...do you ever wish you can stop everything just for one second...to catch your breath...to get your bearings...to plant your feet...that's how precious a second is...

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with Eternity."

Paulo Coelho
from "The Alchemist"

My son and I had a chat about art in his secret tree house fort. Considering the importance I hold for art and staying true to one's voice and vision, I thought I would share our conversation with our fellow man.

CRC: I've noticed you prefer to look at the cartoons that your mother and I looked at when we were your age, instead of the cartoons being made today.

BIC: Well, the cartoons today have all this fighting, and violence, and like they hate each other, and it's boring, and they talk too much.

CRC: So, what do you like about the older cartoons?

BIC: Well, there is not as much violence, and they don't talk so much about stuff that doesn't mean anything.

CRC: I see. Do you think there's a different kind of look to the cartoons though?

BIC: They're more abstract. There's more like, texture to the older ones, than today.

CRC: The older ones aren't as realistic. They're more like impressions of what we think are real. The cartoons today are almost hyper real, too real. They're kind of exhausting to watch sometimes, don't you think?

BIC: Yeah, they hurt my eyes sometimes.

CRC: Well, that's what is interesting to me about art, Bailey. To me, I don't have to like what the artist is saying, but if it's truthful to them, if they are being honest with their voice, I really respect that. It's when you see stuff that is coming from the same place, same commercial place, where everything looks the same like those violent cartoons today, I don't like that. And I am happy that someone your age feels the same. Because the more people create art that is truthful to them, the better off we all are.

BIC: I like making stuff in Black and White, because you don't see that around you and I think that is more true sometimes.

CRC: Exactly. When you create something like your paintings or when you write your flute music, what do think about, what do you start with?

BIC: Well, when I make music for the flute, I first play some notes that I like, than I write them on the paper in any order, then I play it, then I add more stuff.

CRC: Now, do you write music that you think people will like or do you write what you like?

BIC: It's what I like. I don't care really.

CRC: That's very important. Why do you think I like New Mexico so much?

BIC: Because it is the Land of Enchantment.

CRC: It's magical.

BIC: You said you like the light.

CRC: A lot of people have said that, but it's true. It makes things glow in a bluish radiant light. Have you seen that?

BIC: Yeah, in the great landscapes.

CRC: Do you like that I am helping out with the Duke City Shootout? What makes this film festival different than all the other ones you have been to with me?

BIC: Well, there's like bikers.

CRC: That's a big part of it, Bailey. But, what else?

BIC. They make movies?

CRC: That's right, we actually make films. We celebrate the creative process. The people are creating something together. And, to me, this is one of the most important things mankind can do. What do you like better, knocking down someone's sandcastle or building your own?

BIC: hmmm, both?

CRC: Yeah, that's a tough question. I like both too, but that's because we're boys. But, do you think people are knocking down sandcastles more than building them today?

BIC: Probably, knocking them down. Like those violent cartoons.

CRC: That's why I love this festival so much. It's about building sandcastles and the world needs this balance. Okay, now you ask me a question.

BIC: How do you feel about abstract, realistic and scientific art?

CRC: Whoa, Bailey. That's a pretty academic question. I like them all. They're like different paint brushes. You have to choose what's right for you. Like your stuff is more abstract, but it is very emotional and packs a punch. With me, I usually start with a philosophy or a little tone poem and often, a B-movie like "Attack of The Giant Leeches". However, music is my biggest influence. I want people to hear my films and see my music. I also use state of the art technology, that's why I have all this HD stuff around my company. That's also why we're using this new technology with the Duke City Shootout. You know what my dad told me?

BIC: What?

CRC: That "tech" in Greek, means "art". Pretty cool, huh?

BIC: Yeah.

CRC: Last question, what kind of painting would let me know how you feel about Albuquerque, New Mexico?

BIC: A sunset is coming down on all the desert land and cacti. I would use bright colors and use different brushes for different textures. The sun would be thick.

CRC: I like that. Can I give you my image?

BIC: Yeah.

CRC: A lone highway in black & white getting more and more narrow in the distance. But, there's a large, colorful carnival complete with Ferris wheel and rollercoaster looming in the distance.

CRC says...

Oh, what one has to do for one's art...I'm back to pimping again.

Tony Hillerman, Morgan Freeman, Tom Sebastian, August Coppola, Peter Fonda, Phyllis Diller and
Phil Kaufman:

Your personal taste, expertise and true professionalism added so much to what we are about-- Respect for the Creative Process. I know that all the writers that made it to you for the final read were thrilled. We are all grateful for your time and can't thank you enough for being part of the 2005 Duke City Shootout.

I was up in the Temescal Canyon with my family, listening to the very animated Lollie Ragana bringing ancient myths about the Sun, the Moon and the Stars alive. It was a beautiful summer solstice celebration. The fire crackled its pleasure and a redtail hawk couple screeched their appreciation. Mythology was the technology for our ancient ancestors. It provided an explanation for why things were the way they were and we built on that. We kept building until the mythology and its wisdom no longer existed and only the technological gizmo remained. We are now very out of sync with the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. Chautauqua helps to bring us back in touch with this wisdom.


