DONATE!

As stated previously, The Steepest Slope is a quiet, character-driven piece that centers around two old friends who reunite after years apart. Although no lavish accessories nor special effects are needed, the production still requires a significant amount of funding.

One of my highest priorities is to give a generous donation to The Trustees of Reservations who have been so kind throughout this whole process.

Please consider a donation via PayPal by clicking the button below; any contribution is greatly appreciated.  Donations of $50 or greater guarantee a “Special Thanks” mention in the credits as well as a personalized DVD copy of the completed project.

SCHOOL ZONE

I recently received an email from my Colorsync professor. Her class is the one for which I’m making this little film, and on the first day of class she’d like us to arrive having read the first chapter of Producing & Directing the Short Film and Video. The book is helpful, but it does nothing to calm my nerves-

“The second problem you will face is lack of experience. How do you persuade an investor to finance a first-time producer or director, someone who has yet to complete a project, or, at best, has only a minimal track record? To look at it another way, would you hire a contractor who had never built a house?” (p. 1)

One page in and I’m being compared to a construction worker who’s never used a hammer.

Oh, and we’re supposed to have our completed screenplay on the first day of class. As of right now I have 11 days to craft my script into something I’ll be comfortable sharing with my peers.  It’s never easy, but such is life. I have muchos work to do, so please excuse me if I’m m.i.a. for a while.

PUBLICITY

Yesterday I received an email informing me that The Boston Globe would like to run an article on my fundraiser screening event- !! So after a brief phone interview, the reporter told me they’d be running the article in this Sunday’s paper (August 31st.)

Keep your eyes peeled this Sunday if you’re in the Boston area. And hopefully I don’t come off as a cornball film nerd…

BUDGET

My producer has kindly drawn up a budget for my film, which is awesome because you get to see what all your hard-earned money is going towards!  Hopefully it’ll give you the gist as to how intense and detail-orientated filmmaking can be.

Please click on the link at the top of the blog titled BUDGET to see the breakdown, and let me know if you have any questions!

FUNDRAISER

A showcase of 10 to 12 shorts films ranging from narrative comedy to Samurai drama to documentary. Each filmmaker brings something unique to the table, and in some way or another s/he has Boston to thank for it.

LOCATION SCOUTING

Some photos of potential shooting locations at World’s End:

BEGINNINGS

THE STORY

In Fall 2008 I’ll be shooting a short film tentatively titled The Steepest Slope in my hometown of Hingham, Massachusetts. The film will showcase what I’ve learned thus far as a student of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts’ film department.

I’m lucky enough to have gained the support of The Trustees of the Reservation who have granted our crew permission to set the film in World’s End: 250 acres of preserved land that offer unbelievable views of Hingham Harbor and the Boston skyline.  World’s End has inspired my first short and I can only hope I’ll do justice to its scenic and historical worth.

THE FILM

As of August 2008, the screenplay is still in development; however, here’s what’s up so far:

synopsis

Pat and Amelia grew up as close friends and remained as such until life gently lead them in different directions. They now approach the first crossroads of their adult lives, and when unfortunate circumstance unites them for the first time in years, they find themselves meandering through their old stomping ground, allowing past to collide with present. Set in a scenic wonderland, The Steepest Slope yields a stirring reflection of fate and friendship on the brink of life’s next chapter.

THE PROCESS

Pre-production hasn’t begun seeing as the screenplay is still being workshopped.  As I continue working on the script, I begin the process of fundraising- a long, arduous-yet-necessary part of filmmaking.

In the fall I will assemble a crew, coordinate the logistics of the shoot, and spend a weekend in World’s End filming my short!

After the shoot it’s back to New York where I’ll develop the film and begin post production. I expect most of my semester will be spent editing, but no doubt it will be worth it.

WHAT’S NEXT

$$$$$$$$$$

fundraising!!

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In the near future I plan to post the following:

• a budget top-sheet
• information on how to donate
• details on my upcoming fund raiser featuring local filmmakers of the Boston area
• photographs from my location scout at World’s End

Thank you in advance for your support and please check back for updates!