Have you every actually watched the credits for a film? You'll see the names of Actors, the Director(s), the Producers and a litany of other folks sailing on by on the big screen. What do they do? As I've been putting together this short film (With Her), I've been thinking back to the days before I got into the Tv and Film business and I've realized that although people know quite a bit about Directors, and Actors; they don't know very much about what everyone else does. So without further adieu, this is how we're going from first draft, to finished product... and how we're going to fill those credits with artists, technicians, Actors and people passionate for film.
Day one involves a chat with Gerson... he's been working on a script for a feature film for some time now and I'm anxiously awaiting the finished draft. "I wrote a few more pages yesterday..." we chat about the film and he tells me about the characters and the way that the whole thing is weaving together. With each meeting, each discussion, there is more and more story. Gerson wrote a short script a few years ago, a story of a boy going through his first romance, called 'Hugito'. We shot the film with 'real' kids, Actors with very little experience. He earned his stripes by pulling the best performance from them, and in the end, we had a very charming film. This time the ante has been upped, the characters more complex, and a storyline that is going to demand the best out of the performances of the Actors, as well as incorporate a style and polish that we've been striving for. 'With Her' was in it's inception and once the first draft was done I found a quiet place to hunker down and really soak it in. From here, everything changed.
What I was reading was a multiplexed storyline, with deep characters involving relationships and revealing discussions. Each player in the story exudes a wisdom or at least emotional complication. The story wove together vignette-like scenes to create a tapestry tale that take you in and out of the psyche of each person. It was going to be a daunting first film. Immediately I began looking for in and out points. Places where Gerson could extract a series of scenes, expand, and create something potent out of a smaller selection. In other words, make it into a short. When we met up and began talking about it, it was obvious that we were thinking the same thing and we had both been making notes and looking at ways to be able to make it... in a different way.
Enter Emer. Gerson had worked with her before on another project and knew he wanted her to story edit the script and make it into something smooth and accessible. A story that came from a longer story, but one that stands alone as it's own. A few revisions, and it was beginning to look like we could plan to make the film. Break it down and put it together. Time for Gerson, Emer, and I to sit down and see if we could make a film together. Form the first coffee, at the first meeting, we knew the chemistry was right. Ideas flew around like four in a bakery, and we gelled into EKG. Together we're monitoring the pulse of the project, keeping up the pace, and motivating each other to get it all done.
From here... I'm making calendars, scratching out budgets, conferring on locations, mocking up crew lists, creating web content, designing graphics, and generally getting the ball rolling. Thank goodness for having an amazing team! Once the site was live, the twitter account created, the email address initialized all three of us dove into maintaining it and spreading the word. Gerson had the first week for blog postings, myself second, and next week Emer will post. We're hoping it's going to be a fun way to have people follow along and possibly, get involved. While we do this, we're calling sponsors for our upcoming event, looking for the perfect space, arranging the audition/rehearsal area, and setting the stage for what's to come.
There are so many things to consider! The best thing that I can do as a Producer is to bring it all together, and in this part of film making, I feel the most joy! We're going to be incorporating as many of our friends and contemporaries as we can... in order to give the most people a mode to display their work. Sergio from Dos Mundos Radio is written into the script as the Radio Dj heard in the background of a few scenes, we have a few artists who are contributing to set dressing and props, passionate emerging Actors will be given a showcase for their talents and nearly every crew member is excited to show off their tricks in order to have this film finish with a polish that will be surprising! The dream is to bring together all of these creative people, have them work together in a copacetic team, and create the best possible film.
 |
| Emer, Kris, and Gerson at the Mod Club Toronto. |
So with the film in production, casting call posted and word spreading fast it's becoming apparent that we have a film in our hands and within the next few months it will be made. Before now and then we have a lot to do, this team of three. It will grow to include the contributors, technicians, Actors, and audience members that like the project and are looking forward to to day that the curtain rolls up. I sincerely hope that if you've ever wanted to be involved in a film, to let us know! 'With Her', is a story about love between people, relationships and friendships and the level of visceral engagement that any of us give towards others. Making a film is similar. Passionate people, who do what they love are coming together to put together the film. Think 'all-star team of artists'. Overture, hit the lights. Film sucks you in and immerses you in the process. Before you know it, it's all that's on your mind, all that takes up your time, and all that you ever want to do. "I couldn't sleep one night and I was sitting in my office and I realized that I was an independent filmmaker... " Darren Aronofsky. I'm very happy to be bringing you Gerson's new film. It's brilliant and together Emer, Gerson and I are going to amaze you!
Kristopher Finnigan
Producer
No comments:
Post a Comment