10 Things We Learned As A First Time Americans In Paris (and Disneyland Paris)

(First, I apologize for the inconsistency with the font size and type. Something is wonky with blogger right now and as many times as I adjust it, it keeps screwing up. Hopefully, it rights itself very soon)

Outside Notre Dame. It was as chilly as it looks

My BF and I just got back from our very first trip to Paris from America. While I was enjoying the everything around me, I kept thinking in the back of my head what I would tell someone if it was their first time going to Paris. Mainly because there were quite a few things that surprised me.

Before I launch into my listicle let me clarify a couple of things:  I only visited Paris proper and Disneyland Paris. If the suburbs or the South of France is much different, it won’t be listed here.

Also, we went in the off-season – not a lot of tourists and it was CHILLY!

1 -  Bonjour

Always always, always say hello first. ALWAYS. The rumor that people from Paris are 

rude is totally untrue. They are incredibly polite. They expect you to be polite too. 

At any time when you need help, directions, a place to sit, even if they are expecting you, 

always begin the conversation with ‘Bonjour’ ALWAYS!! You will get even more brownie 

points if you say, ‘bonjour, excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais?’ More than once I got a 

genuine ‘Thank you, yes’ in return. 

Chances are they do speak English, just don’t assume. Please, don’t be THAT guy. 

2 - Les Enfants

Toddlers do whatever they please. In the exact opposite of helicopter parenting European parents let their kids go, do, run, climb, and hit anything and everything. They climb over fences and onto boulders, up street lamps, more than once I saw a child running full-bore while pushing a stroller obstructing its view. On the other hand, I also saw kids full-on bite it in the streets and fall off of walls, dust themselves off and just keep going with no tears. God help the child that actually hurts themselves in the process of Tarzaning down a flight of stairs – because I saw that too. That is when the parents get involved and basically tell them ‘that’s what you get for fucking around! Now pull yourself together’.

3 – Les Poochies

Dogs are incredibly well behaved. Parisians love their dogs and most are off leash. I did not see one dog stray away from their owner even when I did my kissy sound that usually gets a dogs attention. Not even a glance away from their owner – impressive. Keep in mind while walking the streets to occasionally look down. They may train them well, but they don’t always clean up their poop.

Actual steps in Notre Dame..ooohh

4 – Training For Vacation

Be prepared to walk a great deal. I trained for this vacation and my heart wasn’t 

prepared for all the steps in Notre Dame. We walked an average of 12 miles every day. 

That’s a buck and change less than a half marathon – every day for 10 days. 

There are stairs everywhere and there are no elevators. Okay, so there are elevators to 

the top of the Eiffel Tower, but that’s pretty much it. 

Think about it - Notre Dame construction began in 1163, that’s 329 years before 

Columbus invaded America. They didn’t retrofit it with elevators. 

Even their metro signs are beautiful

5 – The Metro

The metro and the RER. I’m from Los Angeles, I drive my car. I don’t know the metro here,

 or anywhere. Every time I read about the Paris metro and the RER I took away

 ‘it’s easy’ and ‘there are pick pockets’. Needless to say, I was sure I was going 

to get lost and robbed. Neither happened. There are maps everywhere, and it’s 

so easy to follow. We knew that we were only going to ride the train a couple of times 

so we bought a book of 10 and spilt it – it’s good for both the RER and the metro. 

Just prepare yourself and you’ll be fine.

For the Disney fans (of which I am one), we went to Disneyland Paris (DLP) 

and stayed for a few days on property. Above numbers 1 and 2 carry over to this next bit,

 but there are some new ones.

There's a dragon under that castle - A DRAGON!

6  – Beautiful DLP

Disneyland Paris is the most beautiful park. Granted, I’ve only been to the US parks

 - passholder at DL and been to WDW a couple of times – so I can’t say anything about 

Tokyo, Hong Kong or Shanghai. But holy cow the theming of DLP is gorgeous! 

And their rides are better too! Big Thunder and Space are crazytown awesome. 

Some rides are a wash, like Pirates and Peter Pan, but they have a dragon under their castle!

