 Ti hei mauri ora! I think the greatest tragedy in life is never fulfilling one's heart felt dream(s). And this can be for many reasons, fear, self-doubt, negativity, addictions, and, one of the main ones of course, lack of finances. And doesn't that suck? That money is usually always required to turn a dream (goal) into reality. Especially for those of us who are passionate Film Makers. For example my Guerrilla Styles Feature Film Te Toa...The Warrior, which I have been working on trying to make happen for five years now. FIVE FUCKEN YEARS! He he he. But, seriously though, it does get damn discouraging and seems utterly hopeless at times. But for whatever reason, I still truly believe, somehow, in someway, it will happen. I mean if I had just $25,000 (and I say 'just', as most films are made for at least $3,000,000 - $4,000,000 here in Aotearoa) it would be made today! Well, not today, but it would be INEVITABLE that it would be made as I would have the resources to buy all my propos, costumes, food, equipment etc. Because money is ENERGY. Pure energy. It gives one the means to turn one's dreams (goals) into concrete and tangible reality. So, what do I need to do? Keep going. Just keep going. And believe somehow, in someway, it will be INEVITABLE that this beautiful dream comes true.
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 One of the lead actors for Te Toa...The Warrior, Johnny Sol (who is playing the Dictator) once said to me...It's ok to change your mind. He got that quote from a leading motivational speaker...It's ok to change your mind. So too, after thinking about it, have I decided to change my mind about setting the firm, fixed date of the 1st May 2021 for filming Te Toa...The Warrior. It is true that in all of my other films I had firm dates, but, I feel for this film, I need to let it unfold in it's own time, then when EVERYTHING is set up and ready (financing, cast, crew, equipment etc.) I will then, and only then, set my date(s). That way, I do not have this enormous burden upon me (which I am already feeling from when I set the date yesterday!) and I can focus on get everything ready in it's own good time (although the aim is DEFINITELY for it to be made this year in 2021! Ha ha ha), without me being under enormous stress and pressure. So that is my decision. Ka-pai.
 Ti hei mauri ora! Well, I have set a 100% DEFINITE date to start filming Te Toa...The Warrior and that is the 1st May 2021. So that gives me exactly 97 days to get EVERYTHING prepared. And I will, as I have always done. So, whatever finances, equipment, resources, props, locations, cast and crew I have on board by the 1st May 2021 the film WILL 100% be made this time. 100%! The only thing that will stop me is if I drop down dead! Ha ha ha. Seriously though. This time, after numerous setbacks etc., IT WILL BE MADE! So toward this end I will be getting everything prepared:
1 - Final rewrite of script - Done. 2 - Final rewrite of storyboard - In Progress. 3 - Location Scouting. 4 - Props. 5 - Cast. 6 - Crew. 7 - Finances. 8 - Equipment. 9 - Production Schedule. Looking forward to this vision being fulfilled. And I know it will be. Why? Because the desire, enthusiasm, passion and vision to make it has never died, regardless of all the setbacks, challenges and trials (both internal and external) I have had to endure. But rather, it has become stronger within me. It is a tu meke...choice as story which needs to be told and will be told. I shall bring my dream from the cold light of day, into reality.  Ti hei mauri ora. Yesterday I had a Hui with a visionary entrepreneur Julian Noel, who is also related to me and my first cousin. He runs a company called Shine Global (his website can be viewed at www.shineglobal.com.au) which he created to help support innovators, visionaries, entrepreneurs etc. It was a positive Hui and I gave him my Investors Proposal (which can be viewed on the INVESTORS page of this website), plus am emailing it to him, so hopefully with all of his networks there may be some interest out there. Plus tonight I have my Poetry Fundraiser at 8 p.m. here at Omamari Beach. Hopefully there is a good turnout. All money will be put into our joint signed account specifically set up for this film. Ti hei mauri ora!
 Today I begin the rewrite/redraw of my storyboard for Te Toa...The Warrior. I will be storyboarding every shot, every scene, so that when it comes time to filming, I have the exact imagery I am seeking. The exact creative, artistic shots that are i roto i taku ngakau me wairua...in my heart and soul. And I shall be having some visually stunning scenery shots to enhance the film and characters therein. So the fact I now have a cinematographer on board who specializes in such imagery, means I definitely have the right person on board. It is a big job, but as Confucius said, 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.
 I have always believed one needs a deep sense of urgency in order to achieve anything of value. But not only urgency, a deep desire, then on top of that a deep sense of frustration and restlessness as well. Now, you may wonder why I would say frustration and restlessness. Well, because if one looks at all great reformers and innovators etc. That is those people who have changed the world, added to the world, made significant contributions to the world, that is some of their common denominators, a deep frustration and restlessness to get things done, or for things not being done. That doesn't mean of course that one has to be in those states of being at all time (or even most of the time), but I believe that Without them nothing gets done. And for me, I have been working on this film project for a number of years now. During which time I have nearly had the film made, but due to both inner and outer forces, the film has not gone ahead. And I now sincerely believe and can see that there was a reason for that. I was not ready. The vision was not complete as to how I TRULY saw it. But now everything is clicking into place in a way I know, with a quiet certainty...that this SHALL COME TO PASS. For example, I have really been envisioning the film in a totally new way, with very powerful images of artistic landscape shots etc. Then, just recently I have connected with a professional photographer (in the last six months I mean), who specializes in landscape photography and he is now coming on board as my Cinematographer. And there is nothing wrong with that, as they are in essence the same thing (film and photography), but with one having moving imagery, the other still. And the main thing is, we really gel, as I have gotten to know him quite well and so know I will be able to work with him. Plus I have rewritten the script so that logistically it is going to be a lot easier to make (thus far less costly and time consuming), without losing the inherent essence of the story and the characters etc. Ka pai.
 Ti hei mauri ora! Not long ago I was sitting at home when I had this incredible vision regarding Te Toa...The Warrior. The vision was so powerful that it was overwhelming, and in that moment, I knew that finally, after 5yrs of trying, that Te Toa,,,The Warrior was going to be made this year. And since that vision I have been inundated with the wairua of how I see scenes and shits etc. It is like a brand new way of seeing my film. So I am re-drawing the storyboard and will be drawing the scenes as to how I see it, within the context of the story. It is a powerful story, one that needs to be told.
 Ti hei mauri ora...Behold the breath of life. The date is 9 Jan 21. I have been working on this kaupapa for about four years now? Something like that anyway. I have recently re-written the script to simplify it so it will be easier logistically to film i.e. Less locations etc. However, I have made sure to keep the essence of the story, characters and dialogue intact. And I know that it is going to be made this year in 2021. Of that I am quietly confident. So toward that end my immediate focuses are as follows:
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