Becoming Magnum

Success & Winning Streaks by Brendon Burchard

2010-07-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

I was just checking out YouTube for videos on success, when I came across 'Success & Winning Streaks' by Brendon Burchard.

If you want a plan for achieving the success in your life that your searching for, I highly recommend watching the video below.

I've already begun taking the kind of action that he suggests, and I'm in the process of taking massive action towards reaching my goals.

I have several big things I'm working on right now, and look forward to sharing the news with you in the very near future.

To your success,

Mike.

Tom Selleck comments on the MAGNUM P.I. Movie

2010-07-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

I was on Google looking for any updates about the MAGNUM P.I. Movie, when I came across this interesting video in which Tom Selleck comments on the MAGNUM P.I. Movie.

It reinforces why I've created BECOMING MAGNUM.

Viva la Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum!

Mike.

Home Grown Revolution

2010-07-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

I was just checking out Mark Macey's Facebook page, when I came across an interesting video called Home Grown Revolution.

It's a great concept and idea for personally ensuring the quality of the food that you eat. On their own personal lot, within the city of LA, they've grown over 6,000 lbs. of fruit a year.

Truly mind expanding, and sustainable.

Enjoy!

Mike.

The SteadiCam Smoothee...

2010-06-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was just taking a look on the Web for some pictures of the Owle Bubo when I stumbled across a Video of the SteadiCam Smoothee by Teffen from Taz Goldstein at HHH - Hand Held Hollywood.

I'm really excited and look forward to getting my hands on the Smoothee, but I though I should share the Video with everyone, so here it is.

Enjoy!

Mike.

Owle Bubo and the iPhone 4

2010-06-24T03:17:00.000-07:00

I just came across an iPhone 4 HD Video shot using the Owle Bubo.

The footage looks amazing. I can't wait to get my hands on a couple of iPhone 4's to begin shooting BECOMING MAGNUM with.

Enjoy!

Mike.

Theme Song - I Know I Can...Be What I Wanna Be!

2010-06-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

Just came across this great Video which shares the overall theme for my Life and Goals.

Enjoy!

Mike.

Wisdom from Will Smith

2010-06-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

Just came across this great video in which Will Smith shares his wisdom about success.

It pretty much sums everything up.

I think I'm gonna go and re-read THINK & GROW RICH and John Kehoe's MIND POWERS.

Keep having fun,

Mike.

Doing it for Money.

2010-06-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

DOING IT FOR MONEY

by Bob Fraser

Let's start with an underlying truth behind all the info and advice I'll be passing along to

you in these weekly newsletters:

People who depend on talent, training, looks, age, or their 'connections' - have a smaller

chance of achieving a dream of success in show business than those who depend on

making a living doing what they love.

In fact, it is a misplaced emphasis on the 'craft' elements that causes most people to fail

and eventually quit trying.

The people who succeed are those who determine early on that what they are engaged

in is a ... BUSINESS.

One of my hobbies, during my active career, was watching the results of other show

biz folks. I kept journals for about 5 years, then I noticed that I didn't need to keep a

journal because it was becoming redundant. The fact is, that all the successful people

I met over 50 years, (and when I say ALL, I mean 100%) were capitalists.

I don't mean 'capitalist' in a political way - I'm talking about a kind of store-keeper

capitalism. All the successful people I've known in the show business are successful

because they are good business people ... good 'store-keepers.'

The other side of the coin is the unsuccessful actor, writer, director, producer, etc.

Believe me, most of them are not untalented, or untrained, or unconnected. Generally,

their real problem is that they are just lackadaisical business people.

The biggest mistake I see is the total time and energy those poor unsuccessful folks put

into the business side of their careers.

This amount of time can be called: NOT ENOUGH.

IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCT

If we are not working at our career to keep things running smoothly on a daily basis, if

we ever sit back and wait for things to happen, stop marketing and promoting, or quit

trying new ideas to get people into our store (to buy our product) well, every business

around us will say a big 'thank you' - and grab our customers.

If we don't devote enough time to our business, if we don't plan what we're doing, if we

don't put in a lot of thought and energy, if we don't have vision, if we're not excited by it

all, then the sad truth is that we're just not going to get very far. We are going to be

crawling along, while all around us, hard working capitalists will be charging past us to

the red carpet.

What can you do to become a better business person?

A good start is to understand the difference between being in business and just having the

store open.

The number one way to improve your business is to improve your product. The best

product is not always what the customer buys - but it's always the product the customer

wants. Your odds improve as your product gets better.

ADVERTISE

You will undoubtedly notice that I include a lot of ads in everything I do - website,

newsletter, giveaway items, etc. ... and I do that for a very important reason: I want to

be successful.

To be successful in business (any business) you must be willing to 'market' your product

or services.

A lot of folks don't like to do this part. The focus on the art and ignore the advertising

and marketing. That's why a lot of folks are not very successful. Be warned, if you want

to be in business, you must advertise.

If one kind of advertising isn't working - try something else. (Get new headshots until

you get one that works.)

You also must engage in 'selling.' If you don't like selling, then you are unfit to run a

business. Every business is all about selling. (Even acting, writing and directing - and,

in fact, the underlying idea of putting on a show is to convince the audience to 'buy' it.)

Which is why you shouldn't worry about hiring a salesman (an agent) until you've done

a lot of advertising and selling, yourself.

That's because you want a good salesman - and a good salesman knows better than to

try to sell an untested and unproven product.

An agent cannot afford to sell one of his customers (studios and producers) a sub-par

product. Keep in mind that your salesman will probably represent a lot of different

"lines" and she will give more attention to the ones who work hard at their business.

Always show the product (you) in the best possible way.

The key to good business is to accentuate the benefits of the product and work hard to

eliminate any reasons for the customer not to buy. This requires a lot of thought.

After all, your product is a human being and we all have flaws - which sometimes (after

some thought) - turn out to be benefits.

WORKING HARD AND SMART

That's what capitalism is: Taking your product out into the marketplace, defining your

customer base, doing good product testing and research, hiring good salespeople,

advertising well, and keeping the store open late.

Watch the capitalists around you. You know, the folks who run their own dry cleaning

store, sandwich shop, or quick print center. If they are successful, study them carefully

and find out how they run their businesses.

Believe me, you will discover that most of them ... WORK VERY HARD.

Is it worth working very hard?

Well, their dream is probably just financial success. Our dream, on the other hand, is

fame, fortune, respect and a bit of immortality. AND financial success.

Don't kid yourself, it's a capitalist's dream ... with a twist and a cherry on top.

The question is: how hard are you really willing to work to achieve your dream?

Keep in mind that the number one benefit of capitalism is the money - and money

equals freedom.

Freedom. I think that's a dream we can all get behind.

"Reprinted from The Show Biz How-To Newsletter. Get your own
free subscription here: http://www.showbizhowto.com
Copyright © 2010 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved"

Celebrities With Big Dreams That Paid Off

When you set out to find a career, it seems there are two warring camps you have to decide between: doing something you love or doing something that pays well. The dream, of course, is to find something that fulfills both goals, and it is possible. Here are five big names that made it by following their hearts, and ended up filling their wallets.

1. Jillian Michaels

The ferocious trainer from NBC's The Biggest Loser went from (in her words) fat kid to fit kid. She revealed at an eDiets.com conference that she left high school at age 17 to start training others. At age 24, she decided she needed a "real job" and went to work as a motion picture packaging agent, a job she says made her wake up every morning and "wish for death." At 27, she went back to training and considers her job now what gives her life meaning. Since leaving her "real job", Jillian has created a fitness empire under the company name Empowered Media.

2. Stephenie Meyer

Now a household name for her authorial debut, Stephenie Meyer was a stay-at-home mother of three until a dream on June 2, 2003 changed her life forever. Over the course of three months, that dream became her first novel, "Twilight", which debuted at #5 on The New York Times bestseller list. Since then, the first book alone has sold over 47 million copies worldwide and the subsequent novels in the series fared even better, with "New Moon" hitting #1 on the Times' list and "Breaking Dawn" reaching 69 million copies sold.

3. Matt Stone

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are best known as co-creators of the Comedy Central show South Park. Matt Stone graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder as the first student to hold the double major of film and mathematics. Their passion for film, music and entertainment led them to create the Comedy Central's highest-rated and longest-running program.

4. Mark Zuckerberg

The founder of social networking site Facebook.com, Mark Zuckerberg began the site when he was a student at Harvard with the help of fellow students and roommates. In 2004, after dropping out of college, he went to Palo Alto with nothing but his fledgling site to his name. With the help of $12.7 million in venture capital, Facebook became the number one social networking site in terms of monthly visits with over 1.19 billion hits in January 2009 according to compete.com.

Now take what you've learned, and start working on your Acting, Directing, Writing, or Producing Business. As an Artist, it's important to keep in mind that you are the Product that you are selling to the Buyers in Hollywood. Let go of the 'starving Artist' Mindset, and embrace the Entrepreneur/Artist Mindset.

The Internet has shifted power back to the Artist's who take responsibility for their own careers, for marketing and promoting themselves and their product.

See you at the top,

Mike.

THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE IN LIFE!

2010-06-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

My friend Darren Jacklin (The Mega-Manifestor) has just sent me a link to an awesome and inspiring Video.

After you watch this Video, take a look at yourself, and ask yourself what 'Limits' have you set on yourself, and your ability to accomplish what you really want to in life. What more do I need to say? To your success, Mike

What more do I need to say?

To your success,

Mike

2010 LEO AWARDS - RED CARPET INTERVIEWS

2010-06-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, (Saturday June 5th, 2010) my friend Lisa Ciniglio and I did some Red Carpet Interviews at the 2010 LEO AWARDS which is BC's equivalent of The Oscars where all of the elite people in the BC TV & Film Industry come together and celebrate everyone's accomplishments.

We shot the Interviews using the iPhone equipped with the Owle Bubo, and streamed the Interviews LIVE onto the Internet at www.Qik.com

I got my hands on the Owle Bubo at 3pm yesterday, and I had ZERO TIME to learn about using shooting Video with the Owle on the iPhone and/or about streaming the Video. I called Harold at Owle Bubo, and he gave me a brief walk through - he told me to get the Qik.com LIVE App for streaming video directly onto the Internet.

When I signed up, and just before shooting it said that the Video Quality wasn't going to because it was going to stream directly onto the Internet. (Had I known what the actual quality was going to look and sound like versus the quality of the Video's I've seen on YouTube, I would have just recorded and saved them to the iPhone, and then later uploaded them directly onto my Website, but I didn't have the luxury of time.)

We actually did about 12 Interviews. I'm going to have to contact the people at Qik.com to find out why the other Video's aren't visible/working.

At the top of the www.Qik.com/becomingmagnum page, there's an Interview with LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS who was one of the Presenters, followed by an Interview with DREW SCOTT & JONATHAN SILVER SCOTT who Co-Produced the 2010 LEO AWARDS and at the bottom of the page is an Interview with the Creators of SANCTUARY which started off as a Web Series with 8 Webisodes and got picked up as a TV Series.

I am going to follow up with everyone that we interviewed to do more in-depth interviews over the next week.

It was great to be on the Red Carpet. Amanda Tapping (Sanctuary) and others had moments where they geeked out and got all excited about the fact that we were shooting the Interviews on the iPhone with the Owle Bubo.

That was my goal. We were unique and memorable. I heard from a friend late last night while I was at work, and saw him walking by, that Liz Levine (Executive in Charge of Development at BrightLight Pictures) who is also a friend, was shocked when I sent her the text right after the Interviews that they were already Online.

I know that several of the people we interviewed are going to be talking about us from their reactions, which is another goal accomplished.

Being on the Red Carpet and seeing so many people doing what I want, and am going to be doing FT was inspiring. It was also great to be around the energy of the Red Carpet, and to talk to several different Celebrities.

I also realized that there really is no difference between the Celebrities and myself. They are no different than me, other than their level of success, which I am well on my way towards achieving.

It feels great to have achieved this major goal. This past week was also a great learning experience for me. I emailed Drew Scott, one of the Co-Producers of the Event a week ago with an idea for doing Red Carpet Interviews and shooting them on the iPhone with the Owle Bubo.

He forwarded it to Colette, one of the Publicists managing the Red Carpet, and she gave me the thumbs up.

I sent an email to the guys at Owle Bubo (who prior to then I was nervous/scared about contacting - part of my subconscious conditioning of NOT BEING GOOD ENOUGH). Graham, the C.O.O. from Owle called me on Tuesday.

We were back and forth on the phone and through email for the next few days. On Thursday they shipped me an Owle Bubo which was supposed to arrive Friday by 12pm.

Turns out the FedEx plane the Bubo was on had mechanical problems, and it ended up in Memphis. FedEx wasn't going to deliver it until Monday by 12pm. I called them up, and told them that I needed it by Saturday at 3pm at the latest. After all, it was sent as a Priority Express Shipment. That's why it was supposed to be here Friday by 12pm.

I was on the phone back and forth with FedEx all of Friday, and again on Saturday from 10am until 2pm. At 2:15pm yesterday I got a call from FedEx that I could pick up the Bubo at their Richmond Facility.

There were a lot of hurdles and obstacles to overcome, but instead of giving into fear and doubt about not getting the Owle Bubo in time, I kept my thoughts and emotions in check, and kept them focused on the Owle Bubo arriving in time, and that I'd be on the Red Carpet doing Interviews with it.

I did have a Back Up Plan, of using my FLIP Ultra HD Camcorder to do the Interviews with. The FLIP shoots great quality HD Video, but it just doesn't quite have the Cool Factor that the iPhone and the Owle Bubo have together. Plus, I can't stream video directly onto the Internet with the FLIP.

I achieved my Goals, and took a huge step forward towards realizing my dream of being a Professional Working Actor, Producer, Director, and Writer in the TV/Film Industry.

Now, I just have to figure out, what is going to be my Reward for accomplishing my Goals?

My next major goal is to have a conversation with TOM SELLECK about BECOMING MAGNUM.

Thanks for all of your wonderful love and support,

Mike.

Karl Urban Interview about creating a younger version of BONES!

2010-06-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I was talking with Diane Fraser, my Editor for BECOMING MAGNUM about J.J. Abrams STAR TREK Movie and how awesome of a job Karl Urban did on capturing the essence of Deforest Kelly's BONES, as well as how good of a job he did sounding like Deforest Kelly.

I'm in the process of listening to Tom Selleck from a scene from an Episode of MAGNUM P.I. in which I've used iMovie on my Mac Book to import Video from an Episode of Magnum, P.I. and trimmed it down to footage of just Tom Selleck in the scenes.

Diane then converted it into an mp3 which I've been listening to on my Sony Walkman for the past week. I'm having a hard time matching how he sounds, but thanks to Karl, I think it's time to consult with a Dialect Coach and see what sort of things they will suggest for me to do in order to sound like Tom.

Unfortunately, I won't however be able to do that before I meet up with Diane tomorrow to record some Voice Over Narration for my 1st Episode, but hopefully as the Web Series progresses, by the end of the 6 months, I'll really be able to capture the essence of Tom.

Now, back to the Star of this post, KARL URBAN.

Karl, consider yourself Officially on my TOP 100 LIST of people to meet.

Mike.

Watchmen's Dave Gibbons: The Secret of My Success!

2010-06-03T21:07:00.001-07:00

I just came across an Interview with Dave Gibbon's the legendary Illustrator and Co-Creator of the Watchmen talking about his success.

I found it to be a great source of inspiration as I keep chipping away at my success as an Actor and a Filmmaker. What really gripped me was

What really gripped me was when he talks about the Owl Ship, and how it was surreal for him to be on the Set of The Watchmen Movie and to be inside the Owl Ship which started off inside his head, and now he was physically inside of it.

I'm looking forward to the possibility of having a similar experience if BECOMING MAGNUM is successful in getting Tom Selleck and myself cast in the MAGNUM P.I. Movie.

All the best,

Mike.

The SteadiCam Smoothie...

2010-06-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

I just came across video on YouTube about a SteadiCam for the iPhone called the SteadiCam Smoothie.

Take a look.

All the pieces are starting to come together for turning BECOMING MAGNUM into Reality.

Enjoy!

Mike.

Introducing the OWLE BUBO...

2010-06-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering, "What is the Owle Bubo?" I thought I'd make it easy, and insert a Video that answers that burning question for you.

What's in the Box?

Hand Held Hollywood

That should hopefully bring everyone up to speed about the Owle Bubo and give you a much stronger idea of what my

Reality Web Series, BECOMING MAGNUM is going to look like.

All the best,

Mike.

Advice from Don Cheadle...about tenacity.

2010-05-25T04:04:00.000-07:00

Don Cheadle gives advice to an Acting Student about what it takes to go after an Acting Career...

...and the importance of doing your own thing, which best markets yourself, which is exactly what I'm doing with BECOMING MAGNUM.

We are getting so close to having everything done. Diane is putting the finishing touches on the New Promo Trailer, and for the 1st Episode. I'm meeting up with her on Thursday to see the Final Cut of the Promo Trailer and hopefully of the 1st Episode.

