tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26398085838392688002024-03-05T09:13:45.783-08:00Skating BuffaloWelcome to Skating Buffalo, my blog about movies. I want to share my passion and meet other movie fans on this amazing blog journey. So "fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-29538716956228157512019-02-04T21:02:00.001-08:002019-02-04T21:02:05.336-08:00North by Northwest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest (1959). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No matter how many times I watch this movie, I am still mesmerized by the suspense and intrigue. We have mistaken identity, a femme fatale, a spy ring, a smuggling operation, and some really bad guys. Not to mention a getaway car heading for a cliff, a train, a desert road with a crop duster out to kill, culminating with a chase up Mount Rushmore. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story in a nutshell: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Roger Thornhill, advertising executive from NYC is mistaken for a spy. Life and death hang in the balance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fabulous cast:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy Stewart coveted the role of Thornhill, but Hitchcock wanted Cary Grant. Hitch also wanted Sophia Loren for the femme fatale. That didn't happen. The studio pushed for Cyd Charisse, but Hitchcock went with Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall, the spy and love interest of Roger Thornhill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">James Mason is the bad guy, Phillip VanDamm. And the illustrious Martin Landau is his henchman, Leonard</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hitchcock includes humor and witty dialog, particularly between Roger and his mother, played by Jessie Royce Landis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When </span><span style="font-size: large;">Roger and Eve meet on the train, their romance begins:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">ROGER: What's wrong with men like me?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">EVE: They don't believe in marriage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">ROGER: I've been married twice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">EVE: See what I mean?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also impressed with the opening credits animation featuring skyscrapers and a cool graphic of architectural pencil drawings. This is enhanced with a dramatic score by Bernard Hermann, who wrote the music for Psycho.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alfred Hitchcock makes a cameo appearance (as he usually did in his films) a the man who misses the bus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a shame that they don't make movies like this anymore. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's your favorite Hitchcock film?</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-69536463907057936512018-12-14T18:08:00.000-08:002018-12-14T18:08:02.308-08:00Downton Abbey - The Saga Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our Downton Abbey documentary is finally coming together in post production. A few years have lapsed after the final shooting of the film. Everyone on the film crew was busy with other projects and "Wyoming Quilts Downton Abbey" was put on the back burner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But now we have been editing the footage and getting everything ready to submit the film to Wyoming PBS.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Interestingly, the release of this film coincides with the release of the Downton Abbey feature film that will be released in 2019. Perfect timing. Perhaps this delay was meant to be. We couldn't have planned it better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay tuned for updates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carpe Diem! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-78646442240371101222018-03-03T07:12:00.000-08:002018-03-03T07:12:25.494-08:00Churchill ROCKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't been to the cinema in a long time, nothing lately has captured my fancy. Until "The Darkest Hour."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I actually went to see it twice! So why did I enjoy it so much? That's easy:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. I am a WWII history buff. This movie takes me there in spades.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I've always admired how England stood against Hitler, the last bastion of Hope for Europe. It was exciting to see the drama played out in film (Chamberlain's weakness vs. Churchill's determination). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Superb acting by entire cast, especially Gary Oldman as Churchill.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Breathtaking cinematography throughout.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Setting and costumes - perfect beauty and historical accuracy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Script/Story - wonderful to see the desperation of Churchill and the pressure to negotiate with Hitler by the War Cabinet. Makes one wonder what would have happened if Churchill had conceded. I can't imagine the horrifying result!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because of this movie, I was inspired to do some reading on one of my favorite topics - the Resistance during WWII. So many wonderful stories of Christians saving Jews during the Nazi regime. One book in particular that captured my soul is "Things We Couldn't Say" by Diet Eman. I've also enjoyed Corrie Ten Boom's "The Hiding Place," and "The Diary of Anne Frank."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is there a movie you've seen lately that has inspired you?</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-60480770222124342062017-10-21T19:14:00.003-07:002017-10-21T19:14:59.454-07:00Columbo and Jessica<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCq6r5tiTbV8AsT1kkdxr7OO7o4FoH7QM1lGrUHBVUcVN1GR1tdlguBOulnUnORHGe6tG8_FFwZfySg63scPuBMZhQL4RAbkiWdVG1G71KcCVXHmYM8z8_UhEVeU73ZJOzbDzOurUDafI/s1600/Columbo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCq6r5tiTbV8AsT1kkdxr7OO7o4FoH7QM1lGrUHBVUcVN1GR1tdlguBOulnUnORHGe6tG8_FFwZfySg63scPuBMZhQL4RAbkiWdVG1G71KcCVXHmYM8z8_UhEVeU73ZJOzbDzOurUDafI/s320/Columbo.jpeg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been on a mystery kick for the last few weeks, watching Columbo and Murder She Wrote reruns on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel. I'm freaking out at Columbo's deceptive brilliance and Jessica Fletcher's classy detective work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Columbo aired from 1971 to 2003.