Taking Flight

I have the sudden urge to fly somewhere. It doesn't matter where. Who's with me?

The cross country invitational today was fun. In tribute to a past runner, the guys wore tube socks and pre-wrap headbands. I looked sexy in my 80s running style. It was a good race.

As usual on invitational days, I am now pooped. So even though I have a buttload of stuff to do, I am taking the night off. After we got home, Alaina and I laid around my house for three hours.

I want to talk about the future. I named this blog "Trekking to Adulthood." I am definitely trekking. But I can trek to wherever I want. And right now, I like where I am headed. I know who I am and what I want to be.

For instance, I know that I am going to follow my dreams. I want to be a filmmaker. And everyone else can suck it. That's right, I said it.

My old religion teacher (one of the best teachers I ever had) once said that there is a big problem with today's education system. It is geared toward the goal of getting kids good jobs that make a lot of money. He said that somewhere along the way, teachers forgot to tell their students to go after their dreams. And he told us to dream every day.

Unfortunately, he was right. Filmmaking is not a "safe" job. Art is not a "safe" job. Fashion is not a "safe" job. Writing is not a "safe" job.

Who cares?

I am currently working on an essay for a scholarship program. The program wants to know about obstacles that I have overcome - along the lines of family death, hardship, poverty, etc. Well, I haven't had to endure any of those. But I have had other obstacles.

Living in a small town, I have tried to make movies. No film classes. No budget. No support from city managers.

Most people in my town stare at me like I'm looney when I tell them my intended major. You want to know the truth? I love that blank stare. I just smile.

Most people in my senior class are planning to be physician's assistants, engineers, doctors, whatever. Great for them. If they love it.

I am going to do what I love. Luckily, I have supportive parents. Thank you mom and dad. And my friends and role models are there for me too.

I am not afraid. I am taking a chance. I not interested in money. I am interested in passion. I am actually going to attempt to go somewhere outside of my city's limits. People want to know why in the world I would want to go to school so far away. Distance is not an issue to me. I can get a job and hop on a plane.

I'm not sure where I am going with all of this. But I think that some things in live are worth it. I don't want to be one of those people that choose a "safe" life and then regret it for the rest of forever. Everyone out there (that means you Alaina and Christina), don't give up.

I submitted my Florida State Film School personal statement last night. It was about my motivation to become a filmmaker. It ended with "The adventure starts here."

Arcade Fire has their new album Suburbs out. This is "Ready to Start." I like it.

In Love Again

My sister Addison turned ten about three weeks ago. Unfortunately, her party was canceled because she had pneumonia. So, we had the party tonight.

My brothers headed to the high school football game, but I stayed behind because I have adult things to do now.

Just kidding.
I actually had to lead musical chairs and finalize some college essays. I boycott football anyway.

I have to get to bed early because I have a cross country invitational tomorrow. So, I don't have time for any in-depth blogging although I need some right now.
On Sunday, I'm going to attmept to write three essays and read Hamlet among other things. (Yeah... right.)

For now, I want to do something I should have done awhile ago: introduce my latest girlfriend.

Meet Florence Welch.

She's from England. She is in a band called Florence + the Machine. I recently bought the album Lungs.

The music is good. She's cool. And best of all, she is real. I want to drive around town with her in strange outfits and drink tea (which I don't even like).

She has officially been added to the"People Chad Wants to See in Concert" List.(along with Coldplay, OK GO, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, and Lady Gaga)

Check out "Heavy in Your Arms". Yes, it's from Eclipse - told you it had good music.

The video actually creeps me out (and it's edited down), but I like the black and white. Watch any of her other videos. They are all Certified White Boy Fresh.

Hi There.

I am a man now. So suck it. Just kidding. I shouldn't talk like that on here.

As an adult, I have discovered two things:
1. I am officially addicted to coffee.
2. I miss blogging.

Lately, other commitments have been sucking my life away. But tomorrow, that changes. I promise. I have things I want to talk about.

Tonight I am up late working on homework and finalizing a college essay. If you ever feel down in the dumps. Stay up late and work on stuff with the aid of an iPod, coffee, and frozen yogurt.

See you tomorrow! Until then... watch this. I'm so excited!

Entering the Cocoon

I can't wait to curl up in my blankets and go to sleep. As I do, I will be entering a cocoon. Tomorrow when I wake up, I will legally be considered an adult. I will be eighteen.

Will I suddenly become a man? Will my friends and family recognize me?
In reality, I will eat some Oreo Blizzard cake from DQ (yum) at some point and life will go on as usual. I've been so busy with college applications and such lately that I haven't had time to reflect on this adulthood thing. By the way, a few minutes ago I officially began editing the short film - I pieced two clips together. Whoot! Whoot!

Turning eighteen isn't really a big deal. I'm not in to dirty movies. However, it has served as a gentle reminder that high school is going to end. Which is weird but cool. The rest of my life is going to start in a year, and I need to get ready. My mom will no longer be available to tie my ties for me! (Don't worry - I'm learning.)

Anyway, I should get some sleep, but first...

I like fall. One of my favorite things about my birthday season is the movies! Besides Toy Story 3, Inception, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the summer films kind of sucked. Autumn seems like it is going to come to the cinematic rescue!

So really quickly, here's Chad's fall movie preview:

1. Never Let Me Go
September 15th


During my sophomore year, I read an online interview with my girlfriend Keira Knightley. She talked about a movie she was working on based on an awesome book - Never Let Me Go. I borrowed the book from my teacher and read it in a week. I thought it was beautiful. Plus, Keira and Carey Mulligan are involved in the movie: heaven. It will probably be depressing... I'm excited.

2. 127 Hours
November 5th

I mentioned earlier that I have a love obsession with Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire). So naturally, I have to check out his new movie. I just saw the teaser trailer yesterday. It's based on a true story and stars James Franco as a dude who gets stuck in a Utah canyon. Looks cool.

