Showing posts with label creative projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative projects. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

It's Go Time!


The work is done.
Blood, sweat and tears, poured into endless hours of writing, shooting and editing.
Today, preparation meets opportunity...
It's time to close the deal!

Monday, April 29, 2013

Motivated!


I woke up today with a renewed motivation!
New projects on the horizon,
Plenty of work to get done.
Staying focused and positive is always the way for me...
I'm proud of my past, grateful for my present and excited about my future!

Friday, January 4, 2013

ReconNEcT Working!

A new year, a new project.
Like many people, at the start of a new year, I like to set a few goals and resolutions.
Over the past four years, my commitment has included adding one creative project that I would do for the entire year.
It began as a way to stay focused on creativity and positive energy throughout the year. 
(Not just in January!)
For example, this blog.  The goal three years ago was to write a daily entry for a year to ignite my artistic flame.  It worked so well, that here I sit three years later!
This year my objective is to send one (1) handwritten note, letter or card to a friend, family member or colleague every week for a year!
We have become a society overwhelmed with email, Facebook, Twitter and texting.  Our online habits are killing human communication skills.  People stand at parties texting other people at the same party! It's nuts. 
I decided that a wonderful way to show someone you're thinking of them, would be to take the time and energy to hand-write a note and spend the money on a stamp... 
My hope is that it will bring a smile to the person on the receiving end!  In addition, it will encourage me to continue building my networking skills!  I'm calling the project:  ReconNEcT Working!
After all, everything in this world is about networking.
This week, I ReconNEcT Worked with a friend from high school.  Mike Rose and I both went to the Orange County High School of the Arts, and have continued on a similar journey.  
He has a hugely popular web series and is a wonderful performer. 
So Mike, expect a letter from me... It should get there in three to five days!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sneak Peak

Yesterday we shot our biggest parody yet!
It was a jam-packed day of gut-wrenching laughter!
We're so lucky to know so many talented performers...
Here's a sneak peak from A Group Productions latest parody!
Project Runway...

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Do What You Love!

For some, Sunday is a day of rest, brunch or football... I spent the day doing what I love with my talented friends. We shot a parody of (arguably) the worst and most fantastic Reality TV show every! Dance Moms! One might ask, "How do you parody a show that is already a spoof of itself?" Well- I think we nailed it! We should be doing with the editing by the end of this week... In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of what's to come!
Matthew as Abby Lee Miller Jeff Payton as Cathy of Candy Apples

The Cast of Dance Moms

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rehearsal

I love the smell of a dance studio in the morning.
The energy of a new project.
Laughing with friends between breaks.
I still have just as much fun as the first time I walked into a rehearsal!
Too bad my body hurts four times more!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Thrilled!

I'm still exhilarated from last night!
We had an informal cast and crew screening of our pilot episode of "The Outrageously Fabulous Weekly Parody Talk Show!" To my delight, it was a huge success!

I can honestly say that working on this project with Jeff Payton, Ellen Buckley and Amy Claire has been a rewarding experience. The result is by far my proudest accomplishment in my career!

I have no doubt that an idea that started out over a year ago, sparked by a lifelong dream of mine to have my own variety show will result in a wildly popular TV show!

No matter what, I can die a happy man knowing that I followed my passion and it lead me on such an adventure with my talented, witty and ambitious friends! I can't wait to see what the future holds for our new show!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

It's Complicated...

Rage...
Angry that Photoshop keep shutting down-
The easiest tasks take the most time.
I really need a vacation!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Just Get It Done!

You know those people that start a really cool project, creation or adventure and then abandon it half way through because they're worried that it's not perfect?
Yeah- I am not one of them!
I get shit done...
So it's frustrating to work with people who don't.
I've never understood how someone could be so smart, talented or ambitious, and yet so unmotivated to follow through.
I'm sure several factors including; insecurity, fear of failure and perfectionism are all in part to blame. Still, I can only imagine that it must suck to have dozens of unfinished dreams.
I vowed a long time ago, after watching several of my more talented friends give up on their dreams, that I would stay focused on a project until it is finished. Of course things don't always go the way we hope. Nor do they always turn out the way we expected. Nevertheless, I believe if an idea was promising enough to start, it should be worthy enough to finish.
Forget perfection. As a self-diagnosed Type A personality with a need for perfection, I've accepted that the people who succeed in life are the ones who show up!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Over Budget...

It's a wonderful thing we had a great shoot...
Because we came in over budget.
Not by much, but enough to hurt where it counts.
I guess I'll be eating Ramen Noodles for the next month-
It's good to know that I'm still creating fun projects...
and eating like I did when I was eighteen because of it!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Caffeinated and Creative... I'm Addicted To Starbucks!

