by Faisal
Director James Hoffman, AD Adam Reider, DP Tristan Brand (in back), and producer actor Faisal Lutchmedial on location.
We wrapped for James Hoffman’s film this last weekend, while it was raining, and right before it started snowing. I can safely say we are very happy with the results. A great crew helped us make what we hope to be a pretty funny, occasionally thoughtful, and sometimes disturbing short film. James has assured me he will try to make me look good. As good as I am supposed to look, considering I was supposed to be dead the whole way through.
The cold weather and night shooting, along with my not so warm costume has come close to killing me actually – one of those downsides you pretty much accept when you decide to shoot a movie that was originally supposed to take place in the summer very close to winter. Thankfully my costume changed from gym shorts and a tank top to a black suit, or this message may have very well been sent from the grave. Did I mention I didn’t go out for Halloween because I was sick? Very sad days indeed.
In any case, as I sip on my ginger lemon honey tea I am reminded that all good things require sacrifice. I am all about good balance, but sometimes one needs to be all out selfish with their time and energy to move ahead with their projects. It’s a difficult thing to do and still keep yourself happy. Adam Reider, who was the AD on “Things Worse” and has worked with me on several productions now, just mentioned in his blog that he’s lost a girlfriend and given up lots of opportunities to go out and enjoy himself because he’s been pushing so hard to make a film career work. I’ve been there too, all too often. But I keep on telling myself that it’s what you have to do.
Or maybe not. There are those who have great social lives, get married, have kids, and are successful filmmakers or other artists. It happens, so I have heard. So I guess there is a balance of sorts to be found, or perhaps its about finding the right people to surround you so that everyone is moving toward the same goal – and they actually get there sometimes. I’d like to think that that was true. Someday, the money will come more plentifully, I’ll be continue to be deliriously happy with my social life, and I’ll be making art full time. That, I think, would truly be sick.
