NOTES FROM HOLLYWOOD: PART 6

Reflections on the Journey to Make a Feature Film

Serving as the producer on an indie feature has its ups and downs as Dylan has experienced on a daily basis since we started filming. I captured him in his office this past week on set, above.

Friday was the end of Week 3 of production. In 14 days of shooting at 8 different locations we’ve filmed 54 scenes that took 292 set ups. That’s 292 times our skilled grip and electrics teams are shuffling camera and lighting equipment to set us up to film from specific angles, which sometimes involves camera moves on a dolly, sometimes on “sticks” (the tripod), sometimes on a high-hat (a small stand low to the ground), and sometimes hand-held. We also had a stedi-cam for a day which allows the camera to move smoothly much farther than on a dolly track. If we're outside, lighting involves either reducing the blasting sun with a variety of silks or diffusers set up on c-stands, or bouncing the sun with reflectors where it’s needed. Or they're bringing in lights run on generators when there’s not enough sun, or completely lighting a room if it's an interior scene. Meanwhile the camera crew is busy setting up the camera (we're shooting on a RED Monstro 8K), swapping lenses and dialing in the exposure, depth of field and focus. It all takes time. (Above, camera dept. setting up camera on a dana dolly).

And it all functions under the watchful gaze of the First Assistant Director, (Robin Conly, above, center) whose job is to coordinate all departments to keep us on track so that we make our day. That includes ensuring that actors are through the works (makeup and costume) and are on set the moment camera and electrics are ready; making sure the young actors have their proper school time with the set teacher as mandated by law and by the union; and making sure lunch is ready on time so there are no meal penalties. As mentioned previously we have 40 people on crew, a cast of 20 speaking roles and we’ve utilized about 40 background actors (a more dignified title than “extras”). By my count, that’s 100 people working on this movie.​​

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I’ve now reviewed three quarters of the film that we have in the can, and I believe that we’re making something special. I’m so grateful to everyone on our team for their hard work, focus and determination in service of this project. I’m particularly grateful to our executive producer, Maris Meyerson, who has shown unwavering faith in me and without whom none of this would be happening. It was a delight to have her on set with us this past week (photo above).

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It appears someone else out there got whiff of what we're up to. DEADLINE, the on-line Hollywood rag, broke the news of Josh’s new starring role. It’s just a brief write-up, but a little buzz is fun and maybe helpful to our efforts. Link: DEADLINE on 'American Solitaire'.

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We started last week in another torrential rain storm. (Working with Josh and Jamir right). Once again we were determined not to let weather derail us: we were locked into our schedule to film at an outdoor gun range. Umbrellas on-hand, crew huddled in tight quarters, sheets of rain came down off the roof of the pistol range stall where we filmed. Turns out that the rain added production value to the scene that we couldn’t have anticipated. Everyone was chilled and damp but the actors delivered wonderful performances and the background of rain, both audio and visual, created a different environmental feel than the rest of the film. Turning constraints into assets remains a key element to independent filmmaking.

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Gilbert Owuor, (left) playing the role of Auggie, wrapped picture this week on the second day we filmed at the gun range. He and Josh Close, (playing Slinger) as veterans grappling to adjust to civilian life, hit the range for target practice to calm their nerves. Gilbert has delivered a layered, rich and subtle performance and he and Josh have created a dynamic relationship capturing the complexities of how veterans bring home the traumas they experience in the field. I believe one of the doorways into understanding gun violence in America is to understand violence, period, and how it’s carried in the hearts of men.

On Wednesday we filmed the character of Slinger with his father, Dominic, a crusty old fella, played with frailty and force by Cooper Huckabee. And we finished the week by introducing actor Joanne Kelly, playing opposite Josh as the character of Athena, who takes him in and gives him guidance. It's wild, but we're finally filming the beginning of the movie. I've been waiting for Joanne to get on set, and she's here!
 
Monday begins our final week. 5 days left. ​

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