Dave's Progress. Chapter 26: Hollywood Here I Come, part III- The Final Chapter.
It has been a while since I've blogged, but this has been because I have been quite busy (at least for me) doing my voluntary work and also working on the film I mentioned not so long ago (See Hollywood Here I Come, parts I & II). And so it came; the big day. Thursday, March 26th, 2009. The premiere of the film. It was an important night for me as not only was I to give an introductory speech to the film, I had also written some of the voice-over for it and was also having some of my poetry displayed in the foyer of the museum where the film was being screened. So all in all, it was either a pretty nerve-wracking or exciting event for me, depending on how you looked at it.
There were seven short films being shown in all. I have to say that ours, of course, was not the only one. It wasn't as if this was all about me, after all (although my ego almost had me believing it at one stage). The films, generally speaking, covered a variety of topics to do with both physical and mental health. Our film, now called "The Search", was the fourth to be screened. As I got up to give my introductory speech my limbs went a little weak and during it my voice began to tremble somewhat. I was speaking in front of what must have been around two hundred people after all. But after my speech I calmed down a bit, and I had had support from one of the CPN's (Community Psychiatric Nurse) when I got up on stage, as she had to give an introductory speech of her own.
It was the first time I'd seen the film as a finished project that night and I have to say I was impressed. It was not as dark as I had initially feared and although a little scary and harrowing at some points, this was balanced with an ultimate message of recovery and hope. So the film, as we all wanted, I believe, at least showed that illnesses like schizophrenia and bi polar can be recovered from, coped with and managed.
After the films, some amusing, some hard-hitting, we all gathered in the foyer and loads of people congratulated me on my speech. I can only say that my head swelled a little and I schmoozed amongst the crowd somewhat shamelessly. After all that it was time to go home, and I began to suffer what one of my friends called P.C.C. (or post-cinematic come-down). Indeed, after all the process of making the film and finally seeing it screened, life without it seems a little emptier. Or perhaps I should look on the bright side and say, calmer.
Anyway, if any of you out there actually went to see the film or were involved in the making of it, then a great big thankyou from me. After all, lets not forget the important message of our film- that people with diagnoses of schizophrenia or bi-polar can and do make valuable contributions to our society.
As for me, I have to go now because Mr. Tarantino is calling me to do my close-ups! But rest assured that your normal, average, paranoid and delusional man will return.
There were seven short films being shown in all. I have to say that ours, of course, was not the only one. It wasn't as if this was all about me, after all (although my ego almost had me believing it at one stage). The films, generally speaking, covered a variety of topics to do with both physical and mental health. Our film, now called "The Search", was the fourth to be screened. As I got up to give my introductory speech my limbs went a little weak and during it my voice began to tremble somewhat. I was speaking in front of what must have been around two hundred people after all. But after my speech I calmed down a bit, and I had had support from one of the CPN's (Community Psychiatric Nurse) when I got up on stage, as she had to give an introductory speech of her own.
It was the first time I'd seen the film as a finished project that night and I have to say I was impressed. It was not as dark as I had initially feared and although a little scary and harrowing at some points, this was balanced with an ultimate message of recovery and hope. So the film, as we all wanted, I believe, at least showed that illnesses like schizophrenia and bi polar can be recovered from, coped with and managed.
After the films, some amusing, some hard-hitting, we all gathered in the foyer and loads of people congratulated me on my speech. I can only say that my head swelled a little and I schmoozed amongst the crowd somewhat shamelessly. After all that it was time to go home, and I began to suffer what one of my friends called P.C.C. (or post-cinematic come-down). Indeed, after all the process of making the film and finally seeing it screened, life without it seems a little emptier. Or perhaps I should look on the bright side and say, calmer.
Anyway, if any of you out there actually went to see the film or were involved in the making of it, then a great big thankyou from me. After all, lets not forget the important message of our film- that people with diagnoses of schizophrenia or bi-polar can and do make valuable contributions to our society.
As for me, I have to go now because Mr. Tarantino is calling me to do my close-ups! But rest assured that your normal, average, paranoid and delusional man will return.
Comments
WOW!
Can we expect an 8x10 autographed glossy in the mail? I am so tickled to hear that your night went so well. Doors may open that you never expect to open; may they be supportive in your life.
Most sincerely,
Dixie Copeland
"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get."
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Thanks for your comment. At the moment I certainly am "liking what I'm getting" so am, for me perhaps unusually, quite happy.
Also, as you say, you never know what doors may open because of this. I could be cynical and say "as one door opens another one slams shut in your face", but I shall rise above all that and remain positive. Klahanie would be proud of me!
Thankyou sincerely for your support,
David.
P.S. The 8x10 is in the post :@)
My good friend, I am proud of you. You most certainly have been busy. I'm sure all the 'show business' endeavours have helped your own self exteem.
To interact, to be a part of something special; is most rewarding.
I commend you David. I understand how challenging all this must have been as you tackled your own confidence issues.
"Hollywood Here I Come." I shall book my flight over to L.A. to see you signing autographs for your adoring fans.
Well done, David. Warm wishes to you and keep going.
Gary.
Thanks for all your supportive and heart-felt comments. It was indeed difficult to get up there and give my speech, but I feel I have made great progress and, as always, your own difficult path has been an inspiration and a confidence-builder. Sincerely, cannot thank you enough for your kind remarks and I hope that your own recovery goes on a similarly positive path.
Yours With All The Best, as usual,
David.