Worked on the website a little last night as I was digitizing. Have a terrible cold, which is really dragging me down. My mom is freaking me out about the damp in our flat. She says it could kill us within the year. I think she's over-exaggerating, but it is unsettling. We need some place light and airy. I'm at Agile's offices today, and something like this would do...a bit open space on the ground floor for the office and a big open basement for sleeping. That would be ideal--a place where we could live and work.
I'm going to pitch our landlord on Tokyo Cowboys. Hopefully, he'll take the remaining 33 shares in exchange for free rent. That way, Patrick and I can edit full time without having to worry about taking odd jobs. I think he might go for it, but it will have to involve a move to another place. This place is disgusting. The floor is coming up in the kitchen, the shower doesn't work properly (it goes really hot or really cold with no warning). The dryer doesn't work, and the washing machine is on it's final leg. The kitchen sink clogs and flods whenever we run the washing machine. The entire bathroom ceiling is covered in mold (how do you get rid of that?), and that's not the half of it. I'm trying to make light of this. I'm trying to be of good cheer.
Yesterday I captured the first of the Jason stuff. I wasn't really sure about Jason as a character. He's only half in Tokyo. But, I really liked the footage. And he does represent something that I'm trying to get at. All of these guys are just regular guys...just like you and me. But there was something that compelled them to go to Tokyo. Something called them there. And because of that, they are the cowboys. It just goes to show you that all of us can be Cowboys. All it takes is a little bit of accident.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Don't know if it's day or night
Been double dipping again...working at the PT job every day to make up for no income during the NOLA trip. Then home to digitize. Days just go by, and I want to start editing, but we have to digitize everything first. We'll need another hard drive, and I don't know where we'll get the money for that. If we had a G5, we could move a lot faster as well. I feel frustrated by the fact that I haven't been able to raise the last 15K for us to be able to work full time on the project. People are tired of me begging for money, and I've hit the wall with raising money. I'm f*^ing tired of it. I just want to spend all of my time cutting the film and not having to worry about all the bull sh--t.
Our living conditions are getting better and worse. Patrick is bringing in some money this month, so we can eat meat and fresh veg again, we can pay all of our late bills and we can maybe make some of the TC loan payment. The damp is crawling up our bedroom wall and neither the land lord nor the council seem to want to do anything about it. We can't move. Can't aford it. So, we are making our peace with the moldy smell on all of our clothes and bed sheets.
Vonda and Ross gave us some clothes. We're everyone's favorite charity. Today is a bad day. Today is the day when I forget that I'm doing what I want to do. It's the day I forget that I am free...that I don't have a job...that I don't have a mortgage...that I don't have any children or a cat. Today is the day that I forgot to give thanks. Shame on me.
Our living conditions are getting better and worse. Patrick is bringing in some money this month, so we can eat meat and fresh veg again, we can pay all of our late bills and we can maybe make some of the TC loan payment. The damp is crawling up our bedroom wall and neither the land lord nor the council seem to want to do anything about it. We can't move. Can't aford it. So, we are making our peace with the moldy smell on all of our clothes and bed sheets.
Vonda and Ross gave us some clothes. We're everyone's favorite charity. Today is a bad day. Today is the day when I forget that I'm doing what I want to do. It's the day I forget that I am free...that I don't have a job...that I don't have a mortgage...that I don't have any children or a cat. Today is the day that I forgot to give thanks. Shame on me.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
outfoxed: the documentary
just saw it. i urge every american to see that film. then i recommend you write your congressmen. and, if you are in washington d.c., request a meeting with someone at the fcc.
classic example of activist filmmaking. it seems that documentary is fast becomming the alternative free press. i'd like to see more personalized examples.
classic example of activist filmmaking. it seems that documentary is fast becomming the alternative free press. i'd like to see more personalized examples.
Paid Work
Trying to write more consistently. Patrick came home from Ireland late last night. He's been shooting a music video there. PAID! That means we'll be able to pay the rent this month. Our patron who has been so generous cannot continue our funding. We thank her for her support.
