For every new film project I take on I update my headshots before and after the production. Strikes me as interesting to see if there are any differences. There are always are. But anyhow, here are the new ones.
I broke myself today.
4 massive rewrites for my latest short film THOSE LIGHTER FLUID DAYS in less then a 2 weeks, all on vastly different emotional planes. My heart and mind are drained. Its like writers back lash. I gave everything away to my characters and forgot to leave anything for myself. Sitting here, I feel limp, expended, like I’ve got nothing else to offer. I’ve already had a good cry and downed way too many cups of coffee. Maybe its because its pouring rain outside or what not, I don’t know. I tweeted about 20 minutes ago “When stuff gets tough, I write. Its that simple.” And honestly it is. That’s what I’m doing right now.
The process of writing THOSE LIGHTER FLUID DAYS has been like nothing else I’ve experienced of late. I’m not directing the film, but clearly I am writing the damn thing. And writing, and rewriting, and then rewriting some more. I don’t want this to come off sounding like I’m simply bitching cause honestly I’ve LOVED every minute of it, even the sucky parts. As worthless as I feel, its also been an incredibly empowering past couple of days. All the various takes on the characters and their lives and actions (and let me tell you they have been HUGELY different) has displayed to myself and others that I can buckle down and tell a story from so many sides. Its pretty mind-blowing. I can’t begin to fully thank the people who have come along side me during the process (its not even close to being over and done with just yet.) For their willingness to give feedback and try to get me to rest my mind (HA! That’s a funny one Matt, try again.)
Its been nuts. Its been so tiring. Its been, well, clichely enough (yeah now I’m making up words) wordless, there aren’t words anymore. I’ve run out of words and it’ll be a few days before I get them back. Sitting here listening to The Flaming Lips sing about giant pink robots and having my mom call me from below to finish cleaning up the dishes, I’m oddly ok with being broken. I gave it my all. I’ll continue to do so.
There’s something poetic about the whole thing. And when the words come back, I’ll write about it. Until then *SHRUG* I’m still here.
For the last couple days I’ve had dreams on the brain. Watched a short vlog from a friend of mine and (Derps & Chortles Harlan Dicusses his Dreams and Dreams in general) and now my mind won’t stop thinking about those odd cobbled together situations you find yourself in when you’re passed out.
Several websites, books and science journals later + watching a Nova episode concerning the science and physiological make-up of dreams I went ahead and started a dream journal.
I don’t think there’s any denying that dreams are rather fascinating, while unlike Freud I don’t believe every single thing in your dreams are or have to be sexually driven I do believe they mean something.
It would be hard to argue that dreams don’t play a large part in society and the way the human mind processes the events of the day. My dream journal is proof of that. I’m currently stressing about my job and several employee transitions that are going on so yeah, guess what showed up in my dreams?
Not to mention a Halloween party with some long lost “friends” where I was operating two DSLR cameras both of which were broken with faulty sound equipment and a Director who didn’t know his lenses. I wonder what I do for a career? #ProducerMuch 
Now what do I mean by “Of dreams and DREAMS”? There are the two types of dreams in my estimation, and no I’m not talking about REM and non-REM dreaming. I’m talking about dreams; the type you have when you’re unconscious and then DREAMS; aspirations you have for your life, places you wanna go, people you wanna see, things you want to accomplish. There are few things more depressing then talking to someone and discovering they really don’t have any DREAMS for their life. They’re ok with merely EXISTING. *gets on soap box* I’m gonna state it right now, my Generation cannot afford to just exist. Where society is today there is absolutely no room for apathy. Apathy will only allow those who do have really bad DREAMS to royally screw us all over. The World is a messed up place with a lot of problems, and its up to us to start caring, get some DREAMS and get a move on with this whole “Making a Difference in the World around us” thing. I put out this declaration specifically to people my age (late teens, early 20s), I truly believe there’s a general feeling of unrest brewing in the hearts and minds of young Americans. I honestly don’t think most of those without DREAMS are actually happy with the state they’re in. Secretly they want to be a part of something beyond themselves. Hence why KONY 2012 and OCCUPY WALLSTREET took off the way they did. 
As an Indie Filmmaker, my platform to change the world is my work, the visual medium in which I tell stories, stories that provoke thought, start conversation, get people thinking. It took me a while to figure this out, esp how to go about it in a manner that wouldn’t hurt or ostracize people I care about. Tough questions are hard to ask but they are necessary.
