Better late than never…

Many of you may already be privy to my plans for escape from LA. If someone had told me that I’d be staying in La La Land for 12 years I would have thought they were totally insane. But the fact remains that I did stay in my cozy little beach house just seconds from the Venice boardwalk for an undeniably long time.

So Cal weather was the big factor in my hesitancy to leave. It’s pretty much the most amazingly perfect climate of any place I could choose to live. Sunshine day after day after day… Cool breezes off the ocean make air conditioning unnecessary and friends from Hollywood and the Valley marveled at the comfort they enjoyed just 30 minutes from hellish heat.

Odd then that I’d decide to make the next city I grace with my film production endeavors to be one of the hottest places on earth. The Middle East. Dubai, UAE is one of the fasting growing cities in the world and has attracted my attention and captured my interest. As a leader in many industries and a HUB for world trade and technologies Dubai presents itself as a shining jewel amidst a storm of sand and simmering temperatures.

One of the fastest growing cities in the world

I stumbled upon Dubai by shear fluke. I was planning on filming a documentary in a variety of locations in SE Asia, Africa and parts of Southern Europe. After a few trips to Google looking at the map of the world I quickly noticed that Dubai was smack dab in the middle of every place I had ever dreamed of visiting.

More investigation led to my researching the city, it’s history, culture, people and the booming business there. When North Americans think of the Middle East we think of oil. Trust me, there is much, much more!

What I discovered was that the city boasts the tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai which is slated for completion in 2009, underwater hotels, indoor ski-slopes and building that move and change shape.

The sprawling landscape features incredible architecture and offers a unique glimpse into the next century.

Dubai boasts many tops, firsts biggest, best… and its ruler His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the richest royals in the world. I was impressed with his plans for Dubai and decided to experience the expansion and growth firsthand.

This will be a first for me too. The first time I have traveled to an area in the world where the culture, climate and workweek is different.

Stay tuned for details to come.