"ajar" - a david jerome film

david jerome

david jerome

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Director's Log - february 3, 2007

Director's Log - january 10, 2007

Director's Log - december 27, 2006

Director's Log - december 20, 2006

Director's Log - december 19, 2006

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Today I decided to enter Dramafest, a short film contest on dvxuser website. This will be the second short movie I've made since I bought my dvx100b camera 8 months ago. I wasn't sure I was going to enter. It takes alot to get me motivated. Creating films is something I really want to do, but making them is another story. I've come to realize after my first short film that I don't have the energy and drive that I thought I did. I used to, back in the day. I turned 42 this last October, and if it wasn't for my lack of energy and drive, I would never believe it. I still feel like that 20 year old kid who wanted to make movies but decided to do something he hated instead. So I've decided, good or bad, I'm entering this fest. I don't have the time not to. I don't have a script yet. I don't have any actors. All I have right now is a story in my head and a stock dvx100b. I'm going out of town for two weeks so I won't be able to shoot till the weekend of Jan 13. That will give me two weekends to shoot and then one to edit. I'm looking for a chair. That's my big prop. I think it's funny, I read about some of the other filmmakers and they've got airplanes and magic ladders and sound stages and hvx's and 35adapters and dp's and crews and actors. And I'm still looking for a chair. But if it wasn't for them I probably wouldn't be entering. I keep telling myself, if they can do it why can't I. And then myself says, "Well cause they got more energy and drive than you do you loser." And then I tell myself back, "Well I already got a title you mofo!" And then I stop. Cause I realize I just called myself a mofo. So the journey begins. I'm throwing my hat in. And even if I've got cheese pouring out of my mouth, I don't care, I'm gonna make a damn film. I will keep a log of my progress in the days to follow. About that cheese. Let's dance.

david jerome

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Good luck David.

Your log sounds very familiar. I've been out of film school for about 12 years and have managed a couple of small projects, one feature and a couple of scripts and even with small successes I find it really hard to pull together all the energy it takes. I'm coming up on 40 and age can make a bit of a difference.

every once and a while I think about quitting, but late at night the passion for filmmaking (no matter how draining) still haunts my my mind. There isn't enough booze nor enough drugs on the planet to stop the monster in the brain.

I too find myself somewhat alone in my endeavors, but yet we both know that we have to keep on plugging forward.

It's been motivational to hear your honesty and know that you're still going to push forward.

Again, best of luck to you.

J.
 
insanityfw said:
Good luck David.

Your log sounds very familiar. I've been out of film school for about 12 years and have managed a couple of small projects, one feature and a couple of scripts and even with small successes I find it really hard to pull together all the energy it takes. I'm coming up on 40 and age can make a bit of a difference.

every once and a while I think about quitting, but late at night the passion for filmmaking (no matter how draining) still haunts my my mind. There isn't enough booze nor enough drugs on the planet to stop the monster in the brain.

I too find myself somewhat alone in my endeavors, but yet we both know that we have to keep on plugging forward.

It's been motivational to hear your honesty and know that you're still going to push forward.

Again, best of luck to you.

J.
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Thanks J and keep plugging away. I think a feature is a major accomplishment. I can't even imagine trying something like that right now. I'd love to see it if it's available anywhere. And best of luck to you also.
 
David, welcome.

Loved your introduction. I'm only 22, just graduated from school. I've made several short films, and worked on some more. Making a movie is an extremely difficult endeavor, I agree. But the learning curve is huge, and each time out I exponentially improve on my last effort.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm flying solo for the most part, don't have a 35 adapter, don't have a soundstage, and hardly any money for anything like a budget. But I love the challenge. What it's all about for me. I wrote a script and don't know how I'm going to pull off half of it, and even if I do if it'll be any good. I spent 6 hours yesterday trying to figure out how to create an animation and got just about nowhere. But I'm going to get something done for this fest. Sounds like you are too. Best of luck.

Ben

p.s. Great picture. Welcome to the Wild West of digital movie making.
 
Thanks Ben. Looking forward to it. I feel for you. Figuring stuff out is a real pain. I have spent countless hours trying to get decent encodings and still don't get the results I see some get.

david jerome
 
Director's Log - december 20, 2006


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Today I started on the script for "ajar". Six minutes seems to be a tough story length for me. There are things I want in the story but I know it will be to hard to fit it all in. My last short that I wrote for six minutes ended up being twelve minutes. I don't want to edit two versions again. Especially since I'm not that crazy about editing. So this time it's one six minute movie and that's it. I hope. I started playing the moving in my head last night. The problem with that is, it's really hard to fall asleep. I see something in my mind and I have to get up and write it down. I did that three times last night. It's going to be hard getting to sleep for the next month. I like the writing part but I'm really slow at it. It takes me an hour just to get started. Then I'm easily distracted. It is really hard for me to stay focused. And there is always something on TV that I want to watch. Whenever I sit down at my computer at night to get some work done, the first thing I do is go online and see whats on TV that night. Not a good start. Besides being slow, I just realized I am shorter than I thought I was. I was editing some behind the scenes stuff for my last flick and I couldn't believe it. It was like watching "The Lord of the Rings". I think I've shrunk. I don't remember being that short. I'm still looking for the right "chair". This story is not going to work without the right chair. Well, at least I've started, I think.


david jerome

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David,

If your movie is going to be as entertaining as your "Director's Log" then you'll win this contest hands down.

Good luck, man. I know exactly what you're going through...
 
I am sure your film will be great. You will find your chair and it will be the best chair that ever graced the screen. Good luck.
 
Actually we have a long family history in repairing air conditioning units that go all across the country, especially in Brazil... here is a pick of one of our distant relatives just finishing up with a happy costumer.
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David,
Good luck with the project and finding the right chair. I love the "throwing your hat in" pic.
 
There is so much going on with so many shorts, incluning my own. So many interesting posts to read but one thing keeps popping in my head. Has David Jerome found his dang chair yet?
 
jontuttle said:
There is so much going on with so many shorts, incluning my own. So many interesting posts to read but one thing keeps popping in my head. Has David Jerome found his dang chair yet?
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Wish me luck tomorrow Jon. It's gotta happen this weekend. I'm hitting the flea markets, thrift stores, junk yards. I'm gonna find that chair. And it better know how to act or I'm in bad shape. A leading chair that can't act, well, your film is in trouble then my friend.

david jerome
 
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