midnite lily's

With the months nearing the end of the year, and my heart entirely yearning to be in Sydney with Lee, I come very close to dropping out of doing this film. Somehow, I knew my heart wasn't going to be in it. Yet on the other hand, I knew a part of me would regret such a wonderful opportunity at hand. Lee took the narrative from me, and began breaking it down into a screenplay.

I was still half-hearted, but pleased he was trying to push me into doing something. To push me even further, he made me promise I won't leave for Sydney until I finish this film! Gasp! That is a tall order for someone who's so worn out from production work, and whose heart is no where else but starting life anew with Lee.

I started psyching myself up, and wondering what could I do to ensure I had the right drive and motivation to begin and finish this film. Almost intuitively, I mass messaged a few friends in the industry, on Facebook. I thought that, maybe if they knew about it, they could support me and help do some whip cracking to make sure I complete this. It feels really daunting to do it all alone. And maybe, if more people knew about it, I'd feel quite ashamed for not going through with it.

Somehow, one thing lead to another. They offered to act in it, or help with the production, and asked to read the narrative. They seemed excited with the story. Who wouldn't? Paulo Coelho is a brilliant writer who speaks to the soul! *^_^*

There were just a few minor details I had been worried over. Which soon enough, the Experimental Witch team replied to my email queries. Quite positively, I may add. They were ideas, out of the box, and skewing away in presentation from the exact text. Challenging indeed to direct it convincingly. But I'm beginning to have more confidence in doing this, with the more positive responses from my friends! And the very people I imagine directing the parts with.

So now, I'm done with draft three of the screenplay. And the task is still a long road ahead.

Posted by Zona Marie at 4:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There are so many opportunities in life that come and go... What happens to us, depend on what we decide to do with those opportunities. Where I am now, is the sum of all my choices - of the opportunities taken, and lost. But it is also the people around me, who choose to share in abundance. And whom most times, believe in me more than I do myself, that has helped me move forward.

Stumbling on Paulo Coelho's blog almost two months ago, is by no means an accident. Inasmuch as how I came to know this endearing writer. He is a man who writes with his soul; and his books, speaks to willing listening souls. Those who know how to listen, and let their hearts guide them.

The Internet is such a vastly amazing place to be in. We live in a sad, yet intriguing era. Never would I have expected to be this close to a man who has had over 40 million copies of his book sold! It is one thing to be reading his words, but it is another to receive his reply to your email in your own mailbox! He is a man of humility, despite his fame. It is amazing how he's embraced his readers - millions, the world over - as friends.

And because of his readers, he's begun The Experimental Witch project.

Throughout my career as a writer, I've met people that trusted me without knowing me well and they have helped me, enabling me to follow my dreams. I've been visiting the pages of readers this last year and I've seen excellent works by actresses & actors, musicians, directors, etc. That's why I thought: why not make a movie together? I would retain the rights of the film based on my latest book The Witch of Portobello while developing this partnership.

I have never done my own film. I have worked on many television shows and one feature film, in various capacity as a director, writer, assistant, line producer... all mostly with factual programmes for commercial viewing. I have never dared touch a dramatic narrative for my own undertaking. And I have had colleagues ask me, when will I direct my own short film. I guess the time to attempt it is now.

So, I have requested to narrate Nabil Alaihi.

Posted by Zona Marie at 2:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)