Um, that's FRIAR CP now

It is with the deepest humility and the greatest pride that I tell you I have been accepted into the New York City's 105 year-old Friars Club.

After screening my film THE WHOLE TRUTH at the maiden Friars Club International Comedy Film Festival in October, a Friar who loved our film checked out my background and decided I was on of "them."

Before becoming a full time filmmaker, I was a journalist for TV, radio and newspapers - including positions as news director, columnist, commentator, reporter, photographer and editor.

I've also acted in the theater, worked as an acting coach, sung professionally, have done stand up comedy (years ago - I'd share some of my material, but since his assassination, Lincoln jokes just don't sell ...), MC'd many shows and even did a turn as a celebrity auctioneer here and there.

I produced, wrote and directed some 19 short films using all formats (film/video) while I was an acting coach.

Oh yeah, and I yodel.

I have actively supported what Friars have stood for over the years - the freedom to laugh at ourselves and others, particularly those who would try to manipulate or control us. Come to think of it, I was elected class clown when I graduated from high school. This was NOT considered a good thing at the time.

Potential members have to be nominated by two Friars, who must write a short essay about the perspective member's qualifications, character and why s/he would make a good Friar. We nominees then submit an essay as well as personal and professional information plus personal and business references to be vetted by the organization. If approved, we are interviewed individually by a Friar in person at the Friars Club in NYC.

Walking through the Club (a six story building with its own restaurant, gym, meeting rooms of all sizes and some rooms with full bars) is an emotional journey for anyone associated with show business.

Each room is rife with a history that feels personal because so many members are well known - many the most famous performers of the past century including George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, and just about any movie star you could name. "Behind the scenes" stars that make it all happen are also members - including producers, agents, publicists, athletes, entertainment attorneys, directors, writers and composers.

A familiar large photo of Lucille Ball oversees the Lucille Ball Room; there's also the Ed Sullivan Room, the George Burns Room, the Frank Sinatra Dining Room and many more.

Although I spent several hours in the building with my primary sponsor, I didn't want to take the time away from our conversation to take the hundreds of photos I saw in my head.



















I did catch a couple snapshots - one of this hallway near the entryway. I'll shoot the whole place next time I'm there and of course post them here for you to peruse.

My interview was conducted in the Billy Crystal Room by one of the more distinguished members (not sure he'd agree - but it's true); a producer of Curb Your Enthusiasm and successful producer/executive producer for stage, TV and films.

He's watching my feature film THE WHOLE TRUTH and reading one of my books, THE 100% SOLUTION, for background. I'm currently rewriting my problem-solving book with a new title for re-release.

Among the dozens of things we chatted about, we agreed that no matter where we are in the industry's food chain, what makes a Friar is the devotion, discipline, work ethic and passion for our art, craft, work and personal achievements, as well as a generous heart - the desire and willingness to help others.

The Friars motto is Latin for "above all, brotherhood." Which of course is gender inclusive since they voted to admit women several decades ago. In fact, the Club is all-inclusive.

Members come to the smoke-free Club to have a place to relax, work out, hold a meeting, have a drink, dinner, lunch, teach a class. No cash is ever on hand at the club. Whatever is purchased is put on the member's number and the member pays that bill periodically. Friars are friendly and welcoming, knowing that only Friars and their guests are allowed in.

Many long-timers have memorable stories about "back in the day."

The staff is equally as friendly; I met folks who have worked there more than 30 years. I hope someone writes a book about the Friars Club - the place has seen it all.

While there are many senior members - among the most respected in the business, a number of distinguished younger members are also involved.

After our discussion, my interviewer met with the membership committee, sharing his opinion about my nomination and the experience of our conversation.

The membership committee voted to forward my nomination to the full board of directors; the board then voted to make me a member and here I am. - looking forward to traveling to NYC more often, having fun with other members, making the most of my opportunities, offering whatever I can.

It's strange, but for one of the few times in my life, I felt completely at home at the Friars Club them moment I entered. If you're familiar with my background, you know I moved 17 times by the time I was 17 (military brat, me), so it's been difficult over the years to feel genuinely at home anywhere. But at the first film festival reception in October (just two months ago!), I felt I - uncharacteristically - belonged.

When my sponsor approached me a couple days later about wanting to nominate me, I nearly burst into tears.

Needless to say, I was pretty verklempt when I received my official welcoming letters yesterday.

