I smell Xmas

I don't know if Christmas has a particular smell but I've switched gears to pine-scented candles and consuming candy canes with the same vigor as a chain smoker putting down a pack of Camel Lights in one sitting. Ah, the holidays.

We still have one (very critical) scene to film for LIGHT OF MINE. Brett has about 45 minutes cut with probably another 20-30 to go. We wanted to have a teaser cut before we leave town but that may have to wait. We're still on schedule to meet our deadlines, I'm just extremely impatient. I have good reason to be- we have 2 other films we want to shoot next year and we need to get the ball rolling. Let me rephrase that, the ball needs a little bounce- things are rolling but we need something to drop kick us into gear. For example, finishing Light of Mine.

I'm revisiting ways to make things come together on a project of mine that's been on an on-again/off-again status over the last 4 years. I think I may have come up with a way of producing the project that will keep cost down and be easy to reach an audience with. It would require making some small changes but I'm open to change.

We leave for Korea on Monday. This will be our vacation- plus a 3 hour layover in the Tokyo airport. Maybe a week of rice and kimchi will kick start my diet. We come home just in time for Thanksgiving- this will be spent with my in-laws. My parents have returned to Mexico for the season- will be home in April/May.

My hands are shaking- need a candy cane fix.

Bye Summer, Hello Autumn!

I've really got a way of not staying on top of things. I've been preoccupied with Light Of Mine (which you can follow at your leisure at www.lightofmine.com) and general chaos. So, basically, the norm.

Quick run down- Light Of Mine is shot- all but 2 quick little tiny baby scenes. Both are utterly critical but have been a scheduling issue die to rain and lack of blue sky and sunshine as well as just general scheduling messiness. Brett's hard at work editing this movie and it's really coming together in a nice fashion. He deserves a vacation- there's some whispering of going to Korea but I'll believe it when I've got a ticket in hand.

God's Shrink is doing its "thing" - I'm letting that one creating its own path. No point in pushing something that has its own plan. SPIFF never advanced past semi-finalist in the SOCal Independent Film Festival- we're going to pursue filming that one as soon as Light Of Mine gets the proper attention it needs and we can get it up and running.

The big cloud over our heads is getting back to work on the sci-fi/suspense script we went into development on earlier this year. That's where our real hearts and souls are- but we want to make that film right and not compromise anything. If that means waiting a little longer so be it. Now, I'll admit I got a little nervous last night watching the first episode of NBC's "The Event". It has a very uncanny similarity to our script- even a scene that's almost identical. I'm not too worried- just a little, um, anxious.

In other reports, we've been busy with other clients and production related stuff. Had a quick trip to Toronto and NY and little get-aways here and there when time's allowed. My parents are in Europe and will be back mid-October then off to Mexico for 6 months. The garden is a trainwreck, Oliver finally shed- the first time in like 3 years. That's what happens when you keep the house temp set at 68 then go out of town and turn off the AC during a heat wave.

I have a story I've been toying with- just not sure about the best way to tell it. Isn't that always the case? I feel close to the story, feel good about it... I guess it just comes down to taking the first steps. Here we go...

I'll check in sooner than later.

Let It Shine...

The fundraiser we held at Sanborn's was a success! All but one of Brett's photos sold and we raised the money we needed! Thank you for your support, those who attended. It was a lot of fun to see everyone there.

Filming in Baker City could not have gone smoother, as well as the shoots in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. We saw bears everyday including a mother black bear with her two tiny cubs and a grizzly chasing a river otter along the banks. River otter escaped, I'm happy to announce.

We have about 5 more days of filming... big scenes tomorrow with Justin King at our Beaverton location. Can't wait!

In other news- my comedy script SPIFF is an official selection and semi-fianlist in the SoCal Independent Film Festival. That was totally unexpected and out of left field- that email made my day. We'll see what happens... The adaptation I co-wrote is making its own path for itself- more to come on that next month.

Please follow our film at www.lightofminemovie.com for updates and photos on what we're doing...

wine + photography

Please join us for a wine + photography silent auction to raise funds to help cover production costs of the feature film LIGHT OF MINE! There will be some great wines and photographs (not to mention some other INCREDIBLE items we're putting together) to bid on and if you're lucky, take home! Meet the cast and crew and most important- have some fun!

For more information on LIGHT OF MINE please visit our Kickstarter page at: http://kck.st/bqlttL

See you there!

LIGHT OF MINE FUNDRAISER
Sanborn's Restaurant
3200 SE Milwaukie, PDX
Friday, July 30th, 7-10pm

RSVP/Questions: email jill.lightofmine@gmail.com

Light of Mine

Okay, it's official- we're filming in August! We've got a lot of work to do leading up to that point but we're confident.

