06•24•04 - Thursday, 7:03 p.m.

MENDING WALL

I love that name, it is the name of one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost - when I sat down to write just now it popped into my head and it seems appropriate . . .

I'm working on the re-write during any down time between freelance jobs and things are getting really good! I like the new direction that the story is taking and I am finally beginning to see this world as a viewer rather than a creator . . .
That means that I am letting go of my "need" for things to stay, and I am allowing for things to speak to me in terms of how they serve the overall film instead of simply being a "cool thing" that I want to keep in the script.

So, I am "mending walls" within the story you see, and I am also building and refining characters as I go to see who proves to be a "good neighbor" or a "bad one".

I do have to mention that these new directions are being inspired by Jeromy and other close friends who have read and commented on my first draft - Thank you!!!

So far, I have received feedback from Jeromy, Craig, Julia, Ian, Claudia and Daren. I can't wait to hear more from Patrick, Cody, Ron and a few other people who are reading it now.

Again, the SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION is approaching: July 21st - 25th
Look for Gothic Cowboy and BOTI at the: ROGUE CREATIONS booth!

. . .

FILM OF THE WEEK:

This weeks film that stands out in my mind would be MONA LISA SMILE - Starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Joan Brandwyn & Giselle Levy. I loved the performances and the relationships between these women and how they were effected by their rolls in society during the 1950's. It is beautifully shot and it challenges stereotypes as well as that inner question burning within us all - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? With that said, I give you Twisted Sister!

ROCK ON!

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06•17•04 - Thursday, 12:43 p.m.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Well the re-write meeting with Jeromy went VERY WELL!
He had many an insightful thing to say and we hammered out (or at least addressed) many of the major flaws in the FIRST DRAFT. I knew that the first draft had many issues, and I didn't let that worry me too much... this story has so many twists and sub-plots and themes, it is nearly impossible to do it all justice in a 2 hour movie, BUT I didn't want to throw anything away before examining it and finding out how it served the story or did not! - And so, what you end up with is a somewhat fragmented script, with things eluded to and not mentioned again, back story elements that are too sparse, and frail character development - all of this I lived with, knowing that through the push and pull of the rewrite we would strengthen the ideas of substance and lose those which had no place in the script.

So, all too often, I find myself sitting with that far off gaze - the one I had for over a year as I conceived and wrote my first draft... pooring over the new ideas and notes from my meeting with Mr. Cox.
Rest assured, this story will kick ass! =] All that we are doing now is strengthening an already good piece of work.

And so now I must write . . .

On the other hand, there is a movie to finish as this one begins! Gothic Cowboy will be filming our last two official shots tomorrow and Saturday - it has been a long road to get here, but it has been such a rewarding experience! There is still more ahead as we go into post production, sound and music, but man has the shooting been fun! I will miss working closely with these people so often - thanks to all the GC cast and crew!!! We love you guys!

Lastly, we will be at the SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION this year, July 21st - 25th
Look for us at: ROGUE CREATIONS my company's booth - please stop by and say hi, meet the Gothic Cowboy stars and see the GC trailer!

. . .

FILM OF THE WEEK:

I just watched a couple of newly released movies on DVD and I recommend them as good rentals! The first was THE MISSING starring Tommy Lee Jones and Kate Blanchett - I thought the acting on both their parts was very good (to be expected from those two) and the story line, although familiar, was well done. The second was BRUCE ALMIGHTY starring Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston - Okay, I know what you are saying to yourself right now, and hey, maybe a silly little comedy about God is not your cup of tea, (speaking of which I liked "Oh God!" with George Burns too, so why are you listening to me?) but if you give this one a try (especially as a rental) I think you will find the message refreshing and well done in a non-preachy way... With that said, I must now cleanse myself in the filth of the Antichrist Superstar!

ROCK ON!

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06•10•04 - Thursday, 9:13 a.m.

