A diary of my
arduous process to develop, finance,
produce and distribute a totally independent, digital, feature film (DREAMS
AWAKE). Come along for the
ride, comment if you like, and maybe we’ll learn something, and of course have a little fun.
Originally I gave myself from March 15, 2005 to September 15, 2006 to turn
my dream and vision into reality, with only my imagination to
guide me. Since we all know film development can be
unpredictable and full of unanticipated obstacles, a self-imposed
deadline should not jeopardize the project's quality. My new
timeline was more flexible and production finally commenced
in July, 2007 when the script was where it needed to be in order to tell an
engaging and original story. Check in
regularly for the ongoing progress. We wrapped in September, 2007, and are currently in
a prolonged post-production mode, with some type of release expected in
late 2009 or early 2010 ... Jerry Alden Deal
This week
we got to watch some of the musicians bring the score to life.
At first it seemed a bit technical, but watching them get into the
flow of it and then feeling it grow into what it became, well, it
was encouraging and very exciting. Real instruments sure
trump synthesized. Below are some photos of the process
(you had to be there) ...
Jerry
July 16, 2009 -
News Tidbits
That
final stretch loosens up, and daylight shoots through ...
Well, I
feel we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes, we'll probably be doing a final mix some time next month, and
finally arriving at that final HD master (after some color
correction, of course). We're cleaning up a couple of the
remaining visual effects, finalizing some sound design issues in
relation to that 'mystery tone' that pervades the story and
finishing up the last few cues of the score. Yeah! ...
Our
Production Designer Renee Prince has her own little blog over at
Film Industry Bloggers,
which is a nice little community of film professionals who blog.
In her most recent post,
The Other Side of the Dream, she talks about our film.
Please check it out and comment ...
People
have wondered what's up with our new film website. Like,
where in the hell is it? Well, we've decided to completely
redesign it, in accordance with some of the changes currently
happening online, more specifically social media. We want it
to reflect more interactivity than just a regular old website.
So, we'll keep you posted ...
And now
we've got another YouTube video up, an interview with actor Tim
O'Connor. Enjoy ...
TIM O'CONNOR
INTERVIEW
Jerry
July 26, 2009 -
Milestones
Coming down the pike ...
This past
week we got several items finalized so we can get to that final
mix. We had three sets of visual effects shots that were
finally finished and delivered. We had a few cues left for the
score, and those were finished and delivered. In addition, a
number of outstanding sound design issues were resolved. All
of that means we're very close to putting together all the
elements we need to finish that film we've been talking about for
years. Yes, "Dreams Awake" is right around the corner ...
We'll be
doing that final mix in a couple weeks at Castle Oaks Productions
in Calabasas. But first, I'm taking a few days off.
Here are a couple YouTube videos to tide you over; interviews with
actors Najarra Townsend and Mitchell Presas. As always,
enjoy ...
NAJARRA INTERVIEW
MITCHELL PRESAS
INTERVIEW
Jerry
August 5, 2009
- Time off
Recharging the batteries ...
Am finally
realizing that I really needed this time off from the film.
It has been very nice not having to think at all about the
film for a while. Not that it doesn't creep in here and
there, but for the most part I've been able to block it out.
Or have I? Well, maybe. Was I logical in where I took
this time off? Hhhmmm ...
So where
did I go? Yeah well, ha, I actually spent a couple weeks up
at Mt. Shasta; camping, hiking and communing with nature.
And yes, periodically thinking what I would have done differently
if I was shooting that same film right then. But in the end,
I didn't really lose any sleep over it, as I do know it's time to
move on and kick this baby out into the world. And hopefully
down the road I will actually move on to that next project,
whatever that happens to be ...
Snow at
Shasta, in August? You bet. And I've got the video to
prove it. It started raining pretty good on one of the days
we were camped up on the mountain, and so we headed down to our
place for the day. But that night, the snow came and
blanketed the mountain. Of course, a lot of melted in a
couple days. Check it out ...
August Snow on Mt.
Shasta
Jerry
August 13, 2009
- New Videos
A couple more perspectives ...
I recently
uploaded a couple new cast interviews to YouTube, ones with Robert
Pike Daniel and Christian Carroll, who play supporting roles of
father and son, and whose characters help drive the plot into
darker regions. I have to say it's been quite fascinating
for me looking at the actors' take on their experiences with the
film, especially two years later. And actually, I wish we
would have delved into certain aspects of their work in more
detail. Ah, but hindsight and all that, we'll take what
we've got. Enjoy ...
