When dealing with distributors ...

it's always a good idea to consult the people they are already distributing.

Got a few emails from some people I contacted about a few of these distributors that keep tugging at me. And boy am I glad I contacted them. I've learned some very interesting things about some of these fairly popular companies. Now I'm not gonna name any names, or give away too much, that would just be bad business karma. But just know, over the next year, I'll be helping out my fellow indies by getting the word out about their product. I swear some of these guys just plain got screwed by their distributor. And these are some VERY good movies.

One indie filmmaker in particular made a deal with, let's call them Company A. Company A has had there movie for about 4 years now and they've barely done any marketing and have only sold about 500 copies. I'm hoping to God their contract is up with Company A soon. This particular movie is EXTREMELY marketable and a decent distributor should have no problem at least clearing 10,000 copies a year. Let's say you sell 10,000 DVD's at about 11 dollars each, that's $110,000.00 a year, and if the contract is 70 percent of profits to the distributor and 30 percent to the filmmaker, after the expenses have been recouped we're talking at least $24,000.00 to the filmmaker for one year. In 4 years that should have been a total of $96,000.00 that should have been paid to the filmmaker. In this case since Company A has only sold 500 copies in 4 years, the profit goes to recouping expenses of the distributor first. Which basically means this particular filmmaker hasn't seen a dime.

Tip: Be sure there is a stipulation in your contract with the distributor that says if they don't earn you X amount of dollars within X amount of time, then you retain all rights.

And what's even sadder is that we are only talking about DVD sales. What about pay-per-view, digital download, mobile video, cable, even theatrical? Your distributor should be busting his ass getting your movie out there. He should be hitting the pavement screaming to people about the catalog of great movies he has including yours. I swear talking to some of these filmmakers and really hearing these horror stories, just confirms my beliefs. Why am I going to hand over my movie to someone who is only going to do what I can do myself? The problem with DIY distribution is that you may not have the clout and weight of an experienced distribution company, but I've got the contact info for the pay-per-view folks, I know that I can easliy make my movie available on DVD, online, and even in some retail outlets, I can put my movie up for digital downloads, and I'm not that far off reaching basic cable. And as far as marketing is concerned, hearing the inside track of what alot of these companies do to get marketing done, is basically what I was going to do except I won't have to pay someone else to do it.

Unless a distributor can come up to me and offer me something that I can't do, then maybe I'll work with them. But for alot of these companies that I've been dealing with, I've been doing the research, I've been getting the info, and it doesn't sound like you can do any better job than I can. As a matter of fact it sounds like I can do a much better job than you, because I've got the full passion of this project. I love this movie. It's my baby and who better to take care of it than the baby daddy. Yeah that's right, I got fuckin ghetto on your ass.

Bottom line is, if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself.

ya-ya ya know it!

And yes I've been listening to the Ghostbusters 2 soundtrack.

AND SPEAKING OF GHOSTBUSTERS! Look what was leaked recently.

GHOSTBUSTERS 360 BITCHES!!!!


But apparently there are some licensing issues, so there is a possibility this is as close to a game (or a sequel) we'll ever get. I'd also like to note that this is similar to the look I'm going for with MONSTER COPS / SHADOW COMPANY. For a few of the action scenes that is.


Checkout More Here at Team XBOX

Life is on the wire, the rest is just waiting.

Thanks for that one Papa Wallenda. If you don't know about the high flying Wallendas, they are an elite group of high wire walkers. Papa Wallenda was the first of em. The Daddy of all tight rope walkers. And here he does indeed speak the gospel. Life is indeed on the wire. And I'm on it man. That's what it feels like right now. I'm walking that tight rope. Just trying to keep my balance. One false move and I'm gone. Just trying to make friends with gravity.

You'll have to forgive me if you're one of the many people who have messaged me, emailed me, or called. I'll get back to you soon. Right now I'm on the wire. Too busy trying to keep my balance. And I got people on all sides tuggin at me. Tellin me to go one way or another. Lemme tell you, this whole movie distribution thing is kickin me in the ass. Just in the last 24 hours, a few things have occured to change the way the game is played. Could be good and maybe even great, but it all depends on how steady I can keep it. Right now I'm just fascinated by how quickly things can change once you think you've made the right decision.

I had a few offers for the movie. I picked one. When one didn't look like it was going to work out. I decided to self distribute. And man I got gung ho about it. I had a plan all worked out. In the past two weeks, I've been making deals, talking to sponsors, hooking up screenings, talking to fests, and planning out convention appearances. I was ready to take this bad boy on tour. I got excited about the idea of handling my own movie, as opposed to handing it over to a company and let them handle my baby while I collect a small percentage off of something I've been busting my ass on for the past 3 years.

Here I am all excited, then that's when all of the companies that I've been denying, come back at me with better offers. And then the one that I picked originally has come back into the picture as well. Now, I'm not complaining. It's an excellent dilemna to be in. I remember when I had my first movie, and I was getting denied by crappy art house theatres. But it's a dilemna nonetheless. I want to stay independent, because in my hands I know what kind of noise I can make. I know what kind of publicity I can create and I get to keep one hundred percent of the profits. In the hands of a distributor, it's a garuntee that my movie will be available, but I won't have that much control over the business of it, and I only get a percentage of the profits.

And that's not even all of it. There's many other factors to consider. And the hits just keep on comin. And I can't seem to wrap my brain around anything else.

What would Papa Wallenda do?

Well maybe I'm looking to the wrong person as an example. He did fall to his death off of a tight rope. They say it was the high winds that blew him down. The family says there was a problem with the wire.

Lesson: Before proceeding across the high wire, check the weather, and secure the rope.

I got it.

