Tuesday, February 9, 2010

First reshoot in 2 years



I've been reticent of allowing reshoots on films since a very bad experience in school. It was technically as far as experience goes a good one, because I definitely took more care in getting it right the first time. Lately I've made a massive change in the way I work, starting with "Sweet Potatoes" and then with Start a Band and now Haggle. I guess the general idea is experimenting with finding the right amount of preparation so that the outcome is more fresh in my mind by the time of the first screening. One of the biggest personal mistakes I made with Sleet/Snow, and I know I blog about my mistakes a lot (sorry this one is relatively minor), was over thinking everything to point where I was so involved with the ideas I couldn't reconcile editing them out. I poured too much in their creation to be comfortable with leaving them out.



I think now looking back my change in production methods has gone back to something I began as a teenager. And that is only preparing what is absolutely necessary to get the thing done and get it done the way I think should be. I am appreciative that I have such dedicated and patient crew/friends that are will to share this with me.



Looking back on Haggle and all the chaos of ideas, pulling through it and emerging with a clear agenda to re-enter the material two weeks later. The project justified the reshoot, the methods did as well. Sure in the end there will be minor inconsistencies, but perfection was not what we were seeking. We were seeking a messier product in lieu of what matters more. For that you'll have to wait to see the film.



(to see the stills a bit larger click on them)

Monday, February 1, 2010

Houston Film Commission Screening and Haggle


Sleet/Snow will be playing on Thursday in Houston

More info can be found here…

Hope to see some new and some friendly faces there as I will be in attendance.

We are also playing with the rest of the fantastic Texas Show selections. It really is a superb shorts block.

Little update on a few projects.

Hot/Cold (which has nothing to do with Sleet/Snow) will be moving into post later this month. We have recently found some space to cut the film in which is very, very exciting to have a real professional edit space. So work will commence on that front very soon. I know Frank is gnawing at the bit to get started, as am I. We have also begun early preproduction on the somewhat large scale pickups that we will need to complete the film.

Start a Band is officially now being submitted to festivals. After a very successful screening at the Videofest I am coupling it with the last remaining Sleet/Snow submissions.

North Street Bummer was featured on Shortfilmtexas.com as well as a rather lengthy interview. One that I'm sure will keep me cringing for many years to come. So if you haven't checked that out please do so here.

Oh boy, what else…

Haggle recently went into production. I won't say much about it, but I am very excited.