It's a bold statement, for sure, but it's what I thought of when I saw this poster for an upcoming event at The Dryden Theatre. Fred Dekker (Director of Monster Squad and Night Of The Creeps) and Tom Atkins (Star of Night Of The Creeps, Halloween III, as well as several other movies) will be at this double feature. Wish I could be there.
Saw this poster designed by Jason Edminston and I was just blown away. Ok so maybe it doesn't stand for everything that I stand for, but it does fully encompass and pay tribute to two movies that heavily influenced me. I can't even begin to describe how much I absolutely love these two movies, and how much they inspired so much of what I want to create.
We're not just talking about low budget horror flicks here. What set these movies apart from most within the B-Movie Genre is the charming and lovable characters to go along with the action, and the heart to go along with the horror. To top it off, these movies were the epitome of fun. And in the end, that's all I ever wanted. To have fun.
Here's the other awesome poster that pays tribute to Tom Atkins.
SEASON OF THE FOG by James Rheem Davis. Great tribute to Atkins and the two movies Halloween III: Season Of The Witch and John Carpenter's THE FOG.
Season Of The Witch was dogged alot when I was growing up, mainly because die hard Halloween fans were disappointed in a storyline that didn't have much to do with Michael Myers, but in all honesty it's a fairly creepy movie. And as for The Fog, I model alot of my kind of scariness in my movies after those eerie Pirates in that movie, especially in my next couple of features.
Wish I could be there. But if you can make it out to Rochester, NY this Friday July 16th, then by all means, have a blast on my behalf.
for my computer to finish backing up to the hard drive. For some reason I am reminded of a Bible verse.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? –Matthew 6:25-27
I read it just a while ago. Seems I needed to read it. Felt like a message from God. Which like most messages I get, are almost always from God. And I needed it. Let me also include another quote from the Prophet Cube, Ice Cube.
Life ain't nothin but bitches and money. -NWA
So true.
I'm patiently awaiting this back up to be done with so I can edit these files. Got an acting reel to finish up, started a timeline for a new episode and the next feature. This new project is almost writing itself. I have an outline instead of a script, and alot of this movie will be molded around a single plot line, and filled in by a bit of improv, and what kind of personalities the cast has. Casting has already begun. And I need to get on the ball with some script pages for RV as well as MC and get them sent out to a few folks.
And now I must make an FX scene outline. But on a final note:
"And When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer." Hans Gruber, DIE HARD. - Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Elizabeth and Jack: [singing and dancing around a fire] We're devils and black sheep and really bad eggs. Drink up me 'hearties yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me.
Jack: I love this song! Really bad eggs! Ooh. [falls] When I get the Pearl back, I'm gonna teach it to the whole crew, and we'll sing it all the time!
Elizabeth: And you?ll be positively the most fearsome pirate in the Spanish Main.
Jack: Not just the Spanish Main, love. The entire ocean. The entire world. Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails that's what a ship needs, but what a ship is, what the Black Pearl really is, is freedom.
- Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl
I've got my computer back. They only had to replace the motherboard, so the hard drive remained intact, everything is right where I left it. I was without my computer for a little over 2 weeks, and although I was able to use my wife's laptop, it was very hard. She needed it for her own projects, sharing it with her, meant I had less time to work on things that needed to be worked on, and my computer is a little more powerful, where I felt like alot of the video editing I was doing on hers was going to break the damn thing.
Also I missed my set up. My monitor is bigger, the way I have my desk positioned, and my entire workflow was missing. To finally get it back meant an overwhelming sigh of relief as I feel I am back in full form, able to do things I couldn't for a while. All because, for some reason, my video out put was burned out.
But I believe such mishaps may be necessary. Helps put things in perspective.
When my wife and I first got married, we didn't have much of anything. I had my old Gateway desktop, but it was dying, and we eventually sold it. So now we had nothing, and I dreamed of eventually getting one, and being able to edit video. Thanks to a friend I was able borrow their mac and use Final Cut Pro to do the last and final cut to my feature Vampire Killer so I could finally put it out on DVD.
Somehow we managed to scrape together about $400 and we bought a desktop from Walmart. 256mb Ram, 8gb HD, and a very average AMD Processor. I called this computer The Black Pearl. In the first Pirates Of The Caribbean, the title The Curse Of The Black Pearl referred to the curse of the Pirates on that ship, how they would remain undead and zombified as long as they had kept the gold coins away from the cursed treasure. In reality their curse was related to the treasure itself. In truth I always felt that The Curse Of The Black Pearl referred to Jack Sparrow's curse. How his destiny was to always be the captain of the Black Pearl, and how fate would always keep him away from it.
Captain Jack yearned for his freedom to sail the ocean. Freedom was signified by The Black Pearl. For me I yearned to make movies, and for a while it was signified by a decent computer to edit on. The computer would be my Black Pearl.
This would be the computer I would learn to use Sony Vegas on (back then it was Sonic Foundry's Vegas). I edited the first and last of the Living Dead Girl's episodes, and build the first WTW DVD featuring Vampire Killer. This would be the same computer I would edit an entire feature film on. Monster Cops: The Midnight Special. I took this computer with me to NC. Along with the ginormously heavy monitor. I learned Final Draft on it, would get a taste of After Effects and 3D Studio Max, and build the first of many websites and blogs on it. I pushed it too it's limits, and sailed it til it just couldn't sail anymore.
One of the last projects I ever made with that computer would be my contest entry into Harold And Kumar 2's Video Contest. I won that contest, and the money I got from that, I would use to buy the next incarnation of my Black Pearl. My current computer. HP, 4gb Ram, 500gb HD, Intel Pen Dual Core Processor. I rarely had a problem with it. It was a monster, is a monster. No stalling, no crashing, and super fast.
