Networking

Mark Isaacs and David Charap. Calias

Friend of John Battsek

Cleaning the Hard Drive

Working the Night Shift

...and listening to Dion Warwick. Hey Nat!

It was really difficult to get up this morning. Patrick was printing out EDLs for "The Fragile" so we didn't go to bed til midnight. Up at 5 a.m. again to do the "Cowboy" shift. Sometimes this is a bit too much, but it's the only way to get Tokyo Cowboys stuff done before the day shift.

I got a yellow fever jab today. Patrick and I are going on a vacation of sorts. We've been invited to join the crew of a short film called "Trousseau" directed by Princess Afia Nkrumah of Ghana. The film is being shot in...you've guessed it...Ghana (that's Africa for all of my fellow Americans out there). Patrick was recruited by Princess Afia herself to light and operate the film. And I was asked to be the Production Manager in Ghana. We'll be shooting for two weeks.

Patrick and I have decided to start cutting the film ourselves. This is not to say that we wouldn't welcome on board, now or at a later date, an experienced editor. As the director, however, I need to start seeing how the footage represents my vision. I need to find the structure upon which to hang the themes. I have all of these ideas that I'm trying out in my head, but we've tried none of them in practice yet. It's exciting, but it means even more work and better time management. Where is my kick ass bilingual Japanese PA?

My challenge, though, is in commnicating my vision to the editor. Patrick is too much focused on story. I'm more interested in universal truths. And, I have to figure out a way to move him closer to my vision without compromising his objectivity.

I pitched a really high-profile editor for TC. I thought that a good way to add cred to the film is to add high-profile, experienced team members. She didn't turn me down flat. She said she couldn't do it because she was committed to another project. She did read my email, but I only heard back from her agent. I think I should pitch to other big editors. They can only say no.

Meeting with Robin in which he encouraged me with all of his heart to continue on the independent path. This way, my hands won't be tied, he says. Really have to think about that one.

jan-20-diary.jpg

jan-20-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

Sequence by Sequence

Again up at 5 a.m. This is really working. I'm working on a sequence with Ken now focusing on fatherhood. Watching the footage is heartwarming.

Early in the Morning

I've decided that on the days I work at my PT job I'll get up early and work on TC instead of working on it after. I've found that I'm too tired at the end of the day to work on TC if I wait.

This morning I got up at 5 a.m. to work on a new sequence. This one is Ken's and centers around the theme of fatherhood. There's some great footage of him and his family at Nogizaka shrine. Also, going to the baseball game with Taiga, Sumo and babysitting.

Pretty tired now, but I can veg out knowing that not only did I work a full day at the PT job, but I did 4 hours on TC and yoga as well.

To Mark Saft (if you are reading this): I finally found a Wheatgrass supplier. It took me ages to find one. It's not fresh wheatgrass, but it's bottled from GNC. I had my first hit today. Don't know if it did any good, but I'm going to keep it up for a while to see if Wheatgrass truly does give you energy. I also discovered that my blender has a juicer mode. I've been drinking tomato juice and using the pulp to make home-made pasta sauce.

To any of my friends in Japan: please send Japanese green tea (trying to drink it instead of coffee, but the green tea here tastes funny).

jan-16-diary.jpg

jan-16-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

jan15-diary

jan15-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

jan-12-diary.jpg

jan-12-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

Worked Again

And I can barely keep my eyes open to type. Maybe take a nap then start in on the footage. The sequence I've been working on is Dave's butt operation. I thought this sequence was going to be funny, and some parts are, but it's kind of tragic as well. I really love it.

Getting Through It

Worked again today, so was pretty exhausted when I got home. But I just kept telling myself to push through it. At one point, I actually fell asleep while I was transcribing.

Anyway, I've been transcribing interviews. It was sort of an inspiration. After indexing all of the scenes, I asked myself what was next. Transcribing came to mind, but it seemed like such a strange thing to do. I started doing it, though, and the first sequence fell into place. So now I'm working on that one...watching all of the footage that could work within the sequence.

