a tiny break

Hi All,

I just took the tiniest of breaks from my big ole project.  I went to a friends reception and had a great time.  This was the first time that I spend talking about something other than A to Z with Meryl and Me, although I did turn one of the guests onto the blog.  It was a nice respite but I realize that's one of very few moments that I'll have away from this .. and I really don't mind. 

I'm going to watch a few more films this weekend and update you on those asap. Hope you are all enjoying your Saturday night!

Nancy

Frankly, I think the Kramers could have worked it out

Just watched Kramer vs. Kramer, in case you couldn't tell by the title of this post.  I originally saw this movie way back when, and then read the book! Why I was so intrigued by this divorce story when I was young, I have no idea but my feelings have not changed one bit.  This could mean I have the mentality of a child or that I just feel strongly about the Mother/Child bond... hmm, the jury's out on that one, no pun intended.

As a kid I thought that a Mom leaving her child behind was reprehensible.  Now, of course, I know that she felt mentally incapable of being a good parent under those circumstances so she did what she felt she had to do.  Still, I just don't personally have it in me to take that route but well, my feelings are the same as when I was a kid... I'll just leave it at that. 

I've looked at the entire film and watched the documentary, on the DVD, that explains so much of the process.  I've taken to watching all of the extras and especially the commentaries if Meryl is a contributor.
So, after watching The Hours last night, I awoke and immediately watched the commentary of that film prior to seeing the Kramers battle it out.  As a side note, could that kid be any cuter?  I don't think so.  Get the DVD and watch the documentary to learn about what they did to get him to deliver his brilliant performance.  What a story ... incredible.

Just watched "The Hours"

OK, I realize that everyone else in the free world has already seen this movie and truly I did intend to see it when it was released but I never got around to it. 

What to say about this film ... well, first of all I'm still crying because of the movie itself and also because of this huge endeavor I've decided to do, regardless of the obstacles that will surely come my way.  I see possibilities.  I see magnificent collaborations and I visualize the shoots and how they go.  I cannot wait to begin shooting.  I only wish all of the Directors of Photography were already in place, roles were already cast and scenes were already selected.  I'm not sure why, but I think that once these details are set that maybe I can focus on just creating honest, memorable portrayals.  Oddly enough, I know that as this idea grows in my mind, I will never stop with the behind the scenes until there are no scenes to be behind. 

I've already started thinking about getting restaurants on board so the actors and crew members could be fed.  I've already thought about product placement.  Now, you're probably thinking I've lost it.  No one really even knows about this yet and who am I to think that thousands will watch it.  I just have this feeling.  That's all I can say. 

So I should have been writing all along

Imagine that you decide to do the biggest project you've ever dreamed of and you don't document everything as it happens!  That would be incredibly silly, wouldn't it?  Let's face it, it would be a lot of things beyond silly, but that is what has happened.  So, I will attempt to give you some highlights, although not chronological, of the past week. 

Since the project I've viewed the following films: Adaptation, Defending Your Life, Evening, Bridges of Madison County, Music of the Heart, and Prairie Home Companion.  Clearly there are so many more that I need to watch.  Two of them I saw on Youtube. The rest I have gotten from the Library because I'm truly making this a venture of love and creativity and it's not meant to make me more broke than I already am.

Also since my brilliant idea and I do think it's brilliant, by the way, I've spoken with Chuck Chubbuck, Devon Collins, Bob Stephanov, Spencer Jay Kim, Tony Nicholas, Kelly Sullivan Walden/Dana Walden, Cathy Albers, Julie Fogel.  They have all offered to be involved.  Some have offered to shoot, others edit, some provide music and act opposite me.  I have found 3 main reasons that people have jumped at the chance to get on board with this project.  They say they want to do it because they see the potential for cross promotion.  They want to be on board because they love the idea of an opportunity which allows for creativity, with fewer limits.  Finally, some have wanted to do this purely out of love.  They care about me.  They've seen me struggle the last couple of years.  They see my excitement and think it's infectious.  Truly, I have not had one person say that they were not interested yet.  Did I mention how blessed I am?

