Di Passaggio

To the Cast and Crew of Di Passaggio

2009-01-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

To the entire Cast and Crew:

Today, I'm very pleased to announce that Di Passaggio has wrapped, after a grueling 10 month production schedule. This project would have not happened if it wasn't for the tireless dedication of this team, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

This project has been as much about the passage of the students on the 2008 Term A Montepulciano trip, as much as it has been about my own personal journey over this past year, something I certainly didn't plan when we started pre-production last March. To all of those who were on the trip, I thank you for your cooperation in allowing me to film your every move over the course of 6 weeks.

To Ansley, Matt, Leslie, John, and Charlotte, thank you for letting me look into your heads. It has been a pleasure (some days) hearing what you have to say about life each day for the past 7 months of editing.

To my principal cast:

Ansley

I promise your "smart alecky" comments were not taken to extremes.
You played the perfect "All-American Girl," after the first week once you got used to the Cameras.

Matt

Your candor was not expected. The way that you opened up on camera was real and very raw. I have appreciated your honesty.
I hope you've learned how to use the washing machine.

Leslie

You have the best one liners of almost anyone I know. Thanks for making me laugh on those tough editing days.
I'm glad the experience helped you to figure out your life.

John

We needed a philosopher, and you fit the bill very well.
I hope you find that special someone in your assorted theater productions this year.

Charlotte

You are one of my favorite people, and I wish I could see you more.
Thank you for your wisdom, it really provided a strong foundation for the film that would've lacked without your years of experience.

To my fantastic principal crew:

Mark

I really don't know where to begin. Thank you for sticking by me in what was a very difficult time. Your support and choice to continue working with me helped get me through in so many ways.
Your assistance in helping me whittle down the story through 60 hours of filming is unmeasured. It wouldn't have come out so well without your meticulous structural notes.

Preston & Scott

Though we didn't directly adapt your journals, I appreciate your letting us look at them. It helped me bring focus to the film, by taking the themes found throughout and adapt them for the screen. You helped bring that collective experience to life, and I appreciate that.

Jonathan

Same applies here for you. I appreciate your sticking by me when you didn't have to. I look forward to doing this marathon History of Radio film. We're crazy.
Your graphic work and editing prowess is far more advanced than mine, and without you in the mix, we wouldn't have such a strong package.

Brian

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but I also appreciate you sticking by me. It meant a lot.
Good luck as you get married, it's about time!

Michael

Thank you for dedication as a Consulting Producer. With your assistance, many of those early pieces were cut, because of your lifetime of experience in audio. I wouldn't have known some of these couldn't be fixed without this help.
I look forward to working with you in the future.

Lazan & Neal

Your sound work collectively improved so much on the initial recording. I look forward to working with both of you again soon.

Chris

Thanks for stepping in at the last minute. I don't know why we couldn't get it to sync, but it works now, and your work with levels made it much more effective.

The radio project is going to be fun. Intense, but fun.

Bruce

You're brilliant. I didn't expect you to come out with a score the way that you did, considering the budget we are working on. But you hit it out of the park, creating themes that were used throughout the piece. Good luck on your upcoming films and with the Greensboro Symphony. I hope that we will get to screen in Greensboro at the Carolina Film Festival.
I will certainly be using your services again.

Gareth

You're good at providing constructive feedback. I hope that Sundance is a blast right now, and I look forward to seeing you at my Lecture in February.

J. Michael

Though we didn't end up using the recording narration, your work as the narrator was just fine. I hope that we have the opportunity to work again in the future, and hope to see you at RIFF this Fall.
I appreciate your patience and willingness to do this project.
Good luck with Grad School, I hope AFI is where you end up.

Steven

Our stop motion animation experiment turned out to be something very special. When I preview it or screen it to others, that is always a universal compliment.
Thank you for "thinking like a 5 year old," I know that was a very difficult thing for an artist of your talent.
I hope that one day soon, you can be doing my storyboards.

Randy

"I Believe" is a very special song that fits the mood of the film tremendously well. Like the artwork, everyone wants to who sang that song.
I have placed a title card for your website at the end of the film, and I hope that people will continue to discover your work this way.

Finally, for everyone who has been a supporter of this film, the many individuals who have looked at small snippets and given me feedback, etc, etc...you guys are awesome. I wouldn't trade my friends and family for anyone in the world.

I love all of you guys, and I hope that you'll get the opportunity to see the film in Macon, at your local college campus, or at the other assorted TBD Festivals across the country this Spring.

All the best,
James

Di Passaggio Premiere Details

2009-01-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

Friends -

I am very pleased to announce Di Passaggio will hold its premiere at the Macon Film Festival in Macon, GA on Saturday, February 21st at 1:00 PM in the Douglass Theater. I would be honored if you were able to attend. Additionally, we're very excited to be premiering in the state for which it was made.

Tickets are on sale now, so if you want a seat, you need to get them by purchasing a SATURDAY PASS: http://tickets.coxcapitoltheatre.com/default.asp?SearchMonth=2/28/2009&MV=2/21/2009&sel=x

Feel free to forward this to relevant parties, it's inevitable I'll forget someone who needs to know.

