What’s the point? Funny. More than a year ago “what’s the point?” was the little thought that got this miniscule website started. Why? I hadn’t even thought it through when I started – an after-thought – nothing more? What’s the point? But it now seems to be the bedrock on which everything here on this website sits, however tentatively, however unbalanced…

We finished shooting the film, Grassroots, yesterday. Thirty days shooting with an amazing Seattle crew who gave their all – and the actors – amazing actors from all over the country. Hard to process that a year ago I was sitting in my little apartment with a cat and a simple question. What’s the point – the script for Grassroots a mess at that point?

And now I find myself back there again. Grassroots finished (at least the shooting part.) I’m no longer a director telling people what to do, moving around the set like I know what I’m doing (I do kind of know what I’m doing as a director– like a good plumber, I like to say – directing is like plumbing – you better know how to lay pipe properly or you’re fucked.) But now that job is done – I’ve got to pack up my stuff and jump on an airplane tomorrow. (Probably a video in there somewhere – all those various videos here on the site in airplanes)

But…

What’s the point?

It better be more than just making a movie – because that’s done. And making a movie wasn’t the point a year ago with my cat on my apartment floor, so…

What’s the point?

Just to be breathing this morning, maybe – again in Café Vita on Pike Street. Great coffee. Wonderful people who brew it here. Kids my kids’ age. Tattoos. The wonderful Seattle sound on the sound system – eclectic, moody. And the gray skies again out the window. Some litter. Empty tables.

It rained yesterday a little bit while shooting. Rain. Rain. Seattle. And me headed back to bleached LA tomorrow. Somewhere in there is the point. Six billion of us. Six billion points…

…and the point of continuing here on this website I guess, maybe, just sharing (for those interested) a bit of the journey here from this one (of six billion) points on this still free space (unless Google and Verizon decide otherwise) drifting, dancing, writing on the wild frontier of the internet…

Peggy Rajski to produce indie political comedy
From variety.com
By DAVE MCNARY

Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore (“Avatar”) star in Seattle-based indie political comedy “Grassroots” with Peggy Rajski producing through Matthew Brady’s MRB Prods.
Stephen Gyllenhaal’s co-writing and directing, based on the memoir “Zioncheck for President” by Phil Campbell. Brady’s exec producing with Peggy Case and Robin Gurland co-producing.

Biggs will portray a recently fired journalist who reluctantly agrees to spearhead the Seattle City Council campaign of his eccentric friend, played by Moore as a former pedicab driver with a burning passion for the Monorail.

“Grassroots” will begin shooting in late June in Seattle.

Gyllenhaal’s credits include “Losing Isaiah,” “Dangerous Woman,” “Waterland” and “Paris Trout.” He also co-wrote and directed “Homegrown.”

Rajski’s producing credits include “The Grifters,” “Eight Men Out,” “Towelhead” and “Home for the Holidays.”

MRB, launched in 2001, independent features, TV shows and commercials. MRB produces the pre-tapes for the ESPY Awards and has produced seasons of VH1′s “Free Radio, X Games 3D: The Movie” and Kiefer Sutherland’s “I Trust You To Kill Me.”

facebook.com/GrassrootsTheFilm
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June 7th 2010 production meeting/script read-through led by Grassroots: The Film Asst. Director Jim Charleston. Featuring discussion of money shots, the roles of the producer and assistant director, and a surprise phone call.