Feeling the Love

Recapping an evening at the Silent River film festival in Irvine, California.

Before entering the theatre to see a screening of the Continuing Adventures of the Battling Bag Lady – Black or Blue, I commented to Rich Samuels, a fellow filmmaker, about how strange it is to have someone I don’t know recognize me especially when I’m least expecting it. In that regard this night did not disappoint. No sooner had I entered into the theatre and two boys approached me all excited. “You’re the Bag Lady aren’t you?” What a pleasant surprise since the film hadn’t even screened at the festival yet. One of them mentioned that I was also in Candy Chaos and that it was his favorite. Questions came such as are they on YouTube, is it a web series, and do you have more that we can see? Their energy and excitement was a true blessing and set the tone for the evening. 

Before the screening the projectionist, Michael, came to tell a tale about how the 45-second DVD of Black or Blue caused him ten minutes of stress. Rich captured his story in the second part of this video.

As an artist it’s always nice to get positive feedback and I thank everyone I met at the festival for making my evening one filled with lots of love. Yes, more Battling Bag Lady episodes will be appearing soon.

Here is the 44-second Black or Blue episode that screened at the film festival.

Visit Privatsky on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/privatsky to see more of the Battling Bag Lady.

Here's a picture of Rich Samuels and me at the festival.

Black or Blue on the Big Screen in Irvine, CA

I awoke this morning with nostalgic thoughts buzzing through my mind. Tomorrow I will be returning to the city where I’ve spent the second largest portion of my life. Who knew that I would ever live in this city that I studied about in college - the first planned community city of its kind. Irvine, California, the city that served as my home base as I launched my entertainment industry career.

During my time in Irvine, I was fortunate to be able to study and work with some very remarkable filmmakers. With Emmy nominated instructors at the local colleges and universities, South Coast Repertory theatre just a short distance away, and entertainment industry professionals from both San Diego and Hollywood merging in the local area to impart their wisdom and to produce quality film and television shows, I learned a lot.

There are so many that impacted my life during my time in Irvine. To a special few - Tim Russ, William (Bill) Hall, Robert M Conrad, Greg Atkins, Karen Hensel, Hal Landon Jr, Roxann Dawson, Teri Ralston, Dale White, Walter Koenig, Dominic Keating, Marnie Ann, and Pam Pahnke – that guided me in spreading my wings, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve helped enable me to fly.

Yes, I do feel as though I’m flying high as I prepare to return to this beautiful and peaceful city. I wrote and produced my first short film, Sticky Situation, while living in Irvine. In fact, it was filmed at Concordia University, which is located in the Turtle Rock area. And now to be returning to see another episode in the Continuing Adventures of the Battling Bag Lady series - Black or Blue - on the big screen at the Edwards Westpark 8 theatre brings me much joy.

The Continuing Adventures of the Battling Bag Lady – Black or Blue has been accepted to the 1^st annual Silent River Film Festival and will be showing on the big screen at the

Edwards Westpark 8, which is located at 3755 Alton Parkway. It is screening during the experimental shorts segment from 9:10pm – 10:15pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

If it’s not too late for you, please come out and enjoy an evening of short films.

Click here for ticket information.