A Time Long Ago

One of the things many people don't realize, that even on big budget films, press interviews take place long after the completion of production. Actors and directors are often asked to comment on projects that they haven't thought about in a year or more. They are already working on their next movie. This was kind of the case with our recent interviews. Although Rich and I have been active in the entire post production process - a process that still continues - there are aspects of story and theme that we haven't thought about in a long time. Rich has completed another film and I've written two screenplays since wrapping production on "Ranchero." And speaking only for myself, I had to review some of the ideas and concepts that were in my head during the conception of the piece. This was both exciting and nerve racking. Am I still talking about the same movie? How has time altered what we set out to achieve and what we did achieve? Has the feedback of viewers and critics affected our perception? It can get kind of heady. I'm anxious to watch the completed interview segment to see if I made any sense at all.

Brian

Some Extras

As we prepare for a DVD release, one of the things requested from the distributor is "extras." Extras can be commentary, interviews, deleted scenes, just about anything. Having the ability to speak about your movie, add clarity to issues you think may be missed, is something I believe most filmmakers find appealing. Audiences definitely enjoy the insider's view into the filmmaking process. Like the budget of a film, the extras section can vary greatly in regard to cost, size, and complexity. I think we've put together materials that fit the size of our film.

Rich has compared the interview section to creating a short film; there has to be a flow, a continuity of thought, a progression of ideas. Using behind the scenes video footage shot by Daniel Weisman, and interview sequences photographed by Dave and Dan Hefner, Rich is shaping a twenty minute look inside the making of "Ranchero." That, and an excellent deleted scene with Roger and Baldwin Sykes, will be the main ingredients of our extras section.

Back with you soon.

Brian

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Sorry, but it's been a minute since my last post. The joy of our festival trip to Providence now over, we've settled back in to the business at hand... finishing up the film. That is, getting deliverables ready for distribution. For those of you that don't know the term, deliverables are the required elements set forth by a distributor to get your film ready for market. They include master copies of the movie in different formats (high-definition and standard definition); still photos of the director and the cast; various contracts; copies of the script; etc. etc. The list can be quite long and intimidating. It can also be quite expensive. Spending 50k for deliverables, even on a lower budget film, is not out of the question.
Fortunately, like the rest of the production, we have the support of a village. Many people at Technicolor Hollywood have aided in the cause. Director Rich and Supervising Sound Editor Brandon Griffith have been working tirelessly to prepare the masters. Even lead actor Roger Gutierrez has assisted with acquiring music. It's indie filmmaking at it's finest.
Each day we grow ever closer to our goal: the opportunity for our baby to walk in the public limelight. You know I'll keep you posted.

Brian