Thanks to Kim for this great update today, on Doug Vermeeren and The Opus movie:
I heard Doug Vermeeren speak last night for the first time. Great job. I was really inspired. He talked about the importance of Decision in the achievement process. He did talk a little bit about the Opus movie. it sounds really exciting. Outisde in the hallway they had all kinds of impressive banners for the film. It looks like its going to be a great film. I have to admit it also looks like a much bigger production than what I had thought it would be. I was thinking it was going to be a well-made low key DVD like The Secret. But it looks more like a major Hollywood release. Thanks for keeping us in the loop on this blog. I’ll be watching and reading.
Asking for more Cyres Spotters, for the hottest updates around on ‘The Opus’ and Douglas Vermeeren.
Tune in to the ‘Douglas Vermeeren Creator of The Opus’ thread in ‘Movies’.
January 16th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I got thsi e-mail that proports to be from The Producer of The Opus. Mr. Douglas Vermeeren.
To all my friends involved in The Opus,
Recently we made some changes to the cast list which included dropping Jennifer Alexander from our cast list. The decision was made mutually because of artistic differences in my film. As a result The Opus cruise was cancelled. And ties with Cliff and Jennifer were severed. Since then I have taken notice that Jennifer and Cliff have undertaken a campaign to contact my investors, associates, friends and family members to undertake a slander campaign. This is not acceptable. I am currently taking legal action to remedy this. If left unchecked this action could hurt all of us and our interest in the film.
I can understand why the alexanders would be upset. This is a significant project that will have countless benefits for the participants. But this gives them no right to begin such activities as this. Please record all challenging interactions with them and forward them to us as we have been requested by our legal team to keep documentation. And thank you to all of you who have sent me these already. It is my most definite intention that if such efforts continue we will be seeking damages at their hands.
But just so everyone has a clear understanding - all aspects of the film are moving forward as originally planned. Our relase date is still confirmed for March 19 in Los Angeles. And all projected returns stand as originally predicted. We have all support from each of the speakers and growing support from local and national media. I am very excited about the great things that are heading our way. It is going to be a great movie and a fantastic year.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Douglas Vermeeren
January 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Thank You.
We checked. That e-mail did come from Doug’s offices. Good to know. Grateful for your sharing.
This is the thread of confirmation …
SUBJECT: authenticity and integrity
Hallo Douglas
It’s Jane at Cyres Cafe in Belgium. As you may have noticed (!), I’m a sincere supporter and appreciator of your work. We’re also gathering great enthusiasm and support for The Opus project here. More and more people are emailing us regarding The Opus. Today this is on the blog and I want to ask you if it is authentic. I believe in free speech, but if this is not verified as you, I will remove it:
I got thsi e-mail that proports to be from The Producer of The Opus. Mr. Douglas Vermeeren.
To all my friends involved in The Opus,
Recently we made some changes to the cast list which included dropping Jennifer Alexander from our cast list. The decision was made mutually because of artistic differences in my film. As a result The Opus cruise was cancelled. And ties with Cliff and Jennifer were severed. Since then I have taken notice that Jennifer and Cliff have undertaken a campaign to contact my investors, associates, friends and family members to undertake a slander campaign. This is not acceptable. I am currently taking legal action to remedy this. If left unchecked this action could hurt all of us and our interest in the film.
I can understand why the alexanders would be upset. This is a significant project that will have countless benefits for the participants. But this gives them no right to begin such activities as this. Please record all challenging interactions with them and forward them to us as we have been requested by our legal team to keep documentation. And thank you to all of you who have sent me these already. It is my most definite intention that if such efforts continue we will be seeking damages at their hands.
