Courtesy of Julia Pelish

Wow.

The British Columbia Film Awards finished up this weekend. Also known as the LEO AWARDS, it was a red carpet event complete with champagne, beautiful women and all things glamorous. The little film that could, CENTIGRADE, was up for a total of 7 awards in the Short Drama category. And I’m so very proud to announce, we took home 5.

BEST SHORT DRAMA - Madison Graie, Derrick Garland

BEST ACTOR - Colin Cunningham

BEST DIRECTOR - Colin Cunningham

BEST MAKE UP - Jayne Dancose

BEST OVERALL SOUND - Réal Gauvreau

And it was incredible. Gary Jones, the ceremonies host, was fantastic. Gary is not only known for his work on SG-1 and other numerous television and film projects, but he’s also one of the funniest people I know. And so, on top of all the pomp and circumstance, there was a lot of silicone and sequins bouncing to Jonesy’s punch-lines.

In addition to being nominated, I was also honored to have been asked to ‘present’ in a few categories, and so was able to enjoy the best of both worlds. Back stage was a riot. Cathryn Barr from the Metro Newspaper was back there taking photographs and being her wonderful crazy self. The beautiful trophy models were making sure their nipples were properly duct taped to their dresses and everyone did their best not to face-plant themselves upon taking that final (and very dark) step onto the stage.

But it was all very much a friendly, warm and wonderful affair. This was the tenth anniversary of the LEO AWARDS and everyone was quite proud of both Sonny Wong and Walter Daroshin (producers) for having the courage and dedication to make and keep it all happening. This town owes those two gentlemen a lot.

My girlfriend Brianne looked radiant. My best friends (and fellow nominee) Madison Graie and her husband James Fantin looked like prince and princess. Jonathan Tyrrell was there with his main squeeze Elisa. John Penhall, our illustrious AD. Derrick Garland and his gal Kathy. Muse and Mentor, Ron Sauvé and his wife Beverly. Mike Rudd flew up from LA. And then of course there was my incredible agent Dylan Collingwood, beautiful casting director Melissa Perry and the lovely and talented, Sonja Bennet. All, some of the best people on the face of the earth.

5 out of 7. Wow.

Courtesy of Julia Pelish

That’s quite the number. Stack those puppies one on top of the other and I’d say you’d be standing pretty tall. Come to think of it, that’s how we felt walking out of there.

Tall indeed.

Palm Springs ranks as my number one favorite place in the world. From the forgotten 70’s when it was an abandoned bomb shelter, to the spring break riots of the 1980’s. I’ve spent 30 years returning to the Aqua Caliente for its tranquility and Peabody’s for their mango salsa.

Something about this little desert town speaks to me and it’s a bias I can’t really describe. I used to hike Tahquitz Canyon with an empty garbage bag, work my way up to the falls, have a swim, then return with a bag full of garbage. Do that today and they’ll arrest you.

Still, we’ve been accepted to the Palm Springs International Short Fest, the largest short film festival in North America and we’re ecstatic. Madison and I had an ‘audience favorite’ there at the Nortel Festival about 8 years ago with our feature Zacharia Farted, and there is nothing better than to mix ones love of film with sunshine and sage.

I mention this only because the last few entries on this blog have carried a more ‘poutine’ kind of slant and it was about time I made an effort to balance things out.

We are having TWO PREMIERES on the same weekend. And we’ve been absolutely scrambling in our attempts to attend both. It’s incredibly expensive, but at the moment it looks possible.

Our first screening is in Montreal, Saturday night at 9:30pm. Later that evening, at around 3am, Bri and I will leave Madison and Jonathan behind and head for the airport to hop a plane to Palm Springs. We’ll make stops in both Chicago and Denver, arriving in Palm Springs at around 2pm. From there we’ll check into our hotel, drop our bags and cab it over for our 2nd premiere at 3:30pm.

Unfortunately, Madison can’t make it to Palm Springs. Just as unfortunate, Derrick Garland (Producer) can’t make either. (In spirit Derrick).

But as for me and Palm Springs…There, I will get to see my family and friends, Mark and Claudia Rickerby (who both worked on the film), Rob Stilson (dear friend) and his son Brandon (fag)… not to mention my Mom, Dad, Sister Lorraine and niece Scotland. Most will have been there days before, handing out fliers, enjoying the festivities and getting the word out.

Best of the best.

It’s the coolest thing in the world to share something like this. Granted, these are the kind of people who would support me regardless (all gold), but it is also kind of cool to give them something unique to take part in. Something aside from their own personal obligatory. That, and what better reason to go to Palm Springs than to see your kids movie, or your buddies, etc.?

Part of the sacrifice in doing this kind of crap is that you don’t get to see the people you love. Friends take a back seat. Girlfriends do their best to understand. ‘Family’ becomes a thing to be scheduled. And at the end of the day, you may actually end up with a movie that blows.

That’s one hell of a gamble.

BUT, if you succeed…

IF you’re able to pull it off…

IF the film is good…

Then their existence. Their memory. Their influence, becomes tribute. A mirror. An explanation. A thank you card. And ALL are able to celebrate together. One and the same.

Vicarious, perhaps. But all guilty… and proud.

As my father has always said,

“You’re dead a long time.”

See you in the desert gang.

CAMELOT Theatres. SUNDAY 26th. 3:30pm 2300 E. Barista Between Tahquitz and Ramon

760-325-6565

C.

Colin Cunningham in Centigrade, © Turn Up the Heat Productions, 2007

Hope I don’t screw this up.

Okay. First entry into what I hope will be many. Provided I can actually get my lazy ass to document the coming months (years?). That said, welcome to CENTIGRADE the magical tour journal. A place where one can check in to see how one little short film is doing as it makes the rounds to various festivals and finally takes over the WORLD!!!

Will it be the first short film to break the 100 million opening weekend mark?

Will the film be celebrated and studied by cinephiles and critics the world over?

(Or, will my corpse be studied by med students pondering the physical effects of independent filmmaking and how it can age you faster than huffing glue.)

So, before we begin I should bring you up to speed. My name is Colin Cunningham. I’m the films Writer, Director and Actor guy. Ya, ya. One of those ‘do it all’ idiots. Lord knows, you’d have to be an idiot to think you could actually make a living doing this kind of thing.

That said, myself, Madison Graie (Producer) and Derrick Garland (other Producer) made a movie, sent it off to some festivals and here we go. First one on the list, Montréal International World Festival. And after that Palm Springs Short Fest.

So, this is the blog. The diary. The suicide note.

Hope you enjoy it.

C.