Tuesday, July 31, 2007

AF's Tip of the Day

This is actually Wednesday's tip, I posted it late Tuesday Night as I will be driving all day Wednesday...

The film business is full of sleazebags. They are no different from a lot of people in the business that will try and take advantage of you. Beware! - - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

Father/Daughter Summer Tour #3

This one is getting posted early...

Fiona

This is the Thanksgiving Special. I know it is August, but if they can have Christmas in July than I can have Thanksgiving in August. I hate turkey, but that's not the point.

Thank God for CDs. I will listen to the ones in the car as many times as I can until I am so sick of them I would prefer to sit in silence.

Thank God for Pop Tarts. When I wake up in the morning to get in the car, the last thing I want is to actually make something. That takes too long and I am far too lazy at 6am.

Thank God for rest stops. I do not pee in bushes on highways! I just don't.

Thank God for road signs in small towns. My dad and I need something to make fun of. And there's nothing funnier than driving down the road singing "Loganberry Fields Forever". Okay, so it's probably not that funny to you, but we were tired and thought it was hilarious.

So there we go. I also thank God for diet coke and car seats that push really really far back. Those things are good too. So on this long drive to Texas, I will be appreciating all of these wonderful things and hoping that we get there faster than we thought.

Kelley

We are leaving really early tomorrow (Wed) to make it to El Paso on Wed night. We will be staying with an old friends Father who I haven't seen in probably 15 years. It should be fun. Then off to San Antonio and finally Houston.

I am looking forward to having the time with Fiona (even if it is driving across some really boring country); because I know that soon she won't want to be hanging out with her Father. I know I am lucky that she still thinks that what I do is cool. These are days I wouldn't trade for anything. It is going to be great listening to then CD's she has burned, and singing dumb songs based on signs we see along the way.

Okay, enough of the sentimental stuff! We are probably going to stop every couple hours so Moses can get out and pee. I am sure you all forgot that we have the dog with us didn't you? He is actually quite patient with all of this, but I do worry about him when we have to leave him in the van when it is hot. I have a small fan for air circulation, I leave windows open, and he always has plenty of water. I check on him a lot and take him out as much as possible. He has been on the road with me for quite a few years so I think he has adapted quite well.

I had a couple meetings in LA, and they always make me remember why I no longer live here. Everyone is your best friend until you walk out the door. They are all chasing that 3 picture dream and I think most people here think I am nuts. Why am I in Portland? How come I don't want to live here? Why don't I want a distribution deal? I know what LA is like, and it is seductive, absolutely! But the Emperor has no clothes! I have made 3 features in Portland and will be making a fourth soon. I am always looking for a GOOD distribution deal; I just haven't found one yet. You know the kind I want, where I make money... I do like traveling and meeting new people and showing them my films. I hope that other filmmakers get off their asses and start doing what I do, because the odds of a big deal are not in our favor. What is important is making yourself happy.

It is always good to see friends here, but I will feel good when LA is in my rear view mirror again. It is just the way it is. I know who I am and what I want, and it's not found in LA. It is where ever I am, and having my kid with me just makes things better. I am a really lucky Dad! But I am sure I have said that before.

AF's Guest Quote of the Day

You can't find any true closeness in Hollywood, because everybody does the fake closeness so well. ~ Carrie Fisher

Monday, July 30, 2007

Father/Daughter Summer Tour #2


Fiona

Yesterday I saw the most influential man in my life. Yes, John Entwistle on THE OX CAM! Pretty much amazing. Here we are in Pasadena and I already like it. My dad’s friends have always been nice, but the ones we are staying with now are just plain cool. I am not looking forward to the long trip from here to Texas on Wednesday.

Kelley

We are in LA for 2 days. I have a meeting tomorrow then it will be off to Texas. It'll take us 3 days to get to Houston. I am doing a short 1 hour lecture for a filmmaking class and then my all day work shop is on Saturday. It is going to be a long, hot drive.

Fiona is holding up well. I know it must be boring hanging out with a bunch of adults, but she seems to be handling it just fine. We are heading out to find a book store so she can get more books to read. I am happy that she finally gets to meet a bunch of my friends.

We did go to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. Fiona wanted to go there and so we did. It was pretty cool, and not as strange as I would have hoped. It was also expensive! $23+ a piece to get in and take the 65 minute tour. Mrs. Winchester was nuts! We got stuck in traffic for 2 1/2 hours trying to get down to Santa Barbara. That was not fun. We arrived in Santa Barbara later than we planned.

The gas prices in California are outrageous! I am hoping for cheaper gas as we head east.

I did arrange for us to stay with 2 friends of mine in San Antonio who have horses. Fiona loves horses and she is looking forward to hanging out there, even if it is only for an evening.

Stay Tuned….

