Life of Kyle

Today was a good day, much better than the last few.  I’m still sick but getting over it.  I had a lot more energy today, probably due to me getting to bed early like my body told me to.  We had a good day of shooting today that you can read about here.  The footage came out great and we had a fun time.  Lots of laughter on set today as I’ll share soon in a quick video (LOOK BELOW).  I’m really thankful for everyone sticking with me on this film, it means a lot.  After shooting I went to Subway like I do all the time and got my sub.  I took the long way home again, probably 10minutes out of my way.  I went to Subway in Lewiston so I took the river road way home passing by the water and going through Youngstown, then to Ransomville.  It was 82 and humid today so it was a good drive.  I enjoy the wind in my hair and the music in my car on a day like today, it’s great.  I’ve made it a point to just do random things I enjoy lately before I can’t do them here anymore.  What’s wrong with taking a random drive?  Nothing

After I got home I ate my sub (obviously) and it was good haha.  Getting bored reading the blog yet?  Speaking of which I’ve had like 1500 page loads this month, kinda surprising since the blog is about me.  Who the heck cares about what I have to say?  Ah well people seem to like it so I’ll keep on posting!  After eating I went upstairs to log the footage from today.  Logging is where you load all the clips that you shot for the day onto your computer with all the meta data.  Meta data is information like Reel Number, Scene, Take, Angle, etc. with each shot you do.  I was a bit lazy with it today, logging things in large chunks because I didn’t feel like waiting.  I’ve done that lately, I just didn’t have the energy to spend 2 hours or so logging 80 minutes of footage only to have to wait another 80 to have it actually go back and capture what I logged…no thanks.  I was too tired and bored to wait for that although I still had to wait 80 minutes for it to rewind and load…meh.  Either way the footage came out great as you can see in the images at the bottom of the post.  Comment if you like them!

I talked to some friends on Facebook, did some e-blasts, invited folks to some of our groups on Facebook and stuff, etc.  I also talked to a good friend of mine, Chris Staron.  He’s such a great guy, very warm and easy to talk to.  Very caring about what’s going on with people which I admire.  I had the pleasure of hanging with him during the SAICFF last year.  Him and his brother Nick have a new film releasing in mid may called Bringing Up Bobby.  Take it from me, this film is good.  I’ve seen it many times over and will be doing a DVD Review & Film Review soon before their release so be sure to keep an eye on the Praise Pictures site for that!

That’s about all I did today, tomorrow I’ll be shooting by myself with my mom on boom…now there’s an adventure!  Tis the life of an indie filmmaker…  Luckily we have little to shoot, or else tomorrow could’ve been ugly.  Pray for a good day!  Till next time…

There are lots of great films coming out this year.  I’m more excited about the new film MOON than anything else.  Sam Rockwell is awesome.  The music in the trailer is great and gets my blood pumping.  I know some will write it off as another human vs. HAL movie but it looks like something else.  Very “Cast Away” in its approach.  Almost like Cast Away with the main character losing his mind.  Give it a look.  Notice the volume change in the music…really ads to the effect of things.  I love the art of trailer editing, haha.  The others I have listed also look fantastic

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/moon/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/summit/thehurtlocker/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/paperheart/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/facingali/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/theboatthatrocked/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/foodinc/

*sniff* *sneeze* Yep, I’m sick.  I’m sick like this about once a year so I guess now is my time.  Blowing my nose all day, the really corny sounding voice, blah blah.  Today was a typical Sunday, more people seem to know about my move now and have given me all sorts of comments about it.  Everyone seems really excited but a bit surprised that I’m leaving.  I think that’s because they don’t understand why I have to, but I don’t blame them for not knowing that.  There aren’t any jobs for me here, none that will let me build a family the way I hope to.  People keep asking me who will fill my position at the church despite the churches current efforts to find volunteers.  I just shrug and say “I don’t know” because I honestly don’t have a clue.  It’s up to the church and its people to fill the position.  Having your sermons available on DVD is a luxury not a right, and standing around wondering how the ministry will continue is exactly why things die off in churches.  If everyone cares enough, somebody will step up.  If not, well you know the rest.  I’ve made it an unhealthy habit of mine to care about other peoples responsibilities far too much in the past, normally ending in an unhealthy result for myself even if I help the situation.  I’ve sorta backed off of that a little bit lately realizing there is a line.  I refuse to make it my responsibility to find someone who can do my job.  Not out of some sort of prideful arrogance, but simply because as a ministry staff member, at my time of resignation, it is the churches job to find a replacement.  Hopefully someone steps up, because the church is doing whatever they can to figure things out.  We’ll see what happens…

