We, Renn Reed and Mark L. Barth, are genuinely honored that the
following have taken the time to write to me to express the following
encouraging remarks. The Sundance Institute’s Producer in Residence
Feature Film Program Anne Lai has been kind enough to share with us that
they, Sundance, have not only “…become fans of our project, “LOST
ANGELS[The Discovery]…[Dececmber 21, 2009]“, but that they, Sundance,
feel it has “tremendous merit and potential…[October 27, 2010]” and that
it made for even a tougher selection process this year”. We knew going
in and applying for the Sloan Commissioning Grant of $25,000 that we
probably wouldn’t make the cut being that our feature-length film is an
action, thriller, drama, not a documentary.
And when we applied for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival we were
fairly certain we wouldn’t make the cut there either, and we didn’t,
despite the current Sundance mantra that they are having a
“revolution”. Fact is we just weren’t, aren’t, good enough. When John
Cooper wrote me [Friday December 3, 2010] on behalf of the Sundance
Programming team to “…thank (me)”, and to “not to be discouraged by this
decision”, going on to say that “…we had far more worthy films than we
had room for in the program”, I took heart in this.
For some odd reason I have been told by some involved in the film
industry that I am “…an embarrassment to myself “. Why? Because I
choose to make films as a fifty something. But like Justin Bieber says,
“Never Say Never”. So I remind myself of requests from Malpaso
Productions asked for our script in December 2008. I was so excited I
sounded like a 2 year old at Christmas. Then in February 2009 Bruce and
David Willis’ former company Willis Brothers Films asked for our
script, I was equally as excited. Just as I was honored and thrilled
to have the opportunity to work and learn from all that I saw on set,
when I was selected for the extra work in National Treasure Book of
Secrets in May 2007 shot at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.
I am grateful for all of our sponsors, they are truly our heroes, and
we only have our words to thank them for all of their support through
these last ten years. Whether it was a one time donation, a discounted
product, or donations outright, and of course all of those on-going
donations, we can only show our appreciation through our efforts to keep
trying and pushing forward always keeping in mind the importance to
improve our understanding of their products, honing our talents, and
hoping one day to succeed in achieving our goals.
For Example, Sony Creative Software has made it possible for me to
explore my musical talents. The couple of measures one hears at our
website, http://www.LiquidIceEnt.com is the very first song I ever
wrote. I realize I have a long way to go in refining my musical
talents and skills, but I actually wrote this myself on our keyboard,
then took it into our Sony products and engineered it to what you hear
on our website. The entire piece can be downloaded for free at my
LinkedIn.com website
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8467278&trk=tab_pro, where
one can also hear a song I engineered titled “Shut-UP!” written for the
action sequences for our movie.
But of all the many hats I wear at Liquid Ice Entertainment the one
that has been the greatest challenge has been scriptwriting. Our
original script, “LOST ANGELS[The Discovery]“, is currently with one of
the top script consultants in the business. I am so grateful and
honored that this person is helping me, again saying thank you just
isn’t enough. I am a very detail-oriented person and having shot,
directed, and produced over 50% of “LOST ANGELS[The Discovery]” for my
“back-up plan”. I have been learning that scriptwriting and
scriptwriters in general, do not receive enough appreciation.
I realize as a novice scriptwriter that I have literally tons to
learn. But I know we have a good story or all of those stated above
would not have asked for our original script. But the art of
scriptwriting is a challenge unlike any other I have ever known, be it
editing, compositing, marketing, directing, etc. It is an art form that
challenges me to my very core. So when I read that many movies have
gone through numerous revisions some upwards of over 20, 30, 40
revisions, I take heart in my efforts to learn how to write a script the
“right” way. I believe it is something I can learn to do well, and the
“right” way. So when I am seriously disheartened as I am today by “IT”
all. I look at the different emails that Sundance and others, have
written to me, and focus on remembering the wonderful compliments that
professional people have given me. I keep moving forward through the
heartache of losing MY only desktop computer to hackers trying to get
the script, even if I am “embarrassing myself”.
Because afterall what else do I have? I am 57 years old and going on
eight years of being unemployed. We, Mark and I, have many good ideas
for theatrical films some of which are illustrated on our website. But
even if am never able to produce these other projects, I will at least
have honestly tried to make a go of it. For I must continue trying, if
for no other reason, than to show our beloved best friend Steven J.
Campbell, who suddenly fell ill and died March 2, 2001 from cancer of
the sternum. That he, Steve, coupled with my beloved husband Mark, did
NOT waste his time and efforts to help my heal AND survive cancer of the
cervix, twice back to back, just about one and a half years before he,
Steve, fell ill and passed away.
Steve never gave up on me. When I had cancer I got up to 400 pounds
from the medicine and being too weak to do much of anything. Steve
never stopped dreaming that he, Mark, and I could make movies. “Okay”,
he would say, “we’re older, but we can do it. It doesn’t matter that
we’re nobodies, or poor, ofr that we have a lot to learn, we can do
this… we can find a way to make our dreams come true”. Well the tenth
anniversary of burying our beloved friend and colleague arrives in two
days March 2nd, and I have nothing to show him as he watches us,
rooting for us, from up there somewhere above.
AND although I have lost my only desktop computer to hackers trying
to get our script; AND although recently our script was at another major
house in Los Angeles where they told us they liked the script but it
needs some more work; AND even though the financier with whom I had
thought I’d been building a good, strong, business rapport with and who
had referred me to this third house; I have to and must find a way to
move forward and I suppose create another back-up plan for my back-up
plan.
Because somehow I am going to make this movie, “LOST ANGELS[The
Discovery]” and make it the “right” way, which for me means this
includes Bruce Willis as the male lead star. So what that I dream
large, I say shoot for the stars, maybe I’ll catch the moon. There are
more stupid things I could be doing with my time like gossiping and
ridiculing people because they dream large, as the handful of people
have chosen to do about me.
Either way at least I am trying to do something constructive and
meaningful with my time, talents, energy, etc. I am working hard to
make sure all of you naysayer’s don’t get to me or bring me so far down I
give up on myself and my dreams. When I go to bed at night I can at
least tell myself the truth, I do keep trying, and trying to do it well.
Godspeed to you all.
Best,
Renn Reed, President
Liquid Ice Entertainment
