Hitting the ground at a good steady pace

Dear diary,

It's been a while since we've last spoken, and boy do I have stories to tell. Stories of welcoming key personnel and looking for replacement personnel. Changes to the schedule, locations and script. Let's begin.

Finally got our Director of Photography nailed down. Looking forward to working with him, as everyone I spoke to had nothing but great things to say about him. BUT, Iit looks like I may have to find a new Assistant Director, as the one that had agreed to help me out before will now be out of town for the filming dates. This is more my fault than anyone else's, as we decided to change our filming dates to the weekend, the 7th and 8th of February. He is in town on our original dates, but other things had changed, which made the move to film on the weekend possible, which allowed more crew to volunteer their services. Unfortunately, the move to the weekend makes the AD unavailable. *#@%!!!!

So why move the dates to the weekend? My brilliant Production Manager and Production Designer put their heads together and figured a way to get some better locations for free. After a little wheeling and dealing, we managed to move our interrogation room set (previously free only on the weekdays) to a sound stage currently being occupied by the television series we are all currently working on. Free location. Anytime we want. Including weekends. I Like that.

Now that we have decided to film on the weekend, we now have a lot more crew that are willing to help out on the short. No one has to sacrifice a paid work day to volunteer on a non-paying gig. And not only that, the thinking is that more equipment will be available to us for free. I like that too.

So here we are, a little over 3 weeks to our film date and everything seems to be moving forward. One big problem, WE HAVE NO CAST!

We seem to be having trouble finding a casting director to take on the project. No one seems to want to help out for free. Now, I'm 3 weeks away from filming, and haven't looked at any cast yet. I am starting to get worried. I need to get something started by the end of the week or I'm going to be in serious trouble.

And now I'm scouting on a feature, and that takes me away from my computer for the entire day. My Blackberry can only do so much. Another little addition of stress I can do without. Unfortunately, money is NOT something I can do without, so must work. But having trouble keeping focussed. I mean, here is my opportunity to make my life changing (possibly) short film. The short film that I will use to attract work as a director. This has to be perfect. This needs my undivided attention. Well, most of my attention.

NO! My undivided attention! I've got to give this every bit of my effort. There will never be another chance to make a short film with $20,000 of someone else's money. This is the moment, you own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo.

Wise words. Thanks Eminem.

Time to put this thing into high gear. This is my chance. Got to get cast, got to refine my vision, got to get it done.

Until next time.