AF's Tip of the Day

If you look like you know what you're doing, people will assume you have permission, and won't question you at all.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Friday, July 27, 2007

Father/Daughter Summer Tour 1

Fiona
The road. The stupid white lines. The really really nasty rest stop areas. And my dad. I don't know if any of you know much about how my father is outside of those workshops and meet and greets, but let me tell you, he's EXACTLY the same. Yes, the same jokes and obscure pop culture references cloud the air in the tour van. I wouldn't change it. I don't know if any of you know this, but my dad is my hero. I'm so excited to be on this tour. Sounds cheesy? Sounds forced? Well you didn't just go see Skywalker Ranch now did you? You would be as excited as I am if we had traded places. This is Fiona Baker signing out…


Kelley

I am on the road again. This time it is different, I am traveling with my daughter, Fiona. I am wondering how all of this is going to work. Since I am used to traveling by myself (with the dog), how will I put up with my daughter on the trip? Will she get tired in the van and then get surly? Will she spend too much time in the bathroom in the mornings while I pace trying to get on the road? Will she want to stop all the time because she is bored? Will we get in to a fight because she is a Teen and I am her Father? I am actually a little more nervous about all of this than I thought I would be. We'll see what happens...

The first two days have been fun. Fiona made up a bunch of mix CD's, and she brought a ton of other's. I am slowly finding out where my CD's have been disappearing to. I have to say that so far the music has been great, and the conversation has been too.

We played our first gig at a Gallery in Eureka. Fiona is in charge of merchandise so she set up the table and was much more careful about placement of the merch on the table than I am, I think I might pick up a few tips on product placement. She calls herself "Roadie 1".

She seems to have adapted herself really well to meeting new people and sleeping in strangers homes. The people aren't strangers to me, but she hasn't met them. She is sleeping well and is quite social with friends of mine that she has never met. I am really proud of her, but it is only the first couple days.

Stay Tuned...

www.angryfilmmaker.com

AF's Rant of the Day

Sweetening is what you do to ice tea! We do not put sugar on our audio, ever!
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Thursday, July 26, 2007

AF's Quote of the Day

Watching a movie is much easier than making one.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

AF's Rant of the Day

Why monitors are even allowed on set is still a mystery to me.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide

(coming Fall 2007)

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

More Summer Tour Info

Hey Everybody,

I am heading out on a short summer tour. I have pasted the schedule at the end of this email.

For the first time, my daughter Fiona is going to be traveling with me. I have put her in charge of merchandise, so if you come see us, say hello to her. Not only will Fiona have her trusty cameras with her to document the trip, but she will also be writing her own comments on my blog as to how she thinks the tour is going. I am sure she will have an interesting perspective. We'll start posting later this week. Check it out at www.angryfilmmaker.com.

Fundraising on the book is going great! I am halfway to my goal of $1500. I want to thank the following people who have donated so far; Pam Studer, Harris Matarrazzo, Richard Moore, Alexis & Al Lee, Kim Blair, Earl Sutherland, Tim Maffia, Mary Bauer, David Fechtor, Jill Colburn, Paul Diener, Aric & Andrea Hornig, & Cathy Zeitlin.

You can donate three different ways. You can go to www.angryfilmmaker.com, follow the book link, and make a donation thru PayPal. You can purchase a DVD, or a T-shirt. (Between now and August 15th, I will put everything I make off the web site towards the book.) Or we can do this like PBS. Anyone who donates $50 will get a signed copy of one of my movies (your choice), $75 gets you a T-shirt and a signed DVD, and $100 will get a signed copy of the book when it is available. Thanks for helping out.

Here is our tour schedule.

July 25, - - Eureka, CA - - Accident Gallery @ 210 C Street
Making The Extremely Low Budget Movie Work Shop 3 - 6 PM
Kicking Bird Screening 7:30 PM
check out www.myspace.com/accidentgallery

Los Angeles Work Shop/Guest Lecture TBA

August 4th - - Houston, TX - - SWAMP - - Rice University Media Center
Making The Extremely Low Budget Movie Work Shop 10 AM - 2 PM
Screening TBA check out www.swamp.org

August 5th - - Bastrop, TX - - UPSTART, Inc - - Upstart Media Arts Center
Sound Design for Independent Movies Work Shop -- 10 AM - 4 PM
check out www.upstart.citymax.com

August 6th & 7th - - Austin, TX - - REEL WOMEN - - @ Austin Filmworks
August 6th - - Making The Extremely Low Budget Movie Work Shop 6 - 9 PM
August 7th - - Guerilla Marketing & Do It Yourself Distribution Work Shop 6:30 - 9:30 PM
check out www.reelwomen.org for more info.

August 8th - 10th - - Denton, TX
UFVA Conference at University of North Texas
I'll just be hanging out...

