First Glimpse

Hello friends and viewing public!

A bunch has happened since my last post. I got a very severe "allergic reaction" which was diagnosed as Scrombroid fish poisoning or something like that and after the initial hives and feverish feelings, I woke up to swollen and red everything, and then vomitting, and the next day after that I couldn't walk my feet were so swollen and in pain. So I missed the meeting with Bridget and TJ, much to my sadness, as I really really wanted to meet Bridget in person.

So uh, word of advice: No matter how much you really love sushi and no matter how hungry you are it is no excuse to forget everything you know about safety and health concerns regarding raw fish. Do not let it sit around for 2 or 3 hours unrefrigerated before you finally get a chance to eat it. XD Goodbye spicy tuna roll, and all meat for a long time. I guess I'm going back to 95% veganism until I stop getting sick all the time.

Anyway, I currently (finally) have in my possession the mass amount of footage for The Artist Formerly Known As Trina as I met up with TJ on Thursday and got it. Woo!

As soon as I got the footage I went into Staples and grabbed some notebooks and pens and highlighters, because I recognized that there's a looooot of footage and I would need to take some pretty intense notes. While I could do this on the computer, I feel it will be much easier for me to write the notes about each clip in a notebook. So far this has proven true, and I won't lose the information in the notebook if I switch programs or anything.

What amuses me is that I started my viewing party with  footage that from what I can tell was not intended to be recorded (Bridget says at some point in the recording that she is not recording) - it's TJ in a class, giving a very illuminating lecture on a research paper she wrote (and won money and awards for I think). It's very interesting to watch TJ teach; she's very charismatic and deeply interesting to hear present information, and usually cracks a joke every other sentence to keep her class engaged, which they VERY much are. Her class is less a lecture and more like a delightful conversation which makes it very easy to learn. I once read or heard somewhere that when you laugh, when you're amused, you learn much faster.

I've also watched a few interviews with people, a show she performed at, and all the blooper footage from the Kickstarter video they did. What's fun for me is trying to figure out how I can use everything, even the stuff that wasn't necessarily intended for the final cut. Sometimes that means showing B-roll (that's the kind of footage that you cut to when someone else is talking) for a good quote when the footage doesn't look good, and sometimes it just means getting VERY creative with how I cut things together. A lot of what I'm doing is listening for sound bytes - good things that will help move the film along and present information in a nice, clean way without too much extraneous verbage. I'll put time codes for anything I find really interesting and want to go back to, especially when the clip is longer than 3 minutes.

In my notebook I write down any sound bytes I hear, I write down a summary of what each clip is (even if it's throwaway footage), I'll put a note about the quality and cinematography, and I have three degrees of highlight - yellow means I know I can use it, orange means I'll use it if I can find a spot for it but I think it would be fun to use or maybe I just found it really funny, and blue means I wrote a production note and need to make sure I re-read it. I don't know that any sane person would use my organizational systems, but they work for me, I promise.

Anyways, I have a horrible condition and it's called insomnia. I have work at 8 AM (it is now 3:15AM) and I only ever feel truly productive between the hours of 10PM and 6AM. And once I start being productive I hate to stop. But I must. I have gotten 1-5 hours of sleep every night since Monday this week. Sleep is such a waste of time. ;)

Goodnight everyone. Here's one-of-if-not-my-favorite-comedian, Kyle Kinane, talking about insomnia and being the midnight scientist that he is to lull those of you crazy enough to be awake at this hour to sleep. And for those of you sane enough to be reading this in the morning, or better yet the afternoon (why would you wake up before noon unless you have to? You guys are the truly sane ones), may it delight your day further.

- Kristy

Thank you for being a friend and a financial backer!

Hello friends and fans of Tiny Superstars. Thank you for checking in. Today's post will be short.  I very much enjoyed Krist's post, and am very excited that she is on board with this project.

I just wanted to take a quick minute to say thank you to some peeps. Since DAY ONE, B and I have had an endless amount of love and support. We are truly grateful to each and every person who has taken the time and energy to offer us encouragement. The video below is the LONG OVERDUE personal thank you to our financial donors. We know the economy is less than awesome, and we know that people work hard for their money. The amount that we received during our kickstarter campaign had allowed us to: buy equipment, travel to Iowa, and much much more.  This could not have happened without our financial backers. There is no doubt in my mind that we will finish this film and that it will be amazing--You will ALL be happy with the final outcome. I promise.

