Holiday Season Updates....Park City '09...and more...

Well....here we are....

Another year coming to a close....another year passing....another year of getting older....life being lived, films being made, ideas being shared, and more...

And here comes a new year coming this week! Believe it or not, a lot's lining up here in farm country for 2009!

IN THIS ISSUE:

PARK CITY 2009
THE X-RATED GRANDMA PROJECT
FESTIVAL UPDATES
OUR UPCOMING FIRST FEATURE FILM
PHONE SEX GRANDMA: THE INTERNET SERIES
ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK UPDATES
OUR BLOGS
and more....


PARK CITY 2009:

Believe it or not....Opal and I are returning to Park City once again! This Mother and Son is ready to blow more minds in the snow!!!! We've got a lot lined up for Park City this time around....the Slamdance Film Festival and Indieroad have partnered with us for a major online event during Slamdance's festival, and we will be having a featured collection of shorts online during the entire festival, Jan. 15th-23rd! Along with this advanced preview for the world to see online during the fest, we'll also be promoting our new PHONE SEX GRANDMA internet series, while searching for cast and crew. If you've been to Park City, you know it's a great, unforgettable week of networking, fun, partying, great independent film, and more. Opal and I will also be promoting our first feature film that will be shot in 2009! More of that news coming up here in a few paragraphs...and every year, the two of us make the Park City trip as a road trip. Opal's afraid of planes. Nothing beats a great road trip. Fun times coming up!!!

THE X-RATED GRANDMA PROJECT:

This is major breaking news....THE X-RATED GRANDMA is our new project to be released in 2009!!! X-RATED GRANDMA is a compilation of 7 shorts of Opal over a 3 year period. With some films being documentary, some mockumentary, the audience is left to decide...which is real? Which is not? You be the judge. Nothing is as it seems...we will be self-distributing this compilation. No major studio system here. Screw Hollywood. One thing I have learned as an indie filmmaker is that sometimes, to get your true message out, you just have to do some things yourself. And with filming these short films of my Mother over a 3 year period here in farm country, I've found the best way to get these out as a collection to a worldwide audience is to distribute them ourselves online. News will be coming out very shortly on distribution details. In the meantime, it's great news that Slamdance and Indieroad will feature a selection of these shorts during the festival in January. Here's the Slamdance/Indieroad website:

http://www.indieroad.net/slamdance

Check it out. That's where films will be online during the festival for the whole world to see!

FESTIVAL UPDATES:

Our shorts are rockin' on the festival circuit! Between PHONE SEX GRANDMA, THE OUTHOUSE and THE ACCEPTABLE SIN, we've had over 60 festival screenings worldwide in 2009 alone. And more is coming. We've got a lot lined up for 2009. Our new short film JUNK just premiered at the Sundance/Project Direct short film competition. And now will begin the festival circuit as well. Plus, we've got some other new short films made that will be released in 2009....stay tuned....

OUR UPCOMING FIRST FEATURE FILM:

Here's some early breaking news....we will be making our first feature film in 2009! Speaking of our new short film JUNK....this will be our first feature film! JUNK is a film about a Mother and son who run a junk store in a small Southern ghost town. Imagine the TV series SANFORD AND SON combined with the film CLERKS; and you have a really good idea what our new feature film is going to be like. Based off our new Sundance/Project Direct short film, JUNK is scheduled to begin shooting early Spring. We're currently seeking crew, and lining up casting.

You can check out our new 3 minute short JUNK on our YouTube site at: http://www.youtube.com/dixiefilms

Stay tuned for updates on the feature film!

PHONE SEX GRANDMA: THE INTERNET SERIES

Have you seen our first film PHONE SEX GRANDMA? This little 9 minute short has taken the world by storm. Simply put, it's become a cult film. I don't know where my Mother comes up with these ideas for films. Opal is something else. Since this film premiered at Slamdance 3 years ago, it's played over 70 film festivals worldwide, is online with 4 distributors, has had over 400,000 free views on YouTube, and more. And now....we're making PHONE SEX GRANDMA an internet series!

This has been a long time in the making...but it's now a reality. We've already made a preview V-log online, and over the next few months, will have a preview series of V-logs of PHONE SEX GRANDMA. Then, after the V-logs, will come the series. Imagine THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW with a phone sex operator. That's what's coming up. You can watch the first V-log right now on our YouTube and Myspace sites. Stay tuned for more details and episodes!

ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING UPDATES:

To date, we've got over 50 online social networking sites. Along with the biggies (Myspace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), there's a lot more out there. Opal and I have really been working hard these last 6 months trying to build an online community for my Mother, this X-RATED GRANDMA. I really want Opal to become known as the world's favorite, dirtiest Grandma; and personally, as a filmmaker, I want to become known as the next John Waters of film. That's my goal right now. And having my Mother Opal here as my subject and product, makes things very easy. This is just the beginning of what's to come. And the internet is a huge tool for the independent filmmaker to reach a worldwide audience without the big Hollywood industry machine. I've lived in Hollywood. Screw that. Screw the artificial life. It feels great to be real, making movies my own way, and getting my true independent messages out. And online, the 40-50 communities we're a part of are only a small fraction of what's out there. It's mind-boggling. Honestly, I need a staff of 6-7 people to be working these online social networks daily. But in the meantime, as a poor indie filmmaker, working the day job while making my movies, this is how it's going to have be for now. One site at a time. And building the network.

OUR BLOGS:

Speaking of our online websites and networks....

You can see the entire list of our social networking sites on our blogs. Opal and I each have a blog we try to write on as often as we can.

Opal's blog is: http://xratedgranny.blogspot.com

My filmmaking blog is: http://sonofastripper.blogspot.com

Check them out. See what we have to say, and what we're thinking. And visit our list of websites and networks there. We've got a lot we want to share!

As you can see, Opal and I have a lot going on here in farm country. Honestly, I don't know how we do it. It's maddening. It's hard to keep sane. Opal's brain is constantly working with ideas. And I'm trying to get those ideas out to the world as a filmmaker. I think we make a pretty good Mother/Son team. My job is making the movies, marketing, promoting, and distributing them to a worldwide audience. Even though right now, we're not making one dollar with these films. These first few years...are just a taste of what's to come. I can't wait to see what the new year brings.

This is proof that anyone can make a movie. Anywhere. With no money. Everyone has a story to tell. You just have to have the balls, courage and love to make your story and share it with the world. Declare your independence. Let your voice be heard. The world deserves it.

Have a great holiday season! Hope to see you in the snow in Park City!

Until next time...

BREAKING NEWS: X-RATED GRANDMA TO ROCK PARK CITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

X-RATED GRANDMA TO ROCK PARK CITY

Slamdance, Indieroad Team With Truman for Online Event

Lamar, Missouri - The X-Rated Grandma is returning to Park City.

And this time, the whole world can watch.

The Slamdance Film Festival has partnered with Indieroad.net to feature an online event, highlighting a showcase collection of short films of alumni filmmaker Jack Truman as part of Slamdance's annual Park City festival Jan. 15-23, 2009. Truman's first film, the award-winning short mockumentary PHONE SEX GRANDMA premiered at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival.

THE X-RATED GRANDMA is a compilation of 7 short films of Truman's real-life Mother, Opal Dockery over a 3-year period. Through a combined Slamdance/Indieroad.net site (www.indieroad.net/slamdance), Slamdance will stream a collection of shorts from THE X-RATED GRANDMA throughout the festival period, along with a selection of official festival films. Bringing these short films through the festival online to a worldwide audience for the first time, this groundbreaking partnership will allow audiences the opportunity to see these festival films from a location of their choosing, even if they cannot physically attend.

