Hello
I just added a new page called The Accidental Candidate. It’s on the right side of the page. Have a look. It’s pretty damn good.
Thanks.
That Which is Familiar is Dangerous
•2013/01/31 • Leave a CommentSundance has come and gone and it seems the buzz this year was not about the films; it’s about the fact that 50% of the films in competition were directed by women. 50%!!!!!!!
Why are we having this conversation? Because it’s so unbelievable that in 2013 we’re marveling over something that should be commonplace, not a hallelujah moment.
A study was conducted by Stacy L. Smith, Katherine Pieper and Marc Choueiti of the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California to look at the success or lack of, women at the Sundance Film Festival to examine the causes of gender equality. It was presented during the third annual Women at Sundance event held at the home of Jacki Zehner. Ms. Zehner spends her time and resources towards the advancement of women and girls.
The study is titled, “Exploring The Barriers and Opportunities For Independent Women Filmmakers”, and can be found at sundance.org. To find out more about Jacki Zehner, check the philanthropic organization, Women Moving Millions, where she serves as CEO. According to their website, WMM is a bold global philanthropic initiative whose goal is to inspire gifts of a million dollars or more to organizations and initiatives that advance and empower women and girls. Jacki’s site is www.jackizehner.com.
Congratulations to all the women with films showing at Sundance this year and those won awards. Jill Soloway received the Directing Award, U.S. Dramatic for “Afternoon Delight,” Audience Award, World Cinema Documentary: “The Square” (Egypt/USA), directed by Jehane Noujaim, and Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, U.S. Dramatic: Lake Bell, “In a World…“
Support women filmmakers.
You Risk Everything If You Risk Nothing
•2013/01/03 • Leave a Comment“Nothing is as perilous as stagnation.”
2012 had it’s challenges. Some good; a few that were difficult. All in all, it was pretty damn good. I spent time with old friends and met a few fabulous new friends.
We shot the pilot presentation, “The Accidental Candidate.” The edit is done. All we’re waiting on is music and graphics, then on to the online.
I fretted a bit about the number of political shows that sprung up this past year. “Political Animals (not my favorite), Veep (not my favorite), and “Newsroom” ( which I loved). And there’s a new one that will start airing soon, “1600 Penn.” I believe there’s room for “The A.C.” It’s clever and funny. The plan is to present a current issue every week. Note the emphasis on ‘current.’ It should an interesting challenge.
“Smoke On” is moving ahead quite nicely. Another rewrite; one I feel really good about. It’s out to a friend to read and give notes. Then back to rewriting. I’m still on a quest to find a direct contact to Rosario Dawson as I wrote the lead with her in mind. If anyone knows….
Oh, it looks as if the Red Bull Air Races may be returning in 2014. If you haven’t seen them, go to their website or YouTube. They bloody rock!
We’ve gotten a decent offer for “Don’t tell, Shirley,” the wonderfully quirky horror film that we optioned. The budget and script was sent to the EP’s contact in Louisiana to review to determine if we can shoot there based on the budget Deb created. If all goes according to MY plan, we would shoot late summer, early fall. Yes, I know Louisiana is hot in August. I’m from Atlanta so I can deal with it.
I was speaking with a very accomplished A.D. this past weekend. He’s been a great source of information and inspiration. His advice for next steps is to have another script ready to go so that when I’m asked ‘what’s next’ or ‘what else do you have’, I’m ready with an answer. I knew this but it was great to be reminded. Time to start the process.
Here’s to a most fabulous new year-2013!
c
Tis the Season… Possibilities
•2012/12/03 • 1 CommentTis the season folks. I’m trying to get as much done as I can before the town goes quiet. That includes renegotiating a new contract with the writer of the horror film we optioned.
I wish contracts were written in English.
I’m also researching companies that finance/produce horror and making note of who to contact after the first of the year. Any ideas?
‘The Accidental Candidate’ is making strides. The fab Gary Stockdale is working on the theme music. Check him out on imdb at http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0830775/. Equally wonderful Dean Guiliotis is creating the opening graphics. You can find him on imdb at http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1486764/.
I know Showtime and HBO are waiting anxiously to see the pilot. They don’t know it yet but they will.
I received coverage on ‘Smoke On’ last week. Not as good as I would have liked but definitely better than an ice pick in the eye. Some time during the holidays I’ll re-write based on the notes I received. The reader mentioned that the script offered a great role for an actress. Indeed. My choice is Rosario Dawson.
