| Author | Message | ||
     Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6578 Registered: 12-2001  |
So, I thought I would start this little blog to follow the progress, or demise of this silly little short film that germinated right here on MOL. I have just finished the first draft and have offers of support from many of the regular MOL'ers. The trick will be finding a free location. Figuring some way to get some ink on the project for both MOL and Freshwater Films. And finding the funding for it. No matter how small a project starts out to be, there are always more expenses than anticipated. Were I in film school this would be my second year project...a short with no dialogue. Anyway...as I said in the other thread. If you have any interest in helping out finacially I would urge you to head to my little, very un flashy website because there is a pay pal link there. Freshwater Films, LLC Hey if Pippi and Notey can have a blog about their baby...then why not this right???  | ||
| Soparents Citizen Username: Soparents Post Number: 1374 Registered: 5-2005  |
Just paypal'd you $20 See you at the Oscars! | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6579 Registered: 12-2001 |
Thanks for that!! And we are off. Come on folks...don't let SOParents be the only ones!! | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6583 Registered: 12-2001 |
I have done some tweaking to the first draft and have what is very nearly the shooting script. I got some excellent advice from Duder for authenticity and they made a great deal of difference. I expect that by morning, when I plan to read it again, I will probably fiddle with it some more. But for now, I have a script I can register with the WGA and get the copyright in order. whoo hoo!!! | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4067 Registered: 12-2004  |
Will you share the script with us? Do you generally give folks who are considering "investing" a look at what they're investing in? I'd like to be able to make an "informed" decision, so to speak. Will you be casting local talent? | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6584 Registered: 12-2001 |
I will not post the script until it is registered with the WGA or I have applied for the copyright or I have finished revising it. But I will certainly email it to a regular poster on MOL.  As I said in another thread I would love to cast from Maplewood/South Orange. And as far as "investing" goes...this wouldn't be an investment of any kind. Investment implies the expectation of a return. I have another film if you or someone you know are interested in serious investment. But that is a different beast. For this.only a donation. Since no one ever makes money making short films. But if you want to have a look at what I am capable of take a look at my film THE READER--winner of 5 awards including 3 Best Short film, it is only 10 minutes long. It can be found HERE along with an interview/20 questions thing I did with the distribtor of the film. It has screened at about 20 festivals so far, most recently in South Dakota of all places. besides, as far as the script goes...I expect that when I read it tomorrow I will make some more revisions. I went through 10 or so drafts of The Reader and then when we edited the film, I cut out 2 pages of script. So who knows? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave  Post Number: 9954 Registered: 4-1997  |
I think LazyDog should be the person spilling the marbles. | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1174 Registered: 1-2006  |
Duncan, I have been "writing" an MOL script in my head since I started posting. I'd love to read yours and reply with my thoughts if you could tolerate listening to an amateur. I've got to say, "mine is awesome." J.B. P.L. me. If you DARE! | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6585 Registered: 12-2001 |
Dave, I don't think I can afford him.  JB...first tell me what your MOL script idea is. Then maybe, just maybe, I will send you whatever draft I'm at at the time. Right now I am into the third draft. I think it needs to be a bit shorter. Its basically a visual one liner and so has to be just the right length. Most of that can be taken care of in post with the editing, but still. It feels a little long to me right now. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6596 Registered: 12-2001 |
I have decided to change the names to protect the innocent. And to take out any sexist overtones. Which, when I read it again this morning I felt might be there. By having it be a woman who "gets" it in the end, so to speak. (Monster leave that one alone  ) So they will both be men. Boss will likely be a woman though. After making these changes I will register it with the WGA and start the process. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6597 Registered: 12-2001 |
Done...the script is registered with the WGA so I can actually get on with it! Again, I ask that you help make this MOL inspired short film by Donating Via PayPal If you want to see what sort of work I do as a writer and director feel free to go watch my second short film,winner of 5 awards including 3 Best Short Film awards at Motionflicks.com If you click on spotlight you can learn more about me, I think I am still the spotlighted director. But once you get to the site just look for The Reader and you will see what you donation will be helping out. This has me really psyched. I was wondering what I was going to do this summer! | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 3749 Registered: 7-2002  |
okay, I PayPal'ed ya', let me know if I can help with setup or whatever, it would be cool. | ||
| Spare_o Supporter Username: Spare_o Post Number: 430 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm in for $20. Can't wait to see the final product! | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6602 Registered: 12-2001 |
Guys.. I am stunned at how amazing the response has been. People are really offering so much help and support. And being that it was a cube farm movie, I emailed Scott Adams to see if I could get him to throw some money in the kitty...herewith, his reply
