Reflections Aren't just for Mirrors

I am my film. There is no way to separate the MJ Slide from The Saving. This film was written, and directed harnessing every part of my being.  I'm sure my Crew and Cast can attest to this.  Its about as personal as it gets. So many people have poured their hearts and souls into THE SAVING, it literally takes my breath away.

It ain't over till its over. We still need your help. We have 10 days to raise the remaining funds we need to complete this film, have it premiere and get it in the hands of people who need to hear and receive its message of Hope.

Two Thousand, two hundred, and 20 dollars. $2220. No matter how one writes it, it still feels like a daunting sum. I hate talking money, the wishful thinking part of me desires money to grow on trees so all us artists could go greenback picking in our front yards and not worry ourselves and other people with its abundance or lack thereof.

On December 12th when our indiegogo campaign officially wraps I will have plugged this film for a exactly 120 days.  Camped out in my office, on twitter, facebook, blogs, vimeo, youtube,  the local newspaper, podcasts and now on TV. Since I started this campaign, we've settled into our new house, two of my brothers have gotten married, I turned 18 and I've written four other shorts and almost completed two feature screenplays.

That's a lot of time and I'll confess, I honestly thought my passion for this project would have at some point become diminished or lackluster. I'm thrilled to say, its just the opposite. I am more on fire for this film and its message then I have ever been! I love all that I've learned from the experience of losing sleep, millions of rewrites, networking till my fingers and ears ache, crying over tough decisions I've had to make way beyond what's typical for my age, working with my uber talented crew/cast and waking up every morning knowing if I can complete this movie I have the opportunity to change lives for better. I don't say that flippantly at all, its a HUGE deal.

This past week I've spent a lot of time thinking about the people I've met, the experiences I've been able to have and what still have to look forward to. I'm only 18, I've got my whole life ahead me and I think I've got a pretty good start thanks to the support of my friends and family.

This post might have a bit of a wandering feel about it because, well my mind has wandered back to all the memories and relationships I've formed through this whole process. Everyone needs to take time to reflect, to consider and count their blessings, to sure up confidence for the days to come. I know I'm not alone. I know even if you we don't raise every last penny we desire to that we will still figure out a way to get this film on the big screen come Feb. And  I most assuredly know I don't regret a single minute of the past 10 months I've spent working on this film.

Its an investment to be sure, my Crew/Cast knows this, my family definitely knows this and so do THE SAVING indiegogo campaign Backers.  To the 67 people who have helped us raise $2,290 toward production and post production costs, THANK YOU! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I can't say it enough or express adequately how much your support means to me and everyone else whose a part of THE SAVING team.

A lot can happen in 10 days. A lot can change. I know three things will remain the same, my love for my family/friends/crew/cast, my passion and drive that is required to rock this film and the truth that filmmaking is what I wanna do with the rest of my life. Come what may.