It's Getting Serious Now

There's been another, exciting, development in the movie world. Last weekend we had a pre-production meeting to prepare for the 48-Hour Film Project that's coming up in July. Nothing too major, we all brought a dessert, and talked about the rules of the contest and took inventory of our assets, equipment, props, access to locations, etc.

After about an hour or so the meeting wrapped up and people started to leave then myself and two others were asked to stick around. I was all, "sweet", cause there was still dessert left. After everyone else had left we get down to business...literally. Turns out the reason for the meeting wasn't so much about the 48-hour project but to get us together to talk about taking the next step in our careers. Basically there are six of us that are the "core" group and then a couple others that kinda float in and out. It was proposed that the six of us form a production company and start raising money to produce a short-film to submit to festivals.

Once I picked myself up off the floor it was very exciting. The more we talked the more sense it started to make. Each of us brings a unique skill to the group but we also work very well together. "J" has mad producer skills, "T" has mad directing skills, I have mad production management skills, "F" has mad camera skills, "H" has mad post-production skills and "J2" has mad writing skills....put it all together and what do you get?? Count It! Productions. Like I said we work together very well and collaborate on all aspects of production...we've worked together for about a year now and really are a good team!

After the announcement was made we went around the room and each shared our thoughts and it was really interesting because we pretty much all shared the same "story" of how we've always wanted to do this and how we feel that time is slowly ticking away. I think four out of the six are over 30 and we all seem to be in the same place. Actually one of the guys is from eastern Washington too and our stories are really similar, we both moved here to get into the movie thing and we're in our 30's and aren't getting any younger, etc. It really made me feel good and I realized how close we really are. Also expressed was the desire to do more "substantial" material, which was really nice to hear. The three minute stuff has been fun but I know that I was ready to tackle meattier material, so it was good to hear that the rest of the group wants to as well.

Right now we're in the process of the getting a website up and actually forming the company. "T" is meeting with an attorny on the 16th to get details on forming an LLC and what that takes and how much it costs and all that stuff. Then we need to nail down all the other stuff...like how we're going to raise $15,000 - $20,000 we need to shoot the film. Obviously not everyone will be able to invest at the same level. We are truly from every walk of life, two are home owners, the rest aren't, four of us have good jobs and are for the most part financially secure, and then a couple are college kids that are working 2 part-time jobs, etc. We're not thinking that all the money will come from us...I imagine probably 1/2 will but that still leaves a pretty good chunk so we'll have to come up with some fundraising schemes. Plus it's going to be a good 1 to 2 year committment. Obviously none of us are quitting our day jobs so it's going to take awhile to get everything in place and raise the money and then shoot it and edit, etc.

That's all I know now.....stay tuned for more information!!!

The Count Down Has Begun!!

I can't believe the waiting is almost over!! We move next week!! In fact today I called the cable company and got my install appointment all set up to ensure that my access to the internet is in no way interupted!!

We can actually start moving in on Tuesday the 20th and might take a few boxes over that evening but the major portion of the move won't happen until the weekend of 24th and 25th. Then thankfully I have June 29th through July 6th off from work so I'll have plenty of time to get settled in and all that good stuff.

It's a good thing that we've already started packing stuff up cause we're heading to Yak this weekend so won't have time to do anything. Next week is going to be busy!! Oh well I work from home on Tuesday and Thursday and C is off on Wednesday so I'm sure we'll have it well in hand. I'm pretty sure that we can have the guest bathroom, dining room, guest bedroom and non-essential kitchen items moved before the weekend. Then when the weekend comes I'm thinking 1/2 the day on Saturday we're done.

I'm sure I'm over simplifying but we'll see :-)

No STIFFY...:-(

Sadly we were not voted a winner at the "Weekend Film Challange" screenings over the weekend as part Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (STIFF). I do feel that we made a strong showing and the caliber of our work was on par with the winners. It was a fun, creative and great learning experience.

Stay tuned for information about the 48-Hour Film Project coming up in July.

Oh yeah...if you haven't already check out the new website of Angry Mo Productions at ...www.angrymo.com! That's right it's own domain!! You'll find more information on the 48-hour Film Project as well as information about other projects!!

Finally, if you haven't already, telephone or e-mail your US Senators and ask them to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Washington Won't Discriminate

The Angry Mo needs your help! Keep discrimination out of Washington State. Click on the logo below to see how you can help.

