Home Turf

My mission: To put my #NoExcuses manta to work.  Last week, I wrote some mini-short scripts and now I wanted to shoot them.  I was having trouble scheduling with anybody to help me, so I picked one that I thought that I could shoot on my own and I just decided to do it today.

It took a good portion of my afternoon, but I like how it turned out.  I was able to show off the Nokia Lumia 1020’s HD capability.  I was also able to (hopefully) show a bit of the funny that exists in my head.  Most of all, I just got something done and that is so important in creating the habit of creating.

OK, let’s jump into it.  I’ll give a few tips along the way…

Writer’s Block–“No Excuses” Birthday Video

Today is my birthday and what better opportunity to put out an experimental type of video.  My friends should all be nice to me and find something to like…anything.

I did this because of a “No Excuses” pact that I’ve made with myself and recently with my friend Natalie Oman.  Last year, I put together Textually Active for my birthday, but this year I didn’t have the money to to make the next film in that series.  No worries, we JUST DID IT.  Video below!

JD: The Gifted Director

It has been a little bit since my last blog entry.  I have been a little distracted.  A portion of that time was consumed with shooting the next “Stuck” experience, called Textually Active.

At the end of this blog post, I have embedded the film for you to see.  If you haven’t already seen it, we’d love for you to take a peek.  We’re pretty confident that you’ll enjoy yourself.  OK, enough of that; let’s take you to your regularly scheduled blog reading, so you can see why I’m calling myself a “gifted director”.

DalyDose of…Glamorous Saturday

Ahh, the mystique of the JD Experience.  I hear a couple times a week how my life seems so action packed and exciting.  I think people get this idea from my pictures and postings on Facebook.  I’m usually quick to let them know that it only seems that way because I don’t post the lame and mundane.

I tried to explain this in my previous video posting about popcorn.  Did you see that one?  I’ll wait.

At the risk of ruining both your vision of my glamorous Hollywood existence and the potential for an exciting JD reality project, I will now present to you my Saturday.

DalyDose of…JayeQ Music Vid

Ladies and gentleman, I’d excited to present the latest Jaye Q music video, “Don’t Say”.  I was so happy and proud to direct it.  I love the song and hope y’all like the video.  Read below after watching for more…

DalyDose of…Stuck

Stuck is the short film that I made in 2009.  Thanks to the generosity of some talented people, I was able to make this short film for about $500.  Stay tuned after the video for more….

This film stars:
Jeff Daly – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3560614/ 
Femi Emiola – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1435292/
Steffanie Siebrand – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796809/

The film was directed by myself and Aldo Lara.  Aldo also edited it and I wrote it.
Jayme Lutz was the producer and we were able to use equipment generously supplied by Stormmaker Productions.

As I submit this project to festivals, I am now writing some new webisodes based on these characters who love each other, but don’t always like each other.  The transition to something with a little more of a sitcom feel will brighten up the shooting style and add more “jokes” to the scripts.  Stay tuned!

PLEASE NOTE: That no one’s marital status was harmed during the filming of this project.  In fact, common law marriage is only applicable to 11 states and the District of Columbia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common-law_marriage_in_the_United_States)

DalyDose of…Switchover

“Don’t Freak Out”

Remember this past June when there was a minor buzz going on about the digital switchover for antannae based television viewing?  Well, my friends over at Stormmaker Productions thought we should make some PSA type of things in honor of the occassion.  There were three versions made and here is the one that I acted in. 

Here is the link to Stormmaker’s YouTube channel where you can watch all three:  http://www.youtube.com/user/StormMakerProds.  There are some pretty amazing editing and greenscreen skills on display so even if the DTV switchover meant nothing to you, you should check it out.