World Premiere

2009-01-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

JamesWorks Entertainment is pleased to announce Di Passaggio will hold its World Premiere in the state for which it originated, at the Macon Film Festival.

Details TBA.

Music Complete

2009-01-01T20:42:00.000-08:00

Composer Bruce Kiesling has completed the original score for Di Passaggio. The film is set to be complete within a few weeks, pending the final sound mix.

Production Stills Online

2008-11-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

Available exclusively on our Facebook Page

Di Passaggio comes to IMDb

2008-11-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326210/

The credits are incomplete, but check us out and share with your friends!

Deleted Scene: Lost in Pompeii

2008-11-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

Check it out on YouTube!

Filmmaker Profiles: Steven Roberson

2008-10-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Steven Roberson
Animation Director

Steven Roberson is a second year student at Georgia Southern University studying drawing and illustration. He worked with James Kicklighter on the stop animation process for the “Toonsvilva” sequence in DI PASSAGGIO. Steven has been drawing ever since he can remember and has had formal training since he was eight years old. Equipped with over a decade of experience, he is striding towards a job in the field of game development and interactive design. After his undergraduate, Steven is planning on obtaining a Masters degree in the Fine Arts. Steven attended the Study Abroad Montepulciano trip in Term B, immediately after the group in the film.

Filmmaker Profiles: Lazan Banks

2008-10-13T21:23:00.001-07:00

Lazan Banks
Sound Designer

Lazan Banks was born in Washington, Pennsylvania. He attended Heritage Hills Christian Academy as a child, and transferred to Monessen High School when he was in his mid-teens. After graduating in 2005, Lazan studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he studied
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics.

In 2006, he transferred to Full Sail University in Orlando to obtain his Recording Arts Associates Degree. In 2007, after finishing the Recording Arts program, Mr. Banks decided to further his education at Full Sail through the Film Bachelors program. Lazan currently resides in Florida, where he is months away from completing his bachelors. He plans to continue his studies to obtain his Masters in Entertainment Business.

Mr. Banks is also an actor/comedian working on independent projects that have been viewed over one hundred thousand times on such websites as “Break.com.”

Filmmaker Profiles: Jonathan Pope

2008-10-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Pope
Associate Producer

Jonathan Pope is a Communication Arts major, with an emphasis in Broadcast Production, at Georgia Southern University. He is the acting Community Service chairman of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, and is also involved in several honors societies, including Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization. On the side, he works as a freelance videographer, editor, and graphic designer.

From a very early age, Jonathan showed signs of creative intuition. He began editing and graphic design work at the age of 15, and is now avidly pursuing a career in the film industry, while staying focused on his studies.

Previously, Jonathan has worked with James Kicklighter on several projects, including THAT GUY: THE LEGACY OF DUB TAYLOR. During the summer of 2008, He interned with the Graphics and Design department of CNN in Atlanta, Georgia.

Filmmaker Profiles: Michael Cardillo

2008-09-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

Michael Cardillo
Consulting Producer

Michael Cardillo is an Independent Sound Designer specializing in audio for video. DI PASSAGGIO is the first film project he has produced. He was on staff with Crawford Communications in Atlanta, GA from 1999-2007, where he did sound design and mix-to-picture for broadcast promos, advertising, documentaries, independent films and various other video projects.

Since then, he has struck out on his own through his company Cardillo Designs, which specializes in audio editing, mixing and sound design for broadcast, advertising, and corporate/ training video projects.

He recently accepted a side position to teach Sound Design and Audio Post Production classes at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Mr. Cardillo is a 1999 Honors Graduate from
Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned his B.S. in Recording Industry Management.

Filmmaker Profiles: Gareth Jones

2008-09-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Gareth Jones
Associate Producer

Gareth Jones was born July 5th, 1971, to two university professors, which would obviously influence his future endeavors. He went on to receive a B.A. in Film Studies from the University of Utah and an M.A. in Film Studies from Hollins University.

During this time, he also used his work experience to build a ten year relationship with the Sundance Film Festival, providing expertise in the management of crucial ground operations. Currently teaching film studies courses at Brewton-Parker College, Gareth Jones has channeled his lifelong love of film into a profession where he is able to share his passion for the art of film and hopefully inspire his students to look at film from a critical and analytical perspective.

Gareth Jones currently resides in Grayslake, Illinois with his wife, twin daughters, two jealous dogs and an ambivalent cat.

Filmmaker Profiles: Bruce Kiesling

2008-09-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Bruce Kiesling
Composer

Conductor Bruce Kiesling has a diverse background, which encompasses conducting, harpsichord performance, theater and piano work in both classical and popular genres. Bruce’s training includes degrees from The University of Michigan, The North Carolina School of the Arts, and The University of Miami, Florida.

