Oscar Bound

A great start to 2009....Wit's End win's first award!

My partners and I received great news on New Year's Eve...our sitcom pilot picked up an Award of Excellence as part of the upcoming Honolulu Film Festival (which actually doesn't happen until March, but they let us know early). This was very unexpected and a wonderful way to start the year! The sitcom is sitting in the hands of someone "high up" in development at HBO, so we are in the process of letting them know about the award in hopes that it will prompt them to at least watch it if they haven't yet. We shall see what happens :)

In other news...2009 is shaping up to be a very busy year already.

*First on my radar screen is the launch of my radio show, newly renamed:  The Nitty Gritty Cafe
We are finalizing the website and hope to have the first podcasts available in late January. Much more to follow on this :)

*Liz & I have been hired to produce a documentary about Juvenile Arthritis which we will be working on throughout the year and you will be able to follow our progress closely as the project will have a blog and website devoted to the "making of" the film, which is titled "Waking Up".

*We also have some interest in a screenplay we wrote a couple of years ago and are heading into the city tomorrow for a meeting....more to follow, but we are very thrilled about where this might lead.

*Also a priority...I am busy working on a book to pair with The BlueBelles documentary as a gift item...you will be able to purchase the book (with advice/wisdom from the Belles on aging, friendship & living life fully) packaged with the film, as well as a How-to guide for making friends and forming groups.  If you know someone who works in the non-fiction book world, let me know....this is going to have a lot of potential :) (the perfect gift for moms, grandmas, aunts & friends all around the world).

*As if that wasn't enough, we are also in the beginning phases of producing a new reality show as well as my next major documentary, which will feature the world of psychics...a long-standing interest of mine that I need to explore more fully.

So, lots going on and hopefully I will have lots to write about...my apologies for being a bit neglectful of the blog in 2008. But...I'm back & re-committed!

Wishing you all a very happy & healthy new year where you have the energy and resources to pursue all of your own dreams!

Bucket List

Last night I saw the film, The Bucket List, and of course it got me thinking about my own bucket list. For those of you not yet familiar with the term, it's the list of things you want to do/see/achieve before you"kick the bucket".  To some it sounds a bit morbid, but I really love the idea.

Most people won't be surprised to hear that I have a rather extensive list of life goals that I've been working on for some time (and making good progress). However, I thought it might be good to take a look at it and come up with my TOP 25 most thrilling things that I really want to do.

So, in alphabetical order, here it is:

Be featured in People magazine for a positive reason :)

Be invited to sleep in the White House

Cast a Hollywood blockbuster that I co-wrote

Compose the lyrics to a hit song that people can't stop singing

Experience zero gravity

Found a philanthropic organization that supports people pursuing their dreams

Go on a spur of the moment adventure using lastminutetravel.com

Go on a treasure hunt

Have a heart to heart talk with:

    Esther Hicks (author of my favorite non-fiction book, Ask and It Is Given)
    Oprah
    Wally Lamb (author of my favorite fiction book, She's Come Undone)

Host my own radio show (launching Feb. 2008!)

Live long enough to know my grandchildren well

Locate my mystery half-sister

Own a mountain retreat

Produce a best-selling CD for an amazing singer I discover

Produce a successful off-Broadway play

Own a pair of custom made shoes and a custom made bra that both fit like a dream!

Renew my wedding vows at the St. Regis in NYC every 10 years, beginning on our 15th anniversary in 2010.

Ride in a horse drawn sleigh while drinking hot chocolate with my beloved.

See my movie play on the big screen to a sold out standing room only crowd (Achieved...June 2007; Red Bank, NJ screening of Snake Hill)

Spend an afternoon reading a great book in a tree house and listening to the birds sing.

Spend quality time with an elephant

Take First Class trips to:

    Paris (scheduled for April 9-16, 2008!)
    Vancouver Island
    Machu Picchu
    Ireland
    Africa

    *and a 40 day around the world by private jet tour with close family & friends

Win an Oscar (and an Emmy) for best anything!

