Concept Art for Angelina

Here's a piece I did today. I think it captures something of the spirit of the script. Love the Winged Victory of Samonthrace, picture I took in the Louvre.

Behind Sao Paulo with Sarah Mund.

Evenin all. As you saw in the clip below (and if you didn't, have a look now! It's amazing!) I got a bunch of clips in this morning. Thanks All!!! Among them was the clip from Sarah Mund, one of the filmmakers from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and on her disc was a very cool 'Making Of.' I thought it was fun, and as it doesn't give away anything of what she filmed, I thought I'd post it here to share with you. Thanks Sarah. Enjoy!

Morning all - Video

Burning the midnight oil

Here's me script editing late on Saturday night. At 3am on Saturday morning I closed the file on Angelina, my new short script, thinking it was perfect... until the next night when I sat down to fix some typos and eventually got up from the computer at 4am with a new draft!

I'm starting to feel my age, or maybe just how unfit I am! I used to do that all the time, blasting out feature scripts in a week of all-nighters! Two late nights and I'm aching, cricks in my neck, sore back, cramping hands!!! Not good!

But it was worth it. I think this draft is much better. It allows certain aspects of the story to breathe, that seem rushed before. It still needs work, but I'm happy, the story is there and seems to work.

But what do I know, I'm just the writer. It's up the folks with the cash to decide if it gets made, and without cash, this will never see the light of day - it's not a low budget, shoot for free with mates, film.

140 is progressing well, 44 clips in at this stage, and the standard is still high. I need to start emailing filmmakers who haven't sent out their footage, light a fire under their butts! Times a waistin!

There's still time though. Not at panic stations yet! I don't plan to start cutting until August, but I need time with the footage to let it settle in my brain, start thinking about it and then making decisions of what direction to take. Although I imagine this cut will be quite intuitive, allow the footage to tell me what direction to go in. But I need all the footage to be able to do that... so come on guys, lets get that footage in the post!

Karl Malden Dies age 97

One of the all time great supporting actors Karl Malden died today aged 97.

My wife, Maryann, was lucky enough to have interviewed him a couple of years ago, she remembers how much of a gentleman he was.

Read it here.

A Couple of Days Off

I had a much needed break the last few days. After the mammoth task of organising 140, sending out emails and notices and replying to as many questions as quickly as possible I found I was often chained to my computer hours on end and well into the night! The ol' back suffered! A new chair is most definitely needed for the edit!!!

This mornings deliveries, now the postman is starting to get unhappy!

So, once Sunday was over with I decided to take it easy while waiting for the clips to come in, and catch up on some much needed physical labour! I'd been promising my wife I'd finish a paint job I started a year ago on the hall, stairs and landing! So that was my week. It was fine though, took my mind off things, one can get a bit overwhelmed with the internet! It's nice to get away from it (he says as he writes a new blog!)

Happy wife with newly decorated Hall and baby in belly!

140

At the moment I have 27 clips in. They look great. I'm really happy with the standard. There are a few themes emerging already, which I thought might happen. It's great, already gives me options for the cut. But I wont make any decisions yet, I still have over 100 clips to come in after all!

Slán

I'm hoping work can begin again on Slán agus Beannacht (Goodbye and Blessings), which was sadly abandoned when 140 picked up. But I started the grade and was happy with the look of it, so I'm looking forward to getting back to work soon. Some sound effects, a bit of music and I'm done. Hopefully I can release it in the next month or two and hit the festivals.

Angelina

I'm trying to get to my new script too, Angelina, which was also delayed, but I'll be able to start it again this week and I'm confident, finish it this week and get off to a waiting producer! (It's coming Dave, I promise!!!) I love the story, it's quirky, romantic and fun.

Set in Paris, it's about a young couple trying to save their relationship without much success, until something magical happens. It's an idea I came up with in Paris while on my honeymoon. My wife said "No business! No Blackberry! No scripts!!!" - fair enough I thought, it'll be nice to have a break. Day two, we're in a restaurant and this idea walks fully-formed into my brain, it took every ounce of will power I could muster not to ask the waiter for a pen and start writing on napkins!

Night

Tomorrow I'm meeting Thomas again, we've managed to carve out some time to work on Night, which has been great. it's going really well. We've addressed alot of issues from the first draft and injected some soul into the piece. Hopefully we can get some important work done in the next two days. Then we have another break and hopefully after that we can get back to it and finish it. There are plenty of people waiting to see it.

I really like this one. I think it's probably the best thing I've ever written - that might not be saying much though! ;) But writing this I felt like everything I've learned about screenwriting over the years has finally come into play, I was able to draw on a store of skills and experience. It's a solid piece. It's the kind of film I'd be excited to see in theaters, and probably buy on DVD as soon as it came out... before waiting for the sales! - Provided there were plenty of extras of course!!! Better have a word with the director.

Taking stock

At the half way mark of 2009 I can look back and say it's been a great year so far, kicking off with a reading of my feature script Ghoster, the premiere of Bill, For Short coupled with my first photographic exhibition Old Shoes and Broken Walls, which was picked up by RTEs Nationwide (yet to be aired.) Then the idea for 140 came along, but before any of that happened I had the shoot for Slán agus Beannacht, which was great. Then came 140, we all know what happened there! And somehow, amid all of that I've managed to write a lot, Angelina, Night and Adam with Caroline Farrell... though you would guess it from all the blogging, emailing and twittering I've been doing - but it's like that old saying - "You want something done, ask a busy man."

For the rest of the year I'm looking forward to finishing Slán agus Beannacht and getting it out there, editing 140, shooting Adam and finishing scripts Night and Angelina - oh yeah, and becoming a father! Small detail! So it should be a busy time ahead. Better get on with it then...

Clips still coming in

There's been a steady flow of clips this week, not enough to make the post man mad yet, but enough to keep me smiling each morning! 20 clips so far. To see who has been quick on the draw go to the FAQ page and check the list of names, those in red have been received. Thanks guys.

And as for the rest of you, get a move on... I'm just kidding!!! ;) I'm looking forward to getting your clips in due course. When I have all 140 the edit can begin. So the sooner the better!

Many people have emailed their clips, which is acceptable, there are many ways of doing this, one option is via email - check www.yousendit.com. Snail-mail is still good!

Still really happy with the standard, and there's loads to work with. Interesting to see certain themes coming through already... but I'm not telling what! You'll just have to wait and see!!!

Hold your footage till release!

Hi all,

I had a couple of questions with regard releasing your clips before the film is finished, ie. posting your clip on a website, or you tube.

I think it would be better for the film if everyone held back. I know it's tempting, and it's exciting to be part of something like this, so you may be eager to share it, which is cool, but I would simply ask you not to broadcast it or release it online.

I would like to build the anticipation for the release of the film and not give anything away, also to allow it be a surprise for everyone who took part, to see all the other clips for the first time upon release and to see their own side by side with everyone else, in context with the over all theme of the film I will strive to build in the edit, with the final mix, grade and score.

You should also know that film festivals will not accept films that have been previously released on the internet, so I don't want to risk our chances of touring festivals, which will probably largely be where the film will be seen.

I hope you all understand. I should have pointed this out prior to this! My bad! But I hope you can all bear with me now and hold your excitement for the final film!

Many thanks guys! I promise it wont be too long to wait - and then we can go mad!

Mission Accomplished!!!

Well, everything seemed to go off without a hitch. 5 months of planning, thousands of emails and even more tweets and we arrived at the crucible. 

I was standing on a river bank, miles from anywhere, along a worn trail on the edge of a forrest, a place my Dad likes to take his dog for a walk, and place that has meaning and significance in both our lives. There with him, my wife and our dogs. It was quiet, peaceful and thrilling!

Knowing the 139 eager and anxious filmmakers were waiting for my call, I held my mobile phone in my hand and typed the word 'ACTION', then clicked send and off it went - into the world, to 5 different continents, 28 different countries, 100 cities, 139 filmmakers. With it followed a flurry of action. Camera's started rolling, adrenaline started rushing, and for 2 minutes 20 seconds, or should I say - 140 seconds, we all joined connected in a film experiment unlike any other before attempted. 

Before I knew it the time was up, that was it, it was done, mission accomplished, well - almost, I still have to get all the clips in and edit it. But I think we achieved what it was we set out to do in those 140 seconds. 

All across the world we visualized and planned and synchronized for something we believed in and felt inspired by. Using this tool, the internet, and a social media phenomenon that has been much criticized, a new concept was created and the citizen of that global digital village created something very real, tangible and worthy. 

I was thrilled by the whole thing, and felt a great sense of connection, pride, achievement and honour on Sunday night. Walking back toward the car, along the path by the river, I thought to myself about the all the other filmmakers around the world opening the minds, hearts, homes and ideas to this project and I was simply blown away by it. Knowing that people had committed so much time, effort and energy to this idea.

Now comes the tricky part, organising, email, twittering, filming, all that was easy (not really) but now I have to edit everything. I'm still not sure how I'm going to do it or what the end product will be. I guess I wont have any real ideas until I get all the footage in. So far though it's been great, I'm really happy with it and if this standard keeps up then I know it's going to be good.

The filmmakers to have sent footage so far are: Iulia Regina, Ryan Little, Damien Donnelly, Steve Gatlin, Chris Ford, John Lawlor, Paddy O'Shea, Robert Zappia, Mairtin DeBarra, Caterina Monzani, Noel Farrell and - Oh yeah, me!

So thanks to them. And I look forward to seeing everyone elses! 

Then we'll see what we have?!?!

An Open Letter of Thanks!

Hey Everybody!

Apologies for the slight delay with this. As you can imagine, I've been inundated with emails, congrats, press and clips - it's been whirlwind since Sunday. I was actually convinced today was Monday! But it's not, it's Tuesday, and my thanks come late... However, more heartfelt they could not be.

