Announcing: WRAL News Anchor Bill Leslie Will Emcee the Q&A

Bill Leslie, narrator of Abandoned Allies, will emcee the
Q&A session at the screening this Sunday.

Bill Leslie, WRAL news anchor and narrator of Abandoned Allies, will emcee the question and answer (Q&A) session at the Marbles Kids Museum on Sunday, August 26 at 4:15 PM in Venture Hall.

The Q&A is scheduled between the two screenings, so that audiences may hear from people featured in the film. Also available to answer questions are people who helped make Abandoned Allies, including yours truly.

For more information on the event and to register for tickets, visit: http://alliesatimax.eventbrite.com/.

Update: Call for Volunteers

I think we have the help we need for the screening this Sunday. If you're still interested in helping out, though, please let me know. Stuff like this requires a lot of support, and many hands make light work. Thank you for all the encouragement, excitement, and support. It's most appreciated!

IMAX Screening Volunteers Needed

Hey folks! I need some help preparing for this Sunday's screening at IMAX. If you're interested / available, please let me know immediately. Here's what I need:

REFRESHMENTS (1 or 2 people needed)
I need a friend to purchase cans of soda, bottles of water, and finger foods at the best price in bulk. Then bring the goods to the IMAX theatre on Sunday at 2:00 PM. Help set the stuff up before the event, and make sure I bring home what's not used. (I'll reimburse you; save me the receipt.)

CHECK IN TABLE (4 people needed)
About four people are needed for checking in guests. You sit at the table, smile and greet folks, ask for a photo ID, and then look up their name on a spreadsheet. It's pretty simple, but incredibly important. I need smart, kind folks to fill these positions.

EVENT VOLUNTEERS (6 people needed)
I could use a few dudes to help guide guests. You'll stand in a designated area to welcome people, guide them to the right place, answer questions, and put them at ease. This may sound unnecessary, but I feel like it's important. We have a diverse crowd attending the screening. Some of them are from out of town, and others aren't familiar with downtown Raleigh. These incredibly important people will help put guests at ease, so they come to the theatre ready to relax and enjoy the film.

CLEAN UP CREW (2 people needed)
When the event is over, I might be totally exhausted. I need a few folks willing to help leave the place better than when we came in. I don't know what, exactly, this will entail at the moment but it'll be simple things like making sure we don't leave things behind or helping me carry things to my car. Simple enough, eh?

If you, or someone you know, is kind enough to volunteer for these things please let me know immediately. I could use help from trustworthy, kind folks.

Event at IMAX Info // 2ND SCREENING!

Since the response was so overwhelming to our announcement about the first screening of Abandoned Allies, we have added a second screening on the same day. Big thanks to the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles for allowing us to do that.

Get tickets: http://alliesatimax.eventbrite.com/.

The schedule for Sunday, August 26th is as follows:

• 3:00 pm - Screening of Abandoned Allies
• 4:15 pm - Question and Answer Session
• 5:15 pm - Screening of Abandoned Allies

Question and Answer Session

There will be only one Q&A session, and you'll want to be there! Folks featured in the film will be on hand to elaborate about their experiences and answer questions. The emcee is a very special guest whom you will certainly recognize, but I haven't announced his name yet. Stay tuned.

Event Photography

If you attend the event be prepared to have your picture taken. We will have an event photographer, and hope that you'll smile for her. Photos will be used online to promote the film.

DVDs for Sale

We will also have screener DVDs available for purchase. I'll have more information about that soon, but please plan on bringing cash if you want to make a purchase. Big thanks to David Iversen, Scott Rucci, and Andy Poe for their help making these DVDs.

Questions

If you have questions about anything related to this event, please let me know!

IMAX Show: Sold Out in 3.5 Days!

What?! We sold out in 3.5 days! That's is thrilling! Thank you all for the overwhelming support. Because of the response, we're working on additional screenings. 


If you want to see the film, be sure to add your name to the wait list here: http://alliesatimax.eventbrite.com/. If you registered for tickets but can't make the show, please let me know so we can have a full house.


As always, stay tuned for information as it develops. You can sign up for e-news or visit the website, Facebook, Twitter, or blog. Thank you all for the encouragement, support, and congrats. 


More news soon!

What We're Made For - A New Song by Natalie Royal

Services for Katherine R'Com and her cousin Johnny Nay were held last weekend. (Related news story here.) The 10 year old girl was the daughter of Vien Siu, who is featured in Abandoned Allies. 


Vien and his family have been to our private screening events, often brought food with them to share with everyone, and gave honest and gentle feedback about how to improve the film. I'm a big fan of their family, and feel so lucky that I've gotten to know them while working on this film.


My heart goes out to the families who suffered such an untimely deaths last week, including the victims in the theatre massacre in Colorado. Losing someone you love is so tough.


That's why I want to share a song by Natalie Royal. When folks see Abandoned Allies, they often ask me about the music. Natalie Royal's incredible voice is the one you'll hear a few times in the film. Big props go to Annie Beth Brown Donahue, the music supervisor for Abandoned Allies, who arranged to have Natalie's music in the film. It's so powerful.

Natalie has been working on her full length album, and raised money on Kickstarter. (Her campaign has ended, but you can scope it out here.) As part of her fundraising efforts, she offered to write and record a song for financial backers. 


The song What We're Made For was recorded specifically for Sam in Portland, Oregon, but has a special meaning for me today because of the events that transpired last week. The past week has been tough for people suffering tragic, unexpected losses. I find this song especially comforting right now.


Natalie introduces the song and starts singing at 3:24 on her video. She also has a free download of the song available here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

"Some times when we are at our lowest points and when things are the absolute worst, the only thing that makes anything better is another person ... The human race is really not so bad... if we look at the positives that are happening ... we'll realize how wonderful people truly are." 

Natlie Royal 

On IndieGoGo: Digitize 100 Miles of the AV Geeks films

While working on Abandoned Allies, one of my biggest challenges was finding archival footage. When we finally did find it, we had no way to digitize it. How in the world was I going to get this footage in the film? It was a stressful, uneasy time with no solution in sight.

Then I met my hero: Skip Elsheimer.

Skip and I met one afternoon at his office. I stopped by with a basket full of moldy 8mm film. He looked through it, and said he thought he could help. Then he walked me around, showing me countless shelves stocked to the ceiling with old films. It was absolutely fascinating!