I went to lunch with my mom today after church.  It was nice as we don’t do it as often as we probably could.  Most of our conversation lately revolves around the move, how excited she is, and how hard it’ll be for her and dad.  It makes sense, I’ve been around many more years after high school than the average person.  They’re just being parents, it’s no surprise.  When I’m asked “how’d your mom handling it?”  I response, “She’s being a mom…what else?”  We had a good time, and the food was good.  I had a big salad with some cornbread and mexican food.  I think being sick has allowed me to eat more lol.

After that I went home to try and finish prep for tomorrows big shoot.  It will be a trying day, especially if I don’t feel better.  I should be Eric and Robbies last day working together on the film.  I hope we finish what we need although I think it’s pretty safe to say I’ll be back to the house at least one more time to shoot with Rob since last Fridays shoot didn’t go so well.  I just want to finish Eric ASAP since he has to drive 2 hours every time we shoot.  I hate having him come from that far over and over again then not finish then say “well looks like we need another day.”  It’s getting to the point where we need to just get the crap done…period.  No wining about “we need to finish this because I’m getting busy blah blah blah.”  Sacrifice is required, and everyone has sacrificed much.  All the previous sacrifice means NOTHING if we all get an attitude now.  I’ll be doing a post sometime soon about what my heart is on success and determination…I got a hefty post coming.  God has given me a heart and passion for the way I do business and the way I conduct my life and I’ll be sure to spill that and hopefully inspire a few of you.  Excuses are for wusses, get your crap done and get it done with integrity and heart…no matter what.

I’ve been showing the first 10 minutes of Standing Firm to some friends and getting some great feedback.  I’m glad to finally have the film moving along where people can actually start seeing it without holes.  There is so much work to be done yet, with the whole film lacking sound mix, score, etc.  However, it is neat to get enthusiastic comments from people, it gives me a boost of confidence.

Tomorrow is a big day, pray that it goes well!

The weather today was amazing.  It hit 84 at one point during the day.  Absolutely beautiful weather, the kind that makes you smile.  I also saw leaves starting on the trees, woo!  I’ve been looking forward to seeing that.  I had a friend come over and help me get setup with the ADR equipment, we’re ready to get started.  Afterwards I went to a friends Bachlor party at our church.  It was food, fellowship, and not much else.  Food and fellowship isn’t bad though!  Afterwards I went home for a little bit before heading out to a birthday party for Erin Kelley and Katie Brooks, friends from Vintage.  It was fun.  I sat and played Rock Band 2 for almost 2 hours before I was finished.  I was all sweaty and warm after playing that.  It’s a work out playing those games.  I tend to make it a bit more intense than it needs to be but I can’t help it, I have too much fun.  We then played “I’ve Have Never.”  Basically everyone is in chairs in a circle and someone is in the center.  They call out something they’ve never done and whoever has done it has to get up and find a new chair.  It’s hilarious because you start thinking of things for friends and stuff of that sort.  Of course someone had to say “I’ve never dated a girl” (which was said by a girl of course) and every guy got up but me.  Thanks Danielle…  Either way the night was great but I realized that I had failed to do something I really needed to for tomorrows shoot.  It might pose a problem.  Luckily I only needed a shot or two but it still sucks.  One more thing to do, ugh.  Hopefully I’m wrong and tomorrow happens anyways, if not…whatever.  No since in kicking myself for it any longer.  I’ve been busy and forgot, sue me.

