RATATOUILLE

What a great movie! There's a room in our home dedicated to movies, which Matt lovingly refers to as "The Media Center". This means that even though we're watching a DVD (Blu-ray) at home, it feels like a theater! It's projected BIG and beautiful, and in it's proper aspect ratio. This brings me to my first comment about this amazing film. It's animation and it's in scope ratio of 2.35:1! WOW! It's truly incredible what can be accomplished with animation now: The manipulation of the depth of field was astonishing! To see a "dolly-in, zoom-out" in an animated movie was jaw dropping. And the water effects! And the fur effects! Stunning. Animation has come so far, so fast. Matt reminded me how groundbreaking TOY STORY was, and how those effects look primitive compared to these. And the storytelling was sophisticated. It began with a gun shot in the house, and freeze framed the rat in mid air. Then it WENT BACK to the beginning of the story, and subtly relived the same moments. Loved it! And to have the film narrated by the rat in first person --nice! The actual story was great too. The main rat character Remy reminded me so much of Matt! Watching his love and talent for food, and attention to all the details that others take for granted was JUST LIKE Matt's love of film, film history and film making! It made me smile. I love that this Disney movie is about true passion (and not just romantic passion) and following your life's calling. It's a call to be brave, reveal your true self, and create a life you love from it. From all angles, I felt this movie simply was a joy!

Looking For My Ari Gold

Today I'm trying to figure out what agencies I might be a good match for as a director. I'm so good at pitching other people, but very shy about pitching myself! (This worked out very well for PURGATORY HOUSE!) My #1 rule of thumb with anything is business is that I never (well almost never) make initial contact with out a personal referral. So my goal for today is to figure out who I know that has a relationship with an agent who might be a good match for me! I also prefer making my first initial contact via email instead of telephone, so that busy people can read it when they have time. Also, I can list my accolades at the bottom. I think that before I actually make contact, though, I should cut together a directing reel (piece of cake!) and compile a kick-ass press kit. Now that's right up my alley.

Image Entertainment Heads Back to Auction Block

This story is about our distributor for PURGATORY HOUSE!
I have a feeling it's not good news for them. Yikes.

Stopping Time in New York

I wish I had been there too! What a great concept, and execution.
--Just watch the video.

Over 200 New Yorkers recently walked into one of the busiest train stations in the world, New York's Grand Central Station, and at exactly 2:30 pm, all froze in place. I love the normal activities they chose, which somehow look incredibly artistic. There's one man in the video who froze after dropping his papers, and left them there. Talk about commitment. The backstory is here.

On a Roll

Ha HA! I love days like this, when I feel like SO MUCH was actually accomplished! Let's recap: Today I pitched: B-side (and immediately got a positive response), Rainstorm (dido), Palm (dido), Lawyer Greg, Crackle, Storm, exec. producer Suzanne, sent followed up emails to Pam at Paramount, Demolition, Carson Signature, Milan, Lauri, Bob Sharka, and cousin Chad in Massachusetts. Talked on the phone with producer Ed Plumb, and checked in with David Lee Miller. WOW! That's a good day.

Inspiration

An amazing last lecture by Dr. Randy Pausch.

Lunch with Shak

While here in Portland Matt and I had lunch with a dear friend of Matt's from USC Grad School. Andrew went to the Stark Producing program and was kind enough to give me some great advice. He made a fantastic observation about me, which I always knew, but never paid attention to. I'm on the outside of Hollywood. I do things my own way. (And I've always taken a lot of pride in that). But maybe that's the hard way. Andrew said that with my history and accolades, maybe I could bag myself a great agent. Producer Chris Wyatt had also suggested the same thing if I was serious about creating a long-term career. Maybe it's time. I do have some amazing references. I never liked the idea of paying 10% of my salary for work I created myself. But it's worth it if I'm at a place where I could be going out on other people's projects. And having an agent would give me easier access to packaging. I'm game!

