OT - Yo Central Florida

vicmilt wrote on 3/1/2006, 4:20 PM
Hey all...

for the last couple of years (yikes), I've been "weekending" and "spare timing" on a project I call, "The Cowboys of Florida".
Yup - Florida is the second largest cattle state in the USA, and no-one knows it!!

Well the first phase of the movie is done (36 minutes), and we're having a "sneak preview" in the town where it was primarily shot, Arcadia, Florida.

If you live within driving distance and are interested, there will be screenings this Saturday, March 4th, at 7.30 and 9.00 pm. There's been a lot of press, and we expect a couple of hundred attendees. If you can make it, let me know, and be my guest.
vicmilt@VictorMilt.com

Since it was shot entirely on Sony equipment that many of you have (PD150, PD170, and even a little 8mm DV camera), and then scored in ACID (plus a beautiful piece by brother Douglas Spotted Eagle himself) and then edited in Vegas and authored in Architect... well that's what this forum is all about, isn't it?

And many of you can pat yourselves on the back for the kind and generous informational support you have rendered, both to my "lurking" ways, and to my direct questions - thanks! It's one of the best features of Vegas as an editing program. That instant help and feedback.

The next step in this video is the festival circuit and I'll keep you all abreast of the progress or lack there of... if anyone cares.

For a TV commercial director like myself, whose work is well known , and whose production budgets were typically six figures - it's nevertheless a thrill to sit in a live audience and "feel the vibe". Being told that your commerical is a success just isn't the same as watching an audience of strangers laugh, cry or shuffle and fall asleep. But I'm not too worried. The movie is pretty hot (for a non-sexual, non-gay (no slight intended - but all I hear is Brokeback yada yada), Cowboy documentary - and I'm thrilled with the end quality of what we are delivering. No way do I wish we could have done this in 35mm or anything else. Those little cameras are great for doc work, and with tape at $6 bucks a roll, you can shoot and shoot and shoot. Out of pocket budget was well under $5,000, but everyone did work for free. That money covered pizza, travel and a few hotel nights for the camera crew, when I used one. So I'm part of the media revolution that I'm always yammering on about, myself - and it's great.

So send out those "don't fall asleep vibes" to the audience on Sat nite. and the best to all my friends and supporters, and have a great weekend yourself - get out there and Shoot Something!

v

Comments

p@mast3rs wrote on 3/1/2006, 4:31 PM
Figures. I actually leave Kentucky Saturday morning otherwise I could stop by on my way to Ft. Myers. I could leave Friday night and possibly make the 9:00pm showing. What the heck. Put me down. Ill finally get to meet you as well (something I have been looking to for a long time.)

Congrats and I am positive it will be a success.

edit: Vic, I need directions from 75 South.
epirb wrote on 3/1/2006, 5:08 PM
ill try and make it , can you let me know where in Arcadia?
Got a wake to go to sat afternoon, too
I drop you an email

Eric
DavidMcKnight wrote on 3/1/2006, 6:35 PM
Awesome Vic! Best of luck on the previews.
TomG wrote on 3/1/2006, 6:54 PM
Hey Vic,

Sounds really great. Will it be at the Martin Gallery? I'm only about 40 minutes away and will try to be there but not sure at this time. Sounds like a great project and have seen quite a few news clips about Arcadia and the "largest rodeo in the world" they have once a year. Yup, there is a lot of cattle in Florida.....

TomG
RalphM wrote on 3/1/2006, 7:17 PM
Congrats Victor - I looked at the trailer and it looks like a winner. sorry I can't make a FL trip to check it out.

RalphM
apit34356 wrote on 3/1/2006, 9:40 PM
"thumbs up!" Its great to see you back at the door of IFM! Maybe you could start another IFP project with your daughter about the stress in tv production ie E!. Wish I could caught your premier, but my son in is a state regional wrestling champion match this weekend and next weekend, ( if his hardwork and luck continues)..

Congrats!!! Vic!

Best wishes and have a great sneak showing!
AJP
vicmilt wrote on 3/2/2006, 3:14 AM
Arcadia is located in the middle of the state where Rt 17 crosses Rt 70.

It's a small town, about 3 blocks by 6 blocks long surrounded by a couple of miles of typical Florida strip mall sprawl, surrounded in turn by nothing but ranches and orange groves.

But the center of town is unmistakeable.

And in the center of the center of town, at 111 West Oak Street is "The Arbor" a large OLD pink building, recently renovated, into a huge banquet hall. Telephone: 863-491-7233

This will be the scene of the crime.

BTW - if you're into antiques, Arcadia is the place to be. What was an old "western" town when I first started visiting there 30 years ago (complete with real horse hitching posts), has become the antique capital of Florida, with dozens of small antique shops lining the main street.

When you get there mention my name and "Vegas" and you will be treated like a king (or queen).

And don't leave without saying hello.

Here's the mapquest link:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=&city=arcadia&state=fl&zipcode=

v
ps - aside to pmasters - would love to meet you as well - show is Saturday the 4th - NOT Friday.
p@mast3rs wrote on 3/2/2006, 4:56 AM
Vic,

Yeah but I have to leave Kentucky on Friday night to move down to Ft Myers for my teaching job. Good news is the mapquest link you provided, shows that Arcadia isnt that far from Ft Myers at all. So Ill definitely be there.