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Corona

In Texas, this used to mean beer. Or, even better, a crown. Now it sparks fear in us all.

Social distancing is not all that different from writing mode for most of us keyboard tapers. On writing days, I don’t leave home, don’t put on clothes, and stare at the glowing rectangle on my desk. It’s a blessing, maybe, that now I have lots of writing days. I say maybe because of worries about economic impacts to my little family. My partner teaches acting. Suddenly online. I teach middle school. Suddenly online.

Lately, I’ve had Magic by Olivia Newton-John on repeat on Spotify. Hoping for some of that magic to seep into my screenplay. Hoping to finish before I have to spend most of my days prepping lessons for online delivery. Spring break ends Sunday for us. Next week is a work week of a different kind.

And the week after that is a whole new world. One better for the environment if not the movie industry. My goals haven’t changed. I’m going to keep making movies, keep hustling for financing, keep networking for a manager. I’m keeping positive. I’m good at alone time.

But a little interaction would be nice. Comment, call, or email, if you wanna hang virtually.

Until then, we hafta believe we are magic.

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Update

We are nearing completion on IRA: Cashing In. Just a few more tweaks this week, and I will call it done. Suspended has a few more hands to go through but is expected to be done by May.

I’m turning my producer’s brain to the development of Trap Doors. We are knee-deep scheduling and budgeting but should be ready to go out for financing this spring. The production is slated for July 2021.

In addition to producing, I’m also writing a couple more scripts at the moment. I apparently don’t enjoy sleep, relaxation, or my family. Just kidding, Charlotte. (My daughter thinks I’m in my study too much.)

I’ll be cutting my director’s reel soon and am looking forward to having some actual video on my production company’s website.

That’s it for now. Stay tuned.

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General Update

I’ve been working with my amazing editor, Alli Holland, to get close-to final cut of Suspended. I say close-to final because I’m not sure how a director manages to sit back and call something finished. The temptation to shoot more is almost overpowering. Why didn’t I get the sunset during that night shoot? What the hell was I thinking? I understand why it’s called cutting.

My trip to California for the CineStory retreat went well. I met wonderful writers, both colleagues and mentors, and got helpful feedback on the two feature scripts I sent them for notes: Trap Doors and Les Go! My next push will be to rewrite both based on the notes I got.

I’m also developing a new feature script for a local director. Because with two shorts in post and a feature in development of my own, I have that kind of time. Such is the life of a writer, I suppose!

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IRA: Cashing In

Principal photography has wrapped for IRA: Cashing In. It was an amazing experience making this film with an incredible cast and crew. BTS photos are coming soon.

Today I found out that the screenplay has been nominated for Best Comedy Screenplay at the Austin Micro Short Film Festival. The festival is this Sunday, and it marks the first time, but hopefully not the last, that something of mine is in competition at a film festival.

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Cast for IRA: Cashing In

I’m excited to announce the cast for IRA: Cashing In. Some are familiar faces from my first film, Suspended. I’m honored they are willing to jump on board another of my projects and also thankful that superb new talent is also joining us.

Gary Clarke is Liam. Gary has had a long and storied career in the film industry, most notably on television in the series The Virginian and Hondo and more recently in the films Parkland, the Paper Boy, and Tombstone.

Gary Clarke

Bernadette Maloney is Fiona. Bernadette has appeared in several films, including Duncan, and Fishsticks as well as taking roles in theater,  and a web series.

Bernadette Maloney

Kelly Dealyn is Aisling. Kelly played Mom in Suspended and has had numerous leading roles in film and on TV, including most recently: Iron Orchard, Ivory Seed, Fetish, and Switch.

Kelly Dealyn

Ryan Paul is the Bartender. Ryan played Mr. Gonzales in Suspended and also appeared recently in Murder Made Me Famous: Bin Laden. He had the lead in Ahmed the Philosopher: “The Event,” as well as numerous appearances in theater, commercials, and industrials.

Ryan Paul

Natalie L’Amoreaux is Ciara. Natalie has experience in film and theatre. She has been in many Shakespearean shows, as well as farces and several TV pilots.

Natalie L’Amoreaux
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String Theory!

The amazing Celtic band String Theory has agreed to let us use one of their songs in IRA: Cashing In. If you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to their music yet, visit their website at: www.stringtheoryirish.com and give them a listen. Their musicianship will get you off your bloody arse and up doing a jig!

The Celt

Go see them at their next gig at The Celt in McKinney, one of Texas’s most famous Irish pubs. Their next appearance there will be September 5–plenty of time to plan a trip.

String Theory

Bio:

String Theory is a Celtic folk band that specializes in high energy Irish trad tunes and songs. Recently ranked one of the top 4 Irish Bands in Texas by the Dallas Observer, the band features Jesse Ramirez on guitar and mandolin, D/FW fiddle legend Linda Relph,  Nathan Kennedy on fiddle, Bill Zauner on upright bass, and Matt Cook on vocals, octave mandolin and bodhran. 

The band premiered in 2015 with performances at The Celt and Trinity Hall and has since had over 60 shows between those two pubs. In 2015 they were selected to open for Celtic Thunder’s Emmet Cahill. They performed at NTIF in 2016 and 2017, Irishfest Atlanta in 2016, the 2015 O’Flaherty Retreat, the 2017 and upcoming 2018 McKinney Celtic Music Festival, 2017 and 2018 Sherman Celtic Festival and 2018 Irving Canal Fest. The band was the headline performer at the 2016 and 2017 City of Allen’s Shamrock Shindig St. Patrick’s festival. They also have an active Celtic wedding and private party schedule.  You can find them at StringTheoryIrish on all social media and www.stringtheoryirish.com. Their recently re-released CD self titled String Theory is available at Amazon and iTunes. 

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Gib!

Friday we filmed the intro (under the titles) shot for Suspended. It was my first exterior night shoot.

DP Robert tests the gib. Almost time!
Grip Farsh running the crane, 1st AC Ashley checking focus, me hovering, and Kelly on screen. Sunset happening off-camera!
fly, camera, fly!