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    Diary of An Aspiring Filmmaker

    With Art Car: The Movie set to premiere Sunday, the final push (to stayawake...and coherent) is on

    Ford Gunter
    Nov 12, 2011 | 5:32 pm

     Editor's note: For more than a year, Ford Gunter has periodically chronicled his journey in making his first film, Art Car: The Movie. In his latest column, he looks to the world premiere at Cinema Arts Festival Houston Sunday night at Miller Outdoor Theatre.

    Full disclosure: I am rough.

    Everything about me at this point is rough. Our movie premieres in 52 hours as I write this, many fewer by the time you read it. As I type, my co-director is upstairs putting the finishing touches on the audio. I just finished the closing credits, which was my last duty on the film. Until we realized I spelled something wrong and have to redo them. We added the last color-corrected shots earlier today. We're not sleeping much, showering less.

    My mom just informed me I have a divot out of my beard that can only come from shaving while comatose. Good thing I went on TV this morning.

     

    It's weird to be almost done with something that's taken you almost two years to complete. It's weird to have a badge with your name on it. It's weird to have people at a party want to talk to you, want to make sure you meet other people at the party.  

    The ability to consistently carry on coherent conversations was gone about three weeks ago. The desire to do so followed suit shortly after. But now that the Cinema Arts Festival has ramped up in full, and we're giving all our spare moments to making appearances (gratefully so, mind you) for the festival, the ability to carry on a coherent conversation is exactly what I need at this point.

    Fortunately they understand. They've all been through it at this point, I said to myself, as I sat on a stage among total badasses this morning in the PBS studio.

     Braden just got back from Sundance, where his latest film was nominated for the Grand Jury prize. He won something in Berlin that looked very important. Lots of initials. Oh, and his was the first American feature ever shot in Armenia.

     Mahmoud's latest documentary has been to something like 39 festivals and 53 cities. He's won more awards in the past three months than I did in six years of Little League, though, to be fair, that was back when "Most Improved" was the only honor bestowed on a shitty kid, and if your team lost every game you certainly didn't get a trophy.

    At the far end of the stage, Peter is using words I've only read and never knew how to properly pronounce. Oeuvre is one of them. He's done a documentary on an artist I'd never heard of because these are not the circles I'm used to inhabiting. In an hour, while Peter selflessly advises me on the film festival circuit over cold cuts and potato chips, I mispronounce his artist's name twice. Somewhere, I'm finding the place to put a "k" in "Trimpin."

    Next to him, Lynn is here to talk about her documentary that took 46 years to complete. Best I can tell it's on women using art as empowerment during the feminist movement.

    An impressive group, which I impressively impressed by spacing out toward the end of the taping, having to ask the host to repeat the question. Oh, by the way, my movie's about people who glue stuff to their cars.

    But somehow they either know about it or can pretend to fairly convincingly. Maybe because we somehow wound up with top billing on the poster, before even Ethan Hawke. This is when it starts to sink in. This is weird.

    These feelings of discomfort are usually things I keep bottled up, underneath a laid-back exterior and indifferent beard. Too bad I signed up for a column about an inside look at first-time filmmaking. And to make up for my total lack of productivity at CultureMap lately (two straight months of 14-hour days can do that to you), my latest (last?) column will be my most honest one.

    So I'm telling you, this shit is weird. All of it.

    It's weird to be almost done with something that's taken you almost two years to complete. It's weird to see a photo you took in a brochure. It's weird to have a badge with your name on it. It's weird to be on TV. It's weird to have people at a party want to talk to you, want to make sure you meet other people at the party. It's weird to be listed first on a poster, especially in front of the name a long-respected actor who is clearly the top commercial draw in this whole deal. I wonder what he thought when he first saw the poster. Who the fuck are they? That's pretty much what we're thinking.

    There's a line in our movie where one of the artists is talking about how, if you have the guts to decorate your car, you are accepted into the art car world. There's an instant respect, from everyone. It doesn't matter if you're talking to a professional artist whose last piece sold for $60,000 or a second grade teacher whose class makes a car in two weeks. It doesn't matter if your car is a work of staggering beauty or if it sucks. There's an instant acceptance.

     "You're crazy enough and passionate enough and stupid enough to do this... nice. Welcome."

    And that's what it's been like so far.

