The Post Edit Introspection

"Duluth Is Horrible" is getting the sound worked on as we speak. It has been color corrected, credits added (that's YOU Kickstarter backer!), dvd designed, and getting some small compositing work done next week. For all intents and purposes, it's done. I sent the roughcut to about 10 or so trusted colleagues. Friends perhaps, but friends I trust will tell me when something is shit. Friends far more critical than any normal person. Feedback is largely positive and a few have mentioned it's the best thing I've ever done. I'm certainly proud of it and pretty happy with the results. It probably is the best thing I've done so far (well, excluding this magic).

What I find interesting, & also somewhat frustrating, is the lack of consensus on feedback. What others dislike, others like. This person says cut the bench scene. This other person says the bench scene is essential. Who's right? Everybody brings their own bias to the table which hopefully at least gets me to think about other methods. Sometimes I make changes. Sometimes I don't. Ultimately it has to be the film I want to make, especially when I put my money into it. The personal goals of my films are more on the artsy side. I'm less interested in traditional narratives, less interested in giving all the answers, and less interested in "the rules."

THAT SAID, lately I've been wondering how can I keep this up? My goals are to make movies & music full time and live more or less comfortably doing so. I think that's most artists goals. I could probably cut "Duluth" a little different and make it a bit more mainstream. It sounds unappealing but I cannot help but wonder if I did, would it help get me farther along in life/career. I've done plenty of corporate work for others where I will gladly do whatever, but when it's my own personal projects, I feel conflicted. I don't think of it as a hobby. I write it off on taxes. But are art films a business? Godard should not be taught in film schools. 

My films may not make money but hey, I'm a critical darling of the Faux Film Festival in Portland, OR where I'll be tomorrow night. Nothing like the Pacific Northwest for a good career crisis! I'll be showing my 30 minute parody film, KNFR From 7:00-7:30, to a room of saucy Portland strangers. Let's see where the adventure continues!

A Little Off The Sides & Back

I believe I have a roughcut of the film. I'll be sending it out to the Duluth Is Horrible Advisory Committee tomorrow for their feedback. It's a tricky edit trying to blend the funny and not funny parts. Maybe I got it. The film should make you feel all the emotions - funny, sad, need to take a shower, etc. Assuming the film needs no big changes, I'll be then sending it off for some post work: sound design, color correction, effects. And yes, there are effects but hopefully you don't even notice where they were. Film should be done in April as I promised on Kickstarter. Those wondering how to get on the Duluth Is Horrible Advisory Committee, note that the members were pre-chosen by the head chair, President Barack Obama.

So what else is going on? Well, Duluth editing has taken up most of my free time but in two weeks, I go to Portland, OR for the Faux Film Festival where my previous film, KNFR From 7:00-7:30 will be playing. That film, which contains the infamous "David's Pizza Commercial", will be shown in its entirety. All 30 minutes that I worked so hard on for 2 years shown in front of a live non-friend audience. For those suffering from blog withdrawal, I was going to write about my experiences for my 3 days there.

I'm also writing my next film. I have another fairly complex short in me before tackling another feature. Early signs show lots of glorified extra roles. So get excited San Francisco actors!! I was even considering shooting a little of it when I make my return visit to Duluth for the screening. Whenever that is.

The moral of all this is: Blog posts were better when I was doing more than just staring at a computer. But this is where the film really gets made. So please excuse my tedium.