audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

I want to create an alternative "Hollywood". A grassroots chain of digital movie theatres all across the country. They would be similar to community theatres. They would pop up in small towns, ethnic neighborhoods, colleges, etc. They will be a place for people to experience films Hollywood chose to exclude from their ever myopic entertainment business. They will be a place to discuss the films over good food and drink. I believe they will foster community pride. And when these digital theatres are networked together via the internet, there will be a great communication and awareness that will help to lift the corporate veil we are forced to live underneath. Art and small business will come together with the people. There will be a strong sense of empowerment. Sparks will feed the dimming light of the Eternal Human Spirit and the world will be better for it. I am passionate about making this happen.

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

Nigel Simms, an English reporter working for the Italian magazine "Speak Up". has infiltrated my little world to try to figure out who I am and what makes me tick. He's been interviewing my friends, some family members, and professional colleagues. He's trying to locate me, but I'm hard to locate. Little does he know that I am aware of his every move and I've actually incorporated him into a short film entitled "The Unknown Coppola" that I've been directing through loyal collaborators. I've heard that he believes I'm deeply emersed in the darkside. That couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm fond of shadows, just like in Plato's Cave. I'm easily seduced by the mysterious and mystical. I prefer the warm glow of a candle or campfire to bright daylight. But, I believe in the inherent goodness of the human spirit and, when I finally allow him to meet me, he shall feel this.

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

In approximately 2 hours, someone will be picking Six Cat up and taking him to meet me in a secluded alley in downtown L.A. near Chinatown. I will ask him a few pertinent questions regarding some improper comments made to my son's babysitter. He will confess and come clean, then there will be no need for a "horse ride at night." We shall see.

audio post powered by audblog

I'm happy to be back in my home town, but I feel there's so much tension I could pop it with needle. A Dodgers fan shot and killed a Giants fan. People are driving like maniacs. I nearly got into an accident 6 times in a period of 4 hours. My fellow Los Angelenos stay alert and aware. I can't help feeling something serious is brewing. I pray that I'm wrong.

audio post powered by audblog

I finally met with one of the leaders of the Bandidos. I liked him very much. Even though the man has obviously been in some very serious situations, he was a sweet man and a good man. He cares about his people and will do whatever it takes to protect them. There is a strong honor code here. He liked the concept of Shakespeare on bikes and wants to help us with the project. If the rest of the Bandidos are like Get Down, it will be an honor to work with them on this project.

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

The meeting with Get Down is now confirmed. I will meet with him tomorrow at the Ponderosa Bar.

I'm taking the dyna-glide up to Moriarty, New Mexico. There's a couple biker hangouts I need to check out. You can also buy fireworks, not the safe and sane kind, the real deal. I love fireworks!

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

It's all falling into place. I'm about to take the world's longest tram ride up to the Sandia Mountains, then I will hike about mile up hill in full motorcycle regalia to see a very old miners rest spot. I'm thinking weird sisters. I haven't been so excited about a project for many years.

audio post powered by audblog

I've discovered on my social investigations that the main motorcycle group with power in Albuquerque is the Bandidos. Get Down is one of the leaders. I'm trying to arrange a breakfast with Get Down to discuss the project. Hopefully, some creative insights will floweth from the encounter. Also, I believe that no matter how bad ass these bikers can be, they follow a code like Knights or Samurai. I want to know more about this code. It's crucial for the Macbeth tale. Dignity can't just be thrown into the fading pink grease bucket.

We had a heated discussion last night comparing Casablanca to Cool Hand Luke. In my mind, one's a great propaganda poster, the other's a rich painting. I've been keeping score with the people though and it is still pretty even. I'm definitely a Cool Hand Luke man. The seasoned writer at my table in his fifties was all Casablanca. What I liked however was that our young waiter, who was working his ass off, spoke up and said, "the question is a no brainer, I'm a Cool Hand Luke man". This discussion went on for quite awhile. And what we came to realize is that there really aren't any films today that you would care to discuss in such detail over Greek flaming cheese. And when the flame was finally out, we were all a bit sad. I'm off on another scout to feel, absorb, and learn. They're taking me to a few sacred Indian sites. Macbeth is laced with mysticism.

audio post powered by audblog

I purchased 3 copies of NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE EDITION MACBETH, which has the play in plain English directly across from the original text. It is very well done. My problem now is too decide whether or not to use the original text or some sort of plain English. I can already feel Clockwork Orange is settling in to my psyche with this new project. Kubrick used the distinct language from the novel. I think Macbeth is Shakespeare’s most modern play. Some of the language actually appears direct, bare bone, from the street today. I’m hedging on using the real text, but may have to paraphrase in certain situations. I’m still stewing on it.

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

9/11/03

I said my prayers for my fellow man.

I'm back in L.A. I feel the independent fringe screening of Bloodhead went pretty well. I didn't notice too many courtesy smiles or "golf" applause. The film's not for everyone, but it's definitely different. When was the last time you've seen an anti-racist monster movie? I dare you to find one. Night of the Living Dead doesn't count, because that's a more subtle anti-racist Zombie movie. Anyhow, I'd like to thank those people from Toronto (all 300 of you) that took the time to see my film. I know there was a lot of other stuff going on with the festival. And your comments were nice. Let's hope I'll be back next year with my heavy metal motorcycle rock opera BIKER MACBETH. Keep checking in to see how I'm progressing on all the various fronts of my wacky life.

audio post powered by audblog

Tonight's the night and I have been up for 30 hours. Can't sleep. Drank too much. Feverish. I can't get the Reluctant Dragon's song out of my head, "Oh, I'm the reluctant dragon, quite so, quite so, I'm the reluctant dragon so very, very don't you know..." Things could be a lot worse.

Almost my entire family has been in Toronto with films of theirs. Francis-a redo of One From the Heart, Nicolas-Matchstick Men, Sofia-Lost in Translation. I went to these films and their parties. My film - Bloodhead- screens tomorrow night and, curiously, my family has left town. I know they have busy, busy schedules, but I think there's more to it than that. I am the Maverick and they really don't get me. I am the lone pimple on what would otherwise be perfect skin. They have academy awards, I have a punk rock band named "Snot" that sings about my film Deadfall. I'm extremely happy with this.

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

audio post powered by audblog

I'm on my way to Toronto to premiere my latest feature, "Bloodhead". Am I nervous? Of course, I'm nervous! It's hot, probably more from nerves and the fear of being roasted from a bunch of dorky critics who couldn't direct themselves out of a paper bag. I keep rinsing my doo-rag with cool, clear water and put it back on my head for extra comfort. I remember my seven year old son telling me, "All that matters if you like it." I remember Tom Waits' song, "...and when you get blue, and you lost all your dreams, all the matters is a campfire and a can full of beans." I feel much better. I'm less aware of my ears.