dirt enthusiast
cherry valley forever
pixel skylines
Claire Keane
$LAYYYTER
Stranger Things
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
Xuebing Du
h
Janaina Medeiros
Show & Tell
Alisa U Zemlji Chuda
@theartofmadeline
Cosimo Galluzzi
Love Begins
almost home
we're not kids anymore.
PR's Tumblrdome
★
sheepfilms
seen from New Zealand
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@just2me
“It’s probably nothing, unless it is something.”
14:29 minutes Starring Jaime Lee, John Jude Schultz, Jessica Weir, and Shauntay Williams Cinematography & Color by Moses Lee Location Sound & Sound Mix by David Park Music by Jaime Lee Written & Directed by Jaime Lee
Playing this month, September 2014, in Dublin, Ireland and Jersey City, NJ: http://www.bittersweetmondaythemovie.com/
Golden Door Film Festival, hosted by Tommy Hilfiger: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/854908
LESS THAN NOTHING, starring Philipp Christopher and Meghan Covington, directed by Jaime Lee, cinematography by Moses Lee, is now available for streaming on INDIEFLIX!
After finding a bracelet with the engraving 'Sophia' in her husband's pocket, Sam spends a day to make sense of it before confronting her husband.
http://www.just2meproductions.com/sophia
I asked a singer/songwriter once why he chose music over other arts, in which he also possessed some obvious talents. His answer was precise and clear. He said music is very immediate in its ability to communicate with the audience. You just need your voice and your instrument. You sing, you play, and the audience hears you. And right away, there's a response.
I've recently discovered the band, Dawes. I fell in love with this this song, "Something in Common" the first time I heard it. It sounded so simple, but there was such a strong emotional pull - that tug at the heart, even before I really understood all the lyrics. And the more I hear it, there's so much more to it than what I initially thought was a very simple song.
peaceful unrest
There are no freebees. There is no easy or quiet. There is only perpetual chaos. Physical, emotional, spiritual, or all of the above - maybe it doesn't matter. But between the never-ending restlessness, there always exists little pockets of silence. It's elusive but enough to recharge for what's next. It's life as I know it.
I'm in yet another new phase. The intensity scale is high, but in the most pleasant way I've ever known. Being consistently exhausted can put one's focus on only the here and now. I have no capacity for anything else, and it's quite refreshing. So many should-be-important things don't seem relevant, and I'm free to concentrate on my daily survival.
I'm sure things will evolve as they always do. But I don't mind this simplicity. This is the most peaceful unrest I have ever experienced, and I welcome it with open arms.
I wished with every fiber of my being time would be kind and pass quickly. Then... here I am, in that future from the past, somewhere far from where I've been. The intensity has transformed itself into a different kind of depth with an unspoken understanding. And all the pain has now become something beautiful.
It's amazing to watch colors change in the sky in the brief, passing moments of sunset, especially when it's as beautiful as this one at the Bahamas in November. If you don't pay attention, it's gone before you know it.
I think about life and its fluidity. What one expects is often not what comes about, and beauty has a way of revealing itself in unforeseen places. Every moment is different, and it's important to keep your eyes open. To experience life fully requires active participation.
recap: Bahamas International Film Festival: Day 4
Sick in bed and having missed out on Day 3 of BIFF, I was expecting to do the same with the rest of the festival. Fortunately, after spending a lot of time sleeping off whatever I was feeling, I was able to get up with just enough time to get ready for the closing night.
The night began with an awards ceremony, during which all the jury members came out and presented filmmakers with their trophies. Our NYC filmmaker friends mentioned earlier - Michael Wolfe (director), Robert Nicotra (producer), and Mark Montgomery (producer) - of the film Maybe Tomorrow won the award for Best Narrative Feature in the 'New Visions' category!
Then the closing night movie, The Sapphires began. Another movie from the Weinstein Company, it was thoroughly entertaining as well as moving. I was laughing and/or crying throughout. I also found myself dancing in my seat to all the great songs featured. It opens in 2013 in the Spring sometime. You should all go watch it!
After another intriguing Q&A with Jeffrey Lyon and Dan Guando, everyone headed to the closing night party at the Ocean Club Estates via the Heineken party bus. Everyone was enjoying themselves and looking good in their suits and dresses. I was so happy I was feeling well enough to join the fun. I definitely paid for it the next day, but it was totally worth it. We got to meet and talk to so many lovely, interesting people - what a great way to end our first festival experience with Bittersweet Monday.