The groups with which he has worked include the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Clarke Chamber Players (which he co-founded), the Carolina Chamber Symphony, and the Miami Oratorio Society. In addition, Bruce was the Supervising Music Director for the five-time Emmy award winning political satire troupe, The News in Revue.

As a keyboardist, Bruce is a recipient of the prestigious Duane Wilder Award for Harpsichord. He has led performances from the keyboard with the University of Miami Chamber Orchestra, the Clarke Chamber Players and served as harpsichordist for the Florida Baroque Ensemble. He has also provided piano accompaniment for countless recitals, musicals, showcases, and cabarets. As Resident Conductor for the Greensboro Symphony, Mr. Kiesling leads classical concerts, the hugely popular Holiday Concert at the Greensboro Coliseum, the Nutcracker, the Gospel Concert, the highly successful education concerts, and has appeared regularly with the Carolina Pops

In addition to these duties, he serves as Music Director and Conductor for the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra, having led the orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at Carnegie Hall in June 2007 where the orchestra received an immediate standing ovation. Most recently, he conducted the Youth Orchestra at the 2008 Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.

Recently, Mr. Kiesling served as music director, conductor, and pianist for “Das Barbecu” and composed music for the incidental score to “On Golden Pond” both at Triad Stage. He also adapted Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” for rock and roll band for the Greensboro Ballet’s production of “The Cracked Nut.” Other recent conducting opportunities have included the North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, The College of William and Mary Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Music Festival, and All-County Orchestras in Guilford and Alamance counties.For more information, visit his official website at http://www.brucekiesling.com/

Film is Locked!

2008-09-14T08:26:00.001-07:00

Stay tuned for updates. The blog will be seeing a lot more use in the coming months!

Teaser Trailer

2008-08-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Official Synopsis

2008-07-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

This summer, one group of college students is embarking on an international adventure, leaving behind the comforts of their lives in the United States to spend five weeks as foreigners studying abroad throughout Italy. While some are seasoned travelers, others have never stepped out of their state lines, yet alone the country.

There’s Leslie, an undeclared sophomore, who has never traveled alone or abroad and has no idea what to do with her life. While Leslie may be starting up her college career, Ansley is winding it down, completing her final two courses here before starting work in the fall. Matt, a first time world traveler and agnostic, is leaving home and his girlfriend behind, while John, a devout Catholic who struggles with a modern romance, is reconciling his place in a world at odds with his religious beliefs.

Together, they will learn to fit into a culture far different from their own, with a strange language, diet, and travel pattern that all of them have barely imagined. As Pat Conroy said, “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” These four young adults, mired between the age of innocent youth and adult responsibility, are discovering a destination that Henry Miller described as “…never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

JamesWorks Entertainment presents Di Passaggio, a Professor Pauper production, directed by James Kicklighter (That Guy: the Legacy of Dub Taylor), based on the journals of Preston Johnson and Scott Singleton, featuring Leslie Beard, Ansley Brackett, John DiPietro, and Matthew Kines. J. Michael Moncrief (The Legend of Bagger Vance) is the narrator. The producers are Kicklighter and Mark Ezra Stokes. The executive producer is Brian Holt. The associate producers are Jonathan Pope and Gareth Jones. The original score is from Bruce Kiesling.

Home

2008-06-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

This past week, I was fortunate to visit Siena and Lake Trasimeno, which were different experiences. Siena was a rare portrait of pre-Renaissance Italy, giving a delightfully old(er) school look and feel that was unlike any place in the country. It's much darker, and distinctively more Gothic. The Lake, of course, is famous for a little battle 2,000 years ago. It also happens to be the largest Freshwater lake in the country, which is beautiful. We visited some of the small islands in the middle, via Ferry.

All in all, it was a very restful week until the weekend, when I conducted interviews and last minute shooting before leaving. After making the full walk through the city on Sunday night, we departed beautiful Montepulciano. I was sad to go, but not as eager to come home as say, I was a week ago. Of course, it was a very rewarding experience and I was ready to return to the States, so I was quite understandably torn.

There are many things I've appreciated about their culture -- the slower pace, the appreciation of the small things in life, and their independent nature that is very different from our demands. I wasn't so eager to come back to our quickly paced, demanding culture that breeds much ignorance and selfish superiority.

However, after 27 long, sleepless hours, I finally landed in Savannah, GA. I realized on these assorted flights (Rome to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Atlanta, Atlanta to Savannah) that the best about going to your destination is making the journey back.

It is not enough to visit a place and stay there, even if it seems that it could be done forever. You have to take the experience with you to make the complete journey. In life, it is the experiences that make us who we are. The people we meet, the places we go, and the things we see all form a heightened sense of our humanity and place in the world. We realize our scope of influence is a wide cast net, going far beyond our boundaries. Any given event from our journey could have reshaped the way we see things, and thus, helps us to remold our own lives and attitudes, changing the people around us with newfound thought and behavioral processes. As such, it is my sincere hope that everyone who participated in the program will bring back some of their concepts and not leave them overseas.