I took the day off

Needed to make some cash, so I took the day off from TC to work.

Nothing exciting here

except on Patrick's end. He's got an investment meeting today with an Exec. Producer who may put £15,000 into a short that Patrick and I wrote and that Patrick will direct. It is a career-defining moment for him today. Everyone send him good vibes.

Editors

I've met with some really good ones, but I still can't decide. I keep thinking that I will click with "the one." It's like looking for Mr. Right. You just know. I haven't had that feeling yet. Maybe I'm asking for too much.

Any suggestions? I really need a kick ass editor, and I need him/her soon.

Exhibition Ideas

The owners of the Chalmette Movies 9, a locally owned and operated movietheater in St. Bernard Parish, have a nine-screen theater which is constantly trying to dedicate its ninth screen to showing more independent and foreign films. So many films are overshadowed these daysby the plight of the big Hollywood blockbusters. They are showing three such films this January: "Primer," "Tae-Guk-Gi: The Brotherhood of War" and "Bright Young Things." Admission is regularly $5.50, but for NOFF members with this email or a valid membership card will be charged $4.00. The Chalmette Movies 9 is only fifteen minutes from the French Quarter and only twenty minutes from Metairie. We are located at 8700 West JudgePerez Drive, next door to Luther's Bar-B-Q, about two miles past JacksonBarracks.


Opportunity to DISTRIBUTE your shorts & meet fellow filmmakers, LondonFrom: jason*at*icontactfilms.com
Dear Fellow Writers, Film-makers, Tea Makers, Directors, Producers, Actors, Musicians, et al… We continue our Network Meetings in North Finchley *at* the Autumn House on; Mon 10th and 24th January *at* 8pm http://www.wizardinns.co.uk/gpageautumnefinchley.html http://www.citypublife.co.uk/autumnhousenfna.htm So come along, network, write and make films with people who are as crazy about film as you. Nearest tube: Woodside Park. (Northern Line) Further details; mark*at*escapepictures.com

Note to Cloudy

Hey Cloudy,

It's so good to hear from you. I was just watching footage of you yesterday. It's like being with you again...like visiting. I really love looking at the footage now. I went through a really bad patch with it where I didn't want to look at anything. I'm over that now, I think. It's just that the scale is kind of frightening, but I have a handle on it. I've logged everything now.
I'm envious of your beach action. I really had fun at that place. The people were great out there, even if they did set the roof on fire.

Jacky has been getting some camera work, so we have been able to eat meat again (well, he's eating meat). I've given up chicken for a while because of the bird flu, so I'm just on the fish. He's in pre-production for a film he's shooting in March. Check out our non-TC website for details (www.elektrikzoo.com). He also just finished a short about torture...how we torture ourselves and each other in relationships.

I would absolutely love to have the premiere in Tokyo. When the time gets closer, I'm going to put out feelers to see how we can manage it. I figure with all the people we know in Tokyo, we should be able to rustle up something. Jacky always talks about wanting to go to Tokyo without a camera and just holiday. We must do it.

Jacky's knee is still in limbo. I think he's going home to Sweden to have an operation in the next two months.

Really appreciate the offer to stay with you. You are always welcome here as well.

Say hey to Aya.

Hugs,

Daneeta

Weekend

Spent the weekend looking at footage and thinking about the structure. I could cut something really easy and straight-forward. I could make an entire TV documentary about Ken. But there is something bigger in the footage. Ken is definitely the key to it all as the main theme is about reinvention, and we see Ken totally reinvent himself during the course of the film. But, I still haven't been able to get at it. I'm sure that if I keep looking at the footage, something will reveal itself.

Have a meeting on Thursday with Jamie. He's an editor that Ross hooked me up with. Maybe he's got some suggestions. Just don't know.

I feel really alone at the moment. I mean, I've got a lot of great people around me supporting me, but I still feel this great weight of responsibility for the film. I wish I could share some of the weight with a producer and an editor.