That was paying the rent (or at least half of it) for 6 months. With funding gone, we have to somehow piece that money together. So thank God for this gig.
He's exhaused, and he's working this weekend as well. But, that's more rent money, so we can't really complain. I felt pretty bad. Patrick left early morning to shoot, and I stayed in bed with a sore throat. I know it has something to do with the damp in our room. It keeps us sick most of the time. The council won't fix it, and neither will our landlord.
Managed to capture two hours. It takes about two hours per tape to capture, so we are trying to do at least 2 tapes a day.
Dinner with Vonda and Ross later.
That was paying the rent (or at least half of it) for 6 months. With funding gone, we have to somehow piece that money together. So thank God for this gig.
He's exhaused, and he's working this weekend as well. But, that's more rent money, so we can't really complain. I felt pretty bad. Patrick left early morning to shoot, and I stayed in bed with a sore throat. I know it has something to do with the damp in our room. It keeps us sick most of the time. The council won't fix it, and neither will our landlord.
Managed to capture two hours. It takes about two hours per tape to capture, so we are trying to do at least 2 tapes a day.
Dinner with Vonda and Ross later.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Another free meal
It was the end of term screenings at LFS today. Kind of depressing as there I was getting a free meal. I thought I'd be finished with this scrounging by now. Worked the whole day at the school. I shouldn't complain. It's a good gig. But, I wish I could spend 24/7 working on tokyo cowboys. that's not gonna happen unless we're fully funded. Here's what I need...the rest of the damn budget. With it, Patrick and I could dedicate 100% of our time to the film, and we could definitely finish it in time for the Sundance deadline. Without the funding, we might be able to finish by the end of the year. It's really &^*ing frustrating. For as many great people who have supported us, there are those who have promised and pledged money, but they never give it. Some have even promised several times and pulled out several times. This is really what I hate about independent filmmaking.
Logged another two hours after work. Today was only a 14 hour day. Maybe Kurt was right. Maybe I am stupid to follow this path. Maybe I should have worked at the sugar factory for 35 years so that I could have my pension and sit in the back yard and drink beer and smoke cigarettes at 10:30 a.m. in the land of the free. Nahhhh. I could do that now if beer didn't give me a headache and cigareets didn't give me lung cancer.
I miss my family. It's cold in my flat even with the heat. It's damp, and I can never get it out of my bones. New Orleans is warm. I miss the southern warmth.
Logged another two hours after work. Today was only a 14 hour day. Maybe Kurt was right. Maybe I am stupid to follow this path. Maybe I should have worked at the sugar factory for 35 years so that I could have my pension and sit in the back yard and drink beer and smoke cigarettes at 10:30 a.m. in the land of the free. Nahhhh. I could do that now if beer didn't give me a headache and cigareets didn't give me lung cancer.
I miss my family. It's cold in my flat even with the heat. It's damp, and I can never get it out of my bones. New Orleans is warm. I miss the southern warmth.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Networking in New Orlenas
My mom let me sleep in late this morning. I have to ask Kurt to take me up to her work place so I can pick up the car. Off to Jennifer's for 9:00. WWNO is playing Kermit Ruffin and begging for money. It seems like the public radio station is always begging for money, which is a shame. It is the city of music.
Jennifer and I talk about editing Tokyo Cowboys, my career, her philosophy on child rearing.
I go back to Chalmette to change clothes and re-group, but as soon as I step out of the car, Kurt attacks me about my lifestyle. I was lucky. My family never attacked my choices. They've always been really supportive. I guess I'm spoiled like that. Kurt thinks I'm wasting my life: "All that education going to waste. You starve. When are you going to make some money? How are you going to retire?" I tell him that I'm not going to retire...that I'm going to work until I die. As soon as I say it, I realize that we will never understand each other.