ROBERT PIKE DANIEL
INTERVIEW
CHRISTIAN CARROLL
INTERVIEW
Jerry
August 23, 2009
- Busy Times
And more fun ...
Several
items to update you on. We've been fine-tuning all the sound
changes/fixes/nuances in post, trying to get it just right so
everyone can have an enjoyable experience watching (and listening)
to the film. I am amazed at how much more complicated sound
is than picture. I'm very visually oriented, so any problem
with picture and I'm sensitive to it. But I just didn't
realize how complex all the sound issues can be. If things
are off on sound, it really throws everything off. Our sound
people have been working hard on it. We actually had so many
sound tracks in use one day that it took up all 192 tracks that
ProTools allows for. Never figured that would happen.
Anyway, on Friday we went to a larger sound studio theater to view
(and listen) to the film to see how it sounded in a real theater.
Wow, for the most part it was great, but there were a number of
sound levels off and a few tweaks we need to do to get it all
right. Here's a clip from that ...
Since
we're taking a look at some future film festivals, I'm going to a
couple presentations on all that this week; one by Film
Independent -
Submitting to Sundance and the other by Thomas Ethan Harris
(former Director of Programming, Los Angeles Film Festival) -
Navigating the Film Festival World the following night.
Should be fun, and hopefully informative ...
Jerry
September 1,
2009 - Finding our Film Festival Destiny
The
screening lotto, or a long and winding road? ...
Well, I
got some very intriguing information on the film festival world
this past week. As previously mentioned I went to two
different presentations on film festivals. The first one,
Submitting to Sundance, was put on by Film Independent and
was presented by two of the programmers from Sundance. The other
was presented by Thomas Ethan Harris
(former Director of Programming, Los Angeles Film Festival),
Navigating the Film Festival World, hosted by The Egyptian
Theater the very following night ...
The first
was somewhat informative, but very sedate. I was wondering
at a couple points if they were really giving us the real scoop,
since I've heard some notorious stories about 'behind the scenes'
scenarios that go on at this very high-profile and highly-coveted
festival. I suspected we weren't, even if they tried to
dispel some of such 'myths' about the festival. But what
made this presentation particularly intriguing is the fact that we
are currently in their submission period (until 9/25 for their
late submission). To tell you the truth I didn't seriously
consider Sundance one of the festivals we would submit to, but it
is intriguing that we're finishing up right around when we could
submit. Should we do what every other filmmaker does, and be
seduced by this proverbial filmmaker's rite of passage?
Well, guess you can't win the lotto if you don't buy a ticket,
right? And someone has to win, right? Right ...
The
presentation the following night couldn't have been more
different. Mr. Harris was a very intriguing fellow indeed.
And so entertaining. Talk about getting the straight stuff.
I think this guy knows where the bodies are buried, at least in
the festival world. He brought a lot of experience to the
plate, having been around this world for a quite a while and
knowing so many of the players. He was still going after
five hours, but I had to scoot before he finished. But I got
a whole lot more than I thought I would have. Not only did
he tell us the best 10 domestic festivals, the best 10
international festivals and the best community festivals, but also
gave us a list of more than 25 festivals to stay away from (his
'Hall of Fame Shame'). And not just a bunch of lists, but
why to submit or not submit. Really very, very enlightening.
Plus, he had some great stories about how these festivals actually
treat filmmakers. Oh my, totally amazing. I had no
idea. I think you could make a great comedy film about a
filmmaker doing this festival circuit. Or has someone done
it already? If not, it would be hilarious (and probably sad
too). Anyway, 'nuff said about that ...
One final
note though. I've actually been wondering if our film is
even a festival film. What, you say? Yes, that's
right. Is our little film even appropriate for the film
festival circuit? Think about it. How many mystical
family dramas with an uplifting, inspiring ending have you seen at
a film festival? I've never seen one. In fact, even
Mr. Harris eluded to the fact that not all films are right for
this path, and that there may be better ways to get a film noticed
today. Hhhmm, maybe there is another place to buy that lotto
ticket? ...
Jerry
September 11,
2009 - Recruitment Time
This
film needs YOU! ...
A call to
action. Lots of things going on right now, but first I'd
like to get all of you out there involved in getting the word out
about our little film. Yup, I want to recruit our own
"Dreams" Team. And that does mean you. At least those
of you who've been following this blog in some fashion or another,
and are interested in seeing us succeed. And how do you do
that? ...
First,
if you haven't already done it, sign up on the social networks
we're already on; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and become a fan or
follower
there. Then interact there, post the film page on your
Facebook page, Tweet the link, subscribe to our YouTube videos
and tell all your online friends to do the same ...
Second,
tell all your other (real, non-virtual ones) friends, neighbors,
family all about it. And then get them on those social
networks and have them tell their friends about it. Go
viral, baby, go viral ...
Third,
if you'd like to be more active, there are plenty of blogs or
forums out in cyber world to post something about the film.
Whether it be other indie film blogs, or blogs that might fit
within the film's niche, then have at it. Just let me know
about it so we can link back to it, both from here and from our
social network pages ...
Four,
we plan to have our new website up next month, finally, finally.
I know I've said that before, but I haven't figured out how to
clone myself yet. Anyway, I'm huddling with my webmaster
soon and we're going to hash it all out until we're done.
Once that happens, sign up on our email list to get news and
updates on the film, and tell all your friends to do the same ...
Five,
well there isn't one yet. This where you really come in,
where you come up with those brilliant ideas to spread the "Dreams
Awake" virus all over the place. C'mon, I know you can do
it. Shoot those ideas our way, and I'd be willing to bet
there's something in it for you. OK? ...
Next time,
we'll get you up to date on all the latest happenings with the
film ...
Jerry
September 21,
2009 - News Fit to Print
What's going on? ...
1)
Sound Mix. We recently burned some DVD's to see how the sound
mix would play. We're looking to get feedback from several people
and see what final tweeks we may need to do for a final sound mix,
as as well as get that M & E mix done ...
2) Film
Festivals. We're currently consider hiring a film festival
consultant to help navigate us through the humongous number of
film festivals all over the world. Should be fun, as I'm hoping
there's one in Fiji or Tahiti ...
3)
Trailer. We really need to get together an official trailer,
or two (or three?). I have some distinct ideas of what we need
for the trailer, but I'm getting the feeling we need a
professional trailer person to consult with us on this ...
4) Key
Art. As a part of us getting together some art, we just
started up a poster contest for the fans on our Facebook page.
Check it out if you're interested --
DreamsAwakeMovie. We'll probably have three poster versions,
two professionally done and one from this contest ...
5) EPK.
We'll certainly need an electronic press kit for the film
festivals, and of course for all our media needs. We have most of
it together, and are just fine-tuning the info ...
6)
Publicist. This is an area we have certainly researched and
will utilize on an as-needed piecemeal basis. If we get into any
major festivals, we will of course need one for that ...
7)
Website. We've dropped the ball a bit on this one, but intend
to fix that in the near future.
And now
that the film is actually almost completely done, we've got our
hands full trying to strategize the best way to take it out into
the world. Once we start working all the elements listed above,
I'm betting the way will become a little more clear. Tune in ...
Jerry
September 30,
2009 - Traveling Time
Moving on, and on ...
I'm
getting ready to head out of town to hunker down with my
webmaster. We really need to get this website up and going.
It was one of those back burner projects that just kept getting
pushed farther and farther back, until it got forgotten and almost
fell off the stove. But enough is enough, and we need to get
that fired up and figured out ASAP. As a part of that
project we'll be migrating all of the archives of this blog onto
that new website. So it will be a combo website for the film
and the continuation of this blog. We'll be using a
Wordpress theme (isn't everyone now) to built it with ...
We're
still reassessing our sound mix and waiting to get feedback from
people who are scrutinizing the DVD's we burned of the film.
Hoping we can get that completely wrapped up this month, that is
if we don't have too many sound changes ...
One thing
that I've been spending a lot of brain time on lately is our
marketing and distribution strategy. It seems like I'll be
spending more time dealing with all this than I did planning the
the film and the actual production put together. It's
becoming more apparent that because of the subject matter of the
film, we will have our hands full trying to completely develop,
cultivate and realize who our true audience will be. It's an
exciting challenge in an era when filmmakers are finding
empowerment for getting their work out to the people who will
appreciate it. More power to us! ...
As far as
all the other areas of endeavor we mentioned in the last post,
they're all still in the works, moving targets waiting for their
trigger to be pulled ...
