The Devil's in the details

So I am spending a week in Canada. I came over for my mother's birthday (collective 'awww' from the audience). Of course, once you hand over the card and the presents the issue becomes 'what do I do with the rest of my time here?'

This town is small. And industrial. And like a lot of small and industrial towns finding interesting things to do that don't involve fiddles, line dancing and Molson Canadian is a difficult thing.

I thought I had been thrown a lifeline when I heard about 'cineSarnia' - an interesting program that gets film prints from the Toronto Film Festival people and shows films in the local library auditorium. Films that wouldn't get a chance in the 6 screen multiplex dedicated to teen films and action pics.

The film was 'Everything is Illuminated'. Despite the tale I am about to relate, the film is brilliant. I HIGHLY recommend it - especially to young directors. The picture is a first film and is a slice of heaven on celluloid.

But, this being a small town, things do not go as planned.

'cineSarnia' is one of these local arts organisations that depends on sponsorship and funding. Like most of these things I am sure that people do it so they can boast that they support it - they don't necessarily love film. If they loved film then the following couldn't have happened.

There are many difficult jobs in the film business. Writing is arduous. Directing and producing fraught with stress and logistical nightmares. Editing a very fiddly, time consuming process.

Being the projectionist in a cinema is not, in general, considered to be one of these difficult jobs. Unless you are the projectionist for 'cineSarnia'.

Job 1 for the projectionist (of film). thread the film. This, the most difficult task, seemingly was accomplished without a hitch.

Job 2 - make sure the right lens is on the projector. <buzz> Failure! The star of this film was Elijah wood. In my opinion he is already a bit wierd looking. Try looking at him through the anamorphic lens! He looks like ET! The film was ruined by using the wrong lens. Even though it was obvious from the first minute of film the projectionist failed to change it.

Job 3 - focus. Doh! Not working right. Personally, I think stars should be sharp points of light, not look like toilet rolls against a black background.

The people in line had been told there were no subtitles so it didn't matter where they sat. Guess what? about 50% of the dialog is subtitled. So a LOT of people were unhappy.

In short it was a fiasco. A farce. An embarassment actually.

If you don't want to do the job right, then don't do the job.

But, great film. Rent it, buy it, watch it.

Oh yeah, and after the film I thought I'd go have a drink. I needed it. Went to a local bar where I had to hear 2 guitar players trying to teach each other how to play 'My Sweet Lord' (WRONG, by the way guys) for 25 minutes.

Editing done

Its done! Simon and I spent a day doing the rough edit and I spent a couple more days polishing it off as he galavants around the pacific rim.

I don't think I can put it on the website until after nominations are closed for the Cacophony competition. All 2 of you dying to see it will have to wait.

Oh, and I lied. There is a dog in it. Just not one of mine.

It's a wrap!

7 hours later, shooting on The Reunion is done.
I often say that the thing I love about film is the collaborative nature of it. This was no exception.
The challenge - if you remember/care - was to produce a film for Cacaphony Music competition. With today's footage we should do it.
Production stills (shot by Peter Cavanaugh) coming soon on the main site.
John Harris (our man from Man's Best Friend) was once again Guy.
Marcie Greene knocked an upexpected home run as Girl
Lisa Triay played Nora.
Last but not least, my friend and co-hort in cinematic crime, Simon Ordish, played Man.
Simon and myself were amply aided by Martin Nuza (filmmaker in his own right).
No expense was spared (except it seems in the naming of characters). Coffee was served twice.
Problems occurred (last minute cast cancellations and location dropouts) but we persevered.

Thanks guys. Let's see how we do.

Dogs make no appearance in the film.