Nicest Nerdy Surprise

I don't know if many of you have met your heros or people that have inspired you. I'm been pretty lucky and have met several of mine. On Wed evening I had the opportunity to meet for a second time, Simon Pegg, a brilliant actor and writer and one of the men responsible for Clombies. Which I mean by that his film inspired me which lead to the idea which lead to writing the script. So you could say if he and Edgar hadn't written Shaun of the Dead there most likely wouldn't be a Clombie(s), at least in it's current state.

Anyhoo, Simon has written a book and was here to do a book signing. He was great, super nice and very chatty which makes these things a lot easier. I've done my share of signings and many times the person doing the signing does little to no talking without being prompted. So, you have to be clever and come up with some unique way to get them talking. Simon was different. But then I shouldn't be surprised, he's a different kind of guy in the first place which is probably why he has such a drawl. He is very approachableness and fun and tried to put everyone at ease, which is very rare in these situations.

Simon Pegg at Bookpeople

Now you might be asking "why do you bring this up?" Yes yes, get to my point. My point is you never know when or where your inspirations will come from and most times it will come when you're not looking from a source you would never expected. Which leads you to create something you never thought you might do. I suggest taking it by the horns and running with it, but that's just me. But if you get a chance to meet that source, by all means go and meet them. You might just get inspirated again. Happened to me.

So, my point, be inspired, meet source of inspiration, be inspired again and find out that source is one cool nerd. There ends the point.

And if you do meet your inspirational source and their anything less then they must not be a pale, ginger, englishman who happens to be Simon Pegg. Check out his book "Nerds Do Well"

May I introduce Alice.

I'm excited to announce our new short, "The Good Samaritan". We'll move into Pre-Pro at the end of the summer with Production beginning in Sept. It's a fun and clever 5 minute short with one of my favorite character I've written. She's a smart one. After I completed writing on the script I knew that Alice (the extra awesome character) would have more stories to tell. Well she does...looks like there will be a feature in her future. The process of outlining this new feature script has begun. Keep you're fingers crossed and keep a look out for Alice. I think you'll like her.

Over the moon for Super 8

On Friday I did something I love to do and haven't done in a while, I went to an afternoon movie. And as it turns out it wasn't for just any old movie it was for a Steven Spielberg movie (well Produced but still...).

Steve Spielberg is one of my biggest influences from my childhood other than John Hughes. At one point I wanted to be just like him and make movies like he did. I was young and Steven hadn't yet evolved in to the epic filmmaker he is today. He just did simple little movies with huge heart to them. Movies I still love to this day. Movies I still aspire to make and also keep an eye out for. Presently, I really don't usually go into a movie with very high expectation...they really do seem to have lost the heart in film...but this one I was hopeful...Spielberg and J.J. did not disappoint.

"Super 8" truly could be mistaken as a film from the early days of Spielberg. J.J. caught the same sensiblity, same style, same feel, the same heart, and that same inspiring feeling that was left in me as a child. I felt it all that day wehn I left the theater.

And it came with a double whamming. It reminded me of those films that made me want to be a filmmaking and make those kinds of movies but the kids in the film reminded me of how I was at that time. Trying to write a script, trying to film something with my friends - willingly or humoring me, dreaming of making the most awesome movie that everyone would want to see it. Dreams of a child. Those dreams have carried me to where I am today, still trying to write the best possible script to which will make the most awesome movie that everyone will want to see and not be disappointed.

"Super 8" reminded me why I am who I am and to which I'd like to thank Steven and J.J. for making a most awesome film. Anyone who loves the early Spielberg fare should most definitely go see "Super 8".

That's just my two cent.

Co-writing, why didn't I do this soon?

Last year around this time I wrote about an idea I had for a script. I was very excited. I may have even mentioned a character named Henry. Well, if I did or didn't I'm again very excited to announce that as of three weeks ago, Monica, my writing partner and I finished the first draft of our Teen Com-Rama, the "Untitled Henry Project."

Writing with a partner was a new experience for both of us. But I believe it was one of the most fun I've ever had writing a script. It was awesome to run ideas past each other there in the moment of developing a scene. I think all writers should give it a try, it may not be everyone's cup of tea but you just might find gold. I look forward to the re-writing process and moving on to a new project wtih Monica.

In the future, I know you'll hear much more about old Henry and his adventures.

Disappointment but still a silver lining

Hello All,

Sorry it's been so long but I plan on being more active. (I think I've said that before. But I mean it this time. Really I do...)

I'm sad to announce that "Lightin' Dreams" has been put on hold. That very popular song we wanted, well it never happened. Tried a million different things to get permission, just wasn't going to happen, not for a short film of 3 minutes. Makes me a little cross and want to use it anyway but what can you do. Well you can do what one of my favorite people told me - gave me the best advice. Get a musician to write a song for you. It's cheaper, you have more control, and in the long run it's better for you're pocket book. So, for the time "Lightin' Dreams" is on hold and once we have a song written, it'll get put on the schedule. It's the way of things.

Back with more news...