I'll be accessible via our film's website (not launched yet) for blogs and updates...

In the meantime, check us out here: http://tinyurl.com/2fwe5ea

Be nice, be loving, and be kind.

-Jill

Detour!

Wow- things change quick around here! The film is undergoing some big rewrites. Nothing that changes the story structure or plot- just some huge character fine-tuning. We're pushing that project out further. We realize to do it right we can't rush this one.

On the other hand, another project has come up that we're aiming for an August start date. Brett and I've been talking about this particular story forever and now we're putting the wheels in motion to make it happen. We have a window of opportunity, potentially some amazing super awesome talent (we haven't gotten a 100% commitment but we're working on them), and a great story.

We have a meeting set up with talent next week and have to do some major fundraising asap. Aiming for $10,000 but initially need $5,000 for the production. Stay tuned for a letter writing campaign and sponsorship information!

We've had the flu for the past week or so... I forgot what it's like to be this sick. I had pneumonia back in '98 and it was a cakewalk compared to this. No joke. Off to blow my nose and then a dr appointment in the morning. Glad the weather has finally turned around. We never had Spring- now we're having the first sunny/pleasant day mid-June. Lame. I feel cheated.

Stolen iPhone Part 2

Since my iPhone was stolen on Monday between 4:45pm and 7:30pm I've had lots of time on my hands to really reflect on the event. At this point I realize and know I won't get my phone back- even in spite of the $500 cash reward with no questions asked if returned that was made known at my workplace. That window of opportunity opened and shut- if anyone is ballsy enough to step forward with the phone, yes, it is worth the cash for that act alone. But now, they know I'll go ballistic and probably rip their face off like a chimpanzee on antidepressants.

It's been an interesting mix of reactions from people. Those with or who have previously owned an iphone understand how wrapped up and dependent you can become on the device- especially when you rely on it for work and business. Those who aren't familiar have responded with "well, you should have backed up your contacts" and "they're stupid. apple sucks". Most people are as disgusted as I am about the whole thing. Yes, backing up and syncing your phone is important but was I suppose to also back up and write down my whole web browser history and follow the train of links I'd been researching for some projects? And what about those recent phone calls that didn't have time to get backed up in my contacts? Or text messages? Hindsight is 20/20. I'm sure there are a lot of people who regret not calling in sick on 9/11. Yes, I just said that.

My mind was not put at ease when I conducted a variety of google searches on what to do with a stolen iPhone, how to jailbreak iPhone, etc... Thank God the internet supplies this information. I'll be damned if the person who took my phone didn't search the internet on my iPhone and figure out how to wipe it clean or pop out the SIM, etc. SOB.

I've been crawling through all the craigslist postings thinking maybe I'll find a match between my phone and a number on the employee list. A couple close calls but nothing.

The good news? Apple is releasing the 4G end of June- right around my birthday. How will it go down? Most likely, Brett buys himself a 4G and sells me his 32G. Beggars can't be choosers. This time around I'm installing all the anti-theft bells and whistles. the iLocalis, iHound and I plan on gluing a mousetrap on the back of the phone in case anyone decides to fish around in my purse.

On a more humorous note, the irony is my Coach wallet and Coach sunglasses that were in my purse are worth more combined than the phone is worth. So now I'm profiling the fashionably unaware.

Yet- the show must go on. Our film is moving on... but that's a whole other blog. Now I need to go and make sense of this $20 Nokia piece of crap I'm forced to use for the next month.

iPhone Stolen

My iPhone was stolen out of my purse at work Monday night. 99% sure who took it. WHoever has my phone has access to all my business affairs and business contacts and everything that I've been working on for the last year. I offered $500 cash no questions asked if they returned it- no police, nothing.

I believe in karma and I can only hope what goes around comes around.

Don't Care

New motto: I don't care.

Better yet: I only care about the important stuff.

My quest to rid myself of the bs, obstacles, and roadblocks continues. I've purged a lot of this stuff from my life but need to focus this next month to really get my life on track so i'm not wasting hours dealing with negative nonsense and focus on the big stuff- the important stuff.

Like Brett has said over and over, it's not a popularity contest, just strive to do your best by any means possible. i'll attract like-minded people and the others will fall off. easy, right?

And that's the plan...

Making Movies

Play-off season is always stressful but these refs are killing me. Oh, Blazers. Rebound.

