There’s something delicious that swells in my soul when I encounter creative art in progress. Writing books is a muse-thrill all its own, but I also take great joy in learning, seeing, and watching others create something.

A great one-liner from the film “Art School Confidential” illustrates my point: Artists live for that narcotic moment of creative bliss.

Watching and knowing the behind-the-scenes details of something which the public finally sees is, I dunno, amazingly wonderful to me. It’s like those times in junior high school, when my good friend’s uncle was a radio DJ; he got us into sneak preview movie premieres all the time. We saw those great films before anyone else! *Thrills and Giggles*

So often in life, I feel like I’m the last to know something. So when creations enter the world which I’ve seen or heard about evolving, it’s a rewarding feeling–even if I’m not the artist behind it.

I wrote the Indie 13 blog post, announcing the eventual release of When You’re Strange. Tom DiCillo has kept a blog since he began this Doors project, and it’s been interesting to read how it progressed. I can’t wait to see it in theatres.

Today (12/12), “Delgo” starts in theatres. This is the creation of Fathom Studios (Marc Adler and Jason Maurer) located in Atlanta. They’re also an animation/film arm of the well-known and respected company Macquarium. I had the great pleasure of working a 6-week contract job there, about 1 ½ years ago. It’s one of the most exciting, innovative and creative places I’ve ever worked. During that time, all the employees were invited to see “Delgo” during work hours. Today, it’s released in theatres. It’s exciting, knowing this day would eventually arrive.

And it was cool to even know the behind-the-scenes information on pets. Disney made a movie called “Murder She Purred” many years ago. A friend of mine owned one of the German Shepherds in the movie, and she kept an ongoing blog of the many ups and downs of training/working with animals on set, and how it was challenging with some actors. (Incidentally, my favorite part of her blog was that the actor, Ed Begley Jr., loved German Shepherds, and was often scolded by the wardrobe lady because he continued to roll around on the grass playing with them between takes. As a shepherd lover myself, this tidbit instantly raised Ed Begley Jr.’s stock in my book.)

So, I am happy for these friends and past co-workers who are ushering their precious pieces of art into the world. One day, with whichever book may work, I hope to do the same. Meanwhile, I’m settling in to cornflower blue Atlanta skies, chilly weather, and warm raspberry tea to court the muse. We’ll see how often she shows up!

When You’re Strange film by Tom DiCillo –

updated links: Read about the screening in Georgia in 2010 here.

Older Links:

Watch the When You’re Strange AMC News Interview with writer/director Tom DiCillo and Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger (2 minutes)

Watch the When You’re Strange Sundance Channel Interview with Tom, Ray and Robby (4 minutes)

Watch the When You’re Strange In the Can Sundance Interview with Tom, Ray and Robby (9 minutes)

Read The Doors Magazine Interview

Well, perhaps I’m strange. I’m posting a blog to promote an Indie which hasn’t even been released yet. Why? Because I’m excited about this one and want to get the word out. Plus, this documentary is written/directed by one of my favorite Indie filmmakers, Tom DiCillo. WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Jan 09, and is being shown at the Berlin Film Fest in Feb 09 and the SXSW Film Conference and Festival (SXSW) in Austin in March. The documentary is about Jim Morrison/The Doors. Stay tuned for additional details on a theatrical release.

Wolf Films (the folks who do Law & Order) is planning to do a full theatrical release of the film, which includes music and footage. Read Tom DiCillo’s blog post on this project.

Mention Jim Morrison in mixed company and you get an array of responses. Myths, legends, and ambiguous feelings all come together. Yet despite much being written about The Doors (some of it incorrect over the years), I encourage everyone–whether you’re a fan or not–to check out WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE when it’s released.

Why?

* Indie filmmaker Tom DiCillo has the rare, precious talent of extracting intimate, soulful moments on screen. He’s able to sift through the external muck surrounding everyday topics and enhance the gold underneath. His films always nourish my spirit, and I’m sure this one will too.

* DiCillo’s artistic eye–everything from music to cinematography–should make for an amazing film experience.

* I’m willing to bet this film will be a different take on The Doors than you’ve ever seen before.