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Murder She Wrote aired from 1984 to 1996.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Columbo's glass eye is super cool. He wears a raggedy trench coat, smokes a cigar and drives a French Peugeot. He has dog named "Dog" and he's always talking with affection about his wife, who never appears on the show. (Reminds me of Fraiser - no one ever saw Maris). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a homicide detective for the Los Angeles Police Department, Columbo doesn't appear on the scene until after the murder has taken place. This first half hour shows the murder, the motive and how the murderer covers up the crime. When Columbo arrives on the scene, the audience already knows who the killer is, but the fun is seeing Columbo put the clues together and outsmart the murderer, who totally underestimates the unassuming detective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for Jessica, an amateur detective who also writes mystery novels, she always happens to be in the right place when a murder is committed. She hails from a small sea coast town in Maine called Cabot Cove. A murder usually happens when Jessica is visiting her nephew, Grady, or one of her many friends. She discovers clues along the way that lead to the murderer's identity and the motive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Watching these old TV shows, I get a kick out of seeing well-known actors is guest roles. George Clooney, Bryan Cranston, Linda Hamilton, Wayne Rogers, John Astin, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Robert Vauhgn, Anne Francis, Tyne Daly, Vera Miles, Lee Grant, Faye Dunaway, Ruth Gordon, just to name a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've become a fan of detective shows and I'm glad these classic TV shows are still around. Do you have any favorite TV detective shows? (And don't even get me started on "Sherlock"! I'm a Superfan!)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-66204390192549730482017-08-03T13:02:00.000-07:002017-08-03T13:02:54.766-07:00Longmire: It is what it is<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke63XcW22h0hVToZn4_h6R8AshgRdb884I_ct0LW4bxksPAQeosOa-oK4b5bHxcTs_ybaP8KaZTTyKOlsqGGD-WMdjtq9uPHUs5iKDBVndS-AwY40_3jiRpW34xGzEYp7D3OnWOM5OrKq/s1600/Longmire.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="620" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke63XcW22h0hVToZn4_h6R8AshgRdb884I_ct0LW4bxksPAQeosOa-oK4b5bHxcTs_ybaP8KaZTTyKOlsqGGD-WMdjtq9uPHUs5iKDBVndS-AwY40_3jiRpW34xGzEYp7D3OnWOM5OrKq/s320/Longmire.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just finished a Netflix binge-watch of Longmire. The new season starts next month and I wanted to refresh my memory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like all Longmire season endings, this one left us with a cliff-hanger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Malachi Strand and his henchmen left Henry Standing Bear tied to the ground facing the sun on the Crow reservation where "no one can hear him scream." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vic is pregnant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cady shot a white man on the Rez and has been adopted into the tribe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Sheriff Walt Longmire is facing a civil suit for the unlawful death of Barlow Connally. If he loses, his land will be taken and used for a resort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So you see, there's a lot going on and I'm waiting to see how all this works out. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-23183822504097211082017-06-09T05:41:00.001-07:002017-06-09T05:44:30.190-07:00Audrey Hepburn in Burlap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-gxGgGz57g9PnZ3Oy4Wj4_bc1WyyljHj06-oq5yk-CqG1RP68hKEqfAhD7q6pZV5Ho1y4mE_AbiFvqGUOImifmjibRAWwzyuWBojLPlFfUFZK_hP6CVJcqiYKvsqMDhF-MyvYCKtAWI2/s1600/green+mansions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="630" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-gxGgGz57g9PnZ3Oy4Wj4_bc1WyyljHj06-oq5yk-CqG1RP68hKEqfAhD7q6pZV5Ho1y4mE_AbiFvqGUOImifmjibRAWwzyuWBojLPlFfUFZK_hP6CVJcqiYKvsqMDhF-MyvYCKtAWI2/s320/green+mansions.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I became a fan of Audrey Hepburn when she appeared in </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">My Fair Lady </i><span style="font-size: medium;">(1964). I didn't see the film when it was first released (I was only 7 years old then), but it played at our local cinema in 1971 when I was 14 - and at that age Audrey Hepburn made a lasting impression on me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The film was spectacular - glorious setting, costumes, music. I was mesmerized. So what if Audrey didn't actually sing. She lip-synced beautifully. It was magical. As a result, Audrey charmed herself into my heart wherein she still resides (forgive my flowery language, I've just finished reading Jane Eyre). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I'd seen her more popular films, <i>Roman Holiday</i> (1953) with Gregory Peck, <i>Sabrina </i>(1954) with Humphrey Bogart, and of course <i>Breakfast at Tiffany's </i>(1961) - her signature film.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In each of these films it was a delight watching her. She's not the best actress, but the camera loves her. She is a fashion icon and always appeared elegant and stylish. I had always thought, "Audrey Hepburn is so stunning, she would look beautiful in a burlap sack!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Little did I know that she actually appeared in a film wearing a burlap sack! The film was <i>Green Mansions </i>(1959) with Anthony Perkins. Audrey plays the part of Rima, a beautiful, mysterious girl that lives in the jungles of Venezuela. And she wears the same hideous burlap sack through out the film. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know why anyone would think this was a good role for Audrey. People want to see her in beautiful clothes, acting pert and complicated and spunky. Not slithering around in a burlap sack wearing a long-haired wig. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for the film itself, it is the absolute worst on every level. Fake sets, boring script, lame plot. Audrey is not the best actor, so she had absolutely nothing to work with to make it even the slightest bit interesting. The only good thing about it was seeing Anthony Perkins, who did a fairly good job. But every time I saw him on screen I thought, "Norman Bates in the jungle."