Hello my Tex friends! It has been a long time. First thing is first, how awesome is that new trailer for Tesla Effect!? It actually surprised me, and these days that is a feat unto itself. I am tangibly excited about the new game. It looks like something completely new with that old Tex flavour. I think it's gonna be something special.
Now, onto the Stu news. I have not updated in quite some time as I was not sure where life was taking me. Well now I have those answers. Before I begin I must say there is light at the end of this tale so bare with me.
Man, when they say things can get worser, can they EVER get worser. 2013 Lives up to its unlucky stigma. It has been so long since I was last here, I have actually forgotten what I reported on last. I THINK the last time I posted on here I reported that my buddy/business partner had just bought a RED camera. With that camera we had 3 major gigs lined up that would have paid for our entire year and we could have lived off those 3 jobs alone. Unfortunately almost immediately after that, those contracts fell through.
That's alright, I still had a basic survival job working at a convenience store to pay the bills. Except the store was sold by the corporation and the new owners fired all the staff and brought in all their own people. Dang.
Also, in that time, I lost 3 of my front teeth and they have to be replaced for a mere $10,000. That surgery is still ongoing. I get the posts cemented into my skull this month.
Oh yeah also in there, my computer had TWO catastrophic hard drive failures within a week and I might have lost my last 24 years of work. Both were my archive hard drives and I can't attempt to repair and/or recover my work until I can afford to get 2 new hard drives. Needless to say I am not a big fan of Seagate hard drives right now.
On top of all that, I was getting evicted. Turns out they like it when you actually pay the rent. Go figure. So the apartment that I struggled to keep since 2011, including the month of darkness where I had no electricity and had to live off of bread and water, was now gone.
The only reason I fought to keep that stupid apartment was that I wrote it into the web series I am making. Except now it's due for a major rewrite. That's alright. I actually got pretty good at writing things over the last decade.
On top of all that two of the closest friends I have in this city moved away. Pretty much the only 2 friends that I would hang around with on a regular basis. Bummer. (It's alright, they are moving onto bigger and brighter things. It's actually a good thing. Just a bummer though.)
So here I was August 2013, I've been "living the dream" for the last 24 years of my life. Pursuing the impossible. When I first started on this journey I had set a cut off date of my 40th birthday. Well I am 4 years away from that date now. I was probably at the lowest point in my career so far and I contemplated giving up on it altogether. I didn't want to be that band that was "going to make it" until they became a joke. So I had a long sit down with myself and assessed the situation. Well, I had already wasted 24 years of my life, what's another 4? If I am gonna crash and burn, I'm gonna make the biggest explosion I can make!
Here's where things begin to look up. Because I was laid off from my job I was eligible for Unemployment Insurance. Because I am on that program, I was eligible for ANOTHER government program. One to start up my own business. Well because I am going to crash and burn as big and brightly as I can, I'm going to be opening up a little movie studio. One that I can make short films and original web content. I had opened up a studio back in 2001 and was a little over ambitious in that endeavor.
It was actually called Electron Studios (hence my name if you ever wondered.) Well the only reason that failed is that I was making a CG film (CG backgrounds with real actors just like Tex!) with my best friend and had been working on it for 4 years. We were finally getting ready to film that summer when my friend was unexpectedly killed. I can't begin to express how badly that effected me and everything that I did. He was my best friend since childhood and I just didn't have the heart to complete the film, I let the film die with him as well as the studio and went back to school.
Anyway, I'm really trying not to be a sad sack here, but because I had that previous studio experience, I know where I made my mistakes and how I can improve upon them. If I am accepted to the program I will be paid for 42 weeks to develop the business, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If I am not accepted to the program, I am still going to open a small studio. It's just going to be smaller than what I was hoping for and going to be coming out of my own pocket. Seeing as I had no home, I also decided to incorporate my living accommodations into the business plan.
In the meantime, I luckily have a buddy here who owns a house and is letting me stay with him until I can get the studio up and rolling. It'll be a year or two so it really is a big favor. I'll make it up to him somehow.
Now you might be asking me, "what about that documentary you were working on?" WELL as it turns out, we are about to enter our 4th year working on that documentary. After I find out if I am on this program and whether or not I have to find an emergency job or not, only THEN can I return to completing the film. Only time will dictate when we can complete the film finally.
