Top Ten for 2010

Tomorrow starts a new year and a whole new decade.

I remember when 1990 rolled around. It felt so odd to think of writing a year without an eight in there somewhere. Then Y2K came around with its threats of everything going haywire. (Ten years later, I still giggle about how my friend flickered the lights at midnight to scare us.) New Year's Eve celebrations have varied greatly for me over the years, from quiet evenings with close friends to huge parties with lots of strangers and noise. The common factor among all of them, though, are the people with whom I spend the evening celebrating. Good friends and family members make the night memborable and fun, and I have no doubts this evening will be the same.

As I follow conversations online about milestones in the lives of my friends during the past 10 years, I am reminded about how excited I am for the next 10 years. Right now I am a 28 year old girl with a lot of big dreams, on the path to making a lot of them come true. What a gift it is do be passionate about your life's work!

So, without further ado, here are the top ten things I'm looking forward to in 2010, as they relate to our film:

10
Working with our crew, and adding more members to our crew

9
Finishing a rough cut

8
Adding music, graphics, animations and archived footage to make a director's cut

7
Event planning, marketing, social media and web efforts

6
Screening the film with small, select groups

5
Screening the film with larger, select groups

4
Finishing the film! YAY!

3
Hosting film premieres that are open to the public

2
Fundraising activities for the film and the Montagnards

1
Starting the filmmaking process all over again!

Feeling Free

The term 'brain dump' isn't really an attractive one. It's a harsh term with no frills. That is, unless you're the one doing the brain dump. When you're emptying your mind of information, it becomes a rewarding and beautiful word.

For the past two years, so many thoughts swarm around in my head, buzzing and bouncing around distractingly. I find myself walking much lighter these days, though. Each brain dump leaves me feeling more and more free to oversee the entire project. Free to delegate to the talented and generous volunteers joining our little army. Free to trust them and highlight their strengths and support. Free to make the film better and more successful.

On Monday morning, I mentioned over breakfast with some power women the recent addition of a PA. Their eyes lit up in recognition of such a critical role being filled. Our PA's name is Jessica Kent, and she has proven to be a rock star in such a short time. I've given her many of the details from the past two years, and she is helping me sort through everything to make the finish line seem much closer than it did a few months ago. I feed off of her energy, and find joy in talking with her about the film regularly.

It's incredible how each new day brings the gift of another person interested in our project. This morning I met with Brian McDonald (@bmcd67) to talk about marketing strategy. He, too, was full of energy and ideas. Later we shall divulge everyone's role to the full extent.

It can be overwhelming at times. The weight of the entire project. The thought of shaping a truth about a group of people. And the gloriously overwhelming sensation of having someone join your cause and march by your side.

MLK Day is next month, and I recently saw a photo of him talking to the crowds with the Washington Monument in the background. What a wonderful feeling it must have been--to be surrounded by so many thousands of people that believe in the same truth! Everyone fired up about making a difference, and making our nation better. It may seem like a lofty comparison by far, but there are more similarities than you might think.

Our little film is about justice and human rights. A group of people still fighting for freedom. Still in need of our support. Hoping that we can forget the sound bite world we live in, just for a few moments, and listen to the story of their people. Or, perhaps, leverage the tools that have helped make us a sound bite nation to make change happen for our abandoned allies, the Montagnards.

Marketing Manager

We're looking for marketing support, folks. Let me know if you have anyone in mind, or you would like to join our team.

We want to wrap the film in the next few months, and will use this time during post-production to get a marketing manager up to speed. We have someone potentially helping with strategy, so this person will help us execute the many ideas we have, add in their own, and help build momentum for the film.

Here's the post for the position:

Independent Documentary in need of Marketing Manager. This is a volunteer position, but you will receive film credits, experience, publicity, and having a hand in sending a positive message out to the world.

Duties will include but not limited to:

*Working with the director's ideas and adding new ones in attempts to figure out ways to execute them on a zero dollar budget

*Working with the team (cast and crew) to make sure all are speaking the same message with regards to the film

*Wrangle in and help oversee all efforts in social media, promotions, events, etc.

*Work with events coordinator to promote any screenings, fund-raising events, and general awareness of the film.

*Coordinating coverage of events with appropriate media outlets.

We are looking for someone with at least 5-7 years of Marketing experience, filmmaking experience not entirely necessary but interest in entertainment a plus.

Please include resume with cover letter.