fortitude to stand your ground and fight back with force and clarity.

Of course I'm not really thinking about a literal madman. As always I'm thinking about moviemaking, the stumbling blocks along the way, and my madman that continues to stalk me. Myself. I am my own terrorizer, my own stumbling block, the only one that prevents me from reaching the next level.

And what is this next level? There are two things I am concerned with right now. To make my cinematic masterpiece feature film, CREEP. And to make MONSTER COPS into what it is meant to be, a full fledged online series, DVD compilation, and known brand reaching the audience it was meant to.

Creep I'm confident I can raise the money for. I'm still working on the site to do some crowdfunding and we've already begun rehearsals as I do re-writes. I'm going to make that movie this year, period.

Monster Cops, I've decided to hit it hard. I also need funding for it. Serious funding, to really be able to turn it into what I know it can be. Produce several more episodes, have national screenings in several venues, and have a DVD and merchandise ready to sell before October of this year. The stories and vision I have for Monster Cops needs to be told, and it deserves to be marketed properly to the audience that wants and needs to see it. I know I've said it before, but I need restate what Monster Cops is. It's comedy and horror for sure. But more so, it's episodic cinematic story telling hidden inside a goofy comic horror web series. The one episode I've produced and the few minisodes I've put up, barely display the full depth, empathy, pathos, and thrill I wish to convey with Monster Cops.

I've got the one episode up, one more on the way, and I need the resources and funding to produce 5 more episodes making it a total of 7 complete 20 minute episodes. Many of them will be available online to watch, but all will be available for purchase on DVD, and many of them will be screened in different venues through the nation. With the right marketing I know I could turn it into something really special. That combined with the solid story telling and hidden inspiration behind all the monsters, action, and comedy, I think this could really be the series and brand that I envisioned so many years ago.

I'm tired of settling for this so called reality. I'm ready to create with all my heart and produce the right livelihood I deserve. I've been holding back and I just don't have the strength to hold back anymore. It's time for me to let loose and hit this as hard as I can, and really bring out the creativity and effort to bring the visions in my heart to life.

Because in the movie of my life, I am not the victim. I am the badass motherfuckin hero in this bitch, and I have the force and clarity to pursue my passions and achieve my goals.

So in your own life, in your own movie, are you the victim?

“As long as I can remember I feel I have had this great creative and spiritual force within me that is greater than faith, greater than ambition, greater than confidence, greater than determination, greater than vision. It is all these combined. My brain becomes magnetized with this dominating force which I hold in my hand.”
- Bruce Lee

Vacuity and Substance

"Never let 'em see you ache"; that's what Mr. Mayer always said. Or was it ass; "Never let 'em see your ass"?"
— Carrie Fisher

Every opportunity to fail is an opportunity to learn, to improve, so that next time you will not fail. Therefore there is no true failure, only valuable steps to take towards your success.

Taking a few lessons from Sun Tzu's The Art Of War. It's been translated in different words, Vacuity and Substance, Illusion and Reality, Weak Points and Strong Points. It's about recognizing and understanding what your resources are, and how it applies in battle.

It's a step just before the next step known as Engaging The Force. Reading that just now, I think of Star Wars, but I don't think that's what Sun Tzu was referring to. Or was it?

Maneuvering/Engaging The Force explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon you.
- From SUN TZU's The Art Of War

I now turn to advice from yet another old Asian war master. Miyamoto Musashi and his Book Of Five Rings. There are rules in learning his Military Science. Many of those rules can be easily applied to everyday life, and most definitely here and now in my current mind set.

1. Think of what is right and true.
2. Practice and cultivate the science.
3. Become acquainted with the arts.
4. Know the principles of the crafts.
5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything.
6. Learn to see everything accurately.
7. Become aware of what is not obvious.
8. Be careful even in small matters.
9. Do not do anything useless.

Number 9 is what I'll be working on today. While things are being pondered and realized, I must do what I can to make sure I have a clean and efficient base of operations.

In others words, I'll be cleaning house.

"Timing is important in dancing and pipe or string music, for they are in rhythm only if timing is good. Timing and rhythm are also involved in the military arts, shooting bows and guns, and riding horses. In all skills and abilities there is timing.... There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this. In strategy there are various timing considerations. From the outset you must know the applicable timing and the inapplicable timing, and from among the large and small things and the fast and slow timings find the relevant timing, first seeing the distance timing and the background timing. This is the main thing in strategy. It is especially important to know the background timing, otherwise your strategy will become uncertain."

- Miyamoto Musashi "The Book Of Five Rings"

And now RICK ASTLEY!

The Storm Is Here

It happens. In any sort of transition. There is friction, there is some discomfort, stress, pressure, and clashing. Such is the weather. Right now, Winter is transitioning into Spring. As one season moves in and another takes it's place, there is a small clashing in the transition. The lightning, the thunder, the rains, and the winds.

For a philosopher there is much to ponder, and for the local news, there is much to report. And boy does the local news love local happenings.

Anyhoo.

I am in a time of transition. It's not going to be pretty. Moving towards a life that you want to lead, and away from a life that has nothing left for you.

Simply put, I'm trying to make my living making movies.

It's been hard so far, and I only expect it to get even harder. But I'm confident I can get through this transition.

One obstacle I realize I must overcome, is that I am obviously not making it clear enough what it is I'm trying to create, and more so, just how driven I am in making this project happen.

It's obvious that I have to do something drastic in order to get the help I need to make this happen.

I'm not just talking about making a movie. I'm talking about making something amazing. I'm talking about making something mind blowing.

