Keeping the faith

I just had a conversation with another filmmaker friend of mine who is in the midst of launching her own Kickstarter campaign for documentary film. She asked me to give her some pointers and I said the important thing is that you have to have faith in your project and be willing for it to be the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing at night. Your project needs to be something that you'll not only fight for, but also do some good old-fashioned begging for.

I keep thinking of that as I drag my butt out of bed on this gorgeous Saturday morning in Alameda and plop down in front of the computer again. I'm not gonna lie, it's hard to keep it up creatively when you have a pregnant wife, a wee person on the way, a new full time day job to prepare for the wee person, family commitments, and friends that make up a happy, vibrant life needs your attention as well. But all I have to do is rev up the final cut pro and start attacking the last rough cut and I remember why this film helps me keep the faith.

Right now, we are prepping the rough cut for our screening soiree tomorrow night. I'm putting in a temp track and testing the cut, doing basic color correction because you never really screen a rough for anyone who isn't actually working on the film. I can't help but think ahead of how amazing it will be to finish the actual sound work with a professional post crew.

One of the most exciting parts of finishing a film is the sound design and remix. We have this amazing opportunity to work with EJ up at Skywalker Ranch and hopefully have a subsidy from them to use their mixing theaters and possibly use their theater to have the screening benefits next year. Only catch: we need raise more money because that kind of amazing opportunity can't come for free.

Someone asked me if we could just finish the film ourselves and I said yeah, we could. That's what we planned to do. But using the creative juices of one of the top sound designers and have the backing of a place like Skywalker Ranch is going to take the film to a whole other level of production value. With better festival visibility,  the story will reach more people and then we CAN attract people like Geena Davis and her institute to partner for our screening benefits next year and raise more money for the victims of domestic violence.

So, I keep the faith. I'll open my office door so I feel the cool fall air while I edit. I'll keep writing those emails, asking people for any money they can spare. Because I realize that the time I put in now can do so much more than I ever imagined when I first read this script. And it can actually help other children, like our baby on the way, to lead a better life. To have a chance.

Want to find out more ways you can contribute?

Contribute $250 or more and make it tax deductible: San Francisco Film Society Fiscal Sponsors page 

Contribute directly to appleseeds for any amount or bid on one and only tarot read by Megan Breiseth: appleseeds website

 

Post Production Auction: Contributing Artist John Kincade

The Most Awesome John Kincade has donated three of his amazing Snake Oil cartoons to help us raise much needed post production funds!

Bid on his awesome gift at: EBay: appleseeds auction: Snake Oil Cartoons Don't wait, only 7 days left to bid!

About John: John is a former ad man with a dab hand for collage and satire. His work can be seen at Funny Times and NobleWorks and more. Personally, John and his awesome wife Liz Dobbins, are close family friends who spirit and humor color everything they do. So happy to have them in our framily and really happy to share John's smart and always funny Snake Oil Cartoons.
Read more about John and his work: http://snakeoilcartoon.com/

During out post production drive, we have 3 new ways to contribute!

Ebay auction of art, music and more: appleseeds Ebay Auction
Contribute $250 or more and make it tax deductible: San Francisco Film Society Fiscal Sponsors page
Contribute directly to appleseeds for any amount or bid on one and only tarot read by Megan Breiseth: appleseeds website

In-kind contributor spotlight: Robin Kincade - Producer and Location Scout/Manager

We would not be able to pull this production off without the help of people like Robin Kincade. Her name was given to me by the awesome Jim MacIlvaine: Special Events Coordinator + Oakland Film Office. She gave us access to her files and time for free to find one of our key locations (creepy stairs at The City Team shelter), I would not have found it without her help!


Here's a little more about Robin Kincade and her location scouting services! Can't wait to buy this lady lunch!!


From Robin's bio:

"I started my business in 1990 in Sacramento, California and moved to the Bay Area in 1996. Since then, I’ve been producing and directing for a variety of clients.

Working on projects that include everything from “Confessions of Alien Abductions” to a week in Las Vegas with over 30,000 Bikers, I’ve helped to produced a wide variety of programming. Covering famous celebrities and CEO’s of successful companies to ordinary people in extraordinary situations, I consider myself lucky to have heard so many fascinating stories. 

With over thirty years experience in broadcast television, I can take a project from start to finish depending on your needs.  I have experience in production management in the Bay Area from hiring crews to making sure the production stays within budget all the way through to post production.

Over the past fifteen years producing in the political arena, I have directed the electronic media and purchased the buys with many campaigns including California District races for Congress, Supervisor, District Attorney, Sheriff, District Judge and Assessor.  

As a location scout/manager, I’m familiar with many regions along the Coast of California, from Humboldt County to San Diego. I understand the process of pulling permits, logistics and parking for large and small productions and I’ve worked in various counties all over the state.

Due to traveling over the years for many of my clients, I’ve worked with crews across the United States and have a healthy data base. Using Apple based equipment and the iPhone/iPad, I can have consistent communications with my clients.

My passions are open water swimming (yes, I am one of those crazy people who swim in San Francisco Bay without a wetsuit) sculling, yoga, lost wax sculpture and guitar. I’m a member of the South End Swimming & Rowing Club. "

Link to Robin and Company website: Link

Check out our website and stay tuned for more information about our "save our post production" auction. Okay, we are still trying to find the right name for that but it's COMING SOON!

www.appleseedsthefilm.com

What the film Snow White tells us about our own views on women

I've been really interested in the many different reviews of Snow White and the Huntsman. I saw it on opening night and I have to say, it's visually stunning. First time feature director Rupert Sands definitely knows his way around telling a story with all the visual tools cinema can provide. I also thought the acting was top notch, the best of which was Charlize Theron.

