Reflection: 2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Directed a film shot on 16mm, be on 3 four-day sets including my own, direct a child actor, spend nearly $2500 on a film project....

In other words, I survived.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
It's the same as every year: I don't really make resolutions. Repeat of last year's "this is what I live by" -- Cherish the moment, especially the ones that get to your core. Love (even if they don't love in return) and have fun despite the shit. You'll laugh about it when you look back in retrospect.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not yet, but looking forward to two births that are coming in 2011. My cousins, Genna and Genelle (both sisters) are expecting. It's so surreal knowing that my generation is now bringing in the babies---we're adults now?!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My lola.

5. What countries did you visit?

Sadly none. Hopefully the Philippines in 2011 or I'll study abroad.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Fulfillment

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 26, 3:00ish AM :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See #1

9. What was your biggest failure?
I regret about mistakes, but I don't see them as failures. To me, it's a failure if someone dies on set. Which will never happen..........only fictionally...because it's in the script...

But if you want a list of my mistakes, well, it's a long one.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Do loads of stress and tears count? I threw up at school one day because of stress. My acne has infested my face like never before.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I honestly can't remember.... and if I can't remember it then it's not the best thing.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My crew and cast for all the film projects I directed this year. Thank you. I love you. I know I'm probably repeating myself, but I can't thank you enough.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Eh...people will be people.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Living. Making movies (which correlates with living).

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
See #1

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Basically any fuckin ke$sha song. UGH.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a. happier

b. fluctuates

c. poorer, but that will be my answer for some years to come.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I was more assertive with others and act more direct in compromising. Say what I want and why. Stand up for myself. The list goes on....

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Be on other people's sets. I really shouldn't say yes to people so much.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Family time, visiting friends, enjoying the Bay Area.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

It's percolating.... :)

22. How many one-night stands?
Uh, none. Duh.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
The Walking Dead

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Same answer as last year: While there are a few who irritate me, I'm a lover, not a hater.

25. What was the best book you read?

Graphic novels:

• The Walking Dead
• Chew

Novels:

• The Living Dead: An Anthology of Zombie Short Stories
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (re-read)
• Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal (re-read)

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Multiple discoveries thanks to friends and Pandora: BassNectar, Ratatat, Little Dragon

and I took a musical composition for filmmakers class. I now know how to play around with loops and samples, so I can make music for my own films :)

27. What did you want and get?

• To work with great film crews and have a smooth set--regardless of the final product not being as great as we had hoped it to be, no negative comment about the film itself can void us of the fact that we had an amazing set and a great crew.
• To have someone to care about and who cares about me in return.

28. What did you want and not get?
See #6

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Social Network

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
23 years of life. I ate out with friends on my bday...chill but fun.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See #6

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Comfort. More additions to last year's plaid shirt collection

33. What kept you sane?
Same as last year: My family, both by blood and by bond.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Joseph Gordon Levitt...ehehe.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8

36. Who did you miss?
My Lola
And same as last year: I miss my family and my Davis family when I'm in Orange. And I miss my Chapman family when I'm in the Bay.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Amy, the PD for my past cycle film

Kaitlyn, the owner of Cyrano's Caffe where we shot

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Interestingly, the same as last year: To not devalue myself and my abilities

but with the added--

Sometimes it's ok to be a little selfish.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Ugh this is so emo, but this song hits the target for me personally

Asobi Seksu - "Walk the Moon"

You saw the photograph, an image of me
You'll never see me like this
It's never felt like this
I'm swimming in gray
I'm just swimming in gray

Let them all walk away, all walk away
So there's no one to blame
They all feel same
Let them all walk away, all walk away
I'll be left with the shame

Film Schooled: Model Family

I audited a web series class this past semester. TV is a whole new ball game, and it's a fun one. Unlike a film, which is a one-time deal (unless you can never give up on your franchise like Lucas), TV requires that you must constantly think about the series as a whole. Just as each scene of a film must move the story forward, so must each episode carry on the story of the series. Another thing I learned while being in TV mode -- actors come and go, and while it's weird that an entirely different actor is playing a favorite character, it can sometimes be a good thing. Two actors had to be replaced throughout the course of the Model Family series, but the two new ones ended up bringing more life into the characters. The last-minute casting calls and auditions were worth it.

Below is episode 4 of the series, which is the last episode unless someone decides to carry on the series beyond the class. The concept of the series, while strange at first, is a solid one. Family dramedy opens a lot of possibilities.

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Model Family Episode 4, "Just Shoot Me"