T Plus 5

Another sleep in day, this time due to a lack of pitches for the projects Bob and I have, but Bobs idea of sleeping in is insanely nine O'clock; still earlier than what I consider early to be getting up at. Fareed and Keith though, still have some pitching to do today, so the four of us made our way back to the Springs Hotel. It allows us the time to run into a few people that we find interesting, some we're hoping to work with in the
future...just talk right now. An added bonus, it's the day of the Great Canadian Barbecue, and individuals are already playing dressup, from the boots all the way to the hats. I'm from the country myself, living on a
farm with cows, I don't think I've ever dressed like that.

A toll is being taken on Fareed, as the stress of minor set backs are bogging him down, his frustration level is on the rise. I have to admit I would be somewhat argumentative of the situation in his shoes; to a lesser
degree though, having had a disastrous first run at the event during the previous year. Our group has mentioned that he would have greater interest in his project had he compromised on some distributor requests. Two points he refuses to even consider.  That it not be a theatrical release and he not have the lead role; he is considering not filming it half and half in Edmonton and Vancouver, but to film it entirely in Edmonton; even though it means bringing in Calgarian crew, a town he personally has a strain with.  Later this day, I watched as he explained to a contact that it would be 'whoring' himself out to allow the money people dictate how his project is to be done. He's starting to see though, by this statement, just how the business is going to work.

I do have a perfect example on how not burning brides benefits a filmmaker in this industry; Keith and I invited a young lady Jo묬e-Ann from CPAC to the Barbecue. She declined, not having the money to purchase the ticket she could not attend, a disappointment to us considering we've enjoyed her company and humor all week. On the way to wait for Bob on one of his washroom trips we ran into Marten, a documentary filmmaker leaving early for home. We've had dinner and a few drinks with him in the last few days.  Thus he offered us items he couldn't take on his plane ride, three Okanagan Spring Extra Special Spring Ale bottles, a box of raisin cookies; and if we knew anyone that could use, as he couldn't, his Great Canadian Barbecue ticket. My friends, Marten is a hero, over and above his work in Tibet, as our French Belle would be joining us.

Another faux pas pointed out to me at this time; I asked Marten for advice on writing documentary treatments, in case sometime in the future I decide to try my luck again; allowed and usually received with joy. I then, asked for a sample of something already produced...not allowed. Treatment styles are trade secrets and perfected by the filmmaker, a mistake of ignorance on my part and I hope others can avoid. No worries though, Marten's still cool with me...I hope.

An afternoon to kill, Keith, Bob and I spent time in town shopping for souvenirs for family. Recommended, it's a perfect and now welcome way to keep your mind off projects and pitching, which can wear your mind down.

Five rolled around quickly, our team was dressed and ready. As we waited for Keith to escort the Quebec contingent to the vehicle, another delegate approached us for a ride, in the vehicle he was put. During the ride to the Springs, he causally mentioned he was the producer of Trailer Park boys, a popular show in our group, even if I don't watch it...too often.

The barbecue itself was a huge dinner, Alberta beef and fish in one tent, in two huge buildings were two different music styles and two bonfires. There was no pitching here; just schmoozing made easier by the free booze. Bob introduced me to Rebecca, a writer developing a television series on the same subject I was currently working into a feature; I'm sure Bob's intentions were good but the sudden Cold Chill off her made me weak in the knees. Understood, I was competition. Needless to say, once done going through the buffet I found a picnic table over warmer weather where I was joined by Keith, Fareed and Jo묬e-Ann.

Bob tried again, introducing me to a writer out of Toronto; a conversation on writing styles and writing habits began. I was once told you could spot a good writer in five minutes of meeting them; she's up there. I just wish I could remember her name, Bob has it and I do intend to get it from him as, I'd like to keep in touch; another thing people of the same interest should do.

And then the dancing, I'm aware that many writers and I possess no rhythm; therefor we tend to avoid the dance floor. On the other hand, a blonde girl in tight jeans can be very persuasive; I spent two hours trying out my once dormant groove thing next to a bonfire, dancing to the Mocking Shadows. Joelle-Ann is a glorious instructor, unfortunately I spent more time copying her moves than creating my own; and I'm afraid my hips don't move as well as hers. Come midnight, heading back to the bus, it took three bottles of water to rehydrate myself.

A vote on the bus led to a crowd being dropped off at the St. James bar, where my group ordered a few more drinks. At two, through connections we were on our way to a private party, more schmoozing, but what are you going to do?

At four, we dropped off our Franco accented Marilyn Monroe, kind of sad as her plane leaves in the morning...  not to be seen by my eyes again in the near future.

The four men, in our suite, took time out to reflect on the accomplishments of the week, the failures and the breakevens. Tomorrows a formality, an excursion, anything we were going to accomplish would have been done by now. Wait until we get home though, when the follow-ups begin, and it really starts to pay off...pay being my word of the day.

I'm also starting to think that maybe Kim Catrell isn't coming.

Andrew.