He's working on a new project now, digitizing some of those films so others can enjoy them. These efforts are incredibly important. He is preserving our past and making it accessible to people who want it and need it. People like me, who had no other way of getting the footage when it was needed.


If you want more info about this, Skip has an IndieGoGo page: http://www.indiegogo.com/avgeeks100miles. Donate if you wish. Share with others who may be interested. 


Skip's a great guy, who's working on a really cool project. He's done a lot to help me make Abandoned Allies, and I'll be forever grateful. Show him some support, won't you? 

Screening of Abandoned Allies at IMAX

It's a great joy to announce that on Sunday, August 26th at 3:00 p.m., we'll be screening Abandoned Allies at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. We'll have a question and answer session following the screening, so stick around. See you there!

Event registration for Screening of Abandoned Allies powered by Eventbrite

Announcement Has Been Rescheduled

We promised you an announcement today, but in light of recent events we've decided to wait. Out of respect for the families and communities who have suffered tragic losses this week, we will share the news at a more appropriate time.

Earlier this week the Montagnard community in North Carolina suffered the loss of two children in a drowning accident. Services will be held this weekend. The family suffering such an untimely loss has been a loyal supporter of our efforts for years. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this incredibly tough time.

H'Katherine R'Com (via WRAL)

Last night a tragic event occurred in Colorado at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight. A gunman entered the theatre through an emergency exit door, shooting and killing 12 people and wounding another fifty people. My thoughts and prayers are with the community in Colorado.

(via LA Times)

These untimely and senseless deaths have left me deeply shaken. I'm so sad for these families, and will keep them in my thoughts in prayers. In the meantime, I plan on spending time with my own loved ones; simply thankful I get to spend more time with them.

Very Sad News

Monday evening, I got an email from Lap, one of the folks who's helped me a lot with this film. He told me about the deaths of two young children here in North Carolina.

Later that evening, I saw it on the news. (WRAL: Two children drown in Neuse River) One of those children is the daughter of Vien, a man whom I interviewed for this film. 


Vien, his wife, and his two girls have been so supportive while we've worked on this project over the years. They came to so many of the private screenings, patiently talking with me about how to make it a better film. They were so kind to bring food each time, too. While I didn't get to know the girls very well, I enjoyed every interaction I have had with them. 


Their youngest daughter, Katherine, passed away on Monday. Earlier this week, Surry and I visited with Vien and his family to offer condolences. 


I want to be considerate of these families who have suffered such tragic losses this week. I'm so sad. Please know that my heart is with you. 

Screening Announcement Coming Soon

Hey folks! We have some exciting news on the way. Stay tuned, as we'll make an announcement this Friday at noon about the next screening of Abandoned Allies! Here's a hint. :)

The Pace of Filmmaking

I like to jump in and get things going full speed ahead. So, more often than not, a slower pace is really tough on my creative process. Last month I welcomed a chance to go full speed ahead on a film. 


I participated in the Greensboro 48-Hour Film Project with friends. We jumped in. Our team started and finished a film in one weekend. It was glorious.

On the set of Love Struck, our submission to the Greensboro 48-Hour Film Project.

The 48-hour film project pace makes you work a certain way. You shoot only what you need since there's no time to edit out what you won't use. You work longer hours, since you only have one weekend to create and finish the film. If you're lucky you have a base of operations, where your crew of talented people collaborate and hustle.


The weekend was very different than how I have operated with Abandoned Allies. I learned a lot from it. I really enjoyed it, and I know I'll put those lessons towards my next film.


When it comes to Abandoned Allies--a feature-length, serious documentary about cultural differences, war, and foreign policy--the pace is very different. It has been a slow and steady pace: one of observation, learning, researching, conversing, earning trust, proving worth and honor-ability, and genuinely appreciating the world and the people in it. 


I have learned so much over these past few years, and I have grown up a lot because of this project. That's very good. I am eager to use what I've learned on new projects, so I can make those infinitely better than the last thing I worked. And constantly get better as a storyteller and filmmaker.


I'm now trying to now find a balance that allows me to use my creativity, but not reach burn out as much as I have while working on this film. I also want to have quality time with family and friends, to keep healthy relationships. I want to travel, build a lovely home, and have a family of my own. I want to do work that is this inspiring, educating, meaningful, and challenging. I want to make a dent my the universe with projects like this which, hopefully, challenge us all to be better neighbors and friends. But I also want to be that better neighbor friend, too.

We're now finished with the film, which means I have a new list of tasks in front of me. Namely, making the film available for people to see. So we're working on DVDs, online efforts, and live screening events. 


Just as I was getting used to these waters, we find ourselves in uncharted territory once again. It's good. I am anxious to share this labor of love.

The Life of a Film(maker)

There are many chapters in a person's life, marked by age or milestone. Films grow up in a similar fashion, I believe. They are conceived, born, and eventually leave the nest to take on a life of their own.

In the life of Abandoned Allies, a new chapter has begun. We have edited, tweaked, and improved the film as much as we can (with the resources available at the time we made it). Now it's time to send this fledgling out into the world and see if it can fly.

We have a public, local screening taking shape. No official details to share just yet, but please stay tuned. We'll be sure to give you the info so you can see it, and attend the Q&A session afterwards.

In the mean time, my personal life has seen milestones and memorable moments. This past month was especially joyous.

On May 18, 2012, my boyfriend proposed while we were vacationing in Positano, Italy. Yesterday marked one month since we got engaged, and we are still grinning like idiots. The vacation, engagement, celebrations, and a birthday have made for a whirl wind of a month. One seriously happy month in my life, with many more to come.

If you haven't heard much from me in a while, that's why! I'm now back in the States, back to work, and ready to share Abandoned Allies. Y'all stay tuned. More to share soon!

Derek and me on the day we arrived in Italy, hours before
we got engaged. Behind us is Mt. Vesuvius.

Public Screenings of Abandoned Allies Coming Soon

Want to see Abandoned Allies? Fantastic! We're organizing public screenings this year and hope you will join us. More information about these events will be available as things develop. For now, be sure to sign up for our emails so you can get the latest about the film delivered straight to your inbox.

Register for emails here: http://eepurl.com/k6DXf.

The Power of One

A single protester staring down the tanks
in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, June 1989.
Watch the video: http://youtu.be/qq8zFLIftGk.

Never underestimate the power you have to change this world for the better.

