Everything we do towards our dreams is a huge step forward

Hello my lovely friends!

How are you all?  I feel like I haven’t been able to post recently as much as I would like, which is sad.  But between networking, my day job, and pre-production for The Scapegoat, there just isn’t enough hours in the day ;).

I hope you all are doing amazingly well though.  And I hope you all are doing at least one thing that is bringing you closer to your own dreams :).  Life is short.  Which is why I cannot urge you all enough to get out there and follow your dreams.  I know it can be scary, but there are many of us out there that want to see you succeed!  There is enough room in this world for us all to make it :).

That really has been one of the greatest things about this kickstarter campaigning.  I’ve met so many talented people.  And I wish I had more to give them for their own projects!  But, I do know that every little bit helps.

Which is why I’m asking you all to consider giving even just a dollar or two to my film The Scapegoat.  http://kck.st/w4cvBg  It might not seem like much to you, but if everyone we knew gave even just $1, then I would most likely have more than my budget and I could make a movie for you all to hopefully enjoy :).  I have just over two weeks to make my budget.  I’m hoping with your generous help, we will succeed :).

Also, I am partaking in a live pledge telethon tomorrow, Saturday February 25th from 2-4PM PST.  If you would like to watch you may do so here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kitcatfilms

Thank you all so much again for all of your support!  And again, I urge you all to go out there and live your own dreams.  I have had more people come up to me and say that they too want to make a film, I tell them I think they should.  And a few of them are now making one this summer!  I mean how amazing is that?!  😀  I’m so happy for all of you living your dreams.  Please never give them up!

I personally have had people tell me that I won’t make it, but you know what?  This just helps us to fight harder.  And again, deep down they are just sad that they are not living out their own dreams.  I mean have you ever heard of a great, successful person telling you that you won’t make it?  Of course not.  They want you to succeed too :).  And true we may come up against obstacles that seem like small failures.  But we can learn from these.  Everything we do towards our dreams is a huge step forward :).

I adore you all so much, and again I thank you all for all of the amazing support!  I hope I too can support all of you :).  Have a great Friday everyone!

Cathy

Don’t Let People Get You Down

My lovely fellow filmmakers…and well anyone trying to live their dreams for that matter… I am always amazed that there really are people who want to see us fail when we’re all just trying to do our own thing and make it.  It really baffles me as to why someone would put their time and energy into hurting someone instead of using that to better their own lives.  But I suppose this is never going to change.  When people try to rise above their own comfort zone into greatness, there will more often than be at least that one person who will try and stop you.

I know this sad fact personally.  It’s not a good feeling.  Especially when one is doing something that really does require a lot of support and bravery.  It can just take that one person to try and bring you down.  But that’s why I’m writing this.  I don’t want you to get discouraged.  I want you to succeed.  I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone.  And there are plenty of people who are ready and willing to support you.

If someone doesn’t like what you’re doing, just ignore them the best you can and move on with your life.  (Yes, I know much easier said than done, but you can do this).  You don’t want negativity in your life.  Filmmaking is hard enough without you always trying to defend yourself to others.  Your time is much too precious, and you should be using it towards making your brilliant art :).

I’m partly writing this as a reminder to my own self.  Just like you, I have been discouraged from time to time.  I often way too heavily on what others think of me.  I shouldn’t, I know, but I do.  But that’s when I step back and realize that filmmaking is what I really want to do.  It’s what I strive for virtually every hour of everyday.  It’s all I think about.  I probably dream about it… actually, I do! Haha ;).  And I’m a firm believer that if you want something bad enough, you will get it.  And if others don’t like that, well that’s ok, it’s not their life.

I don’t want to see any of you get discouraged by doing what you love.  If you love to do something, continue doing it!  It doesn’t matter what others say, as long as you’re happy.  And I know I’ve said this before, but these naysayers are really just jealous.  I try to not give them even one second of my thoughts, though I am now in a way I suppose, but only because I want to help you to overcome any of these instances and rise above to your deserved excellence :).

Be brave.  Be courageous.  But most of all, never give up on your dream.  Whatever it may be, it is your dream, and yours alone.  No one can take that away from you :).