I'm then going to be taking the footage over to Bloody Bob's for him to watch and get a sense for what kind of Music is needed.

This week: I've got to listen to Tom Selleck speak in scenes from MAGNUM P.I. so I can get a sense of how he talks, and start working on learning how to sound similar to him for narrating for the 1st Episode of BECOMING MAGNUM.

I've also got to finish working on my Pitch, and re-listen to all of Gary Goldstein's "Scaling The Great Wall Of Hollywood," mp3's from the course that I took with him.

I've also got to go over my Internet Marketing for Filmmaker's materials.

Once the Promo Trailer is ready, I will be emailing the link to specific people that I've met in the Film Industry and have them Test Screen the Trailer for me, and share their reactions and comments and feedback.

Then I will send them a link to checkout the 1st Webisode of BECOMING MAGNUM, and again get their reactions and feedback.

A few more steps forward,

Mike

An Owle Bubo Comparison Test.

2010-05-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I just popped onto YouTube to look for Video's about the Owle Bubo when I came across this great video that does a comparison of video shot with the iPhone vs. video shot with the iPhone and the Owle Bubo and the VeriCorder Microphone.

It has me really excited about getting my hands on the iPhone especially with all of the great Apps that are out there for Independent Filmmakers and Actor's.

It is definitely a brave new world out there for Indies and Studio's alike.

Viva la Dream!

Mike.

A Great Tool for Shooting Video...

2010-05-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

I just found out about The Wrist Shot by Hoodman through the Hand Held Hollywood Website.

There's also the WristShot Camcorder Support System Video directly on the Hoodman Website.

It sells for only $149.99 US and is definitely going to be a great addition to helping shoot BECOMING MAGNUM.

I'm going to be picking up an iPhone in the very near future, and once I've gotten it, I will be picking up both an Owle Bubo and the Wrist Shot and I will begin testing out shots and shooting footage for the 2nd Webisode.

I'm really excited and can't wait to see how things turn out.

Mike.

The Hidden Influence of Social Networks.

2010-05-15T17:47:00.000-07:00

I just saw a powerful eye opening video about the hidden influence of Social Networks, in particular was the influence of obesity within the social networks.

It also gives you a greater understanding in the importance of expanding your social networks in targeted areas for expanding your net-worth along with your network...in the TV/Film Industry, or any Industry.

Here's the Video.

Enjoy,

Mike.

http://www.ted.com/talks/nicholas_christakis_the_hidden_influence_of_social_networks.html

Film ideas must be pitched creatively in Hollywood

2010-05-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

I came across a great Article earlier this week while checking out Gary Goldstein's Mentoring Group's Website, and it gave me a couple of really big Aha! moments.

I realized that I"m going to need to make some changes to my Website - the feel and layout - as part of the Brand that I'm creating. It also made me think about the overall approach, and what needs to be refined and/or tweaked.

Here's the Article:

Film ideas must be pitched creatively in Hollywood

Alex Ben Block

Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:20pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The novella "Embassy" recently was sent around to producers by talent manager Joel Gotler, inviting them to team with him to create a movie package to offer major studios.

FILM | FRANCE

What was unusual was not that the thriller was written in five days by New York real estate investor, hedge-fund manager and author Richard Doetsch, or that it was published by Simon & Schuster but isn't available in bookstores.

What was new was that "Embassy" has been published as a Vook, a hybrid of text and embedded video that intertwine to tell the story of a hostage crisis and can be read and viewed full-screen online or on any mobile device. The Vook, Gotler says, is "the hottest thing right now."

What the Vook offers, along with a dramatic "Die Hard"-style story, is compelling video that helps sell the concept -- an element many producers are adding to market their projects alongside a script, book or graphic novel.

Why so much effort?In a consolidated marketplace, with fewer buyers making few movies and creating fewer TV pilots, they are demanding a higher level of proof that whatever they buy can be made into a movie or TV show.

"It's more work now," says Gotler, president of the Intellectual Property Group, a management and production company with literary roots. "You need a compelling story, but that isn't enough. You've got to bring in either a director, a writer, co-financing or a co-production deal. We're trying to think outside the box."

Many movies come from obvious sources -- best-sellers, remakes or high-concept marketable elements including toys, video games or classic TV shows -- but there still is a market for original material, especially family movies, comedies, horror and action pictures. However, the bar has been raised as to what it takes to make a sale. There are a lot fewer pitches or even spec scripts being sold, unless they come with elements that elevate their value.

"Right now, the development dollars are hard to come by," says Erwin Stoff, a partner at 3 Arts Entertainment, which manages talent and produces projects. "People are way more careful about what they are buying, so the more you have to offer going in, in terms of a comfort level in that what they are buying is a movie they will want to make, the greater the likelihood you are going to sell it."

Stoff recently sold "Water for Elephants," a best-selling historical novel by Sara Gruen. To make the deal, he partnered with producers Gil Netter and Andrew Tennenbaum; attached his client, writer Richard LaGravenese; and director Francis Lawrence.

"We had one of the most respected screenwriters and a very in-demand director and a property with heat," Stoff says. "It was still not the easiest of materials to sell because people are far less into speculative buying than they were."

In this case, "Water" found its level at Fox.

Producer-manager Doug Drazin of Epigram Entertainment says he recently submitted two scripts that "two years ago would have been bought. Now, it's, 'Yeah, bring an element attached.' So I'm saying, 'OK,' and what I'm finding is agencies are more open to reading material because they realize they have to do more packages themselves."

The shift has hit cost-conscious studios and networks, most of which have pared development staffs, a process that accelerated during the 2007 Hollywood writers strike. As a result, they look to packagers, especially manager-producer hybrids, to come in with material that won't require extensive additional development.

"They want stuff that is as close to ready to go as possible," says J.C. Spink of BenderSpink. "If you can come up with stuff that makes sense, they're really excited to be in business with you."

Spink uses the analogy of a Crock-Pot, or slow cooker: "It used to be a quick-fried sale; now we've gone to the Crock-Pot sale, adding ingredient by ingredient and letting it simmer. It's definitely harder to set things up, but what is good is that for the first time as a business, we are setting up stuff that they will really make."

That often means not only enlisting one's own clients but also working with other managers, talent agencies and producers to gather elements that make projects attractive to buyers. "It's always been a business of matchmaking," Spink says. "It's just the matchmaking has gotten a lot more specific."

Spink recently sold to DreamWorks a book titled "I Am Number Four," written by Jobie Hughes. It was brought to BenderSpink by its client James Frey.

"We found the right elements in terms of filmmakers with Michael Bay directing and Steven Spielberg executive producing," Spink says. "We hired a writer after the fact. It was the Bay attachment that got it set up."

What Spink hesitates to attach is an actor. "There are only about 20 actors that get a buy everywhere," he says. "Every other actor, some studios like and some don't. In a market where you are down to 12-13 people who can actually pay a fair amount of money for a script, I find that attaching actors can actually be a problem. What's been successful for us is finding the right material and packaging it with a writer."

Sometimes, however, having the right actor can help. Lucy Stille, who heads the literary-rights department at Paradigm, recently represented "The Fabulous Fraudulent Life of Jocelyn & Ed," an article that appeared in Rolling Stone about modern grifters that she felt was a surefire movie idea. Before going to studios, she gave it to Annette Savitch, a partner with Natalie Portman in Handsome Charlie Films.

"She loved it," says Stille, and gave it to Tracy Letts, who wrote "August: Osage County" not long after he won a Pulitzer Prize for drama "because she knew Tracy had a deal at Warner Bros."

"The combination of a terrific article, Natalie and Tracy got us a deal at Warner Bros.," Stille says. "I doubt, had I just sent the article cold to Warners, I would have done that. So all of us are spending much more time trying to put the right smart pieces together. The truth is, a lot of executives at the studio level don't have the time or inclination to do that."

When it makes a package stronger, Stille won't hesitate to reach out to big talent firms Creative Artists Agency or International Creative Management for clients. She says that while she looks out for Paradigm clients first, "we want to do what is best (to sell a book as a movie). If that means reaching out to another agency, we're secure enough to do it."

Although this evolution is more pronounced in the feature world, consolidation and cutbacks also have changed the game in television.

"Packagers have become more important because buyers have smaller and smaller budgets," says Brian Volk-Weiss, head of production and senior vp talent management at New Wave Entertainment/Dynamics. "People are being laid off, so there's a real need at the buyer level to have a lot of these components put together."

Volk-Weiss compares it to the way NASA worked during the 1960s and '70s, when the agency created every tool and piece of hardware in-house. "Now NASA has a lot of budget cuts and goes to vendors to lower overhead," he says. "The same thing is going on with studios and networks right now: If they used to have six people developing shows or 10 developing features, they now have three and four, respectively. There's a real impetus for outsiders who are not on their payroll to develop, and that's where packagers come into play."

Five years ago, Volk-Weiss says, New Wave was "scared" to attach too many elements to a pitch or script because it might give buyers a reason to say no. That idea pretty much has been turned on its head. "You don't want to be in a room anymore where the buyer goes, 'Great, but who is going to write this?'" he says. "Basically, they want all the pieces put together."

Volk-Weiss says his company almost always prepares a short video to help sell a concept. "I go into a room with 20 people and pitch an idea with a brown dog, and you've got 20 people thinking about 20 different brown dogs," he says. "When you go in with tape, you are showing the buyer exactly what we mean. That's why we have such a high pitch-to-sale rate."

Having the video already created is among the exciting things about the Vook, says Brad Inman, the technology's creator and CEO. "We think our technology, and video clips, is something that can be used to set up bigger movies and bigger events."

For now, one can read and watch the Vook on an iPhone for $4.95 or online for $6.95, with a selection of titles from Simon & Schuster that includes "Embassy," an exercise book and a cookbook.

(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)

It's been a crazy busy week as I've been working on cutting together a PROMO TRAILER, as well as looking through all of the footage of the Acting Class with Matthew Harrison at the Actor's Foundry where David Attar and myself are being coached through a MAGNUM P.I. Scene.

I only have a 6 minute window, and I have to figure out which is the best footage for the story that I want to tell. I'm also looking at the performance, and the personalities within the footage, and looking for the strongest of each, as well as what fits into the overall story that I'm looking to tell over the course of 12 Episodes to be shot over the next 6 months.

Two days ago, I met up with BRAD KING (one of Canada's Top Nutrition Experts) about my fitness and weight loss goals. He gave some great information, shot some footage for the Promo Trailer and for the 1st Episode. He also shared some great information with me that has really got me pumped and excited, and I'm really looking forward to getting started with my new Nutrition Plan and everything that Brad is going to be teaching me in order to achieve my lifelong nutrition goals.

NEW CONTACT!

I managed to make 1 new contact this week. My friend Karen Holness who is a Working Actor, introduced me to Richard. Richard is producing a $35 Million Feature Film about a True Story about his father. It's a powerful story, and I can't wait to see it.

The Coming Week...

My Goals for the coming week are to finish shaping the 4th Video of the 1st Episode of BECOMING MAGNUM. Season 1, Episode #101 - "Resolution is Proximity."

Finish the PROMO TRAILER, get it uploaded onto my Website and then send out emails to people to get them to watch the Trailer and provide their feedback on it.

Contact Key People that I know in the Entertainment Industry that are higher up than I am about a Dinner Party that I'm putting together for the Test Screening of my 1st Episode - to gauge their reactions, and to get their opinions and feedback.

Pick up a Swimming Pass for the Month, and go swimming 3x this week.

Meet up with Rob Epp and Joe Docherty and find out about Music for the 1st Episode.

Call Garry Chalk and ask him if he'd be willing to be my Voice Coach/Director as I have some Narration to do. Also ask him if he could Narrate a section for me for the Trailer and possibly Opening Sequence.

I need to make 1 new solid contact in the Entertainment (TV/Film/Media/Music) Industry.

Until next time,

Mike.

I read an article earlier this week that I find through Gary Goldstein's Mentoring Class

Funding Resources for Filmmakers...

2010-05-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

I received an email from www.documentaryhowto.com as part of their DocuMentors Series about a FREE TELESEMINAR this Thursday night as part of their DOC TALKS session.

Go to www.documentaryhowto.com and click on FREE TELESEMINAR)

DOC TALKS this Thursday May 13th will give you the inside scoop on securing ITVS LINCS Funding.

I signed up and I'm looking forward to getting some great information about securing ITVS LINCS Funding.

I also went to the ITVS.org Website and downloaded a very informative PDF which I'm going to use as a reference source for my Pitch to Investors, Tom Selleck, and Brian Grazer when the time comes.

http://itvs.org/funding/resources/digital-survey-2009

I've also just finished writing out the Paper Edit for my PROMO/TEASER Trailer that I'm going to use to Promote BECOMING MAGNUM with, and use it to attract some more money from Investors so that I can get down to the 2010 Produced By Conference. I will also be sending the PROMO/TEASER Trailer to Tom Selleck once we've got it cut together.

All the best,

Mike.

Focus on the solution...not the problem.

2010-05-10T03:42:00.000-07:00

I've been a little stressed out this weekend as I have to figure out a way to come up with up to $4,500 to finish the editing of my 1st Webisode, pay for tickets to the 2010 Produced By Conference in LA, pay for airfare, and get some new clothes...

I handed the problem over to my subconscious mind, forgot about it for awhile, and then got frustrated when I did think about it, and so I had to force it out of my conscious mind completely. A few hours later, an idea popped into my mind.

I NEED TO CREATE MORE VALUE...and show my small investor the value of his investment by putting together a really solid TEASER TRAILER that piques people's curiosity and intrigue and leaves them wanting more.

I've spent the past few hours going over the footage and rearranging it, moving it around, and trimming it using iMovie.

I now have a rough cut I'm going to take over to my Editor's and get her to put together a really powerful TEASER TRAILER that we can use to promote to my current investor, and possibly to attract some more investors with.

At this point, I'm not sure we're going to make it for the Wednesday Submission Deadline, which is too bad, but really, my focus is on getting the best 1st Webisode and promotional Trailers/Materials and Pitch materials ready, and then get in touch with Tom Selleck...so that is where my priorities are at the moment, and then to get down to the 2010 Produced By Conference.

It's gonna be a crazy busy month, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm doing what I love, I get to be creative and I'm going after a really Big Crazy Impossible Dream!

Lovin' life,

Mike

Episode #1, Video #4

2010-05-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day everyone,

A very interesting thing happened at work last night. I wrote yesterday about how I have X amount of dollars that I need to come up to finish the Editing for the 1st Episode, and get myself to the 2010 Produced By Conference from June 4-6th...

While I was working at the Bar, in walked my small investor who was supposed to be out of the country. Part of me is reluctant to approach him about investing some more money, but at the same time, I can't ignore the fact that I need to come up with some more money, and the very same day he walks into the Bar.

I've also been reviewing the footage of the 1st Episode so far, and I need to cut together a 4th Video which will round out the first Episode and bring everything full circle and set things up for the 2nd Episode. I will be working on that today, and once I've got it finished, I'll take it over to my Editor's to get her to work her magic.

I'm also looking at putting together a Dinner Party and inviting everyone involved in BECOMING MAGNUM - From my Investor, to my Personal Trainer, my Chiropractor, my Acting Instructor, my Nutrition Expert, my Scene Partner, my Composer, my Entertainment Lawyer, Garry Chalk who narrated the Trailer for me...and have everyone in the same room so they can all finally meet each other and to share the 1st Episode with them.

I'm considering asking them to help me put together the rest of the money that I need to get myself to LA to the 2010 Produced By Conference.

I'm also looking at approaching Tom Selleck in the next 7-10 days...

Part of me wants to rush to get the 1st Episode together for the Wednesday Deadline for the PRODUCER'S CHALLENGE for the 2010 Produced By Conference. The Grand Prize of $30,000.00 would help significantly in financing my Reality Web Series.

Another part of me wants to make sure I've got the best product, and that I've tested it with an audience before submitting it to anything. I'm on the fence about that right now.

I am also going to need to get a copy of the 1st Episode into Tom Selleck's hands, and hopefully get him on board, and then if we both approached Brian Grazer together, I think that'd give us a lot more leverage.

It's time to get back to Editing the 4th Video of the 1st Episode.

All the best,

Mike.

Cutting together the 1st Episode...

2010-05-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I've been working hard cutting together the 1st Episode of my Reality Web Series, BECOMING MAGNUM with my Editor Diane Fraser.

While taking Gary Goldstein's "Scaling The Great Wall Of Hollywood Course," he told me to make sure I had a finished product to give to Brian Grazer when I meet him.

I found a small investor who gave me money $2,500 to get this done. The first thing I did was to buy a Mac Book so that I could help review all of the footage, and then do a Pre-Edit for my Editor, to help save myself money. The Mac Book cost me $800. I also bought 2 External Hard Drives totalling 2.5 TB and cost another $200. Leaving me $1,500 to finish the 1st Episode.