You may feel small. You may feel like you don't matter. You may feel like the problem is too big, and you don't have any solutions. You may feel like it's too late.

You may not have the energy left for one more fight. Do it anyway.

The world is watching. We're waiting for a super hero. Not a guy in a cape, with super powers--even though that'd be cool. We just need a regular person, ready to take a stand for something good.

We need you. You are the perfect person for the job--just as you are right now. We don't need you when you're smarter, richer, or skinnier. We need you right now.

Never underestimate how much you matter. You are precious, important, and valued. If you were here with me, I'd give you a big bear hug. I'd tell you over and over again that you're loved--like that scene from Good Will Hunting, where the repetition and intimacy break down your barriers so that you finally, finally get that you're loved.

You might be one person, but that's all it takes sometimes. Never underestimate the power of one. Never underestimate the power of a simple gesture. Do something good in this world. We all need it. Need to believe that good still exists. That it will prevail.

Feel like you're facing a huge challenge? Have no fear. Take inspiration from this guy: http://youtu.be/qq8zFLIftGk.

You can do it. We're waiting for you.

Publicity Photo Shoot

This week I did a publicity photo shoot for Abandoned Allies with the lovely and talented Ann Tobler of Miss Jee's Photography. I'm incredibly grateful, even though being in front of someone else's camera makes me a little nauseous. Ann was very kind and patient, which made things infinitely more fun.

We can't share the photo shoot results just yet. Sit tight. You'll see something out very soon!

Working on the Website

The Abandoned Allies site is under construction. We have a placeholder right now, but I hope that something fancier / more custom will develop in the coming months. I've  been chatting to folks, trying to figure out the best way to move forward.

It seems like relying on WordPress would be smart, since I know how to make updates easily. Themes are also relatively inexpensive, and easy to customize. I've been experimenting with my personal site, camdenwatts.com, to dust off those skills.

This has made me realize how much effort I have put into becoming a story teller. I feel web development has changed drastically while I've been pouring myself into post-production. It has me thinking about developing skills, and what I really want to focus on in the future: becoming a better filmmaker.

That being said, there's still no budget for hiring a web developer. It'd be great to hand this off to someone.

This, I think, is one of those constant struggles for an indie filmmaker. Everything I read encourages indie filmmakers to distribute their own film, and stay committed to the project to the end. I want to do that, for sure. It seems ideal, something we all want to do; however, it's really exhausting. I've poured so much into simply making the film--fighting every battle, challenge, and nay-sayer along the way--that the energy needed to get an audience after it's finished is almost completely gone. This is why I'm doing little things to help recover and regain that energy.

The website is nagging at me ferociously. If you, or someone you know, is willing to help take over this effort, please give me a shout. I desperately need some help leading these efforts.

Memorials and Mourning

My grandmother and grandfather
on their wedding day in 1942.

This weekend my family will gather for a memorial service honoring my grandparents. There have been many conversations and preparations leading up to this weekend, and it's finally here.

You may recall that my grandmother passed away on December 7, 2011. It's been a really tough couple of months following her death--as anyone who's lost a loved one could imagine. It's been a struggle to stay focused on the film; mourning has taken such a prominent role in my life and we've been busy handling her affairs, with my father leading the charge. I had no idea that it cost so much money and required so much energy just to settle the estate of a loved one. It's exhausting.

This weekend will be bittersweet, but it'll be nice to be with loved ones to honor two people who were such a big part of my life.

Some of you have been wondering why I haven't been as social lately. It's because I've been busy spending time with family and trying to handle things as best I can.

I'll return soon. I promise.

Related Blog Posts:
Mourning
Lessons from my grandmother
The man who owns much
Getting back to work

The People Don't Know Their Power

The People Don't Know Their True Power
(source: http://bit.ly/IA6cIz)

There have been a lot of conversations about North Carolina's proposed Amendment 1. It's a hot topic, and voting happens on May 8th. This post isn't about the amendment, where I stand on it, or how you should vote.

This is, however, an exploration of how much your vote counts--even when you feel the odds aren't in your favor. It's easy to discredit a single vote because we live in such a large country. There are more than 311 million people here, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Last weekend I was chatting with someone about voting, specifically about the amendment in North Carolina. Based on the content in my Facebook stream, I was shocked to learn that the amendment has a chance of getting passed. We chatted about why that possibility exists, and how the demographics of our state might influence such a thing. One of the conclusions drawn from that conversation: each vote matters--a lot. Even (or especially) when it seems the odds are against a voter.

We may feel like our vote doesn't count here, but it really does.

We, as citizens, have an opportunity to think for ourselves, then make an educated decision on a matter. We have an opportunity to meet with our elected officials and tell them how we feel, influencing their actions. We have a voice, we have the power to be heard, and we have the opportunity to change the world.

But making an educated decision often takes time, research, and effort. More often than not, it can feel like a big burden to many people.

Earlier today I talked with another man about this amendment, sharing what I know in an unbiased way so he could make his own decision. He had gotten confused about what it meant to be for or against it. He hadn't heard all of the details, and didn't feel like he had the time to make an educated decision--so he isn't going to vote at all.

The cartoon at the top of this post is spot on: we, the people, don't know our true power.

Working on Abandoned Allies has made me realize that being a citizen of the United States is more than just opportunity. It's also a responsibility. People in other places around the world watch Americans because our country is a world power. If we, the people, don't take the time to vote or educate ourselves on the matters, politicians get full reign to do what they think is in our best interest. This, it seems, has led to a negative reputation for our people and our country.

Like the subject matter of Abandoned Allies, this is a complex issue. You can't summarize how all Americans behave because there are so many of us and we live in a very diverse country. I can't provide scientific evidence at the present time, just anecdotal evidence about our approach to voting here in the States. It's something I'd like to explore further if / when I have the time. (See what I did there?)

Nonetheless, I encourage my fellow Americans to take the time to learn about what's happening in your community, and find a way to become an active citizen. People in other parts of the world are being thrown in jail for speaking out about what they believe, but we have a chance to speak freely.

What we have is a luxury: a chance to be heard. What we have is a responsibility: a chance to vote. What we have is a bright future: a chance to make a difference in the world.

Go vote. You don't know your own power, my friends.

Visiting Dr. Patterson's Class

Last night I visited with Dr. Bob Patterson's class at NCSU, shared the film, and chatted with them afterwards. Once again his students impressed me with great questions and feedback.