He also accuses me of being nosey about his business. When people call, I ask "may I ask who's calling?" Kurt says this is nosey. I say it's polite. You say tomato... But I get tired of arguing with him. I'm not going to change my life. He takes a different tact and tries to engage me in a conversation about my mom and their marriage. I tell him that it's none of my business.
I go see my mom at work for a little while...hang out with her and my sister.
At 3:oo I go up to the Bywater to meet Henry for coffee.
he takes me on a speed date with new orleans. i fall in love with the city.
ten hours later, i say good bye to henry.
But, I can't sleep
Jennifer and I talk about editing Tokyo Cowboys, my career, her philosophy on child rearing.
I go back to Chalmette to change clothes and re-group, but as soon as I step out of the car, Kurt attacks me about my lifestyle. I was lucky. My family never attacked my choices. They've always been really supportive. I guess I'm spoiled like that. Kurt thinks I'm wasting my life: "All that education going to waste. You starve. When are you going to make some money? How are you going to retire?" I tell him that I'm not going to retire...that I'm going to work until I die. As soon as I say it, I realize that we will never understand each other.
He also accuses me of being nosey about his business. When people call, I ask "may I ask who's calling?" Kurt says this is nosey. I say it's polite. You say tomato... But I get tired of arguing with him. I'm not going to change my life. He takes a different tact and tries to engage me in a conversation about my mom and their marriage. I tell him that it's none of my business.
I go see my mom at work for a little while...hang out with her and my sister.
At 3:oo I go up to the Bywater to meet Henry for coffee.
he takes me on a speed date with new orleans. i fall in love with the city.
ten hours later, i say good bye to henry.
But, I can't sleep
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
In America and at Loyola
Being in America again is doing my head in. Some people are grotesquely fat. They waddle from Super Walmarts to McDonalds. Some of them, too fat to waddle, ride little carts around the Super Walmart. I saw a Super Walmart the other day that was longer than two city blocks.
Americans spend money on stupid stuff. I guess we've over sold ourselves on the idea that we are living in the land of the plenty. So we have to show that by wasting money on crap and over eating until we pop. I'm shocked.
I wonder what I would have been like had I stayed in America.
Yesterday I went up to Loyola to chat with some of the students in John Biguenet's and Marcus Smith's classes. They wanted me to talk about the film, how I got from Loyola to where I am now and everything in between. I was really flattered as I respect both of them so much. And being in the classrooms in Bobet Hall made me feel so nostalgic. I was quite impressed with the students at my alma mater. I wish they would have asked more questions, though. I think they might have had the Tokyo Cowboys DVD worked in their player. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Left a message at Isis Films as well. I thought I'd try to hook up with a production company here to get the skinny on what's happening in the NOLA film industry. And I'm trying to get in touch with the owner over at the Chalmette Cinema. I guess it was bought out by a guy who has a bug for indy cinema. He's trying to show more of those types of films...and in Chalmette! Hats off to him.
Americans spend money on stupid stuff. I guess we've over sold ourselves on the idea that we are living in the land of the plenty. So we have to show that by wasting money on crap and over eating until we pop. I'm shocked.
I wonder what I would have been like had I stayed in America.
Yesterday I went up to Loyola to chat with some of the students in John Biguenet's and Marcus Smith's classes. They wanted me to talk about the film, how I got from Loyola to where I am now and everything in between. I was really flattered as I respect both of them so much. And being in the classrooms in Bobet Hall made me feel so nostalgic. I was quite impressed with the students at my alma mater. I wish they would have asked more questions, though. I think they might have had the Tokyo Cowboys DVD worked in their player. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Left a message at Isis Films as well. I thought I'd try to hook up with a production company here to get the skinny on what's happening in the NOLA film industry. And I'm trying to get in touch with the owner over at the Chalmette Cinema. I guess it was bought out by a guy who has a bug for indy cinema. He's trying to show more of those types of films...and in Chalmette! Hats off to him.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
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.
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.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
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.
Monday, January 17, 2005
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).
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).
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
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.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
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.
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.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
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.
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