(Mom enjoying the view at our first meeting)
It has been an odd and unexpected day.
It began early, where after turning off my alarm for the billionth time I ran about the house feeding pets and waking my family.
I had less then 15 mins to change, Load car, finish printing and find my phone again—before I had a telephone meeting interview, that would determine the next 6 months of my life. Commuting between the city and our film office.
I nailed it and had an offer before I left our home. I say relieved driving to the city of not tired and sore.
Once there we scrambled to finding my favourite parkade and gps it’s distance from the office we were to have our first meeting at 12:45.
Luckily and to our surprise, our parkade was next to. 32 floors up we were greeted with amazing views on a beautiful day.
I couldn’t help but take a selfie to prove I was here and my classic shot of my Mom seeing new perspectives of the world. (Just thought of a photo series)
From there we scrambled to find out how far we were to our next meeting, The National Film Board, missing calls with our co-producer Alex who was rushing in-in the middle of a move to get to the meeting.
With mom and tow and the 18blocks to walk in store Vancouver...we opted to take a taxi.
Making it just in time to greet Alex in the lobby. ONLY, after going into the wrong building first and being kindly escorted out by a delivery driver who also helped locate our correct destination. Very kind indeed.
Once there, we allowed Andrew to pitch.
My philosophy as a producer is to let the creative be creative and I’ll fill in the gaps that relate to money and logistics. In affectionately called “the suit” by my brothers and his friends.
The meeting was great and a pleasure to sit with to Female Producers/creatives, who shared advice and asked questions.
One we were asked, “have we encountered issues of hiring a non First Nations Director to work on a First Nations project, if not how do we handle that issue.”
My brother and I diplomatically answered that question.
He’s encountered it often, and I only once.
For me hiring Alex to direct a First Nations project was not an issue, Andrew for reasons beyond his control had to step aside from directing, and only at his choice did he pick who he wanted to replace and trusted to take the script from paper to screen, even as a First Nations story...and that was Alex (our friend).
I then added, the difference is compared to other projects, we are a 100% First Nations owned and operated film production company-that has the luxury to choose whom to hire four our projects, oppose to being brought in by another simply to be a “token.”
Yes, we are a 100% indigenous owned and operated company and no ones token.
Following our meeting that ran longer then allotted, we went for Mexican.
Something I noticed at lunch that I wish I had noticed more, was Alex taking out a lactose pill for lunch of Mexican. It wouldn’t be for another 30 to 45 mins when I asked myself of my brother, “was there dairy in the meal?”
“Yes” he responded.
I placing the cold bottle of water to my head, “so that’s why Alex had the meds and I have headache now?”
The unfortunate side effect of being allergic to dairy. Even now typing this, my head slightly throbs.
Leaving the city for home, I realized that for the next 6 months my home will be downtown Vancouver..and I smiled.
Once home, we were greeted by the stray cats, who heard us coming down the road and meet us in the driveway for dinner.
Inside, I changed to my pj’s and then unchanged once remembering I have to find an outfit for a screening at the end of the month. Former Uni Classmates wrote and directed a feature another classmate was distributing. So proud of those guys.
As I tried on a dress I had not worn or fit since 2013, I was surprised by how well it fit now 6years later.
But here is the funny part, just as I took a photo to send my Mom and obvious insta selfie for #weightlossjourney #pcostransformation
My brother shouted down the hall that two fireman were walking by the house.
I laughed, but being shy I changed into my PJs again to investigate why.
Yes I changed from a dress to PJs because I thought it more appropriate, 😂
A very tall and handsome man waved at me from the window and I walked out to see why.
Sigh y’all fireman 😍
Thus ends my interesting day.
Ready for tomorrow and its day of multiple meetings.