Brenda wrote to me,
In your book about
the filmatography, please do not brag about me as if I am doing anything
creative, that might be input into Tom and Christina's work—which comes solely
from THEIR creativity and expertise.
Please. I don't mind if you said,
"Brenda is really helping with the best boy thing and some crappy home
movie footage and making the coffee,” but please do not say that I am filming
parts of the film, or "shooting the 'B' roll,” as if I am technically only
a few steps below equal footing with T and C.
I would be mortified beyond describing!
I thank you for the compliment this morning, that I am a big help and we
are enjoying something together that is fun and good, but I would just die if
anything like that got out. I mean
die. Do you understand? I am saying that they have all that expensive
equipment, technical and creative expertise as well as experience, and then
could read in your book: "Brenda
helped with the filmmaking...."
That would be a huge slap in the face to them as artists. Tom gave me a nice compliment, and it makes
me feel good, but I understand the director has to keep the little people
enthused with encouragement. I do need
encouragement, because I know how crappy my footage is! I have that much sense, so keep your big
mouth shut, por favor. See, I know you
well, and you are home now tap, tap, tapping with your two index fingers,
hunting and pecking.... Have a nice
day. I need to know what time Stan's
grand opening is. Judy Stagg wants to go
to hear the Dread. She said also we must
see this movie, just out: Kinky Boots. In NY now.
She saw it through her film club in
So now, I not only can’t write about making the movie in I ACCUSE, I can’t write about Brenda’s contribution to the movie in CAHIERS DE L’ENEMA.
I don’t think I bragged on her too much.
All I meant to say is she is enjoying being a part of the project, having her opinions listened to, being asked her side of the story. It puts a spring in her step in the mornings.
She is involved in my writing career in a way she was not, before.
She doesn’t feel so much like a bystander.
It’s not vicarious. She is really participating.
She can call it making coffee and being the best boy, but I think of it as shooting tape and having ideas, too.