I've watched alot of indie movie trailers lately, and they look exactly like not so great. Amateurish, bad performances, bad direction, horrible writing. I hate to dog some of my fellow indies. It takes alot to get it all together and make something happen. I've been there before. And I know what it's like to struggle to create something when you have neither the time nor the money.

But alot of these trailers I've seen are from people who were able to raise $50,000, $100,000, $500,000. What that money was spent on? I do not know. Because the quality, the production, the magic, it just wasn't there.

I'm trying to keep costs low. I'm doing this bare bones. The budget I require is $11,730. And I'm still trying to refine it. I'm trying to put this together realistically, what is it that I need to make this happen. No trailers for amateur actors you've never heard of. No $15,000 Dolly system to give you smooth professional shots that I know I can do for less than $300.

If I had some of the money these folks have been able to raise, I would make something that would not only be a "good movie", I would create something that was on par with any professionally made Hollywood extravaganza. And I don't need $100,000. I don't even need $50,000.

Just get me that $11,730. Heck, to make it, I'm aiming to get the first round of funding, which is $7,280. That's what I need to actually shoot, edit, and produce this feature film. The rest of the money I'm confident we can raise after we have a finished product.

I don't know how else to convey how far I'm willing to go to get this made. I am literally at the end of my rope. I cannot let another year pass where I have NOT made a movie. I WILL make this movie IF IT KILLS ME.

And I think that's pretty much where I'm at. Either a movie will be made this year or I am going to die. Because it already feels that way. When you feel like you're born to do something specific, and you don't get to do it, then you're already dying. Little by little, you do things that you don't want to, and at the same time you know what you're supposed to be doing, a little bit of you dies. And dammit I'm ready to live. I AM READY TO LIVE! I am ready to create with all my heart and soul, and if no one will help me then I'll just have to keep doing what I've always done, help myself.

But there is only so much I can do with no money. I'm tired of no money. I don't want wealth, I don't want a million dollar budget, I just need this little bit to get me what I need, to do this properly, and I will take care of the rest.

I'm tired of holding back. If you're out there and you've been planning on doing something amazing, why are you holding back? If you're an investor and you've wanted to contribute, but you just haven't for some reason, why are you holding back? I will make this the best way I can for no money, but I need HELP.

I've done what I can for now, with CREEPMOVIE.NET. I plan on adding more and more to help display what this movie is and what I am trying to create. But please feel free to look it over. Tell me what you think, what else should I add, how else can I better explain, how else can I better get people to contribute?

Feel free to CONTACT ME. Or you can leave a comment on this blog.

I'll do more to start letting people know about the movie and about this site as I add more to it, but if you're reading this then please feel free to check out the site. There will be more soon. More videos to explain every bit of the movie and the site. I plan on shooting that first scene and posting it for all to see, maybe that will help generate more buzz.

Pardon my dramatics, but I'm so focused on this I cannot think of anything else. I need to do this. I'm ready to burst if I cannot do this, and I am determined to make this happen.

So please, go and check it out, CREEPMOVIE.NET

Help me make something AMAZING!

Let's Talk Geek

I'm so amazingly happy someone had posted this video. This is from Harry Anderson's act from back in the day. I was a kid when I watched this and it made me absolutely love Harry Anderson more. I loved him on Cheers as Harry The Hat, and later on Night Court as Judge Harry T. Stone, but even more so I respected him as a magician and showman.

I memorized his book, watched his act on TV every chance I got, and when I saw the Needle Through the Arm trick, I had to learn how it was done. I actually found the trick at a magic shop and I just had to have it. I still have the kit with the instructions and the needle in my super secret magic stash somewhere round here. I pull it out and look it over every so often.

I don't know why, but for some reason, Harry popped into my head today. Got me to looking up old quotes of his, and searching for videos of him on YouTube. I needed to find that video and I didn't even realize it. I needed to see it. It was a reminder of my childhood, what I dreamt of back then, and how I'm still working towards that very dream today.

I also needed to be reminded of the one thing Harry would ever really teach me. It's about showmanship. It's about putting on a great show. And probably one of the most important quotes that applies to my current goals:

"If you put on a good enough show, people will be more than happy to pay the price of admission."

I wanted be Harry. Because of him I wore a hat, from my freshman year to my last year in college. I still have that hat around here somewhere. I don't wear the hat anymore, but I still think of how he shaped me and my ideals about my own goals.

Thanks for that Harry.

Ok, back to the grind. Updating CREEPMOVIE.NET getting it just right before I go round getting everyone on board to fund this movie. Also working on Monster Cops today as well. Tomorrow I'll hopefully finish the Werewolf and get started on REDD.

Getting My Stuff Together

NOTE: Be careful what you're unconsciously pretending to be, because you just might become it.

So here's where I attempt to use my blog as a to do list. Perhaps if I blog about it, it will happen.

1) Continue to update MONSTERCOPS.COM upload new episode and a new minisode.

2) Prep Monster Cops Pilot for submission to Hitvidi.

3) Prep One Spartan Pilot for submission to Hitvidi.

4) Update CREEPMOVIE.NET with videos, blogs and vlogs.

5) Begin Crowdfunding at CREEPMOVIE.NET once you feel confident that you have enough material to express your vision for the movie CREEP and that the website does a good job of communicating this movie.

6) Finish Re-Writes for Creep.

7) Shoot first scene for Creep.

8) Finish doing Recon.

9) Pre-Production Concept on Secondary Show.

10) REDD

It's an exciting, strange, glorious, and scary time. Right now, anything can happen, one thing's for sure. I'm going for it. For real.

