Clearly Defined Goals

I've gottem. Goals that is. I think the biggest problem is the amount of distraction. Always there to try to deter you from reaching those goals. And there have been many. From the trivial to the tragic, I have been shaken a little, but I never really stop working at them. If I ever stop then that is the ultimate defeat for me. I mean, you never really fail if you never stop trying.

There has been much to be worried about. Still no movement on my brother. Just hoping I don't get bad news anytime soon. Right now, no news is good news.

That plus a few other minor trivial and somewhat worrying things have distracted me from really pushing this Kickstarter cause.



I would traditionally do more updates, blogs and vlogs, but so many other things going on, I've just been too distracted and too busy.

But if all else fails I'll just start up another campaign next month. We do have 8 days left, so ya never know.

The good news I have just enough funding to get started shooting soon. We've been doing a few rehearsals here and there. I've been working on re-writes, building and painting props, establishing locations, etc.

I must admit, I was lost there for a second. Mainly due to all the personal stuff going on. But I can't let worries slow me down. Worrying never helped anything. Being prepared for the worst and hoping for the best is always the way to go. But sitting around worrying about what may or may not happen. It doesn't work.

Whether something happens or not, it shouldn't alter your work towards your clearly defined goals.

If I die tomorrow, well that would suck, but worrying about it today won't do anything for it. Maybe I'll prepare, I'll put on my bullet proof vest, look both ways before I cross the street, and take plenty of vitamin C, but sitting and worrying is nowhere near preparing, and is definitely nowhere near productive.

What if I worry and worry and worry and then nothing happens. What if I don't die and I end up living a long and healthy life. I'll have been too busy worrying and I'll be nowhere near my clearly defined goals.

So take those worries, give them their due respect, and then set them to the side while you move forward. Because this life is not worth living if you don't move forward.

So those are the orders I'm giving myself. The drill instructor shouting in my soul is screaming orders at me:

"Continue marching soldier. I don't care if the world looks like it's ending. I don't care if you've got people on the sidelines screaming that you can't do it, or you need to take cover because there's danger ahead. You trust your own eyes and tell me what you see. Do you see doomsday? Do you see danger ahead? Do you see utter catastrophe? No you don't. All you see is what you've always seen, even when others couldn't. Especially when others couldn't. You see the light. Your light. Your goals. Now you keep marching forward soldier. You march forward and you get them goals. They're yours, so you go gettem. DOUBLE TIME!"

And so I march on.

"In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it."
- Robert Heinlein

I'm very lost right now.

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BUILDING A MYSTERY

My Brother is still in the hospital. He's on a respirator. They say he's slowly showing signs of improvement. So I continue to hope for the best.

Despite my worries I have to move forward.

I would like to thank the 11 folks who have pledged to REDD's Kickstarter so far.



I'm in the midsts of doing re-writes for the script for REDD. The reason the last blog post was titled Mystery Box was because I've had Mystery Boxes, Macguffins, Plotlines, and Twists on the brain. Specifically the idea of Mystery Boxes due to this TED talk from JJ Abrams.



I swear I could watch TED talks all day. It's so enlightening and inspirational to hear intelligent, thought provoking, dialogue from passionate people.

JJ Abrams talks about his obsession with magic, design, technology, and making mysteries inside of making movies and telling stories.

This speaks volumes about what I find interesting about what I'm doing. I am building a mystery. And I often do. 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If I'm not thinking about how much I love my wife, I am thinking about stories. Movies play in my head. If you ever spy on me when I'm alone in a room, you'd think I was insane. I talk to myself. characters speak through me, I act out scenes. If not, then I'm sitting, zoned out, staring into nothing, watching the secret screening room in my head, piecing together the puzzle that is the movie that I want to make for you.

The earliest memories of me doing this were in church. 8 years old, sitting in the pew, as the Catholic Deacon reads today's passage, I was choreographing fight scenes in my head and coming up with witty dialogue. Fast forward 28 years later. Not much has changed. Even as I write this, my brain is still working out scenes. I build Mystery Boxes all the time. I place them in scenes in hopes that it will finally reach you from inside of my movie, and when you open it, you'll be taken in and blown away all at once.

