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...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
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
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
Sunday, December 14, 2008
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...
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...
Friday, December 12, 2008
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...
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...
Monday, December 8, 2008
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:
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:
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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...
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...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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....
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....
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