My Three-Year Mission Is Almost Done

I spent the day in Lancaster viewing the last batch of submissions for LAFF III. As expected, this batch was the longest yet. We viewed over 20 films and it took 7 hours to get through. I’m not surprised as many people wait until the last minute for editing and money reasons. It was grueling to say the least.

After the viewing session was over Bryan, Mark and I got the last shot I needed for Old Scratch. It was the last shot of the film. I filmed it before but it didn’t come out right. This time it worked great. As we cleaned up, I mentioned I was glad to be done. It had been a long journey and I was excited to see the finished product, after having worked on it almost 2 years.

Bryan corrected me, saying it was almost 3 years. And he was right, because after one of the shoots his wife, Peggy (also executive producer) drove me back to my car and it was before their daughter was born. I realized he was right.

Due to being married and having other responsibilities, I can’t shoot every weekend. Same goes for my cast and crew. It’s amazing how much time goes by. I still have a hard time believing my mission to adapt one of my favorite short stories has taken almost three years.

Still, I am very happy with what I have and I like the edit. I am trying to cut it down as best I can, because it’s coming in at 30 minutes. I’d like to get it down to 25. But I think this may be my best work to date. The end of my three-year mission has turned out, IMO, to be a success.

I will find out soon enough, however if filmgoers agree with me. Old Scratch is making its world premiere at LAFF on April 9th. Speaking of LAFF, be sure to visit the festival website tomorrow as we announce what films will be screening in this year’s fest.