This post is inspired by a conversation I overheard. It was on a cell phone and went something like this “Yeah, I’m auditioning but I haven’t booked anything in a long time and I’m tired and I’m working three jobs...” You can hear the despair in those words. (Other person is talking on the phone, probably saying something encouraging like “You just have to keep going. Eventually it will pan out. Sure you life sucks day to day and clearly you are not enjoying this process but you can do it!!!”) So this is for that performer that I don’t know but I hope stumbles upon this.

COVID…harbinger of death and dismay and utter loss of really living life. 200%. And, I would do anything to have it not have come our way.

But, since it did, let’s look at some of the positives it brought to the film industry and some changes that I hope will be with us forever.

I pride myself on never yelling at anyone on set. Always leading with kindness and keeping my cool, even if it means stepping a way and hiding in a pile of cardboard boxes like a little kid with people walking by wondering where you are. Yes, I have done that.

DETENTION 101 was created during the pandemic which made it a unique process that I have actually found to be quite enjoyable accept at the points that I was having meltdowns and frustrations with it. (Cue the cursing.)

This is the question every filmmaker asks themselves at some point (or likely many points) during the process of making a film. Other questions like “Am I insane?” and “Is my therapist lying to me?” often follow. But still, the filmmaker carries on because what else is there to do? In for a penny. In for a pound.

This week is the week that we all look back across the year and think, “What did I do because I certainly didn’t do everything I planned on.” So, in honor of that sentiment, here is what I did do and what I didn’t do just so you know you are not alone.

A Festivus for the rest of us! This phrase was invented by the father of one of the writer’s on Seinfeld as a way to have a secular celebration. Writer Dan O’Keefe wrote this into an episode of Sienfeld and it stuck The 23rd of December is now officially the date to celebrate Festivus. The influence of the media and creative writers is truly without bounds.

For fun, let’s take a look at some commonly used catch phrases that have their origins in film and television.

So, it’s that time of year and perhaps you have someone in your life who is just beginning their filmmaker journey or maybe someone who has been on that road for a while and you are trying to figure out the perfect gift to give to show your support. Here are ten gifts to consider when picking something out for a filmmaker:

Giving Tuesday is a global initiative that encourages people to donate their time and money to charitable causes on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. What does this have to do with filmmaking?

So, it’s Thanksgiving weekend. That means turkey, family and football…LOTS of football. If you are like me and not a huge fan of the game, you may wish to avoid that and just watch some films.

Piracy is obviously illegal and wrong. It’s stealing. Get it.

Now, let’s put that aside and talk about how piracy can help or hurt an indie filmmaker depending on your situation.

Crowdfunding. You hear all the time “just go raise your money online, people are just out there giving away their cash.”

I hate to burst anyone’s bubble but that is a lie.

Indie filmmakers are out there making content that often seeks to bring eyes to an issue and eventually help to enact change.

What’s in a name? Apparently, EVERYTHING.

An English teacher told me in high school, “Never name your story until you are done writing it.”

People often ask, “how do I get people to see my film?”

Well, if you have hundreds of thousands of dollars, I suggest a great ad campaign. Don’t have that? Read on.

If you want people to see your films and have no money for advertising, there are a number of things you can do.

The Little Mermaid is written by Hans Christian Andersen, a gay man who self-reported to have no sexual relations. He was trapped in a society where he couldn’t love who he wanted to. So in actuality Ariel (the little mermaid herself) is a gay man’s secret identity.

Think about that for a second.

“How do I make money off my film or at least make my money back so I can afford the next one?” The short answer is, if your film was made for under $500K and doesn’t have a huge name, generally you don’t.

That said…it’s not impossible. You just have to make it your job to make it happen.

Yes, it’s national chicken month! I love ducks. I am not so in love with chickens (I more feel sorry for them.) and I absolutely despise geese. They are nasty creatures who interfere with film shoots and poop all over the place but I digress.

Let’s talk about fowl!

It’s “National Hispanic Heritage” month so let’s tell it like it is.

When it comes to Latino actors starring in films, the numbers say it all. Latinos make up approximately 20% of the country but get less than 5% of starring roles. And, when starring roles are filled by Latino actors, they are often characters that are (a) criminals, (b) poverty-stricken, (c) uneducated immigrants, (d) unwed and pregnant teens or (e) all of the above. This of course is not true in the real world; it is simply true in Hollywood’s portrayal of it.

Recently, Batgirl with its ninety million dollar (and yes I needed to spell that fully out) budget has been pulled. That’s right, they threw all this money at this picture, trying to save it from itself and in the end, put it out of it’s misery.

First, I must write, “WTF!” at least a million times here.