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02-01-01 "Wide Angle Willie!"

Well, I ordered the darn lens yesterday! I should be getting it on Friday so we could use it this weekend if we decide to shoot. I told everybody to plan on it but will they remember? Tom's email is on the fritz so I haven't heard much from him. I'm really torn as to who I should cast as my brothers. I've got four people interested in the two parts. My cousin Joe and Jason (who have shown interest from the start but haven't been around lately) and Dave and Joe from Comedy City (who could probably create some amazing characters). What to do? What to do?! I've also been thinking of using one of three junior high kids that I have in class to play the role of Bart. I always thought the character should be younger now I might have the oppurtunity. The kid that I orrigionally cast for that part finally took out his dreadlocks so I couls use him also but I might just need him to play a Gary stand-in? I guess I should just cast the best people for each role and worry about patching feelings later?

Anyways, with a wide angle lens I'll be able to get some beautiful shots of the truck interior as the two brothers drive down the back roads of Wisconsin (whoever those brothers will be?)!

02-02-01 "West Pitcher Show!!"

I got a call the other day for the premiere of a friend's film at the West Picher Show in Green Bay. I was very excited to see what he was up to as I'd heard many fine comments. From what I understand he shot it on Super 8 MM film because he was going for a real gainy look. Well, as luck would have it, the darn theatre couldn't get a permit for their grand reopening so the premiere was cancelled! I went over to Comedy City and caught the Friday night shows instead. I did get my new lens and it does offer a lot more picture where it counts so, hopefully, it'll be a good investment. I showed it to the guys at Comedy City right away. Saw Jon there... he's going punk rock on me... oh well, as long as he looks like a back woods hick in the right spots I guess I can't complain! I think his girlfriend wants to drink my blood! He can't make this weekend. Crud! Back to the camera lens... is this my way of buying friends? The artist in me once again analyzes my motives.

02-5-01 "No Movie Stuff At All!!"

The weekend has come and gone and I didn't get a thing done with the movie! I've got to be extreemly careful not to let myself fall into a slump of depression! I need to keep in mind that I have been very busy with other priorities (the play) and haven't had the time to devote to the project. I've also gotten a great start on my painting which I hope will be yet another surreal masterwork by your's truely! Yes, one must focus on the possitive in the moment not what hasn't yet happened. Everybody kinda piddled out for Sunday's shooting. Tom decided that if it were just the two of us we wouldn't get much of anything done. He's probably right but a little something would have made me feel better than nothing!!

02-13-01 "Finally, The Play!!!"

Yes indeed, the play was this weekend. I'm happy to say that it went quite well! There were some small screw-ups but over all the performance went smoothly. The show on Sunday had a better crowd while the cast did a better job with their energy levels on Saturday. As much as I love working with the kids, I'll be happy when the play is finished (we're doing it again on Tuesday for the student body). I need to get more done on the film or , like I said earlier, I'll slip into a bit of a depressed state. Tom and his family came up for the show but his youngest one missed the first play as he was having magic show flash backs and didn't like the dark. I used the camera to shoot the play. It gives me a better understanding of how the darn thing works. I think I got some great stuff. It could really get up in there for nice close-ups! Now my only priority over the film is the art shows that are going to be coming up! Once again I must tell you that my painting is going well. I rented two movies and painted at school all night tonight. I rented Terry Gilliam's "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" and loved it! I'm going to hunt it down on DVD! Man, the guys in that flick are way messed up!! Well gangsters, I've got big doings tomorrow (I'll tell you about them later) so... thanks folks!

02-14-01 "Valentine's Day Mass-Hysteria!"

As I hinted earlier, I indeed had grand doings this fine day! I set out early to get to Wittenburg High School to assist Nancy (a Comedy City veteran) with two high school workshops designed toward leadership along with one workshop geared toward education for the entire Wittenburg teaching staff!! The day was a true wonder!! Nancy had the teachers out on the gym floor acting like kids again. It was a sight to behold! I actually felt like I had contributed to the success of the workshop so the whole day was a bit of an ego booster! After the rather busy day at Wittenburg I headed up to Comedy City for our Wednesday night practice. That was a bit of a bummer as there has been some complaints as of late and the big boss isn't taking them too well. Basically we all sat around and talked about what we could do to help the business for the entire practice time. My problem right now is confidence. I know I need far more practice as I find it very intimidating to perform in front of the troupe (even if everybody is really going out of their way to make me fit in). However, if today's workshop was any indication as to how I'll perform in front of a real audience... well, I'll be doing quite well!

02-16-01 "High School Art Day!"

