And It Begins

The first draft of the screenplay is finished. I was beginning to wonder if this movie was going to start off like Gone With The Wind. They had no real script when shooting began back in 1939. That's sounds crazy, but it's totally showbiz - and I love it!

This particular story was originally conceived as an homage to It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, but it quickly developed into an entity all its own. I first worked it up into a short film script, but certain situations and characters just begged for more screen time, so I had to expand certain ideas. Once I did that, I had to expand on other situations to help explain the first situations I had expanded.

Eventually, I realized this was going to be a feature-length movie. The daunting task of shooting a coherent and visually interesting feature-length movie frightens me a bit - especially with my lack of funds and limited cast and crew. For one, I have to shoot around every one's schedules. All of them have to continue working and living their lives. It's not like I can pay them thousands of dollars to just drop everything. Honestly, I'm going to be breaking the bank just to feed everyone. Also, I know I'll have to do a great deal of the work myself - catering, lighting, location scouting, casting, getting everyone to the set, and keeping everyone happy!

The whole process makes my head spin, but I can't help but look forward to it. It's what I live for! Literally from the time I wake up in the morning until I go to bed at night, I think about film making - and this current film in particular. It's not a matter of can I do this - I must do this.

So... The first step has been taken. I have finished the first draft of the expanded screenplay. I've gone through the script and made corrections and highlighted some issues. Now, I need to go through and fix it and finish it. Production begins the second week of August, so I don't have much time.

See you on set!