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My First Film
Making independent films can be a really fun experience, but then again it can be a nightmare. Depending on who you are working with can make a world of difference. Why am I saying all this? My dad is currently in the process of filming a short film that we can hopefully package up and send around to film festivals. It really is being done to get our feet wet, so to speak. Tonight will be Day 4 of the shoot and, my god, are the actors over it!

1st rule of indie film making: Never use non-actors! As soon as you yell "Cut!" everyone takes the opportunity to spread out on the floor like beached whales and cat nap. It's pathetic to say the least. Then you have your wannabe actor who can't remember his lines, for whatever the reason may be. You also have "the friend" who is just their to give you a hand and attempt to do a good job. This is the guy who quickly loses momentum and becomes dead weight. There is also the young guy who tries really hard and you can't really be upset if he's not too convincing. Then there is the confident guy who just wanted to help out and turns out to be the best actor you got but gets aggitated very easily when the other actors screw up and makes for very interesting tension. WHY GOD?!

A 15-minute short has turned into an epic adventure. The lighting is wrong, the angle is bad, the line was weird, so on and so forth.

Whew...I am not trying to be too critical, though it may sound like it. Everything should look really good in the end and all the guys are showing up and trying their best. The only complaint I have is that the "Producer" is absolutely worthless. No offense to him though. HaHa.

To the actors, if you may read this, I honestly appreciate all the hours you have put into this project for free and for sticking it out.

My one hope for this project is that someone will get to see it and that it is not something that we are embarrased to show to people. I think it's safe to say that goal will be met, hopefully.

I will give everyone an update on the project as soon as I have clearence from the big guy and everything is done.

See ya in three weeks, I will be in Europe till then!

--Ashley Lauren

I can see everyone out there in filmland shaking their heads and saying "BOY, CAN I IDENTIFY WITH THAT!!" Count me among 'em---Nolan