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So glad Audrey didn't do another burlap sack movie!</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-9237218654809278522017-04-08T16:56:00.002-07:002017-04-08T16:56:16.126-07:00Binge Watching and Other Random Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Binge watching has become a thing. Who would have believed something like this could be possible...watching a TV show that typically would have taken years to watch on "regular" TV and now you can see entire seasons in a matter of weeks (or even days). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in the 80s when we got our first VCR, it was mind-blowing thinking that you could watch almost any movie you wanted whenever you wanted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Special effects on TV shows have become equal in quality to feature films and are more cinematic than ever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This TV evolution is somehow effecting society, but I can't put my finger on exactly how. It seems that attention spans are getting shorter and shorter...people want what they want right NOW! There is no patience...is this attitude leaking into other areas of life? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps this "computer age" is triggering a retro movement. People want to create things with their hands, they want to read a real book, write on real paper, build real things, unplug from the Matrix. I have seen it both ways, and while I enjoy the high-tech life, I'm finding that I'm deriving more pleasure from the simple things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm checking out books at the library instead of downloading a book on my Kindle. I'm drawing with paper and pens rather than creating on an ipad. I'm even watching the old movies, which lately are better by far than anything coming out today in the movie theatre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One good thing about the tech age we live in - anyone can be a filmmaker. With a computer and a video camera (or even a cell phone), films can be made and there is an audience. The power now belongs to the people, not just the filmmaking elite. That is a good thing. </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-7487142044585987342017-01-08T11:39:00.003-08:002017-01-08T11:39:51.327-08:00Episode 6 - Post Production<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDAIm3pwWMENgFA_UrNqupFfk8d9aehzrBR2sFHnLY0CNf_Z4irRPXtyrbB2WCGPBdNRp1i49Ss7pLTTjaKE26HoamW_8By-nS4nwUYb0CFQG1Esx41-bv7UhBdjm0Me_Kerw4bIsRg7P/s1600/post+production+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDAIm3pwWMENgFA_UrNqupFfk8d9aehzrBR2sFHnLY0CNf_Z4irRPXtyrbB2WCGPBdNRp1i49Ss7pLTTjaKE26HoamW_8By-nS4nwUYb0CFQG1Esx41-bv7UhBdjm0Me_Kerw4bIsRg7P/s320/post+production+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to the final segment of the series. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Post-production is what to do after shooting is completed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) Editing software - I use Sony Vegas Movie Maker, but there are many other video editing programs. Good films have been created just by using a phone. Today everyone can make movies, which is a good thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) Music - Whether to use music or not depends on what kind of film you are making. Music effects the mood of the film. Even no music at all sends a message. Just be sure to have copyright permission unless you are creating your own music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Credits - Give credit to actors, tech crew and anyone else who contributed to your film, whether through time, talent or finances. Be thankful. Film is a collaborative endeavor...you can't do it alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) Promotion - In today's social media universe, your film can be viewed by anyone. Start a YouTube or Vimeo account and get involved in the filmmaking community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5) Contests - Check out the various short film festivals and contests. This is another way to get your film seen and to network with the filmmaking community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now start making your film! Ready, set, GO! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-45945651927211755942016-11-23T06:16:00.001-08:002016-11-23T06:16:12.200-08:00Episode 5 - Actors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8AZMNBLctD-prKdrZowU5bgU6PGQ2AfKbabAL_ba6Dj2l0nv6iRCxP9XT6H09N6w3rKJSs1PBPZ69_8ZZa4uBTw6ChtazaSatuJkcsYDT_3lU1C3Y8bDvrKdZ-CPCzhAn0CJTbT9AzBM/s1600/actor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8AZMNBLctD-prKdrZowU5bgU6PGQ2AfKbabAL_ba6Dj2l0nv6iRCxP9XT6H09N6w3rKJSs1PBPZ69_8ZZa4uBTw6ChtazaSatuJkcsYDT_3lU1C3Y8bDvrKdZ-CPCzhAn0CJTbT9AzBM/s320/actor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes when I write a film script, I have certain actors in mind. These are people that I know and have worked with before. So my story is built around my cast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other times, the story comes first and I don't think about the actors at all. But sooner or later, I will have to deal with casting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are paying actors, then you could have auditions and can be more selective. But if your actors are volunteers, then you have other issues to deal with. Volunteers have commitments, such as jobs and families, so you have to work around their schedules. You will have to be flexible on days you can film. If they aren't professional, you may have to work with them on learning their lines, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some tips about working with actors on your short film:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Communication. Let the actors know what the story is about and what motivates their characters. Knowledge is a good thing. It also inspires them to think of ideas to enhance the story and their roles. Film is a collaborative effort after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be flexible. Some actors like to go over a scene several times with different ways of performing the scene. You never know what can come from this - it could be truly magical.