Now, I will be taking a short week off before jumping into post-production. The blog, of course, will continue through that process as the crew is completed and we start editing. Stay tuned to follow the completion of the project and release plans.

Ciao,
James

The Beginning of the End

2008-06-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a wonderful trip, and I'm encouraged about the direction the film has been taking. This weekend, the long process of post-production will begin with the completion of the first, preliminary storyboard, based on the 21 hours shot thus far (there will probably be about 25 when we're done), all to be shuffled into approximately 90 minutes.

This storyboard will allow me to see what has been shot, where it connects, and what is missing for the editing process -- these things will be done next week, as we depart on June 23rd. This is not to say everything has been shooting in the dark during the past 4 weeks; everything was previously outlined, and stories are followed up on with meticulous notes after daily filming.

The storyboard is large, taking up almost an entire wall. Everything is being broken up into cities, which are going to be symbiotic to topics; for example, Rome represents power and corruption; Florence, art and discovery, Venice, love and relationships; etc.

Thus far, 5 hours have been logged into the board, and there are a few holes that need to be filled in. This is the advantage of figuring it out before leaving -- I want to avoid any reshoots in the States, because I've got the locations here. Additionally, it would simply be difficult to get anyone together for a set period of time.

Next week, we're going to Lake Trasimeno, Sienna, and what I'm most excited about, the Catacombs of Montepulciano, after finishing up Rome and Florence this week.

When I get home, I want to go to Chick-fil-A, where I can get a (Value Sized) #1 with Sweet Tea. There are other things, but that's primarily on my mind.

Ciao,
James

Assisi, Pisa, and Venice

2008-06-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Assisi, of course, is home to St. Francis and St. Claire -- the founding members of the orders that share their names. It's a nice, hillside town that has a lot of traffic due to the importance of these individuals upon the Catholic Church. Most striking is their tombs.

The Church of St. Francis has two layers; the old church on bottom, the new church on top. New is several centuries old of course -- about a thousand years, but what's that in European History? Most impressive are the paintings portraying his life by Giotto. The church was damaged badly a few years back with an earthquake, but experts have pieced it together in such a fashion that you can barely tell. His crypt is dimly lighted and quite stirring, in a simple, stone vault with assorted statuary on the walls.

St. Claire has a nice pink and white granite church, with a gorgeous tomb reminiscent of the Fox Theater in Atlanta. This starry blue ceiling has beautiful tones that anyone would appreciate. However, as I don't believe we take our bodies with us, I have no use for burial.

Pisa is fun, but when you see the leaning tower, it's easy to ask yourself -- that's it? When we see pictures, they're normally photoshopped. Hate to tell the rest of you who are blissfully ignorant, as I was myself, that it is in the middle of a piazza with the church and baptistery. However, as you walk up the tower, it is bizzare walking sideways and then forwards as you walk around the tower.

I hate heights.

So hitting the top was nerveracking -- top that off with a rainy day when the granite was slippery? Very exciting stuff. The steps have indentures from years of walking, so this makes it extra difficult. However, arriving at the top is not the end -- there is a tippy-top which requires going around another circular stairwell. Even more exciting in the windy, rainy day.

But I did it, filmed it, stayed coordinated and survived...before tripping out on the last step of the tower.

This weekend, I spent my time in Venice and spent entirely too much money (thank you Citi Rewards MasterCard). Fortunately, I believe I've completed my gift giving, so we're okay. I would divulge some of my purchases, but certain individuals read this blog and the surprise will be ruined.

Activities included:

Rialto Bridge
St. Mark's Basilica
Vaporetti Boat
Murano (where the glass is handblown -- I got myself a 6 piece wine set with gold trim. Yes, they were very expensive, but they are very nice and will last forever if they make it back in one piece).
St. Mark's Square (where I fed the birds! I had 7 on my body at one point along with a crowd of 50 pigeons and assorted international tourists to hear me sing "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins).

I had dinner canal side, which marks the most expensive meal of my life (and that is saying something for those who eat with me), but it was delicious and worth the experience. I do NOT eat Seafood, so I ordered Lasagna for my first course and Steak/Potato for my second, along with a nice glass of wine. It doesn't compare to Montepulciano's Vino Noble, however, which gets mentioned by anyone in Italy when I tell them it's my home base.

While shopping, I ran into a Delt from Southern Mississippi, a family from St. Simons Island, and some friends ran into a group from Georgia Tech.

It's a small world.

Ciao,
James

PS: This week, I'm going to Rome and Florence for the last time. The weekend will likely be spent in Montepulciano, as there are some filming chores to do. I've been reviewing footage, and things are still coming along nicely. We're at 18 hours, so if I can shoot 6 hours for the next two weeks, we'll be at 30 hours -- right where I wanted to be. Fingers crossed.

Hope

2008-06-03T23:27:00.000-07:00

I've missed being able to follow the Democratic nomination fight while in Italy.

As I write today, the inevitable nomination of Barack Obama has come to pass. He's got the right amount delegates, and depending on the math, the popular vote. Most of my closest friends know that I have been very skeptical of Mr. Obama throughout the process, as a devout Hillary supporter in the primaries.

