Oops....

OK, this is going to sound crazy, but I automatically go into spin cycle whenever anyone asks me what I'm up to -- force of habit. Soooo, today, I met with a potential financial backer for several projects (film-related and otherwise). Great meeting, arranged through a close friend at a small intimate restaurant. The backer is a gatekeeper -- meaning someone who has access to the person who has the money, in fact, to several somebodies who have the money. We had a great time, laughing, joking about vacations we've had, films we love, food we've eaten, in short, the kind of love fest you hope to have when a lot of money is potentially at stake (don't you love how smoke and sky-pie feels like reality when you work in the entertainment industry?). As we circle around to the real (as-yet-unspoken) reason for our meeting, the backer asks me (quite legitimately), what I'm up to.

Backer: So, what kinds of work are you doing?
Me: I have a film going into production any day now.

Pause tape.

Technically, this is true. I do have a movie going into production any day now, if I can get the money together, thus my reason for having dinner with the backer. Oh, yeah, and if my writer turns in his draft on time. Ahem. OK, it's not really a lie, is it? And am I wrong for saying this?

I grew up in a very strict household with clear lines about what is true and what isn't true. In the sense of a James-Frey-truthiness of the truth I'm telling the emotional story about my project's status, the hoped-for outcome of my dinner with the Backer. Back to tape.

Backer: Hmm, what does that mean?
Me: (laughing) That means I'm hoping you'll write me a check so my writer can eat for a few months.

And the jaws snap shut. Hee hee hee! I'm paraphrasing here to protect the innocent, but basically, I think I may have just found the yellow brick road. Fingers are crossed, second meetings are being set, and a series of introductions (to the check-writers) is in the offing. I'm not about to pop any bottles, but the rain clouds are gathering so I'm just going to keep pounding my feet until I feel the pitter patter of water on my face. And now back to our regularly scheduled post....