Posted by Sean Hood
Last weekend I directed a Filmmakers Alliance short film called "Melancholy Baby" (aka "Zachariah," aka "Sounds Through A Wall"). The script, which I also wrote, won the Los Angeles Short Filmmaking Grant a while back, but I was having a lot of trouble finding the right elements to get it on its feet. It was only early this year that the pieces came together.
First of all, I found the right producers. Amanda Sweikow (Plus or Minus) and Cain DeVore (Mitzi & Joe) are not only talented filmmakers, they are long time friends who seemed to make it their personal mission to force me to stop putting-off making the movie. I've never had the experience of working with producers who so completely embraced every indie-film-nightmare and allowed me to focus so completely on directing. They were also fierce advocates of the creative ambitions of the film, refusing to let me compromise, even when I wanted to.
The next difficult element was casting the central character. The piece centers on the point of view of an agoraphobic man who spends most of the film listening to his neighbor through their shared wall. There is almost no dialog. I needed to find a talented and experienced actor who had the ability to play an extremely eccentric man while maintaining a childlike innocence. I wanted to find someone with a face you could look at for ten minutes straight and still find both interesting and empathic. It was a tall order, and I auditioned a number of really wonderful actors who just weren't... quite... right.
Then at a children's birthday party I watched actor Patrick Labyorteaux (Yes Man, JAG) from across the room and it struck me that he would be perfect for the character. Luckily, he was eager for this kind of intimate leading part, and was willing do it. I'm not sure I can even imagine another actor in the role now that I've seen him play it, but I won't say much more because I want everyone who reads this to see him in the film for themselves.
The minor roles proved no easier to cast. I ended up losing an extremely talented actress, and I had to recast with only a week before shooting. It wasn't until literally the night before that I was finally able to decide on Linda Tomassone (Confessions of A Dangerous Mind), who turned out to be both striking and mysterious in ways I hadn't expected - as well as extremely professional in juggling everything we threw at her on short notice. Likewise Filmmakers Alliance's own Sean Russell took a cliche-violent-ex-boyfriend role and turned it inside out, giving a performance that was both scary and authentic.
Fortunato Procopio, who shot the Filmmakers Alliance Production "You Turned Back and Held My Hand" by Gabriella Toleman, created haunting visuals using Cain DeVore's famously unfinished house as modeling clay. He was also was admirably calm the night before shooting when we discovered that the brand-new RED camera wouldn't turn on.
Generally, the entire crew worked together with both intensity and focus. I was pleased and amazed by how quickly, professionally, and good-humoredly they all pulled off a surprising number of difficult and complex shots. By the time we wrapped, I was confident that the sound, picture and performances were outstanding, and I was convinced that it all was the result of the creativity of the cast and crew, assembled by the producers, Amanda and Cain.
It took a long time to get here...
My first FA "film" was shot in 1994 on Hi-8, with Filmakers Alliance co-founders Jacques Thelemaque, as the DP, and Diane Gaidry, as the star. Since then I've shot FA films on super-8, on 16mm, on 35mm, and even still photographs. I've been the DP on Sundance shorts; I've supported other FA films as screenwriter, PA, editor, boom operator, creative collaborator, and even sketchbook actor. My short "Shiva's Teardrop" played the first Visionfest event at the DGA over ten years ago.
But last weekend was by far the most rewarding experience I've every had making movies. It was the result of 15 years of FA support, FA workshops, FA collaboration, and FA spirit.
It reminded me that Filmmakers Alliance has always had my back, always pushed me forward, and never let me down.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
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3 comments:
Thank YOU, Sean....this was one of the most positive sets I've been on and not just because we had such a kick ass crew, but because of YOUR enthusiasm and energy. The director is the one who ultimately sets the tone of the set, and your positivity was contagious....
As a producer and a friend, knowing how long you had waited to make this film, nothing made me happier than seeing your face light up when you walked onto set and hearing you finally get to yell "Action" on that first day.....it made all the obstacles and hard work worth it.....and yeah, we had our share......but what independent film doesn't?!
I can't thank our FANTASTIC Crew enough.....thank you all of you for making this film happen - Fortunato Procopio, Marc Levy, Chris Pritzlaff, Tom Curley, Jaxon Woods, Jamar Franklin, Michaela, Nicole Chamberlin, Eric Edmonds, Jon Danniells, Fred Cook, Tara Lang, Michael, Alex Smith.....Not only are every single one of you talented and hard working, but you all were an absolute pleasure to work with and I hope that we will work together on many more.....
Thanks to Filmmakers Alliance, especially Jacques Thelemaque for jumping in there and helping us out so much. Thank you to Radu Vlad, David Lloyd, Todd Howard, Sean Russell...and all the other FA members that helped out in numerous ways throughout this production...having the support of such a generous and talented community is what made this film possible....I couldn't imagine making a film without it!
Best,
Amanda
Congratulations to you all! I was intrigued by the screenplay's concept when I first heard of it eons ago, and I look forward to the finished work.
Sean,
What a fantastic experience this was! I was completely impressed with how well the set was run. Amanda and Cain did a fantastic job. As an actor I was unaware of any problems that might have occurred. Everyone was not only friendly, but very willing to dig in and work their butt off! It was great to work with people that wanted to be there.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to play a great character like Zachariah. It is SO RARE to have the chance to do something so different. The structure of your story was so perfect for the size of film. As a director you were fantastic. You had a strong vision of what you wanted yet you were also completely pliable. If you discovered something better you would use it. You were wonderful to the crew - listening to all suggestions - picking the ones that wold work for the film while never making anyone feel foolish if an idea wasn't great.
You walked me through so many moments in the film it's almost like we performed this part together. Thank you for keeping my performance small and intimate. It makes it SO EASY when the director knows the tone he wants.
As a tech fanatic it was a thrill to be shot with the RED CAMERA. From what I saw I am blown away by how the film looks and think Fortune did a great job!
It's no lie when I say that this was the most creative, fun, educational, experience I have EVER had in film.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THNAK YOU!
Patrick
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