Cannes, Day 2

So today was awesome. Got up, made my way down to Cannes from Nice. Got to Cannes and it just started pouring. Badly. Like someone was throwing buckets of water on you.  Yay. 

I got down to Cannes for breakfast with Sandy and her sister Kathy at 8. They didn't answer their phones. So then I went to the American pavilion. Now this place is for Americans to connect and feel at home, sort of. Except they don't accept American money. In the American pavilion. I was hungry and no euros. So I had enough for a coffee. Which was good because it was freezing. I sat there for an hour and then got up and went to the Short Film Corner to mingle. 

Wise choice. 

No one was there at 8. I went in and watched other Filmmakers short films. Then I went around and talked to the LA film commission. A few companies that buy films (specifically short films) and got them interested enough to watch The Last Dance. 

Then I hung up our posters. 

Which was awesome that there was even space for them. Then I waited for Sandy, still nothing. She overslept and missed her seminar. Traveling forward in time messes you up. 

So I went to the Pitch Training. Where they teach you to properly pitch to companies. I took notes. Lots. And waited to pitch In front of the crowd. It was nerve-wracking. You may not believe it, but I'm notoriously shy. 

So I got on stage. Took a few breaths, and pitched the movie The Tent as if I were in front of producers. 

Now after everyone's pitch, the moderator would come on stage and solicit feedback from the crowd. He then would give feedback. There was none from the crowd. My pitch, was spectacular. The moderator only had one suggestion, smile more. Said it was one of The best pitches he had ever seen. 

Apparently, he wasn't the only one. A company that had came by, approached me about it afterwards. Don't want to jinx it, but thy were amazed. I'll leave it at that for now. 

So Sandy finally showed up. We took photos in front of our posters 

And we had a blast. Amazing really. Best part about the corner, meeting new filmmakers. I have met over 600 Filmmakers. Loved Meeting them. We were invited to a small screening of this stop motion project called, Creamin. Loved. It was spectacular. It's all part of the networking. Two more tomorrow.

I went and took a nap on a table in a crowded room afterwards. 

From there, we walked the city. In the rain:

Then we went to dinner, thanks Kathy for dinner.  I'm always down to try new food.

Escargot, chicken with lavender honey,  lemon and olive oil. And for dessert chocolate cake with creme anglaise.  

Now. Relaxing before bed. 

It's been a long. Great day. I know ok vague about who approached me about my short film, but know once something is in place, you'll know. 

Tomorrow: Cannes day 3. Breakfast meeting with several film professionals

Salut! 

Cannes, yes. Day 1.

 So the day started out crappy. Stupid trains. Hotel so far that I probably won't spend much, if any time there. I am kinda pissed about it. They told me it was near

The train/beach. It's 10 miles north. BLAH. 

So I got into Nice and one of my longtime friends met me here:

She was in Italy and came up. Worked out because she had a friend from London here and they met up. 

Finally got to Cannes via the train. Let me explain how breathtaking it was.  Like a million little breathtaking moments jammed into one big moment. Yeah. I need new lungs. 

Red carpet:

Amazing. All the stars and premieres here. I am not even trying to get into premiers.  

So for any filmmaker, first thing, go get your accreditation.  You enter the Palais, and go down to the check-in counter. You get a swanky badge like this

Both my sister and I! And we got a "swag bag" 

Full of books and blah blah. Now the next

Thing, we went to the American Pavilion. Lots of Americans here (cost a fee) and I already lost my badge. Haha. I have to get a new one tomorrow. Great networking. Met Malcolm Baity here, I wrote a letter to get him an internship here. Wonderful kid

Saw Tobey MacGuire come out of a hotel, passed right by him. 

The big discussion here: lack of black Filmmakers. (Which bodes well for me actually) but the biggest problem is, less than 1 percent of the Filmmakers here are black. But that's because not a lot choose to direct. Again, bodes well for me. 

So from there, I went to a Film Score symposium. Amazing. What they did is, they brought in a live orchestra, put a scene from several movie:

Girl with the pearl earring

Harry potter and the deathly hallows

Twilight (blah) 

Etc

And what they did is, the original composer played the score first to the actual scene as it played, and then other composers played their rendition of the score. I was amazed. Like blown away. I want my film scored like that someday. 

From there, I walked with Sandy and her sister Kathy (my sis too) an we walked the palais and also the beach. Gorgeous. 

And there were for the festival, like places for us to be (this is where each country has a tent you can go into and network with your fellow countryfolk):

Finally I saw this, and loved it

A two story carousel. Fantastic. 

So the train ride back to Nice, met 4 amazing Australians:

Made the train ride funnier and amazing. They invited us to Monte Carlo and its so far we can't go. :( Damnit! 

Now I just got lost again on the way back to the hotel so I'm writing this blog. Haha. Also I'm going to French drunk tonight. And I have early meetup for breakfast before the meetings start. I have to get a new badge. Tomorrow I have a pitch meeting and then I'm going to different production companies and pitching movies. (Prayers that they buy one, or all). 

Note: I had nothing to do with the jewel heist here. Maybe. Interpol! 

So that's Cannes day 1. Tomorrow is more intense. And oh yeah, I dressed up. 

Tomorrow: Cannes day 2. 

Paris day 1

So I landed in Paris, local time 1:40, Arizona time, 5:40am. I slept like 2 hours on the plane. Um hello, all you can watch movies!!!! So I watched:

Hansel & Gretal witch hunters - not as bad as everyone claims 

Live free and Die Hard - again, I saw it in the theater and loved it. I laughed so hard in a few parts. Glad they had complimentary earplugs. 

Wreck it Ralph - um video games plus John C Reilly. 

I've flown first class, but never international. 3 course meal at midnight. Plus wine (no joke I had like 2.5 bottles by myself) and movies. I wrote a bit. 

I got off the plane, now if you don't have euros when you get here, well you're like me. I won't do that again. Next time prepared. That line was stupid long. 

Got my first Chuck photo from an airport lady who was asking question about ads and stuff. Score. 

The train to see the Eiffel Tower was a pain. Took an hour, but then again I'm an idiot. Totally worth it. 

I stayed there for about 2.5 hours walking around soaking up the beauty that it is. I'm in awe. Seriously. I stopped and had this delicious treat:

So, question, white people. Why have you been holding out on the Nutella business. That crepe plus Nutella, holy Santa clause crap. Amazing. 

I've been asked if I'm a "futbol player" at least 20 times. I should've dressed like a bum. 

I don't speak French but I will say this, a smile and basic greetings will get you far. People are more willing to be nice to you if you try. Plus I keep squeezing their butts and saying OUI. I kid I kid.  

Finally I'm on the way to the Paris Austerlitz station to catch the overnight train from Paris to Nice to start Cannes. Disappointed that my cab driver doesn't drive like a maniac. He's normal. Ugh. 

This place is gorgeous. I am fairly certain I want to come back so I need to work harder this year and do this again. I'm going to take a year of French lessons and also another language. I would like to learn as many as possible. 

Next stop: Cannes  

Stuff and things on the way to Cannes

So I'm off to Cannes now. Sitting in my 2nd airport of the day (Houston) and before I delve further, I want to take a brief moment to thank everyone who helped me get to this point in my life, whether it was monetary (thank you all who donated to the cause out forth by Marianna) or verbal support, or a "get your ass in gear and do this," yeah...

(If you know me, you know I have a love affair with post-its).

Secondly I know it's been said to "enjoy it" but I'm viewing this as a business trip. FLP, Me, and Sandy. We are a business first. Geeks second. But I'm enjoying it. Some of my friends came by Houston international and took me to lunch. Best time ever. 

So I have written 8 movie pitches out. Yes one is The War, the other is The high school movie, and a few other ideas. I'm aiming to push these in the face of investors to draw interest for our films, hopefully monetarily. 

Just found out my mancrush, Ryan Gosling is at Cannes. Guess who is going to be my new Best friend? 

Also I have one more airport (the stupid Atlanta one) to go to before departing tonight. France is tomorrow. I have an overnight train from Paris to Nice so me and Chuck Norris will see the country and start our trek to Interpols most wanted. 

I kid. I kid. But seriously.  Hope you all are doing well! Thank you all for being my friends and stuff. Mostly the stuff. 

Fear.

Fear.

I have it. All of it. Can’t even lie about it. Not sure why, but it’s been there since the day I hit “Send” on “The Last Dance” to a few of my trusted friends, you know the ones that will tell you the truth no matter what. Normally when I write something, I immediately hate it. I push it to the side and let it stew in its misery for a week or so. But this? This was different. The whole experience so far has been different.

I don’t lie, so when I say I’m scared, I mean every syllable. This is coming from a guy who went through chemo twice and wasn’t the least bit scared. Not one ounce. That to me was survival.  Deep down I knew that I was going to pull through it.

Making a quality film is a childhood dream.  Like most kids say “I want to be an astronaut,” or “I want to be a policeman,” I knew I wanted to make movies. Sure, I’ve directed things with varying levels of success and all have been learning experiences.  As with everything in life, I knew you couldn’t just run in “GUNG HO” and expect everything to be great, but that didn’t stop me from trying. You have to plan, execute, and plan more. Which, if I’m continuing this path of honesty, that is why in the past I can admit I’ve failed.  My lack of planning and my lack of execution is the reason why.  When I sat back earlier and thought about it, that was it. Boom, nailed it. It’s not that the material wasn’t any good; it was because there was an obvious lack of planning and execution of those shoots, and that lies squarely on me.

But…I’ve learned from it all.  Because if you don’t learn from your past and your mistakes, then what are we working towards in life? I’ve failed because I know that I have not done the little things to become great.

Everything I’ve done in life has seemingly led me to this moment. Right here, right now. There is no question or doubt about that. Besides being a dad, being a filmmaker is THE only thing I truly enjoy doing. So yeah, I’m fearful. I’m scared. Terrified even. But I feel terrified in a good way. I am however, afraid that with all of my planning that I will someone not live up to what “Dream Marcus” nailed flawlessly. Yes in my dreams, that dude nailed it. But also, this is a tribute to someone who meant a lot to me and I owe it to her to do the best job I can possibly do.

As we all know a team is only as good as the person leading it. And this is the first time I’ve had a team that I’ve hired that truly relies on me to know it all. For the time and effort each of them are personally contributing, I do not want to let them down. I respect each of them tremendously and they deserve my full effort.

”It’s not even about the career. I have shpilkes now and I have a career. I think it’s my fuel, basically—my nervous stomach. That’s what keeps me honest, right? And a little bit humble, in the sense that when I make a movie, I never think I have all the answers.” - Steven Spielberg

 I have always had a love of Steven Spielberg, he is THE best. He is my guy. I admire him on so many levels. 

So if he gets nervous, I can be assured that it is indeed a good thing. But the key to all of that was that he never thinks he has all the answers. And neither do I. I was told on Wednesday that if you’re not nervous that’s when you should be worried. And I suppose on anything else I’ve ever worked on, I haven’t been.

One of my favorite quotes ever happened to come from 2006’s Rocky Balboa. “You know I think you try harder when you’re scared.” Which if you think about it makes total sense, and I guess that’s why I’m trying harder than I’ve ever tried before, because I’m scared.

When this whole experience of making “The Last Dance” is over, after we as a team of artists have been dragged to so many film festivals and are tired and worn down, I’ll look back fondly at this and I will be grateful for the fear. Because without it, I know I’d still be an unprepared mid 30’s guy who expects it to “be easy.”

So yeah, I’m scared as hell, even though I don’t show it. But I know at the end of the day even though this is “The Last Dance,” for us as a team, the music is just starting to play.

Disclaimer: This may not make sense to anyone, but I have to write to clear my brain.

Dear Little Brother,

I write this not for sympathy, but as my way to talk to my brother who was tragically killed for years ago. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, so every year I write him a letter to tell him how things shook out in the prior year.

January 23, 2009. My brother, minding his own business in his apartment, was shot 3 times as an innocent bystander in Phoenix, AZ. He died enroute to the hospital. It was about 6 weeks before his 28th birthday.  I was 24 miles away from him. Saw it on the news an hour after it happened, but since they do not release details, it did not identify him. 

HEY! What’s up Mario. Jesus. It’s been four years. 4. Long. Years. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. Possibly because when I talk to myself, I often imagine that you are in the room with me and telling me that “I’m stupid,” or “That’s a good idea,” OR "To shut my damn mouth."
Either way, I do think about you. So, last year or so, you missed A LOT. Let me speed catch you up on some of the things:

1. Jordan finished 2nd Grade, with all A’s. That was pretty sweet. He's gotten ginormous. Pretty funny too. You'd like him. He talks about you. How you took him fishing and stuff. That's probably his most fondest memories of you.

2. I wrote a book. Yes, a book. 1st in a series. Oh yeah, sold it too. Just have yet to receive my advance. In due time though. I’m not worried. It’s about twin superheroes.

3. In May, I woke up one Sunday, went to church and heard the greatest word ever. Basically it was “Change your life, and only you can do it.” Which prompted me to…

4. Fulfill a promise I made 4 years ago to the date, to you. That I would pursue my dream, and leave Phoenix, and give LA a real shot. So in July, I moved. So far, it’s been one hell of a ride since then.


So, little bro this is where things got a tad bit dicey…

5. In August, Mom passed away. Now I know you already know this because you guys are probably hanging out bouncing from cloud to cloud and peeking in on the rest of us from time to time, so I still have to tell you, for my sanity. Hug her for me. Tell her I miss her and stuff.

6. Jordan turned 8, the day after her funeral. He didn't ask for much. A cake, and a movie. Awesome.

7. Oh yeah, you’re not going to like this. So I apologize in advance.. I know you always wanted me to get along with Michael, but some things aren’t meant to be. KNOW that I tried my hardest, but that dude has some serious issues. He needs help, and hopefully he gets it before it's too late. I haven’t talked to him since 9-12-11. Apparently he thought I was playing when I said that would be THE last time I ever spoke to him. He calls and texts, but I do not answer. I do not regret it. So, with that, I am sorry. I tried.

8. Went to New York for the first time. That was great. I saw things I had never seen in my life. I had meetings for the book, and got some good feedback from it. Still lots of work to do. It’s a process. I even think the publishing date of 2013 is going to be pushed back.

9. Silas is good. Dad told me he sees him quite often. So all is well there. He's still my favorite nephew.

10. Me and dad aren’t as close as we used to be. Used to talk to him often, but for some reason or another, that too has changed. I feel now that you and mom are gone, I really am not close to anyone else in the family.

11. Thanksgiving and Christmas, both quiet. I spent time with Demitria and the kids but that’s about it. Most of the other time, was at my place by myself. Oh yeah, 4 years remission. You were there for my last treatment. That was pretty awesome.

12. OH MY GOD. Your favorite NFL team the Detroit Lions, were good AND they made the playoffs. That was all though. They got the living piss beat out of them by the Saints.

13. Wrote a TV pilot and shot part of it. It’s funny because I wrote it with you in mind. I imagined all of the things that you would do to me if you came back as a ghost. Pretty funny stuff.
I don’t know. I guess as the years go by it’s supposed to get easier. In some ways, it has, but then again it hasn’t. So, here’s the thing about the dude that shot you. I found out some things. He is currently serving 25 to Life. I sent my “Obligatory” letter to him, mailed it Friday and if my calculations are correct he should get it today. Doesn’t say much really. Just a lot of the same stuff year after year.

1. Facts about you.
2. How I hope life is treating him well.
3. Just because he's incarcerated doesn't mean he can't learn some things.
4. Become better everyday.

He has sent me a total of thirteen letters, but I have refused to read them. They go directly in the trash. I said my peace the day I went to meet him.

So that's it. This year is already better. The first full year in LA this year will be sweet. I am looking forward to it.I can say this, I miss you bro. Life has been crazy the last few years, but through it all, I am still standing like an oak tree. I refuse to let it get me down. I just will keep pushing forward. I carry both you and our mother close to my heart, and for you two I bill be strong. I will complete my goals this year, and I will do it with a smile on my face, whether I succeed or fail.

You take care, I'm sure we will be talking soon. I love you, forever. I know I didn't tell you that much when you were here, but know that I felt it.

I love you,
Marcus

We made a video!

Fatherly Advice

Starring Jordan Stricklin & Marcus A. Stricklin :)