They got it...

I got my self-addressed, stamped post card back from the AFS today. In case you're wondering, it's a postcard that I got when I went to go see Margot At The Wedding. I was going to send it to someone, but I sent them something else, so I figured this would be a good chance to use it. Well, now its just a waiting game, until August, to see what happens.

Waking up to the sad news

Well, I got word from Greta this morning that she won't be able to be in the film. She wrote me a very nice letter, simply stating that her plate was too full, which I totally understand.

It sucks, though. I had really come to see her as being in this role. But that's the game, isn't it? You pick your "A" team, and hope you get them, but sometimes you just don't. I wish her luck in everything she's doing.

A fool for the "artsy" way

I've always liked the idea of doing smaller, experimental films, but have yet to actually make one. I realized, today, why I haven't yet - I don't thrive in the kind of improvisational environment that a lot of these films are made in. I would rather not make a film, than just go out with a camera and an actor and try to come up with something (hoping that its good).

I've been more excited, in the last few days, about filmmaking than I have been in a long time. Do you know why? Planning. Dare I even say it, Pre-Production (a very bad word in my world). I've been talking about making Indefinable Orbits, a Brakhage style short film, for months now. While money has been a factor in getting it done, it eventually came to be that I just wasn't getting it done for no particular reason. Yesterday, though, I sat down with the script/outline/notes, and made out a shot list. Suddenly, I feel like I'm light years closer to seeing this happen. It seems real. It seems do-able. I'm excited again.

I grabbed a hundred foot load of 50D out of the fridge yesterday, and have been thawing it (you should always thaw film for 24 hours before shooting on it). I'm going to start shooting some of the stuff after next week (when all of the grant stuff is on its way to AFS). Who knows, a cut of it might show up in the next month or two. 

Don't take that statement the wrong way, though, that's not a promise...

Getting over one hump just means there's a downhill before the next climb.

I know what you're thinking - "He's done. He's not keeping up with the blog anymore."

No, just been REALLY busy with the AFS stuff. Sent off my "rough draft" yesterday to Bryan Poyser @ AFS, to look over. So, for the next couple of days, I get top play catch up with all of the things that I didn't get to do because I was working on the grant application (which includes blogging some older movie reviews I wanted to do, but didn't have the time for).

Also, you'll notice in the bottom left corner of the screen, I am now on Twitter, so you can follow my progress on my films, and in my life (though my life is relatively average, so, don't be complaining when there's posts like - "Eating" or "Working").

Anyways, going to see the new Indiana Jones movie later this afternoon. I'll write a review as soon as I get home. Kind of sucks, though. I wish I got to go to early press screenings like a professional blogger, so I could have my review up before the movie comes out. Oh well, maybe I'll get lucky one day, and Cinematical will call me up and hire me... (that's a hint, in case anyone from Cinematical happens to be reading this).

Wishing and Hoping

So, current news on The Definers is this - I attended a meeting the other day to go over the grant application that I will be turning in at the beginning of June (it seems so far away, but, I know it's gonna sneak up on me). Bryan Poyser, of the Austin Film Society, hosted it, and it was basically just a chance to look at the application, go over the rules and requirements, and ask any questions one might have.

Also, I had sent Greta Gerwig a copy of the script a few weeks ago, but I think she lost it, because she asked me to re-send it to her. She will be in the process of reading it, soon, and deciding if it is something she would be interested in doing. If she did, that would be SO AMAZING. I think she would bring the perfect mix of subtlety, ferocity, angst, loneliness, and confusion that the role of the Sister demands.

When I had originally envisioned the film, I saw Katee Sackhoff in the role of the Sister, but I think Greta might be able to better bring to this character some of the paradoxical nature that the Sister needs. So, here's hoping she likes the script, and we can work it out. The only thing I need now is MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!

Greta Gerwig