Shooting the film: Citizen Prime

Everything seems to be moving at light speed. Just got back from a whirl wind weekend making the film Citizen Prime. Mike Fox is fantastic (Ed. He is the co-founder of Savage Pictures). I shot him over a script. We whittled it down and he shot me back a shooting script. 73 shots in one day. Didn’t think we’d make it through them but we were rolling, man. It was great.

Even now, I can’t believe everyone donated so much time and energy to this audition film. Right this second, I love about everyone I saw that day. It was incredible. We had sound, cameramen (two, even!), three thugs, an ingénue and make up , hair, Traci was there doing costume and continuity. It was almost like a real shoot. As close as you’ll ever come for free, that’s for damn sure.

And I think it’s going to be fantastic. Everyone was right on the money. Once again, life seems to be sweeping the project up and running with it. I can barely keep up. Can’t wait to see the finished product. Its going to be spectacular.

Fat Momma is the Bomb!

If anyone has noticed (and I doubt they did) but Fat Momma has skyrocketed to the top of my Friends list. I did this today as I thought of all the people on last year's reality show "Who Wants To Be a Superhero," Fat Momma had the most inspired message.

Not all of us can be top athletes, genius thinkers or the best at everything. Her message surrounding this dilemma was "be happy with yourself". There are many "real life superheroes" and "celebrity super heroes" that are making a difference. Very few, in recent years, have had the inspirational opportunities that Fat Momma has, and done so much with it! I want to publicly thank her for her inspired message and courage for being a very non-typical inspiration in a very judgmental world.

If you wanted to check out more of Fat Momma, head over to her website at www.fatmomma.tv. Thanks, Fat Momma!

Finding My Way

There are many avenues and ways to contribute to The Age of Superheroes. Recently, fate took a moment to remind me of my original path. I had been a contributor to an amazing watering hole called The Hero Coalition. While I found my time their invaluable, I have recently refocused on projects more in line with my personal mission goals. I would encourage everyone to take a moment and ask yourself, "Am I fulfilling my mission in life in the best possible way?" Whether that is through patrolling your cities, helping the helpless or proving your civic pride in other ways, I know we all need reminders to stay on task and I would be amiss if I did not take my current course correction as an opportunity to help you remember. Are you doing what you set out to do? Are you proceeding as you hoped to proceed?

Serious questions and only you know your answers. Good luck in your individual journeys. Stay safe and watch out for each other.

Now That's Service!

Most patrols are quiet. Maybe I’m not aggressive enough. I tend to want to protect the good people and the good areas. Maybe that’s selfish. I want to patrol public entertainment areas ... Mill Avenue, Tempe … the worse I ever really get is Grand. The highways is where I get to actually help people who are pulled over, broken down, alone in the dark. Its satisfying.

Tonight, I had an interesting change up. Ever so often, a driver will be hell bent on killing someone and/or himself by driving recklessly. Tonight was one of those nights and it was clear this was a drunk. I wasn’t on patrol, per se, I was with my wife and we were headed to dinner. None the less, I followed the drunk at a judicious distance and called it in. This was the amazing part. Less than a minute later, a patrolman pulled next to me. I flashed my brights, flipped on the overhead so he could see me and motioned to the drunk driver. The cop raced around me and picked him up. Wow! Like a minute later. Cool.

Now, I know this doesn’t sound like a big deal. I guess for me it was. It was a … change in the world … it made a difference. I feel badly the guy got a DUI but imagine how I would have felt had he killed himself, or worse, someone else. It felt great. What would it be like, if everyone took that small initiative? What a great place it would be. At least for driving. What else can we change, if we all take it as our responsibility to protect someone … anyone?

Real Life vs. Super Powered!

I think a lot of effort goes into clarifying people’s misconceptions about what we do. Real Life Super Heroes are just volunteers, charity workers, neighborhood watchmen. There. Plain and simple. The mundane labels are on the table. Maybe people can identify with that and not get so alarmed. I am starting to feel comfortable telling extended family what I am doing, i.e., applying for the show and applying the persona to my community. It’s the community part that scares them a little. I guess I can’t blame them. It’s too tight a rope to walk between what I’m really doing and what a comic superhero would do.

And you know, its funny, the more I think about it, the more the costume becomes a symbol. I imagine my first costumed patrol will be in broad daylight, police being the first hands a shake, and fliers in hand, reminding people to be vigilant, to protect their own, to have “The Heart of a Hero”. The work I do … well … we’ll have to see how much of it is best for the costume. I definitely want to wake people up, but in the right way. I would feel terrible if I scared some poor old lady out of her wits, so highway patrols seem non-costumed. I guess I’ll work it out when I get my rig. That is if I don’t get on the show.

If I do get on the show, it becomes even easier. Citizen Prime becomes property of … someone at Who Wants To Be a Superhero.

Speaking of which, the concept of a super powered Citizen Prime is … how shall I say this? A freakin’ blast! Okay, let me start form the beginning. I sat down and thought fo the real world things I want to accomplish and the real world talents, skills and delusions (lol) I have about my life. Well, I do want everyone to take up the cross, as it were, and be inspired to be a superhero to their kids, to their families, to their world. I want to find a way to find these people and deliver that message. I also fancy myself somewhat of an empath. If not a genuine psychic then an astute judge of human nature and human “systems of thought.” So … super-size those and you get

Citizen Prime. He is a superhero. His power is, he can make you one too! The super powered Prime finds potential superheroes and primes them, activating their powers. Along with this, he can see into the hearts of the potentials and know if they have the Heart of a Hero. Honestly, I love it.

Creating the super powered Citizen Prime is the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time. Of course, there is more to it. The suit has to be explained, with its archaic lines (it was built by an armorer, you know). So the suit, and in fact, the hero, comes from a long line of Primes that date back to the medieval ages. His Battle Rod (the Arma 100) replaces the swords of old and technology is added is new gear makes him faster, stronger … better able to keep up with his super powered apprentices. I say apprentices as he can’t just super power someone and walk away. He has to train them. Prepare them to stand against the forces of injustice and all that stuff.

Even at this stage I can tell it looks pretty original. It is a little Prof Xavier, but he has teeth. He can stand toe-to-toe with the best of them. Kind of like Batman and Prof. X had a love child. Citizen Prime. The first of this generation of heroes. And the last Prime on earth.

I think he should inherit his powers from the previous Prime. Maybe when one Prime activates another, the power transfers, leaving the progenitor normal once again. Then his final mission is to train the new Prime in everything he was taught. Passing the lineage down through time, continuing the Prime Line.

I’m still working on stuff, but those are the basics. Maybe after auditions, I’ll post the whole thing. This is going to be fantastic. I love it when life leads me in the right direction. I'm enjoying the ride.

Be Prepared To Be Amazed!

While I continue to patrol, hopefully inspire, and help organize the hero movement, I think it's important to share updates on how my rig is progressing. Every little thing seems to take so much focus; from the Citizen Prime logo to the under armour to the actual armor. I think I have my logo exactly as I want it and I have to thank one of my fellow superheroes, Kampfhund, for his invaluable partnership in co-creating this iconic image with me. I posted this image of my symbol on the Under Armour that I will wear as part of my rig. I have my boots and greaves taken care of. I went with a athletic boot and greaves model, instead of just boots to afford me a maximum ability when out on the street. The chest, back, thigh, and shoulder armor is all being simultaneously constructed as is the leather/steel helmet and protective gauntlet/gloves. I am choosing to add a cape, however, I am designing it in such a way as to keep it out of my way, when necessary, and allow me to use it for concealment or additional protection when required, as well. My utility belt, while I have been playing it loose and fast up till now, will undergo a legal review to see what is legal to carry in my state and city of Phoenix, AZ. Without being too specific, I currently carry one set of handcuffs, a "bunch" of a Ziploc ties for various purposes, cell phone, passport (better than a driver's license, in case I get overpowered and bad guys take it - no address and if I report it lost its basically useless for travel), cell phone, an ARMA 100, stun gun, pepper spray, video camera, lighting, and 20 bucks. I also carry my license in my car as well as many other things but those are the mainstays on my "utility belt"

In my new image I maintained the January 5 deadline for the launch of Citizen Prime. I still think that's a realistic goal. Until then, I'll continue to patrol, inspire people where and how I can through medium and continue to play whatever part I can in organizing the community, and providing resources for other heroes, if I am able.

So, to those who have gone before me and to those who will follow after, I say this. Heroes and superheroes are real and they patrol the streets of our fair cities. They come in all shapes, sizes and demeanors but the one thing they have in common, is the need to help. I salute those who are currently out there. And I ask those who have not yet made "the leap" to consider all the options available to you as a private citizen to help take back the streets of your city, your neighborhood, your world. Join hands with your family, your friends, your community and if everyone who considers this only takes back their street or their block from the bad element, what a safer and more joyful world it would be for the kids on that street and for the people on that block to live in.

Superheroes exist. The dawn of a new age is upon us. Be prepared to be amazed.

Starting the Prototype

First there was the prototype, dug from the military future soldier models, Citizen Prime was going to be a model of high tech efficiencies. Then? Too dark. Too intimidating. Can you imagine that black all over, killer motorcycle helmeted rider approaching you? You’d shoot him if you had a weapon. So, then something more … Alex Ross … iconic yet functional. Real world yet stylin’. The prototype changed dramatically and with that, life opened up to provide a way to make it.

I found an armorer, Greg Podgorny, who was a huge comic book fan. In fact, he was good friends with Jack Kirby, co-creator of Captain America – my favorite superhero (a sign?). I talked with Greg and we worked out a design and price (ouch!).

I am thrilled with the concept we came up with. My design to his real world armor experience. I think we’re going to have something great. Can’t wait. The completion date is January 5. It seems like an eternity. Until then, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.