Sunday, February 22, 2009

We are getting ready for our mid "frame by frame" campaign fundraiser at Spiderwood Studios.

WHAT: "Frame x Frame" Fundraiser
WHEN: Friday, February 27, 2009 ~ 6-9pm
WHERE: Spiderwood Studios 140 Utley Rd, Bastrop, TX 78602
Hosted by Greenware Technology and Echo Earth Media

Come support MFS and take a tour through the new studio facilities, have a drink, taste appetizers from local catering companies, and participate in a raffle for valuable prizes.
RAFFLE PRIZES
VIVA AEROBUS
ROUNDTRIP TICKETS TO MONTERREY, MEXICO

OMEGA BROADCAST GROUP
EDITING SUITE TIME

Hyatt Regency LOST PINES Resort
“GOLF RETREAT”

GEAR Rental
PRODUCTION RENTAL PACKAGE

FOUR SEASONS Hotel
“GETAWAY”

AND MORE...
100% OF ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MOB ILE FILM SCHOOL
sponsors include:
Four Season's Hotel
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
Omega Broadcast Group
GEAR Rental
Arts and Labor
Caio Chow Catering
Castleview Productions
Fuel Films Company
Horizon Film & Video Production
Live On Page
Treaty Oak Premium Rum
Twitchy Dolphin Flix
Vitamin Water

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My friend Pat Ferns

I just received a donation from my old friend Pat Ferns (www.fernsproductions.com ). He is the only one who knows how long it has been since MFS’s conception. He was the first person I tried this crazy idea out on after coming off a camping trip in Alberta. There were lots of starts and stops over the years. I know that he would be so proud of it if he could see the workshops in action. We really are changing lives. Even for those who will never become filmmakers, asking them to be part of a collaborative project can be transformative, particularly for at-risk youth. For some, this is the first time they are asked to critically think. We are so paralyzed in this country due to testing requirements, because of Bush’s “no child left behind” program.

Pat was also my big influence for running student pitch sessions at various film festivals. It is a way for MFS to get our name out and about. But more importantly it connects the festivals with their local student population in an exciting way. Pat invited me 3 or 4 times to pitch in the co-production panels at the MIP markets in Cannes. That was the best schooling I had as a producer. I am delighted to be able to pass that along. Thanks again, Pat.

Monday, February 9, 2009

getting back on track

Today was one of those days that I had no tolerence for crisis. My general MO is to thrive in a crisis, so I was as pissed off at myself as I was at my computer, which wasn't working. It illustrated to me just how dependent I am on my computer. On Christmas Eve my darling future daughter-in-law placed my cell phone in my coffee cup on the way to the airport and I didn't discover it until I got home. That is when I learned how very dependent I was on my cell phone, with the prospect of not having it, especially during the holiday. But my computer today was a whole other revelation.

A few years ago I had a terrible motorcycle accident just months after moving to Austin. It left me without the use of both of my hands for a few months. Being the gypsy that I am, my closest friends and family lived all over the place. I hadn't really established a support system here. That was an exercise in dealing with isolation, a lesson I hope not to have to repeat.

So while my favorite way to communicate is over coffee at the kitchen table, I am blessed with this technology that helps me maintain my beloved relationships during this nomadic life that I lead. The real trick is to use in a way that connects not distracts one from those human connections.

Filmmaking begins and ends with story for me, no matter what tools use in the way that communicating is about making it real, no matter what tools, or lack there of, we use.

shift happens

Most of you have seen the video "Shift Happens." I just looked at it again and of course the information has been updated. It is so dense with information that even if you have seen it, watching it will blow your mind all over again. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Uc3xulIMh_zg

huge learning curve

OK, as you can see I haven't kept up this new blog thing. Well that is about to change. I am getting a lesson on social networking. Stay tuned, hopefully this old dog learning new tricks will be humorous. not so funny today.