Despite all the struggles, it has also been a blast with some memories not soon to be forgotten by me or the cast anytime soon. And of course, I have learned SO MUCH getting this off the ground that I already have plans and ideas that will make my next movie run so much smoother.

Yes, there will be a next movie. I already have an idea, and even a couple cast members on board! :)

Anyway, I stopped to blog quickly about recent events in movie-making land!

Dave and his girlfriend were perfect, patient hosts, since we got seriously derailed by some traffic and ended up getting there *MUCH* later than anticipated. And then we got lost on the one-way streets of Lancaster - but did get to see the fabulous "Clipper Magazine Stadium." ;)

After we finally got there, though, Connie was treated like the VIP she is destined to be and they upgraded our hotel room to a suite. Which was perfect, since we just shot the scene at the hotel, instead of at Dave's. The hotel itself was beautiful, and made a fabulous set - if you ever stay in Lancaster, check it out! Lancaster Arts Hotel

They also served a mean gimlet, which Connie and I had while her and Dave rehearsed in the bar before ascending back up to our room, where I had set-up the equiment so it looked ...

well, yeah, it looked just like a porno set. Even though we aren't making *that* kind of movie. So I've been told...

Anyway, the shoot itself went well and Dave and Connie did some brilliant acting in a situation that might have been a tad uncomfortable. Kudos to both of you! Serioulsy, you both rock!

Unfortunately (fortunately??) there aren't any pictures. You'll just have to use your imagination until the movie comes out! :)

Now we just have to get through the kissing scene between Connie and Tony and we should be fine ... That should be easy, right? ;)

Really, considering I've filmed bits and pieces of the scenes in this bar, in non-sequential order, over the course of a full year, it's amazing we don't have more issues. At least I know I white-balanced properly!

Good news, though - the fight scene is finished!! Finally!!!

Just a little more to go and I can throw a Wrap Party - otherwise known as "Thank-God-we-finished-this damn-movie-after-two-years-of-shooting" Party.

Or perhaps a "Oh-my-God-how-long-will-I-be-editing-this-thing?"Party.

Or how about "I-need-to-buy-new-shoes-because-Lola-ate-them-all" Party? :)

Off-topic for a minute, check out the trailer I edited for the movie Tribute This! I think it came out pretty cool.

Maybe someday you'll see the movie in a theater near you ... :)

1.) I cleaned up my "Project Direct" submission and entered it into 2 film fests - and one of them accepted it. So last month I had my very first screening on a big screen in front of an audience - thanks to Gate City Women's Film Festival!

For the more amusing highlights of our trip, check out Vicki's blogs here: Why the Super 8 in Greensboro, NC Is Not So Super
and here Expectations

2.) I finally finished my project for UPenn - and I'm actually pretty proud of it!

3.) I moved - I now have my own place, which I love. Only problem is that I don't have any couches - since I'm waiting on the check from the aforementioned UPenn project!

4.) Production on the movie is temporarily on hiatus, until I have time to shoot. Turns out I have a million things going on in May, including a voice recital, Luau, bat mitzvah, house warming party for my sister, visit from my parents ...and then on June 7th I leave for a week in London!

Yeah, so, I'm busy. But once I get back from London it's all movie, all summer. I have a goal of a Fall premier. And no body better get in my way!!! :)

YouTube posted a contest asking people to make a 2-7 minute film that included the following:
1.) Someone passing a picture
2.) The line of dialog "I demand an explanation for these shenanigans! What do you have to say?"
3.) A character facing a situation above his/her maturity level.

At first I thought I didn't have the time to do this - but then, at the last minute, I decided to go for it. I wrote a short script, recruited two actors from Craigslist (more on that later), cast Mick's daughter in one of the parts and somehow - after lining up three different possible locations - ended up invading Mick's house on a Saturday night to shoot!

I didn't have time to audition the people from Craigslist, so I went with my gut - and boy did I luck out.

Amanda Vacharat (above left) - who plays the older sister Jenny - came with her lines memorized and was a complete pro. She "got" the character right away and I was really pleased with her performance.

Daniel Ellis (above right) already had professional experience and a music career, but he was completely dedicated to my little film, and never complained when he was slapped, or rolling around on the cold basement floor! And did I mention he's a hell of an actor?

Of course, I can't forget to mention Faith McCleery, who for a 10 year-old has a real instinct for acting. The camera just loves her and she even had *her* lines memorized! That's more than I can say for the Happy Hour cast most of the time! ;)

Anyway, I feel really lucky that everything worked out - and I hope we make the top 20, so people can vote!

