Projects

So, my projects are all in a state of development. My latest documentary, Facing a New Age was completed just hours before the 2009 new year. Since then I've been getting requests from film festivals around the world for Facing a New Age after its acceptance and New York premiere at NewFest.

My relocation to Los Angeles has put a damper on my production projects as I am a producer who has left all of his known gear houses and crew behind. I've been slowly acquiring the ins and outs of Los Angeles and where to get gear on a moments notice for my typical low/no budget projects, but it is slow going. Things will start picking up in time as I meet more people.

My principal project at the moment is adjusting to life in Los Angeles. Seattle (Tacoma, more specifically), where I originate is a very small neck of the world in comparison. Of course I decided to move down at the apex of industry unemployment and economic meltdown. Just hanging in long enough is an activity requiring the bulk of my energy, creative or otherwise.

Additionally, I have been occupied with the task of contacting potential distributors and getting the DVD of Rock Zombie finalized. We just locked graphics and are sending them out for printing while getting our glass master written so we can finally go to press! To spend three years on a short film from development to distribution is quite the experience. I certainly have my checklist of do's and dont's for my next project. (*ahem* have a budget *ahem*).

As for upcoming projects I have on my plate, I have a short narrative film currently entitled Powder Puff which I have been writing for a few years now. I am pretty attached to the script and I have received the whole spectrum of response to it as well, so I know it definitely is provocative. I am in the process of re-writing the ending, however writing is an activity which is best suited to being in a creative space which I most certainly am not currently in.

I am developing a webisode series on the topic of Religion vs. Free Thinking, which should prove to be an interesting side project once I've got series and character arcs planned out. I envision the project will be five or six episodes in total. I love small projects that are complete and short, although a long-running webisode series also has its appeal.

For my friend, Jason Ganwich and his new venture Ugly Gay Divorce I have been writing website copy as well as a newsreel like webisode series about Same Sex Marriage and Same Sex Divorces. Truly it is just about the institution of marriage in general, but that is the idea society hasn't quite wrapped its thick head around quite yet. Perfect opportunity to make pointed, poignant and relevant content!

Lastly, I have many project ideas rattling around in my brain, including a horror feature film, a couple science fiction features, a fantasy feature series I would love to direct if I can pry Disney off the rights and a couple of documentary features.

One of the documentaries is an expansion on an idea I tried to incorporate into Facing a New Age but couldn't due to production time limitations and project scope. I am very interested in the political direction of the American gay population (Larry Kramer scolded me repeatedly for using the term "community"). Dan Savage seems confident that things are moving appropriately along, according to my interview with him. However I can't help but feel a bit affronted by the types of imagery that gay people, especially gay men, consume without thinking about how they are being manipulated by non-gay, often hateful companies. Perhaps that is the media literacy and advocacy instilled in me by my first film teacher. At any rate, I see shifting attitudes towards gay people as well as from gay people. I just wonder if old destructive traditions (however fun and liberating at the time) will be abandoned for a future of stronger societal bonds.

Whatever that means, right? That's why it is a documentary in development. :)

A subject which I find fascinating is that there was an actual revolution at one point in this country's history. I try to imagine what it takes to want--and then actively seek--to overthrow one's ruling class. Trying to imagine a revolution today is almost impossible (and very terrifying). The second documentary is an examination of United States policymakers waving the illusion of freedom and democracy in order to manipulate the American people to the point where party affiliation is rendered meaningless. I have increasingly found that every political party contains fatal flaws which prevent me from subscribing to, or even aligning myself with any party. I guess, ultimately, the question is, "How far does this country have to get from its founding principles in order to warrant initiating its collapse and is it worth dying for?" A very delicate, complicated and emotional subject for sure. And I am sure I just had a few entries added to my FBI file. Allow me to stick my head out my window for a recent photo *click*.