Saturday, November 29, 1997 - Festival Milestone

Sent off tapes to the Cleveland, San Diego, and Santa Barbara International Film Festivals. Why did it seem so much harder to do mentally than physically? I attribute the extra effort to the energy it takes to open up the box to the outside world, which is a little bit about letting go.

Whatever that means, it sounds poetic.

I feel more and more confident about the artistic merit of this film as time goes on and as I see it more objectively. Films that I used to be kind of impressed with I don't find to be that good any more. Of course a some films that I really liked I now find to be artistic masterpieces. How did the director manage to keep a vision and make such a bold statement given the rigors of making a film?

Anyway, From Out Of The Blue: It's a unique story. Low budget, that doesn't matter. Art will pick up some scratches during its creation. It's part of what makes it art. But it has to be fresh. I'm proud of this as my first film, mistakes and all. No matter what happens with the film festival bit I'll have the knowledge that I did what I set out to do and can live with myself knowing this. And The next film I'll make even better.

You'd think making a unique film would be easy, but today for some reason it isn't. I guess films cost so much to make most producers want to bank on a sure thing and what you end up with is a bunch of films that look all the same and consequently say little if anything.

Enough soap box. I have to develop an end game. Time to sit down and make the list of final edits, figure out where to put music, figure out what music to use, set up time for the post production sound mix. Meanwhile I need to stay on top of the film festival list and talk to that consultant guy. The money should hold out, though it will probably take my last penny. That's what money's for...

-George