And JJ Abrams is right, with today's technology, a no-budget filmmaker can do almost anything. So what ever scenes I work out in my head, I know I can make it happen.

Sort of.

I have to keep myself tethered to whatever assets I have or can get. And I've blogged about this, making movies on what you've got, it's the very essence of Guerrilla Filmmaking. The very essence of Guerrilla Warfare. (As I've done before) I quote Gene Hackman from ENEMY OF THE STATE.

In guerrilla warfare, you try to use your weaknesses as strengths. If they're big and you're small, then you're mobile and they're slow. You're hidden and they're exposed. Only fight battles you know you can win. That's the way the Vietcong did it. You capture their weapons and you use them against them the next time. That way they're supplying you. You grow stronger as they grow weaker.

In Guerrilla Filmmaking you do the same. You could see your lack of money as a weakness. But in reality it's an opportunity for you to push yourself creatively. I can't afford a prop department to build my gun props, I have to make them myself out of plastic bottles and hot glue. I couldn't afford a really expensive Werewolf costume, so I made one out of materials I already had, cardboard and duct tape.

And when you're building a Mystery Box guerrilla style, it gets even more interesting. And that's where I'm at now. There is a sense of mystery, magic, passion, and cleverness I'm trying to instill in this Mystery Box called REDD. And I'm doing it Guerrilla style. Perhaps we'll be able to get ahead production wise if we can raise the money from Kickstarter, but in the end it's still about doing this with what I've got and not letting it hinder my creative process, but letting it inspire the creation of the Mystery.

Building the Mystery Box. It's a conundrum that I love to fascinate over. I love playing the detective, solving a case with no solution. Puzzling over a riddle that has no answer. The only true answer is the one I come up with, but it has to be one that resonates with me. Only then will the entire movie truly resonate with the audience.

Inspiration is the key to opening and creating the Mystery Box, even and especially when you're doing it guerrilla style. I turn to the great words of Jim Jarmusch.

The Mystery Box

This is my first blog from my new phone. Let's hope this app works properly.

My Auntie Lina had passed away. The funeral was this week and I'm sad I couldn't attend. It's I'm San Diego and I wasn't able to leave NC.

Now my brother in Texas is in the hospital with a heart infection. I'm told he requires surgery, and even then they say he only has a 15% chance of making it. I wish I could make it down to see him. But I won't be able to travel for a few months. All I can do is stay positive, and keep him I'm my thoughts.

A lot is transpiring all at once. The exciting opportunities on the horizon, along with the possibility of more tragedy. All I can do is just take it day by day.

The Kickstarter for Redd is still underway. Less than 23 days now. 6 people have pledged and its about time for me to thank those folks in a new video blog. That'll be coming up soon.

No matter what, I must reach my goals this year. Make movies and put em out for people to see. And hopefully, make enough money to keep making these movies.

I'll get there. Despite what life wants to throw at you. Know that on some level, you are always in control of your destiny.

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REDD Concept Trailer

I made a longer Recut of the Teaser. Added a bit at the beginning, changed up the music a bit.

Right now, I'm re-working the budget, making prop lists, and doing re-writes.

The Full Pitch

Watch me as I explain the plot for REDD.

Get Busy Living

Some really great things have been happening. Along with some very tragic things.

One of my Godmothers was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully they caught it early and things are looking good for her.

My aunt in San Diego was also diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately she is terminal and may not have long to live.

It was heartbreaking to find that out. And it makes this past few weeks quite bittersweet. Some really great news on my end and some great opportunities coming up. So I'm happy and sad all at the same time. Really makes you think. Helps you appreciate life a whole lot more.

So if there's anything positive about all of this it's that you realize how good you've got it, and when an opportunity comes along in life, you take it. Who knows what may happen tomorrow.

