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Oct 26, 2011
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.
Oct 19, 2011
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.”
Oct 15, 2011
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.
Aug 31, 2011
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.
Jul 23, 2011
love to Norway
My heart goes out to Oslo and Norway today, a place very near and dear to me. I send my love to my Norwegian friends. What icky and senseless news.
Jul 10, 2011
Summer Plans
We are gathering a team and plans are being made to go back to Europe. I am very thrilled to get to return to Norway! The project is moving forward never fast enough for me, but things happen in their own time. We want to shoots be right and show BASE jumping filmed in ways we have not seen before.
We are also still getting through footage and scanning photos, letters, and the history of BASE jumping. I feel like I have a beautiful story that I can’t wait to share with the world. The footage is inspiring and totally feels like Carl knew how important this footage would be for future generations. He has inspired us to overcome artificial human limitations. I am so inspired and feel so fortunate to have worked with this material.
Jun 27, 2011
LOVE- HATE- RESPECT
So much of making a film comes down to the people you are working with; it is not always easy. When a film is your baby people who stand in your way seem evil. It seems they should just work in harmony with you. In reality they do sometimes and sometimes they don’t. It’s a crap shoot.Sometimes you also work with people who are very good at what they do, but drive you crazy.
I guess being a good producer and director is really about using any relationship no matter how hostile to your advantage.
Jun 8, 2011
More scary children’s films from Norway is this a genre?
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About
Gravity is a non-fiction feature that captures what it feels like to jump off a building, cliff or bridge and walk away alive. It is about the essence of life, of freedom, of what it feels like, for a moment, to defy gravity, and to fly.
In the early eighties Carl Boenish coined the acronym “BASE” (standing for Buildings, Antenna, Span, and Earth, the objects jumped) and invented a sport. Carl was the catalyst behind modern BASE jumping; an electrical engineer and filmmaker who believed that BASE jumping would allow mankind to overcome artificial limitations. He religiously chronicled the early days of BASE in beautiful 16mm film, often with cameras mounted to the jumpers’ heads. He saw BASE as the next amazing thing to film. Subscribe via RSS.
In the early eighties Carl Boenish coined the acronym “BASE” (standing for Buildings, Antenna, Span, and Earth, the objects jumped) and invented a sport. Carl was the catalyst behind modern BASE jumping; an electrical engineer and filmmaker who believed that BASE jumping would allow mankind to overcome artificial limitations. He religiously chronicled the early days of BASE in beautiful 16mm film, often with cameras mounted to the jumpers’ heads. He saw BASE as the next amazing thing to film. Subscribe via RSS.