We're checking the membership roster (there are 1,500 Friars) and so far *believe* I am the only Friar living in the Pacific Northwest.

How to be kind to animals - and yourself

If you're not a vegetarian (vegetarians already know this) but want to do something to be certain animals that are part of your diet are treated kindly?

Eat eggs from non-caged chickens who are fed organic meals.

The vast majority of eggs sold to us are laid by hens who are not ever allowed to move. They are pinned in cramped cages where they can only lay eggs. I won't tell you the extremes some corporate farmers go to in order to assure these poor birds cannot even walk, but just know that they are trapped, and fed whatever helps them lay more eggs more often in their short, miserable lives.

More, they are fed food containing animal parts instead of the purest, healthiest feed.

Humane farmers have created farms that allow their laying hens to safely roam freely; most free-range farmers also feed their birds organic food. Healthy birds fed healthy food = healthy eggs.

Look for the labels on egg cartons: cage-free, free-range or words that specifically and legally denote that the chickens are not constantly confined in cages AND that they are fed organic feed.


















The "down" side is that cage-free, organically fed chicken eggs are more expensive, but I decided the extra cost is worth it to me.

I eat one egg for breakfast on a slice of dry whole grain toast with fruit or half cup of juice three mornings a week -guilt-free - knowing the farmers I support care enough about their animals to treat and feed them well; in turn their chickens produce rich-in-protein great tasting eggs.

I used to have two eggs with buttered toast and a tall glass of juice. My "new" breakfast portions are plenty filling and tastier.

Thanks, cage-free, organic food feeding farmers!

Thanks to My Pet Chicken for the photos!

Thanksgiving

After a whirlwind travel time: LA/Palm Springs/NYC, it's a relief to have a little quality down time to refresh, rekindle, renew, revitalize, restore and reflect.

As well as perform zen-friendly tasks like cleaning the house, dogs, clothes and a storm-swamped walkway.

Especially at Thanksgiving.

I maintain an ongoing list of things for which I am grateful; I add to it almost daily just before I go to sleep.


This year has been filled with a plethora of ups and downs for me - a stretch at both ends.

Looking back, I've typically recorded far more positive experiences, people, events, surprises and miracles for which I am thankful than the few negative impedimenta that landed in my lap here and there.

The up side is that I find ways to learn from whatever appears to be negative - in fact, some things that initially appeared to be negative either turned out to be positive or led to something that was better than the original situation. I'll explain in more detail later.

Something I'm incredibly grateful for at this moment is the appreciation so many distributors have for our film THE WHOLE TRUTH. I'd love to say more, but the word of the day is "negotiations," so I need to ix-nay on any omments-cay until the deals are done and they've put the movie out for you to see! When everything is done and settled, I'll share our story.

One thing new filmmakers should know: distributors will give money for a production they know they can distribute upon completion. Because the vast majority can't afford to spend too much money on pre-production funds, they don't - well, can't, really - have a huge say in changing the content of the project.

They do need to be assured, however, that the script in which they're investing is the script that will be shot, and that they're working with someone who can bring the film in on time, well done and within the budget allotted.

There's also the new type of product placement - wherein product representatives don't want the old "in your face" use of their products onscreen, but prefer to have them used in nuanced ways, the way we would normally use their common item. They pay money for the use of those products by characters in films.

Believe me when I say I am incredibly thrilled to know this, and we're going to make the most of finding production partners for future projects.

I include on my gratitude list things that can be ignored or taken for granted - like breathing freely, living in a clean air area, I have the healthy use of my arms, legs and fingers (important for a writer); eyesight is good, hearing excellent (I'm teased about having the super sensitive ability to hear like a dog); overall health is terrific, teeth cavity-free, rosy cheeks and I often enjoy a good hair day.

Trust me, a good hair day goes at the top of my list on days it happens - vanity, thy name is a cute coiffure.

I live in a warm home with a cozy fireplace, have three pups and a kitty to make life fun, wonderful friends, supportive family, unique skills and abilities, work ethic (I love my work and to do plenty of it), a sense of fairness, appreciation and humor that have served me well even in tough times and a good DVD player.

In short, when it comes to the important stuff, I'm incredibly fortunate.

Like love, however, gratitude is meaningless - it really does not exist - unless it's expressed in some way that brings it to life.

So I'd like to take this moment to thank you, Dear Reader, for taking the time to read my blogs. Nearly 300,000 readers from more than 100 nations tune in every month, and I am grateful for each and every person who stops by.