Today, I read on Lee Jessups’s site (http://leejessup.com) that Antwone Fisher sends Christmas cards to people he’s met throughout the year and those he’s worked with. A great idea in my opinion. What works for you?
Sight and Sound just released their Top 25 Films of 2012. There’s not one directed by a woman. Really? Just check out ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ directed by Lynne Ramsey. Then go to http://pinterest.com/womenhollywood/2012-women-directed-films/.
Really?
An approval of the revised contract for the horror film just came in.
Still waiting for contracts to be written in English.
Have a swell holiday folks. As we reflect on 2012 and all we’ve worked for and accomplished, a new year of possibilities awaits us. How cool is that.
c
16 Nov. 2012 Update
•2012/11/16 • Leave a CommentWe had a successful AFM. We met with several companies, all of whom were positive about the project and requested the script. Even “Smoke On” got a few requests. As it’s a big budget action-thriller, our interest is in selling the script.
We’re meeting with the folks at the company that offered us 1mil for ‘…Shirley.” I’m curious to hear what he has to say and how he plans to structure sales. At that budget there will probably be no theatrical release. But there are over avenues to make money and worth exploring. We did meet two VFX companies at AFM; one was from India, the other Austria. Or was it Switzerland? We talked so much about the Red Bull Air Races and “Smoke On”, that I’ve forgotten where he’s from. Either way, Jereon was excited about the possibilities for both “Smoke On” and “…Shirley.”
Our fabulous editor Juan finished the second cut on “The Accidental Candidate” and it’s wonderful. I have a few tweaks I’ll do myself and then on to sounds mix, and on-line. Gary Stockdale and Dean G. will be doing music and titles. We’re thinking about the possibility of doing a screening for the cast, friends and family AND an invited group of agents and managers. Certainly worth a try to see who we can get. Any recommendations on inexpensive screening rooms will be greatly appreciated.
That’s it for now.
Thanks for visiting.
Update
•2012/10/29 • 1 CommentIt’s been a busy year. Okay couple of years. We optioned the rights to a book, Marge Piercy’s “Gone to Soldiers”. However, we were unable to extend the option. I dream of pitching the book to someone who will pick it up and run with it. Check it out.
We finished the pilot for “The Accidental Candidate” and have a first cut. And it’s terrific. I expect to be working on the next cut this week.
There have been other projects but right now we’re concentrating on two:
“Don’t tell, Shirley”, a horror film, and “Smoke On”, a big budget action thriller. Here is a bit of info on each.
Don’t tell Shirley (horror-writer Jeff Copeland)
Nuns in habits, young, sassy girls in short plaid skirts, an evil, money grubbing school director, and a mysterious stranger who’s killing anyone that’s been behaving badly. Shhh… Don’t tell Shirley.
Smoke On (action-thriller-writer Carmella Cardina)
Mix equal portions of Top Gun and Formula One Racing. Toss vigorously and then fold in a healthy dollop of Mission Impossible. Next whip in a very beautiful and sexy Rosario Dawson (we hope!) and heat to boiling. Do not allow to cool down.
Pilots: Smoke On.
Alex Chavez, an ex-Navy fighter pilot is enticed to join the competitive world of high stakes Aerobatics and Air Racing. Alex’s affair with her chief supporter leads her on a hair-raising journey into the dangerous underbelly of terrorism—the exchange of heroin for black market nuclear weapons. Unbeknownst to those closest to her, Alex has a few secrets of her own.
From California to Reno and Abu Dhabi to Afghanistan, Smoke On is chock full of exhilarating aerial acrobatics, nail biting air racing, and sophisticated out of this world technology.
The inspiration for Smoke On comes from Red Bull Air Races and Aero-GP.
We’ll be at AFM meeting with a few people. We’re looking for a partner in financing and production. I’ll be directing “Don’t tell, Shirley”. “Smoke On” is too big of a film for me and requires someone who can a big budget action-thriller.
We have a budget for the horror film. We have not budgeted “Smoke On” at this time given all that will be required–small, very fast planes, high end technology, and most likely a large amount of visual effects.
I’ll give updates as we get closer to the market. we have a few meetings set up and expect to have a few more by Nov. 4.
Enjoy.
