It's Official: We Have a Name

Yesterday while I was flying home, Jenn went down and got our name "Patron of the Arts" officially registered by the Secretary of State.  Yeah! We're on our way.  The next steps: raise seed money, finish non-profit filing, get an office, create the complex website, and bring together the resources for our filmmakers. Piece of cake!

The Movie Deal

In Chicago I met Craig James from The Movie Deal, which is a really cool filmmaking contest for screenwriters. Craig invited me to be on of the final judges for the competition.  Here we are standing in front of the gigantic martini just outside of the "Big Bar" that has the biggest drinks I've ever seen!  

I loved my hotel room on the 26th floor, which over looked the Chicago river.  

The bottom photo was the view from my window.  My journey home today was smooth.  Luckily I had my trusted ipod with me, which saved me from having to listen to a cabbie talk about his adventures in Thailand and eating monkey brains.  I really, really love my ipod.  It's nice to be home.  I can't wait to see Matt around 3am tonight, when he returns from his movie shoot.  It's crazy how much I miss him, considering I've only been gone for 2 days!

Still Obsessed

Just because I haven't written about it lately, please don't think I'm any less focused on POTA or ODD BRODSKY!  My partner Jenn and I are on fire with POTA.  She's focusing on the non-profit paperwork and we found a great way to get start-up money. (Through an online contest!) Also had a inspirational meeting last week with my friend Michael (who is a brilliant businessman), and now have a brand new plan of attack for ODD BRODSKY.  I will implement it when I get back. I'm doing the happy dance here in my cool Chicago hotel room!  

We're Expecting

It may come as a surprise since I haven't mentioned it to ANYONE!  Matt's already told all his friends, but you are the first to hear it from me.  Any day now, our new projector will arrive. It's a new 1080p baby with a built in wave-form monitor, and it's even quieter than our current projector (which is incredibly quiet).  It has a five-star rating from all the reviewers. I'll post a few pictures of Matt and the new baby when I get home...

Hello Chicago

I'm headed off to Chicago to join up with the Final Cut Pro World Tour.  If you're in the area, come stop by the Canon booth and say hi tomorrow!  

Now That's What I'm Talkin' About

BACK TO THE FUTURE wiped away the bad taste that SUPER BAD left behind. I've probably seen BTTF a dozen times, and it only gets better!  In fact, the more I see it, the more I appreciate it. The long lyrical takes where the actors position themselves into the compositions as the camera moves in for a perfect frame, (no band-aid coverage), how every single line of dialogue is perfect -and relates to something relevant in the plot, the genius acting. God, what a masterpiece!  And check out this really cool website.

SUPERBAD is Super Bad.

I can't believe I wasted precious moments of my life watching this.  (Okay, we turned it off after 15 minutes -- but still).  It felt like a quickly made YouTube video that a sexually-obsessed kid would make.  It looked awful, it was one-note, raunchy, and not funny at all. This has a 7.9 user rating on the IMDB! I feel very out of touch with the world.

A New Idol

Okay, I'll admit it.  Idol is a guilty pleasure.  It's hard for me to catch the show live since Wednesday nights are screening nights for the Dances With Films Festival. I managed to avoid the news and finally Tivo'ed the show today. To my delight David Cook won!  Wooooo!  I'm so happy for him. He was my fave, and I really thought he was the best by far.  Rock on!

I'm Obsessed!

Last night I started putting together a mock-up website for Patron of the Arts, and now I can't stop!  I'm on a roll.  Although I am not qualified to build a CMS website, if I lay it out I think it will go much faster for the programmer.  Also, I'm going to be seeking sponsorship for the program, and this will be like a "presskit" or good sample to show.  I put together this temporary logo. What do you think? I pitched this idea to Jenn yesterday and she loves it!  She's my new partner.  Today we start working on the non-profit paperwork.  But only if I can tear myself away from this web program!

Recycling Solution

Yesterday while Matt and I were at the Venice Art Walk (where all of Venice turns into an Art Museum for 2 days to raise money for the Venice Family Clinic --which is the largest free clinic in the USA) it suddenly occurred to me: Why is there no government program to handle the recycling of trash AT the LA City Dump?  Doesn't' this make the most sense? Wouldn't this be much more effective (and potentially cost effective) than asking people to do it themselves?  At this amazing event there was no place to recycle our plastic --even though we wanted to. And so we had no choice but to throw it away. If this was handled at the City Dump, it would be so much more easy and effective for everyone!

On a Roll

I'm on fire baby!  I'm obsessed and lovin' it! I've been working non-stop on THREE of my project this week, and they're progressing in huge ways! ODD BRODSKY: Additional high-profile companies are seriously considering product placement. (Woo Hoo!) POTA: (this is the new acronym for "Patron of the Arts"). I've researched this amazing idea and it appears that no other company is doing this!  I hope to apply for non-profit status this week, and meet with a potential partner on Monday!  Now I need to hire a full-time web programmer and designer, and get seed money.  (It's going to cost $30-$50K just for the website!  Ouch.)  But I've already got ideas on how to get the money.  Mosaic Theatre Company: We're just about ready to perform our show "Troy Story" (see photo) at Los Angeles schools.  Just need to cast the actors, revamp the sets, and finish the school proposal, and it's good to go for September.  