I'm so incredibly glad that I did this. I went through 8 hours of footage that we had shot, and cut it down to 1:11:18 seconds and took it over to my Editor.

I then realized that I am going to need to learn how to Market my Reality Web Series on the Internet. So I signed up for an Internet Marketing for Filmmaker's Online Course which cost another $500.

That left me with $1,000. I gave $50 to my Web Designer, and another $100 for Web Hosting for my Main site, and all of the different sites attached to it. That leaves me with $850 for my Editor.

She then called me up, and had me come back over, and we went through some of the footage, and she had me go back and write a Script based on all of the dialogue within the footage so that we can find the heart of each scene, and the overall story that I want to tell in the Episode.

I did, and it took me about 2 days to go through all of the footage, and write out the script. It was an amazingly powerful experience. I went back over to Diane's with the Script, and now I have to figure out and write Voice Over/Narration for the Opening and Closing of each segment of the Episode.

Which I'm currently in the process of doing right now.

I have also found out about www.producedbyconference.com from Leanne at Cineworks, in which Brian Grazer will be one of the speakers, and it would be a great place for me to meet him. They also accept Submissions for Webisodes from Independents such as myself, and they are giving away a $30,000.00 Grand Prize to go towards Production. As an Actor, it's also a great place for me to be to meet the Top Producer's in Hollywood and begin building relationships with them now.

OPEN CALL FOR ENTRIES

Narrative Shorts
Films must be under 40 minutes (open to close) and be narrative in form.
Documentary Shorts
Documentary shorts under 40 minutes.
Webisodes
Independent Webisodes. Entrants must submit a minimum of THREE webisodes to demonstrate overall continuous storyline. Individual webisodes must be no longer than 6 minutes each.
Studio Webisodes
Studio and network-made webisodes. A studio webisode constitutes a webisode backed by a studio, network, TV show, or production. For example, "Lost" webisodes produced by Universal. Entrants must submit a minimum of THREE webisodes to demonstrate overall continuous storyline. Individual webisodes must be no longer than 6 minutes each and must be original material created specifically for the web.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

The Producers Challenge is intended to promote the work of emerging storytellers, spotlighting producers who demonstrate outstanding promise in their respective fields. In so doing, we aim to deliver exciting new projects to a wider audience and expand the reach of the entertainment community to include the next generation of great producers. Producing is a holistic craft; there is no facet of production a true professional does not touch. Accordingly, submissions will be judged in their entirety, as cohesive and self-contained pieces of storytelling. Juror considerations may include—but are not limited to—originality of creative vision, quality of production values, and inventiveness in the face of narrative challenges or technical constraints.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The 2^nd Annual PRODUCERS CHALLENGE contest is being presented in concert with the 2^nd Annual PRODUCED BY CONFERENCE, an extraordinary gathering of top producing talent in film, television and new media. New and emerging producers are encouraged not only to submit to the contest, but register for the multitude of seminars, discussions and special events that have made the Conference the destination for the producing community this summer.

The Producers Challenge presents finalists in each of four categories: narrative short films, documentary short films, independent webisodes, and studio webisodes. With finalists to be selected by a jury of renowned producers, the Challenge offers storytellers a chance to have their work screened for an audience drawn from every corner of the entertainment industry, with winners receiving not only a complimentary registration to the entire conference program, but an opportunity for connection and mentoring with acclaimed professionals such as Marshall Herskovitz, Gale Anne Hurd, and many more.

PRIZES

Equilibrium Entertainment logo

The prizes this year are better than ever! Each winner will receive a MAKE YOUR NEXT Short Film Package totaling $30k in services for EACH WINNER. Just bring your DP and editor and Equilibrium Entertainment will provide consulting on pre-production, camera and audio gear, production van, a small crew, edit facilities, audio mixing, graphics and titling and MORE. Get details on the equipment winners will have access to use.

Other prizes will include a private mentoring lunch with a top producer like Gale Ann Hurd, Mark Gordon or Marshall Herskovitz, full budgeting and scheduling software packages from Entertainment Partners and an all-session badge to the 2011 Produced By Conference.

The three finalists in each category will have the opportunity to screen at the Conference.

Tickets for the Event Sell for $995, it cost $100 to submit BECOMING MAGNUM the 1st Episode to the Event. The deadline for submissions is Wed May 12, 2010 (5 days from now). It'll cost an additional $1,200 to get my Editor to finish it in time, plus I need to get it Scored with Music and have it all packaged together and sent off. Plus, I'll need to pay for Airfare ($500) and Car Rental ($250), and some new clothes ($500) to go to the Event.

At this moment, I need to come up with an additional $4,540 (2 Tickets to the Event. Pay my Editor, Airfare, Car Rental, and Clothes.

I need to come up with $3,290 by Wed. If I'm unable to finish and submit the 1st Episode by Wed, I will still need to come up with $995 x 2 ($1,990) for Tickets to the Event and $1,200 for my Editor ($3,290) asap.

My focus for the next few days is to to finish writing the Opening/Closing Voice Over for each segment and to come up with the $3,290 so I can get myself to the Produced By Conference with BECOMING MAGNUM in hand when I meet with Brian Grazer and all of the other Top Hollywood Producers.

And on getting the 1st Episode finished along with the Music.

Wish me luck,

Mike.

Right place, right time...

2010-05-03T12:04:00.001-07:00

What an awesome turn of events coming out of the weekend!

I'm currently in the process of cutting together (editing) the 1st Episode of BECOMING MAGNUM.

I organized the rough cut for my Editor on Thursday night, and I'm getting really excited about how it is looking.

I'm planning on doing a Test Screening of it on Wed May 19th, but I ran into a snag last week.

I need to find some more money so I can pay a Composer to SCORE the Episode...

Then, out of the blue, my old friend Bob Epp and his girlfriend Christine show up at the Bar that I work at.

I was talking with Bob about doing Music for BECOMING MAGNUM two years ago, and then we sort of lost touch with each other.

I went over to his place after work, where he played 14 different variations of the MAGNUM P.I. Theme Song that he's created, and I found the perfect modern MAGNUM P.I. Theme Song for BECOMING MAGNUM.

I mentioned my current situation to Bob, about how I'm intending on doing a Test Screening on the 19th, and I need to get the Episode Scored. He said he is more than willing to help out.

He's got a very demanding job/work load, but he will do what he can, which certainly fits in with my current budget of ZERO DOLLARS.

He gave me a copy of the New THEME SONG which I'm going to be taking over to my editors later today.

On a different note...my buddy Brendon mentioned to me last night that I should talk to his friend who is a Personal Trainer at Studeo 55 (where the Elite and A-List Celebs work out) here in Vancouver.

I've gotta say, I'm really glad I took Gary Goldstein's "Scaling The Great Wall of Hollywood" Course recently, as things are beginning to open up and move BECOMING MAGNUM forward.

All the best,

Mike

Production on Video Blogs has begun...

2010-04-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I picked up a FLIP Ultra HD Camcorder on Friday that basically fits into my pocket. My D.O.P. Jeremy Maeers and I went out and got some footage at The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show.

My doctor says that the best way for me to start doing cardio right now, because of my knee, is to bike ride and swim.

I went down to The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show looking to make contact with a Mountain Bike Manufacturer and share BECOMING MAGNUM with them in a hope to find a possible SPONSOR.

I met some great people, and made a few key contacts for something exciting that I'm planning, but unfortunately I didn't meet any Mountain Bike Manufacturer's.

Jeremy and I had a pre-production meeting to discuss what and how to shoot the next few Video Blogs. Once they've been shot, I will begin editing them on my laptop, and then get them posted to the Website and/or Blog.

I've also just finished the Pre-Edit for my Editor, Diane Fraser, on the footage that CTV paid for last year, for the 1st Episode. I will be dropping that off to her tonight, and then she can begin weaving her magic.

Stay tuned,

Mike

SCALING THE GREAT WALL OF HOLLYWOOD

2010-04-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Wow! I just finished one of the most amazing courses of my life. I had the great fortune and opportunity to have access to Gary Goldstein, the Producer of The Mothman Propechies, Under Siege 1 & 2, and Pretty Woman, twice a week for the past 6 weeks.

I've learned a ton of great strategies and approaches to really taking my Acting and Filmmaking Career to the next level, and I look forward to applying everything that I've learned and taking action on them by spending 30 minutes per day on activities that will move me in the direction of the accomplishment of my dreams and goals.

Gary Goldstein has taught me how to be a better human being, a better person, and a better friend. He is someone who I aspire to be more like in my daily interaction and communication with others as we all journey on the path together. He has reminded me of the true reason I want to accomplish my goals, and live the life of my dreams.

I look forward to taking action on a consistent and daily basis and recording my activities and the results that I am getting. It will be amazing to see how much I've accomplished in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 180 days.

----------

I also managed to find myself a small investor who has given me the money I need to finish editing and hopefully scoring the 1st Webisode of BECOMING MAGNUM. I have about 6 hours of footage to go through and cut down to fit into a 22 - 25 minute window.

I'm doing a Pre-Edit for my editor Diane Fraser, and reviewing all of the footage, and then I'm using iMovie on my Mac Book to trim away the excess fat, and footage that we can't use, for whatever reason, in order to save both time and money.

I have to wait until tomorrow when I can pick up 2 External Hard Drives. They are currently at a friends whose couch I was surfing on last week. I had to move to my friend Sammy's place as Glen's landlord said I could no longer stay there.

Having Sammy in the room while I'm watching and thinking about what I'm going to edit has been tremendously educational. He is a member of the audience that I'm going to be showing BECOMING MAGNUM to when it is finished.

I'm conscious of what I don't want to show him, and why I don't want to show that (though I'm going to have to show a test audience some of the footage that makes me uncomfortable to see how they react to it vs. a version without that footage - and get their feedback on.)

It's also forcing me to be conscious of other reality based TV Shows are out there. Eg. Ultimate Fighter, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, etc.

My Goal is to get the 1st Webisode cut together by Friday April 30th along with the Score, in addition to the 30 Min./day of applying Gary Goldstein SGWH Strategies.

My 2nd Goal is to be in LA May 11th with a copy of the DVD in hand and to have meetings with Agents, Managers, Producers, Directors, Casting Directors, Writers, etc. and really make this career move forward.

To our futures,

Mike.

Time for Massive Daily Action and to Ask for Help.

2010-01-21T05:24:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine commented on my Trailer for Becoming Magnum saying that it looks too adversarial, and that I should be cautious about putting it out there, especially when my intention / goal is to work on the MAGNUM P.I. Movie with Brian Grazer, and Rawson Thurber and Tom Selleck. I will admit, that I'm a little nervous about how they will react, but the intention was to get people's attention. Plus, everyone that I've shown it to on my Sony PSP have all had positive reactions and they all love it. So it is a risk that I'm taking. I have contacted my Editor about making some changes to it that will make it about BECOMING MAGNUM: A Reality Web Series, and hit all of the key points about what the Series is about, and lose the controversial stuff.

However, as Jay Abraham has taught me, I'm going to have to do some Testing with the New Trailer once it is done. I may want to keep the more controversial Trailer to get attention quickly. I have no idea if the Trailer has the potential to turn into a Viral Video or not but I've got my fingers crossed.

I may even end up asking some of my Mentors for their opinions of the Trailer and what his thoughts are on my next steps forward.

I had a couple of major mental shifts tonight and had a some major aha! moments. I've been incredibly nervous about calling Tom because...my underlying truth in my real life...is that I'm never good enough. So calling a Celebrity, my idol, and sharing with him what I've been working on for the past few years, that has become my passionate obsession...there is a chance he could say "No, not interested."

I took a break for a few hours and went and hung out with some friends because I needed to. While I was hanging out with them, I realized that as I continue to feed my fear about calling Tom Selleck and sharing Becoming Magnum with him and the possibility of him saying “Not interested,” keeps me fearful.

I realized my ideal outcome is that Tom loves the idea, and that as a result, we end up becoming great friends as a result. I then thought about calling him up like I do with any of my friends, and suddenly a lot of the fear and anxiety have disappeared. I’m still a bit nervous, but now it’s like I’ve been rehearsing a Play for the past few years, and now I’m about to walk out on Stage before a Live Audience and performing it for the first time. I’m actually starting to look forward to calling his agent and getting the dialogue started.

Some of the contacts I've recenty made through the Bar is a guy who owns a Helicopter Company up in the Yukon, and of course he knows owners of Local Helicopter Companies. I'm betting there's a few of them who may have become helicopter pilots because of "Magnum, P.I." so I will be contacting him, and telling him about Becoming Magnum, have him look at the Website and Trailer, and seeing if he’d be willing to give me some names to call to generate support for Tom Selleck during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

I’ve also met some Military Police Officers, as well as a US Military Sniper at work, and I have some friends in the Military. Because Thomas, Rick, and TC were all ex-Navy Seals I’m hoping on getting their support for Tom Selleck's Campaign through Becoming Magnum.

In addition, I received my training as a Private Investigator from a woman who used to work for the RCMP and for CSIS, and with 3,500 RCMP coming to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics…I contacted her, and she suggested throwing a couple of THANK YOU Parties for the RCMP, Military, and Security after the Olympics.

Of course, I’m going to be calling and inviting all of the Private Investigators that I know, and calling all of the P.I Firms in town. I’ve already been on the phone calling people I know in the Security Industry and Film Industry and Night Club Industry as well as friends who are Actors.

I will also be contacting the people over at Biz Books, The Actor’s Foundry, Vancouver Film School where I went to school, Cineworks, local Talent Agencies, as I currently don’t have an Agent, possibly some Casting Directors, as well as some of the guys that I know who have played for the BC Lions.

Of course there are also my friends and Mentors that I’ve met over the past year who have had a major impact on teaching and guiding me on the next steps to take to move the Project forward.

I’m going to be talking with the owner of a Ferrari and High End Vehicle Dealership, and calling The Flight Centre’s Corporate Office to find out about the possibility of Giving Away a Hawaiian Vacation. We are going to throw a Party immediately after the Olympics

I’m also going to contact “24hrs” Daily Paper and mention something to them about the Party and Becoming Magnum. I'm going to have to discuss with my Publicist when to get that started,

I will also be contacting all of the Doormen that I know at the Night Clubs on Granville Street and invite them to the Party, and also stop by and give them some Postcards to help me promote Becoming Magnum to the Olympic Crowds.

All the Best,

Mike.

Another Setback on the road to the Masquerade Party

2010-01-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

I just got off of the phone with DJ Ali Baba (one of the top DJ's in Vancouver) and a friend of a friend. I know that it's short notice to play the Event, but he's already working on Wednesday January 27th.

He just started playing at a place on Wednesday's, so unfortunately he won't be able to help me out. I gave him the website address to check out the Concept for Becoming Magnum. Apparently Ali Baba worked on a Movie with Tom Selleck a few years ago. He said he likes Tom because he is just a regular down to earth guy despite all of the success that he's had.

So unfortunately DJ Ali Baba won't be able to play the Event, which means it's time to dip into the contingency plan.

Time to get back to work and on the phone.

All the Best,

Mike.

Some of the craziest ideas...with a whopping of Gratefulness!

2010-01-18T01:28:00.000-08:00

PART 1:
I had an interesting thing happen at work last night. Myfanwy, an actress friend who I haven't seen in the longest time stopped by the Club last night. It was her father, Bill Meilen who suggested to me that I take an Acting Class. My first acting class was an Improv Acting Class with Jan Henderson who really sparked my love for creating.

When I was driving home from work last night, a Red Ferrari passed me and I got to follow it for about 2 minutes before I lost sight of it.

Which made me think of MY PERFECT DAY - a Laua on the Beach in Hawaii following the 1st Day of Shooting the "Magnum, P.I." Movie with Tom Selleck, the original cast Roger Mosley, Larry Manetti, and John Hillerman along with David Attar and Duane Patterson and having Matthew Harrison on Set Coaching me and working with Rawson Marshall Thurber and Brian Grazer and having my close friends and family and the crew hanging out together celebrating the Achievement of a Dream Come True.

I'm in the process of organizing a BENEFIT CONCERT and MASQUERADE AFTER PARTY Fundraiser to help me raise money to finance the completion of Webisode #1 & #2 of BECOMING MAGNUM and to pay for a "Viral Video" that I'd like to create to promote the "Reality" Web Series.

I've had a major opportunity present itself and I'd really like to jump all over it, but I have Liz Levine's and Jeb Beach's voices in the back of my head reminding me to be conscious of other people's Brand's as well as my own.

I have a deal with the owner of The Cecil, where I work Part-Time as a Doorman, to get a percentage from Ticket Sales and Alcohol Sales from the Event, which I will be using to finance BECOMING MAGNUM. I intend on shooting the rest of the footage for Webisode #1 & #2 for BECOMING MAGNUM with the iPhone and the Owle Bubo and I have to pay my Editor to cut together the footage that CTV's Development Funding Money paid for and pay for my friend Joe Docherty to score both Webisodes.

I'm playing around with some different ideas in my mind about what to do to sell Tickets to the Event and to raise completion money to finish both Webisodes.

