After the whirlwind adventure of making my film “Something Special” in New Zealand, it was a bit of an adjustment back to real life.  For days afterwards, I was still working on my film in my sleep.  I would wake up every day with a new edit idea or sound change and then remember that my film is finished.

-New Zealand’s paper thin ozone layer and blazing hot sun

-Pineapple Lumps (What can I say? They’re addictive!

Making this film has also reminded me how much I enjoy hiking (or tramping as the Kiwis call it and exploring the great outdoors.  I can’t wait for the weather here to warm up so I can get out there.

CUT!   That’s a wrap!  

And … ACTION!

Greetings from Seattle, Washington!

After the whirlwind adventure of making my film Something Special in New Zealand, it was a bit of an adjustment back to real life.  For days afterwards, I was still working on my film in my sleep.  I would wake up every day with a new edit idea or sound change and then remember that my film is finished.

Thank goodness for the Olympics!  The 2010 Winter Olympic Games began as I arrived back home and helped me through my adjustment period.  I admit I am a sucker for the Olympics, both winter and summer.  Every day of the Olympic Games is filled with real-life dramas (both triumphs and tragedies).  There is nothing like watching the pure joy that lights up the human soul when lifelong dreams are attained, and when people realize that in that one perfect moment they did their best and it was the best in the world.  It is difficult to watch the disappointments and even tragedies of the Games, but they are of course a part of life, there are lessons to be learned in them, and they make us appreciate the triumphs even more.

So, what now?  Well, I am throwing myself back into my screenwriting with renewed passion.  Before flying off to New Zealand for the Your Big Break competition, I was in the process of promoting my most recent feature screenplay Act of Faith, an emotionally rich, dramatic thriller.  It has been very well reviewed and now I am trying to get it into the hands of interested studio execs.  I am also working on a new thriller which takes place in the complex world of microfinance.  I know it sounds boring, but microfinance is an amazing new field that is changing the world.  Then for something completely different, I am also now working on a romantic comedy script.

My script "Act of Faith".

Additionally, I have ideas for more shorts and am connecting with fellow filmmakers in the Seattle area to try to get more projects off the ground.  If anyone reading this is interested, contact me at KristiSimkins(AT)hotmail.com or find me on Facebook.

Looking back on my YBB experience with a bit of distance now, I feel even greater appreciation.  When I first came up with the title for my script (and now film) it felt right, but since then its meaning has expanded to encompass so much more.

Some of the things I will always remember:

• meeting Barrie Osborne, discussing my script with him and receiving his wise advice
• how generous, helpful, and talented everyone was from the organizers of the competition, cast, crew, and all the pre- and post-production professionals
• the amazing Park Road Post Production facilities
• the magnificent beauty and diversity of the New Zealand landscape
• New Zealand’s blazing hot sun
• Pineapple Lumps (What can I say? They’re addictive!)

A bag of Pineapple Lumps we brought back from NZ in our fruit bowl ... They must have some real pineapple in them, right?

Making this film has also reminded me how much I enjoy hiking (or tramping as the Kiwis call it) and exploring the great outdoors.  I can’t wait for the weather here to warm up so I can get out there.

Most of all, I am grateful for this amazing opportunity because it confirmed unequivocally that I NEED to do this.  I absolutely love filmmaking and its unique way of storytelling.  In the past when I turned away from filmmaking and went in another direction, filmmaking was always in my heart and soul calling me back.  I know I was right to heed that call.  I need to make films that move people, make them think and feel as only films can.  I believe I have done that with my film Something Special and I have many, many more stories to tell.

One of our cats watching me from above while I write.

I am proud of my film and the amazing work of everyone who helped me create it.  I never expected my film to be universally loved; no film ever is or could be.  We all have different tastes and that makes life interesting.  However, I did hear from many people who were deeply moved by my film and that makes it all worthwhile for me.

I am extremely grateful to everyone involved in this project from beginning to end.  I wish the very best for Tim, Aya, Raj, and Andrés, as well as all of you.  Thanks for reading, thanks for watching, and keep filming!

Kristi

CUT! That’s a wrap!