I think we've all done something pretty unique and special here. I know I felt it on Sunday when I sent the word "ACTION" via twitter on my mobile (cell), while standing on the bank of a river miles from anywhere! I was with my Dad and my wife, and our dogs, it was a beautiful and warm summers evening, quiet and still, and we were all alone out there, but I felt completely connect to all of you. I could feel the frantic rush of adrenaline as you all fired up your cameras and started shooting. Although it was quiet, and personal, as I'm sure it was for many of you, it was exciting and thrilling too.

I felt a huge sense of satisfaction and indeed achievement when I was finished filming! As I'm sure many of you did too. Almost immediately the messages started coming in,"Woohoo" "That was good" "Congratulations" "We did it" "That was exciting" from all of you! I was full to brim with joy!

Iulia Rugina from Romania gets the prize for being first in with her clip (I don't know what the prize is!) - it came in within hours! And I knew with in seconds of watching it, this was going to be a great film! Her footage was beautiful, honest, funny and heartfelt. It truly was what connected her to her home.

Then more footage started coming in and the family connection really started to come through, something I looked at too. I can honestly say I'm thrilled with what I've been getting. People really have opened up their lives and their hearts to this project and I'm completely blown away by it!

I want to thank you first of all for coming on board, for giving you time, energy, thought and talent to this. I want to thank you for your honesty and integrity, for you passion and love for what you do. I want to thank you for believing in this project and most of all, I want to thank you for trusting me, and for what I'm sure will be more, incredible footage. I promise to give you the best film I can, something we can all be proud of and share, us 140, forever.

Thank you.

Kindest, warmest and indeed, most supreme regards

Frank Kelly

your very humbled producer.

The Magic Number

139. Jos Meijers - Rotterdam - Netherlands

140. Mark Thimijan – Nebraska - USA

That's right, 4 days to go and 140 filmmakers reached. When I set the date at June 21st I had some doubts, I thought I might have to push the date back, but no, we did it. 140 filmmakers worldwide have signed up to a shared vision to film 140 seconds of what connects them to their home, to this planet. I don't mind telling you I feel a little emotional! :'[ 

I'm so excited by what we're all about to do. From an idea I had during a sleepless night to a global project involving so much incredible talent from people I admire and respect hugely. From old friends to new friends, people I've never met before to talent I've admired from afar. It's hard to believe it has reached this point, with all of you involved. 

I know the work you will all do on Sunday will be inspired and I can't wait to see it. I can't wait to start putting it together and give you guys the best film I can cut, something we can all be proud to be a part of. I know it's going to be easy once I see your footage! 

Here's to Sunday guys! And Thanks to you all for believing in this.

Best

Frank

New 140 Logo Design.

Designed by yours truly.

Who's up for some stylishly marketing?!

Some new filmmakers for 140:

135. Jong Park – Seoul – Korea

136. Ricardo Nobuo Shima – Hawaii – USA

137. Manuel Monteiro Grillo – Lisbon - Portugal

138. Alvaro Ron – LA - USA

Of course you see what that means?! 2 filmmakers to go!!! So looks like we're on target for the 21st! I never had a doubt!!! Secret to any film - Momentum! Set a date, strap yourself to the bolder and start rolling.

Here's a recent interview I did with Johnny Blank for his blog. Enjoyed it. It's honest and generally misspelt! Hope you enjoy reading it nonetheless!

Also, I've set up a shop to help support the 140 project, I like giving people something for their donnations. So in return for a few bucks you can help stylishly market my film by the wearing one of these wonderful products!

Thanks!

Work progresses on Slán agus Beannacht. I started the grade yesterday and it's going well, I'm happy with how it looks. Spoke to Paschal this morning and he's eager to see it, so I'm eager to get it done to show him! I also want to organise a screening here in town, so more on that as it happens.

Thomas and I have started work again on Night. The excitement for this project has been reignited. The changes we've made have made the piece much stronger. So I'm looking forward to finishing it and seeing if we can get some one on board to help us make it. It's going to be an exciting, gruesome, thrilling and stylish piece, no question about it. I hope we get to make it. This is the kind of film I want to see on a Friday night, and I have a feeling a lot of other people would too.

Newest 140 Filmmakers

Below are the most recent filmmakers to the 140 project. That's right 134 filmmakers, so only 6 places left. I'm still holding out for more Asian, African and European filmmakers... the USA is well covered, as is Ireland, the UK and Australia, with a peppering in South America and Canada. 

I'll hold out until the end of this week then I'll have to close the doors, just to give the final members time to get organised. 

I'm really excited about this and I can't wait to see what everyone does. It's hard to believe that we're almost at 140. Thanks so much to everyone so far for coming on board an believing the project. I know it's going to be something special... and I have a feeling this will just be the start of things.

121. John Lawlor - ? – Slovenia

122. Daniel Pellegrini – Lisbon – Portugal

123. Alex Anunciato – Rio De Janeiro – Brazil

124. Yarrow Kraner – Bozeman – Montana – USA

125. Charis Tobias – Yosemite – USA

126. Simone Fried – Toronto - Canada

127. Jan Borst - ? - Germany

128. Emilio Dante – Paris - France

129. Mark & Johanna – Cebu – Philippines

130. Kathi Carey – Hollywood – California – USA

131. Yazmin Ortiz – San Juan – Puerto Rico

132. Denis Rodríguez – Santiago - Chile

134. Paul Gitschner – Kitchener – Ontario - Canada

Also, Metro Newspaper recently ran an article on the project, for anyone who didn't catch it, you check out the digital version.

Give Me Direction - The Run Down

An interesting day all round yesterday. I can’t say there were any earth-shattering revelations, it was more of a refresher, but it was good to meet people again and anew – Jason and Cian among them!

(First off, apologies if I jump back and forth, I’m working of brief notes I took and memory!)

The morning kicked off with an intro by film board CEO Simon Perry and a lead into a discussion about Main Stream Vs. Art House, the difference between them and if there was a medium between the two – No being the eventual answer! They are separate and should exist separately, but I think we knew that! The feed off of each other and the difference and conflict is needed for both to survive.

On the panel was Eran Kolirin, Israeli director of The Band’s Visit, who was funny and charming and had some interesting observations. Mark O’Rowe, writer of Intermission, who’s answers seemed to meander and were often contradictory – so a typical writer then! Damien O’Donnell, 35 Aside and East is East, who had a much more solid and direct opinion of the industry and his place in it. And last, but by no means least, John Moore, Dundalk man and director of Behind Enemy Lines, Omen remake and Max Payne – in his own words “The token sell-out” of the panel. He was funny, irreverent and refreshingly honest.

During the conversation O’Donnell mentioned Surprise that scripts need to surprise the reader. It’s something that’s easy to forget and it ties into something what Tanya Seghatchian (producer) said later on about being attracted to scripts. It is often stated that you need to grab you reader in the first 10 pages. She points out that as a producer you are only required to read the first 10 pages as a formality, she looks for scripts that grab her on page 1. I found that interesting, I hadn’t really thought of that before, I often have something happening on page 3, but to pull the audience in from the beginning makes sense. She’s the producer of the first 4 Harry Potter films and the Head of the UK Film Council by the way.

The discussion turned to Authorship of a film and Genre. Is the credit ‘A Film by’ a valid one, most people thought not, that if it was a necessary credit that it only be given to writer/directors. Interesting that John Moore was against the credit at all and has fought against having the credit on his films, especially on The Omen, which was a remake. But it seems the DGA requires it. It also came to light that this title is not really about authorship and shouldn’t really be regarded as such, but is simply a marketing ploy. A Film by Martin Scorsese will sell a film to a certain audience etc.

On genre Damien O'Donnell called genre a lazy way of pigeon-holing a film, which I don’t agree with, nor did John Moore, it sparked a heated cross fire between the two, which was fun! And again the idea of genre begin a shorthand marketing tool came up, fair enough, we want our films to be seen, why not give them a shorthand so they know what they’re paying into. Many of the filmmakers on the panel seemed to reject genre, except Moore, I don’t know why? Cinema has a language, genre is part of it, why try to reject it?

They also brought up the question of why they make films, as you would expect the general answer was, to be seen. O’Rowe was honest here in saying it was to be liked, to have people appreciate and enjoy the work and to find personal validation. Which I agree with, when it comes down to it you want to be in a darkened theatre with people watching your work and see then enjoy it and know that it was you that did that. It’s a satisfying feeling.

They talked about getting films off the ground, I suppose it as equally encouraging as it is disheartening that they seem to find it as difficult as we do (they being successful feature filmmakers, we being beginners.) Kolirin talked about how when trying to get the film made he came up against so many people who said it was not commercial and would never make any money. After it was a huge success, sold internationally and was nominated for an Oscar all of those people suddenly talked about how they always knew it would do well and they always believed in it.

My general feeling from the talk was that the business is a strange, paranoid, fickle thing, where in, no one knows the recipe for success and they are desperately seeking it. I had this image of headless chickens running around bumping into each other looking for their heads. No one knows why a film works or doesn’t. The general feeling was that you make a film because you want to tell a story and you try to make from as honest a place as possible… except for John Moore, he openly admitted he does it for the money! But he also talked about delivering excitement, which he feels is underrated and as valuable as moving someone to tears.

Interestingly he talked about how this is a good time to be sending work to Hollywood. They are hungry for new, fresh work. They seem to realise that they have blown up one to many things and now know that people want more. He also mentioned that it’s a good time for more down beat films, no more happy endings “If you have a script with a suicide at the end, get it out of the drawer!”

Next up was Charlotte Kelly, agent for Casarotto Ramsay (One of the top agencies in the UK) she represents many Irish talent, Ken Wadrop, Simon Fitzmorris, Tom Collins and more and is one of the few talent agents in Ireland (which was why she was surrounded by about 20 people at the end of the talk). Tanya Seghatchian, producer of the first 4 Harry Potters and the head of the UK film council. Kirsten Sheridan, who we all know and Tony Merchant, one of the Uks most success and prolific TV writers, The Whistleblowers, Mark of Cain, Crime and Punishment and more.