I've only had it for a year and a half, when it finally experienced it's first real problem two weeks ago. That's when I sent it in to be repaired. And in those two weeks I learned to really appreciate what I had, or rather didn't have. Made me remember a time when I swore I would make great things if I had a machine like this. Well, now I have it back. And I will make great things with it, I feel I've already begun. I really love that last Monster Cops episode, and now I work to create more great things, even better things, and help me get to the next level in my evolution in moviemaking.
What a ship is, is freedom, and I have that freedom. I've had that freedom for a while now. I think I just needed to remember I had it.
I don't like being put in a position where I am basically begging. Part of the reason why I haven't really been blogging in a while. I've found myself looking for opportunity instead of creating my own.
I was teased with the prospect of what crowd-funding might bring, and although I knew it was a possibility nothing would happen, I was pushed to hoping something would due to my current situation.
Money's been tight, work has been slow, and for a while there things weren't looking good. Mainly because I chose to look through helpless eyes.
I chose to. My choice. My situation, my responsibility and no one else's.
My situation is of my own creation. Yes, maybe some things may have happened that I have no control over, but in the end you do have full control of how you react to those situations. I chose to react with despair. Why? Because that's what human's need to do every once in a while. When you get knocked down, you have to pause for a second while you're on the ground, really look at your situation, feel it out, so when you rise, you have a better understanding of what you're rising for.
Things are better. Although much of my situation is not resolved, there is hope, but there's always hope. I can't rely on hope. I can only rely on me, and what I'M capable of doing, if I get help along the way, or if certain opportunities make themselves available, then great, but I still have to rely on what I can do, and with what I've got.
I've often blogged about doing the best with what you can. But in all honesty, I have to aim hire than that. I have to do something amazing with what I have. That way if I miss the target slightly I'll at least have something at a higher level.
One pledge today (Thank You Marcellus). I'm working on one editing job that may lead to more, but again, I can't hold my breath on it. And I'm working towards putting together Monster Cops on DVD, getting it out to screenings, as well as working on a new project which I can hopefully get out to audiences later this year.
Re-focused on what I need to do. Want to help? There are a number of things you can do.
Of course, we would love your pledge. New perks, including a DVD's, T-Shirts, as well as ways to actually participate in episodes. Click here and check it out: http://www.indiegogo.com/Monster-Cops-The-Series
You can also help spread the link around. Tell everyone you know about Monster Cops. Get folks to check out the site http://monstercops.com
Also, the entire episode MONSTERS Vs. COPS, is up at Big Star's Short Film Contest. Please visit the link, give us a high rating (you'll be directed to register, but it doesn't take long) then please forward it to everyone. http://www.bigstar.tv/film-contest/mockumentary-2009/3132
New fundraising page. New cycle. NEW PERKS! Make a pledge, help us out, and get great perks like DVD's, Credits in the episodes and on IMDB, personalized short films, T-shirts, and now you can be a part of the series. You have the opportunity to become an Officer, a Monster, or a Victim, and have your picture used in an episode.
So what are you doing? Help out an independent web series and make a pledge now!
From my experience I've come to learn that the following is so very true.
When you become clear about what you want to accomplish, when you decide for sure what goal you want to reach. As you begin your journey towards that goal, everything that is the exact opposite of that goal will come into your existence.
I had a moment of clarity about Monster Cops. What was going to be accomplished and what needed to be done. Not only that, but I understood exactly what needed to follow after those certain goals for Monster Cops were reached. It was time for me to make another feature film, but only after I was able to put out Monster Cops Series 1 DVD this Fall.
And of course there is the fundraising, which is going slow, but it is going. See the widget and if you can please click on it and make a pledge.
Right now as far as income, I take what ever commercial work, ad work, video editing work I can. So it's already a roller coaster, not really sure where the next check will come from, but it's something.
I picked up a job today. Editing a reel for an actor. It looks to pay pretty good, and the material I would work with seems fun. It's always good to get a job that pays and you can get excited about.
Of course, after the meeting, I get home to turn on my desktop, and it will not boot up. Nothing, it sits there and hums. It was working perfectly fine just a few hours before, but here there was no functionality, no process beeps, just the quiet hum of the fans cooling a processor that wasn't doing anything.
So a dilemma. Not just because I can't do my job, but also I can't work on Monster Cops, the project I'm trying to turn into my job. I do have my wife's laptop and I have all my files backed up to a hard drive. The down side, my normal software is all on the desktop, and none of it will install properly on my wife's laptop.
It's disconcerting, yes, but on some level I saw it coming. After my moment of clarity, I knew something was bound to happen. That something that tries to deter you. That tests you. That makes things fall apart. The opposite of your goal has to happen so you can better experience what it the goal itself. Up cannot exist without down, nor right without left, nor having without the feeling of not having.
Very Zen, I know. And it does put me in somewhat of a positive mood. But it still sucks ass.
But it's ok. I'll figure it all out like I always do. I'll get the job done, I'll get my desktop fixed, and hopefully we can get some support for our little indie web series. So if you please, and if you can, make a pledge, tell a friend about monstercops.com. And please watch the episodes. I think they are quite good and I am very proud of them.
Other things have transpired today. Other things that are the opposite of my goal. Other things that are better left unblogged about, except to say, this is getting harder. And all indications say that things aren't going well, that things will fail, that things are not going in a positive direction.
But I don't care. Because I've been here before. Because if you can hold out past all that is the opposite of your goal, eventually you will reach your goal. You just have to believe, you have to hold on, you have to not give up.
