Captured Melody Blog

Seems likes it has been a long time between posts.  Even when I say I’m going to write more I don’t. Geez what is wrong with me.  Maybe I work a lot but that’s no excuse.  I’ve meant to post somethings but just didn’t get the courage to is what it might be.  Sometimes I feel like I’m trying to hard and more than other times I feel like I’m not trying hard enough.  Days go by and then they turn into weeks and months.  Getting out of this worried stage seems to be the best bet here.

What I should have done a long time ago was to post the some photos up from when I got the shirts printed in the first place.  It’s never to late to keep trying.

One of my favorite things about my shirts is the rhinestones that I have on them.  Corey helped out to set the stones in a jig while I was busy catching and counting shirts, after I was done I heat pressed them all.  Project managing a shirt was no easy task.  There was so much I had to do with what little time I had due to working full time.  I was lucky enough to find a printer who was able to give me a more than fair deal who took the time during the weekend to help me run samples.

Ever since the inception of this film, things seemed to first go fast than slow. I think it goes the same with my fairy shirts as well. So one minute I think I have someone to print and the next someone backs out because the client wants something just right. Wow someone should tell screen printers to work in the VFX industry. When I eventually found someone to help me with the creation of my shirts, I was very blessed to have someone who was interested in trying something new and willing to help. I was amazed at the amount of screen printers who were unfamiliar with glow in the dark ink, so I basically had to make the stuff myself, which I did. As my friend who is an entrepreneur said to me “are you an expert?” I answered “Yes! I am a glow in the dark expert.”

So due to set up cost for my most amazing shirts, I had to stick with one design. So for anyone who has visited my site www.glowwings.com I am sorry for not having more designs and glow colors, but I hope I have compensated with at least style. Since there are so many to choose from.

Besides working on funding my film, this is my first official business venture, which is related to the film. I sometime find myself at odds because I have created a product called glow wings to finance my thesis film Captured Melody. There are two different websites, one for the shirts and one for the film. I wonder everyday how to bridge the gap between the two. I have also extended some efforts to help with marketing/advertising using google adwords and facebook ads for my internet website. Word of mouth sales seem to be the best and people who buy glow wings really enjoy the product.

My intention with glow wings was to create an interesting product that would provide joy and entertainment for fairy lovers, as well as adding some additional financial support for Captured Melody. If you would like to show your support please purchase a shirt online and share the link and your shirt with your friends. Help spread the word about this unique product and project.

If anyone out there in the blogisphere has any ideas on getting the word out there for my shirts, please let me know. I have barely scratched the surface and know there is a better way to do this instead of paying facebook for advertising. I need to work on selling shirts to raise more capital for marketing and fund raising.

Since I am a member of Women in Film, I am wondering if I can get on their news letter, I have noticed that some people who are working on funding sometimes have a small blurb on them that goes out with the monthly newsletter, so that members can find out what you are doing and working on.

Geez,  I haven’t posted anything to this blog in a while and today that is change!  So much has happened this year.  for a recap, I got the Glow Wings shirts completed, just finished getting the html version of the Captured Melody site up for viewing.  I’ve learned so much this year in regards to working on my film project/business endeavor and am going to share some of my info in upcoming blog posts.  I also produced and directed a Go Daddy commercial for a superbowl contest, all while working full time at Digital Domain.

I have currently begun working on marketing efforts for the Glow Wings shirts in order to support the film.  So much to learn in so little time.

Comparing a film to a baby is a great analogy.  Seems like Captured Melody has really consumed a lot of my life and my everyday thoughts.  I want to nurture it and see it grow to its fullest potential.

Current State of the Dress

Concept Skirt and Half Corset

What

are your

thoughts?

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Hello everyone, I wanted to share a current work in progress at the moment.  One photo is the current state of the dress with a half belt and the other is a partial concept.  Edith and I have been discussing the skirt lately and what we have to do to get it right.  So what do you think we should do?  The character Rosalyn needs to be able to run and do action sequences.  I suggest that the skirt be short and have some flair/edge.  Edith agreed.  We are also going to have the actress wear some brown tall flat boots.  Very Awesome!    I think that the red and blue represent a whole lot about the  fairy, all fairies have their look and own storty, but I don’t want to overhaul you with the pompous details of the director.  Well there you have it, throw some thoughts out there don’t be shy.

