I'm working on a documentary about the role of libraries in modern society and how they are funded. It's been interesting, talking to different people and researching statistics. I'll likely start looking for funding help soon to assist with production expenses.

It was a pleasure to attend a screening of "Star Trek IV" with writer/producer Harve Bennett last night as part of the Filmmakers Series by Southern Oregon Film and Television (www.filmsouthernoregon.org). He shared some delightful stories about his many years in the industry. His wife gave him such a touching introduction. Here's a photo of me, other SOFaT members, and Harve Bennett after the talk.

Here are links to purchase my young adult fantasy novel, "Advent Tour"

From Amazon.com or if you prefer Kindle or in the UK on Kindle

From Barnes & Noble

From Powell's City of Books in Portland, a bookstore I love to visit

Or direct from the publisher, Black Matrix Publishing, which offers a sample online read.

The most recent film I worked on, THE BAG, is scheduled for July 27 as part of the LA Shorts Fest. It will then be part of the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

"Advent Tour" is now available on Amazon.com and directly from the publisher, www.blackmatrixpub.com.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at "The Bag," for which I was casting director and script supervisor.

The Adventure Begins

Today, I signed a contract with Black Matrix Publishing for my first novel, a young adult comic fantasy titled "Advent Tour." It's about a coffee house worker who is transported to another world as its reluctant ruler, and he's put in the position of having to tour his new realm to gather report from his skeptical subjects.

Moved my desk right next to the window and ditched a bunch of stuff that used to be on it. I don't know if the change in scenery will be as uplifting as I hope, but it is nice to have something pleasant to look at and some room to spread out scene cards. My life does seem to be a frequent battle with entropy.

The horror musical I was assistant director for, SOME KIND OF HORROR, won an award for best director. Congratulations Lawrence and Savannah Morgan. See www.quickfest.com to watch it.

It is considerably more fun to write than to rewrite.

I'm sitting in Blue Stone Cafe, my hand-scribbled notes all across my draft of "The Unintended Stray." I've been pondering a problem: On the first page is a locksmith. How much should I describe the locksmith? Should I name him? Does it have to be a him? I've come up with an entire back story for this locksmith, who appears only on the first page. Since that troubled me, I wondered if I should work the locksmith into the book more.

Oh, the things I will do to waste time. I have many, many pages of work ahead of me, some significant changes, and I'm fiddling around with such a tiny detail. Yes, I do want my writing to be detailed and carefully thought out, but it is important to not neglect the big picture in the process.

On movie front, "Model Rules" has won the Northwest Emerging Artist Award at the Salem Film Festival.

I forgot to mention somewhere along the line that Ray and I picked up "best screenplay" for "Sixes and the One Eyed King" at Cine-Fest in Kentucky. SIXES also won "best feature." The list of winners is up, and I'm not named correctly. (www.cine-fest.com/WINNERS%2008.html)

There go MY 15 seconds of Internet fame.

I'm trying to figure out what to see at the Ashland Independent Film Festival. "Model Rules" is showing three times, and I'll probably go to the Saturday showing and party down afterward with everyone. There are so many options, and I've created this grid to help me plan it out. Of course, I'll want to make some time to mingle with filmmakers, as that's the best part of festivals. I should have done this some time ago, as some things are already sold out.

I have a lot more work to do on "The Unintended Stray" after doing an on-paper edit on it. As much as I love trees, there's something really useful in a hands-on read through your writing. I have all sorts of notes over the pages, and I must now translate them. I'm a ways from where I first envisioned the book, but I think it has grown and shaped itself as I've worked on it. Of course, there's the nagging fear that this is all stupid and pointless and terribly written, not insightful or enjoyable at all. At some point, you have to decide to move forward and endure dismal failure if it happens.

Following the Facebook "we own everything you post" scare, I've removed the portions of my novel I'd posted previously, just in case this site should get all possessive and legalesque. Probably unnecessary, but it makes me feel better. 

I'm now making my first major edit of "The Unintended Stray," and I'm seeing that I'll have some significant changes to make. Sometimes you need to work through the story to understand it better. Once you have something down, you can see how it could develop even more.

