Radio Show!

Wednesday, April 11 @ 11pm I’ll be live on The Road to Midian talking about indie filmmaking. Listen. Call in.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theroadtomidian/2012/04/12/the-road-to-midian-presents–kate-chaplin

Best pic Oscar vote

I was asked what I thought what would win or should win this years Oscar for the Indy Star. It didn’t make it into the paper but here is my answer…

I believe that Hugo and The Artist both have the strongest chance at Best Pictures wins this year. Both represent the beginnings of the film industry in a way that is romantic, treasured, eventful, and non-preachy.
The Weinstiens have an amazing way of pulling out suprize Oscars (Shakespeare In Love) win due to marketing and their strong hold on Oscar voters. However The Artist reminds me of several other movies, The Thin Man, Singing In the Rain, City Lights, etc. Which is wonderful to enjoy, however, Best Pictures represent the best work and new voice that film has brought to the masses. This is why I think Hugo will win. Hugo has a original story along with a message that filmmakers are magicians. A message that as I filmmaker I adore. Films are so much what you see, it’s what you don’t see. If you don’t see the tricks of how the movie was made, it’s magical. In Hugo, films are the window to our dreams and to me that’s what movies should still be about.

Regardless of what win’s I’m looking forward to a night that celebrates the movies.

Composition Cover for iPad

      

Yeah, I usually don’t post crafts on my blog but I’m in love with this creation. It was so cheap and easy to make I wanted to share it with you.

Why do iPad covers go for $30-$100? I just wanted something so the screen didn’t get scratched. Here is something I made for $2.24 in supplies. Plus if it tears or gets too warn, I can easily replace it.

Material Needed:

• Composition book
• Stretch elastic 1/4″ wide or wider
• Super glue
• Painters tape
• Hole punch
• Box cutter or X-acto knife

Using a box cutter cut along the stitching of the spine. Remove the paper.

Cut 4 strips of stretch elastic. Use painter’s tape to seal down of each corner. I recommend painters tape because there will be some tweaking involved to have the loops in place to where you want them and the painter tape comes off easily without tear the back cover.

Affix the loops with super glue. I kept the painters tape on mine for reinforcements. So far it hasn’t needed it.

I let the glue dry while laying underneath two heavy books for pressure.

Insert iPad wrapping a loop around each corner.

Using a hole punch, make a hole in the back for the camera.

Now you have a cool ipad cover that folds back easily and can be kinda be used to prop up the ipad.

You can also use the comp book as a template and glue on a fabric or decorative paper inside and out.

FREE screenwriting workshop – Lafayette

I’ll be the guest speaker at the August 18th, Indiana Filmmakers Network – Lafayette chapter meeting, devoted to Script & Screenwriting.

I’ll be doing a raffle to win a FREE professional and detailed critique on the first 10 pages of your script. (a $50 value). The winner doesn’t have to have their script with them to win.

**about IFN**
Meetings are always free and open to the public!
Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday of each month, at Goodrich Eastside 9 Theater, 7pm-9pm or until everyone chooses to leave.

DIRECTIONS: 300 Farabee Drive North, Lafayette, IN – (765) 449-7469
http://maps.google.com/map​s?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=eastside​+9&fb=1&gl=us&hq=eastside+​9&hnear=West+Lafayette%2C+​IN&cid=0%2C0%2C13932794725​604369052&ei=RvE9TKLvA4Gpn​gfg2pHeDg&ved=0CB4QnwIwAQ&​ll=40.419181%2C-86.836367&​spn=0.032248%2C0.059609&z=​15

For more information, please check us out at –
http://www.indianafilmmake​rs.org/

Discovery Channel Gig

“When Aliens Attack” is a 2 hour Discovery Channel show that I was a Production Assistant on. News is, it’s going to debut in the UK, May 20th at 9pm.

Any of my UK fans out there? Message me

http://www.discoveryuk.com/web/sci-fi-season-sci-fi-shows/whenwto-watch/

UPDATE: When Aliens Attack is now listed on the Internet Movie Database!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graphic art

I’ve been wanting Photoshop for years but have been intimated by it. So instead I got the poor man’s Photoshop which is GIMP.

Over the last few months I’ve been playing around with images, trying to learn the software. These are some of the images I’ve created in no particular order. I’ll add to it as I create new ones. Some images are for commercial projects like films I’m working or groups I run on and some images are just for fun.

Enjoy!