Truman's films from THE X-RATED GRANDMA will be the only featured short films online during the fest from a Slamdance alumni.

"We're thrilled to return to Slamdance", Truman stated in press materials. "As an indie filmmaker, Slamdance is like the family you never had. And as a short filmmaker, this festival has empowered and brought my extreme alternative films to a worldwide audience. It will be exciting to be a part of this groundbreaking online event during the Park City madness".

The festival runs Jan. 15-23, 2009 in Park City, Utah.

On the Net:

Slamdance/Indieroad: http://www.indieroad.net/slamdance

Slamdance Film Festival: http://www.slamdance/com

Dixie Productions: http://www.myspace.com/dixiefilms

THE X-RATED GRANDMA:
On YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dixiefilms
On Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/xratedgrandma

How Real People Are....

People disgust me...

It amazes me how fake people are. Truly. When I was younger, people seemed real. And the older I have become, I have come to realize that people have nothing to do with you unless they can use you.

No matter what.

It truly amazes me. There are people I know from my college days, 20 years ago, that I think of as true friends. And I never hear back from them. There are people who became true friends 15, 20 years ago in KC, Dallas and Chicago, that I now can keep in touch with, and never hear a reply from. And then there are the industry people I have met over these last 10 or so odd years, that I consider real, true, new friends, that I never hear a response from unless they need me for something. Then once I respond, and they get what they want, I don't hear from them again until they again need something...and the vicious cycle continues...

People are not real. This is a sad fact. When I first moved to L.A., I thought it was an L.A. thing....but the older I get, the more I find and realize that all people are this way...it doesn't matter where you are, or what you do....it seems as human nature....people only use you for what they can get....

What happened to the good old days....or maybe....it's just always been this way....

That is what I think...

Another week of Life...

Well...another week passing...

And another beginning....

It's something....life is good. I feel myself getting older each day. I'm not wild kid I was 15 years ago in Chicago...or 20 years ago in Dallas...it's funny how life changes....

Now, I work my day job, make my movies and promote them while I'm not working the day job, eat, sleep and watch some tv now and then. I'm becoming an old man...early...but feel very relaxed, and am doing what I love...making movies. Even though I'm not making a dollar...I'm getting my message out.

Fuck Hollywood....I've been there...and don't need it. That's another story. I'd rather be out here in the boonies, having to struggle and live a regular life making ends meet, and be real, true and honest with my films to get their messages out. Fuck all that artificial bullshit. That can stay in Hollywood.

People want to see what's real. People want to be shocked. They want their eyes to be opened. They want to think and talk.

And that is what I am trying to give them....one little short movie at a time....until I can have enough money for a feature film to really explode a message out there.

I love declaring my independence...

Gettng Ready for the Park City Madness...

Well...here it is....

Another new year coming....lots of new things coming up....time to wrap some things up and get ready for new things to work and do....

And live a new season of the Park City madness.

I love this time of year coming up. It is the one time of the year I truly feel real, and my true self....being in Park City and experiencing the Slamdance/Sundance Park City madness....

Come tomorrow, all the major industry news will be out there to help get January set up....and I'll be there. A part of the annual tradition.

I feel like I should write a book or something about the experience, each of these last 3 years, and with the one coming up....on how to survive the madness, and make a hit film for Park City. Maybe I will one day. But right now, all I care about is making my movies, getting my messages out, and sharing them with the world. And there's no better place to do that in my mind other than Park City in January in below zero weather. The experience is unforgettable, amazing and addictive. Once you've experienced it, you want to keep going back each year for more.

Over this weekend, I put 2 new short films up on the internet; my shorts are playing all over the world; I'm working to get THE X-RATED GRANDMA released in 2009; shooting a feature documentary right now; and getting ready to shoot a new feature film in 2009 out here in the boonies....but all of that gets to be put on the back-burner when you get to have a celebration of true independent film and life at the Mother of indy film....

I can't wait...

My Mother, Opal as THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

Surviving the Madness...

Man...

I'll tell you...I've got to figure out a way to manage all this madness, have a life, get things done and live life...

Things were much easier 3 years ago, when I only had one little 9 minute film made. I was focused on getting that first film out to the work, while making a living. Then that little film called PHONE SEX GRANDMA had to go and explode out there to the world...

Still, that was cool. For another year I was able to manage things okay. Then, once the second short THE OUTHOUSE exploded in Park City....2 films became too much to manage by myself. Now, I've got my hands even more filled....all of these films to juggle, online promoting, making more movies, 12 hour days with this, working a regular job, no social life, not making a cent from these films...it would be easy to just put all these films back on a shelf and live life for years....

But I love it. I love the madness. I love having control of my art and getting my messages out to the world. And the world wanting to hear my voice through film. If that means me being a poor man in my wallet....so be it.

My goal is to be a philsopher with film...this is my beginning...

Life of the Poor Filmmaker....

Well....another day to come....and life to live....

It was nice to finally take a few days and not do pretty much anything...even though I'm not one for the holidays, I have to admit, it was nice just having some time off and not do anything...

And now...back to reality...

It's early morning, I'm waking up with a strong cup of coffee, getting ready to go out the door soon to earn a few bucks, and in the meantime, am going mad trying to figure out how to manage life with all of these film projects....

All these short films playing the festival circuit....getting the compilation of Opal's shorts ready to release in 2009....getting ready for the Slamdance/Indieroad project in Park City for January....trying to edit this new comedy short with a deadline of next week....trying to shoot footage of this new feature doc here and there whenever I get a free moment....and trying to figure out and organize a way to shoot my first narrative feature in 2009....

This is madness....

Getting Ready for Park City...

It's a busy time....

Even though I'm dirt poor, working these dinky jobs, we're building a worldwide audience for our crazy films....

15 fest submissions for THE ACCEPTABLE SIN today, getting ready for Slamdance in January, and more...

And life goes on....

My Mother, Opal, and her X-RATED GRANDMA Doritos Commercial:

Another Day, Another Dollar....

Well....

Just finished day 3 of this temp job...we'll see how long it goes...maybe a week, maybe a year...who knows....at least it'll pay the bills while I try to get these movies out there....

Just finished eating some fried potatoes, popcorn and tortilla chips with some spaghetti sauce...and getting ready to konk out early...just chipping away....and trying to live a little life...

It feels good to have this tooth finally pulled...

A New World is Coming....

I'll tell you...this last week has been amazing....

I can't stop smiling about Obama winning. The world is changing. Change is coming. And it's exciting.

This last week's been pretty busy....the election....Opal's court date...getting my tooth pulled...working online promoting these films....having shorts play this weekend in Germany and NYC...getting ready for Park City....getting ready for this new temp job to make ends meet....and more...busy times...

And things keep kickin' along...

Need to Find Time....

I need to find time to get things done....

This is the first time in 3 weeks I've had a minute to get on here and write....just trying to make a living right now, while these short films play a different fest each week...

Need to start getting some more things done....

My Mother, Opal as PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

Wade Johnson Gave Me a Loan

Strippers are looked down on from the rest of society. They are put in the same category as prostitutes and dope dealers. As a result, it is impossible to do some things like "regular" people such as getting a loan at the bank.

Wade Johnson worked at the bank across the street from the State Burlesk Theater in Canton, Ohio. He was a trusting person who gave a break to the underdog.

Wade would come back stage and watch the show. I became acquainted with him this way.

One time I needed some money. He was backstage; and I asked him if he would give me a loan of $1,000.00. He told me to come to the bank the next day; and he would handle it.

I went there the next day. Much to my surprise he gave me the loan with no collateral - only my signature and word. It is pretty funny; but he did not even know my real name until he took my application for the loan. All he knew me by until then was Wild Star.

