Merry Christmas

December 15, 2007

Dear Friends and Family,

As you read this, Frannie and I will undoubtedly be reveling in our newfound freedom from all things school. No more readings, no more exams, and no more projects, which means no more headaches, no more anxiety, and no more “pressure in the chest,” as Frannie puts it. We officially graduate this December, and perhaps have already received our diplomas in the mail by the time this letter reaches you. Frannie will have graduated with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Finance, and I will have graduated with a degree in Film and Television Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (with a minor in Russian Area Studies).

In regards to my degree, many of you may be experiencing what Bill Murray experienced when his romantic interest in Groundhog Day told him about her studies in 19th century French Poetry. “What a waste of time!” he blurted out. “I mean…for someone else that would be an incredible waste of time…it was so bold of you to choose that…” Let me say that your feelings are shared even by me on occasion (and by Frannie more occasionally), but the fact is we’re too deep in debt to turn back now. So we will carry on, eating Top Ramen noodles and bologna sandwiches until that first big deal comes along.

Speaking of deals, I recently finished the third draft of a screenplay I was commissioned to write for a couple independent producers. They are now “shopping” this latest version around town to different players in the industry. They hope to sign a director in the next couple weeks and then present the project to financiers in January and February. If all goes well, we hope to be shooting the film in the summer of ’08! Until then, we’ll continue to eat our noodles and bologna!

In addition to school and the screenplay, I’ve been interning at WhiteLight Entertainment, an independent production company started by Gerald R. Molen, the former President of Production at Dreamworks, and former Producer for Steven Spielberg (Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, Minority Report, and others). After reading countless scripts and writing up reports on how they can make the scripts better, answering phones and doing other odd jobs, the people in charge have seen fit to make me an official part of the company come January. Bye-bye noodles and bologna!

Thanks to Frannie’s practical degree in Business, she has been able to work at ING Direct, a relatively new online bank, while I pursue the film thing. So yes, she has been bringing home the bacon while I sit at home eating it, occasionally taking a break to sip some orange juice (which she has also paid for) and write a few pages. For three months in a row, Frannie has been one of the top sales reps in California, pulling in millions, if not billions and trillions of dollars for the company, for which she is rewarded the best parking spot on the lot (which remains empty, because she takes the bus to work).


With all that’s on the horizon, all the potential for incredible success (and failure), through the busy schedules and mounting deadlines, Frannie and I have never been happier! All the madness seems to subside the moment one of us walks in the door.

And the effect has been amplified this Christmas season, when, upon entering the apartment, not only are we greeted by the one we love, but also by bright, colored Christmas lights and the soothing voice of James Taylor singing “Go Tell it on the Mountain.” There’s simply an indescribable feeling of peace and joy that comes with the Christmas season, when the music, the decorations, the films, the symbols and smells, sights and sounds, turn our thoughts to the Babe of Bethlehem.

In all that's going on in the world, it's wonderful to know that Jesus Christ was born! May His Spirit fill your homes with peace and your hearts with joy. And may we spread the joy and peace to those around us!

Go tell it on the mountain! Over the hills and everywhere!

Love,
Doug and Frannie Bailey