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.