Make your very own GRINDHOUSE Trailer

Press Release as follows:

Austin, TX - January 15, 2007 - The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival is putting out a call to filmmakers who would like to submit their best "grindhouse trailer," in honor of the April release from Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, Grindhouse. A sample of the best submissions will be judged by Rodriguez himself, and presented during SXSW, on March 11, 2007.

Filmmakers have a deadline of February 12 to submit their “grindhouse trailer” (no longer than two minutes in length) to SXSW. The trailer should be made for a fictional feature-film, just like those being made by celebrity directors Eli Roth and Rob Zombie for Grindhouse. From those submissions, Rodriguez will determine the best of the bunch, and it will screen during a special presentation entitled “Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse 101” on Sunday, March 11. During the presentation, Rodriguez will share stories and footage from the making of the upcoming Dimension Films release.

“We really want filmmakers to come up with something fun, scary, freaky, and out-of-this-world for the competition,” says SXSW Festival Producer Matt Dentler. “This competition, like Grindhouse itself, is in the true spirit of innovative and fast-paced filmmaking.”

Submissions must arrive no later than February 12, to: “SXSW Grindhouse Trailers,” P.O. Box 4999, Austin, TX 78765. There is no application fee, but the trailers must be under two minutes in length, and made within the last 12 months. Films that have already been submitted to SXSW for 2007 consideration, are not eligible. The 2007 SXSW Film Festival occurs March 9-17 throughout downtown Austin, TX. Grindhouse will open nationwide on April 6, 2007.

Farm Sluts

Hilarious Short Film from Fox Searchlight's Videos. Starring Chris Parnell.

Liberation is near enough; there's no need to rush.

Today's tip boys and girls: Be cool.

Dear Patrick,

Don't rush. First timer's rush. There's a bit of experience here. You're no first timer. You've done this before. Nice and easy wins the race. No, no, I'm not saying stop the plan, or not do anything. I'm saying take a pause if need be, but while in motion, be cool baby. You can't run outta hell, the demons will snatch you up quick. If you can be cool and walk, they won't even pay you any attention. Be cool.

So you've got this movie. People seem to like it. A few distributors seem to want it. But you've decided to self distribute because you wanna keep the rights to your own work and you've got a solid plan in place. Cool. But things start to fall apart. Are they really falling apart? Is this the time to panic? No. It's time to be cool. Let the chips fall where they may, and then find your way around it. Be cool. Oh, what's the big deal? The computer's fuckin up? It won't let you burn DVD's. It's being immensely slow. Well of course it's being slow. It's a 4 year old computer with a shitty processor. You use the damn thing for everything from editing movies to composing music, what did you think was going to happen.

So go get it fixed. What? It costs too much and you might as well get a new computer? Well then get a new computer? What? You can't afford one. Then save up for it. Stop whining Patrick, and save up for it. Just like everything else you've had to do, work for it, save for it, but for God's sakes, stop bitching and just be cool. Plus, it's not like you're not making money. Stop being a stingy assed bastard with the dough, be financially smart, wait a few weeks, and I'm sure you'll be back on track, but until then I'm sure there is plenty for you to do that doesn't involve the computer. Yes, yes I know you've got a ton of emails from people wanting a screener. Am I supposed to feel sorry for you. Oh poor Patrick, people want to see his movie. Shut the fuck up. At least you've got people wanting to see it. Email them bitches back and let em know there is a delay. Until then get off your whiny ass.

Yeah, yeah, you're panties are all in a bunch because it's been an emotional year, and so many tough things, SHUT THE FUCK UP! WE KNOW it's been a tough fuckin year. Stop crying about it and stop using it as an excuse to give up or make amateur mistakes, and get on with the real plan. The computer problem will be fixed, just like when the camera broke in the middle of production. What did you do? You spent two weeks working on graphics and titles until you could finally get a new camera. See all better and you got other shit done at the same time. Same situation, it's just happening now at the distribution and marketing end. It'll be all ok in a matter of weeks, so stop it. So shut up and be cool.

Yes I know other things are going on here as well. Emotional stuff, family stuff, personal stuff. But don't you dare make this an excuse to stop doing the other things that need to be done. You've got some shooting to do. You've got plenty of shots to get and that doesn't require a computer, so go get em. Um, also I believe there are a ton o press kits for you to piece together. And rewrite that frickin press release already. And stop watching Dick In A Box, I know it's funny, but it's getting a little gay you watching it so many times, and you're eventually going to get yourself in trouble when you finally sing it too loud at work. And get a hair cut.

Today's word is:
foofaraw: excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter.

In other news, my theatre is going totally digital. By Thursday there will be only three 35mm projectors and that's only as back ups to three of the digital houses. For the most part all theatres will be completely digital. The upside is, that as a projectionist my job just got mega easy. The downside is that as a tech my knowledge of 35mm projectors is out the window. And believe me I've been studying my ass off on every manual I can find on these digitals. This is a whole new world and a whole new era. Exciting and surreal all at once. No more hum from the projector motors. No sound of 35mm film running through loops in the projector head. No more sounds of squeaky platters spinning. Now it's all about pixels, sattelite uplink, and hard drive ingestion. But I'll post more on that later. I actually may end up doing a video about it for CurrentTV. If time permits.


In perpetuity. So bad ass.

The Greatest Commercial In The History Of The World

Before The Storm

Rule 1: Don't ever get frustrated about not being able to get somewhere when you haven't really decided where it is you're going. True. First things first. Decide on the destination. Pick your goal. Then go for it.

Example. I decided on a particular course of action for my indie film THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. I decided that we would try for this one particular process. And it doesn't appear to be working out. Which brings me to the next rule.

Rule 2: When you decide on the goal, everything that is the exact opposite of that will come into your existence. True.

Example: Every time I try to jump off my roof top in an attempt to "fly". Gravity comes into existence. Fucking gravity. And I've done this many many times. Same thing with watching movie previews. Right when I aim to enjoy a good trailer, Joel Schumacher's name pops up. Fucking Bat nipples.

