That's a wrap!

• “That's a wrap!”

There is nothing more exciting than a film wrapping! We shot our final scene on this past Tuesday for 'All in the Course'. I suppose I have to dream up a poster for it now. I have crayons, so that shouldn't be too hard. I really loved the experience working with a professional crew and cast on this project. Now it is edit time! The process of getting all the shots cut down and aligned to where they have to be. Maybe even placed in an order which makes sense. Either way, the fun is about to begin for me. Editing is my least favorite part, but it is important to understand. When I work with editors in the future, I want to be able to speak their language.

All in the Course was definitely an undertaking, in a good way. I learned a lot of prep, budgeting, organizing, who I want to work with for my next project, and even how to establish locations. Making a film is one thing, getting it made is another. My first short film was 'A Super Hero Villain', which was about 10 minutes long and took around a full day to film. Seven hours or so to get everything. This project was easily five days of filming, locations all over the place, fight scenes, speaking, and we had three cameras. Yeah, three cameras. Talk about getting the shot you want.

I have another project coming up, untitled so far. We started preproduction already. It will be a web series and completely a huge project for me. I know I have a team ready and willing to make this an exciting time for us. Oh the fun of filming. I'll be directing, acting, writing, and producing again. However, I am bringing on other directors and writers to help take on the load. If I can get through this process I know I can do anything. Working with 'TEAM RISE TOGETHER' and showing studios what we can do on our own is going to help change the game. You want to act, act... write, write... direct, go and direct.

Make things happen by making things happen. Anything is possible if you keep moving forward.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Sore-ish

• “Sore-ish”

Why did I write such a hard fighting sequence? Five plus hours we filmed on Saturday of dialogue, then three major fight scenes. Afterward we had some yummy food. All together I have to say this shoot continues to be interestingly fun. My first big filming event as a writer / director / actor / producer was 'The Super Hero Villain', which gave me a chance to learn the process. Dem be a lot of hats to wear! It was really worth it. My passion to create art has always been there, but as a performer I get to live in the moment of another life. All in all, it comes down to seeing an idea birthed into existence. This is a lovely path I am on.

The First fight scene was pretty simple. Two guys run in and attack a third guy. Some cool things happen and boom! On to the second fight, which ends violently; “Snap, Crackle, Pop!” and not the cereal! It was the third fight I was in. I still have some moves left in me, but my body forgot how to be in shape. Talk about tired and sore-ish from filming all day. It is more than punch, punch, kick. Lots of spinning, tumbling, and more. There is a moment when I was getting heel kicked in the balls, by accident; “maybe I should have stunt-doubles”. I will say this, it was all the more worth it doing the stunts myself. A couple contacted hits, but we did great!

Plan ahead is important. Like, go to the gym, stretch, don't write long ass fight scenes which make you feel pain for the next few days. Yeah, that rule is the best rule. Nah, I am still going to write and perform as it is needed. I loved the fencing fight in Hamlet. There is something about the idea of fighting, or battle, on screen when it is telling a story. When it is a part of something more. Like a speech without words. Chouen, that's the actor fighting me, did amazing. We both worked hard practicing the moves and even consistently changing moments to fit out fighting styles much better. It was a pleasure having us get beat up together.

Fight on, train, become! Persevere!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Filming begins

• “Filming begins”

On Saturday, July 25th in the year 2015, filming began for 'All in the Course'. This will mark my second full production. I am working with many hats on this time. Writer, Director, Actor, Editor, Location Scout, and Producer. The first time I did this was on 'A Super Hero Villain'. I really enjoyed filming that movie as it was the first of many projects in the works for Team Rise Together. A gathering of people who are writers / directors / actors all wanting to make things happen. There is something very special about 'All in the Course' which makes it all the more interesting. I did it on a $0.00 budget.

When I hear people making excuses to hold themselves back it simply blows my mind. Because they all could be doing what I am doing. Correction, what me and a bunch of other people are doing. Anything is possible if you put the effort into it. An idea become physical. I wrote a script, found a crew, and I got actors. The best part, is the team mentality. We are all working hard and for a greater goal. We are becoming better friends, for those of us less familiar with one another, creating art, and also I am helping everyone involved who is not SAG-AFTRA union already, get their Eligibility. We are in this together to win this together.

The idea is to be proactive. We all want to be working on something. So why not get together and work on something. Now filming is only the reward. The hard work and effort toward Networking, Marketing and Practicing is the job we all want. I love what I am doing, and I love working with the people around me. Two movies, $0.00, hard working people, and a bright future ahead of us all makes every second of this life worth it. That feeling you can scream out into the night sky of “Look what we are doing on our own” speaks volumes in this business. In a place where you have to prove yourself on the business end to get things going!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)