 AND you can climb the castle! The second park, Walt Disney Studios is on its way. 

Crush’s Coaster and Ratatouille are great but they don’t have a lot of attractions right now.

 According to Disney news that will be changing soon.

7 – Dining Reservations? Heck Yeah

You absolutely must get dining reservations ahead of time. They don’t have the online 

reservation available right now and you have to call to make a reservation, but we found 

out the hard way that you need to if you want to eat in a sit-down restaurant. It isn’t so 

much to reserve your table because it’s busy – you need one to get in - period. 

We batted eyelashes and went through the hotel concierge to get the tables we got, 

but we didn’t get all the ones we wanted. And speaking of the restaurants…..

8 – The Food 

We had two dinners in the hotels and two in the parks. The two in the hotels were 

exceptional (California Grill and the Yacht Club). Fantastic food and wonderful service 

– across the board. In the parks is a different story. Both places the food was fine, 

but the service was atrocious. One restaurant we were sure our waiter got fired after 

bringing our drinks because we literally did not see him again – at all. The other one

 it was 45 minutes between everything not even walking by! I understand French servers 

don’t hover but sometimes I want a refill on my wine. 

This way to secret V.I.P. fanciness 

9 – Castle Club

If you’re contemplating upgrading to a club level in the on-site hotels, holy crap, do it! 

My wonderful boyfriend, while checking us into the Disneyland hotel, upgraded us to the

 ‘Castle Club’. Worth every godamn penny. Breakfast every morning 

(besides Starbucks or a buffet, early morning café isn’t easy to come by), tea every 

afternoon, awesome view of the castle and its fireworks (at DLPH), VIP fastpass

 (meaning, we didn’t have to go through the kiosk we just showed our pass at the FP 

entrance and they let us on – unlimited) and our own concierge and they were awesome!! 

It was NIIIIICE!

10 – Photo Pass? Maybe Not.

If you’re thinking about getting photopass, maybe skip that. If you have children 

and plan on doing several meet and greets – sure, that will be fine. We get memory 

maker when we go to WDW and stop at every roaming photographer in the park. 

We utilized the shit out of that thing and get our money’s worth. At DLP – and this is 

what surprised me more than anything – there are no roaming photographers, none. 

Not one. Not in front of the castle, not in front of ‘photo places’, not even when we were 

having breakfast and Mickey walked in. Maybe because it was off-season, but we saw not 

one cast member with a camera. Unless you just want selfies, or want to ask a stranger

 to take your picture, you aren’t going to get your whole party in every shot. 

All you get are ride pics (and they aren't very good). It was really surprising. 

After we got back from Paris something strange happened. I’ve gone through vacation

withdrawals before but this time it was different. I miss Paris like I lived there and miss 

home and I was only there for a few days! That’s the closest I can come to describing

 how I feel now. It’s feels unfair that it’s so far away and I envy the people who walk down 

those tiny streets on a daily basis. 

Such a beautiful site. I mean the tower, and me too! 

If you ever get the chance to go to Paris, jump at it! Enjoy every moment of it, drink it all in.

Go see the tourist stuff, but give yourself the opportunity to sit and enjoy a glass of wine 

in a small café and watch the rain fall.

I Know This Story

     I don't like being here again. Being out of a job, looking for employment. Besides being not fun it really does chip away at a person's mental state and belief in themselves. Seeing a perfect job and knowing it was made for you, but not getting an interview. Hearing, 'We'll get back to you next week' and not hearing anything about it, for going on three weeks. Then you question what you should do - do I email, do I call, should I wait, did they forget about me, did they get hit by a bus, don't they know that waiting kills? After an interview, and you send the usual thank you card and nothing in return. Nothing, just waiting. At the whim of everyone else's busy schedule, while you wait.

     I'm trying to do more than just be at the whim of someone else's plan. I do keep writing and planning, I just did a once over of the kitchen trying to figure out where an overhead camera could be mounted over the stovetop. I'll keep filming and submitting because I know what I want. There's a buzz in my ear that I've had ever since my contract went up and no one asked me to stay at my last job, 'You are much better than this'. I think it carries me through. My desires are right on the cusp of reality I need to push it to make it so. Sometimes the push confuses me.