In the past 9 days, besides all this activity, I worked a 3-day Canon gig and a 2-day gig for the National Chiropractor Exam.  It's amazing that when I'm booked on paying gigs, and therefore have LESS TIME to spend on my own projects, I end up accomplishing MORE on them!  It's like I use my time better.  Right now I feel very inspired and "on my path".   It's a good feeling. I hope it lasts a while...

A New Take on "Best Picture" of 2008

Throwing some light-hearted humor on a very dark film.

No Country For Gay Men from Lawrence Scaduto on Vimeo.

Getting Out of My Head

Years ago, I used to have awful, catastrophic dreams all the time, and then one day they stopped. In my dreams I've been electrocuted, radiated, shot, buried in mud-slides, chased by gangs, and trapped inside tall buildings that crumpled to the ground during earthquakes and title-waves.  I've been in all kinds of car crashes, busses falling off cliffs, and wars in various periods of time. I've even died twice in my dreams. I used to be afraid to go to sleep at night. But then I decided to face my fears. I said "OK Universe --Bring it on! These are only dreams. I can handle this". And then, they just stopped. 

Well, last night I had this awful dream, which was very symbolic.  Although it was extreme like the dreams I used to have, it was different.  I didn't have the fear. I dreamed the time was after some sort of war or alien invasion.  I was a part of a small group of survivors.  We were covered in soot, and could only move by night.  During the day, beginning around 9am, we had to stay hidden away in these demolished industrial buildings that were very scary.  These creatures (I couldn't tell if they were aliens from another planet or the tanks of some other country covered in dirt and slime) would hunt for the remaining survivors by day.  Locked away, we would endure these extreme conditions.  It was so hot I thought we would be burned to death; no water, no bathroom, no other people.  But then when 5 or 6pm hit, the creatures went away, and the group gathered and moved onward to the next location.  We kept moving toward freedom, but I was not sure that it truly existed.

I woke up and heard the usual chatter in my head.  Mind you, this chatter is not my friend. While I was still in this half-awake state I asked the Universe: "How can I quiet this chatter?"  And then I had this thought: Be of service.  (of course that's how!) I realized that this dream represented how I feel about my work days.  From 9-6 on weekdays, I tend to feel very stressed out trying to fit everything I want to get accomplished into each day. And while I'm doing one task I'm thinking about the next task, which takes me out of enjoying the present moment.  I need to come back, and be present!  Too much freedom (lack of structure) can feel imprisoning.  

With that --I am off to begin my morning ritual.  Exercise is a good way of getting out of my head...

Cinema Paradiso

Cinema Paradiso won the Oscar for "Best Foreign Film" in 1988.  What a great movie! Here's the short synopsis courtesy of IMDB: A boy who grew up in a native Sicilian Village returns home after receiving news about the death of an old friend. Told in a flashback, Salvatore reminiscences about his childhood and his relationship with Alfredo, a projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. Under the fatherly influence of Alfredo, Salvatore fell in love with film making, with the duo spending many hours discussing about films and Alfredo painstakingly teaching Salvatore the skills that became a stepping stone for the young boy into the world of film making. The film brings the audience through the changes in cinema and the dying trade of traditional film making, editing and screening. It also explores a young boy's dream of leaving his little town to foray into the world outside." Go see it!

Word To My Mother

Considering it's Mother's Day, this seemed fitting to write about, although it scares me to bring to the light. I've been thinking of finding my mother who I haven't seen in 20 years.    I located her about 10 years ago, but she came on very strongly, and I backed away.  

I've always prided myself as being someone who doesn't takes the easy road. --But I suddenly realized that in this situation, that's what I've done. Most people have family problems. And because I was the "victim", I felt justified to keep my distance.  And that's the easy road! 

I've been thinking a lot about my life; about the kind person I am, and about the kind of person want to be. When I am at the end of my days, I want to look back and feel like I was someone who was kind, loving and able to forgive...    

Enneagrams

WOW!  This is amazing!  Have you heard of Enneagrams?  At my retreat, we did this activity. We took this short test to find out which personalities we were, and it's crazily on-the-money!  --I mean SCARY accurate!   I'm a "five -Investigator",  and a "seven-Enthusiast".  I've been reading more extensively about this, and it's so true!  As the Investigator, at my best, I'm innovative, seeing things in different ways than others do, and I can become too preoccupied with my thoughts.  I have a fear of losing myself to my thoughts.  As the Enthusiast, I'm grateful for everything, (even keep a daily gratitude journal), I am overly appreciative, and in awe of the world around me.  I'm optimistic, but become over-extended all the time.  This shows you how you are when you are at your healthiest, and most unhealthiest.  It's an incredible tool that's made me understand myself better, and not be so harsh on myself!  This tool has actually has improved my life!  What's your number?