Trying to get accurate crew rates for Portland- I fell like all my numbers are "off" and wish I could get an honest rundown on what people are getting paid. I've got calls and emails out but no one is getting back to me. Meanwhile we're prepping the script for the Line Producer and an Air Force contact to help make sure we don't get caught up in red tape trying to get DoD approval for filming on base. I think we're going to be okay but I'd like a 2nd set of "official" eyes to take a look. Business plan is close to where it needs to be- drop in that new and accurate budget and we should be cookin' soon...

Yesterday I was in a video shoot for a company that makes office equipment for better audio. Like teleconferences, meetings, etc. I played the overeager team leader who is like Dwight Shrute's soul mate. It was weird to not be on crew and fun to do some acting again. Felt odd to be around the other actors that I used to see at the casting company- a lot of them didn't know I'd done film work in the past. I realize now that as much as I enjoy acting I enjoy it more in small random doses. Too much stress.

We are tentatively leaving for Sunriver in the morning in hopes of doing some filming- weather permitting. They're calling for snow tonight so we may cancel our trip. TBD...

If it takes longer to raise the money for our film I'd like to come up with enough to film the comedy on a low budget. That would be an easy August/September project.

Options are good and I've got plenty.

Bring It!

Spring has sprung and I've hit the ground running. Projects are moving forward, I"m optimistic, enthusiastic, and having a little trouble knowing whether or not to jump in head first or ask the lifeguard where the safest place to dive in is. I guess one thing at a time, right?

NAB in Vegas and our trip to LA were excellent- confirmation that we're dong things right and on the right path. Now I need to do the hardest thing I've ever faced: stop making excuses and just do it. Thank God I've got my Nikes on...

Where's a 1st AD when you need one?

We finally have a draft of our script that we can work with effectively for scheduling and budgeting. Now I just need to hunker down and do it. Or get off my seat and hire someone to get it done. I'm siding with the latter of the two options. Yes, dialogue can always evolve and change and maybe there are a few scenes that could use improvement in a couple of the action descriptions but we're close. Onward!

I've been getting feedback on the preliminary business plan drafts and I've got some overhauls to do- mostly cutting, pasting, moving, and beefing up. And clarifying, simplifying, condensing, etc. Keep it simple, right? I'm trying.

I have a call set up for Wednesday to speak with my co-writer about the adaptation we did of his novel. He's been submitting it via his resources and connections and he's going to update me on the status. I know these things take time but I'm not too patient. Let's get the show on the road. I think funding for this project is much more accessible because of the religion/spiritual aspect but I'm not ready to go down that road unless totally necessary.

And then there's script contests- dammit, they're so expensive. I now look at my bank statements and deposits in terms of "bills" and "submission fees". If anyone would like to step in and pay these fees for me, I would be ever so grateful.

Meanwhile, I need to get the most recent and last copy of the script broken down and whipped into shape. Better put my producer hat on...

Counting down the days to NAB in Vegas and then a trip over to LA. More to come on that one...

Closer

I think Brett and I are in the final stretch of rewrites. Need to get back to the business plan. We arrive in Vegas in exactly a month. Whether or not my jeans fit and how I look poolside in my swimsuit is another story. Ugh.

Rolling Stone

Every time I pledge to stay on top of my blogs I end up too focused and engrossed in my work to keep my promise. That's a good thing, right?

Brett and I wanted to have a polished copy of our script by March 1st but we're still working on it- and I'm glad it's taking longer. We got great notes back from TJ and we discovered a new ending that is pretty twisty. Happy. I've submitted my dark comedy to 4 festivals/screenplay competitions with ten more to submit to over the next 2 months, and the adaptation is being read and it's getting out there. My writing partner is taming that beast- he's all about sales and marketing and I'm okay with that!

Still working at the restaurant, working specifically for festival submission money at this point. We booked our tickets, etc to NAB and we're headed over to LA after that. We kick off that trip with the Ashland Film Festival to see Otis v. Monster- Patrick Neary's short film. Yay!

Oh, yeah- Winter Olympics was awesome until we hit a raccoon at 70mph just about an hour North of Portland. Um, yeah, lots of stuff in between...

Desperately need a personal trainer- or at least someone to slap my hand when I reach for cookies. I've never been this fat in my life. Yikes! Time to get my Nike's out. And what was up with the snow the other night? Not liking this cold weather. Grrr.

Sugar-Free

My God- I need a break from all this damn chocolate. I went straight from Halloween into Xmas candy, then the Valentine's Day stuff was out the next day and Easter candy got rolled out last week. I need to quit chasing the sugar dragon cold turkey- as soon as I polish off this box of chocolates Brett sent me via FedEx. It's a small box- it's gonna be okay.