This is how it's done. You aim for the goal, you shoot for the goal, something has to make you miss. Why? It's the law of opposites. One cannot exist without the other. You cannot possibly experience achieving the goal if one hasn't experienced NOT having the goal. How am I supposed to fly if I don't first know what it's like to not fly? How can I possibly love Batman Begins as much as I do without having first experienced Batman and Robin? Actually I think we all would've been just fine without Batman and Robin.

But without the opposite of what you want, what you want cannot exist in your reality, yet. Yet.

Now this is going to happen a bunch of times in a bunch of different ways. Things are going to have to suck. Things are going to have to get rough. But the best way to perceive all this is in training. Yes that's right, training. What you think is just the world crapping on you, is just the world getting you prepared for the inevitable, which is SHIT HAPPENS. And the best way to prepare for shit happening is to experience the shit happening. Ok this is sounding gross.

Point is with The Midnight Special, I knew from previous experience and training that the first few swings at the bat for distribution weren't going to work out all that well. If it did great. But chances are our first few offers were probably going to be too good to be true, or just plain fall apart. Which I'm no saying has completely happened, but I'm smart enough to know when the boats about to sink. Which brings me to the next rule.

Rule 3: Always have a lifeboat.*

Call it what you want. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Forewarned is forearmed (Thank you Peter Vincent). Knowing is half the battle. You know what I mean. Have a plan. Don't get your hopes on one prospect. Send out many ships and one of them is bound to return through the shit storm.

With the movie I had a three part plan that included the expectation of the shit storm. And guess what? Everything is going according to plan. Shit storm is weathered. Actually there isn't really a shit storm, but I see one on the horizon and I've already got other ships out in different directions all of them scotch guarded and armed with three ply umbrellas. And Fabreeze, lots of Fabreeze.

Rule 4: Always use Fabreeze. Lysol just ends up landing on my tongue somehow.

Anyhoo.

The advantage nowadays is that it is not impossible to get distribution for your Independent film as long as it's good. You've got options like filmbaby.com, customflix.com, indieflix.com, and lulu.com. And if it's not good it better have some sex and violence. Sad but true.

Rule 5: Have a plan for your plan.

I'm probably going to put The Midnight Special on DVD soon through one of the above outlets, mainly cuz I hate disappointing these folks that keep emailing me. I really want people to see this movie. But I'm not stopping there. Just because you decide to self distribute doesn't mean your options are over. This is just the beginning and as far as my plan goes, we're only on part A of plan 1. Oh man we're just getting started here. But I've got part B of the plan in motion and I'm ever so slightly curious as to what would happen if I combined it with parts of plan 2, and some of part D of plan 6. You follow me? No. Me either.

All in all I've got plan upon plan. Like a safety net of sorts. One of my safety nets is the emergency fund. Our plan now is that before me or my wife set off to do anything else that costs money that isn't bills, we have to have an emergency fund. Not too much, just a thousand bucks put away in a money market account. I'm trying not to do anything too extravagant until that emergency fund is built up. Ya have to be prepared for the shit storm cuz it happens.

People get sick, get layed off, the car breaks, the computer crashes. Kinda hard to aim for those bigger goals in life when shit like that happens. With an emergency fund those things become more of a minor hassle than a major setback. And before we embark on anything else, I've got to make sure that fund is built back up. Gotta make sure that safety net is secure if it's going to catch us. And I've been lifting many weights and eating a whole lot more, so it has to be secure. With our plan for our plan in place, we're ready for anything. Which brings me to ...

Rule 6: You're never really ready for anything.

You cannot predict what your obstacle is going to be. You can foresee what some of them are, and perhaps even many of them. But not all of them. Honestly, was Indy really expecting for his father to be shot at the end of Last Crusade? Was Hip Hop really expecting Vanilla Ice? I don't think so. Otherwise the experience of the law of opposites would be void. And it isn't. So expect the unexpected. Ya know, like Ninjas.

Rule 7: When faced with Ninjas, act like a bear. They hate that. It'll either freak them out or annoy them, either way they'll just leave. And if they don't leave then you have to stand and fight. But becareful, if you fight a Ninja you're going to have to ...

Rule 8: Trust your instincts.

Instinct is like when your spirit or energy or inner mind, whatever, has experienced many different versions of the future, and is coming back to give you data on the situation. How many times have you tried something, failed, and then said, "I knew I should've done it the other way." How did you know? You're instincts told you. but what did you do? You listened to logic.

And hey, I'm not slamming logic. Logic is great. It's the exact measurement of process. Use it, gather all of the facts. But just because you know the wall is a foot higher than you're use to, doesn't mean you don't have it in you to scale it. A high percentage of a lot of things in your life are going to be because of you, what you can do, and what you believe in your heart you can do. If you know you can, then you can. Don't let them tell you that you can't. You decide for yourself. Which brings me to the most important rule ...

Rule 9: You can't

Just kidding.

Rule 9: There are no rules.


"When did Noah build The Ark? Before the storm. Before the storm."
- Robert Redford as Nathan Muir in SPY GAME

Yvonne De Carlo

Rest in peace. And thank you so much for the memories.



Learn more about Yvonne De Carlo at Brian's Drive In Theatre.

Hang The Code

I spend alot of time working on short films, writing, shooting, editing, etc. But usually when I'm stuck on something or if my mind needs a break, I have to wrap my brain around something else. Origami, piano, and most often sleight of hand. The first thing that comes up is usually a card trick or two. I love sleight of hand. I find the mechanics of the actual trick to be magical. The process in which one makes a card disappear, or how a paper rose floats in mid air is quite fascinating to me even when I already know the secret.