I also got my first official movie screener today.  It’s from Sony and it’s for a film called Dog Days of summer.  I got a message from a lady doing some of the marketing and she wants me to review the film.  She gave me a copy of the film (real copy in case) and a screener copy.  It’s sorta neat to know more people keep coming to me for things.  I’m not sure what I did, it’s still pretty neat.

Tomorrow’s another day…

Today wasn’t a good day as you can see from the title.  We had a shooting day today that went OK.  I didn’t get everything I needed and we ran out of time.  I shot alone a lot of the day which isn’t fun.  My head wasn’t in the zone either which really aggravates me.  If I can’t do my job, nobody else’s matters.  Great lighting with great acting without any cohesive flow to a scene doesn’t do the film any good.  Neither does having shots that don’t cut together.  The day was just really slow moving and I watch watching the clock all day knowing that we weren’t going to finish.  That is never a good feeling.  My gut sinks when I realize that, especially so late in the game.  I just didn’t feel good and there were some personal problems on the set today that didn’t make things any easier.  I won’t mention what it is but it’s a huge disappointment and I hope things finish well in the end.  I thought about it the rest of the day and haven’t been able to shake it even now.  I’ll probably lay awake thinking about it before I end up falling asleep.  

I’ll give anything for this film, absolutely anything.  I finish what I start, whatever that takes.  I’ve let it get to unhealthy places a few times but I’m willing to do that again if I have to.  My health doesn’t matter to me honestly when it comes to the film, unless my bad health gets in the way of the film that is.  I’m too much attached to it, I’ll give it all.  If I had to lose a hand to finish the project I’m pretty sure I would do it, where’s a knife?  This is a personal goal, a LIFE goal.  Something I would give anything to accomplish, and nothing and nobody will get in the way.  God gave me this task, it will be finished…PERIOD.

I keep realizing more and more just how excited I am to leave.  Not even because of what lies ahead, I’m just excited to be done with all this.  My job at the church will be over, thank goodness.  As much of an honor it has been, I’m thrilled for it to be done.  I don’t think I’ll ever work for a church again.  That isn’t to badmouth anyone at the church or point fingers at all.  Working in ministry is a whole new ball-game.  Much comes into play there that you wouldn’t understand unless you’ve done it.  Time to move on, as quickly as I can.

It was 78 today, amazingly gorgeous out.  I loved it, brightened my day after such a bad start.  I took the long way home to enjoy the weather with my window down and the wind in my hair.  I really just needed to chill and play some tunes.  It felt good knowing I didn’t have a lot to do when I got home or the next day.  That always makes me feel good since it doesn’t happen often.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, should be a nice day outside.  I can’t wait to get some stuff done and relax when I feel like it.  Hopefully all the shooting scheduled next week turns out great and we get a lot done.  I got 4 weeks left before the move, and a crap-load of stuff to do yet.

G’night.

Today was kinda sucky.  I got up early and went to work to start my day.  After about an hour or so I felt really bad and had to come home.  No way was I sitting in that office for a few hours more staring at that computer screen under fluorescent light only to leave and come home feeling even worse.  Forget that!  I went home and took a nap and got up feeling a lot better.  I still have a bunch of junk in my throat but I needed to finish movie prep stuff for tomorrow and feeling drained just isn’t an option.  I needed to get that crap done and quickly.  I got things lined up pretty well for tomorrow, hopefully it all works out.

Not much else went on today, it was very boring.  I’m really looking forward to moving soon, end of May is coming too slowly.  My job is sorta driving me a little nuts.  The fact that I know it’s ending but not for another month is getting me a little antsy.  I’ve been doing the same job for 3 years and it’s making me nutty.  Editing PayPal forms for hours on end too for my last project isn’t the way I want to go out, but I guess I won’t have a choice.  At least it’ll be over.  It’s been a learning experience and an honor but phew am I ready to leave.

I’m sure lots of you have heard of that Perez Hilton vs. Miss California thing that’s been going around.  If not look it up.  Perez Hilton is a big loser and this video I found today is amazing:

The best line of the video is “he would knock your teeth out of your fat little face.”  That made my day better without a doubt.