Costume Designer Edith Raya Rocks!  She loves story, script and bringing characters to life!

It seems like the universe is bringing insights to me on a day to day basis.  I’m still pushing through and working diligently on the film.  As for a current status, I ordered my Captured Melody business cards today!  Also this week I ordered the Captured Melody tees and am very excited, I should have them by the end of the month, or early next month; just in time for Christmas.  I’ve been blessed to have two great designers; M and Shelly!  Thank you so much for all your work!  Also look forward to a new website coming with the launch of the shirts!

Okay so after one day of walking around, I went to go look for some t- shirts in Heather Green.  Yet once again, no luck.  I did end up buying a different style of shirt in 2 different colors.  I will be heading back to the district on Monday and will continue to look for Heather Green t-shirts online.  I met a designer that is going to help me get some long sleeve burn out shirts.  Her name is Ari and she is really nice.  After my long day of walking around, I headed back home to get some rest.  As for this evening, I got to get back to my logo designer with my draw overs and notes.  I think we are really close to being finished.

Well checking out for the evening.  I have the task of setting up my outlook with my new email address.  And also  have to import and organize my contacts, so that I can keep track of what I’m doing and who I’m talking to and when I talked to them.  Hopefully by Tuesday of next week, I will have all my shirts ready to take to the screen printers, but I’m still looking for someone to convert and pep up my design a tiny bit.  I’m moving along nicely.

Woke up yesterday morning and left at 10am in my mustang with the top down and headed to the LA Fashion District.  I was on a mission to find me some blank t-shirts. Looking for items that you specifically need or a style in your mind is really tough.  My first stop this morning was American Apparel.

The parking lot had a security guard and the lot was filled.  The warehouse had an retail outlet and a wholesale showroom.  I walked into the outlet and was greeted by a cute and friendly male employee.  I asked him where the showroom was for wholesale and he gave me directions with a nice smile, I had to smile back.  I walked out the door and  made my way to the security guard center where the employees and buyers enter the warehouse.  I signed in and got my visitors pass and was motioned to go in the  freight type elevator. The cage had black and white pictures of women dressed in hip sexy clothing, it was very artistic and compelling within the moving environment.  It almost seemed like a scene in a movie that I was experiencing.  The elevator stopped and I waited a moment for the doors to open; being a little confused I thought to open the doors manually to get to my floor.  What an experience!  I entered the showroom and began checking out the selections.

I was greeted by bright and cheery Maggie, one of the representatives there.  She was very helpful. She signed me up for a wholesale account since I have my resellers permit.  It was my first experience formally handing in my permit and signing paperwork, I really felt achieved and was proud to tell her that I’m going to be selling the t-shirts to raise money for my film.  I think she thought it was a really fun idea.

There were a couple styles that I like but since I’m starting off fresh, I need to keep costs down.  Taking a big risk could be costly when trying something new, but you have to take risks to be successful.   Most saving were offered with cases or dozens of the same size, but single pieces are available.  Currently, they have 2 green ones that I am really interested in and I might be back if I cannot find them elsewhere.  Overall, I would definitely go back to American Apparel; the customer service was excellent and the prices are reasonable.  After I was done I rode back down the awesome elevator and  headed outside to my car.

Grabbing the bull by the horns and taking control of what you want manifests the universe to work for you in blessed ways, it lets you know that you are on the right path.  -ACTIVATE-

After closing the door to my car I got a call from my friend Lisette, she told me she needed to find A Thunder Cats Cheetara costume and she was headed to downtown to find what she needed.  Lisette and I meet up and we parked in an upper floor parking garage in the Fashion District.  It was great to see my friend cause we haven’t hung out in a long time. We got caught up quickly and went on our missions together.  Lisette was a great help cause she speaks Spanish unlike myself.  We walked so many blocks and visited so many stores.  Finding blank shirt that are true sizes is pretty difficulty there and so many shirts which were cluttered with designs.  Finding the right cut and material of t-shirt was crucial to my vision.  Lisette had a hard time trying to find the right colors for her vision to match her costume. We loved it when we were greeted by the occasional rude employee who looked at us and said “wholesale only.”  But to their dismay, I had my permit on me!  Ha!  I have to admit that this was about 50% of the shops we visited. But Lisette and I just made fun on them and had a jolly laugh about them.

