What a weekend...
Sold out screenings, both shows. I saw things in the film I have never noticed before, and really came to appreciate some of the subtleties in how well the whole story flows. There was cheering all through the film. Mike and Melissa looked like a million dollars, and I felt so much happiness for them. Reuniting with the film crew really felt incredible - everyone from Damon to Rob to Cousin Chris all together again.
Saturday morning started out with a pitcher of Bloody Marys, and continued on from there. We went to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and then hustled off for food and a visit to the Ministry of Unknown Science show, which was hilarious (naturally) - it was great to show my favorite side of LA to friends who were formerly incredulous about my insistence that LA is a great place if you know the right folks. Then we went to the house we rented and had a little party of our own. I haven't seen the sunrise from a hot tub in years and years...and boy, did I feel it all day Sunday on the way home. It was worth it, though.
Connected very heavily with GC again, which is always an important touchstone in my life. A little intense, perhaps, but we have always had that kind of connection. It makes me think and feel so deeply. I wish I could see more of him and Jess.
Rob and I connected about the upcoming film...in fact, I spent Friday in a bit of an existential quandary, trying to decide if it was more worthwhile to go off and make this movie about consumerism at Christmas, or if I should just get on a plane and go to Biloxi and help out there. Each feels very important. I had my heart blown open by the stories Thumper called me with on Friday. The help is really there, and they are performing works of magic for people who are suffering.
In the end, though, I decided that the film also has an important job to do, and that I can stay involved with Burning Man and stay true to my ethics and ideals by going on the trip and helping to make this picture. It is worth doing. Creating food for thought and giving out food to the hungry feel like very different things, but each will make a contribution to the world. Besides that, I can't let Rob down now that he has fought so hard to have me on the film. He said he is not going to ask any more about me being part of the team (and the budget) - he is simply going to tell them that I am not negotiable and he needs me. I am going to learn so much. So, at the end of the day, I decided to stick with the film, and it felt like the right thing to do. It still does.
So, we sold out the first two screenings, and at the Q and A for #2, the AFI folks actually asked us if they could screen it one more time. (And, the NY Times was in the audience at the moment.) We got great reviews and are sure to win the Audience Award.
My favorite moment? Friday night when I walked into the theater, Adrian from Piss Clear hollered from several rows back that someone had been looking for me, and walked up to him and asked if he was Actiongrl. Sweet!
Now I get ready for the retreat, and five days of intensive Burning Man work talk. I have a renewed faith that I am in the right place.
Oh, and Carl is still the sweetest fella in the world. We had so much fun, this being our first road trip. We drove with Bonnie and Scot, and laughed so much in the car. I'm a very lucky woman.
Saturday morning started out with a pitcher of Bloody Marys, and continued on from there. We went to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and then hustled off for food and a visit to the Ministry of Unknown Science show, which was hilarious (naturally) - it was great to show my favorite side of LA to friends who were formerly incredulous about my insistence that LA is a great place if you know the right folks. Then we went to the house we rented and had a little party of our own. I haven't seen the sunrise from a hot tub in years and years...and boy, did I feel it all day Sunday on the way home. It was worth it, though.
Connected very heavily with GC again, which is always an important touchstone in my life. A little intense, perhaps, but we have always had that kind of connection. It makes me think and feel so deeply. I wish I could see more of him and Jess.
Rob and I connected about the upcoming film...in fact, I spent Friday in a bit of an existential quandary, trying to decide if it was more worthwhile to go off and make this movie about consumerism at Christmas, or if I should just get on a plane and go to Biloxi and help out there. Each feels very important. I had my heart blown open by the stories Thumper called me with on Friday. The help is really there, and they are performing works of magic for people who are suffering.
In the end, though, I decided that the film also has an important job to do, and that I can stay involved with Burning Man and stay true to my ethics and ideals by going on the trip and helping to make this picture. It is worth doing. Creating food for thought and giving out food to the hungry feel like very different things, but each will make a contribution to the world. Besides that, I can't let Rob down now that he has fought so hard to have me on the film. He said he is not going to ask any more about me being part of the team (and the budget) - he is simply going to tell them that I am not negotiable and he needs me. I am going to learn so much. So, at the end of the day, I decided to stick with the film, and it felt like the right thing to do. It still does.
So, we sold out the first two screenings, and at the Q and A for #2, the AFI folks actually asked us if they could screen it one more time. (And, the NY Times was in the audience at the moment.) We got great reviews and are sure to win the Audience Award.
My favorite moment? Friday night when I walked into the theater, Adrian from Piss Clear hollered from several rows back that someone had been looking for me, and walked up to him and asked if he was Actiongrl. Sweet!
Now I get ready for the retreat, and five days of intensive Burning Man work talk. I have a renewed faith that I am in the right place.
Oh, and Carl is still the sweetest fella in the world. We had so much fun, this being our first road trip. We drove with Bonnie and Scot, and laughed so much in the car. I'm a very lucky woman.