Which brings me to the great things. I don't want to elaborate too much on it. Let's just say, business has been good. I've blogged about how I really enjoy making money making videos, and how it's really paid off for me in the past. Well it's paid off for me once again. If you know me, and you've kept up with my blog then you probably know what I'm referring to.

This is a big opportunity to for me to really get going on both REDD and MONSTER COPS. Of course I still need to raise a whole lotta money. But I'm confident we'll be able to do so.

In other news, my computer crashed for the 4th time. Good thing is I have the no lemon policy from Best Buy. 4th time means they give me a brand new computer. Which is what I am currently using right now. Better processor, larger hard drive space. So no reason to complain.

I did lose alot of footage so doing the 8 minute trailer is a no go. But this is a good thing. I was starting to fret over the 8 minutes when really I needed to concentrate on making that full feature film. The first 4 minutes was good enough to garner some interest and display the initial feel. This concept trailer gives you a glimpse of the plot.





The next step is to put together a Pitch Video where I explain the entire plot and tell you more about the full feature, and then to post it on our Kickstarter page. Speaking of that. Remember to check out our Kickstarter here:




We've got about 30 days left now. Special thanks to the 4 people to start us off with the initial pledges. I really appreciate it.

It's been a whirlwind of activity this past month. Major ups mixed in with major downs. But two things are important. I reminded of how precious life is, and you must let this reminder fuel your efforts to work toward your dreams.

"Get busy living or get busy dying. That's goddamn right."
- Morgan Freeman as "RED" from The Shawshank Redemption

Soft Launch

I've started up a Kickstarter for REDD. I've launched it, but I have yet to really push the marketing for it. I wanted to get the ball rolling and have it out there before I was fully ready. But the next step is to put together a good pitch video for Kickstarter. A video that fully explains the movie, how it's going to be made, where it's going to go, and most importantly why it's important to give the project money.

Even though I'm setting donations as low as $1, you still need to convince people, get them excited. I don't want just their donations, I want their support. I want this movie to have fans. It's part of the reason I produced the first 4 minutes and the teaser. To give people a taste. Now it's time to really show people the movie, before I can even make the movie.

Hopefully I can get to that video tomorrow. I also hope to shoot a video blog and say hello to all the Facebook fans. We've gained a few in the past week, and it's a good idea to say hello, and really keep the freshness of the page up with new content.

Oooh, hold on, lemme check YouTube real quick.

Yup, we're at about 24,898 views. Not too bad for 3 weeks. And I've gotten alot of positive messages and feedback. So a good start, I think.

So here's a list of what I need to get done.

1) Make Kickstarter Pitch Video.
2) Make Video Blog for Redd.
3) Make a Video Blog for Monster Cops about Redd.
4) Personally message all my closest supporters about Kickstarter and hope to God they can donate at least $1.
5) Send out emails and press releases about Kickstarter.
6) Post on Facebook and Twitter.
7) Finish Concept Trailer and post it everywhere, especially on Blogger, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.
8) Push Kickstarter while at the sametime pursue offline funding. Dayjob, begging on the street, pawning everything, local sponsors, etc.
9) Complete Full Package. This means finish re-writes, get cast and crew, locations in place. Make sure everything is ready to go.

I wanna thank the fine folks over at Night Of The Living Podcast. They've been nice enough to talk about REDD and help get some buzz going. Check them out here:
http://www.notlp.com/
They're a Horror Podcast and they are quite funny.

I posted the DIY Werewolf FX Tutorial at Instructables, in an attempt to get more attention to our YouTube vids for REDD.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Werewolf-Costume-A-Werewolf-Army-for-47/

Ok, I've got to sleep. Get up, run errands, work on a client's project, work on another project, then hopefully get to something on that list above.

A Nice Pace

Monday I posted about 800 views on YouTube for our Red Riding Hood Action Horror Short.

As I've just checked it, it is now at 9,572 views.

Not bad. And we seem to be gaining views at a nice pace.