With my deepest appreciation,

cp

American Film Market

What a phenomenal experience and education.

The American Film Market is a gathering in Santa Monica, California, where hundreds of independent filmmakers from all over the world meet with hundreds of film distributors, brokers and producer's representatives from all over the world looking for films to represent.

EDITED TO ADD: I realized I ought to clarify this ... foreign distributors from outside the US/Canada are looking for films here from America and nations outside their own. It's strictly a business thing, filmmakers normally aren't involved. Normally.

I'm on a whirlwind schedule now so won't write a major blog on this now, but we met with many, many people about distributing THE WHOLE TRUTH, co-producing future films we are developing and laying the groundwork for long term relationships with some good people who work with films domestically (US), Canada and internationally.

With the appearance of new media - everything from wireless download phones and online services to Video on Demand to DVD to Blu-Ray to iTunes to Netflix to satellite disbursement to big screen releases to basic cable stations and networks to premium cable networks and so many more outlets, the options of a feature film's circulation are vast - everyone is seeking ways to gain exposure for any films they accept to put out to the world.

Massive restructuring and mergers continue for many as distributors work to finesse their effectiveness, but those who embrace the changes at breakneck speed continue to be successful as they learn more about new viewing habits of consumers.

I pointed out to several distributors along the way that while PARANORMAL was the #1 film at the domestic US box office two weeks ago with a $22 million weekend gross, that represents only a few more than 2 million filmgoers - among a national population of 300 million people.

That's approximately .66 of 1% of the nation. Similarly, a box office gross of $100 million = an audience of 10 million, or just more than 2% of registered US residents.

Fewer people are going to films in theaters. Ticket prices are too high for what is being offered; consumers are not seeing what they want to pay for in theaters. Even young film goers send in a sacrifical viewer - who texts his or her friends waiting outside the theater whether a film is good enough to pay for. If it gets a thumbs down from the reviewer? Everyone goes for pizza instead.

The basics must still be in place to get the best deals for worldwide distribution to be released in a myriad of formats: good cast, well performed, good story and characters and good production quality. Lots of other deals can be had with iffy films, but, with rare exceptions, the deals are not as good.

Quality distributors are also looking for long term relationships with filmmakers who want to not just make good movies, but to increase the quality of their work with every ensuing feature.

In addition to working hard to get the best distribution deal for THE WHOLE TRUTH now, we are developing three features to be made in the future - each a very different genre.

Stay tuned!

These Horses are SAFE

Helping care for horses at the SAFE horse rescue ranch north of Seattle is an activity for which I volunteer. Life is complex and frustrating these days, so spending time with Amber, Rhythm, Lexi, Bucky, Lola, Aiden and the other residents (most in search of a new home) is just what I need.

Cleaning out stalls and paddocks and clearing fields of poop; grooming, socializing (or whatever you call hanging out, chatting and petting them), and doing other chores to make their lives easier is rewarding for me and all the other folks who share our time with horses who have been saved from abuse, slaughter, neglect and starvation.

Jaime Taft is our leader - her family's acreage is where recovering horses call home.
















The steeds come to SAFE at all ages, in all sizes, from all breeds and with all sorts of psychological and physical challenges. Cruel and inhumane treatment is countered with a healthy, clean, spacious environment and loving attention from dozens of people who have a genuine affection for these animals.

















Not all come from difficult backgrounds - some have been surrendered by owners who can no longer properly care for them. Most are preferred breeds, like thoroughbreds and quarter horses.




Many of us volunteers love to be around horses; personally I think it's good for the soul to be around these magnificent creatures. Many volunteers would love to own their own horse, and in fact several of those who have the land to support them end up adopting a horse they've found to be special.



















If you're interested in joining in the fun - rain or shine - of caring for them, newbies must attend an orientation, where you'll learn how to properly care for horses in general and the residents in particular. It doesn't matter how much or how little background you have with horses, but be prepared for an enlightening education if you don't have much knowledge.




These animals need care, not sympathy, and they are BIG, so it's important to learn how to deal with them in a practical and kind way; to be their leader so they are socialized properly to live happily with their new families.






People who wish to adopt are carefully screened and educated if that is required; all SAFE donations go directly to care for the horses, their grounds and housing.

































This is a good day's work .. a massive pile of horse maneur - great for gardens!


