Oh yeah that reminds me, I don't know if I reported it here or not but last year I had a film compete in the Toronto Independent Film Festival. It was a pretty big film premiere for me. Got to see a bunch of celebrities like Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Ryan Gosling. Not to mention a bunch of Canadian celebs that no one has really heard of. People might know their faces but not really their names. That's kinda the nature of being a Canadian celebrity. Anyway it was a really cool experience. I probably should have reported on that sooner. Sorry guys.
Anyway back to what's going on now. Losing my apartment was the final blow in what I was clinging on to. I had to concede defeat. I may have lost that battle but certainly not the war. At least this is better than that time I lived in my car!
Now that I have gotten life stuff off my back I can now once again focus on my creative stuff. One of the things that I was going to update you on was that I have an entire season of a web series written and was getting ready to start filming it before losing my home. I have to rewrite it but it will be put back into production soon. It's pretty big. It's something unlike anything on the web right now so I am pretty excited about. It's a sci-fi/drama type show but I think it can appeal to anyone. I'm pretty sure that this will be the thing that gets my name out there. I can't tell you the name of it yet but when I can, you guys will be the first to know.
On top of that, I am writing my next film this week. I'm actually taking time away from writing it to update you guys. This will be my first big "proper" film. When it's written I have to secure the rights to the story and then apply for funding. It's based on a Canadian short story that I had read back in high school and liked. It took me 10 years to remember the name of it and about 2 more years to find a copy of the actual short story. Thanks to my Texperience of being a detective I am now adapting the story for the screen and hopefully applying for funding by the end of October with hopes to shoot it in Jan/Feb. Once again, I cannot divulge the name of it yet. Sorry guys.
Also on top of all THAT, I have ANOTHER web series, a much more simpler and for fun series. It's basically a video game review show/ documentaries. It's a lot simpler in production value but should have a good resonance to it. I am hopefully making it different enough from the other 6 million video game reviewers out there. And as you might have guessed, no names yet. Sorry again. You guys must really hate me, but I swear when things are up and rolling it'll be worth it.
Now if you're concerned how you're gonna find all this cool stuff, well I have conveniently located all this stuff on one website. . . . that I can't actually tell you the address of at this point in time. DON'T THROW STUFF AT ME! Anyway when everything begins to get rolling I will divulge ALL of this information here for everyone to share in. The website will be a compendium of everything that I have ever done and will do. Think of it as a one stop Stu shop.
Well that's about all to report on at this time. I have both given you guys a LOT and NOTHING at the same time, but bare with me. I'm still fighting the good fight and hopefully it will all pay off soon. I felt guilty about my silence but I will try to make a few more appearances here on the board like to good old days. I miss my Tex friends. Just don't expect any substantial updates any time soon. When I can update, you guys will be the first to know. Glad to be back and REALLY glad that Tex is on his way back too. The future is lookin' good!
-Stu-
Now, onto the Stu news. I have not updated in quite some time as I was not sure where life was taking me. Well now I have those answers. Before I begin I must say there is light at the end of this tale so bare with me.
Man, when they say things can get worser, can they EVER get worser. 2013 Lives up to its unlucky stigma. It has been so long since I was last here, I have actually forgotten what I reported on last. I THINK the last time I posted on here I reported that my buddy/business partner had just bought a RED camera. With that camera we had 3 major gigs lined up that would have paid for our entire year and we could have lived off those 3 jobs alone. Unfortunately almost immediately after that, those contracts fell through.
That's alright, I still had a basic survival job working at a convenience store to pay the bills. Except the store was sold by the corporation and the new owners fired all the staff and brought in all their own people. Dang.
Also, in that time, I lost 3 of my front teeth and they have to be replaced for a mere $10,000. That surgery is still ongoing. I get the posts cemented into my skull this month.
Oh yeah also in there, my computer had TWO catastrophic hard drive failures within a week and I might have lost my last 24 years of work. Both were my archive hard drives and I can't attempt to repair and/or recover my work until I can afford to get 2 new hard drives. Needless to say I am not a big fan of Seagate hard drives right now.
On top of all that, I was getting evicted. Turns out they like it when you actually pay the rent. Go figure. So the apartment that I struggled to keep since 2011, including the month of darkness where I had no electricity and had to live off of bread and water, was now gone.
The only reason I fought to keep that stupid apartment was that I wrote it into the web series I am making. Except now it's due for a major rewrite. That's alright. I actually got pretty good at writing things over the last decade.
On top of all that two of the closest friends I have in this city moved away. Pretty much the only 2 friends that I would hang around with on a regular basis. Bummer. (It's alright, they are moving onto bigger and brighter things. It's actually a good thing. Just a bummer though.)
