There's a nationwide conspiracy against American teens, and Victoria Budkey cracks it in this monologue.

I recently shot and edited this video for laptopsc.org, the One Laptop Per Child initiative in South Carolina.

I shot and edited this video for laptopsc.org, the One Laptop Per Child initiative in South Carolina.

Many cats think they're (better than) people. My pet, Tips, goes one better by eating people food. That's food intended for people, not food made of people. Tips could never be considered a humanitarian.

Here's what her shopping list would look like if she didn't have slaves to go out & buy groceries for her:

1. Marshmallows
2. Pickled Beet juice
3. Bolognese sauce
4. Butter
5. Lasagna (probably)
6. Breakfast cereals
7. Spaghetti
8. Crisps

9. Mixed vegetables
10. Cake Icing
11. Mac 'n' Cheese

Of course I don't actually feed that stuff to her. I'm too stingy to share my food. She steals my leftovers instead. Unlike me, her diet of human food seems to be doing her figure the world of good.

Looks like Tips has overdosed on anchovies again.

I've been working for a few months now on a full length documentary about a group of talented teenaged performers. In June they journeyed from Charleston to New York for a "Summer in the City" program. I spent a chunk of today looking through the footage and figuring out how to open the film. The kids are photogenic, talkative and interesting. I'm jealous already, and I still have 9 hours of tape to go.

About a week ago, my internet connection died... which was probably the best news possible. Instead of checking Facebook and MySpace or updating my Twitter account, I was able to get on with scheduling my movie shoot instead. Although the internet's a great tool for a freelance writer like me, it's also a major distraction. So many wishlists to compile, so little time.

My major problem with the net is that I find myself reacting rather than acting. I wait for emails to pop up then reply to them, rather than creating new material myself. It would be easy to get sucked into a tiny www niche and get consumed.

So every now and again, I have to pull the plug. There are schedules to compile, after all. And I do get distracted so easily (excuse me while I go to check IMDB for 10 minutes...)

I recently directed a music video for a Zach Braff-hosted competition. He was looking for video clips to include in his Know When To Walk Away promo. My interpretation of the Jay Clifford video will premiere tonight at Torch, 545 King Street in downtown Charleston. The video involves many local crew and actors, including Julio Cotto.

Julio is an inspired artist who recently moved from Charleston to Greenville, SC. He’ll be having a Torch-hosted party tonight (July 10).

In his own words (from his MySpace account): “Torch! Tonight! Be there! Torch is throwing me a Birthday Party! A Going Away Party! And a Screening for the Jay Clifford music video Party! All in one! The party officially kicks off at 10pm. The screening for the video will start around 9pm.I hope to see you tonight!”

Pictured: Julio Cotto as a horny cop in my version of the Know When to Walk Away video. He lip-synchs and all, you know.

My 8-year-old son Sam has been friends with a neighborhood kid called Easton for years. The 9-year-old Easton has light brown hair and blue eyes. He looks very innocent and sensitive but he has a destructive side.

I can understand why Sam doesn't always want to share his toys with Easton, as the 9-year-old has broken more than a few action figures. But they still play together as often as possible.


For some reason - probably because they're as close as brothers - they spend part of every day together bickering. I have a theory about this which I'm going to share with you whether you care to hear it or not.



Just as animal cubs fight physically with each other to prepare themselves for hunting and defense in the big, wide real world, human children fight verbally to prepare themselves for life in the adult world.



When they grow up, they'll have to communicate more efficiently than their rivals, win arguments, be pushy and yell loudest to get their own way.



So kids who spend a lot of time together - especially siblings - argue. It's civilized humanity's version of two wolf cubs rolling around in the forest (except with a few less scratches). Not that I condone it... If you'll excuse me, I have to go break up the latest spat.

Cold Soldiers continues its inexorable climb to completion. In recent weeks we've filmed an exchange between the hero John Dance and a soldier named Paul Coyle. Coyle is a straight role for John Brennan, best known for comedy shows such as The Banana Monologues.

We've also introduced a character called Mr. Winter, head orderly of the institute where Cold Soldiers is set. Winter's played by Chris Gay, who gave an excellent performance in Brad Jayne's 2007 short film The Song of Pumpkin Brown.

Most recently we've shot crowd scenes outside the institute. You can read an extra's-eye-view of the shoot on Chuck Boyd's blog, Chuckography.

For more news and information about the film, you can visit its MySpace page or the official website. It's still under construction but it will give you an idea of what we're trying to achieve.

More Spoleto Reviews!

With Piccolo Spoleto reaching its last weekend, I've just finished reviewing my last batch of plays for the local papers. Since the festival is about more than just theatre, there are still other events to cover; tonight I'll be spending An Evening with Jay Clifford at the American Theatre.

Last night I was at the fifth Felder Film Festival, and it was great to watch my short film Undead on Arrival with a crowd of people - a very different experience from watching hit counters on a YouTube site. That's why internet video won't be replacing TV or movie theaters just yet...

On Tuesday I saw Cloud Tectonics at Lance Hall, near the Circular Congregational Church. PURE Theatre managed to breathe fresh life into a show they've done a few times already.

The next night I saw The Great War, a multimedia story told with miniscule models that were videotaped and beamed onto a big screen. One of the best elements of the show was the sound and music, provided by