Production Journal
This blog is no longer kept current. Please visit our new blog at BLUE MOOSE BLOG.
Thank you for your time and your interest.
September 28, 2005 - 8:27AM CST So, Internationally Speaking has been officially released. Now for more news on Liberty Bound! It is currently showing at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) in Belgium and it is set to be released officially on DVD in France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland this November! This DVD will even have extras including a short interview with me and the full interview with historian Howard Zinn!
May 21, 2005 - 8:07AM CST I've been so busy with Internationally Speaking, that I have neglected this blog! As you can see on the home page, I had a great interview with the Lone Star Iconoclast in late March after a successful screening of Liberty Bound in Austin. I just returned from the Cannes Film Market, and there is still interest in Liberty Bound! We dealt with some of the boring legal issues with our "distributor," and it looks like I'll have my film back again. This time, we'll sign with someone who will actually distribute it! Also just in, Liberty Bound will be on Free Speech TV several times daily beginning Sunday, May 29th. Spread the word!
March 10, 2005 - 10:00AM CST It's still making news! I'm in the Huntsville Item today for the screening set tomorrow night, thanks to my old friend John Smither who arranged it.
March 8, 2005 - 12:25PM CST Well... I've had to re-order the LB DVD again. Orders just keep coming. It's very exciting!
I gave a speech at the Muslim Legal Fund of America's fundraiser in Dallas, TX on the 5th. It was awesome!! Before I was even finished with my speech, the entire 500+ audience exploded with applause! I was so nervous going into it, so I was thrilled (understatement!) with the response! Ethan, my husband, said it was really good and that I should speak more often. So, I'm adding that to the website - an opportunity for speaking engagements. :-)
February 18, 2005 - 1:28PM CST More things developing ... a distributor in Belgium is interested in distributing Liberty Bound. Thanks to my great contact and director of the Belgium segment of Internationally Speaking, Cork Sweitzer. I'll keep you updated to further developments!
February 14, 2005 - 6:59PM EST Great day! I'm currently in Boston on a production trip for my new film Internationally Speaking, and I received an email from Eric Galatas of Free Speech TV! It seems FSTV is now interested in broadcasting Liberty Bound, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Things keep moving along!
February 7, 2005 - 9:42AM CST - WOW! The Goteborg Film Festival was absolutely amazing. I made some great contacts, too many to mention them all. I'd espeically like to recognize the following for the impact they had on my life:
I also had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor of Sideways. Alexander even came to one of my screenings!
January 30, 2005 - 7:22PM CST - !!!!! -- Not only did I just realize that I'm sharing a film festival (Goteborg Sweden) with an OSCAR NOMINATED FILM (Sideways), but both the screenings of Liberty Bound are already SOLD OUT!! Yippee!!
January 16, 2004 - 12:39PM CST Liberty Bound has been chosen to open the Freedom Cinema Festival in Park City, Utah on January 25th at 5PM. Hope to see you there!
November 18, 2004 - 11:14AM CST Liberty Bound is still alive in this post-election world. I just got word that it will be screened at the Göteborg Film Festival in Sweden early next year! This is very exciting news for me. Thus far it has shown in the England, Ireland, France, Hungary, Mexico, Canada, Holland... and now Sweden!
November 4, 2004 - 11:12PM CST I'm just sick. The outcome of the election was quite a blow for freedom and for America. . . but it's not over. We have to keep working even harder now that we're entering into these dark times. This will likely be my last entry for Liberty Bound. I've been working on this project for two years, and it's time to move on. Please stay tuned to Blue Moose Films Website for future projects. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. We will prevail.
November 1, 2004 - 2:12PM CST The tour is now over, officially. 42 cities in 10 weeks. I was personally present at 33 of those cities. I had the great opportunity to see this beautiful country from one side to the other. I met real Americans, not statistics in polls. I met amazing people who genuinely care about the direction in which our country is headed. I made some new friends and some great contacts. Now we all wait, holding our breath, until tomorrow - Election Day. Will we have a new president by November 3rd? Only 36 more hours to find out.