Later this image became the KCP logo

Rack Card for KCP

Bookmark for the Anderson Public Library

Event Poster for Death to Writers’ Block

Logo for the Indy Writers Group

My family

Unka Sam

Teaser poster for the script Veronica is working on

Current KCP Logo

Old Karmic Courage Logo

Ad for the screenwriting workshop sale

Poster for the short film “Leah Not Leia”

Test “Leah Not Leia” Poster

My Superhero Family

Teaser poster for the new script

Poster for the Debra Kemp webseries

New Indy Writers’ Group Logo

Indy Writers’ Group is going through a revamp. What do you think of the new logo?

IWG also has a new blog too. Check it out at http://indywritersgroup.wordpress.com/

I Met Spike Lee!!!!

On February 26, I completed a full circle journey in my life involving the age old question, “what if I moved to New York and worked for Spike Lee?”

When I was 17, I was working at the Rockford High School Television Station and interviewed Mr. McDonald. He was touring Michigan high schools with 8 portraits of living African American’s who were making an impact on society. Each subject sat for the artist who had an amazing background of supporting the African American civil rights movement. Some of the subjects were Maya Angelou, Alex Haley, and Spike Lee.

Naturally being in love with film, I ask Mr. McDonald about Spike Lee. It turned into a in depth conversation about the power of film and the messages it sends to the world. Mr. McDonald urged me to move to New York and try to work for Spike Lee. When I left the interview Mr. McDonald had given me the name and phone number to Spike Lee’s secretary at 40 Acres and Mule.

Now I was 17 years old, and scared to death to call. I had little to no credits behind be besides making a few music videos on my own and working for the TV station. I kept the piece of paper in my wallet and waiting for the courage to call.

Then my wallet was stolen. I lost the opportunity to call and see what might have been. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps it wasn’t.

Kate Chaplin at the Spike Lee talk

After graduation I moved to Los Angeles. My Uncle Vern summed up my decision best, “In New York they stab you in the chest,” he said, “in LA they stab you in the back.”

Being a person who would rather be stabbed in the back and avoid confrontation, it was LA for me. I spent 6 years in California and left because I couldn’t be creative there. I became as formulaic and as fake as the people around me.

I often wondered what would have happened if I would have called, if I would have got a intern job with Spike Lee, if I would have moved to New York and not LA. I might have worked on Clockers or Get on the Bus. The latter film had Ossie Davis who I’m long admired and always wanted to meet.

I know that if I didn’t move to LA I wouldn’t have met my husband, I wouldn’t have the family I have now. I would not have the wonderful producing partner I have now. That has kept me from any sadness for my decision.

So when I read that Spike Lee was coming to the IU Auditorium this February for a talk, I decided this is my chance to complete the circle. Something in me really wanted to 30 seconds to talk to Spike Lee and tell him my sob story. Let him know that it was him (and many other filmmakers) is the reason why I am still making films. I knew it wouldn’t be ground breaking for him at all, I’m just another face in the crowd, but I had to do it for me. I needed to let go of that regret. Let go of the “what ifs,” to keep moving forward and not look back to the past.

Veronica Diaz at the Spike Lee talk

I emailed the powers at be at the University and told them my story. Eventually my email reached the right person. Sherry admired my courage in asking for such a small request, she checked my website and was shocked to see that I was in fact legitimate and that my company was in fact making films. Sherry got Veronica (my producing partner) and I two VIP tickets to talk with Spike Lee and escorted us off to a private reception where we got to be face-to-face with Spike Lee.

Okay, honesty check. I was hella nervous. When Sherry said that we’d get to meet Spike Lee, I was still a bit doubtful. I thought what if Mr. Lee didn’t feel like talking after his presentation and bolted? What if he had something he nee

ded to get out of dodge for?  Seeing him speak on stage was fine enough at least I felt like a VIP, which I wasn’t expecting. But there Spike was a foot away from me at a private party with free food and drinks and I was about to be introduced to the man I might have worked for.

I shook the man’s hand and burst into my sob story (without the sob). He asked me what year this was that I would have called. I told him 1994. He seem shocked at how long ago that was. I told him that I’m still making films and have been lucky enough to win a few awards. He asked what kind of films we make, I told him films about human rights and films to empower women (this is what Veronica and I are working on now.) He said, “You don’t have to be in NY or LA to make films anymore.” He urged us to keep making films.

Thinking about it now, that was probably all I needed to hear if I would have called back in 1994. “You don’t have to be in NY or LA to make films anymore.” I thought I needed to apprentice or intern for a notable production company to make it. Sure, that helps with experience and networking but at the end of the day a filmmaker makes films. I doubt I would have stayed in Michigan to make films, but the LA living would have been easier – I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself.