But just so everyone has a clear understanding - all aspects of the film are moving forward as originally planned. Our relase date is still confirmed for March 19 in Los Angeles. And all projected returns stand as originally predicted. We have all support from each of the speakers and growing support from local and national media. I am very excited about the great things that are heading our way. It is going to be a great movie and a fantastic year.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Douglas Vermeeren
I truly believe The Opus is the possibility of inspiring many in magnificent ways. Excited to be observing its unfolding. For about 7 or 8 months now, we’ve been encouraging talk about it, and stimulating thought about it more and more, evolving the energy, hoping that we can help to spread the word on-line, and on-world in Belgium. Vision~in~action.
Indeed, a fantastic year.
Highest Regards
Jane
Hi Jane,
Yes, that e-mail did come from our offices. Jennifer Alexander was cut from the film. We could not ethically support the way she was doing business and trying to represent herself in regards to the film. We tried to correct the problems on several occassions but to no avail. It is unfortunate that she has undertaken to proceed in the way she has, but it also confirms to us that we made the right choice to severe ties with her.
On a positive note we are excited about what’s happening with the Opus. We are now starting to see the first glances of the final finished product. it is incredible. I was excited to experience a really neat thing the other day when I had a significant Hollywood producer congratulate me on the story elements of the film. He told me it was one of the strongest pieces he had seen in a long time. I too, am also very excited about how the film is looking and I am confident that people will be very pleased with what our team has worked so hard to create.
I wanted to also take a minute and thank you for all your support for myself and The Opus. You have been so kind and such a wonderful supporter. I am very grateful. I look forward to meeting you in person when we are in Europe later this year.
Thanks again,
Doug
Hi Doug,
Thank you for your reply and for its speed. I appreciate that you are super busy right now.
Unless I am certain a communication has come direct from its source, I always check its authenticity.
Cyres Cafe is open house. Open plan. Open mind. Open heart. We share all with our Cyres Family. You’ll see written in our vision that our building is “translucent”. We include most of our conversations in The Cafe of Dreams because that’s the nature of our building. Walking through barriers, we tell the whole story. If any information about your work is to be “private” due to you wanting to surprise or something of that consideration (I think most of us love delightful surprises), then please indicate so in our conversations and that aspect will respectfully remain confidential
Your authenticity, integrity, and ethical stand is never in question. I have spoken with enough people who have direct experience of you to know that you walk your AMAZING talk. With you, what you see is what you get, and I trust that The Opus project is an extension of that. So, we can be very … VERY … Excited!
Respecting your choices.
It’s all a positive note!
The Opus is oodles of positive notes!!! Powerful possibilities, indeed.
Loving the exciting unfolding of this event-experience-happening.
So incredible, we are hungry for more!
The appreciation from the Hollywood producer is sensational. Thank you Doug for sharing that. ‘Story’ by Robert McKee is close to hand at all times (Cyres Cafe is about Stories and Heroes) and I am often saying as I look out from Cyres Cafe, “Where is the story?!”. Elated to know, there is one in The Opus! Yes! Substance, structure, style, and, meaningful purpose. Plus, I am looking forward to your performance and observing more of your screen presence! Is it true that You AND Holly are included on screen?!
It does take a huge team effort, with hard work, as you say, to create an experience of such quality. Sure people would be amazed if they knew how much time and energy goes into it.
That makes this minute you have taken, to share with me and Cyres Cafe, all the more significant and special. Thank you for the light you shine on this matter, and for sharing highlights. Thank you for your inspiration and insights. We know you have a lot on your plate. In appreciation and support, anything we can do to add to the joy of the experience, please ask. It is about who you are. Indeed, we support You, we support your work, we support The Opus. We are gratitude expressing.
Heart-felt thanks for coming to Europe. Amazing destinations and powerful possibilities. Appreciating that you are including all and taking this experience to the whole world, and, touring beyond America so soon after completion of the film. You are refreshingly practical and innovative. Cyres Cafe is rolling out The Blue Carpet in eager anticipation of your arrival. Being vision~in~action, taking our Amazing Potential and Creating, we will do much between now and then to tune in and expand The Opus Odyssey.
I am also looking forward to meeting you in person and I expect there will be a big Cyres Crowd around me
Cheers, as we say in Cyres Cafe
Jane