Something happened during the script rewrite

I’ve made Black Lotus my priority this year until this [hopefully] superb rewrite is done. I must admit, that even at this early stage (I’m still tweaking story and structure)  it’s already 100% better story- and structure-wise than it ever was.

My dear friend Mary Cavaliere, who is one of only two people beside myself who have read every version and incarnation of the story, remarked that she couldn’t believe that there was room for the story to get better.  I think she’ll be pleasantly surprised.

It’s not that I went in, gutted and changed things. I used what was there and in each scene asked, how can I make this more challenging for the hero (protagonist), and how can I ratchet up the emotional content.

In the rewrite teleconference we talked about fulfilling your vision.  This means going back to the drawing board when you first decided to write the damn script and remember the visual and visceral elements. Chances are things have changed over the days, weeks, months and years.

So I went back to the places in the story that I imagined would be very emotional and visceral. Then I tweaked the structure and wording to create exactly the image I wanted. It’s tough because I ALWAYS see it, but I have to make sure the reader sees “it” too.

I moved scenes around, took what was already emotional and pumped even more emotion into it.  And I have literally taken the main character through the ringer and back.

If you cried during a passage in the previous script you’ll cry harder. If you got angry, you be outraged. If you were sad, you’ll despair.

Something happened during the script rewrite; the script got better.

Crowdfunding for “Legend of Black Lotus” Requires Epic Support

Welcome!

If you’ve reached this page it’s because of one or two reasons: you come here often, or, you received an email from me asking for your donation of $5 to help me reach my film funding goal of $9500 to make the independent epic fantasy, Legend of Black Lotus.

Legend of Black Lotus is the short film version of a feature film I hope to make next year. In its simplest form, the project is a revisionist telling of the legend of Mulan, the Chinese girl who dressed as a man and took her father’s place in the army.

In Black Lotus, an African American child is born to Chinese parents in Ancient China. It is believed that she will reunite a divided kingdom and free the people from the tyrannical Emperor, who happens to be her father. Despite obvious implications of the prophecy, the girl is demonized because of her dark skin and must overcome the bonds of slavery to fulfill her destiny.

Here are some informative videos to acquaint you with Legend of Black Lotus:

HOW DOES $5 FIGURE INTO ALL THIS?

It’s simple math! I have 661 friends on Facebook, over 1400 friends on combined Myspace accounts, and 2300 friends on Twitter. If everyone donated only $5 I would have more than enough money to make my film.

Simply put, if you skipped your usual Double Grande Mocha from Starbucks you’d be helping me make my film! But you aren’t merely giving away your hard-earned dollars. You’re getting something of value in return. If you donate $5 you’ll automatically be upgraded to the $10 perk. This means you’ll get a free High Definition digital download of the completed Legend of Black Lotus film, a film credit, a digital download of the short script, a copy of the TREATMENT used for the feature film and free digital downloads of my ultra-micro-budget feature films Sex, Shoes & Unicorns and Nanny and the Professional.

Look at the countdown clock on the upper right-hand side. It shows the amount of time I have left to raise funds for my film. If you’re ready to donate NOW please visit my site at www.indiegogo.com/blacklotus to process your $5 donation in a secure transaction.

If you’re not ready to donate yet, please read on.

WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY?

That’s an easy question to answer. You should only donate if you believe you’ll get some value out of: 1) being a part of a film with an inspiring message, 2) getting a film credit on IMDB, 3) getting some cool film freebies and/or swag, and 4) you want to brag to your friends how you helped make a film!

Okay, I admit it, the paragraph above appeals to your vanity. But let me also appeal to your faith…in me.

Chances are, my request isn’t the only request you’ll get from an independent filmmaker asking you to open your wallets and purses to help make art. I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “Why him?” And your second question is probably, “How do I know you’re even going to make the film after you get my money?” The fact is, it is a miracle that any film gets made, low-budget or otherwise. There are so many factors to consider and so many variables that become fertile breeding grounds for Murphy’s Law.

The thing that makes me different is that I’ve navigated this labyrinthine indie film conundrum many times… 14 times to be exact. I’ve written, directed or produced 14 films. I’ve won awards for my films. My films have aired on the IFC channel, on television and toured the world in film festivals. My recent film, Broken Hearts Club was recently greenlit by NBC Universal to air in one of their top ten markets, New York City for a test run. In fact, you can watch six of my short films in their entirety, for free, on the YouTube playlist below:

So, at the risk of patting myself on the back, I have to admit: I am the real deal. My films get made and get seen.

The countdown clock on the upper right-hand side is still moving. If you’re ready to donate NOW please visit my site at www.indiegogo.com/blacklotus to process your $5 donation in a secure transaction and get all the perks of a $10 donation.

THE RIGHT TIME, THE RIGHT PLACE

If you’re like me, you’ve looked back in time and wished you would have taken advantage of past opportunities. Perhaps you wish you invested in Google or Apple stock. Maybe you’re life would have been different if you started your blog sooner rather than later. Or maybe you’re a big fan of web video and wish you were around to help the folks at The Guild launch their incredibly successful web series.

A couple of things have happened recently that tell me that now is the right time and right place for Legend of Black Lotus. Earlier this year YouTuber‘s tuned in to The Raven, a sci-fi short film which has garnered national attention for the filmmaker Ricardo de Montreuil. And almost everyone recognizes the film title, District 9 which spawned from the YouTube short film, Alive in Joburg. Most recently there’s been talk of a $30 million production deal for Fede Alvarex who made the exciting YouTube short film, Ataque de Panico (Panic Attack!).

Two years from now when Legend of Black Lotus (the feature film version) is in theaters, wouldn’t you like to say to your friends, I was in the right place at the right time and I helped make that film?

AIN’T IT COOL!

Let’s face it, it’s just damn cool to be a patron of the arts and support the efforts of independent filmmakers! When you support an indie filmmaker like myself you also support our dreams. You tell us that it is okay to go after our dreams, and that you wish us success.

Most importantly, when you support me, you have a friend for life. You’ll have friend-access to many of the insane ideas and plans I have to: make sequels to my films, become the next J.J. Abrams, win an Oscar, make a blockbuster film, work with Jerry Bruckheimer, break records and basically take over the film world.

Please join me in this epic journey to make and epic film. Your donations are greatly appreciated, admired and adored. Thank you for your consideration. I’ll see you at the movies.

If you’re ready to donate NOW please visit my site at www.indiegogo.com/blacklotus to process your $5 donation in a secure transaction and get all the perks of a $10 donation.