I'd better get this out of the way before I get busy at work. Firstly, another heartfelt thanks to Brad for once again bailing me out of trouble. You are truly a friend in need. I wish you and Wally had one of your hilarious capers for us to watch.

Secondly, a heartfelt thanks to my cast and crew who braved 25 degree nighttime weather to help make this film for the DVC Charity Challenge.

Thirdly, thanks to Dylan who keeps this racket running like a Swiss watch.

I hope everybody who views this enjoys it as much as we had fun making it.

Please peek at the blooper reel for some laughs.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Please peek at the blooper reel for some laughs.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

You know, before I looked at the blooper reel I was going to ask how much of this was improv on a theme because the lines seemed so natural and loose.

It was a fun story too and I'm glad someone didn't do Christmas.

Smile
Kris

You and your cop movies! :)

This was very well done—funny concept, good writing and convincing acting, wonderfully paced; you did an excellent job all the way around. Your comedies walk an interesting line between G-rated (think Apple Dumpling Gang) and hard, guy humor. I laugh, but probably wouldn’t tell my mom to come over and watch. :)

As usual with your stuff, I’m really impressed. You are quite the filmmaker/storyteller, Hugh.

p.s. That ninja guy was a hoot!

Kris: I wrote the script the way I imagined the actors would say the lines. Unfortunately, my writing is so stilted that the actors had to change inflection, delivery and word choices which created their fabulous improve feel. Thank goodness for their talent and instinct for character development on the fly. If you watch the bloopers reel, Holbrook complains about my writing! Rightfully so! Ha! They also came up with wonderful last minute ideas (like Scott's ass pat on Jenks!). Great bunch with whom to work. Just furnish beer/whiskey, cigars, hot dogs and chips. Thank you, Kris, for your feedback.

Lorinda: As usual, your kind comments are very appreciated. You are exactly correct in your genre description. I love to mix the innocent, "G"-rated stuff right up to the line. It just seems funny. I think by everybody getting together ("Hey! We're gonna make a MOVIE, dude!") to have some fun, we pulled off a bit of silliness that's fun to watch at parties. Thank you, Lorinda.

Hugh. Liked this one a lot. Cop training video, per your profile ?? Very believable characters, making unbelievable plot, believable.. lots of fun. I'll check out blooper reel....

Very believable characters, making unbelievable plot, believable...

Yes! That's a great point, Chris. :)

Never thought of it that way! Thanks!

LOVE IT! And the Blooper reel is priceless! Those two guys are a riot. All of the cast is great. Very well done.

Thank you, Ed. Then I must have done my job.

Hugh,

Funny guys, like to see more of them together. I'd also like to see a little insert shot of the wife naked, but that's just me...

Kind of a neat idea, a flashlight of "truthiness." Good relationships between all the guys. But, I just have one nit to pick on your casting decisions. Chosing an obviously gay man to play the role of the gay cop seems so "first choice." Maybe if you had a more masculine guy in this role, the ending might have been more surprising.

Just a thought.

Dick

BTW, I love your signature line, Interesting if true, and interesting anyway. (Sort of describes my sense of humor :)

Hugh. Liked this one a lot. Cop training video, per your profile ?? Very believable characters, making unbelievable plot, believable.. lots of fun. I'll check out blooper reel....

I take it all back..... after watching the blooper reel, it is clear that it was purely luck that the movie came out so well...... :) .. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun... Would love to have been there, with long Johns of course..

Hey Dick, funny you should mention that! The guy I originally had slated to play the sergeant was none other than the real Sergeant Joe Moore, remember? The guy who played the funeral director in "The Stiff"? Well, he could not do it and Jared Scott stepped up to the plate like a trooper.

Uhhhh.. he's not gay. I met his wife at our team's Christmas party at the Prickett Ranch. I think he played the role well. He had definite ideas on how to play it. We combined a pompous, officious attitude with an up-and-coming line officer thing. He even came up with patting Jenks on the fanny just as a foreshadowing tool. Jared will be pleased to know you thought he was gay. Man, I hope you don't give him a complex. He may start acting tougher to overcompensate for your remark! HAHAHAHAHA I can't wait for the guys to read THAT!

Chris, I allow alot of leeway for the actors to improvise at the expense of possible continuity problems. Improvise = "I never studied my lines like I was supposed to!" Jenks was actually irritating Holbrook because he could not get his lines straight and we shot late into the cold night. I believe I had an angel on my shoulder with this one. Overall, the actors did a fantastic job and I am using them all again.

Hi Hugh,

Ah, I was sooooo disappointed - watching the video I kept saying, "Nutz, I wish I was there tipping suds with the boys!" And girlie pictures, too? Need I say more?

You're video was fantastic but you truly outdid yourself on the bloopers! Clearly you have a better relationship with your actors - had I posted the outtakes I'm not sure who would call me first: the actor or the lawyers? (your team and mine ran neck-n-neck on the giggles and flubbed lines)

Now then, where can I get me one of those awesome flashlights?

Cudos to you and your team,

Michael Nistler
BridgeHands Video, submitting "Crystal Clear"

Uhhhh.. he's not gay. I met his wife at our team's Christmas party at the Prickett Ranch.

I was, of course, just teasing based on the Jared "I'm not gay" Scott credits.

Do you think his wife knows??? :)

I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, I admit! I'm a bit slow these days. Michael, you are a welcome guest on my set any time and thank you for your kind words.

I owe thanks to my big brother, Bruce, who telephonically helped me spitball the flashlight idea. Before every one of these challenges I phone him to pick his brain for ideas since he comes up with some real doozies at times. Thanks, Bruce, for helping me out. You're crazy, but a great brother!

Wonderful job Hugh - Very funny!

This was excellent. I thought your timing with the casts delivery and the editing was great. Each character delivered and their acting was quite natural. I think this is what made the film so good.

I can relate to a loose directing style and like allowing the actors to have more of the concept of the scene in their mind rather than the "exact line". Of course it is improtant to have a nice blend and I'd say you did it well here.

The blooper reel was hilarious too. Love it!

Bravo Hugh and congratulations on another, well deserved win.

Happy Holidays!

When dealing with non-actors, there's no other way to direct other than allowing them to just run with it. I am glad you liked this and it means a lot to me since I've always admired your work.

Happy New Year!