NOTES FROM HOLLYWOOD: PART 14

Reflections on the Journey to Make a Feature Film

Lisa Bruce and David Oyelowo

I'm thrilled to announce an exciting development. Two established filmmakers who have advised me throughout the process of making this film have leaned farther into their supportive roles. 

Lisa Bruce and David Oyelowo are now EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS on AMERICAN SOLITAIRE. Lisa and I had a long conversation a few weeks ago after she and David both watched the most recent cut of the film. They each have felt a strong affinity to the project since they read an early draft of the screenplay more than two years ago, and they have been supportive advisors along the way. Now that they have seen the finished film, in stepping into the roles of Executive Producers they feel they can help us gain profile and support our efforts to get the film out into the world. David and his wife Jessica Oyelowo's production company, YORUBA SAXON, will be an associate presenter of the film.

I'm honored that these two filmmakers have responded so favorably to the material and have a passion to support our efforts to reach a wide audience. Their formal involvement helps us stand out in a crowded field as we submit to prestige film festivals, consider our premiere options, begin looking for a distributor and start to plan our impact campaign. Lisa and David each care deeply about the subject matter of gun violence in America and they have responded with enthusiasm to the work of art we've crafted. Thank you Lisa and David!

​On a different, but relevant topic, I think I've learned something about myself throughout the process of making this film: I like a challenge. You may laugh. Uh, yeah, we know that about you Aaron. But here I am, taking stock towards the end of this long process and thinking about choices I've made in my life. I think it's why I started a theatre company when I was in my 20's. I think it's why I took on difficult roles as an actor in conservatory before that. I think it's why I loved performing Shakespeare. I think it's why I ran Traveling Jewish Theatre--an experimental company--for a decade. And it's certainly why I took a deep dive into trying to understand the complexities of Israel/Palestine over twenty years ago and wrote three different plays reflecting my learning, culminating in WRESTLING JERUSALEM.

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A life spent in theatre and now in film has provided many, many challenges and I guess what I'm naming here is that I love it. I'm drawn to spending my days in the thick of creative endeavor, particularly when it's complex. If you had asked me if it was worth it, during the height of the difficulties I found myself in while making AMERICAN SOLITAIRE, I don't know if I could have answered. I found the process so very humbling and often it felt too damn hard. But now that I'm almost at the end of the creative journey, I can say without hesitation that, yes, it was worth it. Sticking with it, through the seemingly endless uncertainty was its own enlightening journey. It was a journey into filmmaking craft, but it was also a journey into myself and my capacity to hold so much. ​

Gilbert Owuor and Aaron on location

The subject matter of gun violence is thorny and profoundly tragic. I can certainly stick with this film, through its twists and turns, and see it through until we've made something worthy. Maybe we can even make a difference.

I head back to Hollywood next week, to finish where we started back in January. The final color mix. The final sound mix. We're almost there...