BEST SPOOF! "April" Takes the Cake

As announced at last night's awards dinner for AOF Film Festival 2010, "April" won for Best Spoof! First-time director/writer not only makes a great film but nails a genre? Pretty awesome.

You Are the Right Person This is the Right Time

Induced-by-twelve-hours-of-sleep Jennifer Aniston fluffed up my hair while guest-teaching the acting class; turned to just me and said, "We should go get some sorbet sometime." And that, my friends, is breaking into the slumberland big time.

Mango? Rasperry? Coconut?

"April" on the Red Carpet

Our screening at AOF this weekend was a smash hit! Jury's still out on our award nominations, but hearing the movie theater full of laughter is what counts. I'm so lucky to be a part of this fabulous cast and crew.

King of the Motorchair

Because nothing says "Buy this electric wheelchair" like having a stuffed lion demonstrate its prowess. Only $595!

Stolen Car

Ever dream you've had your car stolen? Head out after a trip to the grocery store, or a day at a new job, and those nocturnal bad guys have walked off with your ride? I've tripped this neural pathway a few too many times in recent memory, and finally consulted with that bastion of sound testimony, the internet.

According to the internet I feel I have been stripped of my identity; perhaps due to a change in jobs, relationships, or a situation that once played a key role in my identity as a person. According to the internet I perhaps have lost my drive and ability to move forward. Or that my physical body has been hijacked. That someone is trying to take advantage of me.

I left work tonight close to 1 AM, slightly worried these nightmares would come true and my chariot wouldn't be holding court in the parking lot. But see, I left work, where I reveled in wonderful new employment, interpersonal connections, and unusable old skins falling away. Ha, dreams! No wonder you ended in an assignment at Disney.

Who Needs Vampires When You've Got "April"?

Go Team "April"! Our movie is not only screening opening night at AOF International Film Festival, but it's also up for two awards. Will we take home the titles of Best Spoof and Best Makeup? Stay tuned.

Pick Me Up, Love, E ery Ay!

Vortex of 2005

People from early 2005 are coming back to me: theory or metaphysical truth? I considered this when one of my most wonderful friends who I hadn't seen since then came to visit in June. Forget about '05: I then toyed with the idea of April 2010's boomerang effect. That month's emails finally got returned, meetings got set, mentions turned into events and the film with such a name started its circuit in the world.

But what about today's pair of reunitings from that turning-point year: someone I shared a stage with briefly but significantly, and another with whom I worked side by side? Lest I spend too long wishing I'd never left New York five years ago, or fret over a little delay from the spring, it all knows where I live, apparently.

Every key player is coming my way.

"April" Gets a Trailer

Watch the teaser here.

Grandmationary: Rubber Sock

Definition: A timid, delicate, or cowardly person. But that is just the hobo use. If you were in WWII, then you're talking about a new Navy recruit.

If you are a hobo-turned-government-sailor, well then! I'm sure there are plenty of dandy muffins ready to shake a rug with you, you ole rubber sock!

"April" at AOF Film Festival 2010

It's official! "April" has been chosen to screen at AOF International Film Festival on opening night of the festival. July 23rd, 8 PM, Regency Academy Theater in Pasadena. Be there!

"April" Gets a Poster

Check out the Rorschach blots masquerading as a standard composition notebook...and that dripping green titling!

On This, The Fourth of July

May this sun, accessorized, bring you and the US of A much joy on this, the day people make a lot of eating watermelon. (Having gotten all of my holiday celebration out of the way last night, I am free to wander my neighborhood listening to screenwriting podcasts and contemplating a life lived overseas.)

Inscrutable Boyfriend

How this email from an online dating company didn't end up in my spam folder, I don't know, but the reward it bestowed was in the form of a highly enigmatic advertisement. "You should date this guy!" it said, "We won't supply you with a photo, age, or location, but you sure haven't met him yet!"

On second glance, it occurred to me that he may be the tiny four-pixel blue square low in the frame. I think I'll pass.

Dog Boyfriend

Dogs in glasses: are they more come hither than better sighted dogs? Well, yes, according to my dream the night before last. Because they wait until you're done sleeping 57 days straight and the moon hangs like a carefully etched vintage elephant in the sky and greet you at your bedside. You think, If only you were a real man! You consider settling, since at least the sheepdog talks. Brain-who-cloaks-the-truth-in-many-guises, you've really outdone yourself this time.

The Public Library Goes Informal

Hiny Hiders? But I'm a lady! (Cue "Little Britain" actors.)

Getting a Rebate on 2006

You can still get 3.75% of the value left from four years ago, electronically speaking. Can we receive higher returns from parsing what happened in our personal lives back then? Depends: did you keep that now-retro power cord?

Josh's Corner

In: Toulouse.
Out: My last sheep girlfriend.

In: Going natural.
Out: Too much product in the wool.

In: Summer squash.
Out: Pineapple. Do I look like I come from the tropics?!?

In: Kicking it near the pigs.
Out: Getting spit at by the llamas.

In: Living at The Gentle Barn.
Out: Living at an abusive petting zoo.

In: When I feel like it.
Out: side, mostly!

Post Impressions of Toulouse

Yesterday at The Gentle Barn, I made friends with Toulouse, a girl sheep who once spent her days on a family couch watching TV and now hangs out on the farm with her boyfriend Josh (who currently looks like he's wearing twelve sweaters). This tender creature is mellow, great with kids, and has extensive opinions on the premium cable shows of the early oughts. I ran my screenplay ideas by her, but she's never been one for theatrical release; I took it that "baaa" was a "no."

Sunday I'll Hug a Cow

Buttercup was thankfully rescued from her abusers and brought to The Gentle Barn, where cow-huggers like me get to come make friends for a small donation on Sundays. Note in the above photograph how she tolerates me plastering myself to her lovely backside. That is the power of the gift of raw carrots.