You've Got Mail!

After my last entry, I made some phone calls and was pretty certain I was going to cancel the film. I couldn't find a camera, equipment, or even a Director of Photography who was willing to work for no charge. That's until I got an e-mail...

One of the DP's I was waiting to e-mail me back, did. He was willing to meet for lunch on Friday. After not being able to sleep because I was so anxious, I met him at 2pm in Hollywood. Everything went as I hoped it would and I can officially say we are making this film! We have all the equipment we need and his friend works at a rental company and will let us borrow what we don't have.

I keep rewriting the script in my head many times because the story is so complex. I'm currently casting for the film which, I think, is probably the hardest part so far. I'm hoping the script will be ready by the end of this week and we're trying to wrap up the entire film by the end of summer.

Crash & Burn

I haven't mentioned this yet but I am starting to work on a script for a short film which I am looking to produce this summer... or sometime this year. Some film schools require a film submission, but in any case, it looks good to have a completed film on your resume.

I have already written a story and script outline.Usually, I draft a story outline which tells me exactly what the story is going to be about without any real details. After I am comfortable with the story, I begin writing a script outline. A script outline tells me what is exactly going to go into the script, scene by scene, with key details. Lastly, I begin writing a script using these outlines as a reference and guide.

Now, I probably sound like I know exactly what I'm doing. Unfortunently, I don't have a clue. I have never produced a short film and if I was working with a digital camera and a group of friends, I wouldn't care as much. I'm trying to make a good film; hopefully submit it to several festivals but most importantly, show my creative abilities. I have been meeting with Shervin who has helped me put together the concept of the story. I told him I was looking for a Director of Photography/Cinematographer so he recommended Igori Kamoevi. I've worked with Igori in the past on projects with Shervin so I gave him a call. We met later in the afternoon and dicussed the project. I really think he will do a good job if I work with him; we both have a similar approach to filmmaking and are both influenced by European cinema. I am also planning on meeting with one or two other cinematographer's sometime this week.

The problem is Igori doesn't own a camera so we will have to rent one. Renting a camera will cost as much as $150 a day. The good news is the other guys I am planning on meeting with are interested in working for free... oh, and they have a camera!

Sounds great except for my second problem... those other guys aren't returning my e-mails.

Film Marathon

On June 20, first day of summer, I began my own film marathon in which I will attempt to watch films I have never had the chance to see. It has been exactly one month since I began the film marathon and for the record, I will like to post the accomplishment here. I will eventually post small reviews for each film.

Friday, June 20
Atonement

Saturday, June 21
Crimes and Misdemeanors
8½

Sunday, June 22
Reservoir Dogs
Pulp Fiction

Monday, June 23
Hannah and Her Sisters
Manhattan Murder Mystery

Tuesday, June 24
Manhattan

Wednesday, June 25
Bananas
Stardust Memories

Thursday, June 26 – Sunday, June 29

Monday, June 30
American Beauty

Tuesday, July 1
The Sweet Hereafter

Wednesday, July 2
Ordinary People

Thursday, July 3
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
In Bruges

Friday, July 4
Terms of Endearment
Kramer vs. Kramer

Saturday, July 5
Gone Baby Gone
The Italian Job

Sunday, July 6

Monday, July 7
The Royal Tenenbaums
Match Point

Tuesday, July 8

Wednesday, July 9
Zelig
Play It Again, Sam
Cassandra’s Dream

Thursday, July 10
Interiors
Batman Begins

Friday, July 11
I Heart Huckabees
Into The Wild

Saturday, July 12
Snatch.
Spellbound
Unbreakable

Sunday, July 13
Lost in Translation

Monday, July 14
Fargo

Tuesday, July 15
Punch-Drunk Love

Wednesday, July 16
Exotica
Match Point (Second Viewing)

Thursday, July 17
Meeting Woody Allen (Short Documentary)
Bande à part
Love and Death

Friday, July 18
The Dark Knight

Saturday, July 19
Being John Malkovich
Adaptation.
The Prestige

Sunday, July 20
Husbands and Wives