The time we volunteer depends on our schedules. Some of us are there just a couple hours a month, some a couple hours a week. We're all needed to pitch in, no matter how much or how little we can contribute.
"Sometimes you just gotta scratch an itch. It's way more fun to roll in the mud and field gunk after I've been groomed. Lookee all those humans staring at me with their mouths open, holding brushes and combs and stuff."
















The all important tack house.
















































Every horse ranch needs a cute dog.

All photos by Colleen Patrick, 2009.

John Cleese: historical, hysterical, profound and memorable

Greeted by a standing O from a full house, Cleese sauntered on stage at Seattle's intimate Moore Theater last night - revealing a gap in his upper row of teeth. His right canine fell out just that morning and there was no time to get it replaced.

"That's what happens when you get old," he noted. "Body parts simply drop off."

He is 70 - doesn't look it, doesn't physically behave "old." Here's a picture of him, pre-tooth dropout.

He admitted that money is the only reason he is doing these few one man lectures. Not for alimony payments, but to live on. His recent acrimonious divorce from his latest - 20 year - marriage cost him $20 million in the "settlement."

He showed photos of his ex taking cash out of an ATM machine in London, proclaiming this is all she has to do the rest of her life. Whereas he is "reduced to entertaining waterlogged lumberjacks and people addicted to Seasonal Affective Disorder at a remote location on an outpost of the Pacific Rim.

"Actually, if she had brought anything, anything, into the marriage ... even a two-way conversation ... she would have gotten even more money."

Cleese had a lot to say about the caustic relationship he had with his highly dysfunctional mother ("She saw life as a constant booby trap."), noting that anyone who has ever gone on to greatness in any field has had a tormented connection with his or her mother.

"They call it maternal deprivation," he explained. It occurs when the child fails to receive the unconditional love normally attributed to a mother's care for her child.

"People who experience it spend their entire life trying to be as good as they can at whatever they do." It's a sort of unrequited yearning to be appreciated or loved just for who they are - and who they are comes to be defined by what they do.

She and his father agreed not to have children, but 13 years into their marriage, John appeared. After which he was consistently and constantly told he was a "mistake."

Freeing himself from her debilitating emotional grasp was finally completed when she died. Just a few years ago. At 101.

But he thanks her for the darkest part of his sense of humor (or humour as he would say).

What is comedy, really? "Comedy is giving people information in the right order."

What makes someone doing something ridiculous really funny? "Show someone watching them."

Miscommunication always gets a good laugh.

The importance of comedy: "When people laugh, they relax and are open to a new thought."

Cleese says the emphasis on marketing creative work has killed the spontaneity of filmmakers and television programs. "Marketing (SPIT!) people are always talking about demos - trying to drive material to meet them rather than creating something that attracts people from any number of demographics."

Hollywood, the movie-making industry, "Is broken beyond repair. I don't write movie scripts any more because the people there have no idea ... that they have no idea. But they have absolutely. No. Idea. What they're doing. The place is a f***ing madhouse."

When "The Pythons" (John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam)created Monty Python, they had no notion of ratings or demographics. They only wanted to make each other laugh, and took their comedy most seriously.

"We'd never fight personally amongst ourselves," he related, "but we'd pitch screaming fits arguing about the writing. This is funnier than that. That is funnier than this." One of the longest, most bitter bickering sessions they ever had was whether sheep were funnier than goats for a sketch.

Come to think of it, as he mentioned dozens of other performers or writers with whom he has worked over the years, Cleese had a fond and respectful word for each.

"Understand," he emphasized, "that everything, everything, starts with the writing. The foundation - it's all about the writing."

With affection and a touch of nostalgia, he discusses Fawlty Towers, the series he co-wrote and performed with ex-wife Connie Booth.

Cleese described producing the show as back-breaking. "For every one minute on screen we spent 40 minutes editing," he explained. Where most sitcoms had 65 pages of copy, they had more than 120. While other sitcom programs had about 200 editing cuts, Fawlty had 400.

He described filmmaking as being the most difficult of all writing forms, especially writing comedy. He said they massively tested A FISH CALLED WANDA for audiences - including small bits of business - to make sure the film itself as well as specific scenes within it worked.

As with "MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL," producers wanted to kill scenes in WANDA - rather rude or tasteless scenes - that over the years turned out to be the biggest crowd pleasers.

