Down in the Parish

Everything comes from Somewhere

2012-01-21T14:16:00.001-06:00

"Merissa" from Picture Truths

Everything we produce comes from somewhere. Patrick said to me the other day that the hardest part is coming up with pure fiction. Something that comes only from the imagination. But this "pure" fiction is a myth. Everything comes from Somewhere. There is nothing new under the sun.

My cousin Connie told us this story about a shooting that happened right across the street from her house out in the East. It has finally worked it's way into the script.

We catch anecdotes and personality disorders. Our heads spin with the stories people tell us. Everything we see. Everything we taste. Sometimes it gives me a headache.

Faster

2012-01-19T22:52:00.000-06:00

Today was the most hideous writing day ever.
But, still we moved forward.
Faster, pussycat, faster!
I wish we would move forward faster.

The Canal Revisited

2012-01-13T22:30:00.000-06:00

picturetruths.blogspot.com

Characters have to be in the moment

2012-01-13T17:29:00.006-06:00

GLORIA

Hey Officer Del.

OFFICER DEL

They ain’t sent out the Detective

yet, Gloria?

GLORIA

Ah ah. An' I’m about to get off my shift.

Officer Del edges around the crime tape and looks in.

OFFICER DEL

Were there drugs, Gloria?

GLORIA

I don’t know. I just got here.

Influential People

2012-01-12T18:54:00.001-06:00

John Biguenet told me: "Always look for ways to repackage your stories." Martin Stitt said "You can't fuck about. Write scripts as fast as you can."

######################################

I've been writing this blog for 5 years. Haven't we completed this ~~fucking~~ script yet?

Well, yes and no.

1We've written a feature script that essentially turned (award-winning) "Destiny lives Down the Road" (the short) into a feature. 2We wrote a science fiction after the BP Oil Spill. 3And, we've just completed the detailed Outline of a Southern Gothic Noir set between Bourbon Street and St. Bernard Parish. 4I think there was also an early draft of a Katrina script.

It's funny, though. All of the work mentioned above and even including (the specially commended) "Mrs. Carmella Prays" and "Little Baby Eyes" and the Photo blogs and a lot of other work...all of that work sprang from an article I wrote for the Guardian the year after Hurricane Katrina.

But it goes back even further than that. As far back as 2002. But, that's all too much to go into.

We work on the Noir daily. We are pushing to have a readable draft by the end of January. In February, we want to do another pass on the Science Fiction.

www.picturetruths.blogspot.com

Location Scouting in the East

2011-12-03T18:14:00.001-06:00

We took a drive out to New Orleans East this morning to do some location scouting and to get some stories from my cousin Connie who lives out there. The place is lonely and spread out. We're particularly interested in that stretch of land on Chef passed Crowder. Motels and factories and trailer parks. Sweet. We drive some more, and there is a small casino and I think the last General Dollar before the land turns to water.

Connie tells us some stories about what it's like to live in the East. This is a place where family members shoot each other in the street. A place where drunks crawl up the front steps of the house and where people take more than they are supposed to. Connie will stay because she owns this little sliver of land.

Patrick doesn't take pictures, and, when I ask him about it, he says "I'm overwhelmed."

Now we have to go back at night. We have to see what the light looks like and what things are possible. Again, the locations are informing the story and vice versa.

Researching Angola

2011-12-02T14:09:00.000-06:00

Latest News - Angola Prison: Visiting a Modern-Day Slave Plantation

Angola on Wikipedia

As abuse mounted, DEA boosted painkiller supply - Drugs - Salon.com

2011-11-30T16:36:00.000-06:00

As abuse mounted, DEA boosted painkiller supply - Drugs - Salon.com

Drug Research

2011-11-30T15:39:00.001-06:00

Doing loads of research on "Pill Mills." It seems that there is a huge problem with addiction to Opioids in this country. Opiodis are the synthetic version of Opiates that come from Opium, a natural substance. It's all very interesting and fucked up how pharmaceuticals turn something natural into a highly addictive substance then release it onto an unknowing population through legitimate and legal dealers. Still getting my head around it all. BUT, forget all of that political bullshit. This is some interesting research for the feature.

From the Pill Mill Grand Jury:

Another addict testified, “I could not function without it [Oxycodone]. I had to have it every day.” He then described the withdrawals:

The first part of it would be you would start to get ill as in your stomach would hurt, you couldn’t
eat, you couldn’t hold food down. You’d try to sleep at night, or I should say you would get cold
sweats. It didn’t matter what the temperature is, you feel like its 20 degrees outside and you’re
sweating bullets. And then from there you couldn’t sleep at night. And that would go on for,
different areas of those symptoms would go on for about a week or two. And then from there, I
think a month after that, within the month, that first month of detox, I couldn’t get a full night’s
worth of sleep. Your legs would kind of kick and flex and twit. I mean twitch around.

Another thing is this guy should not be on trial. He should be medically cared for, and the Pharmaceuticals should pay for it out of their profits.

Pharmaceuticals have a little bit of evil in them, and if you don't see me no more, you know who's got me.

Narcissism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2011-11-28T17:38:00.000-06:00

Narcissism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another Dark Vision of Chalmatia

2011-05-28T15:42:00.000-05:00

Research: The "Resistance" live in Tree Houses

2011-05-22T13:11:00.002-05:00

Link here

We want "The Resistance" to live in tree houses above the pollution. This is one kind of idea for the art director. I like that this one looks like a camp on the Bayou. Another idea is the trailer tree house here:

How to Survive The Apocalypse � Survival Guide

2011-05-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

How to Survive The Apocalypse � Survival Guide

What's Wrong With The Three Act Structure

2011-05-21T15:38:00.001-05:00

What's Wrong With The Three Act Structure: "A two hour feature film shown in a movie theatre is a continuous action. There are no intermissions. It's one continuous act-less event which revolves around a problem. A much better way to look at a story, when you are creating one, is not through any arbitrary division into acts but through the eyes of that problem, which is the central event and the heart of a great story's structure."

Research for "The Science Fiction"

2011-05-20T15:17:00.000-05:00

Why societies collapse

Throughout human history societies have prospered and collapsed leaving behind tantalizing glimpses of their magnificence in crumbling temples, ruins and statues. Why did these ancient civilisations fall apart? Why did some collapse and not others? And what lessons do they have for our civilisation?

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2003/07/17/2858655.htm

A Dark Vision of Chalmetia

2011-02-07T16:46:00.012-06:00

This photo reminds me of manga and mad max and the world I have seen in my dreams.

By Halsey, Francis Whiting,[see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons

I had a thought the other day. A vision, really. Teens, in gas masks, riding ATVs at sunset.

Dusty not foggy. The weather is about to change again from hot to cold, and the teens want their last taste of summer.

FFC says to put a date on it. The real date is earlier, but I just learned the date trick.

genre, Genre, GENRE!

2011-02-03T12:38:00.000-06:00

Some really good stuff coming out of this idea of turning Chalmetia! into a Dystopia, which is a sub-genre of Science Fiction. Obviously, there will be a heavy, heavy environmental edge.

Now that we're thinking about it and talking about it, I realize that I am more informed than I thought I was. I took a course in grad school on Utopian/Dystopian literature. I'd forgotten about that. Sometimes it's good to take an inventory of my experiences.

I seem to have naturally gravitated toward watching Dystopias. Some of my fave films are: "12 Monkeys," "Fisher King," and "Brazil." But, visually, we do not want to go this far. We want our dystopia, but we want to shoot it like social realism, which worked really well with "Destiny lives Down the Road."

Check out this picture of the Refinery on Picture Truths. It almost looks like some evil, polluting conglomerate. Priceless.

Utopia, False Utopia, Dystopia

2011-01-29T14:09:00.000-06:00

I've been reading a lot about 'topias to see what I can mine for Chalmatia! We've talked about the script in terms of post-apocalyptic themes. Trying to come at things from a different direction. Also, trying to do research instead of just shooting from the hip.