Is this me giving myself a pep talk? You bet your ass.
It's opposite day, and I'm holding out til its over.
Gotta go solve some software problems, log some footage, and figure out how I can Macgyver my way through one editing job, two commercials, and eventually get back to working on Monster Cops. We only have a few pledgers, but we have pledgers nonetheless, which means we owe them a decent product in this Monster Cops DVD, which I fully intend to deliver and then some.
You want a Monster Cops DVD, then please, click the widget above, and make a pledge.
I have no computer. Blogging by phone. I am forced to writing out lists and plans on notebook paper.
In an ocean of amazing. Dead in the water. Waiting for my ship to come in, as I continue to search for dry land.
“The two things that matter the most to me: emotional resonance and rocket launchers. Party of Five, a brilliant show, and often made me cry uncontrollably, suffered ultimately from a lack of rocket launchers.”
- Joss Whedon
It's becoming very clear. I'm going to have to do a major overhaul with Monster Cops. Ok well maybe not a "major" overhaul, but reorganization is necessary in order to reach a specific clarification on what the exact goals are and how they can be achieved.
Vlogs will proceed, as will the fundraising (duh), but retooling what the minisodes are and what episodes can and will be produced, is a must, in order to understand what direction we are going in. What content will be available online, what will be available on DVD, what is going to screen in theaters, and how we can apply our marketing strategy to that.
Yes, jumbled words in cryptic tone, I know, but this is how I roll when I'm sorting it all out.
I need to be very clear about how to proceed here, as well as to exactly where I am proceeding to.
The current Minisodes don't really convey the right tone for what I think Monster Cops truly is, and what it maybe becoming. I'm trying to stick to my own advice here and understand what I call the Franchise Discipline. I know what I'm writing, but I have to be aware of how the audience is perceiving it, and how to improve upon that perception in order to truly tell the essence of this story as well as provide an optimal entertainment experience for the audience.
It's my fault of course. I went in with an idea, and could only really execute comedy with The Midnight Special. With these next few episodes, I was able to convey a little more of the action, horror, and drama. But now I need to clarify that although there is comedy here, this is not all we have to offer. There is horror here. There are Monsters here, and there is Gravitas and Depth for you to experience, even if on more subtle levels.
Yes, Patrick, but could you get any deeper about this?
Hey, I can't help it. I'm trying to make something real here. Well, as real as the illusions will allow.
So yes, I'm about to do a bit of filmmaking Feng Shui in this Moviemaking House.
"I feel like in telling stories, there are the things the audience thinks are important, and then there are the things that are actually important."
- JJ Abrams
"Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up." - A. A. Milne
My wife randomly cut out a picture of him from a diabetes ad and stuck to my bulletin board next to my desk. I didn't realize it was there for a while. When I finally noticed it it kinda scared me. I jumped a little bit. Nothing like Wilford Brimley staring you down to start your day.
Happy Father's Day to all you Father's out there. And to those that have lost your Dad's too soon, I'm so very sorry and hope today passes with a bit of ease. I know how Mother's Day is for my wife since she lost her mom, and it makes me feel for anyone who has to go through such pain. I'm very thankful my parents are still alive, although I haven't seen them in years. One of these days I'll be able to make the trek to go see them and the rest of my family.
It's been an adventurous few days. There was the PeeWee Herman incident. If you haven't seen the last few posts, I will break it down. I tweeted I was going to make a ball of foil (this is for an ad for Poptent.net). Molly Bendall (twitter friend and fellow blogger) re-tweeted it to PeeWee. PeeWee re-tweeted it and posted it on his Facebook. Then my inbox, Twitter, and Facebook exploded with messages about the coolness of making a giant foil ball. Then I made the foil ball with pictures and Blogged and Vlogged about it, after which PeeWee retweeted and reposted on Facebook. My site immediately got over 700 hits (which is way more than the normal 30) and it's still going today.
Rest assured I will be adding to the foil ball to make it super gigantic. And YES I will use recycled foil as well as recycle it once I have no use for it.
Speaking of Vlogs (was I?)
Here's the latest one for Monster Cops. Yes it is indeed more of me begging for money for our kick ass Horror Comedy Web Series.
Currently I am editing a new Minisode, prepping for the next Episode, and trying to get more pledges into our FUNDRAISER, so we can cover some costs including the fees and what not to get our submission into the New York TV Fest. I am submitting the episode Monsters Vs. Cops as a pilot to display that our series would indeed be great on TV. You can watch that episode HERE.
Thank you so much to our recent backers it is a huge help, but of course we still need more. So please if you can CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR INDIEGOGO FUNDRAISING PAGE. You make a pledge, you get great rewards, including the Monster Cops DVD coming this Fall.
Other than that, I am working on doing some guest blogging for the International Trailer Festival. I blog about moviemaking all the time, but of course now that I need to, I'm running dry. It's cool, I've got a few things I hope they'll like. I mean, if I'm going to be a geek about moviemaking might as well share it with everyone right.
Other than that, I've been doing camera research. For the longest time I've been pulling for the Canon HV40, but now I'm thinking about DSLR's. The HV40 price has gone up, so I might as well go DSLR and get a Rebel. The Rebel has really been impressing me. If I want more affordable then I could get the Olympus Pen E-PL1, but the video I'm seeing is only impressive in diorama mode. The jelloing effect is bad even in slow pans. Still pictures look great, but I'm looking for HD Video. So right now, I'm all about the Canon Rebel T2i.