     Does that sound odd? It's like the first few moments of the day I have to claw out of despondency and sometimes by then the view is cloudy - I know what I want, but I don't know what to do. So this blog is the beginning of me making some kind of a plan. I'm breaking down the wall of myself to get myself so I can be myself. Yup - this is all about me (if you came to read about something about you, come back later).

     I do understand that everything ends. TV shows, relationships, good times and bad times, everything ends. I'll sell a screenplay, or finish the short make an impression and someone will give me money to do what I want - or, someone will hire me as a creative producer, or a writer and then I'll do something else that I want. Either way, the tide will change and I'll get a job.

Gun Laws Need To Change

Finding a concise letter to send to my congressman expressing my view on the need for tighter gun control laws isn't the easiest to find online. So I pieced together something that I'm going to send and you can certainly use.
Links to the original letter can be found here

I don't like to go on and on when I'm trying to make a point. This might seem too abrupt, and I don't know about you - I'm sick and tired of this continuous conversation and the seemingly endless violence that is happening month to month anymore.

I have to believe the good guys are going to win, and if you are a loving human and feel as if you would be the person who would step up and step in if the situation presented itself, then you must believe that too. Thoughts and prayers have turned into BS and now is the time to do what we can do. Even if it's as simple as contacting your congressman.

Doing this is us, being the good guys.



Dear Congressman,

Dear Congressman,

The time for reasonable restrictions on gun ownership is long overdue. We’ve already endured far too many mass shootings of innocent Americans. How many more of these tragedies must happen before our representatives in Washington do something about it?

Although President Obama's 2015 executive gun control actions are a step in the right direction, they should not be blocked nor upended. Especially the gun show loophole. The president’s entire list of proposed congressional and executive actions must be enacted. Continuing down the current path to more tragic executions in our schools, theaters and nightclubs can’t be tolerated. Reducing gun violence can be accomplished without jeopardizing the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

One omission to the presidents executive order is a test taken to prove a person knows how to own a gun. Gun owners should bear the responsibility of demonstrating they’re worthy of carrying a firearm. This must include appropriate training at an approved firing range before granting of a four-year maximum state license. At a minimum, this training should include education about firearms and testing on the range. Testing should also be conducted at the time the license is renewed. We already require this of all automobile drivers, and no less should be expected of gun owners. On a similar token, all firearms must bear appropriate serial numbers, and all sales and transfers must be registered. Once again, we already require this of all automobiles, and should be doing the same for all firearms.

While the rights protected by the Second Amendment must be respected, it’s not a blank check. The Second Amendment was enacted in 1791, more than 200 years ago. Gun technology has advanced significantly during this time, but the laws and regulations have just not kept up. Guns are inherently dangerous in the hands of the wrong people, and those people must be prevented from buying and owning them. Included in that group are convicted felons, the mentally unstable, and anyone who can’t pass a thorough background investigation. A bright line must be drawn in the sand that those people can’t cross under any circumstances.

 Your strong support is encouraged and respectfully requested for expedited passage of his plans for reducing the escalating level of gun violence across our nation. It can’t happen soon enough.

Respectfully,
the good guys.

Every Day

    I'm trying to keep a daily regime of writing everyday.  I read articles about writing, 'write everyday'. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote an article about her busy schedule on her book tour, 'write a half hour everyday'. If you are a writer, write everyday. Every. Day

    What happens when you don't have an idea? What do you write when you don't know what to write? How do you write everyday when, what you were writing suddenly loses all oomph? No, seriously, I'm asking. I was in the middle of a script and the floor fell through - honestly, it feels like it's gone. What do you do then?

    Do I take up something else and call it 'writing' - I don't think I can. I think that's cheating. Ever feel like something that goes beyond writers block? It just feels dismal and blank. Now I'm just trying not to fall in a great big hole of 'I'm not good enough'. The thing that I think most people go through. You know? That - okay I won a pretty well known contest, was it a fluke? Am I actually good enough? BLECH!!!