Bahamas International Film Festival: Day 2
THE PREMIERE
The day didn't begin so well. I woke up with a bad headache and nausea, keeping me in bed until 30 minutes before departure time. And our cab driver took us to the wrong 'Galleria Cinema,' which we didn't realize until we were inside. It was 30 minutes before our screening time, and there were no yellow cabs to catch like we're used to in NYC. Fortunately, Bahamians are apparently super friendly, and one of the workers took us to a security guard, who called for a cab, which arrived shortly.
I know we look too happy for two people who are late to our own screening. But hey, we're in the Bahamas, and worse things have happened. :)
By the time we got to the right theater, we had just missed the introduction by a festival staff. He spotted us as soon as we walked in and said he told the audience I should be around at the end of the movie.
As expected, the theater was not very full. But the fact that there were people in there at all was fascinating. Once the movie began, I immediately noticed the sound wasn't high enough. Producer Dave jumped right up and left the theater to talk to the tech people, and it was turned up ASAP. It was still not as full as we would have liked, but it was apparently a system compatibility issue, which we couldn't help. It was a bit of a bummer, but we could hear the dialogue fine. And the picture quality and color looked good.
There was a short Q&A after. One of the positive feedbacks I heard was something to the effect of 'it was good to see that it went to that 'hard place,' where a lot of films don't go.' I found that comment extra interesting and wanted to ask in specifics as to what she meant, but I didn't get a chance...
And once that was over - phew! - producer Dave and I hung out in the lobby a bit, talking to other filmmakers. Then we were back in the theater, watching movies.
On our way back to the hotel, another friendly Bahamian driver was telling us about all the local spots we should check out, including eateries. It was past our dinner time, and we were starving. So we asked him to take us to the nearest food place, also asking him how to get back to the hotel from there. This man - Keith is his name - said he'd wait for us and took us to his favorite spot, where he seemed to know everybody. We ordered grouper fingers, conch fritters, and 'sky juice,' among others, at his recommendation.
It took what seemed like forever in New York time, but Keith was so laid back, telling us it's fine. Dave even said hello to Keith's wife on the phone while we were waiting for our food to come out. Eventually, we got back on the taxi and got dropped off at the hotel, where Dave and I had a little feast in our room.
The whole day felt a bit crazy, but not always in a bad way. All in all, I'd say we had a pretty successful day of premiering our movie, Bittersweet Monday.
recap: Bahamas International Film Festival: Day 1
Last night, producer Dave and I attended the screening of Quartet. It was an opening night event, preceded by red carpet interviews and photos. Attending filmmakers also got to have their photos taken - tho this blurry one is from after everything was over.
When we were all seated, a few people spoke, including Leslie Vanderpool, the executive director of the festival; the Prime Minister of The Bahamas; and Dan Guando, the Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at The Weinstein Company, which is the distribution company for Quartet and also the closing film, The Sapphires. It was inspirational to be in attendance. And once the movie ended, Jeffrey Lyons, the film & TV critic, came out with Dan Guando for an informative and entertaining Q&A.
There was an opening night party on a yacht immediately after, which I'm sure was a load of fun, along with being a great opportunity to mingle with other filmmakers. Unfortunately, I was feeling a bit under the weather. And having our movie premiere the next day - today in a few hours, I thought it was a good idea to call it a night early. I'm glad I did because I passed out as soon as I got back, and I'm still not feeling my best this morning.
No partying for us, but we still got to meet several attending filmmakers at the screening last night. We also ran into our fellow New York filmmakers, Robert Nicotra and Michael Wolfe, who are here to screen their movie, Maybe Tomorrow. It's always great to see friendly faces.
Our movie, Bittersweet Monday premieres/screens today at 2:30pm at the Galleria JFK Theater 2 in Nassau, Bahamas. It's my first time showing the movie to a group of strangers, and I don't know how many people will actually be there. But I'm definitely looking forward to the experience of sharing it with an audience.
I'm a bit nervous. But once this part is over, I get to watch other people's movies, attend panels, enjoy the sun, and mingle. Wish us luck!