I remember when I was a kid and I was desperate to learn magic. I knew of sleight of hand and misdirection, but didn't know how to do it. I needed someone to show me the secret. I checked out books on the subject from the local library, but none of them were any help. They usually explained how to do the most moronic tricks no one would ever want to see let alone perform. Honestly, who cares if I can make it look like a butter knife is stuck to my hand.

I wanted the real stuff. Making a card disappear, I mean really disappear. Or how to pull one from the air with my sleeves rolled up. There was only one magic shop in the next town over, but they were no help. If I wanted to learn a trick I needed to trade for it or pay for it. I had no other tricks to trade, and the money they were asking for was insane. I would go and ask other magicians I would see perform at theme parks or Six Flags, but none of them would let me in. I would always hear tell of "The Code" and how a good magician never reveals his secrets.

Finally I met a magician in a very small shop in a flea market, he felt for me and decided to show me two things. How to make a card disappear, and how to turn a dollar bill into a hundred and back again. This was my first step into understanding how other tricks worked. I learned about practice and showmanship and I learned about the code.

The code basically said that you should never give the secret of a trick away. Ruins the magic. If everyone knew how it was done, then no one would have any fun watching it. I took this to heart. And as I got older, and as I performed more tricks for people, kids would always ask me to show them how to do something, anything. And then I in turn would tell them about the code, and how I could never reveal my secrets. There was one kid in particular who just would not leave me alone. He begged me and pleaded with me. All he wanted to know was how to do one trick. How did I turn that 1 dollar bill into a 50. (I wasn't making much at the time, I didn't have a 100). I felt bad for him. But I stuck to my guns and told him I just couldn't do it.

I remembered this recently. I remembered how disappointed he was. And now looking back on it I feel even worse, because I remember how badly I wanted to learn magic. Something, anything. I remember how all those magicians would snub me and wave me away everytime I begged them for knowledge. I remember how "The Code" was shoved in my face over and over.

I understand the code. I understand and respect how certain things should never be revealed to hold on to that entertaining illusion. And I'm not one to just spill my guts about every trick in the book. But what about those kids that wanna know something to get them started. Like that one kid that one day that I just wouldn't give it up. Nowadays it's little easier. There are a number of magic sites you can go to to purchase the secret of any trick you wanna start practicing. But I still feel a little bad about that kid.

So this ones for you kid. And for all you others out there who are broke and need a place to start working on your craft. Here's a little gem for ya. Here's a video that reveals the secret of turning one bill into another. No sound, black and white, pure and simple demonstration. And it's the only trick I'll give up on video. And as for "The Code". I say with this one, hang the code and hang the rules. They're more like guidelines anyway.

Plus I'm cheating a little here since I know of two other different ways to do this, but hey, at least I'm giving something up.



Dollar Bill Trick Revealed - video powered by Metacafe

Just Keep Swimming

I didn't even really realize it, but I had been knocked on my ass. I knew we all suffered an emotional blow. After my mother in law passed away, I knew it knocked the wind out of everyone. I knew it would affect me, but I didn't realize how much it would affect me. I was trying to put my own feelings aside so I could be a rock for my wife and her family. And in doing that it only prolonged the pain. I felt close to her too after all. I was right there watching her slowly fade away day after day, right up until the cancer finally decided to take her completely. My heart broke watching my wife's agony in losing her mother. The helplessness of not being able to do anything, and then the punishing regret of feeling like you didn't do enough. Then the focus becomes in worrying about my wife. Knowing the best thing I could ever do for her was just be there. Trying to hide my own feelings to keep my strength in holding her up. It took some time for me to let out how I was feeling, to deal with it, and to really take a good look at it. I've never watched someone close to me die before.

That was a little over two months ago. And now it's a New Year.

Through the holidays there's been some rough road, but nothing that couldn't be handled. Some scares, some emotional turmoil, some doubts about the past, and worries about the future. But that's what comes with being married, dealing with a recent death, and trying to get back to aiming high at those goals. 5 Days in to the New Year and I've gotten so much done. Of course the over achiever in me isn't quite satisfied with that, but I've still got time before the first week of the year is done with. Just wanna be able to get a head start on what needs to be done, and a good start on everything else.

And now that I have clearer eyes, and a stronger focus I see that there is so much that needs to be done. So much I need to catch up on. And little tiny bit more I need to rethink.

What sucks about me having a blog is that often I subscribe to the idea that if I speak of something it won't happen. It's the birthday wish syndrome. Ya know, you blow out all the candles and make a wish, but if you tell anyone the wish it won't come true. And because of this I have to find a creative way to describe what's going on without really giving it away. So pardon me if I ever get cryptic and confusing, but these are things I need to make note of, even if it makes no sense to you.

Cryptic Note #1:
The Ultimate Origami. Perhaps it's because I'm just dying to take my fascination with paper art and engineering too far. In the coming months you will see me create something insanely huge and complex out of paper. Perhaps a giant pop-up book. Maybe even a giant paper crane the size of a car. Whatever it is, it's actually necessary for an upcoming production. And it may not all be paper, but the base of it, the heart, the structure will most definitely lie in paper engineering.

Cryptic Note #2:
The machine. Some of you know what the machine is. Some of you may even have been interviewed about the machine. Originally the machine was going to debut on Halloween, but now it seems it's going to be modified to be more of a year round machine, and will make it's debut online hopefully before March. Once again for another production for a very necessary and very curious experiment.

Cryptic Note #3:
Merchants in the Nineteenth Century would build grand sailing ships, hire a crew, secure provisions, and send these ships out to the East Indies and other foreign ports to trade for goods, jewels, gold, etc. There was no communication to these ships once they set out to sail, and often these ships would take months, even years to return with the Merchants' profit. So the return of one of these ships after a long journey was always call for excitement. This is where the expression "Your ship has come in" comes from. Someone would run to the Merchants yelling this as the ship actually did come in. The key to steady business and profit was to send out more than one ship. The more ships you send out, the more chance for profit you have as they return.