    If someone actually reads this blog, I'm taking advice. Seriously, any and all. If you are a creative sort - painter, writer, filmmaker, is there something you do when you've hit a wall? I'll try it. Let me know.

Thanks

Update On The Contest

You read that right. That's my name. I won this.

BRING ON THE MEETINGS!!

Working Women Directors

This should be watched, because things need to change.

I Can Talk About This

     So, lately to keep up the writing chops, I've been entering writing contests. Usually the kind that gives you perimeters (Genre, character, etc) and you have an amount of time to write, and turn it so many pages. I've done okay in the ones I've entered, I've always placed, but I've never moved on to the finals -- until now.

     I'm pretty excited about this one. Here's the Link and there's my name (6th one down). There are so many aspects to this contest that I like, the mentoring, the script gets developed as the contest goes on, I'm really looking forward to it.

     I haven't forgotten about The Collector. Sitting down with my VFX Sup we realized there's a ton more FX's than we originally thought. So we need to refigure the edit and shoot the green screen footage. Which also requires more money. Remind me of all this when I want to shoot another short with VFX in it - do it MINIMALLY!!   And make sure the VFX signs off on the costume used for the green screen shoot, before it gets made -- yup, there's too much green in it. Godamnit!!
Live, learn, more on.

     Anyway, I'll update on how the mentoring is going with the writing and how that contest susses out. Wish me luck!

It's A Man's World?

A great article in the LA Weekly about statistics, being a woman in Hollywood and why the working numbers are so low.

How Hollywood Keeps Out Women

To Be Seen

Hello!
  On the advice of my dear friend, Wanjiru, I created a personal website. Found here:
Cher Lytle on Wix

  I will still be posting the blog portion on this blogger site, but it's linked to the blog page there on the wix site. Easy Peesy.

  I hope you take a look around the wix site. Check out the pages, the videos, the pictures and all that jazz. I'm going to be using it more for.... how would you call it... job generating, generating a job, for myself. To help me find gigs and such. As everyone else in the world, I needs to find me some paying work!

 So, look around, enjoy, give me some feedback! I'd really appreciate it!

That's A Wrap! (With principle photography)

      Hey there!! It's been a couple of days, and I finally feel more like myself. I can finally look back on this weekend and reflect. First, the reality that I actually filmed this short I started thinking about years ago, kind of blows my mind. Yes, I have filmed things before, I've had a webseries, music videos, other short films - but this was so much different. This time it was personal.

      The weekend leading up to the shoot weekend was a freakin' busy blur of picking things up and locking things down. Lights, gear, props, crafty, lunches, people, things. I stayed up late a few nights making more fairies when I realized I didn't have nearly enough. Scrounging my house of anything to fill out the set (and thank you Emily, for helping with that!!). It was a stressful few days leading up to the shoot. Saturday morning came and everyone showed, and they brought everything they said they would. I was overwhelmed. I try to be a positive person, but living in reality L.A., it some times is a challenge. Everyone showed. It was freakin awesome!!

    Principle photography wrapped on Sunday afternoon. I couldn't be happier. Only, maybe once did I say to myself, 'I should have done it THAT way.' But it's not a big deal, just an after thought. But I realized today, I'm not across the finish line, there is no finish line. I still need for this to get edited, and VFX'd, and color corrected, and audio remixed - then get in front of peoples faces that have nothing to do with the project. I need to keep moving, and creating. It's exciting!!

     Next up, the green screen shoot!  Until then, here are some picks from the shoot this weekend.
Thanks again to everyone to contributed money, time and gear! I'm so grateful!!

The Sun Will Come Out....

Tomorrow! We shoot tomorrow!
 What am I doing on here - I have so much to do!!

A Little Somethin' Somethin'

      Would you like a little something for you time? Actually, let me rephrase that, would you like a little something for your donation??

      So, in my last post I mentioned that I smell like clay. I've been making little fairies in jars. For the first 5 people who donate $150., besides the perks listed on the IndieGoGo page (Found Here) I will send you one of these adorable, hand made from the director, depressed fairies .

 

There's only 5.