One of the things that I take great pride in is the fact that I have a VERY diverse group of people in my life. As you watch the video below I'm sure you will see that. My comedy is about bringing all kinds of people together, and I'm grateful that so many people chose to believe in me and Bridget when we decided that it would be a fine idea to make a film. Our country may be divided politically and such, but one thing stands true--everyone wants to see us succeed. Not just the 105 people in the video below, but everyone in our lives! THANK YOU!

Enjoy the video! Click on the link below.

TINY SUPERSTARS THANKS OUR FINANCIAL BACKERS!

I'll be back soon, and so will Kristi and B Naj.

TJ

Why, Hello There!

Hello from your newest Tiny Superstar!

My name is Kristy, and I'm super excited to be here. Tomorrow (well, technically today) I meet Bridget for the first time outside of electronic communication and receive the footage, and TJ for the second time in relation to this project. I'll be keeping you kids updated with my side of the production, and to start us off I have a lot to talk about.

I'm friends with at least three of these comics; some of the funniest people I know.

I saw TJ for the first time performing comedy at a show in Burbank, where if memory serves she was the headliner. When she said she was in search of an editor a week ago or so, a mutual comedian friend pointed me her way and I jumped at my chance to impress her first chance I got. And apparently I did, because here I am now!

I love editing more than a lot of things, because I love having such a huge and important part in bringing together the efforts and imaginations of many a creative peoples. I also like it because I'm good at it. I've found fixes for the nearly unfixable through editing, bringing back projects many would have abandoned for lack of cohesion. That's perhaps the thing I love most about editing - that I can do that. Previous projects for me started with various videos for fun when I was in middle school, went on to completing school projects via film in middle school and high school, grew in college where I've grown producing not just assignments for my own class, but also helping all my friends in their production classes as well (usually these were more advanced classes than mine since I am at least a year younger than most of my friends), and progressed into creating films for competitions and even a local television show that was produced weekly in NY where I served as director, writer, actor, set designer, editor, and special effects editor (needless to say it was a huge handful). I've had a hand in pretty much every aspect of film making because film is just the greatest thing ever and I can't get enough of it.

When TJ and I met officially for the first time, we hit it off pretty quickly. There's a lot of things about our personalities that I think mesh very well. She gave me an official rundown of what would be required of me and the immensity of the task at hand, and it only got me more excited to work on the project. She told me about her story, the story driving the documentary, and it struck me as deeply fascinating. I absolutely admire the drive and courage she has displayed in her past, and the positive outlook she has taken it all in with. She told me a little about Bridget, and asked me a few questions about myself while ascertaining the similarities the two of us have (from what I remember in particular, a love of indie rock and Disney).

<3

At points in the conversation, TJ struck up a conversation with these disruptive boys who gave off an air of hooliganery and watching them interact was great fun for me (especially since I rarely even talk to people I know for no reason at all, let alone strangers). As she commented (here comes my poor paraphrase) "it's not often you see a forty-something dyke talk to three boys like them just out of the blue like they can do that." Then they asked us for a couple of dollars to get donuts and we both complied. They had this beach ball that TJ formed an attachment to and after they'd disposed of it, she asked if they would get it for her. A long time passed in our conversation, and surprisingly enough they came back with the beach ball, which had apparently gotten caught on the roof. I'm still amused and baffled that they went through so much trouble to get it for her. Eventually we parted ways after figuring out around when our next meeting could be.

During the conversation, TJ mentioned how she really did want a female editor to work on this. As a female editor, I can tell you that's not a particularly easy task. For some reason editing is one of those careers that does not attract a lot of women, sort of like comedy. While it may be because generally girls seem more attracted to more social occupations than editing, I think (and I believe TJ as well, from our conversation) that it has a lot to do with enablement in early life. I am positive that is true in at least comedy. Girls are not enabled to believe in themselves and their abilities with the same sort of gusto as a boy is. Girls are not generally encouraged to be funny or cerebral (which is to me a crime), and while we live in changing times and this may not be entirely true in the newer generations, it was certainly true for me growing up. And I'm a rebel at heart.

I remember a particular time when I was a kid, wherein my dad would quiz my brother on math and only ever ask him problems, and I threw a fit and demanded to be asked as well, pointing out that maybe the reason I didn't seem as good at math as my brother was because I received little to no encouragement (despite my natural affection for it), especially in comparison. I was very into women's rights at 8 years old, something that has only deepened and grown as I've gotten older.

