Tails

“Tails” refers to the tail slate, the clap at the end of a take when things get flipped around—and this blog is just that: a flipped-around peek behind the scenes of my second feature.

recent posts

about

  • 13 Days until Filming

    Fixed some major location issues today. But we also found out that the food situation with our first location is not what we thought it was.

    Maybe found a solve for an animal issue I was going to have. We’ll see how that shakes out. Don’t write animals into movies. I knew that rule and I didn’t listen to it. Now I’m paying for it.

    Learning how to use scriptation. I think it’s going to make a huge difference in keeping my thoughts organized when filming and to help me edit in post.

    Just remembered I have to learn Resolve for editing.

    Still having some issues with casting. it’s taking so long to close the long form deal with the lead. And costumes is desperate for sizes. I tried casually texting the actor about their sizes today and I think it only led to shutting down my chat with her.

    Hoping I can resolve some more casting issues tomorrow.

    Crew continues to be amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever shut up about them and I won’t apologize for it.

  • 14 Days until Filming

    I had a lot of plans for how I was going to be productive today.

    I ended up sleeping a good portion of the day.

    Feeling guilty about the money we’ve paid in childcare for me to nap.

  • 15 Days until filming

    It’s a Saturday and yet people are willing to do work on my film. I went through all the wardrobe changes for each character with my costume designer. The thoroughness of my crew is incredible.

    I also learned today that my costumer is leaving a union tv show early to work on my movie.

    That is insane. I can’t let her down.

  • 16 Days Until Filming

    Solved some problems. Found other problems. 

    I thought I was a genius when I found a diner that would let us film there for free. Scouting it, the crew brought up some logistical problems. But they could be solved with money. More money than it would cost to pay to film at a location somewhere else. An amazing place to keep in mind for future smaller productions. 

    The crew is ready to jump in and help solve problems that have nothing to do with their department.

    I’m going to keep them around forever. 

  • 17 Days Until Filming

    I’m in pre-production on my second film. I regret not keeping a journal when making my first film. I remember there were times when I was convinced the first feature wasn’t going to come together or was about to fall apart. But it didn’t. And because it didn’t, those terrifying moments have faded in my memory. Now I’m trying to pull those moments back up to help reassure myself that I’ve been here before and I figured it out anyway. And I’ll make it through again.

    I’m sure this will be very therapeutic in the moment (which is particularly helpful since my health insurance only covers 15 therapy sessions per year). This project is particularly tough because I’m making it with my spouse as a department head. Disagreements quickly become heated with our additional life baggage behind them.

    Also, if I may be so presumptuous, this is a little bit of a log for my future self to look back on to make myself feel better when I’m making my future films. God willing.

    I’m going to end each day exhausted. Physically and emotionally. So I am not going to hold myself to my normal set of writing standards. It probably won’t sound very much like my normal “writing” voice. But it will be an honest version of me during some very raw moments. 

    Today sucked. 

    We scouted a location that I was really excited about and everyone had to gently tell me that it was awful for a variety of logistical reasons. We had to drive several hours to get there. It felt like an awful waste of everyone’s time, money, energy. Everything. 

    My spouse accused me of being a bad parent for pushing forward with scouting with our child in tow after our childcare for the day fell through at the last minute. I think if the scout had been more positive that bringing a kid would have just been a cute photo op. 

    Casting is moving forward, but slowly. And with less than a month before we start filming, costumes is starting to make me anxious. Even when I make a casting decision, it’s still days if not weeks before the actors deal is closed and we can get their sizes. It’s not a smart thing to hold hostage if at the end of the day it will make the actor look worse. Literally. 

    Yesterday, I emailed my lead actor telling them I’m excited to have them on board and to give them some movie recs. 

    They haven’t responded back. 

    At least my crew is gracious and supportive. For now. Definitely can’t have another scout day like today if I’m going to keep them on board. They immediately spring into action suggesting alternative location solutions and reaching out to check their availability. I have no idea what I would do without them. 

    Tomorrow is more scouting and more casting. It’s 1am. I have to get up in 5 hours.

    I just hope people keep showing up and responding to emails.