If you want to watch my submission, here it is:

To see all of the other entries, check out this playlist, kindly put together by a fellow youtuber: Project: Direct Playlist

And wish me luck!!! :)

But, while I struggle to make this happen (it is my job) I thought I would share an amusing email thread from a little over a week ago. I was laughing so hard reading it, I decided I had to put a transcript on the web for posterity – rather than have it die in my in box.

So, it was late Friday afternoon and I sent an email asking for extras for the big bar fight scene. Little did I know that craziness would ensue because of that “reply all” button!

(As you read, keep in mind this went out to about 20 people – at their work email addresses! It makes it more amusing …) Enjoy! :)

DAVE
And I'ma get Nicholsonian/Van Damme-ian on dat ass!

CONNIE
To be loved you must be lovable --and I am that ;-)

NANCY
Sounds like fun…count me in!

LAURYN
Ooh fight!!! Can I get in on this? I’m feeling the need punch someone…. :)

CONNIE
Yeah, but you feel like that ALL the time!

LAURYN
Hmm…good point….Well I can always fight Tony & Dave for you too, Connie! Wouldn’t that make for an interesting twist in the movie!

CONNIE
We've been trying to get Kristen to do the gay thing for a while--either my first husband is gay or Jordan is gay or Mike and Tony hook up...it would be hilarious.

MIKE R.
No offense, but if I catch wind that Mike and Tony hooked up I may not be in attendance for next year’s PAI Spring Fundraiser. Just kidding, hope everyone is doing well and that the movie is on it’s way to the Cannes Film festival in no time.

CONNIE
Hey Mike! Good to hear from you! Hope you'll show up for the fight scene.

DAVE
The public at large is not seeking guy-on-guy gayness. I think we all know that it is all about the ladies, in fact I think that some level of Jordan, another chick and the David character should get together and explore the boundaries of female love while David sits and watches, eventually joining the fray. This could happen right before the David/Jordan solo scene, adding complexities to the story and more believability to the pain that David feels. A 'she's all over the place' type of vibe.
With that addition to the film, the anger thrown out in the fight scene would heighten the realism all over the place.
But that's just me...

CONNIE
Uh,,,yeah, sounds like that's not the only thing it would "heighten."---Good try, though ;-)

DAVE
It could happen at Fenway Park...

CONNIE
Oh! well...you should have said that in the first place!

LAURYN
I can think of a character that would be perfect for the other girl….

PS Where is our wonderful director? I would have thought she would have thrown her 2 cents in by now!!

DAVE
Now that is progress! See what I mean!

CONNIE
Amazing what can happen when great minds...

(At this point Connie calls me on the phone, telling me I need to join in!)

LAURYN
Now, that means my darling sister, would have to allow some serious adlibbing! But we all know, that’s my favorite part. :)

KRISTEN
LOL. Oh My God – I feel like I have created a monster!! :) (albeit a very amusing one!)

Apologies to anyone who is trying to do work, and doesn’t necessarily need to read about my cast running amok!

That being said:

Mike and Tony will NOT hook up. I do actually want them to film the end of the movie, not curse me for all eternity.

Lauryn, will you please stop trying to hit on all the cute men? Geez!!

THIS IS NOT *THAT* KIND OF MOVIE!!!

…. Maybe next time – and with a more umm … rigorous audition process! ;)

CONNIE
oooooooooooooohhh its NOT that kind of movie? So, my motivation was all wrong? Oh well...next time.

KRISTEN
Yeah, I know, it’s hard to tell sometimes – especially with this cast!
I have to keep reminding them.
Like, every shoot.

Maybe they read a different script …???

LAURYN
Aw damn it you found me out! They are reading my new script….I am trying to steal some of your actors.

PS. I knew it wouldn’t be too long before you piped in!!

CONNIE
..just the usual Friday afternoon can't wait to leave chit chat..
CIAO!

(at this point it was time to leave work!)

A picture of Vicki, looking smug -
this was when she thought she wouldn't be in the movie at all!

Anyway, I was supposed to finish off all the scenes with the three "bitchy" ladies and Ani, with a short shoot on Friday night and then one all day on Sunday, with extras joining us for the last half of the shoot on Sunday.

To say things didn't go as planned is an understatment. I can't even get into the convoluted mess - but suffice it to say we only actually filmed on one day, I had to ask Connie to call and cancel all the extras, and Lauryn pulled herself together at the last minute and dragged herself through heavy traffic to Narberth to fill Vicki's role, since Vicki's part had been "upgraded." Thanks Laur and Vick - you are life savers. And quite funny too! :)

Lauryn laughing, almost as much as the rest of us
when she ad-libbed "Did you punch her?"