I also wish Sands and his crew had taken the revisionist approach just a step further. I could have used a little more character and story along with a new twist on some plot points. Just a little deeper into the mad queen or the young heroine. Because it stays just on the surface of the story it ultimately it comes up just a little short of a true classic for  me.

What's really fascinating for me how is how reviewers can take the same elements and interpret them in so many different ways.

Take Natalie Wilson's feminist view in Ms. Magazine:
"The film’s modus operandi is to vilify female aging. Of course, that’s the stuff of the original fairy tale, but this umpteenth iteration does nothing to complicate the material. It was a brilliant opportunity for a feminist critique of how we’re sold a bill of goods about beauty and immortality. Instead, Snow White and the Huntsman acts as though the desires for these things spring only from the brains of crazy women. Once again we get the same ole message that not only do women get ugly as they age, but they also get evil."

You know, I actually thought it was pretty easy to understand how the age old story of the Queen reflects the myth of youth and beauty that is still shoved down our throats as women. I felt that while the film doesn't go any deeper than the surface on these issues, I think the point was that the concept of holding on to youth and beauty at all costs is the villain itself, not the woman victimized by that notion.

I also feel like the movie made it clear that there was a vulnerable, damaged woman who has been used by the society she lives in. I feel like there is one very distinct moment where Snow White and the audience has to have empathy for her. True, she is a woman who has given in to her demons but does that ultimately make her a demon? If that's true, then why a moment of redemption?

Or does this show how my (or anyone's) criticism or reading of the film says more about me than the actual movie? Does this show my need to believe people can change and that they don't have to be victims of anything?

Check out this Natalie Wilson's blog and join in on the discussion: Ms. Blog. Because ultimately, I don't feel that one person or review has all the answers... but that engaging and discussing these issues concerning the representation of women is the most important thing we can do.


Duendefilmswest production of appleseeds: Did you miss out on being part of making this film and the benefit screenings happen? You can still be a part of the adventure: stay tuned for information regarding upcoming auction or contact us here for details on how to contribute directly!

5 days to go and 20 min Skype perk for just 40$! Hazar!

Ashley Perryman Quach dreaming of Skyping

Been thinking about contributing but keep asking yourself, "who are these people anyway?"

Been wanting to contribute more but keep asking yourself "What is their favorite film? I wonder if they want to hear about my screenplay idea? And what REALLY happened the day Robyn met Angelina Jolie....hmmmm"

The answer to all those is, in the correct order. (let's see how many times I can put Skype in this)
1) 20 minutes, Skype and apple juice should tell you all you need to know about us
2) what's yours? Tell us on Skype.
3) yes!
4)....heh. Skype and you shall know all!

5 DAYS to go and so close... give now if you can and if you have, give a little more because you may want to know about us but we also want to meet you! Because without you, this film would not be getting made. That is the bottom line!

40$ Skype with us and help us reach our goal!!

With all our hearts we thank you!
Appleseeds team

about Duendefilms West production of appleseeds: 

Please visit our indiegogo page to find out how we are trying to make a difference both in our short film and the screening/benefits to follow to raise money and awareness around issues of domestic violence and gender representation in film and media.

Contributing Artist Spotlight: Photographer Raphael Coffey

Raphael Coffey

Awesome photographer Raphael Coffey contributes both his time and his art to help us with our Indiegogo campaign for the short film "appleseeds."

We are so lucky to have Raphael as part of our team. Besides being one of the most genuine people you will every meet, his pictures are amazing. "He is just able to catch the spirit of each moment in his pictures. There are some people that just have that eye... they are in sync with the subject. I just love his work and I couldn't be happier to have him on set for this film." - Robyn Dettman, Director and Producer of appleseeds.

Raphael does it all with style and grace: portraits, company web shots, brochures, news (MSNBC and NBC.) Please check out his website at: http://www.raphaelcoffey.com




about Duendefilms West production of appleseeds: 

Please visit our indiegogo page to find out how we are trying to make a difference both in our short film and the screening/benefits to follow to raise money and awareness around issues of domestic violence and gender representation in film and media.

How does Cannes 2012 reflect the representation of women in film and media?

In a letter published last week in Le Monde newspaper, a group of feminists backed by a French actress and two female directors complained about the sexual imbalance.

"Don't allow young women to think that they might one day have the gall to direct films and to go up the steps of the Palais except on the arms of a prince charming," they wrote, referring to the red carpet entrance to the main cinema in Cannes.

"We will be better able to assess female representation at this year's festival after seeing some of the anticipated competition films, including "Rust and Bone" (with Marion Cotillard), "On the Road" (with Kristen Stewart), "Lawless" (with Jessica Chastain) and "In Another Country" (with Isabelle Huppert).

"It may turn out that the 'female auteur' presence in Cannes this year is the prolific international actress."

Continue reading: www.uk.reuters.com 


about Duendefilms West production of appleseeds: 

Please visit our indiegogo page to find out how we are trying to make a difference both in our short film and the screening/benefits that will follow to raise money and awareness around issues of domestic violence and gender representation in film and media.

Geena Davis talks about gender imbalance in film and media

Had the great experience to see Geena Davis announce her Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
two years ago. I was just coming out of 2 months of radiation treatment and was lucky enough to have my future as a Breast Cancer Survivor in front of me. She inspired me so much at that talk and made me think what I could do with my passion for storytelling... how I can become part of the change I want to see.

Ms. Davis is  funny, articulate and fiercely intelligent. She has started the very important dialogue of gender balance in representation in film and media. Here she speaks with The Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Blumenstein in reference to the "Unlocking the Full Potential of Women in the U.S. Economy" report.



video courtesy of The Wall Street Journal


Please visit our indiegogo page to find out how we are trying to make a difference both in our short film and the screening/benefits that will follow to raise money and awareness around issues of domestic violence and gender representation in film and media.