What began as an idea of me having my daughter hold a camera with no lighting or sound has turned into a huge project that will include all of that and original scores for the footage.  I'm setting up meetings to talk with make up artists, and art directors.  I'm looking into restaurants to provide food.  I want to at least offer that to the many who will be part of this.

You do realize that I have less than two weeks to watch all of the films, cast them all, find crews and locations for them all and rehearse the scenes.  OMG, what an endeavor.  I couldn't be more happy.

So it all started about a week ago today ... time to get you up to speed

I watched the movie, Julie and Julia and absolutely loved it for so many reasons.  I loved that Julie had a passion for cooking and decided to write about that passion.  I loved that she chose an idol of hers as her inspiration and I loved the performances of all involved, especially Meryl Streep who forever knocks my socks off with her interpretations.  Just consider me sockless when it comes to Meryl.  If you'd like to learn more about the plot of the movie, go to IMDB.com and read all about it.  I'll wait ...  la la la "you're so vain, you probably think this song is.."  ahem, sorry didn't know you were already back.  I like to sing while I wait.  So, after watching that movie and then watching the movie, Doubt only a day later, I determined that Meryl Streep could very possibly be the most versatile actor out there.  I can think of others that inspire me like Judy Dench, Frances McDormand, Diane Keaton, Gena Rowlands and the list goes on but Meryl has a vast filmography.  To play even a fraction of her roles would mean to master accents, musical instruments and emotions beyond the beyond.

This all got me thinking.  I should write a blog with video, but what would I write about?  Well, Julie wrote about cooking because that was her love.  It was the one thing that could take her mind off her troubles and make her fulfilled, so what would do that for me?  ACTING.  There are other things I love in life but I have said it time and again, I'm so blessed to get work in a field that makes me happy from the tip of my head to my toes, as acting does.  I love to perform.  I love print, on camera, voice over.  I love it all.  So, why not have a blog that involves me acting?  I decided to call it A to Z with Meryl and Me.  Now, let's be clear on this, I do not fancy myself to be at her level of expertise.  I do not think I'm just like Meryl other than the fact that we both love to act, and have hair.  I have no intentions of imitating her.  This is not an impersonation of Meryl Streep which I would guess could only be horrifying.  I truly will act 26 scenes from 26 of her movies.  Most of the scenes will be two person scenes. They will be modest in their production needs.  They will be poignant (I hope) and touch whoever watches it, in some way or another.  Of course, I'm hoping that it doesn't touch you in a Sanjaya sort of way, but if it does, so be it.

Here's how it will work.  The first video will air on Youtube, facebook,nancytelzerow.com and HERE, on February 14.  The list includes Meryl movies beginning with the letters A to Z.  Naturally, she did not do a film beginning with the letter X so I picked randomly for that slot and a few others.  Speaking of random, the entire selection is just that.  I selected from a hat, movies according to their first letter in the title.  I did not want this to be an exercise in self gratification. It was important to me that it was the luck of the draw.  You'll see in the list that some of her best films are included and some of her less popular ones are there too.  Some you will remember, and some you will have never seen. Heck, before beginning this project, I had only seen 6 of the 26 films.   This will all take place over the span of a year.  Every two weeks you'll see a new release and in between there will be footage of pre production, and all that goes with getting it all together.

Here's the list:

A Adaptation
B Before and After
C A Cry in the Dark aka Evil Angels
D Defending Your Life
E Evening
F The French Lieutenant's Wife
G Bridges of Madison County
H The Hours
I   Ironweed
J  Julia
K Kramer vs. Kramer
L  Lions for Lambs
M Marvin's Room
N Music of the Heart
O One True Thing
P Postcards from the Edge
Q Prairie Home Companion
R River Wild
S Silkwood
T The Seduction of Joe Tynan
U The House of Spirits
V She Devil
W Heartburn
X Out of Africa
Y Falling in Love
Z It's Complicated

If that list doesn't take your breath away, it sure does mine.  OMG, like I said I had only seen 6 of these films just a week ago and although I had heard of many of the others, I truly had and still have no idea what I'm getting myself into ... and I love it.  What an incredible challenge.