You've Been LOST ROLL'D

I've been making birthday videos for my wife for a while now. Started a few years back when I realized I had no money and nothing else but editing skills and a random sense of humor. The videos always contained inside jokes and themes for whatever fandom, celebrity, or show me and my wife were into that year. One year me and some of our friends did our version of SNL's DIGITAL SHORT "Dick In A Box"

I hadn't done one in a couple of years we've been so busy. This year I knew she wouldn't be expecting it, so I put one together. This time it was LOST themed. Using Sony Vegas 9 and several stolen photos, I animated several LOST characters lip syncing to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. A few guest appearances from some of her fav celebs as well as some of our friends.

This won't mean much if you don't watch LOST. But you may find it mildly amusing if you like Star Trek, Conan O'Brien, The Office, or Rick Astley.

Enjoy the randomness. This is the edited version minus all the Bday greetings at the end from some of our friends.

Standing in the garage. holding my wife, watching the rain come down. This is living.

Drink in hand, watching the sun go down. Happy to be breathing. Excited about the future.

Time to indulge in Brazen Gazing

bra·zen (brzn)
adj.
1. Marked by flagrant and insolent audacity. See Synonyms at shameless.
2. Having a loud, usually harsh, resonant sound: "sudden brazen clashes of the soldiers' band" (James Joyce).
3. Made of brass.
4. Resembling brass, as in color or strength.
tr.v. bra·zened, bra·zen·ing, bra·zens
To face or undergo with bold self-assurance: brazened out the crisis.

gaze (gz)
intr.v. gazed, gaz·ing, gaz·es
To look steadily, intently, and with fixed attention.
n.
A steady, fixed look.

I don't really feel like holding back anymore. But is it wiser for me to hold back when my instincts think it is necessary, or perhaps to indulge flagrantly. I'll just have to play it by ear. In the mean time, I feel like picking a fight with fate.

Now if only I wasn't so damn sleepy. This project is about done. Two more to work on, then I can give my feature film the full attention it deserves. Purchased the domain name for the movie, but I haven't put much up on it yet. I'll put the word out once I have my shit together.

In the meantime I've been instructed to indulge in some brazen gazing. And it sounds like a great idea.

EDIT: 1:16 am. DONE! This super secret Birthday Video is done.

Yes that's what I've been working on. It's my wife's 30th Birthday today (Friday March 19th) and I made her a super special Birthday Video. I'm rendering it now and I will show it to her hopefully in the next hour.

Whew. I'll post more details later, but now, I'm going to faint.

I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me...

I wasn't really a HUGE John Mayer fan. My wife is the big John Mayer freak. It was my fault because back before anyone knew who he was I was jamming to Why Georgia. Since then my wife really took off with it. Went to one concert of his a couple years back. Really great show, but I wasn't yet a true fan.

I didn't even want to go to this one tonight. But my wife bought the tickets months ago, and it is her birthday, and the only reason I was dragging my feet at all is because my mind is completely on making this feature and trying to save as much money as possible. Which means if I have a day off from work it's going to be working towards doing this movie.

 But it's her birthday. She's excited about it, I knew she'd love it, and she deserves all things great for her. And I knew deep down that I was going to enjoy it. How can any decent open minded human being not enjoy any kind of live professional performance? I get inspiration from everything, and the last time I say John Mayer I got a bit of inspiration from those first few opening blues riffs. Throw in the light show, and the overall energy of a good excited crowd, and you have no choice but to be inspired.

And I was right. Tonight was amazing. I feel sorry for anyone that has never been to any kind of live performance. And I mean anything. I've been to Broadway shows, comedy shows, seen garage bands play, even sporting events. Never underestimate the power of a crowd of like minded individuals united in the want and need to be entertained, and the spirit that rises when they get that need filled.

 John Mayer in general is an amazing guitarist, and his last few albums I've really gotten a more adult bluesy vibe. One of his latest singles "Assassin" is one of my favorites. The song really feels like it came from the end credits of a late 80's action spy flick starring Burt Reynolds or even Wings Hauser. Yes that's right, I just mentioned Wings "Mother Effin" Hauser. Bet you never read that name in blog, bet you don't even know who he is!

Anyhoo.

I was blown away by the great music of course. I could write volumes about the amazing sounds, what it all meant to me, what I feel like God and The Universe was communicating to me through the energy and feel of the moment on a powerful transcendental state of euphoric mind bullets and some shit, but I digress. It was really amazing stuff. But as always, as a former techie/grip, I truly appreciate all the stage theatrics and lighting.

What an amazing setup. Some great ideas with video projection. The lighting was phenomenal. I was especially taken with the setup for Assassin. A graphic and video background of house layouts, cross hairs, gun sight scopes, very Mission Impossible. All of it matching the very bluesy rock groove of the song. If Jason Bourne was live and in concert this is what it would've felt like.

Here's a sample of that performance I took with my little panasonic 6.0. Note the great light cues and cool background.

(John Mayer. Live. Greensboro, NC. 3/15/2010)



I think it's safe to say that I'm a pretty big John Mayer fan now. I don't really give a shit about any personal crap I hear about in the news. I don't read US Weekly. I'm not into gossip or entertainment buzz. All I know is, this guy really knows how to bring it in a live show.

I also want to point out the drummer. STEVE JORDAN. What an amazing performance. I've seen some truly great drumming, but this guy blew my mind. Seriously on his solo my mouth was open the whole time. I really felt his performance. What an amazing drummer. Even got to talk to him for a bit after the show, let him know how amazing he was. It was really awesome for him to even acknowledge me. He really let me know he appreciated it.

And of course the movie maker in me not only noticed the number of camera phones, but also the high number of DSLR's. Many of them equipped with mics, led lights, and LCD screens. Alot of high quality HD footage was caught tonight, and as many people were screaming at John Mayer, I was drooling over the HD gear. Can't wait to play with a DSLR.

