Behind the Addiction

[AMISLANDER]

The documentary I was involved with was rejected from the Sarasota Film Festival last month. However, as luck would have it, so were 349 other films. They banded together, formed a group on Facebook, The Sarasota Film Festival Rejects which in turn, begat the first Sarasota Fringe Film Festival last week in SRQ.

The documentary I have been involved with, "BehindtheAddiction" premiered last Thursday night at the SFFF. You can go to utube and type in behindtheaddiction for the trailer.

This is the nature of what eventually caused me to file bankruptcy. The documentary was very well received. One of the teachers of one of the young men who overdosed & died (in documentary) wants the film to be shown in the school system. Another person from one of the rehab centers here wants to use it as an educational tool.

I am proud of the producer & director, Indiana Erhardt for a fabulous & gut wrenching film. A number of people left the screening because, "it hit too close to home" for them.

I thank this board personally for listening to me during my bk process and standing up for me when I brought up this subject a few years ago. I have done what I said & made sure I am a part of getting the word out on substance abuse!!!!!

[blankslate]

Congratulations! You've worked hard on the film and every other aspect in your life. It's finally paying off! Good job!

[mgmadara]

Congrats Amislander!!! Please let us know if it gets picked up and shown on TV or in the theater. I would love to see it.

[robivi3]

I would love to see the interviews. It looks like a quality film and seems very thoughtful. I liked the music also.

[Minnymouth]

Amislander,
Hello old friend...................
Yes, things have really changed for you over the past few years. I have been reading and listening to your progress. Sometimes we have even discussed a few things.
You put your nose to the grindstone, made lots of difficult decisions about your future, your finances, and your love life.
Things are starting to look like you made some very wise decisions and your future is looking promising.
You've had your struggles (change is always SO HARD - especially when it comes to men!).... but often it is a necessity to reach our goals. When one holds you down and drags you backwards its time to let him go...

I'm SO PROUD OF YOU and all the "effort" you have put into all your changes in life. You have done a "complete turn around" in all aspects of your life. You seem to be back on the "right path" and getting all your ducks in a row in life.

Be proud of yourself - its a "job well done"....................

The future looks very bright for you and yours........

Minny

[AMISLANDER]

Amislander,
Hello old friend...................
Yes, things have really changed for you over the past few years. I have been reading and listening to your progress. Sometimes we have even discussed a few things.
Yes, they have....sometimes I just have to sit down & go, "WOW"!
You put your nose to the grindstone, made lots of difficult decisions about your future, your finances, and your love life.
Right on...and now I'm moving & cutting my rent in half for the time being, downsizing like everyone else! Staying in same town but just a change of view.
Things are starting to look like you made some very wise decisions and your future is looking promising.
The documentary has been a closure to that part of life which I experienced. Done, over, couldn't imagine, looking back, how I got sucked in so deep.
You've had your struggles (change is always SO HARD - especially when it comes to men!).... but often it is a necessity to reach our goals. When one holds you down and drags you backwards its time to let him go...
LOL, turned the x loose & he's got another woman to take over for me!

I'm SO PROUD OF YOU and all the "effort" you have put into all your changes in life. You have done a "complete turn around" in all aspects of your life. You seem to be back on the "right path" and getting all your ducks in a row in life.
Hoping to meet next week in regards to possibly going into a master's program on addiction...as they say when you can no longer do, you teach!

Be proud of yourself - its a "job well done"....................

The future looks very bright for you and yours........

Minny

As Jerry Garcia sang, "What a long strange trip it's been!" The response in Sarasota to the documentary was fantastic. Getting out of a bad relationship is all too common for both women & men. When drugs/alcohol are involved, they all cloud the decision making process as well and make it oh so difficult to make the right choice. Luckily, I came through and had a good support system of family/friends. And, once again, I've been reconnecting with old friends through facebook/internet who've been looking for me. I'm happy they've found me and I will continue to move forward which ever way the wind blows me along my path!

[robivi3]

The film festival is one more thing the wife and i need to make. we get tow trips to Orlando per year via her job and just took one to the Keys. the older I get the more I love Fort Lauderdale and Florida. I hope to see your film on IFC or Linktv. God Bless. You've had a tough row to hoe and you are coming out OK. I wonder how tinroofrusted is doing? Took an imagination to copme up with that name and while we are at it Min, you've had your own journey. we have some tough ladies on our site, God Bless you all.

I guess i miss movies in the park in summer which our Church Youth Group did in the 80's up in Norland, Norwood in North Miami and the festival sounds like a lay your blanket down and enjoy deal or is it in a theatre or several?

[AMISLANDER]

The film festival is one more thing the wife and i need to make. we get tow trips to Orlando per year via her job and just took one to the Keys. the older I get the more I love Fort Lauderdale and Florida. I hope to see your film on IFC or Linktv. God Bless. You've had a tough row to hoe and you are coming out OK. I wonder how tinroofrusted is doing? Took an imagination to copme up with that name and while we are at it Min, you've had your own journey. we have some tough ladies on our site, God Bless you all.

I guess i miss movies in the park in summer which our Church Youth Group did in the 80's up in Norland, Norwood in North Miami and the festival sounds like a lay your blanket down and enjoy deal or is it in a theatre or several?

They've got FLIFF over in Ft. Lauderdale that has things going on all year round, like we do. I might come over in the fall & work with them a weekend or two.

Will be checking with the director/producer who just got a job in LA in regards to what's next for Behind the Addiction.

Our Fringe Film Fest was held indoors, There are movies that are held outdoors during the summer in conjunction with the SRQ Film Fest, usually Saturday nights in Payne Park.

The regular SRQ Film Fest is done at the Hollywood 20 theatre complex. We did the Fringe Film Fest at a restaurant called the Rustic Grill ( you can google it) and it was perfect for the screenings. Meeting tonight with the Fringe regarding next year's plans...we put this fest together in 20 days, we'd like to actually breathe a bit more this time!

I'll keep you all posted on the progress of film festivaling/possible other outlets for the doc.

Again, the website is" www.behindtheaddiction.com and on utube as well, just type it in as all one word!