The pre-production for my latest film is well underway, and it seems as though things are coming together.  Katarina Soukup and her company Catbird Productions along with David Eng are production managing / associate producing Mr. Crab and are doing a great job.  It’s made me really think about the details of the directing – something that sometimes has gotten missed when I have done it all myself.  It’s the difference I suppose between no budget productions and mid level, because with this we have many people taking care of many details – and amazingly enough, getting paid to do what they love.  This is rare in the indie world – especially with intimate projects such as this.

In the past I’ve worked for free countless times, and will do so again in the future I am sure, but it helps to have some money in your pocket so that you can pay for groceries.  I often lament that I barely have enough time to write projects because I too busy with finding work to pay the rent, so it is a welcome change when you get a grant and can relax for a moment.  The moment is short, but it is always treasured.

I also appreciate the ability to pay something since I’ve often asked people to work for free on my films or films I’ve produced.  It’s positive filmmaker karma I think that we eventually cash in when we have a project that has no budget to speak of.  I’ve been really fortunate, both here in Montreal and Vancouver when I lived there, to find great people who have taken a lot of time and dedicated it to my films.  I am eternally indebted for that; I am eternally grateful.

Future film stars?