How is everyone doing? I've been super busy with my films, so haven't had much time to hang out on wordpress or even post at all. Happy to report that my short documentary, Kahana: Teaching Life, (about stuntman Kim Kahana Sr.) has been accepted as an official selection in two film festivals and we're waiting to hear back on several more.  

My short film, Coulrophobia out to several festivals, but it will be a few months before I find out anything. Also, one of my older short stories is on Wattpad: Letter to Dr. Frederick Reynolds. If you don't know about Wattpad, it's a place where you can read free books/stories. I'm working on several other projects right now, writing and film, so be sure to check back for updates or, like my Facebook pages for more frequent updates.
 
 Gemini Films
 
DaJa Vu Films

 My Author Page on Facebook  

 And don't forget to let me know what you've been up to in the comments.  

Book Review: Ghosts of Manhattan by Douglas Brunt

In Douglas Brunt’s debut novel, Ghosts of Manhattan, we are introduced to Nick Farmer, a bond trader at a company with unethical business practices, as he ponders his place in life and his job. Although Nick’s job forces him to live a lifestyle of drugs, booze and strippers, he has somehow managed to rise above it all, keeping his head above the murky waters that constantly threaten to drown him and his marriage. Nick Farmer is presented as tarnished saint in a world of sinners, as, even though he has partaken of plenty of drugs and liquor, he has never let it touch his soul. Of all the things he has done, Nick has never cheated on his wife, even though his coworkers are constantly cheating on their wives or girlfriends. Even when temptation arrives in the form of Rebecca James, beautiful correspondent for CNBC, he remains true to her, physically, if not emotionally. Nick’s true moral test is presented to him by Freddie Cook, a risk analyst who informs Nick that the company they both work for, Bear Stearns, is about to go under, along with every other bond trading firm, if they don’t change their unscrupulous selling tactics. Nick realizes that this is his last chance; he can either get out and start life over at thirty-five, or lose his soul forever.

Douglas Brunt certainly shows promise as a writer and presents a well written narrative that is easy and quick to read. However, to me, Ghosts of Manhattan lacks character and heart. The characters that populate Nick’s world seem thinner than the paper the words are printed on. Even Nick, who is going through a struggle, comes across as not being very well fleshed out; and the constant self loathing felt a bit much. Sure, he’s not the best guy in the world, but he’s certainly not the worst, and it never seems to be in question that he is going to do the right thing, because he is ultimately a good guy. He’s dipped his toes in the water, but has never jumped in the simmering cesspool of sin, so it comes as no surprise in the end when he quits his job and begins the journey back to a life away from the dangerous lifestyle he’s been flirting with since graduating college, and repairing the marriage his job has almost destroyed. 

That being said, Brunt does show a lot of potential in this freshman effort and I didn't feel like my time was wasted, so would give his next book a shot. 

Final Assessment: It was ok

My New Short Film: Coulrophobia (a creepy clown short film)

Please check out my new short film, Coulrophobia




It is Halloween and Sleepy Ridge's most infamous reporter, Marcus Micklewhite, struggles to overcome his fear of clowns in order to finish his latest article, The Creepy Clown Menace, before his midnight deadline. His writer's block is also in the way of him meeting with his girlfriend, Luanne, who is ready to break up with him because Mark keeps making excuses to get out of meeting her friends. 

Of course, this being Sleepy Ridge, something strange is a foot and on top of his personal problems, Mark finds himself terrorized by an actual creepy clown. To survive this harrowing Halloween night, Mark must overcome his coulrophobia and confront the menacing clown.

Special Preview of a Film I Wrote

Please check out this advance preview video of I Love You Because and see what we at DaJa Vu Films have been busy working on!

And don't forget to join the Official I Love You Because Group on Facebook so you don't miss out on exclusive content! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILoveYouBecauseTheMovie

#ODDSQUAD

Just signed up for the #ODDSQUAD street team and you should too!

Camp NaNoWriMo 2015 Winner

I can display this with pride! :D

Letters From Camp NaNoWriMo 2015 Part 1

So, my plans to get a good start on my project for Camp NaNoWriMo were derailed by a funky water heater. I noticed something was awry last night when smelling burnt tinge in the air when stepping out of the back porch, but it was far enough away from the water heater that I didn't consider it to be the cause at the time. People are always burning junk nearby, so that gross burnt smell of man made materials is a familiar scent where I live. My suspicions were raised, however, when later I showered and the water was far beyond the boiling point. The water never gets that hot normally, so I kind of knew something was wrong. Then, this morning, as I was heading out to return A. C. O. D. to Netflix, I had to pass by the water heater and smelled same stench of singed ozone. A look behind the cover revealed an ugly black scorch trail. By a unanimous vote of the house mates, it was decided to get a new water heater. And since I am 1 of only 2 not working at a "real" job today, my writing time went out the window. Now I'm just waiting back on the other house mate to get back with the water heater so we can get that jabroni in place. Then, I can finally start working on the next part of my novel in progress.