Mrs. Clinton's experience as a public servant for the past 40 years, dating all the way back to her excellent College graduation speech, has always been inspiring to me. However, not everyone feels this way. I find that many people dislike Hillary because she's "cold," "distant," or "conniving." This to me has always been a silly reason to outright hate her, because it has little to do with what she stands for.

In fact, if you look at her record, she has been dedicated to helping people throughout her career. Her Methodist youth pastor in the 1960's first taught her this importance, reminiscent of my own former pastor, who has been a great teacher in my life.

To me, Christians who reject the causes she has championed, such as Healthcare and other services, should take a hard look at their Bible. These people are self-serving Pharisees who seek to advance their own wealth, rather than remembering the needy who must have our help. Indeed, her causes have not always be popular among this "Pharisee class," but they have always taught me to be a voice for those who don't have the money or the privilege be heard. Sure, she and President Clinton have amassed many material goods -- yet they have never forgotten their cause.

Yet, despite all of her qualifications and dedication, she lost. Not only did she lose, but she lost to a first term U.S. Senator who has barely been in office 2 years. I simply haven't understood this phenomenon. In whose right mind would anyone vote for someone so lacking in experience? Sen. Obama is a great public speaker, but there is much more to politics and leadership than speech making (though it is an important component, no doubt).

With all of this in mind, it has become very important to learn about the Democratic nominee before making an informed decision as to who I will vote for in November. Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton have always been very similar as far as their agendas are concerned. While some may not agree with these policies, I would hope they would realize the policies of the current administration have failed miserably. Thus, with his securing the nomination, it has been important for me to discover more about his past.

Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure to learn more about the Senator in "Obama: from Promise to Power," written by the Chicago Tribune's David Mendell. The book is a very unbiased approach that gives readers a clear perspective on his life story, which you aren't likely to find in his own books. I learned the following:

He's Ambitious...and always has been. In fact, I would argue that all presidential candidates are. I reject the notion that any candidate runs to enter the Oval Office with completely selfless reasons -- it's a very egotistical job.
His father was absent. Obama, Sr. fathered multiple children with multiple wives, only meeting his son Barack twice during his life, having very little impact on the Senator. Barack's mother and grandmother are a much better indicator of his upbringing. However, the Obama, Sr. was brilliant, being a Harvard Scholarship recipient. Those who argue the Senator is "Muslim" by his father's influence are not only downright ignorant, but stupid. He's probably somewhere between a secular humanist and a liberal Christian.
Barack is Bipartisan. When he was editor of the Harvard Law Review (the most prestigious legal publication in the country), the Senator placed conservatives who were against his ideological beliefs in editorial roles to maintain balance in the publication.
He didn't jump into politics. In fact, Obama spent his years before Harvard as a community builder in low-income Chicago. When he couldn't get churches from around the city to work together and help the poor (due to prejudice), he went to Harvard Law believing legal work would be the way to help them out.
He spent time in a third world country. After spending his earliest years in Hawaii, Mr. Obama went to live in Indonesia with his single mother (who was in the Peace Corps), where he experienced first hand the suffering of poverty. After Obama had an accident with barbed wire, the family returned to Hawaii. It was there he completed his education at a white, elite private school.

Does he have experience? Not in the sense that Hillary does. However, he has the tools to be a very successful leader:

He's articulate. Obama writes the first draft of every speech he gives. Interestingly enough, he has an incredibly difficult time delivering pieces that speechwriters have penned. I'd love to see what a George W. speech would look like if he wrote it...
He's liberally educated. In the sense of "liberal arts," the Senator has got everything it takes -- with an undergraduate degree from a small school in California, and a diploma from Harvard Law. That's not even mentioning his real life experiences, ranging from running a poor community in Chicago, living in a third-world country, or dealing with life in a single-parent home.
He's fluent in policy. I would pit a former editor of the Harvard Law Review against anyone. Additionally, as a former College professor, the Senator even taught law before he went into politics. He understands it up and down, which would make him an excellent candidate to craft policy.

As we all know, the Republican nominee is Sen. John McCain, a man who I have always admired. In fact, through my studies at American and Georgetown Universities in during my high school years, he was someone I followed. He was neither Republican or Democrat to me, but rather an "affiliated Independent," who always voted his mind. This is an admirable trait to me. Unfortunately, Sen. McCain has chosen to tie himself to the policies of the past eight years by aligning with President Bush. To achieve the presidency, he has sold out on the values he has held throughout his career, in an effort to appeal to a base which has never liked him.

When I survey our country today, I see a tarnished flag that no longer wraps the blessings of freedom around its people. We are no longer a place where all men are created equal, but rather a society that gives only the privileged and well-endowed the right to succeed. We're piled up so high in debt that we can't afford to save for retirement, pay for a college education, or help the elderly who can't pay for their medicine. Ultimately, America is stuck in a war abroad, while we fight to stay afloat at home.

