Yesterday we had an editing meltdown. Patrick was all “This fucking thing is driving me insane.” And I was all: “Shut up and get back to editing.” The thing is that, after the last round of feedback, we decided to put the film on the table, slice it open and take everything out. Once all of the guts are out on the table, though, you start to worry if you are every going to put everything back together.
Today was better. Went to the day job and chilled out. It’s funny. Most people get stressed when they go to their day job. But mine is like a vacation. I don’t have to think too hard, the people are cool, and there’s usually lots of free biscuits and coffee. Sometimes they give us liquor. Where was I?
Oh, yes….the edit. So, Patrick calls me up at the day job and says: “I have an idea.” He luanches into it, and, yes, it is the most brilliant idea on how to re-cut Cloudy. He’s the one that our test viewers are having the most trouble with. They like him, but he doesn’t have an story arc. It makes people wonder why they are watching him. Patrick’s brilliant idea gives him an arc.
The beginning is still problematic, but we’ve left it for now. I like what Patrick has cut for it, but I need to re-work the Voice Over a bit. It’s a more personal beginning, and that is making me a bit uncomfortable. It’s not that I have a problem with laying my life out for everyone to see. That’s what I do with my filmmaking and with my writing. I just have a problem if it’s stupid and self-indulgent. But, I guess that’s what the test viewers are there for. Trusted people who will tell you if you are being stupid or not.