Well, not being someone who knows when to leave well enough alone I sent back a note saying INVESTMENT? are you kidding? I was asking for a donation, no one makes any money making short films, they do it for love. I expect I will soon be one of the email addy's he blocks. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6608 Registered: 12-2001 |
Ok so some folks are a little PayPal shy and still want to help out. IF that is the case you can send donations made out to me (the business doesn't have its own acct because I opened the seperate acct before we had finished with the biz filings for the LLC) and stick it in the mail. Duncan M. Rogers Freshwater Films, LLC PO Box 68 Maplewood, NJ 07040 And tell your friends that you know this crazy guy who is making a movie based on a message board thread and if they want to help out, by all means. I will take all comers!! You can steer em to www.freshwater-films.com or give them the above information. I want this short to be festival worthy. I think it will be. And thank you's already go out to people who have offered up shooting locations, some props, and some cash. This whole thing is very humbling. | ||
| LazyDog Citizen Username: Lazydog Post Number: 307 Registered: 6-2005  |
Dave, my marbles are staying right where they are..... Duncan, you can't afford me ??! I may not be any good, but I'm cheap. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6612 Registered: 12-2001 |
Hey Jersey Boy... I Dee Double Dare you...look for a PL | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1190 Registered: 1-2006 |
Duncan, Read, edited and returned. I couldn't do hard editing, so I numbered the shots and talked about them by number. I hope you still have a draft that matches the one you sent me. (it's only been two and a half hours!) If you number the shots 1-38, my comments will make sense, I hope. Great though, J.B. Okay, I'll go make a donation. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6613 Registered: 12-2001 |
JB. Thanks I will think about your suggestions. BTW...what sort of amateur are you? And why wouldn't you sign your Real Name on a PL??? | ||
| Zet Citizen Username: Zet Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2005 |
Duncan, PayPal-ed you as well. Even if my location does not work out, I am sure you can always use the cash support! Again good luck! Zet | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1192 Registered: 1-2006 |
My Anonymity!  Just kidding, I sent you another PL. J.B. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6614 Registered: 12-2001 |
I know that man! | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1198 Registered: 1-2006 |
Got the follow up PL. I'm definitely guilty of the Snidely/Dudley do-right effect in my suggestions. And, it was intentional. Hey maybe that's why I'm the amateur and you're the pro. Funny how a little editing can change everything. As I said, the decision to take or leave my suggestions is all yours. The were humbly offered. Any effect it has on the final product would be an honor. J.B. I'd love to read future drafts too, if you're interested. AND, if you title it "FINAL DRAFT", my only comment will be, "it's perfect." (Guaranteed.) | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6616 Registered: 12-2001 |
I won't have a "final draft". I will end up with a shooting copy, which will invariably change as the shooting progresses. With projects of this scope, there are too many things that will dictate what will and will not happen that I never finalize a script. Except for THE READER, which was a final script and was shot as a video with two different actresses a week before shooting so we would have a video storyboard. We plotted every shot, down to the camera location and movement, lighting sources and needs, dialogue in each shot, and any other notes needed so that when Elizabeth arrived we wouldn't waste her time in any way. And it turns out that in the editing of the film I ended up cutting out three pages of dialogue and montage. They were superfluous. So, sadly, it will never be Final. Hell, I could go back now to all three shorts I have done and, if I had the money, re-edit them and make them better. But they are what they are and stand as testimony to where I was at that time in the progress. THE ABLES HOUSE IS GREEN was my film school. Its a nice film, but definately a film by someone finding this particular storytelling voice. | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1199 Registered: 1-2006 |
I have been thinking about the two ways of telling this story, and actually I think the decision will be obvious in the editing. The shots you have mapped out will give you the materials to tell the story. The order of the shots, and the mood they generate, (cartoonish or earnest) will depend on the mood that's generated during the shoot. Many elements still ahead will probably render this conversation moot. But it's been fun anyway. Good luck, I'll be checking the blog. J.B. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6621 Registered: 12-2001 |
J.B. Thanks for the encouragement. I think the actors will bring a lot to the choices and shots as well. So it's also lacking that one MAJOR element. As they say, 90% of the success of a film or play is in the casting. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 8194 Registered: 5-2001  |
Duncan- I want to help however I can. I'll connect with JML. Maybe I can do extra $$$ activities during the fundraiser. If there are local merchants that you are tight with, PL me. Maybe I can hit them up for prize donations to raffle off. Or, if anyone wants to offer a service (mow a lawn, wash a car, babysit, etc.) to raffle at a fundraiser, PL me. What do you think, JML? | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6622 Registered: 12-2001 |
