Twenty Years Ago

Sometimes it seems like a different lifetime and sometimes it seems like he was here yesterday.

Nevertheless, twenty years ago today, Gary Yazbeck was taken from Russell, Rachel and me.

I’ll never stop missing him. That’s not an option.

~ debi

Posted on July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 by debi 1

TOMORROW SHEA

The talented and stunning Tomorrow Shea won these awards for LEADING ACTRESS in OUT OF THE WALLS!

Thank you, Tomorrow, for your kind and generous nature and for making the filming of OUT OF THE WALLS a delight!

~ debi

Posted on June 25, 2020June 25, 2020 by debi 1

Striving to Direct Film

As I embark on this journey (more exciting than anything I’ve done previously) I’m gobbling up knowledge as quickly as my brain can absorb.

I produced and directed my first short PRELUDE TO MURDER IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN earlier this year under the tutelage of Sundance’s Collab program. The award winning directors, Julia Solomonoff and Danielle Lessovitz taught the lab — wow! I will direct my next short in September.

I can’t read books on the art of directing fast enough. I can’t view enough online classes and seminars.

But no matter what, I’ve recognized a truth that is absolute no matter where I turn…

Every really good director I’ve communicated with has these things in common: humility, honesty, a love for actors and a willingness to help those of us who want to learn and grow.

I’m humbled by their attitude and hope I’m there some day.

~ debi

Posted on June 18, 2020June 19, 2020 by debi 0

OUT OF XATALA and BLUECAT 2020

And the good news from April 14th…

OUT OF XATALA made the 2020 BlueCat Screenplay Competition SEMI-FINALS!

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I received some of the best notes EVER from BlueCat’s script analysis.

I’m excited to be a Quarter-Finalist for BlueCat’s 2020 Screenplay Competition.

Looking forward to April 14th!

~debi

p.s. I loved KNIVES OUT!

Posted on March 25, 2020June 9, 2020 by debi 0

SUNDANCE Certificate of Directing

This is just what I needed!

In eight weeks I went from complete ignorance to producing, writing and directing my own short film PRELUDE TO MURDER IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN while being mentored by Julia Solomonoff and Danielle Lessovitz.

Thank you so much to my incredible cast of actors, Perri Reavis and Lon Lawson. And to my DP and editor, Benjamin Ward. Directing is truly a collaborative adventure that unites everyone on set.

And add to all of that… This course has set me on the correct path for directing Della Greenawalt’s award winning script SUNFLOWER CARE in May.