The Checklist

30 things to get done in prep for Van Film School: 1.       Assess personal finances (can we afford it?)2.       Determine whether 2011 or 2012 works better3.       Talk to the kids, make sure they’ll be okay with it4.       Ensure their mom will be okay with it (staying with her while we’re gone)5.       Build a “Plan A”, “B”, and “C”6.       Put aside some money (2-3...

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The Yay-Sayers Speak Up

How important is having someone in your corner?While it's essential to have the courage of your convictions and know for yourself that what you're going after is worth it without anyone else's say-so, it's always nice to get a boost from the people you care about.  Here are some of the wonderful voices that have put wind in our sails as we prepare for school. . . ”Great stuff!””Break a leg!"  “Best of luck with your move!  I’m so excited for you! Keep me posted. J”“Good luck on the new adventure Paul. Change is good!” “Yay dude....I...

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My Big Fat Reading List (Summer 2011)

Currently Reading: Film/Writing: Making Movies - Sydney Lumet A memoir-ish walkthrough of the various stages of film production, heavily laced with anecdotes from Lumet's filmmaking experiences.  Easy to read, honest, insanely practical and deeply personal. Screenplay - Syd Field One leading theorist's breakdown of how to construct a story from start to finish.  Represents one of several prevailing approaches, but a great starting point. (For fun, see Chris Huntley's "A Comparison of Seven Story Paradigms",...

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The Cost of Not Answering Your Heart

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards. They try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want. - Margaret Young I’m funny sometimes.  By funny, I don’t mean “hilarious”, “witty” or even “generally entertaining”, but rather “mildly pathetic”.  Where does this self-judgment come from?  From an observation I’ve made over the years...

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