Friday, August 13, 2010

For a Few Dollars More...




So this week I realised I had to kill some of my darlings.
I was happy with the editing cut but something was niggling me. I went and watched it again with Anna Maria (the editor) and it became very clear. We had to cut a scene and shoot a replacement.

I had already planned on doing a few pickups, mainly audio, and a few shots to make it more seamless. It can be difficult working with kids to keep up the continuity for cutting, eye-lines, et cetera. So I had a short list of shots to pick up.

Now, however, I realised something more was needed. The scene just wasn't working. It slowed down the pace and didn't add to the story, - while, at the same time, there was an element of the story I wanted to make clearer.

Therefore, we're going to shoot a new scene to replace it.

And of course this costs money. I was already concerned as a few sponsors didn't make the final kick (and actually give me the donation!) and I had eaten into money that really shouldn't have been eaten into!



But to go back a little, before I started shooting I had an idea.

I wondered, would it be possible to approach irish film societies and see if, for the same fee they would normally pay for a rental from the excellent access>CINEMA, they would, instead invest in the film and get a preview screening ahead of release? access>CINEMA are a great resource for independent film clubs. They sort out the film rights, you hire from their incredible catalogue of films, and you have a very easy film club with incredible films.

I approached access>CINEMA about it and they liked the idea. I drew up some information that was forwarded to their members and I'm delighted to announce that 7 film Societies will be screening 'The Lost Backpack' once complete. I intend on presenting the film at as many of these screenings as possible and I've left myself open to the societies - they can follow the journey with me.

So a huge thank you to access>CINEMA, film societies, film lovers and all of you who've helped me along the way.

Please check out www.accesscinema.ie for information on film societies screening near you.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A little update



So, I'm back at work on Heartshaped.

I'm delighted that the very talented Anna-Maria O'Flanagan is working on the cut as we speak - I had done a very rough cut myself but I have to concede I don't have the patience or the natural talent of an editor - especially not one as talented as Anna Maria.

To be honest I found it very hard to detach from the kids in the project and see it as a film - I was obsessing on things I didn't need to and missing the bigger picture. I'm very relieved to step back into my comfort zone - directing those with talent work!

The overall project is now absolutely flying. We're halfway there in terms of segments shot - that means 12 left to go!

From looking at the stills and some of the rough cuts for these I'm delighted the quality is really high - I'm not disappointed by them (and I hope they're not disappointed by me!).

I've also had a very exciting meeting with a composer - it was very mysterious, at an airport - it felt a little like a Bourne meeting! Hopefully if things work out there will be some world class talent involved.

Fingers crossed.

I'm also working on a music video now - to shoot in the next couple of weeks. It's a great song, a great band (who I regularly collaborate with) and we have a great location lined up. Getting pretty excited by this now too.

Finally, but perhaps the thing I'm most challenged and excited by, is a return to short stories with a group of writers spread across the world -

Intercontinental Ink.

I have my story planned out and look forward to burying myself in it - I just need to clear a few items out of my head before I can. The shovel, the pickaxe and the caffeine are working on that as we speak.

We aim to have our stories finished by the end of the year and it will be put together as a one volume anthology. I'll let you know more as it develops.