Tilt-Shifty

Technicolor Pachyderm

Summer is coming to a close, and in a place with no real indication of climate change, I've been forced to mind my calendar. Which is not without it's benefits, such as not appearing to be totally lost and actually knowing which day it is. I digress, but there have been some monumental changes in my paradigm. I have a Dinosaur in my life. Now, that may sound a little off-putting to some, maybe even dangerous. But let me assure you, there is nothing more gratifying than winning the affections of a carnivorous reptile lover. They tend to get bitey, but it's worth it. Also, I'm also starting my next feature script (with some help from aforementioned Dino), a comedy about a certain pop-culture sub-set (can't give away too much :P). I feel inspired, and it's beautiful. I'm hoping to hone some of that responsibility I've heard so much about and have this script in a finished 1st draft by the end of the month. I'll keep you posted. Also, if you haven't peeped it yet, check out my latest short: "Smart Phriend" on Vimeo.com or Facebook!
Until next time...

Love,
R*


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

An object in motion...

My mother is quite an interesting person, to say the least. She is psychic on some level, and she has been practicing astrology since before I was born. She recently sent me my transit, which is essentially your astrological chart for a certain period of time, in this case three months. It's funny how sometimes you need to be reminded of things you already know, and somehow hearing from an outside source makes them clearer and more profound. It was reassuring, because according to this I was right on track. I've been recently making some drastic changes in my professional life, and it's been great. Although, it has come with a level of uncertainty, and an intense energy that needs managing. Not unexpected, but still challenging. Being volatile goes both ways, it doesn't know the difference, we have to do our best to harness it, or be consumed by it. Therein lies the test. I've chosen my door, but walking through it is just the beginning. As long as I can maintain focus and not get sidetracked, this could be the precipice of a major coup in the modern life of Rocco. Stay tuned...

Love,
-R*


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

Looking for art in all the wrong places...

It's a funny thing when business and pleasure merge into a throbbing mess of complication. When personal relationships are the foundation of work, how do you keep it separate? It seems like a no-win. How do you "not take it personal"? And, it seems ultimately ironic that becoming friends with someone you want to work with can make things worse. If I made a film, the first thing I'm thinking is: "How do I involve my people with pertinent skills?" It's the same for most. Which is why this concept is even more confusing, because it seems that my recent attempts to collaborate with my "friends" has back-fired. Several times. In this week alone.

Now, I understand some things are not meant to be, and it doesn't discourage me at all from wanting to make art. It's just frustrating when people around you that you REALLY like working with, get absorbed into a "troop" that wants no part of you. I guess it's life's way of reminding me the only person you can really count on is yourself. I try not to take anything personally, but it gets difficult when you seem to be the odd man out.

With that said, all of this makes me extremely thankful for the people I can be creative with. It's easy to lose sight of the big picture when you're in a shit-storm, but when the chips are down, the whack people reveal themselves, as well as the amazing ones. Even though I've felt so insulted by the actions of some, the truly great ones have shone through the b.s. and reminded me how important they are (you know who you are). And, maybe sifting through the idiots and malcontents is what makes these sacred people so important.

Thanks for reading me vent...

Love,

-R*

Like a Phoenix

The title pretty much says it all. I've been in a bit of a funk lately, hence my complete lack of interesting or insightful ramblings on this particular forum, but I'm back ;) I'm happy to report I've had a complete and utter turn around, which has led to many rewards from the universe. Now, I stress the order of events. I found my happy, THEN, and only then, did good things start happening. Once again, I've been reminded of one of life's basic principals: you get what you give. It's not as though some magical event transpired that gave me the strength to endure. It was my own decision to change my perspective, that allowed me to be open to the wonders being offered.
The point is, nothing will make you happy but yourself. The good things come to people who are in tune with themselves and their surroundings. So, there is hope for all of us, you just have to decide to love life, and it will love you back ;)

Until next time true believers...

"Life's a game but it's not fair, I break the rules so I don't care..."




Love
-R*


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

Booyakasha...

I'm another year older (as of 1/18, thanks you very much), and life is not without it's infinite barage of lessons and mishaps. Now, not trying to throw myself a pity party, but I have a penchant for the pessimistic. Knowing this, I've worked very hard to remind myself of the infinite wonder and mystery of things, and how futile negativity is. All that being said, I forget, and need to be reminded, and the crazy thing is that when you need it most is when you're the most blind to the fact. Sometimes it takes something drastic to bring you back to center, or a culmination of smaller things that finally add up, little droplets of rain eventually making a river that breaks a dam. Either way, I'm thankful for those reminders, in whatever incarnation. Recenty I've had a string of whack events happen to me (I'll spare the details), which didn't help the deep funk I've been in over the last months. But, ironically, it was these things that snapped me back to appreciate the important stuff, and it wasn't until I thought I would crack that it happened. Although, I'd like to think meditating and self-reflection have helped me to harness these moments is depairity and turn them into something positive. Because ultimately, positive begets positive, negative begets negative, and no one or no thing can break that cycle (either way) but you. I'm just happy to be on this side of the fence again, and I'm ready for MY new year. Stay posted...

Ps- LA, please stop raining...pretty please.


Love,
Rocco


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone

DTLA art walk and The Vault

I had my first Downtown LA art walk excursion...and it was really dope. Amidst the homeless and hipster, the vibe was intense, a mix of disgust and awe. It's a crazy dynamic, there's a bit of tension admittedly, between the people who literally live in the street and the galleries patrons, but in my opinion it added to my expierience. There's something about watching someone with nothing left to lose and has several fresh wounds to his face, barter with a 20-something in tight jeans and an ironic t-shirt for a cigarette and a sip of their beer. My real reason for going was to see my homie Stephen Buchanan (aka Cesl Rock) in a sketch comedy performance called "The Vault" @ the LAPT (Los Angeles Public Theater). The piece was written in one week, and it was a collaborative effort between all of the actors involved, and ran about 35 minutes. The house was packed, and some were turned away, but when the admission is a suggested donation of $3, how could you refuse? Anyway, it was hillarious. From "Avatar" addicts, to the Governator's strong-arm solutions for the budget crisis, I laughed my ass off. The best part, it's now going to happen every third Thursday, 10pm @ the LAPT 514 Spring St between 5th & 6th downtown. If you don't know, act like you know...

Love,
-R*


- Posted on the run, from my iPhone