One of my favorite things (besides making movies and traveling) is to see others truly happy and reaching their own goals.  That gives me the strength and inspiration that I too can achieve anything I put my mind to.  I hope I can do the same for you.  I want you all to go out and do what makes you happy :).  (Though a small part of me is worried that maybe a serial killer is reading this right now…how about, if that’s what you really love to do, you write about it in instead?  Ok?  Oh no?) ;).

I apologize for this next paragraph, but since I am campaigning, I feel like I should always include the link to my fundraising campaign for my next feature film The Scapegoat.  😉  http://kck.st/w4cvBg  Every little bit helps.  Even a dollar, or a mention to one of your friends.  Please help us reach our dream of making our film.  It’s a story I’m very passionate about.  And if you have a project of your own, please send it to me, I love helping all of my fellow artists out.  🙂

Hope you all have fantastic weekends!

Lots of love, Cathy

You all have the ability to do great things!

Hello my lovely friends!  How are you all today?  Doing well I hope.  This actually isn’t a post about my film, but I felt that maybe I should share it with you all regardless.  It’s more advice if you will ;).

As many of you don’t personally know me, I will fill you in a bit…

I love everyone.

No really.  I do.  A person comes up to me to talk and I already love them.  And usually when they keep talking to me I learn more about them and I love them even more.  I think we all are so fantastic as humans.

But here is where my friendly advice comes in…

Not everyone is always so nice.  It’s a sad fact that I personally have learned, and I really wished that none of you would ever have to experience it.  But the sad truth of the matter is, you probably will.  Especially as filmmakers.  Anything where one is taking a huge risk more often than not, threatens someone out there.

But here is where I’m begging you all… PLEASE DON’T LET IT STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.

People will be jealous.  It’s a sad fact.  I wish they weren’t.  But alas some are.

And I don’t want to see any of you talented people get discouraged over such remarks.  I know it’s tough.  Believe me.  Making a film is one of the most difficult things you will do.  Not only physically, but emotionally too.  You’re asking people to take such a risk on you.  And really you are sharing your soul with not just a few people, but the whole world.  Of course that’s scary!

But there are people who will support you.  I am one of them.  I love to see the brilliant talent that is emerging from people nowadays.  So many of you have such a great voice.  It’s really a huge inspiration to me.  So thank you =).

And again, please don’t let these people who want to bring you down be allowed to.  At the end of the day, they’re really just jealous.  Or afraid.  Or angry with their own selves.  More often than not, it really has nothing to do with you personally.  Most of them are probably not as brave as you.  I can almost guarantee that none of them are making their own films, because if they were they would be a heck of a lot more supportive.  I’ve noticed that we filmmakers are genuinely supportive of our own kind.  We want you to succeed.  Well, or at least I do ;).  Why have only one brilliant film when we can have 200?!  : )

Okay, so there’s my very long rant.  I just want you all to keep continuing with your dreams.  Go make your movies.  And don’t let anyone stop you.  Well… although if you’re making snuff films maybe I might caution on that a bit :o…  Please don’t murder anyone ;).

To make a long story short… Too late ;)… I love you all so incredibly much and I want you to make your movies.  Don’t let anyone try and stop you.  We all have the ability to do great things.  We just need to push past all the fear and negativity, and succeed. : )  And go start a kickstarter campaign like I did to try and make this a possibility ;).  (Shameless promoting now lol).

No, but really, I do thank you for all the support you are giving me.  Thank you for reminding me that our dreams can come true… which is what I’m trying to share here : ).  Don’t let anyone take away your dreams.

If you have a moment, please keep continuing to spread the love for my next feature film, The Scapegoat.  http://kck.st/w4cvBg  Thank you again.  It really means the world to me.  : )

Hope you all have fantastic days!!  And go out there and make your movies!!!  =)

Cathy

A day in the life of the filmmaker, KitCatFilms…

As many of you already know, making a movie is one of the most insanely stressful and tough things you will ever do.  But for those of us who can’t even conceive of doing anything else, it can be one of the most worthwhile and magical experiences of our lives.

