TigerEye Productions

Indy

2008-07-12T22:43:00.000-07:00

I went back to Indianapolis during the 4th of July weekend. Mainly to visit my family as my father was in the hospital for some time and he was still re-cooperating.

I love coming back to Indy. There is a sense of ease and tranquility from the maddening pace that I have been keeping in Los Angeles as of late. It was a nice respite to switch gears; even if only for a brief amount of time.

Here are some photos about an hour and a half outside of Indianapolis near the lake house. Although there are fewer farms near the city these days, there are still some nearby and that is refreshing to see. Also above is a shot of the sun setting on Lake Morse from the porch of the lake house. Some of the best sunsets I've viewed are from there....doesn't get much better than this!

Psychic Glitter

2008-06-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Psychic Glitter is a screenplay that one of my friends, Eric wrote. It first started out as a short film, in which he did a stage reading of it last year. He had told me he was working on the feature length version and I told him I was happy to help out if I was available at the time.

Eric asked me to come on board and help with directing the project. He was producing, acting in the lead role, and had started directing, but seeing that he had many hats to wear and had his hands full, he asked me to take over in the directing department as he wanted to fully concentrate on his character/acting.

At first, I was a bit hesitant; at the time, I had many stresses going on in my life. My dad was recently been hospitalized and I had just returned from Indiana. I wasn't sure if I was going to have to go back to Indy and continue to help with my father's recovery. Also, my film was in post production and that was also a priority and taking up a great deal of time.

Still, I knew how much this project meant to him and I was quite flattered he asked me to come on board, so I jumped in and began working on the project straight away.

What happened in the next 3 1/2 months was an incredible experience. I saw talented actors grow and develop their craft. I witnessed their excitement in trying and exploring possibilities within their characters. I saw what was merely a thought in Eric's mind, coming to life beautifully on stage.

Actors are truly amazing people and I have a great deal of respect for them. It certainly isn't an easy job and at times it can be down right brutal, yet, there are moments that when you see a performance on stage or in a film, and it's truly awe inspiring and makes the journey worthwhile. There was so much joy when we rehearsed, that it was exciting to see how Psychic Glitter would transform and grow with each week.

I loved seeing an actor "light up" when I gave them a certain direction and they "got it". Or if any actor wanted to chat about their character's intention, back story, or any frustration they may of been experiencing--it was a delight to help and guide them in their journey.

What transpired during tech. week and the final performances was exceptional. I learned to create a lighting design on the fly (we had more options than what was originally told to us --so with more options I had re-create the lighting design during our tech. cue to cue!) and I saw all the hard work and talent of all the actors come together and blossom into a set of fantastic shows.

The shows were a huge success and nearly sold out each night. Everyone I spoke with was very complimentary about the production and on top of it all, we raised close to $2,000 for the Trevor Project.

But perhaps more importantly, I met a group of wonderful actors and made some great friends. I'm very proud of them and all that they achieved. Here's to the cast of Psychic Glitter---you all are awesome!

Quotes

2008-05-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how an encouraging word and/or thought can make your day and completely change your mood or outlook.

I've been reading some of these quotes lately ---on a more regular basis for various reasons, mainly to help continue creating a positive outlook on life and to keep things in perspective. I also find these quotes thoughtful and inspiring. With that in mind, I thought I'd share some of these quotes as it may be helpful to someone else who may need a lift, a change in thought/perspective, or simply in search of some encouraging words. Here are a few of my favorite-- Enjoy.

By the way, the above photo was taken on holiday from my hotel room on New Year's Day. A new day, a new year, a new world!

Dream lofty dreams. For as you dream, so shall ye become. ---James Allen

Your willingness to create a new dream or vision for your life is a statement of belief in your own potential. ---David McNally

Let me listen to me, not to them. ---Gertrude Stein

Let no one come to you without leaving better. ---Mother Theresa

Out of every crisis comes the chance to be reborn. ---Nena O'Neill

If you're going to doubt something, doubt your limits. ---Don Ward

Never, never, never, give up. --- Winston Churchill

Do not fear mistakes. There are none. ---Miles Davis

Make your own trail! ---Katherine Hepburn

To thine own self be true. ---William Shakespeare.

Stretch your mind and fly. ---African proverb

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ---Twyla Tharp

Believe that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Believe that you may be that light for someone else. ---Kobi Yamada

To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. ---Emily Dickerson

To love a person is to learn the song that is in their heart, and to sing it to them when they have forgotten. ---Thomas Chandler

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure that you are. ---Mary Jean Irion

Still I am learning. ---Michaelangelo

High intention sets the universe in motion. ---Armand Hammer

What courage it takes to believe in a dream. ---Carlos Menta

Life doesn't do anything to you, it just reveals your spirit. ---Unknown

When you get into a tight place and it seems you can't go on, hold on--for that is just the place and the time when the tide will turn. ---Harriet Beecher Stowe

We take on the strength of that which we overcome. ---Unknown

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. ---Native American saying

A mighty oak was once an acorn who stood its ground. ---Unknown

Gratitude

2008-01-31T01:33:00.000-08:00

It's a new year: a chance to start fresh and begin anew.

With the onslaught of this New Year a family member went into the hospital. Thankfully, they are being treated and are currently doing ok, however, it did alarm me and made me realize even more so what an amazing gift life is and that our moments here on earth are miraculous and special. To roughly quote a recent film: "Happiness is best experienced when it is shared."

The presence of sickness and even the potential thought of death looming in the forefront of my mind is a rude awakening in one's life. It certainly put things into perspective for me. Some things that I thought were important, have become somewhat insignificant and even petty. To get caught up in worrying, egos, and the silly games that we humans sometimes play --in the end, we're only fooling ourselves --- and in the grand scheme of life, these things are minuscule and even insipid. Life is too short, spectacular, and incredible to think in such small-minded ways.

I walk out into the quiet desert night and I'm continually amazed and awed by the beauty of nature. With the full moon showing brightly in the sky: it's aluminous light revealing the snow capped mountains and the bright green grass underneath my feet. Crickets chirp and sing-- greeting me in the calm night. I look up into the vast, dark, blue sky as the stars dance and twinkle above. "It feels good to be alive." --I thought as I stared out into the wonderment of the serene night.

I wish I could express the profound effect this event has had on my life, but as I write, words seem inept to express my sincere feelings and maybe at this moment, something is telling me that some things are better left unsaid. The one thing I can say is this: I have a new found zeal, passion, and respect for life and want to make the most of each day that I'm here. I know that may sound a bit like a cliché, but it's true. I cherish these moments and understand now, more so than ever, that time is a commodity that no one can "get back". The precious moments I share with my family, friends, and the people that are dear to me, those moments are just that ---precious.