I’ll be asking a lot of tough questions in my next short film THOSE LIGHTER FLUID DAYS, a 30 minute drama concerning a young woman fighting to find artistic inspiration and overcome the limitations of her broken family life in the heart of the Dirty South. Its gonna be a doozy. Addressing issues like Domestic Violence and Alcoholism, we’re hitting them hard and staying true. I’ve got a great team on board, people who both dream and DREAM big. Recently I realized I’ve been living by a motto of sorts, one that is certainlly supports the “DREAM big” idea.
Plain and simple. I want my films to embody this. No half-baked storylines, no settling for second best, cast, crew, locations. Work my hardest to tell the stories that need to be told, the ones my soul aches to release. Its this sort of passion and determination that I feel should drive projects. I’m not saying they’ll be perfect (because even perfect can be dull and unprovoking)but they will be honest. So be bold, be wise, be passionate, be wrong, be a DREAMER by every possible definition. Mentally wear the shirt I’m having made up.
“Oh don’t mind me. I’m just changing the World and stuff.” I dare you.
The title of this post is a rather casual one and for good reason. Its been a long journey this past year, part of me wishes there was a way I could erase large chunks of it but with that said I feel like I’ve finally settled inside myself. I’m restless for life and continuing to grow but not the gut-wrenching angsty sort of way (thank god for growing up) Its refreshing and has really allowed me to focus on the great things that have been going down.
My latest short film GONE FOR THE DAY just had its premiere two nights ago. Exactly a year and three days after my debut short THE SAVING hit the big screen. It was amazing, super engaged audience, everyone laughed at all the right parts (phew) and many folks who had never actually watched an indie film before enjoyed themselves immensely. Three personal goals checked off. I was sitting near the front sending the the projector and DVD player evil looks so it wouldn’t freeze up and felt a sudden wave of pride come over me. The venue was nothing glamorous, a narrow back room of a nifty local coffee shop complete with bean roaster in the corner.
yes those are church pews.
Freebies: "Have it your way but don't get crazy."
Yours truly and my lovely female lead Catherine Allen
Of course I was asked many times “So what’s next for MJ?” That’s an incredibly broad question. I have so many neat projects brewing!
Marketing Consultant for The Upstate Youth Film Festival, inlcuding on-site PR liason during the fest.
The Seattle True Independent Film Festival Student Film Block Promotional Coordinator.
A full time PR position for a local ice cream shop beginning March 1st.
Massive progress on my feature film screenpaly JERSEY NOISE which is in Month 9 of rewrites.
Two possible collaborations for short films with local Directors.
The first draft of my post-apocalyptic 35 minute short entitled SERIAL 56 (think THE ROAD meets MINORITY REPORT) which I hope to shoot next Fall.
Assisting with a Middle School film class in June.
Two HUGE super secret projects (one that will be revealed within the next week or so) that involves a bit of traveling and continuous steps toward world domination, you know, no big deal 
Looking at the list I can’t help but grin. Not a thought in my mind concerning bordem, I’m booked solid and couldn’t be happier. I’ll keep writing, creating, collaborating, and learning. Just the way it should be.
Its been a little over a week since I wrapped Gone For The Day, my latest short film project and its taken me about that much time to process the whole shabang and gather my thoughts.
I’m not even going to try to fight the sentimentality. Much like one’s first love, nothing will ever replace the experience of your first film but the thing about love/filmmaking is, well at least I feel it should be this way, is it grows, matures, learns from its occasional rash decisions and comes out the other end of whatever ordeal wiser for it. I’m dreadfully thankful to say that couldn’t be more true of my second go at directing.
Your's truly in 2010
The genre of GFTD was a total departure from THE SAVING, I went all dramedy borderline rom-com, compared to THE SAVING’s psychological thriller mindfrakk pace this was a walk in the park. In all honesty it was a breath of fresh air for my heart and mind. If any of you have read samples of my work you guys know the vast majority of it is dark introspective soulful stuff so GONE FOR THE DAY’s playful storyline and easy going romp-in-the-park sorta pace was far from the norm. So much so when I let a my best friend read the first draft she accused me of the story not being my work because it was “too adorable.” All that to say the tone is lighter but the inspiration behind it was very concrete. Pulled from personal experience to write the character’s fleeting interactions and leave the audience feeling charmed, hopeful, and (fingers crossed) thankful for the relationships that come and go in their lives.
