Great news! My first documentary subject has officially agreed to let me film her. Yay!

You don’t know what I’m talking about do you? Of course not. Because I’ve not posted in months. (Bad blogger! Bad!)
So I’ll share the story through this awkward montage.

What should I do next?

A sign from the universe!

Currently in pre-production

Isn’t catching up great?

I’m half through the class and getting close to actually filming. Both exciting and scary. Most new things scare me at least a little. Fraidy cat!

I’d hit a wall two weeks ago. Wading through the options and tools available to tell the story was daunting. Juan said we needed to visualize the story we wanted to tell. But how do you visualize a story that hasn’t happened and you can’t control? And how do you write a several page treatment on a story you’re not sure of? It was stupefying.

Then there were other issues. Finding a camera that would film what I want and be within my budget. Asking the subjects I wanted to actually participate. Getting permission to film at the clubs.

It was daunting and I was daunted. But I knew I needed to figure out these issues. The answers would be my road mad to making the movie and I had to find my way through.

I wrote my treatment in halting bursts, stopping sometimes to question my sanity and often to question my legitimacy. Why did I even think I’d be able to make a documentary? I don’t know any thing. Then I’d write a sentence or two of my treatment and think about my characters and remember that I hadn’t even officially asked them yet and no one would agree to be part of it anyway. Who would agree to let me into their homes and lives anyhow. Who the hell was I? I needed a break. And a beer.

Panic is a great motivator.
Time ticked away. I ignored it. Then finally I started to panic. 4 weeks left in the course. Nothing filmed, no one’s signed on. No camera. No treatment. Shit.

I got focused and worked. Imminent deadlines get me moving like nothing else. My treatment’s now ready to show my teacher. I know it’s not perfect. But it’s pretty good considering where I am and what I know.

Then the other night I called one of my potential subjects. She said she was busy and asked me to call her back at 10:00. I did but got an old fashioned busy signal. I wondered if she just didn’t want to take part and didn’t want to say no. And now she was avoiding me like a collection agency. I gave up for the night.

Please say “Yes.” Or “Maybe” Or at least “Hello?”
The next evening I called again. Again no answer. I left a message and expected no response. But she called – late. By the time I got to my phone she had gone and didn’t leave a message. I called her back. The phone rang and rang and just when it was about to switch into voice mail mode, she picked it up.

Beverly listened to my pitch and immediately agreed. Actually she seemed pretty excited about being part of my film. I was excited that she wanted to do it. Happiness really is a two way street. Just like hate sex and twix bars.

Anyhow. Now we’re really all caught up. Thanks for watching. Tune in next time for “Vistek-apalooza!” when I head to the famed store for some hands-on time with their low, low pro video cameras!