Keeping the Faith: Surreal Endings and Exposing Yourself

It's now Wednesday July 28. Monday I got the music for the intro. Yesterday I sent my last note to Scott. That was the day he also received the final sound files from our sound editor Richard Ross. The film is now complete, and needs no more direction from me or anyone else. By Saturday July 31, I will have 4 DVDs in my hand. And on Sunday August 1, I will be on a plane to Dublin, Ireland.

While most people might think this is a moment to celebrate, I'm only pondering how and when I'll get the rest of the work done.

Things I still need to do:

• 
  
  finalize and send out the licensing contracts
• 
  
  complete list and schedule of film festivals
• 
  
  prepare film festival marketing material
• 
  
  write and distribute press release
• 
  
  plan cast & crew screening
• 
  
  burn DVD's for cast and crew and investors

These are the little things, but they are still part of the process. As a creator, whether writer/artist/filmmaker, it is our obligation to not only create the project, but to make sure it is seen, that it speaks, and it's allowed to breathe in the light of day.

It would be easy enough to take a photograph, write a book, paint a masterpiece, and let it lie dormant in the closet, gathering dust, left alone and frozen in time for posterity. And in many cases that's what we do and there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes, just sometimes, our creation takes its own journey and we follow along, or drive the train. It craves to be exposed, revealed.

I don't feel like I'm quite done with this film yet, because it still has an unknown destination, a destiny if you will. So my happy ending is surreal... fluid, unknown, and floating freely forward.

After my return, when I've had some time to digest the production of it all, perhaps I'll be able to write then what I can't write now. Lessons learned. Gratitude unleashed. Goals and forsaken dreams. Promises and commitments. And directing, dear lord, directing.

It has, thus far, been a sweet voyage. And now I shall leave for my own travels - secure in the knowledge that I have accomplished what I set out to do, met my goals, and (hopefully) properly acknowledged and shared the journey with a team that I admire and love.

One thing I can say... I could not have done this film without the team of creative people who pulled together beside me and offered their time, talent and trust, dedicating themselves to this film while asking very little of me. That, my friends, is faith.

Keep the faith, and the world is yours.

p.s. Don't get me wrong. I'll be celebrating -- in Dublin, Oslo, Avignon and London. And I'll keep you posted about our progress later in August. For now, I'm making new memories.  

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

As we head into the home stretch, we're putting the final pieces in place. This means finding the right crew to make this film come alive. Although we don't have the biggest budget, there are some really skilled people out there -- generous, excited, creative and talented -- all interested in working on this little film. We put out three postings for some key crew and got more than 100 responses. It's interesting to see who responds and more importantly how they respond.

What are the things I responded to? People who actually read the ad. We're looking for specific skills, so don't tell me you can do everything. And positivity. People who were sincere and enthusiastic always got a response. And if you followed up, even better. Don't give me too many links. At least give me a list of your projects and your experience with the right equipment. Sometimes people might not have the time to detour through your extensive projects posted all over the net.

Our DP, Mike Epple, has been a great leader in helping develop a list of skills and helping select his crew -- Gaffer, Key Grip, Head Sound Master, AC. So far, our team looks rock solid.

For the next few days, we'll be checking off the little things to take care of... insurance, food, location details, and creating the schedule and final shot list. It's like planning a wedding, except of course you're marrying 25 people. Nice. So I'm rowing slowly along to make sure I don't forget anything. Frantic rushing doesn't accomplish much, except of course for creating stress and ensuring that you forget things. Merrily.

Illustration © Deborah Cavanaugh

The joy of working in film is that we all do it for the love of what we do. None of us - at least at this level - makes any money to speak of. We are all, cast and crew, just enthusiastic to be involved in creating a visual story and working on a real project. We are blessed to be following our dreams and it doesn't come without some blood, sweat and tears.

It's nearly 2010. My hope is that everyone follows their dream, whatever it may be. It's not easy to follow the right path and stay the course. It never is. But the reward is that much greater. Happy New Year to everyone.

SAM MURPHY... we'd be lost without her

As requested by our burgeoning following, I'm writing a little about our amazing production team. First on the list is SAMANTHA MURPHY. Maybe I have a thing for the Irish, or perhaps I just enjoy drinking, but Sam is real cinephile, and a creative soul. Most importantly, like me, she is organized and driven -- our work is a big part of our life because we believe in what we're doing, are passionate about it, and have enough experience to know what to do and what not to do. She's currently helping me complete the shot list and map out the camera angles so we don't waste any time when we get to the location. She is a superstar.

We met 5 years ago working on the film, "Ode to Donuts," where we were a core part of the production team for a short film written and directed by our friend Emmanuelle Antolin. It was the debut of this *finally* completed film that inspired me to produce the bridal short -- so our journey together has come full circle.

SAM MURPHY
Producer
Photography
Set Design

Sam Murphy is a bay area-based producer of photography and film. Her specialty is editorial, but she enjoys working on narratives as well. She has been the photo producer or photo editor for 3 internationally distributed magazines, including WIRED and MAKE/CRAFT. Sam has directed, edited and produced films for non profits, web-based ads for small businesses and music videos. She has also taught video editing at the Academy of Art University. She received her bachelors degree in photography and video from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland.
This is Sam on our recent trip to Ashland, Oregon (her first visit ever to OR!). Just five minutes after we checked in, the fire alarm went off so the entire wing of our hotel was forced to evacuate and sit outside in the 90+ degree heat. But as always, we keep working...