I left thinking, “I’m Spike Lee approved to make films!” Did I need that approval – no. Did I value the approval – hell, yes. Telling the director 17 years after-the-fact his influence on me was cathartic. A weight was lifted. No longer was a it a “should-a-could-a-would-a.” What happened was meant to be and I am living just fine with that.

Have People Forgotten How to Apologize?

I’ve been married for 13 years. I have two kids under the age of 9 and I work in a creative field. I’ve had my fair share of being hurt and offending others. I’ve had to “man-up and apologize” many times. I do so not to lose face but rather keep a relationship. We all make mistakes. I make quite a few, and because of that, I really think about my apologies. I hope that people see the humanity in my words, “I’m sorry.”

But this week I really started to wonder if people still know how to apologize?

With email, cell phones, and social networking sites, we are more contact than ever. We connect with more people in a day than ever before. The odds are in our favor that we’re going to piss someone off whether we mean to or not.

So let’s say you say something stupid. Let’s even say, you do while drunk – I do this a lot. So now someone hears what you said and is offended by it and now you have someone mad at you.

If it was two decades ago you’d have 3 options; a phone call, writing a letter or apologize in person. These efforts involved, not only a cooling off period, but time to reflect on the situation and what needs to be said.

Now in a world with Twitter, Facebook and texting where we are being trained to say things in as few characters as possible. It doesn’t always work that way with apologies.

Email is a tool that can be used to apologize but again we’re being taught that email is a fast communication tool. Do we still think about what we are emailing before we hit send? The email apologies I get, feel as if they are on a action item list:

• Renew library books
• Google a new dry cleaner
• follow up on information request
• apologize to Kate

Do we really think about an apology before we make it? Do we think about the goals going forward that we want to accomplish?

Look, I’ll be selflessly honest here. If I do something wrong and someone wants to me to explain myself or apologize I will analyze the relationship. Is the relationship I want to keep? Are they a hazard to my life, would it be better to burn the bridge. Most times the answer is no. I value relationships. I need people in my life. I don’t like people mad at me it makes me feel like I’m worthless and a failure, so I’ll be the first to apologize. Because at the end of the day, I don’t mean to hurt anyone, it’s not my personality type.

Awhile ago, I think it was in my Oprah viewing days, I heard the saying “Do you want to be right, or do you want to have peace.” My husband hates this quote because it sticks him in a position for him to apologize for something that was out of his control. I like it because I want to have peace. I’ll catch myself being a hippie and wanting everyone to love one another in peace and harmony. I know it’s not always possible but I am who I am. If someone is hurt – regardless of who is to blame I want to offer my condolences and help.

But I’m the frequent receiver of the crappy apology.

Here are some examples from The Art of the Apology: Why Apologizing Is So Difficult, and How to Do it Well

“If I offended you, I’m sorry,” implying that only an overly sensitive person would find issue with what happened—so basically, it’s your fault you’re offended.

“I’m sorry you misunderstood,” and weren’t smart enough to understand what was really meant. Again, it’s really your fault.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” is often a conversation ender, which implies that you’ve reached an impasse.

The one I hate most is the “I’m sorry but…” Adding the word ‘but’ negates everything that came before it. Granted, I’m a writer and words mean a great deal to me, however my blood boils when I hear “I’m sorry, but…”

People need to know you care about their feeling and perceptions. They need to feel the humanity in the words, “I’m sorry.” That’s can’t be done any more that the words, “I love you.” There needs to be meaning and character behind them to mean anything to the recipient.

So how can we apology with meaning? I’m not a expert, but Lauren Bloom is. She has a book out called, “The Art of the Apology.” In the book and in the You Tube video below, she talks about the 7 elements of an apology.

1. Be timely
2. Be sincere
3. Be specific
4. Take responsibility for what you’ve done wrong
5. Make amends
6. Express appreciation
7. Do better next time

Now I ask, how can that be accomplished in a quick email between tasks?

To me it comes back to the Golden Rule. “Do onto others as you would have others do onto you.” If you would want a sincere apology when someone wrongs you, then “man-up” and learn the art of the apology for others.

I do warn you this knowledge of knowing what a sincere apologies is will allow you to sniff out the crappy apologies even faster and make you a grump word-hater like me.

The art of the apology by Lauren Bloom 

 

Maybe I’m the Faggot, America

So I’m alone in the car – a very rare thing of a mother of two girls – and I’m blaring the radio and singing along to Green Day as loud as I can.

Ah, freedom… Green Day, the rebellious sound of the last days of my youth. It’s no secret, I love Green Day. Been there done that, I bought the t-shirt. I’ve seen them in concert and they still hold up as one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live. I say that because they were the first (and only really) who sound exactly the same live as they do live. To me, that speaks a lot about a band.

