I know that most of you are probably expecting a film review, or an interview with a filmmaker, but this week is going to be a little different. In the past weeks, I dealt with a power outage, just after starting an online class, so my schedule has been a bit crazy. I figured that because a few more people have been reading my blog, I wanted a chance for you to get to know me a little better.
When I created this blog, I was focused on being a filmmaker and an actor, but my goals have changed from the process of learning and gaining new experience. Currently, I am focused on writing, school and keeping my mind happy by spending time in nature. Today I am going to share with you some of my current projects, announcements, and achievements! Let me know some of your wins in the comments!
1. Feature Screenplay
For so long I was trying to think of an idea good enough for a feature-length film. I started writing a story, then contemplated turning it into a novel, and then I gave the story a break. I set it down. Something about it wasn’t right, so I wanted to move on for a little bit. Then, in a dream one night, an idea came to me, and I have been writing about it ever since. It is a sci-fi, family drama, adventure story, and I am excited to write it (and eventually film and direct it one day)! More details to come in the future!
2. Publishing my poem book
I have been working on this poem book for more than five years. Yes, you read that right! Five years. While I was recovering from my concussion, I wrote poems to express myself. When I healed, I started to compile my poems and edit them. Now, the book is almost ready, and it is on schedule to come out this December!
The poems are heavily inspired by my healing journey, nature, learning, growing and just appreciating the beauty in every single day. I was going to wait until after the pandemic to release it, but I think it has the ability to help some people realize that they are not alone in their feelings, and everyone goes through ups and downs, even if they look happy on the outside.
3. My Short Screenplay was accepted into a festival!
When I started screenwriting, I was under the impression that it took years to get accepted into festivals and years to learn how to write a compelling film. Although I am not an expert and I have so much to learn, getting accepted into a festival makes me feel like I am on the right path with my goals. A small victory is still a victory! BOOYAH!
4. My Short Screenplay is nominated for an award.
My screenplay, Will Power, was accepted into another film festival and was nominated for an award in its category. This is very exciting and makes me want to do a happy dance. I found out I was nominated on my birthday, and it was such a great birthday gift for myself. I am very excited! If it wasn’t for the pandemic, I could have been possibly accepting my first award in person in the next few months, but the festival is postponed to next year.
5. Finally, I am a Sophomore in college!
I had to wait a few years after high school to start college because of my concussion. But, after I complete my current summer class, I am officially a Sophomore! It is kind of surreal to be honest. When it took me 5 years to recover from my concussion, I thought that I would never be able to go to college. But here I am. I am very thankful.
6. Completing more collaborations.
I love meeting filmmakers, creatives and small brands online. I also love helping connect them with other people in my network. It is fun to support other creatives and watch their dreams come true. Hard work and dedication pay off. And so does being supportive and cheering other people on!
7. I went to the eye doctor.
This is not an achievement, or a celebration, but my eyes got a lot worse. Boo. My doctor says it is probably from all of the time I spend on my computer doing school work and researching and learning. This kind of thing happens. My eyes got significantly worse after my concussion and an encounter with a terrible eye doctor (that’s a whole nother story), but now I do have the chance to get some snazzy new glasses, right?
Sometimes things happen that can easily be labeled as set-backs and negative occurrences, but if you look at them from a different angle, maybe they aren’t so bad. I mean, I still need to wear my glasses, or I will trip down the stairs, but I DO get to choose some new, fun glasses, so is it really that bad? Anyone with bad vision will understand. LOL.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you to everyone who has subscribed to my blog. I appreciate it so much. I have been having so much fun interviewing new filmmakers, and I hope you have been enjoying those posts, too! If you have any questions you would like me to ask the filmmakers I interview, email me and let me know!
Also, if you have a friend who is a creative, tell them to contact me through my contact page. I would love to interview them! They could be a writer, director, filmmaker, producer, etc. Let’s support each other. Lastly, if you are a blogger, I would love if you interview me and make a blog post to help support my poem book! I would be so grateful! If you are interested, email me at alohaarianna@outlook.com and I will get back to you ASAP. The poem book also includes poems about my passion for filmmaking and story-telling!
Have an awesome day. That’s an order! 🙂
Arianna
Aloha Arianna 