So we made more rounds, walking round and round searching for what we needed.  We kept searching and then started to meet some cool owners and places with reasonable prices for smaller multiple sized packages.  I took my iPhone out of one of the shops and one of the employee told me no pictures.  I said “it’s okay, I want to see if my design will match the colors that you have.”  She took a look at the image, smiled and gave us great customer service.  I also really liked 2 styles of shirts they had, so I will be making my way out there again today to make some purchases.  I also showed the picture to a few vendors and they gave us ideas of what could be added to make it better.

Rhinestones!

The walk continued.  All of a sudden a middle aged street vendor came out of nowhere and held up a little plastic cage filled with two tiny turtles.  She told me that they were $8.00 and they eat lettuce.  They were so cute, I almost bought them, but I used the power of no and went on my way.  Lisette was getting tired and was starting to get thirsty in the hot sun so she bought a Vitamin Water.  I was still wanted to visit one last shop  in the time we had left.  I think at this point, Lisette was pretty impressed with my negotiating skills.  I was cutting deals left and right but the styles were not just right, I was hesitant.  It had gotta feel right.

At the last store we went to I finally found the shirt I was looking for, but it had a design on it.  Damn! Why does that always happen?  I asked the shop owner if I could buy the shirt without a design.  Her reply was hesitant then asked me “how many pieces?”  I told her about 20 or 30.  She almost gawked that it wasn’t in the hundreds.  My friend and I rolled our eyes and brushed it off.  We continued looking in the store and I eventually found the plain white shirt in the same style, held up the shirt and inquired to her again.  Her eyes lit up and her tune quickly changed, she paused then said “let me check.”  Either she forgot or she was just being a pain, whatever, she had what I was looking for!  The shirts came in packages of 2s/2m/2l.  I got 3 packages, thanked her and went on our way.

We finally made it back to our cars we decided to go to my place.  When I sat in car my legs were so tired and worn out.  They were happy to get a break.  I wiggled my toes and lifted my feet off the ground.  Ahhh…We got to my place and we carpooled to some dance wear stores to find leotards for her Cheetara costume.  While Lisette was looking for colors and sizes, I checked out the Halloween costume section of the store and young man asked me if I needed some help.  I replied with “I really don’t know what I am going to be for Halloween.”  He told me I should look at the sexy costumes.  I shook my head no and replied with my first thought, “Do you have any shark costumes?”  He looked at me strangely and said only for kids.  After that I went and found my friend and told her what I said and she had a good laugh.  Hmm.. I think I really want to be a shark… Lisette came out of the dressing room; still no luck on the costume end.  Are tummies were growling with hunger, so we  finished our day with a great steak tostadas from Poquito Mas.  The guacamole was amazingly very fresh.  And we got there at the right time, we left the place was packed.  I would highly recommend this restaurant  if are in the West Los Angeles area!

Overall it was a great to spend the day with my friend and find a style that  I was looking for that would be worthy to carry the Captured Melody brand name!  The journey continues tomorrow.  I’m going back to Downtown to visit some more stores and return to ones that had styles that I liked.  I have 2 or 3 more styles to find, before I take them to the screen printers baby!  Oh yeah!  -ACTIVATE-

I know I haven’t posted for a while, but I was busy working on Donkey Live!, an upcoming Universal Studios Singapore attraction at Super 78 Films.  I really enjoyed working for a strong team of people and learned greatly from the experience.  I had an opportunity to work on 4D attractions and an interactive experience.  I have to say I am very proud that I had a chance to show and use my skills to help the production.  It is an awesome feeling.

So now the production is over and I have the opportunity to work on Captured Melody full time.  But the truth is I still have a lot to learn on my quest to raise the money for the film and provide a roof over my head, but I am determined and doing it.  Making a film from scratch is a labor of love.  It takes hard work, dedication and perseverance.  I cannot give up.  Completing Captured Melody will be a great accomplishment which could provide the path to so many other doors.  Whatever they may be, only the universe knows.

As for the film and the production company, I’ve gotten more aggressive and have hired a graphic designer to do my business cards and create the Shark Byte Entertainment Logo.  I’ve also been getting quotes for the shirts to be redesigned for print and also have been researching wholesalers for the shirts.  I’m planning to get this stuff going soon.  I need to take another trip to the downtown fashion district to see if I can purchase some shirts.  It seems like so much stuff.  Since I was working full time, I had limited time to do this.  I was also thinking about selling some soaps, incense and candles on the site too; just in time for the holidays.  Yeah I may have missed Halloween, but we’ll see.

Today I took the next step to move further in my film pursuits and am hiring pitch coach Jill Gilbert of One Plus Productions.  Jill has years of experience in the entertainment industry and has a passion for storytelling.  We are going to get focused to create a pitch for myself, the film and the production company.  Jill comes highly recommended and I look forward to getting some homework and honing into my personal story.  As I move forward with Jill I will be sharing my experience on this blog, but not give away too much.  I’m looking forward to focusing my energy and moving in the right direction to get Captured Melody funded and put Shark Byte Entertainment on the map.

In addition to having this awesome meeting today with Jill, I got called to do a meet and greet with another animation studio, perhaps for a possible job.  So I hope all goes well.

Bless the Universe for bringing great people into my life.

I am saddened to say that we have lost a great actor.  Today I received news that James Gary Byrd died September 6th after open heart surgery.

James loved to play on stage and frequented the San Diego theatre scene with his acting and directing talents.  James loved the classics, had a true passion for his art and was not afraid to try new things that challenged him as an artist.  Even though times in his life were up and down, he always tried to look at the brighter side of things.  I spoke with his brother and sister-in-law this evening and they told me that he always spoke of Captured Melody and how excited he was to be cast to play the part of the King Mortimer.  Gary blessed us all with his talents, grace and friendliness.  I am happy to say that I knew him and had a chance to work with him and confide in him as a friend.  He will be sorely missed by his family and friends but not forgotten.  May the Lord bless his soul in the kingdom of heaven.  Gary has taught me that even though our time here on earth is short, we need to follow and reach for our dreams everyday and remember our family, friends and the stories that inspire us along our journey.

In loving memory, I will be dedicating Captured Melody to him for his time, efforts, inspiration and insight towards the film.

Gary’s family will be planning a memorial for him in October.  If you would like to attend or send condolences please feel free to contact me and I will pass your information along.

We miss you Gary.

Today has been a great week for myself and for Captured Melody.  I feel I have so many things that I need to get taken care of.  Overall I got my Seller’s License this week.  Went with my mom Elvira to go look for shirts at the LA Fashion District on Saturday.  Didn’t see much, but I did find some good research online and found something I like.  I’d like to offer something unique and different as a trendy piece with  possible jewelry and a nice T-shirt as well as a tank top option.  Going to then have the shirts screen printed so I have a bunch of stuff to do.  I have also been busy trying to figure out a design and making in in IllustratorCS4  Designing for apparel is so much different than video or print.  Big learning curve once again.  If anyone is interested in doing it or can offer some guidance please let me know I have the design just need to design it for print.

I also went apartment hunting with Corey on Sunday and didn’t have much luck, but yet we may be in luck that a friend has a vacancy in her complex.  Kudos to timing.  Well see about that.  Also twitter followers have grown to 1,500 let’s see what we can do.  I need to get some more followers and fans on facebook.  Networking is tough but rewarding.  Especially social networking.

I myself have been blessed with an amazing opportunity and hopefully all will go well.  So peace and blessings to everyone and I hope you wished for some good things this week and I hope they are coming true.