Bahamas International Film Festival: Day 0
We're in Nassau, Bahamas to attend BIFF with our movie, Bittersweet Monday! My husband, producer Dave and I checked into our hotel, unpacked, and went downtown to the filmmakers' lounge to pick up our badges. We got to meet some lovely people, including the festival director, Leslie Vanderpool, and the filmmakers' lounge supervisor, Pamela Gomez, who made us feel oh so welcome. :)
Tomorrow, or technically today because it's 2:50am right now, the festival begins with an all day film program, followed by an opening night film and a party on a yacht. There's a good chance I won't be able to attend the party because I get incredibly sea sick, but I am excited to watch Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut, QUARTET, among many others I will be viewing during the festival.
Our movie plays on Friday at 2:30pm. I'm so excited! (and nervous!)
grateful it's over
It's December, and I'm grateful. I have tasted the bitter to appreciate the sweet like never before, and I am still intact. It's been a long and torturous year, and I'm glad it's over soon.
A part of this year's bittersweet satisfaction comes from the completion of my movie, appropriately titled, Bittersweet Monday. And it's finally making its festival debut next week at the Bahamas International Film Festival. I'm making a much needed vacation out of this trip; I'm going to soak up some sun. Still jet lagged from my last travel, I'm thinking it might be the optimal way to be because I'm tired just the right amount not to get nervous. My sundresses are packed, and I'm ready to go.
Ironically, my filmmaking was only a very small part of either my tribulations or triumphs this year. It kept me busy here and there, giving me a much needed distraction at times. But mostly, it was relatively trivial, thus taking a back seat in my list of things to do and being postponed for this long. Instead, it's been all about life and family.
Facing a painful situation completely out of my control, I have relearned the obvious lesson to be grateful in the present. I am also less frightened of the unknown in what is yet to be, grounded in the blessings of now. My appreciation for what is, what has been, and what will be moves me in ways I have not known in the past. The struggle will continue, for that is life. But I feel ready to tackle what's next.
Bittersweet Monday is one of the 45 feature films playing at the Bahamas International Film Festival this December. Find us on the list, under the World Cinema category.
Sound Mix
We had our second sound mix session yesterday, and it was thoroughly satisfying- something I haven't felt in a while. I've had some frustrating experiences in the past with post-production that I might have become a tad jaded. Luckily, yesterday reminded me it could be such a fun process.
Working with talented professionals apparently can bring back the lost desire to keep going. I've been on quite a hiatus from this movie that the task of finishing the feature was starting to feel like a chore. But the dreadful feeling seems to have dissipated completely in the audio mixing room yesterday, leaving me only with the pure exhilaration of filmmaking. We have another review session this afternoon. It's going to be a good day.
Bittersweet Monday: almost... there.
Next Monday, I have my second sound mixing session for Bittersweet Monday. For many reasons, consisting of mostly personal ones, the sound sessions for this first feature film of mine had to be pushed back several times. The original intention to finish the movie by the end of 2011 has become 2012. I'm crossing my fingers that it'll happen for real this time.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I realize over and over how much of an intense and laborious process filmmaking is, not only during production but also before and after. For an independent filmmaker who is trying to make things happen with limited resources and with a budget that apparently falls under the category of 'no budget' according to a recent article I read (I think it was below 100K), the whole process can be overwhelming. I have felt utterly lost at times, and I'm still not sure if I know what I'm doing.
Nonetheless, Bittersweet Monday is finally making its festival debut this December. There's much to be done, including but not limited to printing and mailing press kit, scheduling and booking travel, and making sure the movie is finished and sent in the right format - all within the next week. With hurricane Sandy, my place is without power; but fortunately, I left town before the storm hit. I will have to deal with the damages when I get back, but I'm grateful I get to stay dry and warm for now, able to concentrate on getting ready for the festival...
It will be my first festival attendance with a feature film. All my other experiences have been with shorts, which I think is easier because you get to screen your movie with a bunch of other people's. A short filmmaker/film is naturally exempt from the sole responsibility of entertaining for the given 2-hour time slot. With a feature, there's a bigger burden.
I'm nervous and excited. And a part of me is scared like a little girl. But I know it's going to be a beneficial experience no matter what because I get to be a part of a celebration, specifically designed for filmmakers and film lovers, with whom I get to share my movie. I have yet to find my audience, and maybe, just maybe, I will soon.
Bittersweet Monday, our first feature film will be premiering this December!
Stay tuned for details:
https://www.facebook.com/bittersweetmonday http://www.bittersweetmondaythemovie.com/