Today I finally got my root canal done after a few months of pain. The oral surgeon told me my root canal was infected, that added to the pain. Well actually the pain would go away and would come back worse.  One of my motivativations for going was I have to work on these script revisions but it’s hard to concentrate in pain.  The pain killer and anesthesia made me so sick today I couldn’t that I couldn’t drive and barely move around. I had to spend most of the day in bed.  I didn’t get to work until 6:30pm.  So I’ll be working until early Wednesday morning to make up for the time.  Alot of friends called and was supportive asking me to take care of my health and not go to work.  When you’re going through something you know who’s w/you through their presence and concern.  I went to work anyways.  A project like this requires you to push yourself through pain.  I could stop for a day I’m sure.  But no one will be there to pay the bills at the beginning of the month, but me and Janis.  Janis wanted me to come in:).  But I do appreciate my friends and they have valid concerns about health and well-being. But they know deep down before anyone else I’m stubborn, relentless, strong, focused and will see myself through some pain.  This is the leadership, attitude and drive that will bring this project to fruition.  Mike Sanders knows he left my office at midnight.

Kyle called today and said he found a 200 sq. ft space in LA for $400 and change.  Not a bad price because we need options.  I told him find a place cheaper in a nicer area for less.  I told him to pitch the landlords the story.  There are compassionate visionaries out there who can help us.  We just have to keep asking.

Tonight Mike Sanders and I was discussing the Diamond role who could play it.  We looked at the guys on the website.  We thought about 50 cent he lives in Farmington, CT. He also brought up Jamie Hector, who plays  the character Marlo Stanfield on The Wire. I’ve heard of the show but never saw it.  So we You Tubed, Googled Jamie.  I was impressed w/what I saw.  He can play corporate and street.  He’s got a certain charisma and swaggar about himself when he palys Marlo.  I did like what I saw.  So we called his mgr. about 11:oopm or a little later and woke her up.  Our grind has no time frames.  Like Mike says we do it, anytime anywhwere.  I agree w/him. This project is life or death.  A little extreme and dramatic but the way go at this is history is placing us in a position that we will show the world that common people w/drive, wit and technology can create a nat’l bestseller book, and an award winning high quality, popular 35mm feature  film.  Anyway  I gave her our contact info., we will send her an email tomorrow-and one day soon visit her and him in NYC.

Yesterday Mike brought a woman  Debbie in from Waterbury, who can help market the books. She’s American Indian with marketing experience. As I told her she’s a little off-beat w/alot of energy.  She mentioned possibly approaching the world-renowned Indian Reservation for investments.  A couple years ago I did receive a small donation from one….so it’s possible.  She’s right this maybe the way to go an unconventional investor, who understands dreams, and they certainly have the money. In this economy we will have to be super creative.

Also a Top-Level Executive from Bank of America CT visited my studios yesterday.  He was impressed w/the work we are doing.   In 2004 Bank of America gave us a very generous donation to produces my Scruples animated characters on nat’l TV. The PSA’s were a huge hit that exceeded everyone’s expectations. Once we get more organized w/ a bigger buzz we will approach Bank of America to help out w/The Diamond Ruff movie.

Yesterday, a friend Rodney a local promoter rented out our multi-purpose room to do a comedy show.  It was good he had a couple comics who have appeared on national TV.  They were John Hinton from Hartford, and the headliner Tommy “Too Smoove” McMillan, who has appeared on BET, Comic View, Def Jam and Comedy Central. After the event Tommy and I spoke.  He has a program on Mondays on the 98.7 Kiss FM in NYC.  One of the big  urban programs in NY.  He will try to get us on the show when the book comes out.  This will be major publicity. 

This week we will have to step up our game and get super organized, work harder, and start bringing money in.  We have to begin doubling our You Tube hits and especially website hits.  We have to begin a yell instead of a buzz.  We need to be seen by investors, producers via news articles, radio show, tv, internet etc.  Mike Sanders will be mtg. with a group today who will help bring us(the Diamond Ruff brand) out underground through internet, and hip hop DVD’s.  To increase traffic on our site.  We will put together contests and have You Tube entries right on line.  We have to make the website more interactive.  We must also double our public access stations, that draw people to the site.

We have to have a final manuscript by Wednesday.  I will be on the editor 2 times a day.  Everything is critical right now.

Mike Sanders of Segue, Inc. called me at 3:45am.  He was in NYC networking.  He put me on the phone w/a NYC club owner who owns a carwash in Stamford and has other enterprises.  Although Mike woke me up.  I was excited.  He truly believes in this project and is willing to do what it takes to make it work.  To date he has not asked me for a dime.  He understands this project has not turned over money yet.  He refuses to nickel and dime me.  Over a short period of time we have also become friends.  He is a guy I can really trust. In return I will work my butt off  to  find a way to compenstate him short and long term.  One day if I have anything to w/it he’ll be set financially.  it is now the time I need empathy and loyalty from people, and I will give it in return. Very soon we will be globetrotting raising money for the project.  This will be a real test for me because I have a small fear of planes… Everytime  I fly I put in my head I do it because I have too…this is the sacrifice for myself and others.

