FED UP WITH FOOLISHNESS!!!

I have had it with selfish people, those who think of themselves in every situation. They feel that your every thought revolves around them, or should revolve around them. Those who don’t or refuse to accept the truth and those who don’t accept responsibility for their own actions. My respect is lost for those who live in a world of their own lies. I have no use for those who double talk about being in a team environment, but if the winds don’t blow their way then they are the first to cry foul. One other observation is that these people are always out to get what they want, not by sweat, tears, and hard work, but as a something for nothing deal. Beware of the gifts from these people; it is always temporary. Who needs the aggravation? These people always have something negative to say about everything. These people are so worried about others stealing from them, but those same people will do it to others in a heartbeat and will try to justify it. These people claim to be living a life of righteousness, but are actually living in hypocrisy. GROW UP!!!

The funny thing is that these people like to shroud themselves in mystery, as if they are much bigger than they are. They feel that the world is watching their every move. They feel that there is someone lurking around the corner just waiting to steal their ideas. These people have their supporters, those who shore up this type of behavior, and those who don’t realize that they are doing more harm than good.

I like a team environment. I like meeting new people. Learning from others makes you stronger. I’m not talking about giving away the farm, but sharing ideas and best practices doesn’t rob you or diminish you. Isn’t it better to fellowship, and share with others. The benefit is priceless.

There I go, ranting once again…

THE CUPIC IDEA!!!

Okay, working on this CUPIC Project, I think of the cases of UFOs and other strange phenomenon that have been relayed to me in the past. There are many interesting cases out there. Now, I’m in no way saying that these events are true nor that they are not. I guess my philosophy is the same that I put into the CUPIC stories. I like the big “WHAT IF?”

I can admit that I, myself, have seen things that I could not and still can not explain. I’m not ready to attribute them to Aliens, Ghost, or other phenomenon that defies what is considered normal rational thinking. I like to use my imagination though, it could be or maybe that light in the sky was an experimental plane or plasma charges from a seismic event, I was a California resident for a long while. I just don’t know. And that’s when I got it. The answer to why these CUPIC stories are so dear to me, and why I have been dabbling in these stories since elementary school. It’s the unknown possibilities. It’s the people who experience events that are out of the ordinary and the people who are seeking the answers. And that what’s driving me as I work on this current project.

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.