Congrats again Victor. I'm sure more will follow.
Randy

Congrats, Vic!

Well deserved for beautiful work.

Trailer and more cool stuff at Cowboys of Florida>

I especially liked Vic's quote:

If you want something done on time... give it to a busy man.

There is a world of wisdom in that one...

[I just finished a ballot for a local non-profit, where I had to pick 3 candidates from a field of 6 for the board. Each candidate presented himself/herself with profile. Choosing was easy, because three of them had "served in numerous capacities" while the other three had actually done a whole bunch of real things.]

Thanks guys for the kind words and a special THANKS to Eric Stammer (epirb - who I met through this site and DSE) - who kindly photograped the entire event for me.

The Tampa Theater was magnificent. 1920's architecture totally redone and cleaned up about four or five years ago. Mediterranean arches, gargoyles, plush velvet seats and titled floors - it was amazing to go up on that stage and get an award. They even had lit stars shining in the ceiling - wonderful moments in life.

But it was an amazing week anyhow, because we also won a Silver award all the way up in Wisconsin at the Ole Muddy Film Festival - whoopee.

Yet the biggest news of all was the verbal funding of the movie to expand it to full feature length. Since we haven't received the check yet (that's the most important part of funding), I can't really restart the process, but I believe - oh yes I do... :>))

So there it is. You "regular" followers of this forum have borne witness to the entire process, from shooting, to creating a short, to festivals to full funding. To tell the truth, my whole career didn't matter one iota in all of this, except that I got out there and DID it. Not won - SHOT!!
Look, nobody at any point in the process ever knew my prior successes and nobody really cares anyway. You are always judged by your LAST job, your energy and your attitude.

So I want ALL of you to do the best thing there is in life (well, second best - but it lasts so much longer) - and START SHOOTING YOUR OWN PROJECT.

Remember - this wasn't borne of any great plan or genius of mine. I just went out one weekend, and started shooting cuz I wanted to shoot some pretty pictures of cowboys. And then I just kept on doing it. Every couple of months I'd get some time and run out to the ranches around my house (three hour drive) - and shoot some more.

So go for it - start shooting next weekend. Stan did it (he is REALLY an inspiration - two features - on "no bucks" - and he not only produced, wrote and directed - he STARRED in the damn movies, as well. And the MOST amazing thing is to meet him, because in the movie he's a NJ thug, but in "real life" he's got this Austrailian (or something - forgive me Stan, I can't remember) - ACCENT! I never knew you could give up an Accent.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning that shoot RIGHT NOW!

best to all,
v

Victor,
Thanks for the inspiration. Because of your Florida Cowboys movie and constant encouragement, I've started shooting events around my small town (Hooper, UT) with hopes of putting a documentary together about small towns in America. Maybe in a year or two, I'll follow in your footsteps :-).
Randy

And the MOST amazing thing is to meet him, because in the movie he's a NJ thug, but in "real life" he's got this Austrailian (or something - forgive me Stan, I can't remember) - ACCENT! I never knew you could give up an Accent.

Um, SOP. Recent example: Heath Ledger in real life (or A Knight's Tale) vs. his work in Brokeback Mountain. Vocal coaching and talent can accomplish amazing things.