Do-It-Yourself Day

Hot damn! The guy who designed the camera rigs in Killer Camera Rigs That You Can Build is a genius.

Adam and I (along with some help from my neighbor and “Screening Process” extra Eric) spent the afternoon starting construction on a camera stabilizer. Two, in fact, once we realized we had almost enough parts (and had already bought the tools).

We’ve still got some work to do — we’ve just done some basic initial steps on the second rig, and we still need to track down some specialized aluminum pieces to finish them — but we’ve already done the hardest steps. And these things are looking good.

I can’t wait to see them — and whatever other rigs we end up building — in action. The 48 Hour Film Project is gonna be a real step up for us.

More Waiting in Store

Well, I just got the word — Tohubohu’s applications for the 48 Hour Film Project have been received... and did not make it into the first batch of 10 entries.

So both of our teams have been consigned to the random drawing. Which isn’t going to be held until April 2.

Not much to do now but go ahead with preparations, just as if we were confirmed as being in the competition. In fact, even if one (or both) of our teams don’t make it in, I suspect that we’ll go ahead and make the movie(s) anyway. After all, when else are we going to get everyone together to do this if not then?

A Taste of Irritating Obscurity

Just a quick update: I’m working on another last-minute Tohubohu video project that I just couldn’t pass up. And in a couple of weeks, I should be able to tell you about it (though I’ll have to check on the conditions of the secrecy surrounding it). Don’t start thinking it’s anything important — it’s just something that I found particularly appropriate, and that, by its nature, requires a certain amount of discretion.

Ooh, don’t you just hate those annoyingly vague hints? Sorry about that — I’m just terrible at completely keeping secrets.

Hitting the Big Small Time

Okay, so it’s not a three-picture deal with Paramount, but it’s something, anyway.

“Screening Process” is going to be included on the Best of the National Film Challenge 2004 DVD.

Yes, that means you will soon be able to buy your very own copy, along with the other “Top 15” films.

In honor of the occasion (well, frankly, just a coincidence, but an apt one), I’ve put a copy of our first short (originally produced as my directorial audition for Project Greenlight 3), “Loose Ends,” up on our website. Give it a look, and feel free to blast away at my directorial naïveté. Still, I enjoy watching it to this day, so it can’t be all bad.

The 48 Hour Film Project is getting closer... and this one will be twice as exciting as last year (hint, hint)...

The Results Are In...

... and “Screening Process (A Loser’s Guide to Love)” is no longer an award-nominated short.

It’s an award-winning short.

Today, at about 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the National Film Challenge announced the winners for the 2004 competition, and “Screening Process” took the prize for “Best Romance.” All of the awards should be posted on the official site soon, but I thought I’d spread the word sooner rather than later. (No announcement was made as to the “top ten” for DVD inclusion — just the individual awards. So we’ve still got something to wait for.)

Congratulations to everyone involved, thanks to all of you for your hard work and unwavering dedication, and I hope this news helps inaugurate a happy holiday season!

The Suspense Is Killing Me... Again

Today is supposed to see the final announcement of the award winners for the 2004 National Film Challenge.

And as of yet... nothing.

I know, all of the previous announcements have been late, so I shouldn’t be surprised. And I know, we’re not really expecting to win anything for “Screening Process” (though I can think of a few categories in which we’ve got a decent shot). But at this stage, I can’t help but be tense with anticipation. We never expected to get this far, but at this point, I’m stuck thinking that if we can just edge out five more films, then we’ll get a slot on the “Best of the NFC 2004” DVD. Commercial distribution — limited, sure, but commercial distribution nonetheless.

I’m working on very little sleep after my latest trip (got home at about 2:30 a.m.), and I’m having trouble concentrating on much of anything else. And at this rate, I’m probably going to have to go home and crash without knowing.

I may get to bed, but I don’t know how much sleep I’ll actually be able to get.

Holy Shit

“Screening Process (A Loser’s Guide to Love)” just made the finalists round — a mere 15 films out of 161 original teams in the competition — in the 2004 National Film Challenge.

I’m absolutely stunned. This is phenomenal news. I want to take this time to offer my most sincere congratulations to everyone involved in this project, in any capacity whatsoever. There is no way we could have done this without all of your help. Filmmaking is truly a collaborative process, and it this case, it would appear we’ve got a pretty damned good collaboration going.

I’d drink myself stupid tonight if I weren’t watching the girls. So everyone else out there — it is your solemn duty to get absolutely smashed tonight in my stead.

And then I want whatever details you can remember.