Day 1

Monday May 16, 2005.

PENN RETIRES: (www.gq-magazine.co.uk)

Sean Penn is so exhausted from filming a string of movies back-to-back, he is retiring from the industry for several years to recover. The actor, who recently finished "All the Kings Men" said "I'm pretty burned out and I'm going to have a couple of years off at least now". His latest flick "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" is in theaters now. (IMDb)

Attention: Sean Penn

OK Sean, if you're quitting acting for a couple years...then I'm quitting photography! It's brilliant! I'VE heard critics say you're a crybaby for complaining about your work, but I understand. I'm not sure everyone can relate to how much blood sweat and tears it takes to produce work that's cutting edge/important/relevant and thought provoking in the film industry? Hey... we all have our "Shanghai Surprises"! Walking away from stuff is healthy. I think the majority of people in the work world, would love to walk away from their professions for a while and see what evolved. Wouldn't it be cool if you started something and everyone decided to quit what he or she was doing and try something else? Interesting concept...I'm behind you Sean. I'm not just talking the talk here; I'm walking the walk...

And now that we both have time on our hands... I was wondering if you Might be interested in a documentary project I'VE been working on for the last four years? No acting involved here, Sean, you can be yourself, or a Version of yourself? I'll leave that in your hands. I tried to get you a DVD of 20 minutes from my film "CRACK" (Volume 1-The Passion of Dan Burke) while you were here last September to promote your film "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" at the Toronto International Film Festival. You probably don't remember me (ha ha) as there was a scrum of 30 other photographers camped in front of your chair. I positioned myself away from the group to try and get something a little different? I had an opportunity to sneak into the waiting area back stage, but I thought that would be too pushy. After the press conference I chatted with Niels Mueller. I told him about my film and that I wanted to get it to you as I believe you may be interested in it on some level as an actor and filmmaker? I gave him a package with the DVD and other contact information and asked him to take a look at it and pass it along if he could? I never heard from him. The same guy who is quoted in Filmmaker Magazine as saying "I didn't want to go through life as the guy who almost got to make a film with Sean Penn." Ya... me neither? Thanks for the help Ya prick!

About a year ago I gave an earlier version of the film to one of your cousins from Montreal, Johnny Shannon, to see if he had any suggestions on how I could get this to you. He said he wasn't comfortable mixing family relations and business, which I commend him for. Oh well...That's The great thing about this internet thing is you can throw ideas out there at the click of a button and you never know who may come across it?

So here's my crazy idea...Why don't you come to Toronto for the final show on Friday June 10th? Dan said he could put a couple of tickets aside! I'll see if I can get you an airline ticket. If I ever recover the money I lost when "Jetsgo Airlines" went under a couple of months ago? But I hate to complain!

I want to shoot a scene where you meet Dan Burke in his professional environment? These scenes would be used originally in my documentary in the "resolution segment" of the CRACK outline. This is where it could get interesting. I've always believed that this story is an important one to tell on many levels. I know that the ending of this film will provide Dan with many opportunities, both good and bad. I'm hoping for the first time in years Dan can stand back and take a clear look at the direction he chooses from here. As an ex-journalist and writer, it would be brilliant if Dan could pen (pun intended) the screenplay to his life story for a feature film starring you as Dan Burke, with cameo appearances as you as yourself.

Has that been done before? Hey...this could be your comeback film? I get to direct it, though! It will take a couple of years I'm sure. Hey what else do we have to do, right? I look forward to hearing from you. Don't be a wimp!

I think I'm going to have a nap...I'm so tired.

Coming soon: Dan Burke's letter to Sean Penn