Of course, this is me day dreaming. I have a decent camera to work on my web series. First things first, get Monster Cops going and as much content produced as possible, get that DVD out, then we can worry about cinematic cameras and my next feature film.
Again, it comes back to pledges. We need the funding to supplement production costs, setup screenings, screen at fests, and market the heck out of this series. So please check out MONSTER COPS, and if you like what you see, help us out, pledge and or spread the word.
I was hoping it would be bigger, but hey, I could only afford so much foil. But I WILL continue to add to it. Eventually I'd like to have a Foil Ball big enough to reenact the boulder scene from Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
Again, special thanks to Molly Bendall (mo11ymonkey) for retweeting it to PeeWee Herman (peeweeherman) who then retweeted it and posted it on Facebook. It was kind of neat that happened. Ah the power of the interwebs.
just got re-tweeted by Pee Wee Herman. Special thanks to mo11ymonkey for re-tweeting me first.
All because I stated I was going to make a huge ball of foil. Which I actually am. It's for an ad. Which I hope goes over well, but hey, it's kinda all I got right now. So again, do what you can.
Alright, continuing the list, house cleaning, editing, re-writes, running errands, and the such.
I am going to bed now. And when I wake up, I will finish the rest of my to do list from today. Also, I will figure out where this $100 will come from. What $100 you ask? Why the $100 dollars I didn't realize that I needed before next wed in order to get all the materials and pay the fees I need to pay to get Monster Cops to the New York TV Fest. The fee is $50. Which I have part of, but as I need to make 5 DVD copies and a couple of data discs with some press materials, I realize I don't have enough disks. So I need to scrounge up the money to get said disks. And lets not even talk about packaging and shipping. I swear these things add up. The money I am getting will not be coming til well after I need to send this stuff off. So the curse of the NYTVF may strike again. Seems like every year it's something. Like fate will not allow me to submit and or screen there.
Hmm. I will figure something out. Hopefully we can get more pledges in and I can cover these costs. Thank you to those backers who have pledged so far. It has been a huge help. I was able to get monstercops.com transferred and paid for, and hopefully soon this means we can move to a better (or at least temporary) server, with way less problems.
My iTunes just started playing Skunk Anansie "Selling Jesus." It's a song off the soundtrack for the movie Strange Days. I played that soundtrack to death back in the mid nineties. Strange Days was a movie not everyone liked, but totally knocked me out. I loved it. It became a prime example of the kind of movie I was trying to model after. It's a movie you can't really put your finger on. Is it SciFi, is it Action, is it a Thriller, is it a social commentary on race as well as technology? It's a movie that qualifies for all of the above. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow from a story by James Cameron and a script by James Cameron and Jay Cocks. It obviously has that Cameron complexity that I love so much. It's never just one thing with him. It's gotta have equal parts thrills, technology, and romance, all wrapped up in an action plot. And with Kathryn Bigelow at the helm, it was bound to be an amazing ride.
A great cast with some great performances. Ralph Fiennes does well as our hero, and Angela Basset is just a total bad ass in this movie. I will say that if you're not in the right mind set, you may not like it. It does have something to say about race and social problems in general, but for me it really adds to the tension of the movie. It gives you the extra layer of depth, and enhances the big finish. The tension totally put me on edge, as I wasn't sure how this movie was going to have a happy ending.
This movie blew me away. It made me excited to write, because this movie was an example of something a little bit different at the time but still had a bit of that detective noir mixed in with a not so futuristic setting. Like Blade Runner on speed mixed with a little crystal meth. This movie comes to mind because of recent scripts of mine I keep coming back to. Right now I'm juggling so much and I needed to think of something to shock me back into the right frame of mind. It's been a heck of a week.
The first time I saw this trailer it blew me out of the water. I distinctly remember watching this for the first time in the theater and just being in awe. It really made me want to just fuckin jump out of my seat and go make a goddamn movie! As a matter of fact I did. It was called Vampire Killer, but that's another story.
Goddamn this trailer blows my mind. I watched it every chance I got back then on VHS tapes, and I do so now, thanks to YouTube.
Aside from a few side adventures today (Being sidetracked by a power outtage, and later the ongoing coverage from E3, some exciting stuff) I tread forward. With what must be done.
I've been assured by our make up artist that the supplies for the fx work for the big baddy in our next Monster Cops episode has been secured. I also am putting some production in motion with a second unit to get some B-Roll shots. And I'm laying down the layers for the new episode in the editing timeline in Vegas. The big plan, even without the major money, is to get the next 2 episodes done and possibly 3 so we have at least 4 to 5 episodes on this DVD we will put out in the fall.
I've also been in contact with a few theaters to hold some local (all over the triad, NC) screenings, still waiting on info from one more theater. We'll have AT LEAST one local screening near Winston Salem, NC.
Already got one backer in for IndieGoGo. If we can get a few more in then I won't really have to worry about the domain name disappearing in the next few weeks, and I can cover the cost to submit to the New York TV Fest. I would love to finally screen a Monster Cops episode there. Especially Monsters Vs. Cops, I think it would go over well with a big TV going crowd.
My main concern right now, other than money, is producing something a little more accessible with Monster Cops. Meaning, I know that if you see a video is around 20 minutes on the internet, you're bound to pass it up. If you really do want to watch this video, you have to make time for it, and you run the risk of forgetting.
Monsters Vs. Cops is 21 minutes long. Either you already like Monster Cops, or you're already looking for something long form to watch. If not, we lose you. Because with all the crap out there, 21 minutes is alot to ask of your normal internet goer. It's the reason I decided to do Minisodes, but the Minisodes are "cute" and are not a true representation of what Monster Cops is.
