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Monday, May 31, 2010

A Message to Military and Veterans Organizations


A Message to Veterans Organizations


Over the past few months, I have contacted many veterans organization to gain their support for my new military series, Operation Home Base. Although they liked the premise and the entertainment value of OHB, most felt that the conspiracy would reflect badly on their organization and the military in general. I am writing this open letter to them clarify my intentions and goals.

Operation Home Base is not a documentary or a reality show. A documentary couldn’t possibly tell the heart stories of those who serve. They are great at giving facts and information, but it takes time for the viewer to see beyond the surface and to care about the characters. When Henry Blake died on MASH, everyone mourned his loss much more than the soldiers that came through the 4077 as patients. It was not that the viewers didn’t care about the soldiers, they just got to know and love Henry. The members of Operation Home Base--Deek, Martin, Walter, Randi, Elaine and the rest will be the continuity that the audience will be able to relate to as family members, friends or the person they see in the mirror; because of that simple fact, they will care about what happens to them just a little more. And like with Henry, when one of them is injured, it will affect them on a deeper level. Although OHB will be dealing with real issues and situations, it is not a Reality Show. Reality shows have very little to do with reality; I see them as exploitive of people and situations. OHB is a scripted show that is first and foremost about people and the human condition. I know where the show is going and how I’m going to get it there.

Although the conspiracy and the characters of OHB organization are fictional, the stories they will be dealing with are based on real life situations. Unless a vet or active duty military personnel does something really naughty, their stories don’t make the front page. Although I will also be using some of those, most vets and military stories don’t make the news at all and if they do, it’s somewhere on the back pages. In real life, a Marine’s therapy dog was killed, family members did get their letters back marked “Returned to sender. Deceased, family homes are being illegally foreclosed; it has all happened and so much more. OHB will call attention to these kinds of stories.

I will also be using history. WWII, Korea, and Vietnam--they all have stories that need to be told. Some of them won’t be so nice to hear. But the healing has to start somewhere. So many vets came back and just buried what happened. But no matter how deeply they dug or how much denial they dumped on top of it, those experiences don’t just disappear or heal themselves. I would like to help the healing process by lancing those boils. In order for there to be healing, there has to be forgiveness not only of others, but the vets need to forgive themselves. War brings out the ugliness in life and in people. When you live on the edge, sometimes pieces of the soul get cut off. It is time for those pieces to come back so that they can become whole again.

The conspiracy is the hook to get people to come back week to week. I’m very old school. Not only will the characters have personalities, but the actors who portray them will have the maturity to understand the times, the people and why the healing process sometimes takes time. Until you have lived a little life, there is no way you can bring that kind of wisdom to the table. But OHB is swimming in the deep end of the pool. The characters have issues. They are damaged on many levels, but in spite of all their pain, they still are willing to help others heal even if they can’t help themselves. No matter how talented the actor, a twenty-something doesn’t have the chops or experience to be credible. So many of the new shows are what I call chip beef--chippies in bikinis and beef cake; they look good but the characters aren’t written with depth and the stories are only excuses to show off bare skin.

I’m also a big fan of cliffhangers. Every episode and each season will end with one. The end of the first season will make who shot JR seem tame with more than one question left hanging. It is combination of caring about the characters and this tension that will not only keep the viewers coming back, but it will make it a must see hit.

Several of the representatives that I talked to were afraid that the show would spill over on to their organization. I hope it will. The more people understand the need, the more likely they are to help the organizations who step up to the plate. The episode about the therapy dog’s death will lead to a fundraiser on the show that could be carried over into real life. It will also raise awareness of how therapy dogs help those with PTSD, which in turn will help those who need dogs get them and homeless dogs find homes. It is a win-win situation. Another storyline will talk about how military families can’t make financial ends meet; it is a situation that civilian families are also unfortunately challenged with. OHB will inspire both to think outside the box to find solutions. But more importantly, OHB shows the brother and sisterhood of the those who serve. When push come to shove, all branches of service and their family members circle the wagons to protect their own during times of hardship and loss. I want to show that.

Operation Home Base will not only be great entertainment, but it will also share the stories and challenges of what it means to live and love military.

The proposal and the demographics can be read on my site at www.theresachaze.com. However to read the pilot and the first season Bible, you will need to email me from my site.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Vivian Dixon Sober: Poet and Life Coach



Rescheduled interview:
Until You Walk the Path, You Don’t Know Where it Goes will be hosting poet and life coach Vivian Dixon Sober on May 30 at 5 pm eastern.

Vivian Dixon Sober is the owner of Victorious Women a start-up business designed to help women write to the heart of matters through workshops, seminars, and public speaking. She is a journalist and a creative writer. She is a book reviewer for the Sacramento and San Francisco Book Reviews. The goal of Victorious Women is to help empower women to overcome pain through writing and move from Victim Street to a Victorious Place. This journalist is healing through writing. ‘Writing to heal is real. When you write to you, for you, and from you, you are your only critic.”—Vivian Dixon Sober


Tune at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on May 30 at 5:00 pm eastern to listen to Vivian talk about how women can take their own power back. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to receive a reading or ask questions. The phone number is (347) 324-3745. The interactive chat room is available on the show’s page.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Interview with the Creator of the Newest Military TV Series



Interview with the Creator of the Newest Military TV Series
By
Stephen Mitchell

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk to writer Theresa Chaze about her new military series, Operation Home Base, and her other upcoming projects.

Stephen: I’ve read your proposal, pilot and the first season. You have been describing Operation Home Base as the newest military series, yet most of the stories are civilian based.

Theresa: First and foremost, OHB is about people. Although, I decided focus on military personnel, vets and their dependants, civilians also faces the same issues. I know the military and I care. I never really had the discipline to enlist myself, but I have a great deal of respect for those who do put their lives on their line. Like so many people, I never really considered what the families go through when their loved ones are deployed. Those who have loved ones who serve pull double duty with one foot in both military and civilian worlds.

Stephen: What inspired you to create OHB?

Theresa: A very good friend of mine used to volunteer for the Red Cross. The stories I heard planted the idea. But passing messages wasn’t active enough to create an hour drama. After doing research, I found several organizations who were helping military families, including one called Operation Homefront.



Stephen: From where do your your story lines come?

Theresa: From the back pages of newspapers. Unless a vet or military personnel does something really naughty, their stories don’t make the front page. I will also be using history. WWII, Korea, and Vietnam--they all have stories that need to be told. Some of them won’t be so nice to hear. But the healing has to start somewhere. So many vets came back and just buried what happened. But no matter how deeply they dug or how much denial they dumped on top of it, those experiences don’t just disappear or heal themselves.

Stephen: Can you give a few more examples from the first season?

Theresa: A Marines therapy dog was killed by two people just for the hell of it. His story will not only raise awareness about therapy dogs, but it is also the basis of a fund raiser on the show that I would really like to see blend into real life.

Someone in the had intercepted letters sent to military personnel, serving over seas, and wrote “Returned to sender. Deceased.“ Can you imagine what it felt like for the friends and family members to get their letters back? The Post Office traced the letters back to one of their hubs. Toward the end of the first season, this real life event will become Michael’s obsession.

Stephen: How does OHB compare with other dramas?

Theresa: I looked to the most successful dramas as my models: MASH, Medical Center, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, The CSIs. I took the best pieces of all of them, added in real life and mixed well.

Stephen: I'm surprised to hear you list Little House and The Waltons.

Theresa: Both shows were about family. That is the foundation OHB is build on. Not only the families of vets and military personnel, but the brother and sisterhood of the military. The Marines say Semper Fi, but the concept applies to all the branches as well as to service in general. The Army vs. Navy game might have them fighting on the playing field, but when push comes to shove there is only one team--The United States.

Stephen: Which is your favorite character?

Theresa: I love them all, but I have a special fondness for Walter. He is going to be a lot like JR; the viewers will love to hate him. The thing about Walter is that he is all about family and country. Everything he does is motivated by those two things. It is the blind spot that others will use against him. He is the apex of the conspiracy or so it will seem, but even Walter doesn’t know who he is actually working for. But that is further down the road than I would like to talk about.

Stephen: I’ve noticed that most of your cast choices are older. Why?

Theresa: The characters and actors have to be older to have the experience to truly understand. Until you lived a little life, there is no way you can bring that kind of wisdom to the table. It would be very easy to bring beef cake and bikini’s to the table; that is what most shows are doing these days. But OHB is swimming in the deep end of the pool. The characters have issues. They are damaged on many levels, but in spite of all their pain, they still are willing to help others heal even if they can’t help themselves.

My site address is www.theresachaze.com. It’s the best starting point to learn about me and Operation Home Base.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Vivian Dixon Sober: Poet and Life Coach

Until You Walk the Path, You Don’t Know Where it Goes will be hosting poet and life coach Vivian Dixon Sober on May 23 at 5 pm eastern.

Vivian Dixon Sober is the owner of Victorious Women a start-up business designed to help women write to the heart of matters through workshops, seminars, and public speaking. She is a journalist and a creative writer. She is a book reviewer for the Sacramento and San Francisco Book Reviews. The goal of Victorious Women is to help empower women to overcome pain through writing and move from Victim Street to a Victorious Place. This journalist is healing through writing. ‘Writing to heal is real. When you write to you, for you, and from you, you are your only critic.”—Vivian Dixon Sober


Tune at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on May 23 at 5:00 pm eastern to listen to Vivian talk about how women can take their own power back. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to receive a reading or ask questions. The phone number is (347) 324-3745. The interactive chat room is available on the show’s page.

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Thursday, May 20, 2010



Hot air balloon rides in Michigan are available from May thru October. Give a gift they'll never forget! Balloon flights make memorable gifts and are bucket list items for many. Its a good group gift or gift for the boss. Moms love it for Mothers Day, dads appreciate it for Fathers Day. Balloon flights are a great idea for a wedding gift and theres nothing more romantic than a marriage proposal while flying over the country side. Fall color hot air balloon flights over Michigan are world renowned offering photographers a panoramic platform. Gift certificates for birthdays, anniversaries Christmas, Valentines Day and other holidays are available. Hot air balloon flights in Michigan are available from May thru October. To reserve a flight visit: http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon or call 734-667-2098.


Hot air balloon rides in Michigan are available from May thru October. Give a gift they'll never forget! Balloon flights make memorable gifts and are bucket list items for many. Its a good group gift or gift for the boss. Moms love it for Mothers Day, dads appreciate it for Fathers Day. Balloon flights are a great idea for a wedding gift and theres nothing more romantic than a marriage proposal while flying over the country side. Fall color hot air balloon flights over Michigan are world renowned offering photographers a panoramic platform. Gift certificates for birthdays, anniversaries Christmas, Valentines Day and other holidays are available. Hot air balloon flights in Michigan are available from May thru October. To reserve a flight visit: http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon or call 734-667-2098.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Life and relationship Coach David Essel




Until You Walk the Path, You Don’t Know Where it Goes, will be hosting life and relationship coach, David Essel on May 16 at 5 pm eastern.


David Essel, M.S. is an author of 5 books, , radio and television host, master life and business coach, all faiths minister, addiction recovery coach and international speaker. His mission is to inspire others to reach their own exceptional potential in their business and personal life. His book published through Hay House is "Slow Down: The Fastest Way to Get Everything You Want." His website to reach David regarding his coaching work, speaking presentations is www.talkdavid.com


To watch David's videos go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkUIjSDPpIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8EmWKgzUrw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NYRJYFQ7Qo




Tune at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on May 16 at 5:00 pm eastern to listen to David Essel talk about how to create a successful life. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to ask questions. The phone number is (347) 324-3745. The interactive chat room is available on the show’s page.

Until You Walk the Path, You Won’t Know Where it Goes is an interactive internet radio show, which takes a broader look at the topic of spirituality. Instead of focusing on the religious aspects of life, it delves into how our spirits inspire us to be our best and highest selves. The goal is to give a venue to those who wish to share their inspiration, their wisdom and their courage. By sharing our experiences, we not only give encouragement others to reach for their dreams, but to also help

Thursday, May 13, 2010

InterFUND.biz debuts at Cannes Film Festival

InterFUND.biz debuts at Cannes Film Festival

InterFUND.biz, a new social networking site that bills itself as “A meeting place for entrepreneurs and investors”, debuts at the Cannes Film Festival.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 14, 2010 – InterFUND.biz launches as a new social networking site today at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Characterized as ”A meeting place for entrepreneurs and investors”, the site offers a venue for the private showing of projects and business plans from virtually every sector of business with special attention given to entertainment projects.

InterFUND (www.interfund.biz) is unique in that it makes a connection between the entertainment industry and other business sectors in forging branded alliances which promote product integration in entertainment content.

InterFUND takes the Hollywood concept of a “First-look” deal and applies it to entrepreneurs and their projects. The network also serves the advertising world by providing resources for advertisers to integrate their products into content as a solution to DVR technology which allows viewers to bypass commercial interruption in traditional programming.

The website features bloggers from various sectors including General Richard Wilmot (US Army, ret.), William Foster (Automotive), Kathi Carey (Film), JT Grimm (research), Arthur Whitten (Security), Joe Gossett (Nonprofit), Peter Canalichio (Branding) and John De SA (Accounting).

The purpose of InterFUND is to create a greenhouse--an environment conducive to vigorous growth or development—for entrepreneurs and project originators with a venue in which to privately expose their business plans while strategically expanding their potential with brand alliances.