And what's great is I'm actually applying alot of what I've learned about Viral Marketing to get more views, and each time I do, I can actually see those views come in.  But to reach 9,572 views since Tuesday, that's a pace I just wasn't expecting. The video has been up for 2 weeks, and we're close to 10,000 views.  I've never had a video reach 10,000 views that fast.  So let's hope the viewers keep coming in, and not only that, but they remember what they see, this will all help with the overall marketing of the movie.

Seems to be helping already. The REDD Facebook Page had only 80 likes just a few weeks ago. Now we're at 135 likes.  Again, not bad.

I'm really beginning to see the potential here, and how it all works together into actually making and marketing the full feature film.  I'm excited to go further with this.  Thankfully I'm feeling better. I was sick, then got better, then relapsed, and now I'm slowly getting better again.

Been hacking away at re-writes for the feature film.  Been trying to streamline it, make sure we're going to make a quality movie, and not spend too much money.  I'm so very excited to make this movie and get it out there for people to see. It's going to be fun and unique.

Of course the next step is to create the full concept trailer. Which I'm hoping to get back on next week, depending on my schedule. Still gotta work and try to get some money in.  With the Concept trailer we will explain the full plot, and what you can expect from the feature film.  I may very well cut together a pitch trailer, with me explaining the plot, just so I can get the online fundraising going.  I'm anxious to start up the kickstarter and start fundraising the first round of money. Wish me luck.

Viral Thoughts

Thinking about REDD going viral. I've done the majority of what's on my list, and much of it has worked the way I thought it would. But we are nowhere near Viral. 800 views in a week isn't exactly viral, but I can't really complain when those comments and messages I have received have been so positive. I thank everyone who's watched and done what they can to pass the video along. You all are awesome.

A big part of going viral is having a good video (of course), and since so many folks think it is awesome then I'll just assume for now that we've got that down. Now we have to tap into the other side of social media. I've got it posted on Facebook and everyone I know posting on their Facebooks, as well as Twitter. But now I'm looking to score more views through other sites like DIGG or STUMBLE UPON. Here's a list of the links to some of those sites. You may need to register and log in, but any views, high ratings, good comments, and reposts would be a huge help in getting the video more views.

REDDIT
http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/f73iw/the_other_red_riding_hood_movie_the_non_twilight/
You may need to register, but all you'd have to do is click the up arrow in the top left corner.

BUZZFEED
http://www.buzzfeed.com/patrickap/redd-red-riding-hood-action-short-1h2o
You can log in with your Facebook, may need to quickly create an account. Click like the Heart. Give us an OMG. And like this link on Facebook. Re-tweeting and reposting this link anywhere would be great.

STUMBLEUPON
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/7ryxl8/www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D8Wf1C4iBikI
May need to sign up on Stumble Upon. Please click the THUMBS UP and leave a great comment.

TUMBLR
http://onespartan.tumblr.com/post/2997186134/redd-red-riding-hood-action-horror-movie-via
If you're on Tumblr, then please re-blog this post.

CHEEZBURGER.COM
http://cheezburger.com/onespartan/vids/View/14384897
Give us a rating on Excellent.


In Other REDD news I am in major re-writes for the full length feature film, and I must say, I am really enjoying writing this one. I'm very excited to see this movie made and show it to all of you. It's going to be alot of fun. I'm in a rush to get the full script finished, so I can figure out what the final budget number is for the feature, and then I can figure out how to get that money.

REDD Short Film. Watch it Now!

I would appreciate any and all views, likes, and favorites on YouTube. And it would be helpful if this were posted on any and all blogs, forums, facebooks, and twitter accounts. I want a ton of people to see this.

Next up, we complete the full 8 minute Concept Trailer, then fundraising, then the feature.

Wish us luck.

Join REDD on Facebook http://facebook.com/reddactionhorrormovie

Hip-Hop Cassettes

This was such a great video. Nas talking about the old days and the art of using cassette tapes. This brought back alot of memories. I have a box of cassette tapes I found a few months ago. Makes me wanna go through em.

