Web Distribution

Interesting article from Wall Street Journal about filmmakers distributing their films online. Click on title of this blog above for link.

Progress; Music

So we're getting closer to a rough cut of the film.  Lucy has most of her film edited, and Laura has been working hard on her edits.  I met with my editor tonight and we were able to finish up another scene.  Only a few more scenes to go.   The three of us are planning to meet this weekend to see the three stories together.  There is still the problem with "Jim's" buzz haircut in one of the stories, while in the other two stories he's sporting a full head of hair.  I also realized when looking at some of my footage that in one scene, there is a calendar in the background with an August date, even though the scene was supposed to take place 3 weeks before Valentine's day.   It's funny because when we were shooting that scene, we discussed whether we wanted to worry about the big clock in the background, but no one noticed the big calendar.   Oh, the pleasures of continuity issues.   

I've been dealing with getting the music licenses for this one song that I'd love to have in the film.   I had previously contacted the musician's manager and he had originally told me that I can use the song without any fee for festivals.   But after jumping through a few hoops, it looks like they're going to charge for us to use the music.  Bummer.  Though the amount isn't very much as music license fees go, it's still more than what we can afford.  So back to the drawing board to find a depressing, heart-wrenching song.  

For those going through music licensing issues, be aware that you will need to get two different licenses: the synch rights and the master license.  Sometimes one person/entity will own the rights to both, but I believe most times these rights will be owned by more than one person/entity.  In my case, the rights were owned by 2 different parties, and both parties asked for license fees.  

Though I'm disappointed, I know that there are a lot of very talented musicians out there who would be willing to grant us music licenses without charging an arm and a leg, in the spirit of indie filmmaking and indie music.  I'm planning to meet up with Watson, our music supervisor, within the next week or so to go over the music.   It's wonderful when you discover a beautiful song that will fit with a scene.   And even better if the music license fees are affordable.

Music for Love Song

It feels like Matt and I have spent a better part of the summer working on the rough cut for Love Song. Matt is a busy cinematographer so I’ve been blessed to have him give me so much of his free time. We finally assembled a rough cut and last night added the potential soundtrack. The previous version had music from Matt’s iTunes (well known, unaffordable songs).

I gave the rough cut to Watson, our music supervisor. He put together a list of 10 songs and cued the music where he thought they should be placed in the film. I loved 8 of Watson’s picks and I added a few of my choices to the mix. At the moment we are working with 13-14 songs (including two from The Fabulous Miss Wendy). I am very excited at the prospect of having these talented musicians be part of the Love Song soundtrack.

I broke one of the cardinal rules of filmmaking when I fell in love with one of the songs on the first temp track; Mazzy Star’s Fade into You (from Matt’s iTunes). I even wrote a letter to Hope Sandoval via the Mazzy Star website to see if I could use the song (I have not heard back). The more I watched the clip, the more I fell in love with the song and it became all about THAT SONG. It made me realize that I needed to get back to reality and put the focus on balancing the film with the music and not the other way around.

Watson did a great job with the song/scene selection. The film now has a different vibe than it did before (in a good way). I love how all these different layers are coming together to further enhance the look and feel of the film.

xoxo,

Lucy

Diving Lessons Is Officially Editing

I am totally in love with Justin and Shireen, or Jim and Jenny. It is such a pleasure to look at their faces for hours on end. I can't believe how charming they are to watch together! I wrote on my website - www.thesmokingrobots.com a little bit about what I wanted to accomplish with this film and I actually think it worked out. I'm only halfway through the film but it's already beginning to reveal lovely things between the characters. I just hope at least one other person out there likes it as much as me.

I always tend to overcomplicate things, in both my art and my love. I guess this film might be a testament to the KISS theory.

I just pray to be done with the rough cut by mid October.

Laura