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Took my course on incorporating. It was a very strange experience. I didn't learn what I thought I was going to learn. I mean I did learn to incorporate and I will be doing it as soon as I get the papers I need. BUT, I didn't get all the nitty gritty details I thought I was going to get. HOWEVER, I did get some very interesting information. The most interesting piece that I got was that if you want to become rich you have to set up your corporation so that it can function without you so that you are free to go out and get new business (or vacation, or whatever else you want to do). I love that idea.

Second interesting thing that happened to me in the last week is that I met someone who connected me with a director of photography. I haven't had a chance as of yet to meet with her, but it is very promising.

I haven't had much time to complete my second draft yet but I'm almost done and the budget is next. I'm afraid it's going to be in the range of $300,000! Yikes.

In the meantime I'm trying very hard to keep on top of things. It's getting difficult because I find that my day job is taking a lot of energy from me. I think I'm going to have to start working out. This is just not good enough! I need way more energy than this.

I hate to say this, but it's the truth. I hit a bit of a wall last Friday. I'm struggling to get past it. I was out for basically the whole weekend. I hate that when it happens, but that's life!

Well Lulubelle is home!!! It took a few days before she started feeling better and I was worried during those days. But she's doing much better now, especially after I've been spoiling her. She's finally gaining weight (she's lost an enormous amount of weight), and she's playing again. It's really great to see!!! :-)

Well, I had my read-through on Tuesday, it was great! I got lots of great feedback. I'm really glad I did it. I also got some great feedback from my brother and one of my best friend, Robert. So now I'm all set to do a second draft.

I spent all day yesterday working on a business card and letterhead. I got the business card finalized but I'm still tweaking the letterhead. Check it out. It's all very exciting. Next week I'm taking a course on how to incorporate my company without a lawyer. Then my company will all be set.

This week will be busy with the second draft and trying to finalize my budget. Then I can start looking for a DP (Director of Photography/Cinematographer).

I'm feeling really good about things at the moment! :-)

I wish I'd had time to do a couple of updates during the week. So much has happened. It's been wonderful and difficult all at the same time, mainly because one of my great inspirations, Lulubelle fell ill this week. I had to bring her into the vet yesterday and they had to operate on her to remove a piece of plastic that she had swallowed and was stuck in her intestinal tract. She pulled through but I won't be happy until she comes home on Tuesday. :-(

I started my new/old job on Thursday. The first day was difficult, partially because I was stressing about Lulubelle and partially because it was the first day. But the second day came much easier. I have a feeling it's just going to get better from now on. I'm really looking forward to the first cheque. I feel like a camel that's been in a desert for 3 months!

I got a call this week on Tuesday from the director, George, of GIFTS, the school I went to in BC. He asked me to speak at the International Teen Film Festival in August. I agreed to it before I found out that I will have an hour to speak to 40-100 people!!! I've never done that before and I am a little nervous but I'm looking forward to the experience. I'm actually very excited about it!

I also met up with a good friend of mine, Peter. Peter and I discovered that we are both interested in doing film. We actually went to web designing school together. It was great to be able to speak about my project with him. We ended up going to a place called LIFT (Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto). It was great being in an environment specific to film. It's a good resource place as well. Thanks Pete!

Finally, I've set up a read-through date for next Tuesday. I've asked several of my friends to participate by reading specific parts. I'm really looking forward to the experience. I'm hoping that I will be able to pick out any weak parts in the script. Or maybe I'll just discover that the script is perfect as it is... wishful thinking. ;-) Hey, what's wrong with dreaming big?!

Not bad for one week!

I finally made the last update to Elle's Sacred Circle. As always, the book has been a god-send. I've also added a few doodles to the art section of My Dreams.

This has been a crazy week. I was suppose to start a temp job on Thursday but the temp agency said I didn't qualify because I had a bad credit rating. I thought a job was to help one with ones financial situation?!? Anyway, it worked out for the best because it's allowed me to work on a new script and of course continue working on the budget of WISC.

I've also run into a few road blocks. I'm sure the blocks are there for a reason but I can't help but be disappointed. They were a few contacts I had collected. It kind of clears my plate though. What I mean is now I'm on my own. It's just me and my film. Which, in a sense, is good. This way, anyone I hire is a direct contact that I've made not a recommendation from someone else. So that when my film is complete, I can say I actually did it all by my self!! I can't wait to be able to say that.

I also added a video of Lulubelle (captured by Nicholas). Check it out. It's funny.

Last, but by no means least, I added some of my nephew's art. You have to check it out. I love it... of course!!

Wow!! I guess I've been busy!

Just added a couple of graphics to the site. You'll just have to go looking for them. I also updated Elle's Sacred Circle. There's only one week left from the Artist's Way!

I've also started working on a budget for WISC (Wolf In Sheep's Clothing) and I've been planning my business plan (is that being redundant or what?!).

Financially, things are still in the red. No change there except that I tried to get money from welfare and they refused me. What a completely degrading and demoralizing experience. One I plan on never having to do again!

I think it's party time!

Hooray! Yeah! and all that stuff. It's time for celebration! I just finished writing my script called "Wolf In Sheep's Clothing"! It's 91 pages long wich translates to a 90 minute film. I've just sent it out to my team of readers and I'm starting to work on a budget. Once the budget is set, I'm going to put together a business plan and start looking for investors. Know of anyone?

Also, I'm looking for a location around Toronto. The location I'm looking for is an old theatre. If you know of one, please let me know.

I also got myself a permanent job. Yeah! I'm just waiting to hear when my start date is. I can't wait til I get out of the red financially. It's going to be such a relief.

I've just updated Elle's Sacred Circle.

I've been working on the new script which is called "Wolf In Sheep's Clothing". In fact I just finished the first draft. I'm immediately going to work on the second draft and hopefully have something for my critics to read by mid-week.

I finally have a temporary job which begins July 4th, the day after the long weekend coming up. It's only for one month but will definitely help me financially. Yeah.

Last week was full of turmoil but I've managed to get things to work in my favor, or at least that's what it seems like to me, and I guess that's what counts the most... right?

So, I'm hoping to take advantage of this coming week. To live my life like I've imagined it to be. I've imagined being able to pursue my art on a full-time basis and that's how I plan to live it out next week. Wish me luck.

Like my friend Lorri says, time flies whether your having fun or not! It's been a tough week. Lot's of bad thing happening. But out of the ashes the pheonix has risen. Despite all the hardship I endured in the last week, I have managed to begin writing my next script. It's turning out to be a slasher movie which makes me laugh. I'm actually having fun with it. I'm approaching it in a totally different way than I did the last script I was working on. I'm having fun and that's the point of it all right?!

I've updated Elle's Sacred Circle today. If you don't read that section make sure you just read "Blasting Through Blocks". It is so worth it if you're feeling blocked or have been in the past. It's such an amazing tool.

It's been a rough week! Really rough. Haven't found a job, and believe me I've been trying! I was really stretched to the limit by Friday. Friday was one of the worst days of my life! But it all worked out in the end.

Today, I ended up talking to a couple of friends that I haven't talked to in a long time. That was kewl. I also read my artist way (and updated my Elle's Sacred Circle).

One of the exercise she has in the book really stood out for me and so I'm trying to figure out where to put it in my site. I think I'll put it in Your Dreams. I'm also planning on updating the different sections of My Dreams tonight... hopefully.

I think this week is going to be a very interesting one. I think a lot of things will happen. I don't know what, but I have a feeling that there are going to be some changes happening. Yeah!!!

Well the job turned out to be a nightmare. It wasn't quite the in that I expected into the film industry. As a caterer, you're just a third wheel. I mean, if you're interested in meeting a lot of actors, it's not bad. But when your interest lies in getting to know the production side of things, there's just no way. People are too busy thinking about what they have to do to take the time to talk to the caterer. I'm going to find something better.

I spent all day trying to figure out why I've been seemingly stuck in a rut. It was worth it. The combination of being retrospective and the new chapter in The Artist's Way have helped me un-stick myself. I feel better and I have faith that things will be very different tomorrow. I even came up with my own saying: Take interest in the moment, for there lies life!

I got a job! But it came with trials and tribulations. This is what happened.

The job is with a catering company that I'm starting today at noon. They cater to movies, concerts and offices. I got started on the wrong foot though so I'm wondering how it's going to go. I called them up on Tuesday, went in to fill out a form and Dana (who's in charge of hiring - it's a family owned business) told me that she would call me that evening and have me come in for a meeting the next day. I didn't hear from her Tuesday evening or Wed. So I gave her a call yesterday and left a message saying that I was just wondering if she still was interested in me working for them and that if they were, when would I start. She called me back and said that she was expecting me to come in on Wed. and that since I didn't she assumed that I had found another job. She said it was a misunderstanding. I thought, no way, you're not going to blame this on me. Anyway, she told me that I could come in today and probably start at 9am. Probably! So she said she would call me later and that if I didn't hear from her by 8pm to give her a call at home. Of course I didn't hear from her, so I called and she said 9am. Then she called me an hour later and said noon.

I guess thems the perils of working in the film industry. Anyway, I'm feeling weird about that "misunderstanding" but I guess if she's expecting me to come in today then she's willing to let it go.

I'm always nervous about starting a new job. I also hate the fact that we haven't even talked about how much I'm making or when I'll get paid. Fuck!

I'll let you know how it goes.

I've been reading this new book. It's about producing independent film. It's called Shooting to Kill: How an independent producer blasts through the barriers to make movies that matter, by Christine Vachon. She did I Shot Andy Warhol and a bunch of other movies that I've never heard of. But I really like the book. It really gives you a sense of what it's like to be a producer. I also like the fact that she gets a lot of resistance. I mean she says that people are always saying, you can't do that and that can't be done and she does it anyway. I've been getting a lot of resistance myself but I'm absolutely determined to do it.

I've been throwing around some ideas in my head about the next script I want to write. I just haven't thought of anything extremely compelling yet. I also decided to start doing some research on Martin Luther King Jr. One day I want to make a feature about him. I'm getting a lot of resistance about that too, but I don't care. Funny enough, I was looking around on the web and it seems that there has never been a feature made about him. Lots of documentaries though.

Anyway, wish me luck for my first day.

Still no job!!! Grrr!!!

Went to a session on Tuesday for something called SEB (Self Employment Benefit) Program. It is a program funded by HRDC and implemented by different agencies. The one I went to was being delivered by an agency called CBRC (Canadian Business Resource Centre). If you get into the program (which involves a detailed application and an interview), they basically teach you how to create a detailed business plan, over the span of 8 weeks and then kind of mentor you for another 10 months. HRDC also pays you a weekly rate to help you stay afloat for your first year of business.

I was considering the program, but it wouldn't start until the end of August. They also have something that is more geared towards film which I thought might be more pertinent to me. But apparently that doesn't start until November. I just can't wait for that long and I'm working on my business already. So, after careful consideration I've decided to forge out on my own.

Besides, I had already made a promise to myself that I would be independent of government funding and help (i.e. EI). So, here I am, independent and totally broke. Can't even afford to buy food! I'm sure things will turn around soon. I have faith.

Serious art is born from serious play. Check it out... Week 6 of the Artist's Way.

I choose to seriously play today. I've been having a difficult time these past few weeks. I'm not sure why but I am keeping faith that it will all work out in the end.

Friday, I bought myself a couple of books on producing, some business card stock and a few movies. Do you think I could afford all of this luxury? I think I can't afford not to get these things. So I did. But I'll tell you, my conscience is not clear. I feel really guilty because I don't have any money and I don't know where it will come from. I'm afreared!

Argh! Oh no... I've been reduced to Argh! now! Frustration is beginning to rear it's ugly head.