August 11th - - Dallas, TX - - REEL WOMEN - -
Workshop and site info TBA check out www.reelwomen.org for more info.

So drop by and say Hello. And don't forget to tell your friends where we'll be.

Talk later.

Kelley

www.angryfilmmaker.com
www.myspace.com/theangryfilmmaker
www.youtube.com/theangryfilmmaker

AF's Tip of the Day

Don't make your titles flashier than your movie.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Monday, July 23, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

If you're a PA, and you're fresh out of school, and this is one of your first gigs, let me give you some advice: the director doesn't give a shit about your opinion!

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide

(coming Fall 2007)

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Summer Tour Schedule

Hey Everybody,

Here is my Summer Tour schedule.

July 25, - - Eureka, CA
Accident Gallery @ 210 C Street
Making The Extremely Low Budget Movie Work Shop 3 - 6 PM
Cost (includes screening) $25
Kicking Bird Screening 7:30 PM Cost (screening only) $5

Los Angeles Work Shop/Guest Lecture TBA

August 4th - - Houston, TX
SWAMP - - Rice University Media Center
Making The Extremely Low Budget Movie Work Shop 10 AM - 2 PM
Cost $50 for General Public $40 for Swamp Members & Students
Screening TBA

August 5th - - Bastrop, TX
UPSTART, inc Upstart Media Arts Center
Sound Design for Independent Movies Work Shop -- 10 AM - 4 PM
Cost $60

August 6th- - Austin, TX
REEL WOMEN - - @ Austin Filmworks
Making The Extremely Low Budget Movie Work Shop 6 - 9 PM

August 7th - - Austin, TX
REEL WOMEN - - @ Austin Filmworks
Guerilla Marketing & Do It Yourself Distribution Work Shop 6:30 - 9:30 PM

August 8th - 10th - - Denton, TX
UFVA Conference at University of North Texas
I'll just be hanging out...

August 11th - - Dallas, TX
REEL WOMEN - -
Workshop and site info TBA


Please come on by and say Hello. Oh yeah, and buy my stuff!

Talk later.

Kelley

www.angryfilmmaker.com
www.myspace.com/theangryfilmmaker
www.youtube.com/theangryfilmmaker

Friday, July 20, 2007

AF's Quote of the Day

You might think that everything you've written sounds great, but there is no more humbling experience than to hear a line you have always liked, land with a THUD! And it happens. A lot.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming in Fall 2007)

Thursday, July 19, 2007

AF's Quote of the Day

If you can raise it, someone on your crew can spend it.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act

I know this has nothing to do with movies but a friend sent this to me and I thought it was important. Most of you know how I feel about insurance companies.


Please take the time to follow the link.


From a nurse:

I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast.
I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to
remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important .. Please take the time and do it really quick!
Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times.
If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others.
You know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require Insurance Companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.

PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the Web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.


http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php


This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women, THANKS.

AF's Quote of the Day

I intentionally set my films in the winter in Oregon when the
weather is totally predictable. It's gonna rain.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

AF's Guest Quote of the Day

In Hollywood the woods are full of people that learned
to
write but evidently can't read; if they could read their stuff
they'd stop writing.
~ Will Rogers

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Monday, July 16, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

You can't make a movie if you can't write! Unless you're
George Lucas, or James Cameron, or ...
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

Operators are standing by...

Okay, not really. Or not that I know of anyway. Maybe PayPal does have operators, as far as I am concerned that's not the point.

Since I sent out a call for help on my book I have had some good responses. I want to thank the friends of mine who have donated so far. I am one third of the way towards my goal of $1500 for the publication of my book, The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide: Making the Extremely Low Budget Movie. But I still need to raise more.

Most of you know how I feel about Real Independent Filmmaking. And that is what this book is all about.

The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide seeks to restore order to this once venerable filmmaking arena by providing young, new and even old-hand, jaded and bitter filmmakers with a practical guide to independent filmmaking. In that I qualify as an "expert" by any acceptable or measurable standard, my book offers not only practical, step-by-step, easily accessible information about the craft, but it also offers plenty of attitude about the state of the world of independent film.

You can go to my web page (www.angryfilmmaker.com) follow the book link, and make a donation there thru PayPal.

If you want something for your money, you can go to my web site and purchase a DVD, or a T- shirt. Between now and August 15th, I will put everything I make off the web site towards the book.

Or we can do this like PBS. Anyone who donates $50 will get a signed copy of one of my movies (your choice), $75 gets you a T-shirt and a signed DVD, and $100 will get a signed copy of the book when it is available. (I wonder if Ken Burns does it this way.)

I am going to add a page to the book with the names of all those responsible for helping me make my book possible. In Kicking Bird I had a special credit for all of the people who put up $100 or more. I called my supporters, 49 People Who Should Really Know Better. If you donate $50 or more, I'll come up with a better credit.