Singing The Blues

I was in Portland during final callbacks for a lead role in the Sci-fi feature I was up for. Before I left they said that they really liked me, and I could come in when I was back in town. But now I got an email saying they were very sorry but could not wait, and if it was any consolation, I was considered until the very end. It's nice, but only made me feel worse.

Go, Gadget, Go

On Monday I'll start to contact the other companies I had in mind for smaller placement items. Once I get one company on board, it will be easier to get others. --Then I'd still be good to go if the main camera company comes in low.

The Waiting Game

The big guy at Canon called me on my cell today, and we had a 25 minute conversation! He told me he spoke with THE PRESIDENT of Canon (from Japan) about the ODD BRODSKY proposal. With the difference in cultures, he said it was hard for the President to understand the value of long-term, product integration. So I'm sending over the script and we'll see what happens. I knew all along that it would be a long shot, since they've never done this sort of thing before, AND I want to shoot at the end of May. Feeling disappointed for today. This could be more challenging than I had hoped. But hey, I'm the sort of person who creates the seemingly impossible. The difficult thing with this particular scenario, is that I'm not in a position where I can talk to the President myself... So I'm going to relax, and take today and the weekend to enjoy my time left in Portland.

I really think the smart thing to do now is to reconsider talking with the other camera company the product placement company suggested. I've thought long and hard about it. I love Canon, and they've been very good to me. And the truth is that I've also been very good to them. They got a huge return for very little investment with PURGATORY HOUSE. If they pass on this film, I DID give them the first crack at it!

Plan A, Plan B, Plan C

Working in all areas of the development of this film (the script, the budget, schedule, shot-listing, planning), has all gone so smoothly! It's so much fun. I just love film and the whole business of it. The only part I feel a bit stalled on is the financing (which of course is always the part that takes the longest, and is the least fun). Raising this much money is new territory for me. I have a vision of getting my equity funding all from one source (and potentially using incentives and gap financing to fill in). But of course, the fall back plan is to go the traditional route and sell shares to private investors. (Currently my goal is Plan B.)

These are the three scenarios:
Plan A: Raise $3-14M, cast name actors, union crew, shoot 35mm 3-perf with digital intermediate. Team with larger co-production company. Share (or relinquish) creative control. Shoot in Los Angeles

Plan B: Raise $1-3M, cast name/face actors, union crew, shoot 35mm (or possibley super 16), 3-perf w/digital intermediate (?). Team with an experience producer, or hot up and comer. Shoot in LA or a state with a larger tax incentive.

Plan C: Raise up to $1M, I play Audrey, non-union crew, exchange ownership for labor (?) Shoot HiDef w/35mm adapters. (Crazy as it sounds, this is the most risky scenario, but also has the most potential for return on investment!)

Travel Thoughts

Whenever I travel I get my best ideas... My gut feeling is that maybe I should try and make this movie for all little as possible (under $1M). One of my greatest strengths is getting people excited about my projects, and finding good deals. I bet I could even still get name actors! And according to Chris Wyatt, independent films with budgets between $2M and $10M are considered "no man's land". The more money it costs upfront, the bigger the minimum advance you'd need to break even later, potentially condensing the number of distributors able to bid on the film.

Visualization

Before I leave for my gig in Portland, Oregon this week I thought I'd do a little visualizing. Here goes: I'm picturing Canon financing the movie. (This project is the PERFECT match for them, and I'm continuing to put it out there, while I'm far away from home.) You will give me money... You will give me money... Your will give me money.. This movie is a good idea... You love this movie... Cindy Baer is a marketing genius...

Flattening Irons and Record Players

I LOVE my new HFI ceramic hair flattening iron! This straightening iron works like a charm on my wavy hair! We also just got a good ole' fashioned record player. I'm so excited! Now I can't wait to collect all the albums I had as a kid: Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Hair, Cabaret, Olivia Newton John's "Totally Hot", etc..

