Thanks Cinebuddy,
Yeah, Pooja is gorgeous and a pleasure to work with. She enjoyed the film immensely and is also trying to make connections for us (especially with the Indian audience).
Todd
OTHER: Drawing With Chalk Feature Film Trailer
- Thread starter DCP
- Start date
Thanks Cinebuddy,
Yeah, Pooja is gorgeous and a pleasure to work with. She enjoyed the film immensely and is also trying to make connections for us (especially with the Indian audience).
Todd
We just received notice that we are an official selection at the Heart of England International Film Festival taking place in June, 09. If anyone here has screened there, please let me know what you thought (not that I can really afford to go there, but I'll do whatever I have to...)
We were also asked to premiere before the opening of a new film festival called SUNYWide Film Festival (celebrating student film from all State University of New York schools). We (Chris and myself) were students at Fredonia State from '86-'90 and the school loved the film and since the opening festival's theme is 'Firsts' it was appropriate for the festival to highlight DRAWING WITH CHALK (being first time filmmakers) to kick start the festival.
There are many other festivals we are waiting word on and I'll keep everyone up to date.
All the best.
Todd
We were also asked to premiere before the opening of a new film festival called SUNYWide Film Festival (celebrating student film from all State University of New York schools). We (Chris and myself) were students at Fredonia State from '86-'90 and the school loved the film and since the opening festival's theme is 'Firsts' it was appropriate for the festival to highlight DRAWING WITH CHALK (being first time filmmakers) to kick start the festival.
There are many other festivals we are waiting word on and I'll keep everyone up to date.
All the best.
Todd
Wow. inspiring journey. I just read 13 pages worth of posts. took about 40 mins, but it was worth it.
I also enjoyed the trailer and the film looks like it has some serious potential.
I just got done making a feature length film, shot on the hvx200, but it had no budget so in the end it kind of did turn out to be like every other low low budget film. Kind of a disappointment, after hearing your film getting turned down by film festivals, mine doesn't stand a chance to semi-bigger film festivals. oh well.....
It truly does take some money to make an actual descent product. Also a good story.
I'm excited to see where your film goes! AWESOME JOB!!
Good luck!!
I also enjoyed the trailer and the film looks like it has some serious potential.
I just got done making a feature length film, shot on the hvx200, but it had no budget so in the end it kind of did turn out to be like every other low low budget film. Kind of a disappointment, after hearing your film getting turned down by film festivals, mine doesn't stand a chance to semi-bigger film festivals. oh well.....
It truly does take some money to make an actual descent product. Also a good story.
I'm excited to see where your film goes! AWESOME JOB!!
Good luck!!
Thanks Sam,
Don't discount your film as far as festivals go. Festivals do look for a certain type of film (mine may not be that type) so depending on your content material, shooting style, etc. you still may have a chance at the bigger festivals. Ironically if my film had been shot in England or Ireland (with the exact same dialogue with regionalisms added in) the film would probably be huge over here. At least it would probably have received attention from the big festivals; just my theory.
That being said, I've pretty much have gone the smaller festival route knowing that I stand little chance getting into the bigger festivals (I will still submit on the slight chance someone actually watches the film
)And yes, if your story is good most technical flaws can be overlooked.
I wish you the best with your film.
Todd
Very true. There are so many tools that we have now to assist in better technical filmmaking that, well, what you said.
Another note: DWC was nominated for Best American Feature at the Heart of England Int. Film Festival in June. Still not sure if I can go (there is another big festival in LA during the same time that we are hoping to get into...), but I do have my co-executive producer going on our behalf.
Last Thursday we had our screening at the SUNYWide film festival. Very cool, especially since the majority of those attending were students (average age of 20) and they really got the film (despite that it's really about a couple of guys turning 40). Ironically, one student came up to me and said he enjoyed the film a lot and now see's what his dad is going through... Damn, I'm old. Anyway, they were impressed by the film and couldn't believe it was shot on video (we had a Blu-Ray projected on a 30+ foot screen).
Todd
Another AMEN to that (19 years at the same job and am now looking for another similar 2nd job to help pay off the film debt).
Long time no post...
Well, after taking six weeks off from the film (various screenings aside), I went back to the editing board and re-cut the film. Our original TRT (1st screening) came in at 122 min.; our second private screening TRT came in at 106 min.; our new final TRT is 93 min. Whew.
Letting go of some scenes (though they were great scenes but not really essential or moved the story along) was difficult. But the more I realized how much better the story is without those scenes (deleting non-essential scenes only makes the remaining scenes that much stronger) the happier (an angrier) I became. Happier that the film really flies by and still has a strong impact, but angrier that I've submitted the old cut to x-teen number of film festivals).
I guess the moral of the story is be honest with yourself. As a filmmaker we attach ourselves to our projects and what we find as beautiful in the crafting of our scenes may not really be necessary to the story and may in fact damage a great film. Yes some of the scenes had great moments and really nice cinematography/acting/music/etc., but, despite my emotional attachment and trying to justify that they still belonged in the film, I had to mature as a filmmaker and make the right decisions. The hard part wasn't finding what to delete, but accepting that the film lived fine (and became stronger) without those parts....
Heck, if you would have asked me 2 months ago I would have said the film was as near perfect as it could get. Boy was I wrong. Now looking at the cut I kind of rub my eyes and think 'What was I thinking?'. One good thing... I'll have a crap load of deleted scenes to put as extras on the DVD.
