Round two.

Well last week was a big learning curve for me. The most important thing I took away was to 'know your film' and 'trust you that you know your film'.

This end of production...the post end with color corrects and sound mixes, as I have mentioned is the area I am not as familiar with, so help and guidance was what I needed. I had my color correct session and through a series of conversations, suggestions and compromises found myself when I left unsure of what we had done. It did not feel right. Now it is not anyone's fault and we were all there to do what we thought was best - agendas can sometimes be different. With that said though I found that after sleeping on it and showing the results of the session to someone close to the film I trusted I realized I had some changes to make. I know I did the right thing. It looks and feels right now and I am really happy with the end result.

So let my lesson be a lesson to all of you out there feeling the pressure of making important decisions regarding your film. You have lived with the film longer then anyone else. At times that can be a bad thing as it might be hard to have perspective but it can also make the difference in situations like these. I learned that sometimes no matter what you have talked about - pulled and selected for reference before making your film - in color palette or what have you - when all is said and done, what does the film you actually shot and edited say to you. Does where you thought you were in the beginning really hold true when you are done? I found that 'Ninety-one' become its own being irrespective of what intentions I had for it. That is not to say that I didn't make the film I set out to make it is just to say that it is now it's own life force and speaks to me from that point.

Thank you to those who indulged me last week, I really took a lot with me.

So bring on the this new one. I am ready!

Brand New Day

So tomorrow starts a whole new part of post. We have final picture cut and we are locking it in the morning. I'm very happy - looking good! This week we start the color correct, sound mix and all the things that will come and go in between.

On Friday I vetted the cut at School (edit company) with Chris (my editor) - Kyle (asst. editor). Kyle rallied a couple of people who had no connection to the film or even knew anything about it. The response was great. A huge sigh of relief. It is always good to vet the cuts as you go along so it is not just you and your editor thinking you are done or that it's working. Hopefully the people you ask will be honest with you.

Music is still not nailed down so I will continue to work on the with the gang that is helping me.

I am really looking forward to getting on to the next stage. It is the part of post production that I know the least about and have the most to learn from. So it is going to be challenging but also really interesting. I will definitely be relying on the experts to help me out.

Two weeks and we should be done!

Mine that Bird

As you may have guessed from my headline.....were are almost at the finish line of picture lock! In fact I am at my editors right now pulling a late one. This is my editor - Chris. I am getting excited! Looking forward to the next stage of post.

Also some things that have been a little tricky finally look like they may be falling into place....like music. We found a great song.

Tonight I may have also secured and amazing graphic designer to help with posters and such. All is happy in Jill's film world.

Keep the blood flowing.

I almost gave my editor a heart attack today. I didn't mean to...an innocent comment to give him something to think about while I was out snapping photos to maybe use as a back drop of my title card. Chris is over worked and over tired - definitely burning the candle at both ends. The fact is, this puppy has been in need of an edit for a while - but timing is everything, so they say and some of us work better under pressure so here we are. Under pressure.

The music was leaving something to be desired - not in the fact that is was bad but more that it just wasn't working with the picture. Here I was thinking....oh - it went so smoothly last time I don't need a music supervisor just get myself a composer and away we go. Wrong. So guess what I have now.

I am still not sure the deadline will be made with the changes we have had to incur this week but we are working diligently - so we will see where we get and hope for the best!!

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.