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left
to speak up for me.

--Pastor Martin Niemöller

The Dixie Chicks, The Economy and The FMA

Oy….where to start?

The Dixie Chicks – GET OVER IT! It was three years ago. For those of you that say they are entertainers and should just shut up and sing I don’t pay to listen to your opinion, don't be a hypocrite. Not a day goes by that a celebrity isn’t saying something about something. So the next time a celebrity uses their voice to bring awareness to poverty, genocide, famine or human right issues remember to tell them to just shut up and sing. I guess freedom of speech only applies when it's inline with the popular opinion of the time. Just because someone says something you disagree with doesn't mean they don't have the right to say it.

I know the “America, love it or leave it” types don’t get it but let me try to explain it. The fact that they said what they said and didn’t get beheaded, thrown in jail or otherwise tortured or punished is EXACTLY what America is all about…not “love it or leave it.” That’s whole point – YOU CAN DISAGREE. And, by the by, people usually speak out because they love it. Patriotism is NOT just waiving the flag, bowing your head and saying yes sir, it’s speaking out, it’s taking chances, it’s about trying to make things better and it’s about having a voice!

All over the county folks vowed to never buy another Dixie Chick album or ever go to another concert, they even convinced some radio stations not to play their music. Fine that’s their choice. Some folks even went so far as to send letters saying the most horrible and hurtful things. These letters called them unpatriotic and accused them of treason and those were the “nice” one. Some of these letters included death threats, not only to the band, but death threats against the band’s (at the time) unborn children, their parents, their brothers and sisters. Now, compared to what the Dixie Chicks said about Bush, who's the bigger asshole?

Just an FYI…The Dixie Chick’s new album is #1 on the Billboard chart and is the most purchased CD from Amazon.com since it was released a week ago? That my friends is truly “America the Beautiful.” Hope springs eternal for the Angry Mo.

The Economy – WHO’S GETTING RICH?? It ain’t me. A recent poll reports that 60% of Americans are unhappy with how President Bush is handling the economy. Naturally Bush doesn’t get it because the economic indicators are up. Good Morning America sited gas prices as the major contributing factor to people’s dissatisfaction with the economy. While gas prices are high what I have the most problem with is how can the economic indicators look good? I don’t even really know what these indicators are but let me share some of my own indicators and then you tell me if the economy is UP?

• Gas prices are up 49% since 2004


• Home prices (King County, WA) are up 18% in the last year alone (**UPDATE 06/12/06 - new figures announced on the news last night...the increase over last year is 22% and in neighboring Pierce County one city saw a 32% increase. In an area that is 2,307 sq mis, roughly twice the size of the state of Rhode Island the average home price is $405,000.**)


• Grocery prices are rising at a rate of 10% a year


• Healthcare costs are up over 15% since 2004




• My salary is up 4% since 2004

Hmmmm, you can definitely count me in the 60% of Americans that are unhappy with the way the economy is being handled. GRRRRRRR!

The FMA – LEGALIZING DISCRIMINATION. Nice, “all men are created equal”, which apparently only applies only to white heterosexual men with a PSI of at least of $98,234.67.43. With all the talk of family values and 50% of marriages ending in divorce I’m not sure I fully understand what the problem is. As a gay man, who is an American citizen, I feel that I have the right to marry my partner of 5 years. I find it insanely ridiculous that I could walk down the street, conk the first girl I see over the head and drag her off to the courthouse and get married no questions asked.

I’m about 99.99999999999% certain that the opposition is based on religious belief. That’s fine you have your belief, as do I, yes gay people believe in God. I’m fully 150% behind you, and respect your belief. However, I’m not asking that my marriage be recognized by you OR your church, I’m asking that it be recognized by the so-called non-religious government. All I want, as a taxpaying American, is equal protection under the law. My partner and I live as a married couple, we are monogamous, we combine our incomes, we make decisions based on our mutual success, we share hopes and dreams and have a made a life together.

Throughout American history, the Constitution has been amended to expand and protect the rights and liberties of the American people. It has been amended to abolish slavery, and give women and young people the right to vote. It should not be used to single out some Americans for discrimination. As gay Americans we are just a regular people, we go to work, pay our bills and our taxes, respect our neighbors and are just trying to get ahead like everyone else. We aren’t asking for special right, we are asking, if not demanding, equal rights. We just want to be treated like everyone else.

This is a civil issue NOT a religious one.