DIY DAYS

I'm keeping my publicity team pretty small for the film. You're looking at her.

The Title of this post is Titles

Very excited to be working on our titles. such an important part of the process. I think it's something that goes overlooked by many audiences but when you think about it, it's the first impression you are giving them of your film. what the vibe is gonna be, what the tone is gonna be, and where you're going with it.

Even deciding to just have white titles over black, is a choice and one that speaks to the type of film you have. If you have a drama, you're not going to have a comic font.

We're thinking of our titles as a bridge to our different storylines and a way to introduce the characters. We're working with Studio Collective and Jon Thomas who has presented us with so many ways to go.

really enjoying this really important part of the process

REARVIEW MIRROR

Day is done, gone the sun... Independent Film Week is over and all we have now is our memories and business cards. Serious bonding with the other filmmakers and I really believe we'll all support and promote each others films moving forward.

It may sound a little saccharine, but it happens to be true, and in this dog eat dog world - I can be confident there is a small group of people who will smile when they see me coming.

And these are them...

BANNED IN NEW YORK - Filmmaker Magazine blog series Part II

Filmmaker Magazine: Blog

Look Ma, I'm a Blogger!

I'm very excited to have been asked by Filmmaker Magazine and IFP to share my thoughts and experiences on the upcoming Independent Film Week. The Tested is part of the Emerging Narratives section and this post is the first out of three that I'll be doing. Check back next week for the 2nd installment

Filmmaker Magazine: Blog

Handshakes, Postcards, and Lanyards

Getting ready for Independent Film Week. I want to make sure the whole experience doesn't end up being a big blur of handshakes, postcards, and lanyards. I'm going to take the time to really enjoy each panel and each meeting, and all the cocktail hours! We've put together press kits and have some shwag hidden up our sleeves. And post importantly I've got my game face on. I'm going to be social and like it!

You're Invited!

labs_sneak_preview, originally uploaded by The Tested.

Come see a sneak peak of The Tested on Sunday, September 20th

The Reality of Tragedy

Sometimes tragedy is tragedy. As humans we constantly find ways to overcome adversity and find the light through the darkness. But also as humans, we can't all do that. We don't all have the strength to lift ourselves out of the well. Sometimes we die in the well. This is an important part of human nature that sometimes goes ignored. It's probably because there's nothing very uplifting or cheerful about it. But isn't it important to acknowledge the suffering and destruction and confinement?

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!