I’ve been planning, for some time, to produce an action/thriller web series. I’m gathering like minded people to work on, work in, and work around the project, moving things forward.
This series is called Executive Privilege. I will post the current episode script on my blog once a week. I would love feedback on the script and comments about the characters, story, plot, etc. Let me know if you have story ideas about what direction you think the story should go. I’ll try and incorporate them into the script.
We are planning on launching a kickstarter, crowd-sourced campaign to raise money for the series. If you are interested let me know, I’ll post details as I have them. I will be blogging regularly about our progress. I’ll share the process and progress as we move forward with funding, production and distribution. Here’s Episode 1: Executive Privilege. Click on the link below to read the script.
700 miles from the beach, I can still hear the waves, the gulls and the hungry seals crying from Seal Rock. The salt air mists my face as the waves crash against the rocks. It seems, for an instant, that time stops. The sun stays its descent, just above the horizon, lingering to set the clouds on fire. I can not count grains of sand, swirling at my feet beyond the frothy shore break. The rhythmic flow of mighty waters, spent and spending, captivate with hypnotic cadence. I can not be in two places at once. But in my dreams, my mind returns, while my body, unmercifully, remains. Awake, I hold a shell to my ear and my heart rejoices in the sounds of sea surrounding Seal Rock.
Waves crash against the rocks as the birds and seals watch the setting sun from Seal Rock, Crescent Cove, California.
My Leopard photo was selected for the 21st annual World of the Wild Art show at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. If you are interested in seeing the exhibit it runs from February 1 through March 16.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
2600 E. Sunnyside Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
Leopard finishing a meal of Impala at the Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa.
There is something restorative about watching the sunset on a beach with warm winds blowing, surrounded by family and friends. We took a trip to Southern California this weekend to get out of the cold. We always find our way back to this beach–Crescent Cove. This is the beach where my wife grew up. This is the beach where I asked her to marry me. Fortunately, she said yes. I think the waves and wind were in my favor that day. Now, we bring our kids to this beach. We climb on the rocks and play in the sand–and, we watch the sunset. There is a peace we find here that calls to us when we wander.Yet, the winds blow us back and we shall return on a distant tide.
Light, shadow, shape and texture, overwhelmingly surrounded by the sights of Rome. Architecture, people, ruins and religion. I am not so naive as to think that I could see it all in one day. Having spent one day in Rome, I am not so naive as to think that I could see it all in a week, or a month, or even a year. Rome has been around for a very long time. It would take a long time to see it, really see it. It would take longer to photograph it, really capture the essence of it. Yet, while I was there, with my camera, I stopped time. I saw things others have photographed with much more skill than I possess. Yet, I saw things others may have missed. This series is the first of four galleries of stuff–cool stuff–you may see in rome, if you are looking.
The sun was getting low, the shadows long. My own shadow was unrecognizable; however, this shadow reminded me of me, when my head gets too big.
I may have an obsession with cobblestones, their shape, their patterns and the stories they could tell of who passed their way.
Perhaps the same stones, yet viewed a different way–even the streets in Rome resonate with antiquity.
Unveiled in 1667 in the Piazza della Minerva, the Elephant and Obelisk was a commissioned work designed by Bernini outside the Santa Marie Sopra Minerva church and is the shortest of eleven Egyptian Obelisks in Rome.
In the Piazza della Minerva in Rome, round steel balls and barriers with chains protect the Elephant and Obelisk by Bernini.
Barriers, shadows and chains bar entry to the piazza.
Even with 2000 years of decay, Roman architecture still makes a bold statement, influencing much of the world.
Whether you are looking in or looking out, the setting sun emphasizes the color, contrast and climb to the sacred heights of the Eternal City.
Throughout Rome on many buildings and walls, if you look up, you can see detailed artwork of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus, usually illuminated by a lamp or lantern.
Another example of framed wall art in the style of the Masters. This portrait of Mary is about 15 feet off the ground. Someone has to maintain the flower box.
The stone shelf was empty, except for the bottle which was also empty.
Not sure which language or which beverage, but the empty bottle could be a metaphor for the effects of alcohol.
On a narrow Roman side street, this drinking fountain or water spout had so much character I couldn’t resist the photo. What I couldn’t figure out was if the water was safe for drinking.
From this angle, the water looks pretty good. Throughout Rome, there are water fountains readily available so the weary wanderer should never get dehydrated.
From this angle I’m not sure I would drink the water. However, the fountain is still pretty interesting.
At one point in the distant past it may have been a carriage outside the door, and, the barber may have offered blood letting. Somehow I found my way into the shot.
Brass doorknockers may aid admission through these old oak doors.
This stone lion stands guard on a bridge cross the Tiber River near the Castel Saint’Angelo.
We wandered down a narrow alley in the bleached out color of night, looking for the Spanish Steps. The Graphiti said we were lost.
In one man’s Roman trash, you might find a designer zebra stripped suitcase for a reasonable price.
Cell phone service in Rome was frustratingly inconsistent. When we saw this icon for the local provider, I realized why. Their phones are rotary.
We had just come out of the Pantheon. People were everywhere. As we rounded a corner, the music that was blending with the noisy ambiance suddenly became clear. Two guys, street performers, had set up their gear and drawn a crowd. We had places to go, so much to see. No time to stop. But the music. It was Incredible. We could see it in their faces, the guitarist and the cellist. We could see it in the faces of the crowd, trance-like. Time stopped with us. We listened, a blend of new-age classical with a hint of Italian oregano. The spell broke when the music stopped. A breeze rustled our clothes. Time to go. More to see. As we wandered away, the music resumed. Even now, the siren’s song remains in our ears, calling us back to Rome.
