Spirit of Love Rings in 2013 with Anticipation!

I believe the Spirit of Love cast and crew are some of the most unique and amazingly talented group of peeps ever.This is the last post for 2012 and great things are in store for Spirit of Love.I believe it is important for everyone to see this film because they need to step into the lives of these amazing teens who brought their "A" game to the set every day.In case you didn't know the film is inspired by the life of retired NBA player Mike "Stinger" Glenn and his camps for the deaf and hard of hearing.
People will be educated while being entertained and inspired,encouraged,uplifted,and motivated.
Many ask the question: When can we see the film? There are specific details that must happen before the film is shown to anyone in cast and crew. Most importantly we need the film to be screened by industry people who can help with distrbution.That is why we made this film.We desire to distribute this film in theaters and dvd and  to share information that is important to the deaf community.Information that they would like all of us hearing people to know.

As you hug your loved ones to celebrate and ring in 2013,we also join with you ringing in 2013 with great Anticipation! Remember wherever you are and whatever you do,do it with a Spirit of Love.

http://spiritoflovemovie.com

Sad but Approved for all ages

Sometimes post production on a film including distribution takes more time then I as a producer would like however it is a very important part of the process.Recently before Christmas we received some Great news and some not so great news.
First the not so great news. The distributor whom had been awaiting our finished film passed away.
His name is Greg Rutkowski http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/greg-rutkowski-AMC-movie-theaters-397984 He and I had met through a mutual friend several years ago following my first feature The Goal and have remained friends ever since.He was excited about Spirit of Love and what he believed he could do with our film.I'm very sad to say he will be missed.He was always available to me by phone to discuss the entertainment business.On my trip to LA in November after picking up our film from Barry our wonderful editor I met Greg for breakfast at Joan's Cafe for breakfast on my way to the airport home. He was the very first person in the industry to see the film.Very sad but unfortunately what that means is I will have to start looking at other distribution opportunities.

Meanwhile Spirit of Love http://spiritoflovemovie.com recently was awarded the Dove Foundation seal of approval and Four Doves.

The Dove Foundation has been advocating and approving family films for 20 years. The Dove Foundation says, “This inspirational and remarkable story just may have you cheering by movie's end! We are pleased to award the film our Dove "Family-Approved" Seal for all ages. See this one soon and it just may give you a spark when you most need one!"

I'm very excited to receive this rating from this organization.This means no potential audience member will be left out.This rating combined with open captions is a tremendous opportunity for Spirit of Love to reach the masses.We have spent a great deal of time getting the captions completed in order to stay on track with our plan.

So now during the remaining time left in 2012 I prepare screeners and press packages which will be sent out to different film festivals and distributors for consideration.This process is all part of the over all marketing plan,however different

Currently Spirit of Love will close the Texas Christian Film Festival in Houston Texas on February 16th at 7:30pm @ Bethany Christian Church located at 3223 Westheimer, Houston Texas. It seats approx.400 people. It is free to attend but you need to make reservations online at http://texaschristianfilmfestival.com/
In addition prescreening activities such as shooting hoops with NBA player Mike "Stinger" Glenn and other cast members,or purchasing signed movie posters or food items from the food booths start at 6:30pm.

Like our film Spirit of Love all of these evening activities are approved for the entire family.
We encourage you to share this information with friends or family members you have near the Houston area.Please also share this information with organizations like youth sports teams,church youth groups,or organizations involved with the deaf & hard of hearing community in Texas as well.

The Process and Invitation Only

The Process of film making and distribution is hard to grasp at times even for those of us who are filmmakers.No two films are distributed or sold the exact same way.We make the film,we edit the film,and then the process begins.The process of promoting it to distributors,theater owners,as well as through screenings at film festivals or private events is all so we can create a buzz.

We work very hard to have people in the industry or potential movie watchers to give us feedback,which we can then publicise and hopefully it helps create an interest for the film and builds an audience.We also accomplish this by releasing trailers and doing interviews when asked.

Everyone involved in the support or making of the film become advocates. Just because we know about our film and think we've told others about it doesn't mean everyone knows about it.

Although some very interesting people have found out about our film with the sharing of our trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1pOd6tlnGE&feature=plcp  so continue to share it and continue asking friends to become fans on face book by liking the actual fan page.

hether you know it ,believe it or not it is making connections to create the buzz.If we don't support the film and get fans asking for more or wanting to see it released in theaters it wont happen.

I understand why actors have it easy. They come on set shoot the film and then go on to their next project.The same with crew.There are major reasons why producers, and sometimes directors only work on one  maybe two films in a year.It is because we are tasked with the selling and promoting of the film.Without continued marketing and promotions and endless meetings and sleepless nights nothing happens.

The fact is the  film may get made but never released in theaters or ever seen.Sad but true.

We release press releases when we have news and you have to keep spinning out news so it doesn't fall flat.We rely on cross promotional opportunities when available. Many times this doesn't happen.

For what ever reason it only occurs when people really care or get the concept that it is a two way street.I've seen it happen first hand and have heard some horrific stories from other producers who lost a great deal financially.

At any rate the process can seem very slow moving but know that http://spiritoflovemovie.com is on pace and actually making great strides in our process for various avenues of distribution.

We are currently working to sign on 3 sponsors who will sponsor premieres.One in Denver,Los Angeles,and Atlanta.Or 1 sponsor who will handle all three.

 

I tell you all of this, because this is why we received an invitation to screen at Texas Christian International Film Festival, which is by invitation only.We will be 1 of 9 films invited.Second as of this morning we received an invitation to screen at the Mason Dixon deaf basketball tournament which is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Deaf Film Society.All of these opportunities have come as a result of The Process and you all spreading the word.So please don't stop now.

Uniquely Cast film premieres in Milan 2012

Spirit of Love http://spiritoflovemovie.com core cast consists of 25 individuals all who have some level of hearing loss with the exception of 7.
Spirit of Love although uniquely cast with deaf & hard of hearing teens, it is NOT just a deaf or ASL film. It is a universal story of teenagers finding themselves and their purpose in life.
A Coming of age  story with and without hearing loss. A film to bridge the gap between people with differences.Teens overcoming problems and learning life lessons through the game of basketball.

It was a no brainer to cast kids with real hearing loss rather than hearing kids playing deaf. I wanted a true authenticity about the film,so it also made sense to cast Mike Glenn as himself.
Mike "Stinger" Glenn is a great professional athlete and an even better man who has continued to give to society when nobody was watching without expecting anything in return.Mike Glenn is the catalyst for our film and I believe the performances by Mike and the teens are authentic.

At the end of the day when you put a group of teens together you'll find everyone is dealing with their own issues and insecurities.With a little help and structure everyone will discover their purpose.Perhaps even a purpose greater than themselves.

I am honored and committed to bringing this important story to the World. Spirit of Love will represent the USA and millions around the world who have hearing loss at the 30th annual FICTS Milan International Sports Movie & TV film festival in Milan Italy December 5th-9th, 2012.
I believe this is just the beginning.Become a FAN and share with others. https://www.facebook.com/Deaf.HOH.Basketball.Camp.Sports

Watch the trailerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtGfHIGzP-0&feature=relmfu

Give Thanks with a Spirit of Love

On the eve of one of our nations biggest holidays there are so many reasons to Give Thanks.
We give thanks to our family and friends and we share insane amounts of food.Even when our family and friends get on our last nerve we still give thanks to them with a Spirit of Love.

This year I personally have an abundance of new people and friends to be thankful to and for.I've been trying to give thanks to all of you involved with our movie Spirit of Love in some form or another by posting on the Spirit of Love fan page on face book. https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Deaf.HOH.Basketball.Camp.Sports There are so many involved in this film family that I have not even begun to scratch the surface thanking all of you who played a part in our wonderful faith based family film.
Not to worry I will continue to thank each and every specific person.
As we continue down the path called distribution more individuals will join the Spirit of Love family
and I want to say Thanks to all those who will come.

It is important to be thankful for all who have viewed the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtGfHIGzP-0&feature=youtu.be  (which is still waiting on captions)
or have shown their support by becoming a fan on facebook. It is also important to continue spreading the info by asking your friends and family members to ask their friends and family members to show their support by watching the trailer and posting a comment on YouTube and by becoming a fan on face book or both.It's important to grow our support.

We are thankful for the various distribution channels which have shown an interest at this point in our film.We are thankful for any and all help that each and everyone of you have brought to the table and continue to do so.

I'm thankful for all of you who have written to me asking about the film's status.We need to continue  spreading the word and growing our fan base during this time.

Things slow down during this time of year and the film business is no different.
Please know that I am personally thankful for each member of our Spirit of Love family and I pray many Blessings over all of you and your loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving you each one of you.

Spirit of Love Proves,Teens are Teens

When a teen boy wants to know how to kiss a girl, its a difficult hurdle to climb.As a matter of fact if a girl wants to be kissed by a boy, its a difficult hurdle as well.Bottom line; being a teen isn't an easy task in general.
I wish I could say life gets easier but truthfully life gets more complicated as you get older.There are so many factors to weigh and so many decisions to make.Teen angst turns into adult agony,and even sometimes anxiety.Not to say that teens don't experience anxiety or agonize over events in their life which are overwhelming, because they do.

One thing I know for sure after filming Spirit of Love is,Teens are Teens.
What I discovered quickly is something I've always felt in my heart.Teens are Teens whether Deaf, HOH,or Hearing. Regardless of how they communicate or process information teens are charming,funny,loving,truthful and like most of us are trying to find their way in this world.

In one behind the scenes story while filming, a HOH young man took a stand while numerous adults and others looked on, thinking he was being disrespectful to an adult,when actually he was standing up for himself for the first time in his life, just wanting to be "Normal", which is what the film is about.

While a second hearing young man shared with me through tears that his family didn't understand his need to be with friends.Because it was the first time in his life that he had his own friends,friends not in any way shape or form connected to his family, and a third young man suffered a great tragic loss previously in his life, yet on the outside everyone thought he had it altogether, but he felt his life had been taken away and now working on the film made him feel like he had a purpose,and that he could dream of possibilities again.

There is a line in the film that my character Coach Robyn says ; "If you've lived any length of time on this planet  you learn everyone has something they're insecure about."

If Spirit of Love does nothing else I pray it will cause everyone to remember kids are kids,Teens are Teens, and Adults are teens grown up with more complex problems. Being an adult doesn't mean we have it all together or all the answers.It's really like the relationship category on face book."It's Complicated"

I want everyone to know working with all of the teens on Spirit of Love has been a highlight of my life.I thoroughly enjoyed working with each and everyone of them.When I think of all the behind the scenes stories it makes me smile and warms my heart.(Even in the Heat 100 degrees+).
http://youtu.be/KtGfHIGzP-0

Whirlwind and Many Hills to Climb

Well its been awhile since my last blog. But not to worry lots of forward motion has been happening.
Personally I am living the line in Steel Magnolias when Truvy says"We're gonna be busier than a one armed paper hanger" That is exactly the case.  I spent so much time deciding when,where,why,and how I should go to LA but now I'm here. I've been here since Monday and today is Wednesday.
I spent most of the first two days with my editor finalizing tweaks and ending credits and cutting the theatrical trailer with all the final audio and colorization.It really is a beautiful movie and I still shed tears when watching it in the editing suite. But it has been a Whirlwind of events. Many would say wow how lucky but I believe it is part of God's plan and destiny for my life and this project Spirit of Love. http://spiritoflovemovie.com

Today is the first day that I have had the finished film in my hands and it is already in the hands of two distributors. That may sound exciting and amazing to many people but it may also be a blur to others.
Fact is Distribution does NOT equal large paychecks necessarily. Distribution does not mean you get to see it in theaters. Distribution may or may not happen in the way you want.I learned this lesson the hard way as have many independent filmmakers. Nevertheless we have a solid good movie which tells an amazing and important story and so we as independent filmmakers have many hills to climb.

We have to negotiate,negotiate,and negotiate some more to get the best possible distribution opportunities for this film. When a film is finished in the editing bay and post production,there are still many obstacles to overcome.This is not the time to rush through and have screenings and show it for our friends.It is a time to stick to the plan. As an actor I know everyone involved wants to see the final product,but we want to make sure it is the best outcome for all parties involved. That is why it is called the business of filmmaking.

Although the film is complete we still need the closed captioning which is about 2 weeks out and then we submit to MPAA for rating as well as several festivals awaiting the film. Both of these cost money and time.

I AM so thrilled to have completed this film and I truly hope that everyone who watches it will be impacted in some small way if not in a big way.I know I have been.