WINDS OF CHANGE

Well today the course of this project will be forever changed...

Today, the story leaves the confines of my own mind and becomes a shared vision with Jeromy.
As co-writers we have found an interesting dynamic together, and this dynamic is in full force once a re-write takes place. You come to love and hate your writing partner, and usually for the very same reasons - you are pushed to face the weaknesses of your story and it is hard to deal with, but in the end the story becomes that much stronger for doing so, and so the process is very rewarding... once you get over the urge to strangle your partner! HA! Everyone say a prayer for Jeromy today, he is treading into dangerous territory, and all for my own good... and the good of the story... thank you Jeromy! =]

I now see how he must have felt when he brought me on board to re-write his script Gothic Cowboy - it is a little unsettling to let go of your ideas and allow someone else into your world to challenge your choices and ultimately your beliefs and emotions, because when you write something (speaking for myself at least) it is never honest unless you give of yourself and write from life experience... and though this story is set in a very different environment from that of which I am accustomed, the themes are all very universal and quite personal to me. There is a great love story at the core of the piece, and there are many complex relationships happening between characters that derive from some dark and troubled emotions and experiences that are again, personal in nature.

I am excited! I can't wait to see where things go from here and how much more the story will grow. I have been struggling with the idea of posting some of the script on this site for everyone to read, I think that after we finish this re-write I will choose a couple of scenes to post for you all.

Wish us luck, we're off!

. . .

FILM OF THE WEEK:

Okay, so I stole this idea! On the Gothic Cowboy site, Jeromy always posts his list of movies to see, and because we both love movies so much, it is a really cool segment of the journal for me to read... so why break tradition?

I actually have two films I suggest seeing: First is "TILL HUMAN VOICES WAKE US" - an enchanting story, staring Guy Pierce and Helena Bonham Carter (two of my favorites) who do a really nice job. Don't expect hair-pin turns or fast action in this one, it takes its time, but beautifully so. I was left wanting more, and that is what a good film should do... so if you like films like "DEAD AGAIN" or "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" then you will love this one.

The second film I recommend is "PREY FOR ROCK 'N' ROLL" - Awesome job!!! I was really surprised, I expected cheesy acting and even worse rock 'n' roll, but was actually floored by the performances and the authentic nature of the music side of the story. Having played in bands myself for many years, I am a really tough critic on movies like these, and I have to say that this one is up there with "PURPLE RAIN", "SID AND NANCY" and "THIS IS SPINAL TAP" for me! It was so punk sometimes, because of Cheri Lovedog's truthful writing and Gina Gershon was terrific!

ROCK ON!

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06•01•04 - Tuesday, 11:48 a.m.

MY FIRST JOURNAL ENTRY

This is awesome! I have never been one to keep journals, although I have always envied those who do... It seems like such a wise and rewarding thing to do.

I am very excited about this project and I feel that it is going to be something VERY special.
All the more reason to document it!

Let's see... At this point, I have completed my FIRST DRAFT of the BOTI script - that actually has an interesting story, I arrived at my final page of the script on April 9th, 2004 (Good Friday) - and then re-read the whole thing and made another pass, completing that on the 11th (Easter Sunday) - for a week I let the ideas stew in my brain and made one last addition to an important scene and considered it "finished" on my birthday, April 18th.

I just found all the symbolism interesting and strangely coincidental...

So, now the script is in Jeromy's hands and he will help me to spot the issues that need to be addressed and we will alter and adjust the story further during this, the re-write phase.

I have enlisted the film's Art Directors, Ron Lemen and Daren Bader, and I have met with them twice so far to go over concepts for the look of the film and they are now hard at work on the designs for the characters and environments - and I couldn't be more excited to see what those two do with this story!

I've cast 6 of the main roles of the film already - but there are still at least 4 major roles to cast as well as a slew of supporting roles which will require one, if not several, readings / auditions.

Things are really starting to roll now...

So, stay tuned!!!