It's been years since I started writing this script. I'm slow. I should embrace that. Beating me to finish something is like beating a dead horse. Or, worse, a stubborn horse. Sometimes I even get frustrated with myself.

I remember reading an interview with Richard Linklater back in 2005. He said that he had about 10 projects at various stages going at once. If one hits, he follows it down the rabbit hole.

Thanks, Richard, for going before me.

Chalmatia! as a Cloud

2010-12-28T10:15:00.000-06:00

Ed Siegle got me hooked on Wordle. Here is the one I did for EZ feature script "Chalmatia!" Here is the link: http://www.wordle.net/create.

Revisitng Story Structure

2010-12-05T18:36:00.000-06:00

Story structure is generally considered to be the most critical skill of the screenwriter. I don’t know if I completely agree with this, but I do think that if you don’t start with solid structure it is nearly impossible to create a successful screenplay.

Nice couple of posts on structure..just to remind me.

Updates and Excuses

2010-09-11T17:19:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's true that I haven't written here since August. It's also true that I have done precious little writing on the feature. I pick up the index cards every now and again, but my time has been occupied with the short and with making a bit of cash. But, that's another story.

We want to use the short to generate interest in the feature. The thing is, everything changed with shooting the short. When I go back and read the feature, it seems like something alien. Through shooting the short, we got closer to our Destiny character, but is it the same Destiny? Things are all confused in my mind about Destiny. Turn her one way, and she is my niece Dominique. Turn her the other, and she is a fictional girl living in a real world.

I'm focusing on structure now...trying to impose order on what we have. We'll see how it goes.

2010-08-29T12:37:00.001-05:00

Back to the cards after a little break.

Just to remind myself of the 3 Act Structure

2010-08-23T15:07:00.000-05:00

Source is Here

Writing Again!

2010-08-22T20:45:00.000-05:00

Finally!

I've started writing "Chalmatia!" again.

Producing "Destiny lives Down the Road" was a major distraction, but writing the script and directing our real-life Destiny was a great insight into the character and the world she lives in.

After finishing principal photography, I was looking for a way to kick start Chalmatia! I found this:

Writing A Screenplay With A Full Deck: It only takes a deck of index cards and a ballpoint pen to start your screenplay, by Joe Mefford | Published January 15, 2007, Moviemaker Magazine.

Normally, I hate these things. But, as I said, I needed a kick start, so I committed to this. It's been three days, and I'm still working on the first 10 cards. It has been a very freeing experience, and I am reminded of that Orson Welles quote: "The lack of limitation is the enemy of art."

Also, I'm enjoying the process. I remind myself to enjoy the process. Actually, it's the re-writing I really enjoy. So, here we go again.

Casting: Destiny's Sister

2010-07-18T14:05:00.000-05:00

Amelia Cusimano to play Destiny's sister Journee.

Casting: Destiny's Dad

2010-07-17T14:02:00.001-05:00

Eric Tyson will play Destiny's deadbeat dad.

Location Scouting: Myrtle Grove Trailer Park

2010-07-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

Meeting Minister Antoine Brown III

2010-07-14T13:57:00.005-05:00

I first became aware of Minister Antoine Brown III two Christmases ago. Staying in that cold, cold house in the Bywater and waiting for Patrick's visa, we took to wrapping ourselves up in blankets and working with the TV on in the background. Public Access, to be exact. Channel 76. That's where I first saw Minister Brown, and, I guess, in a way, he sort of healed me.

At that time, I was having a bit of a block. No writing to speak of was happening. But after seeing the Minister's show (a strange mish-mash of sermon, testifying and gospel rap), things started to flow. I also got one of his songs stuck in my head, and it's been there ever since.
A year later, and we're walking down the Moonwalk in a misty rain, and there he is again. Just sitting on a bench. "I know you," I say. "I know you. You are Minister Antoine Brown. I've seen you on T.V."

We have a short chat then part ways.

When we started working with Ms. Camella, we discovered that she watches a lot of religious programming. Including Minister Brown. So, we wrote him into the Destiny short. We wrote her...watching him.

After some fits and starts, we were able to meet with Minister Brown at the McDonalds on Canal Street. He gave us a VHS of his work so that we can use it in the film.

It's funny how things happen.

Location Scouting for "Destiny...": The Beer Pong House

2010-07-13T13:55:00.002-05:00

Casting for Destiny in Chalmette

2010-06-21T14:07:00.000-05:00

The Elektrik Zoo is casting for their 8th short film to be shot entirely in Chalmette at the end of July. We are interested in casting locals who have a keen desire to act. No experience is necessary.

Journee - 5 years old, dark hair.
Maura - 8 years old, dark hair.
Deborah Jean - early 30s, dark hair
Keith - early 30s, dark hair with tattoos.

Headshots and resumes to destinyshort@elektrikzoo.com.

The Elektrik Zoo is a creative partnership producing films, photographs and writings. Zoo work has been exhibited and published internationally, and directors have over 15 years experience. You can see Zoo work on www.elektrikzoo.com

Part II

2010-05-21T23:34:00.002-05:00

So, we have finally finished the 5th draft of the script, and we are sending it out to our script readers in London. Whew! Awaiting feedback is a stressful time, so we've decided to alleviate that stress by beginning work on Part II. I think we're going for a trilogy. Part II is code named 'Gretna," and is a genre piece: crime thriller.

We have been working on and off on this script since we got here in September of '08. Whenever we'd get stuck on "Chalmatia!" we'd give "Gretna" a go. Now, it's on...at least until we get some "Chalmatia!" feedback.

Ms. Carmella

2010-04-01T10:56:00.001-05:00

Patrick has photographed Ms. Carmella a lot. She's got a great face. Ms. Carmella is also the inspiration for the Ms. Carmella character in "Chalmatia!" It would be really awesome to use the real Ms. Carmella to play the fictional Ms. Carmella.

Two weeks ago we shot a screen test with Ms. Carmella, which you can see here. She was absolutely amazing. A natural at 87 years old. Maybe it's not out of the question to cast her in the film.

For more pictures of Ms. Carmella and other subjects, visit Patrick's personal photo blog, Joseph Nils, or Elektrik Zoo's Picture Truths.

Destiny Speaks

2010-03-25T12:11:00.012-05:00

This still is from a screen test we did with Dominique. You can see the whole set on Picture Truths, perma-link here. You can see the screen test here.

Destiny for real

2010-03-15T12:07:00.007-05:00

This is my niece Dominique Thompson. I've mentioned before that she is the inspiration for our character of Destiny. Here she is at Ms. Carmella's screen test.

We are producing a short right now that is related to "Chalmatia!" and that we plan to use that to raise money for the feature. Every "real" filmmaker that we know who has achieved some kind of success has gone this route, so we are modeling after them. We'll try anything at this point.

Death in Chalmetia

2010-03-04T16:19:00.000-06:00

Writing a character's death into the script has been very challenging for me, especially since the character is modeled after one of my nephews. My sister (mother of the nephew in question) thinks it's creepy. And it is.

I'm testing out something new now that seems to be addressing this challenge.

I go back to one of my old muses...one of my old ghosts: 1977, James Harris, age 12. Some of you grammar school mates might remember him. His life was tragically cut short in the middle of the 7th grade.

What you might not know is that James Harris has haunted me ever since. I hear him in my thoughts. I see him on the street. He has appeared as a minor character in several short stories. And, he is the subject of a poem. He has been trying to make his way into this script since the idea sparked with him back in 2004.

His ghost is slowly taking over the character of Chicken Bootie, and it suits him just fine. I have no illusions that James will stop haunting me when this film is done and gone. But that's just fine with me. He will forever serve of a reminder of that time in my life when childhood started to slip away. When we realized that we were not immortal. When one of us was just gone...vanished...into thin air.

Collaboration

2010-01-29T10:55:00.000-06:00

Good advice on collaboration:

http://discussion.workbookproject.com/questions/4/what-are-the-biggest-challenges-for-collaborative-filmmaking/20#20

Crash Writing

2010-01-14T21:28:00.004-06:00

We've been writing every day for three hours a day since returning from Sweden. Then another hour or so of discussion, depending on how far we have to walk. We've managed to make an entire pass, and the script is in a most beautiful state. The weather says that if we keep this up, we'll be finished by the end of this month. Hope is real.

The brothers break into their house

2009-12-10T11:05:00.001-06:00

Christmas Tigger floats up and brushes Do. Do pushes him away. Christmas Tigger brushes him again. Do watches as Christmas Tigger floats toward the back yard fence. Christmas Tigger motions for Do to follow. Do gets up and makes his way to the back yard fence. Christmas Tigger floats over the fence. Do looks through the slats. Christmas Tigger floats toward the back door. He bumps up against the back door, and it swings open. Suddenly, Buddy, a large Golden Retriever, attacks Christmas Tigger and rips him to shreds.
Photo originally published on JosephNils blog.

The Light

2009-12-05T11:09:00.002-06:00

I've written several posts about the light. The south tends to lend itself to greenish tints, and this is the look we've decided to go with.

Also interesting is that the light has a different quality in the fall/winter than in other times. The south is usually portrayed during the summer in film. We want to portray the winter because it's beautiful and not usually photographed in film.

The Light

2009-12-01T11:28:00.002-06:00

Originally published on JosephNils Blog

Ghosts of films past

2009-11-26T11:36:00.001-06:00

From Daneeta's Journal: 

Patrick back from Africa, and we've been working on the 2nd draft of the script. Something is missing, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out what it is. We've got great characters, locations and a solid story. But, something is definitely missing.

Both of us are concerned that this will turn into another "Cowboys." That film was five years in the making. More even if you believe like some that it's not finished yet. You hear stories of filmmakers who write their scripts in three weeks (John Sayles). Then, there are those like Richard Linklater who spend years on one project.

What is this rush, though? Is it that I am enjoying the process too much and cannot focus on the end product? Or, is this how it is meant to be? 

Update

2009-09-04T08:33:00.002-05:00

Been writing steadily for some time now. At least four hours a day. The script is getting better and better, Patrick says...particularly the dialogue. Must get a draft out to readers. Must get feedback. Our plan is to shoot in the fall of next year. That's one year to finish the script, raise the money, go into pre-production and shoot. I think we can do it. Focus!

On another roll. Please send pizza.

2009-08-19T10:00:00.003-05:00

Having another writing spurt, which is good. I hesitate to say, however, if this is the one that will result in a finished draft good enough to send out to people only because I've said that before, and it hasn't happened. But, there is a difference this time. All of the work that we've done in the past...all of the work that I thought was just work and not useful...it's all coming back in strength. Maybe I wrote a scene that went one way, and it didn't work, so I threw it out. Now it is coming back in a different way. All of the work has been done. I just need to slot it in and tweak. The process never ceases to amaze me.

I've been writing professionally now for nearly 20 years. This is the first really huge project I've worked on (apart from that novel when I was 13...oh the horror). I think I've been somewhat intimidated by the scope for the longest time. But, on the positive side, I've just kept plugging along, and that is all coming to fruition now. Also, there are several "rules" I like to follow:

I'll take care of the quantity, and the Muse will take care of the quality.
If you get stuck, just back up until it works then move forward from there.
Respect the voice. Trust the voice.
When you get on a roll, just keep riding it no matter what time you have to get up in the morning.

Visual Reference: Dancing

2009-08-06T02:31:00.000-05:00

A Relationship with Light

2009-06-12T11:34:00.003-05:00

A favorite of ours in terms of light is Terrence Malick's "The New World." Most of it was shot with available light (that is, the sun) and, where necessary, practicals or lamps you can buy at a regular store. There was the scene where John Smith was captured where the DoP poked holes in the top of the structure to get light in. The result is, well, sublime.

There is a lot you can do with light to suggest other worldliness and magic. There is a lot you can do with light to convey emotions: sadness, longing...foreboding.

I like this picture of my godson Daniel. He's back lit by the sun, and because he has light hair, it's as if he is the source of the light. Also, this is one of the few pictures where Patrick caught him off guard, so his expression is real.

Our relationship with light is evolving, and I'm looking forward to developing that relationship more with this film.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson and originally published on Joseph Nils Blog.

Cracking Magical Realism

2009-06-09T12:43:00.006-05:00

The hyper-reality of Chalmatia

Photographed by Patrick Jackson and originally published on Joseph Nils Blog.

Whilst sitting by the river last night and watching tourists sink their feet into the dirty Mississippi, Patrick and I cracked the Magical Realism conundrum. Firstly, there is a lot of controversy over what Magical Realism actually is. Here are a few definitions from Wikipedia:

Magic realism, or magical realism, is an artistic genre in which magical elements or illogical scenarios appear in an otherwise realistic or even "normal" setting.
Matthew Strecher has defined magic realism as "what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something 'too strange to believe'."^[1] Gene Wolfe said, "Magic realism is fantasy written by people who speak Spanish,"^[7], and Terry Pratchett said magic realism "is like a polite way of saying you write fantasy".^[8]

For our purposes, we have a hyper real scenario set in the wasteland that is Chalmatia. The magic occurs in the imagination of the child characters. We the audience see what they see in their imaginations until we can no longer distinguish between what is "real" and what is "fantasy."

In the beginning of the story, Destiny is standing on the line between childhood and adulthood. Her imagination is clouded by hormones and worry and a clear understanding that she and her brothers are in a world of trouble. She can only see the harsh reality. But when tragedy strikes, she is able to see more and more into that magic world. And it is that world that saves her and her brothers in the end.

Visual references: The Canal

2009-06-08T17:25:00.004-05:00

This is the street that runs past The Canal. The Canal plays a huge part in our story. It is where we see the boys commit a vicious act of violence. It's the location of Destiny's nightmares. It is even where Troy and Benjy fail in their hilarious attempt to steal copper.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual Reference: Village Square

2009-06-05T11:50:00.001-05:00

Two scenes take place in Village Square. Patrick took this picture 2 months ago or so. I don't know how much longer these buildings will remain. There have been some rumblings about turning them into mixed income housing, but the Chalmatians are up in arms about that. They are afraid that mixed income housing will attract undesirables. Um. Who do they think they are? In any case, we might have to shoot the exteriors before we even begin principal photography.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual references: Metaphore

2009-06-04T11:22:00.002-05:00

This image is representative of the post apocalyptic world of "Chalmatia." Does this world really exist? To some extent, yes. Here it is photographed, and you can see numerous representative images on the Joseph Nils Blog. It is only one dimension taken from the reality, though. Depending on how you photograph things and what you choose to show, you can create whole worlds that the naked eye cannot see.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual references: Factories

2009-06-03T11:09:00.006-05:00

The factories of Chalmette feature prominently in the landscape of the script. This is one of the oil refineries. Then there is the Domino Sugar Factory (what Kurt, who worked there, used to call "The Sugar Shack"). When photographed in just the right way and in just the right light, these factories can look like a different world...something even out of fantasy.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual references: Dirty Frames and Contemplative Children

2009-06-02T15:02:00.004-05:00

Messy, gritty and dirty frames. Also like the contemplative poses for the children. For this picture, Patrick told Nick to "look at the bee." At first, he was all over the place, but Patrick kept telling him to "look at the bee." Finally, he settled down and looked at the bee.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Chalmatia

2009-06-01T12:46:00.005-05:00

I can't stress enough how integral the Joseph Nils Blog is to our script. The kids have really been helping out by modeling for the photos. In this way, we can pin down the look and feel of the film and also have what I believe to be some really beautiful picutres of my family during this very specific time.

We're kicking around a new name: "Chalmetia." As the script is written now in the first draft, the entire thing except for the very last sequence is set in Chalmette. But, not Chalmette. It's like a hyper-real Chalmette mixed with a magical dream world Chalmette. This place is Chalmetia.

We steal bits of dialogue from the kids as well. When they say something funny or out there, I jot it down. In this way they are really co-authors of our work, and I like that.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual Reference: Christmas

2009-05-25T13:09:00.005-05:00

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual Reference: The Neighbors

2009-05-20T13:14:00.002-05:00

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual Reference: Fire in the Kitchen

2009-05-15T13:18:00.004-05:00

There is a fire pretty early on in the script. The kids set the kitchen on fire when they try to make themselves breakfast. Nickabob puts the fire out with his hose. What I like about this picture as a reference is that Nick is totally into it. Patrick told him to imagine a huge fire in front of him and that he was charged with putting it out. Look into his eyes and look at his stance. He really believes himself to be putting out a fire. This is something important to think about as well when directing kids. If you can get them in the moment, it will look totally believable on screen.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual Reference: The Pool

2009-05-10T13:24:00.002-05:00

The infamous and awful pool where tragedy strikes.

Photographed by Patrick Jackson. Originally published on Joseph Nils.

Visual references: Snowmen

2009-05-07T10:40:00.005-05:00

Again, this is a reference for the "look and feel" of the film. More winter stuff. More light. I like how the colors are normally used for "hot" temperatures. Also, we have incorporated this into the scene in the beginning of the script where mom leaves.

Photos originally published on JosephNils.

Visual references: the fog in winter

2009-05-06T23:17:00.006-05:00

Patrick took this photo back in January when we were scouting for "Little Baby Eyes." Light has a very strange relationship to weather here in New Orleans. Winter is particularly beautiful. The light has a certain quality. The fog is surreal and dreamlike and lends itself well to Magic Realism. Patrick has always liked to shoot in winter. Maybe it's because he's from Northern Europe. Our script is set in the winter time. As I sweat and write, I dream about winter.

photo originally published on JosephNils

Three Sentences about the Script

2009-03-26T12:16:00.003-05:00

"Destiny before the Storm" is a Bildungsroman in the Southern Gothic tradition with elements of Magical Realism. Fifteen-year-old Destiny and her three younger brothers are abandoned by their mother one weekend. A journey of death, violence and resurrection ensues.

What's in a name?

2009-02-27T06:18:00.003-06:00

Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

I know the title doesn't seem like the most important of things when writing a script. If it's a rose, then it's going to smell sweet no matter what the name. Unfortunately, this does not apply to movie scripts. The name is the first thing that an agent, a reader, a buyer and the audience will see. It can determine whether or not someone will actually buy or see the film.

For months now, Patrick and I have been kicking around names. As the writing process continues and the script evolves, the name ideas change. At first we thought we were writing a Katrina script and all of our names eluded to that. Even this blog was named after a possible title. But our characters told us something different.

This is a contemporary script set in post-Katrina New Orleans, so the name has to reflect that. This is a script whose main character is a 15 year old girl named Destiny (why, yes, this was quite a common name down south in the 90s). Destiny, like most 15 year old girls, wants everything to be about her. "I am the talent," she says. "I am who you are writing about."

So to appease our character, here is what we came up with:

"Destiny after the Storm"

You read it here first.

Location Scouting

2009-01-30T14:17:00.005-06:00

We've been doing a lot of work on the music video, and this is serving us very well for the script. In a strange way, the two are tied together. One of the three main characters is based on my niece, Dominique, and Dominique is starring in the video. Spending time with her, shooting her and seeing how she fits into the landscape is informing the writing process. Everything is connected.

More photos on Patrick's Photo Blog.

Discipline

2009-01-25T08:20:00.002-06:00

It takes discipline to write every day. I do it, but not necessarily on the script. There are the blogs, my poetry, stuff for Examiner.com, which is my bread and butter*. There's my journal (to be edited by Jennifer Traina and published after my death and the profits divided equally among my husband, my mother, my sister and her children).

Sometimes I can't manage to write on the script. Discipline and prioritizing are the keys to a successful outcome for this thing. I will try again today.

*I write for Examiner.com. They pay me per view. If you like my writing, please go to my Examiner page and read. Comments are good. Tell your friends.

The Writing Continues...

2009-01-16T09:34:00.004-06:00

I haven't been blogging much lately, which is mostly due to the fact that we've been working on the music video, looking for day jobs, sorting Patrick's visa and, well, writing on the script.

The prose-to-script process is working out pretty well for us. I'm even thinking of trying to publish the prose as a novella. Because, here's the deal: prose is internal. Things happen inside the characters' heads. You can get in a lot of exposition this way but neatly. Scripts are external, and the story is told in pictures, actions, sounds and music. It is also told in dialogue, but Patrick hates expository dialogue. One of our favorite scripts and an inspiration for us is "No Country for Old Men." There is scant little dialogue in this script, and what there is of it is not expository. It is pure poetry.

What this all means is that the prose version of our efforts will be quite different form the script version. I don't know if this has been done before. I know that scripts are adapted from prose all the time. And, I know that, when a movie is a big hit, studios might commission a prose version of the movie to capitalize on the profits of the movie. But, we are writing concurrently. Anyone?

Picture thanks to moviecritic.com.

Everything is a Sign

2008-12-28T17:19:00.003-06:00

Sat around Liz and Colin's today dressed in my PJs wondering how the hell I got here. I was trying to motivate myself to get out the computer and write. But, I just couldn't. Instead, I channel surfed. And there he was: Minister Brown...on channel 76 local access. He is brilliant and is now the person we are modeling Chester after.

Elektrik Holiday

2008-12-20T21:51:00.001-06:00

The Process

2008-12-12T09:19:00.003-06:00

We've been working through a newish writing process, which is presenting all kinds of interesting results. I start in prose and Patrick translates the writing into script format, which is a sort of stripping down of all the description and back story and internal dialogue. What Patrick discovered is that the description in prose might make for good voice over. We are enamored of voice over a la "Little Children" and "Toni Takitani." We used poetic voice over in "Tokyo Cowboys" and "My Beautiful Reward," so I guess you would place voice over firmly into our...um...voice.

Anyway, Patrick has been pasting some of the back story I've written into prose into the script as voice over, and it is working out really well, so yay!

We've been watching films like "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Rules of Attraction," etc. to get inspired with the voice over. Our idea is more like Tenenbaums' or "Little Children's" objective narration as opposed to "Rules of Attraction's" internal monologue, but that might be because we haven't found any internal monologue that inspires us.

I want to do the voice over, but Patrick says that will never happen. Tokyo Cowboys voice over was just too much for him.

Inspiration: Michael Bolton

2008-12-09T10:24:00.001-06:00

Inspiration: Zatoichi

2008-12-08T14:31:00.002-06:00

I've just written a dance sequence for the script that will very likely make it into the final version. I'm not really sure where this came from, but I can only guess that it was inspired by the likes of Takeshi Kitano's final dance sequence of "Zatoichi," which you can watch courtesy of Youtube above. My dance sequence takes place in the McDonald's on St. Claude Ave. I'm thinking Lil' Wayne for the music.

The writing has been coming in spurts, and the plot is really taking shape. Patrick and I approach fiction filmmaking much the same way we approch documentary with Tokyo Cowboys as our model. We spend a lot of time in locations and with people upon whom our characters are based. The plot is informed by these characters and locations.

We've also been doing a lot of location scouting. Recently we visited the Amtrak station downtown. This is where the final scene will most likely take place.

Hieronymus Bosch

2008-11-18T11:10:00.003-06:00

What we've been watching

2008-11-15T12:18:00.002-06:00

Short Cuts
Mystic River
River's Edge

Cell phone? Check. Computer? Check.

2008-11-14T00:18:00.005-06:00

We've managed to secure a cell phone thanks to Jennifer's tireless efforts to help us find the best deal for us. Buying the phone from Best Buy, we met a guy called Chad who worked in the Film Industry (Art Department) here in New Orleans eight years ago. He got disillusioned, joined the Peace Corps, traveled a bit and is now living in Covington. He had no plans to get back into the biz, but he said that I was the third person to pop into his live in as many weeks giving him the secret sign to get back in.

