East Austin Studio Tour

Congrats to my friend Lauri for putting her sculptures out into the world for everyone to see, in the East Austin Studio Tour!!
Your art is beautiful and speaks to the heart!

covered

The footage is with the editor now. Everything seems to be in order. Everything looks beautiful. The dp has his footage, the editor has his copy and I have a copy too. Seems like we're covered if disaster strikes again. Nothing like someone getting ripped off to make you feel vulnerable.

Cancer checks

Cancer is never far away. Just because I don't get cooked any more, doesn't mean I can ignore it.
Today get blood work done.
Next week Ct and Pet scans. Oh Joy!

Putting the word out

Calling friends and sending emails to everyone to keep the lookout for a Sony z7 and a Sony 5 at pawn shops, ebay and craigs list.
Pls check for me. Pass it on!
Thanks!

Thieves should rot in Hell!

Woke up feeling exhausted, like I've been running on fumes for weeks. Guess I had, but I was expecting to be full of kick ass energy, ready to jump to the next stage of getting the film put together, not feeling wiped out.
Then got a terrible email from the DP that all of his filming equipment had been stolen out of his house the evening before. My stomach flipped about 5 times and I wondered if I was going to throw up on my keyboard. How dare anyone rip off such a wonderful, talented, sweet guy. Then I broke out in a sweat realizing that all of my footage may not have been down loaded on to my external hard drive. Feeling really felt sick now.
But after a few emails and phone conversations, I was assured that everything was good. But I feel awful for my dp. You never separate an artist from their tools.
Time to help out a friend!

Filming For Short

I woke up every hour and finally got up at 4:15am. Which was probably a good thing, since I was afraid that the fog would be heavy again.
And unbelievably, the fog was even thicker than it was yesterday.
Today is different though, in that my two kids are with me as well. I cast them as two out of four brothers. I'm a little nervous about having them on set and me being director to them and not Mom, but we've talked about it and they are totally cool with it. Man, I love those kids. They're telling me I rock and how proud they are of me. What's not to love about that?
We got to the location just fine and because of the fog, we had a lot of time to film more exterior scenes and even throw in a few I wasn't sure we'd be able to get. Like the lead actor walking through a field, up to the house, even walking through some cows. And these shots, with the foggy backdrop look stunning!! My DP should win awards with these shots!
The scene with my kids in it went super too. They and all of the cast looked great. Didn't get the dolly shot I was hoping for, but there are lots of other shots that will work really well instead.
Then after lunch, a few more shots and it was a wrap - and clean up and get out of there.
People ask me if I'm super happy, or relieved, or sad it's done, but I'm really just processing it all. I've been so overwhelmed. And I don't feel like I'm anywhere finished. There is still a mountain of work ahead. Just look at what needs to be done in post - editing, music, titles/credits, color correction, sound. Then to get it out the door - put together the pr, submit to film festivals, make copies, get the website up, etc.
So I'm glad the filming is done, but I'm really only half way there.

First day of the Shoot

Up at 4:30am. Out of the door at 4:50am. Super heavy fog on the way to the location. Kind of fog that you search for the yellow line on the edge of the road. But some of the rural roads don't have lines, so almost everyone was a little late this morning. But the fog turned out to be one of the best thing that could have happened. The misty wooded scene look breathtakingly beautiful. I can't believe how stunning it looks! Plus the interior shots were equally beautiful.
The actors also kicked major acting butt. I can't get over how well an 11 year old can take direction. And our Grandpa was so perfect, he brought tears to my eyes. Fantastic layers in his performance.
The day was perfect. Really excellent. I can't believe it's all real.
Tomorrow up again at 4:30am. Time to try to sleep (try, try, try)!

Prepping location

Today was the quiet before the storm kinda feeling. Several of us went out to the location to set up, get it ready for filming tomorrow, hammer out a few more details about the sequencing of filming, what to do when and how. Go over (again) shots, imagining how certain actions are going to look, and me walking around like a dork, putting my hands in front of my face, visualizing what the camera is going to see, as if my fingers are the view finder.

Then tomorrow I actually direct my short film. Me - writer and director.
Good grief. Serious insecurities are bombarding me. What am I doing. Aagh!!!
O.K breathe, know that I can do this, I can do this.
Damn straight, I can do this.

Birthday dinner fun

I've been frantically running around getting ready for the shoot, and now it's time to stop and just be silly. Happy Birthday to Kat and thanks to you and all the girls for the super silly girly dinner talk. So much fun! I needed the break!
Only two more days!

Crew Meeting

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th 2009

Had a crew meeting tonight and we all get a long so well! The Producer, DP (Direcotr of Photography), AD (assistant director), Costumer, Set Designer, and one of the PA's (production assistant). We were still missing a few, but it was o.i. with me that we got to talk and plan out a few things (plus fill out a lot of paperwork!).
I can't believe this is actually coming together. I'm so nervous. I eat, breathe, dream and live this film in my head - all the time. Only a few more days!!