    Mahmoud said he was excited to see our movie. He even said our bios were hilarious. Peter said he was looking forward to Sunday. Someone else said they were hoping to make it. All this to ears surrounding a brain that never thought any of these people would have noticed our movie on the agenda, much less wanted to see it. And that's all nice.

     Badass filmmakers want to see your movie.

    Right alongside your family and friends, and the artists you're representing in your film. All expecting something. Expecting to be entertained. Expecting to be bored. Expecting a movie about this instead of that. Expecting to be accurately protrayed; expecting to see themselves on screen. Expecting hilarity, expecting awkward silences. Expecting to sneak out early if it sucks, expecting to be a part of the afterparty if it doesn't. Expecting to have to pretend to have loved it the next time they see you. Expecting a son to make his parents proud. Expecting the best, expecting the worst, or anything in between. Add your peers to that list.

    Starts to get weird again, doesn't it?

    unspecified
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    weekend event planner

    These are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 16, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Goo Goo Dolls
    Photo courtesy of Goo Goo Dolls
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    This weekend, it’s all about music, comedy, celebration, and getting free chicken.

    The Goo Goo Dolls and Kam Franklin will have live concerts. Mo Amer and Kym Whitley will be doing back-to-back stand-up shows. Little Jewford will pay tribute to Kinly Friedman with a live show. Karbach Brewing is bringing back Frida Fest. And Nando PERi-PERi will salute Nelson Mandela Day by giving free chicken and fries to whoever donates some canned goods.

    So, let’s ease on down the road and see what’s popping this weekend.

    Thursday, July 17

    Little Jewford's Sentimental Journey: Remembering Kinky Friedman
    Little Jewford's Sentimental Journey will highlight songs from Kinky Friedman's catalog and the Great American Songbook. Little Jewford will also share a few of his favorite memories of Kinky and stories from their travels. Little Jewford was eight years old when he met Kinky Friedman at Echo Hill Ranch in 1958. They began a friendship and musical pairing that would last more than 60 years. Little Jewford is also an accomplished pianist with a unique, entertaining style all his own. 7 pm.

    River Oaks Theatre presents Film Strip: Barbarella
    Grimm and Ghoulia, headmistresses of The Sisterhood of Lili St. Cyr, present another monthly screening of a cult movie, preceded by a rotating cast of burlesque beauties. This time around, we have Jane Fonda starring in this erotic, space-age, comic-book adaptation from 1968, where she’s a space traveler tasked with finding and stopping the evil Durand-Durand. BTW, quoting and singing along with the film is encouraged. Surprise gags and performances may take place during the film. 8 pm.

    Goo Goo Dolls in concert
    You can go back to the 2000s this weekend, as rock band Goo Goo Dolls will be performing in Sugar Land's Smart Financial Centre. Currently on the road for their Summer Anthem Tour, the Grammy-nominated, diamond-certified rockers (best known for “Iris,” one of many millennial pop ditties guitar-playing frat guys played for sorority girls at parties back in the day) are also at work on their 15th studio album. Dashboard Confessional, another rock outfit who rose to prominence during the Bush II era, will be the opening act. 8 pm.

    Friday, July 18

    Nelson Mandela Day at Nando’s Peri-Peri
    In honor of Nelson Mandela Day on Friday, Nando’s Peri-Peri is turning compassion into action with a nationwide food drive, rewarding guests with free flame-grilled chicken and Peri Chips in exchange for non-perishable food donations. At the Houston locations in Post Oak and Katy, donations will go to Second Servings, the city’s only perishable food rescue organization. Second Servings is also collecting donations to support those affected by the devastating floods that recently impacted Central Texas. 3 pm.

    Mo Amer: El Oso Palestino Tour
    Palestinian-American stand-up comedian (and hometown boy made good) Mo Amer may have wrapped up the second and final season of his acclaimed Netflix show Mo this year. But that doesn’t mean the man hasn’t stopped bringing the funny. Before he heads off to do two back-to-back shows at the Dubai Comedy Festival, he’ll do an early show right here in H-Town, as part of his El Oso Palestino Tour. As of press time, only a limited number of standing room only tickets remain. 7 pm.

    Punch Line Houston presents Kym Whitley
    Kym Whitley knew she was blessed with the gift to make people laugh after Redd Foxx told her she had “the comedic goods.” The comedienne and former host of BET talk show Oh Drama! has appeared in such movies as The Nutty Professor and Next Friday. She’s also done guest shots on My Wife and Kids, Two Broke Girls, That’s So Raven, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, on an episode that saved a man from going to death row. She even appeared in a Netflix documentary about it. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9:15 pm Saturday).

