nerd party
I think I've previously mentioned some of my friends and myself get together on Wednesday to partake in the nerd party that is Quizzo. Well, the National Finals are coming up in June and our team, Double Secret Probation, decided to represent the great city of Chicago in beautiful, Atlantic City, NJ!
We're renting an RV and driving there... Everytime I say that in my head, I have to pause. But we are, 6 of us are loading up an RV and driving overnight to AC and then spending the next afternoon playing Quizzo for a few short hours. I suppose we've got a good as chance as any to win it all, but I think we're all mainly geeked out at the idea of going all the way to Atlantic City just to play trivia.
Anyway, I've decided to make a little documentary out of it - with the help (fingers crossed) of my friend Geo. There's just something wildly hysterical about a group of 30-40 somethings hauling ass to Jersey just to play in some silly competition. I've already started putting together a script (documentary's have scripts, shocking, I know) for the narration and for the types of interviews I'd like to do - along with a shot list. I'm even considering contacting a friend about maybe writing a little original "traveling" music for it...uh...if he's up for it and has time before he heads off to record an album in Nashville this summer.
I'M SO GEEKED OUT ABOUT THIS. I'm not sure if a lot of folks know, but in my other life, long ago and far away, I was a film major. I became a bit disallusioned and overwhelmed by some family/financial stuff and I walked away from all of that. This was waaaaaaaaaaaaay before the digital/video revolution. When I think about picking up a camera and editing these days, I feel like a complete luddite, so I've really been avoiding it for a long time.
Recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do with the rest of my life...and while I'm facinated by the youtube generation, I'm less interested in that and more interested in moving in the direction of two of my greatest influences - Errol Morris and Studs Terkel. Suddenly, this opportunity lands in my lap and seems to be a combination platter of the two.
I think this project might be the first step in moving in that direction. Get my feet wet on this and see where it leads. As I mentioned to Geo, I don't want to make a "home movie" - but a true documentary. Something short, but crafted well enough to possibly enter in a few festivals. (I'm hoping that doesn't scare him off. Erp.)
I LOVE MY THEATER COMPANY very much and I'm very excited about our upcoming events and productions and my role in each of them (in front of and behind the scenes) - - - but, I really feel like this idea, more than anything, has put a fire back in my creative belly.
That fire's been nothing but tepid embers for much too long. Working Title: Nerd Party...is about to crack it open.
Comments
DUDE. I woke up this morning and had this exact idea in my head. I was going to ask if you'd be willing to take stills and let us use them in the doc.
Also...if you're the official "staff" photog for the doc...I believe you would be on the team to...oh...it's a surprise I'll keep until tonight!
Just so folks understand...this project will take a few months to complete - hopefully ready by the end of the summer.
Awesome. This gives me a chance to use a phrase I've been hearing a lot dealing with these guys in Nashville: "What kind of budget are you working with?" ; )
Oh, Lykins. Thanks for the chuckle!
I'm working with a budget...payable in hugs and clover.