This was for me the most interesting talk of the day, especially with the advice given by Tanya Seghatchian, mentioned above. It was also interesting to see what attracts all these people to projects and to working with people, especially Tanya as a former producer for BBC drama and now the UK film council, and it is as basic as being passionate about a project and falling in love with it. Tony Marchant gave an interesting analogy about writing a script, which I think is true for how a producer approaches a script, that is - when you start a script it’s like going on a first date with someone who is going to become a long-term lover.

For us writers that’s certainly true. On the first draft you get that rush of excitement, flurry of passion, you’re unable to sleep and wait until you can get back to it. Then you settle down, being to work at it, become more familiar with the story, the characters, the flaws. There are periods where you wonder why you even started the damn thing and when something works you fall in love all over again.

It’s the same for producers and indeed agents, as Charlotte Kelly mentioned, the reason she takes on a client is being she falls in love with their work. She knows she must become passionate about it if she is to represent that passion when try to sell it.

Advice given for writers and finding a producer or an agent was to write, write, write and make sure your script is as good as you can get it before sending it out. Push the story, the characters and the drama and make sure it’s the best it can be.

Connor McPherson, when asked later about being a writer and self collaborator as writer/director and when he knows something is ready, said that time is a great way to find out, walk away from your script for a while. Mistakes you didn’t see when writing the first draft will become glaringly obvious two weeks down the road.

Interestingly Tanya answered a question from the audience about film funding in Ireland from the UK film council and seemingly it is possible, cool! It has to do with personell and money, but a film written and directed by an Irish filmmaker could be shot here with UK money and a UK crew. The question was also about making an international story, not indigenous. Something like Slumdog Millionaire, an India tale by British filmmakers. So something worth thinking of.

Unprovoked angry soapboxing was the order of the day for David Kavanagh, whose crass outburst from the crowd, although a valid point, seemed to me to be out of context and out of place, in my opinion. He took every opportunity he could to unload his politics. Quote of the day from him: “If a producer fucks you, and you don’t want to be fucked, that’s rape isn’t it?” - followed by a stunned silence and an embarrassed panel of guests trying to find their way back to the topic at hand. The phrase Time and place is a phrase that springs to mind.

Although I am member of the writers guild and glad there are people as passionate as David to speak on my behalf, I’d rather he not do it at an event where I am seeking inspiration and indeed direction from people who’s work I admire - embarrassing them and making the entire audience feel uncomfortable.

I know Kirsten Sherdian felt the same as she then asked if they could end their session on something inspirational – quoting Stephen King’s analogy about writing begin akin to Archaeology rather the Architecture.

(Side note: if anyone hasn’t read Stephen Kings book “On Writing” I would highly recommend it, even if you’re not a King fan, and I haven’t read much of his work, it’s still a great great book.)

Tanya also talked about a script being both Deja vu and Jame vu, meaning: something you feel like you scene before, the setting is the same, the characters are the same, but it’s also something you’ve never seen before. Which I thought was interesting, and an interesting way to approach a script. I mean we all sit down to write a horror script, werewolves and vampires, or a family drama, brothers at war, a family torn apart… but what can we do to make it different, grab the audience from page one and make them feel that they have never heard this story told this way before.

After dinner was a rehearsed reading of Memorabilia by Kevin Barry, which although interesting, was not my cup-of-tea at all, and probably not a film I’ll be rushing to the IFI to see if it ever gets made. But from my own experience with readings I know it is a valuable exercise and I would recommend it to anyone to find out if their script is working or not. There’s nothing like hearing your script read out loud by actors to unlock the problems within.

Next was a conversation between Connor McPherson, I Went Down, The Actors, Roddy Doyle, you know him, and McPhersons producer Rob Walpole. McPherson passionately spoke about protecting the idea, keeping the original feeling and excitement alive through out the process and the importance of forming strong relationships. He also warned against the schmoozing love machine of Hollywood, and to be careful of succumbing to being pampered by them as they lube you up to be fucked!

I don’t know, maybe I was getting tired, but I didn’t take very much away from this conversation, sorry!

The last line up of the day was possibly the most impressive in terms of talent, Jim Sheridan In the Name of the Father, In America, Pat McCabe, The Butcher Boy, Paul Fraser, This is England, Roddy Doyle The Commitments and chaired by Lance Daly (Kisses) I found Lance’s questions to be a bit vague and not very inciting. The panel seemed to trail of into other points when trying to answer. Still, it was interesting to hear them speak.

The main theme seemed to be about finding a story and controlling it when trying to tell it. Paul Fraser, who honestly seemed tired, disinterested and like he wanted to be somewhere else struggled to answer questions and resorted to, what I’m sure were, much retold anecdotes of his career with Meadows, interesting nonetheless. He talked about their method and how they like to workshop their scripts until they’re ready and how they never stop changing, even during filming. You might wonder what then is the point of writing a script, but it was interesting to hear then that that was what happened with Once Upon a Time in the Midlands, that script was never really finished when it went into development.

I don’t remember much else of what was said. A lot of meandering points and retold anecdotes. To me their seemed to be no solid answers given because none of the filmmakers their really knew. Perhaps we can go back to that quote by William Goldman, “No one knows anything”, no matter how successful you become there is no real way to know how it happened, no clear answer and no secret. Or maybe there is a secret, and it’s this, you just have to work.

Keep writing, constantly perfecting scripts, pushing them out there, learning you craft. Stop worrying about what the other person is doing, what’s hot at the moment, what the film board are doing or not doing, whether there’s an Irish film industry or there isn’t and do it anyway, learn, write, work, make films.

As I mentioned above the day offered no great insight into writing or indeed the industry, but it was certainly food for thought. I’m not going to change the way I work or write. I will think more about getting page one right! I will put more thought into being fresh, original and surprising. And I will keep working and making films.

The event was organised by Andrew Meehan and Sarah Dillon at theIrish Film Board.

Shane Fest - Cancelled.

Here's two people I don't like very much today:

Shane Meadows

Shane Black

Why? Because they cancelled Shane Fest!!! That's right, both pulled out of the Give Me Direction Seminar in Dublin this week! Meadows last week for no given reason and Black today (He was to talk tonight) apparently because his passport was out of date and he didn't notice until he got to the airport! Hmm? 

Both were the main reason I was going to the event, so needless to say I'm disappointed. 

The Film Board were nice about it, they gave me, and I'm sure everyone else, a phone call and apologised in person and they offered a refund for the Black talk and a full refund if people felt the need to pull out of the event entirely.

I didn't, I will go tomorrow. It's a full day and it has a pretty good line up as it is... who needs the stupid Shane's!!! 

Ah well, I'm it couldn't be helped, these things happen. Will have a report on the seminar next week. Happy weekend!

It's June!!!

Yes, it's June, 140 shoots in 21 days! I have still have 12 filmmakers to find. I haven't heard back from a couple of filmmakers so I may have to find more, it's hard to know if people still want to take part when they don't reply to emails, @ of DMs. So we'll see. 

I think I hope I'll have all the filmmakers by the end of this week. I'll have to push because I want cut off the application process soon, people still need time to think about what they're going to do. I need time to think about what I'm going to do! I have a few ideas, but I honestly haven't had time to decide. 

But I have confidence that it will all come together. It's going to be a hell of an edit job no matter what! But it's gonna be good!

I'm looking forward to this week because on Thursday I'm going to the Give Me Direction seminar in Dublin, organised by the Irish Film Board and the Dublin International Film Festival. It's a two day screenwriting seminar featuring Shane Black (writer/creator of Lethal Weapon, writer/director Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) and Shane Meadows (Dead Man's Shoes, This is England) among others. Should be interesting. 

I have to be honest though, I never really take much away from these things, in terms of my process. I have never changed the way I write, think about scripts, find stories - so Give me Direction is something of a condescending title, as if we screenwriters don't have a clue what we're doing. I have direction, I know what stories I want to tell and I know it's going to be bloody hard if not near impossible to get them done, so there's no need for you to tell me that. I just like hearing what other writers have to say, especially writers I admire and respect. And it's nice to hang out with like minded people, friends and see what other people are up to. I'm looking forward to it.

I should be working on the music to Slán agus Beannacht this week. Friend and musician Paddy McArdle will be dropping around a mic and mixer later today. I'm looking forward to that, I like but music together, clunking through some notes on the guitar and other instruments and then editing and mixing it all together to make it sound like I can actually play something! 

Then the final sound mix and grade and I'll finished. I've already started sending it out to festival, Cork, Galway and Heartland of course! So we'll see it goes. I found, from the last two, it's usually 6 months before anyone bites and then a few role in together. It's a slog getting it out there though, and being as broke as I am at the moment I really have to be selective. The cost of padded envelopes, dvds, case, ink for my printer and postage (anywhere from €1.25 a package to €4.25 depending on where it's going) all adds up. I tend to avoid festivals that have entry fees, usless it's a biggy and I think there might be a slim chance of getting in. 

It's hard to know how this one will go, if at all, whether or not it will connect with people on an international level the way Emily's Song did or the way Bill, For Short seems to be doing. It's very much an Irish story, but I'm hoping the theme of lose will be a universal one, the idea that things move on and change often leaves people spinning in the wind with no direction.

I miss writing at the moment. I haven't had a moment to do anything for a while. I need to be more disciplined. I have lots of projects I want to get working on, but I haven't settled on one yet. I'd love to find the time to finish my novel The Cats of the Crescent, even if just for me. I'm more then half way through it and I've been really enjoying writing it. I like the flow of ideas and not having any solid idea of the where the story is going, just a vague one, and allowing the characters to take me where they want to go.

I had an interesting incident when I stopped the last time. Emma, the main character, is involved in this war of sorts, she has been dragged into another world, but for a moment she finds herself close to her home. They all must leave as quickly as they came - fine I though, on we go - then I typed - "I have to get my mother," said Emma. Hang on a minute... that doesn't work! I hadn't planned her mother being a part of this story! No, no she can't go with her... but Emma wouldn't leave her behind if she had the chance to take her, which she does... Ah nuts! Prime example of a character telling me what to do! 

