Didn't Win the Contest....

... but had fun that Thursday night at the Robinson Film Center. Shreveport has some amazing people in it and I'm glad I have such groovy friends and I wouldn't trade my family for the world. For a large drive through frozen daiquiri maybe...nahhh.

Dead Stuff Contest

We're having a bit of fun over at Facebook. Come join us. This is what I just posted: Dead stuff? Animal cruelty? Nope it's not my latest flick. It's actually the original promo for the SBCTB "Show Us YOUR Shreveport Bossier" contest. Anyone offended enough to call anyone? I'm just reporting the news. THE FIRST PERSON WHO FINDS THE FOUR IMAGES IN THIS 32 SECOND SPOT GETS THEIR PICK OF SCENIC SHREVEPORT MAGNETS. NOW GET TA WATCHIN.' I got dog poop to clean up.

I Steal From the Best

Happy to see the main title design for Alan Ball's HBO show "True Blood" was nominated for an Emmy. Alexandyr Kent reported it last week on his blog Louisiana Movies.

September 20, 2009 is the date for this year's awards show.

I Sold My Soul To The Devil

You’re Invited! This Thursday! It's FREE! Free food. Get there early!

From the SBCTB website "Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and the Robinson Film Center will recognize area filmmakers at the Show Us Your Shreveport-Bossier Red Carpet Premiere at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23 in the Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.

Come as glamorous as you’d like to pose for the cameras and to celebrate all there is to love about Louisiana’s Other Side as the $2,500 grand prize winner is unveiled. Admission to the spectacular event is FREE and open to the public."

And all this is exciting but not as exciting as it could have been because of the fact I HAD TO SELL MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL. To be part of then event I had give up creative control. From the official email sent to me "Because this is a family event and we anticipate children being there, we do reserve the right to edit the video to portions that are suitable for the viewing audience. Here is what I will need from you:

• DVDs or files need to be, at a minimum, standard resolution – i.e. they don’t have to be HD, but they’ll look better on-screen if they are. Digital file types need to be Quicktime files or .Mov files..."

I could have said no. But that $2500 has a strong magic powerful hold over me. Like I done been hoo dooed!

To watch click here True Blood and Voo Doo! my entry into the contest that started all the trouble. Watch it before you go Thursday just to compare it to what they do to it.

The Shreveport Times Editorial on the Show Us YOUR Shreveport-Bossier contest

The Shreveport Times ran an editorial Saturday July 11, 2009 on the Shreveport Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau's contest "Show Us YOUR Shreveport-Bossier."

It mentions the "...the added controversy of pulling one entry for its use of dead animals and voodoo imagery..."

Page 3 The Shreveport Times

'Fun' video contest attracts voter 'abuse' is the headline of Alexandyr Kent's article in Thursday's Shreveport Times.

Kent interviewed myself and several other contestants in the "Show Us YOUR Shreveport-Bossier" contest for his piece. An excerpt:
"Usher said her video presented her view of the community and drew connections to voodoo, the HBO vampire series "True Blood," which is set in northern Louisiana, and some spooky things she photographed locally at a cemetery and an art gallery.

'For me, it's just crushing,' Usher said. While she believes that (Brandy) Evans has been genuinely sorry the contest has led to hurt feelings, she's not sure she'll get a fair shake from the panel judges.'

To read the whole article click here.

True Blood and Voo Doo! A Disposable Film

The inspiration for my disposable film came from the fine folks at Digital Kitchen.

What Digital Kitchen says about the process of putting together the main title to HBO's True Blood "The final edit contains over 65 shots comprised of original documentary, studio, tabletop photography and found footage. 6 separate shoots took place in Louisiana, Seattle, Chicago on 7 different still, film, and video camera."