BY JABBES MVULA - Eleven days from today, Cyndi and I will be joining several other Independent Producers at the Sundance Conference, and then eight days later, we will be arriving in Zambia to start the filming of BAD T!MING. Most of my friends are very excited, but Cyndi (am sure) and I are having sleepless nights going over every little detail and making sure that everything is in place. Sometimes I pity her because whereas am only answerable to her, she is responsible for the whole crew and answerable to the entire management of Mesa Community College and the taxpayers of Arizona State.

The last three days have been very cool for me, Thursday having been my birthday, and I made sure that I took it easy. Yesterday I was very excited when my buddy Oliver Mzenje Banda brought me the pictures from home. I took sometime looking at the picture over and over, visualizing the scenes and comparing the pictures with the script. I should admit that the pictures highly motivated me because I felt like I was already on set in Zambia.

Afternoon yesterday, Jacob and Robby were packing the crane and a couple of other things. As they mounted the crane, my mind was visualizing the kind of shots I will need using the crane. I imaged the shots at the concerts as the revelers are having fun. I think am just picturing in relation to the script.

Later yesterday, Cyndi gave me a copy of TSOTSI. I should say to me, TSOTSI is a big deal because it was the first African film to win an Oscar, and that it was done in a local language, but in a style very easy to follow. When I first got the DVD and rushed home, the first question was "What is in this film?" I have since watched the film twice, and I will be watching the "Making of" later tonight. At one time, I realized that I was not concentrating on the film, but I was rather looking at the Director's intentions and shots. I constantly asked myself, "Would I use that shot?" I enjoyed the movie, and look forward to meeting some of the people involved in the movie.

I hope I can find something else that can keep me visualizing the set so as to take away the anxiety.