As the sun was setting on the Pantheon, this talented duo drew a crowd to their street concert.
For this couple, an evening street concert near the Pantheon was deeply personal.
On the street near the Pantheon, this talented guitarist entertains with a mix of new-age music and classical covers.
With the sun setting, shades were accessories more than necessities, but the cello was way cool.
The music was good from both angles and the moment was worth listening too, eyes open or closed.
If you want to maximize your time in Rome, a guidebook, good shoes and a place to rest are essential.
There are stories written in her flesh.
Life is Beautiful for a young boy learning to ride a bicycle on the side streets of Rome.
The water tastes sweeter when the drinking fountain is 500 years old.
Ethnic patterns find their way into the cloth of this master weaver.
Nothing better than shooting the breeze on a warm afternoon in the piazza.
A mother and daughter pause before entering a clothing shop with a very old door.
I couldn’t stop at them all, but the ones I did stop at were delicious, and, you can find one on nearly every corner.
In the heart of Catholicism, Nuns typically live under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Tasked with keeping the steps of the cathedral clean after weddings, this woman has her work cut out for her.
This Roman carries the weight of the world under his argyle sweater.
With a whistle and glove, this motor cycle cop directs traffic from the seat of his sweet Italian ride.
High blood pressure and cholesterol meds inform her religious icons of the specific boon she hopes God will grant, along with a few coins in her dish.
On the street in Rome, in the same position for hours, this woman petitions the Eternal Judge through prostrate perseverance.
It has been a few months now since I was in Rome. Yet, the feeling of Rome has stayed with me. It’s hard to describe. Every city has a personality. There are some cities that are welcoming and inviting. Other cities are dirty, and scary. Still others have an energy that is exciting and invigorating.
For me, Rome was all of these and more. On one hand, it was steeped in ancient tradition. The Ghosts of ancient Rome were still present. The evolution of the ancient was overlaid with an oppressive Catholic air. Yet, on the other hand, that very air was vibrating with life. I could see it in the faces of people–some locals–most tourists, I presume. I would have liked to explore and research the Eternal City through the lens of my camera in greater detail, but alas, I had but one day.
This gallery is the first part of a two part essay on the people of Rome from last September, when the sun was warm, the leaves were turning and the city was very much alive. I’ll post the second part in a day or so. Your questions, comments and/or profound thoughts on the purpose of life through the lens are most welcome.
Catholicism is omnipresent in Rome as are the special souls who have made a life of service in the church their career.
With its own ancient cultural and religious heritage, contemporary Rome has become a melting pot of world culture.
For the Romani diasporo throughout Europe known to some as Gypsies, Rome offers a cultural inviting adoptive place to live.
95% of Italy’s Muslim population are not citizen’s of the country.
1.5 million Muslim’s call Italy home, making Islam the second largest, yet unrecognized religious group in Italy.
Kneeling in the attitude of penitent prayer, this woman remains still for hours, hoping her prayers will be answered with coins in her cup.
Policing both the military and civilian populations, the Carabinieri are a special branch of the Italian military with Gendarm like duties.
Soldiers in the Italian military, men and women alike, share police duties near the Castel Sant´Angelo in Rome.
In spite of the sporadic service, cell phones in Rome are ubiquitous.
Near the Roman Colosseum, street vendors sell jewelry and trinkets for prices discounted especially for tourists.
Whether marble or stone, ancient or modern, steps are the preferred resting place for tourists and locals alike.
They may have seen better days, but these roses are still romantic when you’re in Rome.
For a Euro, this talented soul will play a song that would be romantic in any city.
I’m not sure if it’s a good living, but he made us smile with his music.
Delightfully iconic, sounds of the squeeze box on the streets of Rome enhance the feeling of love in the air.
On the steps of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in the Piazza della Minerva near the Roman Pantheon, tourists find plenty to see.
With steps of stone and marble, why not sit down and take your shoes off?
Not sure what she was looking at, her wrinkled brow suggested she had her doubts about it.
A woman in an Italian green dress strolls past wall of Castel Sant´Angelo, as the Italian flag flutters above.
On a beautiful morning in Rome, the Tiber River is a great place for a bit of exercise.
Home of the ancient Roman seaport, Ostia is a beautiful resort destination on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the mouth of the Tiber River.
Lido di Ostia, or Lido di Roma is a beautiful resort destination on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the mouth of the Tiber River. Ostia was the ancient seaport of Rome. Due to the buildup of silt and the passing of time, the actual Roman seaport is now several kilometers from the sea. But, the warm Mediterranean breezes still blow across a resort village community not far from the heart of both ancient and modern Italy. When I go back to Rome, and I will, I hope to spend more than an afternoon soaking up the sun, sand and warmth of this beautiful Italian community.
Just before sunset, Anne took a stroll on the beach, in Ostia, Italy, to feel the sand between her toes and the warm Mediterranean water on her feet.
It’s January, 2014. The high temperatures in Utah average in the high 20s to low 30s. It’s cold. There’s snow on the ground. The warm glow of Christmas faded as my son took our Christmas lights down. I’m grateful he was home from school to do it, because it was too cold outside for me. In trying to warm up, I wanted to revisit Rome, at least with pictures.
Anne flew to Rome to meet me on my birthday. We stopped at Ostia Beach after shooting an interview nearby. Ostia is the closest beach to Rome and is located on the Tyrrhenian Sea of the Mediterranean, not far from the city. The water was warm. The breezes were gentle. The sunset was magical. Anne was with me, and, it was Rome.
Italy.
I hope, if it is cold where you live, you can feel the warmth of the setting Italian sun and endure the cold, for a few more months.
They're Calling To Me 