Jennifer has also hooked us up with a computer...a loaner from her Katrina days. We are so lucky to have her and Richard on our side.

Some notes on Race

2008-11-13T23:38:00.009-06:00

Race is the white elephant still in the room.
Racism is subtle, and more educated. How does it manifest itself today?

M told me that the New Orleans Athletic Club didn't allow black people or women until 1983.
In 1985 we were kicked out of a bar uptown because one of us was black.

Is there reverse racism as well? How does this manifest itself?

Blacks walk away from conflict with whites.
They put out a hand first and say "how ya'll doin'?"
Sometimes too quickly, but never aggressively.

I haven't seen evidence of working class whites mixing with working class blacks.

Girl from Winn Dixie who walked with us through the danger zone on Wall Blvd.
The blind, WWII Veteran. Smoking a cigar and drinkin' a beer.
The New Orleans Ladies Buckjumpers.
The Muslim securing guard at Voodoo Fest.

Inspiration: Faulkner and Carver

2008-11-10T10:57:00.000-06:00

I've been reading Faulkner and Carver short stories. I thought that Faulkner would be a bigger influence, but he really feels more Mississippi to me. And, not contemporary enough. Still, his story telling is spectacular, and I enjoy reading him nonetheless. Also, there is this genre of Southern Gothic that I like, so there is always something to get out of reading him.

Now Carver...character, dialogue, and the ability to capture a moment in time that will change things forever...he is a master at that. We recently watched Altman's "Short Cuts," which is based on Carver's short stories. I am really interested in ensemble stories: Magnolia, Sunshine State, etc. The challenge is giving each character an arc, and you run the risk of having some characters more engaging and interesting than others. Even Altman and P.T. Anderson struggled with ensemble. It's a very complicated process, and I'm not sure it's such a good idea to go for it on our first fiction feature. But, we're not at the point where we have to make a decision yet.

Mystic River is also an example of ensemble, but we watched that one to get ideas about the sense of community, history between characters, etc. There's a scene where Sean Penn playing Jimmy allows himself to be very vulnerable in front of Tim Robbins' Dave. This is totally natural because we know that the men have known each other since childhood. They have seen each other cry before. They have secrets.

River's Edge...this one I hadn't seen before. I really liked the small-town mentality. I liked the juvenile nature of the teens dealing with the very adult subject of murder. I had this idea of maybe having our older characters acting like teens, but nothing solid yet.

Bufallo 66. Two things: brilliant aesthetic and simple, simple, simple story. Like my high school physics teacher, Mr. Pierce, used to say: keep it simple stupid.

Location Scouting: Chartres and Montegut

2008-11-09T11:53:00.009-06:00

On our way to see Aaron and Yuki we walked from Canal Street, through the French Quarter, the Marigny and into the Bywater neighborhood, which is part of the Bywater District and the Ninth Ward. This area, despite the picture you see above, has seen a resurgence since Katrina. It has also experienced gentrification and an increase in violent crime. I'm not sure if these two things are related.

The Bywater is an amazing neighborhood for location scouting. Abandoned buildings, industrial parks and art houses abound.

After meeting with Aaron and Yuki, we walked up St. Claude Ave. The light from the street lamps was extraordinary, and we passed by a garage open late. Men worked on cars and customers stood out on the sidewalk smoking and waiting. When we got to Elysian Fields we turned toward the river. On this corner is a big pink building that has been there for years. You can get po-boys there. Attached to it is a daiquiri shop. And, next to that is a barber shop...all amazing locations.

View Larger Map

On the walk back through the Marigny we were asked by some colorful gutter punks for some change so that they could get totally fucked up, man. A lot of them are coming down from up north. You can still get away with no jacket at night, and there are a lot of places to get free food. As for a place to stay, well 80% of the city's buildings are abandoned. (I got this stat from a friend and it is in no way accurate, I'm sure, but there are a lot of abandoned houses ripe for squatters.)

Inspiration

2008-11-05T22:50:00.003-06:00

Patrick has become inspired by the photos of Todd Hido.

We continue to write...to generate scenes. I start in prose, Patrick translates into script format, I polish, Patrick generates ideas for prose, and we start again. Trying to do four a day.

Procrastinating in Uptown

2008-11-02T18:35:00.001-06:00

November marks the 4th month we've been homeless. Patrick wants me to caveat that with the statement: "we are homeless by choice," but still, we are sans home. The key thing about this kind of lifestyle is to avoid accumulating stuff and have a safe place to keep your important stuff. The hard drives are at my mom's...winter clothes at my sister's. Thank god for my family.

We've moved places again. Staying at G's house uptown with Otto, her boxer. She's got a wifi setup. We're still using Jen & Richard's laptop, on which I have installed Celtex. I've written about this software before.

The script is not coming along as fast as I'd like. The reason we chose this lifestyle instead of getting an apartment right away was so that we'd not get distracted from writing on the script. But, I'm completely distracted by everything: meetings, friends, hustling work, work, events, food, walking the dog. I can find any old excuse not to write. Blogging is an excuse not to write.

Truth be told, and don't tell this to Patrick, I haven't yet fallen in love with the story. I'm still kinda lukewarm. When that happens, I will spend every working hour dreaming about it, fantasizing about it, laying at its feet and begging it to love me back (which, I know this already, it won't).

I do love our main character. I'm trying to focus on her. Trying to get her to tell me her story. She is being incredibly uncooperative. But, I guess that's part of why I love her.

Writing, Meetings, Location Scouting

2008-10-20T09:38:00.004-05:00

I've been whinging like a little bitch about not having my new Mac, but money from abroad has not been forthcoming. So, instead of complaining that I cannot write on a PC (I am definitely NOT a PC), I have downloaded my wonderful Celtx software and am pretending I'm using my Mac.

Things are moving along steadily. With Raymond Carver on my pillow every night as inspiration, I am writing prose. Patrick is converting that into a script. It's a good collaboration, and I think we are hitting our stride.

Had a very positive meeting with Micah over at the New Orleans Office of Film and Video. He was very encouraging and gave us some very good information about getting movies made in this town. I am sure that we can get this movie made here. Funnily enough, what with the talent, tax incentives and enthusiasm of the industry, it seems more likely to get a film made here than in London.

In the meantime, we have been relentlessly scouting locations that inspire and awe. The photos are from Mac's Cafe in Gretna. Mac's was hit by Gustav (or was it Ike?), and they haven't gotten their insurance yet, so blue tarp is still covering the roof. I have to thank ma maaama for showing us this location. She has shown us so many good locations that I may have to start paying her soon as a location scout.

Location, Location

2008-10-08T21:59:00.002-05:00

Locations have been driving the script. When we came here, we decided to open it up. The story, that is. We've had a breakthrough in work flow. Locations are inspiring me, and I am writing Carver-esque stories about those locations. Dialogue is becoming easier because I am immersed in the rhythm of the language now. Patrick takes the short stories and converts them into scenes. Things are good.

Ain't Dere No More

2008-10-04T10:17:00.006-05:00

I'm sure photos like these abound

Tulane Stadium

NOPSI Bus
Pools at Ponchartrain Beach (1957)
Schwegmann's Airline at Labarre
Schwegmann's Gentilly Store Interior
Sears on Baronne (1965)

CBD (1960)
Fitzgerald's at West End
K&B at Canal
K&B, Woolworth, and HG Hill Supermarket Gentilly Blvd
Mckenzie's Interior 1941 - Looked exactly the same in 1991

Baumer Foods

Connected

2008-10-02T16:28:00.003-05:00

We've been meeting with as many people as possible to network and to get stories. Sometimes we can do both in one shot. On Monday we had arranged to meet Chris for lunch uptown. Getting there from ma maaama's on the West Bank is a bit fiddly. We have to take the bus to the ferry then get the streetcar on the other side of the river. The bus comes once an hour and takes twenty minutes to get to the ferry...if you get on the right bus.

