May 25, 2004
Anticipation
I'm not actually here. I'm not actually at work - in my office. I'm really in a cafe somehwere. It's early - probably only late in the afternoon, around four o'clock. But it's "before".
It's before anyone has come in. It's backstage time. Getting ready time.
The bartender is cleaning the bar with one of those amazingly absorbent white bar rags. He's putting the glasses away, making sure the well has
full bottles of everything, that he's got whatever freshly squeezed juice he needs to make
the cocktail the bar is known for.
A busboy in a black suit has taken off his jacket and is setting all the tray with the glasses
in it making a clinking sound as he carries it from table to table.
Up on the stage is the singer running through La Vie En Rose and she sings just for
me, the busboy, and the bartender. And she's good. She's so good that I just lean on hand
and smile, listening. Because I'm happy to be there. At this moment I don't want to be anywhere else.
Comments-[ comments.]
I'm not actually here. I'm not actually at work - in my office. I'm really in a cafe somehwere. It's early - probably only late in the afternoon, around four o'clock. But it's "before".
It's before anyone has come in. It's backstage time. Getting ready time.
The bartender is cleaning the bar with one of those amazingly absorbent white bar rags. He's putting the glasses away, making sure the well has
full bottles of everything, that he's got whatever freshly squeezed juice he needs to make
the cocktail the bar is known for.
A busboy in a black suit has taken off his jacket and is setting all the tray with the glasses
in it making a clinking sound as he carries it from table to table.
Up on the stage is the singer running through La Vie En Rose and she sings just for
me, the busboy, and the bartender. And she's good. She's so good that I just lean on hand
and smile, listening. Because I'm happy to be there. At this moment I don't want to be anywhere else.
May 23, 2004
Apparently you don't need much to make a movie. Not that I've ever made one, a whole complete one that is, but I am trying. Here's what I've learned you need in order to make a movie.
The first thing a first time filmmaker needs is:
A completed movie.
YES, that's right. First time filmmakers need to have completed a prior work in order to ascertain funding. How COMPLETELY CRAZY is that?
Here's a rough transcript of a telephone conversation I had recently with a staffperson at a grant making organization.
Me: Hello?
Insane Grant Staff Person: Hello, ______ Foundation, may I help you?
Me: Hi, yes, thank you. I have a question about the application procedure for the __________ Grant. I notice on the application form it says that First Time Filmmakers can apply for this grant. Is that correct?
IGSP: Yes, we welcome applications from first time filmmakers.
Me: Oh good. Thank you. Actually - I have another question. I see that on page 3 of the application it specifies that a completed work must be submitted on video cued up to a ten minute of the piece. I'm a First Time Filmmaker so I don't have a previously completed work.
IGSP: [silence]
Me: Would it be ok for me to submit a sample reel of the project's film editor's work? He's worked on a number of projects before.
IGSP: No, the tape submitted has to come from the individual applying for the grant.
Me:Ok then, could I submit another type of documentary work, such as an interactive oral history project?
IGSP: No, you need to submit a completed work.
Me:But I'm a First Time Filmmaker. I don't have a previously completed work!
IGSP:Don't you have Something??
Me:No. I don't have anything. This will be my FIRST FILM. That's because I'm a First Time Filmmaker. I don't have a previously completed work because I'm a First Time Filmmaker. If I had a previously completed work I wouldn't be aFirst Time Filmmaker. Do you see?
IGSP: Hmm... Yes, I do understand. However, if you don't submit a previously completed work your application will be incomplete.
Me: [wildly] I can submit raw footage! Can I submit raw footage?
IGSP: Raw footage would be acceptable. The ________ Foundation has awarded grants to applicants before who have submitted raw footage.
Me: Ok, I'll submit raw footage!
IGSP: You do realize that the _________ Grant is very competitive?
Me: Yes. Thank you for your time. Good bye.
Comments-[ comments.]
The first thing a first time filmmaker needs is:
A completed movie.
