The fun part

It took us about a month to edit the 120 scenes in the film. Then we refined them and started deleting unnecessary and redundant moments. We tested the film in its various stages on small groups of audiences to get their feedback. What works and what doesn't. Just like writing, you need to step away from the work for a little bit so you can return to it with a fresh perspective. It's been a really fun and low-stress process. It's very fulfilling to see the movie getting the types of reactions it's getting. Now we approach the next phase of refining the film. We'll screen it to a larger audience in a theatre and get their feedback. What works, what doesn't. It's important to keep in mind that you will never please everyone because everybody has a different sensibility, yet it's hard sometimes to look at something objectively when you've been so deeply sunk into it.

We have temporary music placed throughout the film and the next phase will be to start working on the score and the sound mix. Half of the audience's experience watching a film is influenced through what they hear. Sound is such an under-appreciated element in film. Through ambiance, sound effects, foley (recreated sound), and music you can affect tempo, tone, and the entire realism or surrealism of the film. And this will be really fun. Using sound to enhance the film experience and take it to the next level.

I don't sleep anymore because I can't stop thinking about the moment this film will play to audiences in the theatre. I wonder how it will affect them. How will it be different than what they experience with the typical Hollywood film? Will it be something that will inspire someone and affect their life like so many movies affected mine when I was a kid. I can't wait for that moment. I think this is why I make movies.