The Makng of Naked Dragon (Part 4) Winding down production

Well!!! Here I am at the final week of filming, and my cast and crew are still powering through monster days of hard shooting. Though we have had some hiccups (a hit and run to our rental van, a huge police incident which created helicopter noise all day over our outside shooting venue) everyone, and I mean the entire group of fabulous cast and crew, have put up with the heat the noise the trash and chaos of some of the seediest areas of LA, and I mean, really seedy.

But as the 6 day weeks and 12 hour days go by, its beginning to sink in that we are nearly there. By Sunday we will have this film 'wrapped' and it will be on its way to my wonderful editor, get its background sound track and well...the finished product will be 'born'. Yesterday and one day inside the studio I had an incredibly talented still photographer show up, and the photos he took of my top 4 leads were amazing- all for the poster and promos. I can only say that my first film Capital Games taught me so much, so much, that this time around, I knew. I knew what I needed, what I wanted, and hopefully the end result will be so wonderful that all my fans and fans to come, will enjoy this film.

I can't express enough, how difficult this process is, and the sheer power and hard work of a talented cast and crew are the machine behind making these movies. My respect for the industry, though tough at times, is enormous. The amount of details, and keeping it real, keeping it consistent and dealing with environments that are not conducive to recording or filming, is overwhelming.

But without the support of my crew, the talent of my stars and the luck of getting it all done and dusted in the end, there would be a void. And I can't thank enough the men and women in front and behind the camera for how hard they are working for me, yes, lil ole me, to get this masculine gay romance to the big screen.

They are my heroes. And I hope they know how much I appreciate every one of them.
Be safe out there, and look for more news soon during edits as to when we can get this baby released.

The Making of Naked Dragon (Part 3)

OMG
And I truly mean that with capital letters, and probably should add a few exclamation points-
After this first week of shooting, and seeing not only the progress of my Cinematographers' work, the impeccable Peter Borosh- but being able to actually direct it- to explain exactly the way I see this story (er hum... I did write the book) but- then- to give the actors one take to 'play' to have fun with their roles, wow. They make me laugh and get me hot all at the same time.

My producer and I keep shaking our heads and saying we have the most beautiful men in Hollywood all in one place. Ladies and my gay gentlemen fans, you are in for quite the treat- Extras who are showing up are as beautiful as our leading men- so we are happy to add them where you can be delighted to see them- and I think you will be very happy with the diversity of gorgeousness.

There is no doubt this film will outshine Capital Games in so many ways- the studio is a plethora of sets- pure movie magic- and the intensity of the serial killing behind the passionate interracial love story is pure sensuality.
This, however, is not a gore fest- the killings are going to be created in your head- (I personally hate slasher films) but- like a Hitchcock suspense film you will know enough about the murders to make your own images in your mind.

And teaching police tactics to actors who have never even held a gun? First of all, I think they have found a new respect for my old profession- and secondly, none of these men will EVER want to be a cop! Ha! But my producer said to me, the actors learning this from a real cop is priceless to them- and they are just as priceless to me.

One more thing I forgot about filming- the utter exhaustion- I think writing for 8 hours is hard? Ha- standing on my feet directing my gorgeous men, running around a building (which I just found out is one of the most haunted in Hollywood) Love it! for 12 hours a day- 6 days a week? I don't know how these guys do it every month- but for me- film is becoming a love affair- (damn it) and I have got the bug even more with having the right men for the jobs- the work, behind and in front of the camera astounds me- these men and women are committed to doing their best for themselves and me- and it is such an honor to be working with them-

1st week wrapped-
Naked Dragon-

Interracial love between an LAPD cop and an FBI profiler- you are going to fall in love with them too, mark my word.

Be safe out there.

The making of NAKED DRAGON - (part 2)

I suppose these blogs become sort of a diary for those who write them- some use them for guest spots, but I am such a non-geek, I don't even know how to do a blog tour, let alone host one.

So for those of you who follow this, it's usually my ramblings, and God love ya for reading them.
But it's also a way for me to keep track of what is happening in my life, good and bad, and especially a great way to get things down as I am feeling them about making the leap from writing to film. And let me tell ya, it ain't no tiny step, it's pole-vaulting the Grand Canyon.

But I learned valuable lessons in making Capital Games. Trust. Trusting people and using people you can trust. Without naming names, in the first film, I learned that knowing nothing made me a target and victim of crime. Yes, crime, from people I trusted. Uh uh. Not gonna happen this time. I wasn't an SPD cop for nothing, I get it now.

It's all about contracts, and I have written in a few 'clauses' to stop the Crime element from running over me. But enough negative BS.

Here we go---- We start actual filming on Weds, yes, next Weds. I am directing. Me. Well, yes, it makes sense, I know the book, the characters, and believe me although directors are masters (some of the greats of the world) Still, it ain't rocket science. I may look like a dumb former cop, but I can do anything if I put my mind to it. It's about trust. About getting the actors who have scads more experience than I do to trust that I know what I am doing. And as far as the crew? I know a bit more this time than last, but still, when they start tech talk? I feel like Charlie Brown listening to his teacher, 'Waaa wahhh waaaa' and a blank stare comes over my face.

But my goal this time, is creativity. Ahhhhh, after 6 years of art school, and 20 years of writing over 100 novels, THAT I can do.

A friend who stopped by my place recently had a look at the headshots of my gorgeous stars. She of course, loved them, all stunningly beautiful men. But, she asked a question. "No women?"

Huh. I hadn't thought about it. But when the book was transformed into a screenplay, of course as you all know from Capital Games, scenes had to be cut, and budgets had to be met. So, hmmmm....where are the ladies??

Well, to be honest, my movies are for straight-bi women and gay men, so who cares? If you expect T&A watch something else, ANYTHING else, there is no shortage of nude women in movies and TV. They would stick tits in commercials if they could.

Yes, there will be a lady extra here or there in the background, but heck, Its cops!!! FBI MEN! (oh, and a female dispatcher, yes, me. had to cut corners somewhere.)

So here we have it. A cast of strikingly gorgeous men in uniform, and a love story between men. Am I ready to dive in? Yes and no. Yes! I want to do it, experience it, make my second film and see how much better it can be than my fist attempt. But am I intimidated to direct??

OY VEY!

I know whatever happens, this time? I have a loving, wonderful crew who will be there for me. Of course sleep is out. 6 day work weeks, long 12 plus hour days, don't expect me on the 'net too much. But buy my books! You, my lovelies, are funding these films, and if you want more of them, help me out. Buy one book. Heck, any little bit helps.

Will let you know how directing goes! Until then, stay safe, and stay tuned.