I wish I could go into more detail about everything that blew my mind, but I'm so tired. I will mention that he did play Say What You Need To Say. A song that really speaks to me for some reason. It actually made me tear up a bit. The words of that song always feel like some power up there in the heavens are communicating with me, telling me it'll be ok. Saying not to worry, you'll get there, you'll make your movie, and you'll get your chance to really say what you need to say. Hearing it live, it was like the mouth of God was speaking directly to me. As many times as I've heard that song and felt what it was saying to me, tonight, live, it was being burned into my brain, my soul.

"Say what you need to say." I needed to hear it, to feel it.

Also John Mayer covered a song that has always inspired me, always driven me, and has always come on right when I needed to hear it. Journey's Don't Stop Believin. That song hits me like nothing else. You hear of people getting caught up in the spirit at church, or even seen people possessed by the beat of a song at a club. This song hits me like that. It always has. It brings me to tears, because those words don't just speak to my ears, it speaks to my soul.

And that's what we all sort of look for in those large auditorium experiences, at church, at a comedy show, at a theatrical performance, at a concert, and even at the movies. We need to stand in a room full of strangers and feel something that is bigger than us, speak to our souls to remind us, we're all in this together. We're all just shadows searching in the night, searching for something to recognize the pain in us all.

And that's the kind of movies I hope to make. Sure they may sound like amusing B movie throwaways. Monster Cops is about soldiers that make jokes and kill monsters. The log line for Creep is: "A gun slinging super detective, a young blonde escape artist, and a guy in a giant teddy bear outfit have to solve an ancient mystery and fight vampires." It all sounds ridiculous, like some sort of direct to DVD piece of crap, but somewhere in there, I hope to create something that speaks to your soul. Something that not only recognizes your pain, but reminds you that greatness, great storytelling, enlightenment, and inspiration can come from anywhere and most often from where you least expect.

Tonight I stood with a crowd of people and experienced an amazing show, where we felt the things we were all hoping to feel and had our souls ID'd by the powers that be, to remind us of the greatness that is humans being human. I needed it. I needed to be reminded what it is I am working towards.

To make something amazing.

So back to work on making that something amazing. Got rehearsals coming up this Wednesday, so one of the first VLOGS for Creep should be coming up soon.

Oh and I have to say, the opening act was this amazing group. MICHAEL FRANTI and SPEARHEAD.


WOW! What an amazing performance! It's truly great when you can see someone new and get a show that really makes you want to buy their album. I was truly impressed, check them out here: http://michaelfranti.com/

Michael Franti is amazing. Its the closest ill ever get to a Michael Jackson/Nirvana concert.

In line at John Mayer. Observing the madness of large crowds.

First time at Smokey Bones. Quite nice. About to test the Bbq. John Mayer in 2 hours.

The Dog Days Are Over

First off I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes about my brother. He's doing fine.

Second I want to thank Marcellus Suber for helping me out with some post production problems I've been having. Thank you sir everything is working out nicely.

Also want to thank Brandon White for allowing me to use his Canon HF20. That's the camera I've been testing out, and the video above is comprised entirely of all that test footage. It's completely capable of delivering the kind of quality I need to shoot this next feature, and I'm grateful his allowing me to use it.

The video above was shot on Brandon's Canon Vixia HF20. I occasionally used my Kenko Wide Lens. I shot on 30 progressive and then cut and rendered in Sony Vegas Pro 9 to 24p. Tried out Vegas 9's masking tools at the end where I tried to clone both Deanna Kelly and Sarah Vroom. You'll see alot of shaky shots, quick zooms, etc. Wanted to really push the movement, see how it would all look. No scanlines, maybe a small bit of ghosting, but nothing you can't fix in post. Overall I'd probably use this camera to cover alot of static shots. But we shall see. Great camera though.

Technically the Dog Days haven't even begun. Dog Days usually refers to the hottest days in the summer. But the phrase "Dog Days Are Over" usually refers to getting through the toughest phase of something. It's the name of the song I used in the above video, performed by Florence and The Machines. I used it because I thought it went nicely with the first bits of HD footage I was shooting. I had no idea that it would end up really meaning something.

Slowly, carefully we put the pieces together to get to making this movie. I'm in the middle of re-writes. I'll have the official CREEP web site up soon, and I start rehearsals for one of the scenes this week. So things are going smoothly.

For now, I've set up a quick page on my site until the official site launches. Find out more about the plot and our progress there. http://www.patrickprejusa.com/creep

Here's a quick log line for the movie: "A gun slinging super sleuth, a cute blonde escape artist, and a guy in a giant teddy bear costume have to solve an ancient mystery and fight vampires."

Sounds like a heck of a plot. I know I'd wanna watch it. ;)

My big brother Robert is having heart surgery tomorrow morning. Thoughts and prayers for him are welcome.

Round 3: A little at a time

That's how it's going to have to be. Just a little at a time. If you wanted something badly, and you found out that you could have it, but it would take a very long time taking many long tedious steps to get to it, would you go for it? Or would you give up because it looked too hard?

If your answer was the latter, then you either don't deserve, don't really need or want it, or both. Me? With this particular goal I'm aiming for, I'm going for it. And it will take several excruciatingly long and tedious steps to get it. But it's still mine for the taking.

Anyone who has ever had to edit a video, or compose an effect that involves key frames, knows exactly what this is like. And the bigger picture of trying to create a worth while feature film, is exactly the same, especially when you're DIY on a 0$ budget. Sure we'll raise some money, but that's just to make sure those tedious steps are little less and a little shorter. But the steps are there to take nonetheless.