To make a long story short - I paid back the loan. Later, I found out that he had taken chances on a lot of so-called low-classed people like me.

I told him I really appreciated his trust in me and that I had heard how he helped other people by just taking a chance on their word. He replied, "I haven't been burned yet. They always pay."

Opal as THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

Today as a Filmmaker....

First time in a couple of weeks I've had a chance to get on the internet and write something....spending too much time trying to make a living and make ends meet, and haven't had the time and resources to do much on the internet.

Good things are a'comin'......

My Mother, Opal as THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

Trying to Get Back on Track....

Boy....it's tough being a poor filmmaker....

This has been the first time in over 2 weeks that I've found the time and resources to write a blog. Since my last one, I've been focusing on this telemarketing job to pay the bills, and make ends meet. I've lost focus of why I'm here and what I need to do....why I'm sacrificing just getting by to make make ends meet...it's to make my movies, and get my messages out there.

It would be easy to get a great job, and work it for 20 years until I'm a senior citizen; make a lot of money; have an easy life; but there's more I want out of life than that.

These last couple of weeks, when I get home from working this dinky job, it's been easy to pop open a beer, turn on the TV, and relax for a few hours, wind down and get some rest....but I need to remember why I'm doing all of this....and force myself to mentally get back on track.

It's hard. I'll be honest. It's really hard to keep pushing myself like this. And I'm getting older. Getting more set in my ways. That makes it harder. That's why I have to try even harder.

I keep trying to remember what Tom Hanks said in the film A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: "It's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great". I have to remember that. Keep focused. It's so hard. But it's supposed to be hard.

Today, I finally have had the time and resources to upload a new online episode of THE X-RATED GRANDMA. This week, I've had a short film play in Texas and Alabama. Next week, a short plays in L.A.; my films have played over 30 festivals so far this year; I'm trying to get my new feature THE X-RATED GRANDMA ready to explode in 2009. And there's more. I just have to find the time to keep working things and get going....

And life continues....

My Mother, Opal in today's new episode of THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

The Poor Man Kickin' Along....

Well...another week's gone by....

Times are tough...I'm working this new telemarketing job to pay the bills....it's taking up most of my days....

By the time I get home, I'm pretty drained mentally...it's tought to get things going once I get in the door....

With over 50 websites, each day I try to hit some....but sometimes, I'm just beat and have to let the night go by without getting anything done...

But my Park City days are still paying off...the shorts are still rockin' the fest circuit, I'm building a fan base, editing work, and doing online social networking...trying to get my films out there....

Maybe one day soon, I'll be able to stop working these dinky phone jobs and just work on films....but for right now, I'll just have to live with my film work being seen for free around the world. I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing...and hoping the times will change....

And another week comes....

My Mother, Opal, in THE ACCEPTABLE SIN:

I Love Making My Movies....

This is great....

Simply put, I love making movies. Whether it's a 60 second V-log episode of my Mother on the internet, a 5 minute short film for a film festival, a feature film to get out there in theaters...it doesn't matter to me. As long as I'm able to make a film, declare my independence, and get a message out, that's all I care about.

As a filmmaker, I want to open people's eyes; shock them; make them think, and talk; and expose them to truths they are afraid to see. It amazes me how scared people are to face truths.

I may be broke....working odd jobs to make ends meet, so I can get my messages out there...but I'm living life my way, making movies my way, and finding an audience...

I love my life...

My Mother, Opal, in her new episode of THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

An Unforgettable Week....

Man...I'll tell you....

It's been some week, hasn't it?

It's weird....I've had a lot going on as a filmmaker....like getting ready for our NYC Times Square screening tonight of our new short THE OUTHOUSE, getting our new internet V-log episode of THE X-RATED GRANDMA ready for our Saturday release, promoting our 50 plus websites.....and more....but all of this has kind of taken a back seat for me this week, with all this RNC shit going on....

I just have to take a few moments and write my thoughts of, instead as a filmmaker, as a U.S. liberal citizen...

Everything this week has been jaw-dropping....and simply, a joke, in my opinion...let's begin:

Sarah Palin, simply put, in my opinion, is a joke, and a deliberate tactic by McCain and the RNC to distract people from the issues. They think the American people are so idiotic that they will focus on these 'popularity' tactics with the media, instead of the issues....hey...it worked the last 8 years....why change anything, right?

Last night, for example, with Guiliani and Palin's speeches at the RNC...was a perfect example of the hypocrisy, sexism, racist, demeaning, sarcastic, belittling values of the Republican party. If you watched Guilani's speech, you can probably agree with me how discusting and degrading he was.

Palin comparing herself to Obama? Give me a break...another joke. The new quotes for Palin in the media...'A Star is Born'...'The Perfect Populist Speech'...and the great star quotes go on....hmmmm...seems like there's a new, as to quote McCain, 'Celebrity' in the world....'She's the biggest new celebrity in the world....but is she ready to lead?' Sound familar?

McCain and Palin's refusal to talk about any issues, and just focus on 'character'...well...okay....let's just to the Republican thing, go against what's important to Americans, and just talk about 'character' for a moment....with Palin. Just on the beginning traits....current Alaska corruption investigaions....being involved with the Alaska Independent Party, and supporting succession from the United States....with her overworking her 'hockey mom' image, seems like she's got a pretty dysfunctional family that she has trouble managing...with her blasting out her 'family values', this whole son/grandson rumor, with a lot of Americans (especially me, for one), seems the most important issue to put to bed; because if the rumors become, what I believe, to be true, she is defrauding the government, the public, and the American people... But that's another story....

This whole 'sexist' theme.....it sickens me to the core to watch these hypocritical Republicans this week, whenever a part of the media questions any experience, character or other issues with Palin, the Republicans call it 'sexist'...but boy, last night, they were playing the 'woman' theme hard...this appears to me to really degrade women. The Republicans are really being sexist. And what about the continuous words 'hot', 'hottest' and 'babe' being thrown around by them for Palin? Sounds about as sexist as you could be to me...and coming from the RNC...

To be honest, I'll tell you....if Obama wanted, he could easily be calling the RNC and there spokespeople 'racist'. What would people think if every time a reference was made to Obama's experience, character, values, family and so on....Obama's people came back with 'that's racist'? To me, seems if the Republicans are playing this game, Obama has every right to do this. But you won't see him go there. It's not relevant to the issues, and to what's important to Americans. This seems like a major sexist/racist conspiracy theory to me right now...I could really go on about this topic...but I'll just leave this at that.

'Country First'? This is the theme for McCain/Palin? Seems to me like 'Palin First'. Having no respect for the privacy of her family, values, ethics for her state, experience to step in for McCain as Commander in Chief, let's just throw her out there the beginning of a holiday weekend, keep her in hiding for 5 days shacked up in a hotel room, let the world and media do tabloid buzz as we drill her for a worldwide speech, then present her to the world a week later for the first time, preaching a well-written speech by Bush writers to her choir, coming across with low worldwide expectations as a great speaker, and not give one interview to the media or talk to any press. Seems to me like it's pretty obvious who they're putting first.

I'll tell you...as a filmmaker, I wish I wasn't scrapping to make ends meet. If I just had the money to make my movies, I'd be traveling all over this country right now, filming a lot of things relating to this....

Well...there's my political rant....a rare thing for me to do. Now that I've done it, I'll get out of here and starting working on my film stuff...

Can't wait for the next week.

My Mother, Opal as THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

PHONE SEX GRANDMA on FACEBOOK!

What a weekend....

Glad I've got 3 days to work this stuff until I start this new telemarketing job to pay the bills....at least this gives me some time to work these 50 plus websites to promote these films...

And our newest one I'm working on...is Facebook!

We've got a new Facebook page for PHONE SEX GRANDMA. Here's the link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/PHONE-SEX-GRANDMA/7958687939

PSG is still exploding, with all these other projects; just got another waiver for a film festival for the short....

And the weekend continues...

My mother, Opal as THE X-RATED GRANDMA on YouTube:

Making History....

What a week....

I haven't had the time this week to really work my filmmaking projects....but I'll tell you....this is one great week to be an American....

What a speech last night from Obama....MLK would be proud. I loved the convention, and loved the unity with the Clintons. I'm a big Hillary supporter, but this unity...you can't beat it. This is historic. What a speech last night.

And today....what happened? McCain picking Palin? Obama and Biden must be licking their chops right now....he just handed this election over to Obama on a silver platter. In my opinion, this lady Sarah is a joke; a beauty queen, hockey mom, who's biggest background 1 year ago was Mayor of a town with 5,000 people? Give me a break. McCain must be tapping into that hot stuff pretty well....and if you watched the announcement this morning, he looked pretty excited looking down at her ass while she was speaking...I'll bet he's getting excited thinking about who's going to be under his desk if he's in office....

Can't wait for next week....

My Mother, Opal as THE X-RATED GRANDMA:

Poor Filmmaking here in the Boonies....

This is a tough life....

Getting older, living in poverty here in the sticks, working odd jobs to make ends meet so we can make our own films our own way, and share them with the world...sometimes, i wonder if all of this is worth it. Because as each day passes, I feel older and my age...

Then there are days like today...

Our new hit short THE OUTHOUSE is playing nationwide today in 3 cities; Atlanta, Palm Springs and Seattle...we just put our new episode of THE X-RATED GRANDMA up here on the internet this morning on YouTube, Veoh, Funny or Die, Metacafe, Flixya and ICN, to share with the world; have 4 festival screenings already lined up next month for THE OUTHOUSE in NYC, Austin, Birmingham and Canada...and getting this feature film version of THE X-RATED GRANDMA ready for Slamdance in January...

And life continues...

My Mother, Opal, and her new X-RATED GRANDMA V-log episode:

A Note from this Poor Filmmaker....

Wow....

I'll tell you....

Sometimes I feel like I've lived too long. It's days like today that I feel like an old man. I look at everything I've accomplished these last 25 years...and I can honestly say, that if I died tomorrow, I'd die a rich man....

I have no regrets. None.

How many people can say that? I'm dirt poor here in the Ozarks, living in poverty, working crappy telemarketing jobs to make ends meet week to week while I make my movies....but I'm richer by far than these millionaires who slave and hoard their whole lives, and die with their pockets full, being a slave to their job for 40 years, so they can win the contest in death of 'who dies with the most in their pocket'. And these people that slave at their job all their life so they can have nice material things and keep up with the Jones's?

Fuck that!

Give me a shack in the boonies any day, with no hot water, a clothes line to dry my clothes, an electric heater to keep warm in the winter, and my cat to keep me company...and I'm a rich man....

This poor filmmaker doesn't need a bunch of cash to be alive...truly alive....

My Mother, Opal, THE OLD STRIPPER, on VEOH:


Online Videos by Veoh.com

Remembering Military School....

I remember military school...

Those were some good days....when I was 6,7,8 years old back in the early 70's...spending the school year there in Tennesseee...then getting to spend the summers with Mother on the road on the burlesque circuit.

Those were the days....

My Mother, Opal, in THE ACCEPTABLE SIN:

I'm Wore Out....

Man....

Everything seems like a job.

Along with living, getting by....and as a filmmaker in poverty here in the boonies, trying to work all these 40 websites....man...

And it keeps going...

My Mother, Opal, in the new trailer THE OLD STRIPPER:

Friday in the Boonies....

Well....another week coming to an end....and things keep kickin'....

This has been a crazy week...the heat's been hell....but now the week's ending where it's back down to the 80's....and I'm starting to get some work done...

This social networking's taking up most of my time....trying to get my Mother Opal out there as the X-RATED GRANDMA....

And here comes the weekend...

My Mother, Opal, as THE X-RATED GRANDMA on Funny or Die:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Too Much to Do....

It's a busy life being the son of a stripper...and a dirt poor, independent filmmaker too....

Today has been nuts....along with it being another 105-plus degree day here in the Ozarks, been trying to work this internet socially like hell...I've created over 25 different social networks for our films so far, to try to promote and grow our audience, and build an even larger global audience for my Mother, Opal, aka THE OLD STRIPPER...

Too much to do...this is maddening....

My Mother, Opal, the X-RATED GRANDMA:

It's Hot as Hell....

Damn, it's hot....

It's over 100 degrees here today in the Boonies....was yesterday, too...and is supposed to be 100-110 degrees here for the next 3 days...

Most of the time, it just seems too hot to do anything.

I've got so much to do....but so little time with this fucking heat....

My Mother, Opal, aka PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

Dead Time....

Time seems to be dragging right now....

It seems like I haven't been able to get anything done these past few days. It's been hot as hell; over 100 degrees daily....yesterday, Opal and I got a ride into town to look at a car to buy....that was a wasted trip, going to look at that piece of shit...and that took most of the afternoon.

I think the only thing I got done yesterday was checking a few emails out here in the country on this dial-up.

I've got so much to do....so much filmmaking shit....

I'm trying to make plans for a trip to Atlanta in August for our screening of THE OUTHOUSE....trying to work out the Short Film Market screening of OUTHOUSE for a week in August in Palm Springs....got so many things I'm trying to do....I can't think straight.

I think this heat's getting to me....

My Mother, Opal as PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

Working the Social Networks....

Boy, it's a job....

This social networking is a job....especially if you have dial-up internet....it takes a long time for the screens to come up, and work these different sites....

This weekend, I've been working our channels on Youtube....Metacafe....Revver...Indiegogo...Indiewire....Tribe Hollywood...Myspace....Twitter...Blog websites....and others....it takes time. There's communities that we're members of, that I just don't have the time to visit and network. We're members of about 30 sites, and I've got the time to work about 5 or 6 different ones each week. I wish I had about 4 or 5 people working for us online social networking. It's just gonna take time to get these things done. You can only do what you can do.

Yesterday, we got our new YouTube episode of THE X-RATED GRANDMA up on our YouTube channel. And last night, our new hit documentary short film THE OUTHOUSE played in Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Arts Forum. Wish I could have been there!

And the weekend continues....

My Mother, Opal, aka THE OLD STRIPPER:

Being the Son of a Stripper....

I love being the son of a stripper....

I've loved my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The things I've done...the places I've been...the things I've seen, people I've known....this has been one great life. If I died tomorrow, I'd have no regrets.

Every once in a while, I think about when I was a kid, growing up on the burlesque circuit in the 1970's. Man, those were fun times. I loved traveling with Mother in the summer on the road. I wish home schooling would have been legal back then.

There's so many stories to tell....of growing up, since I've been an adult...I need to start writing some more of those stories.

It really means a lot to me personally to know that the beginning films I'm making are of my Mother...an old stripper....these films of mine right now couldn't be any more personal...

My Mother, Opal, aka PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

Man, I'm Hung Over....

Well....this is some tough shit....

I'm hung over today. Yesterday, I had some beer. The first I've drank in a month. I've only drank twice in the 3 months I've been stuck out here. And I'm feeling it today....

I'm going crazy trying to figure out all of this social networking. I know that Mother and I have a gold mine just waiting to explode with all her stuff....the PHONE SEX GRANDMA, OLD STRIPPER and X-RATED GRANDMA stuff....films....books....blogs....Youtube V-logs....and more. I've just got to figure out a way to work all of these social networks, to let the internet world know what we've got here....

This is tough....