So that stumped me for a while, but I've had time with it and find it works and increases the dramatic intensity of the piece and gives them all more to deal with and means there is more at stake for the main character. So I'm looking forward to working on it again. 

Well, it's a glorious sunny day outside so I should hang up the keyboard and go get some Vitamin D. 

More on 140 as it happens. Hopefully new on Slán agus Beannacht completion soon. And expect a full report on the Give me Direction :b seminar. And hopefully some more interesting news too. Bye for now.

O Lago | The Lake - Interview

Here is an interview I did recently with Journalist Alexandre Gamela from Portugal for his media review site O Lago | The Lake. Interesting quesitons. I think it captures quite well the idea behind 140 and my thoughts and opinions on twitter and the internet in general. Enjoy.

We're Big in Brazil!!!

Seems news went out on a well read Brazilian news site. I've been inundated with requests from Brazil since, which is great. So I'm delighted to welcome filmmakers from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to the project, as well as filmmakers in Costa Rico. 

I'd also like welcome Zach Helm to the project, writer of Stranger Than Fiction and writer/director of Mr.Magorium's Magic Emporium. Singled out as writer I've long admired. 

101. Brian MacKay – Alberta – Canada

102. Johanna Custer – Pittsburgh – USA

103. Pablo Gutiérrez – Heredia - Costa Rica - pabloguther

104. Matt Shaw – Appleton WI – USA

105. Davide Cinzi – Beaconsfield – UK

106. Jaosn Butler – Dublin – Ireland

107. Andrew Gill – Chicago – Illinois – USA

108. Conor Flynn - ? – Ireland

109. Oisin Prendiville – Tulum – Quintana Roo – Mexico

110. Sarah Mund – Sao Paulo – Brazil

111. Andrew Beutler – Santa Monica – USA

112. Siooksiok – Beijing – China

113. Simona Gherman – Bucharest – Romania

114. Marcelo Marino – NYC – USA

115. Ida Gron - ? – UK

116. Kellie Ann Banz – Vancouver – Cananda

117. Ariane Mondo – ? – Germany

118. Gary Locke – New England – USA

119. Kevin Maron & Rachel Rath (Irish) – Hollywood – USA

120. Victoria Charters – Santa Barbara - USA

With only 20 places left I'm going to be much more selective now. There are still many countries yet to find filmmakers from. So I'm going to have to start saying no unfortunately! But not to worry, I have plans to continue the project, so it wont be a no forever, just a no for this one! I will announce my plans at a later date. I want to see if this one works first!!! 

I'm sure it will and I think we can do something special, far beyond the film I will edit together, I have a feeling that will just be the start of things!

More soon!

It's been a busy day!

Thanks to the Paste Article it's been a busy day for 140!

New Filmmakers from around the world:

71. Michael Dunaway – Macon Georgia – USA – michaeldunaway

72. Jess Laird – Central Oregon – USA – jesselaird

73. Chad McCool – Colorado – USA – bychadmccool

74. Jacob Botter – Copenhagen – Denmark – boetter

75. Alex Hamlin –  Portland – Oregan – USA – alex_hamlin

76. Rich Saguirre – New York City – USA – starrjonze

77. Michelle Lee – Chicago – USA – chellebelle13

78. Amanda McClendon – Texas – USA – thelivingroom76

79. Wayne Franklin – Chelsea – Atlanta – USA – wannabef

80. Poncho Flores-Duron – Mexico City - Mexico

81. Helen Flores-Duron – Mexico City - Mexico

82. Nick Jones – Columbus – Ohio – USA – nickjones82

83. Alejandro Morales – San Francisco – USA – tALEvision

84. Michael Lloyd – South Eastern Kentucky - USA

85. Patrick Vassel – NYC – USA - PDV

86. Steve Gatlin – Novato – California – USA

87. Jordan Barrett – North East England – UK

88. Nicholas Bond – Miami – Florida - USA

89. Lucas G. Hackradt – Sáo Paulo – Brazil

90. Peter Forbes – Aberdeen – Scotland

91. Joe Trimmer - Gwinnett county Georgia – USA

92. Caterina Monzani – London – UK

93. Luis Carlos Chavarría – Alajuela - Costa Rica

94. Harold Brodie – Auckland – New Zealand

95. Raphael Daibert – Sáo Paulo – Brazil

96. Nina Dutton – Washington DC – USA – stealthEmu

97. Zach Helm – Los Angeles – USA – zachhelm

98. Dan Cullen – London – UK

99. Stephen Clark – Toronto – Onterio – Canada

100. Pedro Varela – Lisbon - Portugal

Recent 140 Interview

Here is the interview I did with Gray Chapman at Past Magazine in the States about 140. Was a good interview, talks about where the idea came from and what I hope to achieve. Enjoy.

The Half Way Mark!!!

New members from Belguim, Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands and the USA bring to the half way mark!!! It's a little over a month to the 21st of June and the shoot date! So a ways to go to get the next 70! Hopefully we'll make it.

61. Raoul Scheepe – Antwerp – Belguim - baloe88

62. Karen Jackson – Gympie – Australia

63. Hailey Bartholomew – Brisbane – Australia

64. Jason van Ganderen – NSW – Australia

65. Simon Van Der Spoel – Australia – Spifire_king

66. Michael Higgins – Dublin – Ireland - MGMH

67. Kimberly M. Wetherell - Brooklyn - New York - USA - kmwss2c

68. Marc Brouwer – Amsterdam – Netherlands 

69. Suzanne Pancrazi – New Jersey - subito

70. Paul Rankin – Birsbane - Australia

Pale Stone Podcast Ep13

New Podcast is up! At long last! I know you've all been lost with out it!!!

Here in I talk about the Slán agus Beannacht shoot, give advice on fundraising for a low budget short and I talk about 140.

Enjoy.

New Members to shout about

I'm delighted to welcome these new directors to 140:

57. Terrence Boylan – Hudson Valley – New England – USA

58. Michael Ancevic – Boston – USA

59. Kevin Littleton – Costa Mesa – California - USA

60. Karen Wilkens - Los Angeles - USA

Word spreads for 140

Word is indeed beginning to spread again.

Two interviews lined up in America, with Paste and Cinema Without Borders, two mentions in American press already JSOnline and as mentioned above, the Salt Lake Tribune. Also a mention in Film Ireland this month (in the production section along with Slán agus Beannacht). 

Four new filmmakers:
53. Irene Driessen - Netherlands
54. M Nazrin Khairunan - Singapore
55. Jeroen Grondijs - Netherlands

56. Judith de Boer - Amsterdam

Slán agus Beannacht Teaser

140 - a recap...

This is a re-post. I thought I'd put it up again for new members and people calling by to see what's going on, save you scrolling all the way down. Read on to find out more about 140. And welcome to my blog... there's lots to see and do!

140 

Film-makers - Locations - Seconds

Filmmakers of the world (and Twitter) Unite. 

140 filmmakers from around the world will join together on Twitter for a very unique film project, of global proportions.

Via Twitter we will converge from our respective cities around the world and await the signal. That signal will come from me. The filmmakers will commit to being by their computers, laptops, mobile phones at the designated time, whatever it may be, whether it be 2am, 3am, 11pm, 5pm, 8am… you get the idea!

When the signal is given we will all film at the same time and in the expedient spirit of Twitter we must only film 140 seconds. The same 140 seconds the world over.

This is about connection. Look at how the Internet connects us, how twitter presents a unique way to be a part of someone’s life as it happens. Connection.

So capture what connects you to your home. Whether it be landscapes, cityscapes, the wind in the trees, cars on the highway, a lover sleeping, or making tea, the smile of a child or laugh of a friend… whatever it may be. What is special about your home? What connects you to it? And can you capture that in 140 seconds?

The filmmakers then send the footage to me, uncut. I will cut it to a feature length visual dedication to our homes and the 140 seconds that connected us.

I will make each segment available online in its entirety at a later date. A world map will be displayed, so a user can click on your home and view you 140 seconds.

Everyone will be credited as Directors in their cities. If you feel up to the challenge then join Twitter today and follow me, frankwkelly and await updates.

Thanks,

Frank Kelly – Director – Drogheda – Ireland

Where are you from?

Filmmakers so far:

