This 'n That Films - Making Entertaining Documentaries About This 'n That - This 'n That Blog

Back from Glasgow

10/5/2017

You never know what the judges at a Film Festival are looking for as far as the type of film is concerned. With KRAFTA, it wasn't the type of film we make. We like telling a story, giving you a bit of history with some entertainment along for good measure. The judges in Glasgow were looking for more artistry, judging from the films that won. That said, no sour grapes from us.

We had a great time in Glasgow, made a pub that was in-between the apartment that we rented and "The Lighthouse", where the films were shown, our own hangout and enjoyed the City and the Scottish countryside as well. Sure, it would have been nice to win - but you cannot attend every festival expecting to win.

When we returned we were notified that Mid-Century Moderns, our film about the impact the Alexander Construction Company had on Palm Springs, was selected for the Architecture Design Art Festival which runs concurrent with Modernism Week in Palm Springs next February.

We also made a contact while in Glasgow and hope to bring you news real soon about our next project. In the meantime, our Christmas film, 'Tis The Season, is scheduled to be released on Amazon Video on Thanksgiving Day. Stay tuned!

KRAFTA Film Festival Reception

The Lighthouse, Film Festival headquarters

Film viewing at Sloan's

Enjoying an adult beverage in the Smokin' Fox!

Catching up with the locals

Scottish countryside

Rainbow during a shower

Yes, it rains a lot

A Scots "black house"

Haggis for lunch

We bid Glasgow a fond farewell!

Apologies!

9/27/2017

Apologies - if you're reading my blog - or read the previous one, you'll note spelling errors that I usually don't make. Two reasons. The iPad app that I am using to write the blog is less than user friendly and certainly not intuitive (that's why the font is so small.) Secondly the keyboard on my iPad is not the regular keyboard my fingers are accustomed to using. Last, this iPad is an older one and it tends to crash while I am using the app. So, sorry.

Arriving in Glasgow, Scotland

9/26/2017

The Tom Bradley Terminal at LAX airport is incredible. Waiting in line at security you can hear every language in the world, and walking towards the gate for my plane there are gargantuan two-story Airbus A 380 planes waiting to take on their 500 plus passnegers each to deliver them to all corners of the world. Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Tahiti Air, Air France, lined up wing tip to wing tip ready to take off into the clear blue Southern California sky.

My own plane arrives from Auckland, New Zealand - a smallish looking Boeing 777 - ready to take me to London.

11 hours later I found myself in Terminal 2 at LHR with less than 90 minutes to get to Terminal 5 for my flight to Glasgow. With a holdup at Security that I really didn't need - "digital cameras and Kindles are computers and have to be removed from your bag!" Followed by my non-heard response of, "why don't you change your signs to say that?". I made it to the gate with a minute to spare.

An hour later I was sitting in the Starbucks at the Glasgow airport enjoying the free (for an hour) wifi and waiting for my business partner, John C. Brown. A twenty minute bus ride, followed by a twenty minute walk got us to the apartment we rented for our stay.

Glasgow is an old city making a comeback. Our neighborhood is replete with a new Marriott and Hilton hotel, a forgotten car park and a government office building. There is a small 24 hour Tesco Express market a few blocks away where we picked up some groceries. (The apartment did not come with toilet paper.) The showers are good, the beds are ok, and the wifi works. Today we register at the Film Festival and plan out the rest of the week.

More later.

In just 24 hours

9/24/2017

In 24 short hours we'll be at LAX checking in for our flight to London. Then on to Glasgow, finally with a city bus to the apartment on Argyle Street. Bags are packed, scarves and hats were located and safely put into the suitcase, all the batteries are currently charging and we've booked a tour for what we think will be the best day weather wise.

We appreciate all of you who have been watching our films on Amazon. They don't pay us very much - but every little bit helps. As my favorite Yahoo sailing crew on SV Delos says - watch our videos and buy us a beer. Since we'll be in Scotland, that will be "buy us an ale"!
More tomorrow!

We'll be looking for Nessie in Loch Ness!

What to pack

9/13/2017

In less than two weeks we will be in Glasgow, Scotland to watch The Neon Struggle in the KRAFTA International Film Festival. It's a festival with films about art and artists and we're especially pleased, and proud, to have been selected. The film plays on Sunday, the last day of the festival at 10 am in the main theater. We hope not everyone stays out late Saturday night and that we'll have a good audience.

The dilemma is packing. We live in Palm Springs, in Southern California where the daily temperature this month is over 100 Fahrenheit. In Glasgow, today's high was 57 F. We have not seen that kind of temperature since 5 in the morning last February! So what to pack? And, the last couple of trips we've been on, the airlines have lost our luggage. Not something that is fun, and something we want to avoid by packing carry-on only. So we need jackets (it rains in Scotland), sweaters (We need to buy some) and sturdy shoes (We've only been seen in flip-flops since March!)

Stay tuned here and on our Facebook page - we hope to post regular updates from Glasgow and let you know how we're doing.

Oh, and if you want to support our trip, and our film making efforts, please watch our films on Amazon, or buy a DVD on one of these pages! Thanks!

Where is that scarf? I saw it a few years ago...

KRAFTA Art Film Festival, Glasgow, Scotland

7/14/2017

We're very pleased to have The Neon Struggle accepted at the Krafta International Art Making Film Festival. This festival is all about films about art and artists. We were advised that we were one of the finalists back in March, and now we were notified that our film is actually being shown at the Festival and is in consideration for prizes! We think this festival is important for our film and we will be looking at attending the Festival in Scotland at the end of September!

Glasgow at night!

Oaxaca Film Festival

6/9/2017

A script that we wrote for a short film, tentatively titled The Santa Trust has been accepted at the Oaxaca Film Festival in Oaxaca, Mexico. We are in the short competition and since we are one of the selected shorts, we are automatically entered in the overall, global script competition. The grand prize is $10,000 which we could sure use to make that film!

Los Angeles Feedback Film Festival

4/6/2017

The Los Angeles Feedback Film Festival is a new one for us. We're driving to L.A. and meeting some friends for dinner before we see The Neon Struggle!

Really cool to be in the audience and get direct feedback about your film! We ended up winning Best Documentary and Best Music! We like this Festival!

American Documentary Film Festival

4/3/2017

We're repeat exhibitors at the American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs and though we have never won an award here, we're always happy to be included. This year, The Neon Struggle is being shown at the Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs!

Las Cruces Film Festival, New Mexico

3/15/2017

We're traveling to Las Cruces, New Mexico again! Last year we were very pleased to be awarded their Best Documentary award for our film, 88 Days in the Mother Lode, and this year they will be showing The Neon Struggle. It's always an honor just be shown in a Festival since the competition is always strong. Las Cruces is no exception. Last year the folks in New Mexico were gracious and hospitable and we had a wonderful time. This year, we have no expectations of winning - we're in the Documentary Short category - but we're excited to return to the amazing Southwest!