It seems film competitions are popping up all over now that the digital age has pushed the cost of cameras and equipment down into the realm that mere mortals can afford them. This means that ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell can now have a chance to speak to the world.

Among these new competitions is the Ultimate Filmmaker Competition. Announced just recently at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, they’re offering the ability to submit a screenplay and, if it’s good enough, eventually have a shot at getting it produced into a film for a $200,000 budget and an additional $300,000 worth of equipment and support.

Yes, if  you can write a $500,000 film, you may be able to win this thing.

And for those still speculating, yes, our current secret project — intended for the Nashville Film Festival in 2010 — may well be modified in order to qualify for submission in this competition.  That’s the plan, at least.

 One could argue the myths, legends, and fables of modern times are actually movies, television, etc. But the ones that mean the most to us, those bits of culture that persist and leave their mark on generations, could live beyond the knowledge of their origin. What will be the Arthurian legends of tomorrow? Will our “current” ancient, mystical tales still be around, or will they run into competition being created today and cease to exist?

 Lot’s of interesting thoughts and questions abound. And so I end this short post with what is, perhaps, an indication of what a legend from the future’s future will be like.

The big big news of the new New Year (2009) is the return of Richard M., a long absent commentator to this site. (Actual name is Ricardo Montelray.)

Richard was spotted making a comment on the New Years Day post late New Years Day.

Is this a sign he will return to his illustrious commenting with the same vigor?

Or is it true, what many believe, that it’s all a hoax? That it’s an elaborate conspiracy by the creators of Omega13 to inject a little drama and excitement into their lame little website.

But perhaps it really is Richard M. back from sherpa-ing in the Himalayas.

And if it is all a prank, does anyone care?

Could you really blame Omega13 for creating an ingenious method, so intricately laid, so utterly pathetic, to entice Sir Richard M. to return to their lowly parcel in the dank trenches of the web?

Yes… Sir Richard M.  The man, the myth, the legend, the sherpa… if you are still out there, and if you can hear me, remember…

The Schwartz is in you, Richard! The Schwartz is in you!

(cue the A-Team theme)

Whoo-hoo!!!!