This is just yet another personal reminder to myself of just exactly how much work needs to be done in order to get this thing right where it needs to be. It's going to be hard, but it has to be, otherwise you're not doing it correctly. I was reminded of all this reading this little snippet from Rob Brezny.

From the window of my office I look down on a blackberry bush whose berries are now ripening. In the last 20 minutes, I've watched a sparrow figure out the best way to feast. At first the bird tried to land on the flimsy branches of the bush, but after a few tries it realized they couldn't hold its weight. Its revised strategy was to grab a single berry in mid-swoop and alight on the branch of a nearby apple tree so it could relax with its meal. It did this 10 times.

Are you willing to collect your reward a little at a time?

Yes I am and I will.

In the meantime here is a sample of what we've accomplished so far with the new equipment. This is pretty much the opposite of what I've just written.



Yeah, how's that for productive?

Practice

Today so far has been all about figuring it all out. What can be done? When can it be done? And how can it be done?

Doing a number of camera tests today. Trying out different filters in post. Also writing out the initial score. Yes this is for Creep, but sadly my brain is set on high, so I'm also contemplating another feature idea. Once again I'm walking that actor/director line. I think Creep will be great, but it does require me to play the lead, which I know I can do. But this new project that I am contemplating keeps me behind the camera, which is where I kind of want to stay just to make sure all goes smoothly.

Especially looking at the camera tests so far and working through this footage. This is going to require some real tender, love, and care. All my projects do (well most of em), but if I'm really trying to create something in the cinematical aces, then I really have to put extra care into the behind the scenes work.

Thankfully the internet provides some help with that. There are a slew of folks who've already done the work for you. Do a search on Vimeo or even Youtube for whatever camera you plan on testing, and chances are you'll find someone has already tested it for you. Light tests and all.

At some point today I will breaking to make a meatloaf. Then I will watch LOST. Then I will return to tests, scoring, and then re-writes. If you've been a previous cast member in anyone of my projects in the last few years, you may very well get a random message from me today or tomorrow.

Someday, it won't snow, so I can shoot outside. Someday .

My Indy Mogul episode is still getting me some great feeback. The episode itself is actually a recut of a video tutorial I did back in 2008. Since then a few folks have felt inspired to work on their own DIY Necronomicons, many of them blow mine out of the water. And that's what it's all about isn't it? To post your tutorial in the hopes that someone out there will be inspired and improve upon your techniques. Because of what I've seen in these vids, I'm going to revisit my prop and improve on mine.

Feel free to visit these videos, rate them high, and subscribe to these folks.

From SkullProduction97




From x0fx3




From ddexpress



Seriously great work guys!

We're Gonna Do What They Say Can't Be Done

It's a line from my childhood. The song is Eastbound and Down. The artist, Jerry Reed. The movie, Smokey and The Bandit. Kinda hard to be a kid in Texas in the 80's and not love that movie. Back then I didn't really know what it was all about. I just knew that Bandit was the hero, he drove a really cool car, and he drove fast. That's all that mattered to me.

Never really paid attention to the lyrics of this classic song. I was quite familiar with singing the lyrics. Although I knew the words, I didn't actually pay attention to them. My wife had loaded up her iPod with some new and old tunes. Occasionally we like to listen to random things in the car, just for a laugh or to reminisce of when we were kids. I was surprised to hear Jerry Reed blasting through the speakers. That old familiar banjo intro. My childhood came rushing back.

And for the first time in a long time I sung along with the lyrics. "Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin. We're gonna do what they say can't be done. We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there. I'm eastbound just watch ol' Bandit run."

The lyrics refer to the plot of the movie, where Bandit and Snowman must deliver a diesel trailer full of beer to Atlanta from Texarcana in less than 24 hours. But hearing it now for the first time, in a long time. Those words meant something different to me.

No, I'm not trying to truck beer past old smokey. But I am trying to make a movie for practically nothing. The words, "We're gonna do what they say can't be done" really hit me. As always, it was yet another sign, a signal that often hits me right when I need to hear it. What I'm trying to do, I'm going to do.

I'm in awe still, of the positive comments and feedback I'm still getting from my Indy Mogul audition. On top of that, a few very wonderful things have happened just in the past few days. Due to a few good friends and supporters the budget for my movie has been reduced significantly, and I'm several steps closer to doing what needs to be done in order to make something great.

This past few weeks have been such a blessing, and it's been wonderful especially since the start of this year has been rather hard. I've gotten some unexpected help from some supporters, and I've gotten help getting a few of the things that I need to accomplish what I need to do. I thank those people whole heartedly.

Lessons In CREEP

First off I'd like to say how very flattered and still greatly overwhelmed I am by the response I'm still getting from my Indy Mogul Audition. Over a thousand comments on YouTube and the majority of them very positive. I've also gotten alot of messages from people with their support for me being the new host of BFX. Thank you all for that. It means alot. It's huge boost to my confidence in my own abilities.

My wife asked me if I was nervous about this whole Indy Mogul business. Honestly, I'm not. I think I've gotten pretty good at not expecting much anytime I submit to any kind of contest, or job interview for that matter. I'd love to be the new host, but in the end, they will pick who ever they're going to pick and I'll be fine with it. It's not the only thing I've got going on right now anyhow. Although I'd love to be the new host of BFX and I know I could do a great job, the only thing I can do is be proactive in my own goals. If it happens it happens. If not, hey, I'm still alive and I'm still on a mission.