    A.D. Players presents The Wizard of Oz
    Since we’re all still in a Wicked frame of mind, A.D. Players presents a stage version of the L. Frank Baum classic. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination, crossing over the rainbow to the beautiful land of Oz. To find her way home, Dorothy must follow the yellow brick road to find the Wizard. But the Wicked Witch of the West threatens to destroy these newfound friends as they make their journey. Through Sunday, August 10. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday).

    Saturday, July 19

    Houston Pets Alive! And Trust Guss Injury Lawyers present Puppy Palooza
    Houston Pets Alive! and Trust Guss Injury Lawyers team up for Puppy Palooza this weekend, at the Houston Pets Alive! headquarters. Houstonians are invited to a family-friendly adoption event where attendees can meet up to 50 adorable puppies of all sizes, breeds, and personalities, looking for their forever homes. The event not only offers a chance to welcome a new furry friend into your life, but also supports Houston’s local shelters by helping reduce overcrowding and giving at-risk pets a second chance.

    Moody Center for the Arts presents Summer Jam
    Moody's annual Summer Jam will feature art activities, galleries to explore, an indoor farmer’s market, local food vendors, and more. The event includes access to Figurative Histories and Collective Memories as well as programming with Black art/culture reference library The Reading Room. In addition to a scavenger hunt, face painting, and bubble play, Red Bird Press will lead a printmaking activity for the duration of the event. Noon.

    Karbach Brewing Co. presents Frida Fest
    Karbach Brewing Co. is bringing back its annual Frida Fest, a two-day celebration honoring art icon Frida Kahlo through art, fashion, and community. In partnership with nonprofit MuXerhtx, Karbach’s biergarten will transform into a vibrant cultural hub. Saturday’s festivities will include an art show, a fashion show, and a lookalike contest, while Sunday will have a mariachi performance, a flower-making workshop, and a DJ playing beats. Saturday attendees will get first access to exclusive Frida Fest glassware. 1 pm (11 am Sunday).

    The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston presents Iolanthe
    The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston, Houston’s longest-running opera company, will present Iolanthe, a hallmark of Gilbert and Sullivan’s signature satire that cheerily blends fantasy and pointed social commentary. It skewers the British legal system, the House of Lords, and Victorian sensibilities with clever wit and a charming score. Iolanthe (pronounced "eye-oh-LAN-thee") is a comic opera sung in English and is enjoyable for all ages. Through Sunday, July 27. 7 pm (7 pm Friday, 2:30 pm Sunday).

    Sunday, July 20

    National Ice Cream Day
    National Ice Cream Day is this Sunday, and these are just some of the several places around town marking the occasion with deals and specials. The Sunrise House in Montrose has both an ice cream-topped waffle and an affogato. Both locations of The Pit Room will take $2 off any creation made with Blue Bell ice cream. Asian American diner Agnes and Sherman will be serving root beer floats and banana splits. Houston-area locations of Lick Honest Ice Creams will donate 10 percent of sales to Buffalo Bayou Partnership. All four Houston-area locations of Jeni’s will add its new sundae fudge sauce for free to any scoop. (Times and locations vary.)

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
    Marlee Matlin became the first deaf actor to win an Oscar for her performance in Children of a Lesser God. In this new documentary, she discusses her personal and professional struggles — including her meteoric rise to fame in a predominantly hearing industry, a tumultuous high-profile relationship, getting sober, and years of being overlooked by Hollywood. Through split-screen interviews with both deaf and hearing contributors, the film weaves a poignant narrative of Matlin’s career, highlighting her tireless fight for inclusion. 5 pm.

    Dan Electro’s presents Kam Franklin & Friends
    Kam Franklin and a bunch of her musical pals will be performing this weekend at Dan Electro’s. Best known for belting powerful vocals as the lead singer of Gulf Coast soul band The Suffers, this dynamic interdisciplinary artist is also a passionate activist for justice and equity — amplifying Black, queer, femme, and non-binary voices across the arts. She’ll be joined by Sergio Trevino, Louis Morales, Sara Van Buskirk, Uncle Tino, and Blacknintendo. 7:30 pm.

    Goo Goo Dolls
      
    Photo courtesy of Goo Goo Dolls

    Goo Goo Dolls will play in Sugar Land July 17, 2025.

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