Strictly Personal

I won’t need a laptop if the iPhone works with a bluetooth keyboard or even with a keyboard with a iPod dock built in. I know somebody has to be working on this, especially now that there is all kinds of excitement for the iPhone SDK.

BTW, I am getting a iPhone 3G when my Blackberry dies.

Inquiring minds: Do you really need it?

Me: Yes, yes, yes. Please believe me.

Here is how it stands, I either get a laptop or an iPhone so I can work on the road. My G5 is getting old so I rather spend money on a new desktop instead of a laptop as desktops are generally better for editing and last so many more years.  An iPhone with a keyboard will not let me edit but I can write which is the biggest reason why I need a mobile device. See, doesn’t that make perfect sense?

Inquiring minds: You going to write  on that small screen?

Me: Yes, yes, yes. Why don’t you believe me?

This past weekend, Kel and I acted in someone else’s film. It was a big production, at least for a short film. Couple of notes to myself:

• Acting is fun. Especially when the director loves what you are doing. The old adage of “actors work best in conditions that are fun and encouraging” is so true. This was my first time in front of the camera in such an extensive way, so there is a chance that a more seasoned actor would appreciate more criticism. But I doubt it because I think it is such an instinctual thing. Criticism tends to bring out cerebral choices.
• Actors work when the crew is still while crew works when actors are still.
• Acting is so much about paying attention. Not concentration necessarily but attention. Be aware of what is happening in the moment. Don’t stress about it, relax. This worked for me, not sure it would work for every actor or every scene.
• I felt like a baby. Like I needed help. Whether it was simply getting something or even in terms of knowing what to do. Ajit the actor to Ajit the director, help them as much as possible. It is not about attention as the cliche goes.
• I was allowed to play with the character, the most fun. Ask actors to be themselves but having an adventure. Adventure can be substituted with many other words like fun, play, sad…

Can’t wait to do it again. Might take it all back if I look or sound like a moron.

May 2008 was a busy month for us. We were involved in so many productions including some of mine. Here are photos from that busy month.

One of my favorite quotes are the lines from Arthur Penn’s Little Big Man.

Old Lodge Skins, the wise Indian who wants to die looks up into the clouds and says:

Come out and fight! It is a good day to die! Thank You for making me a Human Being! Thank You for helpin’ me to become a warrior! Thank You for my victories, and for my defeats! Thank You for my vision, and the blindness in which I saw further! You make all things and direct them in their ways, O Grandfather. And now You have decided the Human Beings will soon walk a road that leads nowhere. I am gonna die now, unless death wants to fight. And I ask You for the last time to grant me my old power to make things happen.

The video.

Especially resonant is the thanks for becoming a warrior. This has something I have learned slowly and steadily. It doesn’t necessarily mean that I have learned to fight but that I have learned to be courageous to do what I want to do.

I spent this past sunday shooting some new scenes and reshooting others for Hello. Sorry. Whatever. I woke up the next morning so elated. I don’t think this has ever happened after a day of shooting. I am usually full of regrets. Mad at myself for this and that. But this time, it worked, I had resources, I had help, I was patient with myself, people were patient with me. And most importantly, the crew had a blast doing it.

Part of this I attribute to my maturity, both as a filmmaker and as a person. The other reason would be the presence of Todd Tinkham, a local filmmaker who played the part of cinematographer for the day. And…and…I had extras!

Lastly, this Obama poster captures what I am trying to say above. Things happen when people come together forcefully for a common goal. Great things.

Designed by Brazilian graphic designer named Daniel Molin. Found here.

Banana Bus won the Best NC short film at the recently concluded All American Film Festival. This might sound silly but the award means a lot. Not sure if the next award will but I feel so encouraged about my work, energized to finish incomplete projects. I also feel much more positive about festivals in general, partially because of the award, largely because I had a great time at the festival.

Undoubtedly, it was a great festival for filmmakers as we got plenty of time to mingle with each other and the audience. But I also think the reason that I enjoyed this festival experience more than previous ones is because I actually spent time there. It felt like an event versus just a blip on my calendar.

P.S. The trailer for Hello. Sorry. Whatever. is available on Squigglebooth.

There will be an hour of my films screened at this year’s All American Film Festival. My program will be part of a local filmmakers block that starts at 3pm on Saturday, March 8th at the Marvell Center, Durham. Dear Stranger, Indian Giver and (crowd favorite) Banana Bus will be among the films I will be screening. Of course, I will be there to answer questions and chit chat afterwards.

The All American Film Festival is a four day event that features some of the best local and national films including Slamdance Grand Jury Winner Abel Raises Cain. There will also be tons of local music. I expect to be jumping from one location to another to keep up with it all, should be a lot of fun. Hope to see you there.

Update: Banana Bus wins Best North Carolina Film Award at the All American Film Festival. Woohoo! It was a fantastic festival, the audience were so smart and friendly, the films were incredible and the filmmakers who attended were a pleasure to meet. Can’t get better than that!

• We have moved to Durham and we feel silly for being so paranoid (knock on wood). We have eaten out so much, the restaurants around us are wonderful.
• We also got cable, I want to see the shows that the company I work produce. Cable kills boredom, not good for my creativity. Just like my earlier addiction to the internet, I look forward to the burnout.
• Talking about work, I am crazy busy. I feel nuts for spending time writing this.
• I want this person to be the next president of the United States.
• I await Tennis weather. We do have a gym nearby which I think I might put to use.
• The All American Film Festival is presenting an hour of my work, more details when they arrive.
• Don’t feel like a filmmaker anymore because I AM NOT MAKING ANYTHING.
• I hate Verizon, when we moved, they were the only ones that provided DSL in our area. So we get it, install their new software and for no fucking reason, their software deletes my bookmarks. Common problem that they refuse to address. So bye bye you lousy bastards.
• This is probably the best news: I have friends now that feel like family.