That mission in question is.... Ok, well if by mission I actually mean project in which case I should say mission(s) as their are a few projects. The main thing on my mind right now is CREEP. I do need to work on REDD, but I had to push the Werewolf Costume fitting to next week, so right now I'm all about CREEP. Yes of course I need to work on Monster Cops so I can make that May deadline, but right now my head is on this feature film, specifically crowd-funding, more specifically producer rewards.

What are these words you use Patrick? Crowd-funding? Producer Rewards? Lemme splain.

I need to raise 12 grand to make CREEP. In order to do so I'm going to use every method in the book. I'm saving up much of my own money. I will be working extra hard and extra hours to earn the extra cash I need. I'm going to sell almost everything I have, including all my DVD's, my entire poster and banner collection, I'm even considering selling my car. I'm also going to make a big sign that says "TRYING TO MAKE A MOVIE, PLEASE HELP" and wear it around town while holding out a coffee can. No seriously. But one of the main ways I will raise this money is through a little something called CROWD FUNDING.

It's exactly what it sounds like. Instead of the usual approaching of a few investors to contribute large amounts of money, I will approach a large amount of people (everyone I know, and do not know) and get them to contribute small amounts of money. This method is called Crowd Funding and is being used by several different filmmakers to make their movies. I feel that this is possible if you can do the following:

1) Be clear about what you need the money for. Transparency is key. I will post the budget, how much we need, and what we need to spend it on.
2) Keep the budget low. Alot of moviemakers have been successful in raising 50,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. I only need $12,000.
3) Properly communicate the vision. Really let people know what it is you're trying to make. I'll post the plot, script pages, art work, vlogs, we will even shoot some scenes to communicate what kind of movie this is.
4) Create an experience. Get people excited about this movie. Get them to WANT to help you make this movie happen. Don't just sell the movie, sell the experience of making a movie, and the experience of the movie itself.
5) Producer Rewards.

AHA! There it is. There's that other phrase. What indeed IS Producer Rewards?

That's what I'm working out right now. If I'm going to ask you for $20 I want to be able to give you something for it. A copy of the movie on DVD? Of course. How about a Special Thanks credit in the movie? Why not? Producer Rewards is providing unique incentives to people that contribute money to your movie. Anybody will be able to buy this DVD or download it digitally when we distribute it. But if you contribute to the Crowd Fund, you'll get something no ordinary customer will get. Perhaps it's an autographed poster along with your DVD.

Right now I'm working out a list of different incentives matched with specific dollar amounts. The higher the contribution, the bigger the incentives. And I've been busting my ass on it for a few days now. I'm running out of unique incentives. Right now if you gave me 12 grand I think I would straight up just be your personal man whore.

I'm in the middle of working on the script for CREEP, and I'm so very excited about this. It's just one outrageous scene after another and really CANNOT WAIT for you to see this.

Already we're hitting some stumbling blocks. The make up artist I wanted to use has moved away (but is considering coming back for the shoot, so Yay!) My lead actress maybe moving as well. This might all work out if I can raise the shooting budget before summer. If not I'll be holding a casting call. Cest la vie.

I hope to have a script done in the next few weeks, along with the budget, the crowd funding plan, and full list of producer rewards.

I Believe In Indy Mogul

Indy Mogul is an online company that specializes in bringing you web videos and content dedicated to all things movies, especially moviemaking. Their flagship show is called BACK YARD FX. It's a weekly series where they show you how to create movie fx on an extremely low budget.

I've always loved the show and the very spirit of it. They did alot of tutorials on props and fx, much of which I myself had attempted before, and much of which I had never even thought of. It was nice to see someone put it all together in a 5 to 6 minute web series, where everything was explained properly and entertainingly so others may try to accomplish great fx on their own no budget movies. Shows like Backyard FX gave alot of wannabe, trying-to-be, and trying-to-be-better movie makers a chance to really make something great.

Erik Beck is both the founder of Indy Mogul and host of Back Yard FX. About a month and a half ago he had announced that he would be stepping down as host, in order to concentrate on improving the now very popular Indy Mogul. And thus a campaign would be set forth to find a new host for Back Yard FX. This person would need to submit a video that would show that they could do what Erik Beck had done every week for 3 years. Make a video explaining how to create a special effect or prop and then show how that effect or prop could be used in a test film.

As some of you know, I've been doing this for a while. I've always tried to create vlogs to detail exactly what it is I'm working on for different projects. Working on Monster Cops has been all about creating things for little to no money. The MKX300 Weapon which I made out of orange juice bottles, the Werewolf I'm currently building out of cardboard, and many, many others.  I decided to take my Necronomicon tutorial and cut it into an Back Yard FX video complete with a test film which I shot with the help of Ron Rice and Sterling Bollinger. I submitted it a few weeks ago.

I got an email from Erik Beck today telling me they're going to start showing some of the best video submissions, and they're starting WITH MINE!!!!! Also he thought my video was awesome and thought the test film was funny. How cool is that!?

They aired it on Indy Mogul and they put it on their YouTube Channel. And I gotta say, I am totally overwhelmed by such an amazing response from people. I was a little sick while I was working on the video, so I had cut some corners. Didn't use the external mics, didn't use ALL the lights, plus I was a bit pressed for time what with the day job and all. So I did the best in the condition I was in, but I knew I could've done SOOO much better. But I've been getting amazing messages and comments from alot of people. All of them impressed with the video and with me and I am totally humbled by this.

It's been a long day, and definitely it's been a long first month and a half of the year, so it was nice to get some positive feedback. Everyone's been so amazing. Even with my terrible little camera, and the mediocre compression on the upload. I was thinking the whole time I really need to upload in a higher quality, really wasn't expecting they would re-upload it to YouTube. But hey, it's watchable.

