Putting together a crew, and a project in progress

I haven't posted anything about the film for quite some time. I've been so busy putting together a crew for the film, and with anouther project that I am in the middle of right now.

For about a month I have been working on planning for a short that I am now in the middle of filming. On Monday I began filming, and even edited part of it together. You can see the peices that I have edited together at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R7w8hTwhcE

Putting a crew together for "Home" has been an adventure. There are so many people interusted in being a part of the crew that I am having to make some tough decisions.

I also have started working on costumes for "Home". It has been interusting to go into various stores in the Midland, MI area to begin making my costuming decisions, and see the looks that people give me when they find out I am working on making costuming decision for a film I will be filming in the area. A lot of these people know me, and knew about my creative streak. But they didn't think I would be taking on such a big project so soon.

Back to thinking about costuming for "Home", and working on my short film.

Location, location, location!

As previously mentioned, I have made some decisions as to where we will be filming! Below is a film of some of the locations.

There is a section of video looking at a swingset. That was taken in Kaufman park in Midland MI. The entrance to the park can be found at the corner of Foxcroft and Cranbrook.

Anouther section of the video is also taken in Kaufman park looking from the park towards a wooded area with a pathway, and the street. That is looking from Kaufman park out towards the main entrance to the park.

Finally there is a small section looking down a stree with a branch blowing in the wind. That was taken at the entrance to Kaufman park at the corneer of Cranbrook and Foxcroft looking down Cranbrook.

There are at least two scenes in the film that will be filmed in Kaufman park. And we will be filming a couple of scenes on Cranbrook Dr.

I took the video on my tiny Nikon L18, which will be used as a prop and a part a small part of the filming (as a camera that one of the characters uses to make a youtube video).

I am enjoying looking forward to filming, and all the prep I am doing at the moment.

The role of Jennifer

After having been through some ups and downs with trying to cast the role of Jennifer, I had decided on casting one person for the role. In the end I was a little to late to cast my original choice for the role of Jennifer. It was sad that I couldn't get the person I originally chose. But there were so many talented women that auditioned for the role of Jennifer, so I knew that I was likley to choose somebody else that would do a good job in the role.

And so I am sorry to say that Sarah Nicklin will not be playing the role of Jennifer. But I can say that I have casted someone sucessfully who is available for the spring of 2012 to film! Jennifer will be played by Temi Hason! Below is a picture of Temi.





It is the fourth of July weekend. So I am taking a weekend off from dealing with preproduction. I am looking forward fireworks, barbeque, and lots of fun!

But I am also looking forward to the tasks that I have to do this upcoming week after the weekend is over to take this film one step closer to filming.

I have anouther blog post ready to happen at 5:15 est about anouther aspect of the film that some people might be interusted in--where the film will be shot! So go on a check that post out at 5:15

Back to the real world *sigh*

It's time to come back to the real world Erin.

A week ago my Mom, brother, and I left Midland, MI for a trip to Wisconsin to visit my Mom and Dad's parents. Yesterday we made the LONG nine hour drive back to Midland. The whole time that we were in Wisconsin, I checked my e-mail twice, and barley thought about the film.

During the drive home yesterday, I started a list of all the stuff that I have to get done before we begin filming in late March 2012. It seemed like a long list at the time. But now that I'm looking at it, it isn't actually that long. It is actually quite a small list of things to do. Here's part of that list:

• Do the final audition
• Check the script to make sure it really is finished
• Decide on locations for filming
• Decide who to cast for one final role
• Get the last of the funding secured

Being an introvert has made the process of putting myself out there, and trying to get various people and companies to help fund the film hasn't been the eaisiest thing for me. But I have managed to learn how to do it.

It was nice to get out of Midland for about a week. Now I can jump back into things, and with a bunch of energy!

The role of Jodi

Hello again!

After having had some time away from blogging about the film, I'm back! This past week was a crazy one. I spend the whole week dealing with kids during vacation bible school and music exploration at my church. And so I didn't spend much time working on casting, music for the film, or on anything related to the film.

I finally got back into working on the film last night. And now I can proudly announce that I have casted anouther role in this film!

The role of Jodi will be played by Angela Gulner. If you want to know anything about her check out the following link:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3689403/

It was quite hard to make a decision about who should play Jodi. I had five different women that I could have casted in the role of Jodi. And it wasn't an easy decision. Of those five women, there was so much talent. Each of them brought something unique to the role. And so I really struggled to make a decision for quite some time. Finally I was get the list shortened to three women that could choose from, and ended up deciding on Anglea for several reasons that I won't go into now. But I will say that those three women I was considering for the role of Jodi were amazing actors.

I honestly never thought that I would meet someone with a MFA from Harvard. But now I have thanks to Angela. I am looking forward to working with Angela on this film because of the talent she brings to the film.

I can tell you that one of the remaining two woment that were not cast as Jodi has been casted as jennifer. But that's a completley different blog for anouther time.

Announcment: the roles of Jennifer's biological father, Rachel, and Meg!!!

Tonight I would love to announce three of the actors that will be playing the roles of Jennifer's adoptive father, Rachel (Jennifer's step sister), and Meg (Jennifer's step sister).

David Waldman will be playing the role of Jennifer's adoptive father.

Mandlyn Carlson will be playing the role of Rachel.

Annabelle will be playing the role of Meg.

I do have a few more auditions this week for the rest of the roles that I still have not cast anybody in. But I am sure that I will post anouther announcment of who will be cast in what role when I make those decisions.

Struggles

Nobody ever said that making their first full length feature would be easy. But nobody told me just how much talent there is that wants to be a part of this film. Casting the film is going to be one of those things that is going to take a lot of thought on my part. I don't want to just get the casting right. I also want to cast people that will make the actuall filming something that none of us will ever forget.

Early today I opened my exel document that has all of the casting information that I need on it, and began making a chart of the different options of who I could cast in certain parts. In the end I had a table of different combinations of actors playing different roles to choose from. I then went through and color coded each option with a different color so that I could tell which options I liked the best and least. I still have not made any definate decisions as to who I am going to cast in each role. But I am a small step closer. It doesn't help that I still have three more auditions coming up in the next week and a half that will help me determine who I am going to cast in what role.