Time for something new…

I have a very interesting annoucement to make. There is a chance none of you are going to see this coming. So here we go:

I’ve decided to save up a bit of cash and try something new, something that could possibly lead to a new career. No, I’m not going to quit the center… not yet at least. This is something I’m going to do in my spare time and see how it flies. A friend from work and myself are going to save cash from each paycheque together and save up enough money from now until the end of October. What’s happened is I’ve finished writing up another script, and when we have the money we need saved up… I’m going to direct my first movie. Yes, the new career is filmmaker.

Our plan is to shoot a 10-15 minute short film. we only require two locations, and chances are I’ve already got them scouted out and will approach these friends for permission when finances are taken care of first. We think that for a two to three day shoot, with renting equipment from a local film company, getting the locations and possibly hiring a few indepenent actors, this will cost no more than $400 – $500 to pull off. I’m going to direct the film, and possibly star in it if we need to cut corners for the budget. Personally, I would prefer to cast a few actors who have a have decent idea of what they’re doing. This would in my mind make the shot run by a lot smoother and possibly save more in the long run.

Like I said before, the shoot would only require two locations. One is a convience store, and the rest of it will take place in a large living room in front of the TV. I have a friend whose Dad owns a store, so I’m going to see if I can get the place for an hour (when closed) so that I can quickly shoot the one scene I need and then I’d be free to do the rest at the other location. I have two ideas for the primary location, and I would need this place for at least two days to get the shots I need for the rest of the film. If one falls through, I know the other will be fine… but I’ll have to make sure I have a few more backups just in case that falls through as well. The script that I just finished for it is a comedy, and it’s a laugh. I’m actually eager to shoot the thing tomorrow, but realize that this is going to take a lot of planning to get off the ground. First we have to get a firm price on equipment, casting and then other stuff we might need for the set such as lighting, wardrobe and other stuff.

Right now, if my plan goes the way I want it to… I want to shoot this over the first weekend of November. By then, my bud from work and I should have saved enough to get the budget that we need for the film. I’m actually torn on whether or not I’m going to do the film in color or black and white. I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it and when we get a feel for the equipement that we’re going to use for it. I personally think Black and White would be more fun, since that would eliminate some problems with future editing. But like I said, we’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.

If we get the shoot finished in November as planned, then I was hoping to get it edited and finished by January or February of next year. Then I plan to find a few film festivals to showcase this movie at and then hopefully I’ll use this movie to secure funding and investment for the next project. That’s the plan right now… and as long as we remain disciplined and save the needed cash for our budget, we should have no problem securing equipment and doing the shot. I did a fare bit of direction when doing stage plays at highschool so I’m going take the helm and direct this piece. I wouldn’t be able to trust anyone else with it right about now.

So that’s my plan. The idea of doing a 15 min short is the idea that we should learn to crawl before we try to walk, and then run… etc. Leah is being her usual, skeptical self… giving me that look as if I’ve finally lost my marbles. Regardless of that is true or not, I’m going to let her doubt and hard looks slow me down or stop me from trying to make this project fly. You don’t get very far in life if you listen to all the naysayers that tell you what you can and can’t do. When I was younger, there were a lot of ignorant teachers who told me that I wasn’t good enough to go attend University. There was one teacher who knew otherwise and said so. Not only did I attend, I got a BA in English Literature. Guess who didn’t hesitate to take a copy of my graduation notice and shove it into certain faces around my old school.

The point is, I know I can do this… and if it doesn’t work, the reason isn’t going to be because I didn’t try. I’m going to work more Overtime and start saving some cash. The script is finished, and I’m sure we can shoot this off a modest budget. That is the first goal, get the shoot finished and then edit the film. Once it’s all done, they’ll we decide where to go and where to show from there. So that is my big announcement…. I’m going to make a movie. Sounds a little crazy I know, but I think it’s going to work.

Peter