WOW, I have been SWAMPED. Just haven’t had a chance to blog. Made it back from Montreal last week just fine, where I had an awesome time, made new, cool friends and came back with a few personal revelations.
First off at the First Peoples’ Festival, we were all finding that attendance was pretty low for everything. So I wasn’t too disappointed when the turnout for our screening was around 25 people.
It turned out that there were several other festivals going on at the same time in downtown Montreal, and the First Peoples’ Festival itself had several events going on at the same time.
But I didn’t care. I was just in Montreal to have a great time, and I did. It was my reward for all the hard work and stress I had endured over the past year-and-a-half. I really hadn’t had any kind of break since January of 2009.
But in Montreal, I made two new great friends, Erik and Trevor, who I pretty much hung out with the whole time at the festival. They really liked “The Dead Can’t Dance,” too, so that was very cool.
It was particularly rewarding because Trevor is a writer for Canadian TV, and directs an animated children’s show. Cool stuff. We hung out one night having beers swapping stories and talking about everything from writing to our festival journeys to films to our families to what kind of food we like. Great guy, and we had a blast.
It turned out Erik and I were neighbors where we were staying, so we walked (I spent the whole time walking, really) to a cool place to have brunch. Forgot what the name of it was, but I had whole wheat crepes and an amazing sculpture of fresh fruit. Man, it was incredible! And Erik was very nice, in general.
Then, coming home (which took a long time crossing customs, etc.), I had an epiphany. Well, several epiphanies. For one, it was great seeing “The Dead Can’t Dance” again. It was kind of like visiting old friends (even though I am NOT happy with our DigiBeta transfer, which will be addressed). It’s truly a remarkable thing that we pulled off, and I’m immensely proud of it.
I also realized (or rather, remembered, perhaps) that I am an anomaly. I’m also a contradictory one, sometimes, because:
– I am not particularly good looking nor handsome. But I photograph well.
– I am not charismatic, but I usually make new friends wherever I go.
– I don’t care if someone dismisses me, because they have no idea how amazing I am. And its truly their loss.
– I am not only liked and loved, but I am cherished.
– I am talented. And I’ve never thought that. I figured if I could do this, anyone can. But really, that’s not the case. It takes an incredible amount of courage, faith, conviction, and yes, an inkling of talent. Even if nothing comes of this film, if it doesn’t get into any more film festivals, if the whole world ignores it, there are very few people who can hand over a DVD and say, “I wrote, produced, edited, directed and starred in this.” And to see how big it is in scope is truly amazing.
So, my trip resulted in some healthy self-realization. (I, of course, mean none of this in a narcissistic way. Even if I did, I’m worth it. Ha.)
Now, on to much more things. We should have a wave of festival notifications coming soon and I’m braced for yays or nays either way, I’ve got a new script treatment I’m working on, I’m applying for a grant, and our special Halloween screening of “The Dead Can’t Dance” is confirmed: Friday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m., again at the Orpheum Theatre.
So there’s lots going on. And I feel — absolutely, completely, simply — great. I hope it lasts.
-r.