Tomorrow is shooting, then Saturday will be a nice day to relax and not do much while the 80 degree weather fills my happy tank back up.  Right now it’s a little low, and feeling sick doesn’t help.  I can’t wait to have that kind of weather a lot more.  This place is a depressing replay of the “same” stuff over and over…

I gotta also pick my going away/birthday/movie wrap party.  I’m not sure when to have it or what to do, something else on my list to figure out.  Ugh.

1 month to go…counting the days.

I couldn’t write my entry for yesterday until now because the site was down.  Stupid server wasn’t working.  Yesterday was a typical day.  Got to work really late because of the movie night last night.  I was TIRED.  Either way I got to work right away getting last weeks sermon done and completed as usual.  I made the normal DVD, TV DVD, and online files.  Rendering is boring, this is no surprise.

We worked out a few scheduling issues for Standing Firm and it looks like we are all set for Friday.  I need to do some more work tonight in order to get ready myself.  Finish some storyboards and make sure I’m planned properly.  I also need to send Rob his clothes info and things of that sort.  Should be a relatively low stress shooting day I hope.  We really need to finish this stuff.

After I got home I finished watching a movie called Four Brothers.  I wasn’t sure I liked it very much.  It was a bit too violent and unnecessary.  The actions weren’t necessarily unjustified but the way in which it was shown was a bit drawn out and gratuitous.  I was entertained but it wont be on my DVD shelf.

I stopped working on some things and grabbed my bible to read.  I read through 1 Peter.  I love both of the books of Peter, really awesome stuff.  Lots in there about how we should act, think, live, etc.  As I was reading it, I kept thinking about how someone outside of Christ would interpret what’s there.  That typical “see!  we’re supposed to love!” argument people make and twist things around.  There is a difference between loving the person and condoning what they do.  You can’t be a Christian and not offend, it’s not possible.  The Cross IS AN OFFENSE!  Telling people there is a right way to live is an offense.  We worship a guy that got murdered!  I think we often forget that.  He wasn’t just disliked he was brutally beaten to death and crucified.  Currently at least in America, you might get the finger from someone or an insult or whatever if you offend or tell the truth…boo hoo.  Shut up and suck it up, Jesus went through worse, for you no less…do the same for him.

I also listened to Mark Driscoll during my day.  He is without a doubt my favorite preacher of all time, above anyone else.  Such an amazing heart and way of speaking that just makes me want to pound my fist on my desk in agreement.  He’s awesome.  Pick any sermon you want and there will be so much content and truth, and humor, and all these things.  He says what others wont, he quotes what others wont, he interprets what others wont, and he even reads verses that believe it or not others wont because they are “too dirty?” or “not fluffy sunday school material.”  What an awesome dude he is, makes me excited just thinking about his preaching.

I came up with a “Wild Idea” today (hence the name of the entry), and put it into action rather quickly.  I was looking at our edit and just thought how hard would it be to get someone I know up to Ny to look at this thing and give me some “assurance.”?  What would it take?  I really need someone else with a more film oriented mind to look at the thing and tell me what I might be missing, what’s wrong, etc. that can be fixed.  If we have to I’ll have 2 weeks to stick another shooting day somewhere in there for emergency content.  That is totally possible, I would be foolish to not take advantage.  Also I think I need it just for comfort.  My conscience would be going insane leaving here not being sure I got what I need for the film.  I would think about it all the way to CA, think about it my first month in CA, etc. until I saw my edit complete.  I need to know up in my head that “I got it,” even if the edit isn’t complete I’ll know I’ve shot the scenes required to get everything in order.  I got ahold of a friend and it looks like he’ll be able to come down (up rather, I always forget I’m in NY) next week.  I’m looking forward to that.  I’ve been dreaming from the start of sitting down with someone like myself and going through things…I would get done in an hour what takes forever online and emailing files and rough cuts, etc.