      All you have to do is click on the donate button just to the right of this post, send me your contact info in a comment, and I'll get in touch with you! Easy Peeasy!

      The first 5 get them, so donate now!

Welcome To The Jungle

        We're getting into the last week of prep, and I think I'm officially going gray. Pieces are falling into place, or I'm making them fit into place. Nearly all the crew is crewed, I'm hopefully going to be locking a location soon, and I'm spending every extra moment I have making miniature fairies. I smell like clay. But it's coming together, and I believe my nervousness is competing with excitement.

        The lack of money really does make a difference, it's amazing how quickly it's getting spent. I have so many things earmarked as necessary, and they definitely are. Must have drives, must have food, must have costumes! But, on the flip side so many awesome, AWESOME people are donating their time and equipment. I really am thankful to everyone who has stepped up and donated what they can. I'm astonished and blown away by this generosity. Whenever I think about what I need, with what little I have, I remind myself of all these fantastic people who have given so much, so far. I've got some pretty remarkable people in my life.

       Anyway, last week. I've got so much on my mind I'm not sure what to say. If you still want to donate - please feel free to do so by clicking the donation button on the top. I will try to keep up with the posts. Thanks again, everyone, I'm so glad there are people like you out there in the world!!

         

What is THIS? (Almost top right)

        This, my dear readers, is a donation button. This is specifically for lovely generous people who were either unable to contribute at the time the IndieGoGo campaign was going on, or missed all the posts about it.  The campaign is sadly over, but I have set up a paypal account for anyone wanting to still give to this wonderful short film!

       Not sure what to do with that federal tax refund? The excess winnings from the Powerball lottery? The sudden windfall of cash from that odd wealthy stranger that left you everything in his will? I have an idea! Donate it, baby! I'm still in need of moolah for The Collector. I've said this before, it's getting made, no matter what, but having money would really REALLY help.

       Right now we're in the midst of pre-pro. Staffing, gearing, finding props, my costume designer has come up with new concepts. Look!

 

Pretty freakin' awesome! The next thing on the big agenda is finding props. Please don't make me go dumpster diving to find things.... Because I will.

      Anyway, the long and short of it is - you can still contribute if you want to! Click on that little button and give what you are comfortable with and I will appreciate and love you forever (as friends, or course - let's not get crazy). Thank you for your time, your donation, and your awesome support!!

My Actors

I want to do an official 'announcement' on my blog (because that makes it official) of my main actors.
I can't tell you the parts they play, that would give away too much of the story.


But here they are:

Philip Lester. I've worked with Phil on a few projects, he's a wonderful actor and an awesome friend! If he looks familiar it's probably because you've seen him in "Where The Truth Lies" "24" and "CSI: Miami" 

Tim Trobec. Tim has been in many of my crazy shorts, along with Phil in "Undercover 5-0 Heat" I'm sure you've seen Tim in either "The Riches" "Criminal Minds" "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" or one of his many commercial appearances.

Heather Moody. Heather was in one of the very first music videos I directed (actually co-directed with Padraic Culham). She is a talented actress and dancer and a member of the L.A. dance troupe The Satin Dollz.  

Thanks guys, for lending me your talents again and helping me with The Collector!

Phase One, Concluded

         The IndieGoGo campaign ended at midnight, money has been earned. First off thank you to my investors. Those that gave to this just cause, so it's not really a 'just cause', but it's mine and I still appreciate it!! This will go a long way, going forward.

         Now we're going to get into the nitty gritty of the process. Shoot date is all but locked, crew is nearly locked and casting is fairly done. Attached is the first sketch from my costumer, Emily Laflin. She and I are friends and from the look of this sketch, both very much on the same page.

         The IndieGoGo donations are done, and that's just the first step! I'm very excited to keep reporting that sh*t's happening!!

Visualizing the future

         This evening the Golden Globes are on. I don't really watch the award shows all that much. Not because it's a popularity contest, or the fact that I usually tear up during the acceptance speeches and the "in memorium" video - mainly because I get caught up in the what if's.

         What if's will kill you, if you aren't careful. This decision, that decision. The decision at hand. But if you keep the what if's in a happy place, or in a more positive outlook, the what if's can be a good driving force. If you have the drive in you to visualize, the what if's can be a very good thing.