That last sentence sums up what I want my filmmaking experience to be for myself as well as for those who I’ve worked with. I’m a firm believer in the idea that there should never be room on set for Divas. Not even the Director. As the youngest person on set excluding our female lead (which always seems to be the case on
A little over a year later
I step back now and safety say THE SAVING was a controlled train wreck of a production, the film was completed, made it to its destination but lets just say sparks flew, things got blown up and had to be roughly welded back together. It was an extreme learning curve where the mantra “fake it to ya make it” couldn’t have been more true.
The fact of the matter was, on GTFD I didn’t have to fake it… you know, as much 
I had done “that directing thing” and while it will never become old hat having one film under your belt really shows you the important things and in the end, its what’s on the camera and the memories your cast and crew walk away with that count. My goal was to have everything run smoothly and keep everyone happy. And oddly enough I’m pretty sure I was able to do just that. There were plenty of hiccups along with way (the props bag and half our female lead’s wardrobe got caught up in a PA’s bag that wasn’t coming back to set and lived a good hour away.) I attribute the smoothness of the shoot most wholeheartedly to my absolutely AMAZING Crew and Cast. Especially my DP Rebecca. 
That chick seriously cares about indie film, she stuck her neck out for me, EP-ing THE SAVING and happily jumped on board as Director of Photography for GONE FOR THE DAY. I couldn’t have done it without her. The knowledge, know-how, care, and attention she showed the project and this Director will stick with me forever. I’ve already decided she’ll be on my TY list when I snag my first Oscar All this to say THANK YOU REBECCA! A shout out to Matt Brammer as well, who was GFTD’s Key Grip/Gaffer, the totally self-taught lighting genius brought his industry level brilliance to our low-budget short without a minute of hesitation, his total A-game. Between him and Rebecca, we have one da*m good looking movie on our hands.
Having these people by my side every step of the way (among many others like the ever sporting nerd t-shirt MU/H/W Goddess Apryl Mitchell Snyder) the two days we rambled around Traveler’s Rest SC (population 4k, more then three fourths of which are apparently in Church on Sunday morning) made all the difference as we rambled around this small town. Did I mention I have a brill Cast as well. Both Daniel Bostic and Catherine Allen nailed their roles with ease and effortless charm. And I’m pretty sure that they had a blast doing it as well.
To step back and clearly see the steps forward I’ve taken in this past year is nothing but encouraging and challenges me to continue to grow. So much still to learn and experience. As for GONE FOR THE DAY, we’re looking at a picture lock before Christmas, and the release date is being hammered down sometime in early February 2012. A very quick turn-around and then its off to the Festival races. My ten year plan for #IndieFilmWorldDomination continues!
To end with, while sorting through the clothes that needed to be laundered after the weekend shoot I stumbled upon one of my favorite shirts that I didn’t actually end up wearing on set. Scrawled across the front was the simple yet profound phrase “Oh the places you’ll go.” I can’t help but smile, half because its Dr. Seuss and he’s made of AWESOME but mostly because the statement is so darn true. But I’m gonna take the liberty of tweaking it a bit. “Oh the places WE’LL go.” I strongly believe we’re in this together, cause honestly, who else would I be making movies for
You guys rock and thanks for reading!
They were amazing at faking that they weren't freezes their butts off.
GFTD's lead Daniel Bostic and Catherine Allen. The intrepid duo.
Guess who was actually more savvy on the guitar 
I wish wordpress would allow subtitles. For this post it would be written like this:
Getting Back on the Horse
& learning to be Ok with being scared of riding
ANYHOW…….
I’m making another movie. I decided about three weeks ago that I wasn’t going to wait until next year to take on another film project. Thus was born GONE FOR THE DAY, a short film about getting over it. Appropriate huh? I was working on the pitch video for GONE FOR THE DAY’S Kickstarter campaign and the words “Its funny how film can end up reflecting what’s really going on in your life.” came out of my mouth and sorta (not sure why) but caught me off guard. I realized this is film is much about the character’s recovery as it is about mine. The story is about two total strangers who find themselves wandering about their small hometown in an attempt to get over a failed relationship. I’ve done just that, on many occasions, seeking some form of solace in the familiar yet unfamiliar, letting myself get lost on the city streets and the quirky experiences that come along with it. You’ll just have to watch the pitch video to see how the rest of it lines up (and its pretty uncanny how many elements do so).
For at least a month I’ve felt incredibly vulnerable, having shed the armor that my old project Fruition Hard Line had offered me, I look back and realize I’d been using the film as a way to stuff down all my own personal problems which for any artist or people in general is anything but healthy.