Name – Location – Twitter handle

1. Frank Kelly - Drogheda, Ireland – frankwkelly

2. Elliot Kotek - LA, USA

3. Gustavo Ron - Madrid, Spain

4. Iulia Rugina - Bucharest, Romania – iulia_rugina

5. Santana Issar - Mumbai, India

6. Varda Hardy - LA, USA

7. Anna Christopher - LA USA

8. James Gross - Indianapolis, USA – 1stswashbuckler

9. Shannon Mullins – Indianapolis, USA – thirteenthman

10. Laura Kidd - London, UK – warriorgirl

11. Ryan Little & Adam Abel - Utah, USA

12. Luis Sosa – Mexico City, Mexico – luis_sosa

13. Chris Ford – Mill Valley, CA, USA - hotshave

14. Marc Havener – Lawrence, KS, USA - yohaves

15. Alice Brooks – Biddeford, Maine, USA - alicebrooks

16. Margaret Johnson – San Francisco, USA - maggiejca

17. Marina Blanco – Southern CA, USA

18. Jon Fitzgerald – Venice Beach, CA, USA

19. Lisa Gornick – Kentish Town, London, UK

20. Chris Billing – Washington DC, USA

21. Robert Sucato – Phoenix, Arizona, USA

22. Jill Carter – Toronto, Canada - jillcarter

23. Guy Shahar – NYC, USA - viteforguy

24. Michael Albanese – LA, USA - mivialarts

25: Rob Sorrenti – London, England – monsoon130

26: Oskar Thor Axelsson - Reykjavik, Iceland

27. Emily Best – Brooklyn, MYC, USA – emilybest

28. Trampas Thompson – Los Angeles, USA

29. Mairin DeBarra – Dublin, Ireland – mdebarra

30. Gavan Muprhy – Marino, Ireland – touchmeimhappy

31. Brent Gudgel – Pasedena, USA - brentgudgel

32. Markus Görgens – Berlin, Germany – schattenwandler

33. Brendan Phelan – Dublin, Ireland

34. Steven Robinson – Melbourne, Australia - jackmaddox

35. Natasha Pincus – Melbourne, Australia

36. Chris Lawlor – Bejing, China – crawlor

37. Tara Grimshaw – Sydney, Australia – tara_g

38. Matt Bisson – Sydney, Australia – eggfilm

39. Paddy O’Shea – Cork, Ireland - PaddyOShea

40. Robert Zappia – USA – rzappia

41. Noel Farrell – Trim, Ireland –

42. Gina Dow – Canberra, Australia –

43. Gennifer Gorzula – Canberra, Australia –

44. Damien Donnelly – Paulstown, Ireland - 

45. Johnny Blank – Melbourne, Australia - 

46. Sarah Egan – Outer Hebirdes, UK – asgerd

47. Kate Murphy – Dublin, Ireland – murphk27 

48. Thomas C. Guant - Chicago, USA  

49. Aaron Goodliffe – Meakstown, Ireland – AaronGoodliffe

50. Farah Azalea - tbd 

51. Luzius Wepse - Switzerland

52. Donogh MacCarthy - Morrogh – Ireland - donoghmac

53. M Nazrin Khairunan – Singapore – Malaysia –

54. Irene Driessen – Eindhoven – Netherland - IreneDriessen

55. Jeroen Grondijs - ? – Netherlands – DasMonty

56. Judith De Boer – Amsterdam – Netherlands - judithdeboer

57. Terrence Boylan – Hudson Valley – New England – USA

58. Michael Ancevic – Boston – USA

59. Keving Littleton – Costa Mesa – California - USA

60. Karen Wilkens - Los Angeles - USA

61. Raoul Scheepe – Antwerp – Belguim - baloe88

62. Karen Jackson – Gympie – Australia

63. Hailey Bartholomew – Brisbane – Australia

64. Jason van Ganderen – NSW – Australia

65. Simon Van Der Spoel – Australia – Spifire_king

66. Michael Higgins – Dublin – Ireland - MGMH

67. Kimberely M. Wetherell - Brooklyn - New York - USA - kmwss2c

S&B Edit & 140 Back on Track

Things are going well on Slán Agus Beannacht, I cut 6 minutes out, so it stands at 18 minutes now. I think it works better. I don't miss the scenes. The story is there and told in a more effective way and the pacing is better. I did cut myself out! My debut acting performance has been consigned to the deleted scenes forever! 

I just thought the scene was unnecessary and I couldn't find a place where is sat comfortably, it was always jarring to suddenly be in this pub in the middle of everything. The idea of the scene was that this gang were crashing into Pat's life, taking away his feeling of security, even the most sacred of places. But all that was already there. After the first scene there's a feeling of unease that stays throughout, so I don't need to be bashing the audience over the head with it!

I've tightened to screws on the other scenes too, quicker in quicker out. Cut out the shit. Trim the fat. Tell the story. I'll give it a couple of days and go back to it. I may cut more, I'm not sure yet, might have a friend take a look. Then the sound mix and music. I put in some temp classic music which works really well, always a mistake I think! Fine for editing, but then you become attached to it. Better to edit to your own rhythm and to the rhythm of the scene. I think anyway - but I'm not an editor.

140

I've kicked things off on 140 again. Set a date for June 21st! I figured if there was a date there would be more of a push on, especially for me to get the 88 filmmakers still needed to complete the 140! 

So for any 140 members who I have failed to contact and still want to take part in this exciting experiment, let me know if the 21st works for you?

Couple more stills

Recent Press

Poster for the film.

Images from 'Slán agus Beannacht'

In the Edit suite.

I've been editing this last few days. Last night I completed the first cut, what is in effect the assembly cut, from which I will work from. I'm happy to say there seems to be a film there! It stands at 24:33 minutes, which is loads to work from. 

I'll start trimming the fat shortly and bring it down to 20 minutes and then see what's what. I think I will need a fresh eye to have a look at it, someone who doesn't know anything about it, who can come in cold with no attachment to it. 

I'm happy with it anyway, which is the main thing right now. The story comes through and there are strong performances throughout. I'm also happy with the look of the piece, I lucked out with JJ and the availability of equipment. 

I have a fair bit of mixing to do on the sound and I need effects and layers to go under and over everything, so that should be an involved part of the process. I also have the music to write and record, which I always enjoy. Hopefully my musical ability can do my writing directing ability justice... (".) 

Back to work!

That's a Wrap!

Recovering from a night of much libation! Many an ale was supped last night in celebration of the end of our short shoot. 

Everything went well, we got all the scenes we needed, nothing was dropped, we managed to shoot all 21 pages in 5 days.

Day Four: Pick-Ups and Council Offices.

We started late on Tuesday. We had four pick-ups from Monday, due to the weather. I had planned to go back out to the canal to get a shot there, but I couldn't figure time, I was worried about getting back in in time to get the other shots and get to the council office in time. So I cancelled that shot, it was an after thought anyway, took some pressure off. 

It was a beautiful sunny morning so was glad of that. But as people started to arrive it clouded over. We got one shot done when the heavens opens and it poured down. Not good for us, or the equipment, but good for the shot. The stuff we shot on Monday in the same location was in the rain, so it works for continuity. 

We got those shots done and headed to the council offices, thanks to Dom Wilton and Gary Delany for their help there. Dom organised getting us in and Gary is the caretaker, so he was there to keep an eye on things. Both lovely guys and both very patient guys!!! Which helped.

Started with Ann Russell's scenes, got those done quickly. Then we moved into a disused office right beside the hatch where we were working, which was an unbelievable stroke of luck. It was a cool office to boot. Large window out onto the street and a frosted wired window on the opposite side, so it was a interesting space to photograph. 

Time was ticking on, and stress, though not high, was building. I was always aware that we had so many scene to get in such a short space of time and there were people giving up there evening to watch us.

We then moved into the council office itself, a large open plan room with walls lined with binders and desks cluttered with files and office paraphernalia, couldn't really ask for a better location. We got the scenes we needed there. The extras were great, my friend Wendy Tinsely came down, she's some how managed to be in all my films, well - except for Emily's Song, but she was involved. Eamon and Ann Lawlor were down, Ann did a great job with a line I gave her. Maryann jumped in too and I gave Dom a walk on too! Just to say thanks for the help, he seemed to enjoy it.

We wrapped there at 9:30, just half an hour over the promise time, so I think we did alright.

Day Five: Intensive Care

Elaine Reddy and Rory Mullen in a scene

Wednesday, last day, and we were in Dundalk at the DKIT School of Nursing, Midwifery, Health Studies and Applied Sciences. Sharon Touhy was extremely helpful there, apart from allowing us access and use of the facilites and equipment she was our consultant for then day and when it came to it she rigged out patient up to a heart monitor, a drip, a blood pressure mach and a ventilator - even had a mocked up central line! Great! I would have been jamming tubes everywhere! People would have been looking at it saying "That doesn't go there!" - so she was a life saver! Literally!

Graham Newcombe replaced Sue Downey on sound and like Sue was very professional and easy to get along with.

JJ Rolfe and Eoin McGlaughlin

We were a while getting set up. We had to dress the sets and Maryellen Darby had a lot of make-up to do. We eventually got going and started with the intensive care scene. Once filming we moved quickly and got the scene done in less then an hour. We were shooting on a 3-1 ratio the entire time, a lot we got it first time, I saw what I was looking for, but went for one or two more sometimes for safety, sometimes just to try something a little different. 

Then stopped for Pizza! Nice.

In the afternoon we shot the ward scene which again went quickly. Lovely performances from Elaine Reddy and Rory Mullen, many many thanks to them for coming down and giving so much to their characters. 

We wrapped at 3:45, which was great, because we were to be kicked out at 4pm! And that was it. We wrapped up the gear, headed back to Drogheda and vegged for the afternoon! Most everyone headed off but Paschal, Maryellen, Maryann, Noel and Gerry headed for a few drinks... of course a few turned into many! 4am I was staggered home in something of a stupor! It was fun though.

Paschal Scott and Maryellen Darby

Over all I was very happy with how the shoot went. We got everything I wanted, all 21 pages in 5 days, which, as I said, probably good have been condensed to 4  days - but it was nice to have the luxury of time and to have breaks day to day. 

Everyone was great to work with, JJ was fast and professional, I enjoy his easu going demeanour, which never gets in the way of his commitment to getting the shot. He's easy going, but never complacent. Sue is an absolute pro, again, I know I'm getting the best job done when she's with me. Maryellen was great, a lovely person and an enthusiastic part of the crew. She had little experiences in film but she did a wonderful job and will be scene in the final product. Eoin was a pleasure to work with, kind natured and good humoured and of course talented and professional. He's a great photographer as I mentioned previously and he was snapping away during the shoot, so I'm exited to see what he's taken.

The cast were great. Paschal was a gentleman, a professional, kind and generous and a pleasure to work with and indeed, drink with! I was glad to have had the opportunity to get to work with him. I've mentioned all the others in previous posts, Gerry, Noel, Shane, Eric, Connor, Andy and Ann, so I shant repeat myself, less to say they were wonderful. 

Elaine brought a subtle sensitivity to her part. She captured the raw emotion and anger brilliantly. Rory again brought a soft sensibility to his character. He has a great face to photograph (I mean that in the best possible way Rory!) a he can convey so much with so very little. 

-- 

So that's a wrap. Job done. Now I have to see what we got and start cutting, see if we have a film in there somewhere. Well, I know we do, I just don't know what it's going to be. It's odd, I wrote the script, I storyboarded it, I visuallised the scenes over and over in the locations where we shoot, and even though we captured everything I imagined and often so closed it was scarry - I still don't know what the end film will be! Something close to what I pictured I imagine, but different enough to be something else, be a surprise...