Spoke with Richard yesterday about the contract with £$%^ Films. He's supposed to have everything done by the end of this week. Then I send it over to them. We'll see how it goes, but maybe I will have a producer soon.

Tokyo Cowboys Update

Dear Tokyo Cowboys Supporters,

It feels like its been ages since the last update, but it's only been a month (well, maybe a tad longer). I hope you all had a great winter holiday and are on your way to having the best year ever.

IN THIS MAIL

1) Offers
2) Editing Update
3) New DVD
4) Website Bits and Bobs
5) Helping Out
6) Certificate of Ownership for Investors

1) OFFERS

The best news is that we've had offers from three different production companies who want to post-produce the film for broadcast (HBO, BBC, Discovery, ABC Australia and UK's independent giant Channel 4 have all been mentioned). The winning offer comes from one of the leading documentary production companies in London. When contract negotiations are finished, we'll announce it in a separate email.

Tokyo Cowboys shares are still up for grabs, however, as soon as the contract is signed, shares will no longer be available.

2) EDITING UPDATE

The first part of the paper edit is completed. I have single-handedly logged all of the 450 hours of footage, dividing the material into possible scenes, interviews, shots, etc. The next phase is to create the structure of the piece. If you want up-to-the-minute updates on the edit (and an insight into my mental state), you can read the Tokyo Cowboys Blog at www.tokyocowboys.blogspot.com. You can even post your comments and suggestions.

3) NEW DVD

We have produced a DVD with the new Tokyo Cowboys promo, clips of 13 cowboys and three sequences. The DVD is being used to sell the project to broadcasters and distributors and has proved to be quite successful in getting people excited about the project. Remember, you can view clips on our web site at www.tokyocowboys.com (navigate to the "extras" section).

4) WEBSITE BITS & BOBS (www.tokyocowboys.com)

Things have been a bit slow with the website. The modem died on the PC, and I haven't been able to FTP from the authoring program. Soooo, I've had to wrestle the Mac away from Patrick, transfer the files and manually FTP them. This takes ages and usually creates some hiccups. If you find any broken links or other things that aren't working, PLEASE email me. Further, anyone with a PC to donate to the cause, please contact me.

No worries though, as I've managed to update the front page incorporating navigation into it. Also have a look at the "about" section. I felt that I was getting too much away from the poetic side of the film, so I wanted that reflected in this section. I'm going to do a small update by the end of the week, so check back then.

We could use your help with the website. Send us:

Tokyo Links
News about the Cowboys (read gossip)
Pictures of the Cowboys (I especially like the candid ones taken with keitai)
FAQ Questions
Comments and Suggestions

And, please sign the guestbook.


5) HELPING OUT

Tell people about the project (especially the media).
Encourage people to visit our website (www.tokyocowboys.com).
Link to the website.
Send us stuff for the website (see above).
Encourage people to sponsor us with cash (nothing too small) or goods (hardware, software, media, canned food, etc.). You can send money to daneeta@tokyocowboys.com through Pay Pal at www.paypal.com. It's free. Or, you can still buy shares at £500 each.

6) CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP FOR INVESTORS

If you have invested in Tokyo Cowboys and haven't received a certificate of ownership or a copy of the contract, please email me and let me know.

Again, thank all of you for your support over the past (ohmygod) two years. Please keep the encouraging emails coming as they keep us going. We are nearly to the home stretch.

Hugs,

Daneeta

P.S. I hope all of you avoided the devastation and heartbreak of the recent Tsunami. Please keep yourselves safe.

Brent and Shun Wish you Happy New Year

Brent and Shun Wish you Happy New Year
Originally uploaded by daneeta.

Food for thought.......

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios
remaining the same, it would look something like the following:

There would be:

57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth
1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education
1 would own a computer

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.

The following is also something to ponder...

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 70% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that
cannot read at all.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt.

Dance like nobody's watching.

Sing like nobody's listening.

Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

Happy New year

Happy New year
Originally uploaded by daneeta.