The key here is to, of course, create something that is so entertaining and epic that people will want to watch it. But at the same time, make it convenient for people to watch time wise. Yes, I'm talking about the very essence of the "Viral Video." We have yet to create any such videos and I feel Monster Cops lends itself to that very essence, or at the very least, has that potential, if we hit it right. I actually tested this theory with this upload.
I cheated a bit with that video. I placed the words "REAL" next to "WEREWOLF" just to see if it would at least get people to watch the whole clip. Which it did. 1 year later 112,000 views. This picked up in the last year since the topic of Werewolves had increased in popularity. Seems to have picked up quite a bit just in the last few months as well. And please see the comments on that upload. Very entertaining stuff.
The point is, I know there are alot of people who know and like Monster Cops, but I'm also aware that many of those people haven't taken the time to watch our episodes, mainly because they're just too damned long. So we have to make better quality Minisodes at less than 5 minutes, and make them true to the essence of Monster Cops. Comedy of course, but more Horror, more Monsters, more outrageousness. This will hopefully lead them to want to watch our other content.
So that's sort of the plan for Dead By Dawn. The episode itself is 17 minutes. But we'll do a 4 minute version to circulate. As I said at the top, I'm already moving on that. I'm also looking at 3 plots that would make better Minisodes. Alot of work to do, and I only hope we can get more pledges in. The more money, of course, the better chance we have of completing all this during the summer.
Working on that Teddy Bear ad was a tease. I know what I saw in my head, and I like what I had created, but in the end it still is just a "cute" little commercial. I think it's very much a case of "what I see in my head is bigger than the tools I have", but this is no one elses problem but mine. There is a part of me, that knows I can create some really great stuff with what I have. I know, I know, I've heard it before "But Patrick you've already created some great stuff with what you have." Yes, I know, but when I say GREAT, it's not anything I can really explain to you. The GREAT in my head is bigger than anything I've made or could ever convey with words. I have to show it to you.
I'm just looking forward to really showing you these stories. My body can barely catch up with my brain sometimes. Somehow, I'll find a way to get there. Right now I can only do what I've always done, do the best with what I've got.
Back to editing. I've got some possible ad assignments to consider. And I've got Vlogs to shoot.
A lot of life is dealing with your curse, dealing with the cards you were given that aren't so nice. Does it make you into a monster, or can you temper it in some way, or accept it and go in some other direction? --Wes Craven
Plog: power outtage, bacon, lists, and a time for contemplation.
To be introverted or not to be introverted. That is the question. I mean, we all are naturally, but I feel maybe I've not been taking enough responsibility in my own actions. Maybe that's why funding is failing. Maybe it's supposed to.
Don't mind me, I'm just being an Emo Moviemaker. A little down about fundraising, sure, but more down about not being able to create, well, ya know MOVIES! Something cinematic. Something really great.
I'll keep trying. The best way I can. And that's all you can do.
"Do or do not, there is no try."
Yes Master Yoda, but sometimes, trying is all you can do.
I hate this. I don't like that feeling of coulda, shoulda, woulda. It happens when you're trying to make something out of nothing. You look back on things and wonder what else you could be doing. What else you could have done or would have done.
It's time to look long and hard at the possiblity that no one is going to give you money. But we try anyhow. And you keep trying. And while you're trying to do that, you try to do everything else as well.
For example, my latest ad for Poptent. A commercial for the Nokia Nuron.
I went down the normal laundry list of ideas. Comical, cute, irreverent, or perhaps straightforward and general. All while trying to convey the information the brand wants to broadcast about their project.
Doing many skits, and viral vids, I had immediately come up with several ideas, some of them doable, some of them good, but none of them that click. And when I say click, I mean that click you here when art connects with storytelling, and when the visceral connects with intellectual to create something truly tangible (am I being too cerebral?).
In other words I wanted something that gave me an AHA moment. And I had come up with something that was almost there. But I was holding back. Mainly because in my mind I was separating my ad work from my true creations. It's like there are unseen lines categorizing what I make. The ads are what I make for other people, everything else is geared toward me true goal, to make something truly cinematic, something with gravitas and depth.
And then it finally dawned on me. I was being STUPID. Why am I categorizing? Why have I unconsciously drawn these lines to box in what I was trying to do? There is no difference between my stuff and their stuff. Instead of whining about how I wish I could make something cinematic, why don I just do it. Who cares if it's for another company.
I know it should have been obvious. But sometimes you get wound up in things, I had alot to juggle, and I started organizing my brain, when it didn't need organization. So instead of just making an "AD" let me try to tell a story, and attempt to do it in a cinematic fashion.
Below is the ad I came up with. Went through a couple of versions, but this is the one I'm satisfied with the most.
Maybe when you watch it you only see a cute video using a couple of stuffed animals. But I'm very proud of it. It was an honest attempt to convey a plot cinematically. Which is to say create a story with images and sound. Not just some simple set up a camera and shoot something funny, but a genuine mini-movie about one character looking for something and finding it.
I took great pains to achieve it. I wanted to convey a somewhat Sci-Fi tone, especially with the lighting. Very much in the vein of Amazing Stories or Close Encounters. And then go into that playful child like feel and end on a fairy tale happy ending.
The bears were old props I've had for 10 years. Used for another project, I dug em out of the old prop box. It all seemed to click. Especially with the music. I used an old track I wrote years ago for another project called "Halloweenland". That score I was very proud of when I had created it, and it matched this concept perfectly.