A huge thanks to all the local activists who scheduled and promoted Liberty Bound across the country. I'd like to extend an extra-special thanks to:
October 14, 2004 - 7:21PM EST From Winston-Salem, North Carolina... I'm back on the road again after some car trouble that caused me to cancel my appearance at three screenings :-( -- Still, all is okay now. I drove through the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia today. Wow... and I mean wow. Only three more nights including this one and I'm done, except for Hawaii. It will be good to get home again. I miss my family.
September 28, 2004 - 1:06PM CST From Huntsville, Texas... After a short break and visit with my family, I'm back on the road tomorrow to the Midwest, East Coast, and Southeastern States. Whew! I'm very tired. Still, we're all working to help inspire and motivate Americans to vote this November 2nd. We can take a break on November 3rd... but not for too long! I've been slowly getting more and more media coverage on progressive radio stations and the like. It's been a wild ride.
September 12, 2004 - 11:42PM PST From Lompoc, California... another successful screening. The people I've met on this tour have been amazing! In virtually every town I visit, I meet activists that do the very best they can with what little resources they have to make my stay enjoyable and comfortable. From inviting me into their homes to getting a comfortable hotel room for me, they take good care of me. I'm continuously amazed at the kindness and generosity of people I have never met... nor wouldn't have met if it wasn't for this film. This entire experience has truly changed my life.
August 26, 2004 - 2:20PM EST From somewhere in Indiana... the first 10 days of my tour were just amazing. The people I met... their hospitality and inspiration. Just wow! I've already been to eight cities, and in each city there was a LARGER CROWD THAN ANYONE EXPECTED! The people are ready for the truth! They are ready to be inspired and to inspire. I look forward to the second leg of the tour starting in Salem, Oregon on September 5th. See you there! Internet access is *very* limited on the road, but I'll update tour dates, photos, and journal entries when I can. Namaste!
August 18, 2004 - 4:25PM EST WOW! And I mean WOW! The last two night just blew me away. First, we kicked off the tour in Waterville, ME at the Railroad Square Cinema to a SOLD OUT CROWD! They had to bring seats in ... and a few even stood! This was a last minute venue with minimal promotion, so I was really pleasantly surprised! Then last night in Portsmouth, NH over 215 people filled the UU South Church to watch Liberty Bound after being entertained by the Leftist Marching Band. The band marched around the block and played out in front of the church before the film. Special thanks to Amy Antonucci, Phillis Abell, and the Seacost Peace Response. WOW. Tonight is a small screening in Peterborough. Stay tuned!
July 15, 2004 - 8:26AM AST The first round of DVDs have been received by the purchasers. I'm getting some great feedback about them, so I've added a "quotes" page with selected comments posted.
July 10, 2004 - 7:38AM AST The DVDs have been selling like hotcakes! The response is really overwhelming. It looks like the word is getting out and people like it. Paris was great. So much positive energy and feedback. Take Off went all out in advertising, so we had crowds for every showing.
June 17, 2004 - 5:27PM AST Well, the 23rd it is! After two successful press screenings in Paris and a tasty article in Liberation I'm gearing up for another trip to Paris, leaving on the 19th. This will be quite a ride!
May 29, 2004 - 6:08PM AST I got a call from Andre at Take Off yesterday saying they're shooting for a June 23rd theatrical release of Liberty Bound in Paris! The same day, I got word from Lorraine about possible leads toward domestic distribution here in North America. Still no word from the Sales Agent at Cannes, but we're hoping that he has good news for us regarding futher distribution.
May 14, 2004 - 4:26PM AST We're in Canada now. It's been a gruelling two weeks. First entire week on the road, my hips and legs are still numb. The second week spent trying to get electricity, running water, and a working phone line in our new home. We're back in the 21st century now! Liberty Bound had a successful screening and was very well received by the press and industry professionals at it's May 11th screening in West Hollywood. I hope to have some press from that soon. It will also be screened next week in the Cannes Market, so I look forward to reports about that. Our talented Executive Producer Lorraine Evanoff is in France as we speak. I expect to be receiving updates from her shortly.
April 29, 2004 - 9:02AM PST I'm home again... after a week in Hollywood for the Artivist Film Festival... but just for another day. We leave tomorrow for Canada. Artivist was a great experience. I met many wonderful activist filmmakers and saw a few great films. I didn't get to see as many as I'd like, having missed the first two days of the festival. I got a change to meet one of my great inspirations - Joshua Tickell - father of the "Veggie Van," and author of "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank." Mike Ruppert also joined us along with several members of my crew including Lorraine Evanoff, Jackson Hamiter, David Pedergnana, and Mari Eliza. We all had lunch after the screening and breathed a sigh of relief.
April 7, 2004 - 4:57AM PST I'm home again. Paris was great, and we have a better film now that when I arrived. The team at Take Off became more than co-workers during my short stay there. They became friends. I hope to see them again very soon, and I extend my deepest gratitude to each of them for their kindness and hospitality. I know I'm not easy with my mood swings and low-stress tolerance, but these good people treated me like a star. My life is enriched for having known them. Thanks especially to Andre Lazare who took care of me like a daughter and to Manuel Guyon who always took the time to ensure I understood the conversation.
March 29, 2004 - 10:45 AM Paris Time! Things are going well here in Paris. We're making the final touches to Liberty Bound for it's European Premiere at the Cannes Market in May. Today I'm sound mixing with Fabrice. This weekend I was in the editing suite with Gaia. We'll have an in-house screening by the end of the week. Paris is so beautiful! Everyone here at Take Off has been so great and accomodating. It's great to work with them all.
March 16, 2004 - 4:52PM PST I'm going insane! :-) But it's a good kind of insanity! I've been working closely with Take Off via email & phone to get the licensing issues cleared and preparing for my trip to FRANCE!! I leave for Paris one week from today for final editing and clean-up. I'll be there for two weeks.
We got notice from Echelon Entertainment today of their interest in domestic distribution. I met with Gloria from Echelon briefly at AFM. I really look forward to working with them as well! She's a very nice woman.
I'm also preparing for the Artivist Film Festival coming up at the end of April. I'm very honored to have Liberty Bound selected for their first annual festival. It will also be my first film festival ever! What a way to start! Saturday, April 24th at 4:00 PM!
March 3, 2004 - 9:46PM PST I'm currently on a train bound for home. No police interrogations on this one, just a quiet, long ride. Whew! I'm exhausted! I've been in Santa Monica for the past 5 days, but it feels like a month! So much has happened in the past week! Last week I received notice that Take Off of France would be at AFM and wanted to meet with me. We've been in negotiations with Take Off since last May, and we finally closed! It was so great to meet both Patrick Gimenez and Andre Lazare after such a long time. They are wonderful men - just an absolute joy to spend time with. They're back in France now, and I miss them already! We will hopefully see each other again this May in France.
I also spent some time at the AFM seeking domestic distribution and getting the word out to other territories. The market was incredible. Huge, beautiful hotel right on the beach. They must've thought we were all rich filmmakers because it cost $5.00 just to buy a 4oz Evian Water! One morning I spent $26 on two mochas and two pastries! Insanity! :-)
As for now, I'm about to collapse. It's still another 4 hours until I get home. I can't wait to fall into my own bed and be smothered with kisses from my husband & my "girls" (3 dogs & a cat). Namaste!
January 31, 2004 - 9:40PM PST It's been a long, busy week. I've just spend the last week in Texas preparing for AFM, the final edit, and visiting my family. Thanks to my sister (aka my personal shopper), I found some beautiful clothes for AFM - both for day & night events. I also spend hours going through Public Domain footage at George Russell's studio to try and get those licensing costs down.
