new blog for this trip

Had to start a new blog specifically for my Europe circus filming. Follow where we go & see videos & pictures. I'll try to keep it updated...but not going to try to do both blogs.

GO HERE for Europe trip Dec 10- Jan 31st

http://worldcircusculture.blogspot.com/

7 weeks in Europe

PLANE TICKETS ARE BOUGHT!!!!!!!!!!

Europe: Dec. 10th - Jan. 30th. WOW.
Germany, Holland, France (Paris & Nice), and Monaco.

GOOGLE MAP LINK!


The last few days I've felt like a little kid that's so excited to go outside in winter they can't get their snow suit on. It also felt exactly like Christmas eve last night as I lay in bed at 2am, completely unable to go to sleep.

WORLD CIRCUS CULTURE UPDATED WEBSITE (click on link)

with VIDEO!

One last stop - for now - Seattle / LA

Chicago was it's usual - or not so usual - wonderful stop. Only thing it was missing was sleep. Still Best City Ever. Edited Peru trip #4, which will be up online soon.

Then, because I couldn't just fly directly to LA at the end of my wanderings, I stopped in Seattle for some Halloween partying and catching up with a wonderful friend who has stuck with me through my travels.

Now I'm back in LA, in MY room, in MY bed. wow. This is stranger than any of my other sleeping arrangements thus far. But man this is the best bed EVER. My room is empty from packing it all up for the sublet. I don't think I'll unpack though because - big news - I'm moving out Dec. 1st. Not 100% where to, but I have a security blanket plan of sharing a room with a friend. So, at least there is a pretend plan, although strangely this decision was a really hard one. Not sure why I cared so much about an apartment I hadn't been in for 5 months.

I've also noticed time zones don't exist to my body. Go to sleep now? OK. Stay awake now? OK. Helpful I guess.

CIRCUS!! December & January

As I return to my boxed up empty room, perfect bed, and food cravings from boredom due to sitting at my desk, I have to remind myself...I'm leaving in a month.

It's happening. Somehow.

I will be spending my first Christmas away from home this year - France, or maybe Germany.

In 2006, I took Documentary and Social Change in College - strangely my only Documentary class. We had to write a treatment for a documentary. I chose the Circus, of course, but wanted to travel, of course, so figured a way to combine the two, of course.

Who knew, four years later I would actually be making this extravagant dream and slight obsession come true. Around December 10th I will head to Paris, Germany, the Netherlands, and Monaco for my World Circus Culture Documentary. The circus has a culture of its own, a culture outside and beyond age, country and time; that's what makes it so unique.

7 weeks in Europe here I come. I was / AM feeling overwhelmed with moments of panic from the prospect of traveling again, especially for the cause of my biggest film yet and the one I care about most, but day 2 in my LA apartment finds me ready to leave, ready to pack....so, I'll be fine.

WEBSITE PROJECT INFO

Everyone please dream piles of money for the film and spread the word to all those interested in investments or donations!

This is a logo WORK IN PROGRESS by Karen Gersch

home is....

"Where are you from?" is one of the hardest questions people ask me. When I pause and look confused, well that's not the normal reaction, they're not looking for a story, just one word. I'm definitely from Vermont, but I grew up in St. Louis. I love Chicago and went to College there. Now I live in LA, well kind of. But for being on the road for 5 months, I'm surprisingly unfazed. I'm pretty comfortable where ever I am.

I once spent a month on a job in DC and slept on an air mattress behind my friend's couch. This is the conversation she had with Josh regarding where I'm staying for two weeks in Chicago.

Laura: : so you are making me look like an awful friend
Josh: what! por que!?
Laura: : you give angela her own closet to live in, and all i gave her was a nook behind the couch...now i look like the assholeI've been calling it a closet, but I've realized it's directly off the kitchen - it's a pantry.

Romania Habitat Video

Here is the link to the 3min video Lindsey and I put together for the last night in Romania. Habitat asked for this to show at the closing dinner...right because we had time to edit a video in between filming 250 people. Anyway, not too shabby for staying up to 4am in the middle of shooting. More videos and a documentary to come from Lindsey.







THE ROMANIA VIDEO

snow in October

Definitely home in Vermont. Saw lightly falling snow this morning. Walking home last night I could see my breath, the crisp air smelled like snow, with the crunch of fallen leaves below and the massive sky of stars above. Why would I want to live anywhere else?

I leave Monday for Chicago. I can't wait.

New Orleans has been canceled on my end, although the project is still underway. Unfortunate, but maybe it will give me a moment to breath and I'll no doubt be involved in future projects. www.blackpattiproductions.com

I fly into Chicago Monday and am picked up by Josh to drive to Milwaukee Children's Hospital by 3pm for 5 interviews with the doctors who were on the last Yantalo trip. I'll probably stay in Chicago till the end of the month when my LA apartment is available to me. Editing, seeing my wonderful plethora of friends, and just maybe a day or two paid production work should keep me busy.

northern ireland, not ireland

I wont try to cover the whirl wind of last days at the Big Build.

The last night / one day in Belfast. I took a train to Bangor (pronounced BangHer, Ha.) to wander along the water and get some country views. I figued a tour of Belfast could best be accomplished in a few pubs, I was right. Lindsey and I met up with 2 of her work friends and as we walked to our third pub, one commented we were entering a Catholic chunk of the city, they were Protestant. The pub was perfect with five musicians hunched in a circle in the corner enjoying thier own music as much as the rest of the bar. Two fiddles, 1 guitar, a tin whistle, and a drum. Lidnsey's friends commented 10 years ago they never would have been caught in this bar, I asked if they felt uncomfortable, they said no. But, as the night wore on and the bar thinned out we chatted with the bar tender and the few other drinkers and Lindsey's one friend changed her name on introduction to what she claimed was a less Protestant name than her own.

It was a night of music, whiskey, and a glimpse into a culture and historically segregated past.

NOW: home in vermont, slightly chilled, and with fire in the atumn woods.

sunrises across the world

a camera is the best excuse to force yourself out of bed for the most beautiful part of the day.

behind the scenes

After spending so much time in Peru, I think I have a different view on poverty, or maybe am decesorized. We went on a "poverty tour" today. That means two big tour buses full of people with cameras went to "one of the poorest" Roma communities. Awesome (sarcasim- in case blogging doesn't translate that). I was so excited to see the gypsies at home, but it just didn't feel the same. They've been discriminated for so long- from slaves, to the Holocast, to communism. Forced legalling out of their traveling culture and "given" land, which they do not own and is far enough out of town to stay hidden. Who knows what their culture really is / was, they're just crammed in with "poor" here. There are different kinds of poverty, depending on where you are, maybe they are all equally in need of attention and not meant to be compared. You can't change everything, but if you start some where at least a ripple has been made, don't think about the wouldacouldas, there's too many

When we visited the houses of the Romanian's who are getting the Habitat Houses, all I could think about was - well, they have houses / apartments. Yantalo is full of one room mud houses with dirt floors and 5 or more people in a family sleeping on the floor. But, Habitat does have a good concept, the houses are a "hand up" not a "hand out". Meaning homeowners do have to pay, but this just means they are responsible and show the promise of seceding in the world.

I think in order to make a good film you have to be slightly obsessed with your subject. When they take a drink of water you're scrambling to push record because in your head this is THE moment you need. Of course, hopefully you have a clear enough vision to stop yourself and stick to the story. But, I think you need that slight insanity. Also, I think the best way to understand your job is to do every other position first.

The only reason I'm actually being awesome at this blog stuff is I have to sit here every night while tapes capture, that's at least 2 hours of sit and stare time. And I would like to retract my "sony sucks" statement from the previous post. This camera has been relatively good to me, it deserves more than that.

day 2 construction, feels like day 10

I think I figured out, partially, what it is that fascinates me about gypsies. They seem to exist in a parallel universe, timeless. We followed a woman in neon green, orange, brown, and purple flowing long skirt with headscarf wandering into town, skirt blowing in the wind. I'm happy to say I shot it, from a distance I saw her walk across the main bridge.

Tiles went on the roofs today. Some nice visuals. Also shot the interview of one homeowners, Doru. Pretty much all homeowners were orphans or homeless. Doru now lives at the closed orphanage building. wow, what a sight. Moments like that I really thank people for sharing their stories.

There always seems to be one person who becomes the "do it all helper" for my travel filming. In Peru it's Wuilman, in Romania it's Florian. He received a Habitat home years ago and now works for Habitat, is on the selection committee, drives Lindsey and I around, translates during interviews, practically directs when necessary in Romanian, sets an amazing example around the work site and for the soon to be homeowners. I can't wait to hear his story and where he has come from, because it can't have been a good place, but to me he's at the top now. Um, and please note, shout out goes to the US - Josh - considering he never stops answering my texts, calls, IMs, emails regarding my technical panics over the camera or final cut. PS, Sony sucks.

I've been capturing some of the footage due to the "fun task" of editing together a montage piece at the end of this week. Glad things are looking better on my computer than in the bright sun and dusty viewfinder during the day!


NOTE: didn't figure out how to write captions for photos on the last post. Obviously- the site, me having issues with hard hat plus headphones, and Lindsey (friend who brought me) on top of the hill w/ camera.

winning game of charades

The universal language of the world is charades. I had the winning hand tonight as I mimed for maybe 5 minutes that I wanted to borrow a power strip for the night to the woman at the front desk. There is a major LACK of outlets in pretty much every country other than the US. I gave a full mime show... unfortunately she wasn't laughing. There was a breakthrough moment when I found a power strip behind the fridge and proceed to mime taking it to "bed" with me and "waking up" with it and "returning it". I tried some spanish every now and then just to make myself feel better...didn't work. But, I do have a power strip for the night. I'm not even sure if the woman knew I was staying in her hotel. The language here is the strangest combination. I clearly recognize words from French and Italian, actually sometimes use "Merci" for "thankyou". Unfortunately they don't seem to combine Spanish, although I keep trying. I'm really not sure what to make of it.

Shooting today was, well, overwhelming. One camera (me) is not enough for 300 people and 10 houses- all with the frames going up. Such an amazing day visually. Oh and SO dusty, I think the dustiest situation I've ever had to shoot in (Josh correct me if I'm forgetting!).

Saw gypsies...or Roma...or Ramani... again today. I'm not sure who is staring and smiling harder at whom though. They have the biggest grin and biggest eyes, and as I smile and stare wide eyed at them, they look just as intently back. Hopefully it's a mutual fascination.

Day 3...or wait 4? oh who knows: start with a sunrise then tiling the roofs etc.

gypsies!

Most amazing thing EVER, my hotel has wireless, and the strongest connection EVER! Aside from the disco that shares a wall with our (very nice) room, which blasted music with DJ and flashing lights till 3am, this place is great. I will say I didn't notice the music after my head hit the pillow last night. Tonight it's quite

Arrived to Romania with a full moon rising on the left and a golden sun setting on the right. I kept falling asleep but would force myself awake every two minutes to look at the sights, too beautiful to miss. The landscape and towns aren't necessarily anything to rave about though. Some nice brown and gold fields, hills, corn, and concrete houses with tiled roofs. Girls have big sunglasses and lots of eye liner and boys have that European sports wear on. The only thing that has made my day, my week, my month is I saw gypsies!! Or, I'm pretty sure I did. I mean, horse and wagon and big family. What is it that fascinates me about these people?! The travelers. hmm. They have quite a horrific history, especially in the communist time of Romania and the very unknown tragic tale during the Holocaust.

Anyway, first day of filming went pretty smooth. Quick what the project is: Habitat for Humanity BIG BUILD 2009. 10 houses 1 week 250 volunteers. Most of the new house owners were orphans, they will be working side by side to build the houses with volunteers mainly from Ireland.

We interviewed 3 of the soon to be homeowners and looked at their old / now homes & living conditions. Pretty impossible to imagine editing an interview when it's in a language completely unknown, although we did have a translator.

House frames go up tomorrow, good for a timelapse!

hello Ireland

I think the only time I get to sleep is on planes these days. Arrived in Belfast Ireland this AM. Green fields, sheep, small cars, brick streets, students in uniforms (think Harry Potter!), and my taxi driver calling me 'love' made me feel like all those movies on Ireland are real. Luckily the coffee is strong here and my body is confused enough already that I'm not noticing jetlag. Explored the city a bit (meaning took a bus and walked quickly to breakfast) and then had production meetings with Habitat and Lindsey. 2am tonight the Habitat group meets for a bus ride to Dublin, plane to Budapest (woah I'm going to Hungary!), then 6 hour bus to Romania, arrive 6pm the next day. Again, atleast I'll get some sleep in, no other time.

HEY! look at me, writing in a blog on my travels.

LA, STL, CHI, VT, NYC, LA, Peru, NYC, Ireland, Romania, NYC, VT, New Orleans, LA

Ok, to start this strange thing of a BLOG, I'll quickly go over the last 4 months of my life and my coming month... I haven't been able to find time to keep in touch with and update enough people, which is also the reason for starting this whole thing. Anyway, at this point I'm having a hard time remembering what I'm doing, so I'd better write it down somewhere.


I also will start this by saying, I want to hear from all of you - this is my alternative to an email...BUT not your excuse to not keep in touch with me!


June
-Sublet my apartment for 4 months and flew to St. Louis to see my Mom and Tom & help pack up the house for selling.
-Drove to Chicago and saw highschool & college friends
-Flew to Vermont
-Drove to New York


July & August
-Lived in NYC
-Filmed the dramma and wonderful characters of Amazing Grace Circus's first year of shows under a little big top in Nyack New York.
SHORT VIDEO THAT PLAYED ON msnbc online & two other news stations
-Worked part time on a reality show for TLC in the city.
-Realized I needed to extend my sublet until November...offically will live out of a backpack for 5 months.


September
-Got a great job as Supervising Producer on the 13th Annual Prism Awards and flew to LA for two weeks to finish the Post on the show.
-Made my 4th visit to Yantalo Peru to continue the documentary "Solo No Puedo"
YANTALO FOUNDATION PROMO VIDEOS
PHOTO LINK (from this last trip)
-Decided with 7 wonderful friends also on the trip to buy land in Yantalo and build a house, which will also act as a volunteer house for others.
-Sept 29th returned to NYC. Do laundry, buy camera gear, and see my NYC aunties. Only 1 full day in the states before leaving again.

October
-Ireland for the offices of Habitat for Humanity & then with the Big Build group fly to Romania
-Film 10 houes being built in 1 week by 250 people in Romania
-1 week in Vermont



November ?
-Back in LA for what might just be a month.
-Edit etc