* The music will be incredible with today’s sound technology.

* Learning more about those who influenced history with their quest for artistic freedom and truth helps us make sense of our own humanity.

* Because I’m recommending it, folks! Keep WHEN YOU’RE STRANGE in your memory. It will be worth it when it comes out. More details to follow!

Or should I say “A Rainy Day in Georgia” because that describes it better! But after 2 days of relatives, turkey, relatives, and more turkey–the bleak winter skies and damp weather is a welcome change. If this were a bear talking, I’d be ready to hibernate :)

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday, whether travel was part of your plans or not.

Wanted to talk a bit here about titles. How do artists come up with them? Song titles, film titles, book titles? As a writer, I can only speak from my own experience. Unfortunately, the answer is “I don’t know.” They just appear, whether suddenly or after anxious, painful extraction. The interesting mix of muse/inspiration/keywords floating around in my head finally puts something coherent together.

What confuses me is how the title search for each book is different. I’m working on Book 4. Right now it is untitled. It took me awhile to think of the title for Book 2, and it wound up being a suggestion from someone. Book 1 and 3 were instant flashes. If I were looking at patterns, perhaps all odd-numbered books will have easy titles and all even books will be a struggle? Who knows? Each is different, much like each artistic creation is different.

Sometimes playing with key words helps. I write key words which describe the themes/feelings I’m trying to evoke. Then I look up all those words in a thesaurus and dictionary. Sometimes this approach helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes I’m just walking through the produce section of a grocery and BAM! The title wops me upside the head. Other times, it takes forever to figure one out. (Which seems to be the pattern for Book 4…)

But no matter which differences occur between artistic creations, bottom line–I love all of them. I love the ones I struggled with and I love the ones which came easily. These people living in my imagination sometimes teach me more than “actual” people do. And even the antagonists–my heart goes out to them. They’re simply misunderstood, which makes them all the more human.

Off to write on this rainy, chilly Southern day. Hope the muse finds each of you as well, and happy holidays!

Flakes: I LOVED this little Indie. It’s going on my Christmas list. Starring Aaron Stanford (who was simply wonderful in “Traveler” though it got cancelled); Zooey Deschanel, and Christopher Lloyd. Directed by Micheal Lehmann.

I keep asking myself: would I love it as much, if it weren’t filmed in my hometown of New Orleans? My answer is yes, though location is an important aspect of the eclectic people and atmosphere. In 2002, I went to Oregon. Certain parts of Portland and Eugene, Oregon would work well. Whatever the location, it requires intrinsic beauty and no pretension. Remember the quote from the movie ‘Steel Magnolias’ – “An ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.”

That being said, “Flakes” did something no film has ever done for me: It made me fall in love with my hometown again. Hurricane Katrina broke my heart, and I mourned for weeks for a city I once loved. True, it’s come back in many ways, but some things will never be the same. “Flakes” was filmed before Katrina hit, so it has all those local elements still intact; perhaps this is why I connected so strongly.

Meet Neal Downs (played by Aaron Stanford). He’s a musician, but he’s afraid to put all his effort into his artistic endeavor. To pay the bills and stall the time, he works as a manager at a cereal bar (yes, you read that correctly…a cereal bar). Think eclectic neighborhood coffeehouse that sells rare cereals and those which you can’t purchase anymore. Add in a few strange characters–those who purchase rare cereal artifacts on eBay, those who come in daily and order the same custom cereal mix, and those who swap cereal trivia every morning at breakfast.

He’s coasting through life, happy with mediocrity. Then his girlfriend (played by an enthusiastic and talented Zooey Deschenel) takes control. When he won’t take a week off to work on his music and won’t hire her so he can focus on his goals, she struts herself across the street…to ANOTHER cereal bar which just opened. She’s going to help the competition if her boyfriend won’t help himself.

The rest of the movie is about the competition, the rifts in their relationship, and finding one’s purpose in life. All of these delicious themes set against the backdrop of my beautiful New Orleans. Those of you who are locals–and even you tourists who pay close attention–look for the following:

* The scene where they go meet the lawyer: It’s the inside of Commander’s Palace, one of the top restaurants in the city.

* The scene where they go to a fancy dinner at Antoine’s: Yes, it really IS Antoine’s. Many movies take a camera shot of the outside, then film the inside within a studio. This one was true, inside and out. When in high school, our yearbook staff went to Antoine’s one afternoon (someone’s uncle worked there) and we got photos of ourselves laughing and joking amidst Antoine’s tables and the bar. This brief scene reconnected me with a happy memory.

* Scene 10 on the DVD–the first few minutes: He walks across Jackson Square in the fog and rain. GORGEOUS camera shot. Gray fog permeating the air, tall black iron gates flanking the French Quarter. I loved this scene, partly for the weather effect but partiy because it wasn’t “traditional.” The characters weren’t getting drunk on Bourbon Street, with the Superdome in the background, while speaking in bad Cajun dialects. This scene was REAL. There’s even a camera shot of a garbage truck cleaning up the French Quarter streets. Everyone thinks of the Quarter as party central; no filmmaker ever explored the ‘clean up’ factor. To the locals, this is normal. Another reason I connected with its realism.

* While filmed in the French Quarter, it’s on the outskirts. They have a montage sequence which shows the typical New Orleans sights, but it moves quickly. Lets the viewer know it’s New Orleans, but doesn’t beat him over the head with it. Hello? New Orleans IS a wonderful city which brings out beautiful connections in people–not all connections happen directly under the Bourbon Street sign. Does Hollywood not realize that?

Speaking of Hollywood and Indies, I find the main difference is that Indies focus on telling a *REAL* story, a realistic story. Hollywood does tell stories–and yes, I like some of them–but Indies have more honesty, more truth, more CORE than Hollywood explores.

There was a brief camera shot of a parade in “Flakes” but it lasted about 2 seconds–a refreshing alternative to the standard movie where parades break out on random streets for no reason. Hello? Who does that? Just to set the tourists straight–random parades do not occur in New Orleans. During Mardi Gras? Sure, let it all hang out. St. Patrick’s Day, a funeral of a jazz musician? Absolutely. But otherwise, people do not randomly start playing trumpets in the streets.

Indie movies tell different stories–they shun predictability. So yes, it is a bizarre little film. But it’s wonderful, and I encourage you to check it out!

Happy September, everyone! Hope everyone is doing well. I am extremely thankful that Hurricane Gustav did not damage New Orleans and surrounding area as much as anticipated. Please keep all the people whose areas were hit hard by Gustav in your thoughts, as I remember Katrina’s devastation all too clearly.

As I’m plugging along writing Book 4, the subject of music keeps coming up. I’m not quite sure why certain creative projects are attracted to certain types of music, and it’s not like I choose certain genres deliberately. In many ways, whichever music allows the muse to flow and keep the words coming gets meshed into the ‘soundtrack’ for a specific book. As the book gets fine-tuned and the chapters get written, what begins as several songs shifts to a specific listing.

Book 3- Ghosts, Grits, and A Damn Yankee – had strong Irish themes. I lived on Irish music–lots of Roger Drawdy & The Firestarters, The Waterboys, The Saw Doctors.

Book 4 (I’m keeping the title secret for now, but it’s a doozie!) seems to be flocking toward 2 different genres entirely, and I’m still open to others. Right now, it’s the soundtrack for Mamma Mia and various 80s hits by The Cure. Odd thing is, I grew up in the 80s and was completely indifferent toward The Cure. Now I am listening to them more and more.

But music does more than keep us going on creative projects. Some of the quotes can be incorporated into our daily lives with great advice, such as some of my favorites below:

* If you’re not part of the future, then get out of the way. — John Mellancamp, “A Peaceful World.”

* It’s hard to begin, when you can’t see the end. You can only depend on the courage you own. Take careful aim.–Roger Drawdy & The Firestarters, “Take Careful Aim.”

* I wrapped my fear around me like a blanket. I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it. I’m crawling on your shores.–The Indigo Girls, “Closer to Fine.”

More thought-inspiring lyrics soon. Until then, crank up the music!