Ms. Lollie Ragana has agreed to join our Globlog family at EarsXXI.

I'm at the point where I need to take a big step back and look at what I am doing. I need to see if what I am doing is truly organic and part of truly who I am. Then, I will know if I can proceed.

I've been talking so much about how important it is for others to create that I've neglected my own ability to create and I am truly hurting because of this. Now that the process is moving forward on its own two feet, I definitely need to shift gears and get back behind the camera. I owe this to myself.

Also, just in, the final script winners of the 2005 Duke City Shootout have been chosen by our honorable script judges. They will be announced tomorrow, so stay tuned.

CRC says...

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GET TO THE LIGHT, DAMMIT!

Apparently, I blirted this out after too many shots of Patron tequila.

P.S.

A very happy Fathers Day to all those Pops who planted the seed and stuck around to help it grow.

We were ready to kick some friggin' ass at Mayor Chavez's Albuquerque Tricentenniel Gala Ball. All we got was one drunken waiter named Tim from Nebraska to slap around.

Need I say more?

The older I get the more I really do enjoy being completely alone at times. It helps to give me the fortitude to carry on no matter the obstacle.

First, I want to thank everyone that submitted a script to the 2005 Duke City Shootout. I know it is hard to create and really appreciate your efforts. I also encourage you to stick to it and try again.

And now...THE 2005 DUKE CITY SHOOTOUT SEMI-FINALISTS:

EL JEFE/SCRIPT JUDGE TONY HILLERMAN
A Day In Heaven by Phillip Gunn
Cowboys And Indians by Patrick Mehaffy
Chili Fever by Chris Walsh
El Desierto by Tantri Wija
Pajaro Malo by Jeffrey Knudsen
The Truth By Walden Matussey by Tim Boughn
The Border Legend by Wendy Wolverton

PECKINPAH/SCRIPT JUDGE PETER FONDA
Sympathy For The Devil by Brad Stoddard
Asylum by Ricardo Marrero
Devoted by David Higgins
Spleen by Gregory Edwards
To Boddah by Tommy Garcia
Sequins Of Events by Rick Kelly
Last Chance by Nick Carr

MIRANDA/SCRIPT JUDGE PHYLLIS DILLER
Elementary by Matt McIntyre
Surreal Estate by Lori Romero
The Regulars by James Clayton
The Good, The Bad, The Sneaky by George Sanders
Do Not Donate by Dorian Frankel
Confessions Of A Reluctant Bra Buyer by Angie Comer
Assassin Emeritus by Kevin Napier

WELLES/SCRIPT JUDGE PHILLIP KAUFMAN
Christmas Spirit by Sam Martinez
Reruns, Cold Turkey & Me by Ed Fowler
Lady Liberty by Azad Jafarian
Trish by Perry Garrett
Infinity by Randy Crowder
Ten Count by Deron Albright
The Door by Buck Reynolds

COPLAND/SCRIPT JUDGE TOM SEBASTIAN
I Am by Doug Arne
In The Pink by Pamela Skjolsvik
Exodus by Barry Hantman
Angels Crossing by Dan Zepeda
Swamped by Patrick O'Connell
Something True by Dan Herrenbruck
Reality Check by Andy Lasseigne III

FELLINI/SCRIPT JUDGE AUGUST COPPOLA
Gunfight: A Love Story by Paul Gitschner
The Web by Richard Deakin
Pirates Of The White Sand by Phillip Seeger
Sand by Al Davidian

O'KEEFE/SCRIPT JUDGE MORGAN FREEMAN
Indiga by Betsy Burke
Tip Of A Lifetime by Tony Boland
The Wish by Tom Bradford
The White Hallway by Michael Tumolillo
Brando's Chocolate Cake by Frank Melcori
No Hell Below by Riccardo Costa
Dark Cloud by Vincent Spano

A hearty congratulations. It is now in the hands of our honorable script judges. Good luck to all of you.

We spent many a wee hour to pick the top scripts for each category. The only category that didn't have the full seven scripts was the Fellini-International. Very few script submissions came in from abroad. Must be all the anti-Americanism. Creation and Art should rise above someone's politics. Maybe next year we'll have a better turn out from our foreign friends.

Tomorrow I will announce the 46 writers that made it out of the 377 to the next round. So stay tuned!

CRC says...

I made an appearance at my friends THE BREW FARMER and THE BREW WIDOW's big event on June 10th. Tracktor Brewing is also sponsoring the Biker Bonanza and The Duke City Shootout. We are honored. I was asked to say a few words. I think I said something about my recent trip to Cannes and how all the French bikers took care of me and made me feel at home despite the dank, snooty French anti-America climate. (What about the war debt my French friends, what about that?) Anyhow, I said I liked how bikers stick together. I needed all my fellow New Mexican bikers to show some support for what I believe is the greatest filmmaking festival on Earth. Sign up for the Biker Bonanza! Step right up! Help make the Duke City Shootout grow! Help make the new digital New Mexican Hollywood grow! Help spread creativity! Help bring Art to the People and Find the Artist within Us All!

I don't really know if anyone was listening or even cared. But, no matter, they were a very nice group of beer drinking bikers.

He was around my age. He had a ferociously boyish appetite for life. He was the epitome of loyalty. My son and I had dinner with him a week ago. He told my son to stay true to his team no matter how many games they lose or win. STAY TRUE TO YOUR TEAM NO MATTER WHAT. That's good wisdom. Bob Marchetti was part of our team at Digi-flicks, EarsXXI and PlasterCITY. He died yesterday morning of heart failure. Peace Be With You, Bob. You will be profoundly missed.


Photo by Elyse Meredith, Bobby's dear friend and spiritual mother.

CRC says...

It's official. The June 7 deadline is gone and all the categories accept the Fellini Award are closed. The script submissions for this category were rather light probably due to all the current global anti-Americanism out there. I want the odds to be greater like the other categories. It makes it more fair. Remember, you have to be a citizen and resident of a foreign country for this category. This category will be officially closed on June 14.

We had a great turn out of scripts this year, much more than ever before. My very capable team at EARSXXI has put together a prelimiary reading group. The group is going through each and every script and rating them on a scale of 1-10. They will be judged for character depth, story, originality, short production feasibility and message value. Any script with a rating of 7-10 will move on to the next level. These scripts will be personally read by myself, Grub, Tony, Elyse, Deanna, Evelyn. We will pick the seven finalists for each category. We will pick them in terms of how well they represent the independent, creative spirit of our film festival. We will be looking for true voices, not Hollywood wannabes. These seven finalists of each category will be announced on the web page and be sent to our honorable script judges. The script judges will then choose the winning script which will be greenlit into production. Good Luck!

CRC says...

DURING THE SIEGE OF MALTA, 300 KNIGHTS KEPT 10,000 PERSIANS AT BAY. THE ONE THING THESE KNIGHTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THOUGH WAS GENERAL DARIUS, WHO HAD YET TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD. HE WAS A BRILLIANT AND LEGENDARY STRATEGIST. GENERAL DARIUS WAS FINALLY SENT OUT TO FINISH THE BATTLE FOR THE PERSIANS. HE COULDN'T BELIEVE THE RIDICULOUSNESS OF HOW HIS NAVY OF 10,000 WAS FIGHTING THIS BATTLE AGAINST 300. HE ASKED FOR A FEW CANONS TO BE PUT UP ON A HILL. HE TOLD HIS ARMY THAT THE BATTLE WOULD BE OVER IN JUST FEW MINUTES IF THEY COULD JUST TRY AND FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS IMPLICITLY. HE HAD THE COORDINATES OF EACH CANON READ OFF TO HIM THREE TIMES JUST TO MAKE SURE. WHEN HE FINALLY FELT SATISFIED THAT HIS SOLDIERS HAD UNDERSTOOD HIS ORDERS CORRECTLY, HE SAID "FIRE". GENERAL DARIUS'S HEAD WAS BLOWN OFF AND THE MALTA CASTLE WAS STILL IN TACK. THE COORDINATES WERE OBVIOUSLY WAY OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE PERSIANS LOST THE WAR.


MY STRESS LEVEL IS WAY, WAY UP. MY WIFE IS WORRIED ABOUT MY HEART. I FEEL LIKE THIS GOAT JUST WONDERING WHEN MY HEAD IS GOING TO GET BLOWN OFF.

Who you are inside is what helps you make and do everything in life.
Mr. Fred Rogers.

The more all of us can stay true to ourselves inside, the better off we all will be on the outside.
Christopher Coppola

The scripts are pouring in from all over and the creative crop is by far the best it has ever been. It really makes me hopeful when I see scripts coming in from other countries. I know there is a lot of anti-Americanism going on in the rest of the world, but this is not about politics this is about people and the creative process. I truly believe the creative process is the answer to better understanding. Lets rise above the politics, the corporate greed, the religious tunnel vision and celebrate our humanity by creating art and sharing stories. We're all in the same boat. Or as Jung says...we all come from the same "Old Man".

CRC says...

We are all very glad she is part of our team. Have a wonderful day!

Today we finished the first two HD AMERICAN PORTRAITS by unveiling two 21" HD video portraits at the Santa Clara WalMart in front of friends, family, Walmart employees and everyday shoppers looking for stuff like toothpaste. It was everything I hoped it would be. It was honest, real and heartfelt. There was an energizing blur between the "artists" and the "common person." Planet X just got nearer.