The Trip Out West...and the Vegas Move

Man....life is crazy.

It's been about 3 weeks since I've written a blog. Simply put, I have had no time to just sit down, relax and write online. I haven't been on the internet that much these last few weeks. But hopefully, now that some major life changes have happened, I'll get the opportunity to work on things more.

Alot is going on. Life is good.

Where do I start? Let's see....

First things first. And probably, the biggest news. I am now in Las Vegas. Yep. Who knows how long? We'll have to see how things go. Headed out from Missouri last Saturday, got here Sunday night, moved into my new place Monday, finally got things set up yesterday to start generating income very soon, and now, trying to work on getting things settled to work things here in Vegas this next year. Will be working a job to pay the bills, get by out here, and keep things paid up with the properties back home; and will be shooting 3 film projects here in Vegas over the next year. Busy times lined up for the next 12 months!

Opal made the drive out here with me. I rented a car; and figured it would be a free Vegas trip for Mother. Plus, while she's here, I'm planning on getting some footage of her here in Vegas for our OLD STRIPPER documentary. So I'll be shooting production of that film a little over the next several days...

Starting a new job this week...no details though; everything that is not film related I try to keep pretty private in my life...

And just to give a preview of what's coming up out here in Sin City for me production wise over this next year....I'll be shooting a new short film out here in Vegas later this fall, a television pilot over the winter and spring, and also shooting quite a bit for our feature documentary THE OLD STRIPPER. In addition, will also be working a lot on Mother's new STRIPPER book; got several expos and conventions we're lining up for this next year to get the book out there.

Hello, Sin City....you've now got an independent filmmaker here for the next year, at least; filmming movies, working distribution of films, publishing and production work, filmmaking, and living life....

More to come.....

A New Week: Filmmaking, Life...and Decisions

This has been a rough summer.

Money wise, things are rough. Here in cattle country. Can't find a job. Not making any money. Working almost every day online applying for good jobs, bad jobs, teaching jobs, filmmaking jobs, and more....but still unemployed and broke.

Still making movies and exploding on the festival circuit....got about 20 fee waivers to festivals worldwide to mail my films out these next couple of weeks; our new hit comedy short FUCKIN' OLD BITCH screens this month in festivals at Atlanta and Seattle; trying to film footage when I can for my documentary of Mother, THE OLD STRIPPER; and trying to figure out ways to get these other film projects done, and make money with what I've already made.

Trying to sell Mother's new STRIPPER book to the world; have it online, on a website, with total control of sales; trying to get the book set up with Createspace so it's available on Amazon.com; but I'm having major issues with Createspace right now. And it doesn't seem like there's any time to really put aside to work the book hard online.

Have over 60 social networks online that I haven't had time to visit or network in months...

Working out at the house; going through years of storage, and hashing through buildings of things; trying to get my properties cleaned up.

Seriously considering moving back out west. Financially, nothing has been working for me around here for over a year; need to make a change.

All of this going on....and more.

I've got so much to do as a filmmaker and as a person living life...films to make, money to make, books to read, messages to get out, and more.

Life to live...movies to make....decisions to make....life is tough.

But it goes on....

The YouTube trailer for Jack's upcoming film THE OLD STRIPPER:



Own the award-winning hit comedy short PHONE SEX GRANDMA on DVD at:

https://www.createspace.com/255255

Own Mother's new book STRIPPER: A MOTHER'S STORY at:

http://thoughtsofastripper.webs.com

Watch the new Book Trailer for STRIPPER: A MOTHER'S STORY:

This Week's Filmmaking - Shooting, Distribution...and the Name Change

What a week.

This last week has been nutso out here in farm country. As usual, I'm busy non-stop...and my crazy life continues. This last week alone, we've been shooting on THE OLD STRIPPER, doing distribution for our films, and most importantly....officially got my name changed!

First things first....this morning, it became official. The court ruled that my name be legally officially changed to Jack Truman. Thank God. This has been a long time coming. I've been going by Jack Truman for over 10 years; I was born with my deadbeat dad's name John Kerney; but that life is now behind me. I'm born again with a new name; the name everyone has been knowing me by. Jack Truman is my identity on everything except my birth certificate; everything; license, social security, property, voting card, utilities...and more...everything; except my birth certificate. Now I can get that changed. Woo hoo! It's about time. Today is a great day, and a cause for celebration.