Todd
Well, after taking six weeks off from the film (various screenings aside), I went back to the editing board and re-cut the film. Our original TRT (1st screening) came in at 122 min.; our second private screening TRT came in at 106 min.; our new final TRT is 93 min. Whew.
Letting go of some scenes (though they were great scenes but not really essential or moved the story along) was difficult. But the more I realized how much better the story is without those scenes (deleting non-essential scenes only makes the remaining scenes that much stronger) the happier (an angrier) I became. Happier that the film really flies by and still has a strong impact, but angrier that I've submitted the old cut to x-teen number of film festivals).
I guess the moral of the story is be honest with yourself. As a filmmaker we attach ourselves to our projects and what we find as beautiful in the crafting of our scenes may not really be necessary to the story and may in fact damage a great film. Yes some of the scenes had great moments and really nice cinematography/acting/music/etc., but, despite my emotional attachment and trying to justify that they still belonged in the film, I had to mature as a filmmaker and make the right decisions. The hard part wasn't finding what to delete, but accepting that the film lived fine (and became stronger) without those parts....
Heck, if you would have asked me 2 months ago I would have said the film was as near perfect as it could get. Boy was I wrong. Now looking at the cut I kind of rub my eyes and think 'What was I thinking?'. One good thing... I'll have a crap load of deleted scenes to put as extras on the DVD.
Todd
UPDATE:
Boy, been brutalized on the festival front. Another rejection for the file cabinet. Also, the one festival we've gotten into so far (The Heart of England Int. Film Festival) recently was acquired by another company and they changed the date of our screening and now I don't think my rep (co-executive producer) can go. In fact, we may even pull the film...
It's been a tough go, but I'll keep going (and I'll keep up with these slogans for as long as I can ).
Todd
Boy, been brutalized on the festival front. Another rejection for the file cabinet. Also, the one festival we've gotten into so far (The Heart of England Int. Film Festival) recently was acquired by another company and they changed the date of our screening and now I don't think my rep (co-executive producer) can go. In fact, we may even pull the film...
It's been a tough go, but I'll keep going (and I'll keep up with these slogans for as long as I can
).Todd
Moonlight Pictures
Member
I know this may be completely late, but being a newer member here, I must say the trailer for this film was very inspiring. I wish more films like THIS were being released by Hollywood.
I loved how I didn't recognize any of the actors in the film and even though it was a trailer, I had already began to feel for the guy. Great edited trailer, I look forward to the time where I can buy this film on DVD.
I hope everything works out with the festivals.
I loved how I didn't recognize any of the actors in the film and even though it was a trailer, I had already began to feel for the guy. Great edited trailer, I look forward to the time where I can buy this film on DVD.
I hope everything works out with the festivals.
djbobbyrhodes
Well-known member
I think I just spent the last 45 minutes or so reading this whole thread. Your trailer looks great. I would definitely add DWC to my netflix.
I'm amazed that you were able to cut so much, and still stay true to your story. That's great, man. I had a similar situation, where we filmed a 3 minute comedy sketch. And, looking back after a bunch of time passed, we were able to cut it down to about 30 seconds and make it super punchy. So, I guess I get that. It's hard when you're so close to something, and you've put so much into it.
I would also like to point out the parallels between your trailer and your current endeavors, as well as ours. Maybe that's why we all seem to love it so much.
Good luck with the festival circuit. If you don't get picked up soon, I'm positive that you'll get distribution soon.
I'm amazed that you were able to cut so much, and still stay true to your story. That's great, man. I had a similar situation, where we filmed a 3 minute comedy sketch. And, looking back after a bunch of time passed, we were able to cut it down to about 30 seconds and make it super punchy. So, I guess I get that. It's hard when you're so close to something, and you've put so much into it.
I would also like to point out the parallels between your trailer and your current endeavors, as well as ours. Maybe that's why we all seem to love it so much.
Good luck with the festival circuit. If you don't get picked up soon, I'm positive that you'll get distribution soon.
russc
Active member
Hey Todd
Hang in there. We were 0 for 11 on festivals for a while..
Without some name in front of or behind the camera attached or without knowing a program director at one of these or having a producer rep who knows one it is tough to find your "level" of festival. But it look like you have good product so just keep searching for those couple of sets of Laurel leaves you can slap on your poster. They will come.
RJC
Hang in there. We were 0 for 11 on festivals for a while..
Without some name in front of or behind the camera attached or without knowing a program director at one of these or having a producer rep who knows one it is tough to find your "level" of festival. But it look like you have good product so just keep searching for those couple of sets of Laurel leaves you can slap on your poster. They will come.
RJC
Thanks. I see you're finally finding the groove for your films (congrats!) and I'm hanging tight. A lot of the festivals we're still waiting on have agreed to accept the new cut of the film so we'll see how it plays.
Good luck with the two films at the upcoming festival!
Todd
Actually the true story became more evident by all of the new cuts. As a director/writer/actor I was a bit 'blinded' by some of the scenes and was hesitant to make necessary cuts. I've learned so much and most of that came from being open minded to creative criticism. Even though I had thought the film was as 'perfect' as I could get it and "f'u" to anyone who didn't like it I realized there was something I had missed. 'Killing my baby' was the best thing I could do for the film. I thank everyone who's helped to make this film stronger by comments (both good and bad).
Simon Höfer
Veteran
I just watched your trailer again yesterday. Looks really really professional. Superb acting, interesting story, nice cinematography and good sound. What more do we need? I hope you will be successful with you film, I wish you luck!
on
Thanks Simon. :beer:
Thanks Simon. :beer: