I'm honored The Joedance Film Festival has selected The Nine Month Mother to be part of their 2022 Program this August -- and even more excited that I'll be attending the live event in Charlotte.

This special film festival, held in honor of Joe Restaino, raises funds for rare pediatric cancer research and I'm proud my film can contribute to such a worthy cause.

I look forward to watching the 9MM with a live audience.  As a filmmaker, you don't always get to do that.  Friends, family, and peers may watch it and perhaps send you a note or a text telling you they enjoyed it, and that's always welcomed.  But there is something about watching it in the same space as other humans that is very rewarding - and doing that in my home state makes it even better.

If you live in the Charlotte area you can see The Nine Month Mother on August 4th at the Charlotte Ballet.  On-line tickets are also available.  Please click on the link below for tickets or more information about the JoeDance Film Festival.







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Why, yes that is me sitting on top of that car and dancing to Supastar Mpire's rap hit "Traffic Jam".

You never know where life will take you sometimes.

It had, frankly, been a long hot day on set when the director told everyone could to come dance.  Tired of being cooped up in my car I thought "Yeah, I'm gonna do this".  

I had no idea the camera was angled the way it was.  At the most I thought my knees where showing.  Maybe it's a good thing because I danced like no one was watching -- and that's the best kind.

I've gotten a real kick reading the comments -- which have been gracious for the most part. I've been called Martha Steward, Betty Crocker, Jamie Lee Curtis (I'll take that!).  People have speculated that I'm his Mom, an Auntie, his 3rd Grade Teacher, the landlady who insisted on being in the video in return for permission to shoot on her property.

My favorite comments include "She looks like she is literally trying to catch the beat.", and "This is Kathy, Karen's less problematic cousin who loves the hood and seasoned cookout food." (I do BTW.)

All together, it's been an unexpected delight to be part of "Traffic Jam".  Everyone on set was super nice (special thanks to the young men who got me on and off that car rooftop) and I'm excited for the video to come out.  Mostly, I wish Supastar Mpire much success with his song and hope it shoots strait to the top of the charts.

And just remember, if anyone ever asks if you'll get on top of the car and dance, the answer is always "Hells yeah!".

I've been wanting to launch my own YouTube Channel for a while, and now that "The Bright Side of Darkness" is retiring and will need a place to live, I thought this was the perfect time.

The name "Anything Films" comes from a saying I once heard, "The leap between Nothing and Something is Anything."  This really inspired me because, surprise, I get bogged down by perfectionism and it's easy to let that keep me from starting (or finishing) a project.  For the longest time I stood at the brink of Nothing and wanted so much to create Something, but was afraid what I made wouldn't be any good.

But once I gave myself permission to do Anything I was able to let go of those fears, and self judgement, and doubts...ok, well actually I still had them, I just didn't let them stop me.

I know my films are far from perfect.  There's 100 things I'd go back in time and change if I could.  Film making isn't like painting or even writing where you can see what you're creating as you go and then you can go back and make changes here and there as you think about it.  Oh no, once that thing is filmed it's pretty much etched in granite.  Then you start to edit and realize you need a transitional shot, or a better angle, or more light, but you can't go back and get it.   You have to make do.

But I'm still very proud of my films and amazed at the talented individuals who participated in making them with me.  I learned so much from doing them.  With a little luck they'll keep getting better and better. They are Anything and hopefully they might encourage you to do Anything too.

So if find yourself standing at the brink of Nothing and want to create Something...

Just. Do. Anything.

Click the link to visit my channel, and thanks to my Husband, Michael Ladd, for the groovy logo!

www.youtube.com/channel/UCg3GFA5QXRDXCo4mGY8M4Yw

Thanks to our Angel Investor, my next short has begun pre-production.

​"The Fourth Star" is a story about an estranged couple that comes to terms with their daughter's death on the eve of her birthday.  Grief can have a devastating effect on a marriage.  Bereaved individuals often turn away from each other just when they need each other the most.

Although the subject matter is sorrowful, I think the story is life affirming and ultimately hopeful.

I'm thrilled to have Carrie Anne Hunt on my team both as a producer and a director.  Carrie Anne has played a key part in my previous two shorts and I'm glad to have her be a part of this production.

​We currently plan of filming early November.

Final 48 has been accepted into Four, count them Four different festivals!  So excited and hope there will be more to come.  Considering one of the festivals is virtual, Final 48 will be coming to a theatre VERY near you soon!

Lot's of exciting things happening!  First of all Bright Side has been accepted in to the Believe Psychology Film Festival.  Usually held in sunny and bright Pasadena, like many film festivals this year they will be switching to an online platform.  It's not the same, but it does allow for a larger audience to share with.

ALSO, a short I worked on early 2020 before all the crazy happened is completed.  Miles to go has already been accepted into several film festivals and won an award!  Not bad for a film shot on an IPHONE!  Thanks to the director, cast, and crew.  I enjoyed my day on set with everyone.