Film distribution: Distribution is flowing for our first films - PHONE SEX GRANDMA, THE OUTHOUSE, THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER, THE ACCEPTABLE SIN and THE X-RATED GRANDMA. All are now available on DVD. And only through Amazon and Createspace. This is a job in itself; I'm trying to work one film at a time with online distribution; but I'm limited in the time I can spend online working marketing. Last week, promoted THE OUTHOUSE. Trying to pick which film to work this next week.

Film shooting: As a filmmaker, I love having control over my films. Until I start making money, I'll continue making films my own way as a filmmaker. Case in point: my current feature film THE OLD STRIPPER about my Mother Opal. We've been getting some footage shot these last few days about us talking of her old stripper days. It's great when I can get Mother in the mood to get on camera and discuss her old dancing days from the 70's and '80's. We've shot a lot over these last 3 years. And the film still has a ways to go before shooting is done. But we're chipping along, getting as much shooting done as we can right now with no money.

Yesterday, I worked a little with our online liberal church the Universal Equalitarian Church; did the first podcast, wrote a new blog, and update the church's Myspace site. Usually don't have any time to work on the church, with all my filmmaking work; yesterday was the first time in over a month. But hopefully, by the end of the summer, I'll have an online foundation for the church set up to start working from in my spare time.

Also, as a filmmaker, the film festival waivers have been flowing in this last week; for many of my beginning films - such as PHONE SEX GRANDMA, THE OUTHOUSE and THE ACCEPTABLE SIN. I don't pay waivers for festivals anymore, unless it's a huge fest that I just happen to have the money scraped together for (i.e., Sundance). But the fests keep coming along. And speaking of festivals, screenings are getting lined up for the fall already; and it's only July. August we'll have FUCKIN' OLD BITCH in Seattle and Atlanta; in September, PHONE SEX GRANDMA has its Australia premiere in Sydney; and more to come. Plus, I've got to get together next week my submissions of PAYDAY LOAN and FUCKIN' OLD BITCH together and sent off to Slamdance. Park City 2010 is just around the corner. I'm praying and crossing my fingers that next January, I'll have shorts playing across the street in Park City - at both Sundance and Slamdance.

All of this, and applying for college teaching jobs all over the country. I really should get back to teaching. These last 25 years...all I've done and accomplished...as an artist, filmmaker, director, writer, actor, teacher, speaker....I've got a lifetime of experience to help develop the next generation of artists, speakers and filmmakers. Hopefully, I'll be teaching somewhere this fall. We'll see....

Gotta go for now....wanted to just take a little time and reflect, write and update what's been going on this last week as a filmmaker out here in the boonies....

I'm living proof - anyone can make a movie....

Watch the YOUTUBE trailer of Jack's upcoming documentary THE OLD STRIPPER:




Buy Mother's new book THOUGHTS OF A STRIPPER at:

http://thoughtsofastripper.webs.com/

Own PHONE SEX GRANDMA on DVD on Amazon & Createspace at:

https://www.createspace.com/255255

Health, Legal Issues, Filmmaking...and Life

What a week....

This last week has been a life changing week for me. Simply put, a change of life has happened.

The last time I remember a change like this happening was 9 years ago, when I was sitting in my apartment in L.A., and decided to become vegan. And have not eaten an animal product since. That change has returned.

In a nutshell, this week, there have been health issues; legal issues; film projects; and a new direction with my future.

Something has been wrong with me healthwise these last couple of weeks. And I don't know what it is. The constant pain that's been deep in the middle of my stomach underneath the rib cage. With as much as I've been eating these last few months, I've been thinking it's been because of a weight change. But the more constant and deeper the pain, it's really got me worried that it could be my liver.

With the pain being right where my liver is, this has got me scared to death about my life. I don't want to die. Not yet. I have too much to get done before I leave. And I've seen too many people close to me die from their liver. I don't want to be one of those, and join that crowd. So, simply put, I need to change my life like I did 9 years ago.

5 days ago, I started on a raw food diet. Nothing but fruits and vegetables. And I'm feeling the difference. It feels like a combination of withdrawals and cleansing. I remember the last time I ate raw; 4 years ago in LA for a month, and was on a natural high like drugs, and shed pounds like crazy. I was thin as a rail after a month, and felt the best I've felt in my life. I want that feeling back. And I want to heal my body. All I've been eating is apples, garlic, carrots, celery, cabbage, olives and making a veganaise/mustard/herb mixture with red clover, flaxseed and paur'd arco as a dip for me to snack on celery with. Everything these last 5 days has been raw. And I'm starting to feel the difference.

Also, I've been drinking 3 cups of tea a day; dandelion root tea, peppermint tea, and a liver detox tea. All are good for the liver. And have also been drinking water contstantly. And pissing like crazy. Which is a good think. And also taking my shots of apple cider vinegar daily.

Along with this, 4 days ago, I started a 2 week Master Cleanse detox. For 2 weeks, I have to take these herb capsules daily for my liver, lungs, kidneys and immune system. And it's funny. When I take a capsule, within minutes I feel things going on in my body. It ranges anywhere from my stomach, to my chest, to my back, to my head....deep pains, and sometimes dizziness. Something's working inside my body. Between the raw diet, and the detox, my body is going through changes. For the better. I can tell.

In addition, another major change has happened; no liquor. I have had no liquor for 9 days now. No liquor; eating raw; doing the detox; my body is going through changes. And this is making me look at my life. Reflecting on the past; and thinking about the future.

I've been thinking this last week, hard, about my life. What I've done. Where I've been. What I've lived. And where I'm going.

I've been thinking a lot about the last 25 years of my life; my adulthood. In the last 25 years, I've lived some life; lived all over the country; been an actor, a writer, a director, a filmmaker, a teacher, worked many jobs, and more. And have had a full life. When I think about everything I've done, and everyplace I've been, I've lived at least 5 full lives in this adulthood. It's hard to remember everything. But when I reflect, and think about one thing, it amazes me, everything I can remember accomplishing at that one time. And that doesn't even include my childhood. Being the son of a stripper. Living a childhood on a burlesque circuit; and my military school life. And the high school years; and the Army years; so much has happened in this life.

These last 25 years, I've lived a life no one can dream of. And now, I've got to think about the next 25.

Some legal things have been going on this week too. I just heard from my lawyer in Kansas City, and have a court date at the end of the month for my legal name change. Hopefully, next month when I turn 44, my legal name will be what I've been going by for the last 10 years; Jack Truman. Then my birth certificate can be changed, and I won't have my deadbeat birth father, or as I like to call him, my semen donor's, name any longer. I'll have my own name, the one I've been going by this last decade, for the rest of my life.

Last week, I got new film made, and sent off to Sundance; my new short comedy film PAYDAY LOAN. I'm glad to have another film knocked out, to shock with people with. It felt good to have a new film to send off to be considered for Park City in 2010. Hopefully, the 4th time will be a charm. Every year, for 4 years, I've been sending a film to Sundance. Every year, one gets rejected. Slamdance about always shows my films. I'll be sending one to Slamdance next month. We'll see what this fall brings.

Plus, this last week has been different from the normal routine. Usually, I just work constantly on my film projects. But not this week. In fact, I haven't been working with them online at all these last 7 days. Usually, I spend at least 4 hours a day online working my social networks with my film projects. But not this week. This last week, online, all I have been doing is looking, searching and applying for college teaching jobs.

I am seriously considering returning to teaching at the college level. It's been 11 years since I've taught college classes. And have never thought much since about doing it again. But now, reflecting on my life, thinking about the things I've done, and my future, I think this is a good choice. I really think I should try to share with others, and teach others what I've learned from this life. With just these last 25 years, I've got a huge vault of life to dig into and share with the next generation of artists and speakers. And I can help them. I think this is a good thing to do.

The week before I started having these health problems around my liver, I was starting to really think deep about my future. And now, with my health, it's made me think more. And, you know, when it comes down to it, and I think about life, none of this really matters. The house. Money. A good job. Material things. None of it matters. You can't take it with you.

I need to live my life.

An Unforgettable Week....

This has been, simply put, an unforgettable week.

For an independent filmmaker who's broke, poor, living in the middle of the country, in the boonies, far away from the artificial life of Hollywood or the rat race of NYC, and making movies all alone in a ghost town, it's been crazy, fast paced, and unforgettable.

2 major things have happened this week: distribution of my first documentary film on DVD, and shooting beginning for my first narrative feature film.

