Friday, June 22, 2012

Earrings: Editing Part 2

It’s right there. Tonight, I will go into my editing room (which is what I converted my bedroom into two months ago) and lock myself in until Earrings is finished. Well, not finished finished, but rough cut finished. The sequence of scenes will be done from start to finish, all’s that will remain is leveling the audio and color correcting the look. (Notice how I said “all’s” like audio mastering and color correction are no big deal. Ha.)

It’s funny, last night I went out to dinner with a good friend, and in the middle of our meal, he paused, looked at me and said, “Shit man, can you believe you’re almost done?” To which I replied with a heavy sigh and a wide smile. No, I told him, I cannot believe that in a little over a month, I’ll get to share this passion project of mine with people who seem genuinely interested in seeing it.

About that.


I may be beginning to sound like a broken record here, but the support I’ve received from people throughout Earrings’ production has been game changing, for lack of a better term. It’s helped shift my perspective on art, which may seem like a grandiose statement, but it’s the truth. I last posted about Earrings on Friday May 25, and when I woke up that Saturday morning, my Twitter feed was alive with enthusiasm about the film, stemming largely from Tyler Atkinson’s blog post. That post moved me to tears. It is the single kindest, most selfless act anyone has ever done for me in regards to my filmmaking. I will never be able to thank him enough for it. Or, frankly, to anyone who has lent an encouraging word my way over these past few months.

That last post of mine made me realize something else, too. In it, I briefly touched on the fact that I was personally going through something difficult, and right away, people showed their support, which was completely unexpected. No one asked for details or demanded to be in the know, they just made me aware that they are here, willing to listen if need be. It’s weird that people who live on the other side of the world can be there for you in ways a good friend who lives next door can. But this thing of ours, this glorious, digital family I’ve fallen into… it’s something that I never expected and will never grow tired of.

In short, the day I stop thanking you is the day I no longer feel supported, which I don’t anticipate will happen in the foreseeable future. So, thank you. Thank you all.
A few updates. The rough cut will (will, goddamnit, WILL) be done this weekend, which is perfect timing, because my best friend is getting married next weekend and I have best man duties to attend to. (Who throws a bachelor party two days before a wedding? This guy.) Once July hits, it’s audio tweaking and colorizing. With all that in mind, and please don’t hold me to this, I plan/hope/pray/will do everything in my power to have a trailer up by Saturday July 7. Yeah, that seems doable. And so it shall be.

For many reasons, I never planned to blog about Earrings. One person in particular strongly encouraged me to do so, and it has been one the best decisions I’ve made in regards to this film. You all are so kind, so gracious. I am honored to be your digital presence. I’ll post a brief update once the rough cut is complete, but until then, I’m going to keep rockin’ and rollin’, and I certainly hope you do the same.

25 comments:

  1. Wonderful post. Absolutely delightful post. It's fantastic to read more about the progress of Earrings, and I hope you get your rough cut finished. It's been great following this film, and I anticipate its release with increasing fervour and wonder. Also, your words about my blog post are criminally kind. Winning the Brainiac Award at #lammy2012 today has kind of left me completely elated, but your wondrous words still mean an awful, awful lot.

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    1. Man, if anyone deserves that Brainiac Award, it sure as hell is you. Many congrats for that, my friend. Thanks again for your continued support. It has meant the world to me.

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  2. Great post indeed. I'm interested in the world of editing after hearing so much about what goes on in the editing room.

    Have you seen that documentary about the world of the editors that features interviews with many editors like Thelma Schoonmaker, Walter Murch (as he's editing Cold Mountain), and several others? It's worth checking out.

    I also recommend seeing some of the special features on the Criterion DVD for The Thin Red Line where Billy Weber will tell everyone about the difficulty of editing a Terrence Malick film.

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    1. Oh are you talking about The Cutting Edge? I watched that in one of my film courses in college and found it fascinating. In fact, I may try to find that online and watch it tonight. Good call there.

      Watched all of the TTRL special features many many times. My heart about melted when that came out on Criterion. One of my favorite films of all time.

      Glad you're enjoying these posts!

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    2. Watched it last night (and again this morning). In any time, docs like that are heavenly to me. But at this specific time, that movie was revelatory. I'm literally incorporating some things I heard in that film into my editing process.

      Thanks so much for the recommendation, couldn't have been more perfect. You rock.

      Total side note: while I found it very interesting to watch Murch's process, I wish we could've seen him cut together something other than Cold Mountain. I know they only showed him editing that movie because that's what he was working on while the doc was being filmed but, ah, I just do not like that movie. You? I think it's one of Minghella's weaker films. Maybe I'll give it another go.

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  3. I cannon wait to see the trailer for the film!

    Hope the editing process goes well. Make sure you take some solid breaks in between to clear your head.

    Lastly, I am glad you decided to blog about the film. It has provided some fantastic insight into the filmmaking process.

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    1. Ahh thanks Courtney! Breaks are crazy important, but I actually get so wired in that I have to set alarms as a reminder to take breaks. No shit. I'll sit down at my computer and BAM it's 11 hours later. It's like some weird drug. And I am completely addicted to it.

      Thank you so much for your kind words and support! Really, thank you.

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  4. July 7th!! I'm holding you to it!!!! I want that trailer!

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    1. Ha, I'm hustling! But I think that's a realistic deadline. We shall see.

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  5. Have fun with those best man duties, and I know that Earrings is going to be amazing! We've all seen how much you've been putting into this, and I'm sure it'll pay off! :D

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    1. Loving those stills too, by the way!

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    2. Ahh thanks Ruth. I certainly hope it pays off, I'm so close to this thing... I just hope my passion translates! Really glad you dig the stills!

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  6. Lovely post :) Really made me smile, as simple as that may sound. And I'm very much looking forward to seeing the final product. Do keep us posted, your passion for your work is quite inspiring :).

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    1. SImple your not, the fact that this made you smile, made me smile.

      Sam,, as always, thank you for your kind words and continued support. Keep writing!

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  7. I'm such a scatterhead. I was going to include Earrings in my most anticipated movies on the sidebar and I forgot to do so. I don't think I should do this tonight as I am enjoy my drinks, but by the time the weekend is over it will be up there :)

    Great post and thanks so much for keeping everyone posted - it's really fascinating to read about the process of making the movie and your excitement in making it. With such love for the project that you have I'm 100% certain it will be something truly amazing.

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    1. Holy shit are you serious? Southern Vision now Cinematic Corner, this is nuts!

      "Amazing" AHH that's a big word haha. I can say that it is dark, different and me. If that makes sense.

      You've been a godsend throughout the production of this film, Sati. Truly. Thank you.

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  8. Awesome, man, can't wait! It has been a blast reading through your Earrings posts so far. Best of luck with the editing process!

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  9. Hope you'll share how it's coming along. Looking forward to seeing something from this huge project of yours. Best of luck with the editing.

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    1. Thanks Max! Hope the festival push is working well for you!

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  10. did you just end that post with a boogie nights quote

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    1. You're goddamn right I did. Good catch! (Does karate kick, bows.)

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  11. Getting excited to see the movie. Hope .the editing went well.

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    1. It's going well indeed. Very tedious, but very productive.

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