Last week I posted on my FB that my relationship with social media was changing. Four year ago, I made a vow to step back from social platforms. I knew very well that for a business owner; especially a #Latina, #womanowned #smallbusiness this would be taking a gamble that would not be in my favor. But, it was a risk I gladly took, to "sit in the silence" as I like to say. (Full story as to why I did so... forthcoming)

By no means, do I say, I was inactive but I was less willing to engage. Anywho, times they are changing. My vow of self imposed "silence" is lifted.  During these four years, the work of nurturing and protecting self integrity has not re-defined who I am. It has not enlightened me to new beginnings or opened my eyes to something new waiting in the horizon. I am who I am. And I make no apologies for being a good person. Transparent truthfulness, integrity and empathy are still the cornerstone by which I keep myself and others accountable. Perfect am I, hell no! That would make me boring. Dramatic...everyday baby!! (And if you think that's bad... you don't know the definition of the word. Get a dictionary.) 

So, since today is #ThrowBackThursday I thought it might be cool to go way back to when my relationship with social media started; around 2009. And of course, it began with storytelling. 

Here is the first thing I ever wrote and posted from my very first social media account #Blogger 

I hope it give you a little insight to my character. Looking back, so much has changed, and so little has changed... if that makes sense. LOL

I'm not a resolution maker. That kind of expectation or (pressure) to limits is not my style. I'm more purpose driven. My purpose is to be a decent, good person.  And that folks, is everyday. Sometime, I think I get it very wrong. At times, I get glimpses of getting it right.  My goals however always stand behind the motto 'Live and Let Live'. 

And as I said above, I haven't changed who I am. I'm just not going to be silent anymore. There's so much room for us to talk and I hope you are willing to share your stories with me and listen to mine. 

(Wow, I really did miss blogging!) 

So many good things,

Katherine 

A glimpse to my world...

©GuapaFilms™

CANNES!

The Cannes Films Festival is a spectacular place. It is largest distribution and sales market for films in the world. This year I experienced it for the first time.  Guapa Films had the honor of World Premiering its first production at the Short Film Corner ‘Alma & Alex’.

Arriving at Cannes my expectations were high. I anticipated what it would be like to be bombarded by the media, to experience the glamour of the stars on the Red Carpet and to walk along the streets where so many legends had walked before.    The sights alone of Nice, Cannes and Antibes are breath taking so the festival could only be that much bigger and better.

A few days before the festival, I ventured out to survey the magnitude of what was about to hit the city of Cannes.  Although, there were some preparations being made, the city was calm, people went about their normal day to day activities. The beaches had regular bathers catching up on their daily sun. The weather; warm, sunny –not a cloud in the sky - was magnificent!!

Luckily, I listened to the voice of reason inside my head and picked up my accreditation badges early and waited the first day of the festival. (Once the festival started, it was crazy. Lines were LONG!)

Finally the first day!  I hit the day running.  As part of the Producers’ Network I had signed up for a series of workshops run by the festival.  Everyday, I headed to the Palais (the main center where the festival houses all the sales agents, distributers, Short Film Corner, Lecture Hall, Press Room, and the main Theater houses The Debussy & The Grand Lumiere) – The Red Carpets go up from the outside into these two theater houses.

My days were long. I learned so much from established industry professionals who stressed the importance of good storytelling, integrity in the business and taking your time.

Networking was an essential part of the trip.  The Producers Network, American Pavilion, and Pantiero and Riviera became my daily “hotspots” for social gatherings, parties, and invitations.

Selecting where to go became a roulette game of chance and opportunity. It was a pleasure attending parties at coveted locales such as, The Hotel Du Cap, The Majestic, The Grand Hotel, Club Silencio, and The Martinez.

Of course, the experience worth taking was walking the Red Carpet. I was able to reserve tickets to two Red Carpet films. ‘Heli” by Amat Escalante and ‘The Immigrant ‘ by James Gray both which premiered at the Grand Lumiere. 

Ah! I have to mention that walking the Red Carpet in the RAIN & COLD that started the first day of the festival was NOT fun! Those few days before when the sun was shinning in France was just a trick! The raining did not let up until the festival ended. According to locals, its some sort of festival curse or something. Go figure!

Everyday I would spend a chunk of time at the Court Metrege – Short Film Corner promoting ‘Alma & Alex’.  I would distribute our flyers, Q&A our film to viewers and track comments. Also I watched other filmmaker films. It was a great way to network!

‘Alma & Alex’ received great attention despite not being in completion or a contender for review. It was watched by two distributers and was reviewed! 

There was another similar film presented at The Corner.  When viewers were asked which film presented better, ‘Alma & Alex’ took the vote!

Now that I am back, a few folks have asked, “Have you gotten what you went to Cannes for?”

Guess my answer has to be - No. You see, I didn’t go to Cannes to “get” anything. I went there to give something.

Staying open to the possibilities there is so much more I can give. 

So, onwards… 

Katherine Dickson

Guapa Films

©GuapaFilms™

A whole new worrblog!

I took a long time to write. I wasn't too sure what direction I wanted the blog to go. So, I took my Mama's advice, "When at a crossroads and you don't know which way to go, stand still for a while and enjoy the silence." Although it hasn't been all that silent... 
Cory (my son) has graduated and is moving to college, two films I completed during the year are premiering during August, successful stage reading on my script has prompted early production. All of this going on has given me direction for the blog - Transition.


That is what I see all around me. A steady flow of people in transition. Everyone is moving from one place to another looking to transcend from the place they are in. I too am in that restless place. Floating from moment to moment looking for a new purpose. 


I hope to find it and begin to capture it with a new perspective and sharing with you all. Join me in my journey.

Katherine on IMDb

KD

©GuapaFilms™

Deciding what to Blog?

Will I continue to just write about updates and happenings? Yes. But there also has to be more. I'm bored and there is so much going on that I'd love to share....

©GuapaFilms™

New Blog Update Coming Soon.

So many things have happened in the past few months. I am gathering thoughts and re-vamping what I want the blog to focus on so stay tuned...

©GuapaFilms™

March Madness!

New Script. New Plans. Staged Reading. Yippie....

©GuapaFilms™

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2010 brought many changes and losses, and ended in the same way it came in...turbulent. I was not upset to see it end. 2011 is here with all of its promises of new beginnings. I look forward to the new adventures that lay ahead. www.guapafilms.com  Let's make Magic!

©GuapaFilms™

December

I know...I'm late. I haven't written. Well that is the thing with this blogging business. It can take time for thoughts to collect or for the events in ones life to accumulate enough for interesting reading. In my case, I've had way too much going on to put pen to paper (or fingers to keypad) and plunk out the yellow brick road heading towards my Emerald City. Now here we are in December. A year ago today I was keeping chronicles of my journey into the role of 'Alba' for the film "Soledad" which is still in post-production. This year I am currently working on the role of 'Alma' for an upcoming short film yet to be named, so we will call it "Untitled". This film is special because it is being produced by me. Yes folks, that is why I've been so busy. My film company, Guapa Films, LLC is now up and running and we are embarking in our first production. We are slated to begin principal photography in early January. Take a tour of our website to find out all the details of the movie. Of course, I will be blogging about the role of Alma and all the production gossip. So stay tuned.... Happy Filmmaking - KD

©GuapaFilms™