People always saying you gotta have a tough skin in the Entertainment industry and I can’t argue with that but lets not be so tough we end up just not caring. There is already so much that is soulless in our society, I refuse to have my art fueled in that way. GONE FOR THE DAY is going to be a enjoyable film, a good ole fashion indie film romp of sorts with quirky dialogue and message that speaks directly from this Director’s heart to her audience. In the end those are the sorta films I want to make. Not all grit or glam but taking life lessons and exploring them in a visually appealing and provoking way. I have fears that I’ll simply mess up (its only my second directing gig after all) but I want to step up and prove to people I’m not just a Screenwriter or Producer (no matter how awesome those two positions happen to be) The saddle can be a rather uncomfortable place and having the reigns in your hands can be overwhelming but someone has to take them or everything will run amuck and end up in your neighbor’s prize flower garden. Ok I’ll stop with the riding metaphors but I think you get the idea. Its all very challenging and when it comes down to it, super exciting….
So…Did I mention, “I’M MAKING MAKING A MOVIE YO!” *HAPPY DANCE*
“Due to creative differences I am no longer Executive Producer of FRUITION HARD LINE.”
For most of you you’re probably pretty shocked, considering all the time and energy I’ve devoted in the past 6 months to the project. Couple things I want to clarify before I go on. The film as is is still a go, the storyline is killer and really has a lot going for it. I suspect the creative team will go for a re-brand including a new title which for where the production is at this point would be a great move and I support anything the Director Timi Brennan goes forward with for his production. I do this now from the sidelines as merely a bystander. Its a HUGE transition, for both myself and everyone else tied to the project. I spent much of this morning stripping my name from all our social media outlets,off my blog and references in my bio posted God knows all over the place. I managed to watch the trailer and my breath caught in my chest after the words “Produced by Mahogany Slide” came up on screen. Its weird. I don’t even really know how to begin to explain why I felt it was necessary for me to leave the film. I have my reasons, most of which I don’t really feel like making public because I respect the people I worked with and there’s no call for me to go into mass amounts of detail. Things are still being sorted out. Like the title line says creative differences had a lot to do with it. Its safe to say I found myself more attached to the project because I personally care about all the people involved instead of the actual content of the film. The thing is, its a rock and a hard place situation because the film itself is quality, I would never be associated with anything that I felt was anything less, but it was sorta like waking up one day and realizing your head was totally in the game and then finding out your heart wasn’t even close to being there.
Again, an incredibly tough situation because I could have just sucked it up and done what was best for the production, but I honestly believe departing was and is the best move. I think both myself and Timi will continue grow as filmmakers. We both have a lot going for us. If that means we work on separate projects for a while and reunite further down the road, I welcome it. I’m confident whatever FRUITION HARD LINE ends up being called its gonna rock some serious socks.
And I’ve got other things brewing so in no way am I left high and dry. You’ll be hearing loads about several projects including a rom-com short I wrote and will be producing (working title MEMORY LANE GOES WALKING) and I’ll be directing a 1980s short entitled BURNOUT. And (yes there’s more!) I’m wholeheartedly pursuing the concept of getting my feature screenplay JERSEY NOISE produced in a proper manner. Like “Not indie budget” proper manner. Call me crazy, it won’t be the first time and I highly doubt the last. Film related antics aren’t the only thing I’m involved in right now. Teamed up with an amazing woman named Kara Russo to start banging out a underground zine “Copy Break” is coming Greenville peeps and its gonna be FABULOUS.
So yeah, sh*t happens, “Making It” comes and goes, and lots of stuff and things have to be addressed but when it comes down to it, I’m still a filmmaker. I’m still that upstart punk arse kid that confuses people, intrigues others, and hopefully inspires people on some level to continue to pursue their dreams even when the going gets rough and you don’t feel like you have all the answers. I know I don’t. But being cool with that is pretty much just like learning to be cool with yourself. Its not easy but the way I look at it, I’ve already learned a great deal and will continue to do so. You can’t pay for this sorta life experience, you just have to grin, bare it, and make sure you make whatever frustration, misunderstanding, and possible hurt that stemmed from a situation worth it. Cause the thing is, the sun still coming up tomorrow and movies are still getting made. And for that I am grateful.
Below is an excerpt from an untitled novel I out of the blue started writing last week. Its part journal as far as the stream of consciousnesses style writing, the lack of capitalization and punctuation on certain sentences is purposeful. Genre is sci-fi-fantasy set in this modern day. The name of the document on my computer is entitled “STUFF THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE.” Should give you a general idea of what I and the lead character were going through when I sat down, lonely and frustrated to write.
QUICK DISCLAIMER: NOT OFFICE APPROPRIATE. There’s strong language used throughout. Also purposeful to build a tone. I generally try to keep my swearing to a minimum because I feel it displays lazy writing but considering the style and flow, it works within the context of the storyline With all that said, read away and please do tell me what you think. If you like it, hate, think it needs work (which of course it does). All forms of feedback our appreciated.
The basement was teeming. Bodies melded, the pulse was uncanny, throbbing, inescapable, forcing you to give yourself entirely over to the rhythm. You wanted nothing more then to lose yourself. Sweat mixed with the sickly sweet smell of cheap liquor, piss, and vomit. The party had been chaotic, laced with booze and rocks, big ones, 1 gram or more. 3 were down for the count but no one cared. everyone just wanted to forget. Forget the pain and heartache in their chests. The Nothing world they lived in. They weren’t pencil pushers, bin men or flunkies. She was other. Something even she couldn’t define. Both matter and spirit, no that’s not right, spirit controlled by matter, or something like that. Her name was Gavin, a boy’s name, she didn’t care, or pretended not to. She pretended a lot of things. Like she actually fancied the man she was with, hardly a man, more like a tool, created by society, molded , shaped into the perfect little robot. Good grades, good clothes, good sex.
She hated it. All of it. The smiles, the formality, the hiding behind a mask of something she wasn’t. But isn’t that what masks are for, painted faces, soulless eyes, eating shit and doling it out. She wasn’t even 19. Her parents had already picked out her birthday present, they thought she didn’t know but how silly is that. She knew, she knew everything. One touch and the deal was sealed. Her brain never shut off, even in her sleep, she heard everything. Waves of sound, dissonant, emotionally driven, pain, it aches in her ears, mind, soul, body, bones, tissue, pores. all around her. The only solace she got was when everyone around her was brainless, numbed by drugs or alcohol. Thats why she was here, this wasn’t fun, it was surviving. She was sober, never touched any hard stuff in her life. People thought she was nuts, at least they got that part right. Of course she was insane, everyone’s insane or close to it, standing on the edge, playing at understanding the world around them. She listened and acted. She wasn’t a good kid. Gavin was Other and that’s why she lived. To be Other for Others.
Smoke in the room hovered, blanket over low sloping ceiling, popcorn ceilings, why did those still even exist? like a sore thumb, no, middle finger.
A rough hand slid to her shoulder and clamped down. Gavin recoiled, swiveled around. Lights flashed. Lines could be made out, chiseled chin, like stone, maybe it was, wouldn’t be the first time. She felt nothing when he touched her, that was new.
“You should come with me.”
His eyes were gray. appropriate. they said a lot about him. How he didn’t belong. Gavin liked that. She didn’t question that. She went. Wouldn’t accept his hand but followed in his wake as the masses parted. they had to. He commanded without saying a word.
The air outside was crisp and cool. First bite of an apple fresh. The Man handed over his outer jacket. Draped over Gavin’s shoulders, much too big, smelled like cheap cigars and day old decisions.
“I like this, how we pretend we already know each other…” Gavin’s breath frosted and billowed out in front of her. Her hands buried themselves deeper into the coat pockets. There were candy wrappers wadded up, ticket stubs, snubs, perforated edges, all oddly unsentimental.
“Your Mother is worried.”
“Probably should be. Which one are you?”
“You really don’t know?”
“Would I waste my breath asking if I did?”
“The 5th.”
Gavin shrugged.
“Apparently they skip 1 through 4.”
“You already killed the others.”
A grin slipped onto her face. Cheshire cat. Funny how things come back to you, boomerang balloons, now there’s an interesting idea.
“I don’t remember.”
“You’re not sorry?”
“Should I be?”
This time it was the Man who shrugged. His voice was silt, scratchy. Undesirable, sandpaper skin, and a bad paint job.
“Why did you come here? This isn’t your world.”
“Its not yours either.”
Cut to the quick, all that poor wording, left herself wide opened. Gavin wasn’t used to being the vulnerable one. She gladly gave that role to the bystanders and puppets.
“Its really fucking cold.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t feel cold.”
“No.”
“And I used fuck out of context.”
“Yes you did.”
“I won’t do that again.”
“You’re not the only one anymore.” He had this weird way of talking, half thoughts, sentences that started in the middle, lost little words trying to find their way to the gate.
This surprised her. The only one. As in Loner. i.e. Alone? Of course not. The voices in her head, the ghosts in her soul, bodiless figures, never minding their own damn business. Loneliness was a luxury for those who only had one heart pounding in their chest.
“Ok.”
“I was told to bring you to the others.”
“You said I killed the others.”
“I’m not talking about ones like me.”
“Then what are you talking about? Can’t read your mind.”
He smiled. He enjoyed that. He was her Tabula rasa, blank slate, frigid, dusty, but not sad.
“Will you come?”
It was now Gavin who was doing the smiling.
“That would be a no.”
She whipped off his jacket, it slid to the ground, rumpled, unimpressive. Odd how quickly a body can forget the cold. Deceive itself. It ran down her back, through her sweater. How does sweat turn chilly so quickly? Born from heat only to descend into icy rivulets. Its what the night wanted. A less then subtle thief. Tears into rain, so Neo-Noir.
“Where will you go?”
“A whole lotta nowhere.”
“You speak in riddles.”
“Always.”
“I can’t let you do this.”
“Then why did you even ask?”
She already knew the answer. They were builders among other things. The illusion that her life was her own, made up of in and out movement, up, and down compression, that thing called breathing, thinking, feeling, being human. They thought they could play her, the notes they had chosen were too perfect, too right. They sounded good. Not Gavin at all. She played their fake songs, sang their vacuum sealed ditties and smiled for the punters. Show’s over folks, go home.
“Tell em I’m lost and not to look for me. Being lost is fun, or so I’ve heard.”
“From who?”
She tapped the side of her skull then squared her shoulders.
“I’ll have plenty of company… Don’t wait up for me.”
And with that, she walked off into the night, no idea where she was going or why she choose to leave at that very moment. She was done with all of it.
Gavin didn’t want life to live her anymore.
Life piles up. Sometimes you feel like you can handle it, but most of the time you’re faking it till ya make it. “Making it” is different for a lot of people, I prefer to give myself small “Making It” high-fives during the week. Many would consider these goals and in one sense they are but sometimes even the word goal can wear a person out, because at one point or another it becomes a task and not something you’re doing because you wouldn’t know what to do with yourself if you didn’t.
These past few weeks have been a crazy emotional rollercoaster. I decided after I graduated High School back in May I was going to take at least a semester off to work and produce a my feature film project FRUITION HARD LINE. There were a lot of people who questioned this idea, including myself. Deep in my gut I doubted I was making the right decision. Was I scared of change? Not measuring up? Could I handle the demands of Uni life and what not? I wrestled back and forth with my responses and when I got to the bottom of it all I realized I wasn’t scared of tasks itself but what everyone else would think while I was going about them. That’s a terrible reason to do anything and it was exactly the reason I had no peace in my soul. Clearly my heat was not into the “Lets be a Uni student” thing. I want to be a filmmaker. I’m not saying this is the right path for every young filmmaker and who knows, I might end up in film school or a formal class room setting once again but for now, I’m working 36 hours a week as a shift leader at a ice cream shop and producing a steampunk feature film.
After struggling so deeply with everything its the little triumphs that keep me going. My plan is to treasure them from now on. The successful collaboration of two artists on a one sheet concept, the bringing about of one serious guerilla transmedia marketing campaign (#FindTheLostGirl cough cough)for one of the coolest comic conventions out there (DRAGON*CON 2011 PEOPLE, WOHOOOOOO!) and managing to get off caffeine and learn to laugh at myself more. I get to add bangin’ non-traditional photoshoot to the list of “Making It” moments as well. 
I love my work, and its work, lots and lots of it but sweltering in the hot summer sun next to a female lead with bruised face wearing four layers of clothes sprawled out on a park bench I realized, this is what I really love to do. Ok not torture relatively innocent teenage girls even though I’m pretty sure my female lead Stephanie would argue otherwise Its that weird off-ish charm that a life of filmmaking offers. When odd becomes the norm pretty much any little conversation you end up having on set leaves some sorta smile on your face (“Those boots are too big”"Yeah well I made them in my garage with road kill.”) These are the little things that pretty much make my day, brushing aside the weariness, and mental fatigue. I have friends who get me, and are willing to lend their amazing talents to bring something amazing about but its not just their ability to produce awesomeness but their dead-on honesty(APRYL: MJ there’s a difference between being confident and having an attitude.”) that both provokes me as filmmaker but also as a person.
Don’t sweat the little stuff, take it all in, learn, and apparently write it down in a nifty quote book. Yes Apryl, I did notice. Onward and Upward! Can’t wait to continue to bring you guys the latest and greatest in my little “Making It Moments.” Bring it on World.