*1. I will spend one hour every morning writing.* Right after I wake up is the only time I can commit to with any kind of consistency. I really believe that if I can establish a daily writing routine I will improve quickly.

*2. I will attend at least a few IFC meetings in Kansas City, despite the drive.* Right now, I really need to surround myself with other people who are interested in film who can inspire me. My meeting with Matt reminded me how motivating friends can be when you share the same interests.

*3. I will focus only on short projects this year.* Although features are more marketable, I was especially frustrated by the rush of this last one. It seems like every day the goal was mainly to get the shots done, which means we weren’t able to really fine-tune the lighting, performances, etc. Without such talented, flexible and easy-going actors and crew, Rock Paper Scissors would’ve been a pretty crappy movie — both to make and to watch. I think, with a smaller pie to chew on, we can really _craft_ a film, which is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.

*4. I will experiment with my own methods of distribution.* I’m thinking about finding a venue and staging some screenings for the public. Hey, I made these movies to be seen, right?

*5. I will raise some money to finish paying for what I have and buy some badly needed sound equipment.* One of my friends suggested selling DVDs of Dumping Jenny and Rock Paper Scissors on the website. To be honest, I had never considered it before. Would anybody else be interested in this?

*6. I will stop wasting time on the internet.* I read a great quote the other day, something along the lines of: “Being a great writer is 10% talent and 90% not getting distracted by the internet.” Man, can I relate there.

*7. I will strengthen and expand my network.* Even with the web — and lots of time at work to be on it — it was harder than I thought to keep in touch with our friends back home while we were living in Japan. On the bright side, I made such great friends in Japan from all over the world that it sort of balanced itself out.

*8. I will experiment with _film_.* Including 35mm black and white still photography. I have an old Super8 camera and I’m thinking about breaking it out for one of those aforementioned short projects. It’ll be a bit more expensive, but the organic quality of it appeals to me. Matt sure got some nice results with it, plus it would be a terrific learning experience.

*9. I will better organize my time.* I have a system. I just need the discipline to stick with it.

*10. I will make a serious effort at self-promotion and fundraising.* I haven’t yet made many serious efforts in this direction. Honestly, I’m living in a small town. It wouldn’t take much to get everyone to stand up and take notice of what I’m doing. As soon as I have a firm project, no matter how small, the newspaper is getting a press release and I’m organizing a screening. Who knows what might happen?

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We returned this afternoon from our time in Dallas and Arizona visiting the relatives. It’s been a blinding 2 weeks, but we enjoyed the relaxing break.

Before flying out from Phoenix, we spent the evening and night with a friend of mine from high school, Matt Eppright, who has since written/produced/directed a staggering number of short films. His latest film, “Trickery of Travelers”:http://www.mankindpictures.com/trickeryoftravelers.html enjoyed two packed premiere showings at “Farrelli’s Cinema Supper Club”:http://www.farrellis.com in Phoenix. Matt brought me the DVD when he came up to visit last month, and I have to say it’s his best work yet. He shot it on Super8 film with a great cast. It’s a clever, catchy piece about a ballerina and a salesman who travel around the desert collecting souls and doing a job for a particular fairy godmother. Very quirky, very cool, and reminds me a little of “Amelie”:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/combined, which is no surprise — “Jean-Pierre Jeunet”:http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000466/ is one of Matt’s favorite directors.

You really ought to check out his trailer “here”:http://www.mankindpictures.com/travelers_preview.wmv (Windows Media file). “Rachel Hamilton’s”:http://www.rachelhamilton.com music really makes the movie!

In between mouthfuls of mexican food, we talked a lot about the noticeable difference in quality between film and video — which is something independent filmmakers LOVE to talk about in great detail, much to the chagrin of my wife — and that led me to my 1st Personal Filmmaking New Year’s Resolution. I’ll throw up that list tomorrow.

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I’m in Arizona right now, spending some time with my grandparents who live in Tucson. Tomorrow we’re doing some swimming in the morning and heading out to play golf in the afternoon with my grandfather. Haven’t ever played before, so it should be pretty funny to anybody watching. Not that anyone would.

I mentioned last week about the importance of making connections through friends. I made a terrific new contact the day after Christmas. My family spent Christmas in Texas with my uncle, and one of his friends dropped by. Susie just got back from working on the new Muppets movie, “The Muppet Wizard of Oz.” Hadn’t even heard of it before now, but she did costume and creature design for it. She told me her last project before that one was a certain film about the Country Bear attraction in DisneyWorld, but we didn’t dwell for too long on that…

Anyway, we had a terrific chat. I asked her about her experiences working for Jim Henson and she asked about my movie projects. We exchanged information and I look forward to continuing the dialogue in cyberspace.

See, you never know who you’re going to meet or when you’re going to meet them. So, as Lloyd Kaufmann says over and over in his book, tell anyone who will listen about your great idea for a new movie!

Speaking about the Muppets, if you haven’t seen The Muppet Christmas Carol, you’re really missing out on what is arguably the last great Muppet movie of the 20th century. Although I did enjoy Muppet Treasure Island as well, but that could just be my Tim Curry bias talking…

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