Digital Filmmaking

A Road Trip

December 17, 2009 My next documentary film, A Road Trip, is now beginning to feel like a reality for me, although I still have a lot of planning to do and many decisions yet to make in the preproduction phase.
 
At this time I know that on September 1, 2010 I will leave from Boston on my month-long road trip driving a big truck packed with all my possessions as I head to Los Angeles. I have nearly a year’s worth of work for my documentary and this doesn’t even include packing my apartment and loading the truck when the time comes to move. As long as I continue to put one foot in front of the other, everything will get done.
      
My crew consists of Matthew Szechenyl, on camera and sound, and yours truly, the director/producer, interviewer, light person, and whatever else needs to be done. During the next few months I will be on the lookout for the cast of players starring in the documentary so that I have at least 6 or 7 people out of the 14 or 15 people already booked before we leave for L.A.
 
This work in progress continues to evolve day-to-day, sometimes moment-to-moment. I’ve gone from the concept of my personal journey to now focusing more on the people’s personal stories. I will only be in the film in bits and flashes (i.e. as I drive the truck) and also as the narrator.
 
My journey to develop the format and theme of my film has included sharing my ideas with other filmmakers, friends, and even strangers -- of course it’s important to listen to their ideas, too. This process is proving invaluable to me. It’s almost like a mini think tank. It’s amazing how it has opened my mind to new possibilities.
 
Speaking of strangers, last week I happened to sit across from a person I didn’t know at my favorite macrobiotic restaurant on Moody Street in Waltham, MA. I shared a little about my new project, and that I was going to talk to people about their life. Before I knew it, the middle-aged man sitting across from me shared that he’s writing his first novel, a mystery, and told me how it made him feel to take on such a project at this time in his life. This process has enabled me to hear people’s stories I might not have gotten the chance to hear and try out some of my thoughts and questions on strangers to see what happens. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a person with a compelling and unusual story in line at the super market. No matter what, to get my inner thoughts outside of me helps to clarify my theme and to learn more from others on many levels.
 
Another way I’ve explored possible approaches and formats for my documentary is through journaling and reading books on psychology and philosophy. Just finished reading Dharma Art, an incredibly enlightening book written by a Tibetan holy person. It actually helped me to understand the truth, simplicity, and richness of art. He even spoke about filmmakers and their path to explore pure and honest communication with their audience -- exactly what I want to do.
 
Of course, I’ve been viewing lots of different documentaries from Netflix and the library just to see how filmmakers reveal people and their stories. "The Gleaners and I" made by the legendary and award winning French film director, Agnes Varda has been helpful to me. I love her straightforward and down-to-earth, honest approach with a focus on realism and social commentary.  I am now trying locate her July 2009 autobiographical documentary, "The Beaches of Agnes".  
 
Today, I met with Franco Sacchi, an incredibly brilliant and gifted filmmaker. As many of you know, he teaches documentary filmmaking at CDIA at Boston University. After speaking with Franco, I feel that the bar was raised for me to at least 6 to 8 feet higher than it was already set. He opened my eyes to consider possibilities I hadn’t even thought of. All I knew was that what I’d come up with as a theme wasn’t quite working for me, but didn’t know exactly why. I feel, after speaking with Franco, my film has the potential to be a quality and compelling documentary that is higher and deeper at the same time.
 
Franco also told me to watch ShowTime’s “The American Life.”  When I returned home immediately I saw several episodes instantly on my computer through Netflix. Thank you Franco! My meeting with you was exceptionally helpful. By the way everyone, if you haven’t seen Franco’s award winning and inspiring documentary, "This Is Nollywood" I strongly suggest that you do. You can purchase it though http://www.thisisnollywood.com/orderdvd.htm.
 
My next blog will be about fundraising -- something I know too little about at this moment -- but will have to know more very soon. I’ll take you on my journey.

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