Got a Callback

I got a call back for the sci-fi feature I auditioned for. Woo Hoo! Unfortunately it's for next week, when I'll be in Portland. But luckily they said not to worry, they'd let me come in when I get back. Life is good. :)

OK Universe, I'm Ready

This is what a million dollar bill looks like. Universe, I'm ready! (This money blog is my new mantra). Please send along a few of these babies ASAP, because we're good to go! Really, I'm ready now: the movie is already budgeted, scheduled and even shot-listed! I've got Chris Wyatt who produced NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE (which is considered to be one of the most successful indies of all time!) on my team, and Matt Irving as my D.P., who's shot 15 features to date, most of which received homes with mini-majors including: Lions Gate, Mirimax, Fox Searchlight, etc... Four of his films have been at Sundance, ant two of his films made the top 10 on the box office chart. We've got AMAZING talent interested, including Rachel Dratch from Saturday Night Live (in what would be a break-out role for her), and it's a really funny, feel-good storyline with a subject that most people can relate to. We just need the money, and we're good to go! Okay Universe... I'm ready, ready, ready!! Thank you.

Disney Meeting #2

Matt's next meeting for the HANNAH MONTANA movie is at 3pm. Today he meets the 2 producers, line producer, production designer and the director again. And on Monday he meets the new producers of PICTURES OF YOU. And a few days ago he has a second meeting with the Starz Execs for TABLE FOR THREE. He's on fire, I tell you!

Goals for today: Finish budget updates (to correspond with the shot list changes), follow up with leads, type the minutes from Free Dream Pictures annual meeting, plan Portland trip (any companies or people I should meet while there?) input receipts, back-up computer.

Happy "Valentimes"!

(I had to quote that episode of
"30 Rock", which stars ODD BRODSKY's lead actress Rachel Dratch saying that hysterical line!) What a fun 2 days we've had celebrating V-day! Last night Matt took me for my favorite dinner: roasted crab at the Crustation in Beverly Hills, and tonight he surprised me with flowers, chocolates, candles, cards, and a balloon, AND by signing us up for couples swing dance classes! he he. Tonight I ordered him a pizza that was shaped like a heart and spelled out "Love" in pepperonis, and planned a romantic evening. I am so lucky. My husband is my best friend.

Stay On Target

It's so easy to become distracted by the quantity of smaller sized tasks. For example, this morning I found out the poster size listed at the PURGATORY HOUSE store was wrong, and felt compelled to fix it immediately. Then I got sidetracked by putting together a MORBID CURIOSITY press clippings packet, and proofing Matt's interview answers (both of which are not due until tomorrow). I like to cross the quicker things off the "to do" list, but often those are the tasks that are not as time sensitive. Must..Stay..On..Target!

MADLY IN LOVE

A few years ago legendary screenwriter Alvin Sargent (who also happens to be one of the nicest and most supportive people I've ever known) gave me the honor of letting me read one of his unpublished screenplays called MADLY IN LOVE.

A few nights ago, when Matt and I viewed THE GRADUATE again, it reminded me that I still had Alvin's screenplay, and I couldn't wait to read it again. Well I did, and now I can't stop thinking about it! It's so good. It was written in 1988, and has that feel of what Matt would call "The Golden Age of Cinema" (1967-1982). It's such a wonderful character piece, and I pictured the main character as a cross between a grown-up Benjamin (from THE GRADUATE) and Roy Neary (from CLOSE ENCOUNTERS). I love how there are moments of pure "being" in it. And the story is so beautiful; it's about a person who's at a pivotal turning point in his life, and you can feel the pull toward each side. He will either become completely introverted (giving into his fears of the world), or find a way to break free of it at last. Thinking about it now, PURGATORY HOUSE, ODD BRODSKY and MADLY IN LOVE all have a common main theme: the heroes are trying to break free of their self-imposed limitations, to create a more passionate and fulfilling life for themselves. That seems to be my archetype!

