Shwag, Shwag, Shwag

We'll be giving out some cool stuff at independent film week to raise awareness of The Tested so be sure to come by and find us to get your hands on the goods.

Kanye and 18 Hour Days

Feeling nostalgic, my production manager just informed me that he hadn't worked an 18 hour day in a while. I knew those fond days of which he spoke of were 14 hour days, but when they've reached that number, who's really counting anymore. I am reminded that a year has gone by since we shot the feature and it's been three years since The Tested was originally conceived as a short film. Our lead actor Michael Morris Jr. was 16 when he started this journey and now he's on the verge of being 20. When we met him, he wore t-shirts down to his knees, now he dresses like Kanye. If that's not progress, I don't know what is. And as far as my production manager goes, I'll tell him what people have told me... If you're not working an 18 hour day, you're only working a half day!

Grass Roots Baby

Thanks to Big Eddie and the crew at Fine Tune Music for promoting the film along with their artist Pareece who has a cameo. They are making it happen with their street marketing campaign, and we hear they made a whole event out of it, covering the Boogie Down Bronx on foot. We love that they are getting the kids to help put the word out.

It's here and we'll be there! The Tested will be showing it's trailer as part of rooftop films showcase of emerging narratives on sunday sept. 20th. Come out and support the film!

Out Your Window

The window was yellow from years of dirt, and the crack widened. Darraylynn Warren, transfixed on the sidewalks and the people moving swiftly from place to place, was stuck and desperate and couldn't remember the last time her face reflected any joy.

The Tested Rolls Out The New Poster

Gun Control

Our character Julian Varone is faced with the harsh realities of what it means to be a police officer. You are given a weapon to use when needed. But you are also expected to go through a clear, focused thought process before you use it. How does that happen in a split second? How can any judgment be reached in a pressure situation. Training can pull from past experience and give you a foundation. When you're in it, you're in it and all you got is your training, your emotions, and that weapon. The weapon that sits on your hip and taunts you. It's heavy metal scrapes against you and dares you to use it. Then you do... Then it's over.

White House Beer

Whether it's served at The White House or served at the pub down the street, and whether it's shared with The President or the local bartender - is it really going to change things? Race relations or rather lack of relations is still as prevalent as its ever been. When we made The Tested we knew it was a hot button topic but the button seems to get hotter by the minute. Issues of race are still issues and the conversations are getting louder. Our film seems to fall directly in line with our culture and what's happening in our society. But do we get the credit? Or is it simply an issue that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon and will continue to have a constant relevance every minute of every day.

Picture Lock

We've officially locked picture. And we're clocked in at a solid 99 minutes.

Those Damn Index Cards

The closer we get to picture locking, the more we start to scrutinize the film. Do we need this scene? How does it move the story along? Is this take the best performance? It's amazing when you think you've addressed the pages and pages of notes, then you say okay, we'll screen it one more time. still more notes. I am of two minds. When you watch your material you get way too close and lose perspective. But sometimes when you know it so well, you can lose yourself in it and find clarity - like those paintings where you can see the rocket ship if you squint. I never saw any damn rocket ships. But the edit process really does start with the index cards. Just the excercise of making them and affixing them to the wall familiarizes you with the story you set out to tell, and it also becomes glaring what scenes can go. We're close, I can feel it, and we're lighter and leaner.