THREE WAYS TO HELP ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL INDIE SHOOT!!!!!

The production of “THE TOWN THAT CHRISTMAS FORGOT” got underway this weekend and I was along for the ride!!!!

As I promised, a few words about the experience.

There’s no way I can say the below stuff is insightful. More like re-affirmation that if you want success with any indie project, here’s at least three areas to make HOLY!

1 - Use an EXPERIENCED Crew & Cast

Luke Vitale is playing the lead role in the movie.  After the table read it was wonderful to not only get feedback that was positive about all the other actors, but insightful thoughts about the upcoming production because Luke is a producer in the industry as well as an actor.

2 – State-of-the-Art PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT

For anyone reading this without any experience with the RED camera, all I can say is – WAKE UP!

I love shooting on film. 

However, in my quest to support future filmmakers, shooting on RED feels like the way to go: Amazing technology… Beautiful work flow… Outstanding picture quality. 

Having a camera system which has planted a flag in the future, and is waiting for the present to catch up, feels like a no-brainer as the digital home video side of exhibition continues to evolve!

3 - A DIRECTOR with a VISION

I know much of my brethren in the WGA either don’t agree, or won’t admit in public that they agree with this conclusion –

FILM is a DIRECTOR’S MEDIUM.

Of course everything starts with the WRITTEN WORD.

But all of the words we write as screenwriters must go through the visionary brain of a DIRECTOR.

When the Director is one of the writers on the script (I co-wrote the script with Franklin Guerrero) it really becomes the director's baby once filming begins.

Allow me to stretch that metaphor a bit further – we all know people who can’t stop talking about their children or their pets (I’m guilty of both!).

Well, that’s the type of OBSESSION you need with a film director.

Go with the director that lives the filmmaking philosophy of “No detail in the film is too small.”

Go with a director who believes that their crew and cast are “Artists” and all of their contributions add to a better film.

Go with the director that believes that the story they shoot is something they’ve always wanted to direct, but it took your script to unleash their creative spirit.

All the above… and so much more… is why I’m excited about what just happened this weekend and what will be playing out in the weeks to come…