We got on the bus going in the opposite direction, so, much to the amusement of the other passengers, we had to ride it out for an hour and a half. Luckily, I didn't eat breakfast. The roads and the condition of the bus would have induced vomiting. But, I won't bitch too much about New Orleans public transportation compared to London public transporation. That would be unfair. Besides, we get good material on the bus.

Chris introduced us to his friend S.W. who had, before Katrina, lived in Chalmette since the Fifties. She had been very involved in the Chamber of Commerce and politics and the community. She illuminated us on the political goings on of the Parish, the sordid details of which did not in the least surprise me.

We also got to talking about Walker Percy. Chris mentioned that Percy, although writing extensively about New Orleans, never could write in New Orleans. He had to go to Covington, which he described as a non place. Having spent my high school years on the North Shore, I'm not sure I agree with that assessment. We have decided, however, to go to our writing retreat on the North Shore.

And so, here we are...where the temperature is 10 degrees cooler, the air is cleaner and smells like pine needles, and you can drink the water out of the taps. Ahhhh, thank Percy for the countryside.

The People that you Meet

2008-09-21T16:55:00.004-05:00

We took the Chalmette Ferry back from Daniell's house the other night. Messing around with the Phone Camera and taking pictures while we were waiting for the ferry, a man out of his car for a smoke pointed out a nutria swimming in the river. Then we started to chat.

Before Katrina, Wes had lived in Chalmette since 1968. Now he lives in Algiers. He's in construction and came back to the city to help rebuild. But, he's not convinced that the city will come back. This made me sad.

He told us a story about an elderly woman in Lakeview. A week before Katrina her doctor had told her to buy an air mattress, which she did. It was the mattress that saved her life. When they rescued her neighbors, they insisted on going by the lady's house to see if she had made it out OK. They somehow got into the house, and there she was. Two feet below the ceiling, floating on her air mattress and praying. She said that she had made her peace with God, but she was thankful that she had been rescued.

Wes gave us the number of a doctor who went back to Chalmette as soon as they let people back in. This was probably about two weeks after Katrina when all of the water had been drained. He set up his office in a trailer and started to administer service.

Wes said that he hadn't heard of any of these stories. He only heard and read about the horrible things...the looting, the murders. He craved the good stories. I hope we can help him with that.

Puzzle Pieces

2008-09-19T08:35:00.007-05:00

Everywhere I look there is a puzzle piece to the script. Writing a script set in New Orleans/St. Bernard was next to near impossible in London. They talk funny there, and it's, like, a whole different culture. Here, just stepping out of the door is research. Last week, we waited for the bus on Carollton for 45 minutes (there are only two buses that go down Carrollton). We had a chat with a lady waiting with us. It takes her two hours each way to commute back and forth to work.

Taking in Easy

2008-09-19T08:35:00.004-05:00

Wow, OK! We finally made it to New Orleans. After the initial-getting-over-the-jetlag period, we are in the I-can't-believe-we-are-actually-here period. But, we are.

The first thing I did was call everybody I know in New Orleans. Networking has always served me well, and I firmly believe in the six degrees of separation method of meeting people and getting things done. I spent the first 23 years of my life in this region, and I can't believe how many people I still know. Family and high school friends. Loyola friends. And friends that I've made during my visits home over the past 20 years. Every single person has hooked me up in some shape or form. Every person that I meet on the street has hooked me up. I forgot what Southern hospitality is all about.

Getting used to the pace of life here has been a challenge. Everything works at a much slower pace in the Big Easy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, although I would have told you differently had you asked me two weeks ago. I hadn't realized that we pretty much worked all the time in London and that our life was moving at a million miles an hour. We did not stop and smell the roses.

Two nights ago, Frank took us to Elizabeth's for dinner (yes, they are now open for dinner). We took two hours to eat our wonderful meal of stuffed mirleton, collard greens and green beans. Patrick had boudin balls for the first time, and I think this is his new favorite food. They keep trying to slip meat past me. The collard greens had small bits of spicy cured ham. I thought about it for about .007836 seconds then chowed down. So far so good. My butt hasn't exploded yet. The food was to die for. The staff was kooky. The oil cloth table cloths were just like the one my grandma had on her kitchen table. But, I digress. My point was, we are learning how to take it easy.

Photo by Rodney.

Until Further Notice

2008-09-03T11:59:00.003-05:00

Have been checking in regularly with Mom (Orleans Parish), Daniell & Gerard (St. Bernard) and Jen and Richard (St. Tammany) as well as scouring the web for info on when people can return to the various parishes. I called United today, and Ahmed said that flights were good to go for Louis Armstrong International Airport on Monday, and the airport website reports that flights will resume tomorrow. So, yay!

Just not exactly sure where we will be staying. Mom says they are staying in Atlanta for at least another five days to two weeks, depending on when the power is up and running. Several people in her party are elderly, and they can't be camping for two weeks. My sister has a brood of children that would turn into an angry mob without facilities. And, because the phone service sucks, I haven't been able to get in touch with Jen & Richard.

I'm not panicing yet. I know that Chris Rose is still in the city, and I know where he lives, so maybe writer to writer he'll give me and my husband a place to stay.

Gustav Blows

2008-08-30T05:54:00.002-05:00

Well, it's a horrid acid flashback to three years ago. Instead of excitedly talking to my mom and sister about soon being back in their arms again, we are talking about evacuation and contingency plans. My sister and her extended family are evacuating to Arkansas today. My mom will be evacuating with her elderly charge tomorrow.

I say horrid flashback because this is exactly what happened three years ago. My family separated for what seemed like would be a short time and ended up being apart for nearly two years.

Both mom and Daniell are being calm and pragmatic about things, but I can't help being the brat here. Three years ago, Patrick and I were in Sweden and talking about possibly finishing off Tokyo Cowboys in New Orleans. We had pretty much decided to do that on about the 26th of August. That's when we got a text from Adam in London that alerted us to Katrina. Switching on the TV, we found in all over the Swedish news. Well the rest is black history.

My philosophy of "everything happens for a reason" is being sorely tested at the moment.

Photo from Wikipedia.

Keeping an Open Mind

2008-08-25T06:48:00.005-05:00

OK, so it's T-minus 2 weeks and counting. We are occupied with the various tasks of shutting down our 8-year stay in London: selling the computers, divesting ourselves of our tat, saying bye to friends. With all of that to do, we have been remiss in working on the script.

To be honest, I had come to a road block. Happy with the first act, seriously unhappy with the second, and in the wilderness with the third, I just stopped writing. Then not writing because frustration, self-loathing and, finally, panic.

Reading Spout Blog yesterday, I came across an article about Katrina films:

"The sheer number of films on this subject––I’ve heard more than one person joke that in late September 2005, there were more independent filmmakers in New Orleans than residents left in their homes––is so overwhelming that it makes sense that one would need the backing of HBO or the credibility of a Sundance Grand Jury Prize to breakthrough."

Well, I must say, this weakened my resolve a bit...until Patrick quite rightly reminded me about the timing of this whole project. We actually decided to make this film back in 2004. We were visiting my mom who was living in Chalmette at the time. And, we were riding bikes through the neighborhood. Looking around Patrick said: "This is where we should be making films. The world, the characters...so rich."

Obviously, this was before Katrina, and it just took us this long to get our asses out there. So, on the walk back to Spencer's from Crouch End, we began to discuss what we have known all along...that this is not a story about Katrina. This is a story about "da Parish." Now, obviously, da Parish has been affected by Katrina, so we're not going to ignore it. But once the thought entered my head that the film isn't about Katrina, the road block exploded.

So, I am truly excited. We are going with open minds and open hearts. We are going to hear the stories and to capture that wonderful place and those wonderful and unique people.

