I've been told that during all the gun stuff, etc. that Jody, and our DP had raced back in the truck fearing what was happening! Once on the scene, Jody jumped out of the back of the old pickup truck to go speak with whomever was in charge. She abruptly met up with a stern physical signal along with, "Don't move!"... which she complied with immediately! Now all she could do was stand in the middle of the road and watch. (of course as any good director would do... she signaled to our DP (who agreed) to secretly film as much of this action as (safely) possible.... but shush... don't tell anybody!

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Back in the Sheriff's car I'm asking him to please go speak with my director Jody, and she'll straighten this all out. I had to remain cuffed in the backseat of his car as he finally went to talk with her over by the truck. Once they had been talking for what seemed to be a lengthy conversation, it appeared as though everything was going to be just fine. To completely verify our claim as filmmakers, he asked Jody to see the camera and the footage taken earlier. We had only been there maybe 30 minutes prior to their (unexpected) arrival, but he was able to view enough shots to satisfy his skepticism. After a not too harsh chastising and instructions for Jody to call him if we plan to return, he gave permission to resume filming.  And amazingly without any fines either! Jody can be quite charming and persuasive. Oh, did I mention she's a great actress too. Thank goodness!

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Before leaving us, the Sheriff wanted us to understand the state of mind he and his officers where in when arriving onto the scene....

"This easily could have been a Chain-Saw-Massacre type situation." he said. "Considering when we arrived we found a crazed looking woman wielding a knife, a pervert hiding in the bushes, and an old pickup truck speeding onto the scene with someone jumping out of the back heading towards us... we were pretty serious about keeping in control."

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Apologies made, then Jody retrieved Hal and myself from the cars and off we went to finish the shot... and in a hurry too considering the position

of the sun!

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Mostly for the remainder of the day, I walked around in a dream state and disbelief. Rather quiet and calm. Jody told me that I was in shock and didn't realize it. And I didn't.

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We got the shots that were necessary and drove back to Los Angeles and home where I had a really good night's rest. Of course the next day when I heard and saw a Sheriff's car with lights flashing on TV, it sent me into hysterics. I immediately called Jody! She explained some of the emotions I would probably experience as time goes on. I don't think that I will ever be able to see a Sheriff's car with flashing lights, and not feel uncomfortable or remember that day. I'm able to laugh about it now. In fact we all have a good chuckle about it now and then and the adrenalinefelt that morning. Unfortunately, it was around that time the news reported a woman who had been wielding a knife and wouldn't drop it when ordered to do so, and was shot and killed. That could have been me....

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This story continues. Jody and her editor(s) went to work again re-editing, and pulling music and titles into this little short that's probably taken the longest time in history to complete! I had to take a year off from this adventure due to my husband's health, and we moved into a new home after selling ours. Then my director, Jody was in an accident and unable to work for a few months. There also was quite a shocker thrown at us which knocked our film's original completed version out of commission for quite awhile also, but that was the best decision to make under the circumstances.

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We resumed working and now over 2 years later.. we are ready (again) to submit TRACES OF MEMORY and join the festival circuit.

I know most people would have given up, but we didn't. Regardless of what happens next... we completed what we started out to do: make a short film and share it with movie buffs through film festivals. So watch for notices as to when and where you can see our odd, intriquing, powerful psycho-drama of a film, TRACES OF MEMORY.

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