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Listen to the actors. They may have good ideas for shooting a scene or saying their lines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bring food. Feed them, water them, and watch them flourish. This is especially important if the actors are volunteers. It's a great way to show your thanks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be mindful of their personalities. Some actors need a lot of detailed direction. Others can fly by the seat of their pants with amazing results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be respectful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be thankful. Afterward, send them a card of thanks or a token of appreciation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Build relationships. Having a group of actors that you have worked with before makes the process more efficient because you know what to expect. They are more relaxed because they know what to expect from you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are not an actor yourself, take some acting classes. It will help you as a director and a filmmaker. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next time - Post Production</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-18237184448268361482016-10-28T04:58:00.001-07:002016-10-28T04:58:45.061-07:00Episode 4 - Location<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqtJUngVHwNi1scKDxe0jSHoPd7nwxM4lm99BZAdknKoZdMSPLA17wmNwedITm1dsl4siJxg5mdtxDJ_EFqyzgpvLULeUIz7f7qLuy2gs8pEnGL6ANpxcFFjC_Y52vJPjCZcwiQg4PwBz/s1600/cabin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqtJUngVHwNi1scKDxe0jSHoPd7nwxM4lm99BZAdknKoZdMSPLA17wmNwedITm1dsl4siJxg5mdtxDJ_EFqyzgpvLULeUIz7f7qLuy2gs8pEnGL6ANpxcFFjC_Y52vJPjCZcwiQg4PwBz/s320/cabin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Location! Location! Location!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a filmmaker, I am continually inspired by my surroundings. Often, a location will give me an idea for a film. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Location itself is a story waiting to be told. If I'm walking on a trail in the woods, I might imagine a paranormal creature lurking in the dark. Or I'm sitting in a coffee shop and imagine a woman telling her friend about her new job as caretaker of Alcatraz. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few tips for filmmakers regarding location.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Do a drive by or a walk through - Look at places that are visually interesting and capture the mood of your film. Look at color, light and space. Visit the location at the time you would shoot that scene, whether day or night, or both. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Interiors - A suburban home? Haunted house? Apartment? Office? Restaurant kitchen? Supermarket? Elevator?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Exteriors - Grave yard? Football field? Park? Playground? City street? Swimming pool? Farm?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. The shorter the film, the fewer locations should be used.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Get permission to use privately owned businesses or property. A location release is a document that states the terms of use. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. When scouting your location, keep in mind the equipment you will need. Lights, camera, sound, etc. For example, a room with no windows will need special lighting. If you're outdoors, the wind may cause a problem with sound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. If it's a public place, keep in mind the time and day of the shoot to account for crowds. For example, there might be more people in the park on a Sunday afternoon, than during a week day. </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-14918844639873198652016-09-26T12:42:00.000-07:002016-09-26T13:54:04.051-07:00Episode 3 - The Screenplay (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAErgwnlplcWMYHwrq_5PpkBKhbSJZ7UMjlApaq81VM_EsFOo9HSdjwkuA6Xree7W8068nWUAOPIHNXmMSeuRKhBMwWUDeeC3Z5E3BcRM53d86xjWju8_uH4L7ocgk-ojWwyGc2KwCnUKo/s1600/Save-the-Cat-by-Blake-Snyder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAErgwnlplcWMYHwrq_5PpkBKhbSJZ7UMjlApaq81VM_EsFOo9HSdjwkuA6Xree7W8068nWUAOPIHNXmMSeuRKhBMwWUDeeC3Z5E3BcRM53d86xjWju8_uH4L7ocgk-ojWwyGc2KwCnUKo/s200/Save-the-Cat-by-Blake-Snyder.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to Episode 3 of Making a Short Film. This segment is part 2 of writing the screenplay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For me, writing the screenplay is the best part of filmmaking. I enjoy creating a story and imagining what it will look like as a film. The following guidelines should get you thinking about the nuts and bolts of screenwriting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Format:</b> You need to format your screenplay according to industry standards. This is easy, just get a book or look online to read about proper screenplay formatting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Write for the Camera</b>. When writing a screenplay, you should spend more time writing down what the viewer is seeing rather than what the characters are saying. MORE action, LESS words. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Action.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> The screenplay is written using present tense and action words. For examples:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DO NOT WRITE THIS: Gertrude was sitting on the couch eating a ham sandwich.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WRITE THIS: Getrudes sits on the couch and eats a ham sandwich.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DO NOT WRITE THIS: Andy picked up a rock and threw it at the dog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WRITE THIS: Andy picks up a rock and throws it at the dog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Length.</b> Your screenplay will average about 1 minute per page. This is calculated using 12-point Courier font, which is the industry standard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read.</b> During the process, get some friends together and read scenes out loud. This will let you know how the dialog sounds so that you can make adjustments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Resources:</b> My favorite screenplay writing resources are Blake Snyder's <a href="https://store.savethecat.com/">"Save the Cat"</a> books. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next time we'll discuss the Location</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-64916166474625083922016-09-10T07:05:00.001-07:002016-09-10T07:05:41.638-07:00Episode 2 - The Screenplay (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE61qWQzizJU3q-Dv6bL2wtTrO_lzryU6iwi4DGXWh6ElQx-MnV_W6iNT2FoJyxYl5hpOZ9_dYJKIoqZKEzsTITeGf8L0tGq2MVpgVle1GEV6qzKXHGeCYNqc5ialN2KHnZkVqqMM07Xj/s1600/2+Screenplay+Part+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE61qWQzizJU3q-Dv6bL2wtTrO_lzryU6iwi4DGXWh6ElQx-MnV_W6iNT2FoJyxYl5hpOZ9_dYJKIoqZKEzsTITeGf8L0tGq2MVpgVle1GEV6qzKXHGeCYNqc5ialN2KHnZkVqqMM07Xj/s1600/2+Screenplay+Part+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you've never written a screenplay, my first suggestion is to watch one of your favorite films and take notes on the following: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the mood or genre of the film? Comedy, Horror, Romance, Adventure, War?