So here's the episode which they've decided to air on Indy Mogul and on YouTube:



Special thanks to Ron Rice and Sterling Bollinger for helping me out with the test film, excellent job guys! Even if I don't get picked for the job, it's always a blast to work on any video project, and definitely more so for Indy Mogul. Thank you to the great Erik Beck for the opportunity.

Now, I spend this week working on that giant Werewolf, which you can see my progress on at The REDD page.

I inch towards finishing up Monster Cops stuff, including the series proposal, so hopefully the money men will bless us with an actual budget to make more of this ...



Then there's the all important feature film that we will shoot this summer.

Much more on that later.

HELP MONSTER COPS WIN!

How's that for a straight forward title.

Bigstar.TV has yearly video contests where they give away $1,000 to high rating videos in different categories. I've entered one such video, and I would love your help getting it rated.

I cut together a new Monster Cops promo. And I've submitted it to one of the contests. So PLEASE check out the video HERE:
http://www.bigstar.tv/film-contest/open-subject-2009/1778/recent/1

Slide the rating slider over to 100% and HELP US WIN!!!!

And if you can please spread the word. The more views and high ratings the better!

I Write Big

Can't help it. I started with a cast list of 7 and now it has grown to 20. Yes, yes, of course I'm going to cut it down. No choice. I'm only going to have a budget of around 7 grand. Although now I'm contemplating going for 10. I mean the key here is to make it look HUGE with an immensely small budget.

Whatever it is, be it 7 or 10 grand, it's gotta look like it's somewhere in the hundreds of thousands.

Yeah, I'm in it right now. That place where I have to somewhat stifle the high concept creativity so I can keep it to no to low budget logistics.

This will be easier if I had an office. Literally, it would be my location, my studio, a place for rehearsals and then a place we would shoot at. And I've only budgeted around 2 grand for it. Wait no $1,500. I went on a budget cutting spree and that's what I ended up with.

Ahhhhhh. I'm driving myself nuts. Mainly with these scenes. Right now I'm trying to achieve these specific scenes, in the right pacing, so I can execute proper character arch, and all under budget.

So I'll cut out the cast completely and I'll use sock puppets. Not that the cast is actually getting paid much up front. This is all about deferred payment baby! But I wouldn't have to feed sock puppets.

Also, I hate pitching the script to everyone before it's done. I know many of you in this production want to know what it's all about, so I'll just say that it's a murder mystery comedy injected with action and horror. And it's got Vampires.

So yeah, it's pretty typical of me.

What is this epic no budget flick called? CREEP

It's called CREEP.

So yeah, it better be a horror movie, right? Well not to worry, it is. Now I go back to finishing this script so we can raise the $15,000. SEE! It went up again.

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ok so if I go through and cut out the gold toilet in my trailer, I think we'll be fine.

Don't do it from need. Do it from strength and specifics.

Round 2

Feb 1st peeps. So how did round 1 go?

January was hell. But I'm glad to say I was able to knock out one project on the list. Unfortunately noone will be able to see it for a few months. It has gone to where it needs to go and sits with who it needs to sit with, as I await the results of all that hard work.

So I have until February 28th to finish this next one on the list, and then a I have to get moving on this Monster Cops episode so it'll be done before April. Well, actually May, but I always aim to finish far ahead of any deadline.

The next video involves a scene from REDD, and I will be immensely happy to finally get some movement on that. Which means I need to complete the Werewolf soon, and organize a Saturday shoot in mid February. And hopefully this winter weather will let up, because I need a nice sunny day shoot.

On the Monster Cops front. I'm going to try to get some funding for it, which would mean completion of this episode and finishing the full proposal. The money men love that kinda stuff. But also I know I have people asking about new stuff, so I'm going to try to throw up some short webisodes to appease the (not so) masses.

But the big picture for this year is to make that movie. Maybe it'll be Bobby's Closet, of which I'm still trying to raise money for. But the budget is still big even though it is low budget. So I'm working on a script for a movie that's budget is around $3000 to $5000. Raising that will get started once I get a few concept pieces done as well as finish that script and that business plan. This movie will utilize much of what I've talked about in the past. A full indie package including self distribution on a special edition DVD with plenty of extras and merchandise items.

I'll also utilize torrent sites. Try to generate some buzz through free downloads and supposed "pirating" of the film. Trying to stick with the concept of "Giveaway the movie, sell the show."

This will also take on some transmedia elements transcending just the movie and going into viral videos, comic books, short stories, and whatever else I can come up with like games, board games, video games. Transmedia means telling your story beyond just your initial low budget indie movie. Creating a universe instead of just one story. Much like what I've aimed to do with Monster Cops. One day I'll complete that Universe with MC, but it's just too big what I have in my head right now.

This all comes back to the one thing that has always stayed true in entertainment. Make a GREAT product. Create a truly great movie. Hollywood wonders why it loses money to pirates. The key is to not make CRAP and over charge people for it. Make something so great that it makes people want to pay you for it. As I've stated previously, make it an EVENT.

Like my hero Harry Anderson says, "Give em a good enough show, and people will be more than happy to pay the price of admission."

Those old street performing rules apply. Perform your heart out, stick out your hat, and get paid. So many opportunities coming up to make some great things happen. Gotta fight for it, make something AMAZING, stick my hat out and see what happens.

Welcome To The Party Pal!

It's been a rough week, no doubt, but to look to the positive side, there have been fun moments. Besides, as an experienced human being of nearly 35 years on this planet and existence, I should already know that with the bad comes the good, and so on and so on and ....

So we've gotten past some of the bad and hopefully heading into some good, possibly even into some great. Personal matters seem to be correcting themselves, and I'm finally getting back into some production work. Trying to beat that late February deadline for this one video project of which I will continue to be vague about. I mean, ya know, if I talk about it then it won't come, true right?