January 12, 2004 - 11:29PM PST We have so much good news that it overshadows the miniscule bad news (not accepted to Tromadance). After seeing the movies accepted by Tromadance Film Festival - I clearly see Liberty Bound does not fit their bill on many levels. The good news ... we've come to an agreement with Cinema Libre for domestic distribution! They are going to Sundance this weekend, and Liberty Bound will be annouced in their promotional catalog! MORE GOOD NEWS... the Deception Dollar site has made Liberty Bound one of their recommended videos. We're currently exploring screening opportunities with them and other contacts residing in our gentle neighbor to the North - Canada!
January 5, 2004 - 10:08PM PST Yessir! The new year is shaping up nicely! Today we had an official offer for Domestic Distribution by an LA company! More details soon! I also am submitting to:
December 23, 2003 - 3:35PM PST Liberty Bound has now been submitted to the following film festivals:
December 16, 2003 - 8:45PM PST On Thursday, January 22nd at 9AM PST, I will be interviewed on the Meria Heller Radio Show about Liberty Bound. Please tune in!
December 4, 2003 - 9:20AM PST - Good News and Bad News...
Bad News - I just returned from Ohio for my grandmother's funeral. She died on November 29th at 6:40AM EST. My mother and I were with her when she took her last breath. I'm glad she's no longer suffering and is reunited with my grandfather, her partner of 63 years on this earth.
More bad news - Liberty Bound was rejected by Sundance. :-(
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Good News - The deal with Take Off is still officially in the works. We've joined up with the Post Production House Cinema Libre in LA.
More good news - Liberty Bound has been selected as one of the seven finalists for the From The Heart Productions' New Zealand Editing Grant. We'll find out in January if we made the final cut!
October 31, 2003 - 10:05AM PST - HAPPY HALLOWEEN -- and a SWEET SAMHAIN to you all! :-) I submitted the film to the Canadian Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival. I'm also submitting to the Amnesty International Film Festival as well as the NYC Human Rights Film Festival. Let's hope we have more luck with this second run! ALTHOUGH - we are still waiting to hear from SUNDANCE -- that's my destiny! Also, we have an appointment to speak with a distributor in the UK on Monday. He seems interested in the broadcast rights to Liberty Bound. I'll keep you all informed. Namaste!
October 29, 2003 - 1:18PM PST - WOW. Yesterday was a great day. I met my inspiration, my idol -- my reason for becoming a filmmaker: Mr. Michael Moore. :-) I gave him a copy of Liberty Bound, and he thanked me for the work I'm doing and wished me luck with the film. I shook his hand, and he was on his way. I look forward to hearing from him about my documentary.
October 14, 2003 - 3:07PM PST - TAKE OFF has reported back that the Liberty Bound trailer was very well received at the Deauville Conference, and they are pushing for a quick release! You'll know more as I do.
September 26, 2003 - 2:22PM PST - Liberty Bound has been passed over for the Amsterdam Film Festival as well. Sundance and Czech Repubic remain. The TAKE OFF deal is still on the table, however. They will be showcasing the Liberty Bound trailer at the Exhibitor's National Congress. Perhaps that deal will close afterall.
September 23, 2003 - 2:06PM PST - Happy Mabon! First day of Autumn - my favorite season! I've received no official word from the London Times IFF, but Liberty Bound doesn't appear on their program - so I believe that means it was rejected. I did get the Sundance Application off in time. That's the big one! Help me manifest that!
September 8, 2003 - 2:42PM PST - GASP!! I just realized the deadline for Sundance is October 3rd NOT November 3rd. I had better get moving -- since this was the reason I set out to make the film in the first place!
September 2, 2003 - 7:19 PM PST - Just returned from Burning Man. Rejected by Vancouver Film Festival and Independent Film Project Market. Still waiting for word from London, Amsterdam & the Czech Republic. We've applied, last minute, for the Roy W. Dean Editing Grant.
July 23, 2003 - 17:11AM PST
:-( -- Sadly, I got notice yesterday from both Toronto IFF and Montreal. Liberty Bound was rejected by both.
