gravity the film is a tumblelog.

Gravity and getting the boat over the mountain

We are very deep in the trenches. This film is finally so close I feel it. Working currently on production planning for this summer. Stay tuned.

More Herzog quotes.

[during the making of Fitzcarraldo] I shouldn’t make movies anymore. I should go to a lunatic asylum.

[also on Fitzcarraldo] [The investors] said to me, ‘Well how can you continue, can you… do you have the strength, or the will, or the enthusiasm, or so…?’ And I said, ‘How can you ask me this question… it is… if I abandon this project I would be a man without dreams and I don’t want to live like that: I live my life or I end my life with this project.’

Hardangerfjord

Another successful trip to Norway. This time I drank a bit too much cider, or maybe just enough. This part of Norway, Hardangerfjord is spectacular and is known for it’s apples and better yet it’s alcoholic apple cider!!!! I attended the http://www.vestlandstreffet.no/ and met many amazing and talented filmmakers from all over the world. I also got to see many sites including having dinner in a Turbine Hall, Tyssedal. This Turbine hall was epic and a fine example of Norway during it’s industrial heyday. 

http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display/357629/articles/hydro-review-worldwide/volume-16/issue-5/articles/preserving-a-century-old-hydro-plant-in-norway.html

We stayed at http://www.hotel-ullensvang.no/ all I can say is WOW!

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NORWAY

I am back again in Norway. I am here mostly for the http://www.vestlandstreffet.no/index.php?page=program . It is always wonderful to be back in Norway. I am excited to meet fellow filmmakers and to discuss international collaboration.

It is now spring here the last time I was here was deep in winter. I  have now experienced 3 out of the four seasons in Norway. 

 I will also be stopping by Denmark this time which is a long story. I am waiting at the gate to board a plane to Kobenhavn (that is Copenhagen.) 

Thank The Film Gods for Film Independent

We had an amazing work in progress screening at the the DGA. We showed a 10min clip of Gravity along with our other Film Independent, Doc. labs fellows. It was a great weekend.

The most exciting thing for me was showing new footage to the crowd and seeing that they actually got it.

The Art of War

I am currently reading the Art of War. It is amazing to me how many lessons from this book are applicable to film production.

Here are a few.

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.”

“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”

“The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.”

Updates

“The gulls who scorn perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly. Those who put aside travel for the sake of perfection go anywhere, instantly.” One of Carl Boenish’s favorite quotes from Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

I have started getting emails asking if I am finished yet? And when will I be finished with the film? The answer, I don’t know. All I can do is continue to put one foot in front of the other. Money is always the issue. We have done as we said we would do on our kickstarter campaign we have transferred considerable amounts of footage, and archived massive amounts of audio and it was been a lot of work, and yes a lot of time. This is a intimidating undertaking and anyone who has looked at Carl Boenish’s huge body of work knows what I mean. Then there is the need to create a film out of the material. This is another matter.

We live this film , we breath this film, we don’t sleep much, but when we do we dream of this film.

We did an amazing shoot in Norway. As most of you know we are a Norwegian co-production and we will be partially financed by Norway. 

I am still recovering from the intensity of this trip. It was both fantastic and a epic challenge. It was a growing experience. I grew up a lot as a director. It was painful. It was exhilarating! I learned I need to let other people do things and make decisions for them self. I tend to micromanage, I shouldn’t.

There was a lot of getting to know the Norwegian culture that I landed in. Both of my producers from the States had medical emergencies this left me to helm my own ship some of the time with my very capable co-producer from Norway. This shoot was at times insanity and can best be described as every first time director’s worst nightmare.  We however pulled off nothing short of miracle. The footage looks fantastic. I believe most people who were not injured will remember at least a few moments of the shoot with some fondness. It was a tough one but the footage was so worth it. 

Jean Boenish came to Norway to be interviewed. Also Erik Fenz came, who jumped with Jean after Carl died. Fred and Einer who were local climbers were interviewed they talked about guiding Carl and Jean up the  troll wall. It was fantastic to see everyone together.

We also interviewed a local family that knew Carl and Jean and owned a small hotel that Jean and Carl had stayed in. They were very warm and welcoming and embraced Jean like family.  It is in these moments you realize you are doing more then making a film, you are witnessing  the healing that is still taking place.

We now have about a year production schedule, this is our plan film god or whatever willing.  My form of prayer is how much celluloid has passed through my hands.

The Very Tiny Room, Arrival in Molde

Molde again- It is strange to be nervous in such a beautiful place. First day of production in just a few short days, on the Norwegian part of my film. I walk into the hotel and there is an article in the local paper I happen to see that says my production is in town.

http://www.rbnett.no/lokal/rauma/article372837.ece

It doesn’t mention I am directing but talks a lot of about Alex Gibney (our Executive producer), who is awesome yes. I am however directing this film. I feel like everyone has forgotten how hard I have worked on this film for a long long time. My hotel room is so small there is no room for my suitcase. I have to have it upright to fit inside the space and kind of tip it over to get things out. This feeling of not being seen as the director is ego though, and I should know that what we are doing is big. People here seems to feel it is their story. The girl in the hotel at the desk said that she remembers hearing about this couple. She states that it is a beautiful love story. She wants to meet Jean Boenish. This is a good moment. I have waited so long to be finally shooting in Norway. This feels like a dream, it is both happy and anxiety inducing.  Making a first feature film fucks with your ego in so many ways.