I just hope it's a good one!

Me, Paschal Scott, Gerry Shanahan and Noel Kelly

Day Three

OK, this will have to be a quick post - After a long, tough day, I've just had to redo tomorrow's schedule and shot list so I'm a little tired and need a rest! 

Today went well, we got a lot done, considering the weather, which was appalling, rained all afternoon, never let up. Of course we were working outside. I thought it was going to be handy, considering we were filming outside my house, ended up being the hardest day so far.

Late call and a late start due to weather, but as it wasn't letting up we decided to shoot anyway. Switched the shooting schedule around to suit make-up and weather. Shooting the person with no make up first from inside their house on all their scenes over three days, then reversed. They were Noels scenes, his first full acting experience, he did really well, he came across great, I was delighted and relieved! I was happy, good start.

Then we did the first of Mrs.Smith's scenes, played by Ann Russell. I didn't realise but her and Paschal are old friends, the did a play together for a long time, so that was great. She gave a great performance as a fiery Aul-wan! 

Then the weather just got ridiculous, it started pouring rain. So we abandoned ship for warmer shores... coffee and cookies courtesy of MAryann, who I must say was brilliant today. She started the day being the runner and umbrella holder, then shifted into chef mode and then in the dogsitter mode, georgie was out the back going berserk because she couldn't get in. 

We then did Gerry's scenes. He was playing Charlie, a nasty vile character. He was brought a lot of lovely little quirks to the characters and captured perfectly what was on the page and brought a lot more besides, had us all in stitches. Very happy.

The weather calmed down so we shot the last of Mrs. Smith and Pat and then wrapped for the day. Soggy, but happy. 

Because of the delay on the weather we decided to leave a couple of masters for tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is going to be a tough day I think. I'm hoping that we'll get the weather, because I really want to get the shot that we missed on Sunday. Then we're back here for 4 missed shots today. Then we're in the council offices, that's where it gets complicated. Although I gave a lot of time for everything, and we've ended up shooting fast and getting scenes done quickly, I was not as generous with time here, simply because I knew we didn't have the time. So know we have to squeeze all of that into one evening and I have a feeling there are going to be come people on our backs to get moving. I hope it goes well, I wont feel good about it until we're out of it.

Well, that's tomorrow, today was a success and to celebrate I'm going to have a beer and watch some TV with my most amazing and patient wife!

Some more pictures soon.

Day Two

Day two of shoot is done. Another successful and fast day. This morning we shot in McHugh's pub - thanks to TP McHugh for use of his pub, much appreciated! The scene took about an hour and half. Then lunch and then we went down by the river to get a couple of shots, the main character Pat having his lunch and then out along the old canal to get the penultimate and the final shots of the film... little bit of trouble there, the battery for the lens adaptor died unexpectedly! So we could get the final shot. The shot we did get were beautiful I must say, I was very happy with them. So we're going to go back out on Tuesday to get the final shot. I hope we have the weather we got today! It was beautiful. I would have happily stayed out there all afternoon in the sun. 

So another early day in the can, or on the tape I should say. I was happy with everything, would have been nice to have gotten that shot, but these things happen and can be fixed, so wont lose sleep over it. 

Eoin McLoughlin came down with JJ to help with the lights and take some stills, nice to have him down, he helped with lights on Emily's Song during some pick ups. 

One of the highlights was Maryann's Chilli! That was good! Everyone seemed to really like it anyway! Maryann has been great though, a strong support and great with the meals and just being on the ball with the little things I tend to forget, like the main props for two scenes on the first day! 

Tomorrow we have a late start and full afternoon. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do for the Mrs.Smith scene, where the actress and location class with dates, but hopefully tomorrow I'll have it sorted... not sure what I'll do instead if it doesn't work out. 

This evening was spent just thinking about tomorrow. Shots lists, going over storyboards and getting he costume change right in my head. There is no costume department, everyone is just wearing their own gear, but as we're shooting out of sequence I do have to keep reminding myself of what's been worn. 

Anyway, time for bed. Here are some photos on Monday's shoot. Enjoy.

Sue and Maryellen on location in the Dale.

Eric, Connor, Shane and Andy in the Dale.

Rory Mullen as Liam, waiting for the set up.

Setting up in the dale, Saturday afternoon.

Crew gets set up for the tunnel scene.

All photos by Maryann Kelly. 

Day One

Hard to believe, but Day One is at an end! And what a day it was! Went much quicker, and dare I say it - easier than expected! Very fast, very precise - there was no messing around, we got stuck in and everyone involved was very focused and very in tune with what we were trying to achieve. 

In the morning we set out at 9:30am approx. I thought we would have a difficult shoot up until 1pm, perhaps even pushing it to 1:30pm, but it was fine, I knew what I wanted, as did JJ, we got what we needed, and more and finished at 12... right as it started to rain really heavily -  the timing was eerie! 

I was happy with the performances, everyone did a great job. Paschal and Shane were pitch perfect with there characters. Eric brought what I thought he would, something honest solid and convincing. I was impressed and Surprised with Andy and Connor, who came on very last minute. 

Connor has never acted before but was great, showed a real ability and presence and brought his character to life with energy and enthusiasm. 

Andy, a seasoned pro! Having starred in Gangs of New York no less, brought something unexpected and very special to his dialogue free role. He gave empathy and humanity to w a character who was written as background. By doing that he  became the character who will come away from this experience most scared and changed, if not redeemed - it was something I had not written and is entirely his own doing, just by the actor he is. He'll be someone I'll be eager to work with in the future.

Paschal captured everything I hoped he would. The scene we shot this morning was near the end of the film, and near the end of this character's journey, at the point where he stands to lose everything - it being the first scene, having only met his co-stars 30 minutes before and not had any time to rehearse the scene, except for the few minutes before, he gave an honest, beautiful and sad performance. I was extremely happy with it.

We shot from 9:30 to 12 and then had lunch. Rory arrive at 1pm and at 1:30 we went to the next location, the Dale. It's a common hang out for teens, usually of the trouble making sort. Luckily it was empty when we got there, we managed to get a couple of shots in and then they started to arrive to spectate. 

They decided it would be fun to make as much noise as possible and to walk into frame whenever possible. Thanks to JJ for framing them out of shot and to Sue for capturing the sound as best she could, between them they gave me enough to cut together. Among other things the little bastards got up to was throwing a stone that landed right beside the lens case and starting a belching contest when we asked them nicely to keep the noise down.

It makes me wonder what people like that think when they decide to do this kind of crap. Probably they think it's funny, or amusing, but why does it happen around film, I mean - do the go into stores and through stones at the person behind the checkout, or do they go onto building sites and belch while people are trying to put up dry wall? If I were to interrupt their game of football buy steeling there ball every 5 minutes, how would they feel? If I were to go into their place of work and wreck whatever it was they had just done, making them have to do it again, how would they feel? Not good I'm sure, we then do people feel it's OK to wreck a take, to interrupt my work, cost me money and waist my time and the time of everyone on the crew, people who are just doing their job and want to get home on time but can't because some moron decided to honk their horn and now we have to reset and do everything again... I don't know!

Sorry! Rant! 

It wasn't too bad, as I said we got enough to cut around it. And we got everything we needed in about 2 hours, which was great, so we finished at 4pm! Nice!

I had some stuff to figure out afterwards, juts getting the script in my head in terms of costumes, what clothes on what days for what scenes! Bit of a muddle! But it should be fine. I had a bit of a wonder to relax, browsed some DVDs and Books and then had some dinner before meeting Paschal for a few pint and a Michael Collins whiskey, which seem to becoming something of a tradition! Fun, but hard work! I'm sure I'll feel it tomorrow! Luckily, thanks to an audition Paschal has to do we have a lie in on Monday!

We still have much to do, and with one of the location having just fallen through for Monday night I still have some things to figure out. 

I'm sure tomorrow will go well and it'll be another straight forward and quick day... I hope so at least - well, when I say straight forward and easy I'm leaving out the part where I have to act!!! I'm playing the bartender! I left it too long to cast anyone so I have to step into the clumpy boots! Jeez I hope I don't make a balls of it!!!

Well, seeing as I have to act and direct tomorrow I suppose I should get to bed! More tomorrow hopefully, with photos too, I have them, just have to upload them!

Sorted

Found Money.

Found Make-up Artist.

Found Mrs.Smith.

Sorted.

3 days to go and we are on track for a good shoot. Hopefully things will keep going smoothly. I have a few minor things to fill the next three days. Some costumes to buy, double of shirts for Paschal for when he gets beaten up. I have to meet Ann Russell tomorrow to talk about Mrs.Smith and Shane and Andrew Gallagher to talk about the gang and go through scenes. 

Ann Russell

I also have to make two kinds of fake blood. Something quick an easy using washing liquid and red food dye for general use and the good old golden syrup mix for face and spitting etc. Will probably do that on thursday. Also have to buy all the food for the shoot. That'll be thursday too. 

Friday I have to go to Dublin and pick up the lights from Visual Impact Ireland (formally Digirent) and then get back in time to meet Paschal, who's driving up form Cork. I'm looking forward to meeting him. 

Being up against it over the last few weeks, and being in many situations that I felt uncomfortable in, where I would have rather walked away, I could have used this piece of advice: When you're doubtful, anxious, worried or afraid about something, ask yourself - What would you do if you weren't afraid? Therein lies the answer. 

So easy to look for the easy way out, or spent waisted hours and days trying to figure another way around the situation. If you're honest with yourself you know the answer, if you take fear out of the equation, it's really very simple.

Well, best get some sleep, long day tomorrow again. Need to get sleep while I can... probably wont have any for a week come Saturday!

5 days to go.

We're close. 

Not much happening today, being Sunday, might finish storyboards later. Come tomorrow it'll be busy. Still a lot to organise, still no make-up artist confirmed, waiting to hear back on that, hopefully will know tomorrow, then I can breathe a sigh of relief, as yet I'm still holding my breath. 

