San Diego Film Festival -- Sept 2006

Friday night, I suffered through a "networking" party to meet folks and hand out my promotional yo-yos, etc. Actually, chatted with some nice folks, but the in between times just standing there can be pretty painful. I did have my picture taken with Marilyn Monroe. Grace Kelly and Veronica Lake were there, too. A shout out to Leo Hamel & Company Fine Jewelers for the photo, coming soon. Meanwhile, check out Grace Veronica to the right.

Actually, I ran into Martin from Video Gear in San Diego. Great guy. His business is doing really well. He says that the little monitor he bought for me to rent for "Last Notes" is his hottest item. People attach it to a crane, or, like me, use it to follow the camera operator around.

Martin directed me to an information table for a foundling group called San Diego Filmmakers who get together monthly. Martin and the San Diego Filmmakers staff encouraged me to consider staying in San Diego rather than thinking I have to move to L.A. to find good filmmaking support. That would sure be nice, but I still think I need to be around high-caliber groups like Film Independent in L.A.

I saw a couple films Saturday. They even rolled out the red carpet for me. And the ticket takers actually used my yo-yos. Guatemalan Handshake had a real nice offbeat sense of humor, a really good feel. Writer/director Todd Rohal (photo on right) has a great, easy-going attitude and some folksy plans for distribution. He wants to tour with the film, renting theaters for a night that would include music and other entertainment. I don't think he necessarily joking when he said they might include a sword swallower. Producer Jason Orfanon was real affable, too.

"Danika," starring Marisa Tomei started off with a bang, but then kept repeating the same surprise. And some of the cliched dialogue inadvertently produced chuckles. First Look is smartly distributing theatrically abroad but only DVD here.