So please donate what you can so I can stop badgering you all about this.

Thanks.

Kelley

angryfilminfo@aol.com
www.angryfilmmaker.com
www.myspace.com/theangryfilmmaker
www.youtube.com/theangryfilmmaker

Friday, July 13, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

No one gives a shit if you ever write a script or make a film. No one cares! But if you do, then keep writing and making films. Ultimately, you're the only one that matters.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Thursday, July 12, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

There are some people who hate asking their friends for money. These people are not going to be making movies any time soon.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

More Book Info & Pledge Drive

Hey Everybody,

This is what happens when you're a friend of mine. You get emails like this from time to time. I am absolutely shameless when it comes to raising money for my stuff.

I really need your help with my book, The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide: Making the Extremely Low Budget Movie.

Most of you know how I feel about Real Independent Filmmaking. And that is what this book is all about.

The Angry Filmmaker’s Survival Guide seeks to restore order to this once venerable filmmaking arena by providing young, new and even old-hand, jaded and bitter filmmakers with a practical guide to independent filmmaking. In that I qualify as an “expert” by any acceptable or measurable standard, my book offers not only practical, step-by-step, easily accessible information about the craft, but it also offers plenty of attitude about the state of the world of independent film.

I am self-publishing the book, and I need to raise $1500.00. You can go to my web page (www.angryfilmmaker.com) follow the book link, and make a donation there thru PayPal.

If you want something for your money, you can go to my web site and purchase a DVD, or a T- shirt. Between now and August 15th, I will put everything I make off the web site towards the book.

Or we can do this like PBS. Anyone who donates $50 will get a signed copy of one of my movies (your choice), $75 gets you a T-shirt and a signed DVD, and $100 will get a signed copy of the book when it is available. (I wonder if Ken Burns does it this way.)

I am going to add a page to the book with the names of all those responsible for helping me make my book possible. In Kicking Bird I had a special credit for all of the people who put up $100 or more. I called my supporters, 49 People Who Should Really Know Better. If you donate $50 or more, I'll come up with a better credit.

I know money is tight for all of us, so whatever you can do to help will be appreciated. If you can't, I understand.

Thanks.

Take care, talk soon.

Kelley

angryfilminfo@aol.com
www.angryfilmmaker.com
www.myspace.com/theangryfilmmaker
www.youtube.com/theangryfilmmaker

AF's Rant of the day

I realized that film was so much more than I thought. It wasn't just a way to tell a story (which is still important), it was a way to truly communicate with an audience. To use film as a way of saying things. To protest, to educate, to enlighten.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

I don't care what you think you're doing,
light the damn actors!

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide

(coming Fall 2007)

Monday, July 09, 2007

Book Info (Help me out here)

Hey Everybody,

I really need your help with my book.

As you know I am self-publishing and things are always more expensive than what was originally planned. I currently need to raise $1500.00. You can go to my web page, www.angryfilmmaker.com follow the book link, and make a donation there thru PayPal.

If you want something for your money, you can go to my web site and purchase a DVD, or a T- shirt. Between now and August 15th, I will put everything I make off of the web site towards the book.

If we want to do this like PBS, anyone who donates $50 will get a signed copy of one of my movies (your choice), $75 gets you a T-shirt and a signed DVD, and $100 will get a signed copy of the book when it is available.

I am going to be adding a page to the book with the names of all those responsible for helping me make my book possible. In Kicking Bird I had a special credit for all of the people who put up $100 or more. I called my supporters 49 People Who Should Really Know Better. Since I have already used 49 People..., I'll have to come up with something better.

Whatever you can do to help will be appreciated.

Thanks and I'll see you all out on the road.

Kelley

angryfilminfo@aol.com
www.angryfilmmaker.com
www.myspace.com/theangryfilmmaker
www.youtube.com/theangryfilmmaker

AF's Rant of the day

Don't give up on your movies. If you believe in it, you will find some one else who believes in it too. It just might take a while.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

Friday, July 06, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

The Independent Film world is full of liars.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

Thursday, July 05, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

One of the great things I learned in film school is that you always finish what you've started.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

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Wednesday, July 04, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

If you're convinced that a major feature is in your future, it’s imperative that you start with short films, to learn your craft and build a track record.

- - from the Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

When no one else wanted to distribute my films I started doing it myself.

- - From The Angry Filmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

Monday, July 02, 2007

AF's Rant of the day

I am so sick of seeing all of these vanity fucking titles at the beginning of movies by people I've never heard of.

- - from The AngryFilmmaker's Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)



The Angry Filmmaker's Rant of the day appears Monday thru Friday.



If you want to help me get my book out go to www.angryfilmmaker.com and donate thru paypal.