#paulidays

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2016’s card is a bit bittersweet for me when looking back on it now, and not only for the obvious reason that it would be the last and an end of an era.  It’s bittersweet because I had actually written another Holiday inspired script and was planning on creating a short film, where the character in the card would be a part of it.  So it wasn’t imagined as just a card, but a full fleshed out story- that I won’t share here because you never know, maybe some day I’ll still make it or some version of it?

Unfortunately, at the time it just wasn’t feasible, mostly financially.  Artists, and other independent filmmakers and creators can relate to what I’m sharing, but the general public I think often forget the amount of time, money, effort, and actual work that goes into the “smallest,” “simplest” project.  I’m not complaining, but it’s challenging, and for someone like myself, I don’t want to comprise my vision or take short cuts.  This was one of the main reasons I ultimately decided to stop doing the cards overall.  They had become unsustainable.  While I absolutely LOVE surprising, entertaining, and spreading a bit of holiday joy and magic, I had to be pragmatic and realistic.  The silver lining is that in 2017 I would develop and create Ann Asks, with the gambling blue haired lady from Blue Christmas, Ann Benson, and that would lead to A Pebble in the Pond my first feature documentary film.  Which has distribution and can now be seen, worldwide!!  https://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/.../a-pebble-in-the.../ I made the right choice but there is still a sense of “what if?”

My final “Rocketman” Holiday Card was an homage to 1950’s television, comics, and the simple but powerful beauty of a child’s imagination.  Many from the Blue Christmas shoot would reunite… Stuart Pettican would graciously shoot my Holiday card for the second time, Laura Basci again designed an exciting costume and Ettore produced.  Additionally the super talented Erik David and Tyler Amato would round out the team!  I love how the card turned out and imagine myself as a little boy looking at comics and pretending I was a part of the worlds.  How blown away that kid would be with what I do today!  That’s how the physical card is meant to act, the front, like a page of ads in a comic book, and then when you “turn the page” the adventure begins… I look forward to many more adventures and new projects that excite the imagination in the future.  A visual video version of the card can be seen here: https://youtu.be/qwIHcvI5IyE

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There is no way I could have known in 2009 that this first Holiday Card would grow over the next decade into a #Pauliday tradition and that the creativity of the next eight cards, especially their production value, would grow to astronomical proportions!

But this is the one that started it all!  

Looking back, it started less as a Christmas Card idea and more of a creative way to get some cool photos for my portfolio.  You know, actors are always down to take more photos of themselves!  After seeing the images though, I immediately thought it would be fun as a Christmas Card for the family and friends.  Just the right touch of ego, festiveness, and creativity!

This first image was one sided, glossy, and printed via Shutterfly (Yup!) with the message “I hope your holidays are filled with joy & love. Paul”

Remember this idea of sending photos as Christmas cards is still fairly new in 2009.