Anyhoo.

Forces Of Geek reports this: AC/DC Sets The Tone For IRON MAN 2

Today, Marvel Studios and Columbia Records have announced plans to release the CD compilation AC/DC: IRON MAN 2 on April 19, 2010. The album features 15 AC/DC tracks, many of which will be used in this summer's Iron Man 2. The songs include:

Shoot to Thrill, Rock 'N' Roll Damnation, Guns for Hire, Cold Hearted Man, Back in Black, Thunderstruck, If You Want Blood (You've Got It), Evil Walks, T.N.T., Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, Have a Drink on Me, The Razor's Edge, Let There Be Rock, War Machine, and Highway to Hell.

Here's a promo video for AC/DC and Iron Man 2.




This put a smile on my face. I really enjoyed Iron Man and I think Jon Favreau has a good sense about moviemaking, much of which seems to harken back to the marketing sensibilities of the 80's.

As I've talked about with much glee before, I do love the 80's and movies from the 80's. I'm sure much of it is because I was an impressionable kid from back then, but I always felt like there was this sense of fun for movies back then, even in the marketing.

Putting out an AC/DC compilation CD that ties in with a summer blockbuster reminds me of Prince recording pop songs for the Batman soundtrack, or Billy Ocean doing a music video for Jewel Of The Nile and Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny Devito making an appearance. Or even Tina Turner singing "We Don't Need Another Hero" for Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.

All the cross over music and movie marketing still goes on today, of course, but back then it felt much cooler and much more fun. Like everyone who performed or made movies back then were all just having one big party. I sense alot of that in Iron Man 2. Kinda makes me feel like a kid again.

Makes me long for something from back then to surface now in something new. The Ghostbusters had Ray Parker Jr. Back To The Future had Huey Lewis and The News. And now Iron Man 2 has AC/DC. I'd love to see more marketing like this from more movies in the future. Where it's not just about telling people about a movie premiere. It's about announcing that a MOVIE EVENT is about to happen. It should make you feel like if you miss this movie, then you're missing the party.

I think that's something Indie Moviemakers need to keep in mind, even before you start working on that script. Think about the marketing. How can I make this into something more than just an indie movie? How can I make this into an EVENT? How can I make this so people will WANT to see it?

Don't just make a movie. Make an EVENT!

LOST / 24

This won't mean much unless you're a fan of LOST and perhaps even 24.

Someone took several episodes of LOST and cut them together to show exactly what happened when Flight 815 Crashed. Amazing editing. Done in the style of 24 with sound fx and everything. Genius work.

Amazing Things Will Happen

Originally written Friday January 22nd. But not posted til now. Because that's how I roll.

For reasons passing understanding, this has been a very difficult past 8 days for me. I can't even begin to describe how terrible it was. All the while I tried to keep things in perspective. Compared to those helpless souls in Haiti and in so many other parts of the world, even on my worst day, I've still got it great.


With that said, it was pretty terrible. I don't like it when I'm on a mission to accomplish something, and not only do I not accomplish it, but I don't even get the chance to try, because sometimes, life just fucking happens. I don't like being put in a position where I am weak and helpless, but shit happens. You do what you need to and deal with it as best you can. Right now, I'm kind of still in it, but I'm hoping that's light that I see at the end of this tunnel. And as down as one can get, you do strive to pull yourself up from your boot straps. You pick yourself up. But sometimes you need a little boost to get you there.

Tonight I saw several celebrities work together to give a helping hand to a country in dire need of one. That by itself was both saddening and inspiring. I'm always moved by the efforts of others to help each other.

Tonight was also Conan O'Brien's final broadcast as host of The Tonight Show. It does seem silly to speak of something so trivial as a talk show in the same post as Haiti, but I must.

The events that unfolded with NBC over the late night shows was an important one to me, simply because I truly do love Conan O'Brien. I watched him from the beginning of Late Night after he took over for David Letterman, respected him even more when I learned he was a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, and cheered him on as he got to live his dream as host of The Tonight Show.

We all know the details of what went down, and we all have our different takes on it. Me personally I was rooting for O'Brien. Not once did I feel sorry for him. I knew he'd leave NBC and he'll end up doing an even better show on another network, I mean you just can't stop talent like that. I was happy to join the bandwagon of fun rooting for Conan. I joined all the groups and pages on Facebook. Team Conan, I'm With Coco. Watched every piece of news footage on the subject and all the videos from the rallies. Warmed my heart to see so many people cheer for Conan and to know so many others are fans like me.

I knew his final broadcast would be bitter sweet. A truly great show with some surprises. Tom Hanks was there. The man who originally created the name Coco. The entire show was full of fun and energy. Then it came time for Conan to speak seriously about the situation. Towards the end he started to tear up, which made me and I believe most people watching tear up. But in that final sentence of his entire statement, he said EXACTLY what it was I needed to hear. And when he said it, it almost felt like he was talking directly to me. Here is his final statement on his final broadcast as host of The Tonight Show.

"Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.

Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.

And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational. To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life.

All I ask of you is one thing, I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch: please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism -- for the record it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

I know it's not the end of Conan, but a part of my heart for media and entertainment is broken. But as I said, it's not the end. THANK YOU CONAN O'BRIEN. Thank you for entertaining us for so long on NBC. And thank you so much for saying what you said. I needed to hear it.

In 7 months I look forward to Conan's return on a yet to be determined network. To be continued indeed.

As for me, I now return to my regularly scheduled fight. A fight where I am determined to make amazing things happen.







;)