I've got more than one ship out. ;)


Ok, ok, enough of that. No more Cryptic Notes.


Sent some packages out today. More DVD screeners out to two fests and two reviewers. But as always, you send em out and then forget about them. Maybe check up on em in a few weeks, but for the most part, let the screener do the work for ya.

The possibility of a North Carolina screening is pending, but I'm not really worried about that right now.

Some people will soon be getting a the official bootleg copy of THE MIDINIGHT SPECIAL, which includes a whole other disc of extras, including the gag reel.

Found the basic location for the ZOMBIE Episode of Monster Cops. Of course what I was aiming for was 5 minutes, but it may be more like 10. Just depends. I've been going back and forth on working on the Untitled Detective Short and the Monster Cops Episode, and now it looks like Monster Cops may be it for the next few months.

Ok, time for some sleep, so I can attempt to be up the same time the sun is. Ignore the following. It's only a test.

The Paper

I don't really believe in resolutions, but I guess the closest thing to a resolution for me for this year you would be to learn to make more things out of paper.

I've always loved Origami and paper crafts. I like the idea of making something out of next to nothing. Ya think paper and you think about how weak and easy to tear it is. So taking something like paper and making something substantial out of it really intrigues me. Everything from paper cranes to pop up books, I've always had a fascination with paper art and paper engineering.

Here are a few videos I made on how to create the 3 main things I usually end up making when I have napkins or a sheet of paper.

The Paper Rose / Napkin Rose

Paper Rose - video powered by Metacafe

Paper Stairs Part 1

Make Paper Stairs Part 1 - video powered by Metacafe

Paper Stairs Part 2

Paper Stairs Part 2 - video powered by Metacafe


I've got a Video Blog coming up on the creation of my pop up press kit for THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL.

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten

New Years once again. I know I've changed alot over the past few years, but I'd have to say that I've probably changed the most this past year, and definitely in the past 6 months, and in ways I didn't know I could change. I've grown up alot, and that's saying alot, because I felt grown up before. My views on things that have always been static, are now turned around. Nothing too major. I don't believe much in Bigfoot anymore, I don't think the Lochness Monster exists, and I'm pretty sure Oswald acted alone. Shocking news to my fellow Conspiracy Theorists, I apologize. I still love the conspiracies, but I hold them in a different regard and are now mainly for my amusement.

The feelings I thought would never change have changed completely. The feelings I feared would change have only been strengthened. And with all that myself and this family have had to go through, with all the pain, and anguish, I find myself in awe of the power of Love and family. Ok, enough of that. That's really for another post and one I'm certainly not ready for just yet. What I'm really trying to get at is the idea that now more than ever, I'm ready to get back to work at making this new year even more productive then the last. So let's get to it.

As of right now I'm working on:

1) Zombie Episode of Monster Cops. 5 minutes.
2) Untitled Detective Short Film. 5 Minutes.
Which will supplement ...
3) Untitled Detective Screenplay.
4) Misc Vids and Shorts:
- Dinosaur Killers Episodes
- Video Blogs
- Metacafe Vids
- The Super Secret Project 1*
- The Super Secret Project 2
5) Vampire Episode of Monster Cops.
6) Continued Marketing of The Midnight Special.
7) M&(&#$ C@&%#*$ (which is still questionable)*

The zombie episode won't be a problem. I've got a quarter of the footage I need. The rest won't really be a problem to shoot as long as I can secure some minor casting. FX tests pending. One location down, but I may need another one. Also it would be helpful if someone from the cast (or more than one) of TMS came down. I know Terry expressed interest. That would be a huge help in keeping in many of the same characters from the movie.

For the detective short, there is a problem with lighting in the location I have. It takes place in one room, during the day, with plenty of sunlight. My location has no windows. So I'll be rewriting that bit. Plus there are a few items in this location that I cannot move, and the room has to be completely empty. So some improvising is in order. The minor FX in this one are covered as well.

But as for other upcoming projects, I'm going to need assitance from a professional FX company. Been talking to a couple of em. One in L.A. and another in Canada. A little bit too pricey for what I have, but definitely folks I'd like to keep in contact with once we have a real budget to work with.

As for where the funding is coming from for this, well for the most part, these are all no budget productions, as always. But I'm in the midst of working out a deal with a company for a small bit of funding for the other projects. This is not to mention what may be brewing with our little indie film THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. It's going to be an interesting next few months. Until then we work no budget, as usual, and keep hittin that day job. And of course I'll be posting the little behind the scenes tricks on all these productions and more.

Also some interesting developments at the day job. Digital technology is really picking up within the movie theatre industry. This past year UltraStar Theatres in Southern Cali went 100 percent digital. Carmike Theatres are in the process of going the same route. I've been working as a projection tech for several years now and I'm blown away each day I work with the digital equipment. I find it odd how often I actually have to use a computer to fix a problem in the projection booth. In the past it was always a splicer and tape. Now if you don't have a familiarity with computers to go along with projection experience, you're pretty much useless. Thank god I've been doing both for a while now.

We're only a few years away from having a complete digital system replacing these old 35mm projectors in almost every theatre across the country. It's scary this equipment I get to work with. The things that these computers and digital projectors are capable of are mind blowing. I swear to God the other day the main server booted up, took a deep Darth Vader breath, and in this deep Dr. Claw voice, told me to Fuck off. Seriously. The system is filled with glitches, of course, but the speed at which they are being fixed is phenomenal.

I have to say though, as much as I love 35mm film projectors, this new digital technology will really help out indie moviemakers even more so then it previously has. No need to bust out 3 to 4 grand to transfer your movie to film. Now you can keep your movie digital, film look it if you want to, have it loaded into a portable hard drive and ingested in to the main LMS, or just simply burn a high quality DVD, or even hook up your laptop or camera. Screening DVDs through a digital projector is how we've done screenings in the past, but now the ease at how this can be done and then projected at such great quality, it really is mind blowing.

