Fetch!

Learning some K9 Secrets in Memphis

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 14:05:00 PDT

A couple of weeks ago, Melissa and I headed down to Memphis, Tennessee with Sue Zecco to meet up with her grooming partner, Jay Scruggs. Jay offered his home as a location for our latest collaboration. On August 9th, we pulled ourselves away from the gorgeous town of Collierville, away from the delicious aromas of Corky’s ribs and away from our day dreams of Elvis. We hunkered down and got to work. We shot two videos for the pet owner. One uses a Golden Retriever, and the other uses a Maltese and a Bichon to illustrate how a pet lover should care for his/her large or small breed dog at home between grooming appointments.

We’ve been working with Jay and Sue for two years, and we have produced, directed, shot and edited over 15 videos for them. Until now, their techniques have only been available to professional groomers. We’re all very excited that this DVD will expand our market, and bring their “Grooming Secrets” to a much wider audience.

I, for one, learned dozens of useful information while working on these videos. For one, I’ve been brushing Atticus and Scout incorrectly. I never knew not to brush a dry coat. I also learned to brush my dogs before I give them a bath to reduce matting and make it easier on them during their final brush out. And most importantly, I learned that my Kerastase is not good on poodles or any breed for that matter. While it might make my hair shiny and strong, the pH messes with their skin and can cause irritations and discomfort. Never a good thing!

Now, Atticus and Scout are going to get the royal treatment at home. (If you were to ask them, it’s no secret they prefer their visits to Sue!)

To purchase this video, or to find out more information about grooming your dog at home – visit www.k9secrets.com

Denim's Wild Ride

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 08:20:00 PDT

Our little short film, Denim continues its wild Film Festival ride. This time she wants to take a trip down that famous roller coaster (and favorite of mine) – The Cyclone! That’s right. Denim is going to Coney Island. The Coney Island Film Festival runs from September 26 – 28, 2008 in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood. We’re excited to bring Denim home to screen to our friends in the city. Many of our fans haven’t been able to see it yet, as Denim travels the country, and now’s your chance. Check out the Coney Island Film Festival for more information on ticket purchase and schedule.

Best Laid Plans (Part 12)

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:01:00 PDT

DAY 2

Although I think both Joe and I felt that we could’ve slept the day away, we got up early in the morning so that we could be at the Ministry of Information’s Office first thing. We needed to get our press passes and were told not to begin filming without them.

One of the first things I found most interesting about Ghana is that there are no real addresses – PO Boxes yes – but addresses, no. You can’t say to a cab driver, take me to 145 Prospect Street b/w whatever and whatever. And being somewhat anal, before I left, I’d tried to map the distance between my hotel and the Ministry so that I could have some idea of how far it was and how much time we’d need to get there – but alas, one cannot find a PO Box on mapquest.

For some reason, government people (regardless of the country) make me nervous. I always immediately find myself itching to confess a crime that I don’t even know exists. I also find that I have to keep myself from blurting out inane information that, while wouldn’t necessarily make me a criminal, would definitely make me seem like a nutter… Such as ‘when I was 15 I told my sister that there were no more brownies when, in fact, I had the last one hidden away in a cabinet for my own selfish consumption!’ So along with my official paperwork, I also carried with me my odd compulsion to admit idiotic wrongdoings. Joe on the other hand, was simply itching to start filming whatever possible. At least one of us was focused.

Thankfully, we were seen right away and the official that we spoke with was very nice while also putting the fear of god in me. She explained a number of reasons why, if we didn’t follow the rules, we could be arrested. She wanted an explicit rundown of where we were going to be filming, which would have been fine but for the fact that I had no idea. She said that if we were discovered to be filming outside of where we said we were going to be, our equipment would be confiscated and we could be arrested. I suddenly found my confession compulsion and my visions of a Ghanian prison merging into one holy-hell nightmare of epic proportions. I looked over at Joe so that we could share each others fears silently but he looked so relaxed that I became concerned he was gonna fall asleep. Apparently, the sound of the Officer’s voice, while making me quiver with anxiety, was like a lullaby for Joe. When she turned her attention away from us to find a typist that could put together our press passes, Joe smirked at me and said that she was just trying to scare us. I reminded him that they don’t serve pancakes in prison but he was unshakeable.

After informing us that the typist was not in the building and would be coming in from a different location, she asked again where we wanted to film. The Volta Region was too general for her. I explained that we would be in Ho and then in surrounding villages that we didn’t yet know the names of, to which she reminded me of confiscation and imprisonment. I was worried that we were at an impasse. I gave her Richard’s number – he was the Globe Aware contact in Ghana but her attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. Would we get our press passes? If she refused us would we shoot anyway? I looked over at Joe and, as if he knew what I was wondering, he winked at me. Well, maybe he and I would share a cell.