So here I was August 2013, I've been "living the dream" for the last 24 years of my life. Pursuing the impossible. When I first started on this journey I had set a cut off date of my 40th birthday. Well I am 4 years away from that date now. I was probably at the lowest point in my career so far and I contemplated giving up on it altogether. I didn't want to be that band that was "going to make it" until they became a joke. So I had a long sit down with myself and assessed the situation. Well, I had already wasted 24 years of my life, what's another 4? If I am gonna crash and burn, I'm gonna make the biggest explosion I can make!
Here's where things begin to look up. Because I was laid off from my job I was eligible for Unemployment Insurance. Because I am on that program, I was eligible for ANOTHER government program. One to start up my own business. Well because I am going to crash and burn as big and brightly as I can, I'm going to be opening up a little movie studio. One that I can make short films and original web content. I had opened up a studio back in 2001 and was a little over ambitious in that endeavor.
It was actually called Electron Studios (hence my name if you ever wondered.) Well the only reason that failed is that I was making a CG film (CG backgrounds with real actors just like Tex!) with my best friend and had been working on it for 4 years. We were finally getting ready to film that summer when my friend was unexpectedly killed. I can't begin to express how badly that effected me and everything that I did. He was my best friend since childhood and I just didn't have the heart to complete the film, I let the film die with him as well as the studio and went back to school.
Anyway, I'm really trying not to be a sad sack here, but because I had that previous studio experience, I know where I made my mistakes and how I can improve upon them. If I am accepted to the program I will be paid for 42 weeks to develop the business, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If I am not accepted to the program, I am still going to open a small studio. It's just going to be smaller than what I was hoping for and going to be coming out of my own pocket. Seeing as I had no home, I also decided to incorporate my living accommodations into the business plan.
In the meantime, I luckily have a buddy here who owns a house and is letting me stay with him until I can get the studio up and rolling. It'll be a year or two so it really is a big favor. I'll make it up to him somehow.
Now you might be asking me, "what about that documentary you were working on?" WELL as it turns out, we are about to enter our 4th year working on that documentary. After I find out if I am on this program and whether or not I have to find an emergency job or not, only THEN can I return to completing the film. Only time will dictate when we can complete the film finally.
Oh yeah that reminds me, I don't know if I reported it here or not but last year I had a film compete in the Toronto Independent Film Festival. It was a pretty big film premiere for me. Got to see a bunch of celebrities like Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Ryan Gosling. Not to mention a bunch of Canadian celebs that no one has really heard of. People might know their faces but not really their names. That's kinda the nature of being a Canadian celebrity. Anyway it was a really cool experience. I probably should have reported on that sooner. Sorry guys.
Anyway back to what's going on now. Losing my apartment was the final blow in what I was clinging on to. I had to concede defeat. I may have lost that battle but certainly not the war. At least this is better than that time I lived in my car!
Now that I have gotten life stuff off my back I can now once again focus on my creative stuff. One of the things that I was going to update you on was that I have an entire season of a web series written and was getting ready to start filming it before losing my home. I have to rewrite it but it will be put back into production soon. It's pretty big. It's something unlike anything on the web right now so I am pretty excited about. It's a sci-fi/drama type show but I think it can appeal to anyone. I'm pretty sure that this will be the thing that gets my name out there. I can't tell you the name of it yet but when I can, you guys will be the first to know.
On top of that, I am writing my next film this week. I'm actually taking time away from writing it to update you guys. This will be my first big "proper" film. When it's written I have to secure the rights to the story and then apply for funding. It's based on a Canadian short story that I had read back in high school and liked. It took me 10 years to remember the name of it and about 2 more years to find a copy of the actual short story. Thanks to my Texperience of being a detective I am now adapting the story for the screen and hopefully applying for funding by the end of October with hopes to shoot it in Jan/Feb. Once again, I cannot divulge the name of it yet. Sorry guys.
Also on top of all THAT, I have ANOTHER web series, a much more simpler and for fun series. It's basically a video game review show/ documentaries. It's a lot simpler in production value but should have a good resonance to it. I am hopefully making it different enough from the other 6 million video game reviewers out there. And as you might have guessed, no names yet. Sorry again. You guys must really hate me, but I swear when things are up and rolling it'll be worth it.
Now if you're concerned how you're gonna find all this cool stuff, well I have conveniently located all this stuff on one website. . . . that I can't actually tell you the address of at this point in time. DON'T THROW STUFF AT ME! Anyway when everything begins to get rolling I will divulge ALL of this information here for everyone to share in. The website will be a compendium of everything that I have ever done and will do. Think of it as a one stop Stu shop.