I hope when we shoot this Friday that everything goes well, and we have good weather.  We really need sunny days.  On a more exciting note I got contacted by a marketing lady today asking if I wanted to see a screener of a new Will Patton movie for review.  That was pretty neat  I said yes of course and it’s on its way.  I also got in contact with the director to tell him and offer an interview after I see the film.  Should be a fun experience.  He is young too, only low 20’s so I congratulated him on such a cool project and signing such a well known actor at such a young age.  What an accomplishment.  It seems more and more people are coming to me for things or noticing my existence, it’s a neat feeling but a weird one…where is this all going?

Tell next time, adios.

I got more stuff done today (how is that different from any other day?).  I got to work in the morning and worked until about noon where I went to lunch with Shaun Smith (gaffer on Standing Firm).  We just talked about the move and stuff, not too much about the film.  I had a salad and quesadillas which was awesome.  They had peppers in them though, yikes.  Those things rip up my insides.  Afterwards I got back to work to finish a few things before running home to do a few things.  I had a dentist appointment soon after so I wasn’t home for long.

I went to the dentist and got my teeth cleaned.  I hate doing that.  When they floss my teeth they are really rough about it and hurt my gums.  When I floss I don’t have any of those problems because I’m in control of how hard I’m doing it.  Afterwards I went to Vintage but I was really early.  I just sat in the parking lot trying to figure out what to do.  My eyes were tired and bloodshot, and I wasn’t feeling so great.  I was hungry, very hungry.  I debated where to go for a while and just caved and ran down to a dunken donuts to get something.  I got a blueberry muffin thinking “yea that’ll do.”  I also got a sweented iced tea.  Now I know why I never go to these places.  The iced tea was MEGA sweet, like crazy sweet and the muffin had so much sugar on the top.  It was like rock salt sized sugar clusters.  It didn’t make my headache any better.  Afterwards I got to Vintage in time to hang out with folks and went into the sanctuary when things began.  I felt like I needed to call a friend (Happy Bday Brad) and afterwards decided to leave because of how I was feeling crappy.

I came home and ate another muffin lol, this time one without all that sugar on it.  Later Brad and Jen came over and we watched a movie.  It was Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist.  It’s a funny movie but had some stuff in it that was awkward to watch.  It was great to laugh though, comedies are fun with friends.

Well it’s 2am and I’m toast…totally spent.  Laters.

Today was a typical day.  Just went to work and got a bunch of stuff done.  I got the rest of the schedule information from actors and stuff mid-day so I rushed home to look at the calender and see where things fit.  If all goes well we might be able to complete every shooting day besides 1 or 2 before this month is over.  That would be great and get us off to a good start.  What a load off it would be before May.  I got some feedback from a friend who was able to look at the film with rough cuts and things like that and he liked it quite a bit.  I cleared up some things and told him of some of the changes made and things of that sort, which made him feel better about some things.  It was great to hear the film isn’t terrible, lol.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to Guy Cow today.  Guy Cow is the name of our mens outing ministry at our church.  Odd name I know, I didn’t pick it LOL.  We went to Fuddruckers to eat.  It was good food, as usual.  Their burgers are excellent.  They’re real meat, no dog meat to speak of here.  I had a chance to talk with Sam Torcasio, a friend of mine for a while when I was there.  We rarely get to talk for longer than a few minutes so that was nice.  Lots of people have been “congratulating” me and asking questions about my move.  People seem curious so its flattering.  I gotta admit it still hasn’t hit me yet.  I’m not sure it’ll hit me until mid May or so when I’m in the home stretch with all the stuff I have to do.  Then it’ll hit me and hard I bet.

I was trying to come up with a new design concept for Standing Firm.  Its been very difficult to come up with something original that fits the tone of the story.  I have thousands of photos to go through and to choose from but that isn’t the problem.  Color and layout is the biggest problem.  The film is about family and death but it has it’s light and redemptive side to it.  I prefer simple concepts but I think it’ll end up becoming more complicated because of the story.  There is no distinctive theme that you can pull out that has a color or shape associated with it.  The construction aspect of the story has been pushed farther back into the story as time has gone on, so using hammers and things like that just doesn’t work.  You can see the concept poster to the side and it would probably work great for a different film, but not for ours.  Hopefully I can figure out something soon so I can move forward with the films online marketing a bit more in the next few months.  I like to pick one concept and wrap it around everything.