I've been having a difficult time trying to overcome the effects of not having a job and hence any income. I have no savings and in order to survive I need cash, as you all know. I've looked into getting a temp job but nothing has come of it yet. I've followed up on a couple of leads and I've hit a dead end on all counts. Now I'm starting to feel cornered because I can't think of any other recourse. I'm sure there are things that I haven't thought of yet, so at this point I'm just trying to keep faith that something will come about.

Wish me luck! Again!

Ugh! Another 10 days has past! I haven't been updating the dailies because everything and nothing has been happening.

'Everything' is lots of partying, lots of hanging out and not doing much. I've been working but that's about it. Well, it hasn't been that bad. I've been making some changes to the site behind the scenes so it doesn't really look like I've done anything from your point of view.

Now I have money to think about as well. I just told my boss that I'm going to look for a temp job because he's having financial problems with his company and is unable to pay me at the moment. I'm feeling really disappointed and scared. I'm not sure what lies just around the corner, but I'm keeping faith that it's all good.

'Nothing' is I haven't started working on my new script. Ugh! Again! I think I'm feeling scared. Actually, I know I'm feeling scared. I'm afraid that I only have one script in me, which is ridiculous. The funny thing is that I just read the 5th chapter in The Artist's Way and she talks about just that. Thank God! The 5th chapter is all about recovering a sense of possibility.

So with that in mind, I'm going to forge ahead. Or at least that's what I'm planning on. Wish me luck. We'll soon find out if I'm back on track.     :-O

Oh my GOD! I can't believe how long it has been since I've put an update. Over 2 weeks!

Part of the reason is because I was so busy writing my first script. I have finally finished the 1st draft of my first script and it's with a trusted friend who is looking it over as we speak. I am so proud of myself for accomplishing this feat. I have wanted to write a script for a very long time now and I finally did it.

Guess what? I'm already on my second one! The plan is that the first script that I wrote, which is called Plebeian, is now going on the back burner. You see, due to it's nature, it is more amenable as a 3rd movie. So the new script I'm working on now, called The 1st, is the script I want to shoot my film in September with. Actually, either The 1st or a script that a very good friend of mine, Robert, is writing. It might even be a script that I don't even know about. The reason I want to write as well as have Robert write or find one, is that I want to increase my probabilities of finding a great script for my first movie. Regardless of where it comes from, it has to be a great script and I have to have it in my hands by July 1st. Otherwise it's going to shoot my schedule way off the map. But isn't that what making movies is all about.

I mean, how often have we heard that films are way off schedule or that their budget is totally blown. Mind you, I definitely don't want to do that but it's funny just the same to think that I'm part of that now.

So that's where I'm at. I've been busy with my job as well as partying it up a little. Hey man, it's spring, you've got to celebrate, you know, come out of hibernation and all.

Hope your summer is lining up to be a great one, cuz mine sure is!

Finally! I've been juggling two websites for the past two weeks so I haven't been able to put as much work into my site as I would have wanted to. But at least now I have it to the point where I can upload a whole bunch of stuff. I know...it doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I've added a new section called My Dreams. It's a little skimpy right now but I'll be adding to it in time. I've also added a new Site Map which can be navigated to from anywhere in the site. BTW - if you find any errors I would totally appreciate it if you would let me know.

I've also been working on my first feature length script. I was stuck for a while but then I went through the exercise of actually mapping out the characters and how they relate with each other and it was POW! The whole thing just exploded on me and is almost writing itself! I'm very excited about it. I think it's going to be great but the real judge will be all of you. I just feel too close to it to be objective about it. Know what I mean, Jellybean.

Finally got some pictures included with the GIFTS Adventure. Check it out!

I also added more (pics and stuff) to Fuel.

I just finished putting up my story about my film school boot camp. Check it out!

Well, I just got back from my course in BC and I tell ya, I made the right decision. I had so much fun and I learned so much and best of all I made a movie. I'm going to try to get a copy and upload it on my site, so keep an eye open for it.

So much happened during the course that I want to put up a little diary of it cuz I don't want it to take up all the space on this page. Keep an eye open for that too.

Once again, I want to thank everyone that helped me achieve my goal. I couldn't have done it without everyone's support.

