168 Clarity

They should rename it, The 147 1/2 Project. Well, at least in my case. I'll get a little publicity bump as I was the first team to turn in this year, however, it was very much a team effort. Still, over 20 hours ahead of the deadline, may be impressive. So, to review, or, in 21st century blogspeak, my takeaways:

• 24 hours in a day, times 7, equals 168. Just don't try to stay up for all of them.
• Delegate. As I've previously discussed elsewhere, you can't possibly know everything, AND
• Some may know more than you. Embrace it.
• Make sure your camera works with your editing bay. Did I say that one already?
  
• As the director, it's your film. Well, ok, I'm writing this, so, it's my film :)
• Actually, it's God's film, that he made through me.
• It's not about me.
  

There's so much more that I learned, upto and including, what my children may or may not look like seven years from now....

So, the madness is over.And now, I can move on to stressing over more important things, like is it any good? :D God blessed this production throughout, bringing me several miracles when I was about to chuck it all through the closest window. I could name names here, but it's my hope that they'll get to give their own acceptance speech April 4th.

In conclusion, throughout this experience, I was granted a revelation, which is why the #168Madness is over, and now I'm experiencing, #168Clarity. Please RT :)

72 and sunny in Redondo Beach.

168 Madness

Post Production, Day One...

Took delivery of media. Delivered media to editor. Editor attempted to download. Twitter has corrupted my writing ability.

Ok, let's do a second take. Something you don't always have the luxury of during a 168. And when I say 168, it's short for well, a short. Many of you by now have already figured out that I'm fully immersed in the 168 Project, however, for those that don't, I am.

What does this mean? I'm making a ten minute short film, in a week, based on the Bible verse, Proverbs 17:6. The good news is, the poster to the right is almost a dead on version of the script I wrote. It's almost even the one that I shot.

Someone once told me that there are four versions of a film; The one you write, the one you shoot, the one you edit, and the one you see. At this point, which is roughly halfway, I've already made two films. The third will be done and turned in by 2p Friday, PST. You can see the fourth, well, the information's on the poster.

And, it's not too late to help out financially. The button on the right :)

Things learned so far this year....

• No matter how good the actor is, if he can't stay on his mark, the take's ruined.
• When shooting exteriors, it is necessary to shutdown the entire city, in order to avoid extraneous noises.
• Make sure you get all your shots before you wrap production.
• Corollary: Make sure the shots you do get are usable.
• Not everyone participating in the making of a Christian film, is necessarily, a Christian.
• When finding a camera, make sure it's compatible with your editing bay.
  
• And finally, It's a sandbox, not a litterbox.

Still working on that second to last one. More as I know it.

Three of Clubs

Draft five acquired this title, and a couple of polishes later, we'll be shooting this thing starting today. By this time next week, depending on when you read this, we'll have a completed ten minute short film.

So, to review: Phil. 4:13. Not my verse for the film, but a good one nonetheless. Oh, donate if you feel so led, it's not too late. Or, buy something through the Amazon link. Both on the right....

Screenplay Locked, and Cast Set

Image by robjtak via Flickr

Yes, of course I'm referring to my 168 Project film, which doesn't have a title yet. I suggested to my son, Untitled 2009 168 Project Team #32 Film, but my son vetoed that one. My verse is Proverbs 17:6; Children's children are a crown for the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

So, of course, I've written a comedy. I couldn't cast my kids though, as they're too young. I did cast my wife, however. It took me two days to connect with the verse, as it did last year. I like what I've written, as does the cast, but I guess they have no choice. I'll find out what all this means, on either April the 3rd or the 4th, when the movies shows on the big screen at the 168 Film Festival. Oh, the theme this year is Family Business, if I haven't told you that already.

So, continue to pray, and donate if you feel led. It's not too late. I still need supplies to provide copies for cast and crew, as well as the ability to feed them. Shooting starts Friday, and I'll have the film completed by the next Friday at the latest, however, I believe I can get this one done by Wednesday....

The Home Stretch

Image via Wikipedia

Verse selection is Tuesday night, and I can't really start writing until then. However, as happened at this time last year, I'm chomping at the bit to write. Something. Anything. A grocery list. It doesn't matter, as long as it's the written word.

I don't know why this is, but it may have to do with the following: This whole 168 Project process is backwards, in my way of thinking. Normally, you write the script, find the money, find the crew that you can afford, and then shoot the movie, and complete post production, hopefully under budget. Oh, part of shooting the movie is finding the proper locations to represent what has been written.

Of course, for this festival, you effectively do everything in almost reverse: Raise the money, find the locations and crew, and the actual writing happens almost at the end. Almost as an afterthought, you shoot and perform post, in a week. 168 hours.

Clearly, I need prayer support, as well as financial. Thanks to all of you, we will be successful in glorifying God. Here's a verse for you: Phil.4:13.