Chapter 3

If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t had internet, so I have been writing these blogs in Word, and posting them when I get the chance.

Today, I’m feeling like a different person. After unloading boxes, seeing family, and getting the family on a routine and all, we are getting happier.
Im thinking that our move back here was not a mistake. It’s the start of a new chapter in our life’s story.

Chapter 1- Newlyweds’ new lives together.

            (introduction of first born)

Chapter 2 – Move to AZ and start new lives as an independent.

            (introducing second born)

Chapter 3 – Moving back to TX and picking up where we left off.

This new chapter has only begun.
The boys are adjusting, Stacie has a job working with kids, I’m basically a stay-at-home dad so far. No complaints here,  I enjoy it. Get to spend time with Link, and when he naps, I have an hour or so to work on some VFX or scripts, or just watch TV, or even nap myself. After lunch, I bring Stacie back to work, then spend more time with link until its time to get kai from school. I can help Kai with homework, which was something I rarely got to do, and I can keep the dishes in check and clean the house while the boys play, and pick up Stacie from work.
After the boys are asleep, its time for more writing of VFX. As of now, I can say I wrote about another page or so for a feature, and wrote another short script based on a dream I had. I started working on some VFX yesterday (5-14) and the first clip looks really good. This one today’s effect looks good from a mid-shot, and full, but not on the close-up. Ill be working on that one until I get it right, then add a few more things and maybe a tweak or two to perfect it.

To get to the rest of the effects, I need to hook up my hard drive, and I’ll need my desk space, which is cluttered atm.

No big deal, just haven’t felt the need to do it yet is all.

As far as actual work goes for me, I haven’t found anything… primarily because I haven’t really looked. I don’t want to settle for “a job” and get so involved, or stuck in it that I let my degree go to total waste. “I have a BA in film and video production; VFX, specificly, but, I still work fastfood, and am in worse position financially than when I left to get my degree” I do not want that shit happening. I have seen it happen to many people- they get there degrees, go to a crummy little ‘default’ job just to get by and pay off the loans. Those who have that spark, to keep at it, work their asses off at what they love to do… Those people will never have to “work” another day in there lives. When they get the ‘Job’ of their dreams, it’s all fun and games. Never working, and getting paid to do what you love. Win.

As of now, I will have to start from the beginning here. As far as I know, there aren’t any studios or VFX, or screen writing work needed in the area.

As discussing it over with the Mrs, she reminded me that this city next door has lots of financially well-off families living in them. What I can do is what most of my film-making buddies would consider “untouchable” work, or the “undesirable” job.

I freelance and shoot the Birthday Parties, Weddings, Graduations, and other occasions, and can do a number of things with it for the clients. Can do the basic Shoot and Drop, where I shoot the footage and drop it on a disk and be done with it.

Or I can “Sizzer-Hands” it (Edit) and put music and stuff to it and basicly do it like the Monkey Show I’ve done. And if they want 3d models, or VFX, I can charge extra, depending on the complexity, and time it would take to do. Get started with that, and I can still freelance myself to others who just want to do a little movie for the fun of it, and work on scripts online. Scripts can be time consuming to read and correct, which means I’d have to charge for it based on pages.

Without the net

Without the net (5/7/14)

Kinda felt a little lost at first, but as I continue to get everything unpacked, im finding myself to feel more at home. And as I expected, im being expected to pull a job out of my butt. A job in my field is difficult to find in this area, or even close around it. Without the net, im a sitting duck… The mrs is trying, and were crossing our fingers for her. I have a plan. It isn’t fail safe or anything, bu it is a start. I can sell photography online, and get a cut of prophits, online script doctoring, online special effects and even sell some of my 3d models I do. I would have to set up a paypal account, and it wouldn’t be a steady income, but it’s a start.

Something  encouraging has been malachi. I read him my script from roadrunner 2, and he wanted me to read him episode 3 for his bedtime story tonight. I did. He wants to hear what I have of the feature, which is only 10 pages so far, but he wants to heaar it anyway. Its inspiring to me that this character is well written enough to where my kid wants to know what happens next, and asks questions about the characters. Think I may have something here. Kind of like the harry potter thing. Maybe it will be a big thing. The fresh piece of cinema that the public has been waiting for….

Home in TX

Home in Texas (5/4/14)

After being in Arizona for four years, Bridge City has gone through quite a few changes. Old shops shut down, big powerfull looking buildings up where a lot used to be, old gas stations with new names and owners… Even after being here for almost a week, I still am not accoustomed to this place I used to call home. The people I called family, well, Personaly I’m not all to sure. Almost as if they are imposters, or a physical representation who has all the same characteristics, only seemingly four years older. Stacies family has been up our buts, and frankly, I love having family around. Even a phone call would suffice.
I cant help to feel out of place, but I guess that’s what happens every time anyone moves to a different area, especially state. But coming back home and finding yourself misplaced… I spent 20 minutes looking for arrowhead water at walmart… only to realize it isn’t in TX.
It is nice however to eat at the old Texas quisine again, and the fun stuff that comes afterwards. I never thought I would feel out of place, and not at home at the place I called home. The traffic is busier than I remember, and the old drawbridge is being refurbished with all custom made original parts to function again like it used to. (or so I hear)
The trailor we came home to, I thought was well taken care of, but the inside of it shows different. 3 outlets seem to have been ripped from the walls, the fron door deadbolt willnot lock, backdoor had leak, and rotted in the wall and floor, and that part of the floor is softened so bad, someone stepped in it and the floor caved in. (small area, about the size of a foot) I’m afraid which window will leak, what breakers will trip, smoke alarms, the tub, waterheater… even the stove. Nothing in here is familiar… Our tub is fairly new, roofing is new, recently painted…
As we unpack, and put tthings where we feel comfortable, I see more and more work that needs to be done. Put away the kitchen chemicles, and found the sink’s drain leaks A LOT. 3 or 4 places, actually. That’s just one. I wont list all of it because mostly when I see a new thing to add to the list of crap to fix, I get even more depressed and discouraged.

Several times I have thought it, and I still think it at some points. Coming back here was a mistake. 

My biggest argument on it is just my line of work I want to persue. Film and video production. I’d rather do something in the writing or VFX area, but I can’t really be pickey as of now, can i? Moving home was a good move for the family. Stacie seems much happier, in fact I haven’t seen her happier, especially when shes with family. Malachi seems to be happy so far. He will start school on Monday, and is expecting to see his AZ buddies. Hope he isn’t discouraged to make new friends.

Link however isn’t sure WTH is going on, he has spent his whole life sharing a room with mom and dad, and now, he has his own room. I can understand how weird and even scary it can be at his age. He already seems to be super clingy, and this only seems to make it worse.

Well, I have to admit when I saw a body of water within our trip, I got giddy. Same thing with the ample supply of cows in pastors. Seeing the two bridge city bridges was a sight for sore eyes. Seeing the ships pass underneath was as well. Smelling the refineries, the smell of grass, the sticky humid air.

This is TX, this is my home. I missed it, but it didn’t seem to miss me.