Still no Mrs.Smith either. But I have a phonecall tomorrow that I hope will solve that problem. Otherwise a rewrite will be needed and I'll lose an important part of the script that I like very much.

I haven't been nervous much about this film up until now. I can feel the nervous excitement rising and worries have started to seep into my dreams. I had a dream last night that JJ and I were in a giant St. Vincent De Paul shop and we found one of the lights we needed and tried to buy it, but it got complicated, I forget why. Probably due to the reality that I tried booking lights with Filmbase only to find that they were booked out for the shoot dates, so much for the benefits of being a member there. 

Money again is still an issue, have a couple of options that I hope will work. If both do then great, if one does, good, if neither do... Screwed! At the moment I have no money for lights, sound equipment or anything else. I'm hanging on to what little I have so I can buy food. I don't know where the rest will come from - somewhere I hope!

Everything else is falling into place, locations, most of the crew and actors. I met with Eric O'Brien yesterday and went through a couple of the scenes with him and visited one of the locations and found myself getting quite excited at the prospect of shooting there next week. I even started coming up with new ideas while there, and different ways to shoot the scene. So I think we'll be OK on the day. I know these other annoyances will work themselves out, well, I'll work them out, I have no choice, but when it comes to shooting I think everything will be fine and we'll all have a lot of fun working together. 

I'm definitely looking forward to being on the other side of it though, and having it wrapped and on my hard drive and being faced with the thrill of editing, piecing it all together and finding the flow, finding the film itself. It'll be interesting to see if much is compromised on the day and how the final film will be different from what I have in my head right now and what's on the page. But this time two weeks I'll be awash with calm and a grand sense of achievement... I hope! 

I'm most excited about that stage, when it's all done and the worry, anxiety and panic are over and I can sit down by myself and sculpt the footage into the final film for all to see. Should be good!

Anyway, clocks are forward, evenings are long, Spring is here and Summer is on the way. The blossoms are on the tree and the Magnolias are about to bloom. It's a great time of year to be making a film and I'm excited about. 

9 Days to go!

9 Days to shoot! Scary stuff! Still a few things to sort out. Need a make-up artist! Had one, for 3 days, until she found a paying job, which is totally understandable, bills have to paid, but did throw a spanner in the works. Also need to cast one other character, an elderly lady who has three involved dialogue scenes! It’s getting awfully close to be casting characters like that, I may have to re-write to resolve. I hope not, I like the character and I like the exchanges. I would be sad to lose it because I took the easy way out.

Money has become an issue, unforseen expenses have arisen, equipment, lights, sound mixer, make-up. I guess I should have expected it. I had hoped to be ready for the unforseen, but as it happened the fundraiser was something of a disappointment, not a failure, but I earned under half of what I thought I would or should, consider I had Jason Byrne performing, who always sells out in Drogheda. Live and learn.

If you're planning a similar event I would say do it for sure, but here's some advice you could follow to make sure it's a success:

• Find a venue, ask your talented friends to perform for free - they will. 
• I had two comedians, a singer/songwriter (Originals and covers) and DJs for filler.
• Go to local business and ask them to sponsor spot prizes in return for credit and Advertising.
• Hold a raffle on the night, you’ll make a lot of money from tickets, especially if the prizes are good. €2 for one €5 for 3.
• Get the comedian to do the raffle, it’ll make it fun.
• Ask a local printer to sponsor poster and tickets for the same.
• Send a press release to local papers and radio two weeks in advance.
• Follow up, make sure they put it in.
• Spring for advertising if possible, and ad in the paper (as well as the press release) two weeks before and the week before.
• Spring for an ad on Radio if affordable for the week leading up.
• Plan at least two months before the gig.
• Start getting word out 6 weeks before the gig. Word of mouth needs to spread.
• Text everyone you know and send out reminders the week, the day, the hour before. People have lives and tend to forget - doesn’t get the cash in when you meet them the next day and they say “Awe, you should have reminded me!“
• On the night you’ll have fun, once the punter are in you can relax.
• During all this don’t let the fundraiser distract you from the most important thing - the film!
• Call you actors. Make sure they’re know what’s going on. Don’t solely rely on emails or texts.
• Make sure people involve are on the guest list.
• Give your self plenty of time after the fundraiser to get back on track with the film.

I think that’s the best advice I can offer in that department. 

Stress aside, of which there is not that much, I am looking forward to it. I’m much more relaxed on this one then I was on Emily’s Song for example. But on that I didn’t really know what to expect. This, I think I know what's coming - I hope I do! It’s going to be a light shoot anyway, I have the bare minimum crew I need, DOP, Gaffer, Sound, Make-up and me, that's 5 of us on the go. With support from my wife! Who’ll be the production manager and the cook! And friends have offered other support, so we’ll have runners, which will be handy.

I think having a runner is essential on a small shoot like this, someone willing and able to move equipment, run the shop for water, move furniture, all the last minute things that arise, that you, as director, or any of the other technical crew who have specific and involved jobs to do, should not have to think about.

I think it’s going to be good though, it’ll be intense, with a 21 page script to shoot in 5 days (that’s 4 pages a day for anyone who wasn’t paying attention!) but I think it will be fun. I’m over the moon about the cast, couldn’t be happier really. I think it’s come together really well and I’m looking forward to working with all of them. 

Hopefully together we can make something special. I think we will.

Rainy Day TV

The Nationwide team came down today, Producer Joan O'Sullivan and Cameraman Ken O'Connor, nice small team. They filmed from 10am until 3pm. In between they got plenty of footage and interviews with me, my brother Noel and my Mother.

Started off with some shots of me leaving the house, making my way to the Arts Centre. Then in the Arts Centre they interviewed me about the film, the origin of the film and the photos. 

From there Noel joined us and we visited my grandparents old house, the place my grandfather worked and then to a high vantage point behind the factory, looking down, where Noel was interviewed. 

From there the filmed a meeting shot outside the bookies that appears in the film and then on to my parents house and an interview with my mother about the film and her memories of her father. 

It was all very quick and easy going and enjoyable and no real hiccups, it rained some, but that didn't delay us much - Oh! There was the moment when one of my nosey neighbours came out of his house and ruined a shout by standing right in frame to ask who these people where?, why they were here? and what were they doing? Once his he filled his beak he trotted off and we got on with it! Classic!

Nationwide Presenters: Michael Ryan and Mary Kennedy

I know Noel and especially my mother were very nervous about the whole thing, so I appreciate them doing it, although they probably wont be doing it again anytime soon! But they came across well and both did very good interviews. I guess I'm used to doing interviews and talking to strangers in that way, or talking to crowds, but I never thought of the fact that they have no real experience of this! So sorry to them for putting them on the spot! But they were great!

I think it should cut together well and become a nice piece. They'll use segments from the film, images from the exhibition and images of my grandfather. With the interviews with Noel and my mother it should be a very intimate and personal family piece that I think will connect with viewers, much like the film did. 

No dates for broadcast yet, but I will keep you posted, hopefully soon. Joan informed me that they general created themed shows with several different features, so they just have to wait until it fits a theme I suppose, no idea how long that will be. Hopefully I'll be able to podcast the clip too. 

Drogheda's Scholars

Two new sponsors join the film today. 

First my thanks to Scholars Townhouse Hotel for coming through on the accommodation! This is very much appreciated and quite a relief to get! 

Scholars is somewhere I really like, it's old Christian Brothers house, in fact it was house of the brothers that once taught me! It was recently converted into a hotel and beautifully finished to a very high standard and is now reminiscent of a fine country house, even though it is right in the centre of town - and now more then a five minute walk from pubs, restaurants and shops... and more importantly in this instance, all our locations! 

It has a special place in my heart being as it was where Maryann and I went for a glass of champagne after we tied the knot on our Civil Ceremony (prior to the family and friend ceremony.) 

It has a really relaxed atmosphere with a great staff, so I'm delighted to be able to have Pat stay there for the week he's away from home.

I would also like to thank the Darren and Collette and all the guys at Calipo Theatre & Picture Company for their donnation to the project today. It was very generous of them. 

Calipo have been a hub of creativity and inspiration in Drogheda for many years. They continually strive to bring new, unique and innovative work to the stage and screen. They prove time and time again that they are among the very best Ireland has to offer in terms of creative talent, with award winning plays, popular television series and award winning short films. They are among the elite. So it is an honour for me to have them call up and offer to help. Thanks guys.

Sunny Day

A Beautiful sunny day today, I'm inside storyboarding, which is fine, at least I have a view and an open window! 

Yesterday, St. Patrick's day, I did some location scouting - found a couple of suitable places. One in particular, and while photographing the place I had drunken teens shout abuse at me! So I guess it really was the perfect place, consider it's where the main character encounter similar teens. Hopefully the real ones wont be there when we're shooting. I guess if we do it first thing in the morning we'll be OK, teens don't usual rise until after 2pm anyway (speaking from experience - having been one myself)

I'm still moving ahead on 140, although recruitment has slow this last week, which isn't a bad thing, with the Slán agus Beannacht shoot 2 and half weeks away I need the time! But we're over the 50 mark, 51 to be exact. Here's who: 

46. Sarah Egan – Outer Hebirdes, UK – asgerd 

47. Kate Murphy – Dublin, Ireland – murphk27 

48. Thomas C. Guant - Chicago, USA  

49. Aaron Goodliffe – Meakstown, Ireland – AaronGoodliffe

50. Farah Azalea - tbd 

51. Luzius Wepse - Switzerland

Excited to have all of you on board. Still more to come, had a couple of emails this morning I need to reply to, so that may increase by the end of the day.

As I work this project however I do find a lot of resistance against twitter, and I have encountered more and more people who have a strange paranoia toward internet social networking sites. Makes me wonder who they think is watching them? Or do they really think they're that interesting or important that some secret government agency is storing this information? 

