Kicking ass and chewing bubblegum!

So today has been one of the most productive days I have ever had in my life!  I am currently involved in tons of film projects and couldn’t be happier!  I also have the best support structure around me in my friends and they keep me moving forward daily!

We recently created a new Youtube channel called LIKE A BOSS TV which focuses on pop culture, friendship, film making, new media news, and video games.  Our guest list keeps growing for the weekly original news show “Boss Talk” (which airs next Friday!) and we have some super awesome skits rolling along which most of you will recognize and they are the funnest things in the world to shoot!

In my absence I missed quite a few shorts that got shot in Portland.  I caught up on most and have some props to throw out here.  My good friends Drew Garrettson and Armeen Monahan shot a short for the Portland 48hr Filmfest called “THE TECHNIQUE“, and it rocked!  They didn’t have a huge budget and flashy VFX or props because they didn’t need it.  The story was intriguing and original and deserved a bit more attention than most of the other entries.

I also want to give a HUGE shout out to Luis Garcia for backing up his statements with straight fact.  Someone told him he couldn’t tell a story in under five minutes.  Not only did Luis tell one hell of a story…he did it in under two minutes!  “LOOSE CHANGE” is a beautiful short.  The acting by Adam Elliot Davis and Andrew Wakefield is great in it as well!  Luis also did a short called “FACE” which I highly suggest!

As per a conversation I had the other day, it was interesting to do some analytics on  the film makers in Portland this past year. Only two people have actually put out anything over the past year.  Mr. Jason Hawkins and Mr. Todd Freeman.  Now, both these film makers have received quite a bit of negative attention from the community that is supposed to support them.  I find this very amusing that so many other people feel so threatened because these two individuals have started careers.  Not only have they jumped in but also found niche markets.  There are people that produce things and get them done and out for people to see, regardless of opinions and negativity.  And then there are those that will continue to go to pitches, meetings, and so on HOPING that their project can get bought out by some big studio.  Bottom line:  Get more experience.  I am happy to say that Jason and Todd have done things their own way and have created works that many find to be entertaining (you don’t just GET distribution…that should speak for itself!).  They PRODUCE content.

“CELL COUNT” Written/Directed by The Brothers Freeman.

“THE INNOCENT” Written/Directed by Jason Hawkins.

I have quickly learned that there is where the problems lie.  Whoever creates and produces content gets the hate in this town.  Sad.  Very sad.  There are far to many jealous individuals here who think their opinions are valued on some sort of higher plane.  It doesn’t matter what your shooting.  It could be a music video, a commercial, a short, etc…here you will get shit on by the people you are supposed to working alongside.  Jason and Todd have always been supportive of me and I will ALWAYS be supportive in return.

It’s been a thorn in my side as of late.  Portland…the hipster, indie, and stripper capital of the US.  Well,  people take two of these things way to far.  The hipsters and the indie freaks (both go hand in hand in a way).  Several film makers here want to be TOO different and end up becoming egotistical idiots when they have nothing to show for it.

I speak on these issues because every time I sit down in a production meeting these subjects come up.  I am all about positivity today however.  To many people have amazing things going on!  Several of these individuals are people I respect VERY much.  Jason Satterlund, Levy Moroshan, and Edd Blott are three that stick out heavily in my mind at the moment.  Edd just finished a very moving film called “A Tale Of Delight” which is just great!  it premieres this next month.

I’m going to wrap this up now…next blog may be a “ventation” on relationships.  What happens when females from your past suddenly try and jump back into your life?  Do you get out the fly swatter?  Or buy roses?  Isn’t there a reason they’re in your past?  I will visit this subject soon!

This past week and all its revealed!

Well…I have been hunkered down in the “Legendary” production office for over a week now getting ready for today!  Last weekend we shot three days.  One within Portland and one out on the Oregon coast and the footage could not have turned out better!  It’s amazing and the caliber of acting and character is top notch!

So here we are getting ready to leave today for Mckay Creek Stables out on highway 26.  Let me elaborate for a moment how everything has come together for this weekends shoot (which is massive by the way).  We had a semi skeleton crew for last weekend’s shoot and were a tad worried how this weekend would end up.  Within three days, those that hold no ties to the possessiveness of the infamous “Portland film cliques” came out of the wood work to help when they heard of our production value!  Tons of stand up people!  All of a sudden we had our hands on a massive jib with remote head,  four Canon Mark II 5 D cameras, a principle BTS filmer, 20ft of dolly track, shoulder rigs, glidecams, one of the most amazing creature FX specialists in the northwest, a full SCA troup of warriors, tons (literally tons) of armor and props, and some of the most talented crew that can be found north of LA!  All this on top of the already amazing locale that’s providing over 2o horses and livestock and 85 acres of forested area!

Now there have been a few people who have come and gone already on this project and it saddens me they could not have been a part of this.  I will be bold enough to say this is one production for the record books for Portland…Most def. on the new media front.  With 30 crew, 10 principle cast, and over 30 extras…it’s massive!  This past week has been full of blocking, rehearsals, and production meetings!  It has been an absolute highlight to see my story come to life!