Now why am I starting a blog you might ask?  Well, I’m currently working on a funding campaign for my second feature film “The Scapegoat” and I thought I would share my filmmaking experiences with you all.  Not because I’m an expert filmmaker mind you, but because I believe in every single one of you that if this is something you truly want to do, then you can do it.  And if I can inspire even just one of you to get yourself out there and finally make that film you’ve always wanted, then I will be happy :).

I am a firm believer that anyone can do anything if they want it bad enough and really put their mind to it.  But I do stress the really wanting it.  If you only think you might want to be a filmmaker, then you might want to look into another career.  It’s brutal, tough, exhausting (I’m currently living on 5-6 hours of sleep), and can be quite the killer of your social life.  But don’t let this deter you please.  I absolutely love filmmaking.  Where else can we live out our imaginations and create with some of the most amazing people one will ever meet?  So again, if you really want to make movies, then make them.  Please make them!  I’d much rather see a uniquely creative low budget film made by you than another remake done by Hollywood!  (No offense Hollywood, I love you and all, but can’t we get some new ideas already??  I know hundreds of brilliant people with creative ideas!)  But I digress… 😉

I made my first feature film in the summer of 2010 titled “Baker”, as it was set in the small town of Baker just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.  It was a grindhouse-esque ambitious attempt that I somehow amazingly managed to complete.  There were moments when I was beginning to wonder what I was really doing, but those moments passed, and then I was reminded of why I set out to make the film in the first place.  And that reason would be my ultimate love and passion for movies.

I made “Baker” for very little money and no crew.  I’m a huge Robert Rodriguez fan, and wanted to try his whole Rebel Without a Crew attempt to filmmaking.  So that’s what I did.  I wrote, shot, directed, and produced my first feature film.  Was it the best film ever?  No.  But did I prove to myself that I can make a movie and learn a lot from it?  Yes.  And did I want to make another movie after it?  Of course I did!  Filmmaking is almost like a drug, once you try it, you become addicted to it.

So fast forward to October 2011, and I am finally ready to make my next feature film, “The Scapegoat”.  May I do a shameless plug for it?  http://kck.st/w4cvBg  If you do have a moment to spare, please check out my latest campaign.  I am trying to raise $10,000 dollars to shoot this next feature, and while it may seem like a lot, it really isn’t for feature film standards.

Okay, shameless plug over ;).

Let me get back to inspiring all of you fantastic people!

The thing about filmmaking, is that there is no right way to get into it.  Every single person in the film industry will have their own way that they made it.  Which can be good and bad.  Probably the only really negative to this is that sometimes we might feel lost, and wonder if maybe we’re going about this in all the wrong way.  But let me stop you there.  First of all, wipe any doubt from your mind.  Filmmaking is tough enough without all that extra doubt and fear running around in your head.

I’ve actually be extremely lucky to have been able to hear some great directors speak and most of them will say that they have all had that doubt and fear at one point, so it is normal.  I mean we’re asking so many people to take a chance on us.  Of course that’s scary.  But I’m just trying to help you to try and push that fear far from your minds.  (Yeah I know, much easier said than done) ;).  Push past the fear, and go out and make your dreams a reality.  Go make your movie.  And if your first movie doesn’t work out so well, no problem, just go out and make another.  Like with anything, art takes practice.  So get out there and practice!  🙂

And if you do make something, please share it with me.  You all inspire me to continue on with this crazy dream of mine.  So thank you :).

Well, I guess this is my first blog post ;).  I’ll continue with updates on how my film is going, and I’ll share my own personal experiences I had with making my last one.  I’ll really share anything you all want.  So if you have a question, please feel free to ask me :).  Again, I just want to give you all a confidence boost to get out there and stop waiting for your perfect scenario to make your film.  Just make it!  That’s what I’m doing.  If I can do it, then so can you.  And please feel free to spread around my project (I know, more shameless promoting lol).  But it really does help.  Just one mention to a friend about a project can do wonders for independent filmmakers.

Thank you all again, and sorry this was so long.  Maybe I should make them shorter in the future ;).  Hugs everyone!  Hope you all have fantastic days!  Much love!!

Cathy  (aka @KitCatFilms)