O-town.

A very good time in Orangeburg on Sunday evening.

Far out venue, as the film was shown in a planetarium. Yeah, those dome shaped theaters where they project the universe up on the walls and ceiling; however, this time around it was our Salton Sea documentary. Neat!

Then, the audience was nice mix of university students and others. The students were really thinking about the issues and implications of the goings on at the Sea, so there were a couple challenging questions, but I'm always game for a challenge and think I answered them well enough, if not very well. One never knows, as when you're doing a Q&A, it's hard to maintain a good perspective on yourself.

Afterwards, I had a chance to chat it up with a few folks, particularly, a nice young man who is considering moving out to LA after graduation to work in film, so he was wondering what the lowdown was on that megalopolis to the west. Moving to LA is always difficult, but there is is a wonder of opportunities there, so it's hard not to just give it a shot and see what happens.

I myself did LA for 8 years, which were all good, but given that there are so many interesting places in the world, it's hard to just stay in once place. Thank god for the road.

Lates.

Chris

Life on road and oysters...

Ah-ha! As you might have figured out, blogging from the road isn't so easy when you're hanging out with fab folk like your hosts or random audience members. That bodes well for me and the folks along the Southern Circuit, but not so well for you in the internet ether. I assume you understand, but with a cool, enthusiastic screening In Beaufort, a bucket of local oysters, and some kayaking in the salt marsh, all is good except that I missed a trip with my next host in Orangeburg, Ellen, and her students going to Penn Center. It sounds like a phenomenal place, so that's on my to do list next time I hit the South Carolina coast.

Also of note, I think a few folks from my screening in Beaufort might actually make a road trip out to the Salton Sea and one person called me to inquire about land, so to say there are surprises to be had speaks the truth.

Best,

Chris

Note: These local oysters come in bunches, so while tasty, they'd be what you might categorize as a fun, dirty food. Great for me, as I already spill a bunch on myself already, so this is the food built for me.

On the road...

Hey fab folks.

Yeap, this is the first of what will hopefully be several postings from me, director, Chris Metzler, of the documentary PLAGUES & PLEASURES ON THE SALTON SEA.

So far, I've kicked off our stretch of the Southern Circuit with screenings in Athens, GA and Columbia, SC, all of which were good and hosted by some cool people, so props to that.

After some good ole fashioned partying and listening to music in Athens into the late hours last night, I'm sadly having to hang my hat up early tonight in preparation for an early drive to Bluffton, SC tomorrow to talk to some high school students about filmmaking. I'm jazzed about this, as this was the sort of thing that I really enjoyed as a student, so it's nice to repay the favor to some other future filmmakers.

However, Columbia, I thank-you for your friendliness and I will return one day to paint the town red.

Keep on truckin'.

Chris

Christopher Metzler tours with Southern Circuit from November 7 - 15

Listen to an audio inteview with Christopher Metzler

View the trailer for Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea

Get more information about the film and Christopher's tour