Well that's about all to report on at this time. I have both given you guys a LOT and NOTHING at the same time, but bare with me. I'm still fighting the good fight and hopefully it will all pay off soon. I felt guilty about my silence but I will try to make a few more appearances here on the board like to good old days. I miss my Tex friends. Just don't expect any substantial updates any time soon. When I can update, you guys will be the first to know. Glad to be back and REALLY glad that Tex is on his way back too. The future is lookin' good!
-Stu-
This is why I like you.
No matter what life throws at you, you never give up.
You are truly an inspiring individual, honestly.
I wish I had the drive you have.
Maybe I'd actually feel like I accomplished something then, with my life.
Of course, ADHD doesn't help my matters.
It's hard to prioritize anything.
That is beside the point anyway.
The point is, I admire your resolve.
I also wanted to respond, because I know someone that I think you could work with from London ON. He is also a write, and has some projects in the works.
Did you ever think of moving to London? There is a budding film industry beginning here, and it isn't very expensive to live here. Of course, unemployment is really high, but that depends what you are trying to get a job doing.
Anyway, I think this guy would be interested in your RED camera. Not everyone can say they have one. He is around your age too, and this guy has ideas flying all the time.
Let me know if you are interested, and I can give you his contact info.
No matter what life throws at you, you never give up.
You are truly an inspiring individual, honestly.
I wish I had the drive you have.
Maybe I'd actually feel like I accomplished something then, with my life.
Of course, ADHD doesn't help my matters.
It's hard to prioritize anything.
That is beside the point anyway.
The point is, I admire your resolve.
I also wanted to respond, because I know someone that I think you could work with from London ON. He is also a write, and has some projects in the works.
Did you ever think of moving to London? There is a budding film industry beginning here, and it isn't very expensive to live here. Of course, unemployment is really high, but that depends what you are trying to get a job doing.
Anyway, I think this guy would be interested in your RED camera. Not everyone can say they have one. He is around your age too, and this guy has ideas flying all the time.
Let me know if you are interested, and I can give you his contact info.
Matt
Hey guys, thanks for all the kind words and support! It really means a lot. Helps keep a guy in the fight. I have a little addition to add to the rant. Just yesterday I was offered to work on a feature film. I was game for it because it's something to add to the resume. HOWEVER, because I am trapped and limbo right now I had to turn it down.
The problem is that I HAVE to be unemployed and on unemployment to be eligible for this program to create my business. If I KNEW that I was being rejected from that program then I could for sure commit to the film. BUT because I am in limbo right now and don't know which way the road is going, I had to decline it. I have plans to put into effect for either path but because I don't know which way it's going yet, I can't do anything.
This is the FIFTH time I had to do something like this. Another involved working at a television station. This whole situation is messed up. All of this stuff would be seen as extreme positives that could advance me and my career, BUT because of the timing of the opportunities, it immediately impedes on what I am trying to do for my future. I'd love to say these were isolated incidences but this kind of messed up thing happens ALL THE TIME to me. My life is absolutely absurd. I just have to shake my head and take things in stride. MAN.
I remember when I went to college, a movie started filming in my home town and everyone told me that I should come back to work on the film because they were looking for people. But because I was in college I could not. When the film was completed I was watching it and sure enough Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman were standing RIGHT OUTSIDE MY OLD HOME in a scene. There they were, and in the background was my stupid home and what was Electron Studios! Had I not left, the movie would literally have been filmed on my doorstep and I would have grazed Hollywood in some capacity. Completely absurd I tell you! I remember once I was on this reality show and it actually DID show up on my doorstep . . . actually you know what, forget it, I'm going to shut up. You're going to think I am making this stuff up. I'll save it for another rant or explain it all on my website when I get it going. Believe me, I have proof! I'm starting to go off on a tangent. I tell you, the situation is just MESSED UP. Okay I'm done and going to bed now.
The problem is that I HAVE to be unemployed and on unemployment to be eligible for this program to create my business. If I KNEW that I was being rejected from that program then I could for sure commit to the film. BUT because I am in limbo right now and don't know which way the road is going, I had to decline it. I have plans to put into effect for either path but because I don't know which way it's going yet, I can't do anything.
This is the FIFTH time I had to do something like this. Another involved working at a television station. This whole situation is messed up. All of this stuff would be seen as extreme positives that could advance me and my career, BUT because of the timing of the opportunities, it immediately impedes on what I am trying to do for my future. I'd love to say these were isolated incidences but this kind of messed up thing happens ALL THE TIME to me. My life is absolutely absurd. I just have to shake my head and take things in stride. MAN.
