africa blog: September 2014

SEPTEMBER BLOG

where i live...Papyrus Lodge

GOOD NEWS!!

first, the good news! THE SEA TURTLES OF LAMU, my highly speculative wildlife documentary that took 2 years to make and was entirely self-funded has been acquired by ELECTRIC SKY PRODS, in the UK. they take it to MIPCOM in Cannes for a huge int'l trade show for programming content Oct 13th... like in 2 weeks!
i had to go back to Waterfront Studios here in Cape Town for a second online session for the new 52:00 version. it's much tighter and better now. and best of all, this baby i birthed and mothered is finally in some competent hands to sell it worldwide. whew! one thing is true: "films are never finished...they're abandoned." i was pregnant so long with this one it was uncomfortable! so whew indeed! #relieved is an understatement! and the chance that it actually might generate some income...this project that seemingly found its way to me, is fabulous! very chuffed about the sales aspect of it, and Electric Sky is legit. the sell "factual programming that entertains". and the cool thing is they "got" the film. there's no buy-out, they take 30% commission on global sales for 10 years. and that suits me just fine. let it ride! the main thing is it's found a home and off my plate. time to push it out into the sea and hope she swims far...much like the hatchlings in the film. (for those of you new to the blog, or those who missed it, here is the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjYajAydLi8

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS???

still no news on my Exceptional Skills Visa (work visa) for South Africa. still waiting on the appeal decision. fingers crossed! but what should take 30 days is now pushing 60 for a decision. the more i'm here and engaging with the locals, the more i really would like to get this visa. i feel right at home in the Western Cape, and loving my digs here on Winery Road, halfway between Stellenbsoch and Somerset West in the heart of the wine country. close to town (DTCT), the beach (Strand), mountains, the coast, everything! so i can see living here a long long time. but it would more fun to be part of the industry here for hire. so we'll see. keeping it positive. wow, if that comes thru, i will be so thrilled! and placing the film is also thrilling!

COWBOY HOUSE RE-CAP

so the cowboy house in stanford went away and it's okay. "just because things didn't go the way i planned doesn't mean they're not going the way they should!" so as much i wanted that place and could the finished product, that's not my path at the minute. and that's cool. liking Papyrus Lodge enough to re-up here after i have to vacate for 6 weeks in jan-mar. as you'll see in the pics, this place is stunning. and has been therapeutic. i'm discovering these last 3 months how driven i am. my chiropractor here asked me if i would want my best friend to carry all the pressure i put on myself. no way! so i need to address that some. and stop measuring life by "wins & Losses" and just enjoy the journey. more "ommmmm" and less "grrrrrrrrrrrrrr". stop fighting for the path i want and accept the path that is. not easily done, but awareness is the first step, right?

3 YEARS IN

so this Oct 1 will be 3 years since i left LAX and arrived in NBO. the famous date of new beginnings...10/01/11 or 01/10/11. kenya was a wild adventure and it was great, and even made a film i never imagined in a million years! and then restarting from scratch here in ZA has been a new challenge. but overall, i do like being an expat and the africa experience has been priceless. still lots to explore here. i'm really just getting started. and it's nice to have cape town as my base. i can hit Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, lots of adventures ahead, and i think i'm going to renew my PADI scuba license so i can get back in the water and do some serious diving. making new friends here and my 2 couples i met in the holy land in 2013 that live near me are always there for me. i'm in a good place.

COTW GOING HOME

and tomorrow this time i'll be boarding a jet from cape town to london, then london to dallas, then dallas to Phoneix. then drive with my brother to tucson. door to door will be @ 36 hours in transit. that's a schlep for any Citizen Of The World! but i'm much excited to go home for a spell. i'll be gone 33 days. will rent a car and drive to LA for a couple days then head over to dallas to see more family and friends. i have to admit, selling the film is huge. i head home feel relived and like i accomplished something making that film and finding a home for it. i can rest. relax. and recharge. i see lots of walking with my brother in a beautiful corner of Arizona. actually reminds me of where i live now! i'll head back here Oct 28.

well, that's it folks. time for some pics!
next post from USA. cheers!
ddm