Witness a majestic sight (lifted from the film...but had to do it; I'm thinking Grand Canyon, The Pyramids, Machu Piccu...and shooting for all three)

Write a Best Selling non-fiction book and be in demand to promote it!

Ok , I know that's technically more than 25, but I honestly could go on to 100 very easily. If you haven't yet composed your own bucket list I hope you take the time to do so...it's really an interesting and fun exercise once you get into it.  Just don't be afraid to think BIG!

P.S. This is a fun thing to do with friends or family as well...you might be surprised to find out what's on their lists!!

State of the Career

It's that time of year when I usually start looking back at the year and reflecting on what I've accomplished (or not), so felt the urge to do so this morning.  For now, I'm concentrating on the professional side of things (although I did drop one clothing size...yippee!)

Anyhow, I'm happy to report the following accomplishments (I'll do so by subject so it's less confusing):

Snake Hill (feature doc)

*had its official world premiere at the Palm Beach Int'l Film Festival in April
*screened to a  standing room only sold-out crowd at  the Freedom Film Series  in  Red Bank, NJ in June
*won Best Documentary and Jersey Fresh Awards at Red Bank Int'l Film Festival in October
*screened at  the Jersey State Film Festival in Cape May, NJ in October
*pitched the film to Larry Meistrich's new company, Nehst, in May; heard in July that he has passed it along to his other execs; still awaiting word on interest in distributing
*finalized DVD artwork and completed set-up with Create Space to produce the DVD's for sale via our website
*sent film to several other distribution possibilities
*recently heard from a connection of Vag's that he is giving the film to a couple of PBS contacts
*planning a mini-series to bring Snake Hill to life circa 1910

The BlueBelles (feature doc):
*Completed filming
*1/2 way through the editing process
*Completed tribute film for Greta's family (1st BlueBelle to pass away last March)

LME:  Like-Minded Entertainment (our main production company)
*Welcomed Liz officially into the fold as our Development Director
*Moved to beautiful new office space in Tinton Falls, NJ!
*Did a one hour radio interview for NJ Festival of the Arts in September
*Finally opened our bank account (now that we have some $$ coming in....major achievement!)
*Finalized new logo
*Developing new website for 1/08 launch (100% of the kudos on this to Vag and Liz)
*Hired an intern after a 2 year search (a shout out to Calla)

Relative Distance (my script with Liz)
*Completed the script
*Received feedback from NYC film consultant Robert Hawk that he felt it was in the top 5% of scripts he's read and had Oscar worthy roles (that was a real high, I have to admit)
*Achieved 2nd round status with the Austin Screenwriter's festival (top 10% and also a big achievement)
*Had inquiries from a couple of production companies to view the script (awaiting responses)

Wit's End (sitcom w/Liz & Mitchell Olsen)
*Developed concept for sitcom and secured comics/actors
*Interviewed all five comics for in-depth character development
*Completed outline for pilot episode
*Mapped out production time-line and strategy (filming in March; submitting to NY TV Festival in June)
*Planned writing retreat for Jan. 13/14th to bang out the pilot script

The Grotto (feature screenplay)
*completed character development
*completed outline for screenplay

Key Networking:

*Mitchell Olsen (stand-up comedian, songwriter, actor, producer) I met while filming What's So Funny?
* and we have always wanted to work together; the time is now right and we are developing/producing Wit's End together.
Frank Tummina and Michael Guercia (via my friend Louise;Frank is her cousin); great guys and fellow doc filmmakers (check out ShBoom: Quest for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame). We will be working on a joint venture to create an internet "network" to distribute our own projects, and hopefully others down the road.
*Nancy O'Mallon, whose doc The Mighty Humble Blueberry (which I gave a grant to) has been doing very well this year. Nancy is a real go-getter and someone we  want to stay in touch with and  support.
*Bob Hawk:  NYC  Film/Script  Consultant who we have now met several times...he's been a big supporter of  both Snake Hill and Relative Distance
*Richard & Amy Alter, local film supporters who previously ran the Red Bank Int'l Film Festival and Freedom Film Series; we will be working with them as they launch their new film organization in early 2008

Great Online Radio
*Developed concept for an innovative on-demand radio network, to be launched with an interview program I will host beginning in early 2008; the plan is to interview interesting people from all walks of life; folks who normally wouldn't get a chance to tell their stories.
*Goal is to build a following which will also help promote our other endeavors
*Other programming ideas include airing my mastermind group meetings; movie reviews from Debbie, etc.