Brett's in the Bahamas on a shoot and I've been left to hold down the fort with Oliver this week. We're scheduled to be at the Olympics next weekend but Brett might have a last minute shoot in LA the same days. Lame. Either way, I've got the week off from work so I better use it wisely. If anyone's in search of Men's Hockey Play-Off tickets let me know- I might be able to make you a deal...

We received our script critique and notes yesterday. TJ wrote up 30 pages of insight, direction, suggestions, and detailed examples of how to improve our script. I think this project is taking on a whole new life. Brett has yet to see the notes and I need to discuss with him, but I think he'll agree that this project is evolving into something much bigger than we anticipated. I'm genuinely excited and optimistic about the direction this project is headed, although it may take a little longer than anticipated...

On that note, we have an low budget film, a dark comedy, up our sleeves that will be logistically and financially easier to pull off. I've been playing around with budgets on that one and will be talking to some local filmmakers who've recently completed projects for reality checks on local prices on crew/talent/etc. My primary concern is attaching a name actor and finding strong local talent for the roles. After working at the casting company and seeing the majority of Portland's talent I can imagine some actors in certain roles easily but there are a few of the big roles I'm up in the air about. I do know- without a doubt- that I can move forward submitting the script to festivals and competitions but I'm more set on getting it made, use it as a festival piece to secure the money and prove ourselves to get the other film made.

The frustrating thing is the same obstacle I hit with all my projects: financing. Brett keeps buying me books on film financing, and all that stuff and I read them twice- I understand what it takes to put it all on paper HOWEVER- the reality is if you don't have someone who can put down the money and you're not a salesperson in that respect you're stuck. I guess I just need to get off my butt, pull up my bootstraps and get the job done. We've done it before- it's just that this is the part I hate.

So until Brett gets home I'm going to play with scheduling, costs, and other fun things. And maybe buy a lotto ticket. You never know.

Spring Fever

Today it was so warm and sunny I should've put the top down on the Cabrio and had some fun. Instead I worked all day at the restaurant. But that's okay- fun, good times, and cash to line my pockets.

Brett and I need to get our website up with blog and all that stuff intact- just been so busy. It's on the list. Now that the wheels are in motion on the film I thought it would be good to keep a dedicated blog following what's going on and progress. I have a phone call on Wednesday regarding the adaptation and submissions. Our Sci Fi script is getting worked on down in LA and the dark comedy (the B plan in case the Sci-fi takes longer or gets pushed out) is being budgeted and all that good stuff to put together our investor package and all those things I've been putting off. When I wrote, directed, produced my feature Breach of Etiquette I did all the leg work to get it made so I should quit my whining, pull up my bootstraps and just get it done. So, that's what I'm doing. I'm so out of touch with prices it's almost comical- I need to make some calls and sit down with some local producers who've filmed recently to give me a reality check.

That's where I am with everything. Brett and I have been receiving amazing support on the projects- there's always a few people who aren't as supportive or maybe it's just a lack of interest. Oh well, it is what it is.

I've got some calls and meeting to set up this week and then I see Brett off on his trip to the Bahamas. For Valentine's Day cruise. For business. I'll be home- waaaaah! Eating chocolate cupcakes most likely.

And with that, I've got work to do- stay posted for more developments- I'll make an announcement once the new website is up. Best option is to follow me on twitter...

Bye!

January- check.

Status report: Feedback on scripts: positive. Moving forward according to plan. Life is awesome.

I've got a little side project brewing... more of that later.

I love my life.

January was awesome. Bring on February.

Good Things Come in 3's

First (presentable) draft of the adaptation is 95% done- just tweaking three specific scenes.

We're getting feedback on the script that Brett plans on directing this year- the Sci Fi story.

and...

I'm doing a rewrite to finesse the dialogue of one the antagonist in my own script. This is after I had Brett read it. And he liked it. A lot. Enough to want to direct it himself. Before the sci-fi script. Whoa. That's huge. This is the best feedback I've ever gotten from him and the most interest he's shown in my writing.

2010 is starting out with a bang- let's keep the momentum going!

2010

We spent Christmas in Mexico, New Year's Eve with friends, and only had mild headaches in the morning. A New Year's Day success story!

After a much needed break, I'm happy to report that Brett and I completed the first draft of our script- we are set on shooting it this year and we both feel really good about how things are going, the interest we're receiving from people who want to be involved and all that warm fuzzy stuff. The adaptation I'm a co-writer on is going well- waiting to see some rewrites and changes. Good stuff, I tell ya.

I haven't had time to make resolutions or come up with any strategic plan for this year. Maybe that's the next order of business.