Camera is HERE or Tax Return of Smaller Magnitude

Well stupid fedex left my camera delivery ON THE DOORSTEP of our house. That's right, they left a $5000 package sitting on the doorstep. My parents want me to complain. Whether or not I do is contingent upon my laziness tomorrow. Anyway, the camera is super sweet and will be a boon to the cadre of buddies attempts at making short and feature films. Bring it on!
I got my tax forms back today. It seems that since no one at the film group knows if they are a registered educational centre, my accountant type person does not want to risk me getting audited by declaring my courses there as deductions. That makes my return $260 less than it could be, leaving me with only a meagre $600 refund. I was really banking on a much larger one... ala $1200 last year. This is going to make some other purchases take that much longer to get (ie) tripod, computer, lights, shotgun mic, boom pole). If anyone wants to contribute??!!??!!

I'm back with stories! or Did I REALLY just spend $5000?!?!?!

Well I have returned from the Dominican Republic with stories and pictures. I will post the latter at some future point in time and will briefly mention a few stories right now. I was the only one to not get sick on the food, we all went to the capital city Santo Domingo to check out the historic sites (first ever church in this hemisphere, oldest city, etc), we did a jeep safari where we got to ramble through the sugar cane fields, see a cock fight, taste organic coffee, got some sun, drank some bevies, and genrally relaxed a whole lot. It was a good time.
I just sent money away for the purchase of a SONY HVR Z1U HD camcorder. It's a professional model that will allow us to shoot broadcast quality HD video. This will open up a whole new world for myself and my peeps. Freedom to shoot whenever we want. I spent $5000 on the unit, which is a lot of money, so to justify that, I will be busting out a ton of shorts and hopefully a full feature film this year. Bring it on!
p.s.) I am also very broke now.

Off for a Week or R and R

Well, I'm off tomorrow morning for a week to the Dominican Republic. Should be good times. I hope to get somewhat of a tan and come back refreshed and ready to make a go of the whole thing. I'll try to grab some trinkets for everyone, time and money depending.
My mom is insanely overprotective in the best of times, and with going away her traits become exaggerated to the extreme. She seems to be convinced that Ryan did not organize everything properly, that I have no idea what I am doing, that Erin and I should not be in the same room (it's not proper!), that Erin's parents must not realize that we are in the same room, the list goes on and on... It's hard to grow up when your mother is convinced that you are 15 (and treats you as such). I don't want to break down and burst her bubble because I don't want her to lose her mental balance, but the situation will only get worse before it gets better. I am convinced that moving out will alleviate many of the problems, should that holy day ever arrive... :(
I had hoped to finish many things this week before leaving, none of which were accomplished. Oh well, the script will still be here when I get back. I can also finish "The Odyssey"on the plane!
If anyone wants to give me some money for the purchase of a sweet Sony HVR Z1U Professional HD Camcorder, feel free! It'll benefit us all!

Another Channel Closed Off or Dominican Republic Here I Come!

Oh boy, I found out the other day that I was rejected for the First Film Fund. They felt my shooting schedule was too ambitious and that I didn't adequately explain why I prepared a budget for both DV and film shooting. Both of those points, while having some merit, are bunk because the 6 page explanation I wrote detailed exactly why there were two budgets and that I work fast. Even then, I had set aside 2 full days of shooting for a 5 minute SILENT movie. That is so doable it hurts. I mean I've shot a similar project in under 2 hours! Granted this was more complicated, but I have also learned so much! Anyway, all this does is increase the vitrious desire to thumb my nose at the arts establishment. You want lame ass movies about a guy walking through a field, fine go ahead and spend the taxpayers money and something that 5 people will see and will never amount to anything. I would rather make something that will be seen and (hopefully) be successful. If it's not some sweeping family drama then oh well. In an unrelated note, if anyone wants to invest in a feature film let me know! I have some options for you! You'll get screen credit!
Erin and I have decided to join Ryan and Tina for a week at an all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic the week after next. A little R and R in the sun never hurt anyone. Besides, it'll be nice to get away from the city for a while. I haven't been anywhere nice since the trip to Cuba I took something like 3 years ago.
My back is sore from the working. I hope I didn't do anything too serious. Oh well, back to the blacksploitation essay!