I wrote a new feature film outline yesterday

It’s nice when, as a writer (or during any kind of creative endeavor),  you’re “hot,” “on a roll,” “in the pocket,”  in “flow” state – there are many ways to describe that time when ideas are pouring out of you, almost effortlessly (sometimes this effortlessness is the result of a lot of hard thinking, sometimes not), and all you can do is struggle to keep up as you jot the ideas down on paper. I had that happen yesterday morning.

I had been thinking about a low budget script I could write to make a feature movie from for a little while now, maybe a few weeks. The possibilities had been turning over in my mind as I chewed over plot lines, characters, settings, themes and logistics. I wanted a story that I could film with a very small crew, that would not have much in the way of expenses like special effects, travel, or make up and wardrobe. I didn’t want to have to try and convince anyone to give me money to make the film. I knew that if I could get a story that was interesting enough to film on a very low budget, then I could be inspired and able to get the movie made.

It all came together yesterday as I got a great story idea – my prayers were answered! My imagination had been sparked by a couple of ideas, inspiration struck as the Muse visited me and suddenly I was writing a three page outline for a new film! I also got a few visual/music “filmmaking” ideas of how the film will look and sound.

It’s about a woman who is in a dark place in her life and doesn’t see much point in going on living. She is aided in some strange, metaphysical ways to turn her attitude and life, around.

I’m not going to give away too many details of the story just yet; you’ll have to check back later for that.

I’m going to keep refining the story with some index cards this afternoon, and I’m meeting with an actress I’ve worked with a few times before. Hopefully she’ll be interested in the film and have time to do it. I’d like to shoot it later this year, after my Goth documentary is finished.

Fashion Show at Brava Last Night – Goth Designers – for my film GOTH:insideOUT

I attended a fashion show last night at Brava on Queen Street West, Toronto, which featured several designers, including the collections of a couple of Gothic inspired designers I am interviewing for my documentary on Goth called GOTH:insideOUT. I also met some great people and got some more short interviews for my film! A bunch of us hung out after the show, then I drove home in a raging snow storm (glad I had good snow tires)! What a fun night!

Here are some stills (frame grabs from the video). I am going to have a new blog for the film up soon at http://gothinsideout.com and it will have video of the fashion show.

Goth fashion show image 1
S.I.N.S. Gothic Punk Fashion

Goth fashion show image 1
S.I.N.S. Gothic Punk Fashion

Goth fashion show image 1
S.I.N.S. Gothic Punk Fashion

Goth fashion show image 1
S.I.N.S. Gothic Punk Fashion

Goth fashion show image 1
Fluffer Designs

Goth fashion show image 1
Fluffer Designs

Goth fashion show image 1
Fluffer Designs

Goth fashion show image 1
Fluffer Designs

Goth fashion show image 1
S.I.N.S. Gothic Punk Fashion

Goth fashion show image 1
Fluffer Designs

See the site for the film http://gothinsideout.com for some video clips from the show.

Liberty Village – Somewhere In Heaven – My Film


Photo by Zaiden

“Liberty Village – Somewhere In Heaven”

I made a documentary film on the Liberty Village neighborhood in Toronto called “Liberty Village – Somewhere In Heaven,” because I saw an area changing that I had come to appreciate. It was home to artists for decades and many other cool things. I used to love wandering around the colourful streets…you never knew what you’d find next…

I’ve put a couple of clips from the film online:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KM-VMJtK0E]

Also see:  http://www.vimeo.com/8467306

Liberty Village resident Corky Laing was interviewed for the film, and provided music from his band Cork. Also interviewed was photographer Taffi Rosen, and you’ll see some of her work in the film, along with other artists, developers, workers and residents of the special place called Liberty Village.

To buy the DVD and for more information, an interview with me and pictures, see the page on Rockin’ Films: http://www.rockinfilms.com/lv.htm

I’m making a documentary film on Goth – GOTH:insideOUT

For the past few years, on and off, I’ve been filming a documentary on the Goth subculture.

The film is directed by me and is a feature-length effort. It will be finished in the coming months. It’s called GOTH:insideOUT.

I did a rough assembly edit of the footage a few weeks ago, and it came to about 2 hours. It needs to be edited down a lot further and I’m still filming some parts. The final film will run about 90 minutes, with additional extras on the DVD, like live performances from Goth bands and extended interviews. I’m thinking about releasing a soundtrack as well.

I’ve brought on an editor to assist with the film and I’m pretty happy about that. I’m also working with a videographer whom I’ve worked with a few times in the past, and I am doing some camera work for this project, too.

If you have something to say about the Goth subculture (pro or con), you’re a band, or have a Goth business, get in touch and let me know. I may want to interview you for the film. And, you need not live in Toronto to be interviewed.

A Website for the film will be going online soon, with more details, exclusive offers and sneak peaks. So, sign up for the mailing list to be notified when it goes live and get some Gothy goodness! (edit – the site is now live at http://gothinsideout.com)