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the opening scene? What happens?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How does this scene connect to the next scene?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note the tension in every scene. Tension is not necessarily "conflict" but it can be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who is the Main Character and how does the writer/filmmaker get you (the viewer) to like him? What makes you want to root for this character?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What does the Main Character want? What is her goal? What is the thing that drives her to action? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Examples:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Jaws - Brody wants to kill the shark</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Rocky - Rocky wants to go the distance with the champ</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In North by Northwest - Thornhill wants to find out who's after him and why</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the inciting incident? This is the incident that begins the story and there is no turning back for the Main Character. In The Wizard of Oz, the inciting incident was the tornado that lifted Dorothy's house and landed in Oz. Now the story begins - she must get back home (which is her goal). She must find the Wizard of Oz and then she must kill the Wicked Witch of the West (the story/the journey).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do the supporting characters and events help move the story forward?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next episode: The Screenplay (Part 2)</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-70298521672954936662016-09-04T08:03:00.000-07:002016-09-04T08:03:40.022-07:00Making Short Films - Episode 1 - The Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj143GUQqk6fQ4Tiquir5pNUi-Y-RTFfLumtFc6JzwTeuj1C7PbeSytTolkkcHgSNd1NmkNH04sRtfGL4dOgQxN6x40J27VA5uzwuAcsuCtoED6bBk0dF-NiCCVVYc_CPm1etmJDr6e4-NE/s1600/1+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj143GUQqk6fQ4Tiquir5pNUi-Y-RTFfLumtFc6JzwTeuj1C7PbeSytTolkkcHgSNd1NmkNH04sRtfGL4dOgQxN6x40J27VA5uzwuAcsuCtoED6bBk0dF-NiCCVVYc_CPm1etmJDr6e4-NE/s320/1+Story.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a short filmmaker (well, not really that short - I'm 5 foot 5 inches tall) - I thought I'd post a blog series on what I've learned firsthand about making short films. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First you need a story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where do story ideas come from? Everywhere! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A book, a movie, a trip, a walk, a conversation, an article, a TV show or commercial, a dream, a child, a pet, an image, a word. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just be open to ideas. Grab one that interests you and then ask yourself "what if" questions. Follow the trail to it's logical (or illogical) conclusion:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if a kangaroo could talk?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if a doll was alive?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if a boy found out he was from a different time?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if a scientist discovered an invisibility formula?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if a girl found magic shoes?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if a man was buried alive?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if you were locked in a jail cell in a ghost town?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once you have an idea, see where it goes and create a story with a beginning, a middle and an end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next post: Episode 2 - The Screenplay</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-76348769586095388922016-08-03T08:58:00.000-07:002016-08-03T09:26:41.958-07:00Searching for "5 Flights Up"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCD3Zkvff5E4rWFPa1PuhTZWIJZxgHj2igIoZzhO6Dgsayt_GsDA-GdccmKbT_SpBJbY4ArkMsJxN87I0ghJ3QpbdI62mMwbgdbHXkB11y1l64w3hSANA698bwv1sRbZE-2P3EiMvLVf-/s1600/5+flights+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCD3Zkvff5E4rWFPa1PuhTZWIJZxgHj2igIoZzhO6Dgsayt_GsDA-GdccmKbT_SpBJbY4ArkMsJxN87I0ghJ3QpbdI62mMwbgdbHXkB11y1l64w3hSANA698bwv1sRbZE-2P3EiMvLVf-/s320/5+flights+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently my lifelong pal, Alison, and I were looking for a DVD of the movie "5 Flights Up" starring Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are avid fans of both actors. We had watched the film a few months ago and loved it. It's the story of an older couple in NYC who are selling their apartment because it's five flights up and has no stairs. The problem is, they've lived there over 40 years and it's home. The husband is an artist and the wife is a retired teacher. They have no children so they lavish their affection on their little dog, Dorothy, who is sick and needs surgery. The story takes place over a couple of days as they deal with a realtor and open houses. In the middle of all this, an alleged "terrorist' is creating havoc in the city and the authorities believe he has a bomb on the Brooklyn Bridge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is not an action film. It's a smart, clever comedy with a meaningful message about love and relationships. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, we both wanted this film for our collections to watch on those quiet afternoons as we escape the chaos of the world while we drink our coffee and eat our chocolate. It's one of those movies you can watch over and over (like "You've Got Mail," "The Proposal" or "The Devil Wears Prada").</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Soon after watching it, I bought the DVD on amazon, but Alison wanted to buy it here in town. So the journey began. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We started at Target. No luck.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The mall. Not there either. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kmart. Nope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Walmart. Zip.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We called it a day. Alison later told me she went to Sam's Club and struck out. She finally had to order it online. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The funny part was, when we asked the sales people at all these stores if they had the movie in stock, none of these 20 to 30 somethings had ever heard of it. They looked at us like we were aliens from outer space. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You would think Morgan Freeman (Batman's right hand man) and Diane Keaton (comic actress extraordinaire) would be on the Hollywood radar. I suppose a well-told story with witty dialog and interesting characters is not enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not surprised. The world is changing. It's faster and more furious than ever. But I am grateful that filmmakers are still creating simple, beautiful films.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the words of Meryl Streep from "The Devil Wears Prada": That's all. </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-63675597952787048722016-07-29T08:48:00.002-07:002016-07-29T08:48:35.834-07:00The Film Club Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhgDuX_Qcr-7xmiUwLZoDTOlNpMWIK4ksvtCCM9kESNKLbtDQWPj9ipr_xa4NGnzbEJuhu4OniocX9g8r83Ly4yEeqEbfM8bADZDDXRempoC-UrtUZaZplj3__QjAnAaTuqPq4-muyicr/s1600/film+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhgDuX_Qcr-7xmiUwLZoDTOlNpMWIK4ksvtCCM9kESNKLbtDQWPj9ipr_xa4NGnzbEJuhu4OniocX9g8r83Ly4yEeqEbfM8bADZDDXRempoC-UrtUZaZplj3__QjAnAaTuqPq4-muyicr/s200/film+club.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ever since we won the Cheyenne Shoot-Out Filmmaking Festival in 2011, Susan V. and I have been tossing around the idea of organizing a film club in Cheyenne. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The purpose would be to encourage local and regional filmmakers and share resources and knowledge about the amazing world of filmmaking. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This week I was inspired to give this idea serious consideration. First of all, is there interest in something like this in the community? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a cadre of actor friends who are involved in community theatre and who have also volunteered their time and talents in my own films. But they are not necessarily filmmakers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What would the club entail?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Support and encouragement for filmmakers by providing resources to help with their projects, whether they need help providing actors, production assistants, information on upcoming film festivals, workshops on lighting, directing, sounds, location scouting, legal issues, fundraising, and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It would also be fun to have get-togethers like movie-watching parties or field trips to film festivals.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I would appreciate your comments and suggestions about starting a club/group like this. What worked? What didn't? What would you do differently? </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-26699539146532565792016-07-22T10:15:00.002-07:002016-07-22T10:15:17.989-07:00Novel and Screenplay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz8FZ4M6TPF5vPPb2LbmUsLen3yaxQjsTAACUR1bfcXdPgVwKBKo2-Jp2Bt9nZk8qdbEvrgWnoR5Ukr0yw23Chdftf9XQ3Tt-YtFn0pxPRvrA5xgIY0idBRl3IAYX9GY5ArCD8bGDO66t/s1600/snoopy+typing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz8FZ4M6TPF5vPPb2LbmUsLen3yaxQjsTAACUR1bfcXdPgVwKBKo2-Jp2Bt9nZk8qdbEvrgWnoR5Ukr0yw23Chdftf9XQ3Tt-YtFn0pxPRvrA5xgIY0idBRl3IAYX9GY5ArCD8bGDO66t/s1600/snoopy+typing.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had an interesting conversation with my son yesterday about writing screenplays. Lucas is a husband, father and genius software developer. He's also a gifted blues/jazz pianist.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like me, he enjoys learning new things and tapping into his creative side. He's been interested in learning to write screenplays and asked me for wisdom and guidance. (That's the cool thing about being a mom and a writer. Just sayin'.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We discussed the differences between the novel and the screenplay formats. He thought it would be helpful to read a novel and then read the screenplay adaptation of the story. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At first I thought he should read an original screenplay and not an adaptation, but the more I thought about it, I agreed that he was right. I suggested he read Peter Benchley's novel "Jaws" - and then tackle the screenplay, also written by Benchley along with Carl Gottlieb. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This film is a perfect example of excellent storytelling. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xrOSwO1YPTHgielJeCVyu2ZYlZ7c7uxju-XCUHhdhy8k7QBzzlmldDpOdArZg01bAZIhycIT8KEElUH4dCX8BZrkkmBX_Y1aIBB3j58b0wRA-sJM6na0jdGQpLeIsl9kCTIRtdgbIfGn/s1600/jaws+novel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xrOSwO1YPTHgielJeCVyu2ZYlZ7c7uxju-XCUHhdhy8k7QBzzlmldDpOdArZg01bAZIhycIT8KEElUH4dCX8BZrkkmBX_Y1aIBB3j58b0wRA-sJM6na0jdGQpLeIsl9kCTIRtdgbIfGn/s200/jaws+novel+2.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The novel is captivating. The first chapter thrusts you into the world of this shark. The reader experiences everything the shark experiences and we become one with it. We share its view of life in the deep and what it needs to survive, which is its primary purpose.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The story tells of three characters and their personal relationship to the shark - Brody, the police chief who escaped the stress of being a big city cop to live in a peaceful island community. Ironically, he fears the water. Hooper, the scientist who is obsessed with sharks and goes after the shark for glory and fame. And Quint, the rugged fisherman who sees this shark as an enemy he must defeat, exacting vengeance on his fellow soldiers who were killed by sharks in World War II on the USS Indiana. The relationships among the three men and with the shark is what makes this story so compelling. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The screenplay shows that Benchley kept key elements of the story, and with Gottlieb's screenwriting skill, they transformed the novel into the perfect blueprint for Spielberg's film.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you're writing a novel, a short story, a screenplay or a stage play, its ALL ABOUT THE STORY! If you don't have a good story, you don't have anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm looking forward to seeing what Lucas comes up with for a story idea for his screenplay. We always have fun brainstorming story ideas together. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-87553863544187233652016-06-16T06:02:00.001-07:002016-06-16T06:05:53.589-07:00TV Dads<span style="font-size: large;">In honor of Father's Day, I would like to give a "shout out" to all the wonderful TV Dads from my childhood. These dads were pretty amazing. They dealt with problems big and small. But most of all, these dads loved their kids, no matter what.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Father's Day!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt3h2-ur5w5tmHiLrroISjhgJR5Mu0vUqdX1nBgRpiz1AQrcHlTk3kH5yHmojpIF220Ix7y5bSqHASDQKfzJthQ-NJuBaC9ZArAdU6XIF7uv3AfBOoGn1qZ4gQSwo_A27ZgN1GMO1Iqg_/s1600/Father_knows_best_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt3h2-ur5w5tmHiLrroISjhgJR5Mu0vUqdX1nBgRpiz1AQrcHlTk3kH5yHmojpIF220Ix7y5bSqHASDQKfzJthQ-NJuBaC9ZArAdU6XIF7uv3AfBOoGn1qZ4gQSwo_A27ZgN1GMO1Iqg_/s320/Father_knows_best_1957.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Kathy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Father Knows Best (1954-1960)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jim Anderson played by Robert Young</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">KIDS: Betty, Bud and Kathy</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylQgASbkoXFxHW8PXc71ySP5xI3DAOi77dvdEMqiPYy3fsYAB2325_vdXI8DyxScweUQgwNSy9EnfmmK1DUGkhqKXGVYamiwHwANC2kOon8WS_fkroxybURkqoPt4PdXL14RCHheusGgy/s1600/beaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylQgASbkoXFxHW8PXc71ySP5xI3DAOi77dvdEMqiPYy3fsYAB2325_vdXI8DyxScweUQgwNSy9EnfmmK1DUGkhqKXGVYamiwHwANC2kOon8WS_fkroxybURkqoPt4PdXL14RCHheusGgy/s320/beaver.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ward and Wally</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leave it to Beaver (1957-1963)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ward Cleaver played by Hugh Beaumont </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">KIDS: Wally and Theodore "Beaver</span>"</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92U3gblLPclwIymOY5fGObyEEfZCQlKWWOBWJXqens3o00NSj6H9daPHPPXka-83diKDx8ggjcZkFQWAUh3YEYmMVJrkdLO9CilHQvd8aEEs6ZRYY7uo68B80B_jLdCSgbH4pCp49V3W4/s1600/rifleman+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92U3gblLPclwIymOY5fGObyEEfZCQlKWWOBWJXqens3o00NSj6H9daPHPPXka-83diKDx8ggjcZkFQWAUh3YEYmMVJrkdLO9CilHQvd8aEEs6ZRYY7uo68B80B_jLdCSgbH4pCp49V3W4/s320/rifleman+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark and Lucas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rifleman (1958-1963)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lucas McCain played by Chuck Connors </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lucas's job: Rancher</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">KID: Mark</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3J6Lpb1-acqPaxoji9GH4ehyDKmT69Z3ZNYkQrymt1pxtPT3sU2bR3Tth0EvB4tg_z_QFV4RHXnbOs4Y3R3O-sBE5GZNGy6xvdWhyphenhyphenNDXu9YCNAEZjiADwBau9ybpBmuftkvU5ThRUusI/s1600/bonanza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3J6Lpb1-acqPaxoji9GH4ehyDKmT69Z3ZNYkQrymt1pxtPT3sU2bR3Tth0EvB4tg_z_QFV4RHXnbOs4Y3R3O-sBE5GZNGy6xvdWhyphenhyphenNDXu9YCNAEZjiADwBau9ybpBmuftkvU5ThRUusI/s320/bonanza.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Joe and Ben</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Bonanza (1959-1973)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ben Cartwright played by Lorne Greene</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ben's job: Rancher</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">KIDS: Adam, Hoss and Little Jo</span>e</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjDTFd_Aqk5M0cXbjqjTSc7lY0IDzz30lUZqW0qOahNKpOHVD56BSwBj7t2bA6SEGuK-2ZL7jmKFVrdMf8k0G-2_qyA6hPzbn5Tyd5MVvNMEi2moe6cavF2jVGdxbsvt43Xx7sq1q3ehc/s1600/andy+griffith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjDTFd_Aqk5M0cXbjqjTSc7lY0IDzz30lUZqW0qOahNKpOHVD56BSwBj7t2bA6SEGuK-2ZL7jmKFVrdMf8k0G-2_qyA6hPzbn5Tyd5MVvNMEi2moe6cavF2jVGdxbsvt43Xx7sq1q3ehc/s320/andy+griffith.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy and Opie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Andy Taylor played by Andy Griffith</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Andy's job: Sheriff</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">KID: Opie</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzG3MA27TQQFg4fbYoHH_e9hZdb7I2nmDtveiAFHlMp4WgsCF8Ala91MHPr0x3WxDcZqvkE8s2elAmMkyTTQojNwUXWPLzx12wvzViWNjR9IAU_vAl79nqbreUHAVpG8xno3dxJ3vX7AQ/s1600/my+threes+sons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzG3MA27TQQFg4fbYoHH_e9hZdb7I2nmDtveiAFHlMp4WgsCF8Ala91MHPr0x3WxDcZqvkE8s2elAmMkyTTQojNwUXWPLzx12wvzViWNjR9IAU_vAl79nqbreUHAVpG8xno3dxJ3vX7AQ/s320/my+threes+sons.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Chip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My Three Sons (1960-1972)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Steve Douglas played by Fred MacMurray 1960-1972</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Steve's job: Aeronautical Engineer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">KIDS: Mike, Robbie, Chip and Ernie</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw69gTXi6nERhqVNxZ4oZL_8oJGQmWeoMd5Z1Fi4xpJ6KyX3-JydyDCI9O01IAsZB5PdCjNgUn-cSUcRCpWrbjvTC7pUpudodw666DiiPSKtmcRmMbC41K4TthqILes4u7aVbQrH6oE0N7/s1600/brady+bunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw69gTXi6nERhqVNxZ4oZL_8oJGQmWeoMd5Z1Fi4xpJ6KyX3-JydyDCI9O01IAsZB5PdCjNgUn-cSUcRCpWrbjvTC7pUpudodw666DiiPSKtmcRmMbC41K4TthqILes4u7aVbQrH6oE0N7/s1600/brady+bunch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with kids </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mike's job: Architect</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mike Brady played by Robert Reed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">KIDS Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby and Cindy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who are you favorite TV dads?</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-38272085755064798222016-06-08T11:29:00.000-07:002016-06-09T04:18:28.184-07:00The Rifleman and Books<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsCPQU9L4ZF_sX2wovvu7ltVtS3rBgBNSsKb611VPqMOQkc39DrWyU1BRGtnH-SSlkjeNcwImGdvi9U4SQet46SClXPsLSFQA65pgQrhLYeo0ZqitMYlxlzqh0sTFdJkAYOHI7HT8PHZ6/s1600/rifleman+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsCPQU9L4ZF_sX2wovvu7ltVtS3rBgBNSsKb611VPqMOQkc39DrWyU1BRGtnH-SSlkjeNcwImGdvi9U4SQet46SClXPsLSFQA65pgQrhLYeo0ZqitMYlxlzqh0sTFdJkAYOHI7HT8PHZ6/s320/rifleman+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was visiting my dad on his acreage in Oklahoma last week. He lives in the country and doesn't have a satellite or cable TV. He uses an antenna to get TV reception.