After the Headlines: It's a wrap

Thank you, thank you, and thank you. I would be remiss if I didn't start this blog by thanking all the people who helped me out on my film shoot this weekend. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE CAST AND CREW OF AFTER THE HEADLINES (and yes I know each of you deserve so much more). Although I'm really tired, I'm on my fourth, maybe fifth wind. If I actually shot on film, I would say After the Headlines is in the can, but since it is shot on digital video I'm saying its a wrap. The Martini shot (last shot on set) is done and I still can't believe it. I shot my first short film.

I know I've said it before, but I feel the need to say it again, film is a collaborative art form (thank God). There is no way I could have done this on my own. From the cast to the crew, we all came together to tell my vision of a story.

Although it was only two and half-days of shooting, it felt so much longer. I guess that's because I probably got a total of 15 hours of sleep this weekend. Friday night the crew loaded in at 6 p.m. in the evening and we wrapped our last shot at about three a.m. in the morning. By the time I dropped off Tim, my sound guy and Jaye (lead actress), it was about 4:30 a.m. when I got home. I had to make changes to the shot lists for the following day so I didn't go to bed until I finished, that was around 5:30 p.m. Call time on Sunday was initially 9 a.m, but I decided to push it to 10 a.m. I said it is the least I could do. I didn't want the crew and cast to be too drained and they weren't, everybody came with there A game.

Second day of shooting was a long one, we had bad weather and a late start. However, the fact that my two locations were a two minute drive from each other made things a lot easier for everybody. Black Rock Center, the second location was four locations in one which was a saving grace! We created, a coroner's room, therapist's office, hospital waiting room, and shot an exterior. I did my best to keep folks well feed so energy was up. Having a crew well feed is crucial. I hope I didn't disappoint. Initially, I booked Black Rock Center until 11p.m., but at the last minute decided to add two hours. We ended up wrapping up at 10:30 p.m. and loaded out by 11.pm. I was so happy. I actually was going to get at least six hours of sleep and hopefully refunded for the hours I didn't use (The producer in me watches the dollar and cents...lol).

Today, we kept our momentum and things moved at a good pace. There were times when we had to wait for lightening, but lighting is key, so hopefully when I get to the editing room I can say it was worth the wait. Everything came together nicely and it was a really enriching experience for me. I guess I knew I could do this, but part of me thought I was crazy for wanting to try. I'm glad I went against the grain and trusted my gut. I think non filmmakers would have a lot more respect for the craft of filmmaking if they worked a film or saw the sweat, energy, and sometimes tears that go into getting a shot. It is hard work and you do it because you love it.

Now that my first short film is done, I can smile from the inside out. I can't thank the cast, crew, my boyfriend and my mom enough. People believed I could do this, the trusted me, and that means the world to me. I've feel like I've hit a milestone. Although it's a wrap....it's not over, it's far from over. Footage has to be digitized and logged (which is a tedious process, I like to call it a necessary evil), then edited, then scored, then color corrected and let me not forget the artwork for the finished product, a DVD of After the Headlines. After I do all that then I will need to make copies for everyone and then submit it to film festivals and cross my fingers, hell I'm crossing my fingers now that I make it through all the steps I mentioned. It's going to cost me more money and more time, but I believe it will be worth it in the end.

This weekend was a real thrill and I know the ride isn't over. Stay tuned......

Comments

iTheodore said…
With that new hairdo, you can do anything! Congrats!
xo
Dim said…
Congratulations on production. Send me some images you'd want me to rework into the concept for the dvd cover/cd image..etc when you're ready! Im looking forward to it! :)
Unknown said…
Congratulations. This is awesome!!

~Oghomwen
Aaliyah said…
Theo you are to funny!!! Thanks everyone!!!