Doing this ad made me excited to do my feature Bobby's Closet. My little sci-fi adventure monster movie that's very much a nod to the 80's adventure flicks. That's going to require a much bigger budget, around $80,000 at the least. Hopefully when I get to it, I'll be able to have a higher budget and really take off with it.
Until then, I'll create my little cinematic moments in everything I do and whenever I can. Perhaps it'll eventually get me the funding I need.
Speaking of funding. Our time at Kickstarter has ended. We did not reach our target goal, which means we did not getting our funding, but it was fun, and we did get the word out to a few more people about Monster Cops. No regrets there. But as I said before, we have to keep trying.
So please take a look at our IndieGoGo page. It's just like Kickstarter but we actually get to keep the pledges even if we don't reach our goal. So this is me officially saying we're putting out a DVD this Fall. Click the widget below, make a pledge and you will get a reward for it whether it be producer credits, t-shirts, or a DVD.
Thank you so much to those that did back us on Kickstarter. It means alot to know we have your support. THANK YOU.
Off I go to make something cinematical. And no excuses, no time for being down anymore, you want to make something really great, with depth, with true AHA moments? Then just go and do it. Then show it to people. Show it to everyone. And yes the coulda, shoulda, woulda, moments will come and go, but the best remedy for that is DO something, and when you can't do something, you can at least TRY. Cuz if you don't try, then you'll end up with a whole lotta nothing.
If you want to make movies, then make movies. If you are a moviemaker then remember, don't just make movies, make movies everywhere and every chance you get. I don't care if you're just cutting together a car commercial or shooting your cousin's Bar Mitzvah, make it a movie.
Betsy? It's now or never. We are gonna make a movie.
- Bowfinger
Above is probably the last Vlog I'll be able to do before time runs out on Kickstarter. Right now I'm trying to get this commercial finished that's due Monday.
I would love to go into detail about what I've been through these last few days. But I am entirely too tired. Just know that it's been an adventure, and now I continue on that adventure as I try to get this project finished before Monday.
Depending on what happens with Kickstarter, I'll probably be starting up IndieGoGo next week, as well as really pushing some of our options for funding. I need to know where I stand so I can figure out which direction to take with Monster Cops and what major projects I'll be working on in general.
Focusing.
It's times like these I need to really appreciate what I've got. It's been a rough ride this week, and I am so very thankful for many, many things. I am very thankful for the support that I have, for friends I can count on, as well as for car air conditioning, bread, housing, electricity, showers, computers, hard drives especially 1TB hard drives, Poptent, screen doors, band aids, salad, Lincoln Navigators, teddy bears, crappy tripods, demos, Dai Green, 3 Chip Cameras, 12mbp Cameras, Basketball, Celtics!!!!, Sly, Emails, Cell phones (even when they suck), Kickstarter (even if we don't make our goal), the US Military and those serving our country, COPS (both the show and actual Officers), thumbs (cuz they come in handy), brussel sprouts, Jena Haze, self checkout lines, Sara Bareilles, hearts of romaine, Reggie Watts, sandwiches, laptops, razors, my health, my wife, my life.
There's alot more, but this is basically me vomitting words onto a blog to somewhat describe this week as I am too damn tired to actually blog about it. I call it Puke Blogging or Plogging.
Ew. That sounds kinda gross. Like something you do to a toilet.
If you were looking for PATRICKPREJUSA.COM and you ended up here, congratulations, you are now at PATRICKPREJUSA.COM. I had my personal site over at devhub.com. But their servers kept going down, there were entirely too many issues, and since I learned you could add pages to blogger, and I really just wanted a place where I could blog AND show people my videos, then I didn't really need devhub anymore. So here we are.
Currently Monstercops.com is built over on devhub, but eventually I'll move it off there and on to a better server. Also I'm hoping we'll have enough money by the fall that I can get a fully professional site up and running. Something I won't have to babysit so much, and that'll have better more accessible video options.
We are only about 4 days going into 3 days left for our Kickstarter. We are now at $645 our of $4000. As you may know, if we don't reach $4000, it all goes away, and I must head back to my seasonal job as an ice road trucker, not really.
If we don't make it, then there is a plan B. This plan B is called INDIEGOGO. It's yet another crowdfunding site much like Kickstarter, except there you keep all the pledges regardless of reaching your goal. I've been testing it out for a year now, and I've finally set a deadline for funding on it. But more on that after the Kickstarter date runs out.
I'm also hoping some of our other plans for funding workout. A few possible investors maybe, and then of course sponsors that we can help advertise for. But as I said before, if none of it pans out, we'll be producing the next episode anyhow, it'll be just like normal, a pain in the ass that'll take about 8 months to do. Meaning you won't see a new episode til next year. Hey that's reality, we don't always get to do our dreams when we want to do them.
Working on a few ads for Poptent, that may or may not help out. Created two ads for the Moe's Queso assignment, both are listed on the ADS PAGE. Made a La Quinta Inn Ad as well, that one will be listed momentarily. What I love about Poptent is the videos you make aren't chosen by votes or popularity. The companies and brands that requested them pick what they want. Also Poptent is just filled with great creators, and I'm proud to be a part of that community. Also, they have made me money in the past, so I may be a bit biased. If you have any creativity at all and some skill with video creation, then you're bound to make money on Poptent.
I feel the same about fundraising for indie movies in general. If you have some kind of talent, the drive, skill, and a bit of smarts, then you're bound to get the money you need. I'm hoping that's true for me. And fast too, because we're missing out on some major fests for Monsters Vs. Cops, and I'm sure that's one of the things that will help really get Monster Cops noticed. Definitely need at least $400 before July. So fingers crossed. Really need to make it to the NYTV Fest, Vimeo Awards, Rock And Shock, and NYC Horror Fest. This thing needs to get out in front of audiences, now.