I've worked in the Security Field for the past 16 years and I've worked a lot of BIG Concerts and Events, and I'm thinking about inviting the Military Personnel, Police Officers, and Olympic Security Personnel who are going to be working at the Olympics to the Party.

Throw a Benefit Concert to Thank Them for their hard work before the Olympics begin. I'm also thinking about inviting Mr. Selleck out to the Event, but first I'm going to have to introduce myself and find out how I can best help him achieve his goals for his campaign of being in the "Magnum, P.I." Movie.

After all, Thomas, Rick, and TC were all former Navy Seals so it would only be appropriate to invite them.

I'm thinking about Giving Away the Tickets to the Event and having people make contributions through Alcohol Sales and by having them make a donation based on a Video Pitch that I'm in the process of putting together to share my dreams and aspirations for BECOMING MAGNUM, WHY I started it, how the process all came together.

I have 2 Numbers in mind that I'd like to achieve. The first number is to finish Webisodes 1 & 2, and the 2nd Number is to finance an entire 12 months of filming for "Becoming Magnum."

Giving Away Tickets is quite the gamble because if people don't show up and/or think my Concept for BECOMING MAGNUM is very good, then I'm not going to be able to raise money, but I'll instead be out a bit of money.

But I believe my ideas are sound, and that their is a Market and an audience for BECOMING MAGNUM, and that it is possible for Tom Selleck and I to work together and help each other get cast in the "Magnum, P.I." Movie.

An excerpt from an Exclusive Interview with Rawson Marshall Thurber, Writer/Director of the "Magnum, P.I." Movie:

In terms of timeline, the film is, essentially, a genesis story. It’s Magnum Begins. When we meet Magnum, he’s not yet a private investigator, but by the time the story ends, he’s hung up his shingle. I’m working through a first draft now, and it’s been so much fun — currently Magnum and TC are bickering in a sugar cane field that’s been lit ablaze by the bad guys. It’s going to be an unapologetically great action movie. That’s a promise.

PART II:

I've also had a chance to reflect on what "Becoming Magnum" has come to mean to me, and what it really represents, and how far I've come in the process.

I'm incredibly grateful for so many events that have happened in the past 6 months after I read "As A Man Thinketh." I immediately read Cynthia Kersey's "UNSTOPPABLE," and was incredibly touched by the story of Father & Son Team Richard and Dick Hoyt and how together they achieved the impossible, to John Kehoe's "MIND POWERS into the 21st Century," along with the Holosync CD's, Darren Jacklin for his advice and sharing his wisdom and his advice on Manfesting, as amazing things keep happening, and to all of the amazing and incredible people I've gotten to meet, and who have given me their advice

And for all of the people who have been their with me from the very beginning, my brother Kevin, my mom and dad and their patience, generosity, and support. The Bennett's, Camarta's, and the Robin's families, Mark & Laverne McAthy, my friend's James and Jen, Will, Sammy, my Granville Barwatch Street Team, and everyone I worked with at G. Security especially Dany Rosales and the Tactical Team, my classmates at VFS Class 11, Andrew Spicer, Paula Shaw and the amazing lessons she taught me through the power of THE MAX, Benjamin Easterday and his willingness and enthusiasm for wearing the "STOP Ben Affleck from BECOMING MAGNUM" T-Shirt to work (as a Transport Driver in the Film Industry), Susanne and Marian, Jerry Jean-Baptiste, Malcom Carter, Guj, Coreena Robertson, Andrew Halliwell, Cameron Grierson, Rob Nielson, Matthew Harrison, Jeb Beach, David Attar, Duane Patterson, Ken Craw & Michael Hamilton who helped me get the Development Deal with CTV, my Personal Trainer Ocean Bloom, my Chiropracter Dr. Christian Guenette, my Nutrition Expert Brad King and his wife and publicist Renee Neilly, my friend and Publicist Debbie Walker, Film Security: Than, Wayne, Boris, Dale, Gordon, Transport Captain's Karver, Schmitke, Ray, and everyone else at Insight Films and through ACFC, and all of my friends at The Yale & The Cecil.

To all my Private Investigator friends particularly AFI for giving me my Private Investigators License and letting me have one of the coolest jobs ever - Undercover P.I. with Mike H. , Riitta for training me along with Allison, John/Rosebud, Honeyman, Tracy, Scott, Tom Dolo and his crew of PI's for providing me with actual P.I. Case Files to work, Dave Coleman/Aremac Surveillance, York, and Neil/Missing Link.

I can't forget the influential teachers in my life, Mr. Southworth, Mrs. Susan Svarich, Mr. Jereniuk, Mr. Elniski, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Bob Dean, Mr. Bererton, Ian Raffel, Katherine Billings, Bill Marchant, Debra Thorne, Douglas Newell, Cara McDowell, Michael Chase, Tom Scholte, Jason Simpson, Andrew Moxham, and everyone else at VFS.

And of course Director Steve DiMarco who gave me my 1st professional Acting Role on The Chris Isaak Show along with Tony Cain, David Owens, and Ken Morton, all of whom cast me in their Stage Plays.

Thank You everyone for the part you've played in being an inspiration to me, and to helping me create and develop "Becoming Magnum."

Wishing Everyone an Awesome 2010!

Mike.

2010 - New Years Goal - Achieve 12 MEGA Goals!!

2010-01-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

My life has really begun to change and move forward ever since meeting Darren Jacklin (The Mega Manifestor) and I owe it all to my friend Lara Solara. She provided me with a FREE TICKET to attend InvestFest 2009 where I met Odin Zavier, Thane Lanz, Darren Jacklin, Brad King, Mari Smith, Gary Goldstein, Bill Walsh, Ed Mercer, and so many other great people.

I got to hang out and spend a lot of time with Darren during the summer months, and he has given me a lot of great advice.

In order to Manifest what you want, you have to take daily, committed, and consistent action. It's amazing how incredibly difficult it was to initially commit myself to listening to Holosync CD's followed by John Kehoe's "MIND POWERS" CD's. I am closing in on 120 Days of consistent daily listening.

My Negative Mind Chatter has pretty much ceased, and I'm 100% committed and focused on achieving my Goals.

SO WHAT ARE MY 12 MEGA GOALS FOR 2010?

I've decided to commit myself to achieving 12 MEGA GOALS (1 per month) for 2010.

1) JANUARY: Throw a "Masquerade Party" Fundraiser to create awareness of BECOMING MAGNUM, to promote it, and to raise $5, 312.76 so that we can go into Production during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

2) FEBRUARY: Begin Production on BECOMING MAGNUM and start filming at the 2 different clubs where I currently work as a Bouncer. We can promote BECOMING MAGNUM to the world while they are in town, and start generating a lot of BUZZ about the Project.

And to launch my environmentally friendly SECRET PROJECT during the Olympics (and get my COLOSSAL Entertainment & Marketing Group - My Business up and running.)

3) MARCH: Film a Viral Video for BECOMING MAGNUM. Get locations like: CASA MIA (An Estate in Vancouver, that we can use as ROBIN MASTER'S Estate), that has me pull up in a Red Ferrari working on a Case/File.

Finally go to Hawaii for my 1st time!

I've only just begun working out what my MEGA GOALS will be for every month, and they all fit together in the process of helping me transform my life on every life: Health & Fitness, Careeer, Money, Relationship, Family, Travel, etc.

Some Months I may have more than 1 Goal I'm working towards accomplishing, but the KEY INGREDIENT is that I have at least 1 MEGA GOAL to accomplish every month, which will have me taking Constant Action every day throughout the year.

GOAL #1: MASQUERADE PARTY

I was on a Teleconference Call with Gary Goldstein on Thursday Night as part of his "Hollywood Confidential" Monthly Mentoring Course where he gave me some great advice about contacting Tom Selleck - which I will be doing this week.

(I was driving and on my way to work, so I wasn't able to write down exactly everything that Gary suggested, so I'm waiting until the Recording of the Call is posted on the Members Website, so that I can listen, take notes, and then take immediate action.)

The Party is in 11 Days, and I have to secure my Big Value/Draw for the Party
Finish putting my team together to help me put this Party together
I have to get my Editor to help me put together some footage that we shot back in April using CTV's Development Funding Money
I have to secure a DJ
I'd like to ideally land a Sponsor or two
I have to get help putting together an Email Campaign
Get my Website moved from my Webdesigners Site to my Website so that I can start Promoting the Event
Set up a Facebook Page for the EVENT.
Invite some Big Names in the Independent Filmmaking World such as Arin Crumley, Robert Greenwald, Lance Weiler, Oren Peli (Paranormal Activity)
Contact Owle Bubo about Sponsorship for the Event
Contact Tom Selleck
Find a Sponsor to provide a Hawaiian Vacation for the Party
Contact Local Media and invite them to the Party
Contact TV & Film people that I've worked with over the years, and invite them to the Party, and get them to help me promote the Party and the "Reality" Web Series
Put together some Music for the Footage I want to show at the Party
Sell Tickets/Raise Money
Contact a Film/TV Catering Company to find out if it would be possible to have them Cater our Event and have them sell their Food at the Event.
Contact some Bands about having them Play at a Benefit Concert followed by the Masquerade After Party
And so much more...

In fact, it's time to get back at it.

2010 has started off with a bang, and I'm taking Action every single day. Thank God for Mentors and people I can turn to for advice.

All the Best,

Mike.

Magnum P.I without a 'Stache!?

2010-01-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

An Exclusive Interview with Rawson Marshall Thurber, Director of Dodgeball, & Magnum P.I. (http://www.pajiba.com/interview-with-rawson-marshall-thurber.htm)

The writer and director of Dodgeball is set to bravely attempt to do what no director has done before: remake a television series for the big screen that audiences (and maybe even critics) will actually enjoy. Indeed, Thurber has been attached to write and direct Magnum P.I. for Universal Studios, which will be produced by Brian Grazer via Imagine Entertainment.

After Dodgeball came out and did pretty well, my agents, very smartly, counseled me to “capture the value” of the moment: essentially, hurry out and sign a big deal to make a similar movie — a comedy about darts players or a romantic comedy about curling or something — which, of course, is very sound advice if your goal is to make lots of money. That really wasn’t my goal. On top of which, I have director friends who’ve made a successful comedy, then follow it up with another comedy and then they’re stuck. They only get to make comedies for the rest of their careers. You get type-cast that quickly in Hollywood — just like actors.

I love comedies. I’ll always love comedies. I hope to make more of them for many years to come. But that’s not all I love. When a friend calls me up and asks me to go see a thriller, I don’t say, “Sorry, man, I only like comedies.” My tastes, like most people’s, run the gamut, and I want to make the films that I’m interested in making, regardless of genre.

Ultimately, the whole process of making a film, all the trucks, the lights and the cameras — all of it — is only a very sophisticated recording device. We’re all there to record what the actors do. If the recording is no good, it won’t matter how well it’s framed or lit, or how cool the special effects are. People go to movies to be told a good story, and, as corny as it sounds, good stories are told by telling the truth. The more truth you can get on film, the better. And, as much as the writer in me hates to admit it, one look from a great actor beats the pants off a great monologue. It’s not even close.

Pajiba: Your next project is Magnum P.I. How do you plan to approach the remake?

RMT: With respect, ultimately. I was a fan of the series, but I wouldn’t characterize myself as a fanboy of the series — though two of my closest friends are and remind me of that daily. The show itself struck such a smart balance of mystery, comedy, action, and character that I hope to emulate it as much as possible. The Magnum movie will be very much like Beverly Hills Cop in tone: basically an action movie that’s funny because the main character himself is funny, not because Magnum and Higgins have to dress up in chicken suits to break into a birthday party. My guiding principles for the adaptation are these: no short shorts, no cameos, no moustaches. It’s a title you know, a theme song you love and a kick-ass Ferrari.

In terms of timeline, the film is, essentially, a genesis story. It’s Magnum Begins. When we meet Magnum, he’s not yet a private investigator, but by the time the story ends, he’s hung up his shingle. I’m working through a first draft now, and it’s been so much fun — currently Magnum and TC are bickering in a sugar cane field that’s been lit ablaze by the bad guys. It’s going to be an unapologetically great action movie. That’s a promise.

Pajiba: I understand that no one has yet been cast as Magnum. Do you have a wish list, and will you put our readers at rest: Can you confirm or deny that Ben Affleck is in the running?

RMT: I do have a wish list, yes. A very short one. And, for the record, Magnum has yet to be cast. Though I can’t directly confirm or deny the Ben Affleck rumors, I was as surprised as everyone else when I saw the notion pop up online. It’s been strange seeing the rumor mill at work. I’ve seen some Magnum stuff online that had me scratching my head. I have no idea how these things get started, but I can say, with absolute certainty, that no one has been cast as Magnum and that we haven’t even opened the doors yet. I’m still writing. When the script’s done, we’ll find our man and, if we land one of the guys I’m thinking of, Magnum fans everywhere will rejoice. Trust me.

Racing to the Start Line...

2010-01-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of organizing a MASQUERADE PARTY for the Launch of BECOMING MAGNUM. The current date for the Event is Wed January 27, 2010 (which is only 3 weeks away) and I've spoken to 2 different Publicists (Debbie Walker with Translucent Publicity) and Renee Neilly (Frame of Health) about the Event...

Debbie (who works with Talent in the TV & Film Industry) brought up several good points which has me now looking at pushing back the date for the MASQUERADE PARTY to the beginning of March.

I'm currently working on putting the Event together with no money (at the moment). According to Debbie, "If you have lots of Money, but No Time, you can pull it off. If you have No Money, but lot's of Time, you can pull it off. But when you have No Money, and No Time, it'll be difficult to pull it off. If you miss the boat, you can't go back to the same people twice."

I'm planning to invite local TV & Film Celebrities as well as TV & Film Industry People to the Launch/Masquerade Party along with inviting the original cast of the "Magnum, P.I." TV Series - Tom Selleck, Roger Mosley, Larry Manetti, and Jon Hillerman.

However, Debbie reminded me that the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL runs from January 21-31, 2010 and there is no way I can compete with that.

Plus, I'm hoping to land several different Sponsors for the Event, and 3 weeks just isn't enough time for either them, or myself to do the Event justice. What I really need to be doing is to start contacting the Potential Sponsors now, begin the dialogue with them, sell them on both "BECOMING MAGNUM" and the MASQUERADE PARTY.

Let them know that the Event and their possible involvement in it is well thought out, not rushed, how they will benefit from Sponsoring the Event, what it will accomplish for them, and what's in it for me, as well as any possible Product Placement opportunities at the Event.

What I am hoping to accomplish by organizing and hosting the MASQUERADE PARTY is to generate publicity and awareness for BECOMING MAGNUM as well as to use a percentage of the profits generated from Ticket and Alcohol Sales to finance the next leg of Production for the Web Series, until we hopefully get picked up by Imagine Entertainment and/or Universal Studios.

In order to do this, we will need to do a successful Internet Launch for BECOMING MAGNUM and generate a Database of Fans/Followers that I can use as leverage with Universal Studios and Imagine Entertainment.

Eg. If we can build up a following of 200,000 - 1 Million+ Viewers we can use that audience to leverage a deal with Universal Studios to let us promote/market the "Magnum, P.I." Movie Online over the next 12 Months while I lose 140 lbs and my 2 friends and I rehearse and perform scenes from the "MAGNUM, P.I." Pilot Script "Don't Eat The Snow In Hawaii," by Donald P. Bellisario and Glen A. Larson.

At this stage, I still have to raise money to finance the Project, so I may look at throwing a MASQUERADE PARTY and use Profits to finance the Project, but hold off from doing an Official Launch Party until early March.

All the Best,

Mike.

Hollywood Confidential Mentoring

2009-12-21T19:24:00.000-08:00

Effective as of Sunday December 20th I am now enrolled in Gary Goldstein's "Hollywood Confidential" Mentoring program.

I've had a chance to read the 1st chapter of his new book "Tactical Toolbelt for Screenwriters: Success Strategies to Market & Grow Your Passion as a Career," and listen to a couple of the archived audio files recorded over the past 7 months.

Amazing stuff. I'm looking forward to learning about how to approach Hollywood and Pitch "Becoming Magnum" to the powers-that-be and getting things off the ground.

I've also come across a great website: http://www.documentaryhowto.com

They have some great videos teaching you how to create a Documentary.

I've also come across some great Apps. for the iPhone to use to shoot "Becoming Magnum" with.

I look forward to getting things off the ground, and taking the next steps forward.

All the Best,

Mike.

Website Re-Design

2009-11-26T22:56:00.000-08:00

I have finally found myself a Web Designer to help me revamp my http://www.becomingmagnum.tv/ Website, which was originally intended to simply allow people to view my Trailer.

My Web Designer is also a Graphic Artist who has updated/improved my original picture design that took me forever to figure out how to do on my own with Adobe Photoshop.

His pictures blow me away. It's going to be really tough to figure out which picture to go with. The picture with the original Ferrari 308 GT from the TV Series looks great, and definitely lets you know at one glance what it's about.

Though I also like the newer, modern F360 Spyder.

I think I'm going to have to hold a Poll or something and have others Vote on their favorite design to help me figure out which one to go with.

I look forward to seeing the new design of the Website in the next few days.

I am incredibly grateful for all of the talented and gifted and amazing people I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with on this journey so far.

Dale's design's are definitely helping me to really get a sense of BECOMING MAGNUM beginning to move forward.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike.

MOMENTUM'S PICKING UP!

2009-11-24T01:53:00.000-08:00

Momentum is definitely beginnning to pick up for BECOMING MAGNUM! I recently took a "BRANDING FOR THE ACTOR" Workshop and I learned a lot of great things about BRANDING as an Actor that have really begun to explode some crazy ideas for myself as an Actor, and for the BECOMING MAGNUM BRAND.

2 Weeks ago, my JV (Joint Venture) Partners and I finally got the Contract Signed with The Cecil to Promote a Wednesday Night Event, and we get to keep a 50% of the Profits from the Event.

Since I've been developing, and planning to launch BECOMING MAGNUM I realized, "Why don't I throw a ROBIN MASTER'S "Night Of Dreams" MASQUERADE PARTY at The Cecil?"

The Masquerade Party will be the launch of both my Entrepreneurial/JV Career and the Launch Party for BECOMING MAGNUM.

Since it's a Celebration and a Launch, we are planning to invite the original cast of the "Magnum, P.I." TV Series as well as everyone who's ever been involved at some point of the Journey so far, and get them to show their Support through Alcohol Sales.

We are in the beginning stages of planning the MASQUERADE PARTY which will be a Night Club Experience with Partially Naked and Masked Men & Women.

We're going to be inviting everyone we know in the TV & Film Industry to the Party.

I've also come up with a whole new story idea. Instead of having the focus be just on myself, I've decided to bring on David Attar and Duane Patterson, and document each of our journey to getting cast in the upcoming "Magnum, P.I." We will be Rehearsing the Pilot Script, "Don't Eat Yellow Snow In Hawaii," for the Magnum, P.I. TV Series, and we will be needing to cast an Actor to play HIGGINS, (the Major Domo of Robin Master's Estate) while I lose the 120-140 lbs that I in order to play Thomas Magnum.

The INTENTION is to do a Re-Make of the Pilot Script, Rehearsing it while I lose the Weight, and then going to shoot it On Location in Hawaii using HD Camcorder's. Though I am going to have to contact the Powers that be to find out if I need to and/or can get Permission to do my Re-Make, and to use the Robin Master's name for my launch party.

The shoot/Web Documentary will last for at least 12 months while I lose the weight, we shoot our Fan HD Re-Make, and basically promote the Magnum, P.I. Movie in our bid to get cast.

I'VE GOT A SPONSOR

I met with Rene Neilly today (Brad King's wife/publicist) and she confirmed for me that Brad and his Business Partner would like to come onboard and Sponsor me with a 1 Year Supply of ULTIMATE Supplements and Brad's Nutritional Guidance.

I then went to a Real Estate Investor's Meeting - where I've been going to learn about Real Estate Investing, and to perhaps find Deals, and be a Bird Dog and Find Buyers and earn a nice Profit.

I don't quite get it all (I've just started learning), but I've got some great "Creative Real Estate" Mentors. Eventually I will find the right opportunity and make some good money from.

I then popped into an Internet Marketing Mastermind Group, where I ended up standing in front of the Group and Pitching "BECOMING MAGNUM" to them.

I started off by showing them my Trailer at http://www.becomingmagnum.tv/, and then jumping into the update, about including David Attar/Rick, and Duane Patterson/TC, and then into the Pitch for the Robin Master's Masquerade Party, doing the Re-Make of the "Magnum, P.I." Pilot and our search for HIGGINS.

The group was going to select from a handful of Pitches to help them Launch their Project. Unfortunately I didn't get picked. However, I did some networking and met some great contacts that have solid potential to partner with.

Plus, it also taught me a few things. It's time to look into going to TOAST MASTER'S and beginning to Practice my Pitch, on my Feet for when it's time to go to Hollywood and/or to do my Pitch on the Phone for Tom Selleck, and Brian Grazer.

I'm an Actor, and I love performing, and sharing ideas, and sharing my creatively strategic ideas.

It is time to focus my "Mind Powers" (John Kehoe) and Visualize using VAKS (Dr. Lee Pulos) and "Manifest" the Meeting I want with Mr. Selleck and Mr. Grazer and the outcome I'd like to have.

ACTION STEPS FOR THE NEXT WEEK. (Tuesday November 24th - Tuesday December 1st.

1) Get a Firm Agreement/Contract Signed with Personal Trainer, Actor Training, Hollywood Mentor(s), owner of Private Investigation Firm, Entrepreneurial & Success Mentors, etc.

2) Contact a Toastmaster's, and start working on my Physical/Verbal Pitch.

3) Find a Web Designer to revamp http://www.beocmingmagnum.tv/ so that I can update it, and begin ramping up my Internet Marketing Campaign.

It's gonna be a lot of fun!

With Gratitude,

Mike.

A Week Full of Aha's and a Few Turning Points

2009-10-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

I feel kind of like an idiot today. I just realized three things this week that I'd been needing, and just realized that I was unconsciously looking for, were right in front of me the whole time.

AWARENESS is incredibly interesting. How "The thoughts that I've been thinking lately, really do have an impact in my immediate and current life, and how the "thoughts that I've been thinking for the past 10 years or more, have created the moment I'm living in RIGHT NOW."

After taking an assessment of my life, at this present moment, I thought about how horrible of a spot I am in right now, and how I'm in an incredible spot as well, and that that very paradox is a result of my "thoughts at this very moment," and of the "thoughts that I HAD been thinking," in the past.

The Horrible: I am 36 years, and I'm still Bouncing and doing Security and struggling with money, and still having to borrow money from my parents because my car got towed, and I had no money at all, and still needed to get to work.

I've fallen behind in my debts, and in September because of some late payments, I had my Cell Phone cut off, and then my car broke down, and it was either spend $100/month + $15/Night in Cab rides home from work 4 nights/week, roughly $340 or $420 to get my car fixed. As a result, I missed a payment on 3 of my Student Loans from over 10 years ago.

This payday, I have to pay my rent, and $590 for a Payday Loan that I needed to get so I could get groceries and eat, as well as to get my car fixed.

After I pay both of those back, I won't have any money left. Which means I have to get another Payday Loan so I can make a payment of $100 on my Cell Phone so it doesn't get cut off again, and $135 for my Car Insurance, plus I will also need food for the next 2 weeks. I have to start making healthier choices, and I don't want to have to pay $91 Interest for $500. Survice on $165 for 2 weeks? Gas, and food? What is the Interest on $400?

My left knee probably needs to be operated on, and is constantly in a lot of pain, and a few years ago, I tore the meniscus in my right knee, and my right knee has never fully healed, and my Sports Doctor (2004) at the time said he didn't want to have to operate on me.

Physically I am over 400 lbs. I'm not exactly sure of my weight because I've been nervous about finding out the truth. I should probably go and get tested for diabetes as well, since a good portion of my family have recently been diagnosed in recent years.

I have poor circulation in my legs, and feet, and my feet are always constantly sore. After working a full 7 hours at the Door on my feet every Friday and Saturday night at the Bar, when I wake up the next afternoon I almost need a Walker to get around because my feet are so sore.

There have been a few times in the past year that I've felt shortness of breath, a really wierd sensation in my stomach and my chest, and even light headedness.

Take a few minutes to consider the implications of that.

My PRESENT is the FUTURE RESULT of the THOUGHTS that I'VE BEEN THINKING for the PAST 10 YEARS.

So what HAVE I BEEN THINKING?

I have to take a look back at what my Negative Self Talk and Mind Chatter has been. There are definitely things like, "I'm not good enough," "I can't believe how much I weigh," and "I'm over 400 lbs!?" or "I'm always so sore."

"Why am I always broke?"

"I wish I had more money."

"I can't afford."

"I have being broke/having no money."

"I don't like how I look."

Then I'd sit back and dream about my future, and what I would LOVE for my life to be like.

However, when it came time to TAKING ACTION to move myself forward towards my Goals, I would come up with EXCUSE, AFTER EXCUSE, AFTER EXCUSE.

Which has led me to my recent realizations that have me feeling like an idiot, (but first, a brief history).

I started taking Acting and Screenwriting Classes in 2007/2008, at the University of Alberta. I took Bill Meilen's Playwriting Class, but he allowed me to write the 1st Draft of my Screenplay. An incredibly horrible draft, which taught me the importance of thinking. To think out, and daydream, and let my imagination go wild, and to research, research, research. My 2nd Draft was so much better.

I took Jan Henderson's Introduction to Improv Acting. It was a turning point in my life. After that very first Class, I knew that I wanted to be an Actor more than anything else. Ever since my Football Career had ended, I didn't have anything that really pumped me up. But Acting and Improv were suddenly exciting, despite having grown up shy and massively self-conscious.

I've learned the fundamentals in University and on the Stage at The Walterdale Theatre, doing Plays like, "The Duchess of Malfi," as the Grim Reaper, a Guardsman, and an Executioner, and in "Dr. Faustus," as Devil #3.

I went to Film School for a 1 Year Intensive Actor Training where I took voracious notes, and then I found the Actor's Foundry and Matthew Harrison and Jeb Beach (http://www.actorsfoundry.com/). Matthew has developed a phenomenal technique for the Actor's Toolkit, and he has an amazing understanding of human behaviour, and how to really nurture and push and pull things out of people to take their performances to a much higher, and more truthful level.

Week 1: At the Foundry is about getting the Script and doing a Table Read of your Scene for the month. Doing a read through, and then in a group setting, analyzing the scene, breaking it down, figure out your relationship, and what other questions you need to get answered when reading the entire script.

Weeks 2, 3, and 4 are about figuring out how you relate/connect to the character you are playing in the scene, blocking it, and then shooting it.

I've also done some work recently with Darren Jacklin (http://www.darrenjacklin.com/) where he began to ask me questions about what "the average day in my ideal life" would be like?

What time would I wake up? What would be the first thing I do? Would I jump out of bed, and be excited about the day, or would I be tired and miserable? What would I have for breakfast? Would I have breakfast with anyone else? If so, with whom?

What would I do after breakfast? What would I do for lunch? Where would I be? How would I be dressed? Who would I be with? Would it be formal or informal?

This got me to thinking back about my Acting Career over the past 10 years, and how I haven't fully committed myself 100%.

Sure I've gone to Film School, I got myself an Agent, I auditioned for a few years, I booked some work on The Chris Isaak Show, and I auditioned for X-Men, and Freddy vs. Jason where I got to meet one of my idols, and I've done a handful of Commercials, and some Indie Horror flicks, and been an extra on Stargate SG-1 and Smallville.

I haven't had an Agent in the past 4 years, since my last one dumped me. I haven't been Auditioning.

I've worked as Security in the Film Industry for the past 3 years.

I've taken Acting Classes.

But I haven't fully committed myself, and that's why nothing has been moving forward Acting wise. I've always been too busy with everything else, and making excuses.

That's when I had my 1st AHA of the week.

The very fundamental, and the very least that I should be doing as an Actor, is reading Scripts. Finding the ones that I like/enjoy, and begin breaking them down. Analysing them. Printing them up. Making my Choices. Figuring out what my Character Statement would be for every single scene.

I should be doing that for Screenplays for Feature Films and TV Series.

I should be rehearsing scenes with other actors. I love rehearsing. I should be learning my lines.

To that end, I am going to start with the Pilot Script for the MAGNUM, P.I. TV Series. It's my Goal to land the role of THOMAS MAGNUM and to get Tom Selleck to play MY Thomas Magnum's dad.

I own a copy, and I'm going to start analyzing it, and breaking down every scene that Thomas Magnum is in. Once I've analyzed the script, I can then begin Rehearsing it like a Stage Play, while I lose weight, and once I've lost over 100 lbs or more, I will film it and post it on my Website and have people compare my performance to Tom Selleck's. Hopefully create a bit of a buzz, and get me a shot at the Magnum, P.I. Movie.

After analyzing MAGNUM, P.I. it is onto "Supernatural," and "Smallville," and "Eureka," and "V," and "Caprica," and "House," and "Heroes."

Then it'll be "Iron Man," and "Wolverine," and "X-Men 3," and "Transformers 1 and 2," and "G.I.Joe."

So I can start envisioning/manifesting the Career and Life that I want.

What steps can I be taking today, RIGHT NOW, for my health and my diet? What Lifestyle Changes can I begin making to my current habits?

That's when I had my 2nd AHA!

The 3 fundamental exercises I can begin doing are: 1) Pushups 2) Situps and 3) Stairs (for Cardiovascular. )

I have 16 stairs from the main floor to the 2nd level of my house. I can begin doing those on a daily basis, to start getting myself back into shape. I can even do it a few times/day as they are right here.

I can also start making some healthier choices in cooking. I can either have my brother or my friends roommate, who are both chefs, to either come over to my place, or I can go over to their place, and get them to teach me how to cook some vegetarian meals, and I can Video Tape them instead of taking notes. I can even share with them my budget for the week, and find out what they would suggest for meals.

That way I can begin moving forward with nutrition and physical activity (only going as far as my body can I handle), and I can begin committing 100% to 10% of what it means to be an Actor.

What future do I envision for myself?

Where would I like to be 5 years from now?

What would I like my life to be like? Am I married? What is she like?

How is my Acting Career? I'm a Lead in a TV Series? Am I the current Action Star in Feature Films? Where do I live? Do I own on or more homes/properties? Who have I worked with? How much do I love what I do? Who have I met? Who am I friends with?

What would I like my life to be like 5 years from now? 4 years? 3 years? 1 year? 6 months?

But for right now, the questions is: "Where would I like to be 1 year from now?" (What are my thoughts going to have to be?)

I am 260 lbs, and I'm now in the best shape I've ever been in my entire life!

I am healthy, active, fit, and strong. I've never felt better. I can't believe how young and healthy I feel.

I love how I look in the mirror, but I love how I feel inside. My life is amazing!

I've finally been to Hawaii, the Carribean, Peru, and Australia!

I've finally completed BECOMING MAGNUM, and it was even more amazing a journey and an experience than I could have ever imagined. I've met, and become friends with so many great people on this journey, and as a result, I've just been blown away by it all.

I now live in San Diego in the Winter, and Vancouver in the Summer. And I get to spend more time with my friends, and growing both my Business and my Acting Career.

I've finally paid off my Student Loans, and bought my dream car - the 2009 Chevy Camaro (Bumble Bee/Transformers).

I am dating an amazing woman, and we've had a lot of fun together.

I look forward to what the next 12 months has in store!

The 3rd AHA of the Week

I began working on putting together a Business Plan this week for BECOMING MAGNUM, so that I can raise some money from investors, at the very least to get my Website revamped, and to hire a crew part-time so I can create some videos, pay for my Personal Trainer, as well as Supplements and Nutrition for my Weight Loss, as well as for Acting Classes at The Actor's Foundry.

I decided to ask my buddy Sam for his advice on putting together a Business Plan, since he has a background in Finance.

I will soon need to put together a team that can help me move this whole thing forward. I will need a Webmaster/Designer and a Salesperson. Someone good at negotiation, and knows the money world. Someone like Sam. I haven't asked him yet, but I will once we've completed the Business Plan together, if he'd like to come on board.

That's it for now.

See you at the top.

Mike.

Step #1: Creating my Visual Goal

2009-10-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

If you're anything at all like me, and you've gone through the whole Yo-Yo Dieting/Weight loss routine, I'm sure you've heard of the importance of creating your VISUAL GOAL for yourself. On THE BIGGEST LOSER and Tommy Europe's THE LAST 10 POUNDS BOOTCAMP they usually have the Contestants pick out a Goal Wardrobe to fit into and wear.

I've decided to create my GOAL PHYSIQUE - using Photoshop to help me create my Visual Goal. I've taken a picture of myself from a few years ago when I was lighter, and in better shape, and "Cut my Head off," and then re-attached it onto the BODY of someone who has a similar build to what I'd like to achieve.

I've taken a picture of WWE's RANDY ORTON, and replaced his head with my own. So I now have a physical representation of what I am working towards. I've printed up some copies of the new Goal Physique and taped it up in my bedroom. I've also taken a picture of it with my Cell phone, and I've made it my Wallpaper on my Cell phone. Now, whenever I am tempted to make a decision that takes me away from my Goal, all I have to do is flip my phone open, SEE my Goal, and then make the decision to either move towards my goal, or away from it.

It's time for me to start making better decisions that move me in the direction of my goals, instead of away from them. I realized that I am the one who has the power to either keep me stuck where I am, or to start moving towards my goals. It is time to start moving forward, and getting myself unstuck.

I am worth it, and I deserve to be happy. It won't be easy, but it's time to start making certain sacrifices now in order to achieve my goals.

See you at the top.