Other:
*Developed several other script ideas
*Developed several other TV ideas
*Developed internal production agreements

Wow, I guess I feel pretty good about all of that....

Now for next year....

2008 goals:

*Hold a NYC screening for  Snake Hill
*Achieve distribution for Snake Hill (or some other signficant exposure...a news program or Oprah!)
*Launch  Great Online Radio & my interview show
*Work with my composer on score for The BlueBelles
*Complete editing of The BlueBelles and hold local premiere; begin submitting to festivals
*Film/edit Wit's End...submit to NY TV Festival (and win)
*Help write theme song for Wit's End
*Land a development deal for Wit's End
*Develop/Launch internet distribution network with Frank & Michael
*Make connections for Relative Distance
*Begin outlines for several new script ideas (The BlueBelles, The Collier Brothers, The Morrow Castle, Whirlaway, untitled horror flick)
*Locate screenwriters and begin hiring to write screenplays for above.
*Help Liz develop Cayce's Place
*Develop, pitch & sell a great reality show concept
*Continue networking, networking and networking!

I guess that should keep me out of trouble for at least the next year!

NYC....here we come!

My Like-Minded partners and I headed into the city yesterday for a couple of meetings.  It was a glorious, sunny fall day with a bit of a chill in the air...my absolute favorite fall weather! My voice is still iffy, so each of my three partners (Debbie, Vag and Liz) took turns running the meetings. 

First up, we had a biz meeting in the car...lots to be decided on these days. Here's a sampling of what's on our plates:

-Snake Hill marketing efforts (top on the list is securing a NYC screening venue so that our connection at Bloomberg News can officially review the movie for the public...looks like Galaxy Theaters may help us out, fingers crossed)
-Our new website (which Vag is hard at work developing)
-Plans for our new radio network (greatonlineradio.com coming soon with in-depth interviews, movie reviews, a mastermind group, original artists/music and MORE)
-The Snake Hill mini-series project
-Recruiting efforts for writers and the need for release forms
-Which project to work on next (this is a tough one as we have a lot of great ideas waiting in the wings)
-Updates on the sitcom pilot Liz and I are working on writing/filming for next years NY TV Festival
-Potential investors (we may actually have one...yikes!)

Next up:  A meeting  with  Doug, our editor for Snake Hill.  Doug works at ABC, so we met across from his building at Starbucks...a typical place for a biz mtg. in the big Apple since there is one located every three blocks! While there we saw Tom Cavanaugh (of the TV show "Ed" fame) which is also typical of most NY outings....you usually see someone you know just walking around. Gotta love that! Anyway, we
met with Doug to discuss his ability to help market the film and to ascertain his interest in cutting the DVD extra segments we want to include going forward.  We've got great footage from our psychics out at the site as well as lots of amazing stuff re the disinterment.  We also want to include a behind the scenes
Q & A about the making of the film, which was actually a pretty interesting journey.  I'm happy to report that he does want to do it, so hope to have these done early next year.

Finally, a big power lunch at Rosa Mexicana near Lincoln Center with our attorney, Michael.  He got stuck in court and was running late, so we gorged ourselves on guacamole and chips for awhile.  Had a great meeting with him...got through lots of legal "stuff" that I won't bore you with, but suffice to say, we've got a lot going on and since I'm usually the one working with him, it was great for the rest of the gang to hear from him directly how things should be handled in various situations. It was also wonderful because he is a big supporter of ours and I always come away feeling like he really has faith in our ability to be successful in this crazy entertainment world. He's been making new contacts as well, so that was nice to hear...the bigger our circle of influence and contacts, the better :)

All in all, it was a productive outing...especially for someone who can barely speak! Now I need to get ready for today's outing...Liz and I are heading up to Bloomfield, NJ to meet with my friend, Mitchell Olson, a stand-up comic, actor, producer and songwriter, to discuss plans for the pilot.  Just another day in the lives of aspiring entertainment moguls!!