July 10, 2003 - 12:47PM PST
Liberty Bound has now been submitted to the following:
June 4, 2003 - 9:08AM PST
I sent Liberty Bound off to the Toronto International Film Festival yesterday for submission. I also submitted it to the IFP Market. We will know about acceptance by the end of July. I'm also considering submitting to Raindance in London, but it's very expensive! c. $80 to enter plus $50 to get it there custom free! Update on Cannes? --- Pending.
May 19, 2003 - 4:21PM PST
Lorraine is in France - at Cannes -- with our film! :-) We look forward to hearing any updates from her. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
You might notice a change in the music of the trailer. The composer who originally was going to write the score for Liberty Bound objected to his music being used in the trailer. I guess this is why you have to get those agreements in writing! So - we've updated the trailer with the music from our current composer - the amazingly talented David Pedergnana. He might even write something special for the trailer. The bulk of it is the same, though - still that beautiful Palestinian music!
We also have registered the domain name libertybound.com for the film. Check it out! We will be transferring everything over to that site.
May 12, 2003 - 1:37PM PST
We're getting closer every day. I Fed-Ex'd a copy of the trailer and film to Lorraine today. I'll be delivering the 5 copies of the trailer/film, the press kit and the one sheets to her by Friday - just in time for her to leave for Cannes! Today, I also registered the domain libertybound.com, updated this website, downloaded the latest music submission (nearly half the soundtrack is in now!), have been working with my PR specialist on the press kit and corresponding with my talented Graphic Designer about the Liberty Bound website and letterhead. Keeping Busy! :-)
May 6, 2003 - 11:55AM PST
We're getting close -- still more technical difficulties. This time with the Composer's Studio -- but we'll still get it done. we'll be delivering the Fine Cut this Sunday to a wonderful woman who has offered to take it to Cannes next week.
I finished the trailer yesterday, and I'm basically waiting for the music to do the final editing. I'll be in the sound studio this week to record the final narration -- and we'll be sending the One Sheet off to the printers asap. Whew! I'm getting nervous! :-)
April 24, 2003 - 9:04PM PST
It was a very difficult decision - because they are both so talented -- but I chose to go with Amanda Potter's design for the one sheet. It can be seen from the Press Files page. I give a special thanks to Gregory for his submission as well. I think I will be using his on the postcards when we get them printed. The bad news is the investor still isn't interested after seeing the second cut. Bummer.
April 22, 2003 - 8:29PM PST
Bad News. :-( The only interested investor has passed. He hasn't seen the second rough cut yet -- but there is little chance he'll suddenly become interested.
Today - Ethan and I have been together for 4 yrs... that's the good news:-)
So ... I'll keep plugging along. Cannes in less than a month. We'll be ready.
April 21, 2003 - 12:53AM PST
I'm a little late for doing this, but I'd like to officially welcome:
April 9, 2003 - 3:44PM PST
The rough cut is rendering as we speak! Thanks to GLORINDA MARIE at SF Indie Club we found several willing Graphic Designers, a Production Assistant, a possible animator and a Public Relations specialist! Thanks so much GLORINDA! -- she's still my Mother Mary when we get Magdalen made! :-)
April 7, 2003 - 9:29AM PST
OKAY... Glen's pulled out, but we thank him for the work he did transcribing two interviews. We need a PA now to research and apply for grants as well as research tidbits of information online -- this could be done from a distance with correspondence via email. Anyone interested? If we get funding - it pays $3000 - 6000. We still need some to design a one-sheet as well. We're about 1/3 the way through the rough cut - a little behind schedule... but we'll make up some time today.
April 5, 2003 - 8:10AM PST
We're now deep into Post-Production. We'll be sending a rough cut out to an interested investor next week in the hopes of getting some finishing funds. Last week, our composer backed out on us; but we found another the same day: D.N.B. Pedergnana at Mood Paint Music. He has been GREAT to work with! More good news: Glen McKenzie has come on board as my Production Assistant and Research Coordinator. We're on our way!
March 16, 2003 - 9:56AM PST
We did go to SF yesterday for the protest. It was amazing! -- however, something really unfortunate happened. I left my video camera and all my protest footage from M15 and J18 - went back 5 min later; and it was gone. :-(
On a brighter note, it looks as if Liberty Bound might be shown at Cannes this year. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
March 14, 2003 - 9:29AM PST
We've been cataloging footage and editing all week, and it's coming together - slowly. Tomorrow is the A.N.S.W.E.R. Peace March in San Francisco (and around the world) we'll be there to show our support and to *hopefully* do some fundraising by selling bumper stickers. I'm going to Texas next week for last minute production and to visit my nephews.
March 6, 2003 - 7:11AM PST
I had the pleasure of having lunch with Michael Parenti the other day. He is a delightful man, and I look forward to all of you seeing his interview in Liberty Bound. Also, I finally met Jackson Hamiter of The iMuse Company earlier this week as well. We had a productive meeting on funding and grants. I'm going to be working on a very rough cut before I leave for Texas on the 18th. Mr. Hamiter might have a connection to Cannes this year.
February 15, 2003 - 9:04AM PST
This is a sad day for me. My grandfather died yesterday, February 14th at 5:30pm EST. Today - I'm trying to get a flight out to Cleveland for my husband and myself. We unfortunately have to miss the Peace March in Sacramento today - but such is life. I hope there will be 100 people for each person who cannot make it today - we have to stop this unjust and illegal war.
Namaste.
February 12, 2003 - 8:32PM CST
My new baby nephew was born -- 7lbs 13oz. Dylan McGill Kirkpatrick. Healthy and beautiful. I can't wait to meet him next week!
February 12, 2003 - 3:12PM PST
I returned home last night from my 2-wk production trip. What an adventure! I went to Niagara Falls, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia! I saw Ground Zero and the Liberty Bell -- interviewed Howard Zinn, Robert Lederman and a man who used to be a tour guide at the WTC. I also spoke with Jeff from the Turn Your Back On Bush incident in Columbus, Ohio.
I visited my dying grandfather also while over in Ohio. I'm so glad I was able to see him before he passed.
Today -- I'm awaiting news of my second nephew's birth -- anytime now!
Tomorrow -- I'm off to SF to interview Michael Parenti and Don Paul.
January 25, 2003 - 10:00PM PST
I just finished a promotional trailer for Liberty Bound (updated title). I've worked non-stop for about 14 hrs... and it's as done as it's going to be before I leave for the East Coast on Monday. I have many, many things to do tomorrow to prepare for my trip. Gathering information - preparing for interviews... etc. I think it gives a good idea of what we're shooting for: a comparison between Pre-WWII Germany and the current state of the US (to put it simply). I couldn't make it too detailed because the content of the project is not yet know. It's a what-we-get-is-what-you-see film... and I'm going out Monday to GET it -- so you can later SEE it :-) I think I'm getting a little loopy -- time for bed.
January 24, 2003 - 1:21PM PST
We just returned from shooting in Vancouver, BC a few days ago, and we're taking off again on Monday (27th) to the East Coast to get some interviews. What we really need now is FUNDING -- donations, anything would be helpful. I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel of our savings for this. Peace.
January 11, 2003 - 11:59AM PST
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting with Stephen Marshall of GNN. Over breakfast he told me about how he started his filmmaking career and offered some assistance in this project. GNN has been quite an inspiration to me as a filmmaker, so this meeting was quite important to me. I learned a lot in a short amount of time, and I hope to be working more closely with GNN in the future.
January 6, 2003 - 5:00M PST
New project -- new journal page!
Upon the realization that my filmmaking idol, Michael Moore, made his first film Roger & Me at my age -- I thought I better get started! So, a few months ago, I decided to make a feature-length documentary for submission to the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. It's working title is Home of the Brave, and it's about the current state of the union. You all know how I love those political subjects. We're in the final stages of development and beginning production and post-production simultaneously.
I've begun editing some old footage to incorporate into the film, and I, along with my team spread out across the nation, begin filming next week.