Markers

It’s very ironic how things work out with out even planning it. Two weeks ago I screened Girl Talk at NY Perks in Brooklyn, not to be confused with the one on 124th Street which is called Perks. The collective that sponsored the screening was Act Now Foundation (www.actnowproduction.org), a non-profit group that supports screenings for filmmakers like yours truly.

I can’t tell you the last time I actually watched the film in it’s entirety, but I have to admit that a few of those butterflies did make a brief appearance but once the film began they quickly flew away. Not to toot my own horn… okay yes I will toot a bit, I really enjoyed and liked my film. I know it sounds crazy but for you filmmakers out there I believe you can relate. For months and sometimes years you’ve worked tirelessly on your film and of course you want it to be perfect… but that state of perfection is only in the heavenly realm so we aim for a great, excellent, or amazing film. Girl Talk encompassed all three for me that evening and I brag, confess (whatever you want to call it) that with really great good amazing people I made a really great excellent amazing film.

Upon further reflection, during the Q&A, it hit me that 2008 marks the 10 Year Anniversary for Girl Talk! It was funny how some of the questions took me back and gave me moments of pause as I shared: the inspiration for the film, the things I would change if I could, and how we raised the money. The later question I proudly shared the story of an angel, Mrs. Stewart, who wanted to make a contribution toward my film. After raising funds from fundraisers hosted by family, friends and receiving generous donations I was still $15,000 short and I had to shoot in less than eight weeks. One day, after I returned to New York to begin pre-production, my mom ran into Mrs. Stewart who said to call her because she still wanted to make a donation toward my film. When I did speak with her, she asked how much I needed, I gave her the figure, $15,000, which she responded, “Tell your mom she can pick up the check tomorrow.” You can guess the ending of this story, I was able to shoot and edit the film.

10 years later, Girl Talk is a marker not only in time but in what God can and will do.