Going to work on another Vlog today, updating and trying to entice people to pledge. But mainly I need to finish this commercial for Nokia's new phone. The deadline for that one ends the same time as Kickstarter, so alot to do this week. The ad for that one I'm really aiming for a cinematic look. Don't know if I can reach exactly what I see in my head, but I'm going to try. If you've been watching my tweets then you have a clue that it does involve Teddy Bears.
And I'd like to say again, THANK YOU to Night Of The Living Podcast for helping us get the word out about Monster Cops. Please check them out NIGHT OF THE LIVING PODCAST. Also look them up on iTunes, subscribe, and give them a high rating. Great podcast.
“The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking of whether it ends in victory or in defeat. Let nature take its course, and your tools will strike at the right moment..”
A few days ago, HorrorHound Magazine editor-in-chief Nathan Hanneman lost his 34 year old sister Angela to cancer. I know most of you probably didn't know Angela and you probably don't know Nathan either, but that's neither here nor there. The horror community is truly one big family and Nathan and his family could use our help to pay for his sister's funeral expenses - obviously, her being so young, no money was set aside for such a horrible thing. If you would like to help one of our own in the horror family, there's a few ways you can go about it.
- Donate via Paypal to Nathan@Horrorhound.com
- Call/E-mail the John H. Evans Funeral Home directly to make payment: (513) 831-3172 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (513) 831-3172end_of_the_skype_highlighting or info@evansfuneralhome.com
- If you'd like to send a card or a check, drop me an e-mail at mortis45@aol.com and i'll shoot you over Nate's address
If you're a bit low on cash, nobody's gonna fault you. You can still help out by spreading the word on this and by reposting this information on your own blog or website, if you have one.
Like most of my blog posts, this is an affirmation. A reminder.
This situation, like most situations in my life, is indeed in my own hands.
I'm not sure if we're going to reach our target goal on Kickstarter. It's about 13 days left, and we're only up to $575. Am I angry? Nope. Am I worried? A little. But I know it'll be ok. Maybe we won't be able to make as many episodes as I was hoping, but I'm going to put out a DVD this fall for Monster Cops and I'll probably do it the way I've always done it. On my own, with no money, and plenty of creativity and drive.
I'll figure out a way to make it happen. Maybe it won't happen the way I was hoping, but I'll make something happen. I'm encouraged by the support I've been getting. The messages, the emails, the good reviews. Thank you all so much for that. And thank you to all of our pledgers so far.
I know the days aren't up yet, but I need to make plans just in case it all falls through. Even if Kickstarter fails, we still have other options that we are pursuing, but even if all those become exhausted, I'll figure out a way to get the money.
And again, even if I don't, I'll figure it out. It is, after all, in my own hands.
No fate but what we make right?
Oh, Andy loved geology. I imagine it appealed to his meticulous nature. An ice age here, million years of mountain building there. Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time. That, and a big goddamn poster.
In Voluptas Mors (1951). A portrait by Salvador Dali and photographed by Phillipe Halsman. A tableau vivant (living portrait) of Dali sitting next to a skull made of seven nude women.
This would later be used in the famous poster for Silence Of The Lambs (1991). Where the pattern for the Death's Head Moth, would be replaced by a recreation of the skull from Dali's famous portrait.
It does seem quite fitting for the movie. The killer (Buffalo Bill) saw the Moth as a symbol of transformation that paralleled his own transition from gender to gender, and his deadly and sadistic approach to make such a change.
The Descent (2005), would recreate the skull for the film's poster.
I'm quite fond of this poster. Not only a creative idea, but very fitting symbolism for what the women in the movie go through. It's great to see such creativity in marketing for a movie, but I appreciate it even more when it's applied to a really good movie like The Descent.
To me it makes the movie a little bigger, and in a way helps tell the story of the movie. Which is what great marketing should be. Not just a way to tell people about the product, but to contribute to the overall story and feel of the story, making it bigger than a movie. Giving it what we all sort of look for in art and creativity. A little depth.
UPDATE:
Check out our latest short/trailer. RED RIDING HOOD is a bad ass (REDD)
If ever I had to list my top 10 moviemaking influences. William Castle would be on this list.
Since I learned about him when I was in junior high, I've been obsessed with his showmanship for the cinema. Sure his movies may borderline the cheesy, but it was his flair for the theatrical and his passion for engaging the audience that was so amazing to me. Between him and Hitchcock, I would not only become obsessed with moviemaking, but movie promoting and marketing as well.
I just recently found out there was a documentary about him that's been out for a few years now. Can't believe I haven't seen it yet. Here's the trailer.
His approach to marketing and showmanship was always one I was inspired by. And it's something many movie makers will probably need to return to. Get back to a level where you engage the audience directly. He and Hitchcock stuck to the rule I've been talking about for a while now.
Great night with the wife. We drank our Dharma Initiative Wine, ate great food, laughed, cried, and said goodbye to a show that was one of the best rides of our lives. It was truly a fun and enlightening experience, and definitely one that will help shape me as a storyteller.
Now I'm excited to move on to my own series, Monster Cops, and work to bring you my own thrills, action, laughs, and enlightenment.
I'm sad to see a show end, and happy to get back to work on a new one.
This show has been a huge influence on me. It's been intriguing, and puzzling, and a heck of a ride. And I'll miss it. But as it ends, I look toward my own series creation, and I can only hope that what I make can reach people the same way this series has.
It's been a hard day. I haven't felt very well. I'm not sick. But I am upset.
