Productive meeting...

Today I met with my Production Manager, Terry Nickelson, regarding the Devil's Vein production. It proved to be very productive couple of hours. We discussed the inroads that will lead to day one of principle photography. We determined that a rehearsal or two will have to be attended by all cast members in order to bring the proper preparation to the set on day 1. There is too much at stake to gamble that everyone is on the same page. We have to be on the same page by day 1 or we will grind through the production like the gears in a rusty grandfather clock.

I was faced with some tough decisions this week regarding my cast but feel confident that the correct decisions were made on all accounts. I still have one of the leading roles to cast and two minor roles. I am reviewing video auditions from prospective cast members and will decide early in the week who I want to meet face to face.

I'd like to narrow and nail down the location this week and begin capturing some test footage at the site. We might even shoot some movie footage before March 3, B-roll footage and the like. At any rate we are moving forward. If you are reading this please forward it to your family and friends, let everyone know about this project. Refer them to our website. Get them excited. Join our team. 

The beat goes on...

I have asked for video auditions from several actresses. It's necessary to fill two female roles before we can move forward. A rehearsal is planned at the end of January and I'd like to have the cast locked by then. I am so excited by this cast and crew. This team has more depth and experience that previous teams and come March 3, we will get off to a running start with a long, fun day of filming.

I have tested some shots in a tent I set up in our front yard, concentrating on lighting and positioning of actors. Anything that I can figure out beforehand is a minute saved and a minute saved times many might make the difference between completing principle photography in three days or having to extend the shoot another day or two to whenever everyone can synchronize their schedules. The latter is certainly not a preference.

I am still acquiring props. I will soon have to purchase clothing for the cast, two sets for anyone requiring a stunt dummy double. That could be tricky and expensive. We'll see. There's so much to do but so little time to do it. I need 16 hands and 50 hours in a day. But...

Making an independent movie is not for the weak in knees, heart and spirit. It is grueling hard work but fun and rewarding.

Whatever happens, it'll be okay. This is after all, independent filmmaking. And I embrace every challenge with enthusiasm. At the end of each long, sleepless night filled with worry and anxiety, a new day begins and in that new day there is opportunity and where there is opportunity there is hope.

I can accept that. Wholeheartedly.

Oh wonderful !!! (sarcasm)

I just found out that our movie Devil's Vein is not showing up in a basic search on Indiegogo, whether you type in devil or devil's vein. Nothing. Not even in the advanced search. That means no one can find it unless they have the precise link sent to them. I've contacted Indiegogo to see what was going on and hopefully I will hear from them soon.

Hopefully this will be resolved soon. At least I discovered it now instead of a month or two from now.

Other than that, I've invited 3 more individuals onto my cast and await their decision.

Bio's are in & site will soon launch

Moving forward on our website. Will soon post biographies and set it live. Want to thank everyone for getting them to me. I will be working with a fabulous and talented cast. I have to secure a location in Asheville for a rehearsal within the next 10 days or so. I look forward to it.

I still need a couple of actors and an actress to round out our cast.

Spent some time this afternoon watching backhoes, skid-steers, and dump trucks with my little guy. It was cool. One of the backhoes had a jackhammer on it and was pounding the sidewalk. He loved that. I think there were 4 backhoes going at once and we stood in the cold watching them like we were at a World Series game 7 in NY.

Tomorrow I am checking out a cabin, maybe two. 

Thanks for all the support, mostly local still, but support. I posted an ad in a national filmmaking magazine and that should garner some attention for our project soon. Things take time. It's a seed that will grow. Just needs a little nurturing and that's where we all come in. Make Devil's Vein YOUR film and spread the word.

Busy day

Had to shoot over to Greenville today on business. Had a nice day.  Tomorrow I am scouting a nearby cabin for a potential location. The one I intended to use might not work out because of nearby neighbors and other factors. I would be seriously shocked if the Sheriffs Department didn't show up at least one of the nights we are shooting. Even if you tell the neighbors that there will be a lot of screaming in the night, one is bound to call the cops and what choice do they have but come out, even though I will touch base with them before production begins. They really can't take chances.

My midnight deadline for cast and crew biographies nears and I still haven't heard from everyone. Tomorrow I will begin to seek replacements for those who hasn't responded by midnight, even though given a two-week notice to do so unless I hear from them soon thereafter. I really like everyone I've met thus far so I hope they remain on board the Devil's Vein Express.

I also have to send a script to a potential cast member from Greenville. I'll see where that goes. He gave me a really convincing video audition about a week ago.  I think he would be a great addition to the cast. I'm looking forward to meeting him.

That's really about it. We are inching our way toward production. Let's see where the road leads and how many potholes will lie between its shoulders.

Prop list complete

Just finished compiling my prop list. It is near 150 items, not including items that will naturally be in place for the shoot. Some I have, others I do not, but will soon begin to shop to fulfill the list.

On Monday after receiving hopefully everyone's biography I will plan a rehearsal.

Next week I plan to experiment some with special effects. I have about 4 scenes that will require 'special attention' to gory detail. If time permits, I may shoot some of these during principle photography, if not, I will capture the needed shots at a later date.

Our movie website is still offline but being constructed. Sometime next week I will plug in my actor's and crew's biographies. And soon, thereafter, launch it.

What's really cool about this production is the fact that it is horror, the easiest and quickest genre to gain recognition in the independent film industry with hundreds of festivals just for horror. Not only that, but when I had my coffee shop I met a representative for a semi-major horror independent movie distributor. Which, in itself, is no guarantee of anything but it is better than nothing. I will send Devil's Vein to him as soon as it is complete to see what happens.

I'm very excited and a little nervous as usual at this stage of pre-production. I know one way or the other it will turn out as always but not knowing where the bumps and rocks are in the road makes a production like this challenging. But all I can say is bring it to hell on.

New Web Site

Hi guys. Just wanted to let you know that I just purchased the DevilsVeinMovie.com domain and will be building a website this coming week. This new site will be solely for movie related postings and updates regarding our upcoming movie. We appreciate you visiting often and supporting our endeavor.

I also want to wish everyone a happy new year, hope that it is healthy and prosperous for each of you.

I've been asked about additional help on the set of Devil's Vein. If you would like to contribute your time and expertise to the project I will gladly talk with you regarding the possibilities. However, all paid positions have been filled at this time so all additional help will be strictly volunteer with the only forms of payment being an end movie credit, a copy of the movie on DVD, and great experience on the set. Contact me if you wish to further explore your options.

This is an exciting project and I can't wait to get behind the camera.