3.The Social Network
October 1st

Alright, I've been hearing buzz about this movie for forever. Apparently the script is really good. And David Fincher is brilliant. Plus, I think Jesse Eisenberg is funny (Alaina thinks he is cute... eww). The Social Network has already been called a classic and generation defining. Ever since I read The Great Gatsby, I have been waiting to watch a moody film. This is it.

4. Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows (Part One)
November 19th

I'm a big fan of the crew that made the last two Potter films. From the looks of things, they outdid themselves on the finale. I could pee myself just thinking about it. Nothing else needs to be said. (Except that Emma Watson will be wearing a red dress)

5. Tron Legacy
December 17th

I don't really know much about this one. But I've been reading about it for the past two years... seriously. Tron was an eighties movie with Jeff Bridges (I never saw it). It sort of started the whole CGI animation thing that led to Pixar and everything else. It's a certified nerd classic. The new one has Jeff Bridges too and is apparently going to be awesome. I'll have to rent the original and then go see this one with my boys.

Alright... it's late! I need sleep for my big day. This is minor Chad signing off for the last time. Night!

Bonjour Fall.

So... I'm up later than I wanted to be tonight.

But I'm sick of not getting stuff done. It's only the second week of school, yet as I lie in bed each night, I have mini brain freakouts. How am I going to get this short film finished? How in the world will I get all of my applications completed on time? If things don't work out, I won't land my dream career, I won't have a cool pregnant wife, and I won't have a beard.

And then I'll have to gouge my eyes out like Oedipus (which I took a test on today - yuck). Oh well. I am trusting that things will fall into place somehow.

Fall is officially here. Today was cold - cold as in my cross country hoodie isn't enough, I need a freaking blanket cold.

I sort of like it.

After having a fun Labor Day weekend, I was reluctant to start school again. But this week has been pretty cool. It wasn't nearly as rough as the first week of school. After having AP Chem last year, I decided not to take a science course this year. I wanted to squeeze in some creative classes that would help me with film. That means that I get to start my day with Acting and Art. I love it!

Yesterday, the XC team experienced our first meet of the season. It wasn't a bad start. The boys won the meet, but we still have work to do. Like a dumbo, I forgot that my spikes give me blisters the first time I wear them each season. Now I have to deal with having holes of absent skin on my ankles. We have an Invitational on Saturday morning, so hopefully I can come up with a comfortable solution by then.

Yesterday was also Ryan's birthday. We had some family members over and feasted on some amazing ice cream cake from the creamery. My family is now entering "Birthday Time." Addison turned ten last week. Countdown to my birthday/adult time = five days. Holy crap. (Tyler is the late one. He won't turn twelve until October.)

Today I celebrated a new birthday. The Great Pine Street Adventure turned one year old. GPSA is my first movie (I need nerd glasses). We premiered it on September 9th last year, so today will always hold a special place in my heart. I don't have a baby yet (and won't for a long time), so for now my movies will be my children. It seems like only yesterday when he was just a tiny storyboard... Sniffle. Sniffle.

Haha! Looking at this poster, I realized that the special date was September 5th - not the 9th. Oh well. It's the thought that counts.

Anyway, to celebrate I wanted to post some "teaser posters" from the long awaited short film. Ryan and I cheesed them up earlier. I haven't actually started editing yet. I'm considering locking myself in my house after the race on Saturday. This movie needs to start coming together!


Good night!

Remember Me?

Remember me? Chad?

I've been out living.

Last week quickly transformed into crunch time as I rushed around like a mad man trying to get my short film actually filmed. Luckily, I have a great crew of supporters and friends. Together, we gathered equipment, went costume shopping, and created shot lists. I drafted my brother Ryan to act in the film. He hesitantly agreed. (I eventually made him dye his hair and even kiss a girl... gasp!). Finally, the one thing that hanged in the balance was a location.

Originally, I had always planned to film on Main Street by Central Park in downtown Johnstown. I wrote a nice letter of request and delivered it to the city manager like I was instructed to do. However, the city manager chick never called me back. For two days, my mom and I pounded her with phone calls and messages.

On Friday - shooting day - Ryan and I marched to city hall and waited outside her office until she returned from lunch... only she never did. She must have taken a four hour lunch break. And she still didn't call me back.

I was pretty ticked. I love Johnstown most of the time, and I can't understand why my city wouldn't help me out. Dear City Manager, why do you have to be such a rude biznatch?

Never willing to give up, I called my high school - Bishop McCort Catholic High School. We were allowed to film in the courtyard for three nights. The first night was hectic, but Saturday and Sunday went beautifully.

I couldn't have asked for better actors. Staring at the viewfinder, I was awestruck because I knew I was a part of something special.

I want to thank everyone... for everything. I had a great crew who went without sleep for three nights. Yesterday, we filmed the last little intro scene. Now all that's left to do is edit. In the next month, I'll keep you posted on my progress. I'll also try to share some pics and videos.

In other news, school started. Ahhhhhhhhh!

After filming Sunday night, Ryan and I jumped awake at six in the morning. He had to go to school for Freshman Orientation, and I had to help out because I'm on student council.

The rest of the week was weird. It feels like summer break was only a short weekend. Every time I walked down the halls, I could hear the Jaws theme song playing in the back of my head.
Dun dun dun.

Still, it's senior year! Whatever that means. I'm going to have fun.

No doubt, things are going to get crazy as I attempt to juggle cross country (first meet on Wednesday), college applications (I started my application for FSU), homework, and this short film.

I'll write about the new adventures coming my way, but I still have some stuff to say about the summer.

Until then, good luck to everyone going back to school. Take art classes! Bye.