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of his favorite shows is "The Rifleman" so we watched the show everyday day while we were there. I remember watching it on TV when I was a kid. It's about a widower in the Old West named Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. Lucas is handy with a rifle and he and Mark work the ranch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On one episode, the school hired a new teacher from "back east." The teacher was a prim and proper gentleman and wasn't used to the ways of the West. He and Mark did not get along. Mark's friend ruined the teacher's book by putting blue berries in it and slamming the book closed. Mark was blamed for the prank and his father found out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lucas told Mark that it was wrong to ruin a book. Books are precious and hard to come by. He also told him that everything you learn from a book you will be able to use sometime in your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have found this to be true. I have always valued books. They have enriched my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If only all kids had a dad like Lucas McCain. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-47935964266799166482016-05-26T10:47:00.000-07:002016-05-26T10:47:17.073-07:00Luana Krause - Dramatist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Check out my new logo. I'm getting ready to market my plays, sketches, monologues and reader's theatre scripts. I'm also writing a book about how to direct, act and write for drama ministry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-75539476506704665982016-05-21T09:45:00.001-07:002016-05-21T09:45:56.028-07:00Tale of the Three Brothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IdSpZgE3fD4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IdSpZgE3fD4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Stunning animation from "The Tale of the Three Brothers" sequence in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.<br />
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Who says there aren't any good modern-day fairy tales? This has everything a good tale needs: A family setting, a villain, a hero, longing, desire and magic.<br />
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The animation is the perfect vessel for this dark fairy tale by J.K. Rowling.<br />
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When I saw the film the first time, this sequence ignited my imagination more than anything else. There's something about a tale within a tale that is truly profound. Shakespeare did this often. It's one of my favorite story-telling techniques.<br />
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I used in my latest film "The Book of Simon."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-9634333984270270882016-05-15T10:50:00.002-07:002016-05-15T10:50:48.307-07:00Madam Secretary<br />
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Last week I was browsing through Netflix looking for something to watch and came across a show called Madam Secretary. I'd seen bits of it on TV over the last couple of years, but because I was already committed to Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Food Network Star, Cupcake Wars, The Voice and American Idol and Blue Bloods, I didn't see how I could squeeze in another show.<br />
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My shows were over for the season so I figured I'd get around to checking out Madam Secretary. And I'm glad I did.<br />
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The story grabbed me at the pilot episode and now I'm binge watching the entire two seasons.<br />
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It's the story of an ex-CIA operative and university professor who is asked to step in as Secretary of State after the death of the current Secretary. The death is quite suspicous and we learn that it wasn't an accident nor a suicide.<br />
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Tea Leoni is Madam Secretary. I'd seen her in supporting roles in several movies. She is wonderful in this role. But what grabbed me the most about this series is the brilliant writing! As a writer myself, I am always impressed with a great story and great writing, and this series has it Big Time.<br />
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Not to mention the excellent performances, production design, editing and cinematography.<br />
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If you watch it, look for the funny lines. They are delightful. Because it's a drama, the humor is needed to lighten the tension, and the writers of this show strike that perfect balance.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-24349192987486168632016-05-13T11:21:00.001-07:002016-05-13T11:42:06.635-07:00John's Wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">John Keating from <i>The Dead Poets Society </i>(1989):</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-34405219286132547972016-05-12T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-12T05:00:02.577-07:00April's Wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">April Wheeler from <i>Revolutionary Road</i> (2008):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And you know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is, no matter how long they've lived without it.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-88741220244232077502016-05-09T05:50:00.001-07:002016-05-09T05:54:46.209-07:00Vincent's Wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3RUFZPz601mdnjYpvnffCqiWL4C6QB9vdNGsiXfEooEC8TrT_u-QVaQkhLOkRuxCeWBCgFZm-rH8EyjddB0IrsfQc_5yen0_zt5WHA5x9fHfd1vRQMzl83b4T0Z3c-uoaX7NlK-Zmq8W/s1600/voice+over+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3RUFZPz601mdnjYpvnffCqiWL4C6QB9vdNGsiXfEooEC8TrT_u-QVaQkhLOkRuxCeWBCgFZm-rH8EyjddB0IrsfQc_5yen0_zt5WHA5x9fHfd1vRQMzl83b4T0Z3c-uoaX7NlK-Zmq8W/s320/voice+over+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vincent Freeman from <i>Gattaca</i> (1997):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's funny, you work so hard, you do everything you can to get away from a place, and when you finally get your chance to leave, you find a reason to stay.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639808583839268800.post-21793450812896654622016-05-05T06:32:00.000-07:002016-05-05T06:32:00.554-07:00Leia's Wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">If money is all you love, that is what you'll receive.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4