My Mother, Opal, as PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

Today in Milford...

Things are a little better today....

My medication ended yesterday for the wisdom tooth I got pulled last week, along with the oral surgery done with drilling in the bone underneath the wisdom tooth...but it seems since I've been off the medication, I have my senses about me more...so that's good....

Mother and I was able to get a ride into town today...I was able to use the high speed internet at the Lamar Library for about 20 minutes to get a couple of things done. While I was working that, Opal went and checked our mail at the P.O. Box...and got a ride out to Wal-Mart to buy us a case of beer. It's the first liquor I've drank in over a month...and I have to be honest...it feels pretty good....

It's funny how we get depressed...things could be a lot worse...I was sitting with Mother about an hour ago talking, and told her how it would feel if I was paralyzed from the neck down; unable to do anything; just move my head around....and at that instant, it made me realize that even though I'm poor...and broke....and living off scraps....I've got my life. We don't realize how much worse life could be.

Live life....

My Mother, Opal, the X-RATED GRANDMA:

It's Hot as Hell....

Damn it's hot....

It's almost 100 degrees here today....my frozen shoulder bone is killing me....my mouth is in pain from the wisdom tooth oral surgery last week....what a day....

It's days like this that I get in states of depression, and can't seem to get anything done.

It's hard to remember and focus on all of the great things that have happened and are happening in my life...

I need to wake up and get out of this funk....

My Mother, the X-RATED GRANDMA:

My First Day at Military School....

I've been trying to think of where to start with writing about my childhood memories of being the son of a stripper....where do I start? There's years of memories....from the 70's and 80's....so much to tell. I guess I'll start at the beginning.

My Mother started stripping on the burlesque circuit when I was 6 years old. Thinking back, that would have been in 1971 when she started dancing. She had just divorced, and was on her own raising me and my sister. I remember her agent booking her at different burlesque theaters around the country. She was just starting to dance on the burlesque circuit when she sent me to military school.

I went to military school the first 5 years of grade school. It was a boy's military school in Bloomington Springs, Tennessee. The school I went to took boys from the first to the 5th grade. I remember the first day she took me there. I did not want to go. I loved traveling on the road with Mother, and wanted to travel with her on the burlesque circuit. Now, looking back, I can see why she couldn't take me with her; home schooling was illegal back in the 1970's. And she wanted me in a safe environment.

I remember watching her drive off after taking me to the school. It was the end of summer, and I wouldn't get to see her again until Thanksgiving. I can't explain how it felt watching her drive away. Words can't explain it. That first day, I couldn't stop crying. And I cried myself to sleep that night on the bunk bed.

I ended up really loving being at military school. But I still wish I could have travelled with her on the road all those years. I did get to travel with her in the summers. But it never was enough....

My Mother, the Old Stripper, aka PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

The NYC Premiere of THE OUTHOUSE...

Man....the times are busy....

And things just keep on coming....

This is some great news: tomorrow, our new hit Slamdance short THE OUTHOUSE will be having its New York City premiere! It'll be playing the Rooftop Film Festival in Brooklyn. I don't know who'll be in NYC, but if you're there tomorrow night, here's the Rooftop link for details about the screening:

http://rooftopfilms.bside.com/2008/films/ruralroute_rooftopfilms2008

OUTHOUSE will be playing NYC again in September, at the ACE Film Festival in Manhattan; but tomorrow night's Rooftop screening is the film's first screening in NYC.

I love that town....and they seem to love my films. PHONE SEX GRANDMA played there at 6 different film festivals over the last 2 years; and now THE OUTHOUSE is starting there....

Wish I could be there tomorrow night!

PHONE SEX GRANDMA on YouTube:

Memories of a Son of a Stripper....

Man....I have loved my life.

This morning, I was sitting, drinking a cup of coffee, thinking about the life I've had. It's been full; unlike anyone else's. I've never met anyone else who is a son of a stripper from the 1970's and 80's.

When I think about the different times of my life, it amazes me; everything I've done; everywhere I've been.

When I just think about my childhood; if I try to remember a time in the 70's when Mother was dancing, and I was on the road with her during a summer off of military school....man....those were great times. A lot of that time seems like a blur, but when I try to focus on certain cities or events, more come to mind....

I need to start writing more about my childhood. The places Mother danced. The military school I was at. Being on the road with her in the summers. The gypsy life we had, starting when I was 6 years old. Those were the days.

I can't wait to write about them....


My Mother, aka PHONE SEX GRANDMA:

I Really Wanted a Beer Yesterday....

Man....

I don't know why, but yesterday, I was really craving a beer.

I don't get the cravings that much....since May 9th (67 days ago), I've only had a drink one day. This is the first time in my adult life that I've got this long of a period without drinking. I know this rehab's good for my body.

I'll be 43 next month....and for the last 25 years, I've been drinking regularly. I don't know how I lived through some of those drinking, partying years in college, living in Dallas, Chicago, Kansas City....man....those years are a blur. But I guess I'm not a true alcoholic, or I couldn't go without it. I'd find a way to be drinking.

I think it's good for my body being stuck out here in the country right now, without transportation or an income....or I'd still be getting drunk like a fish every day. I think about my rehab days I'm going through out here....and about how much money people spend to go to a rehab center. I guess when it comes down to it, I'm better financially and health wise being stuck out here.

Thank god I'm vegan....

Tomorrow I go to the dentist to get 2 teeth pulled. Mother and I will be paying my neighbor to drive us 50 miles so I can go to the free dental clinic to get these teeth pulled. I'm not looking forward to it. It'll be the first teeth I've had pulled as an adult. I don't think that's too bad for 43 years....

THE X-RATED GRANDMA aka my Mother: Talking about Shit

THE OUTHOUSE in San Francisco....

Well....

This has been one busy week out here in the middle of nowhere, to say the least.....

Last night was the World Premiere of our new documentary short THE ACCEPTABLE SIN in New Mexico. And tomorrow, is the West Coast premiere of our new hit short film THE OUTHOUSE!

THE OUTHOUSE will be playing San Francisco's Frozen Film Festival. I'm so glad an audience in California is going to have a chance to see this film.

And I just got word today that THE OUTHOUSE will be playing again this summer in California in Santa Barbara!

All of this....plus these other projects....it's a busy time out here in farm country....

Wish I could be in California tomorrow night!!!!

THE X-RATED GRANDMA on Indiegogo

Well...we now have a new website for our film project THE X-RATED GRANDMA....

INDIEGOGO!

Indiegogo has partnered with us to help us raise money to make our new feature film. It took me over 2 years, but I finally filmed the movie, and got that done...7 different short films of my Mother Opal, aka PHONE SEX GRANDMA!

We've got to raise just a little more money to get the editing done for this film, so we can start getting it out on the film festival circuit. Indiegogo is going to try to help us make this happen.

PHONE SEX GRANDMA, THE OUTHOUSE, THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER, THE ACCEPTABLE SIN....these little short films I've made have played over 60 festivals worldwide....now we just need to finish editing our first feature...and we'll already have a worldwide film market for THE X-RATED GRANDMA to play!

THE OLD STRIPPER...on YouTube...

Here we go....

I just uploaded our new episode of Opal on YouTube...I hope people like it!

My Mother, Opal, is THE OLD STRIPPER...aka PHONE SEX GRANDMA...aka THE X-RATED GRANDMA!

The World Premiere of THE ACCEPTABLE SIN

Well...here we go!

I just received word that our new documentary short film, THE ACCEPTABLE SIN, will have its official World Premiere next week!

THE ACCEPTABLE SIN will screen next week, July 10th, and the Animal Rights Film Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I can't wait to see the audience reaction to this film. We got great word of mouth from our advance screenings on Current TV...now this new film about Obesity, Religion and Animal Rights will begin to have a festival audience!