Don't really want to elaborate, but much of it has to do with ignorance and racism, and possibly on a deeper level, I feel a little on the outside right now.
There was one time, when I was in Russia. I had left the hotel and gone for a walk. I got a little lost. Then I found myself completely overwhelmed. I didn't know where I was, nothing was familiar. The signs were in Russian, the people, the language on the streets, the cars, everything was completely different from what I was familiar. When you travel overseas you realize that you are visiting a foreign country, but when you're lost on the streets in a foreign country, you suddenly truly realize just what that means. You're not in a foreign country. You are the foreigner, and you truly begin to understand what it means to be a stranger in a strange land.
Eventually I found my way back to the Hotel. But I remember vividly that feeling of being completely surrounded by everything that is completely unfamiliar. I started to feel that way today. Mainly because of certain events, certain perspectives, and people not fully understanding that: 1) I'm not white, and 2) Not everyone shares the same opinion and or point of view.
I don't talk to anyone about religion or politics or anything controversial, and I'm ok with whatever POV you want to express. Everyone has their own and they are entitled to it. But if it is hateful, if it demeans me, and attacks me, then it's not something that I will tolerate. I don't care how casual you talk to me. Do you really think I'm going to just stand there and be ok with what you are saying?
I should be asleep. But I am not. Instead I'm contemplating fundraising, back up plans, the end of my various favorite TV shows, trolling the internet for remnants of my childhood.
I'm finally caught up on all of my shows. And when I say all of my shows I really just mean 3 of them. Watched the last few episodes of HOUSE all the way up through the season Finale. Of considerable note is that it was shot on the new Nikon DSLR. It was quite an episode, and afterwards it had me seriously contemplating buying a DSLR camera (whenever we get the funding that is.)
I've been dead set on the Canon HV40 for so long, then I find myself researching the Nikon, which brings me back down to a cheaper price, which means looking at 5D's, then lowering the price some more, which brings me to the new Olympus Pen. Realizing that the video quality is not up to my standards. Which brings me back round to the HV40.
So there's that.
Also caught up on SUPERNATURAL. Watched the season finale tonight. Very intense, and not too dissimilar to the style of a Monster Cops episode I've been working on. Supernatural has been dealing (and usually does deal) with very intense topics, with some fairly dramatic (and often depressing) emotional depth. Tonight they really turned the volume up on it. Doesn't help that there is so much of LOST that seems to cross over into SUPERNATURAL. Well, mainly the actor Mark Pellegrino, who plays Satan on Supernatural, also plays the mysterious Jacob on LOST.
Which of course brings me to LOST. The last episode "What They Died For" was yet another intense episode that aired this past Tuesday. The SERIES FINALE is this Sunday. And for many of us it is very much an EVENT. For 6 seasons we've been on this roller coaster ride of puzzles, drama, mysteries, and thrills, leaving us with many questions. And it's all about to come to an end.
LOST is somewhat controversial in that there are several people who have questions about the show, but don't seem to be getting any answers. I've even seen many people post about how they just hated this past season, as this was supposed to be where we get answers to many questions posed in previous seasons, and some folks don't seem to be getting those answers. Not only that, but they seem to be rather bored with this last and final season.
For me I'm the exact opposite. I've gotten a great deal of answers, AND I've found this to be one of the most intense and entertaining Seasons of Lost. I understand we all have different perspectives, but I'm just really blown away by how anybody can't find the entertainment as well as the enlightenment to some of Lost's greatest mysteries. I think a huge part of it is that you can't be a casual viewer. To some extent you kind of have to do your homework, re-watch episodes, re-live previous seasons. If you're as big a fan as I am, that's no chore. I take pleasure in it. For someone who loves TV as well as puzzles and mysteries, Lost is very much up my alley, and for me it has not disappointed me one bit.
And now we are coming to an end with it. And yes there are several questions still in play, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how Sunday's 2 and a half hour finale will (or won't) resolve those questions. Whether I get answers or not, I think my greatest concern are for the characters. As it should be with every show, in the end it really is about these characters that you've watched, loved, hated, yelled at, and cheered for, and have generally spent a great deal of time with. In the end I'm really just looking forward to seeing their resolution.
So of course this is all that has been on my mind as I was laying in bed. On top of the usual, moviemaking, Monster Cops, where is the money going to come from? Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Somehow all this had lead me to the movie FX. Maybe it's because it's one of my favorite and most influential movies from my childhood. But for some reason I really needed to hear the end theme from the movie. It's called "It's Just An Illusion" by IMAGINATION.
Maybe it's because the movie is about a moviemaker/special fx artist fighting a conspiracy. Maybe it's all the themes involved, Imagination, Illusion, FX. Don't know what it is, but I needed to hear this song. I needed help remembering that time. When I was younger and very much influenced by the magic and mysticism of the movies. When I was (and still am) in love with and fascinated with illusions.
On some level there is a true reality to an illusion. Much of it is based on the perception of those witnessing the trickery. When you watch a magic trick, you're looking for the secret, you want to know what the backstory is, like seeking out the solution to a puzzle. When you're sitting in the movie theater, the illusion is well known. It's no secret that the light is coming from the back of the theater, and that in reality, we are all just staring at a lighted wall.
The very definition of an illusion tells us that it is not real. Yet I say, that the illusion itself can be more influential and inspiring than the truth of it all. If we believe in it, like we believe that the light hitting a screen is telling us a story, then is it really a lie. What's false about believing in something, especially when that something affects you emotionally?
Imagination is more powerful than knowledge. I forget who says that.
And now I have no idea where I'm headed with this. Ok, time to head back to bed.
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 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.
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.
