Happy 4th

I couldn't resist. I just had to write a blog (also, a certain blogger has been falling down on the job getting his blogs in on time).

We're taking the 4th off from doing stuff. We held auditions Monday. Had lots of people tryout. The decisions were hard but we think we have another great cast. The cool thing is that Larry Johnson, who's going to be a sophomore in Radio-TV in September and is on crew this summer with us, was reading the sides of Jordan with the actors trying out - and our casting director and regular director both thought he was great - so he got the part. It's the first time one of our students was cast in one of the top roles. Very cool.

So, everyone's been running around with the actors all week rehearsing in the different locations we're going to use in the school. Monday, we'll be out on location with the last group of actors for final rehearsals. Tuesday we'll start filming.

As Devon mentioned in his last blog, I took him and Joe and Malachai down to Fletcher Chicago to get a run through on the digital Panasonic camera using P2 memory cards instead of video tape. I love technology! We met up with another group of film makers from the University of Chicago - actually they are students from other Chicago Public Schools who are doing a similar program as we are but working through UofC.

Albert, Cassh and Larry are nearly done with the soundtrack. It sounds fantastic! Malachai finished the DVD pages - he did a great job!! And the pages work perfectly with one of the songs.

The art department is moving along great (Jasmine and Jamal) and have nearly everything needed. The last hurdle was jumped over today - we found a good location to show as the abortion clinic - it's not a real clinic but the building looks perfect and the people who own it were real happy to have us use it.

The school administration has been real helpful this year as we are filming half the film in the school as opposed to past years when most of the films were shot outside on location. Thanks!

Let's see - what else? Oh yeah, no offense to our previous interns and IFP people (Lizzy and John ARE the greatest) but Brandon and Jill are powerhouses. What a staff!!! And we have another one of our national award winners back (yes, he graduated AND he's going to MY alma mater - SIU-Carbondale, so he's WAY cool) - Jamal is mentoring all the young'uns.

When I'm not making sure everyone is filling out their time sheets correctly and dealing with all my administrative duties, i'm mentoring Malachai with the DVD and the web site, giving technical training on Final Cut and Soundtrack Pro and keeping everyone on task - which brings me to my 'grumblings'
- clean up after yourselves
- properly mark your tapes and put them in their cases
- don't make messes (and clean them up right away if you do)
- do you own work
- don't waste time doing nothing (always something to do)

See, I get to grumble - that's why I get paid the big bucks - LOL

Okay, everyone have a GREAT 4th weekend - be safe. See ya next week.

Mr B