It's a crazy time out here in the boonies...July's going to be one busy month. Next week, is this World Premiere of THE ACCEPTABLE SIN. Next week, July 12th, THE OUTHOUSE will have its California premiere in San Francisco to close the Frozen Film Festival, and the next week, on the 18th, THE OUTHOUSE will have its NYC premiere at Rooftop! The screenings are piling up...we've already got bookings at fests in August and September, with more to come...the times are crazy!

I love it...

My Frozen Shoulder Bone...

Well....I'll be....

I don't know if you've ever had a frozen shoulder bone. I had one with my right arm 2 years ago. It lasted about a year. It was painful and terrible.

And now, 2 years later, I have it with my left arm. I've had it about 6 months now, since January. They say it takes about a year to completely heal. I just have to live with the pain.

But...I may have found a cure for the pain....

Apple Cider Vinegar.

Yes. Apple Cider Vinegar. I was reading some of my Natural Medicine books yesterday, and also did some online research, and found that apple cider vinegar is good for inflammation, sprains, pain and joints, specifically frozen shoulder. I applied the vinegar like crazy yesterday, and my shoulder has felt better than it has all year. Seriously. All the medicine I've taken, medicated patches, oils, ice packs, heating pads....nothing felt as good as when I applied the apple cider vinegar.

I'll keep using it and see what happens.

I'm a believer of apple cider vinegar. 13 years ago, I had an ulcer, and weighed over 200 pounds. Apple cider vinegar cured my ulcer and helped me lose 50 pounds in 2 months. The ulcer never came back. I love this miracle cure.

Seems like every year I go to Park City for Slamdance and Sundance, I come back home, and have a frozen shoulder for a year. I personally believe it has something to do with the climate change.

We'll see what happens!

52 Days Without a Drink...and Counting....

Well...I still haven't touched a drink.

It's been 52 days now since I've had a drink...and I don't crave it at all...never have....I think that's a good sign.

My brain goes crazy thinking non-stop of all the things I have to do and the projects...it's madness. My brain is always working. It never stops.

For about 50 days now, I can't sleep....I toss and turn, and maybe get about 2 hours of sleep a night....

But I'm getting a lot done....building our YouTube channel, working these projects...the list goes on.

It feels good getting things done....

George Carlin R.I.P....

It's a shame about George Carlin's passing...he was classic adult humor, great perverse and obscene adult comedy.

He will be missed....

I'll tell you....mark my words...Opal, aka THE X-RATED GRANDMA, will be the next George Carlin...

My Non-Stop Brain....

My brain is always working.

It won't stop. I can't get it to. I'm always thinking of new ideas, new projects, old projects....and a lot of them are projects I've been thinking about for years that still need to get done.

I'm making my short films like crazy....I'm wanting to make my first feature, and am battling out which script to pick to make...I'm trying to make money with what I've already made....and the list goes on....

This brain just won't stop working...

Living in Dallas....

Sunday, my new hit short film THE OUTHOUSE is having its Texas premiere at a festival in Dallas. I wish I could be there. I just can't make the trip.

It's only about 350 miles from here....a 5-6 hour drive...but I don't have a car, and can't afford it. That's ok,though...

Thinking about my film being in Dallas this weekend brings back some great memories of that city. I lived in Dallas for 2 years from 1988-90. It was a fun time....I had a good job, was starring in plays all over the city, getting laid every other night, getting shit-faced at bars, having season tickets to the Rangers ballpark in Arlington...those were good times.

Good memories...

The Festival Submissions....

Man....

It's a busy time....

One thing I'm trying to do is keep all of these films organized with my festival submissions. I'm getting a lot of fee waivers. A lot of fests around the world want to see my work.

It's hard keeping everything straight....

40 Days Without a Car...and Counting

Well....I think things happen for a reason....

It's been almost 40 days since the transmission went out in my van. And I haven't had a car to drive. I'm broke. Stuck out here in the boonies. But good things are happening....

I haven't been giving the oil companies $150 a week for my gasoline like I was. I haven't been able to buy beer for 40 days, so I'm doing good in rehab out here...I don't have high-speed internet, so I'm getting other things done out here...and I'm reading books that I haven't had the time to read over the last 15 years.

And the list goes on....

Good things are happening to this poor man...who's just a filmmaker in the boonies...

Today With My Real Father....

I've been spending the day with my real father....my Mother.

Opal is my Father. My parents divorced when I was 6 years old, and my deadbeat dad had nothing to do with my life. He just cared about himself. My Mother raised my sister and I on her own in the 1970's and '80's; all alone. She showed her ass on stage to jack-offs around the country for 20 years because nobody else would help her. She was on her own...all alone.

She is my Father. My Mother. My best friend.

Japan's Obesity Solution

Good for Japan...

I just saw on the news that Japan is having weight limits, and they're measuring over 50 million people to see if they're breaking the law by being overweight.

I think this is just great. The country is trying to force people to have healthy lives.

It amazes me how this is such an acceptable sin. Gluttony is pitiful...

And what about the fat kids? Child abuse...

An Actor's Life

I loved being an actor.

Before I was a filmmaker, I was an actor for 20 years. I starred in over 70 stage plays around the country, and appeared in major television series and major motion pictures. It was poor life, but my life was rich.

I loved being on stage...acting, performing, entertaining....it seemed like whatever city I moved to, if I would audition for a play, I'd get the lead. Whether Chicago....Los Angeles...Vegas...Dallas....Kansas City...Tampa....the list goes on.

I miss those days...they were some great times. But I made no money. I did it for the love of it. Now, I'm doing the same thing with making my movies...not making any money, but doing it for the love of it to get my messages out to the world in film. So, in a way, I'm doing the same thing...just at another level.

I love entertaining people...

Summers in Chicago

I love Chicago.

I love the city. I love the people. But I hate the winters.

Sitting here in my office right now, in this heat out here in farm country, brings back some great memories of the 3 years I lived in the Windy City from 1993-95. Those were the days. I was starring in plays, getting shit faced every night, getting laid every other night, and loving life.

Good memories....

One Crazy Sunday...

Well, it's Sunday out here in the sticks...and I can't believe the day I've had. Out here in the middle of nowhere.

I think this is a record day for me as a filmmaker....acceptance wise.

I got up late. This frozen shoulder bone has been killing me for months, and I haven't been able to sleep for shit. But after I got up, had my coffee, and a vanilla cigar smoke, I went to check my emails...

My new film THE OUTHOUSE got 2 acceptances today from festivals; at San Francisco's Frozen Film Festival, and Washington's Washougal Film Festival. It'll be the state premieres of THE OUTHOUSE in California and Washington. That makes 15 festivals this year for the new short so far.

Then, if that wasn't enough, I got an invitation for PHONE SEX GRANDMA to Spain's largest Gay and Lesbian Festival.

Then, on top of that, I received an update email of our Dallas screening next week of THE OUTHOUSE.

And on top of that, I have several fee waivers from festivals for my new short THE ACCEPTABLE SIN.

Things are nuts out here. I don't know how I get everything done. I feel like I'm going mad; promoting PHONE SEX GRANDMA like hell on YouTube, getting THE OUTHOUSE and PHONE SEX GRANDMA promoted on the film festival circuit, getting my new short THE ACCEPTABLE SIN submitted to festivals, getting this new project finished for Slamdance next year....keeping all my blogs and social networks going....and trying to make a buck with all of this as well. Plus, working on trying to start shooting my first narrative feature film this fall. And that doesn't even include the lists of things I need to get done that aren't even being touched.

It's a crazy life out here in the boonies....especially when you don't have anyone else working with you, and are doing everything yourself....but I love it. I have total control, and am making my films my own way.

But things are becoming so large, they're getting out of my hands and out of my control. I think that's a good thing.

John Steinbeck once said, "Ideas are like rabbits...you get one or two, learn to control them, then pretty soon, you have a dozen." How true that is.

30 Days without a Drink...and Counting...

Well....the rehab continues here in farm country....

Today makes 30 days without having a drink. I can't remember the last time I've gone more than 30 days with no liquor. I can think of times I've gone 2 or 3 weeks; but never this long.

That's not a good thing. I remember back over the last 25 years of my drinking since I graduated high school in 1983...in the last 25 years, I always remember having a drink....this rehab time out here in the boonies is a much needed time.

It's probably a good thing I'm not in NYC right now for the AMC screening of my film PHONE SEX GRANDMA. If I was there, I'd probably be getting shit-faced with the free booze at the parties. I know this time is a good time for my body.

You'd think with me being vegan and so health-conscious, that I wouldn't drink either, because it pollutes my body. Isn't that something?

These last 4 weeks, I've had so much trouble sleeping too. In the last week, I don't think I've slept a total of 10 hours. I just toss and turn at night, and my mind won't stop working while I'm in bed. These last few days, My head and face has been numb and throbbing a lot. I sometimes have to take aspirin or Benadryl to make myself relax and go to sleep. I wonder if this is a withdrawal symptom from not drinking?

If it is, I just have to have the withdrawals...I'll get through it. I can sleep when I'm dead.

I just have to think of my life, my films, and PHONE SEX GRANDMA:



It makes it all worth it....

PHONE SEX GRANDMA Today in NYC

Well, my first film is still playing the festival circuit....

Today, it returns to New York City. It's playing Newfest in Manhattan's AMC Theater this afternoon. I wish I could be there. It's played gay and lesbian festivals before, and the gays go nuts over this little 9 minute short. I wish I could see their reaction in Manhattan today! I bet they go nuts.

It's amazing what's happened with PHONE SEX GRANDMA in just a little over 2 years. It's played over 40 festivals, is still playing the festival circuit, has won top festival awards across the country, over 200,000 people have watched it on YouTube, and it has started my career as a filmmaker. I'm making more films now, and people are already comparing my work to cult film directors. When my new film THE OUTHOUSE played last month in Atlanta, one critic stated, "Jack Truman could be the next John Waters! He is perverse!"

I love it. This is the message I'm trying to get out there. One of my messages, anyway...

Here's PHONE SEX GRANDMA on YouTube. You can watch it for yourself:



PHONE SEX GRANDMA...woo hoo!

Last Year in L.A.

It was about this time last year I was in L.A. the last time. Man, that was a fucking rough time. I never L.A. being that tough to survive before.

I went out there for the World Premiere of my documentary short THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER. It was premiering at the L.A. Shorts Fests in Burbank at the AMC Theater. I thought this would be a great time to finally move out there again for awhile and work the industry. Boy, was I wrong.

The biggest is not always the best. That fest was for shit. You had to pay for everything, everyone lied all the time (typical L.A. stuff), and I was fighting to survive. I was staying in this rat hole in Hollywood. And working telemarketing jobs by the day to make ends meet. I'm glad I was out there for the Burbank premiere; but it wasn't worth it. I stayed out there for about 6 weeks, then took the bus back home. Mother was with me the whole time, too. She was the subject of THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER. She's the subject of all my beginning films these first few years. I don't know how she survived that city. I'll never put her though that again.

It's times like that that make be appreciate being stuck out here in the boonies. It may be boring out here right now; but at least I'm living. I'm not a rat in a hell hole.

Last Night's Tornadoes

Well...I survived another night out here in farm country.

I thought we might be goners for sure this time.

It was crazy....my tv went out for good last night during Nightline, then my internet was out (this dial-up internet is for shit...doesn't work 80% of the time)...so I was stuck reading Walden on my bed. Then, 10 minutes later (around midnight), the tornado sirens went off. I got Mother and Patches, and we walked down to the church basement. The radio down there was saying about all of the tornadoes around. Finally, about 1 a.m., the warnings stopped and we walked home. All of the electric power was out for the county, so it was pitch dark. Power just went back on here about 2 hours ago. Then, I tossed and turned, and couldn't sleep last night.

It's crazy out here in the boonies....no car, no electric, no public communication, unable to work on my movies right now, or communicate with others...unable to get a job somewhere...but I'm alive another day!

Fat People and the Airlines

I saw on the world news tonight a great story....looks like there's a very good chance that the airlines will start charging people by the pound.

I think that would be great. They've gotta be careful so they don't get sued by those lazy fat asses...but I don't think they'll pass this unless they know for sure they can legally get away with it.

I sure hope they can. Maybe things like this will cause these fat slobs to get healthier. I hope so. Something needs to be done to get this country headed in the right direction.

Maybe charging people by the pound is a good way to start...

24 Days without a Drink...

Well...my rehab here in farm country's going well.

I haven't had a drink in 24 days. That's one good thing about being out here in the sticks, stuck with no transportation! I'm not drinking!

The Acceptable Sin...

I just wanted to share a thought or two....

What is the Acceptable Sin? Well....to me...it's Obesity. My new documentary short THE ACCEPTABLE SIN explains it perfectly. I really believe there is a direct link between Obesity and Religion. Most religious people are obese, and have gluttony. Our bodies are the temples of God, if you're religious...why would you pollute a sacred temple?

And by slaughtering animals, and putting them in our bodies....we're the tombstones for dead animals. If we stopped killing animals, we could save our lives, and the planet, while ending global warming.

And childhood obesity....if you ask me, is child abuse. More of that to come...

Current TV is premiering our new short for people to see before anyplace else. Here's the link:

http://current.com/items/88931876_the_acceptable_sin

If you watch it, I hope it shocks you, opens your eyes, and makes you think....

Just some thoughts....

THE OUTHOUSE in Louisiana!

Well....I wonder how our film did in Shreveport today?

Our new hit documentary short THE OUTHOUSE played Louisiana's Moviesauce Film Festival today. I'll be finding out from the fest in the next few days how well it did. This is our follow-up short to our hit short comedy PHONE SEX GRANDMA. THE OUTHOUSE premiered in January at the Slamdance Film Festival. Since January, it's played over 10 fests worldwide. This summer, it has screenings already lined up at festivals in Dallas, NYC, and Atlanta, with more to come! And PHONE SEX GRANDMA's still playing the fest circuit. It's a great feeling to know that even though I can't afford to be at the screenings, I can be a poor man, and be making films that's playing worldwide, blowing people's minds!

They haven't seen nothing yet....

Today's Liberal Thought...

Nobody cares about anybody.

People amaze me. The older I get, the more I see how people really are. And it doesn't matter where you live, or where you are. You can be in a big city...or a ghost town. When it comes down to it, people are basically the same.

My Grandad said it right...he said "When you've got money, everyone's your friend. But when you're down and out, noone wants to have anything to do with you".

I remember growing up in this small town area. I thought people in small towns were basically better people. To be honest, they're not. Everybody uses everybody. It really sickens me what this world's come to.

What happened to the good old days? Maybe now with rising gas prices, inflation, people losing their homes, the war going on and on, people getting fatter, sicker and lazier, and this country being all about the rich man....it'll force people to go back to the way things used to be.

Time will tell...

Fuck the Politics

Can you believe this shit?

I hate politics.

Don't get me wrong...I've voted in every election since I was 18 (which was in '83). I always vote. But our government and political system truly sickens me.

When I ran for Congress 2 years ago here in SW Missouri, I truly found out how corrupt and crooked the political system is. Take it from me....it's all about money. That's as far as I'm going about that. I know to keep my mouth shut.

