Film, Stage, and Friends of Dorothy

I date an actor. A professional actor. The kind that actually makes his living by being paid to perform all over the country, not the kind that thinks that he's professional if he doesn’t do an “enjoyed-it” line in Podunk. Brian is the real deal. And, as such, he travels a lot – to wherever work is – and is usually absent Nashville. So it amuses me that every summer, when the 48Hour Film Project comes to town, Brian always happens to be home for it. I’m not suggesting that it’s planned that way, only that it is a remarkable coincidence with his schedule. Of course, the Film Project doesn’t require much planning around, really, because, as advertised, all creativity -- from writing the script to editing the film -- takes place in 48 hours. You’ve only got to catch him in town on the right weekend.

The Film Project is making its summer rounds, with filming in Nashville having wrapped up on Sunday and screenings at the Belcourt Theatre today and tomorrow. Brian was involved and will, I'm sure, be watching.

Although I've never been involved in the 48HFP myself, this weekend in San Diego, I will be involved in a something similar to it -- a 24-hour project called Instant Theatre. Actors, writers, and directors will meet at 6:00 on Saturday in Hillcrest to be grouped into 12 teams, given a subject, and let loose to create. On 6:00 Sunday, 12 fully-produced 5-7 minute original plays will be performed off-book and in front of an audience at Hillcrest’s 6th at Penn theatre.

It should be a great experience... but there's a twist. Hillcrest, the site of our initial meeting and final performances, is San Diego's largest gayborhood and host to LGBT PRIDE festivities this weekend. The Saturday morning parade to Balboa Park is expected to draw 150,000 participants and onlookers. Parking will be an adventure. Hell, walking through Hillcrest may be an adventure – and when you’ve only got 24 hours to write, rehearse, and perform a show, you don’t want to be late! Whoever planned this needs a smack upside the head.

Meanwhile, it looks like I’ll be getting a close and personal look at San Diego PRIDE this weekend. It will undoubtedly be a colorful affair. I’ll have my camera at the ready.