Fools by Martin Walker

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Blessings and Frustrations

The past few days have been particular windy in L.A. When the weather begins to turn cold and I start hearing about Halloween parties, I remember that it was two years ago when we first started shooting the film around this time. Two years that consisted of re-shoots, more production, and post production. Hellooooooo. A lot can happen in two years: a new President (of historical significance), the financial melt-down, the rise and fall of Jon and Kate. And we inched closer to finishing this baby.

I've been having a helluva time trying to find the right (gratis) music to use for my piece. And just when I've completely fallen in love with a song for a scene, I find out that it's gonna cost me. No one said falling in love was gonna be cheap. So then I try to break up with the song because I can't afford to love it. But because I'm truly an optimist in the body of a cynic, I think I may be able to convince the music publisher to grant me a gratis festival license. No such luck. Heartache.

But about three weeks ago, after listening to hundreds/thousands of songs on myspace, I found a couple of songs that I just loved by a couple of indie musicians. I went to their website and found a contact for the music licensing. I emailed the music licensing woman and she emailed me back right away. The next day, we chatted about my film, the project, music, and marketing. She agreed to to help me find other music for the film. After months and months of looking for music with no success, I finally found a kind soul willing to help me out. If I could bottle the feeling of total gratitude and joy at that moment, I'd be a very rich person. I guess that's just how indie filmmaking works. If you look long and hard enough, you will find that one (or more, if you're lucky) person who will help you. But at every step of the way, there will be obstacles. One after the other. Until you meet that one kind soul who just offers you the break.


About The Three Shorts

Christine Le wrote and directed the 1st story Love 10 to 1.
The first story explores the life of a 29-year-old virgin, Jenny, who desperately wants to lose her virginity before her 30th birthday. As she encounters one loser after another on dates, Jenny pines after her boss, Dustin. While at her grandmother’s retirement home, Jenny learns a powerful lesson from her grandmother about sex and the meaning of life.


Christine Le (right) directs Shireen Nomura Mui (Jenny) & Justin Klosky (Jim).

Lucy Rodriguez wrote and directed Love Song.
The second story revolves around Shane, the lead singer of the L.A. rock band, Dirty Virgin. Shane has her pick of admirers but it’s her roommate Dustin she wants to be with. Shane confesses her feelings on Jackie and Jared’s show but when Dustin meets Cali, Shane’s shot at love starts to dwindle. With Dirty Virgin about to embark on a world tour, will Dustin realize that he’s the object of Shane’s affections? Will they risk their friendship to give this Love Song a chance?


Lucy Rodriguez & David Villar (Dustin)

Laura Somers wrote and directed Diving Lessons.
The final story picks up where Love 10 to 1 left off, but from the perspective of Jim, the guitarist of Dirty Virgin. Jim sees Jenny at a swimming pool, trying desperately to overcome her fear of diving. In fact, he finds out that she’s making a list of everything that she’s afraid of and trying to overcome them, one by one. He is instantly smitten and tries to convince her that he’s not just a rock star who ‘loves ‘em and leaves ‘em’. Can a rock star find love with a virgin?


Shireen Nomura-Mui, Laura Somers & Justin Klosky




Leah Anova is the Director of Photography for Love 10 to 1 & Diving Lessons.

Additional Cinematography on Diving Lessons by Erik Forsell

Matthew Boyd is the Director of Photography for Love Song.