2009 Resolution Wrap-up

So looking back at what I wrote in January, I lost focus in some areas and changed focus in others. Here is a recap of my 2009 New Year’s Resolutions:

1) Fix my financial situation
2) Quit Smoking
3) Be More Productive
4) Get in Shape
5) Clean and Organize my House

Now, how did these hold up? Well, I surrendered my house in 2009 and moved back to the parents’. That saved me a lot of money upfront and helped me get outstanding bills paid off, while not accruing more bills. I actually did quit smoking, that is until I gave up my own house. I was pretty productive during 2009. Now, not always in the ways I planned, but I have never had as productive a year yet. Physically, I didn’t loose too much weight, but I do believe I lost something. My pants are a bit looser on me these days. And finally, I moved my house, but didn’t get it completely organized first. I still have a lot of cleaning, sorting and organizing of my personal belonging to do.

Now, I know I won’t draft up my 2010 New Years Resolutions for at least another 48 hours, but I’m sure they will pretty similar, if not identical. I just think some of the smaller details will change, and supporting resolutions will be reevaluated. So be sure to check back and see how I plan to make some serious strides in 2010 to bring out the best in who I really can be.

2009, Most Productive Year Ever!

What a year 2009 has been Professionally! I have been fortunate to work on 13 productions and 2 different radio shows. Not all of the productions were in St. Louis. I was able to travel and work in Omaha, NE; Baton Rouge, LA; Champaign, IL; and Decatur, IL. I’ve also served in a variety of capacities from Producer to First Assistant Director to Set Production Assistant. It just always depends on the project. I am truly grateful for all the work I’ve gotten, experience I’ve gained and the new friendships I’ve built.

Of course, I continued to work for both the Sundance Film Festival (year 10) and the St. Louis International Film Festivals (year 7). I was also able to attend the Theatrical Premiere of ‘Streetballers’, which I served as a Co-Producer and Additional Photography on, in BOTH St. Louis and Los Angeles. ‘Streetballers’ is also available on DVD now!

This has truly been my most productive year EVER and the future does not seem to be slowing down either. But I’ll get into that later. For now, here is a look at the projects I’ve worked on this year:

Play Dead – (St. Louis, MO) – Inspired Productions – Short Film
– Grip/DIT/Glidecam Operator/B-Camera Operator

Finding Virginia – (Decatur, IL) – Pounded Pavement Productions – Feature Film
– First Assistant Director/Associate Producer

The Great Big Entertainment Show – (St. Louis, MO)– KCFV-FM – Radio Program
– Co-Host

Mothman – (Baton Rouge, LA) – Sci Fi Channel / LAMP – Feature Film
– Second Unit: First Assistant Director /Key Set PA

The Making of a Truly 100% Independent Film – (STL, MO) – MSK Films/ACE Films – Documentary
– Producer

Leading Ladies – (Champaign, IL) – My Pet Piranha Productions – Feature Film
– First Assistant Director

Shakindat by Playboy Ro – (St. Louis, MO) – Ravenworks/ACE Films – Music Video
– Producer/Co-Director/Editor

Paranoia – (St. Louis, MO) – Russell Bellew – Short Film
– Glidecam Operator

Up in the Air – (St. Louis, MO/Omaha, NE) – Paramount Pictures/Montecito Pictures – Feature Film
– Set Production Assistant

Celebration by Verse and Gator Macc featuring Andrea – (St. Louis, MO) – Photo-Kicks – Music Video
– First Assistant Director

Soldier by Jena featuring Andrea – (St. Louis, MO) – Photo-Kicks – Music Video
– First Assistant Director

Belas Artes Mulitcultural Center – (St. Louis, MO) – Commercial
– Videographer

Improving St. Louis/Mayor Slay Campaign – (St. Louis, MO) – ACE Films – Commercial
– Producer/Director/Videographer

Win-Win St. Louis Mayoral Project – (St. Louis, MO) – Thing 1, Thing 2 Productions – Commercial
– Assistant Director

The Morning Jolt – (St. Louis, MO) – KCFV-FM – Radio
– Co-Host

THR’s Filmmaker Roundtable: Cameron, Jackson, Reitman, Tarantino, Bigelow and Daniels

The Hollywood Reporter recently conducted a round table interview with some of the biggest directors of the year, including Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Lee Daniels (Precious), Peter Jackson (The Lovely Bones), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air) and Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds). THR released a few segment where the filmmakers discuss a couple different topics, including whether they consider themselves insiders or outsiders, their most diffcult scenes to shoot, and what they would do instead of directing. I would love to see the complete round table. Take a look and tell me what you think

Are you an insider or outsider:



Difficult Scenes to Shoot:



What Would You Do instead of Directing:

Seriously? December, already?

I was staring up at the full moon tonight and realizing that it is really December. Seriously? December, already? Yep! With it being December I felt I should get back on track, all be it a little behind schedule, but better late than never, right?

Over the course of December, I plan to look back over 2009 and give a wrap up for various parts of the year, a look into the projects I have worked on, and how this year stacks up to those in the past. Also, I will give an honest assessment of my New Years Resolutions for this year, how I did, where I need improvement and begin to look at what I plan for 2010.

I also know that I have not been as vigilant about uploading photos, as I have in the past. Photos really are one of the best ways to show everyone what is going on in my little world. So I will also transfer photos between social networking sites and upload remaining photos I still have on my camera, computer and phone.

Overall, 2009 has been a challenging and exciting year. I look forward to sharing these recaps with you all over the course of December. By the time the next full moon arrives, on the last day of the year, I will have recounted my blessing and events of 2009 and be ready to tackle the challenges of 2010. I look forward to sharing those with you as well.

Thank you to each and every one of you who has supported me, not only through 2009, but throughout my life. You all mean so very much to me and I hope that I can begin to show you all my appreciation over the days, weeks, months and years to come.