Money

I'm thinking that money gives you freedom. It's not that you can't do it without money obviously you can but in the end it just offers you more options and allows for more opportunity. I am not talking about a lot of money but when you have none (for argument sake) something more than that is helpful. But these, once again, are the challenges facing filmmakers and in the end where there is a will there is a way. It really forces you focus in on what is important and think about creative ways to get around something. My two cents for the day.

This is a hard one...the edit, the music, the look - getting it just right. Probably one of the most challenging things I have had to face in this business. With that said it is challenging in the best of ways and one I certainly up for!

I'm nine days out from the first official deadline in post and progress is being made although not fast enough for my liking (will it ever?) but things are moving forward and in the right direction so - good!

UGH!!!!!!!!

Deadlines are fast approaching and trying to make everyone come together on the same schedule is VERY tricky!! Especially tricky when people are helping you out and doing something pro-bono. Obviously when you are making films on ultra low budgets these are some of the problems you face. Love 'em and hate 'em but can't live without them!
Keep your fingers crossed and do a little dance for me - that's what I am doing.......

Photos from the childhood memory portion of the film.....including the one in the post below.

Sunny Vancouver?

Ok so it's a little longer than I thought but today is the day that I post some photos so that has to be worth something?!

I am out in Vancouver - over the weekend I attended a wedding of a friend. She and her now husband and yours truly met on a film we all worked on that was shot in Toronto and Cologne, Germany - now 3 years later they have done it!! It was a beautiful weekend in Cultus Lake - many cocktails and one beautiful day.
I am hanging out here a little longer and then back to T.O. But don't think that doesn't mean I am not working away on 'Ninety-one'.

We have FINALLY started editing and some of the scenes we have cut are looking great!! But we do have our work cut out for us. As I thought this is definitely one where the editor is so important! I have also met with the composers and they have started the process. I am excited - I feel like we are all on the same page - which is nice. I am getting post production schedules together and have managed to get an extension on submitting the film to Toronto International Film Festival but the new deadline is so tight I have my fingers crossed we will make it.

So...a brief update....more to follow but pics are on the way!

Too Long......stay tuned.

Oh my gosh....I have been totally delinquent!! I'm sorry.

Aside from finishing the 'shooting portion' of the production of Ninety-one I started a "paying" gig. I promise I will write and post some photos this weekend.....

Things are moving forward...slowly but surely!

Jill

Ready to roll.....

Ok so who knew so much could happen in a few days......
Back up arrived (Suesan- phew).I have had a few major and minor heart attacks starting with losing an actor then thankfully gaining a great actor in their place. Hemorrhaging cash. Feeling excited, worried, nervous, happy. Amazed and thankful that great people are giving of their time. Hating our actors union who have made things very difficult. (now I finally get what so many people complain about). Realizing that whether you have $5 or $20 million the problems are the same - the difference is you just have more money to throw at them.

First day tomorrow....my AD has planned a good schedule...easing us into our 2nd day which will be a little more challenging but good.

Anyway off to bed...got to get up early - 7am at the location.
Wish us luck!!

Happy New Year!

So we are officially in 2009 and exactly 7 days from rolling film. Yes we are going old school baby - S16mm all the way.

So much has happened since I last posted....I must confess with everything that has to be done I get a little distracted from posting and get myself wrapped up in other things. No matter.

A week or so before Christmas I had what was to be my last casting session..... Also as an aside let my lesson be a lesson to all of you out there.....never make your shoot dates of your film just after Christmas and New Year. I clearly was not thinking when I thought that I wanted to get this in the can before everyone got busy on other things or began to feel like they were unable to help out because they worried about what paying job was or was not coming down the pipe. But now I realize I should have made it a week later as what has now become very apparent is that no one is back to work until the 5th which is 3 days from rolling cameras.....but I digress and really I KNOW it will all work out as so far so good. Sometimes you just have to bite the proverbial bullet and go for it. Things always work out some way some how...that I do believe.

So back to casting.....it is hard....or for this I found it hard. My first film seemed so easy in comparison. There are so many factors that come into how you get your cast and it is such a crucial part of making your film great...really half the battle is have a great cast. Having what you feel are the right people to bring your people to life. It is hard to have confidence in your choices sometimes but I think gut is important. It also doesn't hurt to have a second set of eyes and ears that you trust to turn to. With all of that said I think I've done it. Working with the actors union and with the agents has been frustrating at times but interesting. I have certainly gained much more insight into how the system can work both for you and against you.

I also now have a really great Line Producer on board - David. He has been a god send!! He has freed me up to think about what I need to think about which is directing. My girl friend/best friend and co-writer Suesan lives out of town so she has not been able to help out as much as she would have liked to so a lot has fallen into my lap. Which is all fine and good but film is a collaboration and we can sometimes get swept up in our own shit and not look for help. At the urging of my very diligent and wonderful 1st AD Chi (he did 'moment' as well) I finally was able to find some to share the work load. Of course all of the amazing people I have been able to enlist are going to be called upon more and more now that we are days away.

I have been discussing the look I want with my DP John - we continue exchange ideas and references. It is always interesting.

I feel very lucky to be able to have the cast and crew I have not to mention the support I have had and continue to have from friends, family, investors and work colleagues.

The last big story of the week is - I found our second location. It's going to work really well and they were very kind to give it to me for a great rate!

Things are falling into place....wish me luck as we head into the last week of production - Suesan's arrival to lend a helping hand and be my second set of eyes and ears, nailing down the last few crew members, putting all the things we talked about in our art department meeting yesterday into action, finalizing the cast and equipment, tech scouting, production meeting, wardrobe meetings/fittings, hair/make-up meetings, camera tests, cast readthru/rehearsal.....you get the idea.

I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2009!
Jill