Anyways, it occurs to me that I've written quite a lot (I'm just really excited to be here), and my hands are still a little bloated from an allergic reaction I had yesterday, so I'll end with a short list of things I'm particularly super excited about this project for:

+ I get to work with two very talented ladies
+ Getting to know them both is going to be such fun!
+ TJ's story is absolutely something that needs to get out there
+ Ellen!
+ TJ's drive to get herself out there and get things done to do so with
+ Editing!

And with that, I bid you adieu!

- Kristy

I'm back and I brought a new friend

Guess who's back? Back again. TJ's back. Tell a friend!

Hello fans of TINY SUPERSTARS! I'm back and I'm pretty stoked about that. I hope you all enjoyed the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Unfortunately, here in Southern California--we have had nothing but 90 degree weather which made things a bit annoying. Either way--I enjoyed my "break" from the film and have been pretty productive with some other projects. Feel free to read ghettopolitan.blogspot.com to see what I've been up to.

I'm pretty sure you all know this, but I'll say it again. This film is close to my heart.  It's been one of the hardest yet most rewarding journeys of my life, and I'm eager to get back to it.

One of the coolest things about this project has been working side by side with Bridget. When we decided to do this--it was kind of a big deal. We've had challenges too. The biggest one has been.......well....I guess I just don't know what the biggest one has been. I know that it has been difficult for both of us to view this project strictly from a "professional" perspective. In other words--it's very personal and intimate for us both, so it's difficult to figure out which story to tell. Behind every story that you do tell--there is the one that you do not. Bridget recently told me that some of the best moments of this journey have happened when the camera wasn't rolling. We only have 50 hours of footage yet have  spent hundreds of hours "in the thick" of the story. Don't get me wrong--50 hours is more than enough--WAY more than enough--it's just not the full narrative.

Long story short--we've decided we need a fresh pair of eyes to edit the footage. When B first told me that she had decided not to edit the film--I was sad, disappointed, and a lil mad. But after I thought about it--I realized she was 100% right in her decision. (For the record--I too have made B feel sad, disappointed, and mad. That's just part of this process.) So anyway, Tiny Superstars needed to bring someone on who hadn't witnessed our full journey. Someone who was not personally connected to any of this. Someone who could take our footage and cut it down without a second thought. Someone who would help us get this done. Well, after screening 53 applicants--we have made our decision. The newest member of Tiny Superstars is.........Kristi Plotkin, and I could not be happier with this choice. Kristi will blog sometime this week to introduce herself and tell you on thoughts on the project. B and I will both be working closely with her and of course we are both still playing integral parts in the making of the film--we just really wanted a little help with this endeavor. Kristi has a HUGE job ahead of her, but seems pretty excited about the challenge. I'm sure she will post on here on the regular to keep everyone up to speed with what is going on.

Bridget and I are so very grateful to everyone who has stuck by us during this process. Your financial support, messages, constant support, and patience has meant the world to us. When we first began this process--we thought we could be done with the film by the end of the year. Well--that is just not going to happen--which is totally fine. I am so proud of the fact that we have actually taken the time to get it right instead of just throwing something together. For now--we are just taking it one day at a time and when we think it's ready--you'll be the first ones to know!

So there you have it. "The Artist Formally Known as Trina" is on it's way to being finished. Stay with us! More info will come soon AND so will all of your kickstarter rewards. We didn't forget. Thank you video will be up tomorrow so watch for that!

TJ

Back to Business

Alright folks...after two very empty months here on TinySuperstars we are back.  And we have a bit of news!

After long consideration, lots of contemplation, and even a little bickering (shocking...I know) TJ and I have decided to bring in a little assistance for our film.  Effective this week we are bringing a new member to the team.  Kristi will be coming aboard as the editor!  And we are super excited about it!
I will be working alongside Kristi and TJ to create the finished product we know this film will be!  I am so grateful for the help we are getting and excited to be working within my role as director and cinematographer.

There will be much more to come in regards to our newest addition very soon, as well as more on what your OG superstars have been up to!

It's good to be back ya'll.

Bridget

TS Announcement

ATTENTION READERS!

After a two month hiatus, TinySuperstars will be making an announcement TOMORROW!!  It's kindaaa a big deal.

So tell a friend and be sure to check back TOMORROW!!

So...yeah...TOMORROW!!

Spread the word. :)

Bridget