First of all, why? And secondly, who? Why would the government want to know any of the mundane day to day of our lives? And who is storing all this information? They'd need thousands of people working around the clock on some super-sized computer storage system... it just doesn't seem plausible to me - or maybe they want me to say that - maybe they've programmed me to think this way - maybe I'm one of them... 

Haha! They, them! Give me a break. You have to take all this stuff with a pinch of salt. The only thing worth worry about is the level of fear mongering orchestrated by news and tabloid media that has people thinking this way. We're just playing here, it's like passing notes in class, doodling on our copy book, twitter and facebooking is just a bit of fun, I really don't think there's anything to worry about... except maybe addiction - as some people have pointed out to me!

But in defense of the amount I twitter - I work on the computer, I'm usually writing, or storyboarding or emailing. I don't watch a lot of TV and I work from home. Twitter is just a side thing - I have a thought, I put it down, doesn't take that long and I enjoy doing it. I also find it useful and entertaining. If people don't care or are fed up with me clogging up their twitter page or facebook home page then stop following me, or click 'Hide' on your facebook - stop complaining, change the channel! 

Between the blogging, emailing, twitter and facebook updating I still manage to get all the work done I need to do, so I'm not worried about it. If it starts getting in the way I'll stop. 

Which is now - time to venture out see if I can find some sponsorship for this film! 2 and half weeks!!! Holy... But that's OK, I'm looking forward to it!

New Cast Members Join Slán agus Beannacht

I'd like to welcome Elaine Reddy and Rory Mullen to the cast of Slán agus Beannacht. I'm looking forward to working with them and delighted they've come on board. 

Elaine Reddy as Ann

Rory Mullen as Liam

Modern Times

Had and interview this week with The Sunday Times about 140. Went quite well, was fun to do. Photographer came down yesterday and had me lounging around my office in awkward positions while trying to emulated relaxed positions, bit odd, but fun nonetheless, will be interesting to see the end product.

I'm not sure when it's going out, not tomorrow anyway. But I'll post it when I know. It was fairly straight forward. We talked about the project, who are involve so far, how many more I hope to get, the themes and what the end film will be. Also about how the internet is changing how films can get made and how much more accessible filmmaking is these days.

We also talked a lot about twitter and whole point of it, which, it seems, is impossible to explain to anyone who doesn't get it, and more so to anyone who doesn't want to get it... luckily the interviewer was not one of those people - otherwise I think it would have been a bit redundant! 

Jan Battles was she, she coined a very funny word with regard to wives who had lost their husbands to twitter (mine included!) - Twidows! - I like it! I added that husbands would therefore be called Twidowers! I'm sure there's a few out there!!!

I will let everyone know when it's coming out and probably post a scan of the article. It's great for the project, it'll get word out about it and help us get new filmmakers on board and hopefully other media outlets will pick it up and we can keep the ball rolling to the magic 140.

Film Ireland

Film Ireland mentions Bill, For Short this month as part of the Heart of Gold Film Festival, where Bill is screening this month as part of the Irish film night. It is also up for best documentary at the festival.

Pictured in the article above is my brother Noel Kelly, who appears in the film.

News

Just a couple of things today. First, thanks to IFTN.ie for this wonderful article. Should help to get some Irish filmmakers on board the 140 project.

Secondly, Nationwide, the RTE regional magazine show is doing a feature on my film Bill, For Short and the accompanying exhibition Old Shoes and Broken Walls. The crew are coming down next week to film it. So that should be cool, will get the word out about the film.

De-cluttering.

A day of listening to podcasts, Creative Screenwriting and The Treatment, and reorganising and cleaning my office! It's amazing how much stuff one person can accumulate in one place! Filled an entire wheely bin with junk and I'm still finding it hard to find a place for what's left! Where was it all to begin with? Well, I know where, all over the floor and stacked high on and under my two desks!

I do feel bad throwing stuff away, I think of as an archive - to what? I'm not sure, my career, which has really begun yet, and even if it does take off, who's going to want to see fifty out of date posters to a fundraising event, or obscure photocopies of film notes I've never read, or stacks and stacks of outdated funding application forms?! It all must go, lest my office floor give way and I end up in the room below leaving an even larger mess on my hands.

This is something I often do to clear my mind I guess, a physical enactment of a mental process. With Slán agus Beannacht drawing ever closer it's time to focus and I find decluttering gets me in the right frame of mind to do that. Even though I started at 4pm today, it's now 12:30am!Some might say that time might be better spent storyboarding or something. But tomorrow I'll find a cleaner, more spacious environment to work in and I think it will be conducive to clearer thought and productivity on a busy time ahead.

Anyway, better get back to it! Half my stuff is in the bedroom and Maryann wants to go to bed!

Fundraiser Night

Last night's Fundraiser was a success. A few last minute hic-cups and half the crowd I had hoped for, but I raised some money, which was the aim, so better then a kick in the teeth!

Kicked off an hour late. Place was empty till 10pm. Jason got lost because of my bad directions. I don't drive, so I'm the worst person in the world to give directions to someone in a car! Robbie Bonham took the place of Bernard O'Shea two hours before the gig, so thanks very much to him! 

The night kicked off with a screening of Emily's Song, seemed to go down well. Then Jason got up and warmed the crowd up, he did some new stuff, which was great. Got the crowd going and then brought on Robbie, who did a 40 minute set! Great! He went down well and had some great material and great lines, he's a kind of sarcy dry witted vagabond, looks like some brain cells may have been laid waist to over the years but his sharp observation and well structured material shows he's hung onto the important ones!

Little break, sold a bunch of raffle tickets and then back to have the funniest raffle I've ever been to with Jason drawing the number and me standing beside him like a pleb getting the piss ripped out of me for dodgy prizes! Jason is a genius though, only he could make €10 kodak print vouchers funny! He also seemed to display a remarkable psychic ability at predicting who was going to win what! The funniest moment came when one of the sponsors won his donated prize back! But he put it up again!

Everyone really seemed to enjoy that part of the proceedings. Then Paddy McArdle came on to play the night out, good as always. 

So all in all it was a fun night, I enjoyed myself immensely, which, after the stress leading up to it, I thought I might not! But it was fun. Good to see Jason again, good to meet Robbie, good to get a group of people together for a good night of entertainment in these dark days when media buzz words like recession and credit crunch are stalking our every thought. And I raised some cash, which was a plus.

Thanks to all the sponsors for their support:

That was the fundraiser. I still have a ways to go to get what I need, So I have no idea how that's going to happen. I'll figure something. In the meantime I still have lots of work to do.

A special thanks too to the acts, Jason Bynre, Robbie Bonham, Paddy McArdle and External Sounds. McHughs for the room. Everyone who attended and bought tickets. And especially my wife, Maryann, who helped with all the preparation and sat in a freezing cold corridor for most of the night taking tickets. 

The List So Far...

The journey continues and more and more filmmakers join the 140 project. I'm delight to welcome new filmmakers from China, Australia and Ireland.

Here's the full updated list:

Name – Location – Twitter handle

1. Frank Kelly - Drogheda, Ireland – frankwkelly

2. Elliot Kotek - LA, USA

3. Gustavo Ron - Madrid, Spain

4. Iulia Rugina - Bucharest, Romania – iulia_rugina

5. Santana Issar - Mumbai, India

6. Varda Hardy - LA, USA

7. Anna Christopher - LA USA

8. James Gross - Indianapolis, USA – 1stswashbuckler

9. Shannon Mullins – Indianapolis, USA – thirteenthman

10. Laura Kidd - London, UK – warriorgirl

11. Ryan Little & Adam Abel - Utah, USA

12. Luis Sosa – Mexico City, Mexico – luis_sosa

13. Chris Ford – Mill Valley, CA, USA - hotshave

14. Marc Havener – Lawrence, KS, USA - yohaves

15. Alice Brooks – Biddeford, Maine, USA - alicebrooks

16. Margaret Johnson – San Francisco, USA - maggiejca

17. Marina Blanco – Southern CA, USA

18. Jon Fitzgerald – Venice Beach, CA, USA

19. Lisa Gornick – Kentish Town, London, UK

20. Chris Billing – Washington DC, USA

21. Robert Sucato – Phoenix, Arizona, USA

22. Jill Carter – Toronto, Canada - jillcarter

23. Guy Shahar – NYC, USA - viteforguy

24. Michael Albanese – LA, USA - mivialarts

25: Rob Sorrenti – London, England – monsoon130

26: Oskar Thor Axelsson - Reykjavik, Iceland

27. Emily Best – Brooklyn, MYC, USA – emilybest

28. Trampas Thompson – Los Angeles, USA

29. Mairin DeBarra – Dublin, Ireland – mdebarra

30. Gavan Muprhy – Marino, Ireland – touchmeimhappy

31. Brent Gudgel – Pasedena, USA - brentgudgel

32. Markus Görgens – Berlin, Germany – schattenwandler

33. Brendan Phelan – Dublin, Ireland

34. Steven Robinson – Melbourne, Australia - jackmaddox

35. Natasha Pincus – Melbourne, Australia

36. Chris Lawlor – Bejing, China – crawlor

37. Tara Grimshaw – Sydney, Australia – tara_g

38. Matt Bisson – Sydney, Australia – eggfilm

39. Paddy O’Shea – Cork, Ireland - PaddyOShea

40. Robert Zappia – USA – rzappia

41. Noel Farrell – Trim, Ireland –

42. Gina Dow – Canberra, Australia –

43. Gennifer Gorzula – Canberra, Australia –

44. Damien Donnelly – Paulstown, Ireland - 

45. Johnny Blank – Melbourne, Australia - 

46. Sarah Egan – Outer Hebirdes, UK – asgerd

47. Kate Murphy – Dublin, Ireland – murphk27 

48. Thomas C. Guant - Chicago, USA  

49. Aaron Goodliffe – Meakstown, Ireland – AaronGoodliffe

50. Farah Azalea - tbd 

51. Luzius Wepse - Switzerland