Locked, Loaded and Booked

2008-08-22T11:38:00.005-05:00

Just a breathless post going into the bank holiday weekend: we have booked the tickets. We are flying out on United on the 8th for our next big adventure. Thinking about luggage allowance and getting all of our stuff sorted and selling the computer, etc. But what I'm really thinking about is Gerard's seafood gumbo. Keep having a nagging voice in the back of my head saying "No matter where you go, there you are"* This is related to the fact that going to NOLA is not going to solve all of our problems or fix everything. We will still be the same people with the same hangups. But, we are also the kind of people that go on adventures. God speed us!

*Most attributed to Bukaroo Banzai and picture credit here. But, I have also heard that Harry S. Truman said this.

More Memories

2008-08-19T09:59:00.002-05:00

"Chris and I had many great adventures together. We were almost car-jacked once. As we skidded away from the would-be grand theft autoists, we nearly pissed ourselves laughing. I think we were high from the adrenaline."

Some inspiration from Story Truths.

Commitment is Imminent

2008-08-16T08:55:00.002-05:00

I have been monitoring the flight prices for the past three weeks. We haven't been able to buy tickets yet because we've been waiting to get paid then waiting for the day that the checks clear. That day will be Monday.

Today, the flights from London to NOLA dropped £32. They have dropped a total of £102 since I've been monitoring. I'm hoping they drop some more by Monday, but we won't wait longer than that. It's time to commit.

Melissa emailed saying that she would be away until the 20th, so we've got our first couch to surf in New Orleans. It's been working out well here in the U.K., us having stayed with the Normans, the Rowells and next at Jeremy's bachelor pad, then back with the Normans and Rowells. The Rowells have chickens, and we will be taking care of them for the next few days as the family go camping. This is a big responsibility for us, but I think we are up for the task.

We actually talked about the talking about the script on the walk home last night. We have been so busy with trying to finish off our life here that we haven't been writing. Disappointing. But, we do have a solid foundation, and the whole point of picking up stakes and going to New Orleans is to FINISH the script then SHOOT the film. But, anyway, talking about it felt good.

Remembering

2008-08-07T09:05:00.006-05:00

Trying to find the inspiration to write on the script, I made a list of some of my memories of New Orleans. This list is certainly not exhaustive:

I danced to the Talking Heads at Andy Capps on Carrollton wearing a beret and Madonna lace gloves (does this show my age)
I have eaten a Manuel's Hot Tamale (well, more than one)
The ducks in City Park are seriously over weight from being fed too much
I played pool at Ms. Mae's while I was a student at Loyola
Speaking of which, Touch Down Jesus?
I would kill for raw ersters
My Aunt Velma took the bus from Esplanade and Broad to Carrollton and Canal to get her hair done at Antionette's
I saved up all week just to get a burger at Snug Harbor
I remember Until Waiting Fills
I worked at the Windsor Court Hotel as a cocktail waitress in the mid-eighties. Made really good money! Walked down to the World's Fair after work to hear the Nevilles.
I won the State Championship in Debating in 1983. Now I couldn't debate to save my life.
Saw Nathan and the Zyedco Cha-Chas on a Friday night at the Rock-n-Bowl, then danced to them the following night at Richard and Jennifer's wedding.
Got kicked out of a bar once because one of us was black.
I watched my friend Lance play Lancelot in a student production of Camelot at the Loyola open air theatre
Our family attorney, Mr Reed, took me to Ruth's Chris Steak House the night I graduated from Loyola
I got married at the Golden Spaceship on St. Charles.
I remember three for one Tuesdays.
Charlie's Steak House off Napoleon anyone?
My mom's 3rd Husband Kurt: his pickled okra...
I lived on Magazine Street...twice
Studying at PJ's on Maple (the old one on the other side of the road). Funny: Patrick's initials are PJ
Spinach bread from My Daily Bread on St. Charles
Drinking daiquiris and eating cheese curly fries at Daiquiris at the River Bend after school. Did we drive after? I'm embarrassed to say, yes.
Camellia Grill
When I was very young, my Grandpa took me to Woolworths downtown and bought me a milk shake at the lunch counter
My Uncle Cleave put three kids through college working at Cafe Du Monde as a waiter

Oh, so soon I will be there. I can already taste it. Just a few short weeks.

Photo from Max Sparber.

A Bit of Networking

2008-07-18T09:59:00.007-05:00

Was at the BFI last night for the screening of our short experimental documentary "Liza," which was part of the Upshot Programme. Previously, organizer Claire Geddie had asked if I wanted to introduce the film, and I said yes (you can see the transcript below). I figure, the more times I do it, the more I'll get used to it. And, it's good PR for Patrick and me and for The Elektrik Zoo.

But as Claire called me up in front of the 120 people who had paid money to see these films, I lost my confidence, and my voice shook something awful. I also forgot the words, so I had to read from my notes. Bad, Daneeta, Bad!

Patrick abandoned ship after the screening, but I forced myself to stay for the networking. I had just nervously slammed down my one free beer to calm my nerves and was looking around for my first jump into conversations, when in front of me was one of the panel speakers: Katheryn Needham, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Future Shorts.

It is always such a great pleasure when people of her caliber end up being someone you can just have a chat with. We mostly talked about Australia, which is where she is from. Then we got on to OTT Films, which is another collective here in the U.K. and with which Katheryn is involved. They are much more organized than me with a manifesto and a forum and everything.

I'm getting to the bit about "Down in the Parish." She asked me what it was about, and I did my 30 second pitch, which I do as much as possible, again to get used to it and to try it out on people. I said "Look, it's gonna be funny, OK?" And she said that funny meant the healing was beginning. Funny also sells.

As I left the venue, I turned back to her and handed her my only copy of Tokyo Cowboys. I carry one with me everywhere, and I leave it up to the universe to let me know when to give it to someone. I just thought that she might enjoy it being Australian and with Cloudy also being Australian.

On the way past the outdoor section of the NFT, a guy said to me "Congratulations on your film. We really enjoyed it." Two other paying customers were sitting with him. They shook their heads in agreement. I fumbled about with my cards, giving them each one then ran off over the bridge to meet my Patrick who was waiting at home with a beer and a DVD.

All in all, a good night.

Transcript of the Speech:

Visions of this film had been swimming around in Patrick's head for about two years. Images of: his mother on a beach in sun-drenched Libya...30 years ago, shot in Super 8 and a farm in the wintry Swedish landscape. He was trying to work out how to fit these seemingly disparate images together. He knew the key was his mother.

But it was Franz Kirmann's eclectic track "Liza" that brought his vision into focus. This film is an experimental documentary in that no words are spoken, and much of the imagery is abstract. But it does tell a story.

Directed by Patrick Jackson, music by Franz Kirmann, "Liza" is an Elektrik Zoo production. The Elektrik Zoo is a creative collective founded by myself and Patrick back in 2001. We've produced five shorts, two music videos and a feature documentary "Tokyo Cowboys." We are about to embark on our first feature-length fiction film set in my native New Orleans. We are looking for partners and we'll be in the bar after, so find us because: together we are stronger.

Flooding in New Orleans

2008-07-14T04:50:00.003-05:00

Have a look at this bit of citizen journalism from Bill Delano and the folks over at Levees.org. It must be so frustrating for the good folks down there to hear about how much money was spent the fix a problem and then nothing is fixed. How could that happen.

Red Beans and Rice

2008-07-07T12:25:00.005-05:00

Patrick says: "That looks absolutely disgusting!" I don't think this is going well. It's my first attempt to indoctrinate him into the culinary delights of my hometown.

I've screwed it up, though. I've used dried beans and am trying to cook them fast...well in three hours instead of the requisite 12. And, having given up red meat 10 years ago, there's no sausage or ham. And, we don't have any white rice. And, tabasco will never pass the lips of this Swedish boy's mouth.

He eats one bean and then spits it out gagging. Actually, the next day, the beans taste absolutely brilliant. And the next day and the next. But I cannot convince him to try the beans again.

I really don't know what the hell he is going to eat over there. McDonalds? Perish the thought. He does like catfish, but getting one of those over here is damn near impossible.

T-minus 8 weeks and counting.