From sea to shining sea, the people cry for a new direction, and for new leadership that will restore the American flag domestically and abroad. With more hope and inspiration than ever, I will be throwing my support behind Sen. Obama in the fall election, and plan to do everything I can to get involved and ensure that this man of considerable intelligence and education will be our next President. While he wasn't what I was initially looking for, it is not a concession to say "he is the next best choice," implying he is a secondary choice because my candidate lost. He is just as ready to lead on day one, but for a different set of reasons.

I still believe that in this country, those who work hard will be rewarded, even if you come up a little short. Our dreams still live, even if things don't end up the way we planned or expected.

Ciao,
James

Amalfi Coast and Pompeii

2008-06-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

I have been instructed to quit using "amazing," "awesome," and "incredible" in my blogs. Apologies, but I'm afraid it's so overwhelming there are very few adjectives that properly describe it.

But it is all of the above.

Let's talk about the Amalfi Coast. If you're not aware, this is in the Southern peninsula of Italy, and probably the country's most well-endowed region as scenery goes. You've got steep mountains inland, with breathtaking clear water and black sand beaches on the other side. It was a great experience going around the corner of Italy, where two oceans collide...coming down the mountain.

Yes, the mountain -- which turns out to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Steep, yet beautiful drops put you very narrowly between life and death. Fortunately, highly qualified bus drivers can navigate between you and literally one inch of space between other cars and buses. And yes, I got some fantastic footage for the film, including a dramatic bit where we almost hit another bus barreling around the corner.

We all survived.

Instead of going to a touristy place like Amalfi, I stayed a kilometer away in a surprisingly small, but charming town, Etrani. The people are ridiculously nice and the view is great. The largest, dodgeball sized lemons grow in this region -- which it is famous for, specifically limoncello . Though I cannot bring back the fruit, unfortunately, I am bringing back 2 bottles of this delicacy.

Pompeii was as good as I expected it to be. My favorite place has to be the whore house. The pictures were quite vivid, and you knew exactly what you were getting. The House of the Faun was a little disappointing, because Mr. Faun is not nearly as big as I expected it to be. However, what was most impressive was the preservation of the tile and intricately designed mosaics. The construction of the these homes, though in ruins, were far superior to the buildings today. It is very eerie walking across these grounds, though, thinking that it was once a bustling city with thousands of residents, who were all wiped out in an instant.

In fact, going beyond that, it is hard to wrap around the thought that millions of individuals have walked where I have this entire trip. People from far in the past -- and people who will walk far into the future. Thousands of years from now, will people come through my hometown as ruins? Could Dingus Magee's become a tourist spot in a ruined Statesboro? Would a quake send San Francisco Bay underwater, into a submarine attraction of ancient American civilization?

Our lives are less than a word in the long book of history.

Ciao,
James

The Weekend Deux and "people-who-don't-deserve-to-be-here"

2008-05-28T13:02:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I will be going to the Amalfi Coast, as previously discussed. We're going to Rome tomorrow, where we will explore the Colosseum, the Senate, and San Clemente, which is built on multiple layers of history, with the oldest piece at the bottom. I'm very excited. In the evening, I'll be staying over to explore the city and do whatever I wish to do.

Today, I did three interviews, two of which ran over 40 minutes and were very good. However, it was very tiring after all of that. I've almost reached 10 hours, which is a little behind my 12 hour schedule that was outlined for projected completion by this time, but it's still very much on track. At this point, I'm starting to freak out a little bit and wonder how it's all going to piece together, but I've got a lot of confidence that things are going to go well. I'm reviewing each piece after it's done, taking notes, and keeping a meticulous outline and flowchart.

Bruce Kiesling is interested in composing the score. Hopefully this will work well, as I've wanted to work with him for a while.

A lot of people have no idea the amount of time and effort that goes into directing a film, especially in the documentary realm.

When I say there are "people-who-don't-deserve-to-be-here," I'm referring to the people who don't appreciate the landmarks and experiences that they can be exploring. These are individuals who find these places boring; the people who want to go to McDonald's, and have no desire to experience culture. There are many who wish they could be able to travel around the world and see places, but can never afford or be given the opportunity to do it. When people who are given everything can't take a moment to appreciate it, I'm always ticked.

I've had to work hard to accomplish many of the things that I have done, and have been given many opportunities by caring individuals that want to see me succeed. By rejecting the chances that are given to you, I feel like you're rejecting the help people have given you over the years.

But it's only my opinion, whatever it's worth.

Ciao,
James

Catch Phrase and Florence Deux

2008-05-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

This has little do with Italy, but it has to do with life.

There is a difference between getting ahead and getting ahead ethically. You can learn a lot about what people think on this matter by playing a game. In this case, Catch Phrase. Some people playing the game yesterday with me decided to dawdle purposefully as "strategy" in order to knock someone out. In this case, the person was me. They say it's sour grapes, but it's really not. I don't mind losing out on something if I lose fair and square -- this goes far beyond games.