More's comin'...you haven't heard a fuckin' thing yet...

Fuck Hollywood

Who needs Hollywood? I say fuck the City of Angels...

I was out there for years trying to get things done. Nothing happened. I came back here to the sticks to make my films my own way. First, PHONE SEX GRANDMA. Then, THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER. Then, THE OUTHOUSE. Everything I'm making back here that I share with the world tears it up on the film festival circuit and on the internet worldwide. Back here in the Boonies, I've made over 10 films in the last 3 years. Without the fucking industry. Without fake, artificial people that only talk to you and communicate when they can use you for something.

Who needs that filthy city? When you can make films your own way, anywhere?

I say fuck Hollywood; I don't need them...

The Lonely Life...

The life of a filmmaker is a lonely life.

Trust me. Take it from someone who knows.

These last 3 years, the short films I've been making have been tearing it up in the indie film festival world. But the sacrifice for me right now is living a very lonely life. I'm out here in the sticks, in the middle of the country, by myself, shooting hilarious films of my Mother. Over the last 25 years, I've lived all around this country, having a great life...in cities like Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Vegas, Los Angeles, Tampa...the list goes on. But right now, until I can make some money and get out of this deep hole, it's out here in the sticks where I'll be.

Believe me though...I do enjoy it. I get to make films my way, and have total control. And get to know there are audiences worldwide that love my work that others would be terrified to make.

It's a lonely life.

Just some thoughts...

I'm a Rich Poor Man...

I have everything...

It really amazes me how rich I am. I forget it too much....and then moments come when I realize it again. I wish I could always stay in this mind frame.

I'm unemployed...have no car right now, or means of transportation...stuck out here in the middle of nowhere...but I'm rich. I have everything. Even without money.

Today, I took a few hours, and went through piles of some things I have stored out here over the years. Man, it's a job going through this shit....but it brings back great memories of what I've done while I'm going through this shit...It really amazes me everything that I've done in my life.

I've been everywhere...and have done everything I've wanted to do. It may be the poor man's version....but I can truly say that if I died today, I would have no regrets. I'm educated, with degrees...I have world knowledge from spending my life around the country...for 25 years, I've done what I've wanted to do....been a filmmaker, director, actor, writer, speaker, teacher, salesman, communicator....I have so much more to do. But I'm truly happy with what I've done.

I'm alive...and doing what I want to do. I don't think many people in this world can truly say that.

Bob Dylan once said 'What's money? A man is rich if he wakes up in the morning, goes to bed at night, and in between does what he wants to do'. I'm sure he had his millions before he said that. But he's right. I have to agree. I'm able to wake up in the morning, go to bed at night, and do what I want to do in between. I'd say that's a rich man.

I look at everyone around me, and realize how poor they are, and how rich I am....they've got a great job that they're a slave to....they've got their big house, nice car, big family, and material things that they're a slave and in debt to...they're living a life they hate living....and envy people like myself, who are broke and have nothing. I'd rather be living in poverty like I am, doing what I want to do, than have millions, working and slaving for 40 years, and die without enjoying life. I'm rich....

I'm a rich poor man.

Church this Morning...

I went to church this morning.

Yep...believe it or not...but this extreme radical liberal does go to church now and then. Out here in farm country, I live in a village of less than 40 people. And across the street from where I live, is a church. My neighbor is the local preacher.

They have a large congregation, too...of over 300 people. I'll tell you...around here, the churches drag 'em in like flies to honey. I think it's like that most places around the country...but that's another story.

As I sat there in the Sunday service this morning, I watched these people. I do that a lot. I observe people. They entertain me. And these people...I'll tell you...they really amaze me. And not in a good way...

It's all about money. I've seen this at other churches around the country, but it's really jaw-dropping to see the business of religion out here in the middle of nowhere...in today's program, they had the financial statement of the church for all to see. And I couldn't believe the money spent for this business for one month out here in the middle of nowhere. At the end of the service, they made an announcement that today, they finally paid off a $150,000 debt over the last 3 months for this newly remodeled building. Actually, the preacher said that over $200,000 has been raised out here over the last 3 months. Imagine that...in a community that houses less than 40 people.

I look at the homeless...all of these natural disasters destroying lives here nationally and globally right now...you don't see churches opening their doors to the homeless, and letting them have a roof over their head at night in these empty buildings of God around the country.

Last winter, when the deadly Midwest ice storms destroyed my house out here, my Mother and I had to stay for a week in a Red Cross shelter. Believe me, I was so thankful for that. But you wouldn't the things I learned while homeless for a week. The church that opened their doors for the Red Cross, after 2 days, forced everyone to leave so their building would be cleared out for the Sunday service coming up in the next few days. And after a week, the Red Cross was forcing people to leave the shelters so they would be cleared out. I think about all the homeless people in the world, and it really angers me...this is just one tangent I'd really like to go off on.

If there is a God, I'm thankful that I'm an extreme liberal, and really out there...I am so thankful that my eyes are really open...

Open your eyes...

The 1st Blog for the Son of a Stripper

My name is Jack Truman. And I am the Son of a Stripper.

My Mother, Opal, was a stripper of over 20 years in the 1970's and 80's. As a child, I grew up around nudity and pornography. I remember the days when I was 6, 7 years old, being backstage with the dancers while my Mother danced off in the distance on stage. I would be playing board games...like Monopoly, and checkers...with all of the nude dancers on the floor, while my Mother danced off in the distance. I grew up in this environment of adult entertainment for close to 20 years; very differnent from the norm. And I have a lifetime of experience to share with others.

There's a lot of things I will be using this blog for...my thoughts, experiences, advice, issures...the list goes on. You name it...I'll probably touch it. And if I don't...let me know. I want to share my life experience with others.

A little about me...I am a filmmaker. That is what I do. I have to work odd jobs to make ends meet. But my films are exploding on the independent film world. Being an award-winning filmmaker, writer, actor and speaker, I am a 20-plus year veteran of stage and screen. I received my B. S. in Business Administration at Missouri Southern State University, and a M.A. in Communication at Texas A&M - Commerce. A former professor at Texas A&M, I am a veteran stage director, actor and writer, having also apperaed in many television series and major motion pictures. My film directorial debut, the aard-winning hit short PHONE SEX GRANDMA, premiered to standing-room only audiences at the 2006 Slamdance Filim Festival. Since its hit premiere, PSG has appeared at over 40 film festivals worldwide, receiving rave reviews. These last 2 years out here in farm country, I have made over 10 films. My new documentary short THE OUTHOUSE premiered in January at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival, and is exploding on the festival circuit. My new documentary short THE ACCEPTABGLE SIN premiered last week on Current TV. And I am currently wrapping production on a new film.

My beginning films these first few years all feature my Mother Opal. Our Mother/Son team is really tearing it up inthe indie film world. I love it. We're not making any money yet; but we're getting our messages out, and letting our voices be heard. It really amazes me, what I've learned these last few years in the independent film world. People want to hear fresh, truly independent voices. They really want to hear from people that are not afraid to be heard. And that is the kind of person I am.

All I want to do is make movies.

I want to make films that shock people, open their eyes, make them think, talk and realize how different all of us are. That's what makes this world so great...that all of us are free to be different. I truly believe that people need to declare their independence and make their voice be heard. The world deserves it.

I'm pretty liberal, and out there...in 42 years of my life, I've never met anyone else like me...except my Mother.

As the Son of a Stripper, I've been around; all over this country since I was 6 years old. I've had a full life. And have so many stories to tell. I look forward to what's to come.

Hello, blogland...you haven't seen nothin' yet...get ready for the Son of a Stripper!