Three For Three

In an effort to reduce some stress, I went to the movies three times last week and give them all a big thumbs up! The best thing about these films was that I really knew nothing about them before I went and was pleasantly surprised by each.

First, Eastern Promises, a thriller starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.  Despite being incredibly violent (think the Sopranos, having morphed into the Russian mob), the story was compelling and believable.  You really weren't sure where Viggo's character was going until the end, which I love (nothing worse than a predictable thriller in my book), and let's just say that his nude fight scene was memorable to say the least.  In fact, I think I've just decided to add Viggo to my "cheat list" (you know....the list where you agree with your spouse that if you're ever locked in a room with this person, you're free to see where things go).

Next up was Outsourced, a comedy I saw at a local film symposium.  What I really enjoyed was that the filmmaker took a current trend that is impacting people's lives and not only made it humorous, but brought a lot of humanity to it. I still have no burning desire to visit India, but I enjoyed this peek into what life might be like there because it took an overall upbeat approach in lieu of the heavy stuff we tend to see portrayed. You probably won't see this at your local movie-plex unless it catches on  a la My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but I would definitely add it to your Netflix list!

And, finally, my absolute favorite of the week, Death At A Funeral, a British comedy which I really hope everyone gets a chance to see.  I LOVED this movie because it actually made me laugh out loud several times, which is not an easy feat. Although it starts off a bit slow, the payoff is great.  I don't want to give anything away, so will just say that you will never hear the phrase, "it's touch and go" and not think of this film for the rest of your life (and with a smile on your face).  GO SEE IT!!

That was fun!

We did the radio show last night and it was actually a lot of fun! I thought I might be nervous, but was actually very calm and relaxed.  Probably because there's no stress in terms of appearance. You can show up looking like hell and no one would ever know. That's awesome in my book!

In fact, I've decided I could make this a regular thing. I would love to take my blog to the airwaves, as well as have a chance to make further use of my interviewing skills (honed after the past five years of interviewing a wide variety of documentary subjects).  I envision a scenario where a few of my wacky and wonderful friends and I would have a field day chatting about what's going on in the world. We'd also try to spread some GOOD news for a change and interview REAL people, with a few celebrities and authors thrown in for kicks.  The more I think about this, the more I can see it. However, first things first...I've got several projects that need to be moved along.

One potentially good thing has already come from the radio show....a potential contact with a casting agent in L.A.; I wasn't kidding when I said on the air that I wanted to talk to Nick Nolte about a part in Relative Distance. He still needs his Oscar and I've got just the part for him. Come on, Nick...we just made it to the Second Round of the Austin Film Festival Screenplay competition, which is no easy feat. And consultant Robert Hawk did say to us that this had Oscar roles for the two main leads and was in the top 5% of scripts he's read.  It can't hurt to read it and see for yourself...we mid-westerners need to show support for each other when we can (he was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska;  myself in small-town Iowa....not to mention, he would be perfect for the part of my father in this film.) Finger's crossed!

Anyway, the best part of the whole deal was coming home and seeing the beaming smiles on my kids' faces when they told me they'd heard me on the radio and were so excited that I was "Famous"! It was pretty cute and worth the effort just for that!

A shout out to Linda and Kathy at WCTC 1450 AM for making this happen for us...we thank you!!

Latest Developments

I'm happy to say that there are some good things happening...

*Larry Meistrich's new production company, NEHST, contacted me to ask if we were still looking for distribution for SNAKE HILL and asked for a copy. It will be interesting to see where this may lead....

*After writing about my dream of talking to Barbara Walters and musing about where it might lead...perhaps to hosting a radio show...I was contacted by a friend of a friend of a friend and asked to be a guest on a program called Festival of the Arts (a NJ radio program which airs on Sundays).  I will get a full hour of air-time and the chance to promote SNAKE HILL as well as other projects, so that is pretty cool.  This will probably happen in September, so will keep you posted.