It's an interesting time to be a movie maker and a projectionist. I'm having a blast being both.

Happy New Year! God I miss being in Texas with a house full of Filipinos singing bad karaoke on New Years Eve. Wherever you are, I hope this will be an amazing new year for all of us.

Contest Round Up

I was wrong about being able to work on FX Friday. That'll most likely be pushed back to Monday or Tuesday, as it seems this script for this untitled detective short has decided to take presidence (sp?). Also it seems I have to work. Seems appropriate somehow that I would be spending the first of the year killing zombies.

In doing research for this particular short, I find myself looking up subjects on google along the lines of, handcuffs, binary explosives, and firearms, and I begin to wonder if the government can somehow secretly see what I'm searching for and if they think that I'm some sort of rogue terrorist that has a bondage fetish. I assure you all these subjects will most likely be featured in this newest short (except for the bondage). Although the topic of big brother spying on you does make one paranoid about the topics of porn one searches for.

Anyhoo, I've decided to compile some of the current contests for you digital video enthusiasts. Most of these I will most likely not be partaking in due to time constraints, but it's fun to contemplate what kind of commercial one could shoot for JVC, and Dove, and the Coke contest does seem intruiging.

IFC MEDIA LAB Independent Spirit Awards Short Film Contest 2007
Make a short film (90 seconds or less) with the theme:
What does independence mean to you?
May give this one a shot. We've already got The Midnight Special Trailer uploaded on the regular IFC Media Lab, why not throw them one more.
Deadline: January 19th, 2007

Carson Daily's It's Your Show.
It's like a Ghetto version of triggerstreet.
Deadline: On going.

And speaking of triggerstreet

Kevin Spacey's TriggerStreet 3rd Season Contest Begins Soon.
Still my favorite, granted I've only been on the site a few times this year. I still catch some really great shorts on this one and I like the contest structure.
Deadline: On going.

JVC Create Our Commercial
Oops, my bad. This one ends in two days. Well good luck. :)

COCA-COLA Poetry In Motion Video Contest
That whole Mentos and Coke fiasco really started something.
Deadline: Not a clue.

DOVE Cream Oil Video Contest
Sorry fellas, this ones for the ladies only. Make a TV spot for Dove.
Deadline: January 15th, 2007.

Make Your Mark
Short film contest offering huge money.
Deadline: January 3rd, 2007. Hurry.

The First Annual Francis Coppola Presents Rosso Bianco Theater Movie Contest
The winning short gets to have images from the movie put on a bottle of wine. Something all aspiring filmmakers really want. Thanks Francis.
Deadline: April 30th, 2007

SHIFTING BASELINES
Enter your 60 second short about Shifting Baselines. Find out for yourself what that means. Prizes include: Final Cut Studio and $2500 cash. Celebrity Judges include Zooey Deschanel and Michael Rapaport.
Deadline: March 1st, 2007

Convenient Truth aka TreeHugger Contest
An Inconvenient Truth presented a problem. They want you to show them how to solve this problem. Create an actionable, inspiring follow-up to the movie. But you've got 2 minutes to do it in.
Deadline: February 28th, 2007

VBOXX Video Contest
Honestly, this one doesn't look all that appealing, and actually looks like a big hassle.

Zannel Fest
Submit a kick ass short film under 10 minutes and you could win cash and a rubber chicken. No really.
Deadline: April 1st, 2007

Panasonic Undeniable Power Video Contest
Create a live-action or animated video that demonstrates the Undeniable Power of something. Win panasonic products. Enter your 5 minute short. And checkout Jamie Kennedy's video intro on youtube. Pretty funny.
Deadline: January 11th, 2007


I'll post more as they come up.

And The Hits Just Keep On Coming.

After a few delays today and some minor setbacks, I finally got to sort out the actual production schedule and production list in order of importance. Let's just say I'll have puh-lenty to keep me occupied with over the next 3 months. But first priority is this Monster Cops Episode. It's 5 minutes to start, and will most likely showcase more of the horror and comedy, and less of the dramatic empathy I'm so dying to display in an episode. This one is definitely going to be bloody. So at least it'll be fun.

Friday is all about FX work. I'll be documenting the creation of a no budget squib and blood splatter. And quite possibly how I'll be testing out a zombie chest explosion without making it look too over the top, Kung Fu movie, cheesy. Also the subtle art of shooting a zombie in the brain. Defintely have to look into pond liners and plenty of tarp, because the only place around here that I can get bloody, I can't actually get bloody.

There may also be a video blog or two on the horizon, it really just depends on how everything else goes. Aside from the MC Episode, there is at least one short after that, possibly overlapping, and all the while I've got some screenwriting to do. I've also got to upgrade the memory on the computer and figure out why it won't let me burn DVD's, which sucks cause I got people waiting for some copies of a GAG REEL as well as more screeners to send out.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. It's been a bit on the rough side here, but nothing that we couldn't handle. Some unexpected help in places, and definitely some very amusing times have been had, especially after last night. Special thanks to 5 very funny women for that.

There is a post coming about the roller coaster ride of emotion and the current tragedy, but I'm not quite ready to spill it just yet. So bare with me. In the meantime, I go back to editing for another hour, and then sleep it is. Afterwhich I jump back on the editing horse.

I'll be back in a bit.

- P

Gerald Ford

Former President Gerald Ford, history's longest-living President, is dead Tuesday night at the age of 93.

Rest in peace Mr. President.

James Brown, Godfather Of Soul

Thank you for the music, for the entertainment, and most certainly for the funk. You always gave one hell of a performance.

Rest in peace dear sir.

And now in honor of his passing, and of the new and last Rocky movie ...

The Writing Demon

I think we all secretly want to be magicians.