However, in all my happiness, it still concerns me to see the state of our little film industry in Portland.  I was lucky enough to get to sit down and chat with several individuals about it this week.  It is blatant that when a project comes up that shows great potential in Portland, those “cliques” that we have mentioned before want to come out in droves to try and verbally bring down your project.  Or even those two faced beasts that we’ve touched on as well want a piece of the action.  I find it all rather humorous.  Is our space really that big where you don’t think things will be heard?  Where sound will not travel?  Or how about ego, once again?  What have you made recently?  Or acted in that has given you right to speak like Tom Cruise?  This is where I will give a massive shout out to some specific individuals.  These people in no way needed to help and are coming to lend a hand just out of sheer generosity and in my opinion are standouts in the Portland film community.  The creation of a film or short doesn’t tell anyone what kind of a person you are.  That acts that follow do.  Luis Garcia, Edd Blott, Aris Juson, Rowan Spiers, Sean Parker, Krysta Kelley, Claire Brooksbanks, Forge And Thistle, and Kevin Martin.  You all have a place in my heart for your generosity and giving spirits.  My sincere thanks and friendship!

I have to give my good friend and fellow actor a big shout out here.  Drew Garrettson was here from LA for about a week and a half and I wanted to get him in on this.  I revised a section of the script so he could get in.  I unknowingly wrote him a massive amount of dialogue and suddenly started worrying about him being able to memorize it in such a short time frame.  What I should have been thinking is how much of a professional he is because he was!  In the past four years that I have acted and worked with Drew, to me, this was the role that he rose with!  Drew nailed everything spot on and really shined in front of a lot of people!  His ability to adapt and contort his reactions, expressions, body, and abilities shows that he is a master of his craft!  Running lines with him brought me back to previous projects we’ve done and put a huge smile on my face!  Thanks, Drew!

“Legendary” has been a life changing experience for me.   As we get deeper into it,  I can only see big things happening for all involved!  With LA talent coming on in the near future (Courtney Zito and quite a few others), “Legendary” is going to be one hell of a wild ride full of busty babes, magic, creatures, and enough steel on steel that Stallone and Arnold will even be jealous!

FILM PRODUCTION FOR THE WIN!!!

The Beast with Two Heads (Or just two faces).

 

I always find it interesting when dealing with other people in the the same general industry.  By “interesting”, I mean what I like to call the “two headed beast”.  This is also commonly referred to as “two faced”.  You cannot be on a project without catching wind or being told of something that someone’s friend of a Brother’s Mother of your Cousin’s friend said about you.  When in all actuality it’s most likely one of your friends at your side or a colleague that said the damn thing.  This is the nature of human beings.  One of the toughest things in the world is to find someone who is genuine and doesn’t feel threatened by you or your accomplishments.

There comes a time in one’s project or projects where you may do something right and reach a goal or gain a tad bit of notoriety.  This is really when the “beasts” come out!  Over the past week, I personally, have been dealing with individuals within our own little film community of Portland, say things about myself and the projects which I have created.  These people range from close friends to colleagues to people I haven’t even met.  While some have offered up wonderful support, there are still those that feel it necessary to “put down” a project.  This would not be to big of an issue if these same people hadn’t already said, in some way shape or form, to me that they love what I, myself, am doing.  Henceforth, two faced.

The other issue at hand is when, once again, your own friends and colleagues don’t tell you or make you aware of things that are being said or done.  It’s always easy for someone to bitch…let alone when it isn’t directly to you.  They don’t have to deal with confrontation, blow back, etc.  The funny things is…could they ever do what you do?  Now…since we’re speaking of film at the moment, this is what I mention.  Could they be a show runner?  Can they produce?  Can they even write?  Most likely the answer is no.  So..before one opens their mouth…one should think how far their words will travel.  If you truly have issues with something, go to the person directly.  Don’t act as if you are back in junior high school.  I cannot stress this enough about Portland.  I will back up anything I say and will never be afraid to tell someone how I feel if asked.

Another massive issue that I have dealt with and hear about constantly is when people leave or step away from a project.  Now, some people don’t mesh and some see things different, creatively.  But, once again, two faces turn many a time.  Someone will step away from something only to talk insane amounts of “smack” about the project, people, or whatever.  Is this necessary?  Do you feel the need to discredit the others that are working on something that they may carry a ton of passion for?  This isn’t fucking Hollywood.  They’re aren’t five producers and four exec. producers all needing to compromise on input.  This is indie film.  And PORTLAND WILL NEVER BE HOLLYWOOD!  Stop acting like things need to be done so precise!  If you want to go film something, go film it.  If you want to offer your time and do something for someone for free, go do it!  Stop bitching people!  Just because Joe Schmoe got Jane Doe to use their RED for free doesn’t give you any right to sit in your clique at Starbucks and talk crap about that project.  If Wally Mcwallerson got a film location because they knew somebody…awesome!  You don’t need to jabber on about it.

Fact is…too many people here are ridiculously insecure with either their abilities or their projects.  And the size of egos within this town is stupidly…well…stupid!  If you have nothing to show for your work, then don’t go around saying you charge $400 for a day rate.  Don’t piss on emerging talent just because they haven’t been on “Grimm” or “Leverage”.  And we won;t even get started on the individuals who are charging money for “services” in this town!  I will plug Ryan Menard here and say that the free collective acting class you head is awesome, sir!  It’s how every other acting class should be done!  Free and with good company and those wanting to learn and have fun!

Once again, just writing this opens me up to the exact people I have talked about today.  So…I cannot wait to hear “what’s wrong with me”.  It’s cool though….because I have made some amazing new friends that fully support all of my endeavors.  From Portland to LA, some of these individuals will be life long friends.  Already, the kind words and genuine personalities of people like Barry Morgan, Helenna Santos Levy, Leah Cevoli, Drew Garrettson, Luis Garcia, Courtney Zito, Meg Gamez, Cindy Lemas, Katie Michels, Dennis Fitzpatrick, and Aris Juson have helped me get through this last week and I know will be rocks in the coming months ahead.  I thank you all for your kind words, respect, and friendship!

Genuine people for the win!