To be honest, Alvin has been a hero of mine for quite awhile, and he doesn't know it. I never told him and we've sort of lost touch. He's been so supportive of me, and of my career as an actress and as a director. Back when I originally read this script, I wanted to impress him, and somehow think I held back by not saying how much I loved this piece. I am sheepish to admit that I can be very shy, and I have never expressed to him how much I admire him (both as a person AND as an artist) or how honored I felt that he let me read this personal script! Life is so short. I'm going to send him a letter and tell him how I feel.

Variety: It's Official -WGA Strike Is Over

It's official: WGA strike is over.

92.5% of guild vote in favor of strike's end.

By CYNTHIA LITTLETON, DAVE MCNARY

The writers strike has officially ended.

The Writers Guild of America announced just before 7 p.m. that members voted to lift the strike order with a 92.5% endorsement. WGA West president Patric Verrone - the most visible figure during the 14-week strike - made the announcement.

"The strike is over," he said. "Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work. This was not a strike we wanted, but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the Internet. Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the Internet and platforms for new media are developed."

The official tally showed 3,492 voting yes and 283 voting no.
Read the full Variety article

Hedge Fund, Smedge Fund

So many leads to follow, So little time. I wish there were more hours in the day. Today: Gym 7am. Lunch with Laurie (producer of AUGUSTA GONE), figure out how that hedge fund works: bank loan 5-9%. Can I leverage it again Pre-sales? By George, I think that's it! (Go over with Chris.) But why would I use them, when I could just go to a bank directly and save the finder's fee? Need more info. PITCH, PITCH, PITCH. 6pm coffee with Celeste. 7:30 Dinner with Labid (help with financial strategy).

Off and Running

Primary Goals for Monday:
Follow up all pending leads with production companies and financiers. Check in with the hedge fund guy. Send out 5 new pitches. NOTE: Only send to people I know, have personally met or have a personal referral for: 1. Image (who distributed PH) 2. Plum (met at IFP), 3. Sixth Sense (know from AFM, and Oprah connection), 4. Starz (referred by Matt) 5. Houser (met at LAFF). Start researching Post Houses.

THE GRADUATE

Every time I see this film, I love and appreciate it even more... Brilliant. I have nothing else to say. Okay, one more thing: I'm in love with all the "oners" (the long takes without cuts and coverge) and the aspect ratio, compositions. wow. Wow. And the music and the way it's used. It just doesn't get much better than this.

Welcome Back Writers!

After months of striking and false rumor after rumor that the strike is ending, according to this post at 3am yesterday by Variety, it looks like it's actually going to happen! Writers hope to be back to work by as early as tomorrow. Welcome back writers. Boy, did we miss you!!

THE TEN

THE TEN is a film that was as Sundance with WAITRESS. I met one of the production executives earlier this year for coffee when he was visiting Los Angeles, and pitched ODD BRODSKY to him. When I told him that OB had some animation in it, along with a big musical number (which it no longer has), he said it sounded really similar to THE TEN, so I knew I had to see it. It's ten short films spoofing the ten commandments, and tied together by stage monologues in between, performed by actor/producer Paul Rudd (who hung out with us at the WAITRESS breakfast (see above photo of him sporting a beard, with Matt). The first 1/2 of the film was hysterical! Winona Ryder was incredible (For Commandment #7: Thou Shalt Not Steel, she's in love with a puppet!) She is really funny! I had no idea! But about half way through something happened. This really disgusting animated sequence came out of nowhere. Then, the next short film featured a naked-guy themed musical number, which could have been funny, but wasn't. And it only got worse. The gigantic finale was a staged "rock band" number on a stage, which included all of the actors from each the short films, singing and having fun. It just didn't work for me at all. It's so strange to have liked the first half SO MUCH and completely dislike the second half.

The End of Another Week

Oh Friday! I have such a love/hate relationship with you!

