1st Nomination

I received notice today from the XPMedia Film Festival in Tempe, AZ that the music video for PITCHING HOPE has made it as a finalist and will compete for best music video this year.  I have to admit, my initial reaction was not that exciting.  I thought for sure this was some type of "feel good" tactic for those that were accepted.  I even questioned how many music videos were actually submitted.  I was assured by my friend Oracle, that there were many music videos last year and to make the type 5 is a good thing.   So now, I have to balance my reaction, to my self induced paranoia and actually try to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Us creative types are different.  Filled with passion while swayed back and forth with our own self worth.  Being a military man myself, allowing those emotions to swing freely is not a common practice.  Never the less, it still happens, at times.
If you're someone who creates, and than puts that creation into a competition, don't fret.  Enjoy the ride and encourage others.  Worst thing that could happen is, you could actually earn some recognition. 

It Is Finished

Post production on our film has final come to a close.  In celebration of our fine country, we put the word out on July 4th, 2011 that Pitching Hope was finally completed.  I was able to show my family the final product during our holiday celebration.  The private, family event, took place poolside, within the intimacy of those who have walked this journey with me from the beginning.  It was funny to hear, my nephews mother tell me, that she never watched a movie outside.  I've always felt mixing the indoors with the outdoors gives a special kind of vibe.  Hopefully my movie will give that same vibe to to others. 

Film Credits

I've been building my film credits for almost a year.  Today, I actually had to methodically watch my film and at each scene identify who did what for that particular part of the movie.  I did this through, business cards, contracts, and by memory.  After looking upon my credit list, I noticed of course the various people and companies who jumped in and helped.  I was very moved with the many people who truly believed in my project.  I'll be honest, I'm sure there were those that had their own motives, and that's fine.  I obviously had my own goals to achieve.  But the fact remains, that together, a film, birthed from an idea generated at a family barbecue 4 years ago, will so be upon the world full force.  It's very humbling to have lead and worked with so many wonderful people.

Final Details

Anyone that has ever made a movie, will continually go back and try to make improvements.  The truth is, they'll probably watch for years to come and find more thing to improve on.  There is such a struggle between "good enough" and "it finished."  I have never really ran into someone who was completly satsififed with their final products.  98% satisfied, yes, but 100%, I don't think so.  So like a bad relationship, that felt so good, (sounds like a teenage love song) the time is coming for me to let PH go on its own, production wise.  Of course there's still the distro and marketing issues, but that's another beast in itself.