The cool brisk air is starting to move in … letting us know summer is sadly coming to an end.  But wow! What a summer it’s been! I got to take part in some pretty cool opportunities that I am very grateful to have had!

To start the summer off with a kick I received notice that I was one of the recipients of a grant through the Robert Altman Emerging Filmmakers Fund through the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City. Through this great opportunity I got to learn quite a bit more about what it will take to bring things to the next level with my filmmaking career. I also got to meet some other pretty amazing filmmakers in this town and it’s going to be fun to see them take their projects & careers to the next level as well. To the left is a photo from the Robert Altman Grant Celebration Party. The place was packed! It was such a fun night! Thanks to the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City for providing me with this great opportunity!

Soon after this came to an end I learned the first week of September was going to be quite an exciting and busy week!  I was going to experience a lot of firsts, which is always exciting in life! Back in March I was asked to come do an on-camera interview for the show CinemaKC about my Square Peg short. Now, I am very comfortable being behind the camera but have never really been in front of the camera for anything, let alone an interview. I was extremely nervous to say the least!  But the crew did such a great job of putting me at ease it really wasn’t too bad at all.  So fast forward to September 1st and I got to see my animation broadcast to the greater Kansas City area.  That was pretty neat!  There will be a second airing of this show where they showcase three other great filmmakers as well on Sunday, Septmeber 30th at 11:00pm on KSMO.

And I gotta give it to the Kansas City filmmaking community for putting together two seasons of this show and are looking to do a third.  They’ve done it all with mostly volunteer help and are just now seeking funds, only $2,500, to help kick them into the third season. Check out their too funny Kickstarter Video below and Kickstarter page to check out the cool rewards you can get for donating.

And in more firsts that first week of September … my Square Peg short would screen at the Boulevard Drive-In as part of Animation Celebration! Some of my first movie memories are being packed into the ole station wagon and watching movies at the Drive-In … so this was a really cool event to be a part of.  I especially want to thank the Midwest Association of Professional Animators (MAPA) and CinemaKC for putting the event together. And I’ve got to give major props to Dylan Dietz of MAPA for being the man with the plan. I can’t believe he got me to go on live tv with him that week to promote the event! Live tv interviews … yep another first! I think I’ve filled my on-camera quota now! Now I can get back to working behind the camera where I’m much more comfortable! 🙂

My niece, Josie, having fun at Animation Celebration!	Michelle Davidson of Kansas City Live and Dylan Dietz of MAPA hosting Animation Celebration	Square Peg on the big screen at the Boulevard Drive-In

Speaking of being more comfortable behind the camera … I’m beginning work on some behind the scenes stuff here and some changes will be coming … so be on the lookout beginning this next year! You know, if the world doesn’t end because they ran out of space on the Mayan calendar and all … ;b

Keep on playin!
Mary