MAN, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

It's not like I have anything to do. Trying to finish up this film is a challenge, but I am having a great time. Usually, by now, when doing a feature, I will be sick of a film. But this time is different. I guess since I pretty much have all creative control and so many more tools to use than I did before.

I just finished a scene with Johnny Biscuit (he looks WAY better than me in this photo). He plays a talk show host who spews negative things about the scouts in a time of fury. I will be filming others, mocking talks shows and comedy shows, showing how a piece of bad press can spew the negativity of public opinion to the point where someone is guilty before even having their day in court. Part of the theme of The Last Eagle Scout.

The film is starting to grow in popularity (which means I better make a good film, all eyes are watching). I have a Facebook page and a few fans. And I get some hate mail already. There is even an anti-Last Eagle Scout page, if you can believe that. So I must be doing the right thing. I don't let it get to me.

Stephanie and I are working day and night right now. I still have my day job, Steph is trying to finish a new children's book, and I am editing and throwing in new shots as I see them. Luckily I got my own camera now, so I can make that happen. Much has been happening and I can tell life might be changing for me in the next 9 months. Not sure. But I can't talk too much.

Also been going to the gym. Been steady for about 6 weeks now. I am starting to lose my gut I got after being remarried 3 years ago (that's right, blame it on the marriage). I go with Parke every morning at 5:30 (that's the hardest part) to run and lift weights. My saggy boobs I was starting to get are now starting to not be so saggy (say that 10 times real fast).

We've been very blessed. And as things are happening, I continue to see others struggle. It hurts because I know, I have been there. I wish I could bring millions of dollars of work to Utah to keep all my friends afloat. One friend in particular is losing her house. That is hard.

There doesn't seem to be one great answer, but what I can do is help people with optimism. I give what I can with work and goods, but in the end, each person needs to take their own risks. Plus put more faith in the Lord for their needs.

SURVIVING THE KLONDIKE

Ok, that's not such big news, but it is for me. These are photos of actually two Klondikes we did, one a few months ago and the other just this past weekend. My troop is not very big, about 7 kids total, but their energy is enormous. (The photos in the middle are my son, Parke. Then me coming back from the Klondike, I'd had enough).

My assistant Scoutmaster, Jed, also has a great love for the scouts. He makes me look good by helping them with knots and camping, things I haven't mastered. I think much of scouting is for the adults as well.

I have done about 2 other Klondikes before this year as a leader and was a wimp. I ended up sleeping in my car both times. But I was only assistant Scoutmaster at the time. Now I felt obligated to live up to what the boys themselves go through. So on these recent Klondikes, I slept in the tent and it snowed both times in the middle of the night.

We actually camped at Camp Maple Dell, which is where we filmed all camping scenes for THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. It was weird going back to the same place but now having to lug everything around in a sled.

At this past Klondike, the boys had competitions where they did speed knot tying, guessed first aid needs, measured their scout spirit, built fires, raced snow sleds and mapped out compass courses. The council that put this on was awesome and you can tell the great spirit of scouting was alive and well.

2010 LDS FILM FESTIVAL

Steph and I spent hours watching films and visiting with friends from years past. If I had more time, I would give all the details, maybe I will soon. But for now, just letting you know, it was great to see everyone and talk about their projects. It was also great to see the desire of "young bucks" step up to the plate and make films, using the latest technology. I think as long as the technology doesn't lose way to story telling, I have been guilty of that very thing.

Christian Vuissa performed well, as usual, as master of ceremonies and keeping people satisfied and desiring more. It was too bad we couldn't have The Last Eagle Scout done to show, even a rough cut. But I was able to speak about the film in a forum and show the preview and get feed back. Most people were stunned (either that, or pissed). BTW, I am already getting hate male for the type of film I am making. That's a great sign.

LDS FILM FESTIVAL 2010 STARTS

Again, every time this year, we get to spend 4 luxurious days and nights at the Scera theater and watch new material from the LDS community. It is usually pretty exciting mostly because I get to meet with a lot of good friends, some I haven't worked with in a while (mostly because of my job).

I like to see what they are doing. But Stephanie has been more of the social nut then me. She actually keeps up with them more than I do. That is probably why she has almost 800 people on Facebook, twice more then me. That's OK.

Also during this time, we participate in the 24 hr competition. Christian Vuissa, the organizer of the festival, hands us a theme, a line of dialogue, and a prop... and a three minute limit, all in 24 hrs. I notice a lot of my long time friends don't participate. I think they feel they are just too good because it is more for people getting into the biz. Or maybe they are just too busy. Or maybe, they don't like to stay up all night (like I just did... ugh).

Either way, hypocritically, I will probably stop doing them myself as well. I guess working at Blendtec, I can get a little "creatively cramped". You can only get so creative producing blender videos. So I feel like I gotta do something.

Plus, my son and wife look forward to it every year. This will be our 4th year as a family, my 5th in attending. BTW, I will be speaking at one of the presentations. Friday at noon. I will be talking about marketing (Will it Blend) and the latest project (The Last Eagle Scout). Good times! I will probably video tape it and you can get a good laugh later.

SEALED TO MY LADY

It has been three years waiting, but we finally received our permission from the First Presidency to be sealed. So we gathered with family and friends to make that a reality.

For those of you who aren't part of my religion, this is part of the eternal plan, we believe our marriage to not end at death. But it is not easy to just walk in and do it. A sealing is a life-long commitment and beyond.

I was very tired that day. First, the day before, I participated in a 24 hour film festival competition where we write, shoot and edit a short film in 24 hrs. I had come home at 7 am that morning from working on the project. The sealing wasn't taking place till 2:30. So I thought I would get some sleep... that didn't happen. I had too much to do, and the busy body that I am, I couldn't sit down.

We had a potluck afterwards with many others. It was a wonderful evening and plus it was a time for us to reflect upon how many friends we actually have.

For now, my back and arm still hurt. I am working on getting feeling back in my arm. It has been numb because I have a pinched nerve on my neck and I am trying to work it back into place. I think I am getting old.... well, not too old.

WEB SITE UP!!!

The Last Eagle Scout now has an official website with more photos and videos available. Ray, my man, made this for me and it is the beginning of more things that will be added to it through time. We are now focusing on finishing the film and hoping to make the best product possible. Pass it around.

NEW BLOG!!! also SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

As THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT starts to pick up steam, we will be pulling out all the social media punches over the next little while. We have a new website lasteaglescout.com which will be updated in the next day or so. We now have a facebook, youtube and twitter account. And we have a new blog.

Since I have left this blog to become a more personal blog (for all 2 or 3 of you who actually read this), I have started a newer blog strictly for THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT film release. You can currently see the newer explosion video we made. It's pretty fun!

Also, I have just been informed that I will be speaking at the LDS Film Festival next Friday (Jan 22) at about 12 pm. I will be talking about Will it Blend for a moment, but focus more on The Last Eagle Scout. So if you're looking for a good snore (or some good comedy) come on out!