A blank piece of paper is God's way of telling us how hard it is to be God.
- Sidney Sheldon

It's true. Essentially you are playing God when you write. And many people often whine to God about life and wish he would just fix it already. Many people often wish they were God or at least had her powers. Well you wanna know what it's like to be God, pull up your chair to a blank piece of paper or to that blank word document on your computer. Sidney Sheldon may very well have said it right. Writing is like playing God. And from my personal experience, it's painful, it's agonizing, it's frustrating, it's hellish, it's a burden on your heart and a black mark on your soul. And there is no truer bliss. Which reminds me of another quote.

It's tougher than Himalayan yak jerky on january. But, as any creative person will tell you, there are days when there's absolutely nothing sweeter than creating something from nothing.
- Richard Krzemien

Ain't that the truth. There is absolutely nothing sweeter than creating something from nothing. Something from nothing. Hmm.

I bring this up because that's where I'm at right now. Yeah, yeah, production on shorts are pending, still working on Monster Cops episodes, and marketing The Midnight Special. I'll never stop being a movie maker, but along with that I'll never stop being a writer. And I'm at that point right now. Staring down the blank page. Finding that road that'll lead me straight to that fucking Demon. The Writing Demon that wrestles me to the ground right when I think I've got my pace going. What sucks is that he also likes to kick me in groin, point and laugh at me as I'm in pain, and then he always says the same thing and it never makes any sense, "How do ya like that Francis?!" Then he gives me a wet willy, does some sort of strange Xena Warrior Princess combat yell, and then runs off into the darkness. So weird. He's got fucked up teeth to. I mean like evil Vampire teeth, but also like red neck hasn't seen a toothbrush in ages teeth. He's missing a fang or two. And who the fuck is Francis?

I don't really know any other way to do it. I do start the same way. First the brainstorming section. I buy a brand new slim, 3 ring, black folder. I three hole punch 50 sheets of white paper, stick em in the rings, close the folder, set out a Pentel RSVP black 91 writing pen. And then I sit and stare at the closed folder. If you ever happen upon me as this is happening, you'd probably think I was praying. I always contemplate with my hands together as if in prayer, right before I open the folder. I guess all great quests must start with some form of ceremony or ritual. After that I fling the folder open and stare down the page. I start writing. Not with the capped pen still sitting on the desk, mind you. I'm writing in my head.

It is of course a screenplay I'm working on once again. So what I'm really doing is seeing the movie in my head. And you'd think after all this time, I'd have it down. All the little tricks and gimmicks to writing a movie. Writing isn't about tricks and gimmicks. Certainly not when it's a comedy/mystery you're trying to write. But the biggest hurdle is the fact that you have to write low budget. Meaning I'm trying to piece together scenes that I can shoot with what little resources I have here. And I'm not home in Texas, where I know where everything is. I know how to get whatever I need there. I'm in North Carolina, in an area that I'm not completely familiar with. Mainly surrounded by much forest. Hey, forest is good. I can write comedic mysteries in forests.

So I have a picture in my head. I actually pick up the pen. I write a few things down, knowing full well that I'm going to be scribbling it out just minutes from now. Oh, here comes the first scribble. What? I wrote down a scene involving 3 characters. Who the hell are going to be playing these three characters when I know good and well I'll most likely only be able to get 2. I even went into detail with the dialogue being about how cold the rain is. This may not necessarily be shot in winter, and even if it is, there is no garuntee that it will be cold or raining that day. So let's stick to things we can control. I am afterall only God on paper.

The limitations are endless when it comes to finding that creative niche. Over and over things go in and out of your brain. The writer in me says, "I have this great scene idea that takes place in a warehouse, surely we can find a warehouse somewhere." Then the director in me kicks in going, "don't tie the scene to a warehouse if it's not on the list of places that are garunteed." The come the random thoughts. "Ooh! A scene that involves flying pigs in a Russian Orthodox Cathedral! Dammit! If only we had a delorean and a time flux capacitor!" "I've got it! Talking Animals!" It's easy and sometimes necessary to go on tangents. Which reminds me of a scene from The West Wing.

Sam and Toby are working on the President's Thanksgiving Proclamation Speech.

SAM [cont.]
A small band of pilgrims sought out a
place in the New World where they could
worship according to their own beliefs...
and solve crimes.

TOBY
Sam...

SAM
It'd be good.

TOBY
Read the thing.

SAM
By day, they churn butter and worship
according to their own beliefs and by
night, they solve crimes.

TOBY
Read the thing.

SAM
Pilgrim detectives.

TOBY
Do you see me laughing?

SAM
I think you're laughing
on the inside.

TOBY
Okay.

SAM
With the big hats.

The West Wing Season 2. Episode 30 'SHIBBOLETH'
TELEPLAY BY: AARON SORKIN
STORY BY: PATRICK H. CADDELL

Ok, gotta buckle down. What am I working on? Am I working on the script for that feature that I may or may not shoot, or am I working on that 5 minute short that I know that I will shoot? Believe it or not I pick the hardest of the two to work on. The 5 minute short. Heck I need to get more shorts out there on the internet and in fests and stuff, lets' get to work on that. With the feature I can go hog wild and then go back and correct all the impossible things I cannot possibly shoot. With 5 pages/minutes, we're talking about trying to nail it as close to the mark as possible. I mean if I go hog wild now and write in impossible scenes, I'd only be wasting time, because in 10 minutes I gotta go back and look at reality. So I go through the routine of talking outloud as I pace. This cannot be avoided with me. I have to talk outloud, I have to move around. And in the midst of trying to write in my head, I have to do other things within the time I'm walking and talking. I have to do origami, I have to practice card tricks, I have to scream, jog in place, throw things, do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight. All these things are necessary. I don't know why, they just are.

It's agonizing. I mean it's a real physical hurt to just get to that creative point, trying to come up with that idea. And it's not one that I can get help with. I have to be alone. I have to have my privacy. All by my lonesome, feeling that pain, trying to give birth to something. Some sort of strange immaculate conception of which the labor has no definite end. Could take hours, could take months. But in 5 pages and 5 minutes a story can be told with the resources at hand. And it's right there. It's staring right at me and I can't see it fully, but I know it's right there. That moment of brilliance is right there. THERE! Over by the trash can, next to the fridge, it's right there. Then it's gone. Stolen, taken, yanked away by guess who.

INT. ROOM - NIGHT

PATRICK stares blankly at "It" as THE WRITING DEMON grabs hold of it and begins to run.

PATRICK
Hey!
The Demon stops in his tracks clutching on to "It".

DEMON
What?

PATRICK
For just like, once, could you just hand
that to me. Or at the very least leave it in
one place so I can grab hold of it?

The Demon is about to turn away as an evil smirk grows on his face.

PATRICK
I'll give you 5 bucks.

The Demon laughs at this.

DEMON
20.

PATRICK
10 bucks. Ooh...

Patrick searches his pockets.

PATRICK (con't)
and a deck or cards. And a stick of gum.

DEMON
Is it sugarless?

PATRICK
Yes.

DEMON
It has to be sugarless.

PATRICK
Like it matters with your teeth.

The Demon turns around upset. Patrick panics.

PATRICK
I've got CD's in the car.

DEMON
Like what?

PATRICK
Cold Play.

DEMON
No thank you.

PATRICK
AC/DC, Gnarls Barkley.
Ooh, I've got Public Enemy.

DEMON
Apocalypse 91?

PATRICK
No it's Fear Of A Black Planet.

DEMON
You'd give up Fear Of A Black Planet?

Patrick thinks about this.

PATRICK
I can burn you a copy.

DEMON
Or you can keep the copy and
I can have the CD.

PATRICK
What's wrong with the copy?

DEMON
I like liner notes. Makes me feel like
I really have the whole package, like
I've really got something, ya know.

PATRICK
Yeah like Vinyl. Album cover and all.
It's all about the music, sure, but you feel
like you've got something substantial and
not just something you burned or downloaded.

DEMON
Exactly.

Patrick smiles. They're really getting along.

PATRICK
(Smiling)
Alright then. We have a deal.

The Demon smiles. But the smile slowly turns to a pout.

DEMON
(Angry)
Screw you Francis!

The Demon runs off with "It". Patrick is confused.

PATRICK
Wait! No wait! I have ABBA!

He pauses to see if there is a response.

PATRICK (con't)
Fleetwood Mac?

Another pause.

PATRICK (con't)
Starland Vocal Band?!

Patrick gives up and heads back to the desk. He stops suddenly
and turns back to the Demon's direction.

PATRICK (con't)
Who the fuck is Francis?

CUT TO BLACK


And so it is that the agony continues until you can get back to "It". That idea, that moment of wonder. That little spark to get things going. And once you're going it's not an easy path your on. There is no such thing as writing, only rewriting. The labor pains can last you a while. But once it's all said and done and your baby is born. It is a sight to be hold. And all the agony, frustration, and pain was worth it.

Then you do it all over again.

Let's face it, that's the most addicting part of playing God on paper. Creating. Creating is an addiction. Especially when we're trying to create something out of what is seemingly nothing. And I think it's true for most things, whether your painting a picture, knitting a sock, constructing a building, or writing a movie. We all like the feeling of starting with what seems like nothing and creating something out of it.

Like pulling cards out of the air. Ya know, like a magician.


Follow the path of your aroused thought, and you will soon meet this infernal inscription: There is nothing so beautiful as that which does not exist.
- Paul Valery

Let's Say Thanks

Thanks to Crystal for passing this on to me.

Say thanks to our troops overseas. Let em know we haven't forgotten them.

www.letssaythanks.com

Video Round Up

Here are a few vids I find very creative and, dare I say, brilliant. Some really creative stuff here. The last one I can't seem to get out of my head.

Animator Vs. Animation


Animator Vs. Animation Part 2


HellHoles Episode 1


Batman: Dead End

Before Batman Begins, this was the most impressive rendition of Batman since the original Burton 1 and 2. Great idea and excellent execution.

405

405 was the first composite fx short to really get some attention. It was a wake up call to most indies that it was possible to achieve big budget fx on the independent level.


The last few vids are from SNL. But I have to point out that they were made possible by Andy Samberg and the original crew he rolled with called The Lonely Island. In my opinion The Lonely Island is one of the best things to ever happen to SNL. They've been responsible for much of the Video Recuts and Digital Shorts. They were always good at making great comedy/parody music videos, but now on SNL they can use big celebs in them. Genius. I never thought I'd ever see Tom Hanks or Natalie Portman like this. Some great beats too.

Natalie Portman and Andy Samberg "Gangsta Rap"


Tom Hanks and Andy Samberg "Please Don't Cut My Testicles"

Tom Hanks - My Testicles - video powered by Metacafe

Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg "Dick In A Box"


Be sure to check out Jorma, Akiva, and Andy aka THE LONELY ISLAND. Watch their rejected Pilot for their Fox Comedy Show "Awesome Town" and check out "The Bu".

The Midnight Special Update 12/06

For those that have been asking, The Midnight Special isn't available on DVD yet. We're working out details for distribution right now. We may still pop up with a few more fests and screenings, but all that will be posted about in January.

We'll be working on the short series of The Midnight Special entitled Monster Cops. more details about that in January, but expect to see a webisode or two around that time as well. Sorry no hints right now as to who may be picking up the series or the movie. In due time.

I'll be posting about all the details of all of our upcoming productions and distribution news in the near future on both the WTW blog and in more detail on my blog, One Spartan.

Happy Holidays folks.

- Patrick A. Prejusa