         I think it's very important to visualize your future. I'm a huge advocate for the Law of Attraction, scoff if you will - don't care. A friend once told me, 'doesn't it feel better to be in a good mood most of the time, then being pissed off all the time' And I do agree. I'd rather be happy, be positive, and visualize good things. By the way, if you do know the Law of Attraction you also know you can't just sit around visualizing and doing nothing, you must be working toward your goal all the time. All. The. Time. Keep working, keep going, keep plugging away.

         This is what I have to keep going. Not just for The Collector (which I am), but also for what I want to be and do in the long run. Make the decisions, talk to everyone, keep that positivity going. Keep going, keep going. So I keep going.

         This film being made is my reality. It's my visualization. I have faith that more people will get on board and help make this into what it can be. Into a great short. Visualize with me. Can you see it? Can you see it be honored? Can you see it with me? It's pretty awesome.    

   

10 things for 2015

My 10 things to remember for the New Year

Be kind – above all, a kind word of gesture goes farther than anything. That being said...

Be honest – with yourself and with others.

Be thankful - “When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity” Elie Wiesel

Be loving – even when you’re pissed

Be courteous – especially with the people you see everyday. Don’t use your home and family as a receptacle to dump your bad day.

Be courageous - “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently” Maya Angelou

Be a dreamer – and a dream chaser.

Be an anticipator – instead of a procrastinator (I gotta work on this one)

Be strong – days, weeks and sometimes months are going to suck. It’s going to end. Be stronger than the suck.

Have fun – laugh, play, make art, read, watch movies, go to Disneyland. “Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!” Auntie Mame 

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!

      Christmas is a few days away. I'm trying to focus on the holiday right now just because other things seem very overwhelming. I don't get stressed over a holiday. I like to plan and plot, but I don't see the point in getting stressed over gift giving and eating great food. Granted, I don't have children, but still, to get upset and frothy over finding gifts and baking pies? It's not curing cancer, and it's not even close to brain surgery. My shoulder muscles are in knots over other things.

      My job concluded last week. The holiday break was always going to happen at this time, but instead of feeling 'YAY! Two weeks off!' it's more odd than joyful - well, I have two weeks off, then possibly more weeks off after that. Blech. Besides not having a regular paycheck, I'm not going to see my friends daily. That's really the bummer. The upside is, and what keeps me going when shit like this happens, this will end - the only thing that good times and bad times have in common is they both end. That sounds so downer, but if you think about it, it's kind of nice. This not having a regular job, it will end, I'll meet new people, I'll have new adventures I haven't even thought of yet. The 'bad times' is just the walk to the next door to open. Look how inspirational I am!

      The other thing is (the main thing is) - The Collector. I need a marketing push, or something. I'm not sure how to raise more funds, and I must. Just typing these words make my muscles tense up. I'm excited about talking to people about costume design and makeup for the fairies, but it's going to cost money. Even if everyone donates their time, I need to pay for materials. Erg! I tend to freeze when I get overwhelmed - like suddenly my brain ceases because I'm thinking of all the things that need to happen, I can't prioritize, the thoughts pour into my brain like a waterfall (and they're not creative thoughts, they're 'f*ck I need to do this' thoughts) it overflows and I become paralyzed. Next thing I know I'm playing with shiny keys on the floor. And that really isn't productive at all. So I focus on Christmas.

      I guess what I'm trying to say is, you know - give me money (said with a smirky smirky smile). Or give me ideas on how a can raise more. I'll take any and all suggestions, besides the spam that fills my Indie GoGo inbox. Apparently, that's the new Nigerian prince gimmick - I have dozens of PM's in my inbox all saying the same thing 'if you give me $5 I'll tell everyone in my feed to donate to your campaign', and they only have 70 connections. Seriously. Anyway, If anyone knows an inexpensive way to put the word out, I'll take it - or knows someone with extra cash that has always wanted to get into the filmmaking business, send them my way. Until then, I'll be wrapping gifts and playing with shiny keys.

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