Down South

Down here now in a remote part of Georgia — so it looks like internet connection will be sketchy after a few days from now…..so this may be one of the only posts for a few weeks.

I’ve just checked in to a local hotel and will begin a full force attack on pre-production duties before DISMAL officially starts shooting in 5 days.

Over the weekend I met with the talented actors attached to the film and I’m excited to see what they can do — they are a real promising bunch. Plus I’ve got someone involved who will be an ace up my sleeve that I’ll be able to talk about once the production wraps. This particular actor and his approach should make for a nice learning experience for me that I’ll be able to explain after it happens.

I meet with the production team tomorrow — meetings, meetings, meetings. I visit the production designer and costume designer tomorrow to review items…..then begin the tech scout in various locations around the swamp. Fun!! I hope to post pics of this before I get caught without any connection.

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On the NEW YORK LATELY front — I found that the NEW YORK TIMES has an entry for the film now — I feel pretty legit now! Too funny.

Here’s the link:
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/453791/New-York-Lately/details

Bulldozed The Problem

I’ve been at a mental roadblock trying to figure out some problems with the rough cut for NY Lately. Today was the day. It hit me. The idea I needed.

I’ve been toying with certain ideas and talked to my brother today who helped me confirm that one of them (if done effectively) will help solve the problem.

In fact, not only will the change to the edit help solve one problem, but it also helps create some new scenes that test audiences have been asking for — they want to see more of a certain character — and this new addition will give them their fix…..not to mention it makes me happy that this particular character gets more screen time since I love her.

Now I just have to wait a month to make these changes as I’m jumping on a plane tomorrow morning to go shoot DISMAL. I’ll hopefully have some internet connection while I’m down in North Carolina and Georgia so I can update the blog with “on the set” pics and stories.

Juggling

Heading back to the cutting room to work on NY Lately – things still need work, but the general feedback has been positive. Seems like audiences either really dig the movie a lot — or just don’t get it (which is expected). There weren’t too many people who fell in the middle with a “meh”…..so it’s pretty clear — they either liked the ensemble drama or didn’t.

NY Lately challenges the viewer at times and leaves some open-ended questions regarding the characters. The difficulty is making a film totally for yourself (and alienating everyone) — or trying to cater to what people will enjoy. It’s really tough being a filmmaker and knowing what the correct choices are to have a successful (artistic vs. commercial) film — oh the struggles of being an artist.

One thing though — people have high praise for the acting in the film. That makes me happy. The actors rock.

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I’m heading down soon to North Carolina and Georgia to direct the horror film DISMAL. I’m meeting with the cast soon to rehearse for the shoot and soon will work with the DP Shawn Lewallen to finalize the shot list.