OK, this could be a problem...

A few days ago, a group of us were location scouting for The Lonely Goatherd (the new feature we're making).

We were up in the snowy mountains, passing farms on our way to and from (one of which we might use for the main goat farm scenes).

At one point, Location Manager Doug Dumas pulled over so I could take pictures of some snow-capped mountains to consider.

As I stepped out of the shotgun passenger seat, "someone" saw an animal behind the farm's fence where we stopped and asked, "Isn't that a goat?"

Now, I'm not going to point fingers at anyone, because it could have been Aaron Heinzen, my assistant, Rachel Thomson, our Production Designer, or Alexis Arnold, our Unit Production Manager.

I have far more class and communications/relationship acumen to say the name out loud.

Because to actually identify the person (Aaron) would make him- or her, of course, look uninformed about the very subject we are filming over the course of a number of weeks during the shoot.

I looked at the animal and couldn't believe my eyes.

"It's a sheep," I said, starting to close my door.

"REALLY? Is it really?" came a chorus from within the van.

"No. That's a goat," insisted *someone* inside.

"Trust me, it's a sheep," I repeated, opening my door to do so.

I closed the door to take my photographs, returning to hear the continuing discussion about whether the animal was a sheep or a goat.

It was a sheep. With a beard.

So, for all my filmmaking colleagues working on The Lonely Goatherd and more who may need to learn the distinction:

Here is a goat.

To hear goat sounds, click here

Here are some sheep. thanks to http://sheep.com.



And how a sheep sounds:

http://www.sheep.com/sounds/baasheep1.wav

The greatest difference, of course, is that you do not count goats to fall asleep.

At last!

My computer has been in the shop getting its AC adapter connection repaired so I have been without access to my blog!

Traveling, writing, visiting relatives, writing, doing more post production work on THE WHOLE TRUTH and writing have pretty much taken my time.

I get to see one of our brilliant actors from TWT perform a lead role this Friday in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - the musical is playing nearby. I love the music and this actress, so it should be a great time.

Lots of folks are emailing me about getting work with us, but here's the scoop: it doesn't help to contact me or send me stuff. All crew are hired through the production office - you can email your credentials to -- an email address that can't be posted here because Blogger.com can't deal with similiar emails sent from a blog. The email with our address is similar to someone else's, so it automatically goes to that someone else. Strange. And inconvenient.

But! We have a website that we will be putting up soon http://thelonelygoatherd.com/ that will have all the information that cannot be posted on blogger.com.

Meanwhile, all actors are auditioned through Complete Casting in Seattle; Rick Pagano and Russell Boast handle all the lead actors auditions in LA.

The crew and actors with whom we will work are excellent. They don't take shortcuts, they're consummate professionals who understand it's the minute details that make all the difference.

The start date for shooting TLG has been pushed, but I'm taking this as an opportunity to do more extremely detailed pre-production work *and* to work out. I need to be in fantastic shape because this is a big film, which will require lots of outdoor hiking, moving, working with animals and all sorts of unexpected physical activities.

I'm actually having a pair of shoes made especially for me so my knees and ankles don't scream at me so much during the shoot, which is expected to last seven weeks. THE WHOLE TRUTH took six weeks.

Post production work continues on TWT, and it only gets better. I'm so so proud of the film, the crew and the actors. The final work - color correction, permanent sound lock, attaching the Heart Break Productionz banner as well as the special opening created for the film - will actually make it look up to 80% better than it does now, using the "low res" editing tapes.

Ragnar Rosinkranz' music is so special, fresh and effective - some scenes that could only be considered "very good" now POP. It's being added now.

After one more secret screening in a regular theater we've rented, we decide what else needs to be "fixed." After those fixes, which take very little time? We work on finishing the locked sounds - sound effects, music, evening the dialogue sound track, etc. That normally takes about three weeks. I won't have to sit in on every session, but for the first several days to get them going and then pop back in toward the end to approve what else is done until it's completed.

Final touches to the picture quality by our friends at Modern Digital post production? And we have ourselves a finished feature film.

I can hardly wait!

Meanwhile, I've outlined the third project we're shooting, SPARE CHANGE, which will be totally different from TLG, which is totally different from TWT.

Joyeux Noel!

What a terrific Christmas.

Despite a forced delay to visit my family because flights were cancelled from snow and ice deluged Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the entire region besieged with an unexpected snow storm, leaving many of us home bound? (A state of emergency has been declared by governor Christine Gregoire)

I'm celebrating one of my most enjoyable and memorable holidays ever.

First and foremost, everyone - pets and humans - in my world are healthy; my house is lit up for the holidays with a beautiful, glistening Christmas tree hosting 900 lights; fireplace logs flicker warming flames; sweet scents of the season simmer on the stove; holiday music plays, the three pups and kitty are as affectionate and playful as ever.

Because I'm "stranded" and not with my family, many invitations and good wishes have been sent my way; the roads make it treacherously impossible to socialize, however ... AND ... I promised my producers and editor that I would have my page 1 rewrite of The Lonely Goatherd completed by midnight Christmas Eve. Sure enough, I sent it out last night about 11:30pm. A "page 1" rewrite means that the script is rewritten from .. page 1.

The script's tone, characters, comedy and drama have not overwhelmingly changed, but the structure and overall writing is significantly changed and improved. It's much tighter, stronger, clearer, and I think funnier. So I've been working around the clock to meet my self-imposed deadline.

Mind you, we start filming March 30, so it's not the final version that we'll actually shoot, but it is ready for actors to read who want to consider auditioning or meeting with us when we work with LA Casting Directors Russell Boast and Rick Pagano next month. Producer Larry Estes and I will go to Los Angeles for at least a couple days to see everyone we ask to see and actors who ask to see us.

I *love* auditioning because it is an embarrassment of riches - to see and meet with actors who are so talented, gifted and skilled; actors who bring their own special adaptation of the characters - and especially those who bring their heart and soul to the table.

I appreciate interacting with everyone who has obviously worked hard prepping for our session because they want the role. I respond to all they do that is great and give notes (suggestions) when they're close or perhaps to see if another subtext would nail another character. I especially love people who make it clear they are more interested in an excellent performance than assuaging their ego.

As I recall there was only one person I would consider a "pill," but that was at least an entertaining experience.

I *hate* auditioning because I want to hire everyone who is pill-free. It's painful to tell someone who is clearly a special, insightful and great actor they have not been cast. But I always remember people who impress me, and the last time Larry and I were casting in LA for The Whole Truth, some very well known actors met with us even though there were no roles for which they qualified. They just wanted to meet us, let us know what they're up to and listen to what we're doing. As well as sharing our wishes, dreams and goals. Those meetings were memorable.

That being said, with this rewrite of The Lonely Goatherd finished, I'm free to celebrate! I actually have "free time" to do all the other things I love to do!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!

THE WHOLE TRUTH is shot

Finished the film's "martini" today.

Martini is slang for "the final thing to be shot." Probably from a time when the last thing shot meant everyone went out for a martini.

We were as sad as we were happy - we have had an outrageously good time filming and proud of the quality of our work. Coming to an end may mean more sleep, but it also means we don't see one another at 6:30 am or so every week day, so we're going to miss one another.

Elisabeth Röhm wept as she said good-bye to all of us. Fortunately, our leading lady's last scenes required her to cry. She will be missed terribly, though she's already agreed to be in my next feature, THE LONELY GOATHERD. As I've said so many times here, audiences will love her and be shocked at her comedic acumen, not believing this is actually her first stab at comedy.

Today was also Kristina Lilley's last day - she's on her way back to Colombia. Her fans will also be thrilled with her turn at being a veteran police detective - in Spanish speaking nations all over the world, she is known as a sexy villain or a sexy vixen or a sexy-- you get the idea.

The crew was nothing short of marvelous. When a feature wraps, it's time for celebrations and sweet cards and special gifts.

My partner, Gary Tucci, was on hand to witness the last day of production. That was fun.

I thanked every crew member who made THE WHOLE TRUTH such a professional, smooth, quality production. It was their passion and daily dedication that contributed so heavily to this production's success.

I am an extremely happy writer/director. My vision was realized in ways that exceeded my expectations on many levels and met them spot on in most.

Next task: editing, which I love, alongside veteran comedy film editor Stephen Myers. He has been editing dailies (what we shoot every day) since we started and has been sending very positive reports. He requested only one "pickup" shot throughout the whole production, which we picked up earlier this week. Usually there are several more requests because more is missing in the way of "coverage" necessary to visually tell the story properly.

Thanks to a magnificent cast and crew, the film will, I believe, look and sound terrific, attracting an audience looking for a great time at the movies as well as please film affectionado with its multiple visual and conceptual layers.

Tomorrow night is the "wrap party," with lots of music, dancing and karaoke for the crew and cast members who remain here, as well as my formal thank you speech to one and all involved with the success of this production.

Meanwhile, I'll let you know about ongoing developments for development of THE LONELY GOATHERD as well as the evolution of completion and distribution for THE WHOLE TRUTH -- and news about my new script, our third feature, SPARE CHANGE!

The down side of being a director

It's said that 90% of the director's job is choosing the right cast.

This is not as simple as it sounds. There are all sorts of casting obstacles for good actors, not the least of which are their schedules.

But if it turns out the way we want, it makes a huge difference in the life of a film.

Casting just the right folks and working with a kick ass crew found by our producers (ultimately chosen by me, but they seek the candidates) comes a close second.

In the case of THE WHOLE TRUTH cast and crew all came together just as they should have, just as I wanted. Knock wood, say a prayer of thanks, light a candle, rub Ho Tai's tummy and head.