I remember when I went to college, a movie started filming in my home town and everyone told me that I should come back to work on the film because they were looking for people. But because I was in college I could not. When the film was completed I was watching it and sure enough Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman were standing RIGHT OUTSIDE MY OLD HOME in a scene. There they were, and in the background was my stupid home and what was Electron Studios! Had I not left, the movie would literally have been filmed on my doorstep and I would have grazed Hollywood in some capacity. Completely absurd I tell you! I remember once I was on this reality show and it actually DID show up on my doorstep . . . actually you know what, forget it, I'm going to shut up. You're going to think I am making this stuff up. I'll save it for another rant or explain it all on my website when I get it going. Believe me, I have proof! I'm starting to go off on a tangent. I tell you, the situation is just MESSED UP. Okay I'm done and going to bed now.
Murphy's law has a weird way.
Talk about the irony here.
Wouldn't surprise me if Tex has the last name, Murphy, for that specific reason.
It is the story of my life, too, when it comes to opportunities or things going wrong.
Not quite as extreme as your situation, Stu, but I have an example from last night.
Tried to do a resume from my computer, but the file was on my wife's and she was doing some work on it, so I couldn't use it. She offered to let me use hers, but I didn't want to take away from her work. I tried to open the file and got Access Denied.
I have tons of different tailored resumes and had a specific one for the job I want to apply to because I applied to it before. Low and behold, the only one I need, had corrupt security permissions... so I couldn't access it from any other computer but my wife's.
I had this problem before, and fixed it, but couldn't remember how. Anyway, after over an hr of googling to find out how to fix this on XP (yes.... I am still using XP.... I explained this in my ADHD thread) I found the answer. Took a while because no one uses XP anymore....
I had to interrupt my wife for a few mins, but I fixed the security permissions.
It was then 10:30 at night, and I still had to tweak the resume.
I didn't get to bed until almost midnight, after taking care of a few other things.... and I was up at 5. Fun......
This is one example... It seems like every task I try to tackle is like this.... Anyway... just thought I would give an example..... You are not alone with Murphy's Law.
Although, you still keep going and I am sure Murphy will soon give up.
Talk about the irony here.
Wouldn't surprise me if Tex has the last name, Murphy, for that specific reason.
It is the story of my life, too, when it comes to opportunities or things going wrong.
Not quite as extreme as your situation, Stu, but I have an example from last night.
Tried to do a resume from my computer, but the file was on my wife's and she was doing some work on it, so I couldn't use it. She offered to let me use hers, but I didn't want to take away from her work. I tried to open the file and got Access Denied.
I have tons of different tailored resumes and had a specific one for the job I want to apply to because I applied to it before. Low and behold, the only one I need, had corrupt security permissions... so I couldn't access it from any other computer but my wife's.
I had this problem before, and fixed it, but couldn't remember how. Anyway, after over an hr of googling to find out how to fix this on XP (yes.... I am still using XP.... I explained this in my ADHD thread) I found the answer. Took a while because no one uses XP anymore....
I had to interrupt my wife for a few mins, but I fixed the security permissions.
It was then 10:30 at night, and I still had to tweak the resume.
I didn't get to bed until almost midnight, after taking care of a few other things.... and I was up at 5. Fun......
This is one example... It seems like every task I try to tackle is like this.... Anyway... just thought I would give an example..... You are not alone with Murphy's Law.
Although, you still keep going and I am sure Murphy will soon give up.
Matt
Oh yes, I have been following Kickstarter for a long time. Believe me it's in the works. I plan to use it (now that it's finally in Canada) for the second season of my web series. The price of the first season is on me, the goal is to hopefully build a fan base and get my name out there, because really, who the hell am I right now? I'm just some guy on the internet.
When the first season is complete and it starts to build momentum on the internet I'll throw out the pitch for a 2nd season to happen. As of right now I am a nobody asking for money, I would like to be a bit of a somebody and have a few accomplishments under my belt when I start to ask for funding. If things go according to plan it will be a large and hopefully successful campaign.
When the first season is complete and it starts to build momentum on the internet I'll throw out the pitch for a 2nd season to happen. As of right now I am a nobody asking for money, I would like to be a bit of a somebody and have a few accomplishments under my belt when I start to ask for funding. If things go according to plan it will be a large and hopefully successful campaign.