Where's a 1st AD when you need one?

We finally have a draft of our script that we can work with effectively for scheduling and budgeting. Now I just need to hunker down and do it. Or get off my seat and hire someone to get it done. I'm siding with the latter of the two options. Yes, dialogue can always evolve and change and maybe there are a few scenes that could use improvement in a couple of the action descriptions but we're close. Onward!

I've been getting feedback on the preliminary business plan drafts and I've got some overhauls to do- mostly cutting, pasting, moving, and beefing up. And clarifying, simplifying, condensing, etc. Keep it simple, right? I'm trying.

I have a call set up for Wednesday to speak with my co-writer about the adaptation we did of his novel. He's been submitting it via his resources and connections and he's going to update me on the status. I know these things take time but I'm not too patient. Let's get the show on the road. I think funding for this project is much more accessible because of the religion/spiritual aspect but I'm not ready to go down that road unless totally necessary.

And then there's script contests- dammit, they're so expensive. I now look at my bank statements and deposits in terms of "bills" and "submission fees". If anyone would like to step in and pay these fees for me, I would be ever so grateful.

Meanwhile, I need to get the most recent and last copy of the script broken down and whipped into shape. Better put my producer hat on...

Counting down the days to NAB in Vegas and then a trip over to LA. More to come on that one...

Closer

I think Brett and I are in the final stretch of rewrites. Need to get back to the business plan. We arrive in Vegas in exactly a month. Whether or not my jeans fit and how I look poolside in my swimsuit is another story. Ugh.

Rolling Stone

Every time I pledge to stay on top of my blogs I end up too focused and engrossed in my work to keep my promise. That's a good thing, right?

Brett and I wanted to have a polished copy of our script by March 1st but we're still working on it- and I'm glad it's taking longer. We got great notes back from TJ and we discovered a new ending that is pretty twisty. Happy. I've submitted my dark comedy to 4 festivals/screenplay competitions with ten more to submit to over the next 2 months, and the adaptation is being read and it's getting out there. My writing partner is taming that beast- he's all about sales and marketing and I'm okay with that!

Still working at the restaurant, working specifically for festival submission money at this point. We booked our tickets, etc to NAB and we're headed over to LA after that. We kick off that trip with the Ashland Film Festival to see Otis v. Monster- Patrick Neary's short film. Yay!

Oh, yeah- Winter Olympics was awesome until we hit a raccoon at 70mph just about an hour North of Portland. Um, yeah, lots of stuff in between...

Desperately need a personal trainer- or at least someone to slap my hand when I reach for cookies. I've never been this fat in my life. Yikes! Time to get my Nike's out. And what was up with the snow the other night? Not liking this cold weather. Grrr.

Sugar-Free

My God- I need a break from all this damn chocolate. I went straight from Halloween into Xmas candy, then the Valentine's Day stuff was out the next day and Easter candy got rolled out last week. I need to quit chasing the sugar dragon cold turkey- as soon as I polish off this box of chocolates Brett sent me via FedEx. It's a small box- it's gonna be okay.

Brett's in the Bahamas on a shoot and I've been left to hold down the fort with Oliver this week. We're scheduled to be at the Olympics next weekend but Brett might have a last minute shoot in LA the same days. Lame. Either way, I've got the week off from work so I better use it wisely. If anyone's in search of Men's Hockey Play-Off tickets let me know- I might be able to make you a deal...

We received our script critique and notes yesterday. TJ wrote up 30 pages of insight, direction, suggestions, and detailed examples of how to improve our script. I think this project is taking on a whole new life. Brett has yet to see the notes and I need to discuss with him, but I think he'll agree that this project is evolving into something much bigger than we anticipated. I'm genuinely excited and optimistic about the direction this project is headed, although it may take a little longer than anticipated...

On that note, we have an low budget film, a dark comedy, up our sleeves that will be logistically and financially easier to pull off. I've been playing around with budgets on that one and will be talking to some local filmmakers who've recently completed projects for reality checks on local prices on crew/talent/etc. My primary concern is attaching a name actor and finding strong local talent for the roles. After working at the casting company and seeing the majority of Portland's talent I can imagine some actors in certain roles easily but there are a few of the big roles I'm up in the air about. I do know- without a doubt- that I can move forward submitting the script to festivals and competitions but I'm more set on getting it made, use it as a festival piece to secure the money and prove ourselves to get the other film made.

The frustrating thing is the same obstacle I hit with all my projects: financing. Brett keeps buying me books on film financing, and all that stuff and I read them twice- I understand what it takes to put it all on paper HOWEVER- the reality is if you don't have someone who can put down the money and you're not a salesperson in that respect you're stuck. I guess I just need to get off my butt, pull up my bootstraps and get the job done. We've done it before- it's just that this is the part I hate.

So until Brett gets home I'm going to play with scheduling, costs, and other fun things. And maybe buy a lotto ticket. You never know.