Anyway, despite the fact we lost a total of 6 hours shooting time, we still managed to get everything except about 4 pages done. I'm not sure when I'll fit those fours pages in, since I'm on a pretty tight schedule and once fall hits - well we know what happenes. But such is the life of an independent movie director.

Oh, and to top it off, I've been sick with a nasty cold the past few days. I'd like to blame it on being stuck in the rain while lugging everything around, but lack of sleep probably didn't help either. :P

Oh well, next up is a shoot with Mike and Tony, and they'll sail through their lines. I just know it! :)

Connie, who has been an enormous help with this movie (not even including playing a lead role) has just taken it a step further. She has offered to let me use her Hula studio - which hasn't opened yet, as a shooting location for the ever troublesome bar scenes. So, we bought a tiki bar (which will later be used as a check-out counter for the retail store) and now I am happy to say we have a set!!!

Our new location - Aloha Style!

There is one scene where we need everyone to be there - and so far I had almost everyone confirmed for coming on a certain day. Except Mick (David), who schedule is packed full of his own movie-making adventures (he's racing against the deadline for Sundance). Since I had already told Mick I would replace him if I had to - and he promised his feelings wouldn't be hurt, I went ahead and did just that!

So I would like everyone to welcome David Foster to the cast - He auditioned with Connie and I on Sunday and not only is he great for the part, but I think he will fit in with the rest of our crazy group just fine! Check out his Bio on the "Cast" page!

Welcome Dave!

So, for now, I'll summarize key points.

1.) WE HAVE A WORKING SHOOTING SCHEDULE!! :)
2.) WE HAVE A LOCATION FOR THE BAR SCENES!!!!
3.) NEW PHOTOS FROM THIS PAST SUNDAY'S SHOOT ARE ON THE WAY!!!!!!

Keep your eyes open, Happy Hour Fans - we are rolling! :)

What does a hibscus have to do with the movie you wonder? ... Just wait and find out!

I am actually busy doing other video projects - like, for example, filming the wedding of cast members Amanda and Mike! Congratulatiosn guys! The reception was a blast! :)

I am also working on a project for the Greenfield Intercultural Center at UPenn. It's going to be a great piece about Native American students attending college and some of the challenges they face. I'm actually learning quite a lot!

Shaking hands with the Lenape Indian Chief, while filming interviews at UPenn's All Ivy Native Conference

But, no matter what, my heart is still with this movie and summer shoots have been scheduled. Starting next weekend I (and hopefully the cast!) will be back in full movie-making mode!

So WATCH OUT! The director is on a role! :)

I guess I'll be the one to start it up again, by saying that the summer season is almost upon us and I am scheduling those last scenes, finally!! So look for the site to start becoming active again soon!

Recently, we even wrapped Khyri's final two scenes before he got married and moved off to Texas! Thank God he was generous enough to give us an evening only two weeks before his wedding!

Of course, nothing went the way I had originally planned, but I did manage to surrepticiously shoot a scene while we were eating dinner in a busy chain restaurant on a Friday night. People kept looking at us funny - but luckily we got in and out before management asked any questions. Shhh... don't tell anyone. ;)

The busboy got really curious when I pulled out the camera ... but we snuck in and out without causing a stir!

Then it was on to Rittenhouse Square to be eaten alive by mosquitoes - but it looked lovely!

Now I just need to figure out how to get the damn bar finished and the movie can officially move into post-production!! Stay tuned and find out if I actually manage it! :P

Not much new to say, except that I wish all my dedicated cast and crew a fabulous 2007! The year we WILL actually film all the bar scenes!!

Seriously, movie-making is a team effort and I feel lucky to have such a great group of people to work with. Don't worry guys - I promise it will all be worth it in the end.

Your Humble Director,
Kristen :)

I just mentioned I was trying to schedule, among other things, one of *our* Boy Toy's scenes, and ... well, what can I say? We're a rowdy bunch ... and it is the gift giving season!

Unfortunately, there is only one of him - and he might have something to say about being "given away" indiscriminately.

So, I am going to have to search elsewhere to fulfill our "boy toy" needs ... There's got to be a good sale somehwere this weekend, right? I think Page mentioned Walmart ... ;)

On that note - Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! (If anyone is actually reading this, that is!)

K :)