1st Feature Film - Brave or Crazy?

I have had a lot going through my brain today. Been feeling very excited about "Madam Magdalen" and everything it will entail.

Here are just a few samplings of the thoughts racing through my head:

I need to make a website for juniperlou.com... and figure out a name for my production company. No, wait... first I need to write the script. How can I incorporate social media into the marketing... is it something that I will do on the front end, or throughout? My blog, is it good enough? Am I writing interesting things that people will want to read? Wait, Jennifer, you need to write the script. Script first. How am I going to raise the money? How much do I need to raise? Who will be the producer? JENNIFER, JUST WRITE THE DAMN SCRIPT!!

And so it continues. To ease my marketing inclined mind though, I am going to do a detailed schedule with everything that needs to be done just for piece of mind that it will all get done, and in the right order.

It all boils down to discipline. And I have a lot of it.

Honestly, I think I can stick to the original broad schedule that I have laid out for "MadWoman" in a previous blog entry. I am going to buckle down this weekend and really get some things on paper. My goal is still to have a solid first draft by the end of June.

"Madam Magdalen" - Working Title

I have decided to tentatively call my film, based on Louise Wooster's life, "Madam Magdalen". It is easier for me to have something to call it, even if it isn't the official name. The book she authored on her own life is titled "The Autobiography of a Magdalen", so it seems appropriate.

I finally went to her grave site today located in Oak Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama. It was fun to visualize the long line of empty carriages sent by anonymous prominent men in Birmingham that followed her body up to be buried (according to legend).

I ordered two more books today to research prostitution in New Orleans during the time that Louise Wooster would have lived there. As you would think, there is much more written and documented about New Orleans prostitution than there is for anywhere in Alabama. But, I think a lot of the information will be relevant for both locations.

I took some photos today at the cemetery here. I also plan to post anything "Madam Magdalen" related to this Flickr site.

John Wilkes Booth

Researching John Wilkes Booth, one of Louise Wooster's love interests before the assassination of Lincoln. He was her inspiration to become an actress.

Obsessed with Storyville & New Orleans Brothels

OK. I am totally going in a new direction now. Going to base my script on Lou Wooster' life, and while doing that taking a peek into 19th Century prostitution in the southeast: Mobile, New Orleans, Birmingham & Montgomery. While researching, I came across Storyville. Completely obsessed with it. Also, check out this website if this topic interests you.

I am also researching grants for filmmakers & writers. There is a class at a local college on Grantwriting 101 (and possibly an advanced class following) that I am going to take in June.

19th Century Fashion Studies

Louise Wooster, change in plans?

I went to the Birmingham Public Library tonight, and made friends with the librarian with whom I share a good friend. I told her I was looking for dialect studies of 19th century Alabama... especially autobiographies. She brought over several books, but one I had heard about before caught my immediate attention. It was the autobiography of Louise Wooster... famous Birmingham Madam from the 19th Century. I had read short stories of her before, especially of her work during the cholera outbreak. She seemed like a colorful character.

I picked up her book and started to read... and couldn't put it down until the library kicked me out (well, not really... they just closed). :)

There is some speculation as to whether or not some of the events she accounted for actually happened (as she was one to embellish), but most of it is fascinating fact after fact. The elements of her story had all of the ones I had been searching for... drama, tragedy, love, hate, sex, historical fact, controversy, fantasy... it's all there! Even with a little bit of New Orleans, Mobile & Montgomery sprinkled in. The great cholera epidemic is another thing that has always fascinated me about Birmingham's early beginnings, and she was there front and center.

So am I changing my idea? Maybe. Gonna sleep on it. ;)

Piece of Cake

Last night, I watched the first and only film that I have ever written and directed play on a local station here in Birmingham, AL - "Piece of Cake". I hadn't seen it in over a year (despite the fact that I have several copies in my kitchen cabinet), and as the time got closer to view it on public television the more anxious and nervous I got. Insecurities were running rampant... would I be proud? Would I cringe at things that were blatantly wrong? Would I think that Mo Rocca wasted his time by taking such a huge risk on this project? What would other people think who watched it along with me? I knew THIS was the time I could finally be objective about the film.

The time finally came, and I saw the title of my film come across the screen: "Piece of Cake". I took a deep breath, and took a sip of wine. At this point I was still alone in the loft, so it almost seemed like a spiritual moment. I teared up at all effort and emotions that got me to this exact moment in time.

As the movie played, I was genuinely shocked at how great it was. I laughed at my own jokes, and thought from time to time, "that was a great line!". I was amazed at all of the actor's performances. I was amazed at all of the effort that SO MANY people put forth to get a project like that done. I was amazed at myself for keeping my dream alive until completion. I finally could see "Piece of Cake" for what it was: a rare and extraordinary event that a lot of people will remember forever.

"Piece of Cake" did not do well with independent festivals (with a big exception for the Sidewalk Film Festival). This could be for many reasons. I think it is mostly because of the type of movie it is, a romantic comedy. Also, with a 16 minute run time it isn't exactly ideal for the short film market. As a matter of fact, it is film festival suicide. Ultimately, POC was a labor of love and those who weren't involved will never understand what it took to get it done. They will also never love it as much as we did.

I had to take a serious break after making POC, and I am glad that I did. It would have been too easy to be impulsive and jump right back in. Over the past 2 years since POC was completed, I have been able to step back and reevaluate my purpose in the creative arts. Also, I have been able to pay off the money it took to make POC. It is officially over, and a part of my past.

As for the future, I would love to make another film. But it has to be the right one. Stay tuned.

Visit this link to view media coverage and photos from POC:
http://www.pieceofcakeshort.com/partyfavors.html