Now what?

So, I've sent my last movie around, emailing the link from person to person, trying to get some reactions.

The actors and crew who have thrown it around say the response has been great. Everyone who has seen is has liked it. At least as far as I know. I wouldn't be hurt if someone said, "You know, you could have done this better..." or "I didn't really care for the plot..." or "You stink as an actor..." Constructive criticism, in other words.

As I've said before, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

But, now what? So I can officially call myself an indie film writer/director/producer. What good does that do me if I only have one film under my belt? Well, I'm currently in the process of fixing that.

October
I've cast and am aiming to shoot my next short in about two weeks. We'll most likely rehearse this weekend and by the Oct. 22, we'll be done shooting.

The actors I've cast are a married couple from out of town. They've got really good chemistry and seem to be really open to direction. I don't foresee any real coaching with them, but I'm sure there will be little things we'll be able to adjust along the way.

As usual, I've already run the script past my wife, Tonya. She's just got a gift for suggestions and for finding plot holes. I can gauge how fast most people will pick up on something depending on how fast it takes her to pick up on it. She's fast. I think I've mention that when we watch a crime thriller or some mystery, she'll often have it all figured out before the plot twists and turns attempt to leave us in the dust. She liked the story and made some great observations so I know it will be good.

November
I really want to do an adventure film, but I don't think I'm quite ready, logistically, for that yet. I want to spend a few dollars on some good prop guns and maybe even some squib rigs. So, what I've opted for is a more gritty film than the one before it. This one has just one set and two actors. It will be some closed quarter shooting since we're filming in a car for the majority of the film.

I think I might have this film cast already, but I'm going to audition some backups just in case. The two guys I have lined up are good. Both had small roles in my first film. They're definitely contrasting personalities and I think that's what's gonna make it work.

I'm still finishing up that script and finalizing the details for the shoot. Not to mention the fact that I've got to find a car that will let me and the camera man sit with the actors. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to walkie talkies and another vehicle and that means more gas money. Like I said, still working out the details.

The gritty aspect of this script will help me find the path I need to do more high tension dramatic materials and eventually, adventure films.

December & Beyond
For the holidays, I plan to start production on "Code", part 1 of The Bar Trilogy. I've started casting this now because it's gonna take me some time to really line up the right people for the roles. I've got a lot at stake on these three. They tell a story about me and the most important people around me, in a loose sense. "Write about what you know." That's what they say. They talk a lot and say all kinds of shit, but this I believe.

The first film is really going to dictate the way the other two are shot. And as it stands, the first film isn't completely written yet. With the ensemble cast, I'm really looking to develop each character from film to film. Not to mention the fact that I'm really looking to feature some great, original songs for each film. As it stands, I currently have a band from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Blind Punch. The founder of Punch is a guy I met through my best friend, Ben. Chris Jones is a uniquely talented and driven individual who I always wanted to work with. Until recently, I wasn't sure how I would accomplish that. Chris and his band have agreed to lend their music to the films and I'm lucky to have them.

January and February will bring parts 2 & 3 of the trilogy. I'm considering recruiting other bands for the soundtrack. I'd envisioned each film having it's own soundtrack/band. I'm still not sure about it though. Depending on how the first film feels, that's when I'll make my decision.

The Future
I've told a few people that after the trilogy I might dive into a full fledged feature, but honestly, I'm not sure about that. I'd like to; I have material to work with and even if I didn't, I could write it. I just want to make sure I'm not doing another "Caught In The Rain." My first attempt at a film and my first big failure. I still long to reshoot that, but I think I won't revisit that script again for some time.

I'm very excited about the coming months. The process is addicting. Not to mention the fact that I'm working towards my ultimate end: a career in film making.

Ride along with me, I promise I'll make this fun.

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