I'm recovering from a cold, so I've had to take it easy the past few days. Let's see, what did I accomplish today? Doesn't feel like much. Finally got a private online calendar set up that multiple users can access. Read more of Milan's script. Talked to my friend Labid (hi Labid!) about financing strategies and set up a dinner meeting for next week. Finished the year end financial totals.

I'm Feeling It

My audition for the Sci Fi movie on Tuesday went really well! I sent a thank-you email to the director, and this was the reply I received: "You have a remarkable talent!!!" How sweet is that? It totally made my day. And here's Coinkydink #7: The audition was IN THE EXACT SAME OFFICE of the Prism Awards, where I was a judge for this year's program only one week earlier! It was pretty freaky!

To YouTube or Yahoo: That Is The Question

My friend Milan just quit his cushy, high-paying, corporate CPA job at Warner Brothers to focus full time on producing. Reading his blog reminds me of Audrey in our movie! (I guess everything these days reminds me of our movie, since it's my sole focus. What can I say?) Milan had a meeting 2 days ago with Yahoo! which also does video sharing (like You Tube does). He's going to read the OB script and if he likes it, put me in touch with the Executive in charge. Yeah, baby!

In The Stars

Coinkydink #5: Last night at 7:44 PST was a solar eclipse, and marked the end of some sort of a 13-year planetary cycle in the sky, as well as a new moon. I was told that if I visualized our biggest goals right at that time (and throughout today), the Universe would be extremely receptive. I don't particularly believe in these things, but heck, it couldn't hurt. So at 7:44pm, I started to visualize our goals. Moments later Matt got an email from the director of the Hannah Montana movie, saying he really enjoyed their meeting today, and that he'd "had a hunch about Matt and loves that it was justified"! He wanted to know when Matt could meet the Disney producers. Woooo!!! --Now I should mention that a director doesn't usually contact the DP directly (they go through agents), AND it's usually a couple of days before you hear any feedback at all --not hours!

The Writing in the Sky

Coinkydinnk #4:
A friend saw this while she was driving yesterday and snapped a photo. OB is written in the sky! Literally a sign from the Universe! And Lisa, here's what you didn't know: in the movie Audrey actually sees a plane in the sky that's pulling a sign, which she thinks is meant for her!

Game Show Mojo

The coincidences are piling up! Three coincidences in one day. Here is Coinkydink #3: For years I've had this goal of winning big money on a game show. My friend Katrina and I were even on the pilot episode of "Deal or No Deal", but it never aired. (It was before they brought in Howie Mandel and revamped the whole show.) Anyway, a few weeks ago I heard about a new game show that was looking for contestants, and the casting director's name was Marla Brodsky. I emailed her to say I had a feeling I should contact her even though I don't think I'm a good match for her game show. I told her how the name of my movie was the same as her name, and asked if she was related to my friend Robin Brodsky in Boston. Well, it turns out that although she is NOT related to Robin, she knows her! They went to camp together as kids!!! How CRAZY is that? She lives 5 minutes from me and we're meeting there for lunch today.

Canon is Innovative

Ha! Coinkydink #2. This is why. My #1 lead is matched with my theme word for the year! AND I just got an email back from the big guy! He's looking forward to watching the PH DVD and going over the packet. Keep your fingers crossed. Canon truly is the absolute perfect match for this project. And the reasons are too numerous to count! But I'll try. 1). My history with Canon: My first feature PH is one of the biggest Canon Success stories ever for the pro video dept. 2.) Each and every day Canon receives advertising to anyone who rents the PH DVD! 3). Our talented, well-known and successful team (cast and crew) will make a studio quality film for a fraction of the cost -making this an affordable investment! 4.) The script for OB has a good message, a wide demographic, and is about ordinary people using new technologies. 5). There's an aspiring filmmaker character that carries a video camera for 1/2 of OB! 6.) We can use actual video segment for his footage in the film. 7.) We can shoot all of the DVD extras and viral videos with Canon video cameras. 8.) There's a potential to earn money back --instead of just writing off marketing dollars 9.) It's product integration --which means their product is advertised in a way that can not be "forwarded" over or passed by (like commercials), and OB shows how great the product is without being a traditional "ad". 10) Beyond DVD audiences, additional niche marketing would be put in the hands of their target audiences at film festivals, and filmmaker events. 11) Canon is Innovative! --Their YouTube filmmaker challenge was a great idea. Just imagine what could be done in the hands of professional filmmakers like us! 13) It's a win win. We can't lose!