Mike.

An overview of the past 18 months leads to a Turning Point.

2009-10-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

With all of my financial woes that came as a result of September, and have continued on into October, it has forced me to take a step back and reassess the past 5-6 months. Let me give you a quick re-cap of how BECOMING MAGNUM has evolved since April of 2008.

I got a call from Director Kryshan Randall in March of 2008 asking if I'd like to be in a TV Pilot Trailer that he was directing in April. I've always wanted to work with him, so of course, I agreed.

It was for a show called "The Promoter," created by Ken Craw and Michael Hamilton. The first day of shooting was in a Penthouse. I brought my Sony PSP with my Trailer for BECOMING MAGNUM on it. I met the Creators, Ken and Michael, and asked them what kind of background/experience they had, and how long it took them to go from concept to Production on their "Trailer." At the time, Ken was a Writer on the TV Series "Robson Arms," and Michael had directed some Sports Documentaries. It took them 6 months to go from concept to production of the Trailer.

I mentioned that I had my own Project that I had been developing, and that I had a Trailer of my own on me. I pulled out my Sony PSP, and played the Trailer for them. At the first scene, Ken asked if this was BECOMING MAGNUM.

He had heard about it from his friend Coreena Robertson, who turned out to be a mutual friend. Both Ken and Michael loved the Trailer. Shortly thereafter, I found out that the owner of the Penthouse was Erin Cebula, an Entertainment Reporter for Global TV. She loved the Trailer as well, and loved MAGNUM, P.I.

Within 6 weeks of the shoot, Ken and Michael both came on board to help Direct and Produce BECOMING MAGNUM, and a few weeks later scored us a DEVELOPMENT DEAL with CTV. That Deal was in June of 2008, and it took until March of 2009 to get the Development Funds released to us.

At the end of November of 2008 while taping my performance for a scene at the Actor's Foundry, I ended up injuring my left knee. I had an MRI done at the end of February, and it turns out I tore the meniscus in my knee.

In April of 2009 we did a 3 Day Shoot for the development deal. We shot 2 days worth of footage at THE ACTOR'S FOUNDRY, where I study and 1 Day with my Personal Trainer, OCEAN BLOOM.

They then sent over 15 hours worth of footage to the Editor, who cut it down to a 3 Minute Promotional Trailer and sent it off to CTV. Because of the current recession, CTV decided that they were no longer going to be in the business of doing "One Off" Documentaries. CTV was out, but fortunately I got to retain ownership of the Footage.

In May I ended up falling and twisting my left ankle and knee. I haven't gotten my knee checked out yet, but there is definitely something severely wrong with my knee.

On July 1st, I moved into my current home, which is an amazing house, worth $1.3 Million and I only pay $500/month Rent. (The upside to the Recession.)

Shortly after we got the word that CTV was out, I did a Teleconference Call with the BECOMING MAGNUM TEAM (Myself, Brad King (my Nutritionist) and his wife and publicist Rene Neilly, Ken Craw, and Ocean Bloom.) We discussed the possibility of merging BECOMING MAGNUM with a Reality Show concept that Ocean had previously developed for Insight Films.

It was a great call, and we discussed where to go now that CTV was out of the picture. It has always been my intention to do something with the Internet. To Broadcast and/or Distribute it Online. Unfortunately neither Ken or Michael have any experience doing anything Online as it is all still so new, and so they both decided to pull out of the project. Both of them felt that it would just be way too much work to take on to create a Reality Show.

Ken is currently working as a Writer for the TV Series HEARTLAND, and Michael is busy working on some other projects, and neither felt that they could put in the time and effort that would be required to get a Reality TV Series up and running.

In July, I brought on 2 Business Partners for my JOINT VENTURE Business (I studied with JAY ABRAHAM for 14 months as part of his MASTER OF PASSIVE INCOME Mentoring Course.) It completely exploded my mind open to the possibilities of generating income, as well as to the world of Marketing and doing Joint Ventures. It has also been great in helping me to develop some concepts for BECOMING MAGNUM.

In August we landed our/my 1st JV Deal for what I am hoping will be my EXIT STRATEGY from Bouncing/Security. (I have wanted to get out of Bouncing/Security for the past 5 years, but haven't had confidence in myself or my ability to get out. I'm not interested in replacing Bouncing/Security with a Labour job, so my options before Jay Abraham have been limited.)

I was hoping to get the Deal, and begin working on it immediately, and then be out of Bouncing/Security shortly thereafter. That hasn't come to fruition. I'm hoping to get the Contract signed within the next 3 days, and beginning work on the JV Deal.

I have been struggling financially for just about as long as I can remember. I've gotten stuck in a rut, and I've used the EXCUSE of not having very much money prevent me from cleaning up my diet (eating healthy is expensive), I'm not a very good cook, and every time in the past that I've lost weight, it was because I pretty much ate the EXACT SAME meals EVERY DAY.

I need to learn HOW to prepare better meals, with some variety. I also need to begin TAKING ACTION every single day, that moves me closer to, or in the direction of, my goals.

I have to figure out what it is that I CAN DO, every single day, to start getting myself in shape, losing the weight, exercising, and eating right.

I have to create an ACTION PLAN that I can stick to, that will move me forward in the direction of my goals, with or without money.

I've wanted to revamp my Website for a long time, but again, I don't have the money to do that at this time. I know that the situation I am currently in is temporary, but being right in the centre of it, it feels like it is permanent.

Since the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, I realized that it was time to take a step back and figure out what it is that I can BEGIN DOING IMMEDIATELY to start getting different results.

Since I don't currently have the money to get my Website revamped, (which I've been using as an EXCUSE from taking action), and I don't currently have any extra money, and things have been pretty tight financially, (for the gym, and better nutrition, acting classes, new headshots, etc.) which has also become an EXCUSE, I have decided to start a new Mantra/Affirmation: NO MORE EXCUSES. ONLY ACTION & RESULTS.

For my Website: I'd like to be able to upload Video's directly onto the site, including Video Blogs, as well as having this Blog linked directly to the site, have an ABOUT ME Tab, as well as the ability to create and share specific content for the Website. However, that's not happening at the moment.

What can I do right now?

I am going to look at YouTube and see what I can do to upload Video's and/or Video Blogs onto YouTube and then link them to my Blog. I ended up checking out some interesting Videos Online yesterday which taught me about Steadi-Cams. The key is the Counter Balance. I immediately tried it out with my Sony Camcorder and Tripod, and it appears to work. I can't believe how incredibly simple it is.

I also watched a few Video's that taught me about a Basic 3 Point Lighting System. Next up is to learn about recording sound, and find out if there is an inexpensive/cheap way to record good quality sound with my Camcorder.

I have been hoping to use the Panasonic DVX100 Camera (which we used to shoot my current, and slightly outdated Trailer). But it looks like I am going to have to use my Sony Camcorder until I can afford better quality equipment and gear, as well as to hire a crew.

So for right now, I will be doing everything on my own, with what I have, until things begin to improve for me financially.

The Bottom Line: NO MORE EXCUSES. ONLY ACTION & RESULTS.

It's time for me to go and do a NO EXCUSES WORKOUT. (15 Pushups & 20 Situps.)

See you at the top.

Mike.

In a bit of a slump.

2009-10-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

Ever since the 1st of September I've been in a bit of a slump. Things with my 1st Joint Venture Deal haven't gone exactly according to plan. We got the Deal (handshake) back on August 12th, and still haven't gotten the contract signed. (I'm partly at fault as I wasn't able to get the Owner to sign it before he went on Vacation for 3 weeks, and then once he got back I took it in to get signed, and he wanted me to make some Amendments before signing it.)

I will hopefully get it signed by Monday October 12, 2009, and then can begin working on putting things into place to get myself out of Bouncing (doing Security) once and for all.

Financially I've taken a few big setbacks, and I'm struggling to just get by. There was a mixup at work when I switched from 1 Bar to another (owned by the same guys) as their are 2 different Accountants, and one didn't share info with the other. My paycheque for the 1st of September was over $650 short, and I've been playing catch up ever since.

Last week my car broke down (radiator) and I had to park it while on my way to picking up my Paycheque. Then my Cell phone service got cut because I'm behind in making my payment. That'll be $200 to get my phone re-activated, and at least $500 to get my car fixed. (Money I don't have), plus I need to get some new Headshots and a Voice Over Demo Reel put together for my Acting Career, and I need to find a new Agent, as I currently don't have one.

I currently have $100 to my name, and I work until 2:30am and Transit will only get me so far. I have to take a $15 Cab ride home, and I have at least 6 more shifts before Payday. I also need to get food, so things are going to be tight for a little bit longer.

So things obviously aren't working out like I had hoped, and I've also been struggling with figuring out how to come up with money to get my Website revamped, and how to begin Production on BECOMING MAGNUM.

That's when I remembered 2 Key things: 1) It's time to re-read "UNSTOPPABLE," by Cynthia Kersey and begin building my UNSTOPPABLE Action Plan, and 2) My DVD FILM SCHOOL DVD's and Work Books that I bought at a Dov S-S Simens "2 DAY FILM SCHOOL" Workshop I took.

I've also realized that there are certain things that I can begin doing today (without money) for the Production of BECOMING MAGNUM.

So it is OFFICIALLY time for me to begin documenting (through my Blog and Twitter updates) as well as using my Sony Camcorder. It isn't going to be as professional looking as I would have liked, but I can at least begin doing something.

I have NO MORE EXCUSES.

It is time for constant, and consistent daily action. The only way I'm going to get out of this SLUMP/RUT is through taking action, and making decisions that are in line with my Goals.

The time is now,

Mike.

Becoming Magnum Trailer

2009-09-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

Just in case you haven't seen my Trailer for "Becoming Magnum" on my Website at www.becomingmagnum.tv, here it is for your viewing pleasure.

1st Gym Workout followed by interesting experience...

2009-09-29T02:48:00.000-07:00

I ended up going to a local community gym tonight with 2 of my roommates. It wasn't really much of a gym, but I did end up doing about 15 minutes cardio/warm up on the Stationary Bike, and then I did:

Pec Deck: 20 x 25 lbs, Rear Delts: 20 x 25 lbs, Pec Deck: 20 x 45 lbs, Rear Delts: 20 x 45 lbs, Pec Deck: 15 x 75 lbs, Rear Delts: 15 x 65 lbs.

Incline DB Press: 15 x 25 lbs, 15 x 25 lbs, 10 x 35 lbs

DB Shrugs: 15 x 70 lbs, 15 x 70 lbs, 15 x 70 lbs.

After we got home, one of my new roommates has an Xbox 360 and we ended up playing "Guitar Hero World Tour," and I was using a rolling computer chair, with one foot resting on the seat, and the other foot on the floor while I played, so that I could look at the buttons on the guitar as I played.

It turns out that I got one heck of a Leg Workout doing this, as well as my wrist and forearms were a bit sore afterwards as well.

I think this is going to lead to a fun experiment. I'm going to see if I can use "Guitar Hero" and turn it into a Fun Workout because of my current issue with my knees, to strengthen up my legs as best as I can.

Shortly afterwards, another buddy that I work with stopped by. I ended up sharing with him my plans and goals for Becoming Magnum. He used to be overweight, and ended up getting into Boxing, and has lost quite a bit of weight. I was asking about his training, and he mentioned that where he trains, it only costs $100/year for a Membership, and that a lot of people quite because they can't handle the training that a boxer goes through.

That is something I'm going to look into. Boxing, along with Ju Jitsu with Shihan Tim Henry, my current instructor's instructor.

Eddie also happened to come across some meal recipes from Will Brink's "Fat Loss Revealed" Program, and commented on how similar it was to his diet for training. That is something I'm going to look into tomorrow, so I can begin changing my diet.

I've been Twittering what I've been eating daily for the past couple of weeks, and now that I'm conscious of it, it's pretty nasty.

I am responsible for every single decision that I make regarding food. No one else.

It is time that I start kicking things up a few notches, and turning my diet and my life around. It's time that I begin taking "Becoming Magnum" seriously, and starting to love myself again, and take care of my health.

That's it for now.

Mike.

MIND POWER & HOLOSYNC - Day #7

2009-09-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

I've just finished my daily ritual of listening to Level 2 of Holosync Technologies - The Dive, immediately followed by an mp3 of "Healing Yourself" and "Creating An Abundance Of Money" by John Kehoe.

I've spent the past 3 months listening to Holosync's 1st Level, and I've just recently gotten the 2nd Level. I am really enjoying listening to - The Dive, and using it for both meditation and visualization of my goals.

I find that it really helps to calm my mind, and put me into a flow state for visualizing. I've been using it as a precursor for listening to John Kehoe's MIND POWER Audio's.

I highly recommend checking them out. I will be tracking my results on my Blog in regards to the results that I get from both Holosync and the MIND POWER Audio's so you can figure out if it is something of interest for you over the long term (and if they actually create the desired results.)

All the Best,

Mike.

No Excuses Workout - Sunday Sept.27, 2009

2009-09-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have decided to label my workouts, "No Excuses Workouts" for 2 reasons.

1) In June I bought the book "Unstoppable" by Cynthia Kersey. The book is a compilation of success stories of various people who have all gone on to accomplish massive things in their lives.

I am inspired by the particular story of Richard and Dick Hoyt, a father and son who have gone on to accomplish amazing things despite their percieved setback.

2) Because of my current physical situation. In November of 2008 during an Acting Class, I ended up dropping to the ground during a scene in which I was "beating up" my scene partner. I ended up hitting my left knee onto concrete for both takes. As a result, according to the MRI that I had done, I tore the meniscus in my knee. Then in May of 2009, I fell and ended up twisting my left knee and things inside got messed up even more. I haven't had another MRI done yet, but it feels like the tendons and/or ligaments are twisted up inside.

Yesterday, on Sunday Sept. 27, 2009 I went to the Swimming Pool (50m) and did some laps. As it turns out, it was much easier on my knee's then I had thought it would be. (I tore the meniscus in my right knee back in 2004, and my doctor preferred not to operate on me, and as a result, my right knee has never fully recovered.)

I managed to swim 2 full lengths (From the starting point - to the other end - and back again) or 200m. I wasn't able to complete an entire 1/2 length (I only managed to swim about 75% of the way before needing to take a break and catch my breath), but I did it.

I forgot how much I love swimming, and it's a fun way to exercise. I look forward to swimming more often, and using it as a starting point for getting in shape, and beginning my transformation on my journey to becoming the next Magnum, P.I.

The Rollercoaster Ride Continues...

2009-09-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

I have just recently signed up for a FREE TRIAL with Typepad for a Blog. The reason for doing this is because I would like to be able to seamlessly sync up my Blog with Twitter, and Facebook so that I don't have to re-post anywhere else.

Also because Typepad claims that I can easily add Video's onto my Blog, and build Web Pages/Website around my Blog which is what I'm currently looking at doing since money has been very tight, and I don't have any extra money at the moment to get my Website: www.becomingmagnum.tv revamped.

I plan on blogging on a daily basis to update what I'm doing as I begin production on my "Real Time" Reality Documentary, "BECOMING MAGNUM."

Here are some updates over the past year.

1) I got Ken Craw (Producer/Writer) and Michael Hamilton (Director) to come on board and help me produce "Becoming Magnum."

2) Within 2 weeks of them coming on board, they got me a Development Deal with CTV.

3) It took 9 months for us to get the Development Funding.

4) We shot 2 Days of Footage with CTV's money.

5) Because of the Recession, CTV decided to no longer do "1 Off Documentary's" and so they pulled out.

6) This now means that I own 100% of the Footage that CTV paid for.

7) In June of 2009 I met Darren Jacklin (The Mega Manifestor) and he introduced me to Gary Goldstein (Producer of PRETTY WOMAN.)

8) In August of 2009 - both Ken Craw and Michael Hamilton pulled out - because they are experienced in creating content for TV, and I've decided to broadcast "Becoming Magnum" Online.

9) I am currently learning what I can about Online/Internet Marketing via Frank Kern, as well as I just signed up for an Account with AWeber to help me start building up a Database.

10) I forgot to mention that I injured my Left Knee during an Acting Class at the Actor's Foundry in November of 2008, and again in May of 2009.

11) My current status: Weight: Approx. 402 lbs. Injured Left Knee. Money: Currently earning under $2K/Month. No money to revamp Website at the moment. No Money for Production at the moment.

12) I am going to be blogging daily, updating activitiy and meals on Twitter, and creating Video Blogs with my Sony DVD Camcorder and then uploading them onto either YouTube or my Blog and/or Website down the road.

13) I am working on getting Gary Goldstein to Mentor me through his "Hollywood Insider" Mentoring Program to get in touch with both Tom Selleck and Brian Grazer in my attempt to get myself cast as "Thomas Magnum," in the upcoming "Magnum, P.I." Movie.

That's it for now,

Mike.

Updates...The Power of Serendipitiy and/or the Law of Attraction

2008-04-30T16:44:00.000-07:00

Well, a few weeks ago, I met up with an Independent Producer friend Coreena, and showed her my Trailer, and talked to her about BECOMING MAGNUM. She suggested I talk with her friend KEN about it, and forward my Pitch Package to him, and he would know where to go from there.

I forwarded COREENA my Package, and she forwarded it to KEN.

2 Weeks later I was ON SET of a TV Series Pilot Trailer, which will be used to help sell their TV Series much like I'm using my Trailer to sell/pitch BECOMING MAGNUM.

I ended up talking with the Producers/Creators KEN and MICHAEL. During the 1st Frame of my Trailer, KEN says to me, "This isn't Becoming Magnum is it?"

Turns out he is the Ken that Coreena had sent the package to, but because he was busy prepping for his Trailer Shoot, he hadn't had a chance to really look at it.

Then on the second day of shooting, he let me borrow his D.O.P. and HD Camera so I could get a shot of me as THOMAS MAGNUM turning around wearing the Red Hawaiian Shirt, looking at the camera, smiling, and doing the double eyebrow raise.

Later that same day I met a guy warming up his Red Ferrari. I showed him my Trailer and he agreed to let me use his Ferrari for a shot of me in the car, and then driving off, to recreate more of the footage from the opening sequence of MAGNUM P.I.

Then on Sunday, just a few days ago, I was ON SET of a Short Film playing CASINO SECURITY and making someone leave. Naturally I showed people my Trailer, and got great feedback. I asked the Producer if he'd be willing to let me use the footage of me as Casino Security for my Trailer, in which I will cut in the first few minutes from LAS VEGAS' Halloween Episode with Roger E. Mosley and Larry Mannetti (Rick & TC ) with Tom Selleck upstairs overlooking the Casino floor, and then CUT ME IN as Casino Security removing these 2 guys.

Turns out, one of the Producer's (ANDREW's) friends is dating Molly Sims (from the TV Series LAS VEGAS.)

Andrew has agreed to help me out as much as he can!

And I am currently in the beginning stages of planning a CHARITY FUNDRAISER EVENT for Children with Lupus and Celebs for Kids for the middle of June in which we will be Raffling off a 1991 Ferrari 348 GTS and a Hawaiian Vacation and hopefully several more goodies to raise money for the Charity.

I will do my best to keep you informed and up to date.

Mike.

Very Sad News...

2008-03-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

I just found out from a friend of mine who told me...

TV's Las Vegas Cancelled (http://www.thecelebritytruth.com/)

Television's 'Las Vegas' has become a victim of the writers strike, with its executive producer and creator, Gary Scott Thompson, announcing that the show will be cancelled because it would cost too much to re-start production.

Las Vegas was based in the fictional Montecito Casino in the Nevada glitter strip, and featured one of the biggest sets ever built for a tv show. It starred James Caan and singer Fergie's main squeeze, Josh Duhamel, with Tom Selleck added to the cast last year as the new owner of the casino.

Thompson told TVguide.com on Tuesday (February 26) that the decision was based on the cost of re-starting production of the show, and the future of the show was even up in the air prior to the start of the strike in early November.

The last episode of the season ended on a cliffhanger and is not expected to be concluded according to reports.

Posted on 27 February 2008
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Post your comment

Comments
· I am so tired of television executives cancelling good shows! Las Vegas is the only GOOD show on tv on Fridays...SUCKS!
Posted by Kim, 05/03/2008 11:18am (4 hours ago)

· I have been a fan for 3 years, very sad to see it come to an end this way. It was really a very smart fit for the show having Tom Seleck join the Staff. It was really great seeing Tom on tv every week. Love to see the show come back!
Posted by Bob, 02/03/2008 10:33pm (3 days ago)

· My fiance and I love watching this show. Nothing else on NBC is worth watching. Please bring it back!!!! We don't need another reality show. You guys really suck for leaving your faithfull viewers hanging.
Posted by Pissed off watcher, 29/02/2008 11:28pm (5 days ago)

· I started watching this show this season....and it was so funny. I cannot believe it isn't returning. The least they could do is end the show for us...not leave it hanging like they did. This really SUCKS!
Posted by Robin, 27/02/2008 10:27am (7 days ago)

POST your comments

- This really is disappointing for me, and for BECOMING MAGNUM, not only because I enjoyed watching the Series, but I was also hoping to be able to PITCH myself to the Producers of LAS VEGAS to get myself into an Epiosde as the son of AJ COOPER (Tom Selleck's Character.)

Because they brought LARRY MANETTI & ROGER E. MOSLEY (Rick & TC from Magnum P.I.) into the Series, I was going to pitch myself as SULLIVAN COOPER, in which I would pull up in front of the MONTECITO CASINO in a newer Ferrari 355 GTS, get out wearing a Hawaiian Print Shirt, and a Detroit Tigers Baseball Cap. . .

But apparently that is not going to even get a chance of happening, and I think it would have been really cool for Magnum P.I. Fans, as well as Tom Selleck Fans, in addition to helping to sell myself to Executive Producer Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment) who is Executive Producing the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE.

Well, maybe I will still have to contact the Gary Scott Thompson, the Executive Producer of LAS VEGAS anyway, and see if I can get my hands on a copy of the Script that would have at least added some closure to the Series instead of leaving it as a Cliff Hanger, and shooting the Episode for the Internet somehow, and then I can still get myself in there, as we shoot an Exterior shot of a real CASINO in Las Vegas...or this could just be me grasping for straws.

Mike Bennett

The Continuing Saga of BECOMING MAGNUM

2008-03-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE

You can also go to www.becomingmagnum.com and register to follow my Journey of BECOMING MAGNUM and getting myself cast in the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE.

This Blog is intended to do the following:

Keep you informed on the status of the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE, as well as news/information about TOM SELLECK. In additon, I will be adding information about the continuing saga of developing BECOMING MAGNUM, and getting it financed, and then once in production:

I will be providing updates about the process of Digital Filmmaking, the development of the Web Series, my transformation using ISAGENIX Cleansing Products (www.becomingmagnum.isagenix.com) for my weight loss, as well as highlights from the overall journey. Between November 22, 2007 and March 4, 2008 I have lost 63 lbs effortlessly. My original starting weight was 440 lbs, and today I currently weigh 377 lbs. IF you know of anyone who has been struggling with their weight, I highly recommend you send them to www.becomingmagnum.isagenix.com and have them look at the 30 DAY CLEANSE Products.

SO HERE WE GO...

Magnum Uncaged?
Oscar winner reportedly up for TV-to-film project.
by Stax

September 4, 2007 - Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is rumored to be up for the title role in the long-gestating feature film adaptation of the 1980s TV series Magnum P.I., to be directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. Reports have circulated everywhere from Star Magazine and The Daily Express to MonstersAndCritics.com that Cage is considering playing Thomas Magnum, a role originated by Tom Selleck on TV, in the Universal movie. According to The Daily Express, "Nicolas likes the mix of comedy and crime-solving in the script." The paper also claims that the project fell apart 18 months ago when Ricky Gervais rejected the notion of playing Higgins to George Clooney's Magnum. The story goes that, should Cage sign on, casting will then commence for the role of Higgins, Magnum's Brit sidekick. The film would reportedly be due out in 2009. Could this be yet another pre-strike movie being rushed into production? We'll see.

McConaughey as Magnum? An interesting casting possibility.
by Paul Davidson

January 17, 2007 - Blonde-haired Matthew McConaughey with a moustache, fit out with shorts and a Hawaiian tee, driving a Ferrari down a palm tree-lined avenue. Is that a close enough approximation of Magnum P.I. for you? It might have to do. It's been a while since we heard what was happening with the feature film remake of Magnum P.I., but according to the UK's Teletext, writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber (Dodgeball) has finished his latest draft for the film and named McConaughey as his choice to play the suave Hawaiian detective. The same report pegs Steve Zahn (Sahara) as Rick, Tyrese Gibson (2 Fast 2 Furious) as TC the chopper pilot, and William H. Macy as Higgins (ER), British war veteran and caretaker of the estate where Magnum lodges. Actually, Macy as Higgins sounds pretty cool, provided he can act British. And as for McConaughey, well, he might do if he can shake that Southern accent and assume a slightly more serious demeanor. So is this for real? Hard to say until the studio makes an official statement. It's interesting to note, though, that three of the four key cast members — McConaughey, Zahn, and Macy — all appeared together in the Clive Cussler novel-based Sahara. Did Thurber see some kind of chemistry there he liked? Stay tuned for updates.

Update on Magnum P.I. Series producer speaks.
by Paul Davidson

June 13, 2006 - The Magnum P.I. motion picture is one project that's been stuck in development hell for years. Is it ever going to get made? UGO.com posed that question to Charles Floyd Johnson, one of the producers of the original Magnum television series. Johnson is optimistic about the film and thinks it'll come to pass eventually. The current hold-up for Magnum, however, is the script. Also of interest is the fact that Tom Selleck, the star of the 1980s TV series, spoiled his opportunity to make several Magnum P.I. TV movies in place of a theatrical release. "I know for a fact that there was a script that Imagine developed that they didn't really feel captured the essence of the series, so they're on to a second writer now. Don Bellisario and Glen Larson have both been contacted about being consultants and executive producers, but I think it's going to be a Brian Grazer movie. I think it will happen, but I don't know," Johnson said. "I have heard, as you probably have, various ideas about who they would cast as Magnum. George Clooney I keep hearing and Ben Affleck I've heard once as well, but Clooney has denied it on occasion. I think there's a reality to it and I think it will be wonderful, but unfortunately it won't star Tom. He was asked to do six or eight TV movies and at that time he really wanted to do it as a feature, so he held out on it and probably now they will consider him too old to do it."

Magnum Movie Without Selleck Is Clooney still in the running?
by Paul Davidson

May 1, 2006 - Tom Selleck, who starred as the original Thomas Magnum in the hit 1980's television series, has confirmed he will not be joining the cast of the upcoming Magnum, P.I. motion picture. Selleck's name has long been included in discussions about the project, but reprising the role that made him famous has always seemed unlikely, given Selleck's age (61) and limited marketability for big-budget movies.

"I won't be in [Magnum P.I.], and I won't be doing some stupid cameo," he told the press caustically, as he laid to rest long-lived speculation of his involvement. George Clooney, a star every bit as suave as Magnum's persona, has also been persistently rumored to be a candidate for the character. Moviehole added credence to that possibility last month, saying the former surgeon from ER was still the studio's favorite for the part. However, according to the same site, Vince Vaughn (The Lost World, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story) is also a frontrunner.

The Stax Report on Magnum, P.I. Stax casts the big-screen version of the TV series!
by Stax

January 24, 2006 - Stax here with my take on the big-screen adaptation of the 1980s TV series Magnum P.I.! The trades are reporting that Universal Pictures has tapped Dodgeball helmer Rawson Marshall Thurber to write and direct the feature version. The Hollywood Reporter said Thurber "is not making a spoof but rather something akin to the tone of the show, which mixed humor and danger. The story line for the film sees Magnum, with the help of his former military pals, searching for a missing buddy." Although the trade says Magnum won't be a spoof, it's tough not to suspect that the pic will veer more towards comedy since Thurber made Dodgeball and the last screenwriter Universal hired for Magnum was Austin Powers' Michael McCullers. So for the purposes of this casting column, I will offer up suggestions for both a straightforward Magnum P.I. movie and a send-up.

Thomas Magnum: For the more serious Magnum, I think the oft-mentioned George Clooney would be an ideal choice to assume the role first played by Tom Selleck. The rumor mill suggests that Clooney has always wanted to play Magnum; Hugh Jackman might not be bad for it, either. For a Magnum spoof, I could see Dodgeball's Vince Vaughn sporting a false mustache and decked out in Hawaiian shirt and short shorts.

Jonathan Higgins III: I was spitballing my casting ideas with an industry friend of mine and we both thought the idea of casting Sir Ian McKellen as Higgins, whether the film is a flat-out comedy or not, was too great to pass up. The image of McKellen surrounded by a bunch of alpha males, well, the scenes just write themselves.

Theodore 'TC' Calvin: If Magnum is played for laughs then Bernie Mac would be perfect to portray Magnum's chopper pilot pal TC. If not then how about Don Cheadle? It'd be even better if his Ocean's co-star George Clooney was playing Magnum.

Orville 'Rick' Wright: Ben Stiller is the new Larry Manetti. Can't you just see him, Vaughn, Bernie Mac and McKellen on the poster? A more reasonable choice, though, might be Paul Rudd. He could work in the role whether it's played as a comedy or a drama. While Rudd has played the buddy in such comedies as Anchorman and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, he's also earned his dramatic chops in such films as The Cider House Rules and Romeo + Juliet.

Magnum P.I. Still Alive Long gestating project gets a writer-director.
by Paul Davidson

January 24, 2006 - It seemed for a while that nothing was happening with the Magnum P.I. movie, but at last some activity is evident. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 30-year-old Rawson Marshall Thurber is Universal's pick to both write and direct the adaptation of CBS's popular detective show. Thurber also wrote and directed the recent comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The news suggests that Universal Pictures was unhappy with the direction their existing script took the film, and wanted time to reconsider.

IGN FilmForce readers may recall that another screenplay for Magnum P.I. was already finished back in 2004. George Clooney has been suggested in the past as a candidate for the part of Thomas Magnum, war veteran and independent gumshoe. There's no telling whether he's still keen on the part, but Tom Selleck, who was made famous by his role in the original '80s series, is almost certainly too old by now. With Thurber starting on a new script, Magnum's return could still be a ways off. Hopefully, the coming months will bring more news on the project.

Script Finalized on Magnum P.I. Movie Clooney probably won't be Magnum.
by Paul Davidson

July 15, 2004 - Fans of '80s detective dramas will be interested to know that progress continues on the Magnum P.I. feature film. In fact, Filmrot.com did some of their own investigating, and learned that a script for the movie is now complete. Universal is looking for cast and a director at this very moment. The big question right now is: who's going to play the suave, mustachioed sleuth? A recent poll taken by USA Today says that Tom Selleck, Mr. Thomas Magnum himself, is still the most popular candidate for the role; Universal has indicated, however, that they are not considering the actor, who is now a good deal older than when the TV show ran. It seems Selleck would like another shot, but he probably won't get it. George Clooney is also not a likely choice at this time, despite the rumors surrounding his name. Universal is not commenting on Clooney's potential involvement yet. Rapper L.L. Cool J (Deep Blue Sea) is also reportedly up for the part of T.C. Calvin.

Is Magnum P.I. Cool? Rapper-actor linked with supporting role.
by Stax

March 17, 2004 - Greg's Previews at Yahoo! Movies is reporting that rapper-actor L.L. Cool J (S.W.A.T.) is up for the supporting role of Thomas "T.C." Calvin in the big-screen remake of Magnum P.I.. Universal Studios and Imagine Entertainment are making the feature version of the 1980s TV series. George Clooney may play the title role made famous by Tom Selleck. Greg's Previews claims that "LL has met recently about playing T.C., was received positively by Bryan Grazer and is the top choice for the role. The identities of the actors who might play Rick and Higgins are not yet known." L.L. Cool J's other film credits include Any Given Sunday and Deep Blue Sea.

From Batman to Magnum P.I.? The rumored big-screen replacement for Tom Selleck.
by Stax

November 21, 2003 - According to The Internet Movie Database (via WENN), George Clooney wants to star as the big-screen Magnum P.I. Universal and Imagine Entertainment are developing the feature film version of the hit TV series that ran on CBS from 1980-88 and starred Tom Selleck as mustachioed Vietnam vet-turned-Hawaii private dick Thomas Sullivan Magnum.

Screenwriter Michael McCullers (the Austin Powers sequels and the forthcoming Thunderbirds) is scripting the film version.

The IMDb, citing "pals" of Clooney's, claims that the Magnum role is one that the former Batman has long (and secretly) "coveted." "He's wanted to play three characters since he started acting – Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven, Hannibal in The A-Team and Magnum," says the source. "He's had The A-Team movie in the works for a while now, so he's been chasing this one really hard."

The site says that Magnum P.I. hopes to lens next year and "will feature the brand new $800,000 Ferrari Enzo sports car in place of Magnum's classic Ferrari 308 Gts." The IMDb adds that "the identities of who will play Magnum's side-kicks Theodore 'TC' Calvin, Orville 'Rick' Wright and Jonathan Quayle Higgins III – played by Roger E Mosley, Larry Manetti and John Hillerman in the TV original – are being kept top secret."

Magnum Movie The '80s series comes to the big screen.
by Brian Linder

September 24, 2003 - According to today's Variety, Universal Pictures has picked up the movie rights to the classic detective series Magnum, P.I. The trade tips that Imagine Entertainment chairman Brian Grazer will co-produce a film based on the CBS series which aired from 1980-1988. Grazer will produce with Donald Bellisario, the co-creator of the series. There's no word on the tone of the film, but don't be surprised if it's heavy on comedy. Screenwriter Michael McCullers (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Goldmember) has reportedly been hired to pen the script. McCullers also wrote the screenplay for the forthcoming Thunderbirds feature film and he has penned the script for Universal and Imagine's Curious George movie. The original series starred Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a former Navy officer who is hired by the mysterious Robin Masters to serve as head of security for his Hawaiian estate. Magnum, who worked on the side as a private investigator, had frequent run-ins with the estate's caretaker Jonathan Higgins.