So “American Idiot” is playing and I’m loving it. Empty car seat rattling with the power of my car speakers. Sing it Billy Joe!….

Everything isn’t meant to be okay.

Television dreams of tomorrow.

We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow.
For that’s enough to argue.

Well maybe I’m the [dead air] America.
I’m not a part of a redneck agenda.

Wait a second. Did the radio bleep out the word “faggot?” Alright, well I guess, that can be a very harmful and offensive word.

But this is Green Day The same band that hit the radio charts with Longview – a song about masturbation. Green Day is no stranger to using any kind of gay culture reference in its lyrics. In Basket Case (again a chart topper) goes like this…

I went to a shrink

To analyze my dreams
She says it’s lack of sex that’s bringing me down
I went to a whore
He said my live’s a bore
And quit no whining cause it’s bringing her down

I don’t think there is one Green Day song that doesn’t have the word “fuck” in it somewhere. So I wasn’t super surprised that “Fuck” as dropped out of American Idiot.

But then a few songs later on my “car concert” came on a little ditty by….Dire Straits. Maybe you’ve heard of Money for Nothing? A cute little song from 1985 that features Sting and was one of the most played videos on MTV. (Well, no surprise when it mentions MTV in its chorus)

Again, I’m singing along…

See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup

Yeah buddy that’s his own hair

That little faggot got his own jet airplane

That little faggot he’s a millionaire

Not one single word dropped out.

No one word omitted.

Why Green Day and not Dire Straits? Now it could be me, but I feel that the Dire Straits lyrics is much more harmful and filamentary towards gay people than the Green Day lyric. But hey, I love both bands, but I am a Green Day fan.

The point is. If radio is going to censor artist for a word choice shouldn’t it be across the board?

So I did a little research.

Turns out that Clear Channel said that “fuck” and “faggott” had to be omitted to be aired on Clear Channel. So if you’re listening to a Clear Channel (which isn’t that almost all of them now) then you get the bleep or drop out. Clear Channel apparently didn’t have their dirty little fingers on the censorship button in 1985 and Big Brother must have been out to lunch.

So that explains the radio. So now cut to the recent Live 8 concert where Green Day performs their mega hit American Idiot and the genius’ drop out “fuck” and “faggott” but a few minutes later Green Day goes into Holiday and for some reason the word “fags” is NOT dropped out.

Bang bang goes the broken glass and

Kill all the fags that don’t agree

But it gets better. When Green Day preformed American Idiot on the Grammy’s the academy bleep out “fuck” but not “faggott.”

What? Is there any rhyme or reason to censorship anymore? If you can’t catch everything then let it all go. I don’t know, I might be too liberal, and it will probably come back to bite me, but words are words. Remember the playground mantra “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

But that won’t work for the Clear Channel and the FCC so how about this instance analogy: We should drop out the word “tool.” A screwdriver is a tool. A hammer is a tool. The pencil that I use to write this piece is a tool. But this dangerous word is also another way to refer to a manly member of the human anatomy. I can also defame an entire group of people who can’t make decisions for themselves by calling them “a tool”. So because I could use the word “tool” in a sexual way or in a hurtful way it should be (sometimes) bleeped out on TV and radio.

But isn’t that just crazy? Wait, the word “crazy” hurt a group of people who have been in treatment for mental illness. Gnarls Barkley, Britney Spears, Black Sabbath and Patsy Cline – look out!!!

I guess my point is that Green Day is the most anti-homophobic band in mainstream radio. And to me when they say “Maybe I’m the faggot American” takes a word that American’s are scared of and turns it into maybe I’m the misunderstood one America.  And that something gay, straight or other we all can relate to.

I leave you with these words of wisdom from Green Day….

“King For A Day”
Started at the age of 4.
My mother went to the grocery store.
Went sneaking through her bedroom door to find something in a size 4.

Sugar and spice and everything nice wasn’t made for only girls.
GI Joe in panty hose is making room for the one and only.

King for a day, princess by dawn.
King for a day in a leather thong.
King for a day, princess by dawn.
Just wait ’til all the guys get a load of me.

My daddy threw me in therapy.
He thinks I’m not a real man.
Who put the drag in the drag queen.
Don’t knock it until you tried it

Interesting reading about the word Faggot.

Faggot phobia about Green Day and Clear Channel http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2004_Nov_23/ai_n8706659

Grammy and Live 8 info http://www.rabbireport.com/archives/2005/07/odd-censoring.htm

Money for nothing info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_for_Nothing_(song)

You tube video: 

You tube: