Production meetings: Casting, Budgets, Art Direction, Website, Audience
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 00:18
The past week, I've had the luxury of being in production meetings with my producer, Lorie. I say luxury, because she lives in MN, and I live in TX. :) That's how we roll - remotely efficient. With team members here, there, and even LA, we must keep the momentum up and rising by being available and consistent with our efforts. It seems that Lorie and I now communicate just about every day now, as we get closer to our official pre-production dates. And we speak about 3 times a week, depending on anything that may be pressing. Emails are a great tool, but it sure was sweet just be able to lean over and ask my questions.. or just have face to face conversations with no interruptions.
To our surprise, we were given the name of a talented comedian last week, interested in hearing about our project. As soon as we arrived back to my home from scooping up Lorie from the airport, we rushed to get on a conference call with this individual. The pace remained steady for the rest of our time together. Because we remained flexible (yes, sometimes you have to allow for space so you can welcome the great unexpected!) we were able to meet all of our goals.
We talked with Shad about our website design and how imagery and content would expand and change over the next year. That's a heavy part of how we're conducting our business. A most important tool - to build our audience, experiment with new age media and be inventive - pushing the envelope of what's doable, and seemingly necessary for the life-span of our project, and making it accessible.
Meanwhile, our hired marketing/distribution specialist, Peter Belsito, was in Berlin hitting up the festival scene. We're really excited to hear about his journey, and how/if LIS might benefit from his expertise.
Back at the ranch in Austin, we prepared for a casting meeting, with our casting expert, Vicky Boone. It finally felt real - actually surreal. Seeing possible 'Bobs' posted up on the wall.. talking about their bodies of work.. how this project may be advantageous to both them and us - put everything into a vision of reality for me. It's finally happening.. whether we meet our May goal of filming this year, or have to make other arrangements for later this year - THIS IS HAPPENING!! But we're not talking about alternatives yet.
As with all highly collaborative projects, it's our responsibility as producers to be parents, if you will. It's our responsibility to remain cool and calm, in the midst of a storm. Not that we have any storms now, but that's something else we talked about. No one ever said making a movie was easy.. and we don't have time or energy to put two seconds of thought into something that isn't working to our benefit. If someone passes on the opportunity to invest in us- we don't delay in 'moving on.' Fortunately, this week brought us much luck in the sponsorship department, thanks to one of our key crew members who hooked us up with them. It was unexpected... and if that's one thing you can count on in this business it's that - the unexpected. One "no" is only that.. one "no." And eventually, all you'll need is one "yes." :) It's a go-go-go-go-no-no-no-no-finally YES! kinda business.
Lorie had a productive meeting with our very hard working and dedicated line producer, Michelle Millette, and UPM mathematician, James while she was in town.. discussing our status, plans for the future, and budgetary needs (since they've constantly changed due to new locations). Today, we should know more details that we can share with our possible talent, which Vicky will be reaching out to within the week - yippee!
We plan to reach out to a particular actor for our leading male role, BOB, whose script/movie choices have been impressive, to say the least. He's a solid actor with mad acting skills. We believe he'd be the perfect compliment to our verbally attached lead, Nadine Velazquez. We also had to look at his range of work, art-house image, marketability, and attitude. We need someone who will embrace the fact that we're an indie art-house movie. Someone that will take the lead because he wants to expand his body of work, and sees opportunity in this story/project/character. Crossing our fingers and toes!
Art Department meeting for LIS - Jentri (director) & Ia (Art Director): Pics from production meeting
Moving on, we finally met with our Art Director, Ia, and DP, Iskra yesterday and briefed them as to the status of our film as well. Having spent so much of my time with these women on scouting trips and storyboarding sessions, I can't imagine making this film without them. They bring a definitive burst of flavor, and confident calmness to the work they produce. And simply said, they're BAD ASS. I'm so privileged to work with all the beauties of Lost In Sunshine.
And I'm very fortunate and blessed to have a producer that cares so much about me, this project, and our team's well being. She's a mother to one 3 year old at home, and about ten more very hyper active kids (including me!) over the age of 25 right now. Go, Lorie!
More to come soon on our status, reaching out to our lead actors...hearing back from investors, solidifying our motel, and creating a website playground to entertain our audience... :)
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