First things first: my first documentary film, the 9 minute hit short film THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER, is now on DVD! After playing film festivals these last 2 years from California to New York, the film about my Mother Opal, an old stripper, sharing her thoughts on nudity, pornography and religion is now available on DVD only online throught Amazon and Createspace. It's a great feeling when as a filmmaker you have complete control over your film; at all levels; when you shoot it, edit it, release it, and distribute it.

And the second thing: my first feature comedy film JUNK has begun production! We started shooting this week, about 3 days ago. It feels good after so long to begin shooting a feature narrative film, here in my backyard, my own way, with no money. Fuck Hollywood. Fuck the big studios and production companies. Sure, it's a lonely life making films alone, by yourself, your own way, with no help. But when you envision something no one else can see, until it's completely done, this is the way you have to do it sometimes. It's gonna be hard making this movie; but it's going to be worth it.

These 2 projects have kept my hands full all week; I wish I could clone myself; but I'll get done what I get done.

Make your movie. No matter what. Screw the negativity. Just do it. Like Tom Hanks said in 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."

It's funny how people are, when you're a filmmaker, making your movie. It's just like anything else in life. People say they want to help you, and want to be a part of what you're making or doing. But when it comes down to making it or doing it, and you have no money, you're on your own. My Grandad always said, " When you've got money, everyone's your friend. But when you're down and out, no one wants to help you". He's in his grave now; but he's right on the money.

I'm making my movies. My own way. My first 5 short films are living proof there's an audience for my art; now I've got a built in audience for my first feature when it comes out.

It's hard....but it's happening.

What an unforgettable week for this crazy liberal vegan wacko filmmaker....the son of a stripper....

Own Jack's hit documentary short film THE 60 YEAR OLD STRIPPER on DVD:

https://www.createspace.com/266988

Watch the On Location Trailer for Jack's new film JUNK:

One Busy Week with this Poor Filmmaker...

Got a busy week lined up with this filmmaker....

Lots going on.

Still have a lot going on with these non-film related legal issues; starting self-distribution for our hit short film PHONE SEX GRANDMA on DVD; in pre-production for our first feature film comedy JUNK; and trying to sell Mother's STRIPPER book. A lot's going on....

Simply put, I just don't have time to do things. Most of what I have to do in online based; I can just get dial-up internet that's limited to websites out at the shacks; so I have to come here in town to a public place to work these things for a few hours. And that's not near enough time to work on these things I need to get done.

Some of these things I'm just gonna have to put on hold; I have to figure out how to take one thing at time, and get things done. I'm gonna try to just focus on distribution of the DVD version of PHONE SEX GRANDMA this week; if I can get some money generated with that, then I can get some more of these other things done.

It's a hard life, filmmaking when you're poor, broke and in the boonies; but you do get to do things your own way; just don't have any help.

And life goes on....

Our weekly Podcast:

Buy PHONE SEX GRANDMA on DVD at Createspace


PHONE SEX GRANDMA on Indiegogo:

No Filmmaking this Week: Just Legal Problems

Days like this really piss me off that I live in such an idiotic country.....

Sometimes, I just can't figure out why our government is so stupid.

I have been a lifetime U.S. resident. 10 years ago, I changed my name with social security and my driver's license. I have been going by my name for the last 10 years; and in those 10 years, have run for Congress, voted every election, paid taxes, worked, driven a car, made movies, and lived life as an American. Under this new name.

And now, because of idiotic terrorist-related identity laws, I cannot renew my drivers license.

Get this shit: My birth certificate says my birth name. Every other form of identity and legal material I have has my new name. And because of these federal laws the government changed in 2006, when you renew your driver's license, you HAVE to show your birth certificate, social security card, and another legal proof of identity. And they all have to match.

This makes no sense. I have been a Missouri resident for 43 years. I have had a driver's license for 25 years. And renew it every year. Now, because my birth certificate does not match all of my identity, I cannot renew my license.

This is some country we live in.

It amazes me....only in America....can a guy be an Army veteran, a former Democratic candidate for Congress, a lifetime U.S. resident, and now not be able to renew a driver's license without going to court, spend a lot of money and go through a bunch of red tape, just to renew a driver's license.

I have been having to deal with this issue all week. And nothing else.

I'm the kind of person, that when I have one pressing issue, I can't really do anything else until I get that pressing issue done.

And life continues....

Check out our new weekly PODCAST at:

Opal's new Book Trailer STRIPPER on YouTube:



THE OLD STRIPPER on Indiegogo: