Envision & RebeccaD Present "Berlin"

Jack Daniel Stanley said:
The song and Rebecca's rendition of it are simply kickass. :beer:
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Thanks Jack! It's easy working with Herman, I'll tell ya. He is a very talented guy.
 
Woah, song is great. Felt and sounded like from that period, cool! Herman's working his style and Rebecca has a wonderful voice. Norm, can't wait for your film!
 
Withdrawal from SpyFest (Cancellation of BERLIN)

Withdrawal from SpyFest (Cancellation of BERLIN)

Hi everyone,

It's with great displeasure that I announce to you the cancellation of the upcoming BERLIN production. I've began saying the following a lot over the past week or two: I refuse to settle for mediocrity. Especially when there's something of great value at stake ... in this case, the time that everyone was willing to put into the project, free of charge. Unless I'm convinced that the film will be all that it can be, I simply can't ask anyone to give of their time on it.

To explain in more detail some of the main reasons for my decision ....

Due to the fact that everyone has been come onto this pro-bono (cast, crew, extras, etc.) I insist on keeping this an even playing field, meaning that there are no exceptions where someone else gets paid under the table, etc. Right or wrong, it's how I operate. With that, it's proven extremely difficult to obtain folks for the WWII German soldiers. I tossed around the idea of adjusting the Cabaret scene to exclude not only the speaking lines, but the background extras in general (the German soldiers portion of the extras) ... however, they are really the ones that truly send home not only the time period, but the location. In addition, they add a tone of unease & tension just by their very presence. Not having them in the film, simply makes BERLIN a different picture than intended with regards to tone.

Again, if this film is going to be less than 100% of what I feel it should be, it's just not worth doing at this time. We have a well written script, an incredibly great sounding original song, graphic artwork, location ideas, and the list goes on. I don't plan for these to go to waste, and they can hopefully be utilized in the semi-near future. If anyone has experienced hard cost expenses up to this point (i.e. James, your sister's involvement with the banners, etc.), please let me know so that I can personally reimburse you for them.

In addition to the German soldiers concern, I was never able to secure a 1st AD, which is imperative to ensure that we don't run over schedule, get all the desired shots in, etc. We've also had one of the cast members, who was going to play 'Older Robert' recently end up in the hospital & will not be able to perform the park scene. There have been other consistent issues that have come up, which I've been able to overcome, and even these last two are not deal breakers as they can be worked around ... but it comes to a point where I have to look at the time everyone will be investing, and if I don't feel I have everything up to par to be able to make it the absolute best it can & should be, then I need to cancel it now.

My sincerest apologies that this cancellation comes only a week before our first shooting weekend. I hope that you can understand my decision I'm making, and very much appreciate your interest in the project. For now, I'll be turning my attention towards TRINITY RIVER, the feature, and will look forward to having as many of you as possible on board with the film as it further develops.

Until then,
Norm
 
Sorry to hear of your decision, Norm. You know, it takes "courage" to shut down your own project. Not having key elements that would otherwise totally sell a critical scene, I think, is an important acknowledgement, and recognizing that before the fact, again, I think, is a sign of a mature filmmaker.
 
Sorry to hear that this will not be going forward, as I think this would have been a strong film. I think you made the right decision- a tough one indeed - but the right one.
 
I remember you said it was going to be a tight squeeze to get everything in, you were right. Always go for broke or nothing at all, Norm, the only way to fly.

Charli
 
That's too bad Norm but I totally understand. You shouldn't rush/force out a project if things are not falling into place. I was really looking forward too this one, I really liked the script and hope some day it get's made. Even if I have to buy a Nazi Uniform and fly up there to play a soldier for you (and I'm absolutely serious about that).

Ralph is right, it takes more courage and guts to realize you have to pull the plug on a project then to make the project. It is a hard decision and it sounds like a well made one.

So, let me know when I need to start making the poster for Trinity River:beer:
 
Norm,

I'm sorry to hear this. It takes a great deal of integrity to be committed enough to your artistic vision to end it for this reason. I hope somehow the film eventually gets made. I learned quite a bit from the thread, so maybe that is a small consolation.

Jim
 
Basically echoing bosindy. Didn't expect this. Making tough decisions are a sign of leadership. I'd rather see you pull the plug than do something you're not going to be happy with and when your at the level your at I think these decisions become increasingly more ciritical. But it's not going to be the same fest without a Norm in it.
 
This was indeed a disappointment. It felt like there was constantly another glitch in the process and it finally got to the point where a decision had to be made. I think this could be a visually exciting film and hopefully it can be made at a later time. Thank you all for your support of our film over the past several weeks!
 
Sorry to hear it, Norm. I've been there and know exactly what a difficult decision it is to make. Best of luck to you on your feature! Ever-onward, as my grandmother used to say.
 
Sorry to hear about the cancellation. I was looking forward to seeing another film from you guys. I hope Berlin is able to be resurrected someday.

In the mean time, good luck with Trinity River.
-Amy
 
ahhh bummer norm! Sorry to hear about the project. :(

good luck with everything and looking forward to your next project!
/j
 
Sorry about the German shortage Norm...

Condolences on the temporary shelving your project.

Glad to know it will find future life. My only regret is that you won't be particpating in this festival.

Best wishes for your feature.
 
Oh, come on guys...this is obviously the sign of a weak man, chickening out at the last minute because he KNOWS that my recently scribed entry will blow him out of the water!! :evil:




just kidding, of course. This come to me, too, as quite a disappointment :crybaby: , but I totally understand. It is a difficult decision to have to make, but I'm confident Norm and Rebecca weighed everthing out and made the best decision for everyone involved.

I agree with others, this is a solid script and I look forward to seeing it produced in the future.

Now, go enjoy your vacation with your wife, then get back and get TRINITY RIVER rolling!! :thumbsup:
 
Norm... I am very very sad to see this have to end... but your reasons make sense. I hope you can focus on getting Trinity River going, and I am excited to see where that project goes!
 
What??? HUH??? Oh, No!!!

I am so, so sorry to read this news. I am just sitting here "blown away" by it. I can't imagine how you must all feel.

I am very disappointed for the Berlin team. I really am. I know how much time, energy and work that Norm, Rebecca and others had put into this project.

I feel that many others have already said what I am feeling..... so, I'll leave it as is.

I would love to see you guys shoot something for Spy Fest... even it is just for fun.

Good luck with Trinity River.

Best to you all.

-Ted
 
Guys,

I just heard... that FRIGGIN sucks! Sorry that things didn't work out for you. We were in a bit of a pickle on Saturday night and I was starting to think that we were headed to the same fate, but surprisingly enough it pulled through. I admire your desire to make it the best and not to settle if you have to make any significant compromises. There are always compromises, but I can't imagine trying to make it work when I have to make a choice that guts my story or makes it incoherent.

I read something about a feature... good luck what that, let us know if you need any help.

Take Care!!!
 
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