I am not, sadly, particularly tight with any local merchants. Charlie at Maplewood Stationers was in my second film, briefly, but that's about it. Oh, and Art G at H2TA is pretty friendly. He let me screen my three films there for the Katrina benefit, but I only raised 300 bucks there. Its a small place. Fundraisers are not my forte so I am not sure how to help. I am selling stuff on ebay really fast, dumping all the junk I didn't want anyway and funneling the money into this project, but, for me, this is a 5-6K dollar film. So most of it will have to come from hundreds of benefactors. Maybe the thing to do is email everyone you all know and tell them about this really funny thing happening on the Message Board and send em to my site. 20 bucks at a time adds up pretty quick. I send JML an email, hopefully I will hear back today. And greentree, with all that you have going on in your life, thanks so much for even entertaining the idea of helping. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6634 Registered: 12-2001 |
Ok.. So I am starting to hit up my friends for money too. I have sent out an email asking for 20 bucks from everyone (since that is about the cost of going to a movie when you add in the popcorn and all) since that is the fourth point in the Freshwater Films mission statement. If any of you should choose to do the same thing... well lets say I wouldn't refuse the help. Making a good short film is expensive ( I saw a 20 minute short that cost over 80K) so I have to keep reaching out. If you want to share this unique experience with any of your friends and see if they want to help the paypal is at www.freshwater-films.com and checks/money orders (made out to Duncan Rogers...since the bank acct was made before the company became an official LLC) can be sent to Duncan Rogers Freshwater-Films PO Box 68 Maplewood, NJ 07040 Never hurts to ask. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6635 Registered: 12-2001 |
Monster..sorry this is so late in coming. but THANKS for the donation. And if you are serious about helping out, don't think I won't put you to work. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6640 Registered: 12-2001 |
Got some help today from another MOL'er and am having a meeting with justmelaura to talk fundraising! Things are moving along and I hope that those who are reading this and the other threads will direct your friends to them. I'm gonna need all the help I can get! | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6644 Registered: 12-2001 |
Had to postpone the chat with JustMeLaura until tomorrow. That'll give me time to box up some stuff and sell it on ebay. HEY Thats another way you can help if you want to get behind this film. I will happily take stuff you might have considered selling on Ebay and do it myself. Then the proceeds could help make "I've Just Lost My Marbles" Oh, and by the way, anyone who donates to the cause, I will send a link to the script! | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 3842 Registered: 7-2002 |
If I'm available, I'm yours. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6645 Registered: 12-2001 |
Cool Monster... A pair of arms like those...you bet I'll need em. LOL | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6649 Registered: 12-2001 |
Falling into the "I don't think I can pull this off" phase of the process. Looking at the list of things to do and people to "hire" is daunting. The enthusiasm of the first day has waned a bit and I find that I have committed to a project that might be out of my scope, financially. I have a couple of ideas for ebay sales to help. And hopefully JustMeLaura and I will be able to coordinate our schedules so that will reinfuse me with the needed enthusiasm. Here's hoping. | ||
| buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 5179 Registered: 5-2001  |
  Duncan. Keep the faith! I know it is not easy or cheap....but faith is free | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6650 Registered: 12-2001 |
Thanks Buzz. My father once said, "Bite off more than you can chew, your mouth is bigger than you think." And the trouble is, I would like to do this film ENTIRELY with Maplewood/South Orange talent. We have actors here, musicians, editors, cinematographers, grips, and all the rest. And that would be one hell of an angle for a piece in the Times or WNYC or some other news outlets. And, to be honest and selfish, the more I can get my 'brand' out there the better it is for me and for my feature length project. I have faith. I will find the money (people are sending in small amounts via paypal almost daily for which I am really grateful) and I am having an Ebay garage sale. So I will come up with the money. If I book the industrial I auditioned for today that would go a long way toward the budget! | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6653 Registered: 12-2001 |
I am starting to get the feeling that I cannot crew and gear out this film from just M/SO. Pro's living out here have HUGE mortgages and HUGE taxes to pay, so freebies are a hard sell. But if you know anyone who might do a freebie, say, someone who teaches and has the summer off and has their own camera and are just itching to do SOMETHING, then I am all ears. Had a great meeting with JustMeLaura yesterday and I think we will be having a really fun face to face party to raise funds. Of course if any of you know of any "Patron" or "Patroness" types who might want to really help out, let me know that too. I might actually auction off an executive producer credit on Ebay. Why not right? its legal and when and if I do post that I would ask you all to put it on your "watch list". Thats it for today. And while it is a holiday weekend, I am gonna be working my butt off on this film. I cannot wait for the "FINAL ROUGH CUT" screening when its done. That will also help defray the post costs. | ||
| Jersey_Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 1264 Registered: 1-2006 |
Duncan, I once got a fortune cookie with the fortune, "All your hard work will soon pay off." I framed it, and it got me through a lot of "hard work." Here's one for you:  J.B. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6657 Registered: 12-2001 |
That was my favorite bus stop add in the city for a long time. It was for a Tequila right? Thanks for the smile. |