Tomorrow, it’ll be a busy day…time for bed

I love Sundays.  I get to see folks I don’t normally see during my week, and I get to go to church  For those of you who don’t know, I tape the sermons and put them on DVD and on the internet.  I’ve been doing it for almost 3 years solid, maybe sitting in a pew 4 times or so since my first day.  Either way it went fine, some audio problems at the start but we got them fixed.  It’ll be weird to stop taping things on a Sunday but I am looking forward to it.  Being in ministry is tough, because on one hand you have a great responsibility to serve God, on the other hand you find yourself wanting to experience ministry and not run it all the time.  Sometimes I wish I could just come on a Sunday and have nothing to do, just greet folks and enjoy the sermon.  I think I’ll find that enjoyable in LA wherever that is.  Showing up with nothing to do but make friends and listen to the message, woo!

After church I went to the Brickyard with Kevin to eat and chat.  It’s a great restaurant, one of my first jobs took place there for almost 2 years and almost ruined me spiritually.  Being in a kitchen with a bunch of guys very unlike myself makes things difficult, and being a Christian…makes it worse.  That job showed me just how bad an influence people can be on you, no matter how strong you are they start to seep into your being.  I’m not sure I’ve been around non-Christian people regularly since, so I’m sorta bracing myself for LA.  I’m just glad I’m not stupid and blind and know that it’ll be a challenge.  I’m pretty sheltered but the fact that I know it is good.  Lots of people just figure “ah I’ll be ok” and fail miserably once they leave the nest.  I’ll face the same things, but knowing going in that I’ll be facing them.  Should be an experience for sure…as will finding a new church, friends, and starting over.

I’m changing a lot of things about myself this past month and the next.  I’ve been more outgoing I think then I’ve ever been, met more new people than I ever have, and just been a lot happier overall socially.  I’m also changing my appearance as I had mentioned with new clothes, and a new haircut soon.  I also need new glasses since mine are bent so maybe I’ll either get new ones or try contacts.  Then I’ll look really different.  All that plus the beard I now have going and the out of the ordinary social behavior, I’ll be almost a different person before I leave.  I’m looking forward to it.  I’ve never been happy with what I wear or how I look.  I have very few things I like to wear and I’m happy wearing, same with my hair and such.  Days when I feel like crap are mostly days where I don’t like what I look like.  I got rid of so many old High School shirts and stuff from when I was much bigger than I am now.  All that baggy stuff…yuck.  Time for changes there, big time.

I went to VOC tonight, which was great again.  I met more new people and hung out with friends.  We went to Applebees (yes again) and hung out there as well until closing.  It was a fun time.

The Life Giver website is going to be just fine I think, I sent a contract into the folks yesterday and will get it on Tuesday.  I’m glad God brought along this job, it’ll be nice to have more dough in the bank when I leave.  I’ll feel a lot better.  I’ll actually have more in my account than I have in years when I leave…which is funny considering (at the moment at least) I’m broke.

Standing Firm is going well too.  We will be shooting again either the end of this week or the next, or both.  I’m waiting on one more persons schedule before I can make anything positive.  Time is ticking and we probably have 5 days of shooting to do.  The ADR will be the bigger challenge I suspect because none of us have done it successfully before.  I hope things go well.  I’ll also be scrambling to get a rough edit of the entire film together to make sure I have ABSOLUTELY everything I need.  Not a single shot missing.  I won’t have a lot of time to get it if there is something missing and the time to edit will be a little while.  I’ll be cutting it close I suspect if there is any problems.  We should be good though, God has brought us this far.  Pray for nice weather!  We can’t afford to have a day blown because of rain or something annoying.  We need as much sunlight as possible to shoot.  Cloudy days don’t do us any good.

Till next time…