YES, that's right. First time filmmakers need to have completed a prior work in order to ascertain funding. How COMPLETELY CRAZY is that?
Here's a rough transcript of a telephone conversation I had recently with a staffperson at a grant making organization.
Me: Hello?
Insane Grant Staff Person: Hello, ______ Foundation, may I help you?
Me: Hi, yes, thank you. I have a question about the application procedure for the __________ Grant. I notice on the application form it says that First Time Filmmakers can apply for this grant. Is that correct?
IGSP: Yes, we welcome applications from first time filmmakers.
Me: Oh good. Thank you. Actually - I have another question. I see that on page 3 of the application it specifies that a completed work must be submitted on video cued up to a ten minute of the piece. I'm a First Time Filmmaker so I don't have a previously completed work.
IGSP: [silence]
Me: Would it be ok for me to submit a sample reel of the project's film editor's work? He's worked on a number of projects before.
IGSP: No, the tape submitted has to come from the individual applying for the grant.
Me:Ok then, could I submit another type of documentary work, such as an interactive oral history project?
IGSP: No, you need to submit a completed work.
Me:But I'm a First Time Filmmaker. I don't have a previously completed work!
IGSP:Don't you have Something??
Me:No. I don't have anything. This will be my FIRST FILM. That's because I'm a First Time Filmmaker. I don't have a previously completed work because I'm a First Time Filmmaker. If I had a previously completed work I wouldn't be aFirst Time Filmmaker. Do you see?
IGSP: Hmm... Yes, I do understand. However, if you don't submit a previously completed work your application will be incomplete.
Me: [wildly] I can submit raw footage! Can I submit raw footage?
IGSP: Raw footage would be acceptable. The ________ Foundation has awarded grants to applicants before who have submitted raw footage.
Me: Ok, I'll submit raw footage!
IGSP: You do realize that the _________ Grant is very competitive?
Me: Yes. Thank you for your time. Good bye.
The ice cream is too cold to be eaten. So I've put the mint chip on the counter and I'm waiting for the defrosing to begin.
It took three boxes of three ply tissues to fight my cold. My cold won. I feel like I've recovered but there's still something weird going on in my sinuses. I actually stayed up late the other night trying to figure out how my cold had escaped my head and made it all the way down into my stomach. It was not a pleasant evening. I finally understood all of those bad antacid ads from the 80s with middle aged men awake in the middle of the night holding their stomachs, groaning and picturing lava. That was me, except I'm not middle aged, male, or balding. I was groaning and holding my stomach.
None of this is at all exciting. Forgive me. The same bug that was hanging around my sinuses for so long is now attacking my powers of creativity.
Comments-[ comments.]
It took three boxes of three ply tissues to fight my cold. My cold won. I feel like I've recovered but there's still something weird going on in my sinuses. I actually stayed up late the other night trying to figure out how my cold had escaped my head and made it all the way down into my stomach. It was not a pleasant evening. I finally understood all of those bad antacid ads from the 80s with middle aged men awake in the middle of the night holding their stomachs, groaning and picturing lava. That was me, except I'm not middle aged, male, or balding. I was groaning and holding my stomach.
None of this is at all exciting. Forgive me. The same bug that was hanging around my sinuses for so long is now attacking my powers of creativity.
May 10, 2004
I have a sore throat.
How can I All of the Sudden, out of ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE, get a sore throat?
Are year old, maybe two year cough drops anygood?
Comments-[ comments.]
How can I All of the Sudden, out of ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE, get a sore throat?
Are year old, maybe two year cough drops anygood?
May 04, 2004
Drafted?
Number one I have had too much caffeine today.
Number two, what's this about the possibility of women being drafted?
Good lord!
This does not make a good combination for sleep.
Comments-[ comments.]
Number one I have had too much caffeine today.
Number two, what's this about the possibility of women being drafted?
Good lord!
This does not make a good combination for sleep.
