How to Pass a Test

I have done more writing in this production program than I ever expected. Here's the up side: I seem to be getting better and faster at it.

In my cinematography class tonight we had 2 things due. One was a pitch and treatment for an indoor documentary interview. I had spent several hours over a few days working on that. I had it mostly done and was planning to finish and print it at lunch today. Last night Lai asked me if our script was due in Cinematography today and I said, no it's not a script it's a treatment. Then this morning at the end of production class Jorge asked what we'd done for our scripts. And I said again, no it's not a script, it's a treatment. And he said, no we have to do both, remember?

I had one of those moments: Ohhhhh yeahhhhh, I remember that now. A 2 page script that takes place in the adjunct's office, preferably of a film noir nature.

So Blue got a short walk at lunch and I cranked out a script as well as finishing my treatment. It's based on a possibly true story that my college advisor told me once - 25 years ago, I'm not sure why I even remember it.

In class we each read our scripts. We read our own screen directions and we pulled up people to read the parts. Then we all voted on which one we want to produce during class next week. So we're doing mine. I've sent an email to a couple of people that I've worked with on other projects to see if they're free to come act for me. And everyone in the class has a different crew role. Over the weekend I'll need to meet with the guy being DP to figure out the shot list and look and feel of the film. And I'll also need to talk with the gal who's the 1st AD after we have the shot list to work out the schedule. We'll only really have an hour and a half of shooting time so we'll need to be very efficient. All the more reason to hope my good actors say yes.

There's also a lot of Prod 2 shooting going on the next couple weeks. There's one more shoot day for Aaron that he hasn't got scheduled yet. I think he's working on the location. Lai is starting shooting tomorrow evening for his roof scene and then finishing later in the month. Jorge is starting soon, but I'm not sure when because he doesn't need me until later in the month. Ehsan is shooting Sunday during the day, Monday evening, and one other evening that I don't think he's quite worked out yet. I met with him for an hour or so last night after class to try to help him break down the script and figure out the schedule. But then this morning in class he had changed the script again so I'm not sure how much that is still going to hold. We'll see.

They did warn us this was going to be the busiest semester and March would be the busiest month. That's holding true so far.

PS: Both of the actors that I asked have already said yes. It's such a good feeling to know that I've been doing enough work here that I'm getting a really good group of contacts. People who are good and are happy to come out and play even spontaneously. My biggest concern about moving to Boston was starting over with actors particularly and even crew.