Amazingly, after about 20 minutes, without specifics on where we were going to be filming, we were handed our press passes. I hate when Joe is right.

Along with our press passes, she sent us away with her assistant in tow. I had asked her whether she knew of any good markets in Ho and she said that the best markets are in Accra. She also said that her assistant would accompany us to them (for a fee) and we could film it.

Well, well, well… At least I knew we wouldn’t be arrested (at least not that day) and Joe knew that we’d get some great footage. We both got what we wanted.

Great News About <i>The Sexually</i>!

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:52:00 PDT

We just found out that www.revver.com, will be featuring Episode 4 of OTL’s webseries, The Sexually on 9/5. The episode will be shown on RevverLive, their new live web show produced in collaboration with www.livevideo.com. The hour-long program is shown daily at 4PM (1PM PST).

Fans can participate in conversations about the videos shown as well as comment on what other viewers say.

Be sure to check it out at Revverlive

Best Laid Plans (Part 11)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:19:00 PDT

Day 1

Joe and I made our way through JFK and the Kotoka International Airport (and flirted with Heathrow in-between). The US Customs official kindly helped us with the paperwork we needed to get back into the country without having to pay taxes on our equipment and one of the flight attendants en route to Heathrow gave me free wine (Joe doesn’t drink so I got to have his too!). So far, so good. Though neither of us could sleep during the overnight flight, we were happily distracted by the in-flight movies and television shows. Joe discovered my quiet obsession with Friday Night Lights and in particular, Mr. Tim Riggins. It’s true that I couldn’t tell you how in the hell you play a football game, but that’s besides the point. I say, if a girl wants to watch a little FNL before going to Africa she should be able to do that without someone (Joe) yammering in her ear.

Wait where was I?

Right, the flights. So, we made it through to Heathrow on time and without a hitch. The next flight was more of the same… watching the in-flight television, trying to sleep and Joe judging my entertainment choices.

Finally, Accra! It was a long two days of traveling but the minute we landed, Joe and I got our second wind. After all the planning, the interviewing, the applications and the arrangements, we had made it – along with most of our luggage. We were told that our tripod case was still in England and would be arriving the next night. Thankfully, Joe and I had packed the tripod case so that it only contained equipment that, if lost, wouldn’t keep us from shooting. Best laid plans I guess…

Joe and I, along with 3/4 of our luggage hopped in a taxi to go to our hotel. My second wind was very quickly fading and I longed for a bed. We were told that taxis often changed prices around and you had to be mindful of not getting ripped off. Our first taxi experience seemed to be no exception. We were quoted an initial price but then told that it was just for the car… apparently, driving is extra. One has to appreciate the ingenuity of a person that doesn’t just lump in the act of driving with the experience of sitting in a cab. That person belongs in capitalist America I think! Somebody get that guy a Visa! Once we arrived at the hotel, we were then asked for beer money. Neither Joe or I condone drinking and driving, so with a smile and a shake of our heads we made our way into the hotel.

Goodnight Accra. See you in the morning…

Denim Hits LA LA Land

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:29:00 PDT

Denim, our little “Short film that Could” had it’s west coast premiere last week at the LAShorts Fest. It was a real treat to have Jeff, Rob and Sarah in the audience to support the film (complete with entourage - all very LA). It’s been a while since Mr. Devaney left NY to head west. Sarah has been busy with the latest addition to her family, she’s a proud mama now – and a hot one at that, so it’s the first time that Rob and Sarah were able to see the film with an audience.

The film had a tremendous response and great reviews from audience members.

Most importantly, this trip helped to solidify a new script in writer/ director Jeff Lycett’s brain. Check back soon for more details.

Next stop for Denim – SoCal!

Best Laid Plans (Part 10)

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 10:14:00 PDT

The Countdown Has Begun!

Joe and I head out in two days! Already packed and ready to go is our cancer in a bottle – better known as deet bug spray, some toilet paper for those ‘just in case’ moments, immodium, pepto, our visas, passports, customs letters, sunscreen, band aids, malaria pills, flashlights and a very sexy fanny pack. After much trial and error, Joe has also found a protein bar that doesn’t make him wince (for those of you picky eaters out there, your leader opted for the peanut butter flavored clif bars). We purchased lots of those, as well as some additional bars for me. At Alicia’s insistence, we also purchased some mosquito netting for our beds. Not yet sure what we’ll hang it on but I’ve realized that, folded up as it is, it’ll also double as a nice pillow on the plane. I know you might be feeling some major packing component is missing from this list, but not to worry, Joe and I will not be waltzing around Ghana naked. This, for me, is actually the most challenging part of the pre-trip preparation. How can I be sure that my 3-inch black heels won’t be needed at the volunteer site? Are chandelier earrings really excessive? There might be a very appropriate occasion for my sequin top and I would be so disappointed not to have it. Perhaps I can be clothed and Joe can go naked. I bought spf 50, so he should be fully protected as he carries the equipment in his skivvies. Kimberly from Globe Aware says that there is nothing you can’t live without for a week but I beg to differ. So if you happen to be watching CNN this week and here of a story about a naked tourist running around Ghana, know that I did indeed win the battle over bringing the sequined top!

Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, I’ll be in Accra, Ghana!

Best Laid Plans (Part 9)

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 12:10:00 PDT

I Can’t Fight This Feeling

I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve put too much expectation into this trip. Due to the fact that, after a long term relationship with someone, your worlds inevitably get smaller and more connected, I have discovered numerous things about my ex’s life these past few months. To be frank, it is information that sends a pretty clear message that I have long ago left any area of his brain. Disturbing though it may be at the speed with which this process has happened, I will put aside my thoughts on why and how this has occurred. As I’ve mentioned before, it wouldn’t be fair to him or me to try to map out a relationship on a blog. However, I can admit that I still carry him with me. This is my first major venture without his influence for about ten years. And as I make decisions about the project, I sometimes find myself imagining conversations that would have taken place had he not left. Now I realize of course, that had he not left I likely wouldn’t be going on this trip at all, and yet, there he is, like a squatter in my mind. Although people tell me that this is normal – that it is in fact, more useful and healthy to walk slowly toward your new life rather than to swiftly run in another direction – to either another person or another life choice – I must say, sometimes I wish I could sleep and wake up in 5 years. It’s not that I don’t want this trip – quite the contrary – I’m eager for it to begin – I just lately have been feeling the weight of the circumstances surrounding its birth. As the ‘what if’s’ associated with any project fall away into a more relaxed feeling of going with the flow, the burden of why the trip is even happening seems to be rearing its ugly head. And that’s what makes me wonder two things: just how many expectations have I put on this trip and why do people give up on each other so quickly?

Recap on Film in the City Panel

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 10:08:00 PDT

On July 22nd Wayne Parillo (of Webjammer films and our very own I’m Sorry Melissa), Rebeca Conget (of Film Movement), and I took to three stools in front of a sold out house of about 75 people at the People’s Lounge in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The three of us offered up our advice on how to distribute projects in a non-conventional manner.

Rebeca, being from Film Movement, has the most traditional model. What makes them unconventional is that Film Movement started as an “outside the box” type of company by offering a monthly at home DVD subscription service. Once a Month, members receive a DVD that has both a feature and a short length film in the mail. Through this model, Film Movement is able to distribute twelve films a year, including there films that have gained theatrical distribution. Their library of films are all wonderful festival heavy films, so if you become a member, you have your own festival once a month at home. Film Movement also offers tips on how to have your own screenings and discussions based on the films in your own community. They’re aware that many markets in this country don’t have access to art house films, so they have teamed up with libraries and universities to help bring their lovely films to a wider audience.

Wayne and I spent a lot of time talking about web-series and about using the internet to distribute and self promote. I offered up my advice for the festival circuit and spoke about how a filmmaker could work with On the Leesh. We met a lot of very interesting film makers and I look forward to my continued relationship with them.

Thanks to Elisa Keys for the opportunity to sit on the panel. I’ll keep you posted about the next event where I’ll serve as moderator. The date is Tuesday September 15th.

**All photographs by: Lee Ann Simmons Photographer, photosbyla.com

On the Leeshers Working On the Outside

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 09:57:00 PDT

On the Leesher Melissa is currently finishing up a month long run at the Barrow St. Theatre where she is Stage Managing for the Chicago Based Theatre Company, Theatre Oobleck. Come check out The Strangerer (and Melissa!) until August 7th, 2008. Tickets are $30.

The Strangerer by Mickle Maher

One of the books on President Bush’s 2006 vacation reading list was Albert Camus’ absurdist tale of senseless murder, The Stranger. In hopes that the French philosopher might shed some light on the recent political climate – or vice versa – Maher’s new play The Strangerer collides several of Camus’ works with the first Bush/Kerry presidential debate in 2004.__The formalities of the debate are overturned as Bush and Kerry struggle with the question not of if or why an innocent man should be killed (the man in question being moderator Jim Lehrer), but rather what is the proper manner in which to go about killing him. A fascinating and hilarious hybrid, The Strangerer is part political satire, part classical drama, part contemporary debate, and a murder mystery with the murderers in plain view.is

Barrow St. Theatre 27 Barrow Street New York, NY 10014