Strictly Personal

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.

What a year! A turnaround in many ways. I was sinking for the past couple of years with little glimpses of flying. At the end of the year, I was tired but also quietly elated. I see several paths to where I want to be.

To celebrate the recent holidays, I’ve made a video which I can’t resist from watching every so often.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

Article about my love for the Mac and my start in filmmaking.

I love quiet music, a child of classical music, a sister of film music, a distant cousin of elevator music. I am not into loud “listen to me” music. The only thing they get me to do is shake my booty which I find myself rarely doing. But when driving or in need for some nourishment, I turn to my quiet music.

With quiet music, I mean Philip Glass, not Mozart (who I also love) which is classical. I like something that is taking a risk with form but is trying to keep the other elements of music intact like harmony and melody.

When I listen to this kind of music, I seem to become a storyteller telling stories I never knew existed. Not fantasies like Lord of the Rings but stories about people I have never met, and for whatever reason I suddenly seem to understand. I get them, I know they fit in the scheme of things. I understand them better than they understand themselves.

I especially love when quiet music has an element of suspense. It could be the most boring drive but when a quiet suspenseful song on my mix cd starts to unravel, the hairs on my arms stand up. A physical sensationthat makes me revel in the mystery of myself, my body. Unlike say dancing where I am aware of what causes the sensation and what is to be had.

There is not a bigger supply of creativity for me than this kind of music: quiet, unassuming, giving.