If I'm not qualified to do a job, I don't mind someone else getting it. But if someone purposefully does an action to cause someone else to fall out of the running, this is cheating to me. Some people argue this is what the business world is like. Trust me, I've dealt with the business world multiple times. This isn't a mindset that has to exist, but it does in the realms of the overly ambitious and self-centered. Playing dirty to win in games seems to spill out into life, and it's remarkable.

This is something that frankly pisses me off about the American mentality. Many do what they can to get ahead, rather than thinking about the people along the way, or the individuals they hurt or hold back. There is a much better way to go about life, and that's to help people along the way. Idealistic? Naive? Perhaps. But I've been able to do this so far, and I've had no problems being successful. Look at these Italians. They're laid back, spend time to smell the roses, and still get a lot done.

Anyway.

Today in Florence, I went to a Human Wax museum. It was disgustingly delicious, in a Tim Burton-esque kind of way. One of the oldest pieces was made in 1700, based on a human skull that is at the bottom of the layers of wax. As there were no pictures and videos allowed, I bought a picture book. The University of Florence owns the place, and it's an actual working scientific laboratory.

After, I went to market and was able to shoot some footage of people negotiating for the movie (PS: we're up to 9 hours of footage, right on track for the projected 36). I bought a nice leather jacket (hand stitched with Lamb's Wool lining, made in Florence, which has the best leather in the world), along with a few silk ties. Those are my gifts to myself, because I didn't want to come back with some gaudy "I Love Italy" or "Florence" shirt. Those are gaudy.

People who wear those are the worst kind of tourists.

Ciao,
James

Weekend

2008-05-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

It was fairly uneventful. I took the time to rest and didn't do any traveling.

Otherwise:

I tried Wild Boar and Ravioli -- that was delicious.
I made a Tomato/Cheese/Sausage/Salami Pasta for my group. It came out well.
I hiked down to San Biago, an absolutely gorgeous church here in Montepulciano at the bottom of the hill. I also passed by a cemetary, which is ancient and much different than the ones we see in America.

I'm fully rested now, and ready for the week. Going back to Florence and Rome during the week, spending the weekend on the Amalfi Coast (Capri/Naples area) and visiting Pompeii and Vesuvius, hopefully spending some time on the beach in the Mediterranean.

Ciao,
James

Wine Tasting and Florence

2008-05-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

We were treated to a special wine tasting at one of the local wineries on Wednesday. We had five different kinds of wines; 2 whites, 2 reds, and a dessert wine. This ended up being less of a tasting and more of a drunking for most people. Regardless, it was good. I believe I'm going to be bringing back more of the white wine -- and I'm figuring out how to do it, because it costs 100 Euros to ship, which is ridiculously expensive, but for 3 Euros, they give us a package that can be put safely in our suitcase...then the scenario becomes how to get it in along with everything else.

Joy.

Currently, I'm trying to reconfigure my trip a little bit due to the Garbage Strike in Naples. Though it would be an interesting experience...I don't know, what would you suggest? Comment away.

I liked Florence better than Rome. We went to the Uffizi and the Academia, where we saw some of the world's finest art (in fact, 25% of this is housed in Florence), including Michelangelo's David. This was an especially interesting experience for me.

I struck a conversation with a stranger from Mexico, who came to Italy to see the country on a 5 day vacation with his family. After discussing the blessings of seeing a foreign country extensively at my age, he discussed his disappointment that so many came in shorts and a t-shirt...girls coming like "Britney Spears." In his eyes, this is the cradle of Western Civilization, and coming in no less than Church attire is disrespectful to the innovators that the rest of us have tried to emulate for centuries.

You know, he's right.

I think many of us take these locations for granted as tourist locations, but these are places where some of the world's greatest thinkers and innovators have walked. But now, far in to the future, the commercialization of the area really trivializes these facts.

In the corner, his father of 84 years was looking at David. He last saw the statue 30 years ago, and is now dying, knowing he will never see the statue or birthplace of western civilization again. He looked at it solemnly, in little rush to leave. Earlier, the stranger mentioned to me that at our age, we "gulp everything in."

Indeed, the world is our oyster, a place eternal that has no confines. But then I look to the man in the corner, to see the weight of the world in his eyes, as he observes something beautiful that represents all of humanity. I wonder what thoughts were going through his head as he scanned each detail, far more meticulously than the rest of us. I wonder how many people have come throughout their lives to have the same experience, as they near their death.

As they got up to go, he rose very slowly and serenely, as he saw David for the last time. With his cane, he walked out as though he had achieved something -- what, only God knows.

I'll never forget the look in his eyes.

Ciao,
James

My Apartment

2008-05-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

I have to run, but here are 4 quick pictures of the view from my apartment...I can't connect my camera, obviously, because I'm shooting 35MM, but I have a lower grade camera on my laptop that gives you an idea.

The Vatican

2008-05-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

It's rained almost every day. Currently, I'm sitting outside in 40 degree wet weather so I can have Internet access -- but this is a good thing, because I just discovered I am the recipient of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters 2008 Lanier Finch Scholarship. That's a good thing.

