Watching The Beta

Watching Devotion was stressful as always. I was surprised to see that the Beta SP looked so much better projected than the DVD. Now I'm sending that to LA too. I sent off the travel grant application and now I'm ready to ship the Beta and the DVD to The Pan African Film Festival. I have lots to do and my throat is sore...I've taken Buckleys twice. My cavity is hurting because of all the cough drops.

At the Dentist

I'm at a dentist appointment. I've been working like a donkey. If I'm ever over-paid I'm working for it now. I put together an application for the San Francisco Black Film Festival in June. I'm going to have several opportunities to travel with the film I hope.

Posters or One Sheets?

I think I should do the poster and one sheets or flyers with the new design by Miriam, but I'll tell her we have until next week. I can't afford to do everything I want to and I have to be reasonable or I really won't sleep at night. I can put the screening info and synopsis on labels on the back of the cards if I have to. I have enough for this festival. I can always bring the CD with me. But it will be good to do the poster.

The Final Dubs

I feel no sense of accomplishment today which is ironic because I picked up the final DEVOTION dubs from Serial Digital Post today. I'll take it to Creative Post tommorow. And then I'll make DVD dubs and start sending them out into the world. I also started to write the press notes.

Writing The Voice Over

I think as the writer of the voice over I find it hard to consider how I would feel in the face of my parent's death. I wrote the screenplay because it is the worst thing I could imagine happening to a child. What if helping others, helping Vicki, was part of Alice's own spiritual development? Mostly people don't miss the scene with Alice and Vicki by the lake, but now I have to ask myself-what are the beats in Alice's self recovery or her spiritual awakening? This is a concept that I love for the film. And it is more important to the voice over than explaining her attitude towards Melissa (that just because they are both black in a white environment doesn't mean they are going to be fast friends).

The Fine Cut is Coming Together

I had some peace (finally) watching Devotion (the June 25th cut). There are a few details left to change. I still have to send the film out to lots of people, but I've started to and as of yesterday I feel good about the picture cut. I wish it was done but I'm satisfied with it for the first time. The opening sequence is much better only now the titles need to be done also.

Friday June 13, 2003

It’s Friday the 13^th A lucky day right? I’m working on Devotion, trying to smooth out the rough spots. Now we’re working on the transition between the library scene where the kids talk about their speeches and the scene where Ms. A. apologzies to Alice for breaking her promise, and criticizing her father.