Last night was especially awesome because Vien Siu, who is featured in the film, visited the class and talked with us. Also a man named Den, his wife, and his son also visited and provided another perspective: that of a South Vietnamese family who lived during the war and is now in the States.

I can't tell you how great it was to have so many different perspectives, and everyone willing to have a grounded, genuine conversation.

We talked about what happened so long ago and how it's related it to what's happening today. We talked about how this subject has been brushed under the carpet, and few people know anything about it. We talked about how books on the subject are hard to find, and I confessed that I hope to write one in order to change that.

We talked. And it was great.

You see, I don't get to talk about this stuff very often in daily life. When you're tailgating or having dinner or doing whatever you do socially, most people don't want to talk about the Vietnam War because it happened so long ago. A lot of people know very little about it, just like I did when I started this film. Talking about foreign policy, global trade relationships, and human rights atrocities also doesn't win you a lot of friends in the social scene either. So I don't get to talk about it a whole lot.

But I feel like this stuff is really, really important.

I feel like our country did something wrong, and I'm not here to point fingers or place blame. I do, however, want to have healthy conversations like we did last night. Conversations that might open the mind of another person, and shed a bit of light on something important. And if these conversations and knowing some facts (especially stories that aren't making daily headlines) moves people enough, perhaps they will take action.

Little actions make a big difference, I believe. And I never underestimate the power of a motivated group of individuals. The folks in that room last night won my heart, and I am so grateful they came to watch my film.

It's taken a long time to get to this point, and finally somewhat understand such complex subject. There are so many facets to it, and I am left with more questions than answers. I don't pretend to know what'll happen next, but I desperately hope that it's a beautiful and positive change for everyone. And I think that's possible.

Cutting the Trailer

Abandoned Allies trailer coming soon!

Last weekend I cut a trailer for Abandoned Allies. It's amazing how many hours it takes just to put together two minutes of edited footage--how quickly I had forgotten.

Cutting a trailer is incredibly difficult. Especially after spending four years cutting 50+ hours of footage down to 60 minutes. To cutting that 60 minutes down to one or two minutes? Whoa.

Not only that, you have to make that minute intriguing and exciting--without giving away the entire film. Raise questions and hint at answers, making people want a chance to see the full length film.

No doubt. It's tough.

Yet something I realized this weekend? I actually enjoy editing video.

The people closest to me might find that shocking. I've gripped so much over the past few years. I've finally gotten to the point where I understand what I want and need to do. Perhaps I've developed a critical eye for video editing. Who knows, except that I really enjoyed cutting the trailer this weekend.

To wake up early and edit video while the world keeps sleeping is really satisfying. To watch the same thing over and over and over again might drive others mad, but I've been doing that for years. Just ask my college roommates.

There's something about editing video that I find really pleasing.

Branding Updates

I love branding. So when a friend developed the logo and graphics for the film, I was ecstatic! During the past few weeks, I've been reveling in making updates to our online presence, which correspond to the look of the graphics in the film developed by Patrick Jones.

Our Facebook and Twitter profiles have new avatars. Our Facebook page has a new header graphic, featuring George Shepard. Our Twitter page has a new textured background, which is also used in the film. I hope to add the logo to that background, but couldn't quite get it right.

Design of the DVD labels has been made, tweaked, and printed. It may go through some revisions, but that'll come later. One thing at a time, eh?

I have also started redoing the website, and made a bit of progress on that this week thanks to help from James Burns. I hope to find a web designer / programmer who can take the design I have in mind and run with it, but make sure the site's easy to update down the road. At the moment, I feel like WordPress might be the best way to go, so we have a placeholder on the site ... which is totally painful to me every single day that it doesn't get updated.

This weekend I've been working on the trailer for the film. New business cards are needed. And we will, hopefully, get some videos uploaded to YouTube some time soon.

Be sure to tell me what you think of the little things I've recently updated. If there are areas for improvement, please let me know. I love social media, design, and branding, but realize that I've been more focused on making this film so your feedback is welcomed.

The wheels are always turning, and there's a lot more to do! Stay tuned.

Talk at NCSU Next Week

Speaking with Dr. Patterson's class in April 2011.

It's a privilege to tell you that I'll be at NCSU next week talking about Abandoned Allies, thanks to Dr. Bob Patterson, Jack Zapple, and many others. I'm really looking forward to the evening, and can't wait to tell you how it goes.

Dr. Patterson is kind to ask me to return. I'm even more thrilled to do so because the film is actually finished now. My mental state is much different as a result. Talks like this are fun because they generate interesting discourse. His students are incredibly intelligent, and raise such good questions. I hope to share some of them with you here afterwards.

Related blog posts:

• Talk at NCSU's Global Sustainability and Human Development Class
• Talk at NCSU (Round 2)

So Much to Share

There are so many great things taking shape right now. I won't share details yet, but I wanted to let you know we're working hard to get the film to you soon--in many different formats. There are also some screening events taking shape. Please stay tuned! :)

2012 Full Frame Documentary Film Fest

Michael Moore via Skype at the
2012 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.

Today was a film-filled day, and I loved every minute of it. It's the week of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, which is consistently fantastic. I sat in on a few of the Conversations with filmmakers, including one with Michael Moore via Skype.

The big take-aways of the day are:

• Make great films. Great films undoubtedly find an audience.
• Filmmaking is tough. Even the people that have made a bunch of them say it's still tough.
• Fear doesn't go away (no matter your age). It's kind of a good thing, a sign that you're on to something.
• You can be successful in filmmaking, no matter your background or financial situation. 
• Film festivals are still a key vetting tool for distributors; submit!
• Niche audiences, crowd sourcing, and guerrilla marketing are hot topics. 

Looking forward to returning to the festival tomorrow. I'll write more when I'm not quite so worn out!

DVD Pre-Sale Thoughts

We have a lot of folks asking about getting copies of Abandoned Allies on DVD. This is really exciting. I'd like to make the film available to the folks that are eager to see it!

It costs quite a bit to make these available, though. I think we could pre-sell the DVDs to raise funds to pay for the production. This would move things much faster.

Fill out this survey by clicking on the link below. Tell me what you think!

One Seriously Lucky Woman

Today I feel like such a lucky woman. I slept really well last night and have already had my coffee, so I'm wide awake and feeling really lucky.

These past few years have taught me so much. As I sit here reflecting on all that has happened and all that is presently taking shape for Abandoned Allies, I am overwhelmed by how incredibly lucky I am.

Here's what's running through my mind (in no particular order):

• This is my first film, and it's a pretty damn good one.
• I've learned a lot while making it, so the next films I make will be even better.
• The final run time is about 60 minutes--longer than we originally planned because so many people got interested in what we were doing. 
• I interviewed seriously impressive people: community leaders, anthropologists, published authors, Vietnam veterans, Green Berets, the first recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War, and one of the nation's leading sniper experts.
• I've gotten to spend time learning about another culture, their language, and their values. They've allowed me to eat dinner at their house, meet their families, weep over injustices, and talk about the important things in life.
• My dream of making a film has finally come true.
• The stress of making this film has shown me that hardship makes you stronger, smarter, and more humble. It also helps you value the great relationships in your life.
• I've worked with really talented, kind people who have generously offered their time and expertise to help make Abandoned Allies even better. And many of us have become friends as a result.
• Now the fun begins: finally sharing the film.

Yep. I'm one seriously lucky woman.

Film Festival Submissions

The festival world has exploded and morphed. These days, it is not only a way to screen films to hungry filmgoers or a marketplace for getting a distributor. Festivals are your next opportunity to develop your fan base and usually your first opportunity to engage your fans in a live event / theatrical context.

-- Jon Reiss (@Jon_Reiss), author of Think Outside the Box Office 

I feel like Jon summed up my motivations well in that quote. Festivals are a great place to share this film with people who appreciate the art of filmmaking. It's where our distribution deals might be made. It's also a place where I can engage with audiences that aren't already familiar with the subject matter.

Yet there are sooooo many film festivals. Each of them have submission fees, deadlines, and guidelines. It can be overwhelming.

Websites like Without A Box make it easier, and for that I'm grateful. The site makes it easy to browse festivals, watch for deadlines, and pay submission fees. The fees add up quickly, so you need a game plan. I've been chatting with a fellow filmmaker, and he seems to have the process down. It's very inspiring.

I'm going after some of the festivals that are obvious, local, or relevant to our subject matter. There are also some that cater to female filmmakers, which is pretty cool. 

It's important to recognize that this is just one part of our greater marketing / distribution plan. There's a lot more work to be done, but it's all very exciting!

Transitioning out of post-production

Transitioning out of post-production has proven to be slightly more difficult than I imagined. I thought it'd be easy to jump into marketing and distribution after the film was finished.

Marketing and communications are familiar territory. I spent years being a voice for others, helping shape their story and translate it for the media. I wrote press releases, planned media events, and put together media kits. I handled interviews and set up phone calls with subject matter experts. It was fun!

I thought I'd be totally pumped about marketing and communications for Abandoned Allies, yet I find myself in uncharted territory once again trying to figure out the best way to move forward.

It's possible I'm entirely too close to this project. It's also possible that the past four years have left me exhausted. Or maybe I'm just thinking like a filmmaker instead of a marketer now.

The latter sounds most likely.

I think like a filmmaker now. I play out scenes in my head, envisioning how they would look on camera. I write scenes, get to know characters that live in my mind, geek out about the latest cameras, and enjoy talking shop with other indie filmmakers. I think about future projects, building a crew, and finding funding. I am constantly thinking of how these documentary film ideas could lead to great things.

Yeah, I've become a filmmaker--who'da thunk it? That's pretty cool. I still dig marketing and can't wait to talk distribution, but I'm transitioning out of post-production slowly and enjoying the fact that I have actually finished the film.

We have a lot of work ahead of us. I'm trying to enjoy the milestone, since we have so much work left to do. I also need to catch up on so many personal matters I put on hold while working on Abandoned Allies.

Balance is key, eh? Deep breath. One small step at a time...

DVD Duplication

We're making progress here. The key has been getting a solid DVD master before duplication, of course.

I have struggled with it on my iMac at home, but have had lots of great people helping me out. I'd especially like to thank David Iversen and Jim McQuaid for lending me their expertise; they've been incredibly helpful.

I think we're closing in on my desired end result: about 30 DVDs I can use to submit the film to festivals and share with a few other key folks. It's almost tangible.

What I'm trying to figure out next is DVD sales. This isn't to line my pockets, mind you, but to finally make the film available to those who have asked to see it. I also want a way to sell DVDs at events, should people be interested in that.

I don't want to be the bottleneck either, so it has to be a self-sustaining process. I need a way to upload the files somewhere, allow people to purchase the DVD, and have someone else do the fulfillment so I'm not running to the post-office constantly. I've heard that Amazon does a good job with this, but I still have quite a bit of research to do. (Recommendations are certainly welcome.)

When I talk to younger folks, they act shocked that I'm investing so much energy into DVDs when so much is  now VOD (video on demand). Right now DVDs are key for film festival submissions, and will be important for sharing the film with the Montagnards, Vietnam veterans, and their families. I think many different formats are important, and I'm learning about all of it.

Cutting a Trailer

Among all the things floating around in my head, cutting a trailer is at the top of the list. I've been experimenting with a shorter timeline recently to get used to it. (Don't judge me for using iMovie, mk?)

Everything I've researched and studied leads me to believe that a 30, 60, or 90 second trailer for the film will be ideal. I don't think we need to have much more than that online.

So, then, the question remains: how do you sell a 60-minute documentary in 90 seconds or less?

What Now?

We've entered the next phase of the project: marketing and distributing Abandoned Allies. I find myself in uncharted territory once again; It's exciting. A lot of people are asking me, "What now?"

Here's what we're doing.

DVD Duplication
We're putting a few copies of the film on DVD. These initial copies will be used for film festival submissions. Each festival requires about two to three copies on DVD.

We'll also send a few copies to people featured in the film, so they can see the finished product.A few more copies will go to key people who have helped make the film, so they can be sure all is in order before we have a public screening. More copies will go to another group of people: those willing to help us find distribution.

The next step is figuring out how to put the film on DVD so the general public can buy it. A friend has told me about using Amazon, so they do the processing and fulfillment of orders. That sounds ideal, as it would keep me focused on the bigger picture and not running to the post office to put DVDs in the mail.

There are other steps to this process, though. I am still learning, which makes it tough to explain. When I have it figured out, I will do my best to share it with you here.

Film Festival Submissions
As I mentioned, we'll submit the film to several festivals. Fees mount up quickly, though. Submission fees range from $20 to nearly $100 so we will have to be fairly picky about where we send the film. This process will happen all year long, as I research which festivals will be most fitting for Abandoned Allies.

Local Screening Events
Screening Abandones Allies at local theaters is also at the top of our list. A few locations that I love: IMAX theater in Raleigh, Carolina Theater in Durham, Galaxy Cinema in Cary, and a few other locations in the Triangle. Planning these events takes resources: time, energy, and money. We are pretty short on those things, so I'm grateful to have help. EJ and I are working on a few things already.

Marketing / Branding
There's much work to be done here but I've recently updated the Facebook and Twitter (@AbandonedAllies) avatars so they match the graphics in the film (which were designed by Patrick Jones). I still need to update the website. I have big dreams about what we can do, but more resources are needed to make that a reality so we're doing the best we can with what we have available.

Additional Support Needed
Support in several areas would be helpful: researching film festivals, logistics with local screening events, social media engagement, etc. If you (or someone you know) is willing to volunteer please tell me.

More to Come
We're hustling. There's a lot happening. Thanks for your support, patience, and encouragement.

Find Good People

Here's a pic of me standing with some folks who have helped me
make Abandoned Allies: (L to R) Todd Tinkham, Surry Roberts,
Chris McClure, George Shepard, Joe Ellington, and Adam Shepard.

This week has made me appreciate--even more--the kind people who have helped me make Abandoned Allies. Over the course of the past four years complete strangers have offered their time and expertise, asking nothing in return. As a result, some of us have become good friends.

I have said thank you countless times to these folks; I hope they know how much they have blessed me by lending a helping hand. We've gotten to know one another, trust one another, and (I hope) look forward to working together on another project.

One of the things that has always attracted me to Hollywood is the family that evolves out of working so closely together. My film education started with watching too many DVD extras and behind-the-scenes interviews. One common theme: the cast and crew adored one another and became this weird but loving family.

They respect and honor one another. They take pride in their work.

These are the people I will always want to work with on a project. They are honorable, trustworthy, humble, and open to ideas. They want to do their best. They show up on time, ready to work. They know how to relax and appreciate their surroundings. They are dependable, intelligent, and fun people.

This week I spent some time with people that don't fit that description. It was unsettling. I am glad for it, as this reminded me of how awesome my team has been over the years.

My team has taught, humbled, and saved me when I needed it most. We got a good thing going. I can't wait to do it again.

Thoughts on Taking Action

One thing that's constantly on my mind: when people see Abandoned Allies and they are motivated to take action, where should I direct them? Right now I don't have a concrete answer, but I'm still looking and talking with people about it.

Here are the things I believe to be self-evident:

• Audiences of documentary films are intelligent folks who like "edu-tainment" because they enjoy learning more about a subject in an informal, entertaining way
• Sometimes they are inspired to take action if a particular issue resonates with them
• Often this action takes the form of: learning more, volunteering, or offering financial support
• They want to be directed to like-minded folks 
• They may want to be part of an existing, trusted and dedicated non-profit that's already making a difference when they join the cause
• If / when they join this organization's efforts they want to feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated
• If they feel like (a) they're efforts are not valued, (b) the organization isn't as committed to the cause as it should be, (c) the organization is not run well, or (d) there's no proof of the difference that's being made -- the dedication to the organization, and perhaps the cause as a whole, may be dropped entirely

I feel like these observations are accurate, but would appreciate more conversation about it. I am learning what I can; just attended a session on getting / retaining volunteers. It was incredibly helpful.

What I envision for Abandoned Allies is a place on the web like this one: http://www.takepart.com/cove. There are so many things I like about this:

• At the very top they briefly list five things you can do now to make a difference.
• A "learn more" option links to a nonprofit dedicated to making a difference on this particular issue.
• Financial gifts will support an existing nonprofit already making a difference.
• There are options available for varying levels of commitment. 

Our documentary explores a minority group and how they have been treated. We look through a very limited scope because the film is only 60 minutes long. We very briefly touch on what's happening today, with the hopes that people will want to learn more and that positive change will take shape. 

I seek an existing organization dedicated to shaping the positive change for both the Montagnard people (in Vietnam and the States) and American soldiers (vets and active duty). This is a broad scope, so I need help finding the trusted organizations helping these groups of people. 

It's a challenge, but not an impossibility. I continue to search and hope.

FAQ: Did you study film making?

No, I haven't studied film making in school. One of my crew members will tell you that Abandoned Allies was my film school. This is so true. I have learned so much over the years working on this film, figuring things out with my peers, and getting advice from other local film makers. It's been an incredible journey.

My degree has helped immensely though. I studied graphic design, photography, and professional communications in college, which gave me a great foundation for film making.

FAQ: Why this subject?

Yesterday I said I'll start answering frequently asked questions as an FAQ series based on experiences I've had and what people typically ask me about the project. (Related blog post available here.) Often I am asked how and why I chose to do a film about the Montagnard people, US Special Forces, and the Vietnam War.

Surry, a friend of mine who served two tours in Vietnam, mentioned a personal project he was working on over dinner one night. Anyone who knows Surry also knows that he usually has a few projects going--and they're always interesting.

We talked about his project. He wanted to capture oral history related to the Vietnam War, recognizing that such opportunities may not be available much longer. The more he talked, the more interested I became.

I realized how little I knew.

There were only two things I could recall about the Vietnam War: it lasted a long time and soldiers who served weren't welcomed home like they were after World War II. I knew even about the U.S. Special Forces and the Montagnard people.

Oh, and I had never made a film. So when I say I was ignorant, I mean really ignorant.

The ignorance made me curious, though. Because I didn't know much, I wanted to know more. The subject matter presented itself when Surry and I chatted that night in 2008.

I told Surry that he should make it into a film, because more people needed to know about these things. It was important to our nation's history, but wasn't common knowledge. It seemed important.

Surry asked me if I wanted to make the film. I said yes.

And that's how Abandoned Allies began.

FAQ Series

Now that post-production has wrapped, I'm moving to other phases of the project. There is a lot to be done: marketing, communications, branding, distribution, and event planning.

This next phase includes revamping the website. Since I'm not sure how to do it (Flash, HTML, Drupal, etc.), I'm collecting content. Ergo, the FAQ series on this blog. In this series, I'll answer questions I've gotten over the past few years.

In no particular order, here are some questions I'll answer:

• Why did you chose this subject?
• Did you study film making in school?
• Did you travel a lot to make this film?
• Where can I see the film?
• When can I buy a DVD?
• How is this film relevant today?
• What can I do to help the Montagnards?
• What else have you worked on?
• What will be your next project?

If you have questions you'd like answered, please let me know. You'll be helping me develop web content. Woot.

Next Steps

We're well on our way to finishing the film. This week we finalized all of the content, exported the film, and burned DVDs of the latest cut.

Big thanks to Patrick Jones, Zach Abrams, Andy Poe, and David Iversen for helping meet a deadline this week. They all hustled to wrap things up quickly, send files, offer technical assistance, and provide encouragement. I am deeply grateful.

Our next steps are shaping up, too. We have a long list but it's exciting stuff. Stay tuned!

The End in Sight?

Is it possible? Are we finally finishing this film? I think so!

Next week I have plans to burn a DVD of the film, with the help of a friend. This weekend my motion graphics guys are going to send me the final piece for inclusion in the film. With those two things taking shape, I'm getting optimistic that we can then start submitting the film to festivals immediately afterwards.

That means--drum roll please--we might be able to finally start scheduling more public screenings. Oh happy day! Dare I get too excited ... Something else might go wrong between now and then, eh?

Stay tuned.

Troubles with Compressor

By some miracle my new iMac is running FCP again. I unplugged it, let it rest for a minute, then plugged it back in--based on what the guys in the Crabtree Apple store recommended. Well, it worked! I've run FCP on my iMac for a few days and it's worked beautifully.

The render time in FCP on this new iMac is sick. I mean sick. It's so fast it blows my mind. I love it! Working on the film these past few days has been exciting. The huge screen, better mouse, faster rendering ... it's delightful.

Yet, there's more bad news. I finally made all of the most recent changes and now I can't export from FCP using Compressor. It says I need to restart each time I try to run the program.

So frustrating. Back to square one again.

In the meantime, a friend has graciously offered to help with the DVD so I can send the film to a few key folks. I'm very excited about that. Now I have to get the iMac fixed again, and/or find another way to get this film on DVD from this computer.

More to come. Here's hoping future posts are full of better news, eh?

Re: iMac

The iMac stopped working again. I'm going to go nuts. As of today, I've taken this computer back to the Apple store a total of four times. Four times!

Each time I lose precious energy and hours that could be spent finishing the film. I pack up this 30lb computer and hope with desperation that I don't get in a car wreck, drop and break the computer, get robbed, or otherwise damage the computer en route to the Genius Bar.

All of the above is complicated by my lack of sleep and sheer exhaustion from carrying the 30lb cumbersome box. By the time I finally get to the Genius Bar, I'm ready to pass out. Then they ask me again what's wrong--after I've just spent time writing it the appointment notes, explaining to the person who checks me in for my appointment in the store, and the handful of employees who helped me the last time I was in for the same problem. When I have to go through the entire lengthy story yet again at the Genius Bar, I'm void of patience.

Add to it: about 75% of the employees who help have either belittled me, asked dumb questions, had no clue how to help, or were so unwilling to help that I was shocked they even worked for Apple. It's completely maddening. One dude was even stingy with packing tape. (He said me they ran out, but I felt like he was lying.)

At this point, I've almost lost my faith in Apple and I've been one of their brand loyalists since I played Oregon Trail on one of their tiny black and green screens. The experiences I've had with this computer, and trying to get it fixed are enough for anyone to throw their hands in the air and walk away.*

A lot of people I know would fuss more than I have about all of this, but I've worked retail so I know how tough it can get. This is a computer problem; it's not the end of the world. I don't wanna lose my mind in public over such nonsense no matter how close I am to crazy.

It's really tough when you've been working on something this hard, for this long, and you're this close to being finished. Little things like this become much bigger and more powerful than they should be because of the circumstances. Especially when you have others waiting on you. It stinks.

But these are the breaks of the game, folks. Indie film making ain't for the faint of heart. Every step is a challenge. Everyone questions your decisions. Expensive equipment and technology will fail when you need it most. For every victory, there's another battle waiting to be won. In the face of each challenge, you have to ask yourself, "How badly do I want it?"

This ain't over yet. 

*There have been one or two Apple employees who have been my saving graces. A FCP expert at the Crabtree store was really helpful. I'm guessing he could see the vacancy in my eyes, tears welling up, or my quivering lip--signs that I'm about to lose it completely. Despite my best efforts to keep my composure, though, he had the smarts to realize I was completely worn out and he was really kind to me. He helped fix the problem and offered the courtesies I would expect from someone representing Apple. For that I am incredibly grateful.

Getting Back to Work

Boxes and boxes of stuff were in my grandmother's attic. We've
since gone through and cleared out most of the house.

Many of you know that my grandmother passed away recently. We've been busy settling her estate, which has left me no time to think about Abandoned Allies.

It was not an unexpected death, but that hardly makes mourning easier. We were close, and I miss her. Going through her house, packing things up, finding a new place for her things, and saying goodbye to a her home (that has been there my entire life) is not easy.

We are close to the end of this chapter, though. The majority of the work there is done, meaning her house is almost empty. This also means my house is full, and desperately needs to be put in order. This has been a great shuffling of stuff, though not entirely a negative thing as one would imagine.

Processing someone else's stuff takes time, energy, and emotion. We have been doing it slowly, to be sure that everyone is happy with how it is done, and I am incredibly grateful for that. It's been tough, but necessary. Spending time with my dad, uncle, and boyfriend in that house as we slowly take it apart has been therapeutic.

We have found countless photos of ancestors, and I've been spending evenings scanning them. When I can, I email some to my family so they can have them, too. Ironically, I found an ancestor's old notebook who was learning to sew. My sister gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, and I have been hoping to finish this film so that I can learn to sew on the machine. What a timely find.

So today, for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I am ready to get back to Abandoned Allies. It's a good feeling, and I think it comes with a little peace in having some affairs in order--and knowing that what's ahead of you isn't too overwhelming anymore.

While I was handling family matters, my crew was hard at work. Patrick and Zach finished most of the motion graphics. Willie finished mixing sound. And many others were working on different aspects of marketing and distribution. With the iMac saga over, I actually have a working computer so I can finish editing.

It seems things are coming together, and we just may have a finished film to share very soon. There's a film festival submission deadline next week. I hope to meet it immediately.