Today I set out seventh hour to take some of my student's art work to the annual art show in Oshkosh. I decided to try to enter eight pieces even though I didn't preregister. I figured I could pull a few strings when I got there but none of my old professors were there anymore! They were kind enough to take the work anyway but it kind of surprised me that the faculty has changed so much over the past ten years. A few years back one of my favorite professors died and every time I walk through those halls I think about him (especially in the wood and metals shops). The whole experience reminds me of how little artwork I've been doing lately! Sure I'm up to my elbows in my current painting but that's the first thing in quite some time. Art is a big part of my identity, I can't afford to ignore that aspect of myself.

I also talked with my comic store buddy, Scott, who reassured me that I'll need to get down to the big Chicago convention this summer. Maybe I'll even have a project completed by then? Cripes, yet another thing to keep me away from getting my film done... what am I afraid of?

Anyway, I headed up to Green Bay and got to work the consession stand for the special Guys Vs. Gals showdown. It was a great show.

02-20-01 "Runnin' Like A Fool!"

The weekend has come and gone. Did I get anything done on the film? Ya!

On Saturday I headed up to Green Bay and saw the film "The Shadow of The Vampire" with Darby, his lovely wife, and a graphic artist pal of his. I was the only one who semi-liked the movie. It certainly could have been better. The thing I learned was that F. W. Murnau called his movie "Nosferatu" because he didn't get permission to use the real Dracula story. He changed the name of the characters and took off! What a dirty stinker!

Saturday night I again watched some great Comedy City shows then went out to eat with the troupe afterwards. I was going to get my food to go but then decided to just wait (only because Caroline has almost as far to travel as I and she wasn't heading out! I couldn't be a leaker!). Anyway, while I was waiting, Jon's girlfriend came into Perkins so I told her to have Jon (My Gary in the film) call me. He did and filming commenced on Sunday with myself, Tom, Tony, Jon, and Jon's girlfriend (Sarah). While we did get a bunch of shots completed I couldn't help but show off for the audience. I couldn't focus at all. I think we got some great shots but I need to take the whole business much more seriously if I'm ever to get anything done!! I think I felt obligated to entertain as it was rather cold outside and I didn't want spirits to get down. After Tom left on Sunday we got some great shots of Jon's character with some rather gruesome bruises on his face. Sarah did the make up and it turned out pretty cool!

02-22-01 "Wolf River Art Show!!!"

Holy smokes! On the radio the other morning I heard that the New London Art Show was going to be on the 23! I thought I had an entire week yet! The last two days I've been painting like a fool to get a piece finished in time. Again I feel a bit down with the lack of work I have to show... maybe I just need to remember that I have a bunch of work in the camera that no one has really seen yet. That counts for something!

02-24-01 "Fish Derby!!"

I really wanted to get up to Comedy City this weekend but I decided I needed to take a break and re-develope a few bonds I have right here at home. Friday (a teacher's free day) I went in to school to work on the painting some more. I know I won't have it entirely finished as it needed to get into the show at 5:00 that afternoon so I needed to find a spot where I'll be able to fool the unsuspecting. I spent the entire time during teacher's conference Thursday night working on it. I was very thankful that I only had a few parents come in. I dropped off several pieces of artwork at the Lincoln Elementary school in New London for the show then headed home and took mom out to the new banquet hall. I spent the rest of the night curled up in front of the tv getting some much deserved rest.

Saturday I headed back to New London to see how my work did in the show. Well, it didn't even get an honorable mention. What a kick in the teeth. I listened to the judge as she gave the critique. "What good is a piece of artwork if it's going to spend it's entire existence in your attic, get it above your couch!" She did a fairly good job but got a bit under my skin whenever she'd mention framing. Look at the damn work people!!! Anyway, she talked to me about my painting and didn't give me a decent reason why I didn't recieve any recognition other than it fell apart on the unfinished side. I think it was just too darn manly for her tastes. Everybody else really liked it. I'm thinking I'll do a lot better with it in Waupaca after I finally finish it. My students did well, a first, a second and two honorable mentions!

Saturday afternoon I decided to head downtown to see who was out and about for Marion's big annual Fishing Derby. My youngest brother and his pals took over one of the shelters and were cooking up fish, fries and venison constantly! The old fashions were also flowing and my middle brother had a bit more than his share. Needless to say, I had to carry him over my shoulder to get him out of the local tavern. The parking lot was a sheer sheet of ice and how I didn't drop him on his head is beyond me! Even though we all got a good laugh at his expence I think he needed a real bender.

Tom called on Sunday to make sure we weren't shooting. While the day had a great overcast sky it was far too windy for audio. Plus it had rained terribly the night before and the little country roads were glass!! He's shooting for next week Saturday but I'm not sure what we'll be able to get shot with his kids along. Probably just some planning... we'll see.

For some reason I really feel like I can concentrate on the film with more of a focus now. I better be!! Time to finalize the casting process!!

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