2011-Winner or Loser?

2010, good year, no complaints. Now, what will 2011 bring? Will the good year continue or will it be a dud? I did a lot of different things in 2010. My favorite was the documentary I did on Bill Bourne called "For the Record with Bill Bourne" quick plug you can buy your own copy on my website.Now 2011...I have some huge plans. I really want to do my first feature film. It will be called "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck". Its a comedy that mixes live action with animation and will have a killer soundtrack. I also want to do another "For the Record." This time I would like to focus on "Blackie and the Rodeo Kings." I also want to a documentary on my generation, the generation that refuses to age. Perhaps another short film. The idea I have is based on a photo shoot series a friend of mine does called "Thrash the Dress".

So that is what is on my mind in January of 2011, ill all this happen, will part of it happen, will there be other ideas or will the year go to shit? I don't know, but I think I would be happy if half of this happens, okay I would be thrilled if I get to do one of these.

I also got interviewed by a fellow from the

Edmonton Journal

a few weeks ago. The story appears in tomorrows paper, and I like it...check it out.

It has been a busy time...

Business had been good. I have been working on just a load of interesting stuff. I am in post production on a series of instructional videos for a company called Marsulex. The videos deal with the safe handling when unloading dangerous chemicals such as Sulfuric Acid, Aqua Ammonia and the likes. Okay it has been very dry but I met some interesting people and that is always a good thing.

Next we just finished two days of shooting for Shell Canada, actually for their London, England office. We had to shoot b-roll and some dramatics leading up to a bad truck crash that happened a couple years ago...I was totally blown away by the mad effect skills of master DP Wes Doyle.

Next I am writing a series of videos that we will be shooting at the end of the month for Alberta Education. Did you know that a lot of new teachers quit the profession in the first 5 years. The videos outline some programs that have been implemented to keep these teachers around.

Then I am starting to work on a series of videos that will become part of an installation piece at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. This is a grand job, I am so interesting in aboriginal stuff.

I am also about to launch a series of screenings throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta of my new documentary film "For the Record Featuring Bill Bourne" it is available for purchase on my website so please feel free to check it out.

As you can see busy times...I am also in development on my first feature film "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck" and I think I am going to do another short in the very near future.

Enough talk, have a great day all.

Bill Bourne releases his new album today

So' Bill Bourne is releasing his new album today, "free radio dance Band". It is a great album. One of my greatest joys to date was being there while Bill and his band recorded the album. It was a tres cool experience and I feel fortunate. The music is incredible so make sure you check it out.

So yeah I turned 50...

But you know what is great...I am now old enough to have a friend running for office. I have a friend who is running for the mayor of Calgary. Her name is Barb Higgins and she is a great lady. She is smart, she knows the city, she looks great...serious when is the last time you saw a mayor that was a babe. Barb is all of this and more. The thing I admire most is her integrity. She was interviewed on BT in Calgary by a reporter named Mike McCourt (I use the term reporter loosely). I couldn't believe the questions he asked. But Barb in true fashion I think handily put him in his place.

I will admit I wish I lived in Calgary so I could vote for her. If you live in Calgary, check her out I think you will be pleasantly surprised. She would be great for the city. Sort of like Ralph Klein before he went insane.

Anyway, check out this goofball McCourt (his parents might have been cousins) and on Monday vote Barb Higgins for Mayor!

Hey, did you know?

I have talked about making films, documentaries and music videos. It is very rewarding but not a great way to make a living. So how do I survive? I do corporate video and commercials. For example, something you may have seen...did you know I created and wrote, produced and directed those great (If I do say so myself) 92.5 JoeFM stick man animation commercials. They were fun and I mention it because I am told they were very memorable. Anyway not to take up to much of your time. I have added my commercial/corporate demo reel on my website. I wrote and directed everything you see in the demo. Let me know what you think.

Canadian Film is Shit...

All films from Canada are horrible, badly done, low budget. Ummm I have heard these comments so often and I say BULLSHIT! Canadian film is where it's at. A good Canadian film can't be beat. The unfortunate part is many Canadians do dis the films being created by Canadian filmmakers. I have a theory, its my opinion but I think it makes sense. The theory is that we make as many good films as the US, based on population. So for every ten Canadian films there is one good one and 9 not so good ones...In the US I use 100 films...and there are 10 good ones and 90 bad ones...so the percentage is the same. The problem is we tend to only get the 10 good ones and everyone only remembers the 9 bad Canadian ones!

So how do we change this perception? I suggest creating "Hug an Independent Canadian Filmmaker Day" So we pick a day, for example...February 23rd and call it "Hug an Independent Canadian Filmmaker Day" . So on February 23rd across the country, participating communities organize the local filmmakers and present the films they made to their community and let them view the films for free. The problem is that our films don't get played anywhere so how do we make sure that Canadians get to see these great films? By doing something like this we allow everybody to experience the creative power that is Independent Canadian Film. Who is with me on this one? I am totally in. I would even help organize it...I can't be in charge of organizing it because I am really unorganized...but hey, I will help and I have a few films I wouldn't mind getting seen.

Well there you have it..."Hug and Independent Canadian Filmmaker Day".

I am all a Twitter

I did it...I got back on that Twitter horse. I have been told by quite few people now that Twitter truly is a marketing bonanza. Perhaps I will find out. I have been exploring this whole concept of social media and it is quite exhilirating. So new, so fresh, so outside my scope of knowledge. Are you ever to old to learn? I don't think so.

Anyway why don't you follow my tweets and will follow yours. Is tha how that works?