Audition for TF3

I'm a bit nervous right now. You'd think that after 24 years (did I just write TWENTY FOUR years?!  Wow!) of acting, that I'd stop being nervous. I wish. I've got an audition today for TABLE FOR THREE.  It's a small role, but perfect for me!  --a quirky, energetic "actress".  Sound familiar? I feel especially nervous when I audition for anything where people I know are involved, because I'm afraid of bombing --and making them look bad by association.  I know that's silly.  The only time I bomb is when I sabotage myself.  I'm actually really excited, because I blocked out the scene incorporating camera gags, (ha!) and if the casting people let me do it, it should be REALLY FUNNY in play back.  It could be really funny. ...Unless It doesn't play at all and I make a complete fool of myself!  AH! I hate acting.  

-Just Kidding!  I love my life; every crazy, pressured, exciting, nervous moment of it.  This is an easy audition. I'm prepared. I'll be great if I can keep my confidence.  Piece of cake!  Right?  

Temp Site

I posted a temp site for Patron of the Arts.  It will be awhile until our real site is up and running, but I think this shows the jist of it in one simple diagram: www.patronofthearts.org. Gotta run --Daily Show's on!

AMPTP Suspends Negotiations with SAG

Los Angeles, May 6, 2008 -The AMPTP suspended negotiations with SAG today. SAG National President Alan Rosenberg said, "It is unfortunate and deeply troubling that the AMPTP would suspend our negotiations at this critical juncture. We have modified our proposals over the last three weeks in effort to bargain a fair contract for our members. We are committed to preserving rights that have been in place for decades and not giving the studios the right to use excerpts of our work in new media without our consent and negotiation. Our team is prepared to work around the clock for as long as it takes to get a fair deal. We want to keep the town working."

According to SAG, over the last four weeks SAG negotiated and modified many of its proposals to the AMPTP, while, the AMPTP has offered only a few modifications to its new media proposal which was submitted to SAG in three documents containing 36 provisions that differed from the deals agreed to with the WGA and DGA.

Also troubling to SAG, the AMPTP put forward a proposal in which management's clip demand would gut existing provisions regarding actors' consent to use of their clips and would allow studios and networks to use or sell clips - going forward and from their libraries - in any way they choose and without consent.

SAG's Chief Negotiator Doug Allen stated, "We were hopeful that we could continue negotiations and reach a tentative agreement. We modified our proposals in effort to narrow the gap between us and now we need the AMPTP do the same. SAG's objective is to keep the town working and get a fair contract, so we are gravely disappointed that we will now have to delay to a process that we started over three weeks ago. We are willing to work for as long as it takes to negotiate a good agreement for our members."

Sunrise Location Scouting

Matt and I were up at dawn to drive out to one of the locations for the next feature he's shooting.   This scene will shoot just after sunrise, and Matt will make look like dusk!  It's fun watching him work his magic.   When Matt was prepping WAITRESS we also did an early-morning scout; this time to the Halfway House diner, where we watched the sun rise and then had a yummy breakfast there.

The scene where the three women are sitting on the steps of the restaurant (left), and Earl picks up Jenna --was shot at noon!  I love the magic of movies. 

Rainbows in the Mist

One of the little perks of being married to a cinematographer (who's also a really romantic person) is that he always find me rainbows.  If it's raining and there's a ray of light, he'll say "You know, there's a rainbow to be found".  And then he'll find it for me.  Well today, he made me a rainbow.  After we washed the car, he sprayed the hose into the mist and as the sun shone behind us, I got my rainbow.  I love when Matt shoots a movie in town, because we get to keep our weekends together.  And weekends like this are the things I know I will remember when I look back on my life...

POA: On the Way!

Happy Friday.  Well, Karen is totally onboard as a co-founder for Patron of the Arts. And she is already the amazing asset I thought she would be!  It was so nice to have a meeting where someone else was as on top of things as I was.  I could relax my brain a bit. She completely sees the potential of this company. We each have our assignments laid out, and I'm already 1/2 way through with mine.  I've set up emails for each of us at the website, created an online google sharing doc, and researched the company name in regard to Trademark.  Next steps: form non-profit. (I May not even need a lawyer to file the non-profit papers, if I use Mosaic for templates).  --NO CINDY-- You need to be doing other things.  Okay -we need a lawyer!  And also: need a talented Website Designer and Programmer who's experienced with creating extremely complicated sites.  Send referrals!  Oh, I'm going to ask my brother how to write this job description.  

POA: Creating a Game Plan

I'm still fighting the remnants of that nasty cold, but my voice has almost returned to normal.  It's been fun sounding raspy and different, but I'm ready to be well again.  I'm dying to go back to the gym and return to my routine with full energy.  Today Karen is coming over and I'm going to go over all the initial ideas I have for this new non-profit company: POA.  Map out the mission,  budget, company structure, job responsibilities, etc..,  She wants to be involved with the start-up as a founder; I only hope she has the time!  Fingers crossed--she'd be a great asset!  In the meantime, I think we're going to need atleast 2 more people.   I can't wait for the Launch and to tell EVERYONE about the new company.  I think it will be a truly revolutionary resource for filmmakers to gather film funding.  Pretty soon!   In the meantime, I am seeking a kick-ass web designer (it's a BIG job), and a lawyer to do our non-profit papers and advise.  Referrals are welcome!  Also need someone to design a great logo!