"People need to be able to develop a style, and that can't happen under rigid scrutiny without the freedom to experiment."

Throughout his "lecture," he used slides and video.

He also used truth, and no one was spared, even deceased former coworkers. "Graham Chapman was one of the laziest sons of bitches to walk the earth. But he was also the best laugh compass I've ever met. If Graham laughed? We knew the audience would, too." Chapman originally intended to be a doctor - he was attending medical school when he started his serious work early on with Cleese. Cleese was on his way to becoming a lawyer before becoming a legend of stage, screen and everything in between.

BTW, Cleese comes by his "lecturing" skills honestly - before attending Cambridge, he taught classes in English, Geography and History to 10-year olds at a boys' school for two years.

Mourning his three unhappy marriages - most particularly his most recent, I asked him, "As such an ardent student of psychology ... you've even written books on the subject ... how is it you didn't seem to be able to use what you learned, what you know, in your marriages?"

He allowed it was a very good and "very fair" question, and spoke from his heart.

"This will be a straight answer. But what I've realized is that we can have patterns of behavior that are nearly impossible to alter when it comes to entering certain relationships, especially if there has been a highly dysfunctional relationship with one's mother.

"Extensive therapy helped me considerably, but not in my relationships with others as much as with myself. In the therapy relationship, there is something called transference, wherein you develop a deeply trusting relationship with the therapist that you either had or should have had with your mother. There I developed a feeling of trust I had not experienced before. I personally benefited greatly from therapy."

And I would suggest that the world has benefited greatly from having John Cleese among us; count me among the most grateful.

An intimate evening with the inimitable John Cleese

And I assume memorable.

Cleese is talking about his work and his life - then taking questions from the audience, and I'm so looking forward to it.

He's speaking at Seattle's Moore Theater, a venue small enough to allow some faux-real intimacy between him and us audience members. I have a great seat close up; I plan to take notes since he's talking about his work.

I believe he's a genius in the realm of the psychology of comedy.

You'd think as much as he knows about psychology (he's even written books on the subject) Cleese would have successful marriages, but ... no.

Word has it he's going to talk about his marriages - in fact his litany of appearances are titled, "A Final Wave at the World or The Alimony Tour, Year One." Apparently he's paying alimony with the money he makes from these speaking engagements.

Which means his performance should be hysterical - after all, pain+time=humor.

Speaking of pain, like so many men over 50, he's also discussing his current and recurring medical problems, and, like all beauty contestants - is addressing the issue of world peace.

Sean, Elisabeth and Eric are booming!

THE WHOLE TRUTH stars Sean Patrick Flanery, Elisabeth Röhm and Eric Roberts are appearing on big and little screens now!

Sean Patrick stars in BOONDOCK SAINTS II - the story of two Irish American brothers whose destiny is to eradicate evil doers from their community that law enforcement seems incapable of stopping.

He Tweets (@seanflanery if you want to sign up)that theaters in Pennsylvania, New York, Hartford, Rhode Island, Boston and L.A. have just opened the blockbuster.

THIS JUST IN: Opening weekend (Oct 30-Nov 1 2009) found BSII:ASD with boffo box office - nearly $7,000 per screen on the 78 venues it's showing! The #1 film, THIS IS IT, got $6,119/screen on 3,481 venues. Even with those few screens opening, Boondock slid into the #16 box office spot!

Congratulations, SPF and BS'ers!

In case you don't know, all the references he makes to "Donut?" Sean Patrick's a very healthy eater, but he named an abused pitbull he rescued several years ago... Donut. Or as I like to call her, "The D to the nut.."

While he's moving toward an international hit with BSII: All Saints Day, Elisabeth debuts on the ... um ... television screen (can't say "small screen" any longer - most are pretty large) in HEROES tomorrow - Monday, Nov. 2, on NBC TV - for several appearances as a recurring character.

More, Elisabeth just released her novel, Nerissa, on amazon.com; it's a Kindle book.

Eric Roberts not only stars in the STARZ series CRASH, he's in the upcoming feature THE EXPENDABLES along with Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and a dozen other big action names.

I can hardly wait to announce that you'll be seeing their work in THE WHOLE TRUTH on all those big and HD screens as well!

It's been a very steep learning curve, this business of distributing an independent commercial film, but it's very exciting now that we've found some distributors who love the film and are working hard to get it out for you to see!

Great, hard working talent always finds new and exciting projects to please their fans.