But then here comes the down side:

With only five days of shooting left, after being in "shooting battle" shoulder to shoulder with these wonderful folks, their families and pets for 5 weeks, it's coming to an end.

It's like being a parent. You know the kids of whom you are so proud and love so much have to go on their merry way to excel and create even more happiness in their lives (although I hope to work with most of them again and soon), but it is still pretty heartbreaking.

Thus, Heart Break Productionz.

Such marvelous folks, such extraordinary talent, skill, support and collaboration. I'm going to miss them so much. I have such respect and affection for them. I can't imagine not seeing them as I go to work every morning.

After my short vacation, editor Stephen Myers will be here in Seattle editing the film with me for about a month of dedicated toil. The film should be locked Dec. 15, then the music and sound sweetening will be added, completely finishing the film about Jan 30 because of the holiday break. At which time, we'll fill out the film's website with all sorts of goodies and great stuff.

During that time, I'll also be finessing the script for THE LONELY GOATHERD, which we should have mapped out for production by the middle or end of next Month.

What a lovely way to spend Thanksgiving. As for me, my personal Thanksgiving will be spent soaking in every moment I have left to be in the company of such magnificence that is the crew and cast of THE WHOLE TRUTH and of course enjoying our wrap party the night after we wrap.

And looking forward to seeing almost everyone again on the sets and locations of THE LONELY GOATHERD. Two of our major THE WHOLE TRUTH cast members are already cast in THE LONELY GOATHERD, and in distinctly different types of roles, so it will be another hoot and a half!

I can harldly wait.

Until then, my only focus is devoted to the last few days of shooting THE WHOLE TRUTH, capturing scenes and action that complete the moving massive jigsaw that is the puzzle of creating a motion picture.

Week 1 is in the can!

It's hard to believe seven days have passed since we started shooting the film; that five days of pure filming have already passed.

What a fantastic week it was. Our editor in LA says the dailies are fantastic. He's editing the first four days of shooting over the weekend and says we may need some wild sound for one scene but everything else seems in tact.

I told him I want to avoid looping (where actors say words in a studio - while watching the film - to be inserted on the sound track because their lines are, for whatever reason, lost while the scene is being shot).

I think the audience can always hear the difference between lines said in the heat of the moment in a scene and those said in a studio, where energy is usually considerably lower.

We had a small dust up Friday as we were finishing our first week ... about 12:30 a.m.

I came up with two solutions, which were supported by our producers and DP, so nothing like it will happen again.

We're all having such a good time. Lots of laughter. The crew and cast say how much they enjoy working on the shoot - the crew adding how much they wish they could work on films like it and comedies the rest of their lives!

Well, as soon as THE WHOLE TRUTH is wrapped and off to audiences, we're in pre-production for THE LONELY GOATHERD, so they'll have the opportunity to laugh again relatively soon.

I've been trying to find out what kind of shoes Steven Spielberg wears ... my knees are absolutely killing me. It's not age - it's standing for so many hours every day ... I thought I had comfortable shoes, but I need shoes that are much more comfortable and good for knees.

This weekend I've pretty much stayed in bed, slept and kept off my poor feet/knees. I've taken Advil, used stuff for sore joints, and everything else I could do to ease the pain. I have a pair of shoes coming that are supposed to be the most comfortable shoes *ever,* but that could just been an advertisement

I'm getting major knee braces tomorrow am on the way to set. I'm dressing very comfortably -- one can't be comfortable enough when one is directing because we're going from dawn to dusk on our feet.

I check in every day before we start with hair, make up and wardrobe because they always need for me to approve something, or I have a suggestion. The art dept (set design) and props are my next stops. Everyone is such a pro and on top of their game, they're thrilled the director actually spends time with them. It's resulted in some unbelievable work.

We're in this massive location house tomorrow and Tuesday, then moving on for two days of park scenes. Actually we may start on Tuesday because were a full major scene ahead in the schedule. The editor is sending me any sounds or inserts we need to pick up for all the scenes we've shot before we leave the house.

The actors have been *unbelievably* good. Great, even. Sean Patrick Flanery can do anything and everything and sensationally. Elisabeth Röhm is phenomenal. They're both extremely kind - one of the supportive actors (in her first major American film) was having trouble with lines, and they helped her before I had the chance. The actor nailed it!

Eric Roberts, while working on another film, has also been early prepping for his role on this film. He and his wife Eliza are very excited about this project - and his prep is meticulous. When he, Rick Overton and John Fugelsang arrive, we're going to have a PARTY of stupendous acting!

Back to resting .. I can't get enough rest on weekends .. all I'm doing is lying down, drinking water and juice, eating something good.

Living such a sedentary life before the production office was set up and prepro kicked in, I've worked hard to keep up with the physical labor part of this job. I've already lost noticeable weight and should be in fantastic shape when we wrap!

Then it's immediately on to editing THE WHOLE TRUTH and into prepro for our next project, THE LONELY GOATHERD.