My addiction to coffee came early on... My addiction to Starbucks came a little bit later in life. But when I discovered the intoxicating atmosphere with the creative energy, the strong aroma and the brilliant scene studies, I was hooked.
I was at the peak of my addiction while living in New York. I would spend up to five hours a day or more reading, writing, socializing and daydreaming... Not to mention, I spent about $350.00 a month on specialty coffee drinks!
After moving back to Los Angeles I decided to step away from the Starbucks dependency. It wasn't that hard to do, because unlike New York, in Los Angeles you actually enjoy spending time in your home.
But here's the catch:
In order for me to be creative, I have to leave my safe environment. It becomes much too easy to get distracted at home. Between my puppies, the television or the three hundred other projects I "NEED" to accomplish, I'm completely unable to focus.
So here I am, back at my cozy little "office" with a fantastic view...
The creativity comes almost instantly! ...Okay, well maybe not that fast. But as soon as I order my iced grande coffee in a venti cup with extra ice and I stalk the European couple getting ready to get up from my favorite table, I started to feel a ping of inspiration. By the time I take my first sip and get my Mac fired up I'm good to go!
In less than two hours I've cranked out a new outline for the pilot I'm producing. Finalized the release forms I need to send out. Responded to six emails. Re-posted some funny videos on Facebook. Tweeted twice and I wrote this blog entry!
Who says addictions are bad? Aside from my leg that won't stop moving up and down, my clothes that reek of burnt coffee and my bursting bladder... I think I'm doing great!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Holding Pattern.

Too much on my mind,
Trying to refocus and relax.
So many goals to accomplish,
I'm tired of waiting on other people to finish their obligations.
Confirming yet again that if you want something done-
It's faster to do it yourself...
Oh well, it's Friday!
I'm going to enjoy the weekend!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Running on Empty...

I keep promising myself that I'll take ten minutes to write more than three sentences and call it a "blog post."
Sadly, I just feel like I'm running on empty...
Between moving and traveling for work, I don't have much time to spare.
I feel uncreative too-
So I don't see the point in wasting time forcing myself to compose a long contemplative essay or even a short story.
I'm fully aware that the entire goal of my January 2010 resolution (to write a blog post a day) was to stay fresh and keep the creative juice flowing...
So here I sit, fighting the urge to go organize something in the bathroom that needs to be arranged, or catching up on some desperately craved sleepy time...
And the funny thing is even now as sit here at my computer, I feel the drive to get my mind back on track!
Too bad I leave town again tomorrow for another week of judging a national talent competition in Las Vegas. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the money and the free trip to Vegas (where I'm positive I won't sleep and I'll spend all my free time by the pool drinking) but, I just hope that by this time next Sunday, I'll be ready to complete a July project-
Other than rearranging the book shelf in my living room!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Chaos or Creation...

With chaos comes creation...
Or at least that's what I'm telling myself today!

It's funny, I'm the type of person who says "yes" to as many projects and activities as possible.
Because if I've learned one thing in this industry, it's the truth:
When it rains it pours! ...and when there's a drought- you can't get a job to save your life.

So I strive to live in a constant downpour- My thought, continue creating energy and the energy will continue to flow in your direction...

This week is no exception! I'm not going to lie, I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.
This is the week I make my re-entrance into the wonderful world of Stand Up comedy!
If the stress of being funny for seven minutes alone on a stage wasn't enough... I'm also co-producing a video parody of The Real Housewives of New York City, and I'm still directing the musical Mamma Mia!

I guess I've learned to really be great at juggling activities and I try to bring my "A" game with me to each of the arenas I'm tackling... There are times when I fall flat, or the project doesn't turn out the way I'd hoped. Nevertheless, more often than not, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and I've made another step in the right direction.

Let's just hope that when I arrive at my final destination, I'll be able to look back and have a reservoir of wild adventures, wonderful memories and creations that stand on their own!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Quite On The Set

I'm up early and excited to greet the day!
Today, I'm shooting a short film- where I get to act, sing and dance with one of the most talented and gorgeous girls I know! Autumn Guzzardi!
I'm also looking forward to being directed by the brilliant Jeff Payton!
It's always fun to make things happen in Hollywood.... even if it is one short film at a time!

...and we have to thank for this project: Joelle Sorensen! Our executive producer, writer and editor! Also, for bring on board an amazing crew and D. P. for this adventure!

In my mind, there is nothing cooler than working with friends on projects that make you happy!
Too bad I ate way too much stromboli last night for dinner... and now I have horrible gas and I feel like a fat ass in my costume! ...Oh well, that's showbiz!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Focus!

Do you ever have one of those days when you have a million things on your mind, a ton of work to get done and no energy to decided where to start first?
I wouldn't describe it as overwhelming or paralyzing... because I've had those days too, and this is definitely not one of them...
This is more of an excitement! I have so many cool thoughts, ideas and dreams floating around in my mind, and I'm just not sure where to start first.
Every time I sit down to focus on one thought or idea, I find myself up out of the chair and pacing back and forth thinking about something completely different.
Even now as I write this blog entry, I can hardly concentrate on getting the words out of my head and on to the screen.
Thinking will always keep you busy! ...and I really like to be busy. Otherwise I have too much time to think!
I know you can really only do one thing (well) at a time, so I give my best attempt at directing my energy on one task, and slowly work my way to the next project... However, today all of the tasks and creative ideas are bleeding together and I can't make sense of where one starts and the other ends...
I guess I'll just have to force myself to forget about all of the projects and goals for a minute, sit in silence and wait for an urge to jump out at me...
At least I was able to figure that out! ...and look I got my blog entry done too!