LAST EAGLE SCOUT WRAPS!

Wow... is all I can say. Many things changed for me on the making of this film. Not sure how to explain it. First off, I got so fatigued on this shoot that I fell asleep at 5pm on Saturday and didn't wake up till it was time for church the next day.

I also realized my limitations on film making and halfway through the film, I turned the cinematography over to Tahlee Booher, my long-time friend from college. I must say, with what I gave her to work with, she accomplished a lot. I officially decided to retire my Director of Photography status from film. I can occasionally shoot and will continue to do so for Blendtec, but otherwise, it wares me out. Plus I seem to be one of the older farts who can't seem to be up with the new production equipment fast enough because I am too busy creating stories and focusing on marketing.

I also have to give a lot of credit to my producer Danna Tanner, who held that production together with the scotch tape that I gave her. I am sure there were moments she wanted to strangle me for doing this or that. But all in all, we made it through.

Ironically, at the end of shooting, the bishopbric in my ward (church congregation) gave me a new calling... can you guess what it was? Scoutmaster.

We all laughed. My dad says that besides the bishopbric, the scoutmaster is about the busiest calling in the church. So many days outside of Sunday you have to work at it and pray for the support of the kids parents. I do love our boys. It's not a big troop and I have been scout master before. So it will be fun.

I was also amazed that I made it through the 4 week shoot. Everyone was awesome. I loved every actor and every crew member, it would not be fair to start naming names, but they know who they are. I was also sick everyday of the production. It was either fatigue or my throat hurt or sick to my stomach. Worrying about money, or time, this and that. Somehow things will turn out for the better when we get into post-production.

We have a preview circulating already that Dan Hollister has cut. He will be handling all our post. It's a great trailer, but we can't post it publicly because we have copy written music we don't have permission to use. It is mostly used to entice more investors and distributors.

That's the gig! If you are on Facebook, you will probably see the miriad of photos circulating. It is definitely an important film and will turn out well. Thanks to all, mostly my greatest crew member and cheerleader, my sweet wife, Stephanie.

FIRST WEEK OF SHOOTING

Started August 3, filming till the 29th. I am sick to my stomach, but I seem to keep moving with someone on my back picking me up. I think I am a naturally lazy guy, I admit it. I love to sit around and think up great ideas, but want to see someone else execute them.

In all reality, my crew have been awesome! I would start naming names, but don't have the time to do so. The actors are incredible as well. I think most people around feel something special that we are producing. Most people working with me will whisper in my ear "we've been needing something like this".

That is a great testament to me. But I do have to realize one thing.... I am not making films for film makers. They come to get the free showing at the premiere, get the free DVD for their reel. I am making this film for the audience that actually pays the bills. Who are seeking the entertainment they are willing to spend money on, and waste their time watching my vision. It is all about them. I hope I serve them well.

MEETING WITH RICHARD HATCH-BEGINNING FILMING

Stephanie had the chance to attend an acting workshop for two days with Richard Hatch. For Stephanie, on the acting side, it was an amazing experience. (I was busy trying to get a film ready, so all I could do is let them in the door of the Creative Media Group stage).

After it was over, they went to dinner. I went and got Parke and his friend and we joined them at Applebees's. Richard and I talked the whole time (I felt bad I hogged his time). I am not one that can go and schmooz with the "stars". I'm honestly not very good at that. But Richard was very easy to talk to and he was very interested in what I was doing. I told him about Will it Blend and The Last Eagle Scout. He liked films with political undertones in it, and we agreed with a few issues, like the bailouts.

He is also a big fan of independent film and loves to see people get creative. He is starting a new reality shot called "What the Frack", something like that. It follows the underbelly of Hollywood.

Anyway, the first day of shooting The Last Eagle Scout is tomorrow. I have been sick for days and weeks, trying to get this film off the ground. There is so much to do. But between talking to Richard Hatch and talking to my dad tonight have both been inspiring. My dad told me the sick feeling is normal for anyone trying to risk moving on to better things. He gives me the regular advise he has always giving me for years... be of good cheer.

WILL IT BLEND HITS 200,000 SUBSCRIBERS - LAST EAGLE SCOUT STARTS

As of this weekend, we reached 200,000 subscribers on our YouTube channel of Will It Blend. We also are over 200 million views, or so. I have lost count and quit counting for time's sake. But the influence of the program has been all over the world, as you can see in this video.

I must warn you, this video a little FOUL. It is some mid-eastern version of South Park or something. I have never heard of this cartoon and don't remember giving permission for them to use Will It Blend footage. But it is an honor (I guess) to be featured in other people's work.

By the way, in one week from today, we start to film my next movie, "The Last Eagle Scout". I sure hope I can pull this off. I am actually a little scared and excited at the same time. We had a cast/crew BBQ last Saturday and really enjoyed every one's company. Must give the credit to my producer, Danna Tanner for her idea and work on getting that together.

We estimated about 70-80 people showed up (we have 60 speaking roles in the film, so it was well attended). I think many participants gained the spirit of what I am trying to do in making this film. There is definitely going to be a turn in American Cinema as things in our country are simultaneously going sour.

Let's hope we can make a difference.

WILL IT BLEND Goes to Moscow

The Will it Blend man himself, Tom Dickson, attempted talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Tom said that Medvedev was a big fan of Will it Blend and his favorite video was the Bic Lighters because of how Tom looked in the end (obviously a pun toward how he would like to see all Americans in the end, blown up by bic lighters).

But Tom was able to cool the waters with the Russian Prime Minister by giving him a Blendtec Total Blender. He stated that this gift was WAY better then the crap Obama gave him, and that he would be happy to sell all his nukes... on Ebay (Why not, that's where Palin sold the Alaskan corporate jet).

All kidding aside, I guess Tom will be going to Moscow to perform Will it Blend Live. We will probably be producing an announcement video for YouTube. So I couldn't help but to make this great work of art (I did the head, Jonathan did the blender.)

Will it Blend continues to live... (click on the photo to see closer view)

SCOUT FILM-WAREHOUSE SCREEN TEST

I was fooling around around the Blendtec warehouse (and that is where some of the best ideas come, is from fooling around), knowing that I have just a few weeks left before shooting my new film.

We have scooters in the warehouse at Blendtec and I wrote in a chase scene for The Last Eagle Scout that reminded me of that last Batman movie. I by no means have that kind of budget, but feel that I can pull some things off. So here is a test of me strapping the camera to the scooter and riding around the warehouse.

It is BORING, I am going to warn you now, but it is posted for a select few people to see it. Figured you might get a kick out of it.

IN PRE-PRODUCTION... WORKING WITH THE BSA IN DALLAS

The headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America is located in Irving, Texas and so I met with them and we talked about my film, The Last Eagle Scout.  At first, they were a little taken back by the storyline.  Then, they persisted to know whether I was a participator in scouting at all. I told them that I was Mormon and served with the scouts in one calling or another in the scouting program for the past 12 years. 

They said they held high regard for the church, especially during the turbulent times in court 8 years ago.  They officially chose not to support my project, but told me that they could not stop me from making my film.  Their only concern was that I represented the scouts with dignity.  I hope to do that.  

Obviously, the BSA are not in the film business.  I realized that when I sent them a script all marked up with all the references to the BSA, but they didn't even have time to read it.  My contact did say that if they watch the film and like it, they may think differently about supporting it.  To this, I totally understand.

So off to pre-production we go.  We officially have 2 months till shoot time.  I am nervous as I can be.  But eager to make this the best film I can.  I will do my best to take out the "pop" and focus on the filmmaking.

Our crew will be small so as to be able to move fast.  But the cast is large for an independent film.  60 speaking parts, several hundred extras, 23 shooting days and a lot of Advil.  Wish me luck.