I also love how he referred to Queen's We Will Rock You as Hip-Hop. Really listening to it, I can hear that.

The Paper Puppet's Dilemma

I've made videos for Poptent several times in the past. I'd say that only a few of those times I actually felt a click when I made it. I definitely felt it with this one. Hope I'm not jinxing anything, but I am so very proud of this one. It's silly, stupid, and goofy, but the point is to get your attention and stick in your brain so you'll remember the product and brand name. Boise X9 Paper.



As soon as I saw the assignment on Poptent I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I've always loved paper tricks and origami, and making videos with paper has always served me well in the past. My paper rose tutorial (which I've mentioned several times before, I'm sure) did very well for me. Will this one workout for me as well? Who knows. What I do know is I really enjoyed making this one.

Here's the tutorial on how to make your own paper puppet with one sheet of paper. Made this a while back.

What did I learn tonight?

Can't sleep. Still up. But as I slowly start to feel the slumber creep up, I begin to realize a few things.

1) Everyone loves to be afraid of the tragic end.

2) I think we fear, even more so, great and wonderfully amazing beginnings.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3]) - Marianne Williamson

Cee Lo Green 'Fuck You' Sign Language version

This really makes me smile. And she's working it too.

Paint By Numbers

 The first 4 minutes of REDD are done. Completely finalized. Even uploaded a semi final cut so a few folks could see just so I could gauge reaction.  I can only hope that the rest of the world has the same reaction as everyone else.

The first 4 minutes is the actual scene that starts off the feature. When we do the actual feature there may be some minor differences and some amped up action, but it's pretty much going to be the same scene. The Fairy Tale introduction of our Red Riding Hood aka REDD, then the reveal of what kind of movie this actually is. It's straight up action horror and complete fun.

Now it's all about the next 4 minutes, which is the trailer portion, that explains the basic plot of REDD. I expect to get a good portion of it shot this weekend, with possibly 3 more shooting days in the next few weeks. This will be wrapped up before February, weather and reality permitting.

Other things in my life are being turned up a bit, which is kind of pressuring me to really get REDD finished and online and get the fundraising started. I'm planning on doing 3 phases of fundraising. The first phase being a very small amount. Possibly around $500.

The final budget looks to be about $11,000. But honestly I'm going to aim for much more as I'll definitely need about $5,000 specifically for Distribution and Marketing.

Right now it's all connect the dots and paint by numbers. Just follow the steps that are laid out, and we'll have a finished product to get ourselves towards an even more finished product.

This year is all about making REDD into a feature film.

Stunts In The Park

Met up with Bryan Sloyer and Ramon Dickenson. Two guys who are a part of a Parkour group here in Winston known as Vanish Freerun. They've decided to help me out with some of the stunts and fight scenes for REDD.

These are the kinds of guys I've been looking for for a while now. I've been looking for a way to PLUS the action in REDD, and I think I've found it. Hopefully we can knock some great action out to add to REDD in the next few weeks.

Merry Christmas

Thanks to those who messaged me. I never really think that anyone reads this blog, so I didn't think about worrying some folks by posting about going to the ER.

All is well. Me and my wife were at the ER for her Grandfather. He was having heart trouble, but all is well now. He's back home, and doing alright.




Updated Blog post over at http://reddmovie.blogspot.com/.  Things are going as well as can be expected with REDD. Reached a first cut of the first 4 minutes. I'm going back and forth between amazed and dissatisfied.  We'll see where we're at when I finally get the full project up online.

Other than that, not much else going on. Need to make some movement on Monster Cops, but not sure when that will be. Right now my brain is really on just getting the REDD short finished and to it's full potential online, get the fundraising going on that as a feature, possibly on Kickstarter, and then get going on the first steps on raising money offline.