Anyway, this morning we left Montepulciano at 7:30 AM, got stuck in traffic and didn't arrive at the Vatican until 11:30, when it's only a two hour drive. Blah on that. When we arrived, it would stop and start waiting, which was an annoyance in this ridiculously long line to enter the Vatican -- lots of footage shot there. After about 40 minutes, we got in and visited some of the galleries before arriving at the Sistine Chapel.

Now, this is amusing. They have a no camera/no camcorder/no flash/no laying-down-on-the-floor-to-look-at-the-painting rule. Despite the guards, when you round the corner, what is everyone doing? Using their camera/camcorder/flash/ laying-down-on-the-floor-to-look-at-the-painting . It is indeed gorgeous, and I have more filmed footage of that. However, shockingly, I preferred St. Peter's Basilica. I thought it was gorgeous, and since it is so ridiculously expansive and intricately detailed (as though the Sistine is not), it makes me appreciate how horrible our modern architecture is. Functional, but pre-packaged.

One of the girls I'm following, Leslie, was really in awe of the place. She has never traveled before, and the look of wonder on her face as shooting was going on was simply priceless -- in fact, she was about to cry.

Gelato is way better than Ice Cream. I've had it several times now -- the best way to describe it is much creamer than the American variety. Last night, I had the best Lasagna I've ever had. It was sensational. Interestingly enough, even though I've been here a few days, it feels like it's been much longer -- but in a good way.

One of the downsides to this is not hearing anything about what is happening in the U.S. This is an interesting phenomena, because we as Americans feel so entitled to everything, it is refreshing to go somewhere and realize there is a whole part of the world that functions just fine without us -- though our products are seen occasionally (Coke).

I received some sad news from home via email; a lady at my church died, someone who had been very kind to me all my life. She had a heart attach. I would periodically help her with things when I lived at home. As I sit here late at night in the mist and the cold, I wonder if she got to experience anything like this...I know she traveled, but I don't know how much or often. So many people live their whole lives to never see beyond the radius in which they were born.

I have been very lucky.

Ciao,
James

I Made It

2008-05-19T03:34:00.000-07:00

The trip was very long. I was awake a grand total of 34 hours by the time I got to sleep at my Apartment here in Montepulciano.

First off, Lufthansa is the best airline in the world -- they serve beer and wine complimentary! The food was also very good, surprisingly, for airline food. There was even fresh fruit for breakfast. On the topic of wine, I have been enjoying the regional wine at dinner, as it is custom to have wine at meals. Even the house wine at the restaurants are exceptional. Everyone on the trip is attending a wine tasting at a winery here in town on Wednesday.

The city is interesting, with pedestrian walkways and the streets being one and the same. Frankly, I couldn't drive a car on these narrow streets, because I believe I would hit something. It's very enchanting, like something out of a story or picture book -- old country, old construction, dating back to the 1500's in some parts. The food has been delicious, served in multiple courses over a two-hour time span. This laid back atmosphere is a nice change of pace, because in the United States, we are so accustomed to rushing around all the time. The panoramic landscapes are sensational, I'm going to have some really good pictures. It's been raining off and on the whole time, which has made for some pretty wet street shots . Communication is interesting, as I speak no Italian. Pointing and gesturing makes for effective ways to select food and pay for things. Some people speak limited English, so this helps. Over the course of the trip, I expect to pick up on some Italian, maybe speak some basic.

Thus far, filming of the documentary has been going well. The first real interviews are today, and I have arranged for a historical tour of the city, which will be important footage. Additionally, we're trying to figure out a way to tour the Catacombs underneath the city without getting lost and dying underneath, so that will be an adventure as well.

Tomorrow, we'll be visiting Rome and the Sistine Chapel, among other places. There is a six hour time difference, so as I write this entry, most of you who work are just getting up -- it's 12:39 PM here. This hasn't been a very difficult adjustment for me, it only took a day.

And on that happy note, I must be off -- much to do, little time to do it. Next time, I hope to upload some digital pictures for you.

Ciao,
James

Passing Through...

2008-05-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

...is the English translation of "Di Passagio," which is the name of this personal/production blog for my film and trip to Italy over the course of May 16 - June 23rd, 2008. I plan to update this often with pictures and many details, covering personal and filmmaking experiences.

My documentary follows four college students, a devout Catholic in the heart of his religion, a Senior about to enter the workplace, a sheltered Freshman unsure about her future, and a first time international traveler who has never been separated from his girlfriend.

In addition to the film, I will be taking two classes, Drawing and Printmaking while in the city of Montepulciano (Monday/Wednesday), taking trips on Tuesday and Thursday, and spending the weekends exploring and shooting in major cities.

My flight is today at 6:00 p.m. from Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta, Georgia, connecting in Frankfurt, Germany, then Rome, and finally a bus to Montepulciano sometime late Saturday afternoon.

Until then, Ciao!

- James