I just hope they can see it the way I do.

I Act, Therefore I Am

I don't do a lot of auditioning these days, since I'm so focused on my producing/directing work, but today I'm reading for a lead in a Sci-Fi feature, and then later tonight I get to see the first cut of a film I acted in last October. It's a thriller called THE COMMUNE, which was written and directed by Lis Fies. I play Esmeralda, the fortune teller who gives the lead character Jenny (Chauntel Lewis) a glimpse into her future. It's just one scene, but it was long --4 pages! And the research was such fun! I went and had my tarot cards read. (I should look it up what she had said!) I can't wait to see the film for the first time tonight. What a fun day! Oh, but we can't forget to vote on such an historical day when a woman and an African American man are on the democratic ballot as potential Presidential nominees! We've sure come a long way!

ATONEMENT

We finally saw ATONEMENT (which is nominated for 7 Academy Awards, and won the Golden Globe for "Best Picture") followed by a great filmmaker Q&A featuring all the key crew. Nothing beats seeing a film in a good theater on a properly calibrated system. (Although my husband would argue that his home projector rivals a good movie theater, --and it does.) The direction is amazing. I love the way Joe Wright and editor Paul Tothil use the typewriter. And the look of the film is beautiful: the photography, the production design, and the costumes -Gorgeous! And the sound design was spectacular!I also love the way they used the non-linear time-line in a unique way. And that 5 minute oner on the beach -spectacular! (Although it did not seem to fit the style of the film. The filmmakers said this shot was actually inspired as a solution to a problem, which explained the out-of-place feeling). Although I could appreciate the film and it's beauty, it didn't really move me, which I found odd. Especially since I'm so easily moved. I didn't find Keira Knightley charismatic or likable in this role. (And her thinness concerned me). However James McAvoy was amazing. Also, I think it would have been more powerful for me if Briony's character was a bit more "normal"; normal kids often misinterpret what they see. And the movie seemed a bit disjointed, almost like 3 entirely different films. The Q&A was a lot of fun. Their DP sounds just like Paul McCartney! Pictured above (left to right): Editor-Paul Tothil, The Panel Moderator, Screenwriter -Christopher Hampton, Costume Designer -Jacqueline Durran, Set Decorator -Katie Spencer, Production Designer -Sarah Greenwood, Cinematographer -Seamus McGarvey and Director -Joe Wright. (Click on photo to enlarge)

Matt and Hannah Montana

Matt and I spent the weekend watching Hannah Montana episodes since he's up to shoot the movie. I've gotta say I liked it. It sort of reminded me of the sitcoms I watched growing up like "Silver Spoons" and "Blossom". I miss that innocence. Matt said the movie script is cute too.

His career is really on fire right now with 4 films that say they want him when they lock their dates, and another 3 that he's interviewing for, including this Disney film! It's a little crazy. The movie that he was supposed to have started prepping in January was pushed back a few months, and so now it's right in the midst of all of these films! Yikes. They ALL have April/May start-dates, so it will be interesting to see which ones land first, and which one he takes.

As for me, I'll have to plan my shoot for ODD BRODSKY after which ever film he does next. I'm afraid it's going to push us back into the potential SAG strike dates. I'm trying not to worry, because frankly, there's nothing I can do about it. My word for this week is grace. I need to remember that everything will work out perfectly.