*One of the BlueBelles (subjects of my latest doc) contacted me after the screening and let me know that her son (who runs several newspapers in Hudson County,NJ) was interested in featuring a story about SNAKE HILL.  Should be talking to the reporter  next week sometime...

*One of the writers for Weird New Jersey also attended the screening and loved the film. The rest of the gang there is viewing the movie this weekend and there are plans under way to feature a story about SNAKE HILL in their October issue.  Also very cool...

And, on a personal note, my family and I are very excited to be closing on our new home on July 12th.
We are in full move-prep mode and looking forward to getting our hands on the place!

Back on Track

The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind.  With getting the kids settled back into school, dealing with my ailing dog (he's still with us) and trying to finish editing Snake Hill while planning our big premiere on November 5th, it's been a bit crazy!

However, it really feels good to be back in a routine and making progress on several fronts. I've even managed to clean my office up a bit and feel more organized.  More importantly, I'm diving back into some projects that have been put on the back burner in recent months...specifically the screenplay for "The Grotto" and editing my latest doc, The BlueBelles. 

We have also started the initial stages of our film festival campaign for Snake Hill.  First up is hopefully either Sundance or Slamdance (both in Park City, Utah in early January).  We then have about 80 others we plan to apply to over the next year, with a goal of getting into 15-20.  If so, my partners and I will be on the road promoting the film quite a bit in 2007 and gearing up to gather an Oscar nomination for the 2008 awards.  It's pretty cool to think this is even a remote possibility!!

All in all, I'm in a good place right now and looking forward to sharing the film with family and friends next month at our private screening event. Invitations will be forthcoming shortly...I hope you can all make it!

"Wordplay"

Saw a pretty good documentary last night called Wordplay, which is about the world of crossword puzzles.  You might wonder how a movie that is strictly about crossword puzzles could be remotely interesting, but it actually is not only interesting, but entertaining.

Of course, the focus revolves around the NY Times crossword puzzles as they seem to be the holy grail for most enthusiasts.  We learn about who is behind the puzzles....believe it or not, Will Shortz, the Times crossword editor, managed to convince his college that they should have a degree in puzzle-making and designed his own curriculum!  We also learn about famous people who love doing puzzles (among them Bill Clinton, Jon Stewart (host of The Daily Show), folk singers The Indigo Girls and documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns). 

Most intriguing though are the regular everyday folks around the country who are addicted to puzzles and show up every year for the National Crossword Puzzle Championships in Stamford, CT.  For two straight days, they compete in seven rounds, with the top three scorers making it to the finals.  It actually made for pretty good drama.   

Just goes to show you that there is something out there for everyone and that almost any subject can provide fodder for an interesting documentary. I definitely find myself intrigued by people's passions, however off-beat they may seem...probably why documentary filmmaking calls to me in the first place because it's a great way to tell someone's story. 

A Night With Ed Burns

Last night I went into the city with the hubster and good friends, Mary and Tom, to see a special screening of Ed Burns latest film, The Groomsmen.  The film was actually very watchable even though male buddy flicks are not usually my thing.  The best part by far though was that there was a Q & A session after the movie with Ed himself.

I have to say I was VERY impressed with him.  In case you aren't up on his story, Mr. Burns was a surprise winner at the Sundance Film Festival several years ago with his super-low-budget indie film, The Brothers McMullen.  At the time he was only in his mid-20's and working as a production assistant for Entertainment Tonight. 

Although he became somewhat of a media darling at the time, he has stayed true to his indie roots for the most part, making smaller, NY based films which he writes, directs and usually stars in as well.  I find him to be a genuinely talented guy...and almost as important, very down to earth.  My husband, Chris, also wants me to be sure and point out that Ed is from his home town of Valley Stream, Long Island, so I guess that means he MUST have something going for him.

I can't say I learned anything new from the Q & A, but it definitely confirmed a lot of my views re the film industry....that the business side of the industry pretty much sucks!  If Ed Burns can have difficulty raising $3MM to do a film, the odds are pretty much stacked against the rest of of us.  However, he also inspired me to perservere because if it can happen for a cop's son from Long Island, then why not for a farmer's granddaughter from Iowa??