Red Beans and Rice

2008-06-21T06:16:00.004-05:00

Yeah. As a prelude to going home to New Orleans, tried making it the other day, and it was a disaster.

Rushed it
Patrick hated it: two days cooking is not worth it.
Rice was a disaster.

On the positive side:

The leftovers were awesome
Tastes great with beer

I guess I'm walkin' to New Orleans

2008-06-21T06:07:00.001-05:00

This from the Elektrik Zoo Blog:

Elektrik Zoo's founders Saft & Jackson
The Elektrik Zoo, a creative collective headed by Daneeta Loretta Saft and Patrick Jackson officially announced today that they are moving their offices to New Orleans on September 1st of this year.

About the move, Jackson said "Our philosophy has always been to go where the stories are. This philosophy has served us well. Since forming the Elektrik Zoo five years ago, we've been to four continents and eight countries working on so many interesting projects. Now we've got another story to tell. And this one takes place in Louisiana."

Saft explains: "Well, Louisiana is where I'm from. I've been telling beautiful lies and stories about my travels since I left home 20 years ago. It's time to go home and tell those stories now. Besides, it makes my mother extremely happy to have us coming home. And you can't really beat that."

During post production on their debut feature "Tokyo Cowboys," Saft and Jackson began writing their new project tentatively entitled "Down in the Parish" (blog here). "Think Ang Lee's 'Ice Storm' meets Tennessee Williams," says Jackson. "A family implodes against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina. It's Southern Gothic with elements of Magical Realism. And funny...very funny" adds Saft.

The two will be looking to partner with local production companies and financiers. "Because we've been working here in London for five years, there are certain elements that will come from the U.K., but we are very committed to staying local with the production. That means local facilities and management but, most importantly, local talent." says Saft. "You can't really fake the accent."

For more information, email Daneeta Loretta Saft at info "at" elektrikzoo "dot" com.

Risin'

2008-06-21T04:42:00.005-05:00

Does anyone know these men? I would like to get in touch with them about music for the film.

Unitl Waiting Fills...

2008-06-18T02:52:00.002-05:00

When I was a teenager and living across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, I couldn't wait to get the hell out of that small town and into the big city. I had a strict upbringing and was very much under the thumb of my mother. I used to think she had spies watching my every move. Such is small town Louisiana. In the end, it was too much of a bother to misbehave, so I spent my high school years being a complete and utter dork (can you say "captain of the debate team"?).

I now thank my mother for her "spare the rod spoil the child" attitude. Being forced to be a certain way as a kid somehow gives me permission to be however I want to be now. Years of therapy and a library of self-help books taught me that.

I did my first two years of university at the University of New Orleans, where I lived at the coed dorm. It was 1983. Reagan was president.

We were listening to U.K. Squeeze, the Psychedelic Furs, and the Talking Heads. We were doing the Safety Dance and the Pogo at Andy Caps and in bars in Fat City and that place on St. Charles in the lower Garden District.

We were dressing like Madonna with lace and fishnets and big, big shirts.

I remember them screening "The Postman Always Rings Twice" with Jessica Lang and Jack Nicolson in the cafeteria of the dorm. I hadn't watched a lot of "R" movies before that. I had only just turned 18. So the sex was quite shocking. I didn't know where to put my eyes.

I don't know if ya'll remember that first moment of absolute adulthood freedom...the first time when you're on your own...away from your parents, making your own decisions but still too young to have any real responsibilities. That moment is magical.

All that Fall I felt that way, but there was one particular moment that I hold above all others. Several of us had somehow made it down to the Quarter to that bohemian coffee house Until Waiting Fills. I know for sure that Franc and Trina White were there because we did one of those cheesy chain poems that we thought was absolutely brilliant. I think there were a few other people. This was before I was a regular coffee drinker so I was jacked up on the caffiene.

I remember looking out onto the street at the people walking by. It was dusk...the magic hour. Music floated in from somewhere. "I'm free," I said to myself.

If I close my eyes and picture myself there, I can bring back that feeling of absolute freedom. You try it now. Remember that time for you, close your eyes and see yourself there. Isn't it an awesome feeling?

When I let this feeling fade, it is replaced by an enormous wave of homesickness. I want to go home. I'll have been away for 20 years this August, and the pull is just too great to resist.

As many of you know, I have been trying to make it back home this whole year. Success has not been forthcoming and it's a very frustrating time. But I will not give up. I visualize every morning when I get up and every night before I go to sleep. I walk the streets of New Orleans. I sit inside my mother's house eating sunflower seeds. I visit my friends. I ride the streetcar. I stand on the bank of the mighty Mississippi drinking an Abita Amber.

I have a lot to offer to my city when I go back. I've traveled literally to the ends of the earth. I've had experiences that I never dared dream of in my youth. I have lived, and, boy, do I have some stories to tell. So, until waiting fills, I will imagine myself there. Maybe you can imagine me there too. It certainly wouldn't hurt.

Lovely picture found (including charming notes) at the Online Archive of California. Other sitings of Until Waiting Fills on the web: A memory was posted by Delta Diva on 31 August 2005, just two days after the storm. Also appeared in this Usenet Group posted by a guy who used to play piano there and claims you could get a big bowl of Red Beans and Rice for $1. Indexed at The New Orleans Index Project. Remembered by blogger Amie Oliver and two of her readers on Angels and Infidels. Mentioned here, here on Eccentric New Orleans in conjunction with Lord Michael: King of the Burning Sands, and here in the Gambit Weekly "Best of New Orleans."

Tools of the Trade: Celtx

2008-06-10T08:47:00.002-05:00

Patrick and I are finding our groove with the co-writing, and the tool that has helped us the most is Celtx: the open source media pre-production software. "Open source," for my non-geeky friends, means free, and for those of you who think there's no such thing as a free lunch, think again.

The way we work it is: I get up early in the morning and write. Early mornings are the most productive for me. Later in the day, Patrick reads what I've written and we discuss. Then, late at night, which is Patrick's most creative time, he writes.

We can do this on our two computers because I can upload what I've written and he can download and work on the same project. We store the master copy on the Celtx server safe and sound (and, did I mention for free?).

This is not just a script-writing software. It allows you to import media like image files, video and sounds directly from Google. You can also attach other documents from other software, break down the script and schedule. There are other do-dahs and gadgets that I haven't played around with including a story-boarding function, a comic book format and a massive community of media creatives stomping around on their website.

I know this sounds like an ad, but I am not getting paid for this (the day I get paid for a bit of writing will be a fantastic day indeed). This software kicks ass, and I am so pleased with it that I will sing its praises for free.

Download Celtx.

Selling off Stuff

2008-06-06T13:13:00.004-05:00

Been getting rid of stuff in preparation for the big trip to NOLA. We have several piles:

To Sell
To Give Away
To Throw Away
To Put in the Bunker

We've sold off a bunch of our books, which is good. I'm also selling this engagement/wedding ring for £500. I put it on eBay and was immediately contacted by three scammers, one of whom shut down my auction.

Bastards

A Matter of Tabasco

2008-06-01T11:01:00.004-05:00

Dear Frank,

Just wanted to say thank you.

In a bid to save money for our big trip to NOLA, I've been eating a lot of rice and beans ("rice and beans, rice and beans, we love rice and beans!" is a little song I like to sing to myself). So, I had just taken the lima beans out of the microwave and was "dressing" them when I realized that there was no Tabasco left. Further, there was no money for Tabasco.

I don't have to tell YOU what a tragedy this is. I was really about to cry when I realized that I had a reserve supply of the nectar of the god of Creole. On my last visit to NOLA two years ago, you gave me two tiny little Tabasco bottles that you had saved from your Katrina MRE's. I debated with myself about opening one. It was a moral issue. Should I eat this or should I save it for a disaster? I had to go for it 'cause tonight I'm having stuffed peppers and okra. That'll need Tabasco as well. I still have one tiny bottle left, which I will save for a true emergency.

Thank you for making my day!

Love,

Daneeta

Photo from Brownie Points