Great News: iMac Saga Ends

Some seriously great news in the life of a filmmaker: my new iMac is finally running Final Cut Pro (FCP) properly! This is the delightful end to a three-month saga with the new computer. I'm so thrilled to finally be using it to finalize Abandoned Allies!

It's a LONG story, so I'm not sure about putting it in writing yet. It has drained me of a lot of energy over the past three months already. The bottom line: that part of this story has ended and a new one has begun. We're putting together the final pieces of the film, burning it to DVDs, and submitting it to a film festival ASAP.

Stay tuned, friends. I'll be sure to tell you more very soon.

The Man Who Owns Much

My dad says, "A man who owns much is much owned." This message was lost on me for a long time, until 2005 when I began to process it. That year we emptied the home where I spent the majority of my life.

Now that we're emptying the home where my grandparents lived for 40 years, I find myself thinking about it nonstop. The things in their home need a new place to live and serve a purpose. Thus the cycle of owning stuff continues, eh?

When I started working on Abandoned Allies, I made decisions that would change my life--specifically how I perceive the owning of stuff. I quit my job during a recession, which lead to a change in my perception of the world and where I fit into it.

I was spending time with people who valued the chance to live in the land of the free--having risked their lives to get here. That made realities about my old world slightly less desirable. The slow change made me see some realities I had previously ignored. I recognized my silly spending habits. I saw that what I valued (ie: where I spent my time, energy, and money) wasn't what I really longed to value.

The wool had been lifted. I began to see why people elsewhere in world might think of Americans as wealthy, frivolous, and selfish. I started to understand why they might only see raw consumerism, capitalism, and a massive waste of resources.

It changed me forever. I felt lost between the old and new worlds. The two clashed in a painful way, and I'm still struggling to figure it out.

It is a tough thing to explain. One of the vets with whom I had coffee last year explained, "The Montagnards? They have it figured out." He understood this clashing of worlds, changing values, and the truth of being somewhat lost in between them.

Regardless, here's the epiphany: you don't need stuff to be happy. That truth can be realized painfully, but it will inevitably set you free.

This Norelco razor is one of the things we found in the attic.
I've started photographing things that I think are cool.

Betty White's 90th Birthday

This photo isn't from her 90th birthday
celebration, but it's one I like a lot.
She looks so happy!

NBC recently honored Betty White for her 90th birthday.

Man, oh man. I adore Betty White--like most of the rest of the world. She's a fantastic woman: kind, funny, smart, and a little suggestive every now and then. Recently I have been reading a lot of biographies, and Betty White's was the first I finished. It was fantastic.

It's wonderful when the stars align and seemingly separate things come together without your own intent. When I started reading these biographies, I had no idea that her 90th birthday celebration was going to air. It wasn't until I finished three books--all of which overlapped one another in their discussion of the early days of TV--that I even heard the celebration was taking place. (Read my previous blog post about those books here.) I kinda like to think that's a little gift from my grandmother, who would be happy I've been reading her books.

So the stars aligned and I got to watch the Betty White birthday celebration because my kind boyfriend recorded it for me. We watched it this week, while eating a delicious dinner he cooked in honor of dating one another for a full year. What a wonderful anniversary gift--the chance to see so many of my favorite entertainment people packed into one special show.

I cried.

When Betty White came up on stage to say thank you to everyone, I choked back the unexpected tears before letting them just flow freely.

My head has been in the early days of TV because of these books. Spending a lot of time with these people hearing their life stories helps me understand them (and the industry) better. Some how I feel like they could be dear friends, you know what I mean? I've spent the past two months listening to Betty White, Carol Burnette, and Dick van Dyke talk about their work and the people they appreciate: Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Ed Asner, and soooo many others.

And I got to see many of them on that show this week. By chance.

Now I recognize that we all want to do great work but it's a challenge for so many reasons. Life simply happens and there are no projects or paths that are easy. Every step of the way I've struggled with Abandoned Allies, but I've learned really great lessons--but I'm getting paid now to put those lessons to work and that's pretty cool.

Plus, if this stuff were really easy, the victory might not taste so sweet. It's hard on purpose. You have to really, really want it. Because making a film is damn difficult.

My other epiphany repeat: life is just a fleeting moment in time. We aren't here for very long. My grandmother lived to be 91, but even that doesn't feel like a very long time to me. I miss her terribly, and simultaneously recognize my own limited existence.

So here to you, Betty White. Thanks for having an awesome 90th birthday party, and letting little folks like me share it with you.

We Are Human

Last night I watched the Golden Globes with some friends.

While watching, I critiqued the celebrities: how they looked, what they wore, what they said. I critiqued the way the show was put together, too. Throughout the evening, some of the things I said were pretty harsh.

It is easy to judge when you're safely sitting at home in your pajamas.

In the midst of it, I realized something. We are human.

We aren't perfect. We're incredibly fragile. It's easy to be cruel. It's much more challenging to be kind, considerate, vulnerable, and encouraging.

Celebrity Biographies

My grandmother loved to read, especially biographies. Dad bought audio books to entertain her since she rarely left home in recent years. 


Grandma listened to Seabiscuit so many times it no longer played. So dad bought a second copy. (We show love in the tiny, considerate things we do, eh?)

Since she passed away last month, we have been slowly and methodically taking her things home with us. I asked dad if I could borrow the books.

I’ve finished Betty White’s Here We Go Again and Carol Burnett's This Time Together. I’m now on my third, Dick Van Dyke’s My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business. (Coincidentally, Dick Van Dyke just made news because he’s engaged at age 86.)

Hearing Betty White, Carol Burnett, and Dick Van Dyke talk about life in show business has been incredible. It’s like riding to work with them every day. 


Betty White has told me about her marriages, love of animals, and working on Golden Girls. Carol Burnett has told me about moving to NYC, that dreams do come true, and she tugged her ear for her Nanny. Dick Van Dyke has told me about being too poor to get married, his road to success, and working with Mary Tyler Moore.

One thing common among them is a humble appreciation for doing work they loved and earning enough to put food on the table. They share the recognition that such luck is rare, but dreams do come true and anything is possible. Each took risks, followed their passion and intuition, and worked hard to keep working.

It’s no coincidence that I’m listening to these books—a girl with big dreams about making films, and trying to figure out a place in the world. 


My grandmother keeps giving me gifts, even though she’s no longer here.