A Way to Look at Things

I heard a saying today- "The Archer seeks not to hit the target but to become the bow itself."

It's totally stupid to relay quotes on a blog- I feel like one of those "successories" posters that get put up in an office cafeteria that are supposed to help build morale. But I really liked this one, because it very much reflects what we're trying to accomplish.

In essence, what we're trying to do is not just make a film, but rather create a movement, a legacy. To make a film and simply be content with it is not enough to sustain a career or a lifetime. I've already made a film, so the joy of "simply doing it" is long out of the way. I can be hit by a bus tomorrow and at least I'll have the satisfaction of making a film. But the goal is much bigger than that.

We simply don't want to make a film, we want to become film. It's what the best in the business have done. When we developed "The Killing Moon" we also set to develop a slate of projects, in a variety of formats. The key is to always have something ready to go. I find it distressing when I meet filmmakers, authors, artists who have no idea of what they're going to do next. After I see a great film and I get to talk to the filmmaker, I sometimes ask "so what are you going to do next?" I'm shocked that more often than not, people have no idea what's coming next. Come on, people- we are artists by trade, it is our job to have ideas, to constantly roll out new concepts and proposals.

I refuse to believe that there are people who have "one good story" in them. Every hour of living on this planet contributes to a new story. Stories are nothing but experience, life experience, and our jobs are to convey the truth about life, even if it is a grand work of fiction.

There was a chapter in Neil Gaiman's epic "Sandman" series about an author whose punishment for his crimes were to have endless ideas. The man could never sleep, he could never have peace of mind because everything he looked at became a new story. Desperate for a pen and pencil, he resorted to writing on walls with his own blood. I find that in my own life, I lose sleep because I'm always trying to think of something new. Not that I will go insane, but I figure I want to get down all of my ideas while they're still there. I fear that there may be a time when I simply run out of my muse- if that day were to ever come, I will have countless pages full of ideas that I can fall back upon. I guess it falls back tot he same old adage for writers, which is to always keep writing, even if it makes sense or not.

I think this was a pretty weak post, but hey it's still me writing something or other. It's better than a blank page!

Be well.

Been a long time since we rock and rolled

It's been a while since my last post- I knew this would happen.

But needless to say I have been truthfully busy, and more things have come to fruition concerning the film.

It's amazing- one weekend in Los Angeles and I made a world of progress. It makes me wonder if I need to be out there more often. Not move there, but rather pony up the expenses to get out there at least once a month. It might very well be worth it.

Another thing that I realized is that film negotiations can be glacial in pace. Especially now that email (and hence, Blackberry) is involved, as it takes a little more time for correspondence to occur.

I have not heard back from UTV in Mumbai- let me correct myself, I have heard back from them, but everything except a confirmation. It has been a waiting game, not necessarily for a decision, but for corollary pieces to fall into place. I think companies in India are waiting to see what companies in the US and EU are willing to pitch in before they make any kind of commitment.

And the possibilities are very strong on this end. I have two very interested parties looking at the project, and we've made even more progress with the ancillaries, which is equally important. In fact it might be more important, because that's where the greater viability may lie with a project like this. The feature film, which like any other film is never guaranteed at the box office, is becoming more like the marketing campaign for the ancillary products, which in our case are the corresponding video game and graphic novel projects. I have no problem at all with this setup.

But I think our biggest goal right now is to find a distributor and lock in some domestic and foreign exhibitions. I have had very positive talks with Fortissimo Films, who might be interested in joining as the sales agent for the film later in the production. This is a good thing- Fortissimo has had a long running track record at the best film festivals in the world, they even won the Grand Prix at Cannes for their stellar film "Devils on the Doorstep."

All this is quite exciting but I'm chomping at the bit to get back into the director's chair. It's been almost two years- not that I've forgotten how to direct, rather I'm itching to apply the new knowledge and techniques that I've learned over the years. Directing is about constant change, about redefinition and invention. "The Killing Moon" is one of those projects that oozes creativity in every frame, it really is something unique and different. Once it gets made, people will really know what I'm talking about, and not assume that my words are just a writer-director's pride. :o)

But the business comes first- I cannot direct if I don't have any money. And I feel we are getting very, very close to getting where we need to be. I can feel it- soon a post will be one of elation and anticipation. Mark my words.