Here is the Kindness

Consider this a follow up to my blog called "Where is the Kindness?" I'm happy to report that I've found the kindness! Check it out: HelpOthers.Org and The Random Actos of Kindness Organization both have a place where you can read amazing stories of kindness, as well as share your own stories. Kindness USA has as a Kindness Ambassador Program for Kids! What a great way to teach kids how to be kind! They also have all sorts of nifty (and inexpensive) kindness merchandise.

I Spy Fisher Stevens

If you know me at all, you'll know I'm really into coincidences. And so I've decided to name a whole category after it. This is my first entry.

Last week Dave referred me to Greene Street Films. One of the principals there is actor Fisher Stevens. I knew the name but could not picture the face, and so we rented FACTOTUM. Then a few days later, per their invitation, I sent the script for ODD BRODSKY over to Greene Street. That same night, my next Netflix arrived, which just so happened to be LISA PACARD IS FAMOUS, which was produced by Greene Street, and features Fisher Stevens. (I rented this film, because the overall theme reminded me of ODD BRODSKY). And then the next night, we were watching the final National Democratic Convention debate on TV, and who does the camera land on in the audience? Fisher Stevens! (Apparently he's quite active politically.) Later that same night, we tuned in for the season premier of "Lost" (a show we don't normally watch), only to find Fisher Stevens is now acting on it! HA! Fisher Stevens is suddenly everywhere I look! A sign? Maybe... Fisher might actually be good as Joe in our film. It's certainly a coincidence. I like coincidences because they make me feel like I'm in sync with the World.

Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200.

So the news is not so good. We drove to Vegas, and I didn't get the meeting with the big guy. At first I was sure it meant he was passing on the film. But a few people said that he really was very busy, and it was not any indication of anything larger. I hope it's true. I'm going to choose to believe it is.

In the meantime, I did get a meeting with an actual product placement company. That went well, in fact, almost too well. They think my idea about production integration of the video camera which appears in my movie is FANTASTIC, and they also have a relationship with a camera company. But I don't want to use another camera company! I mean, I'm a Canon gal. They've been so good to me, and I'm a loyal person (sometimes to my own detriment). Yet I need the money to make this movie. I didn't know what to do. So I did the only thing I could --went to Capriotti's, and ate the BEST SANDWICH EVER! OH MY GOD!! It's soooo good! I'm tellin' ya, we really should open a franchise here in LA.

So the big guy told me to call him the week after next. For now I'll concentrate on my production company and investor leads, and mark my calendar to follow up with him on 2/19th. By then the planets will be out of retrograde. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but my friend Robin (who's a certified astrologer) told me that if I drove all the way to Vegas, I was not going to get this Canon meeting. Well, she was right! I'm not sure what to make of it, but better safe than sorry!

The Extreme Follow Up

Today I'm heading out to Las Vegas to hopefully meet up with Canon USA one more time regarding brand integration for ODD BRODSKY. The big guy doesn't know I'm coming, so I hope he takes this meeting! It would be a real bummer to drive 4 hours each way for nothing. I know it's a gamble, but I've got to do it. His office is in New York, but he's out in Vegas for this trade show. I'm so much better face-to-face, and it's been 3 weeks since our first meeting.

I've put together a new packet of additional material to present: A PURGATORY HOUSE DVD (which shows Canon's presence in the "Behind the Scene Interviews" touting their equipment, and in the "LA Premiere" footage, and also features their logo, and shows us thanking them by name), Matt's D.P. reel (which shows samples of his gorgeous cinematography), The PURGATORY HOUSE press book (containing many fun articles and accolades, including mentions of their products in my interviews), Our book of fan mail (demonstrating our connection with an audience), The ASC Awards program book (which I noticed that Canon sponsored an ad in), and the MORBID CURIOSITY presskit (which shows the rave reviews I got directing a short comedy).
Now let's hope he takes the meeting... Wish me luck!