Libertine Dreams

Girl 214, the film project that I’ve been working on for the past, I can’t remember how many years, is no more.

That’s right! You heard me… Done! Over! At least in title…

Let me explain.

The project, my film project, is still on. However, Girl 214 will remain the working title, but will not be the official title upon release. You all will have to wait for that.

Why?

Because it’s not a Dallas story anymore. 214 is an area code for Dallas, Texas, and the story was being told from Tiffany’s, the story’s hero, and a resident of Dallas, perspective. However, Tiffany could have just as easily grown up in New Orleans. Granted, there are some elements of the story that will be compromised…a bit.

Why change it from a Dallas story to a New Orleans story?

Resources and support mainly.

Being that this is a self-funded, independent production with a grossly small budget, I need all the support that I can find.

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t make that happen in Dallas. I’d tried for years, but I just couldn’t do it. Through all my efforts, I couldn’t find a group or any organizations dedicated to pursuing or even facilitating the growth of moviemaking in Dallas.

For instance, on several occasions, I’d attempted to contact the local Film Commission, but I never received a response.

Possibly it was because I am too small and my production didn’t reach a level that was acceptable. Before requesting info, you had to let them know what your budget was. I was totally confused. There’s a tier to gather information? Who’s running the joint?

And the unfortunate part is that the resources are there to make any movie you could possibly imagine.

There are rental houses, stages, and a diverse landscape. There are homes worth millions in Highland Park and post-war homes still standing in Oak Cliff.

Everything except the culture. It’s such a shame.

On the contrary, here at home, I have a wealth of resources and unlimited support from family, friends, and associates.

New Orleans has had a thriving film industry for decades and has facilitated the production of many major studio and indie films. The infrastructure and production capabilities are all in place and are operating.

I’ve been busy ever since returning.

Rewriting my screenplay, working on music, updating gear, hunting for and securing locations, working with actors…

I’m more relaxed than ever before, and I’m seeing great things just over the horizon.

Creole Gaudet

Out of nowhere, my not-so-old Moto went into an unending cycle of restarts. After only one year of usage, I get this?

Thankfully it was early in the day when it began. I can’t imagine if I was in a situation or had some business to take of that needed me to be available or required me to call back.

I’ve had issues in the past with Android phones but this is beyond. Never again. I’m going with iPhone and I’m staying.

And I didn’t just get something. I went for the top of the line and grabbed the 17 Pro Max.

This should be fun!

Creole Gaudet

This was only a few days ago, and I fear that it will only get worse.

I’ve never seen prices like this in New Orleans.

Truckers, rideshare drivers, and anyone else who uses their vehicles to earn a living will be in dire straits for who knows how long.

This war situation will most probably end up costing us more than the pandemic did.

Creole Gaudet

I’ve been back home in New Orleans for a few months after being gone for the past nine years.

You’d expect some things to be a bit different. New leadership at the City Council, a new Governor, Chief of Police, and a new Mayor.

Perhaps some businesses and some established businesses had now shut their doors.

These are things that you’d expect after nearly a decade in any major city in the U.S.

However, there are changes that I’d never in a million years expected in New Orleans.

Known as a city that never sleeps, where there’s always an event or somewhere to celebrate and party, is no longer.

In my early adult years, the social scene was incredible.

There were many nightclubs, some legendary. Whispers, Discovery, A Touch of Class, Prime Example, Nexus, Secrets, and Atlantis were tops.

Hurricane Katrina was a huge blow, and the city has yet to fully recover. Unfortunately, as of now, the social scene is dead.

Outside of a few small bars and strip clubs, there’s absolutely nothing to do. There is nowhere to go in New Orleans.

A longtime buddy of mine, Mike, took me out to a few struggling spots to see for myself. Even on the weekends, there weren’t even more than ten people in any of them. I wasn’t only disappointed, it was a gutpunch.

Unless I’m willing to hang out in the French Quarter, which is basically a tourist trap, I’ll have to go out of town for a proper night out.

I guess I’d better start planning weekend getaways or perhaps, at some point, relocating.

Creole Gaudet

The views and opinions in Libertine Dreams are those of the author and make no guarantees or promises regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information presented. It is solely for entertainment purposes.