REFLECTIONS OF '05

Here I am again, doing what I do best, reflecting. This time I am reflecting on 2005. What a year… I look back and think, damn, I’ve been through a lot and only a select few of you know what I have gone through. I want to thank all of you for your support and at times comfort. It has made me stronger. In addition, more self-realization, I have a strong resolve, a powerful positive attitude, and a ton of self-control and restraint. At least that is what I am told. For one thing, a good sense of humor is needed to get through anything.

That, which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.

On that note, my NEW YEARS resolution for ’06… I will continue to stay strong. I will have a high tolerance for people with positive attitudes and a low tolerance for negative people. I will not waste my time with pettiness, there is just something that you just have to say f__k it and move on. I have too many GOALS in life to attain and refuse to look back on petty situations that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Look for RCW MediaWorks/ Cactus Pix to advance further as the year moves on.

THE NEVERENDING SQUAWKER STORY!

I look back on some of the stories from CUPIC and smile. The one that makes me laugh the loudest is obviously the Squawker story. As my buddy Mike has pointed out to me, “ There are two constant themes to the CUPIC series that won’t go away; one is that cheesy whoosh transition sound from the flashback to reality scenes and the other is Squawker.” Well, he’s right. This new CUPIC feature will explain its origins and finally put this folklore to bed forever. For one thing I haven’t come up with any new Squawker stories since the short from 2003, “SQUAWKER TAKES FLIGHT!” The story’s origin date back to 1990 and went under a different name… In 1997, before we were making movies, were writing short stories and I had mention what was then The McAllister series. He found these stories to be intriguing and to be interesting. I described some of the stories in detail and he wanted to hear more. Then I had mention the latest story that I was working on that was an updated version of one earlier and that there was a new plot twist. “That sounds like an awesome story.” “What is the name?” he asked with much curiosity. “SQUAWKER!” I replied with a million dollars worth of confidence. My smile became shaky when I heard Mike’s belly laughs. Squawker, what kind of stupid name is that. I went on to explain the reasoning for the name (that it was a name given to the creature by some yokels with minimal education). After several minutes of laughter and him telling every soul in the building the name of my short story, he got it and calmed down. I then told him that it wasn’t the original name of the story. “What is that?” he asked with curiosity. In addition, not learning my lesson from the first time I answered with confidence, “AWKMAN!” To this day, Mike is still laughing.

CUPIC FEATURE UPDATE

Okay, The CUPIC Feature Project is moving along fine. We have a ton of support, and a myriad of ideas. I look back on it and think that I should have gone ahead with the project back in ’04… Hindsight is 20/20 and I don’t own a time traveling Delorean to go back and start this project two years ago. The project in this current form is the most effective approach to the story. It took a routine plane ride and the boredom of watching endless clouds through a cramped cabin window to jar it loose.

I am thankful for the support that I am getting, a great deal of good ideas are helping shape this venture. We are having fun compiling the information that we need for some of the sequences. I’m watching this project unfold in a positive way. The ideas are flowing and we’ll see what develops.

3 GOOD REASONS!!!

Here are three important people behind RCW MediaWorks... Jeffrey Hebert, who's great music scores and acting talent started me on this journey. And the music keeps on coming... Mike and Karen Sliwa, who's support in the past and present and their strong ideas and convictions are helping shape RCW for the future.... I thank all three of you...

THE RETURN OF FICTION THEATER!

Well, we have made a decision; bring back FICTION THEATER. I reflect, have been doing a ton of that lately, on the true goal of the show. When introduced nearly 16 years ago, FT was meant to be a venue for local filmmakers to showcase their short films, and it was a fun project to work on. The reasoning for re-kindling the project; it’s not that we want to re-live the past. We want to continue the goal of having a venue for local filmmakers to display their projects. I love being a part of a festival or showcase; it allows us to network with other filmmakers and to recognize a commonality and solidarity between us. Of course, there will be more on this endeavor as the planning progresses.

HERE'S ANOTHER THOUGHT

Is there a war on Christmas, I think so… However, I’m going to use this time for filmmaking and I want to rant about other stuff that effects that subject instead.

I feel that amateur and independent filmmakers should not be in competition with each other, but should form a sort of community. Let us leave that to the major Hollywood types, who make films that they think we would love to pay $10 bucks a person to see. We are in a position to make a difference with our films, not to be bounded by a supposed rule of production, a formula that has been used repeatedly, time and time again. We can think outside of the box and make pretty cool films.

With that said, I must add this; be true to yourself. If you have a vision, see it through. If you have an opinion, express it. We should be allowed to express an opinion and not be stifled. I saw it where one filmmaker was practically ostracized when he made comments about a few short films at a certain venue. Get over it and move on… With that said, we shouldn’t be thin-skinned either and open to criticism. I, personally, grow when challenged. I take on an “Oh yeah, Buddy, well watch this,” attitude. Hey, that’s my opinion…

My Thoughts!!!

I usually don’t follow the latest trends, but the idea of a blog appeals to me. I always look for an excuse to jot down my thoughts, queries and ideas. Well as for a blog, I am starting one, right here and right now.
Recently, I notice that I am doing a lot of reflecting on the past projects, including those from the late eighties and early nineties, and I think of how much that I/ we have learned in all that time. I reflect on how fulfilling it is to take something that was a mere thought, or daydream and making it become a reality on the big and small screen. I also think about the hiatus that we took in 2005, and how it reminded me of the one we took in 2001. After the first hiatus, we completed the largest number of projects to date, 14 between 2002 and 2005.
In 2005 both Mike and myself were representing RCW MediaWorks Services side, taking on project after project for our respective extracurricular venues. The separation of the Cactus Pix and the RCW websites, and a company demo were other company accomplishments. Actually, we were busier in 2005 than any other year previous.
In 2006, we do have quite a few projects on the horizon. The next CUPIC feature film is in the works, and getting a ton of support. We also have a few shorts in the works as well. We have not abandoned “NO MAN’S LAND!” We will work on that project as well.