C.R.T. Pre-Pro

I spent most of the day re-storyboarding this short. The very nice remote storyboard artist needs thumbnails within a few days. I had most of the storyboards done but have decided to go over them again in the course of my notes to him and see if they’re the right ones, if I need them all. I eliminated a few shots. I’ve found that if I can combine three shots into one, it’s usually the right choice, at least for an independent short film. Keep in mind I’ve only directed one.

Someone said something to me the other day, who looked this script over. They said there’s too much talking, and that with the ending, I’m not showing enough. While I think they’re right about the ending and I should go back and fix it, I think part of the implication with what they were saying was “nothing’s happening in the script.”

Look, there’s conflict, and I think this short will connect with people who see members of their own family on screen. I’m aware of the power of representation, and I think this short features members of female generations bonding, bickering, and being nuanced if not complicated (due to my limitations with creating characters) in a way that needs to be seen more, somehow, just in case it connects with somebody and makes them feel less alone in the universe.

I have to have more conviction in my vision as a director. If I’m lucky, this is only the beginning of people questioning things before something gets off the ground, and me developing the confidence to see an idea through if I believe in it and feel it’s important. This is something I have to do. Writing this makes me feel better. I was storyboarding all day, and contributed to a weird hour of productivity while trying to finish The Nothings outline. I’ve spent the past week or so trying to hire crew (hoping to God someone comes along and fits within my budget) and look at actresses’ applications for the short film (over 800; yes I’m the casting director), and all of this activity has me a little frazzled. I’m going to exercise after this, and I’ve been making the time to read and sleep at an appropriate hour, which is good.

One last thing: I am currently without a full-time job. Maybe I’d be able to do all of this with one. Either way, I’m exhausted. The location’s available at the end of the month and I have to shoot the film then, so I’m on a deadline.

Watching: Dreamland (Miles-Joris Peyrafitte), Sundowners (Lisa Steen). Filmmaker: Lynne Shelton