In order to do any of this I need to put together a package. Which consists of:

1) Video Example. Done, well almost. The short will serve as an example of what the feature will look and feel like.
2) Finished Screenplay. Can't have a movie without a script. Well, you can, it just wouldn't be prudent.
3) Cast and Crew. The more assets we have in place the better. Show that you've got your team in place ready to go. Is there anybody that's going to star in this that will help sell the movie?
4) Distribution. Prove this is going somewhere and has the potential to make money back.
5) Budget and Earnings. What do you need the money for? And how exactly do you plan on making it back? And how much?

So I'm getting a head start on the new year.

There are two projects I'm editing right now. One is REDD the other one is a video collage of pictures and video of my niece Brelyn and nephew Ezra.  It's always good to brush up on your editing skills by taking the time to make something for someone else.  It's of course not a professional project, but I try to treat it as so. Everything is practice.

One of the bits I'm excited about showing off is the concept of some of the weapons technology REDD uses. Especially the Trigun.  If you don't want to be spoiled before you see the short then don't watch this video.

It's very short and it's basically how the entire short ends. Well, so far.

 

Merry Christmas folks. And in case I don't get to tell ya, Happy New Year.

Sitting in the ER. Nothing serious, I think. Just one of those times in life when you take the time to sit in the ER.

Between Wake and Sleep

DREAMSCAPE (1984)

I had a nightmare last night. And as vivid and real as it felt, I couldn't tell you anything about it other than within the dream things were really upsetting and horrible.  So bad that it made me cry uncontrollably in the dream, which lead to me screaming "WHY?!" to God.

There was a point during my screaming where part of me realized I was dreaming. And since things were so terrible I decided to wake myself up by trying to get my "real" self to scream as well.

I could feel both sides. The nightmare side where I was screaming, and the reality side, where my physical face was trying to form words, trying to scream, trying to wake up.

When I finally did wake up, I did wake up moaning and my wife poking my back to get me to wake up.

The dread and fear from the dream was lingering still as I laid there finally awake. And all I've been thinking about since then is that space between the nightmare and reality.

I could feel it. I could feel myself in the dream trying to communicate to my physical self (this shit's gettin deep now.) And I remember thinking "I have to push through the ether."  Like I was aware that there was some kind of barrier between dreams and reality that I knew I could dig through. I knew that if I pushed hard enough in the dream, I could not only wake myself up, but do it by getting my waking self to mimic what my sleeping self was doing.

I immediately started to realize the parallels between this, and making movies.  The barrier between sleep and awake is not too dissimilar to the barrier between thought and creation, between what's on the page and the final cut of the movie, between an idea and a tangible product.

Where am I going with this? I have no fucking idea. Just another deep observation where I try to connect life lessons to filmmaking, again with subconscious subtext and references to universal perception and some shit like that.

Trying to communicate from your subconscious to your conscious is much like trying to take what's in your head and put it on film, or video rather.

Yes I'm running into obstacles with REDD. Can I get it out before December is over. Don't know. All I know is I'm missing a few more shots. Just a bit more work on it and I'll have a completed project. I'm so anxious to finish this, it does feel like my dream self is screaming at me from the other side of the reality wall.

And it;s not just about REDD. It's the overall goal, to make a living off making movies and videos. I've made money from it in the past, and I'm trying to find my way back to it again, but I have yet to make a sustainable living from it. This past year (past 4 years really) I've had a taste of it. Gotten checks for my video editing skills, been paid from video views, which has really convinced me that I should be able to really make this happen as something more long term.

And I will, but of course, since I am human dealing with other humans, we do let our anxieties and emotions clutter the path, make us feel rushed, force us to judge ourselves, which forces us away from our much needed logic and reason.

It's emotions that make up the ether in this reality. It's our fears and pathos that are a good percentage of our barriers that keep us from that final product. But it's also what fuels our creation. It's necessary, and instead of trying to force our way through it, we're better off understanding it, respecting it, and using it to our advantage.

Yes, that is correct, I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about.

Movies to watch after posting this:

DREAMSCAPE
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS
THE MATRIX

EDIT: 1/8/10

Add INCEPTION to that list.