Kyle sent me a rough draft of You Tube.  I’m excited…it will show people the exterior of the office spaces we are looking at for Diamond Ruff to expand West.  I was touched, proud and inspired to see my son being in the driver seat. If this project has to work others will have to step up to the plate and we have to create constant systems.  If Kyle can’t do the You Tube we have Kevin in Hartford, CT to take over….he has all the You Tube video pieces. He will also be taking over the Diamond Ruff TV show.

Worked on a couple scenes in the book.  I had a couple special events at Young! Studios and had to devote most of my day to it.  Trying to balance everything evenly.  Don’t see too much of the family now.  One day I hope I can take a decade off.  I sent Kyle a script for You Tube.  He is looking for office space  in LA. He will be introducing Young! Studios/Diamond Ruff expansion to the West Coast.

Working on revising my edits on the book.  Setting up the 1st fundraiser w/Segue and Marshall Brandon.  I sent Kyle the text to put in flyer form.   Mike and I will be trying to secure final investors in the book.  A meeting is suppose to go down w/NEI, a Hartford multi-media company, that specializes in video production, promotion and social marketing.  We will try to bring them in or their video production and social marketing skills.  Our major goal is to create a national buzz for the project.  We will join anyone who is strong and trying to make it.

Last night I wind up taking a 1 hour  nap at midnight and then staying up all night.    Ever so often I’ll pull an all-nighter.  If I can get past 4:00am, I wont doze off.  My son Kyle has done this w/me several times.  People think I like working like this, it’s the farthest thing from the truth.  I do it because I must.  At the level I want to go to, you have to become almost like two people.  Even three when you don’t have the resources.  Yesterday I got a nice email from Monique Brown. She is the famous actor, civic ativist, football player’s wife Jim Brown.  She expressed she’s been enjoying the You Tubes.  She is a smart lady who pretty much manages all of Mr. Browns business affairs.  We met last year re: some animation work for their non-profit.  I am also hoping Jim will appear in the Diamond Ruff movie.  I would love to have him do the part of the character who tells/advices Diamond about the non-profit business world.  Stayed tuned.

I met w/Tim Cain the editor today.  I have more revisions to do on the book. He has more work to do as well.  He said we should be done by Wednesday.  This is grueling, but we are trying to create a bestseller.  Like my Mom use to say “anything worth having doesn’t come easy”. This weekend I will be focused on getting my revisions to him ahead of schedule.

Today myself, Mike from Segue met w/Marshall Brandon, the BET, Comic View stand up comedian.  He is a real supporter of the project and will lend his support. We cut a deal w/him today that he will be doing stand-up at Young! Studios to help raise money for the project.  On Friday, October 24th, 2008, him and his talent will kick off The Marshall Brandon Comedy Hour at Young! Studios.  It will happen every month.  I’m excited.  this guy is super talented!!

10:15P.M. A very long day trying to finish up on revisions the editor gave me. I’ll probably go to midnight-1:00am.  I won’t stop until I’m done.

Mike fro Segue came down to hartford to discuss ways to bring in short and long term money.  if Mike keeps it up he will be a Producer on the project.  I’m betting on it he will.  In a minute we will be traveling all over the country raising money.

Had to put focus on Young! Studios.  Alot of stuff was slipping.  It’s tough trying to do a huge project like this(Diamond Ruff), run a family, pay personal bills and handle a new business. I need total focus and qualified people to help. 

L’ Andre was brought in today during the Diamond Ruff staff mtg.  He gave alot of insight on filmmaking, distribution, etc.  Based on the info. now certain things have to be in place: 1. get 1st draft of screenplay to script doctor 2. Start raising money, big money 3. Start securing actors, directors, producers, etc.-with letters of intent. 4. Set up movie war room at Young! Studios.  We will bring him on in October.  I expressed to him I want him to lay everything out on the financing and film making end, tell me my options and give me his decisions on certain details and then I will make the final decision.  This project will work as Mike from Segue says, everyone play their position.

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Yesterday Mike from Segue set up a conference call w/a film maker named Danielle from Brooklyn, NY.  I was impressed w/her ambition.  Her uncle is the famous voice over artist/folk singer Richie Havens.  He did the very first voice over for my animated Dr. Joe character in a 1991 Scruples PSA.  She is currently working on a documentary featuring his life story…it’s a small world.  We will be trying to meet w/her to do some collaborative work.  I worked on a scene revision for Diamond Ruff manuscript.  We have to have final revisions done by the end of this week.

I met w/an older gentleman J Andre.  We are editing a movie trailer for him that he shot in LA.  I have been talking to him as far as being an advisor/producer on the project is very knowledgable about the film business.  I’m impressed w/his insights on film distribution, financing, budgeting, and production.  We’ll see how this goes.

Today was another crazy day.  I got Kyle off early to LA.  His plane got delayed and he had to stay a night in Chicago.  I’m glad we finished You Tube yesterday/early.  You never know what is going to happen tomorrow, so do it today.