Production Diary: Day 4
14 June 2007 in Blog | Comments enabled

We’ve shot 4 days on our first feature film.  We had a couple of 16 hour days and a couple of 12 hour days.  We’re a little behind but it’s to be expected in the first week.  We’ll make it up.

Our crew is amazing.  Sooo talented.

And the cast is so much fun to work with.  Carrie Walrond, Stephen Caudill, Jackie Prucha, and Brandon O’Dell are so good.  They spend their down time playing Guitar Hero (with two guitars).  Josh and I jump in for a round or two while waiting for lighting to get set.

But so far, I’d say directing a feature is REALLY HARD.  Mentally, physically, and especially emotionally.  So much to keep in your head and so many compromises.  But we are learning how to make a film.  It’s like diving into the deep end in order to learn how to swim.

I really couldn’t imagine shooting a million dollar feature (first).  This is tough on a VERY limited budget.  It’s great to do it at this level.  It’s a great learning experience.

Got to work on the shot list for tomorrow’s scenes.  Then, I’m going to bed.  I’m really tired but so far having a stressful but mostly enjoyable time.  And I’m learning why the playing field gets a lot smaller from guys in film school who make shorts to directors who shoot features.

It’s a LOT OF WORK!!!

Will post more over the weekend.