I've done a bit of update to the site, adding a soul mates poll related to "The Unintended Stray." I like "stray" over "mongrel" because mongrel implies ill breeding more than a lack of fitting in. It's about parentage more than position. "Stray" can result from one's own choices, while "mongrel" results from an accident of birth. I want her to feel like she doesn't fit in, but I there's a certain way that she doesn't fit in and reasons behind it. While some of them are tied to her parents and their differences, that isn't the sum of her problems.



One involvement lately has been in helping to organize Southern Oregon Film and Television, a nonprofit industry group hoping to promote productions in this area. The website is now up and running, and I've added that link. http://www.filmsouthernoregon.org/ Check it out. I'm on the board, but that pretty much means that I'm doing extra work. Some things are worth effort.



Speaking of effort, a library opened in Grants Pass in December after being closed for a year and a half. I'm so proud of the efforts of Josephine Community Libraries http://www.josephinelibrary.org/. It's been an education to help bring this organization together and convince people to support a brand new nonprofit taking on a service normally provided by government. I'm working on a documentary about the situation. I've completed shooting it and now begins the long editing process. I've never attempted anything this long; my goal is for it to end up about 30 minutes long overall. I wish my technical skills were better and that I had my own equipment rather than borrowing it from the regional public access station. It seemed interesting enough to me to put in the effort without the likelihood of reward beyond the fulfillment of creation. Again, some things are worth effort.



I've worked on a couple of webisodes over the past few months. I was casting director for "Search for a Vampire" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQYEX4dcjFE and in charge of continuity for "The Hightowers." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPbNOAUSSfU

The 2008 Bend Film Festival was fun but very cold. Congratulations to Marlyn Mason, who picked up the Best Actress award.

Congratulations to Marlyn Mason, who won best screenplay at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, for "Model Rules."

What she has to say at the awards ceremony choked me up:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8107204364063720040&hl=en

Beach fun


Enjoyed a few days in Gold Beach, Oregon, where the sun was bright and the wind was lively. I wrote in a neat little lighthouse. I thought it would be appropriate to write something windblown and romantic, but instead I'm still working on "The Unintended Mongrel."

Endured more than one remark from people about using a laptop while on "vacation." Bah! People don't understand that writing is both a task and a pleasure.

Projects update:

"Model Rules" has been accepted to the LA Shorts Fest in August. I'm thinking about going down to see it, especially if I can swing a trip on the cheap.

Things are on hold with "Search for a Vampire," as director Ray is busy with festivals, work for a sports television station and a documentary.

Film updates

"Sixes and the One Eyed King," is now available on Amazon.com. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sixes-Scott-Thorsen-Nicole-Stykowski/dp/B0019SSDPQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1212356705&sr=8-7

This is a generally good time for film news, as "Model Rules," has been selected for the Rhode Island International Film Festival. The film's website is http://www.freewebs.com/modelrules. The festival's site is http://www.film-festival.org.

I've been busy writing and helping to cast a mockumentary scheduled to begin shooting this summer, "Search for a Vampire." See www.searchforavampire.com, www.freewebs.com/bisonmotionpictures, and www.myspace.com/searchforavampire. It's nice to work on a comedy.

A web site is now up for "Model Rules," and a photo of me is on it under production stills. The address is www.freewebs.com/modelrules.

I've especially been enjoying exploring some new music as I hunt for instrumental music for the director to consider.

'Model Rules' in motion

I've been working as assistant director on a lovely short film tentatively titled "Model Rules," written by and starring Marlyn Mason. I've enjoyed being part of the process as much for the people as for the film, which looks like it will become a beautiful piece of art offering plenty to ponder.

The Medford, Oregon, newspaper did an article on the project. This is a photograph of the photographer, Jamie Lusch, on set. Chance Larsen, all-around set MacGyver, is sitting in for Marlyn as this tracking shot is prepared. The article, and a photo with Marlyn, is available by following this link to the Mail Tribune web site: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071014/NEWS/710140329/-1/NEWS06