First of all, I want to wish my best friend Val a Happy 25th Birthday! I tell you, I am so lucky to have a friend like her. You can't get a better one, it just doesn't exists! Love ya Babe!!!

Secondly, I just want to say thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU, to everyone who made a contribution to my cause. It was an overwhelmingly successful!! I drew and the winners are in the process of being notified.

I just want say thank you again. Because of your overwhelming generosity I am able to pursue my dreams! <G>

I went for a very long walk this morning, in the local cemetery, with my dog, Lulubelle. I tell you, it was so amazing. It was really quiet (7:30am) and warm and no one around, so I did a lot of thinking. I just think I am so lucky at this moment. I've got a dream that I'm actively pursuing and getting closer and closer to every day. I have a great little puppy that makes me laugh even if I don't feel like it. I've got incredible friends. I've got my own little apartment that keeps me warm and dry and things just keep getting better and better every day.

For example, last night I was making a phone call to a friend of mine. He's a new friend so I haven't yet memorized his phone number. His name is right above another person who I know with the same first name. Well, last night I wasn't paying attention when I was dialing and low and behold, I called the wrong person. I hadn't talked to the one I did call in about 2 years or more, but we got to chatting a little bit and it turns out that he's getting into film-making too. I tell you, it's a strange and bizarre little world we live in. I LOVE IT!!!

The next few days will be really busy with getting ready for my course which I'm leaving for on Sunday. I'm just beside myself with anticipation and excitement.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a wonderful week and I'll talk to you on the flip side.

Well, I just got back from my weekend course on producing film. It was AMAZING! I learned so much, I'm practically brain dead. I'm so excited about finding my first script and producing it.

After having taken this course, I've decided that I'm definitely going to produce a feature film this year. I mean, in the can and on to film festivals. So, if you want to be involved, let me know.

I've just made some changes to Fuel. I hope you check it out.

I also finally got an answer from Air Canada. I was trying to get them to sponsor me with a ticket to BC, but they turned me down. Oh well, at least it was worth a try. They also said: "I read you letter with interest...". I always find little gems like than inspiring.

Oh my God! The response so far for the Raffle ticket has been really overwhelming! I just want to thank everyone whose been so generous! Thank you!

I'm kind of scared. I've been trying to get funding by writing to all kinds of companies asking them to make a contribution to my educational fund cuz I'm taking a couple of film courses and I can't manage to foot the bill by myself. So far I've had really supportive responses but no one is able to give me any money. I've had one response from a company saying that they are reviewing my situation and will let me know if they can help me. I really like that one. And then there's Sleeman. They're helping me by providing some prizes for a raffle, hence the Raffle page. Wish me luck! :-0

Huge breakthrough today!

I just did this exercise from my book called "The Artist Way". It's a great book and I want to do a whole page or section on it. Anyway, this exercise is all about unblocking. She gives a warning too that it works. Well... it did! I couldn't believe it! It worked. Anyway, I'll do up that page and you can find out more about it.

(This is my first entry!) As you can see, I've been refurbishing the old site. And for those of you that can't see it, don't worry 'bout it.

Sometimes I just stress over the small stuff. I was watching Oprah today and apparently the way to become a success is not to sweat the small stuff. (Make a mental note of that - Elle!)

OK. Let me tell you were I'm at in terms of my dream of filmmaking. I'm taking a course in BC at the end of March (31st to April 6th). I'm really excited about it. It's a one week intensive course that takes you from the inception of the idea, to scriptwriting, storyboarding, lighting, filming, sound, editing and final showing. You come out of there with a 5 minute short. I can't wait.

I'm also taking a weekend course (March 24 & 25) on producing independent film with my best friend, Val.

In the meantime, however, I'm doing some fundraising in order to help offset the cost of all of these courses. I've also written a 10 minute short entitled: "Mystery Part 1". I'm trying to storyboard it myself.

Oh Ya. I'm also trying to find a part-time job to help me out financially. Actually, the money thing is an ongoing concern. Can't wait 'til I'm rich! (Hee! Hee!)