AND HERE'S WHAT FANS OF MAGNUM P.I./TOM SELLECK have to say about TOM SELLECK not being cast in the MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE...

IGNFF Mailbag:

5/04/06 Transformers, Superman and Magnum P.I.

In today's edition of IGN FilmForce mailbag, we have readers' feedback on the casting of the human roles in The Transformers movie, thoughts on Lois Lane in Superman Returns, as well as a reaction to the recent news that Tom Selleck will not be starring in the big-screen version of Magnum P.I.. As always, keep those letters coming!

Magnum P.I.
I don't know if anyone is thinking where you are, but you're all absolute morons if you don't use the original cast. Anything else is an utter farce, and won't bring you a dime. The Starsky and Hutch remake was terrible. Why won't Hollywood ever give the fans what we want, and that is the original cast back? We've all grown older, it makes such sense to show how they have, too.
--Marie/Magwriter

While we may all be "absolute morons" here, it must be pointed out that we're not the filmmakers. Thus, blaming us for not bringing back Tom Selleck is pointless. That said, the studio probably believes Selleck lacks box office appeal and they want someone starring the new movie who has it. Just a thought.
--Stax

IGNFF Mailbag:

1/27/06 Your thoughts on the Magnum movie.

Hello and welcome to another edition of the IGN FilmForce Mailbag. Today readers respond to this week's news that the Magnum P.I. feature is indeed alive and kicking!

Magnum P.I.
I agree with your choices in casting of the Magnum movie, if it's more toward a serious angle, why not Tom Selleck I say. Otherwise if not him, Magnum I think is good for George Clooney, Mel Gibson too. As for TC Ving Rhames if it's serious, or LL Cool J might work. Higgins is a tough one for me, I initially thought John Cleese. But I think Anthony Hopkins would be good too. Rick's casting, I liked your idea of Paul Rudd, he seems to be a good fit. Well just some thoughts from a fan. --Patrick

It has to be Selleck!
--Peter

True Magnum PI fans want to see the original cast! Magnum PI was all about the relationship of the characters and fans want to see what has happened to them in the last 18-20 years. Make a movie for we Baby Boomers instead of 14 year old boys! The only complete remake of a television show that ever worked was The Fugitive.
--Paul

Magnum P.I.
To tell you the truth, I'd like to have the original cast back! Tom Selleck has always said that he has wondered what ever happened to Magnum. A story with an older Magnum in current times would be awesome! We'd get to see what he has been up to all these years. However, if they want to start the franchise over again, then new cast members makes the most sense. I'd like for the original cast to make a television movie at least before the movie came out. Whoever plays Magnum has some pretty big shoes to fill. Selleck was perfect for the role. I'd go as far to say that whoever plays Magnum will have a harder time filling those shoes than Brandon Routh does for Christopher Reeve.
--Ryan

Hellz ya!!
Hi. I would love to see the original cast of the television series Magnum P.I. (Tom Selleck, Larry Manetti, Roger Mosley, and John Hillerman) star in the upcoming Magnum P.I. movie. Tom Selleck, especially. He IS Magnum P.I, and it just wouldn't be the same (or nearly as good) to have anyone else play that role. Thanks for your time.
--Joanna

Magnum's a tough call so i'll get to that later.
Higgins, i'd say Paul Giamatti because of the build but maybe Phillip Seymour Hoffman because he's got the chops to do just about anything. I must say, Ian Mackellen would be funny. Bernie Mac would be the obvious choice for T.C. if they went comedy styles but they could go overboard and choose Chris Rock which would be a shame although not as bad as Cedric the Entertainer. Rick, Stiller and Rudd are true champs but Stiller was already Starsky or Hutch, I can't remember. so, i'd go with Rudd but throw in Thomas Jane as a consideration. Now Magnum, Jackman's got the look but he doesn't have the charisma. Ben Affleck might be a good call or even Jason Lee would be great. anyway, those are my two cents.
--Paul

Please make it more like the old show, no spoof!!!
--Michael I want to see Hugh Jackman my current favorite as Magnum, one of my all time favorites!!!
--Aellison Tuesday

Conversation with TOM SELLECK'S Agent

2007-01-10T18:38:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas I FEDEX'd a Package to TOM SELLECK'S Agent. It included a Letter asking for his Endorsement in my Project, and a copy of my BIO, as well as 2 Picture's of myself, and a "STOP BEN AFFLECK FROM BECOMING MAGNUM" T-Shirt.

She said that he received the Shirt and the Package before Christmas, and that he found it amusing. He got a good laugh at it, and that he wanted to thank me for my support. In regards to my Project, "BECOMING MAGNUM," he said, "Brian Grazer will do whatever Brian Grazer wants."

So now I know that I'm going to have to prove myself to TOM and BRIAN GRAZER. Creating this Project is getting more and more challenging, but I Believe that I'm going to pull it off. How? I don't know yet. But I'll figure out a way.

Once my Publicist gets back from Holidays, we'll just have to see if we can drum up some attention for the Project through the Media, and start creating some Buzz and attention, and then use that to Capture Brian Grazer's attention, and get Mr. SELLECK and MYSELF involved in the upcoming "Magnum P.I." Movie.

After all, it is not too late, until "Magnum P.I." the Movie goes into Production. Until then, I/We still have a chance.

Mike

BECOMING MAGNUM'S Rollercoaster Week.

2006-12-23T20:25:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks the Project has gone through its share of ups and downs, highs and lows. I approached a Fitness/Personal Training Company about coming on board. They offered to Donate over $11,000.00 worth of their Products and Services to the Project, and claiming that with their expertise, they could help me lose 160 lbs in 90 Days.

Naturally, I was excited about both the Donation, and the estimated Target Weight Loss in 90 Days.

But over the past few weeks I began to question my Producer's level of commitment to the Project, and last week we had a meeting to discuss the Contract between us, the Producer and I, and the Fitness Company. The talks ended on a sour note, so I decided to step in and try to be the mediator between the Producer and the owner of the Fitness Company. I wrote up a letter pertaining to the issues of both parties, as I saw it.

On Monday of this week, I received an email from the Producer saying that she was no longer interested in working on the Project. I'm not sure what it is that she took offense to as she does not answer my phone calls or return them, or even send a reply email explaining her reasons.

So I was left holding the bag. I had to come up with an Agreement between myself and the Fitness Company that was agreeable for both them, and myself. In the end, they wanted way too much for what they were offering, and I wasn't able to put a deal together in time, and so they've decided to walk away as well.

I did however, through the Law of Attraction, manage to run into an Acquaintance that I made earlier in the Summer, and shared the Project with him, and I even showed him the Teaser Trailer on my portable DVD Player that I happened to have on me.

He enthusiastically agreed to come on board, and he made a call to his Business Partner, who said he'd like to meet up with me after the Christmas and New Year's Holidays, to discuss the Project. The new Producer mentioned that his partner might be willing to invest $50,000 into the Project.

I believe that this is all going to come together in time. My intention is to create 13 Episodes, and to Broadcast them over the Internet, instead of using a Traditional Broadcaster, so stay tuned, and together we'll see what unfolds.

Mike "SULLIVAN MAGNUM" Bennett

PS. I should probably mention that last week I decided to FEDEX a Package to Mr. Selleck's Agent. Included were a STOP BEN AFFLECK FROM BECOMING MAGNUM T-Shirt, 2 Photo's of myself, a Letter asking for Mr. Selleck's Endorsement in the Project, a copy of my BIO, and the ONE PAGER about the Project.

Ideally, I would have loved to have shot footage of this, but my Producer and her Camera were no where to be found.

mb

MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE in Pre-Production

2006-10-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

My computer has crashed 4 times this year. . .very annoying and frustrating. It has really set me back.

So, I've finally gotten my computer back, and it's working. Yeah!

I've been busy working with my Producer, Brunella, who keeps giving me more work to do every time I meet her.

Currently we are working on finishing off the PITCH PACKAGE which we will use to Pitch the Project to Executive Producers, Directors, Investors, Financers, etc.

I also found out that I've got to do as much as I can on this EVERY SINGLE DAY because the Official Countdown Timer has begun.

My contacts have informed me that MAGNUM P.I. THE MOVIE is in Pre-Production, and they have begun Screen Testing actors for the Magnum P.I. Movie. They haven't selected anyone, yet. And they are in talks with Tom Selleck to play a small (Cameo?) role.

So now is the time for my BIG PUSH. I've got to get my Project picked up, and made, so that I can get any contenders out of the way so we can have TOM SELLECK play THOMAS MAGNUM, and get me in there as his illegitimate son, SULLIVAN MAGNUM.

Mike.

We've got a Producer!

2006-08-08T16:58:00.001-07:00

On Thursday July 27, 2006 I met with Producer Brunella Battista at her "db Digital TV" office, and discussed the "Becoming Magnum" Project with her. She loved the concept, and she agreed to come on board. She has imposed some deadlines for things to be done. We have to get the Business Plan completed by August 15th.

Brunella is working on the Budget, and I'm working on putting together Sponsorship Packages, so we can hopefully attract Sponsorship from Personal Trainers, Acting Coaches, Fitness Equipment (Mountain Bike, Rollerblades, etc.)

I've also been working on finalizing the ONE SHEET, which will be submitted to Executive Producers, which sums up the Project in a single page. And I'm working on finishing my Bio.

Niti Maini, my Publicist is helping me put the final touches on the Sponsorship Packages, and she is also taking my Bio, and writing an Editiorial which we will use to send to Local Papers and TV and Radio Stations to book Interviews to get the word about "Becoming Magnum" out there, so we can start attracting more local attention.

Mike.

View the BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER

2006-07-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

Go to www.myspace.com/becomingmagnum and VIEW THE TRAILER.

Once you've VIEWED THE TRAILER, please email 3-5 of your closest friends, send them the link, and get them to VIEW THE TRAILER. Then get them to send the LINK to 3-5 of their friends, and so on, and so on, until we get 1 MILLION people to VIEW THE TRAILER in 30 DAYS.

I'm hoping that will get HOLLYWOOD'S and TOM SELLECK'S attention.

Mike.

BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER

2006-07-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

Go to www.myspace.com/becomingmagnum. You should be able to VIEW THE TRAILER.

I NEED YOUR HELP. My Goal: To get 1 Million people to VIEW THE TRAILER in 30 Days, and hopefully by doing so I'll be able to get Hollywood's and Tom Selleck's attention.

Mike.

Becoming Magnum/STOP BEN AFFLECK T-SHIRTS

2006-07-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

I've gotten some T-SHIRTS made up for the STOP BEN AFFLECK FROM BECOMING MAGNUM Campaign. Here's what they look like.

If you want to SUPPORT MY CAMPAIGN, you can Purchase a T-SHIRT for $30 US.

Mike.

More Comparison Photos. . .

2006-07-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some more Comparison Photo's of myself and TOM SELLECK.

Meeting with a Producer. . .

2006-07-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

On Friday, July 14, 2006 I have a Meeting with a Producer to discuss my BECOMING MAGNUM Project. Of course, I'm going to be bringing the New Trailer with me.

I'm curious to see what this Producer has to say about my Pitching myself to TOM SELLECK for the upcoming MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE.

As it has been reported, TOM SELLECK is out, and BEN AFFLECK is being considered for the role of THOMAS MAGNUM. But where there's a will there's a way. . .hopefully.

I'm going to see what she thinks about me Mailing off a Copy of the BECOMING MAGNUM DVD TRAILER to TOM SELLECK'S AGENT, and his PRODUCER PARTNER, MICHAEL BRANDMAN over at BRANDMAN PRODUCTIONS.

In regards to the FERRARI SHOT for the TRAILER. . .unfortunately I'm not going to be able to use the 2000 Ferrari 360 Spider like I wanted to. . .yet. I am able to get a shot of me in the Ferrari, however, it is the wrong color, so I'm going to have to wait about a month to get the right one. Here's a picture of the FERRARI that I intend to use in the BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER. Enjoy!

Mike.

BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER is 90% Complete

2006-07-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

I finished the Final Stages of my New Trailer. Once I finished cutting it together, I realized that I should probably move some pictures from the front into the middle. Then, after I get a shot of me in the 2000 Ferrari 360 Spider, I'm going to pull out a shot of me at the end, and replace it with the shot of me in the Ferrari.

Next, I have to work on putting together a One Sheet, and a Small Business Plan so I can try and get SPONSORSHIP and/or FUNDING for the BECOMING MAGNUM Project. That's what I'm going to be doing for the rest of the week.

This morning, I'm going to go to KINKO'S/FEDEX to see if they can Print up some DVD Labels for me using the STOP BEN AFFLECK FROM BECOMING MAGNUM Design I came up with. Then I'm off to pick up the first STOP BEN AFFLECK FROM BECOMING MAGNUM T-Shirt.

After that, it's off to see DARRIN MAHARAJ before he leaves for Toronto tomorrow, so I can show him the TRAILER, and give him a copy to take with him.

I'm excited to see if and how he'll be willing to help me out.

Mike
a.k.a. SULLIVAN MAGNUM

Comparison Photo's

2006-07-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some Comparison Photo's of myself and TOM SELLECK.

The Trailer is in the works. . .

2006-07-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

I've completed about 90% of the BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER. I've got 1 final shot that I need to get. I made a phone call on Friday and now I have to find the exact make of the Ferrari that I want to use, and then I have to let me Contact know which Model I want to use. He'll then call his contact at the FERRARI/MASERRATI DEALERSHIP and find out if we can get the car we want.

On Friday, I also managed to find TOM SELLECK'S AGENT'S phone number. I called her up, and got her MAILING ADDRESS. Once I've finished the TRAILER I'm going to Mail her a copy.

I went to a Party on Friday night. My friend Benjamin told me to make sure that I brought a Copy of the DVD TRAILER with me. He's going to pass it on to a PRODUCER, who is on their way to L.A. (He told me that this Producer is really good at FINDING MONEY.) He also mentioned that he knows another PRODUCER that he's going to want to pass a copy of the DVD TRAILER to.

I had a meeting with a COACH yesterday, and my next assignment for this week is to put together a Business Plan, and a One Sheet, that I can use to attract SPONSORSHIP and FINANCING.

Becoming Magnum

Success & Winning Streaks by Brendon Burchard

Tom Selleck comments on the MAGNUM P.I. Movie

Home Grown Revolution

The SteadiCam Smoothee...

Owle Bubo and the iPhone 4

Theme Song - I Know I Can...Be What I Wanna Be!

Wisdom from Will Smith

Doing it for Money.

THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE IN LIFE!

2010 LEO AWARDS - RED CARPET INTERVIEWS

Karl Urban Interview about creating a younger version of BONES!

Watchmen's Dave Gibbons: The Secret of My Success!

The SteadiCam Smoothie...

Introducing the OWLE BUBO...

Advice from Don Cheadle...about tenacity.

An Owle Bubo Comparison Test.

A Great Tool for Shooting Video...

The Hidden Influence of Social Networks.

Film ideas must be pitched creatively in Hollywood

Funding Resources for Filmmakers...

Focus on the solution...not the problem.

Episode #1, Video #4

Cutting together the 1st Episode...

Narrative Shorts

Documentary Shorts

Webisodes

Studio Webisodes

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Right place, right time...

Production on Video Blogs has begun...

SCALING THE GREAT WALL OF HOLLYWOOD

Time for Massive Daily Action and to Ask for Help.

Another Setback on the road to the Masquerade Party

Some of the craziest ideas...with a whopping of Gratefulness!

2010 - New Years Goal - Achieve 12 MEGA Goals!!

Magnum P.I without a 'Stache!?

Racing to the Start Line...

Hollywood Confidential Mentoring

Website Re-Design

MOMENTUM'S PICKING UP!

A Week Full of Aha's and a Few Turning Points

Step #1: Creating my Visual Goal

An overview of the past 18 months leads to a Turning Point.

In a bit of a slump.

Becoming Magnum Trailer

1st Gym Workout followed by interesting experience...

MIND POWER & HOLOSYNC - Day #7

No Excuses Workout - Sunday Sept.27, 2009

The Rollercoaster Ride Continues...

Updates...The Power of Serendipitiy and/or the Law of Attraction

Very Sad News...

The Continuing Saga of BECOMING MAGNUM

Conversation with TOM SELLECK'S Agent

BECOMING MAGNUM'S Rollercoaster Week.

MAGNUM P.I. MOVIE in Pre-Production

We've got a Producer!

View the BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER

BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER

Becoming Magnum/STOP BEN AFFLECK T-SHIRTS

More Comparison Photos. . .

Meeting with a Producer. . .

BECOMING MAGNUM TRAILER is 90% Complete

Comparison Photo's

The Trailer is in the works. . .